bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inducing Crystallinity of Metal Thin Films with Weak Magnetic Fields without Thermal Annealing
Authors: Ručman Stefan , Punyodom Winita , Jakmunee Jaroon , Singjai Pisith
Published: September 2018

Since the discovery of thin films, it has been known that higher crystallinity demands higher temperatures, making the process inadequate for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly methods of thin film fabrication. We resolved this problem by sparking metal wires in a 0.4 Tesla magnetic field at ambient conditions under ultra-pure nitrogen flow to replace the annealing of thin films, and thus designed an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient thin film fabrication method. We employed grazing incidence X-Ray Diffraction spectroscopy to characterize crystallinity of Iron, Nickel, Copper and Tungsten thin films prepared by a sparking discharge process in the presence of 0.4 T magnetic field at an ambient temperature of 25 °C. Control experiment was conducted by sparking without a magnetic field present and using ultra-pure nitrogen flow and ambient air containing oxygen. The Iron thin film prepared in ultra-pure nitrogen flow preserved crystallinity even after one year of ageing. Nickel exhibited higher crystallinity when sparked in nitrogen gas flow than when sparked in atmospheric air and was the only element to crystalize under atmospheric air. Tungsten successfully crystalized after just 40 min of sparking and aluminium failed to crystalize at all, even after 12 h of sparking under nitrogen flow.
Worst Cell Based Pilot Allocation in Massive MIMO Systems
Authors: Trong Dao Hieu , Kim Sunghwan
Published: September 2018

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) has been viewed as an advanced technique in future 5G networks. Conventional massive MIMO systems consist of cellular base stations (BS) equipped with a very large number of antennas to simultaneously serve many single-antenna users. Unfortunately, massive MIMO system’s performance is limited by pilot contamination (PC) problem. Conventionally, all users in massive MIMO systems are assigned pilot randomly. In this paper, we propose a pilot allocation algorithm based on a cell with the worst channel quality (WCPA) algorithm to improve the uplink achievable sum rate of the system. Specifically, WCPA exploits the large-scale coefficients of fading channels between the BSs and users. According to the number of available orthogonal pilot sequences, we choose some of the highest inter-cell interfering users and assign each of them a unique pilot sequence if the number of pilot sequences is more than the number of users in a cell. Next, we choose a target cell with the worst channel quality, and gather the highest channel gain user in the target cell and the lowest interfering user in the other cells in the same group in a sequential way by assigning them the same pilot sequence. The simulation results show the outperformance of the proposed algorithm compared to the conventional pilot allocation schemes.
Digital Adaptive Hysteresis Current Control for Multi-Functional Inverters
Authors: Nguyen-Van Triet , Abe Rikiya , Tanaka Kenji
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes a digital adaptive hysteresis current control method for multi-functional inverters in a power-flow control device called digital grid router. Each inverter can be controlled in master, grid-connected, or stand-alone modes, which can be specified by the controller. While the popular linear sine-triangle pulse width modulation (SPWM) control technique requires complicated proportional-integral (PI) regulators with an unavoidable time delay, hysteresis current control has a simple structure, fast responses, and robustness due to its independent system of parameters. Since the hysteresis current control method controls the output current stay around the reference current directly, in the multi-functional inverter, the reference output is not given by a current directly. Thus, the reference current used to implement the hysteresis current control in this study is calculated from the given reference voltage or power in each control mode. The controller uses high-speed sampled data at MHz level and is implemented by using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Experimental results show good performances of the proposed controller in controlling power exchanges in the digital grid router.
Occupancy-Based HVAC Control with Short-Term Occupancy Prediction Algorithms for Energy-Efficient Buildings
Authors: Dong Jin , Winstead Christopher , Nutaro James , Kuruganti Teja
Published: September 2018

This study aims to develop a concrete occupancy prediction as well as an optimal occupancy-based control solution for improving the efficiency of Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems. Accurate occupancy prediction is a key enabler for demand-based HVAC control so as to ensure HVAC is not run needlessly when when a room/zone is unoccupied. In this paper, we propose simple yet effective algorithms to predict occupancy alongside an algorithm for automatically assigning temperature set-points. Utilizing past occupancy observations, we introduce three different techniques for occupancy prediction. Firstly, we propose an identification-based approach, which identifies the model via Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm. Secondly, we study a novel finite state automata (FSA) which can be reconstructed by a general systems problem solver (GSPS). Thirdly, we introduce an alternative stochastic model based on uncertain basis functions. The results show that all the proposed occupancy prediction techniques could achieve around 70% accuracy. Then, we have proposed a scheme to adaptively adjust the temperature set-points according to a novel temperature set algorithm with customers’ different discomfort tolerance indexes. By cooperating with the temperature set algorithm, our occupancy-based HVAC control shows 20% energy saving while still maintaining building comfort requirements.
Effects of Disturbance on Tree Community Dynamics in Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) Ecosystems
Authors: Amberson Jeremy T. , Keville Megan P. , Nelson Cara R.
Published: September 2018

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.), an ecologically important tree species in high-elevation ecosystems of western North America, is threatened by white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola Fischer) and increased pressure from mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) due to climate warming. In addition, there is concern that fire suppression may be leading to successional replacement of whitebark by late-seral trees. Despite widespread knowledge that the tree is in decline, there is limited understanding of its successional dynamics, particularly in forests disturbed by white pine blister rust and mountain pine beetle. Our objective was to examine how disturbances have affected forest composition, structure, and seedling regeneration over a 22-year period (1990–2012) at 19 sites in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State (USA). Over that time, 13 sites (68%) were infected by white pine blister rust, 11 (58%) were disturbed by mountain pine beetle, and 5 (26%) experienced wildfire. Tree community composition changed significantly during the study period, primarily due to significant mortality of mature (≥20-cm diameter at breast height) whitebark pine. Despite loss of mature whitebark trees, we found little evidence of successional replacement by other tree species. Whitebark seedling density was unrelated to basal area of mature whitebark pine, but positively correlated with the presence of herb and shrub cover. Our results demonstrate the value of long-term repeated measurements for elucidating successional dynamics.
Functional Evolution of Avian RIG-I-Like Receptors
Authors: Zheng Wanjing , Satta Yoko
Published: September 2018

RIG-I-like receptors (retinoic acid-inducible gene-I-like receptors, or RLRs) are family of pattern-recognition receptors for RNA viruses, consisting of three members: retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) and laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2). To understand the role of RLRs in bird evolution, we performed molecular evolutionary analyses on the coding genes of avian RLRs using filtered predicted coding sequences from 62 bird species. Among the three RLRs, conservation score and dN/dS (ratio of nonsynonymous substitution rate over synonymous substitution rate) analyses indicate that avian MDA5 has the highest conservation level in the helicase domain but a lower level in the caspase recruitment domains (CARDs) region, which differs from mammals; LGP2, as a whole gene, has a lower conservation level than RIG-I or MDA5. We found evidence of positive selection across all bird lineages in RIG-I and MDA5 but only on the stem lineage of Galliformes in LGP2, which could be related to the loss of RIG-I in Galliformes. Analyses also suggest that selection relaxation may have occurred in LGP2 during the middle of bird evolution and the CARDs region of MDA5 contains many positively selected sites, which might explain its conservation level. Spearman’s correlation test indicates that species-to-ancestor dN/dS of RIG-I shows a negative correlation with endogenous retroviral abundance in bird genomes, suggesting the possibility of interaction between immunity and endogenous retroviruses during bird evolution.
The Geography of Taste: Using Yelp to Study Urban Culture
Authors: Rahimi Sohrab , Mottahedi Sam , Liu Xi
Published: September 2018

This study aims to put forth a new method to study the sociospatial boundaries by using georeferenced community-authored reviews for restaurants. In this study, we show that food choice, drink choice, and restaurant ambience can be good indicators of socioeconomic status of the ambient population in different neighborhoods. To this end, we use Yelp user reviews to distinguish different neighborhoods in terms of their food purchases and identify resultant boundaries in 10 North American metropolitan areas. This dataset includes restaurant reviews as well as a limited number of user check-ins and rating in those cities. We use Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to select a set of potential features pertaining to food, drink and ambience from Yelp user comments for each geolocated restaurant. We then select those features which determine one’s choice of restaurant and the rating that he/she provides for that restaurant. After identifying these features, we identify neighborhoods where similar taste is practiced. We show that neighborhoods identified through our method show statistically significant differences based on demographic factors such as income, racial composition, and education. We suggest that this method helps urban planners to understand the social dynamics of contemporary cities in absence of information on service-oriented cultural characteristics of urban communities.
MODC: A Pareto-Optimal Optimization Approach for Network Traffic Classification Based on the Divide and Conquer Strategy
Authors: Nascimento Zuleika , Sadok Djamel
Published: September 2018

Network traffic classification aims to identify categories of traffic or applications of network packets or flows. It is an area that continues to gain attention by researchers due to the necessity of understanding the composition of network traffics, which changes over time, to ensure the network Quality of Service (QoS). Among the different methods of network traffic classification, the payload-based one (DPI) is the most accurate, but presents some drawbacks, such as the inability of classifying encrypted data, the concerns regarding the users’ privacy, the high computational costs, and ambiguity when multiple signatures might match. For that reason, machine learning methods have been proposed to overcome these issues. This work proposes a Multi-Objective Divide and Conquer (MODC) model for network traffic classification, by combining, into a hybrid model, supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms, based on the divide and conquer strategy. Additionally, it is a flexible model since it allows network administrators to choose between a set of parameters (pareto-optimal solutions), led by a multi-objective optimization process, by prioritizing flow or byte accuracies. Our method achieved 94.14% of average flow accuracy for the analyzed dataset, outperforming the six DPI-based tools investigated, including two commercial ones, and other machine learning-based methods.
Dose-Response Relationship between Exercise Duration and Executive Function in Older Adults
Authors: Chen Feng-Tzu , Etnier Jennifer L. , Wu Chih-Han , Cho Yu-Min , Hung Tsung-Min , Chang Yu-Kai
Published: September 2018

This study aimed to determine the dose-response relationship between exercise duration and task switching in older adults. Acute moderate intensity aerobic exercise for 20 min resulted in shorter response times than control and 10-min sessions in the heterogeneous, non-switch, and switch conditions, but not in the homogeneous condition. Additionally, linear and cubic trends between exercise duration and global switching performance as well as local switching performance were revealed with faster times being predicted by longer duration exercise; however, the cubic relationship resulted in performance following the 45-min session being not significantly different from the other three sessions. Acute aerobic moderate intensity exercise for 20 min is an effective duration to improve task switching. Although a longer duration of exercise is not optimal for benefiting task switching, it does not harm task switching in older adults and hence may be of value for other health-related reasons.
Equivalences of Riemann Integral Based on p-Norm
Authors: Chen Ray-Ming
Published: September 2018

In the usual Riemann integral setting, the Riemann norm or a mesh is adopted for Riemann sums. In this article, we use the p-norm to define the p-integral and show the equivalences between the Riemann integral and the p-integral. The p-norm provides an alternative approach to define the Riemann integral. Based on this norm, we also derive some other equivalences of the Riemann integral and the p-integral.
Nanoscale-Textured Tantalum Surfaces for Mammalian Cell Alignment
Authors: Moussa Hassan I. , Logan Megan , Wong Kingsley , Rao Zheng , Aucoin Marc G. , Tsui Ting Y.
Published: September 2018

Tantalum is one of the most important biomaterials used for surgical implant devices. However, little knowledge exists about how nanoscale-textured tantalum surfaces affect cell morphology. Mammalian (Vero) cell morphology on tantalum-coated comb structures was studied using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. These structures contained parallel lines and trenches with equal widths in the range of 0.18 to 100 μm. Results showed that as much as 77% of adherent cell nuclei oriented within 10° of the line axes when deposited on comb structures with widths smaller than 10 μm. However, less than 20% of cells exhibited the same alignment performance on blanket tantalum films or structures with line widths larger than 50 μm. Two types of line-width-dependent cell morphology were observed. When line widths were smaller than 0.5 μm, nanometer-scale pseudopodia bridged across trench gaps without contacting the bottom surfaces. In contrast, pseudopodia structures covered the entire trench sidewalls and the trench bottom surfaces of comb structures with line-widths larger than 0.5 μm. Furthermore, results showed that when a single cell simultaneously adhered to multiple surface structures, the portion of the cell contacting each surface reflected the type of morphology observed for cells individually contacting the surfaces.
Fundamental Studies of SHMP in Reducing Negative Effects of Divalent Ions on Molybdenite Flotation
Authors: Li Wanqing , Li Yubiao , Wei Zhenlun , Xiao Qing , Song Shaoxian
Published: September 2018

Seawater has been considered as an alternative to freshwater for flotation. However, many ions in seawater were reported to depress molybdenite (MoS2), with the depressing mechanisms being insufficiently understood. In this study, the influence of divalent ions (e.g., Ca2+ and Mg2+) and dispersant on MoS2 flotation was systematically investigated. It was found that the detrimental effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on the natural flotability of MoS2 were mainly due to the attachment of formed CaMoO4 precipitates and Mg(OH)2 colloids onto MoS2 surface. However, the addition of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) reduced the negative effects. Various measurements, including contact angle, zeta potential, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscope (AFM), were conducted to understand the influencing mechanisms of divalent ions and the beneficial effects of SHMP on MoS2 flotation. In addition, the Extended Derjguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (EDLVO) theory was applied to investigate the total interaction energy between MoS2 particles and formed colloids, revealing that the reduced attraction force between MoS2 and Mg(OH)2 colloids in the presence of SHMP primarily resulted in the increased MoS2 recovery. In addition, SHMP combined with Mg2+ and Ca2+ to form dissolvable complexes, thereby reducing insoluble Mg2+ and Ca2+ compounds or precipitation. Thus, this study demonstrated for the first time two influencing mechanisms of SHMP in improving MoS2 recovery in the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+.
Microfluidic-Based Single-Cell Study: Current Status and Future Perspective
Authors: Wu Haiwa , Zhu Jing , Huang Yao , Wu Daming , Sun Jingyao
Published: September 2018

Investigation of cell behavior under different environments and manual operations can give information in specific cellular processes. Among all cell-based analysis, single-cell study occupies a peculiar position, while it can avoid the interaction effect within cell groups and provide more precise information. Microfluidic devices have played an increasingly important role in the field of single-cell study owing to their advantages: high efficiency, easy operation, and low cost. In this review, the applications of polymer-based microfluidics on cell manipulation, cell treatment, and cell analysis at single-cell level are detailed summarized. Moreover, three mainly types of manufacturing methods, i.e., replication, photodefining, and soft lithography methods for polymer-based microfluidics are also discussed.
Investigation into the Potential Migration of Nanoparticles from Laponite-Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Bott Johannes , Franz Roland
Published: September 2018

In this study, the migration potential of laponite, a small synthetic nanoclay, from nanocomposites into foods was investigated. First, a laponite/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) masterbatch was compounded several times and then extruded into thin low-density polyethylene (LDPE) based films. This way, intercalation and partial exfoliation of the smallest type of clay was achieved. Migration of laponite was investigated using Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) with Multi-Angle Laser Light Scattering (MALLS) detection. A surfactant solution in which laponite dispersion remained stable during migration test conditions was used as alternative food simulant. Sample films with different loadings of laponite were stored for 10 days at 60 °C. No migration of laponite was found at a limit of detection of 22 µg laponite per Kg food. It can be concluded that laponite (representing the worst case for any larger structured type of clay) does not migrate into food once it is incorporated into a polymer matrix.
Facile Synthesis of β-Lactoglobulin-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide and Trimetallic PtAuPd Nanocomposite for Electrochemical Sensing
Authors: Han Bingkai , Pan Meixin , Zhou Jiexin , Wang Yingying , Wang Zihua , Jiao Jun , Zhang Cong , Chen Qiang
Published: September 2018

The use of graphene has leapt forward the materials field and the functional modification of graphene has not stopped. In this work, β-lactoglobulin (BLG) was used to functionalize reduced graphene oxide (RGO) based on its amphiphilic properties. Also, trimetallic PtAuPd nanoparticles were reduced to the surface of BLG-functionalized RGO and formed BLG-PtAuPd-RGO nanocomposite using facile synthesis. Transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectra were used to characterize the nanocomposite. Electrocatalytic analysis was evaluated through cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods. We developed a glucose sensor by fabricating GOD-BLG-PtAuPd-RGO/glassy carbon (GC) electrode. It presented a remarkable sensitivity of 63.29 μA mM−1 cm−2 (4.43 μA mM−1), a wider linear range from 0.005 to 9 mM and a lower detection limit of 0.13 μM (S/N = 3). Additionally, the glucose sensor exhibited excellent testing capability in human serum samples.
An Active Lifestyle Reinforces the Effect of a Healthy Diet on Cognitive Function: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study
Authors: Shakersain Behnaz , Rizzuto Debora , Wang Hui-Xin , Faxén-Irving Gerd , Prinelli Federica , Fratiglioni Laura , Xu Weili
Published: September 2018

The joint effect of diet and leisure activity on cognitive function remains unknown. We aimed to verify the hypothesis that an active lifestyle reinforces the effect of the Nordic Prudent Dietary Pattern (NPDP) on cognitive function. A total of 2223 dementia-free Swedish adults aged ≥60 with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores ≥27 were followed for an average of 6 years. MMSE was tested during follow-ups. Diet was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. The NPDP index was calculated and tertiled (low, moderate, and high adherence). Participation in physical, mental and social activities was trichotomised (low, moderate, and intense). An active lifestyle was defined based on the participation in each activity. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects models. Moderate-to-high adherence to NPDP was associated with a reduced decline in the MMSE score (β: 0.19, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.14–0.24). This association became stronger when combined with moderate-to-intense physical (β: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.2–0.45), mental (β: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.21–0.37), or social (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.19–0.34) activities. An active lifestyle strengthened the effect of NPDP on cognitive function by two times, and further lowered risk of MMSE decline by 30%. Thus, an active lifestyle reinforces the effect of a healthy diet on preserved cognitive function, and further decreases the risk of cognitive decline.
Preparation, Characterization, and In Vivo Evaluation of an Oral Multiple Nanoemulsive System for Co-Delivery of Pemetrexed and Quercetin
Authors: Pangeni Rudra , Panthi Vijay Kumar , Yoon In-Soo , Park Jin Woo
Published: September 2018

Co-administration of conventional and natural chemotherapeutics offers synergistic anticancer efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. In this study, an oral co-delivery system for pemetrexed (PMX) and quercetin (QCN) was designed based on water-in-oil-in-water nanoemulsion (NE), which is highly absorbable because it enhances the intestinal membrane permeability of PMX and aqueous solubility of QCN. To create this system, an ion-pairing complex of PMX with Nα-deoxycholyl-l-lysyl-methylester (DCK) was formed and further incorporated with QCN into the NE, yielding PMX/DCK-QCN-NE. The results revealed synergistic inhibitory effects on human lung carcinoma (A549) cell proliferation and migration after combined treatment with PMX/DCK and QCN. The intestinal membrane permeability and cellular uptake of PMX/DCK and QCN from the NE were significantly improved via facilitated transport of PMX by the interaction of DCK with bile acid transporters, as well as NE formulation-mediated alterations in the membrane structure and fluidity, which resulted in 4.51- and 23.9-fold greater oral bioavailability of PMX and QCN, respectively, than each free drug. Tumor growth in A549 cell-bearing mice was also maximally suppressed by 62.7% after daily oral administration of PMX/DCK-QCN-NE compared with controls. Thus, PMX/DCK-QCN-NE is a promising oral nanocarrier of PMX and QCN for synergistic anticancer efficacy and long-term chemotherapy.
User Experiences of Prescription and Over-The-Counter Drug Abuse in Aden City, Yemen
Authors: Abood Ebtesam A. , Scott Jenny , Wazaify Mayyada
Published: September 2018

Khat chewing is commonplace in Yemen, but little else is known about the misuse of other drugs, especially how such misuse may intersect with Khat use. The aim of this study was to investigate misuse of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in community pharmacies in Aden city, from the users’ perspective. A qualitative in-depth-interview study was undertaken with fifteen known or suspected drug misusers, recruited through community pharmacies. Thematic analysis was used to identify the main emergent themes around experience of prescription and OTC drug misuse. The majority of interviewees were male (n = 11/15) with an age range of 21–40 years. Benzodiazepines, Tramadol, and Ketoprofen were the most commonly misused drugs. Four main themes were identified: Experience sought with drugs; awareness of problematic drug use; pattern and methods of misuse; and the role of healthcare professionals in responding to misuse. The study highlighted different issues, such as the practice of mixing different OTC and prescription drugs with Khat to heighten the effects or manage associated pain, and drug misuse by females and by health care professionals. The study also suggested that physicians and pharmacists fear counselling such people, probably with the risk of violence as a contributory factor.
Alternating Magnetic Field-Triggered Switchable Nanofiber Mesh for Cancer Thermo-Chemotherapy
Authors: Niiyama Eri , Uto Koichiro , Lee Chun Man , Sakura Kazuma , Ebara Mitsuhiro
Published: September 2018

We have developed a smart anti-cancer fiber mesh that is able to control tumor-killing activity against lung adenocarcinoma precisely. The mesh is capable of carrying large loads of chemotherapeutic drug, paclitaxel (PTX), as well as magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The mesh generates heat when the loaded MNPs are activated in an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The mesh is thermo-responsive, so the heat generated can be also used to trigger PTX release from the mesh. An electrospinning method was employed to fabricate the mesh using a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, the phase transition temperature of which was adjusted to the mild-hyperthermia temperature range around 43 °C. In vitro anti-tumor studies demonstrated that both MNP- and PTX-loaded mesh killed about 66% of cells, whereas only PTX-loaded mesh killed about 43% of cells. In a mouse lung cancer model, the thermo-chemotherapy combo displayed enhanced anti-tumor activity and the systemic toxic effects on mice were eliminated due to local release of the chemotherapeutic agents. The proposed fiber system might provide a blueprint to guide the design of the next generation of local drug delivery systems for safe and effective cancer treatment.
A Correlation Analysis of Normalized Indicators of Citation
Authors: Kochetkov Dmitry M.
Published: September 2018

Recently, more and more countries are entering the global race for university competitiveness. On the one hand, global rankings are a convenient tool for quantitative analysis. On the other hand, their indicators are often difficult to quickly calculate and they often contradict each other. The author of this paper hoped to use widely available indicators for a quick analysis of the University’s publication strategy and opted for the normalized citation indicators available in the SciVal analytical tool, namely, Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP) and Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI). The author demonstrated the possibility of applying the correlation analysis to the impact indicators of a document and a journal on a sample of social and humanitarian fields at Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (PFUR, “RUDN” in Russian). A dot diagram of university (or country) documents was used to form a two-factor matrix (SNIP and FWCI) that was further divided into four quadrants. Such an analysis illustrated the present situation in that discipline. An analysis of the RUDN university publications revealed problems and prospects in the development of social sciences and humanities. A serious problem observed was that high-quality results were often published in low-impact journals that narrowed the results’ potential audience and, accordingly, the number of citations. A particular attention was paid to the application of the results in practice.
A 55-Year Time Series Station for Primary Production in the Adriatic Sea: Data Correction, Extraction of Photosynthesis Parameters and Regime Shifts
Authors: Kovač Žarko , Platt Trevor , Ninčević Gladan Živana , Morović Mira , Sathyendranath Shubha , Raitsos Dionysios E. , Grbec Branka , Matić Frano , Veža Jere
Published: September 2018

In 1962, a series of in situ primary production measurements began in the Adriatic Sea, at a station near the island of Vis. To this day, over 55 years of monthly measurements through the photic zone have been accumulated, including close to 3000 production measurements at different depths. The measurements are conducted over a six-hour period around noon, and the average production rate extrapolated linearly over day length to calculate daily production. Here, a non-linear primary production model is used to correct these estimates for potential overestimation of daily production due to linear extrapolation. The assimilation numbers are recovered from the measured production profiles and subsequently used to model production at depth. Using the recovered parameters, the model explained 87% of variability in measured normalized production at depth. The model is then used to calculate daily production at depth, and it is observed to give on average 20% lower daily production at depth than the estimates based on linear extrapolation. Subsequently, water column production is calculated, and here, the model predicted on average 26% lower water column production. With the recovered parameters and the known magnitude of the overestimation, the time-series of water column production is then re-established with the non-linearly-corrected data. During this 55-year period, distinct regimes were observed, which were classified with a regime shift detection method. It is then demonstrated how the recovered parameters can be used in a remote sensing application. A seasonal cycle of the recovered assimilation number is constructed along with the seasonal cycle of remotely-sensed chlorophyll. The two are then used to model the seasonal cycle of water column production. An upper and a lower bound on the seasonal cycle of water column production based on remotely-sensed chlorophyll data are then presented. Measured water column production was found to be well within the range of remotely-sensed estimates. With this work, the utility of in situ measurements as a means of providing information on the assimilation number is presented and its application as a reference for remote sensing models highlighted.
Remote Sensing of Leaf and Canopy Nitrogen Status in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Based on N-PROSAIL Model
Authors: Li Zhenhai , Jin Xiuliang , Yang Guijun , Drummond Jane , Yang Hao , Clark Beth , Li Zhenhong , Zhao Chunjiang
Published: September 2018

Plant nitrogen (N) information has widely been estimated through empirical techniques using hyperspectral data. However, the physical model inversion approach on N spectral response has seldom developed and remains a challenge. In this study, an N-PROSAIL model based on the N-based PROSPECT model and the SAIL model canopy model was constructed and used for retrieving crop N status both at leaf and canopy scales. The results show that the third parameter (3rd-par) retrieving strategy (leaf area index (LAI) and leaf N density (LND) optimized where other parameters in the N-PROSAIL model are set at different values at each growth stage) exhibited the highest accuracy for LAI and LND estimation, which resulted in R2 and RMSE values of 0.80 and 0.69, and 0.46 and 21.18 µg·cm−2, respectively. It also showed good results with R2 and RMSE values of 0.75 and 0.38% for leaf N concentration (LNC) and 0.82 and 0.95 g·m−2 for canopy N density (CND), respectively. The N-PROSAIL model retrieving method performed better than the vegetation index regression model (LNC: RMSE = 0.48 − 0.64%; CND: RMSE = 1.26 − 1.78 g·m−2). This study indicates the potential of using the N-PROSAIL model for crop N diagnosis on leaf and canopy scales in wheat.
Do Large Slaughterhouses Promote Sustainable Intensification of Cattle Ranching in Amazonia and the Cerrado?
Authors: Santos Ana Beatriz , Costa Marcos Heil
Published: September 2018

This study investigated the influence of large slaughterhouses on five variables, two related to environment impact (land use change rate and greenhouse gases emissions (GE)), and three related to cattle-ranching intensification (protein from crops, calories from crops and stocking rate). In Amazonia, the results show a reduction of the land use change rate and GE in zones both with and without the influence of large slaughterhouses. The hypothesis that slaughterhouses are leverage points to reduce deforestation in the biome was not confirmed. The slaughterhouses also seem to have no effect on cattle ranching intensification, as protein and calories production increased significantly in both zones, while the stocking rates did not change in the influence zones. In the Cerrado, cattle-ranching intensification is a reality, and is occurring independently of the presence of large slaughterhouses. In conclusion, the results show no evidence that large slaughterhouses have promoted either cattle-ranching intensification or improvements in the sustainability of the cattle-ranching activity in Amazonia and the Cerrado.
Integrative Assessment of Land Use Conflicts
Authors: Izakovičová Zita , Miklós László , Miklósová Viktória
Published: September 2018

Changes in land use are reflected primary in changes of land cover, but subsequently cause conflict of interest of sectors and are the main initiation of many environmental problems. The basic tool for sustainable utilization of the landscape is integrated landscape management, which, in our understanding, is the environmentally biased harmonization of tools which regulate the spatial organization and functional utilization of the landscape to avoid the conflicts of interest of sectors. “Integrated” in this case means the systematic assessment of the interests of all relevant sectors from the environmental point of view. The scientific base of this approach is the understanding of the landscape as a geosystem, and, in particular, the proper interpretation of the mutual relations of primary, secondary and tertiary landscape structures and their role in the assessment of the conflicts of interest. This paper presents a theoretical and methodical base for the integrated approach to the assessment of the conflicts of interest of the sectors in the landscape. The theoretical-methodical base was applied to the model territory of the Trnava district (south-west Slovakia). Mutual conflicts of interest of endangering and endangered sectors cause diverse problems, which were ranked in three basic groups as: problems of endangering of the ecological stability of the landscape (including endangering of biodiversity and nature conservation areas); problems of endangering of natural resources (in particular forests, soils, waters); and, problems of endangering the immediate human environment (stress factors in residential and recreational areas). The result is the identification and analysis of the conflicts of interest in the territory and their projection to a map. This research should be followed by implementation of procedures of ecologically optimal spatial organization and utilization of the territory for regular spatial planning processes.
Modelling Perceived Risks Associated to the Entry of Complementors’ in Platform Enterprises: A Case Study
Authors: Miron Elena-Teodora , Purcarea Anca Alexandra , Negoita Olivia Doina
Published: September 2018

Third-party innovators, i.e., complementors, in platform enterprises develop and commercialize add-on products which are one of the main attraction points for customers. To ensure a sustainable evolution of the enterprise, the platform owner needs to attract and retain high-quality third-party innovators. We posit that the transaction costs incurred upon joining the enterprise as well as the controls imposed by the platform owner throughout the development and commercialization process shape the innovator’s perceived risk and influence his decision on whether to join or not. Based on a literature review, the paper at hand proposes a conceptual model for complementors to assess their perceived risk and subsequently evaluates the model in a case study of a platform enterprise for IT-based modelling tools. While some of the propositions are validated, i.e., that informational controls decrease the perceived environmental uncertainty and implicitly the perceived risks, other propositions, such as the fact that asset specificity is a deterrent to entering the platform enterprise could not be validated. Further case studies are necessary to provide a conclusive proof of the proposed model.
Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus: From Genome to Disease Management
Authors: Kannan Maathavi , Ismail Ismanizan , Bunawan Hamidun
Published: September 2018

Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) is a serious maize pathogen, epidemic worldwide, and one of the most common virus diseases for monocotyledonous plants, causing up to 70% loss in corn yield globally since 1960. MDMV belongs to the genus Potyvirus (Potyviridae) and was first identified in 1964 in Illinois in corn and Johnsongrass. MDMV is a single stranded positive sense RNA virus and is transmitted in a non-persistent manner by several aphid species. MDMV is amongst the most important virus diseases in maize worldwide. This review will discuss its genome, transmission, symptomatology, diagnosis and management. Particular emphasis will be given to the current state of knowledge on the diagnosis and control of MDMV, due to its importance in reducing the impact of maize dwarf mosaic disease, to produce an enhanced quality and quantity of maize.
Strategies to Encapsulate the Staphylococcus aureus Bacteriophage phiIPLA-RODI
Authors: González-Menéndez Eva , Fernández Lucía , Gutiérrez Diana , Pando Daniel , Martínez Beatriz , Rodríguez Ana , García Pilar
Published: September 2018

The antimicrobial properties of bacteriophages make them suitable food biopreservatives. However, such applications require the development of strategies that ensure stability of the phage particles during food processing. In this study, we assess the protective effect of encapsulation of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage phiIPLA-RODI in three kinds of nanovesicles (niosomes, liposomes, and transfersomes). All these systems allowed the successful encapsulation of phage phiIPLA-RODI with an efficiency ranged between 62% and 98%, regardless of the concentration of components (like phospholipids and surfactants) used for vesicle formation. Only niosomes containing 30 mg/mL of surfactants exhibited a slightly lower percentage of encapsulation. Regarding particle size distribution, the values determined for niosomes, liposomes, and transfersomes were 0.82 ± 0.09 µm, 1.66 ± 0.21 µm, and 0.55 ± 0.06 µm, respectively. Importantly, bacteriophage infectivity was maintained during storage for 6 months at 4 °C for all three types of nanovesicles, with the exception of liposomes containing a low concentration of components. In addition, we observed that niosomes partially protected the phage particles from low pH. Thus, while free phiIPLA-RODI was not detectable after 60 min of incubation at pH 4.5, titer of phage encapsulated in niosomes decreased only 2 log units. Overall, our results show that encapsulation represents an appropriate procedure to improve stability and, consequently, antimicrobial efficacy of phages for application in the food processing industry.
Zoonotic Potential of Influenza A Viruses: A Comprehensive Overview
Authors: Mostafa Ahmed , Abdelwhab Elsayed M. , Mettenleiter Thomas C. , Pleschka Stephan
Published: September 2018

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) possess a great zoonotic potential as they are able to infect different avian and mammalian animal hosts, from which they can be transmitted to humans. This is based on the ability of IAV to gradually change their genome by mutation or even reassemble their genome segments during co-infection of the host cell with different IAV strains, resulting in a high genetic diversity. Variants of circulating or newly emerging IAVs continue to trigger global health threats annually for both humans and animals. Here, we provide an introduction on IAVs, highlighting the mechanisms of viral evolution, the host spectrum, and the animal/human interface. Pathogenicity determinants of IAVs in mammals, with special emphasis on newly emerging IAVs with pandemic potential, are discussed. Finally, an overview is provided on various approaches for the prevention of human IAV infections.
Sewer Condition Prediction and Analysis of Explanatory Factors
Authors: Laakso Tuija , Kokkonen Teemu , Mellin Ilkka , Vahala Riku
Published: September 2018

Sewer condition is commonly assessed using closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspections. In this paper, we combine inspection results, pipe attributes, network data, and data on pipe environment to predict pipe condition and to discover which factors affect it. We apply the random forest algorithm to model pipe condition and assess the variable importance using the Boruta algorithm. We analyse the impact of predictor variables on poor condition using partial dependence plots, which are a valuable technique for this purpose. The results can be used in screening pipes for future inspections and provide insight into the dynamics between predictor variables and poor condition.
Enquête autour d’un objet didactique : la notion de circuit argumentatif
Authors: Delcambre Isabelle
Published: September 2018

La notion de circuit argumentatif n’est pas un concept issu de la «théorie » argumentative mais une métaphore didactique assez répandue dans les manuels de second cycle. Le propos de cet article est triple : reconstituer la genèse de cette notion ; cerner les conceptions de l’argumentation auxquelles elle renvoie ou qu’elle encourage ; tenter d’en faire une critique théorique. On verra que la notion de circuit est utilisée tantôt pour référer à des organisations textuelles (et à leurs marques linguistiques) tantôt pour désigner les «mouvements de pensée » spécifiques à une conduite argumentative. Mais d’un manuel à l’autre, voire d’un chapitre à l’autre dans un même manuel, on oscille d’un sens à l'autre, la dominante organisationnelle l’emportant le plus souvent, ce qui contribue à rigidifier (dans une conception essentiellement contre-argumentative) un supposé modèle du texte argumentatif (de la «thèse refusée » à la «thèse proposée ») et à faire coïncider la notion, à l'origine complexe, de circuit avec celle plus commune de «plan du texte ». La question didactique sous-jacente est celle, sans cesse réitérée, des modèles textuels que le professeur se donne pour accompagner ses élèves dans des apprentissages qui nécessitent autant de savoirs théoriques que de souplesse.
L'argumentation dans l'émotion
Authors: Plantin Christian
Published: September 2018

L’analyse argumentative connaît les argumentations fondées sur une émotion (sentiment, éprouvé), comme l’argumentation sur la pitié ; cet article montre que l’émotion elle-même peut être argumentée. D’une façon générale, l’analyse de l’émotion dans le discours est menée à l’aide des notions d’ énoncé d’émotion (attribuant un terme d'émotion à un lieu psychologique) et d’une topique spécifiée pour l’émotion. Ce cadre théorique est ensuite appliqué à une analyse de l’argumentation des sentiments dans un texte militant sur l’ex-Yougoslavie.
La transposition didactique en français
Authors: Petitjean André
Published: September 2018

L'article se propose, en premier lieu, de présenter les contributions du numéro de Pratiques et de rendre compte et d'interroger le concept de transposition didactique. En second lieu, il mesure la pertinence de ce concept pour l'enseignement du français et réfléchit sur la spécificité et sur l'évolution historique de cette discipline.
Lecture méthodique ou méthode de lecture à l'usage des élèves de lycée : un objet didactique non identifié
Authors: Michel Raymond
Published: September 2018

L'introduction de la lecture méthodique, en 1 987, dans les instructions officielles du lycée, n'a pas été sans poser de nombreux problèmes, tant l'exercice paraissait nouveau et en décalage avec les pratiques communes et la formation des enseignants. D'ailleurs, les espoirs de rénovation de la lecture littéraire, qu'ont pu mettre, alors, dans la lecture méthodique ses concepteurs, on été, rapidement, déçus, eu égard à la dérive qu'a subie un tel exercice : applicationnisme linguistique, formalisme, technicisme, oubli du sens et des fonctions du texte littéraire. Ce constat ayant été fait, il faut, d'un point de vue didactique, se demander pourquoi la lecture méthodique a connu une telle réification. Il appert, tout d'abord, qu'il existe, paradoxalement, des contradictions profondes entre les principes qui gouvernent le cursus universitaire des étudiants de lettres, le concours de recrutement des professeurs de français et les instructions qui fondent les exercices en usage dans les classes du secondaire. Ensuite, une lecture attentive de ces instructions officielles montre que la lecture méthodique, implicitement, a été plus conçue comme une «méthode de lecture à l'usage des lycées », que comme une véritable initiation/invitation à une «opération liseuse ». Et l'on peut se demander si, en définitive, l'innovation prétendue et souhaitée n'a pas échoué parce qu'elle s'est faite dans l'opacité totale, à tous les niveaux, sans réelle volonté de transposition didactique sérieuse et réfléchie.
Enseignement / apprentissage de l'écriture et transposition didactique
Authors: Petitjean André
Published: September 2018

S'appuyant sur l'exemple des manuels de la collection Maîtrise de l'écrit, l'article interroge la pertinence du concept de transposition didactique pour l'enseignement du français, et plus particulièrement pour l'enseignement / apprentissage de récriture au collège. Il apparaît que la confection de ces manuels a nécessité de nombreuses transpositions didactiques en référence à une pluralité de savoirs théoriques.
Transposition des théories du texte en formation des enseignants ?
Authors: Nonnon Elisabeth
Published: September 2018

La transposition didactique des théories du texte a ceci de spécifique qu’elle concerne les textes objets des théories, mais aussi les textes et discours par lesquels textes et théories sont transmis, commentés, légitimés : cette chaîne continue de renvois et de reformulations constitue une formation discursive, dont font partie les paraphrases ordinaires des élèves aussi bien que les textes écrits par les futurs enseignants à partir des écrits théoriques travaillés en formation. Les références aux théories du texte doivent donc pouvoir être utilisées de façon réflexive à titre d’outils, pour mieux comprendre ces pratiques textuelles et discursives que sont le quotidien de la classe de français et les expériences de lecture et d’écriture dans la formation d’enseignants. Cet usage réflexif des théories dans les activités mêmes de la formation s’inscrirait dans un questionnement épistémologique sur la discipline du français comme discipline de formation, et dans un usage des références théoriques visant la transposition de démarches d’investigation autant que la transposition de contenus de savoirs.