bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pose Estimation of Sweet Pepper through Symmetry Axis Detection
Authors: Li Hao , Zhu Qibing , Huang Min , Guo Ya , Qin Jianwei
Published: September 2018

The space pose of fruits is necessary for accurate detachment in automatic harvesting. This study presents a novel pose estimation method for sweet pepper detachment. In this method, the normal to the local plane at each point in the sweet-pepper point cloud was first calculated. The point cloud was separated by a number of candidate planes, and the scores of each plane were then separately calculated using the scoring strategy. The plane with the lowest score was selected as the symmetry plane of the point cloud. The symmetry axis could be finally calculated from the selected symmetry plane, and the pose of sweet pepper in the space was obtained using the symmetry axis. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated by simulated and sweet-pepper cloud dataset tests. In the simulated test, the average angle error between the calculated symmetry and real axes was approximately 6.5°. In the sweet-pepper cloud dataset test, the average error was approximately 7.4° when the peduncle was removed. When the peduncle of sweet pepper was complete, the average error was approximately 6.9°. These results suggested that the proposed method was suitable for pose estimation of sweet peppers and could be adjusted for use with other fruits and vegetables.
Complex Event Processing for Sensor Stream Data
Authors: Bok Kyoungsoo , Kim Daeyun , Yoo Jaesoo
Published: September 2018

As a large amount of stream data are generated through sensors over the Internet of Things environment, studies on complex event processing have been conducted to detect information required by users or specific applications in real time. A complex event is made by combining primitive events through a number of operators. However, the existing complex event-processing methods take a long time because they do not consider similarity and redundancy of operators. In this paper, we propose a new complex event-processing method considering similar and redundant operations for stream data from sensors in real time. In the proposed method, a similar operation in common events is converted into a virtual operator, and redundant operations on the same events are converted into a single operator. The event query tree for complex event detection is reconstructed using the converted operators. Through this method, the cost of comparison and inspection of similar and redundant operations is reduced, thereby decreasing the overall processing cost. To prove the superior performance of the proposed method, its performance is evaluated in comparison with existing methods.
Integrated Longitudinal and Lateral Networked Control System Design for Vehicle Platooning
Authors: Latrech Chedia , Chaibet Ahmed , Boukhnifer Moussa , Glaser Sébastien
Published: September 2018

This paper investigates platoon control of vehicles via the wireless communication network. An integrated longitudinal and lateral control approaches for vehicle platooning within a designated lane is proposed. Firstly, the longitudinal control aims to regulate the speed of the follower vehicle on the leading vehicle while maintaining the inter-distance to the desired value which may be chosen proportional to the vehicle speed. Thus, based on Lyapunov candidate function, sufficient stability conditions formulated in BMIs terms are proposed. For the general objective of string stability and robust platoon control to be achieved simultaneously, the obtained controller is complemented by additional conditions established for guaranteeing string stability. Furthermore, constraints such as actuator saturation, and controller constrained information are also considered in control design. Secondly, a multi-model fuzzy controller is developed to handle the vehicle lateral control. Its objective is to maintain the vehicle within the road through steering. The design conditions are strictly expressed in terms of LMIs which can be efficiently solved with available numerical solvers. The effectiveness of the proposed control method is validated under the CarSim software package.
Precision and Accuracy of a Direct-Reading Miniaturized Monitor in PM2.5 Exposure Assessment
Authors: Borghi Francesca , Spinazzè Andrea , Campagnolo Davide , Rovelli Sabrina , Cattaneo Andrea , Cavallo Domenico M.
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the precision, accuracy, practicality, and potential uses of a PM2.5 miniaturized monitor (MM) in exposure assessment. These monitors (AirBeam, HabitatMap) were compared with the widely used direct-reading particulate matter monitors and a gravimetric reference method for PM2.5. Instruments were tested during 20 monitoring sessions that were subdivided in two different seasons to evaluate the performance of sensors across various environmental and meteorological conditions. Measurements were performed at an urban background site in Como, Italy. To evaluate the performance of the instruments, different analyses were conducted on 8-h averaged PM2.5 concentrations for comparison between direct-reading monitors and the gravimetric method, and minute-averaged data for comparison between the direct-reading instruments. A linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate whether the two measurement methods, when compared, could be considered comparable and/or mutually predictive. Further, Bland-Altman plots were used to determine whether the methods were characterized by specific biases. Finally, the correlations between the error associated with the direct-reading instruments and the meteorological parameters acquired at the sampling point were investigated. Principal results show a moderate degree of agreement between MMs and the reference method and a bias that increased with an increase in PM2.5 concentrations.
Effect of Piperine on Skin Permeation of Curcumin from a Bacterially Derived Cellulose-Composite Double-Layer Membrane for Transdermal Curcumin Delivery
Authors: Jantarat Chutima , Sirathanarun Pornpak , Boonmee Somruedee , Meechoosin Wanida , Wangpittaya Husna
Published: September 2018

Curcumin is a naturally occurring substance with various pharmacological activities. It has not been developed as a drug because of its low bioavailability due to its low solubility and absorption. Piperine is a natural enhancer that is popularly used to increase the absorption of curcumin in oral applications; however, it has not been applied for transdermal curcumin delivery. This study aims to develop a transdermal curcumin delivery system using piperine as a skin permeation enhancer in the form of composite double-layer membrane; the upper layer consisted of curcumin and the lower layer consisted of piperine. The amount of curcumin was fixed, but the amount of piperine varied at three levels from 1.96% to 7.41%. The composite membrane had moderate mechanical strength (15–22 MPa) with a good swelling degree (~435%). From an in vitro skin permeation study, piperine had the effect to increase the permeation of curcumin. The permeation rate was related to the amount of piperine. The composite membrane containing piperine at 7.41% could increase the permeation rate of curcumin by about 1.89 times compared with non-piperine contained membrane. Bacterially-derived cellulose containing curcumin and piperine may have the potential for transdermal curcumin delivery in order to improve curcumin’s bioavailability.
Continuous Seasonal and Large-Scale Periglacial Reservoir Sedimentation
Authors: Ehrbar Daniel , Schmocker Lukas , Doering Michael , Cortesi Marco , Bourban Gérald , Boes Robert , Vetsch David
Published: September 2018

Sustainable reservoir use is globally threatened by sedimentation. It has been generally recognized that inadequate consideration of reservoir sedimentation has caused the worldwide decline of net storage. Numerical models are useful tools to simulate sedimentation processes and can be used to derive efficient counter-measures and sediment management strategies. They can be applied to both existing and potential future reservoirs to predict long-term sedimentation. In this study, an application of a simple, robust, and stable numerical 1D model to Gebidem reservoir in Switzerland accompanied by field measurements is presented. It focusses on seasonal and large-scale reservoir sedimentation processes that occur continuously throughout the whole deposition season, while episodic events like turbidity currents are not taken into account. The model simulates both the delta formation of coarse sediments and the lake-wide sedimentation from homopycnal flows. The model is used to assess the effects and significance of varying boundary conditions like inflow, suspended sediment concentration, particle size distribution (PSD), or reservoir operation. It will be demonstrated that future reservoir operation and PSD are as important as future runoff evolution. Based on these findings, implications on future reservoir operation, also considering climate change, are discussed. Finally, an outlook on pending research topics is given.
The Social Efficiency for Sustainability: European Cooperative Banking Analysis
Authors: San-Jose Leire , Retolaza Jose Luis , Lamarque Eric
Published: September 2018

This paper seeks to establish the relationship between economic efficiency and social efficiency to analyze the sustainability of banking in Europe. The type-effect has been analyzed, as stakeholder value banks—cooperatives and saving banks—should not be less socially and economically efficient than commercial banks. This European analysis was made using the Bankscope database, as it provides a unique insight into the stakeholder view that clarifies, by an analysis of two-stage boundaries, that there is no single model of social and economic efficiency according to the type of financial entity in Europe. These findings contribute to the social cost paradox and shared value perspective, and more broadly to stakeholder theory. It is established that a tradeoff between economic and social efficiency is not needed. There are different behaviors in different European countries. Moreover, our results could lead to the development of social indicators of the sustainability aspects of organizations without resorting to traditional accounting.
Assessing Urban Fragmentation at Regional Scale Using Sprinkling Indexes
Authors: Saganeiti Lucia , Favale Antonella , Pilogallo Angela , Scorza Francesco , Murgante Beniamino
Published: September 2018

Artificial land use trends could represent an effective indicator of the settlement process quality and could also provide information about the efficacy of protection and exploitation policies in natural and rural areas. This work discusses an analytic procedure for the time series investigation of urban settlement development at the regional scale to verify the nexus between urban growth and demographic trends connected with the phenomenon of land take. In Italy, since 1950, the land take phenomenon has been a consequence of several factors: urbanization, realization of transport infrastructures including ports, airports, and highways, and the enhancement of industrial and productive systems. We analyzed all these territorial transformations that create waterproof soil, and more generally, a transition from natural and semi-natural uses toward artificial land use. After World War II, the demographic growth and the consequent housing demand generated a strong urbanization process in the main poles of economic development areas in Italy. Since the early 2000s, the situation has completely changed and the land take phenomenon is no longer mainly based on real need for new urban expansion areas based on effective urban planning tools, but is strongly related to a scattered demand for new housing in a weak territorial spatial planning system not able to drive effective urban development that minimizes speculative real estate initiatives. This uncontrolled occupation of soil generated, in Italy, a landscape fragmentation called the urban sprinkling phenomenon, different from urban sprawl, which is a wider phenomenon characterized by disordered urban growth. The present document aims to assess how uncontrolled expansion in areas characterized by low settlement density can generate fragmentation. To define if the territory is affected by the urban sprinkling phenomenon, two 50-year time series concerning urban expansion of buildings and demographic trends are analyzed calculating population and building density indices and their variation over the years. The sprinkling index is used to analyze the variation in the fragmentation degree at two different scales (regional and municipal). Finally, we discuss the context where this phenomenon has developed, analyzing the buildings located in hydrogeological risk zones and protected areas, and the correlation between demographic changes and the degree of territorial fragmentation variation.
Peptide Mimics of the Ribosomal P Stalk Inhibit the Activity of Ricin A Chain by Preventing Ribosome Binding
Authors: Li Xiao-Ping , Kahn Jennifer N. , Tumer Nilgun E.
Published: September 2018

Ricin A chain (RTA) depurinates the sarcin/ricin loop (SRL) by interacting with the C-termini of the ribosomal P stalk. The ribosome interaction site and the active site are located on opposite faces of RTA. The interaction with P proteins allows RTA to depurinate the SRL on the ribosome at physiological pH with an extremely high activity by orienting the active site towards the SRL. Therefore, if an inhibitor disrupts RTA–ribosome interaction by binding to the ribosome binding site of RTA, it should inhibit the depurination activity. To test this model, we synthesized peptides mimicking the last 3 to 11 amino acids of P proteins and examined their interaction with wild-type RTA and ribosome binding mutants by Biacore. We measured the inhibitory activity of these peptides on RTA-mediated depurination of yeast and rat liver ribosomes. We found that the peptides interacted with the ribosome binding site of RTA and inhibited depurination activity by disrupting RTA–ribosome interactions. The shortest peptide that could interact with RTA and inhibit its activity was four amino acids in length. RTA activity was inhibited by disrupting its interaction with the P stalk without targeting the active site, establishing the ribosome binding site as a new target for inhibitor discovery.
The Natural Large Genomic Deletion Is Unrelated to the Increased Virulence of the Novel Genotype Fowl Adenovirus 4 Recently Emerged in China
Authors: Pan Qing , Wang Jing , Gao Yulong , Cui Hongyu , Liu Changjun , Qi Xiaole , Zhang Yanping , Wang Yongqiang , Wang Xiaomei
Published: September 2018

Since 2015, severe hydropericardium-hepatitis syndrome (HHS), caused by a highly pathogenic fowl adenovirus 4 (FAdV-4), emerged in China. In our previous study, the FAdV-4 has been identified as a novel genotype with a unique 1966-bp nucleotide deletion (1966Del) between open reading frame 42 and 43. In this study, the natural 1966Del was frequently identified among 17 clinical isolates and other reported Chinese clinical strains. To investigate the relationship between 1966Del and the increased virulence of the novel FAdV-4, a CRISPR/Cas9 operating platform for FAdV-4 was developed for the first time in this study. Based on this platform, a Re1966 strain was rescued, inserted the relative 1966Del sequence of a nonpathogenic strain KR5. In the pathogenicity study, the Re1966 strain retained high virulence for specific-pathogen-free chickens, similar to the parental wild-type HLJFAd15, although the survival time of chickens infected with Re1966 was much longer. Therefore, the natural 1966Del was identified as a non-essential site for the increased virulence of the emerged novel FAdV-4. Although further research on the virulence-determining region or point within the genome of the novel FAdV-4 is needed, the CRISPR/Cas9 operating platform for the novel FAdV-4 was developed and successfully applied to edit the genomic DNA for the first time, and it provides a novel powerful tool for both basic virology studies and vaccine vector development of FAdVs.
Zika Virus Vaccines: Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Das Neves Almeida Raquel , Racine Trina , Magalhães Kelly G. , Kobinger Gary P.
Published: September 2018

Zika virus is an arbovirus that has rapidly spread within the Americas since 2014, presenting a variety of clinical manifestations and neurological complications resulting in congenital malformation, microcephaly, and possibly, in male infertility. These significant clinical manifestations have led investigators to develop several candidate vaccines specific to Zika virus. In this review we describe relevant targets for the development of vaccines specific for Zika virus, the development status of various vaccine candidates and their different platforms, as well as their clinical progression.
Stable Isotope Analysis Reveals the Importance of Riparian Resources as Carbon Subsidies for Fish Species in the Daning River, a Tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: Deng Huatang , Li Yun , Liu Mingdian , Duan Xinbin , Liu Shaoping , Chen Daqing
Published: September 2018

The patterns of carbon flow in large rivers influenced by dams are still not well known. We hypothesized that spatial variation in fish assimilation of basal production sources would be affected by heterogeneity of landscape-scale hydrology within a watershed due to the impoundment. We used stable isotope analysis and Bayesian mixing models to estimate relative contributions of basal production sources to fish consumers in a tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) with remarkably heterogeneous habitats between the upper and lower reaches. Model estimates indicated that riparian C3 plants were the main basal food source irrespective of reaches or feeding groups. Autochthonous algae carbon also appeared to be important as secondary carbon sources. However, the major contributive aquatic algae in the upstream were benthic algae while planktonic algae were important in the downstream, and this difference was related to their distinct hydrological characteristics. The contribution from C4 plants was comparatively less important to all fish consumers. Our results highlighted the significance of the riparian C3 carbon source to fish consumers in the TGR tributary and that the difference in landscape-scale characteristics was not enough to influence the pattern, which may be attributed to abundant standing stock of the riparian plants as well as hydrologic regimes in this river.
Regression Approaches for Hydrograph Separation: Implications for the Use of Discontinuous Electrical Conductivity Data
Authors: Longobardi Antonia , Villani Paolo , Guida Domenico , Cuomo Albina
Published: September 2018

Understanding of runoff generation mechanisms affects the ability to manage streamflow quantity and quality issues. Concerning the baseflow in particular, measurements are almost never available and hydrograph separation is generally applied to characterize its relevant patterns. As an alternative to well-known recursive digital filters and mass balance filtering methods, this paper deals with the use of regression approaches, based on electrical conductivity measurements, as a proxy for total dissolved solids, to separate baseflow from total flow. Particular focus is placed on their flexibility and ability to adapt to discontinuous electrical conductivity data measurements. To illustrate this, we analyze a hydrochemical dataset collected from the Ciciriello experimental catchment (Southern Italy). The main findings are as follows: A comparative analysis suggests that the performance of regressive approaches in the case of daily electrical conductivity measurements is better than that of calibrated recursive digital filters. Weekly monitored electrical conductivity data led to performances comparable to the daily scale monitoring, and even monthly observation leads to a nonsignificant reduction in regression hydrograph filter performance; this shows how spot geochemical data monitoring may present valid and operational alternatives for characterization of baseflow in poorly gauged catchments.
Evaluating Equity and Inclusion in Access to Water and Sanitation for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Wukro, Ethiopia
Authors: Jimenez-Redal Ruben , Holowko Natalie , Almandoz Jabier , Soriano Javier , Arregui Francisco , Magrinya Francesc
Published: September 2018

For more than a decade, foreign aid-supported water interventions focusing on an increase in household private connections have been implemented in the small urban center of Wukro. However, little has been investigated about the effectiveness of these interventions in achieving equitable and inclusive access to water and sanitation for all, including the most vulnerable. With this purpose, a cross-sectional comparative analysis of service provision between the HIV-infected population (n = 199) and non-infected population (n = 199) was undertaken. Findings suggest significant inequalities regarding the primary water source, monthly expenditure in water, water consumption, and time employed to fetch water, as well as the type of toilet facility, number of users, and the time employed to access it. Results also show a reported feeling of discrimination with regard to service provision within the HIV-positive population. This study provides evidence on local-scale interventions increasing the number of household water connections but overlooking the pursuit of equity and inclusion for the most vulnerable. The study also presents recommendations on how to specifically target the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS in order to achieve equitable and inclusive access to water and sanitation for all.
La transposition didactique. Histoire et perspectives d'une problématique fondatrice
Authors: Bronckart Jean-Paul , Plazaola Giger Itziar
Published: September 2018

Cet article retrace d'abord les étapes de l'histoire de la notion de transposition didactique : son émergence chez Verret (1975) ; sa problématisation dans l'ouvrage fondateur de Chevallard (1 985/1 991 ) ; sa mise en débat ultérieure, autour de trois thèmes majeurs : -le statut des références (savoirs, connaissances, pratiques) à la source du processus transpositionnel ; -le nécessaire affinement de l'analyse des phases de ce processus ; -la nature des interactions entre disciplines scientifiques de référence et didactique des matières scolaires.

En une deuxième partie, il défend une position non applicationniste, qui conduit à situer la didactique comme sous-champ des sciences de l'éducation, centré sur la problématique de la transmission-appropriation des savoirs. Puis il revient sur la question du statut des savoirs, en s'inspirant d'une part de la théorie bourdieu-sienne des «champs de production », en soutenant d'autre part que tout objet de savoir est simultanément objet de discours, et qu'il est dès lors déterminé par l'économie générale des textes qui le présentent.

Dans la troisième partie sont relatées des recherches inspirées de cette conception, qui analysent la transposition de concepts linguistiques selon deux méthodes distinctes. Des analyses de contenu comparant le statut de mêmes objets de savoir dans des textes scientifiques et dans des manuels d'enseignement. Des analyses de discours, portant sur des manuels et sur des séquences didactiques réalisées en classe, et visant à mettre en évidence les effets qu'exercent les différents niveaux de la textualité sur l'apprêt didactique des objets de savoir.
Analyse critique de la nouvelle terminologie grammaticale des collèges et des lycées
Authors: Combettes Bernard
Published: September 2018

La Terminologie grammaticale de 1997 à l’usage des collèges et des lycées ne produit pas les effets de clarification que l’on était en droit d’attendre. On trouvera dans l’article un commentaire détaillé et argumenté qui reprend, dans l’ordre où ils sont présentés par la Terminologie, les points autour desquels subsistent confusions et incohérences. Par exemple : l’assimilation abusive entre opérations générales (à des fins méthodologiques) et transformations de phrase, le statut constamment ambigu que l’on fait jouer aux phénomènes énonciatifs, la réduction des phénomènes de topicalisation à la seule thématisation, le traitement incomplet de l’anaphore, la confusion sous la dénomination de procès de l’action de faits aspectuels et d’autres qui relèvent de «la vision » du procès (borné / non borné), enfin le statut respectif mal défini des notions de nature et fonction.
Structural Variation, Functional Differentiation, and Activity Correlation of the Cytochrome P450 Gene Superfamily Revealed in Ginseng
Authors: Wang Yi , Li Xiangyu , Lin Yanping , Wang Yanfang , Wang Kangyu , Sun Chunyu , Lu Tiancheng , Zhang Meiping
Published: September 2018

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) is one of the most important medicinal herbs for human health and medicine, for which ginsenosides are the major bioactive components. The cytochrome P450 genes, CYP, form a large gene superfamily; however, only three CYP genes have been identified from ginseng and shown to be involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis, indicating the importance of the CYP gene superfamily in the process. Here we report genome‐wide identification and systems analysis of the CYP genes in ginseng, defined as PgCYP genes. We identified 414 PgCYP genes, including the three published PgCYP genes. These PgCYP genes formed a superfamily consisting of 41 gene families, with a substantial diversity in phylogeny and dramatic variation in spatiotemporal expression. Gene ontology (GO) analysis categorized the PgCYP gene superfamily into 12 functional subcategories distributing among all three primary functional categories, suggesting its functional differentiation. Nevertheless, the majority of its gene members expressed correlatively and tended to form a coexpression network and some of them were commonly regulated in expression across tissues and developmental stages. These results have led to genome‐wide identification of PgCYP genes useful for genome‐wide identification of the PgCYP genes involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis in ginseng and provided the first insight into how a gene superfamily functionally differentiates and acts correlatively in plants.
The Spitzer Matching Survey of the UltraVISTA Ultra-deep Stripes (SMUVS): The Evolution of Dusty and Nondusty Galaxies with Stellar Mass at z = 2–6
Authors: Deshmukh S. , Caputi K. I. , Ashby M. L. N. , Cowley W. I. , McCracken H. J. , Fynbo J. P. U. , Fèvre O. Le , Milvang-Jensen B. , Ilbert O.
Published: September 2018

The Spitzer Matching Survey of the UltraVISTA Ultra-deep Stripes (SMUVS) has obtained the largest ultradeep Spitzer maps to date in a single field of the sky. We considered the sample of about 66,000 SMUVS sources at z = 2–6 to investigate the evolution of dusty and nondusty galaxies with stellar mass through the analysis of the galaxy stellar mass function (GSMF), extending previous analyses about one decade in stellar mass and up to z = 6. We further divide our nondusty galaxy sample with rest-frame optical colors to isolate red quiescent (“passive”) galaxies. At each redshift, we identify a characteristic stellar mass in the GSMF above which dusty galaxies dominate, or are at least as important as nondusty galaxies. Below that stellar mass, nondusty galaxies compose about 80% of all sources, at all redshifts except at z = 4–5. The percentage of dusty galaxies at z = 4–5 is unusually high: 30%–40% for

and >80% at M
* > 1011
M
⊙, which indicates that dust obscuration is of major importance in this cosmic period. The overall percentage of massive (

) galaxies that are quiescent increases with decreasing redshift, reaching >30% at z ∼ 2. Instead, the quiescent percentage among intermediate-mass galaxies (with

) stays roughly constant at a ∼10% level. Our results indicate that massive and intermediate-mass galaxies clearly have different evolutionary paths in the young universe and are consistent with the scenario of galaxy downsizing.
A Model for Coronal Hole Bright Points and Jets Due to Moving Magnetic Elements
Authors: Wyper P. F. , DeVore C. R. , Karpen J. T. , Antiochos S. K. , Yeates A. R.
Published: September 2018

Coronal jets and bright points occur prolifically in predominantly unipolar magnetic regions, such as coronal holes (CHs), where they appear above minority-polarity intrusions. Intermittent low-level reconnection and explosive, high-energy-release reconnection above these intrusions are thought to generate bright points and jets, respectively. The magnetic field above the intrusions possesses a spine-fan topology with a coronal null point. The movement of magnetic flux by surface convection adds free energy to this field, forming current sheets and inducing reconnection. We conducted three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of moving magnetic elements as a model for coronal jets and bright points. A single minority-polarity concentration was subjected to three different experiments: a large-scale surface flow that sheared part of the separatrix surface only, a large-scale surface flow that also sheared part of the polarity inversion line surrounding the minority flux, and the latter flow setup plus a “flyby” of a majority-polarity concentration past the moving minority-polarity element. We found that different bright-point morphologies, from simple loops to sigmoids, were created. When only the field near the separatrix was sheared, steady interchange reconnection modulated by quasi-periodic, low-intensity bursts of reconnection occurred, suggestive of a bright point with periodically varying intensity. When the field near the polarity inversion line was strongly sheared, on the other hand, filament channels repeatedly formed and erupted via the breakout mechanism, explosively increasing the interchange reconnection and generating nonhelical jets. The flyby produced even more energetic and explosive jets. Our results explain several key aspects of CH bright points and jets, and the relationships between them.
Purealus beckelorum, a new genus and species of cleonine weevil from western Texas and eastern New Mexico (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Lixinae, Cleonini)
Authors: Anderson Robert S.
Published: September 2018

The new genus Purealus Anderson (type species, Purealusbeckelorumgen n. et sp. n., type locality: McKenzie Lake, Gaines County, Texas) is described to accommodate a new species of cleonine weevil from western Texas and eastern New Mexico. Habitus images and images of taxonomically significant structures are presented. Purealus appears to be unique within Cleonini in the distinctly tumescent and asperate base of elytral interval 3, and widely separated procoxae, two characters apparently not shared with any other world Cleonini. The species cannot be placed in either Apleurus or Scaphomorphus due to a combination of characters in part shared by each genus and the lack of characters used to define the monophyly of each genus. Coding of the character states and addition to the analysis presented in a recent comprehensive analysis of world Cleonini did not provide any significant information on phylogenetic affinities. No information on plant associations is available; most specimens have been collected walking on the ground in winter months in arid habitats.
Two new species of Lithobius on Qinghai-Tibetan plateau identified from morphology and COI sequences (Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae)
Authors: Qiao Penghai , Qin Wen , Ma Huiqin , Zhang Tongzuo , Su Jianping , Lin Gonghua
Published: September 2018

Lithobius (Ezembius) longibasitarsussp. n. and Lithobius (Ezembius) datongensissp. n. (Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae), recently discovered from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, are described. A key to the species of the subgenus Ezembius in China is presented. The partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I barcoding gene was amplified and sequenced for eight individuals of the two new species and the dataset was used for molecular phylogenetic analysis and genetic distance determination. Both morphology and molecular data show that the specimens examined should be referred to Lithobius (Ezembius).
Functional modulation of caecal fermentation and microbiota in rat by feeding bean husk as a dietary fibre supplement
Authors: Myint H. , Kishi H. , Iwahashi Y. , Saburi W. , Koike S. , Kobayashi Y.
Published: September 2018

A feeding study using rats was conducted to evaluate the utility of lablab bean husk and soya bean husk as sources of potential prebiotic fibre. Twenty 5-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups and fed one of the following diets for 3 weeks: purified diet (AIN93 G) containing 5% cellulose (CEL), or the same diet in which cellulose was replaced by corn starch (STA), lablab bean husk (LBH), or soya bean husk (SBH). Rats were sacrificed at 8 weeks of age and caecal digesta were collected. Feed intake, body weight, anatomical parameters, and caecal ammonia level did not differ significantly among diets. Rats on LBH and SBH showed higher concentrations of caecal short-chain fatty acid and lactate than those on CEL. Rats on CEL, SBH, and LBH exhibited lower caecal indole and skatole levels. LBH yielded increased caecal abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Oscillibacter relatives, as demonstrated by either qPCR, MiSeq, or clone library analysis. SBH favoured the growth of lactobacilli as assessed by both qPCR and MiSeq, and favoured the growth of bifidobacteria as assessed by MiSeq. In comparison with STA, LBH and SBH yielded lower caecal abundance of bacteria related to Dorea massiliensis, as demonstrated by qPCR, MiSeq, and clone library analysis. Both types of bean husk were found to contain oligosaccharides that might selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. Based on these results, the two species of bean husk tested are considered potentially functional for promoting the gut health of monogastric animals.
Expression of the key metabolic regulators in the white adipose tissue of rats; the role of high-fat diet and aerobic training
Authors: Ebrahimi M. , Fathi R. , Pirsaraei Z. Ansari , Talebi-Garakani E. , Najafi M.
Published: September 2018

Lipid metabolism, especially in the white adipose tissue as an active metabolic organ, is tightly regulated by the key transcription factors, such as the sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and the Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR). We have studied the expression of these genes in the white adipose tissue to see how a high fat diet (HFD) and two intensities of aerobic training change the lipogenic and lipolytic pathways. 44 male Wistar rats randomly divided into the normal (12% calories from fat) and HFD (56% calories from fat) groups. Each group included control (n=6), moderate trained (n=8, ~65% Vo2max) and high intensity trained (n=8, ~75% Vo2max) rats. After 8 weeks of training, the weight changes, plasma insulin and lipid profile levels and the relative gene expression of SREBP-1c and FXR in the adipose tissue was measured. Data were analysed by 2-way ANOVA (P<0.05). HFD fed rats showed higher levels of insulin and dyslipidemia that was correlated with the higher weight gain. Also, the adipose expression of SREBP-1c was higher in the HFD fed rats that it was strongly correlated with the lower FXR expression. Trained rats independent of the intensity of the training showed lower SREBP-1c and higher FXR expression, but no change was observed in the lipid profile levels. HFD-induced dyslipidemia could occur via SREBP-1c activation in the adipose tissue while the aerobic training activates FXR and inhibits the lipogenic pathways. Despite the activation of lipolytic pathways in the trained rats, it seems that diet has more effect on the lipid profile than the aerobic training.
Production and growth parameters of edible crickets: experiences from a farm in a high altitude, cooler region of Kenya
Authors: Kinyuru J.N. , Kipkoech C.
Published: September 2018

The need for mass-production of crickets is increasing with continued awareness. Cricket farming has been introduced with considerable success among small-holder farmers in the warmer, low altitude Lake Victoria regions of Kenya. Efforts are however on-going to introduce the farming in cooler, higher altitude areas in the interest of expanding the enterprise and increase mass production. A pilot farm was established at a farm located 1,519 meters above sea level with a temperature range of 17-22 °C. Initial egg stock was incubated at the farm under room conditions in the month of November to December. Different agricultural side streams and farm weeds were tested as probable cricket feed. Hatch rate, duration of hatching, preferred food types, mortality, weight gain and nutrient content at different ages were assessed. The hatch rate averaged 60%, mortality for hatchlings (pinheads) was below 2% while a steady weight gain was observed over a 12 weeks growth period with highest maximum weight being 2.03 grams per cricket. All agricultural side streams were accepted by the crickets and the wandering Jew weed was among the preferred feed and a source of significant nutrient for the crickets. Protein content ranged from 36-60% while fat content was 12-25%. Cricket production can therefore be promoted in the higher altitude, cooler areas in order to promote industrial exploitation of the crickets in combating food and nutrition insecurity.
Understanding Habitat Quality for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse: How Survival Responds to Vegetation Structure and Composition
Authors: Schorr Robert A. , Mihlbachler Brian S.
Published: September 2018

Habitat loss is the primary conservation concern for many rare species; yet, it is unclear what habitat components are vital for the persistence of many rare species. The Preble's meadow jumping mouse Zapus hudsonius preblei (PMJM) was listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act because of habitat loss in Colorado and Wyoming. The PMJM is restricted to dense shrub cover and dense herbaceous vegetation along wetland and riverine systems. Although it is well established by researchers that PMJM infrequently leave these habitat types, it is unclear what riparian vegetation structure and composition is important to PMJM survival. We collected and analyzed a 14-y PMJM vegetation-monitoring data set and a PMJM mark–recapture data set to assess the influence of vegetation structure and composition on PMJM annual survival. Using individual, group, and site-specific covariates we estimated survival and evaluated the influence of such covariates on annual survival. Annual survival for PMJM was low (< 10%), increasing with body mass, grass cover, and shrub cover, and decreasing with meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus captures. The PMJM use of and occupation of dense riparian habitats may increase individual survival, and likely increases population persistence. Thus, habitat modifications that reduce grass cover and shrub regeneration, such as grazing, suburban development, and development-altered hydrology, will be detrimental to PMJM populations. Given the low annual survival of PMJM, it is important for conserving PMJM populations to minimize disturbances to the vegetation structure, composition, and density, and the hydrologic processes that support them.
Influence of Electronic Word of Mouth (e-WOM) on Brand Credibility and Egyptian Consumers' Purchase Intentions
Authors: El-Baz Basma El-Sayed , Elseidi Reham Ibrahim , El-Maniaway Aisha Moustafa
Published: September 2018

Electronic communication has become an essential part of consumers' everyday lives. Consumers rely on the internet as an alternative source of information pertaining to brands that can be accessed easily. As a result, electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) has become a force to be reckoned with that needs to be understood in order to be properly managed. This research investigates how the credibility of the brand as a source of information might be influenced by consumers' engagement in e-WOM and whether this influence subsequently reflects on their purchase intentions. The research findings indicate that indeed there is a relationship between e-WOM and brand credibility that reflects both directly and indirectly on the consumer's purchase intentions. Based on this, several recommendations are developed to help managers navigate their online presence in a way that specifically suits their consumers' internet usage patterns, in order to effectively manage available e-WOM on their brands.
DISCRIMINAÇÃO BASEADA NO PESO: REPRESENTAÇÕES SOCIAIS DE INTERNAUTAS SOBRE A GORDOFOBIA
Authors: Araújo Lidiane Silva , Coutinho Maria da Penha de Lima , Alberto Maria de Fátima Pereira , Santos Anderson Mathias Dias , Pinto Adriele Vieira de Lima
Published: September 2018

O termo gordofobia tem sido comumente empregado para definir formas de discriminação a corpos acima do peso. Objetivou-se conhecer as representações sociais da gordofobia elaboradas por usuários de internet. Realizou-se uma pesquisa documental com base na seleção de comentários de internautas frente a uma matéria sobre gordofobia veiculada pela revista Superinteressante. As opiniões selecionadas constituíram um corpus textual que foi submetido à análise lexical pelo IRAMUTEQ, desdobrando cinco classes temáticas: (i) "A saúde como discurso justificador da discriminação", (ii) "Gordo versus Magro: instituindo diferenças", (iii) "Emagrecimento: reforço versus desconstrução do padrão", (iv) "Gordofobia: invenção ou realidade?" e (v) "Gordofobia e a (in)adequabilidade de ações afirmativas". Em linhas gerais, ancoradas no argumento técnico-científico da obesidade como doença epidêmica, as representações dos internautas legitimaram processos de preconceito e discriminação em relação às pessoas obesas. Ademais, a proposição irônica dos internautas quanto à política de cotas para pessoas gordas demonstrou a insatisfação quanto à existência de ações afirmativas promotoras da igualdade entre grupos sociais, ratificando a ideia de que privilégios não podem ser conferidos a "grupos inferiores" ou desvalorizados e que estes, para serem merecidamente respeitados pela sociedade, devem buscar a adequação dos seus corpos ao padrão de refinamento. Neste contexto, com a função de tornar irrelevante o tema da gordofobia, desqualificando a abordagem do assunto pela revista, observaram-se estratégias representacionais direcionadas à negação da sua existência, comparando sofrimentos entre grupos ou instituindo diferenças (gordos x magros). Considerando a escassez de pesquisas sobre discriminação baseada no peso no Brasil, novos estudos são sugeridos.
INVESTIGATING EXPERIENCE OF MOTHERS SINGING TO THEIR INFANTS: IN SEARCH OF MEANINGS
Authors: Brisola Elizabeth Brown Vallim , Cury Vera Engler
Published: September 2018

Singing to infants has been a part of mothers’ lives across the ages and in different cultures. The study of mothers singing to infants tends to focus on how and why songs facilitate mother-infant communication, identifying its effects and benefits for mother and infant. Little is known, however, about the mothers’ subjective lived experience of singing. The present phenomenological study aims to contribute to this body of knowledge through a psychological comprehension, in search of meanings, through a Humanistic lens. Thirteen individual dialogical encounters were conducted with Brazilian and American fist-time mothers with infants up to 18 months old. Comprehensive narratives based on those individual encounters were written and analyzed by the researcher, and a synthesis narrative was built revealing the structural elements of the experience of singing for mothers. The significant elements that emerged were: singing as a specific way of communicating with the child, allowing the establishment of an emotional bond, a way for the mothers to better know their infant, a means of recognizing themselves in the condition of being mothers, an interesting form of sharing personal values and family customs, and a creative form of expressing themselves. All these meanings enable the development of the mothers’ potential personal growth. This article also presents a brief discussion of these results in the context of contemporary psychological scientific data and suggests further research paths.
“ESTUDAR TAMBÉM SE APRENDE”: CONTRIBUIÇÕES DA PSICOLOGIA HISTÓRICO-CULTURAL PARA A EDUCAÇÃO
Authors: Lucena Jéssica Elise Echs , Andrade-Boccato Taiane do Nascimento , Tuleski Silvana Calvo
Published: September 2018

O presente trabalho traz um relato de caso referente ao projeto “Estudar Também se Aprende”, desenvolvido como atividade de estágio supervisionado em educação por alunos do quinto ano de psicologia no ano de 2013. O projeto vem sendo executado desde 2008 em uma escola da rede estadual de ensino e é embasado nos pressupostos teóricos e práticos da psicologia histórico-cultural. Nessa perspectiva, entende-se que a educação é determinante para o desenvolvimento humano, pois não apenas o influencia como é responsável por orientá-lo, reestruturando as funções elementares em direção às funções psicológicas superiores. O projeto teve por objetivo ensinar aos alunos técnicas de estudo que permitissem o desenvolvimento das funções psicológicas superiores, movimentando o processo de formação de conceitos, e também produzindo melhora no desempenho escolar. Entende-se pela perspectiva teórica que o papel do educador é de organizador do meio social, ou seja, aquele que emprega os recursos mediadores concretos e simbólicos de modo a proporcionar a apropriação de conhecimentos pelos alunos. Para tanto, a proposta foi incentivar o hábito de estudar dos alunos, com estratégias sistematizadas para apropriação do conteúdo escolar. Durante a execução do trabalho percebeu-se que havia distanciamento dos alunos em relação ao significado socialmente atribuído à atividade do estudo. A partir da metodologia utilizada no projeto foi possível observar mudança na atribuição de sentido desta atividade. Assim, os resultados indicaram que os alunos que antes frequentavam a escola por obrigação, perceberam a necessidade de estudar de modo sistematizado como meio para desenvolver funções psicológicas.
DESAFIOS ÀS PRÁTICAS DE REDUÇÃO DE DANOS NA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA À SAÚDE
Authors: Souza Fabiana Érica , Ronzani Telmo Mota
Published: September 2018

Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar os saberes e práticas dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS), direcionados a usuários de álcool e outras drogas à luz da estratégia de redução de danos. Como característica específica do público deste estudo, foram escolhidos ACS que participaram do curso Caminhos do Cuidado. Utilizando-se o método qualitativo, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas como fonte de coleta de dados e análise de conteúdo para a sistematização dos achados. Os dados demonstraram que mesmo aqueles profissionais que relatavam conhecer o conceito de redução de danos e a possibilidade de utilizar esta abordagem para o cuidado de usuários de álcool e outras drogas no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), não conseguem ofertar cuidados que se aproximem desta estratégia. Isto ocorre uma vez que os entrevistados não respeitam a liberdade de escolha, pautam-se no proibicionismo e no ideal de abstinência. Esta dificuldade prática em desenvolver o cuidado, baseado nesta abordagem, se relaciona com a percepção moralizante sobre o uso de drogas, sua associação ao crime e o foco na possibilidade de se extinguir o uso de drogas nas sociedades.