bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil Salinity Mapping of Urban Greenery Using Remote Sensing and Proximal Sensing Techniques; The Case of Veale Gardens within the Adelaide Parklands
Authors: Nouri Hamideh , Chavoshi Borujeni Sattar , Alaghmand Sina , Anderson Sharolyn J. , Sutton Paul C. , Parvazian Somayeh , Beecham Simon
Published: August 2018

More well-maintained green spaces leading toward sustainable, smart green cities mean that alternative water resources (e.g., wastewater) are needed to fulfill the water demand of urban greenery. These alternative resources may introduce some environmental hazards, such as salt leaching through wastewater irrigation. Despite the necessity of salinity monitoring and management in urban green spaces, most attention has been on agricultural fields. This study was defined to investigate the capability and feasibility of monitoring and predicting soil salinity using proximal sensing and remote sensing approaches. The innovation of the study lies in the fact that it is one of the first research studies to investigate soil salinity in heterogeneous urban vegetation with two approaches: proximal sensing salinity mapping using Electromagnetic-induction Meter (EM38) surveys and remote sensing using the high-resolution multispectral image of WorldView3. The possible spectral band combinations that form spectral indices were calculated using remote sensing techniques. The results from the EM38 survey were validated by testing soil samples in the laboratory. These findings were compared to remote sensing-based soil salinity indicators to examine their competence on mapping and predicting spatial variation of soil salinity in urban greenery. Several regression models were fitted; the mixed effect modeling was selected as the most appropriate to analyze data, as it takes into account the systematic observation-specific unobserved heterogeneity. Our results showed that Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) was the only salinity index that could be considered for predicting soil salinity in urban greenery using high-resolution images, yet further investigation is recommended.
A Study on the Sustainable Growth of SMEs: The Mediating Role of Organizational Metacognition
Authors: Yoo Wang-Jin , Choo Hyun Ho , Lee Sang Jin
Published: August 2018

This study investigates a method to improve small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) business performance and organizational effectiveness for sustainable growth. This study hypothesizes that technological innovation capabilities have a positive impact on business performance and organizational effectiveness and that metacognition at the organizational level has a mediating role in the relationship. To verify the relationship, this study conducts an empirical analysis using a survey questionnaire. The findings are as follows. First, technological innovation capability has a positive effect on both business performance and organizational effectiveness. Second, organizational metacognition has a partial mediating effect on the effect of technological innovation capability on business performance and organizational effectiveness. The results suggest that chief executive officer (CEO) and middle managers contemplate the methodology of metacognition at the organizational level and that they should focus more on enhancing business performance by developing technological innovation capability and organizational metacognition.
More than Yield: Ecosystem Services of Traditional versus Modern Crop Varieties Revisited
Authors: Ficiciyan Anoush , Loos Jacqueline , Sievers-Glotzbach Stefanie , Tscharntke Teja
Published: August 2018

Agricultural intensification with modern plant breeding focuses on few high-yielding crops and varieties. The loss of traditional crop species and variety diversity contributes to the current decline of provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services, as reported in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Access to local and adapted varieties is pivotal for resilient agroecosystems, in particular under current global change. We reviewed the scientific literature to understand the role of different crop varieties for ecosystem services, comparing the performance and perception of traditional landraces versus modern varieties and ask the following questions: 1. Do landraces and modern varieties differ in terms of provisioning and regulating ecosystem services? 2. When and why do farmers prefer cultural ecosystem services of landraces over high-yielding varieties? Based on 41 publications, our results document that modern varieties are preferred over landraces because of their typically higher provisioning services such as crop yield. However, landraces often guarantee higher provisioning services under non-optimal farming conditions. Landraces can show high resilience under harsh environmental conditions and are a trusted source achieving stable crop yield (e.g., under droughts stress). Regulating services such as resistance against pests and diseases appear to often become lost during breeding for high-yielding, modern varieties. Furthermore, small-scale farmers typically prefer local landraces due to regional cultural features such as family traditions and cooking characteristics for special dishes. In conclusion, both landraces and modern varieties have merit depending on the farmers’ priorities and the social-ecological context. In any case, maintaining and restoring the huge diversity of landrace varieties is necessary for sustaining current and future needs.
Impact of Insulation Type and Thickness on the Dynamic Thermal Characteristics of an External Wall Structure
Authors: Yuan Jihui
Published: August 2018

The dynamic thermal characteristics of external wall structures are directly related to indoor thermal comfort and energy savings in buildings; they are also complicated and worth investigating. Thermal insulation in external wall structures has become a popular topic of investigation in the domain of building energy efficiency. This study aims to find the impact of insulation type and thickness on the dynamic thermal characteristics of external wall structures using a homogeneous multi-layer building external wall structure and three types of insulation materials that are widely used in Japan. The impact of insulation type and thickness on seven thermal characteristics of external walls, including thermal transmittance, decrement factor or amplitude attenuation, time lag, thermal admittance, time lead for thermal admittance, surface factor, and thermal capacity, was evaluated by numerical methods in this study. It was shown that insulation type and thickness would have a significant effect on thermal transmittance, decrement factor and time lag, but yield no significant change in thermal admittance, time lead for thermal admittance, surface factor, and the thermal capacity of external wall structures.
Indicators for Promising Accessibility and Mobility Services
Authors: Ringenson Tina , Arnfalk Peter , Kramers Anna , Sopjani Liridona
Published: August 2018

Cities are increasingly facing major transportation challenges, and new sustainable solutions are needed. New ICT-enabled services can be part of solving the problems, including both improving and finding new transportation services and providing digital access to different services. It is important to identify which services have the best potential for environmental benefits (e.g., travel reduction leading to lesser emissions), economic viability and spread. Such identification can be carried out with the help of indicators. This article uses four types of new accessibility services to test out a previously formulated set of indicators and suggest changes to make them more useful. Using common indicators for transportation and digital accessibility services seem to support collecting and condensing information about the services and simplifies understanding their benefits and challenges. However, a challenge for this approach is finding indicators that are both specific and broad enough to be useful.
Multiple-Attribute Decision-Making Method Using Similarity Measures of Hesitant Linguistic Neutrosophic Numbers Regarding Least Common Multiple Cardinality
Authors: Cui Wenhua , Ye Jun
Published: August 2018

Linguistic neutrosophic numbers (LNNs) are a powerful tool for describing fuzzy information with three independent linguistic variables (LVs), which express the degrees of truth, uncertainty, and falsity, respectively. However, existing LNNs cannot depict the hesitancy of the decision-maker (DM). To solve this issue, this paper first defines a hesitant linguistic neutrosophic number (HLNN), which consists of a few LNNs regarding an evaluated object due to DMs’ hesitancy to represent their hesitant and uncertain information in the decision-making process. Then, based on the least common multiple cardinality (LCMC), we present generalized distance and similarity measures of HLNNs, and then develop a similarity measure-based multiple-attribute decision-making (MADM) method to handle the MADM problem in the HLNN setting. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed approach is verified by an investment decision case.
Applications of Neutrosophic Bipolar Fuzzy Sets in HOPE Foundation for Planning to Build a Children Hospital with Different Types of Similarity Measures
Authors: Hashim Raja Muhammad , Gulistan Muhammad , Smarandache Florentin
Published: August 2018

In this paper we provide an application of neutrosophic bipolar fuzzy sets in daily life’s problem related with HOPE foundation that is planning to build a children hospital, which is the main theme of this paper. For it we first develop the theory of neutrosophic bipolar fuzzy sets which is a generalization of bipolar fuzzy sets. After giving the definition we introduce some basic operation of neutrosophic bipolar fuzzy sets and focus on weighted aggregation operators in terms of neutrosophic bipolar fuzzy sets. We define neutrosophic bipolar fuzzy weighted averaging ( N B FWA ) and neutrosophic bipolar fuzzy ordered weighted averaging ( N B FOWA ) operators. Next we introduce different kinds of similarity measures of neutrosophic bipolar fuzzy sets. Finally as an application we give an algorithm for the multiple attribute decision making problems under the neutrosophic bipolar fuzzy environment by using the different kinds of neutrosophic bipolar fuzzy weighted/fuzzy ordered weighted aggregation operators with a numerical example related with HOPE foundation.
Human Poisoning from Marine Toxins: Unknowns for Optimal Consumer Protection
Authors: Vilariño Natalia , Louzao M. , Abal Paula , Cagide Eva , Carrera Cristina , Vieytes Mercedes , Botana Luis
Published: August 2018

Marine biotoxins are produced by aquatic microorganisms and accumulate in shellfish or finfish following the food web. These toxins usually reach human consumers by ingestion of contaminated seafood, although other exposure routes like inhalation or contact have also been reported and may cause serious illness. This review shows the current data regarding the symptoms of acute intoxication for several toxin classes, including paralytic toxins, amnesic toxins, ciguatoxins, brevetoxins, tetrodotoxins, diarrheic toxins, azaspiracids and palytoxins. The information available about chronic toxicity and relative potency of different analogs within a toxin class are also reported. The gaps of toxicological knowledge that should be studied to improve human health protection are discussed. In general, gathering of epidemiological data in humans, chronic toxicity studies and exploring relative potency by oral administration are critical to minimize human health risks related to these toxin classes in the near future.
Seeing Black Holes: From the Computer to the Telescope
Authors: Luminet Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2018

Astronomical observations are about to deliver the very first telescopic image of the massive black hole lurking at the Galactic Center. The mass of data collected in one night by the Event Horizon Telescope network, exceeding everything that has ever been done in any scientific field, should provide a recomposed image in 2018. All this, forty years after the first numerical simulations performed by the present author.
Removal of the C6 Vaccinia Virus Interferon-β Inhibitor in the Hepatitis C Vaccine Candidate MVA-HCV Elicited in Mice High Immunogenicity in Spite of Reduced Host Gene Expression
Authors: Q. Marín María , Pérez Patricia , Gómez Carmen E. , S. Sorzano Carlos Óscar , Esteban Mariano , García-Arriaza Juan
Published: August 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major global health problem for which a vaccine is not available. Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-HCV is a unique HCV vaccine candidate based in the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing the nearly full-length genome of HCV genotype 1a that elicits CD8+ T-cell responses in mice. With the aim to improve the immune response of MVA-HCV and because of the importance of interferon (IFN) in HCV infection, we deleted in MVA-HCV the vaccinia virus (VACV) C6L gene, encoding an inhibitor of IFN-β that prevents activation of the interferon regulatory factors 3 and 7 (IRF3 and IRF7). The resulting vaccine candidate (MVA-HCV ΔC6L) expresses all HCV antigens and deletion of C6L had no effect on viral growth in permissive chicken cells. In human monocyte-derived dendritic cells, infection with MVA-HCV ΔC6L triggered severe down-regulation of IFN-β, IFN-β-induced genes, and cytokines in a manner similar to MVA-HCV, as defined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microarray analysis. In infected mice, both vectors had a similar profile of recruited immune cells and induced comparable levels of adaptive and memory HCV-specific CD8+ T-cells, mainly against p7 + NS2 and NS3 HCV proteins, with a T cell effector memory (TEM) phenotype. Furthermore, antibodies against E2 were also induced. Overall, our findings showed that while these vectors had a profound inhibitory effect on gene expression of the host, they strongly elicited CD8+ T cell and humoral responses against HCV antigens and to the virus vector. These observations add support to the consideration of these vectors as potential vaccine candidates against HCV.
Olive Mild Mosaic Virus Coat Protein and P6 Are Suppressors of RNA Silencing, and Their Silencing Confers Resistance against OMMV
Authors: Varanda Carla MR , Materatski Patrick , Campos Maria Doroteia , Clara Maria Ivone E. , Nolasco Gustavo , Félix Maria do Rosário
Published: August 2018

RNA silencing is an important defense mechanism in plants, yet several plant viruses encode proteins that suppress this mechanism. In this study, the genome of the Olive mild mosaic virus (OMMV) was screened for silencing suppressors. The full OMMV cDNA and 5 OMMV open reading frames (ORFs) were cloned into the Gateway binary vector pK7WG2, transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and agroinfiltrated into N. benthamiana 16C plants. CP and p6 showed suppressor activity, with CP showing significantly higher activity than p6, yet activity that was lower than the full OMMV, suggesting a complementary action of CP and p6. These viral suppressors were then used to induce OMMV resistance in plants based on RNA silencing. Two hairpin constructs targeting each suppressor were agroinfiltrated in N. benthamiana plants, which were then inoculated with OMMV RNA. When silencing of both suppressors was achieved, a significant reduction in viral accumulation and symptom attenuation was observed as compared to those of the controls, as well as to when each construct was used alone, proving them to be effective against OMMV infection. This is the first time that a silencing suppressor was found in a necrovirus, and that two independent proteins act as silencing suppressors in a virus member of the Tombusviridae family.
Swine Influenza Virus Induces RIPK1/DRP1-Mediated Interleukin-1 Beta Production
Authors: Park Hong-Su , Liu Guanqun , Liu Qiang , Zhou Yan
Published: August 2018

Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a pivotal role in modulating lung inflammation in response to the influenza A virus infection. We previously showed that the swine influenza virus (SIV) infection induced NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β production in primary porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs), and we were interested in examining the upstream signaling events that are involved in this process. Here, we report that the SIV-infection led to dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) phosphorylation at serine 579 and mitochondrial fission in PAMs. IL-1β production was dependent on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and DRP1 phosphorylation resulted in the upregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, the requirement of the kinase activity of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) for the IL-1β production and RIPK1-DRP1 association suggested that RIPK1 is an upstream kinase for DRP1 phosphorylation. Our results reveal a critical role of the RIPK1/DRP1 signaling axis, whose activation leads to mitochondrial fission and ROS release, in modulating porcine NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β production in SIV-infected PAMs.
Assessing the Hydrologic Performance of a Green Roof Retrofitting Scenario for a Small Urban Catchment
Authors: Palla Anna , Gnecco Ilaria , La Barbera Paolo
Published: August 2018

In an existing urban environment, retrofitting low impact development (LID) solutions can provide an opportunity to address flooding and water quality problems. Taking into account the need to effectively estimate the impact of vegetated LIDs, particular attention has recently been given on the evapotranspiration (ET) process that is responsible for the restoring of green roof water-holding capacity. The present study aims to develop a methodological approach to estimate the actual ET as climate input data in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) continuous simulation. The proposed approach is calibrated on a single green roof installation based on one-minute continuous simulations over 26 years of climate records. Then the calibrated methodological approach has been implemented to perform continuous simulation of a small urban catchment retrofitted with green roofs. Based on simulation results, the peak and volume reduction rate evaluated for the 1433 rainfall events are equal to 0.3 on average (with maximum values of 0.96 for peak and 0.86 for volume). In general, the adopted methodology indicates that the actual ET estimate is needed to suitably assess the hydrologic performance of vegetated LIDs mainly concerning the volume reduction index; furthermore, the methodology can be easily replicated for other vegetated LID applications.
Reducing High Flows and Sediment Loading through Increased Water Storage in an Agricultural Watershed of the Upper Midwest, USA
Authors: Mitchell Nate , Kumarasamy Karthik , Cho Se Jong , Belmont Patrick , Dalzell Brent , Gran Karen
Published: August 2018

Climate change, land clearing, and artificial drainage have increased the Minnesota River Basin’s (MRB) stream flows, enhancing erosion of channel banks and bluffs. Accelerated erosion has increased sediment loads and sedimentation rates downstream. High flows could be reduced through increased water storage (e.g., wetlands or detention basins), but quantifying the effectiveness of such a strategy remains a challenge. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to simulate changes in river discharge from various water retention site (WRS) implementation scenarios in the Le Sueur watershed, a tributary basin to the MRB. We also show how high flow attenuation can address turbidity issues by quantifying the impact on near-channel sediment loading in the watershed’s incised reaches. WRS placement in the watershed, hydraulic conductivity (K), and design depth were varied across 135 simulations. The dominant control on site performance is K, with greater flow reductions allowed by higher seepage rates and less frequent overflowing. Deeper design depths enhance flow reductions from sites with low K values. Differences between WRS placement scenarios are slight, suggesting that site placement is not a first-order control on overall performance in this watershed. Flow reductions exhibit power-law scaling with exceedance probability, enabling us to create generalized relationships between WRS extent and flow reductions that accurately reproduce our SWAT results and allow for more rapid evaluation of future scenarios. Overall, we show that increasing water storage within the Le Sueur watershed can be an effective management option for high flow and sediment load reduction.
Understanding the Mississippi River Delta as a Coupled Natural-Human System: Research Methods, Challenges, and Prospects
Authors: Lam Nina , Xu Y. , Liu Kam-biu , Dismukes David , Reams Margaret , Pace R. , Qiang Yi , Narra Siddhartha , Li Kenan , Bianchette Thomas , Cai Heng , Zou Lei , Mihunov Volodymyr
Published: August 2018

A pressing question facing the Mississippi River Delta (MRD), like many deltaic communities around the world, is: Will the system be sustainable in the future given the threats of sea level rise, land loss, natural disasters, and depleting natural resources? An integrated coastal modeling framework that incorporates both the natural and human components of these communities, and their interactions with both pulse and press stressors, is needed to help improve our understanding of coastal resilience. However, studying the coastal communities using a coupled natural-human system (CNH) approach is difficult. This paper presents a CNH modeling framework to analyze coastal resilience. We first describe such a CNH modeling framework through a case study of the Lower Mississippi River Delta in coastal Louisiana, USA. Persistent land loss and associated population decrease in the study region, a result of interplays between human and natural factors, are a serious threat to the sustainability of the region. Then, the paper describes the methods and findings of three studies on how community resilience of the MRD system is measured, how land loss is modeled using an artificial neural network-cellular automata approach, and how a system dynamic modeling approach is used to simulate population change in the region. The paper concludes by highlighting lessons learned from these studies and suggesting the path forward for analysis of coupled natural-human systems.
Small Microplastic Sampling in Water: Development of an Encapsulated Filtration Device
Authors: Lenz Robin , Labrenz Matthias
Published: August 2018

A variety of microplastic sampling instrumentation is currently used for water pollution studies. Plankton net-based approaches have been the most adopted techniques for water column and surface sampling. When applied to microplastics (MP) in the lower µm size range these methods, however, introduce non-negligible risks of sample contamination and loss due to instrument and procedure design. Based on the first principles of systems engineering design we have developed a mobile sampling platform for field application that fulfils the needs of producing usable MP samples with a lower size limit of 10 µm using an encapsulated flow-through filtration concept. Here, we explain the requirements, development, and construction of the device for others to replicate and improve.
Combined Effects of Experimental Warming and Eutrophication on Phytoplankton Dynamics and Nitrogen Uptake
Authors: Yu Chen , Li Chao , Wang Tao , Zhang Min , Xu Jun
Published: August 2018

Shallow lakes are highly vulnerable to damages caused by human activities and warming trends. To assess whether and how community structures of phytoplankton and nitrogen uptake respond to the combined effects of elevated temperature and eutrophication, we performed a mesocosm experiment in field by combining a 4.5 °C increase in temperature and the addition of phosphorus. Our results demonstrated that the combination of rising temperatures and phosphorus loading stimulated the maximum biomass built up by the phytoplankton community, and changed the phytoplankton community by significantly increasing the number of Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta, and decreasing that of Cryptophyta. We also examined the effects of climate warming and eutrophication on phytoplankton nitrogen uptake and dynamics using 15N tracer techniques. The addition of phosphorus slightly increased the phytoplankton nitrate uptake velocity and relative preference index, but decreased the nitrate uptake turnover time. Warming relatively increased the ammonium uptake velocity and the relative preference index, but decreased the ammonium turnover time. In kinetic studies, NH4+ exhibited a higher maximum uptake rate (Vmax) and a lower half-saturation constant (Ks) than NO3− substrates due to temperature elevation and the addition of phosphorus. Hence, warming and eutrophication increased the capacity of phytoplankton for NH4+ uptake and their affinity at low substrate concentrations. Thus, the combined effects of climate warming and phosphorus nutrient availability may increase the prevalence of Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta, and change the nitrogen cycling of aquatic ecosystems.
Experimental Studies on the Stability Assessment of a Levee Using Reinforced Soil Based on a Biopolymer
Authors: Ko Dongwoo , Kang Joongu
Published: August 2018

Cement and other similar compounds have been used to prevent a levee breach during a flood. However, the demand is increasing for eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to replace the conventional method for levee stabilization and strengthening. To improve the durability and environmental friendliness of a levee, the Andong River Experiment Center applied a biopolymer, which is a new eco-friendly substance, to fabricate a levee model, and conducted a hydraulic model experiment to evaluate the reliability and stability of the new type of levee. An image analysis was applied to calculate the scale of the breaches of the levee slopes. Based on the experimental results obtained, the characteristics of the breach between an earthen levee and the proposed levee were compared. The stability of the levee body was also evaluated according to the thickness of the new substance. The ultimate aim of this study was to derive the optimal conditions by verifying the performance and effectiveness of the new substance in terms of levee breach factors such as overflow, seepage, or piping in a series of hydraulic experiments. In the future, the field application of these optimal conditions will be verified through a real-scale experiment.
Combining Three Mapping Strategies to Reveal Quantitative Trait Loci and Candidate Genes for Maize Ear Length
Authors: Zhou Bo , Zhou Zijian , Ding Junqiang , Zhang Xuecai , Mu Cong , Wu Yabin , Gao Jingyang , Song Yunxia , Wang Shiwei , Ma Jinliang , Li Xiantang , Wang Ruixia , Xia Zongliang , Chen Jiafa , Wu Jianyu
Published: August 2018

Ear length (EL) is an important trait in maize (Zea mays L.) because it is positively correlated with grain yield. To understand the genetic basis of natural EL variation, a F2:3, a four‐way cross and a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) population were used to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate EL genes. Linkage mapping identified 14 QTLs in two types of populations from multiple environments. Six of them were located in three common genomic regions considered “stable QTLs”. Candidate genes for the three stable QTLs were identified by the GWAS results. These were related to auxin transport, cell proliferation, and developmental regulation. These results confirm that maize EL is under strong genetic control by many small‐effect genes. They also improve our understanding of the genetic basis of maize EL.
Genome‐Wide Association Mapping of Host‐Plant Resistance to Soybean Aphid
Authors: Hanson Anthony A. , Lorenz Aaron J. , Hesler Louis S. , Bhusal Siddhi J. , Bansal Raman , Michel Andy P. , Jiang Guo‐Liang , Koch Robert L.
Published: August 2018

Soybean aphid [Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae)] is the most damaging insect pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the Upper Midwest of the United States and is primarily controlled by insecticides. Soybean aphid resistance (i.e., Rag genes) has been documented in some soybean accessions but more sources of resistance are needed. Incorporation of the resistance into marketed varieties has also been slow. Genome‐wide association mapping can aid in identifying resistant accessions by correlating phenotypic data with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across a genome. Aphid population measures from 2366 soybean accessions were collected from published studies screening cultivated soybean (G. max) and wild soybean (Glycine soja Siebold & Zucc.) with aphids exhibiting Biotype 1, 2, or 3 characteristics. Genotypic data were obtained from the SoySNP50K high‐density genotyping array previously used to genotype the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection. Significant associations between SNPs and soybean aphid counts were found on 18 of the 20 soybean chromosomes. Significant SNPs were found on chromosomes 7, 8, 13, and 16 with known Rag genes. SNPs were also significant on chromosomes 1, 2, 4 to 6, 9 to 12, 14, and 17 to 20 where Rag genes have not yet been mapped, suggesting that many Rag genes remain to be discovered. These SNPs can be used to determine accessions that are likely to have novel aphid resistance traits of value for breeding programs.
A Submillimeter Burst of S255IR SMA1: The Rise and Fall of Its Luminosity
Authors: Liu Sheng-Yuan , Su Yu-Nung , Zinchenko Igor , Wang Kuo-Song , Wang Yuan
Published: August 2018

Temporal photometric variations at near-infrared to submillimeter wavelengths have been found in low-mass young stellar objects. These phenomena are generally interpreted as accretion events of star-disk systems with varying accretion rates. There is growing evidence suggesting that similar luminosity flaring also occurs in high-mass star/cluster-forming regions. We report in this Letter the rise and fall of the 900 μm continuum emission and the newly found 349.1 GHz methanol maser emission in the massive star-forming region S255IR SMA1 observed with the Submillimeter Array and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. The level of flux variation at a factor of ∼2 at the submillimeter band and the relatively short 2 years duration of this burst suggest that the event is probably similar to those milder and more frequent minor bursts seen in 3D numerical simulations.
Data Quality – Whose Responsibility is it?
Authors: Chapman Arthur
Published: August 2018

The quality of biodiversity data is an on-going issue. Early efforts to improve quality go back at least 4 decades, but it has never risen to the level of importance that it should have. For far too long the push to database more and more data regardless of its quality has taken priority. So I pose the question - what is the use of having lots of data if 1) we don’t know what its quality is, and 2) if much of it is not fit for use?

When data-basing of herbarium and museum collections began in the 1970s many taxonomists saw the only use of the data as being for taxonomic purposes. But as more and more data has become digitally available, so too the uses to which the data can be put. It has also become increasingly important that the data we have in our herbaria and museums be put to more uses to justify on-going support and funding.

But whose responsibility is data quality? To answer that I take you to general data quality principles – i.e. that the difficulty and the cost of improving the quality of the data increases the further you move from its source. Responsibility for data quality rests with everyone.

Collectors of the specimens

Database designers and builders

Data entry operators

Data curators and managers

Those responsible for exchanging/exporting the data

Data aggregators

Data publishers

Data users

Collectors of the specimens

Database designers and builders

Data entry operators

Data curators and managers

Those responsible for exchanging/exporting the data

Data aggregators

Data publishers

Data users

We all have responsibilities.

So, what can we each do to play our part? We need to work together at all levels of the data chain. We need to develop systems whereby feedback on quality from wherever it comes can be documented and fed back. It is no use continually making corrections to the data down the line if those corrections never get back to the data curators and data custodians. It is also of little use if the information fed back goes nowhere and nothing is done with it.

The TDWG Data Quality Interest Group is working on setting up standards and tools to help make this possible. We have developed a Framework for Data Quality, we have developed a set of core tests for data quality, and assertions for feeding information back to custodians and forward to users and is beginning a process to deal with vocabularies of value for biodiversity data.
First record of the protected species Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Aquatina Lagoon (NATURA 2000 site IT9150003, South-East Italian coastline)
Authors: Marrocco Vanessa , Sicuro Alessandro , Zangaro Francesco , Pinna Maurizio
Published: August 2018

Information on the presence of Pinnanobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Mediterranean Sea is largely reported in literature because it is an endemic and, at the same time, endangered species. Besides, this record contributes to enlarge the spatial distribution of this species in the South-East Italian coastline (Adriatic Sea). P.nobilis is a protected species under the EU Habitats Directive (1992). In particular, P.nobilis has been recorded for the first time in the Aquatina Lagoon, a transitional water ecosystem included in the NATURA 2000 site “Aquatina di Frigole” (IT9150003). Therefore, this finding underlines the role of transitional water ecosystems as “nursery habitats” for P.nobilis as well as the relevance of conservation actions introduced by the EU with the NATURA 2000 network for preserving the biodiversity.
Analysis of changes in pharmacotherapy of stable angina over the five-year period at specialized out-patient level of medical care (pharmacoepidemiological study)
Authors: Tsukanova Kristina O. , Fitilev Sergey B. , Vozzhaev Alexandr V. , Shkrebneva Irina I. , Klyuev Dmitry A.
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains the leading cause of death both in Europe and in Russia. The most common form of IHD is stable angina. There is compelling evidence that strict adherence to clinical guidelines greatly contributes to mortality reduction. However, the gap between modern knowledge and use of guideline-recommended medications remains significant. As shown by Western practice, one of the possible solutions of this problem is regular conduction of pharmacoepidemiological studies.

Objective: Investigate the dynamics of drug prescription rates in patients with stable angina over the five-year period on the example of routine clinical practice of outpatient cardiology institution of Moscow for the purpose of further eliminating the prescribing gap for guideline recommended pharmacological strategies.

Materials and methods: Our research work was performed as a retrospective pharmacoepidemiological study including two stages with five-year interval using cross-section method.

Results and discussion: We found a significant increase in use of antiplatelets (82.7 vs. 56.2%, p<0.05) and statins (45.6 vs. 16.1%, p<0.05). Despite the unchanged use of ACE inhibitors, the prescription rate of angiotensin receptor blockers II increased (14.7 vs. 9.7%, p<0.05). Analysis of anti-ischemic pharmacotherapy revealed an increase in beta-adrenoblockers use (74.3 vs. 63.6%, р<0.05) and a decrease in use of long-acting nitrates (26.3 vs. 31.1%, р<0.05) and calcium channel blockers (35.7 vs. 39.6%, р<0.05). Significant changes were found in prescription rates and dosage regimens of single medications in each pharmacological group. The study results demonstrated an increase in frequency of capturing data on lipid profile and diet recommendations in patient records.

Conclusion: Such type of pharmacoepidemiological study carried out for the first time made it possible to investigate the dynamics of specialists’ adherence to guidelines of stable angina pharmacotherapy in routine outpatient clinical practice.
The effect of derivatives of tetrahydropyrido[2,1-b][1,3,5] thiadiazine on hematologic indices of rats with subacute parotitis
Authors: Bybik Elena Y. , Yaroshevskaya Oksana G. , Demenko Andrey V. , Frolov Konstantin A. , Dotsenko Viktor V. , Kryvokolysko Sergey G.
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Regardless of belonging of NSAIDs to one or another chemical group, they all have common side effects that can occur when using these drugs for a long or short period. One type of toxicity in the spectrum of side effects of modern non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is hematotoxicity.

Objectives: to study the indices characterizing the red and white hematopoiesis in a clinical blood examination in animals with a simulated inflammation process against a background of pharmacocorrection with original thiadiazine derivatives.

Methods: The experiments were carried out on 48 white pedigree mature rats of both sexes weighing 170–210 g. The tetrahydropyrido [2,1-b] [1,3,5] thiadiazine derivatives II, III and V were selected, since they showed the strongest anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties in the previous experiments. The animals were divided into eight groups: intact (rats without the pathology), control (with inlammation), referent 1 (inflammation+diclofenac sodium 0.5 mg/kg), referent 2 (inflammation+analgin 5 mg/kg), referent 3 (inflammation+indomethacin 5 mg / kg) and three test groups (with test substances administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg). Administration of the drugs was carried out for 14 days at the above doses. The standard methods were used to determine the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, color index, ESR, leukocytes and neutrophils.

Results: In the analysis of the numerical results of the experiment, the valid ranges of values were determined for most parameters under study, which made it possible to use nonparametric statistical methods, including the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, to evaluate the reliability of differences. The use of tetrahydropyrido [2,1-b] [1,3,5] thiadiazine derivatives II, III, V in animals with experimental parotitis was accompanied by an increase in the number of erythrocytes in comparison with that in the control group.

Conclusion: The studies of three derivatives of tetrahydropyrido [2.1-b] [1.3.5] thiadiazine, which have a high anti-inflammatory activity, proved that the compounds III and V have no hematotoxicity.
New molecular sequences for two genera of marine planarians facilitate determination of their position in the phylogenetic tree, with new records for two species (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Maricola)
Authors: Yang Hee-Min , Sluys Ronald , Kawakatsu Masaharu , Min Gi-Sik
Published: August 2018

For the first time, molecular sequences of the 18S ribosomal DNA were generated for representatives of the genera Obrimoposthia Sluys & Ball, 1989 and Paucumara Sluys, 1989 of the suborder of the marine triclads, or Maricola, by analyzing the species Obrimoposthiawandeli (Hallez, 1906) and Paucumaratrigonocephala (Ijima & Kaburaki, 1916). On the basis of this molecular data the phylogenetic position of these two genera in the phylogenetic tree of the Maricola was determined and compared with their position in the phylogeny based on the analysis of anatomical features. New records for these two species are documented and their taxonomic status is determined on the basis of histological studies.
A revision of the subgenus Dudaica Strand of the genus Drosophila Fallén, with descriptions of six new species (Diptera, Drosophilidae)
Authors: Katoh Takehiro K. , Zhang Guang , Toda Masanori J. , Suwito Awit , Gao Jian-Jun
Published: August 2018

The subgenus Dudaica Strand of the genus Drosophila Fallén has been known to comprise only two species: Drosophila (Dudaica) senilis Duda, 1926 (recorded from Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Bhutan, and India) and D.malayana (Takada, 1976) (recorded from Malaysia). In the present study, this subgenus is revised, with D.malayana redescribed and six new species discovered and described from China, Malaysia, and Indonesia: gracilipalpis Katoh & Gao, sp. n., puberula Katoh & Gao, sp. n., albipalpis Katoh, Toda & Gao, sp. n., qiongzhouensis Katoh & Gao, sp. n., orthophallata Katoh, Toda & Gao, sp. n., and dissimilis Katoh & Gao, sp. n. Both morphological and molecular data (DNA barcodes) are used to distinguish the above species. A key to species of this subgenus is provided.
Minimum 10-Year Clinical Outcomes After Periacetabular Osteotomy for Advanced Osteoarthritis Due to Hip Dysplasia
Authors: Hamai Satoshi , Kohno Yusuke , Hara Daisuke , Shiomoto Kyohei , Akiyama Mio , Fukushi Jun-ichi , Motomura Goro , Ikemura Satoshi , Fujii Masanori , Nakashima Yasuharu
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the minimum 10-year clinical outcomes, including patient-reported and functional outcomes, of periacetabular osteotomy in patients with advanced osteoarthritis. A total of 46 hips in 44 patients with advanced osteoarthritis who underwent periacetabular osteotomy between 1992 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Mean age at surgery was 47.5 years, and mean follow-up was 16.9±4.7 years. Survivorship was determined using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the associated risk factors for the endpoint—conversion to total hip arthroplasty less than 15 years after surgery—were evaluated. The Oxford Hip Score and the University of California, Los Angeles activity score were evaluated at final follow-up. The survival rates at 15 and 20 years after surgery were 80% and 59%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that body mass index greater than 24 kg/m
2
(
P
=.034; odds ratio, 1.72) was significantly associated with the endpoint as an independent risk factor. For 32 hips of 31 patients with preserved native joints at final follow-up, the Oxford Hip Score and the University of California, Los Angeles score averaged 41±5 and 5.2±1.8, respectively, equivalent (
P
=.28 and
P
=.215, respectively) to the scores of 14 hips of 13 patients with conversion to total hip arthroplasty (38±8.7 and 5.8±1.4, respectively). The results of this mid-term study may be useful for surgical decision-making among patients with advanced osteoarthritis who want to preserve native hip joints. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):300–305.]
Potential Usefulness of Losartan as an Antifibrotic Agent and Adjunct to Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy to Improve Muscle Healing and Cartilage Repair and Prevent Adhesion Formation
Authors: Huard Johnny , Bolia Ioanna , Briggs Karen , Utsunomiya Hajime , Lowe Walter R. , Philippon Marc J.
Published: August 2018

Postoperative tissue fibrosis represents a major complication in orthopedics. Transforming growth factor beta 1 is a key molecule in the development of postoperative fibrosis. High concentrations of transforming growth factor beta 1 have also been implicated in various diseases. Agents that counteract the actions of transforming growth factor beta 1 have been investigated as potential antifibrotic medications and as adjunct treatment to platelet-rich plasma injections (increased amounts of transforming growth factor beta 1) to improve their effectiveness and/or safety profile. Losartan blocks transforming growth factor beta 1 action and has attracted special interest in orthopedic research that focuses on how to reduce the risk of postoperative fibrosis. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e591–e597.]
A Novel Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Technique Using Internally Braced Semitendinosus Autograft
Authors: Curley Andrew J. , Davis William A. , Argintar Evan H.
Published: August 2018

Medial collateral ligament reconstruction is often performed in knees with multiligamentous injury, and numerous techniques have been previously described. A novel method of internally bracing and reconstructing the medial collateral ligament with a semitendinosus autograft is described. This provides several advantages, including reproducible isometric graft placement, optimized fixation strength, and internal bracing. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e738–e740.]
El análisis de la vegetación como criterio de interpretación del paisaje (Andalucía atlántica)
Authors: Bejarano Palma Rosalía
Published: August 2018

Partiendo del concepto de paisaje como sistema, se trata de verificar la hipótesis de la utilidad de la vegetación como indicador del medio global. Utilizando diversos métodos de análisis de la vegetación, se pretende vincular la composición ñorística, estructura y pautas de distribución de la vegetación con diferentes gradientes del medio físico y de presión antrópica en medios de acusado dinamismo

[fr] A partir du concept de paysage en tant que système, nous vérifions l'hypothèse de l'utilité de la végétation comme indicateur du milieu global. Utilisant diverses méthodes d'analyse de la végétation, nous prétendons mettre en relation la composition floristique, la structure et les modèles de distribution de la végétation avec diférents degrés du milieu et de pression anthropique dans des milieux de fort djmamisme
Independencia política y transformación de una metrópoli colonial: la ciudad de México vista por tres británicos. 1821-1841
Authors: Ribera Carbó Eulalia
Published: August 2018

Después de once años de revolución y una vez lograda la independencia política en 1821, México quedó sumido en una difícil situación de crisis y transformación de su estructura económica, de reacomodo social, y de violencia generalizada y militarización costosa. El reflejo de ese país convulsionado fue el que encontraron los viajeros que visitaron la Ciudad de México en las primeras décadas de vida independiente, y quienes maravillados y sorprendidos con la grandeza y las particularidades de un mundo urbano tan distinto al suyo, comentan en diarios y cartas.

[fr] Après onze ans de révolution et une fois obtenue l'indépendance politique en 1821, le Mexique resta soumis à une difficile situation de crise et de transformation de son structure économique, de réorganisation sociale, de violence généralisée et d'une coûteuse militarization. L'image de ce pays bouleversé fut celle qui trouvèrent les voyageurs qui visitèrent la ville de México pendant les premiers décades de son indépendance, et qui furent surpris et emervailles de la grandiosité et les particularités d'un monde urbain si différent du leur, -comme ils le disaient sur leurs notes de voyage
et sur leurs lettres-.
Espacios protegidos: el caso de Inglaterra y Gales
Authors: Barke Michael
Published: August 2018

No disponible.
La morbilidad hospitalaria de la población española
Authors: Rojo Pérez Fermina , Fernández-Mayoralas Fernández Gloria , Rojo Abuin José Manuel
Published: August 2018

La morbilidad hospitalaria de la población española. Se analiza la morbilidad de la población española, tomando como base de estudio los hospitales del país recogidos en el C.M.B.D. (Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos) para 1994. Se descubre que la presencia en hospital está marcada por los niños hasta los dos años, las mujeres en edad fértil y los ancianos. Más de la mitad de las altas hospitalarias se asocian con el factor maternidad, así como con las enfermedades digestivas, circulatorias, respiratorias y los tumores. Las estancias más prolongadas se producen entre la población mayor que se corresponde, además, con el grupo demográfico que presenta mayor número de patologías diagnosticadas.

[fr] La morbidité hostipalière de la population espagnole. Cette étude s'intéresse par la morbidité hospitalière en Espagne. On utilise le C.M.B.D. (le minimum ensemble des donees basiquées) pour 1994. Le taux de présence en hospitalisation est plus élevé au sein des enfants de moins de 2 ans, des femimes en leur période fertile et des personnes âgées. Plus de la moitié des hospitalisés sortants est liée a la maternité, ainsi que aux malades de l'appareil digestif, circulatoire et respiratoire et aux tumeurs. Les durées de séjour sont supérieures chez les âgées qui présentent, en plus, des polypathologies.