bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research into professional outcomes for psychotherapists trained at a centre for psychotherapy and transactional analysis in Italy
Authors: De Ambrogio Ugo , Dessi Carla
Published: November 2017

The authors developed a questionnaire and analysed professional outcomes for 98 former students who completed trainings in psychotherapy and transactional analysis, recognised by the Italian Ministry of University & Research, during the past 15 years at the Centre of Psychology and Transactional Analysis in Milan.  Statistical results were discussed with others and factors reviewed included how students managed in the world of work, and the positive results and critical elements of applying transactional analysis in psychotherapy.  Profess-ional life facts emerge in terms of a recognisable identity, ethical attention and satisfaction with the application of tools learned.  Flexibility in coping with stimuli and issues met in professional practice, and the desire to have an exchange with colleagues and between different theoretical models, are also identified.
TA Treatment of Depression: A Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design Study - ‘Penelope’
Authors: Benelli Enrico , Scottà Francesco , Barreca Serena , Palmieri Arianna , Calvo Vincenzo , De Rénoche Guido , Colussi Stefano , Sambin Marco , Widdowson Mark
Published: November 2017

This study is the second of a series of three, and represents an Italian replication of a previous UK -based case series (Widdowson 2012a, 2012b, 2012c, 2013) that investigated the effectiveness of a recently manualised transactional analysis treatment for depression with British clients, using Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design (HSCED). The various stages of HSCED as a systematic case study research method are described, as a quasi-judicial method to sift case evidence in which researchers construct opposing arguments around multiple sources of quantitative and qualitative evidence and judges evaluate these to conclude whether the client changed substantially over the course of therapy, and whether the outcome was attributable to the therapy. The therapist in this case was a white Italian man in the third year of training to become a psychotherapist, and the client, Penelope, was a 45-year old white Italian woman with mild depression and anxiety. The conclusion of the judges was that this was a mixed-outcome case: the client improved some aspects of her problems, without obtaining a complete and stable remission. Interestingly, this case presents a minimal correlation between empirical and proxy-rated indexes of depression and anxiety and answers to self reported questionnaires, raising the question of validity of self report measures with specific typology of client.
Editorial
Authors: Hay Julie
Published: November 2017

Special Issue: More HSCED Studies in Italy
TA Treatment of Depression: A Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design Study - ‘Luisa’
Authors: Benelli Enrico , Boschetti Desiree , Piccirillo Cristina , Quagliotti Laura , Calvo Vincenzo , Palmieri Arianna , Sambin Marco , Widdowson Mark
Published: November 2017

This study is the third of a series of three, and represents an Italian systematic replication of previous UK findings (Widdowson 2012a, 2012b, 2012c, 2013) that investigated the effectiveness of a recently manualised transactional analysis treatment for depression with British clients, using Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design (HSCED). The various stages of HSCED as a systematic case study research method are described, as a quasi-judicial method to sift case evidence in which researchers construct opposing arguments around quantitative and qualitative multiple source evidences and judges evaluate these for and against propositions to conclude whether the client changed substantially over the course of therapy and that the outcome was attributable to the therapy. The therapist in this case was a white Italian woman with 10 years clinical experience and the client, Luisa, was a 65-year old white Italian woman who attended sixteen sessions of TA therapy. Luisa satisfied DSM-5 criteria for severe adjustment disorder, with moderate depression and mixed deflected humour and anxiety, for which she had been taking medications and homeopathic treatments for over a year. The conclusion of the judges was that this was a good-outcome case: the client improved over the course of the therapy, reported a positive experience of therapy and maintained this improvement at the end of the follow-up.
IJTAR 7: 2 Editorial
Authors: Hay Julie
Published: November 2017

IJTAR 7: 2 Editorial
IJTAR 8: 1 Editorial
Authors: Hay Julie
Published: November 2017

IJTAR 8: 1 Editorial
TA Treatment of Depression: A Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design Study - ‘Caterina’
Authors: Benelli Enrico , Filanti Sara , Musso Roberta , Calvo Vincenzo , Mannarini Stefania , Palmieri Arianna , Widdowson Mark
Published: November 2017

This study is the second of a series of seven, and belongs to the second Italian systematic replication of findings from two previous series (Widdowson 2012a, 2012b, 2012c, 2013; Benelli, 2016a, 2016b, 2016c) that investigated the effectiveness of a manualised transactional analysis treatment for depression through Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design. The therapist was a white Italian woman with 10 years of clinical experience and the client, Caterina, was a 28-year old white Italian woman who attended 16 sessions of transactional analysis psychotherapy. Caterina satisfied DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder. The conclusion of the judges was that this was an outstanding good-outcome case: the depressive symptoms showed an early clinical and reliable improvement, maintained till the 6 months follow-up, accompanied by reductions in anxiety symptoms, global distress and severity of personal problems. Adherence to the manualised treatment for depression appears good to excellent. In this case study, transactional analysis treatment for depression has proven its efficacy in treating major depressive disorder in comorbidity with anxiety disorder.
TA Treatment of Depression: A Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design Study - ‘Deborah’
Authors: Benelli Enrico , Bergamaschi Maddalena , Capoferri Cristina , Morena Stefano , Calvo Vincenzo , Mannarini Stefania , Palmieri Arianna , Zanchetta Mariavittoria , Spinelli Maria , Widdowson Mark
Published: November 2017

This study is the third of a series of seven, and belongs to the second Italian systematic replication of findings from two previous series (Widdowson 2012a, 2012b, 2012c, 2013; Benelli, 2016a, 2016b, 2016c) that investigated the effectiveness of a manualised transactional analysis treatment for depression through Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design (HSCED). Major Depression and Subthreshold Depression are often in comorbidity with Anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence and represent a risk factor for ongoing mental health problems in adulthood. The therapist was a white Italian woman with 15 years of clinical experience and the client, Deborah, was a 15-year old white Italian female adoloscent who attended sixteen sessions of transactional analysis psychotherapy. The conclusion of the judges was that this was a good-outcome case: the depressive and anxious symptomatology clinically and reliably improved over the course of the therapy and these improvements were maintained throughout the duration of the follow-up intervals. Furthermore, the client reported significant change in her post-treatment interview and these changes were directly attributed to the therapy. In this case study, the transactional analysis manualised treatment for depression in adulthood has demonstrated its effectiveness also in treating depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescence.
IJTARP 8 2 Editorial
Authors: Hay Julie
Published: November 2017

IJTARP 8 2 Editorial
Shame, the scourge of supervision
Authors: Perret Valérie
Published: November 2017

How do we construct shame?How does it impact in supervision?How can the supervisor deal with it?My motivation in writing this article is born from my personal experience with shame. It inhibited my thinking, my spontaneity, my creativity, and therefore limited my personal and professional development. Freeing myself allowed me to recover liberty, energy and legitimacy. I gained in professional competence and assertiveness within my practice as supervisor.My purpose in writing this article is that we, as supervisors, reflect together on how we look at the process of shame in our supervision sessions. Citation - APA format:Perret, V. (2017). Shame, the scourge of supervision. International Journal of Transactional Analysis Research & Practice, 8(2), 41-48.
Review: Mäder, Maya (2017): Selbsterfahrung in der Psychotherapie (Self experience in Psychotherapy), Die Bedeutung für den Kompetenzerwerb in der Aus- und Weiterbildung zum transaktionalytischen Psychotherapeuten (The significance for getting competence in training of transactional psychotherapy) Münster: Waxmann
Authors: Mohr Günther
Published: November 2017

Review: Mäder, Maya (2017): Selbsterfahrung in der Psychotherapie (Self experience in Psychotherapy), Die Bedeutung für den Kompetenzerwerb in der Aus- und Weiterbildung zum transaktionalytischen Psychotherapeuten (The significance for getting competence in training of transactional psychotherapy) Münster: Waxmann Citation - APA format:Mohr, G. (2017). Review: Mäder, Maya (2017): Selbsterfahrung in der Psychotherapie (Self experience in Psychotherapy), Die Bedeutung für den Kompetenzerwerb in der Aus- und Weiterbildung zum transaktionalytischen Psychotherapeuten (The significance for getting competence in training of transactional psychotherapy) Münster: Waxmann. International Journal of Transactional Analysis Research & Practice, 8(2), 49-50.
Mechanical behavior of single-lap and double-lap adhesive joined composite parts
Authors: Sülü İsmail Yasin
Published: November 2017

The composite parts bonded with embedded single lap joint (SLJ) subjected to tensile load were analyzed previously. The embedded adhesive was applied between two composite parts and the mechanical behavior of the joint was examined. In this study, composite parts bonded with single-lap joint (SLJ) and double-lap joint (DLJ) subjected to tensile load were analyzed by using 3D finite element method (FEM). The advantages of two different joint methods were investigated. In the analysis, the composite parts were carbon/epoxy (AS4/3501-6) with different fiber orientation angles and the adhesive was DP 410. The models for the numerical analyses were generated by using the ANSYS software package. The finite element analyses (FEA) were carried out to predict the failure loads. Stress in x-, y-, z-directions, shear stresses and the von-Mises stresses on adhesive were obtained at time of failure for predetermined parameters. Consequently, the effects of orientation angles, overlap dimensions and joining methods were examined. The most effective parameters and joining process were determined for composite parts with single-lap and double-lap joints.
Real-Time Queue Length Estimation for Signalized Intersections Using Vehicle Trajectory Data
Authors: Li Fuliang , Tang Keshuang , Yao Jiarong , Li Keping
Published: November 2017

Queue length is one of the most important performance measures for signalized intersections. Many methods for queue length estimation based on various data sources have been proposed in the literature. With the latest developments and applications of probe vehicle systems, cycle-by-cycle queue length estimation based only on probe data has become a promising research topic. However, most existing methods assume that information such as signal timing, arrival pattern, and penetration rate is known, an assumption that constrains their applicability in practice. The objective of this study was to propose a cycle-by-cycle queue length estimation method using only probe data without the foregoing assumption. Based on the shock wave theory, the proposed method is capable of reproducing the dynamic queue forming and dissipating process cycles at signalized intersections by using probe vehicle trajectories. To reproduce the queuing processes, the inflection points of probe vehicle trajectories representing the changes of arrival patterns are identified and extracted from the trajectory points of vehicles joining and leaving the queue. A piecewise linear function is then used to fit all the inflection points to estimate the stopping and discharging shock waves. Finally, signal timing data and queue lengths can be calculated on the basis of the estimated shock waves. Under both saturated and oversaturated traffic conditions, the performance of the method is comprehensively evaluated through 60 simulation scenarios, which cover sampling intervals from 5 s to 60 s and penetration rates ranging from 5% to 100%. Results show that compared with the method proposed by Ramezani and Geroliminis in 2015, the proposed method has more robustness for all the sampling intervals and displays more estimation accuracy of queue length and a higher success rate under conditions of low penetration rate.
Transferability of Car-Following Models Between Driving Simulator and Field Traffic
Authors: Papadimitriou Stavros , Choudhury Charisma F.
Published: November 2017

During the past few decades, there have been two parallel streams of driving behavior research: models using trajectory data collected from the field (using video recordings, GPS, etc.) and models using data from driving simulators (in which the behavior of the drivers is recorded in controlled laboratory conditions). Although the former source of data is more realistic, it lacks information about the driver and is typically not suitable for testing effects of future vehicle technologies and traffic scenarios. In contrast, driving behavior models developed with driving simulator data may lack behavioral realism. However, no previous study has compared these two streams of mathematical models and investigated the transferability of the models developed with driving simulator data to real field conditions in a rigorous manner. The current study aimed to fill this research gap by investigating the transferability of two car-following models between a driving simulator and two comparable real-life traffic motorway scenarios, one from the United Kingdom and the other one from the United States. In this regard, stimulus–response–based car-following models were developed with three microscopic data sources: ( a) experimental data collected from the University of Leeds driving simulator, ( b) detailed trajectory data collected from UK Motorway 1, and ( c) detailed trajectory data collected from Interstate 80 in California. The parameters of these car-following models were estimated by using the maximum likelihood estimation technique, and the transferability of the models was investigated by using statistical tests of parameter equivalence and transferability test statistics. Estimation results indicate transferability at the model level but not fully at the parameter level for both pairs of scenarios.
Registration of Oilseed Sunflower Germplasms RHA 461, RHA 462, RHA 463, HA 465, HA 466, HA 467, and RHA 468 with Diversity in Sclerotinia Resistance, Yield, and Other Traits
Authors: Hulke B. S. , Ma G. , Qi L. L. , Gulya T. J.
Published: November 2017

Sclerotinia head and stalk rots are among the most devastating diseases in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Breeding for resistance to these diseases while maintaining or improving yield and quality is complicated by the quantitative inheritance of the resistance, for which there are few genes of major effect. The objective of this work was to provide new diversity to sunflower breeding organizations for yield and Sclerotinia resistance, together with other useful agronomic and end user traits. Four restorer germplasms, RHA 461 (Reg. No. GP‐337, PI 655012), RHA 462 (Reg. No. GP‐338; PI 655013), RHA 463 (Reg. No. GP‐339; PI 655014), and RHA 468 (Reg. No. GP‐341; PI 667184), and three maintainer germplasms, HA 465 (Reg. No. GP‐342; PI 670488), HA 466 (Reg. No. GP‐340; PI 667183), and HA 467 (Reg. No. GP‐343; PI 670489) were developed by the USDA‐ARS and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, Fargo, ND. Testcrosses with these germplasms had yield similar to high‐yielding commercial checks and Sclerotinia resistance similar to the highly resistant check ‘Northrup King 277’. Some of the lines also have high oleic acid in the seed oil, downy mildew resistance, and tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides. The lines are available for sunflower breeders to integrate into their breeding programs for additional diversity.
Bioactive Components in Moringa Oleifera Leaves Protect against Chronic Disease
Authors: Vergara-Jimenez Marcela , Almatrafi Manal , Fernandez Maria
Published: November 2017

Moringa Oleifera (MO), a plant from the family Moringacea is a major crop in Asia and Africa. MO has been studied for its health properties, attributed to the numerous bioactive components, including vitamins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, tannins and saponins, which are present in significant amounts in various components of the plant. Moringa Oleifera leaves are the most widely studied and they have shown to be beneficial in several chronic conditions, including hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, diabetes, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic liver disease, cancer and overall inflammation. In this review, we present information on the beneficial results that have been reported on the prevention and alleviation of these chronic conditions in various animal models and in cell studies. The existing limited information on human studies and Moringa Oleifera leaves is also presented. Overall, it has been well documented that Moringa Oleifera leaves are a good strategic for various conditions associated with heart disease, diabetes, cancer and fatty liver.
Viscoelastic Dampers for Rotors: Modeling and Validation at Component and System Level
Authors: Bonfitto Angelo , Tonoli Andrea , Amati Nicola
Published: November 2017

The aim of this paper is to propose a methodology for the modelling, testing, and the parameter identification of viscoelastic supports for rotating machines at the component and system level. Although the use of this type of dampers is common in rotordynamic applications, the strict dependence on the working frequency of the material parameters makes their behavior hard to predict and recommends grounding the design on experimental data of the characteristics. A dedicated test rig is adopted to characterize the supports and validate the modelling approach at component level. A parameter identification procedure is carried out from the experimental results to extract the mechanical properties of the supports. To this end, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) is adopted to search the most fitting values of damping and stiffness of the reference model. The choice of GA is motivated by the need of adopting a technique that can be easily implemented on industrial control units, being that the dedicated machine is supposed to be used in production lines for testing procedures. The results are obtained in terms of complex stiffness as a function of the frequency and are then translated in classical stiffness and damping components that are commonly used in rotordynamics. Afterwards, they are introduced in the model of a turbo-molecular pump adopted as a case study to evaluate the correctness of the proposed methodology at system level at stand-still and with the pump in rotation. The proposed approach is effective, showing a good match between the numerical model and the experimental results even with a relatively low order model of the viscoelastic supports and on a complex rotordynamic system.
Minimax Estimation of Quantum States Based on the Latent Information Priors
Authors: Koyama Takayuki , Matsuda Takeru , Komaki Fumiyasu
Published: November 2017

We develop priors for Bayes estimation of quantum states that provide minimax state estimation. The relative entropy from the true density operator to a predictive density operator is adopted as a loss function. The proposed prior maximizes the conditional Holevo mutual information, and it is a quantum version of the latent information prior in classical statistics. For one qubit system, we provide a class of measurements that is optimal from the viewpoint of minimax state estimation.
Energy Recovery Efficiency of Poultry Slaughterhouse Sludge Cake by Hydrothermal Carbonization
Authors: Oh Seung-Yong , Yoon Young-Man
Published: November 2017

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising technology used for bioenergy conversion from bio-wastes such as sewage sludge, livestock manure, and food waste. To determine the optimum HTC reaction temperature in maximizing the gross energy recovery efficiency of poultry slaughterhouse sludge cake, a pilot-scale HTC reactor was designed and operated under reaction temperatures of 170, 180, 190, 200 and 22 °C. During the HTC reaction, the gross energy recovery efficiency was determined based on the calorific value of the HTC-biochar and ultimate methane potential of the HTC-hydrolysate. The poultry slaughterhouse sludge cake was assessed as a useful source for the bioenergy conversion with a high calorific value of approximately 27.7 MJ/kg. The calorific values of the HTC-biochar increased from 29.6 MJ/kg to 31.3 MJ/kg in accordance with the change in the reaction temperature from 170 °C to 220 °C. The ultimate methane potential of the HTC-hydrolysate was 0.222, 0.242, 0.237, 0.228 and 0.197 Nm3/kg-CODadded for the reaction temperatures of 170, 180, 190, 200 and 220 °C, respectively. The potential energy of feedstock was 4.541 MJ/kg. The total gross energy recovery (GERtotal) was 4318 MJ/kg, of which the maximum value in the HTC reaction temperature was attained at 180 °C. Thus, the optimum temperature of the HTC reaction was 180 °C with a maximum GERtotal efficiency of 95.1%.
Minimization of Load Variance in Power Grids—Investigation on Optimal Vehicle-to-Grid Scheduling
Authors: Tan Kang Miao , Ramachandaramurthy Vigna K. , Yong Jia Ying , Padmanaban Sanjeevikumar , Mihet-Popa Lucian , Blaabjerg Frede
Published: November 2017

The introduction of electric vehicles into the transportation sector helps reduce global warming and carbon emissions. The interaction between electric vehicles and the power grid has spurred the emergence of a smart grid technology, denoted as vehicle-to grid-technology. Vehicle-to-grid technology manages the energy exchange between a large fleet of electric vehicles and the power grid to accomplish shared advantages for the vehicle owners and the power utility. This paper presents an optimal scheduling of vehicle-to-grid using the genetic algorithm to minimize the power grid load variance. This is achieved by allowing electric vehicles charging (grid-to-vehicle) whenever the actual power grid loading is lower than the target loading, while conducting electric vehicle discharging (vehicle-to-grid) whenever the actual power grid loading is higher than the target loading. The vehicle-to-grid optimization algorithm is implemented and tested in MATLAB software (R2013a, MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA). The performance of the optimization algorithm depends heavily on the setting of the target load, power grid load and capability of the grid-connected electric vehicles. Hence, the performance of the proposed algorithm under various target load and electric vehicles’ state of charge selections were analysed. The effectiveness of the vehicle-to-grid scheduling to implement the appropriate peak load shaving and load levelling services for the grid load variance minimization is verified under various simulation investigations. This research proposal also recommends an appropriate setting for the power utility in terms of the selection of the target load based on the electric vehicle historical data.
Religion and the Environment: Twenty-First Century American Evangelicalism and the Anthropocene
Authors: Ronan Marisa
Published: November 2017

This paper provides an overview of the emergence of religion and the environment as an area of academic research and an assessment of the potential role religion can play in addressing anthropogenic climate change. Focusing on the United States of America the study traces the dynamics of anthropogenic climate change denial and offers an overview of the complex and far-reaching evangelical endeavours that seek to limit solutions and approaches to address global change issues. While much research has explored the positive role religion can play in addressing climate change, little research explores the lengths to which American evangelicals have sought to stymie climate change activism within their ranks and the potential political impact of their endeavours. As such the paper fits neatly with the theme of “Humanities for the Environment” special edition and has the capacity to contribute new insights on the impact of religion and the environment.
The Association between Environmental Lead Exposure and High School Educational Outcomes in Four Communities in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: McCrindle Jennifer , Green Donna , Sullivan Marianne
Published: November 2017

The associations between environmental lead exposure and high school educational outcomes in four communities located in New South Wales, Australia, were examined in this ecological study. A mixed model analysis was performed to account for each school’s results being more similar than results for other schools. The effect of environmental lead exposure on mean results for five educational outcomes was examined. ‘Leaded’ schools with more than five per cent of students living in the highest lead risk areas were tested against non-leaded ‘comparison’ schools that were matched by a pre-defined socio-educational advantage rating. A small disadvantage was found for leaded schools for four out of five outcomes, which was statistically significant for three outcomes: Higher School Certificate English (p < 0.01), School Certificate Mathematics (p < 0.05), and Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank eligibility rate (p < 0.01). This study adds to the large body of evidence in Australia and elsewhere supporting the importance of primary prevention to protect health at multiple stages of development.
Climate Change and Schools: Environmental Hazards and Resiliency
Authors: Sheffield Perry , Uijttewaal Simone , Stewart James , Galvez Maida
Published: November 2017

The changing climate is creating additional challenges in maintaining a healthy school environment in the United States (U.S.) where over 50 million people, mostly children, spend approximately a third of their waking hours. Chronic low prioritization of funds and resources to support environmental health in schools and lack of clear regulatory oversight in the U.S. undergird the new risks from climate change. We illustrate the extent of risk and the variation in vulnerability by geographic region, in the context of sparse systematically collected and comparable data particularly about school infrastructure. Additionally, we frame different resilience building initiatives, focusing on interventions that target root causes, or social determinants of health. Disaster response and recovery are also framed as resilience building efforts. Examples from U.S. Federal Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and nationally are used to illustrate these concepts. We conclude that better surveillance, more research, and increased federal and state oversight of environmental factors in schools (specific to climate risks) is necessary, as exposures result in short- and long term negative health effects and climate change risks will increase over time.
Bioabsorption and Bioaccumulation of Cadmium in the Straw and Grain of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Growing Soils Contaminated with Cadmium in Different Environment
Authors: Retamal-Salgado Jorge , Hirzel Juan , Walter Ingrid , Matus Iván
Published: November 2017

There is a worldwide increase of heavy metal or potentially toxic element (PTE), contamination in agricultural soils caused mainly by human and industrial action, which leads to food contamination in crops such as in maize. Cadmium (Cd) is a PTE often found in soils and it is ingested through food. It is necessary to determine the bioabsorption, distribution, and accumulation levels in maize to reduce or prevent food chain contamination. Cadmium absorption and accumulation in three maize cultivars were evaluated in three agricultural environments in Chile by increasing CdCl2 rates (0, 1, and 2 mg·kg−1). Evaluation included Cd accumulation and distribution in different plant tissues, bioaccumulation factor (BAF), bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and tolerance index (TI). Cadmium whole-plant uptake was only affected by the CdCl2 rate; the highest uptake was obtained with 2 mg·kg−1 CdCl2 (34.4 g·ha−1) (p < 0.05). Cadmium distribution in the maize plant usually exhibited the highest accumulation in the straw (p < 0.05), independently of the environment, Cd rate, and evaluated cultivar. Given the results for TF (TF > 2) and BAF (BAF > 1), the Los Tilos and Chillán environments were classified as having a high capacity to contaminate the food chain for all evaluated cultivars.
Ground Deformation Detection Using China’s ZY-3 Stereo Imagery in an Opencast Mining Area
Authors: Hu Wenmin , Wu Lixin , Zhang Wei , Liu Bin , Xu Jiaxing
Published: November 2017

Detection and extraction of mining-induced ground deformation can be used to understand the deformation process and space distribution and to estimate the deformation laws and trends. This study focuses on the application of ground deformation detection and extraction combined with digital surface model (DSM), derived from China’s ZiYuan-3 (ZY-3) satellite stereo imagery and the advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer global digital elevation model (ASTER GDEM) data. A district covering 200 km2 around the west open-pit mine in Fushun of Liaoning Province, a city located in Northeast China, is chosen as the study area. Regional overall deformation, typical region deformation, and topographical profile deformation are extracted to analyze the distribution and the link between the regional ground deformations. The results show that the mean elevation has already increased by 3.12 m from 2010 to 2015; 71.18% of this area is deformed, and 22.72% of this area has an elevation variation of more than 10 m. Four districts of rising elevation and three districts of descending elevation are extracted. They are deformed with distinct elevation and volume changes. The total area with distinct rising elevation (>15 m) is about 8.44 km2, and the change in volume is 2.47 × 108 m3. However, the total area with distinct descending elevation (<−10 m) is about 6.12 km2, and the change in volume is 2.01 × 108 m3. Moreover, the deformation in the local mining area has expanded to the surrounding areas. Experiments in the mining area demonstrate that ground deformation, especially acute deformation such as large fractures or landslides, can be monitored using DSMs derived from ZY-3 satellite stereo images.
A Genomic Survey of SCPP Family Genes in Fishes Provides Novel Insights into the Evolution of Fish Scales
Authors: Lv Yunyun , Kawasaki Kazuhiko , Li Jia , Li Yanping , Bian Chao , Huang Yu , You Xinxin , Shi Qiong
Published: November 2017

The family of secretory calcium-binding phosphoproteins (SCPPs) have been considered vital to skeletal tissue mineralization. However, most previous SCPP studies focused on phylogenetically distant animals but not on those closely related species. Here we provide novel insights into the coevolution of SCPP genes and fish scales in 10 species from Otophysi. According to their scale phenotypes, these fishes can be divided into three groups, i.e., scaled, sparsely scaled, and scaleless. We identified homologous SCPP genes in the genomes of these species and revealed an absence of some SCPP members in some genomes, suggesting an uneven evolutionary history of SCPP genes in fishes. In addition, most of these SCPP genes, with the exception of SPP1, individually form one or two gene cluster(s) on each corresponding genome. Furthermore, we constructed phylogenetic trees using maximum likelihood method to estimate their evolution. The phylogenetic topology mostly supports two subclasses in some species, such as Cyprinus carpio, Sinocyclocheilus anshuiensis, S. grahamin, and S. rhinocerous, but not in the other examined fishes. By comparing the gene structures of recently reported candidate genes, SCPP1 and SCPP5, for determining scale phenotypes, we found that the hypothesis is suitable for Astyanax mexicanus, but denied by S. anshuiensis, even though they are both sparsely scaled for cave adaptation. Thus, we conclude that, although different fish species display similar scale phenotypes, the underlying genetic changes however might be diverse. In summary, this paper accelerates the recognition of the SCPP family in teleosts for potential scale evolution.
Stochastic Kinematic Process Model with an Implemented Wear Model for High Feed Dry Grinding
Authors: Kuffa Michal , Kuster Fredy , Wegener Konrad
Published: November 2017

This paper considers heavy duty grinding with resin bonded corundum grinding wheels and without lubrication and cooling. A vertical turning machine redesigned to a grinding machine test bench with a power controlled grinding spindle is used in all of the experiments, allowing high tangential table feed rates up to 480 m/min. This special test-rig emulates the railway grinding usually done by a railway grinding train. The main test-rig components are presented and the resulting kinematics of the experimental set-up is described. A stochastic kinematic grinding model is presented. A wear model that is based on the kinematic description of the grinding process is set up. Grain breakage is identified as the main wear phenomenon, initiated by grain flattening and micro-splintering. The wear model is implemented into the stochastic kinematic modelling. The workpiece material side flow and spring back are considered. The simulation results are validated experimentally. The workpiece surface roughness is compared and a good agreement between simulation and experiment can be found, where the deviation between the experiment and the simulation is less than 15% for single-sided contact between the grinding wheel and the workpiece. Higher deviations between simulation and experiment, up to 24%, for double-sided contact is observed.
A Conceptual Model for Land System Dynamics as a Coupled Human–Environment System
Authors: Aspinall Richard , Staiano Michele
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a conceptual model of land as a coupled human–environment system. Land use and land cover are incorporated as elements of the human and environment system respectively. Drivers and associated processes that influence land use, land cover, and land system dynamics are incorporated within a set of sub-systems. The model includes consideration of driving sub-systems as a set of capital funds and flows, and how these are influenced by linkages between processes in the human (socio-economic) and environment systems and sub-systems. The model is consistent with existing models of the biophysical earth system used by the land change, earth system sciences, and socio-ecological systems communities. The purposes of the model are to provide (i) a holistic framework within which descriptions, models and analyses that focus on various components of land can be placed to describe and explain land systems and land system changes; and (ii) a guide for the development of more fully integrated and interdisciplinary understanding, analysis and study of land use and land cover dynamics, with explicit focus on relationships between human and natural systems.
Reduction of the Adhesive Friction of Elastomers through Laser Texturing of Injection Molds
Authors: Voyer Joel , Ausserer Florian , Klien Stefan , Velkavrh Igor , Diem Alexander
Published: November 2017

It is well known that elastomers usually possess poor dry sliding friction properties due to their highly adhesive character. In order to overcome this problematic behavior in industrial applications, interfacial materials such as oils, greases, coatings, or lacks are normally used in order to separate or to functionalize the contact surfaces of elastomers. Alternatively, the high adhesion tendency of elastomers may be explicitly reduced by modifying the elastomer composition itself or by enabling a reduction of its effective contact area through, for example, surface laser texturing. This second approach, i.e., the reduction of the adhesive character of elastomers through laser structuring, will be the main topic of the present study. For this purpose, different micro-sized grooved structures were produced on flat injection molds using an ultra-short pulsed laser. The micro-structured molds were then used to produce injection molded micro-ridged Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) sample pads. The investigations consisted firstly of determining the degree of replication of the mold micro-structures onto the surface of the LSR pads and secondly, to ascertain the degree of reduction of the friction force (or coefficient of friction) of these micro-ridged LSR pads in comparison to the benchmark (unstructured LSR pads) when tested under dry conditions against Aluminum alloy (Al-6082) or PA6.6-GF30 plates. For this second part of the investigation, the normal force (or contact pressure) dependency of the coefficient of friction was determined through stepwise load increasing friction tests. The results of these investigations have shown that the production of micro-ridged surfaces on LSR pads through laser structuring of the injection molds could be successfully achieved and that it enables a significant reduction of the friction force for low normal forces (or contact pressures), where the component of adhesion friction is playing an important and determining role in the overall friction behavior of the LSR elastomer.
Antimicrobial Peptide Epinecidin-1 Modulates MyD88 Protein Levels via the Proteasome Degradation Pathway
Authors: Su Bor-Chyuan , Chen Jyh-Yih
Published: November 2017

The cationic antimicrobial peptide epinecidin-1 was identified from Epinephelus coioides and possesses multiple biological functions, including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, epinecidin-1 suppresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation by neutralizing LPS and ameliorating LPS/Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 internalization. However, it is unclear whether the actions of epinecidin-1 depend on the regulation of TLR adaptor protein MyD88 or endogenous TLR signaling antagonists, which include A20, interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase (IRAK)-M, and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1. Our results demonstrate that epinecidin-1 alone does not affect A20, IRAK-M, or SOCS-1 protein levels. However, pre-incubation of epinecidin-1 significantly inhibits LPS-induced upregulation of A20, IRAK-M, and SOCS-1. In addition, epinecidin-1 significantly reduces the abundance of MyD88 protein. Both MG132 (a specific proteasome inhibitor) and Heclin (a specific Smurf E3 ligase inhibitor) are able to abolish epinecidin-1-mediated MyD88 degradation. Thus, our data suggest that epinecidin-1 directly inhibits MyD88 via induction of the Smurf E3 ligase proteasome pathway.
Microfluidic Droplet Extraction by Hydrophilic Membrane
Authors: Feng Shilun , Nguyen Micheal , Inglis David
Published: November 2017

Droplet-based microfluidics are capable of transporting very small amounts of fluid over long distances. This characteristic may be applied to conventional fluid delivery using needles if droplets can be reliably expelled from a microfluidic channel. In this paper, we demonstrate a system for the extraction of water droplets from an oil-phase in a polymer microfluidic device. A hydrophilic membrane with a strong preference for water over oil is integrated into a droplet microfluidic system and observed to allow the passage of the transported aqueous phase droplets while blocking the continuous phase. The oil breakthrough pressure of the membrane was observed to be 250 ± 20 kPa, a much greater pressure than anywhere within the microfluidic channel, thereby eliminating the possibility that oil will leak from the microchannel, a critical parameter if droplet transport is to be used in needle-based drug delivery.
Genomic Analysis of the ASMT Gene Family in Solanum lycopersicum
Authors: Liu Weicheng , Zhao Dake , Zheng Chunfang , Chen Chen , Peng Xin , Cheng Yuan , Wan Hongjian
Published: November 2017

Acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) is the last enzyme of melatonin biosynthesis and may play a rate-limiting role in the melatonin production of plants. In this study, systematic analysis of the ASMT gene family in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill) has been presented by the integration of the structural features, phylogenetic relationships, exon/intron configuration, and expression profile during growth and development, as well as biotic stresses. The results revealed that the tomato genome encoded a minimum of 14 members, containing three probable encoded pseudogenes. Chromosome mapping indicated that the family had probably expanded via tandem duplication events. Genome-wide RNA-seq and qRT-PCR based gene expression analysis revealed that almost half of the SlASMT genes were expressed in at least one of the experimental stages studied and also showed differential accumulation. Furthermore, the tandem duplicated SlASMT genes showed differential expression levels, which indicated probable functional divergence during the course of the evolution. Finally, this study also determined that some SlASMT genes were induced by multiple pathogens. The results suggested that these genes could be involved in tomato plant response to biotic stresses.
Characterization of Non-Derivatized Cellulose Samples by Size Exclusion Chromatography in Tetrabutylammonium Fluoride/Dimethylsulfoxide (TBAF/DMSO)
Authors: Rebière Jérémy , Rouilly Antoine , Durrieu Vanessa , Violleau Frédéric
Published: November 2017

This paper deals with the use of tetrabutylammonium fluoride/dimethylsulfoxide (TBAF/DMSO) to characterize the molar mass distribution of non-derivatized cellulosic samples by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Different cellulose samples with various average degree of polymerization (DP) were first solubilized in this solvent system, with increasing TBAF rates, and then analyzed by SEC coupled to a refractive index detector (RID), using DMSO as mobile phase. The Molar Masses (MM) obtained by conventional calibration were then discussed and compared with suppliers’ data and MM determined by viscosimetry measurements. By this non-classic method, molar mass of low DP samples (Avicel® and cotton fibers) have been determined. For high DP samples (α-cellulose and Vitacel®), dissolution with TBAF concentration of 10 mg/mL involved elution of cellulose aggregates in the exclusion volume, related to an incomplete dissolution or the dilution of TBAF molecules in elution solvent, preventing the correct evaluation of their molar mass.
A Digital Microfluidics Platform for Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Detection
Authors: Coelho Beatriz , Veigas Bruno , Águas Hugo , Fortunato Elvira , Martins Rodrigo , Baptista Pedro , Igreja Rui
Published: November 2017

Digital microfluidics (DMF) arises as the next step in the fast-evolving field of operation platforms for molecular diagnostics. Moreover, isothermal schemes, such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), allow for further simplification of amplification protocols. Integrating DMF with LAMP will be at the core of a new generation of detection devices for effective molecular diagnostics at point-of-care (POC), providing simple, fast, and automated nucleic acid amplification with exceptional integration capabilities. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the role of coupling DMF and LAMP, in a dedicated device that allows straightforward mixing of LAMP reagents and target DNA, as well as optimum temperature control (reaction droplets undergo a temperature variation of just 0.3 °C, for 65 °C at the bottom plate). This device is produced using low-temperature and low-cost production processes, adaptable to disposable and flexible substrates. DMF-LAMP is performed with enhanced sensitivity without compromising reaction efficacy or losing reliability and efficiency, by LAMP-amplifying 0.5 ng/µL of target DNA in just 45 min. Moreover, on-chip LAMP was performed in 1.5 µL, a considerably lower volume than standard bench-top reactions.
Design and Clinical Evaluation of a Non-Contact Heart Rate Variability Measuring Device
Authors: Kranjec Jure , Beguš Samo , Geršak Gregor , Šinkovec Matjaž , Drnovšek Janko , Hudoklin Domen
Published: November 2017

The object of the proposed paper is to design and analyze the performance of a non-contact heart rate variability (HRV) measuring device based on ultrasound transducers. The rationale behind non-contact HRV measurement is the goal of obtaining a means of long term monitoring of a patient’s heart performance. Due to its complexity as a non-contact measuring device, influential physical quantities, error source and other perturbations were thoroughly investigated. For medical purposes it is of utmost importance to define the target uncertainty of a measuring method from the side of physicians, while it is the role of scientists to realistically evaluate all uncertainty contributions. Within this paper we present a novelty method of non-contact HRV measurement based on ultrasound transducers operating at two frequencies simultaneously. We report laboratory results and clinical evaluations are given for healthy subjects as well as patients with known heart conditions. Furthermore, laboratory tests were conducted on subjects during a relaxation period, and after 1 min physical activity
Benthic Habitat Mapping Using Multispectral High-Resolution Imagery: Evaluation of Shallow Water Atmospheric Correction Techniques
Authors: Eugenio Francisco , Marcello Javier , Martin Javier , Rodríguez-Esparragón Dionisio
Published: November 2017

Remote multispectral data can provide valuable information for monitoring coastal water ecosystems. Specifically, high-resolution satellite-based imaging systems, as WorldView-2 (WV-2), can generate information at spatial scales needed to implement conservation actions for protected littoral zones. However, coastal water-leaving radiance arriving at the space-based sensor is often small as compared to reflected radiance. In this work, complex approaches, which usually use an accurate radiative transfer code to correct the atmospheric effects, such as FLAASH, ATCOR and 6S, have been implemented for high-resolution imagery. They have been assessed in real scenarios using field spectroradiometer data. In this context, the three approaches have achieved excellent results and a slightly superior performance of 6S model-based algorithm has been observed. Finally, for the mapping of benthic habitats in shallow-waters marine protected environments, a relevant application of the proposed atmospheric correction combined with an automatic deglinting procedure is presented. This approach is based on the integration of a linear mixing model of benthic classes within the radiative transfer model of the water. The complete methodology has been applied to selected ecosystems in the Canary Islands (Spain) but the obtained results allow the robust mapping of the spatial distribution and density of seagrass in coastal waters and the analysis of multitemporal variations related to the human activity and climate change in littoral zones.