bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Light Rail Crossing Safety Performance Functions
Authors: Fischhaber Pamela M. , Janson Bruce N.
Published: November 2015

This paper presents the development of safety performance functions (SPFs) for light rail crossings or roadways. The paper also develops an empirical Bayes method for adjusting the initial crash estimates from the SPF to account for the actual crash experiences at light rail crossings. The validity of the light rail crossing SPFs is compared with that of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) crash prediction models. It is found that SPFs specific to light rail crossings provide improvements to crash estimates that are statistically significant compared with that of the U.S. DOT crash prediction models.
Railway Accidents Caused by Human Error
Authors: Kyriakidis Miltos , Pak Kam To , Majumdar Arnab
Published: November 2015

Accident investigation and analysis are key to reinforcing and improving railway safety. Many railway accidents have been caused by degraded human performance and human error, and the tasks of train drivers and signalers have remained essentially the same. Although new technologies and equipment have gradually reduced railway operation accidents, no investigation has been conducted to investigate whether railway performance shaping factors (R-PSFs), attributed to degraded human performance, have changed or remained constant. Focusing on UK railways, this paper analyzes railway accidents involving human error for the period 1945 to 2012. The purpose of the analysis is twofold: to identify whether the number and type of factors that affect human performance and contribute to human errors have changed during this period and to assess the quality of data collected by investigation reports and to determine whether the collection of such data has evolved and improved. The analysis identifies the number of R-PSFs and their relationship to such variables as responsible personnel, immediate causes, and the time and location of the event. The contribution of those variables to the severity of an accident is calculated. Moreover, any changes in trends and patterns in the number of R-PSFs over time are explored through smoothing techniques of time series analysis. Finally, the quality of the collected data is analyzed with the data quality index. Results show that data investigation and data collection have significantly improved. However, although accident rates have decreased, the average number and type of factors that affect human performance have remained the same.
Accessibility and Potential Mobility as a Guide for Policy Action
Authors: Martens Karel
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a framework to assess simultaneously the accessibility provided by a transport–land use system and the potential mobility provided by the transport system. This framework provides a novel approach to identify the transport problem in modern societies. The framework could serve as the basis for transportation planning and urban planning. In contrast to traditional approaches to transportation planning, the framework does not focus on the quality of the transportation network, but on the ultimate goal of a transport network: to enable people to participate in out-of-home activities. In contrast to the vast body of literature on accessibility measures, the approach provides a clear framework to determine when an intervention in the transport network is called for and when such an intervention is unlikely to deliver results.
Zion National Park, Utah
Authors: Upchurch Jonathan
Published: November 2015

In 2000, Zion National Park in Utah introduced the Zion Canyon shuttle to transport visitors into Zion Canyon while alleviating traffic congestion and improving visitor experience. Now in its 16th season of operation, the shuttle is successfully accomplishing those goals and receives kudos from park visitors. The continued and increasing popularity of Zion National Park, with 3.2 million visitors in 2014, has created new transportation challenges at the gateway to the park. At the gateway area, visitors arrive at the park, usually in private automobile, and change modes to ride the shuttle into Zion Canyon. The challenges include waiting times of 10 to 22 min at the park's primary entrance station on many summer days, parking lots at the park visitor center that are routinely filled to capacity between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on most summer days (forcing visitors to park on the streets of Springdale, Utah, the park's gateway community), insufficient parking for recreational vehicles, visitor crowding, and a variety of related issues. This paper offers analyses of the primary transportation issues and describes alternatives for improving transportation and visitor experience. The needed entrance station capacity to avoid queuing and waiting times is presented, along with alternatives for providing that level of capacity. An evaluation of parking demand and parking alternatives being considered by the park is described. An analysis of shuttle bus capacity shows an ability to absorb additional hourly demand created by entrance station improvements.
Effect of Terminal High Temperature Imposed by Late Sowing on Phenological Traits of Wheat
Authors: Hossain M Ilias , Mondal MRI , Islam MJ , Hakim MA , Sultan MK
Published: November 2015

Phenological performance in relation to yield of wheat genotypes; BARI Gom 26, BAW 1051, BARI Gom 27 and BARI Gom 28 were evaluated under normal and heat stress environments. One irrigated timely sowing (ITS) and three irrigated late sowings (ILS) were imposed to provide terminal high temperature over the tested genotypes. The ITS was November 25 and three ILS were December 10, December 25 and January 10. In heat stress condition, the genotypes phased a significant level of high temperature stress which affected on phenological stage and yield compared to ITS. In ITS situation, days to anthesis and booting decreased in heat stress condition regardless the cultivars. The phenological characteristics under heat stressed condition led the wheat cultivars to significantly lower grain yield as compared to normal condition. In heat stress situations (Dec 10Jan 10), the average grain yield was reduced by12.8 -39.8 % in BARI Gom 26, 14.4-29.7% in BAW 1051, 11.5-26.5% in BARI Gom 27 and 17.4-25.6 % in BARI Gom 28 in both the season. It was also observed that grain yield was found to be reduced by about 7.7-15.4% in BARI Gom 26, 9.4-15.7 % in BAW 1051, 9.4-12.4% in BARI Gom 27 and 9.7-12.0% in BARI Gom 28 from ITS for each 1°C rise in average mean air temperature during booting to maturity. On the other hand, reduction percent were less for the new varieties. Grain yield reduction was about 1.4 - 2.65% in BARI Gom 28, 0.1-6.7 % in BARI Gom 27 and 1.7-6.0% in BAW 1051.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(1): 13-25
Effect of Drying Method on Quality of Soybean Seed
Authors: Ali MR , Rahman MM , Rahman MS , Hossain MM , Asaduzzaman M
Published: November 2015

The experiment was conducted at the Seed Laboratory, Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Jamalpur in 2010 with a view to study the effect of drying method on soybean seed germination and seedling vigour. Eight drying condition viz., i) Cemented floor ii) Tripale upon cemented floor iii) Bamboo chatai upon cemented floor, iv) Cloth upon cemented floor, v) Earthen floor, vi) Tripale upon earthen floor, vii) Bamboo chatai upon earthen floor and viii) Cloth upon earthen floor were included in the experimental treatment variables with three replications using a completely randomized design. Seed moisture content (%), germination (%), germination index, and seedling dry weight (g) were recorded at 50, 100, 150 and 200 days after storage (DAS). The highest germination percentage, germination index and seedling dry matter was obtained from tripale over cemented floor followed by bamboo chatai over cemented floor, tripale over earthen floor and bamboo chatai over earthen floor. The lowest germination percentage, germination index and seedling dry matter was obtained from cemented floor.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(1): 53-57
Protective effects of paeonol on cardiovascular complications in diabetes mellitus involves modulation of PI3K /Akt-GSK-3β signalling, regulation of protease-activated receptor-1 expressions and down-regulation of inflammatory mediators
Authors: Li Jun , Xu Ze-Qing , Bao Ling , Li Zhi-Cao , Qu Jia-Xiang
Published: November 2015

The present study was taken as an effort to assess the effects of paeonol on diabetic cardiomyopathy. Diabetes was induced in separate groups of Sprague-Dawley rats using streptozotocin. Treatment group animals received paeonol (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight/day; orally) 5 weeks after streptozotocin induction for 6 weeks. Paeonol strikingly reduced myocardial apoptosis and improved cardiac function and myocardial architecture. Serum levels of glucose, reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) were significantly reduced with decreased accumulation of collagen in the cardiac tissue. Paeonol modulated p-Akt, glycogen synthase kinase-3β and glycogen synthase, while significantly down-regulated protease-activated receptor-1, caspase-3, TNF-α, NF-κB p65, and p-Iκ-Bα expressions. Paeonol effectively suppressed diabetic cardiomyopathy by improving myocardial function, regulating the inflammatory responses and Akt signalling.

 
Generation of fleshings at beamhouse in tannery and its environmental impact assessment: Bangladesh perspective
Authors: Hashem MA , Tomal MS Nur A , Mondal BK
Published: November 2015

Leather processing involves the conversion of putrescible hide/skin into imputrescible leather and consequently huge amount of solid waste generated in tanning process. In tannery at beamhouse, fleshing is one of the most indispensable mechanical operations in leather processing where significant amount of solid waste (termed as fleshings) is produced. A work was carried out to estimate the generated fleshing and to assess its environmental impact. In Bangladesh yearly 20.1×103 MT fleshings was generated only from cow hide and goat skin where 10.3×103 MT for cow hide and 9.8×103 MT for goat skin. The generated fleshings are usually kept indiscriminately inside or outside the industrial area as green. In rainy season, all fleshings including other solid wastes are washed away and finally fall in to the river, Buriganga. Fleshings contained alkaline pH (12.3±0.2), fat, proteins, lime and sulphide. Improper management of fleshings has negative effect on human health, air, water, land and plant.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(3), 227-232, 2015
Lipid Abnormalities in the Natural History of Diabetes
Authors: Rahman Muhammad Hafizur , Ali Liaquat
Published: November 2015

Objective: To explore lipid abnormalities in normoglycemic first-degree diabetic relatives (FDRs) and prediabetic and diabetic subjects in the natural history of diabetes.Research design and methods: Thirty six impaired fasting glucose (IFG), 61 isolated impaired glucose tolerance (I-IGT), 64 combined IFG-IGT, 73 diabetic, and 32 FDRs along with 57 normoglycemic healthy controls without family history of diabetes in 1st degree relatives, were selected purposively following 2003 ADA cut-off values and 2006 WHO/IDF grouping. Anthropometry and blood pressure of the subjects were taken. Fasting and 2-h plasma glucose and HbA1C were measured. Fasting plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were measured by enzymatic colorimetric method.Results: Serum triglyceride was higher in IFG, I-IGT, IFG-IGT, diabetic and FDRs compared to Control [145 (59- 307), 128 (66-584), 166 (68-764), 161 (69-750) and 130 (81-281) vs. 108 (47-219) mg/dl, P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.001 and P<0.05]. Total cholesterol was raised in IFG-IGT and diabetes compared to Control [185 (105-310), 185 (123-326) vs. 171 (101-235) mg/dl, P<0.05] and FDRs. But HDL did not differ among the groups. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in IFG, I-IGT, IFG-IGT and diabetes and FDRs than Control [55%, 38%, 57%, 58% and 36% vs. 15%, P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.001 and P<0.05] and also in IFGIGT and diabetic compared to I-IGT and FDRs (P<0.05).Conclusions: Higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and raised serum triglyceride is seen among diabetic, prediabetic and 1st degree diabetic-relatives. Total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol is raised only in IFG-IGT and diabetes, the more decompensated glycemic states.J MEDICINE July 2015; 16 (2) : 83-88
Development of Polymorphic Genic SSR Markers by Transcriptome Sequencing in the Welsh Onion (Allium fistulosum L.)
Authors: Yang Liuyi , Wen Changlong , Zhao Hong , Liu Qianchun , Yang Jingjing , Liu Lecheng , Wang Yongqin
Published: November 2015

Transcriptome analysis is an efficient way to explore molecular markers in plant species, for which genome sequences have not been published. To address the limited number of markers published for the Welsh onion, this study found 6486 loci of genic simple sequence repeats (SSR), which consisted of 1–5 bp repeat motifs, based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology and the RNA-Seq approach. The most abundant motif was mononucleotide (52.33%), followed by trinucleotide (31.96%), and dinucleotide (14.57%). A total of 2525 primer pairs were successfully designed, and 91 out of 311 tested primers were polymorphisms. Overall, 38 genic SSR markers were randomly selected to further validate the degree of genetic diversity, and 22 genic SSR markers (57.89%) showed high levels of polymorphism. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) value and the number of alleles (Na) were 0.63 and 5.27, respectively, and the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) cluster analysis grouped the 22 Allium accessions into three groups with Nei’s similarity coefficients ranging from 0.37 to 0.99. This result suggested that these genic SSR markers could be used to develop a higher resolution genetic map and/or to analyze the phylogenetic relationships among Allium plants in the near future.
Organic Bioelectronic Tools for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Löffler Susanne , Libberton Ben , Richter-Dahlfors Agneta
Published: November 2015

Organic bioelectronics forms the basis of conductive polymer tools with great potential for application in biomedical science and medicine. It is a rapidly growing field of both academic and industrial interest since conductive polymers bridge the gap between electronics and biology by being electronically and ionically conductive. This feature can be employed in numerous ways by choosing the right polyelectrolyte system and tuning its properties towards the intended application. This review highlights how active organic bioelectronic surfaces can be used to control cell attachment and release as well as to trigger cell signaling by means of electrical, chemical or mechanical actuation. Furthermore, we report on the unique properties of conductive polymers that make them outstanding materials for labeled or label-free biosensors. Techniques for electronically controlled ion transport in organic bioelectronic devices are introduced, and examples are provided to illustrate their use in self-regulated medical devices. Organic bioelectronics have great potential to become a primary platform in future bioelectronics. We therefore introduce current applications that will aid in the development of advanced in vitro systems for biomedical science and of automated systems for applications in neuroscience, cell biology and infection biology. Considering this broad spectrum of applications, organic bioelectronics could lead to timely detection of disease, and facilitate the use of remote and personalized medicine. As such, organic bioelectronics might contribute to efficient healthcare and reduced hospitalization times for patients.
On the Burning of Plutonium Originating from Light Water Reactor Use in a Fast Molten Salt Reactor—A Neutron Physical Study
Authors: Merk Bruno , Litskevich Dzianis
Published: November 2015

An efficient burning of the plutonium produced during light water reactor (LWR) operation has the potential to significantly improve the sustainability indices of LWR operations. The work offers a comparison of the efficiency of Pu burning in different reactor configurations—a molten salt fast reactor, a LWR with mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, and a sodium cooled fast reactor. The calculations are performed using the HELIOS 2 code. All results are evaluated against the plutonium burning efficiency determined in the Consommation Accrue de Plutonium dans les Réacteurs à Neutrons RApides (CAPRA) project. The results are discussed with special view on the increased sustainability of LWR use in the case of successful avoidance of an accumulation of Pu which otherwise would have to be forwarded to a final disposal. A strategic discussion is given about the unavoidable plutonium production, the possibility to burn the plutonium to avoid a burden for the future generations which would have to be controlled.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Signaling in Plant Immunity—At the Crossroad of Life and Death
Authors: Kørner Camilla , Du Xinran , Vollmer Marie , Pajerowska-Mukhtar Karolina
Published: November 2015

Rapid and complex immune responses are induced in plants upon pathogen recognition. One form of plant defense response is a programmed burst in transcription and translation of pathogenesis-related proteins, of which many rely on ER processing. Interestingly, several ER stress marker genes are up-regulated during early stages of immune responses, suggesting that enhanced ER capacity is needed for immunity. Eukaryotic cells respond to ER stress through conserved signaling networks initiated by specific ER stress sensors tethered to the ER membrane. Depending on the nature of ER stress the cell prioritizes either survival or initiates programmed cell death (PCD). At present two plant ER stress sensors, bZIP28 and IRE1, have been described. Both sensor proteins are involved in ER stress-induced signaling, but only IRE1 has been additionally linked to immunity. A second branch of immune responses relies on PCD. In mammals, ER stress sensors are involved in activation of PCD, but it is unclear if plant ER stress sensors play a role in PCD. Nevertheless, some ER resident proteins have been linked to pathogen-induced cell death in plants. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of plant ER stress signaling and its cross-talk with immune signaling.
Transplantation of Human Neural Stem Cells in a Parkinsonian Model Exerts Neuroprotection via Regulation of the Host Microenvironment
Authors: Zuo Fu-Xing , Bao Xin-Jie , Sun Xi-Cai , Wu Jun , Bai Qing-Ran , Chen Guo , Li Xue-Yuan , Zhou Qiang-Yi , Yang Yuan-Fan , Shen Qin , Wang Ren-Zhi
Published: November 2015

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and consequent dopamine (DA) deficit, and current treatment still remains a challenge. Although neural stem cells (NSCs) have been evaluated as appealing graft sources, mechanisms underlying the beneficial phenomena are not well understood. Here, we investigate whether human NSCs (hNSCs) transplantation could provide neuroprotection against DA depletion by recruiting endogenous cells to establish a favorable niche. Adult mice subjected to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were transplanted with hNSCs or vehicle into the striatum. Behavioral and histological analyses demonstrated significant neurorescue response observed in hNSCs-treated animals compared with the control mice. In transplanted animals, grafted cells survived, proliferated, and migrated within the astrocytic scaffold. Notably, more local astrocytes underwent de-differentiation, acquiring the properties of NSCs or neural precursor cells (NPCs) in mice given hNSCs. Additionally, we also detected significantly higher expression of host-derived growth factors in hNSCs-transplanted mice compared with the control animals, together with inhibition of local microglia and proinflammatory cytokines. Overall, our results indicate that hNSCs transplantation exerts neuroprotection in MPTP-insulted mice via regulating the host niche. Harnessing synergistic interaction between the grafts and host cells may help optimize cell-based therapies for PD.
Protein Recognition in Drug-Induced DNA Alkylation: When the Moonlight Protein GAPDH Meets S23906-1/DNA Minor Groove Adducts
Authors: Savreux-Lenglet Gaëlle , Depauw Sabine , David-Cordonnier Marie-Hélène
Published: November 2015

DNA alkylating drugs have been used in clinics for more than seventy years. The diversity of their mechanism of action (major/minor groove; mono-/bis-alkylation; intra-/inter-strand crosslinks; DNA stabilization/destabilization, etc.) has undoubtedly major consequences on the cellular response to treatment. The aim of this review is to highlight the variety of established protein recognition of DNA adducts to then particularly focus on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) function in DNA adduct interaction with illustration using original experiments performed with S23906-1/DNA adduct. The introduction of this review is a state of the art of protein/DNA adducts recognition, depending on the major or minor groove orientation of the DNA bonding as well as on the molecular consequences in terms of double-stranded DNA maintenance. It reviews the implication of proteins from both DNA repair, transcription, replication and chromatin maintenance in selective DNA adduct recognition. The main section of the manuscript is focusing on the implication of the moonlighting protein GAPDH in DNA adduct recognition with the model of the peculiar DNA minor groove alkylating and destabilizing drug S23906-1. The mechanism of action of S23906-1 alkylating drug and the large variety of GAPDH cellular functions are presented prior to focus on GAPDH direct binding to S23906-1 adducts.
Lesson Learned from Collecting Quantified Self Information via Mobile and Wearable Devices
Authors: Rawassizadeh Reza , Momeni Elaheh , Dobbins Chelsea , Mirza-Babaei Pejman , Rahnamoun Ramin
Published: November 2015

The ubiquity and affordability of mobile and wearable devices has enabled us to continually and digitally record our daily life activities. Consequently, we are seeing the growth of data collection experiments in several scientific disciplines. Although these have yielded promising results, mobile and wearable data collection experiments are often restricted to a specific configuration that has been designed for a unique study goal. These approaches do not address all the real-world challenges of “continuous data collection” systems. As a result, there have been few discussions or reports about such issues that are faced when “implementing these platforms” in a practical situation. To address this, we have summarized our technical and user-centric findings from three lifelogging and Quantified Self data collection studies, which we have conducted in real-world settings, for both smartphones and smartwatches. In addition to (i) privacy and (ii) battery related issues; based on our findings we recommend further works to consider (iii) implementing multivariate reflection of the data; (iv) resolving the uncertainty and data loss; and (v) consider to minimize the manual intervention required by users. These findings have provided insights that can be used as a guideline for further Quantified Self or lifelogging studies.
Using Increases in Criminal Deportees from the US to Estimate the Effect of Crime on Economic Growth and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Blake Garfield
Published: November 2015

Previous empirical studies have uncovered little evidence that crime hinders development, possibly due to simultaneity problems. This paper uses the increase in criminal deportees from the US as an instrumental variable to identify the causal effect of crime on economic growth and development. An increase in the number of criminal deportees received by a country is shown to substantially increase that country’s homicide rate. Using panel data for a sample of 30 Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries, I show that the increase in crime is becoming a major obstacle to growth and development in the region.
Active Nanomaterials to Meet the Challenge of Dental Pulp Regeneration
Authors: Keller Laetitia , Offner Damien , Schwinté Pascale , Morand David , Wagner Quentin , Gros Catherine , Bornert Fabien , Bahi Sophie , Musset Anne-Marie , Benkirane-Jessel Nadia , Fioretti Florence
Published: November 2015

The vitality of the pulp is fundamental to the functional life of the tooth. For this aim, active and living biomaterials are required to avoid the current drastic treatment, which is the removal of all the cellular and molecular content regardless of its regenerative potential. The regeneration of the pulp tissue is the dream of many generations of dental surgeons and will revolutionize clinical practices. Recently, the potential of the regenerative medicine field suggests that it would be possible to achieve such complex regeneration. Indeed, three crucial steps are needed: the control of infection and inflammation and the regeneration of lost pulp tissues. For regenerative medicine, in particular for dental pulp regeneration, the use of nano-structured biomaterials becomes decisive. Nano-designed materials allow the concentration of many different functions in a small volume, the increase in the quality of targeting, as well as the control of cost and delivery of active molecules. Nanomaterials based on extracellular mimetic nanostructure and functionalized with multi-active therapeutics appear essential to reverse infection and inflammation and concomitantly to orchestrate pulp cell colonization and differentiation. This novel generation of nanomaterials seems very promising to meet the challenge of the complex dental pulp regeneration.
Progress of MEMS Scanning Micromirrors for Optical Bio-Imaging
Authors: Lin Lih , Keeler Ethan
Published: November 2015

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have an unmatched ability to incorporate numerous functionalities into ultra-compact devices, and due to their versatility and miniaturization, MEMS have become an important cornerstone in biomedical and endoscopic imaging research. To incorporate MEMS into such applications, it is critical to understand underlying architectures involving choices in actuation mechanism, including the more common electrothermal, electrostatic, electromagnetic, and piezoelectric approaches, reviewed in this paper. Each has benefits and tradeoffs and is better suited for particular applications or imaging schemes due to achievable scan ranges, power requirements, speed, and size. Many of these characteristics are fabrication-process dependent, and this paper discusses various fabrication flows developed to integrate additional optical functionality beyond simple lateral scanning, enabling dynamic control of the focus or mirror surface. Out of this provided MEMS flexibility arises some challenges when obtaining high resolution images: due to scanning non-linearities, calibration of MEMS scanners may become critical, and inherent image artifacts or distortions during scanning can degrade image quality. Several reviewed methods and algorithms have been proposed to address these complications from MEMS scanning. Given their impact and promise, great effort and progress have been made toward integrating MEMS and biomedical imaging.
Movement of Salmonella serovar Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 to Ripe Tomato Fruit Following Various Routes of Contamination
Authors: Deering Amanda , Jack Dan , Pruitt Robert , Mauer Lisa
Published: November 2015

Salmonella serovars have been associated with the majority of foodborne illness outbreaks involving tomatoes, and E. coli O157:H7 has caused outbreaks involving other fresh produce. Contamination by both pathogens has been thought to originate from all points of the growing and distribution process. To determine if Salmonella serovar Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 could move to the mature tomato fruit of different tomato cultivars following contamination, three different contamination scenarios (seed, leaf, and soil) were examined. Following contamination, each cultivar appeared to respond differently to the presence of the pathogens, with most producing few fruit and having overall poor health. The Micro-Tom cultivar, however, produced relatively more fruit and E. coli O157:H7 was detected in the ripe tomatoes for both the seed- and leaf- contaminated plants, but not following soil contamination. The Roma cultivar produced fewer fruit, but was the only cultivar in which E. coli O157:H7 was detected via all three routes of contamination. Only two of the five cultivars produced tomatoes following seed-, leaf-, and soil- contamination with Salmonella Typhimurium, and no Salmonella was found in any of the tomatoes. Together these results show that different tomato cultivars respond differently to the presence of a human pathogen, and for E. coli O157:H7, in particular, tomato plants that are either contaminated as seeds or have a natural opening or a wound, that allows bacteria to enter the leaves can result in plants that have the potential to produce tomatoes that harbor internalized pathogenic bacteria.
Phenolic Compounds from the Flowers of Bombax malabaricum and Their Antioxidant and Antiviral Activities
Authors: Zhang Yu-Bo , Wu Peng , Zhang Xiao-Li , Xia Chao , Li Guo-Qiang , Ye Wen-Cai , Wang Guo-Cai , Li Yao-Lan
Published: November 2015

Three new phenolic compounds 1–3 and twenty known ones 4–23 were isolated from the flowers of Bombax malabaricum. Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses (IR, ESI-MS, HR-ESI-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR) and chemical reactions. The antioxidant capacities of the isolated compounds were tested using FRAP and DPPH radical-scavenging assays, and compounds 4, 6, 8, 12, as well as the new compound 2, exhibited stronger antioxidant activities than ascorbic acid. Furthermore, all of compounds were tested for their antiviral activities against RSV by the CPE reduction assay and plaque reduction assay. Compounds 4, 10, 12 possess in vitro antiviral activities, and compound 10 exhibits potent anti-RSV effects, comparable to the positive control ribavirin.
Immobilization of Cyclooxygenase-2 on Silica Gel Microspheres: Optimization and Characterization
Authors: Shi Qian , Chen Junhui , Wang Yanlong , Li Zhaoyong , Li Xianguo , Sun Chengjun , Zheng Li
Published: November 2015

In this study, immobilized COX-2 was successfully constructed through glutaraldehyde-mediated covalent coupling on functional silica gel microspheres. The optimum conditions, properties, and morphological characteristics of the immobilized COX-2 were investigated. The optimal immobilization process was as follows: about 0.02 g of aminated silica gel microspheres was activated by 0.25% GA solution for 6 h and mixed with 5 U of free recombinant COX-2 solution. Then, the mixture was shaken for 8 h at 20 °C. Results showed that the immobilized COX-2 produced by this method exhibited excellent biocatalytic activity, equivalent to that of free COX-2 under the test conditions employed. The best biocatalytic activity of immobilized COX-2 appeared at pH 8.0 and still maintained at about 84% (RSD < 7.39%, n = 3) at pH 10.0. For temperature tolerance, immobilized COX-2 exhibited its maximum biocatalytic activity at 40 °C and about 68% (RSD < 6.99%, n = 3) of the activity was maintained at 60 °C. The immobilized COX-2 retained over 85% (RSD < 7.26%, n = 3) of its initial biocatalytic activity after five cycles, and after 10 days storage, the catalytic activity of immobilized COX-2 still maintained at about 95% (RSD < 3.08%, n = 3). These characteristics ensured the convenient use of the immobilized COX-2 and reduced its production cost.
Efficient Syntheses of 1,2,3-Triazoloamide Derivatives Using Solid- and Solution-Phase Synthetic Approaches
Authors: Lee Doohyun , Kim Daehun , Lee Seungyeon , Kim Taegeum , Kim Joobin , Kim Sohee , Liu Kwang-Hyeon , Lee Sangkyu , Bae Jong-Sup , Song Kyung-Sik , Cho Chang-Woo , Son Youn , Baek Dong , Lee Taeho
Published: November 2015

Efficient synthetic routes for the preparation of secondary and tertiary 1,2,3-triazoloamide derivatives were developed. A secondary α-1,2,3-triazoloamide library was constructed and expanded by a previously developed solid-phase synthetic route and a tertiary 1,2,3-triazoloamide library was constructed by a parallel solution-phase synthetic route. The synthetic routes rely on amide formation with secondary amines and chloro-acid chlorides; SN2 reaction with sodium azide; and the selective [3 + 2] Hüisgen cycloaddition with appropriate terminal alkynes. The target secondary and tertiary 1,2,3-triazoloamide derivatives were obtained with three-diversity points in excellent overall yields and purities using the reported solid- and solution-phase synthetic routes, respectively.
Nutritional Modulation of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Yki-Järvinen Hannele
Published: November 2015

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) covers a spectrum of disorders ranging from simple steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver, NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. NAFL increases the risk of liver fibrosis. If the liver is fatty due to causes of insulin resistance such as obesity and physical inactivity, it overproduces glucose and triglycerides leading to hyperinsulinemia and a low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration. The latter features predispose to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Understanding the impact of nutritional modulation of liver fat content and insulin resistance is therefore of interest for prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Hypocaloric, especially low carbohydrate ketogenic diets rapidly decrease liver fat content and associated metabolic abnormalities. However, any type of caloric restriction seems effective long-term. Isocaloric diets containing 16%–23% fat and 57%–65% carbohydrate lower liver fat compared to diets with 43%–55% fat and 27%–38% carbohydrate. Diets rich in saturated (SFA) as compared to monounsaturated (MUFA) or polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids appear particularly harmful as they increase both liver fat and insulin resistance. Overfeeding either saturated fat or carbohydrate increases liver fat content. Vitamin E supplementation decreases liver fat content as well as fibrosis but has no effect on features of insulin resistance.
Better Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Could Mitigate the Adverse Consequences of Obesity on Cardiovascular Disease: The SUN Prospective Cohort
Authors: Eguaras Sonia , Toledo Estefanía , Hernández-Hernández Aitor , Cervantes Sebastián , Martínez-González Miguel
Published: November 2015

Strong observational evidence supports the association between obesity and cardiovascular events. In elderly high-risk subjects, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) was reported to counteract the adverse cardiovascular effects of adiposity. Whether this same attenuation is also present in younger subjects is not known. We prospectively examined the association between obesity and cardiovascular clinical events (myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular death) after 10.9 years follow-up in 19,065 middle-aged men and women (average age 38 year) according to their adherence to the MedDiet (<6 points or ≥6 points in the Trichopoulou’s Mediterranean Diet Score). We observed 152 incident cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD). An increased risk of CVD across categories of body mass index (BMI) was apparent if adherence to the MedDiet was low, with multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs): 1.44 (95% confidence interval: 0.93–2.25) for ≥25 – <30 kg/m2 of BMI and 2.00 (1.04–3.83) for ≥30 kg/m2 of BMI, compared to a BMI < 25 kg/m2. In contrast, these estimates were 0.77 (0.35–1.67) and 1.15 (0.39–3.43) with good adherence to MedDiet. Better adherence to the MedDiet was associated with reduced CVD events (p for trend = 0.029). Our results suggest that the MedDiet could mitigate the harmful cardiovascular effect of overweight/obesity.
Metastatic pleomorphic adenoma to the supraspinatus muscle: a case report and review of a rare aggressive clinical entity
Authors: McGarry James G , Redmond Maeve , Tuffy John B , Wilson Lorraine , Looby Seamus
Published: November 2015

We report a case of a 65-year-old female with a recurrent right parotid pleomorphic adenoma (PA) 24 years after initial surgical excision. Positron-emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated an unusual suspicious FDG-avid erosive rim enhancing mass centered in the right supraspinatus muscle. Cytology from CT-guided aspiration of the mass was consistent with a histologically benign PA, and the patient was diagnosed with metastatic pleomorphic adenoma (MPA). The patient later developed diffuse pulmonary metastases and died within 3 months. MPA, although rare, is recognised as a potentially lethal malignant complication of recurrent or longstanding benign PA. As no biochemical or genetic parameters are predictive of malignant change, patients presenting with recurrent PA should be considered for screening for metastatic disease.
Successful technical and clinical outcome using a second generation balloon expandable coronary stent for transplant renal artery stenosis: Our experience
Authors: Salsamendi Jason , Pereira Keith , Baker Reginald , Bhatia Shivank , Narayanan Govindarajan
Published: November 2015

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a vascular complication frequently seen because of increase in the number of renal transplantations. Early diagnosis and management is essential to optimize a proper graft function. Currently, the endovascular treatment of TRAS using angioplasty and/or stenting is considered the treatment of choice with the advantage that it does not preclude subsequent surgical correction. Treatment of TRAS with the use of stents, particularly in tortuous transplant renal anatomy presents a unique challenge to an interventional radiologist. In this study, we present three cases from our practice highlighting the use of a balloon-expandable Multi-Link RX Ultra coronary stent system (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA) for treating high grade focal stenosis along very tortuous renal arterial segments. Cobalt-Chromium alloy stent scaffold provides excellent radial force, whereas the flexible stent design conforms to the vessel course allowing for optimal stent alignment.
Prosa y verso en Umbral: entre la dispersión y el cancionero de Mis paraísos artificiales
Authors: Díez J. Ignacio
Published: November 2015

Frente a toda la tradición clásica que aborrece la mezcla de prosa y verso, Umbral entrevera los poemas (en verso a veces y también en prosa) dentro de su obra. Llena Umbral su camino literario con piezas poéticas que demuestren que es poeta, que suplan su abandono de la poesía por más productivas dedicaciones y que compongan una suerte de gigantesco cancionero que, muy significativamente, nunca quiso reunir. En Mis paraísos artificiales el recurso es cuantitativa y cualitativamente distinto: componer un cancionero único que alterne prosa y verso al viejo estilo renacentista, aunque Umbral prefiere entroncar con Juan Ramón Jiménez. El recurso también se utiliza en Mortal y rosa, en menor medida y con otras funciones.
Umbral en la radio: La orquídea, una transfiguración poética de la actualidad
Authors: Fernández Sande Manuel , Martínez Rico Eduardo
Published: November 2015

Este artículo profundiza en la relación, apenas estudiada, de Umbral con la radio, e indaga, a través del análisis de diferentes referencias presentes en su obra literaria y periodística, la concepción que el escritor tenía de este medio de comunicación. Ya en la última etapa de su vida, entre 1999 y 2001, Umbral realiza un comentario radiofónico diario desde los micrófonos de Onda Cero que titula La orquídea. Se trata de unos textos con un intenso tono lírico que conjugan poesía y actualidad. Tienen una gran significación para comprender los procesos creativos de Umbral en esos años dadas las abundantes conexiones intertextuales que se pueden encontrar en ellos respecto al conjunto de su obra de la época, en especial con sus poemas –editados de forma póstuma en 2009-, Un ser de lejanías, Los alucinados y su columna de El Mundo Los placeres y los días.
Defensa de lo local en Nuestra América y Coney Island de José Martí: el ensayo como un espacio para la ideología dentro de las raíces hispanoamericanas
Authors: Ángel Roberto
Published: November 2015

José Martí propone que para el buen desarrollo de la República en América es indispensable un gobierno que fije como premisas para su administración las categorías naturales y autóctonas de su origen. Para apreciar cuáles son las características locales pensadas por Martí llevaré a cabo un análisis de dos de sus ensayos: Nuestra América (Martí, 1977) y Coney Island (Martí, 1881), con la intención de desentrañar la estrategia de polarización que da sustento a su argumentación. En efecto, el autor a través de un eje semántico sitúa los conceptos de naturaleza e interioridad por sobre lo externo y lo foráneo, realizando un paralelo entre lo que él llama “los hombres naturales de América” y aquellos que representarían a los “otros”, es decir a los habitantes de los Estados Unidos de América. De esta forma será posible evidenciar cómo Martí cuestionará la supuesta hegemonía del país del norte, reivindicando las cualidades primitivas de los pueblos originarios americanos, para condicionar el problema de adjudicación de la barbarie. El principal marco teórico para abordar este trabajo corresponde al empleo de las teorías del análisis del discurso de Teun van Dijk, las cuales me servirán para desarrolla y analizar el eje semántico que crea Martí en las obras estudiadas.
A Novel Fast Training Method for SVM and Its Application in Fault Diagnosis of Service Robot
Authors: Yuan Xianfeng , Song Mumin , Zhou Fengyu , Wang Yugang , Chen Zhumin
Published: November 2015

Support Vector Machines (SVM) is a set of popular machine learning algorithms which have been successfully applied in diverse aspects, but for large training data sets the processing time and computational costs are prohibitive. This paper presents a novel fast training method for SVM, which is applied in the fault diagnosis of service robot. Firstly, sensor data are sampled under different running conditions of the robot and those samples are divided as training sets and testing sets. Secondly, the sampled data are preprocessed and the principal component analysis (PCA) model is established for fault feature extraction. Thirdly, the feature vectors are used to train the SVM classifier, which achieves the fault diagnosis of the robot. To speed up the training process of SVM, on the one hand, sample reduction is done using the proposed support vectors selection (SVS) algorithm, which can ensure good classification accuracy and generalization capability. On the other hand, we take advantage of the excellent parallel computing abilities of Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to pre-calculate the kernel matrix, which avoids the recalculation during the cross validation process. Experimental results illustrate that the proposed method can significantly reduce the training time without decreasing the classification accuracy.
Ship Block Logistics Simulation Based on Discrete Event Simulation
Authors: Wang Chong , Mao Yun-sheng , Xiang Zu-quan , Zhou Yong-qing
Published: November 2015

The load of resources in the block logistics process influences the mid-term planning and scheduling of shipyard management. Therefore, load analysis must be conducted before confirming the plans. However, conducting the analysis using the traditional mathematical model is difficult. This study suggests using the discrete event simulation (DES) method for load analysis in advance. The simulation model of actual shipyard block logistics is established by the DES software. Data on the structure of the product, process, resource, and schedule are clearly defined to match the DES model. Partial results through the simulation are discussed in terms of real production activities. The outputs prove that the proposed simulation model can help planners arrive at reasonable and rational decisions related to shipbuilding plans. This simulation method can contribute in strengthening the competitiveness of shipyards.
L’assemblée des chambres du parlement de Normandie sous la garde des sceaux de Miromesnil (1774-1787)
Authors: Niger Julien
Published: November 2015

L’ordonnance de discipline de 1774 qui accompagne
le rétablissement du parlement de Normandie consacre le rôle
prééminent du Premier président et de la Grand’Chambre afin de
contrôler l’assemblée des chambres du parlement. Cela tient à
l’expérience du garde des Sceaux Miromesnil (1774-1787), ancien
premier président (de 1757 à son exil en 1771), mais la tradition
historiographique tend à penser qu’elle a été peu appliquée. Cependant
le ministère a pu compter sur les gens du roi pour le tenir informé de
ce qui se passait dans cette assemblée. Cette source, certes
restreinte pour Rouen à l’époque considérée, est fondamentale pour
cerner certains mécanismes de relation entre la compagnie et la Cour.
La correspondance officielle ainsi rassemblée permet de souligner deux
événements précis de la garde des Sceaux de Miromesnil. Mais elle
interroge aussi sur la pertinence de ne se tourner que vers
l’assemblée des chambres et le glissement progressif de la
contestation au sein même de la Grand’Chambre dans les années 1780,
échec de Miromesnil.
Le parlement de Bretagne et la réglementation du port d’armes (1554-1789)
Authors: Lec Julien Le
Published: November 2015

Tout au long de l’Ancien Régime, l’interdiction du
port d’armes constitue un des moyens utilisés pour endiguer les
violences armées dans le royaume. À l’échelle de la Bretagne, la
prérogative revient rapidement au parlement qui énonce aux xviie et xviiie siècles, grâce à son
pouvoir de police générale, une réglementation continue pour faire
respecter la prohibition. Cet article se propose d’étudier les efforts
croissants menés par la cour pour réprimer l’usage du port d’armes
dans l’espace public. Les villes, et en premier lieu Rennes, y
prennent toute leur place, témoignant du danger du milieu urbain,
propice à un déploiement de la violence armée. Les dégâts causés par
le braconnage ne font pas oublier pour autant les campagnes. Si le
port d’armes est majoritairement interdit aux roturiers, ceux-ci
bénéficient d’autorisations ponctuelles et encadrées en fonction des
contextes. Le droit de porter des armes qui revient en principe aux
nobles, officiers et militaires n’est pas non plus une évidence car le
danger des armes à feu et des armes « secrètes » conduit la cour à
prononcer des interdictions valables pour tous les sujets. Par le
biais des 161 arrêts promulgués entre 1554 et 1789, se révèlent alors
les enjeux de la réglementation du port d’armes pour le parlement :
contrôler la population et maintenir l’ordre public. Des fers qui
s’entrechoquent aux échanges de coups de feu, en passant par les rixes
à coups de bâtons, il est possible à travers les arrêts sur
remontrance, d’étudier les armes condamnées par le parlement et le
lexique employé pour qualifier l’incrimination.