bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melvis and Elvis BY d. Lee
Authors: Aitken Leslie
Published: May 2016

Lee, Dennis.  Melvis and Elvis.  Illus. Jeremy Tankard. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2015. Print.In this new anthology of poetry for children, the inimitable Dennis Lee lets us explore our moods: silly or serious, playful or pugnacious, riotous, rebellious and just plain rude. In typical Lee fashion, he eschews sentimentality:            The dog got fat—            His belly exploded            And that was that.                                       (“Cabbagetown,” p. 22)but he is also capable of stealing the heart with simple, lovely metaphor:            Bobolink, bobolink,            Take me along.            I’ll be the silence            And you be the song.                                        (“Bobolink,” p. 21)He teases the tongue with creative wordplay (a Dennis Lee trademark):            I thought I saw a potamus,            Asleep upon a cotamus,            But when I reached the spotamus,            The potamus was notamus.                                        (“The Notapotamus,” p. 29)Ever true to his audience, he does not flinch from the reality of childhood emotion, be it longing:            If you could like me,            Like me now,            As deep as the dreams            In your heart allow.                                           (“The New Friend,” p. 30)or loathing:            Doodle, doodle, poppyseed strudel,            I’ve got a friend and he smells like a poodle.                        * * *            Push him down a wishing well—            Still can’t stop that awful smell.                                                (“Stinkarama,” p. 26) The book is cleverly structured, beginning and ending with poems about Melvis the monster and Elvis the elf, the final selection subtly acknowledging both the “inner monster” and the “inner elf” of the child.Jeremy Tankard’s illustrations are highly suited to the text.  He uses bold outline, vivid color, and complementary backgrounds to effect focus, clarity and mood.  Preschoolers and beginning readers should have no trouble relating poem and picture.This is a book that could be shared repeatedly with children at bedtime or in storyhour.  However, a parent, teacher, or librarian would want occasionally to interject, “Do we sometimes feel like that?  Would we actually say that or do that?” That being understood, it is a good selection for home, school and public libraries.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer:  Leslie AitkenLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of children’s literature for school, public, special, and university collections.  She is a former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.
Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/Hydroxyapatite Porous Scaffold with Microchannels for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Zhang Ning , Wang Yang , Xu Wenpeng , Hu Yong , Ding Jianxun
Published: May 2016

Mass transfer restrictions of scaffolds are currently hindering the development of three-dimensional (3D), clinically viable, and tissue engineered constructs. For this situation, a 3D poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite porous scaffold, which was much favorable for transfer of nutrients to and waste products from the cells in the pores, was developed in this study. The 3D scaffold had an innovative structure, including macropores with diameters of 300−450 μm for cell ingrowth and microchannels with diameters of 2−4 μm for nutrition and waste exchange. The mechanical strength in wet state was strong enough to offer the structural support. The typical structure was more beneficial for the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium (Ca) deposition were evaluated on the differentiation of rBMSCs, and the results indicated that the microchannel structure was very favorable for differentiating rBMSCs into maturing osteoblasts. For repairing rabbit radius defects in vivo, there was rapid healing in the defects treated with the 3D porous scaffold with microchannels, where the bridging by a large bony callus was observed at 12 weeks post-surgery. Based on the results, the 3D porous scaffold with microchannels was a promising candidate for bone defect repair.
Production and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Oat Forages Receiving Slurry or Urea
Authors: Coblentz Wayne , Jokela William , Cavadini Jason S.
Published: May 2016

Although fall‐grown oat (Avena sativa L.) has potential for use as supplementary fall forage throughout the north‐central United States, one additional benefit is the option for summer manure distribution that is not possible within a conventional corn (Zea mays L.) cropping program. ‘ForagePlus’ oat was seeded into replicated plots fertilized with urea at rates of 0, 20, 40, 60, or 100 kg N ha−1 or with dairy slurry applied at approximately 42,300 and 84,600 L ha−1 (105 and 209 kg N ha−1, respectively). Apparent N recovery from fall‐grown oat plots fertilized with urea ranged from 65.8 to 89.8%. This suggested aggressive scavenging of N, but calculation of these high apparent N recovery rates was dependent on relatively low preplanting soil NO3–N concentrations, as well as a good dry matter (DM) yield response to N fertilization (y = −0.114x2 + 29.9x + 2130; R2 = 0.982). For this study, applications of high and low rates of dairy slurry yielded respective N fertilizer equivalencies of 38 and 45 kg N ha−1 for fall‐grown oat, which are roughly equivalent to Wisconsin recommendations for cereal grains (45 kg N ha−1). Apparent N recovery following application of the high and low rates of dairy slurry was 18.1 and 25.5%, respectively; however, when expressed on the basis of NH4–N applied, apparent N recovery for fall‐grown oat averaged 53.5% and did not differ among slurry application rate treatments. Fall‐grown oat appears to be an effective scavenger of N applied as NH4–N from dairy slurry.

Core Ideas

Fall‐grown oat possesses unique forage quality characteristics.

Fall‐grown oat can serve as attractive emergency fall forage.

Use of fall‐grown oat allows for summer manure application that is decoupled from corn production.

Fall‐grown oat is an effective scavenger of NH4–N applied from dairy slurry.

Fall‐grown oat may be a useful tool in managing N from dairy manures.
Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Appearance Quality in Short‐Grain Rice
Authors: Dai Liping , Wang Lan , Leng Yujia , Yang Yaolong , Huang Lichao , Chen Long , Wang Yuqiong , Ren Deyong , Hu Jiang , Zhang Guanghen , Zhu Li , Guo Longbiao , Qian Qian , Zeng Dali
Published: May 2016

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) appearance quality, as defined by both grain shape and lack of chalkiness, are key breeding goals throughout the world's rice‐producing areas. To understand the genetic effects on rice appearance quality, we grew a double‐haploid (DH) population derived from the cross between two short‐grain rice cultivars, japonica Chunjiang 06 (CJ06) and indica Taichung Native 1 (TN1), in both subtropical Hangzhou and tropical Hainan, China. Transgressive segregation was noted for all measured traits: grain length (GL), grain width (GW), length/width ratio (LW), percentage of kernels with chalk (CK), average chalk size (CS) per kernel, and chalkiness degree (CD, calculated as CK × CS). High positive correlations observed between the chalkiness measures (CK, CS, and CD) with GL and GW indicate that grain shape may have pleiotropic effects on grain chalkiness. Nineteen main‐effect QTL and nine epistatic interaction pairs were detected for grain chalkiness and shape. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were on all 12 chromosomes and explained 8.0 to 23.6% of the phenotypic variance observed under the two environments. One chalkiness QTL and one shape QTL had main effects in both locations. However, when epistasis was considered, seven of 10 identified main‐effect regions also had epistatic effect on either grain chalkiness or shape. This demonstrated that epistasis plays an important role in determining grain chalkiness, shape, and the association between chalkiness and shape. The identified QTL and epistatic interactions provide further understanding of the genetic basis of grain appearance quality and assistance in improving grain appearance quality of rice through breeding.
Singularly perturbed Burgers-Huxley equation by a Meshless method
Authors: Hashemi Mir , Baleanu Dumitru , Barghi Hakimeh
Published: May 2016

A meshless method based upon radial basis function is utilized to approximate the singularly perturbed Burgers-Huxley equation with the viscosity coefficient ?. The proposed method shows that the obtained solutions are reliable and accurate. Convergence analysis of method was analyzed in a numerical way for different small values of singularity parameter.
Restoration and conversion to re-use of historic buildings incorporating increased energy efficiency: A case study - the Haybarn complex, Hilandar Monastery, Mount Athos
Authors: Ivanovic-Sekularac Jelena , Cikic-Tovarovic Jasna , Sekularac Nenad
Published: May 2016

A proper approach to restoration of historic buildings is crucial for
monumental heritage protection. The objective of the paper is to define a
methodology for historic buildings restoration in order to increase energy
efficiency and re-usability in accordance with modern standards. The main
method used in the paper is the observation of historic buildings during
their restoration and exploitation, analysis and evaluation of achieved
results regarding energy efficiency and energy saving, through the examples
of the buildings belonging to Hilandar Monastery, Mount Athos, in Greece.
Mount Athos was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its cultural
and natural values. This case study discusses the abandoned and dilapidated
historic buildings of the Haybarn Complex (Stable, Mulekeepers? House and
Haybarn), the achieved results regarding the restoration of these buildings,
their energy efficiency and turning into the premises for occasional stays.
The research results are recommendations for increasing energy efficiency
while performing the restoration of historic buildings, so that these
buildings could be re-used in a new way. The most significant contribution of
the paper is the practical test of energy refurbishment of these historic
buildings conducted using the principles and methods of energy efficiency, in
compliance with conservation requirements and authenticity of historic
buildings.
Performance analysis of a biodiesel fuelled diesel engine with the effect of alumina coated piston
Authors: Senthil Kumar , Purushothaman Krishnan , Rajan Kuppusamy
Published: May 2016

Biodiesel is one of the best alternative fuels to Diesel engine among other sources due to having potential to reduce emissions. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable and environment friendly fuel in nature. The advantages of biodiesel are lower exhaust gas emissions and its biodegradability and renewability compared with petroleum-based diesel fuel. The energy of the biodiesel can be released more efficiently with the concept of semi adiabatic (thermal barrier coated piston) engine. The objective of this study is to investigate the performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder direct injection Diesel engine using 25% biodiesel blend (rubber seed oil methyl ester) as fuel with thermal barrier coated piston. Initially the piston crown was coated with alumina (Al2O3) of thickness of 300 micron (0.3 mm) by plasma coating method. The results revealed that the brake thermal efficiency was increased by 4% and brake specific fuel consumption was decreased by 9% for B25 with coated piston compared to un-coated piston with diesel. The smoke, CO, and HC emissions were also decreased for B25 blend with coated piston compared with the uncoated piton engine. The combustion characteristics such as peak pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise, and heat release rate were increased and the ignition delay was decreased for B25 blend for the coated piston compared with diesel fuel.
Structural Validity of the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) in People With Mild to Moderate Parkinson Disease
Authors: Benka Wallén Martin , Sorjonen Kimmo , Löfgren Niklas , Franzén Erika
Published: May 2016

Background

The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) is a clinical balance test comprising 14 items assumed to reflect the unidimensional construct “dynamic balance.”

Objective

The study objective was to examine the dimensionality of the test and the properties of each item and their interrelationships in elderly people with mild to moderate Parkinson disease (PD).

Design

This was a cross-sectional study in a laboratory setting.

Methods

A total of 112 participants (mean age=73 years) with idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1–3) were assessed by physical therapists. Local independence among items was examined with Rasch modeling. Unidimensionality was tested by running a principal component analysis on the residuals. An exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the structure of the test, and a confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the fit of the derived model.

Results

The first residual component of the principal component analysis, with an eigenvalue of greater than 2, superseded the assumption of unidimensionality. After the omission of item 7 because of convergence problems, the exploratory factor analysis suggested that a 3-factor solution best fit the data. A confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated acceptable fit of the final model, although item 14 loaded poorly on its factor.

Limitations

The sample size was on the lower end of what is generally recommended.

Conclusions

This study could not confirm that the Mini-BESTest is unidimensional. Gait items were dispersed over all factors, indicating that they may reflect different constructs. Nonetheless, as there arguably is no clinical balance test superior to the Mini-BESTest today, we recommend using the total score for assessing gross balance in this population and individual items to identify specific weaknesses. Moreover, dual tasks should be assessed separately because they are an important aspect of balance control in people with PD, reflected in only one item of the test.
Ultra-early angiographic vasospasm associated with delayed cerebral ischemia and infarction following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Al-Mufti Fawaz , Roh David , Lahiri Shouri , Meyers Emma , Witsch Jens , Frey Hans-Peter , Dangayach Neha , Falo Cristina , Mayer Stephan A. , Agarwal Sachin , Park Soojin , Meyers Philip M. , Connolly E. Sander , Claassen Jan , Schmidt J. Michael
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

The clinical significance of cerebral ultra-early angiographic vasospasm (UEAV), defined as cerebral arterial narrowing within the first 48 hours of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), remains poorly characterized. The authors sought to determine its frequency, predictors, and impact on functional outcome.

METHODS

The authors prospectively studied UEAV in a cohort of 1286 consecutively admitted patients with aSAH between August 1996 and June 2013. Admission clinical, radiographic, and acute clinical course information was documented during patient hospitalization. Functional outcome was assessed at 3 months using the modified Rankin Scale. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were generated to assess predictors of UEAV and its relationship to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and outcome. Multiple imputation methods were used to address data lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

The cohort incidence rate of UEAV was 4.6%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age, sentinel bleed, and poor admission clinical grade were significantly associated with UEAV. Patients with UEAV had a 2-fold increased risk of DCI (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4–3.9, p = 0.002) and cerebral infarction (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–3.9, p = 0.04), after adjusting for known predictors. Excluding patients who experienced sentinel bleeding did not change this effect. Patients with UEAV also had a significantly higher hazard for DCI in a multivariable model. UEAV was not found to be significantly associated with poor functional outcome (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.6, p = 0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

UEAV may be less frequent than has been reported previously. Patients who exhibit UEAV are at higher risk for refractory DCI that results in cerebral infarction. These patients may benefit from earlier monitoring for signs of DCI and more aggressive treatment. Further study is needed to determine the long-term functional significance of UEAV.
Continuous intranigral infusion is not associated with observable behavioral deficits or marked pathology: a preclinical safety study
Authors: Grondin Richard , Ai Yi , Hardy Peter A. , Butt Mark T. , Nelson Brian D. , Lemmon Jack D. , Bumcrot David , Gash Don M. , Gerhardt Greg A. , Zhang Zhiming
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

A better understanding of the effects of chronically delivering compounds to the substantia nigra and nearby areas is important for the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat alpha-synucleinopathies, like Parkinson's disease. Whether chronic intranigral delivery of an infusate could be achieved without causing motor dysfunction or marked pathology remains unclear. The authors evaluated the tolerability of continuously delivering an infusate directly into the rhesus monkey substantia nigra via a programmable pump coupled to a novel intraparenchymal needle-tip catheter surgically implanted using MRI-guided techniques.

METHODS

The MRI contrast agent gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist, 5 mM) was used to noninvasively evaluate catheter patency and infusion volume associated with 2 flow rates sequentially tested in each of 3 animals: 0.1 µl/min for 14 days into the right substantia nigra and 0.1 µl/min for 7 days plus 0.2 µl/min for an additional 7 days into the left substantia nigra. Flow rate tolerability was assessed via clinical observations and a microscopic examination of the striatum and midbrain regions.

RESULTS

Evaluation of postsurgical MRI indicated that all 6 catheters remained patent throughout the study and that the volume of distribution achieved in the left midbrain region at a rate of up to 0.2 µl/min (2052 ± 168 mm3) was greater than that achieved in the right midbrain region at a constant rate of 0.1 µl/min (1225 ± 273 mm3) by nearly 2-fold. Both flow rates provided sufficient infusate coverage of the rhesus (and possibly the human) midbrain region. There were no indications of observable deficits in behavior. Histopathological evaluations confirmed that all catheter tips were placed in or near the pars compacta region of the substantia nigra in all animals. There was no evidence of infection at any of the 6 catheter sites. Mild to moderate microglial reactions were observed at most catheter track sites and were comparable between the 2 infusion rates. Finally, there was neither observable decrease of tyrosine hydroxylase staining in the striatum nor detectable necrosis of neurons in the pars compacta region of the substantia nigra in any of the animals.

CONCLUSIONS

The data from this study support the feasibility of using a pump-and-catheter system for chronic intranigral infusion and lay the foundation for using this approach to treat Parkinson's disease or other related degenerative diseases that would benefit from targeted drug delivery to the substantia nigra or to other brainstem regions.
Intubation biomechanics: laryngoscope force and cervical spine motion during intubation in cadavers—effect of severe distractive-flexion injury on C3–4 motion
Authors: Hindman Bradley J. , Fontes Ricardo B. , From Robert P. , Traynelis Vincent C. , Todd Michael M. , Puttlitz Christian M. , Santoni Brandon G.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

With application of the forces of intubation, injured (unstable) cervical segments may move more than they normally do, which can result in spinal cord injury. The authors tested whether, during endotracheal intubation, intervertebral motion of an injured C3–4 cervical segment 1) is greater than that in the intact (stable) state and 2) differs when a high- or low-force laryngoscope is used.

METHODS

Fourteen cadavers underwent 3 intubations using force-sensing laryngoscopes while simultaneous cervical spine motion was recorded with lateral fluoroscopy. The first intubation was performed with an intact cervical spine and a conventional high-force line-of-sight Macintosh laryngoscope. After creation of a severe C3–4 distractive-flexion injury, 2 additional intubations were performed, one with the Macintosh laryngoscope and the other with a low-force indirect video laryngoscope (Airtraq), used in random order.

RESULTS

During Macintosh intubations, between the intact and the injured conditions, C3–4 extension (0.3° ± 3.0° vs 0.4° ± 2.7°, respectively; p = 0.9515) and anterior-posterior subluxation (−0.1 ± 0.4 mm vs −0.3 ± 0.6 mm, respectively; p = 0.2754) did not differ. During Macintosh and Airtraq intubations with an injured C3–4 segment, despite a large difference in applied force between the 2 laryngoscopes, segmental extension (0.4° ± 2.7° vs 0.3° ± 3.3°, respectively; p = 0.8077) and anterior-posterior subluxation (0.3 ± 0.6 mm vs 0.0 ± 0.7 mm, respectively; p = 0.3203) did not differ.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' hypotheses regarding the relationship between laryngoscope force and the motion of an injured cervical segment were not confirmed. Motion-force relationships (biomechanics) of injured cervical intervertebral segments during endotracheal intubation in cadavers are not predicted by the in vitro biomechanical behavior of isolated cervical segments. With the limitations inherent to cadaveric studies, the results of this study suggest that not all forms of cervical spine injury are at risk for pathological motion and cervical cord injury during conventional high-force line-of-sight intubation.
Shannon Entropy in a European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) System during the Initial Recovery Period after a Short-Term Exposure to Methylmercury
Authors: Eguiraun Harkaitz , López-de-Ipiña Karmele , Martinez Iciar
Published: May 2016

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental contaminant of increasing relevance as a seafood safety hazard that affects the health and welfare of fish. Non-invasive, on-line methodologies to monitor and evaluate the behavior of a fish system in aquaculture may make the identification of altered systems feasible—for example, due to the presence of agents that compromise their welfare and wholesomeness—and find a place in the implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points and Fish Welfare Assurance Systems. The Shannon entropy (SE) of a European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) system has been shown to differentiate MeHg-treated from non-treated fish, the former displaying a lower SE value than the latter. However, little is known about the initial evolution of the system after removal of the toxicant. To help to cover this gap, the present work aims at providing information about the evolution of the SE of a European seabass system during a recuperation period of 11 days following a two-week treatment with 4 µg·MeHg/L. The results indicate that the SE of the system did not show a recovery trend during the examined period, displaying erratic responses with daily fluctuations and lacking a tendency to reach the initial SE values.
Life Cycle Assessment of a HYSOL Concentrated Solar Power Plant: Analyzing the Effect of Geographic Location
Authors: Corona Blanca , Ruiz Diego , San Miguel Guillermo
Published: May 2016

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technology is developing in order to achieve higher energy efficiency, reduced economic costs, and improved firmness and dispatchability in the generation of power on demand. To this purpose, a research project titled HYSOL has developed a new power plant, consisting of a combined cycle configuration with a 100 MWe steam turbine and an 80 MWe gas-fed turbine with biomethane. Technological developments must be supported by the identification, quantification, and evaluation of the environmental impacts produced. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the environmental performance of a CSP plant based on HYSOL technology using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology while considering different locations. The scenarios investigated include different geographic locations (Spain, Chile, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and South Africa), an alternative modelling procedure for biomethane, and the use of natural gas as an alternative fuel. Results indicate that the geographic location has a significant influence on the environmental profile of the HYSOL CSP plant. The results obtained for the HYSOL configuration located in different countries presented significant differences (between 35% and 43%, depending on the category), especially in climate change and water stress categories. The differences are mainly attributable to the local availability of solar and water resources and composition of the national electricity mix. In addition, HYSOL technology performs significantly better when hybridizing with biomethane instead of natural gas. This evidence is particularly relevant in the climate change category, where biomethane hybridization emits 27.9–45.9 kg CO2 eq per MWh (depending on the biomethane modelling scenario) and natural gas scenario emits 264 kg CO2 eq/MWh.
The Regulatory Role of KIBRA and PTPN14 in Hippo Signaling and Beyond
Authors: Wilson Kayla , Yang Nuo , Mussell Ashley , Zhang Jianmin
Published: May 2016

The Hippo signaling pathway regulates cellular proliferation and survival, thus exerting profound effects on normal cell fate and tumorigenesis. Pivotal effectors of this pathway are YAP/TAZ, transcriptional co-activators whose dysfunction contributes to the development of cancer. Complex networks of intracellular and extracellular signaling pathways that modulate YAP and TAZ activities have recently been identified. Among them, KIBRA and PTPN14 are two evolutionarily-conserved and important YAP/TAZ upstream regulators. They can negatively regulate YAP/TAZ functions separately or in concert. In this review, we summarize the current and emerging regulatory roles of KIBRA and PTPN14 in the Hippo pathway and their functions in cancer.
Residential Risk Factors for Atopic Dermatitis in 3- to 6-Year Old Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Xu Feng , Yan Shuxian , Zheng Qile , Li Fei , Chai Weihan , Wu Minmin , Kan Haidong , Norback Dan , Xu Jinhua , Zhao Zhuohui
Published: May 2016

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is common among pre-school children in Shanghai. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for childhood AD from the perspectives of home environment, demographics and parents-grandparents’ atopic disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai in April–June, 2010. Preschool children’s parents or guardians were invited to participate a questionnaire survey in six districts (two urban and four suburban/rural) and 6624 children were finally recruited (51.3% boys). AD diagnosis was based on the U.K. Working Party’s (UKWP) criteria. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by multiple logistic regression. Results: A total of 8.5% of children ever had AD. Around 10.2% of the mothers had lived in newly renovated/decorated homes (NRDH) during the prenatal period (one year before or during pregnancy) and 9.5% got new home furniture (NHF) during the same period. AD was more common in children when mothers had lived in NRDH homes during the prenatal period (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI 1.03–1.93), the current home had indoor mold (2.00, 1.48–2.70), parents-grandparents’ had atopic diseases (3.85, 3.05–4.87), the children had food allergy (3.40, 2.63–4.40) or children lived in urban area (1.52, 1.18–1.96). Associations between AD and NRDH, NHF and indoor molds were only significant in children without parents-grandparents’ atopic diseases. There was an interaction effect between parents-grandparents’ atopic diseases and NRDH (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Home renovation/ redecoration, new furniture and indoor mold, urban residency, heredity disposition and food allergy can be risk factors for childhood AD in Shanghai.
The Fundamental Role of NOX Family Proteins in Plant Immunity and Their Regulation
Authors: Wang Ya-Jing , Wei Xiao-Yong , Jing Xiu-Qing , Chang Yan-Li , Hu Chun-Hong , Wang Xiang , Chen Kun-Ming
Published: May 2016

NADPH oxidases (NOXs), also known as respiratory burst oxidase homologs (RBOHs), are the major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and are involved in many important processes in plants such as regulation of acclimatory signaling and programmed cell death (PCD). Increasing evidence shows that NOXs play crucial roles in plant immunity and their functions in plant immune responses are not as separate individuals but with other signal molecules such as kinases, Rac/Rop small GTPases and hormones, mediating a series of signal transmissions. In a similar way, NOX-mediated signaling also participates in abiotic stress response of plants. We summarized here the complex role and regulation mechanism of NOXs in mediating plant immune response, and the viewpoint that abiotic stress response of plants may be a kind of special plant immunity is also proposed.
Effects of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Extract on Killing Activity of Human Neutrophils and Membrane Integrity of Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Hmoteh Jutharat , Syed Musthafa Khadar , Pomwised Rattanaruji , Voravuthikunchai Supayang
Published: May 2016

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 is one of the most virulent causative agents of foodborne disease. Use of antibiotics for the treatment against E. coli O157:H7 infection leads to hemolytic uremic syndrome. The present study evaluated the potential of ethanolic leaf extract of a medicinal plant, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa in enhancing the killing activity of human neutrophils against E. coli O157:H7. In addition, the effects of the extract on membrane permeability of the organisms were studied. In the killing assay, percentage survival of the bacterial cells after being exposed to human neutrophils in the presence of various concentrations of the extract were determined. At 45 min, percentage survival of E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli ATCC 25922 after treated with neutrophils in the presence of the extract at 125–250 µg/mL was 58.48%–50.28% and 69.13%–35.35%, respectively. Furthermore, upon treatment with R. tomentosa at 250 µg/mL uptake of crystal violet by E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli ATCC 25922 was increased to 40.07% and 36.16%, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that the extract exhibited dual effects as immunostimulant and membrane permeabilizing agent perhaps resulted in enhancing the killing activity of neutrophils against the organisms.
Applications of Tris(4-(thiophen-2-yl)phenyl)amine- and Dithienylpyrrole-based Conjugated Copolymers in High-Contrast Electrochromic Devices
Authors: Wu Tzi-Yi , Chung Hsin-Hua
Published: May 2016

Tris(4-(thiophen-2-yl)phenyl)amine- and dithienylpyrrole-based copolymers (P(TTPA-co-DIT) and P(TTPA-co-BDTA)) were electropolymerized on ITO electrode by applying constant potentials of 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2 V. Spectroelectrochemical investigations revealed that P(TTPA-co-DIT) film displayed more color changes than P(TTPA-co-BDTA) film. The P(TTPA-co-DIT) film is yellow in the neutral state, yellowish-green and green in the intermediate state, and blue (1.2 V) in highly oxidized state. The ∆Tmax of the P(TTPA-co-DIT) and P(TTPA-co-BDTA) films were measured as 60.3% at 1042 nm and 47.1% at 1096 nm, respectively, and the maximum coloration efficiency (η) of P(TTPA-co-DIT) and P(TTPA-co-BDTA) films were calculated to be 181.9 cm2·C−1 at 1042 nm and 217.8 cm2·C−1 at 1096 nm, respectively, in an ionic liquid solution. Dual type electrochromic devices (ECDs) consisting of P(TTPA-co-DIT) (or P(TTPA-co-BDTA)) anodic copolymer, ionic liquid-based electrolyte, and poly(3,4-(2,2-diethylpropylenedioxy)thiophene) (PProDOT-Et2) cathodic polymer were constructed. P(TTPA-co-BDTA)/PProDOT-Et2 ECD showed high ΔTmax (48.1%) and high coloration efficiency (649.4 cm2·C−1) at 588 nm. Moreover, P(TTPA-co-DIT)/PProDOT-Et2 and P(TTPA-co-BDTA)/PProDOT-Et2 ECDs displayed satisfactory optical memory and long term switching stability.
Spatial Assessment of the Bioclimatic and Environmental Factors Driving Mangrove Tree Species’ Distribution along the Brazilian Coastline
Authors: Ximenes Arimatéa , Maeda Eduardo , Arcoverde Gustavo , Dahdouh-Guebas Farid
Published: May 2016

Brazil has one of the largest mangrove surfaces worldwide. Due to a wide latitudinal distribution, Brazilian mangroves can be found within a large range of environmental conditions. However, little attention has been given to the description of environmental variables driving the distribution of mangrove species in Brazil. In this study, we present a novel and unprecedented description of environmental conditions for all mangroves along the Brazilian coast focusing on species limits. We apply a descriptive statistics and data-driven approach using Self-Organizing Maps and we combine data from terrestrial and marine environmental geodatabases in a Geographical Information System. We evaluate 25 environmental variables (21 bioclimatic variables, three sea surface temperature derivates, and salinity). The results reveal three groups of correlated variables: (i) air temperature derivates and sea surface temperature derivates; (ii) air temperature, potential evapotranspiration and precipitation derivates; and (iii) precipitation derivates, aridity and salinity. Our results unveil new locations of extreme values of temperature and precipitation. We conclude that Rhizophora harrisonii and Rhizophora racemosa are more limited by precipitation and aridity and that they do not necessarily follow a latitudinal gradient. Our data also reveal that the lowest air temperatures of the coldest month are not necessarily found at the southernmost limits of mangroves in Brazil; instead they are localized at the Mesoregion of Vale do Itajaí. However, the minimum sea surface temperature drops gradually with higher latitudes in the Brazilian southern hemisphere and is probably a better indicator for the decrease of species at the latitudinal limits of mangroves than the air temperature and precipitation.
Bayesian Method for Building Frequent Landsat-Like NDVI Datasets by Integrating MODIS and Landsat NDVI
Authors: Liao Limin , Song Jinling , Wang Jindi , Xiao Zhiqiang , Wang Jian
Published: May 2016

Studies related to vegetation dynamics in heterogeneous landscapes often require Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) datasets with both high spatial resolution and frequent coverage, which cannot be satisfied by a single sensor due to technical limitations. In this study, we propose a new method called NDVI-Bayesian Spatiotemporal Fusion Model (NDVI-BSFM) for accurately and effectively building frequent high spatial resolution Landsat-like NDVI datasets by integrating Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat NDVI. Experimental comparisons with the results obtained using other popular methods (i.e., the Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (STARFM), the Enhanced Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (ESTARFM), and the Flexible Spatiotemporal DAta Fusion (FSDAF) method) showed that our proposed method has the following advantages: (1) it can obtain more accurate estimates; (2) it can retain more spatial detail; (3) its prediction accuracy is less dependent on the quality of the MODIS NDVI on the specific prediction date; and (4) it produces smoother NDVI time series profiles. All of these advantages demonstrate the strengths and the robustness of the proposed NDVI-BSFM in providing reliable high spatial and temporal resolution NDVI datasets to support other land surface process studies.
Molecular Spectrum Capture by Tuning the Chemical Potential of Graphene
Authors: Cheng Yue , Yang Jingjing , Lu Qiannan , Tang Hao , Huang Ming
Published: May 2016

Due to its adjustable electronic properties and effective excitation of surface plasmons in the infrared and terahertz frequency range, research on graphene has attracted a great deal of attention. Here, we demonstrate that plasmon modes in graphene-coated dielectric nanowire (GNW) waveguides can be excited by a monolayer graphene ribbon. What is more the transverse resonant frequency spectrum of the GNW can be flexibly tuned by adjusting the chemical potential of graphene, and amplitude of the resonance peak varies linearly with the imaginary part of the analyte permittivity. As a consequence, the GNW works as a probe for capturing the molecular spectrum. Broadband sensing of toluene, ethanol and sulfurous anhydride thin layers is demonstrated by calculating the changes in spectral intensity of the propagating mode and the results show that the intensity spectra correspond exactly to the infrared spectra of these molecules. This may open an effective avenue to design sensors for detecting nanometric-size molecules in the terahertz and infrared regimes.
An Automated Comparative Observation System for Sun-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Vegetation Canopies
Authors: Zhou Xijia , Liu Zhigang , Xu Shan , Zhang Weiwei , Wu Jun
Published: May 2016

Detecting sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) offers a new approach for remote sensing photosynthesis. However, to analyse the response characteristics of SIF under different stress states, a long-term time-series comparative observation of vegetation under different stress states must be carried out at the canopy scale, such that the similarities and differences in SIF change law can be summarized under different time scales. A continuous comparative observation system for vegetation canopy SIF is designed in this study. The system, which is based on a high-resolution spectrometer and an optical multiplexer, can achieve comparative observation of multiple targets. To simultaneously measure the commonly used vegetation index and SIF in the O2-A and O2-B atmospheric absorption bands, the following parameters are used: a spectral range of 475.9 to 862.2 nm, a spectral resolution of approximately 0.9 nm, a spectral sampling interval of approximately 0.4 nm, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be as high as 1000:1. To obtain data for both the upward radiance of the vegetation canopy and downward irradiance data with a high SNR in relatively short time intervals, the single-step integration time optimization algorithm is proposed. To optimize the extraction accuracy of SIF, the FluorMOD model is used to simulate sets of data according to the spectral resolution, spectral sampling interval and SNR of the spectrometer in this continuous observation system. These data sets are used to determine the best parameters of Fraunhofer Line Depth (FLD), Three FLD (3FLD) and the spectral fitting method (SFM), and 3FLD and SFM are confirmed to be suitable for extracting SIF from the spectral measurements. This system has been used to observe the SIF values in O2-A and O2-B absorption bands and some commonly used vegetation index from sweet potato and bare land, the result of which shows: (1) the daily variation trend of SIF value of sweet potato leaves is basically same as that of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); and (2) the bare land is a non-fluorescent emitter, the SIF of which is significantly smaller than that of sweet potato; and (3) analysis result based on the measured data is basically same as that based on simulated data. The above results verified the reliability of the SIF extracted from the measured data and the feasibility of comparatively observing the SIF value and the commonly used vegetation index of multiple vegetation canopy with this continuous observation system. This approach is beneficial for comprehensively analysing the stress response characteristics of vegetation canopies.
Networked or Un-Networked? A Preliminary Study on KIBS-Based Sustainable Urban Development: The Case of China
Authors: Ye Kunhui , Liu Guo , Shan Yongwei
Published: May 2016

Increasingly pertinent linkages of cities via knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) in the 21st century have opened a new window for academia to reconsider the approach to achieving urban sustainability. In this study, city network was investigated with an aim of identifying its attributes in the framework of sustainable urban development. Data about China’s KIBS, which are compiled in an inter-regional input–output table, were calculated following the procedure of social network analysis. It was found that: (1) the degree of nodes (i.e., out-degree, in-degree and betweenness) in China varies distinctively from city to city; (2) the hierarchy of the city network is very tiny; and (3) that the network structure is subject to both “a small world” and core–periphery effects. Furthermore, city nodes in China fall into four categories, namely high centrality and power, high centrality and low power, low centrality and high power, and low centrality and power. The implication is that governmental efforts should be made to secure a reasonable decentralization of key city nodes to ensure that urban sustainability is built on a city-to-city basis.
Efficient Digital Signage-Based Online Store Layout: An Experimental Study
Authors: Ijaz Muhammad , Tao Wu , Rhee Jongtae , Kang Yong-Shin , Alfian Ganjar
Published: May 2016

In today’s era of information technology, human computer interaction and interface design are critical factors for a successful retail business. In a virtual world, the purpose of store layout is to create an environment that fascinates customers, entices them to spend more time in the store and encourages them to purchase from the store. The accomplishment of a successful retail business relies on a quick response and the adoption of new technologies that simplify the customer’s shopping experience. Virtual stores play a vital role in enhancing the success of a retail business. Nowadays, digital signage is widely used to publicize different store contents. The aim of this paper is to select a distinct layout that can be used in digital signage. To enhance Customer Relationship Management (CRM), digital signage can be installed in various contexts, such as metro stations, shopping centers, airplane terminals, and so on. The proposed system scans the Quick Response (QR) code of a product, and the product then arrives at the user end. The tree, pipeline and guiding pathway layouts are employed in the context of digital signage. A questionnaire is used to determine customers’ opinions on the most efficient layout. The statistical results show that layout significantly affects customer’s behavior. Moreover, human computer interaction can help understand more about the customer’s interaction with digital signage.
Highly Reflective Roofing Sheets Installed on a School Building to Mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect in Osaka
Authors: Yuan Jihui , Emura Kazuo , Farnham Craig
Published: May 2016

Currently, strategies to mitigate urban heat island (UHI) effects and reduce building energy consumption are implemented worldwide. In Japan, as an effective means of mitigating UHI effects and saving energy of buildings, highly reflective (HR) roofs have increasingly been used. In this study, in order to evaluate the effect of HR roofs on building energy conservation, we investigated the solar reflectivity of a subject school roof in Osaka, Japan, in which HR roofing sheets were installed on the roof from 2010. Additionally, monthly and annual thermal loads, including the cooling load and heating load of the top floor of the school, were calculated using the thermal load calculation software New HASP/ACLD-β. Comparing the calculated thermal loads of the school after HR roofing sheet installation to before, the annual thermal load decreased about 25 MJ/m2/year, and the cooling load decreased about 112 MJ/m2/year. However, the heating load increased about 87 MJ/m2/year in winter. To minimize the annual thermal load, thermal insulation of the roof was also considered to be used together with HR roofing sheets. Thermal load calculations showed that the combination of HR roofing sheets and thermal insulation can be effective in further reducing the annual thermal load.
LUMEN INTELLECTUS AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT: EXPANSION OF AND OBSTACLES TO CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN THE BALTIC COUNTRIES / LUMEN INTELLECTUS IR EKONOMINĖ NAUDA: KŪRYBINIŲ INDUSTRIJŲ PLĖTINIAI IR KLIUVINIAI BALTIJOS ŠALYSE
Authors: LAURUŠAITĖ Laura
Published: May 2016

Drawing on the concept of glocalization, the paper aims to compare experiences and achievements of three Baltic countries in the field of creative industries. It seeks to crystallize the issue of creative industries in the Baltic context, and to figure out how the new concept of the creative economy is changing the understanding of the humanities and business functions, and the dynamics of their mutual interaction. In addition to the analysis of the prospects of creative industries in the Baltic countries and the obstacles they are facing, the paper aims at identifying parallel processes (the emergence of business incubators and creative villages) and different environments of the dispersion of creative industries.
A CHARACTERISTIC TRANSMISSION SPECTRUM DOMINATED BY H2O APPLIES TO THE MAJORITY OF HST/WFC3 EXOPLANET OBSERVATIONS
Authors: Iyer Aishwarya R. , Swain Mark R. , Zellem Robert T. , Line Michael R. , Roudier Gael , Rocha Graça , Livingston John H.
Published: May 2016

Currently, 19 transiting exoplanets have published transmission spectra obtained with the Hubble/WFC3 G141 near-IR grism. Using this sample, we have undertaken a uniform analysis incorporating measurement-error debiasing of the spectral modulation due to H2O, measured in terms of the estimated atmospheric scale height,

. For those planets with a reported H2O detection (10 out of 19), the spectral modulation due to H2O ranges from 0.9 to 2.9

with a mean value of 1.8 ± 0.5

. This spectral modulation is significantly less than predicted for clear atmospheres. For the group of planets in which H2O has been detected, we find the individual spectra can be coherently averaged to produce a characteristic spectrum in which the shape, together with the spectral modulation of the sample, are consistent with a range of H2O mixing ratios and cloud-top pressures, with a minimum H2O mixing ratio of

ppm corresponding to the cloud-free case. Using this lower limit, we show that clouds or aerosols must block at least half of the atmospheric column that would otherwise be sampled by transmission spectroscopy in the case of a cloud-free atmosphere. We conclude that terminator-region clouds with sufficient opacity to be opaque in slant-viewing geometry are common in hot Jupiters.