bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New integral transforms for solving a steady heat transfer problem
Authors: Yang Xiao-Jun
Published: November 2017

The new Fourier-like integral transforms ?(?)= ? ???? ?(t)e-ikt dt, ?(?)= 1/????? ?(t)e-i?t dt,
?(?) 1/? ???? ?(t)e-it/? dt, ?(?)= ????? ?(t)e-it/? dt are addressed for the first time.
They are used to handle a steady heat transfer equation. The proposed
methods are efficient and accurate.
Shallow water waves in porous medium for coast protection
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Yufeng , Rui Wenjuan
Published: November 2017

This paper extends the Hirota-Satsuma equation in continuum mechanics to its
fractional partner in fractal porous media in shallow water for absorbing
wave energy and preventing tsunami. Its derivation is briefly introduced
using the fractional momentum law and He?s fractional derivative. The
fractional complex transform is adopted to elucidate its basic solution
properties, and a modification of the exp-function method is used to solve
the equation. The paper concludes that the kinetic energy of the travelling
wave tends to be vanished when the value of the fractional order is less
than one.
Crack closure and initiation stresses of coal subjected to thermo-gas-mechanical coupling
Authors: Gao Yanan , Yan Weicheng , Yang Xiaojun
Published: November 2017

In this paper, the orthogonal experiment method is employed to design
physical tests of coal under different temperatures, confining pressures,
and gas pressures. The crack closure stress and crack initiation stress are
calculated using four known methods, i. e. axial strain method, axial
stiffness method, crack volume method, and strain response method. The
obtained results are compared, and the advantages and drawbacks for the used
methods are also discussed. The influences of the three factors on the crack
closure and crack initiation stresses are analyzed.
Adoption Barriers for Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Their Potential Reduction With a Fully Implanted System: Results From Patient Preference Surveys
Authors: Engler Robert , Routh Timothy L. , Lucisano Joseph Y.
Published: November 2017

IN BRIEF A patient-centered approach to device design can provide important advantages in optimizing diabetes care technology for broadened adoption and improved adherence. Results from two surveys of people with diabetes and the parents of children with diabetes (n = 1,348) regarding continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices reveal the importance of the concept of “user burden” in patients’ and caregivers’ evaluations of the acceptability of available devices. Survey respondents’ strongly favorable reactions to a proposed 1-year, fully implanted CGM device with no skin-attached components further confirm that minimizing system obtrusiveness will likely be of significant value in reducing hurdles to CGM device use and adherence.
Hepatitis A outbreak in HIV-infected MSM and in PrEP-using MSM despite a high level of immunity, Lyon, France, January to June 2017
Authors: Charre Caroline , Ramière Christophe , Roque-Afonso Anne-Marie , Chidiac Christian , Zoulim Fabien , Godinot Matthieu , Koffi Joseph , Scholtès Caroline , Livrozet Jean-Michel ,   HAV Lyon Study Group, Cotte Laurent
Published: November 2017

Since 2016, an increase in the number of hepatitis A cases affecting mainly men who have sex with men (MSM) has been reported in low endemic countries in Europe. We calculated the attack rate in Lyon, France, in populations considered at high-risk: HIV-infected MSM and HIV-negative MSM receiving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In these populations, high level of immunity did not prevent the outbreak, indicating that vaccination should be reinforced, particularly in younger individuals.
Early Postoperative Low Expression of RAD50 in Rectal Cancer Patients Associates with Disease-Free Survival
Authors: Ho Vincent , Chung Liping , Singh Amandeep , Lea Vivienne , Revoltar Maxine , Lim Stephanie , Tut Thein-Ga , Ng Weng , Lee Mark , De Souza Paul , Shin Joo-Shik , Soon Lee Cheok
Published: November 2017

Background: Molecular biomarkers have the potential to predict response to the treatment of rectal cancer. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic and clinicopathological implication of RAD50 (DNA repair protein RAD50 homolog) expression in rectal cancer. Methods: A total of 266 rectal cancer patients who underwent surgery and received chemo- and radiotherapy between 2000 and 2011 were involved in the study. Postoperative RAD50 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in surgical samples (n = 266). Results: Using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, we found that low RAD50 expression in postoperative samples was associated with worse disease free survival (p = 0.001) and overall survival (p < 0.001) in early stage/low-grade tumors. In a comparison of patients with low vs. high RAD50 expression, we found that low levels of postoperative RAD50 expression in rectal cancer tissues were significantly associated with perineural invasion (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Expression of RAD50 in rectal cancer may serve as a prognostic biomarker for long-term survival of patients with perineural invasion-positive tumors and for potential use in early stage and low-grade rectal cancer assessment.
Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia from Diffuse Muscular Infection Following Acupuncture Visualized by 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI
Authors: Knudsen Andreas , Thomsen Carsten , Wiese Lothar
Published: November 2017

We describe the clinical course of a 60-year old male admitted with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and back-pain. The patient was suspected of having spondylitis and treated as such with antibiotics; however, both fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18F-FDG) positron-emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with iv contrast showed significant inflammation of muscles and subcutaneous soft tissue in relation to the patients back and left shoulder, but no signs of the working diagnosis of spondylitis. The unusual location of the infection was not explained until a few days prior to being discharged when the patient reported visits to a local physiotherapist where he would have acupuncture performed for non-specific back pain. His last acupunctural procedure had been performed 6 days prior to admission. This case is, to our knowledge, the first to show muscular inflammation on both 18-F-FDG PET/CT and MRI following acupuncture due to S. aureus. This case highlights the need for clinicians to search for alternative explanations when imaging does not support the diagnosis.
Comparative Analysis of Soybean Root Proteome Reveals Molecular Basis of Differential Carboxylate Efflux under Low Phosphorus Stress
Authors: Vengavasi Krishnapriya , Pandey Renu , Abraham Gerard , Yadav Ravindra
Published: November 2017

Carboxylate efflux from roots is a crucial and differential response of soybean genotypes to low phosphorus (P) stress. Exudation of carboxylic acids including oxalate, citrate, succinate and fumarate was induced under low P stress, particularly in P-efficient soybean genotypes. Enhancement of root length, surface area and volume further improved P acquisition under low P stress. To understand the molecular basis of carboxylate efflux under low P stress, the root proteome of contrasting genotypes (P-efficient: EC-232019 and P-inefficient: EC-113396) was compared. Among a total of 325 spots, 105 (32%) were differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) between sufficient (250 µM) and low P (4 µM) levels. Abundance of 44 (14%) proteins decreased by more than two-fold under low P stress, while 61 (19%) proteins increased by more than two-fold. Protein identification and annotation revealed that the DAPs were involved in a myriad of functions including carboxylic acid synthesis, carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. Proteins with significant abundance included malate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase, phosphoglycerate mutase, fructokinase, enolase, phosphoglycerate kinase, triosephosphate isomerase, alcohol dehydrogenase, glucan water dikinase, glutamine synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase. Inferences from proteomic analysis suggests the crosstalk between various metabolic pathways implicated in conferring superior P acquisition efficiency under stress.
Phylogenetic Analysis of the SNORD116 Locus
Authors: Kocher Matthew , Good Deborah
Published: November 2017

The SNORD116 small nucleolar RNA locus (SNORD116@) is contained within the long noncoding RNA host gene SNHG14 on human chromosome 15q11-q13. The SNORD116 locus is a cluster of 28 or more small nucleolar (sno) RNAs; C/D box (SNORDs). Individual RNAs within the cluster are tandem, highly similar sequences, referred to as SNORD116-1, SNORD116-2, etc., with the entire set referred to as SNORD116@. There are also related SNORD116 loci on other chromosomes, and these additional loci are conserved among primates. Inherited chromosomal 15q11-q13 deletions, encompassing the SNORD116@ locus, are causative for the paternally-inherited/maternally-imprinted genetic condition, Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). Using in silico tools, along with molecular-based and sequenced-based confirmation, phylogenetic analysis of the SNORD116@ locus was performed. The consensus sequence for the SNORD116@ snoRNAs from various species was determined both for all the SNORD116 snoRNAs, as well as those grouped using sequence and location according to a human grouping convention. The implications of these findings are put in perspective for studying SNORD116 in patients with inherited Prader–Willi syndrome, as well as model organisms.
Are Changes in Neighbourhood Perceptions Associated with Changes in Self-Rated Mental Health in Adults? A 13-Year Repeat Cross-Sectional Study, UK
Authors: Olsen Jonathan , Dundas Ruth , Ellaway Anne
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to examine changes in neighbourhood perceptions on self-rated mental health problems over time, and to explore demographic, geographic and socio-economic factors as determinants of increased or decreased anxiety and depression symptoms. We conducted a repeat cross-sectional study of individuals (N: 4480) living in the same areas of west central Scotland in 1997 and 2010. Individuals were asked to complete a questionnaire at both time-points, containing 14 questions relating to neighbourhood perceptions and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A three-level linear regression model was fitted to HADS scores and changes in neighbourhood perceptions over time; controlling for a number of individual and area-level variables. Overall, area-level mean HADS scores decreased from 1997 to 2010. When adjusted for individual and area-level variables, this decrease did not remain for HADS anxiety. Applying an overall 14-scale neighbourhood perception measure, worsening neighbourhood perceptions were associated with small increases in depression (0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01 to 0.07) and anxiety (0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.08) scores over time. This highlights a need for local and national policy to target areas where neighbourhood characteristics are substantially deteriorating in order to ensure the mental health of individuals does not worsen.
A Comprehensive Approach to Motorcycle-Related Head Injury Prevention: Experiences from the Field in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Uganda
Authors: Craft Greig , Van Bui Truong , Sidik Mirjam , Moore Danielle , Ederer David , Parker Erin , Ballesteros Michael , Sleet David
Published: November 2017

Motorcyclists account for 23% of global road traffic deaths and over half of fatalities in countries where motorcycles are the dominant means of transport. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 69% and death by 42%; however, both child and adult helmet use are low in many countries where motorcycles are a primary mode of transportation. In response to the need to increase helmet use by all drivers and their passengers, the Global Helmet Vaccine Initiative (GHVI) was established to increase helmet use in three countries where a substantial portion of road users are motorcyclists and where helmet use is low. The GHVI approach includes five strategies to increase helmet use: targeted programs, helmet access, public awareness, institutional policies, and monitoring and evaluation. The application of GHVI to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Uganda resulted in four key lessons learned. First, motorcyclists are more likely to wear helmets when helmet use is mandated and enforced. Second, programs targeted to at-risk motorcyclists, such as child passengers, combined with improved awareness among the broader population, can result in greater public support needed to encourage action by decision-makers. Third, for broad population-level change, using multiple strategies in tandem can be more effective than using a single strategy alone. Lastly, the successful expansion of GHVI into Cambodia and Uganda has been hindered by the lack of helmet accessibility and affordability, a core component contributing to its success in Vietnam. This paper will review the development of the GHVI five-pillar approach in Vietnam, subsequent efforts to implement the model in Cambodia and Uganda, and lessons learned from these applications to protect motorcycle drivers and their adult and child passengers from injury.
Cellular and Oxidative Mechanisms Associated with Interleukin-6 Signaling in the Vasculature
Authors: Didion Sean
Published: November 2017

Reactive oxygen species, particularly superoxide, promote endothelial dysfunction and alterations in vascular structure. It is increasingly recognized that inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), contribute to endothelial dysfunction and vascular hypertrophy and fibrosis. IL-6 is increased in a number of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. IL-6 is also associated with a higher incidence of future cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Both immune and vascular cells produce IL-6 in response to a number of stimuli, such as angiotensin II. The vasculature is responsive to IL-6 produced from vascular and non-vascular sources via classical IL-6 signaling involving a membrane-bound IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and membrane-bound gp130 via Jak/STAT as well as SHP2-dependent signaling pathways. IL-6 signaling is unique because it can also occur via a soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) which allows for IL-6 signaling in tissues that do not normally express IL-6R through a process referred to as IL-6 trans-signaling. IL-6 signaling mediates a vast array of effects in the vascular wall, including endothelial activation, vascular permeability, immune cell recruitment, endothelial dysfunction, as well as vascular hypertrophy and fibrosis. Many of the effects of IL-6 on vascular function and structure are representative of loss or reductions in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. IL-6 has direct effects on endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity and expression as well as increasing vascular superoxide, which rapidly inactivates NO thereby limiting NO bioavailability. The goal of this review is to highlight both the cellular and oxidative mechanisms associated with IL-6-signaling in the vascular wall in general, in hypertension, and in response to angiotensin II.
Properties and Applications of High Emissivity Composite Films Based on Far-Infrared Ceramic Powder
Authors: Xiong Yabo , Huang Shaoyun , Wang Wenqi , Liu Xinghai , Li Houbin
Published: November 2017

Polymer matrix composite materials that can emit radiation in the far-infrared region of the spectrum are receiving increasing attention due to their ability to significantly influence biological processes. This study reports on the far-infrared emissivity property of composite films based on far-infrared ceramic powder. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray powder diffractometry were used to evaluate the physical properties of the ceramic powder. The ceramic powder was found to be rich in aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, and silicon oxide, which demonstrate high far-infrared emissivity. In addition, the micromorphology, mechanical performance, dynamic mechanical properties, and far-infrared emissivity of the composite were analyzed to evaluate their suitability for strawberry storage. The mechanical properties of the far-infrared radiation ceramic (cFIR) composite films were not significantly influenced (p ≥ 0.05) by the addition of the ceramic powder. However, the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) properties of the cFIR composite films, including a reduction in damping and shock absorption performance, were significant influenced by the addition of the ceramic powder. Moreover, the cFIR composite films showed high far-infrared emissivity, which has the capability of prolonging the storage life of strawberries. This research demonstrates that cFIR composite films are promising for future applications.
Biological Properties of Low-Toxicity PLGA and PLGA/PHB Fibrous Nanocomposite Implants for Osseous Tissue Regeneration. Part I: Evaluation of Potential Biotoxicity
Authors: Krucińska Izabella , Żywicka Bogusława , Komisarczyk Agnieszka , Szymonowicz Maria , Kowalska Stanisława , Zaczyńska Ewa , Struszczyk Marcin , Czarny Anna , Jadczyk Piotr , Umińska-Wasiluk Barbara , Rybak Zbigniew , Kowalczuk Marek
Published: November 2017

In response to the demand for new implant materials characterized by high biocompatibility and bioresorption, two prototypes of fibrous nanocomposite implants for osseous tissue regeneration made of a newly developed blend of poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and syntheticpoly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate), PLGA/PHB, have been developed and fabricated. Afibre-forming copolymer of glycolide and l-lactide (PLGA) was obtained by a unique method of synthesis carried out in blocksusing Zr(AcAc)4 as an initiator. The prototypes of the implants are composed of three layers of PLGA or PLGA/PHB, nonwoven fabrics with a pore structure designed to provide the best conditions for the cell proliferation. The bioactivity of the proposed implants has been imparted by introducing a hydroxyapatite material and IGF1, a growth factor. The developed prototypes of implants have been subjected to a set of in vitro and in vivobiocompatibility tests: in vitro cytotoxic effect, in vitro genotoxicity and systemic toxicity. Rabbitsshowed no signs of negative reactionafter implantation of the experimental implant prototypes.
Effect of Gamma-Oryzanol as Therapeutic Agent to Prevent Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome in Animals Submitted to High Sugar-Fat Diet
Authors: Francisqueti Fabiane , Minatel Igor , Ferron Artur , Bazan Silméia , Silva Vanessa , Garcia Jéssica , De Campos Dijon , Ferreira Ana , Moreto Fernando , Cicogna Antonio , Corrêa Camila
Published: November 2017

Background: The high consumption of fat and sugar contributes to the development of obesity and co-morbidities, such as diabetes, and cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Different strategies have been used to prevent these diseases associated with obesity, such as changes in eating habits and/or the addition of dietary components with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, such as gamma-oryzanol (γOz) present mainly in bran layers and rice germ. Methods: Animals were randomly divided into four experimental groups and fed ad libitum for 20 weeks with control diet (C, n = 8), control diet + γOz (C + γOz, n = 8), high-sugar and high-fat diet (HSF, n = 8), and high-sugar and high-fat diet + γOz (HSF + γOz, n = 8). HSF groups also received water + sucrose (25%). The dose of γOz was added to diets to reach 0.5% of final concentration (w/w). Evaluation in animals included food and caloric intake, body weight, plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, uric acid, HOMA-IR, glomerular filtration rate, protein/creatinine ratio, systolic blood pressure, and Doppler echocardiographic. Results: Animals that consumed the HSF diet had weight gain compared to group C, increased insulin, HOMA, glucose and triglycerides, there were also atrial and ventricular structural alterations, deterioration of systolic and diastolic function, decreased glomerular filtration rate, and proteinuria. Gamma-oryzanol is significantly protective against effects on body weight, hypertriglyceridemia, renal damage, and against structural and functional alteration of the heart. Conclusion: Gamma-oryzanol shows potential as a therapeutic to prevent Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome.
High Resolution Mapping of Cropping Cycles by Fusion of Landsat and MODIS Data
Authors: Li Le , Zhao Yaolong , Fu Yingchun , Pan Yaozhong , Yu Le , Xin Qinchuan
Published: November 2017

Multiple cropping, a common practice of intensive agriculture that grows crops multiple times in the agricultural land in one growing season, is an effective way to fulfill the food demand given limited cropland areas. Deriving cropping cycles from satellite data provides the spatial distribution of cropping intensities that allows for monitoring of the multiple cropping activities over large areas. Although efforts have been made to map cropping cycles at 500 m or coarser resolution, producing cropping cycle maps at high resolution remain challenging because data from single satellite sensor do not provide sufficient spatiotemporal observations. In this paper, we generate dense time series of satellite data at 30 m resolution by fusion of Landsat and MODIS data, and derive the cropping cycles from the fused time series data. The method achieves overall accuracies of 92.5% and 89.2%, respectively, for two typical regions of multiple cropping in China using samples identified based on satellite time series data, and an overall accuracy of 81.2% for four subregions using all samples identified based on multi-temporal high resolution images. The mapped crop cycles show to be reasonable geographically and agree with the national census data. The fusion approach provides a feasible way to map cropping cycles at 30 m resolution and enables improved depiction of the spatial distribution of multiple cropping.
Hyperspectral Image Segmentation via Frequency-Based Similarity for Mixed Noise Estimation
Authors: Fu Peng , Sun Xin , Sun Quansen
Published: November 2017

Accurate approximation of the signal-independent (SI) and signal-dependent (SD) mixed noise from hyperspectral (HS) images is a critical task for many image processing applications where the detection of homogeneous regions plays a key role. Most of the conventional methods empirically divide images into rectangular blocks and then select the homogeneous ones, but it might result in erroneous homogeneity detection, especially for highly textured HS images. To address this challenge, a superpixel segmentation algorithm is proposed in this paper, which can decompose a noisy HS image into patches that adhere to the local structures and hence persist in homogeneous characteristic. A novel spectral similarity measure is defined in the frequency domain to make the superpixel segmentation algorithm more robust to the mixed noise. Combined with an improved scatter-plot-based homogeneous superpixel selection and a multiple linear regression-based noise parameter calculation, our method can accurately estimate SD and SI noise variances from HS images with different noise conditions and various image complexities. We evaluate the proposed method with both synthetic and real Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) HS images. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed noise estimation method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods.
Risk Reduction Methods for Managing the Development of Regional Electric Power Industry
Authors: Kozhevnikov Mikhail , Gitelman Lazar , Magaril Elena , Magaril Romen , Aristova Alexandra
Published: November 2017

The development of the regional electric power industry has come to the forefront due to the changing scale, quality, and configuration of electric power infrastructure, and the spread of distributed generation. This gives rise to more stringent requirements regarding the reliability, safety, and environmental impact of electric power supply. This article aims to justify a package of methods that make it possible to identify and minimize investment, production, financial, and environmental risks in order to ensure sustainable development of the regional electric power industry that performs anti-crisis functions, and of individual energy companies. The key method to be employed is integrated resource planning (IRP). As a part of the method, energy conservation, renewable energy sources, and combined heat and power production are considered as equally valid ways of meeting future demand. The authors have designed a methodology for taking into account uncertainty and risk when implementing IRP. The methodology includes analysis of scenarios and decision making processes by calculating past and projected values of profit indicators. When conducting the environmental and economic assessment of an investment project in the electric power industry, the authors suggest using an aggregate indicator of environmental and economic effectiveness that is calculated on the basis of a combination of locally significant positive and negative environmental and economic impacts of the project. The authors formulate conceptual provisions that serve as the foundation for a promising model of the regional electric power industry and which contain recommendations for managing the development of the industry while minimizing organizational, market, and technological risks.
A Road to Sustainable Development of Chinese Cities: A Perception of Improving Urban Management Efficiency Based on Two-Level Production Factors
Authors: Xu Ze , Zhang Jianjun , Li Chu , Li Zhenyu , Rao Yongheng , Lu Tianyu
Published: November 2017

It is an inevitable requirement of regional governance and sustainable development to improve urban management efficiency (UME). Different from the previous studies, this paper gives it a new meaning based on the production factors theories. Then the paper analyzes the response of UME to the primary production factors (PPFs) characterized by the traditional production factors theory (land, labor, and capital), and the expanded production factors (EPFs) reflected by the modern production factors theory (energy and ecology). By analyzing UME in China’s 334 cities on global and local scales, this paper found four characteristics of UME: (1) the striking spatial differences; (2) the strong correlation between management models; (3) the evident development emphasis; and (4) the weak matching linkage. Finally, we put forward the countermeasures of spatial governance, including strengthening the agglomeration effect, promoting diversified development models on different scales, and accelerating resource coordination and sharing.
Targeting Metastasis with Snake Toxins: Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Urra Félix , Araya-Maturana Ramiro
Published: November 2017

Metastasis involves the migration of cancer cells from a primary tumor to invade and establish secondary tumors in distant organs, and it is the main cause for cancer-related deaths. Currently, the conventional cytostatic drugs target the proliferation of malignant cells, being ineffective in metastatic disease. This highlights the need to find new anti-metastatic drugs. Toxins isolated from snake venoms are a natural source of potentially useful molecular scaffolds to obtain agents with anti-migratory and anti-invasive effects in cancer cells. While there is greater evidence concerning the mechanisms of cell death induction of several snake toxin classes on cancer cells; only a reduced number of toxin classes have been reported on (i.e., disintegrins/disintegrin-like proteins, C-type lectin-like proteins, C-type lectins, serinproteases, cardiotoxins, snake venom cystatins) as inhibitors of adhesion, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. Here, we discuss the anti-metastatic mechanisms of snake toxins, distinguishing three targets, which involve (1) inhibition of extracellular matrix components-dependent adhesion and migration, (2) inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and (3) inhibition of migration by alterations in the actin/cytoskeleton network.
L’accouchement naturel contre l’hôpital moderne ?
Authors: Quagliariello Chiara
Published: November 2017

L’accouchement dit « naturel » est l’une des réponses qui se sont progressivement présentées comme alternatives possibles à l’hypermédicalisation des naissances depuis les années 1980. L’article analyse ce modèle de naissance en se basant sur les résultats d’une recherche ethnographique réalisée en Toscane, dans l’une des premières maternités à avoir introduit l’accouchement naturel en Italie. Dans la première partie, il s’agit de montrer les liens entre l’histoire singulière de cette maternité et le mouvement plus large de critiques à l’égard de la médicalisation croissante de l’assistance aux femmes. L’analyse de l’accouchement naturel nous conduit ensuite à observer les évolutions de cette pratique au cours du temps ; nous portons une attention particulière au rôle joué par les sages-femmes dans ce processus. Enfin, nous réfléchissons aux formes que prend l’idée de nature dans ce modèle de naissance et au sens que les femmes concernées donnent à leur choix d’accoucher autrement au sein même de l’espace hospitalier.
Virtual Enterprise as a Multi Agent System
Authors: Musumba George Wamamu , Wamuyu Patrick Kanyi
Published: November 2017

This article describes changing customer demands require that enterprises mobilize their resources to quickly develop a suitable product. This is achievable if competing enterprises collaborate to deliver the product. Each of them brings their expertise into the collaboration. This collaboration where each enterprise brings in its core competency is referred to as a virtual enterprise (VE). A construction project is implemented by a team of professionals and an alliance of companies that is formed by consultants who evaluate contractors for specific project tasks. Partners can be represented as multiple agents. Prior evidence of multi-agent system (MAS) model that facilitates formation of VEs is lacking. VE MAS ontology has been designed and used in agent interactions. The model can be used in evaluation and selection process of partners. Delegation of the process to the model, gives partners time to implement the tasks. Partner evaluation and selection problem for building construction projects is solvable if pragmatic scientific approaches are employed with appropriate mathematical models. This article proposed a VE model for evaluating and selecting right partners for building construction projects. The model was used to demonstrate the choice of the most preferred partner. Researchers have not evaluated this model but propose that once in place, it can evaluated against manual selection of potential partners using similar parameters by examining the closeness of the output.
Quantitative risk analysis using vulnerability indicators to assess food insecurity in the Niayes agricultural region of West Senegal
Authors: Diack Mateugue , Loum Macoumba , Diop Cheikh T. , Holloway Ailsa
Published: November 2017

There is an increasing need to develop indicators of vulnerability and adaptive capacity to determine the robustness of response strategies over time and better understand the underlying processes. This study aimed to determine levels of risk of food insecurity using defined vulnerability indicators. For the purpose of this study, factors influencing food insecurity and different vulnerable indicators were examined using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Observations made on the physical environment (using tools for spatial analysis) and socio-economic surveys conducted with local populations have quantified vulnerability indicators in the Niayes agricultural region. Application of the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) model has enabled us to quantify the level of vulnerability of the zone. The results show that the decrease in agricultural surface areas is the most discriminant one in this study. The speed of reduction of the agricultural areas has specially increased between 2009 and 2014, with a loss of 65% of these areas. Therefore, a decision-making system, centred on the need for reinforcing the resilience of local populations, by preserving the agricultural vocation of the Niayes region and even in the Sahelian regions requires support and extension services for the farmers in order to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Extremal Dependence between Temperature and Ozone over the Continental U.S.
Authors: Phalitnonkiat Pakawat , Sun Wenxiu , Grigoriu Mircea D. , Hess Peter G. M. , Samorodnitsky Gennady , Tilmes Simone
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The co-occurrence of heat waves and pollution events and the resulting high mortality rates emphasizes the importance of the co-occurrence of pollution and temperature extremes. Through the use of extreme value theory and other statistical methods ozone and temperature extremes and their joint occurrence are analyzed over the United States during the summer months (JJA) using Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) measurement data and simulations of the present and future climate and chemistry in the Community Earth System Model (CESM1) CAM4-chem. Three simulations using CAM4-chem were analyzed: the Chemistry Climate Model Initiative (CCMI) reference experiment using specified dynamics (REFC1SD) between 1992–2010, a 25-year present-day simulation branched off the CCMI REFC2 simulation in the year 2000 and a 25-year future simulation branched off the CCMI REFC2 simulation in 2100. The latter two simulations differed in their concentration of carbon dioxide (representative of the years 2000 and 2100) but were otherwise identical. A new metric is developed to measure the joint extremal dependence of ozone and temperature by evaluating the spectral dependence of their extremes. Two regions of the U.S. give the strongest measured extreme dependence of ozone and temperature: the northeast and the southeast. The simulations do not capture the relationship between temperature and ozone over the northeast but do simulate a strong dependence of ozone on extreme temperatures over the southeast. In general, the simulations of ozone and temperature do not capture the width of the measured temperature and ozone distributions. While on average the future increase in the 90th percentile temperature and the 90th percentile ozone slightly exceed the mean increase over the continental U.S., in many regions the width of the temperature and ozone distributions decrease. The location of future increases in the tails of the ozone distribution are weakly related to those of temperature with a correlation of 0.3.
Impacts of air pollutants from fire and non-fire emissions on the regional air quality in Southeast Asia
Authors: Lee Hsiang-He , Iraqui Oussama , Gu Yefu , Yim Hung-Lam Steve , Chulakadabba Apisada , Tonks Adam Y. M. , Yang Zhengyu , Wang Chien
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Severe haze events in Southeast Asia caused by particulate pollution have become more intense and frequent in recent years, degrading air quality, threatening human health, and interrupting economic and societal activities. Widespread biomass burning activities are a major source of severe haze events in Southeast Asia. On the other hand, particulate pollutants from human activities other than biomass burning also play an important role in degrading air quality in Southeast Asia. In this study, numerical simulations have been conducted using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model coupled with a chemistry component (WRF-Chem) to quantitatively examine the contributions of aerosols emitted from fire (i.e., biomass burning) versus non-fire (including fossil fuel combustion, road and industrial dust, land use, and land change, etc.) sources to the degradation of air quality and visibility over Southeast Asia. These simulations cover a time period from 2002 to 2008 and were respectively driven by emissions from: (a) fossil fuel burning only, (b) biomass burning only, and (c) both fossil fuel and biomass burning. Across ASEAN 50 cities, these model results reveal that 39 % of observed low visibility days can be explained by either fossil fuel burning or biomass burning emissions alone, a further 20 % by fossil fuel burning alone, a further 8 % by biomass burning alone, and a further 5 % by a combination of fossil fuel burning and biomass burning. The remaining 28 % of observed low visibility days remain unexplained, likely due to emissions sources that have not been accounted for. Further analysis of 24-hr PM2.5 Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates that comparing to the simulated result of the case with stand-alone non-fire emissions, the case with coexisting fire and non-fire PM2.5 can substantially increase the chance of AQI being in the moderate or unhealthy pollution level from 23 % to 34 %. The premature mortality among major Southeast Asian cities due to degradation of air quality by particulate pollutants is estimated to increase from ~ 4110 per year in 2002 to ~ 6540 per year in 2008. In addition, we demonstrate the importance of certain missing non-fire anthropogenic aerosol sources including anthropogenic fugitive and industrial dusts in causing urban air quality degradation. An exploratory experiment of using machine learning algorithms to forecasting the occurrence of haze events in Singapore is also demonstrated in this study. All these results suggest that besides minimizing biomass burning activities, an effective air pollution mitigation policy for Southeast Asia needs to consider controlling emissions from non-fire anthropogenic sources.
The role of improved soil moisture for the characteristics of surface energy fluxes in the ECMWF reanalyses
Authors: May Wilhelm
Published: November 2017

Abstract. In this study, the role that more realistic soil moisture has for the characteristics of surface energy fluxes in two sets of reanalyses performed at ECMWF is investigated. These are the standard set of reanalyses ERA-Interim (ERAInt) and the ERA-Interim/Land reanalyses of the land surface conditions (ERAInt/Land). In the latter, the ECMWF's land surface model has been forced with the meteorological fields from ERAInt, including an adjustment of precipitation based on the monthly mean values from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project data set. Adjusting precipitation has a distinct impact on the soil moisture content in the two sets of reanalyses. ERAInt is characterized by a general tendency to underestimate (overestimate) soil moisture in regions with a relatively high (low) soil moisture content. The differences in soil moisture between ERAInt and ERAInt/Land vary only slightly in the course of the year. This is not the case for precipitation, where the differences between the two sets of reanalyses vary markedly between different seasons. The direct impact of the regional differences in precipitation between ERAInt and ERAInt/Land on the corresponding deviations in soil moisture varies considerably by region. One reason is that the regional differences in precipitation vary by season, while the regional differences in soil moisture typically persist throughout the year. Another reason is that the specific nature of the interaction between precipitation and soil moisture diverges between different regions, depending on the climate conditions and on the degree to which the soil is saturated with moisture. The differences in soil moisture between the two sets of reanalyses have notable effects on the characteristics of surface energy fluxes. The nature of these effects differs by region and also by season, that is the coupling between soil moisture and the latent or the sensible heat flux is positive in one region or season, respectively, and negative in another one. In any case, the differences in the soil moisture content typically affect the latent and the sensible heat flux in opposite ways. Increases (decreases) in latent heat flux typically coincide with decreases (increases) in sensible heat flux. By this, the differences in soil moisture have a substantial impact on the partitioning of latent and sensible heat flux. The effect of the soil moisture differences on the evaporative fraction, for instance, is mainly governed by the impact on the latent heat flux because of the opposite effects on latent and sensible heat fluxes and, hence, only a weak impact on the total surface energy flux. The effect on the Bowen ratio, on the other hand, is for the most part controlled by the impact on the sensible heat flux, with higher (lower) values of the Bowen ratio in regions with increased (decreased) sensible heat flux.
Design and deployment of autoclave pressure vessels for the portable deep-sea drill rig MeBo (Meeresboden-Bohrgerät)
Authors: Pape Thomas , Hohnberg Hans-Jürgen , Wunsch David , Anders Erik , Freudenthal Tim , Huhn Katrin , Bohrmann Gerhard
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Pressure barrels for sampling and preservation of submarine sediments under in situ pressure with the robotic sea-floor drill rig MeBo (Meeresboden-Bohrgerät) housed at the MARUM (Bremen, Germany) were developed. Deployments of the so-called MDP (MeBo pressure vessel) during two offshore expeditions off New Zealand and off Spitsbergen, Norway, resulted in the recovery of sediment cores with pressure stages equaling in situ hydrostatic pressure. While initially designed for the quantification of gas and gas-hydrate contents in submarine sediments, the MDP also allows for analysis of the sediments under in situ pressure with methods typically applied by researchers from other scientific fields (geotechnics, sedimentology, microbiology, etc.). Here we report on the design and operational procedure of the MDP and demonstrate full functionality by presenting the first results from pressure-core degassing and molecular gas analysis.
Pôr em prática a reforma da antiga Academia: Dificuldades enfrentadas pela Escola Nacional de Belas Artes (1891-1895)
Authors: Dazzi Camila
Published: November 2017

Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta uma análise dos primeiros anos da Escola Nacional de Belas Artes, que se desdobram após a aprovação do decreto n.938 de 08 de novembro de 1890 que instituiu os novos estatutos da instituição. Os Estatutos de 1890 reformaram a antiga Academia de Belas Artes e tiveram como objetivo a modernização de seu sistema de ensino artístico. Mas até que ponto era possível fazer as alterações propostas nos Estatutos? Quais as dificuldades que a implementação da Reforma de 1890 encontrou? Estas são as principais questões que vamos responder no nosso artigo. Palavras-chave: Escola Nacional de Belas Artes; Reforma de 1890; Ensino Artístico.
Adapting Design Principles of Traditional Courtyard Housing for Future Urban Design
Authors: Nikeghbali Soroush
Published: November 2017

Most cities in recent decades have copied the modern type of architecture and urban design of the western countries. Modern cities in different regions of the world have been relatively developed with similar urban form types. In this research, it has been suggested to investigate the traditional or vernacular architecture and to propose new design principles based on the historic shape of cities. Thus the paper has been concentrated on vernacular architecture of traditional Iranian cities. The research has been focused on analysing the vernacular architecture of this country and to define the main traditional design principles in scale of urban fabric particularly in residential neighbourhoods. These principles have been adapted to be applicable for the contemporary life style and condition of the Iranian cities. The design proposal has been assessed via an inquiry by design process in order to understand the feasibility and adequacy of the suggested design principles. This research can show the methodology of learning from the traditional architecture and urban design to make new distinctive urban forms. Such urban forms create distinguished local identity for Iranian residential urban fabrics.
Resource evaluation of friction pair “contact wire – contact strip”
Authors: Antonov Andrii V. , Sychenko Víctor G.
Published: November 2017

Purpose. Investigate the impact of current collection system parameters and external factors on the resource of friction pair “contact wire – contact strip”. Relevance. The level of electrified railways reliability depends on the reliability and durability of the individual objects of power supply system and the locomotive facilities, in turn, the current collection quality depends on design of contact network and pantographs, contact wires materials, contact strips and external influencing factors. The resource system “contact wire – contact strip” is an important technical and economic characteristics, and its average actual resource is much less established. It means that the actual resource does not reach the optimum value from an economic point. Increasing velocity of the electric rolling stock exacerbates the problem of improving the current collection quality, becomes an actual task of increasing the resource friction pair “ contact wire – contact strip” for mainline railways. Scientific novelty. This work determined the influence structural parameters of the friction pair, the current collection system parameters and external factors on the wear rate of the friction pair “contact wire – contact strip”. Proposed to create a predictive mathematical model that uses the dependence of the influencing parameters obtained in this work to assess the wear and resource of contact wire and contact strips. Practical importance. Developed the device for wear researching of friction pairs in laboratory conditions allows assessing the wear rate of the system “contact wire – contact strip” and their residual resource at different combinations of the friction pair and external factors. The obtained results allow us to construct a predictive mathematical model to evaluate wear rate of the elements of the friction pair “contact wire – contact strip” and identify their residual resource.
Solubility‐Parameter‐Guided Solvent Selection to Initiate Ostwald Ripening for Interior Space‐Tunable Structures with Architecture‐Dependent Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Mao Baoguang , Guo Donglei , Qin Jinwen , Meng Tao , Wang Xin , Cao Minhua
Published: November 2017

Despite significant advancement in preparing various hollow structures by Ostwald ripening, one common problem is the intractable uncontrollability of initiating Ostwald ripening due to the complexity of the reaction processes. Here, a new strategy on Hansen solubility parameter (HSP)‐guided solvent selection to initiate Ostwald ripening is proposed. Based on this comprehensive principle for solvent optimization, N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) was screened out, achieving accurate synthesis of interior space‐tunable MoSe2 spherical structures (solid, core–shell, yolk‐shell and hollow spheres). The resultant MoSe2 structures exhibit architecture‐dependent electrochemical performances towards hydrogen evolution reaction and sodium‐ion batteries. This pre‐solvent selection strategy can effectively provide researchers great possibility in efficiently synthesizing various hollow structures. This work paves a new pathway for deeply understanding Ostwald ripening.