bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance Assessment of Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP) Product over India
Authors: Nair Akhilesh , Indu J.
Published: January 2017

Error characterization is vital for the advancement of precipitation algorithms, the evaluation of numerical model outputs, and their integration in various hydro-meteorological applications. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) has been a benchmark for successive Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) based products. This has given way to the evolution of many multi-satellite precipitation products. This study evaluates the performance of the newly released multi-satellite Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP) product, whose temporal variability was determined based on several data products including TMPA 3B42 RT. The evaluation was conducted over India with respect to the IMD-gauge-based rainfall for pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post monsoon seasons at daily scale for a 35-year (1979–2013) period. The rainfall climatology is examined over India and over four geographical extents within India known to be subject to uniform rainfall. The performance evaluation of rainfall time series was carried out. In addition to this, the performance of the product over different rainfall classes was evaluated along with the contribution of each class to the total rainfall. Further, seasonal evaluation of the MSWEP products was based on the categorical and volumetric indices from the contingency table. Upon evaluation it was observed that the MSWEP products show large errors in detecting the higher quantiles of rainfall (>75th and > 95th quantiles). The MSWEP precipitation product available at a 0.25° × 0.25° spatial resolution and daily temporal resolution matched well with the daily IMD rainfall over India. Overall results suggest that a suitable region and season-dependent bias correction is essential before its integration in hydrological applications. While the MSWEP was observed to perform well for daily rainfall, it suffered from poor detection capabilities for higher quantiles, making it unsuitable for the study of extremes.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Climate in 2016
Authors:   Climate Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Climate would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Numerical and Computational Analysis of a New Vertical Axis Wind Turbine, Named KIONAS
Authors: Douvi Eleni , Douvi Dimitra , Margaris Dionissios , Drosis Ioannis
Published: January 2017

This paper concentrates on a new configuration for a wind turbine, named KIONAS. The main purpose is to determine the performance and aerodynamic behavior of KIONAS, which is a vertical axis wind turbine with a stator over the rotor and a special feature in that it can consist of several stages. Notably, the stator is shaped in such a way that it increases the velocity of the air impacting the rotor blades. Moreover, each stage’s performance can be increased with the increase of the total number of stages. The effects of wind velocity, the various numbers of inclined rotor blades, the rotor diameter, the stator’s shape and the number of stages on the performance of KIONAS were studied. A FORTRAN code was developed in order to predict the power in several cases by solving the equations of continuity and momentum. Subsequently, further knowledge on the flow field was obtained by using a commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics code. Based on the results, it can be concluded that higher wind velocities and a greater number of blades produce more power. Furthermore, higher performance was found for a stator with curved guide vanes and for a KIONAS configuration with more stages.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Computers in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Computers would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Contact Allergy to Castor Oil, but Not to Castor Wax
Authors: Verheyden Michel , Rombouts Sven , Lambert Julien , Aerts Olivier
Published: January 2017

Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil (CAS 8001-79-4), a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of Ricinus communis, is widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and may be a cause of allergic contact dermatitis from these products. We present two patients with allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics containing castor oil, in whom a correct diagnosis was achieved by patch testing castor oil ‘as is’. PEGylated and/or hydrogenated derivatives (the latter formerly also available from patch test allergen suppliers) and/or cosmetics containing these specific derivatives did not result in contact allergy or allergic contact dermatitis. This observation might be relevant for the manufacturing of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. In the future, further research into the allergenicity of castor oil and its numerous derivatives, and their optimal patch test concentrations, may be desirable.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Entropy in 2016
Authors:   Entropy Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Entropy would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Econometrics in 2016
Authors:   Econometrics Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Econometrics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Tie-Line Bias Control Applicability to Load Frequency Control for Multi-Area Interconnected Power Systems of Complex Topology
Authors: Chen Chunyu , Zhang Kaifeng , Yuan Kun , Teng Xianliang
Published: January 2017

The tie-line bias control (TBC) method has been widely used in the load frequency control (LFC) of multi-area interconnected systems. However, it should be questioned whether the conventional TBC can still apply to LFC when considering the complication of structures of power systems. LFC, in essence, is to stabilize system frequency/tie-line power by controlling controlled outputs’ area control error (ACE). In this paper, relations between LFC control variables and controlled outputs are expressed as a system of equations, based on which an exemplary ring network is studied. Sufficient and necessary conditions for TBC applicability is presented, and a novel LFC mode is proposed for a general ring network where TBC cannot work. Finally, TBC applicability to multi-area systems with general topology is studied, and a general LFC mode is proposed for systems where TBC is not definitely applicable, thus rendering routines that may guide LFC design of future power systems with more complex topologies.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Environments in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Environments would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Fluids in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Fluids would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of IJERPH in 2016
Authors:   IJERPH Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of IJERPH would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of the International Journal of Financial Studies in 2016
Authors:   International Journal of Financial Studies Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of the International Journal of Financial Studies would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of IJGI in 2016
Authors:   IJGI Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of IJGI would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Cancer Immunology with a Focus on Understudied Cancers as Targets for Immunotherapy
Authors: Young M.
Published: January 2017

A number of immune therapeutic approaches have been transitioning from being experimental to being incorporated as standard approaches, either alone or in conjunction with other therapies.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of International Journal of Molecular Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Informatics in 2016
Authors:   Informatics Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Informatics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease in 2016
Authors:   JCDD Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (JCDD) would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Journal of Developmental Biology in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Journal of Developmental Biology (JDB) would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology in 2016
Authors:   Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Comparison of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Performance Using Image Processing
Authors: Cano Esteban , Horton Ryan , Liljegren Chase , Bulanon Duke
Published: January 2017

Precision agriculture is a farm management technology that involves sensing and then responding to the observed variability in the field. Remote sensing is one of the tools of precision agriculture. The emergence of small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV) have paved the way to accessible remote sensing tools for farmers. This paper describes the development of an image processing approach to compare two popular off-the-shelf sUAVs: 3DR Iris+ and DJI Phantom 2. Both units are equipped with a camera gimbal attached with a GoPro camera. The comparison of the two sUAV involves a hovering test and a rectilinear motion test. In the hovering test, the sUAV was allowed to hover over a known object and images were taken every quarter of a second for two minutes. For the image processing evaluation, the position of the object in the images was measured and this was used to assess the stability of the sUAV while hovering. In the rectilinear test, the sUAV was allowed to follow a straight path and images of a lined track were acquired. The lines on the images were then measured on how accurate the sUAV followed the path. The hovering test results show that the 3DR Iris+ had a maximum position deviation of 0.64 m (0.126 m root mean square RMS displacement) while the DJI Phantom 2 had a maximum deviation of 0.79 m (0.150 m RMS displacement). In the rectilinear motion test, the maximum displacement for the 3DR Iris+ and the DJI phantom 2 were 0.85 m (0.134 m RMS displacement) and 0.73 m (0.372 m RMS displacement). These results demonstrated that the two sUAVs performed well in both the hovering test and the rectilinear motion test and thus demonstrated that both sUAVs can be used for civilian applications such as agricultural monitoring. The results also showed that the developed image processing approach can be used to evaluate performance of a sUAV and has the potential to be used as another feedback control parameter for autonomous navigation.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Journal of Fungi in 2016
Authors:   Journal of Fungi Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Journal of Fungi would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Molbank in 2016
Authors:   Molbank Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Molbank would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Capability Study of Ti, Cr, W, Ta and Pt as Seed Layers for Electrodeposited Platinum Films on γ-Al2O3 for High Temperature and Harsh Environment Applications
Authors: Seifert Marietta , Brachmann Erik , Rane Gayatri , Menzel Siegfried , Gemming Thomas
Published: January 2017

High temperature surface acoustic wave sensors based on radio frequency identification technology require adequate antennas of high efficiency and thermal stability for the signal transmission. Platinum is well known and frequently used as a material of choice for high temperature and harsh environment applications because of the high melting point and its chemical stability. Therefore, one way to realize high temperature stable antennas is the combination of a Pt metallization on an Al 2 O 3 substrate. As a cost-effective technique, the Pt film is deposited via electrochemical deposition. For this growth procedure, a pre-deposited metallization on the Al 2 O 3 layer is required. This paper analyzes the influence of various seed layers (Ta, Ti, W, Cr, Pt) on the morphology, stability and electrical properties of the electrochemically-grown Pt thick film after heat treatments up to 1000 ∘ C in air. We find an oxidation of all adhesion layers except for Pt, for which the best electrical properties were measured. Although significant areas of the films delaminate from the substrate, individual anchor structures retain a stable connection between the Pt layer and the rough Al 2 O 3 substrate.
Gel/Space Ratio Evolution in Ternary Composite System Consisting of Portland Cement, Silica Fume, and Fly Ash
Authors: Wu Mengxue , Li Chen , Yao Wu
Published: January 2017

In cement-based pastes, the relationship between the complex phase assemblage and mechanical properties is usually described by the “gel/space ratio” descriptor. The gel/space ratio is defined as the volume ratio of the gel to the available space in the composite system, and it has been widely studied in the cement unary system. This work determines the gel/space ratio in the cement-silica fume-fly ash ternary system (C-SF-FA system) by measuring the reaction degrees of the cement, SF, and FA. The effects that the supplementary cementitious material (SCM) replacements exert on the evolution of the gel/space ratio are discussed both theoretically and practically. The relationship between the gel/space ratio and compressive strength is then explored, and the relationship disparities for different mix proportions are analyzed in detail. The results demonstrate that the SCM replacements promote the gel/space ratio evolution only when the SCM reaction degree is higher than a certain value, which is calculated and defined as the critical reaction degree (CRD). The effects of the SCM replacements can be predicted based on the CRD, and the theological predictions agree with the test results quite well. At low gel/space ratios, disparities in the relationship between the gel/space ratio and the compressive strength are caused by porosity, which has also been studied in cement unary systems. The ratio of cement-produced gel to SCM-produced gel ( G C to G S C M ratio) is introduced for use in analyzing high gel/space ratios, in which it plays a major role in creating relationship disparities.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Membranes in 2016
Authors:   Membranes Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Membranes would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Scalable Nanomanufacturing—A Review
Authors: Cooper Khershed
Published: January 2017

This article describes the field of scalable nanomanufacturing, its importance and need, its research activities and achievements. The National Science Foundation is taking a leading role in fostering basic research in scalable nanomanufacturing (SNM). From this effort several novel nanomanufacturing approaches have been proposed, studied and demonstrated, including scalable nanopatterning. This paper will discuss SNM research areas in materials, processes and applications, scale-up methods with project examples, and manufacturing challenges that need to be addressed to move nanotechnology discoveries closer to the marketplace.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Microarrays in 2016
Authors:   Microarrays Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Microarrays would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Preclinical Study of Antineoplastic Sinoporphyrin Sodium-PDT via In Vitro and In Vivo Models
Authors: Shi Rui , Li Chao , Jiang Zhihuan , Li Wanfang , Wang Aiping , Wei Jinfeng
Published: January 2017

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) investigations have seen stable increases and the development of new photosensitizers is a heated topic. Sinoporphyrin sodium is a new photosensitizer isolated from Photofrin. This article evaluated its anticancer effects by clonogenic assays, MTT assays and xenograft experiments in comparison to Photofrin. The clonogenicity inhibition rates of sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT towards four human cancer cell lines ranged from 85.5% to 94.2% at 0.5 μg/mL under 630 nm irradiation of 30 mW/cm2 for 180 s. For MTT assays, the IC50 ranges of Photofrin-PDT and sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT towards human cancer cells were 0.3 μg/mL to 5.5 μg/mL and 0.1 μg/mL to 0.8 μg/mL under the same irradiation conditions, respectively. The IC50 values of Photofrin-PDT and sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT towards human skin cells, HaCaT, were 10 μg/mL and 1.0 μg/mL, respectively. Esophagus carcinoma and hepatoma xenograft models were established to evaluate the in vivo antineoplastic efficacy. A control group, Photofrin-PDT group (20 mg/kg) and sinoporphyrin sodium group at three doses, 0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg, were set. Mice were injected with photosensitizers 24 h before 60 J 630 nm laser irradiation. The tumor weight inhibition ratio of 2 mg/kg sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT reached approximately 90%. Besides, the tumor growths were significantly slowed down by 2 mg/kg sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT, which was equivalent to 20 mg/kg Photofrin-PDT. In sum, sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT showed great anticancer efficacy and with a smaller dose compared with Photofrin. Further investigations are warranted.
The Impact of Efflux Pump Inhibitors on the Activity of Selected Non-Antibiotic Medicinal Products against Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Laudy Agnieszka , Kulińska Ewa , Tyski Stefan
Published: January 2017

The potential role of non-antibiotic medicinal products in the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria has recently been investigated. It is highly likely that the presence of efflux pumps may be one of the reasons for the weak activity of non-antibiotics, as in the case of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), against Gram-negative rods. The activity of eight drugs of potential non-antibiotic activity, active substance standards, and relevant medicinal products were analysed with and without of efflux pump inhibitors against 180 strains of five Gram-negative rod species by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value determination in the presence of 1 mM MgSO4. Furthermore, the influence of non-antibiotics on the susceptibility of clinical strains to quinolones with or without PAβN (Phe-Arg-β-naphthylamide) was investigated. The impacts of PAβN on the susceptibility of bacteria to non-antibiotics suggests that amitriptyline, alendronate, nicergoline, and ticlopidine are substrates of efflux pumps in Gram-negative rods. Amitriptyline/Amitriptylinum showed the highest direct antibacterial activity, with MICs ranging 100–800 mg/L against all studied species. Significant decreases in the MIC values of other active substances (acyclovir, atorvastatin, and famotidine) tested with pump inhibitors were not observed. The investigated non-antibiotic medicinal products did not alter the MICs of quinolones in the absence and in the presence of PAβN to the studied clinical strains of five groups of species.
Synthetic Strategies for Peroxide Ring Construction in Artemisinin
Authors: Vil’ Vera , Yaremenko Ivan , Ilovaisky Alexey , Terent’ev Alexander
Published: January 2017

The present review summarizes publications on the artemisinin peroxide fragment synthesis from 1983 to 2016. The data are classified according to the structures of a precursor used in the key peroxidation step of artemisinin peroxide cycle synthesis. The first part of the review comprises the construction of artemisinin peroxide fragment in total syntheses, in which peroxide artemisinin ring resulted from reactions of unsaturated keto derivatives with singlet oxygen or ozone. In the second part, the methods of artemisinin synthesis based on transformations of dihydroartemisinic acid are highlighted.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Pharmaceutics in 2016
Authors:   Pharmaceutics Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Pharmaceutics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Plants in 2016
Authors:   Plants Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Plants would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016. [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Proteomes in 2016
Authors:   Proteomes Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Proteomes would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Elizabeth Bishop and the Poetry of Meditation
Authors: Wilson James
Published: January 2017

Elizabeth Bishop’s poetry has won the admiration of a number of Christian poets and scholars. This essay argues that one reason for this is Bishop’s subtle engagement with the work of the poet-divines Gerard Manley Hopkins and, especially, George Herbert; through their influence, she enters into the guiding western poetic tradition of the meditative lyric, which is rooted in the Platonic and Christian accounts of the human person as an image of the Triune God in virtue of the mind as a trinity of memory, understanding, and will. Bishop practiced poetry as a moral act open to a divinity it cannot account for or even name, but traces of whose significance run through the world her poems depict. By considering her work, and her poem “The Weed” in particular, in the context of Herbert, the historical studies of Louis L. Martz, and the literary theory of Yvor Winters, we see that Bishop the unbeliever cannot properly be understood as a “secular” poet, but as one who recognizes the meditative lyric as a way of arriving at understanding of a truth that transcends us.
Stylus Tip Center Position Self-Calibration Based on Invariable Distances in Light-Pen Systems
Authors: Zhang Rui , Liu Shugui , Wang Sen , Song Xuanxiao
Published: January 2017

The light-pen coordinate measuring machine (LPCMM for short) is portable and flexible to measure features including invisible ones in-situ. Since different styluses are needed to measure different features and even during the process of measuring a single workpiece with complicated configurations, to improve the system measurement accuracy it is beneficial to calibrate the stylus tip center position after it is mounted to the light-pen before measurement in an industrial field. A novel and simple method aiming at self-calibrating the position of the tip center based on invariable distances is presented. The distinguishing feature of the proposed method is that the center position of the tip can be calibrated by using a kinematic seat with an inverted cone hole without any external reference and auxiliary devices. Calibration is based on that the distance between the tip center and that of any LED is invariable when the light-pen is swung smoothly with its spherical tip firmly touching the fixed cone seat. To ensure the repeatability of the algorithm some error constraint parameters are given. Based on invariable distances, the tip center position in the light-pen coordinate system can be obtained. Experiment results show that the self-calibration method has the advantage of good repeatability, with standard deviations 0.027, 0.023 and 0.014 mm in U, V and W directions, respectively. Experimental results of measuring a circle and a gauge block indirectly demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed self-calibration method.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Safety in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Safety would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Adaptation of C4 Bioenergy Crop Species to Various Environments within the Southern Great Plains of USA
Authors: Kim Sumin , Kiniry James , Williams Amber , Meki Norman , Gaston Lewis , Brakie Melinda , Shadow Alan , Fritschi Felix , Wu Yanqi
Published: January 2017

As highly productive perennial grasses are evaluated as bioenergy feedstocks, a major consideration is biomass yield stability. Two experiments were conducted to examine some aspects of yield stability for two biofuel species: switchgrass (Panicum vigratum L.) and Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxg). Biomass yields of these species were evaluated under various environmental conditions across the Southern Great Plains (SGP), including some sites with low soil fertility. In the first experiment, measured yields of four switchgrass ecotypes and Mxg varied among locations. Overall, plants showed optimal growth performance in study sites close to their geographical origins. Lowland switchgrass ecotypes and Mxg yields simulated by the ALMANAC model showed reasonable agreement with the measured yields across all study locations, while the simulated yields of upland switchgrass ecotypes were overestimated in northern locations. In the second experiment, examination of different N fertilizer rates revealed switchgrass yield increases over the range of 0, 80, or 160 kg N ha−1 year−1, while Mxg only showed yield increases between the low and medium N rates. This provides useful insights to crop management of two biofuel species and to enhance the predictive accuracy of process-based models, which are critical for developing bioenergy market systems in the SGP.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Sustainability in 2016
Authors:   Sustainability Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Sustainability would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Sustaining the Joint Production of Timber and Lactarius Mushroom: A Case Study of a Forest Management Planning Unit in Northwestern Turkey
Authors: Mumcu Küçüker Derya , Başkent Emin
Published: January 2017

Forest management planning focusing on sustainable supply of forest-based services such as wood and Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) is important for the sustainability of forest ecosystems over time. This study explores the development of a mushroom integrated decision support system (ETÇAPOptimization) for multiple use forest management planning and for the analysis of long-term effects of different forest management scenarios on the joint production of timber and mushroom. The Decision Support System (DSS) integrates both mushroom and timber production derived from the same forest ecosystem using empirical models for mushroom occurrence and yield as well as for tree growth. The DSS takes further into account the spatial distribution and productivity models of Lactarius deliciosus and Lactarius salmonicolor generated for the Kızılcasu Planning unit in Northwest Turkey. Six different forest management scenarios were considered, each with a different set of objectives, e.g., maximization of both the amount and the income from timber or mushroom production. Some scenarios include further timber even flow constraints (10% fluctuation). The Net Present Value (NPV) and the amount of timber and of mushroom production were used as performance indicators to discuss and elaborate on forest dynamics under different management scenarios. The results indicated that forest management planning strategies to address the maximization of NPV from mushroom production scenarios are characterized by substantial decreases in total income from the forest due mainly to the conservation of forest areas to favor mushroom production. On the other hand, the integration of regulatory constraints into forest management plans lead to a substantial decrease of both the economic profit and the amount of forest ecosystem services, e.g., timber and mushroom. The results showed that the NPV from mushroom production can be two to three times higher than the NPV from timber production based on carefully designed management objectives and constraints.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Toxics in 2016
Authors:   Toxics Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Toxics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Impact of coronary heart disease on cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease: a prospective longitudinal cohort study in primary care
Authors: Bleckwenn Markus , Kleineidam Luca , Wagner Michael , Jessen Frank , Weyerer Siegfried , Werle Jochen , Wiese Birgitt , Lühmann Dagmar , Posselt Tina , König Hans-Helmut , Brettschneider Christian , Mösch Edelgard , Weeg Dagmar , Fuchs Angela , Pentzek Michael , Luck Tobias , Riedel-Heller Steffi G , Maier Wolfgang , Scherer Martin
Published: January 2017

Background

Arteriosclerotic disorders increase the risk of dementia. As they have common causes and risk factors, coronary heart disease (CHD) could influence the course of dementia.

Aim

To determine whether CHD increases the speed of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, and to discuss the potential for secondary cardiovascular prevention to modify this decline.

Design and setting

Prospective multicentre cohort study in general practices in six cities in Germany.

Method

Participants were patients with probable mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s dementia or mixed dementia (n = 118; mean age 85.6 [±3.4] years, range 80–96 years). The authors assessed the presence of CHD according to the family physicians’ diagnosis. Cognitive performance was measured during home visits for up to 3 years in intervals of 6 months, using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SoB). The authors also recorded whether patients died in the observation period.

Results

At baseline, 65 patients (55%) had CHD and/or a heart condition following a myocardial infarction. The presence of CHD accelerated cognitive decline (MMSE, P<0.05) by about 66%, and reduced cognitive-functional ability (CDR-SoB, P<0.05) by about 83%, but had no impact on survival.

Conclusion

The study shows that CHD has a significant influence on cognitive decline in older patients with late-onset dementia. The dementia process might therefore be positively influenced by cardiovascular prevention, and this possible effect should be further investigated.
Diagnostic value of additional 68Ga-PSMA-PET before 223Ra-dichloride therapy in patients with metastatic prostate carcinoma
Authors: Rahbar Kambiz , Konnert Julia , Bögemann Martin , Stegger Lars , Bräuer Axel
Published: January 2017

Purpose: Medical imaging plays an important role in selecting patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer for 223Ra- dichloride therapy of bone metastases. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 68Ga-PSMA-PET has incremental value over conventional imaging for selecting patients suitable for 223Ra-dichloride therapy. Methods: In 27 consecutive patients referred for 223Ra-dichloride therapy additional 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT was performed and tracer distribution was evaluated systematically with respect to the detection of visceral metastases and bone metastases with inadequate uptake on bone scintigraphy. Results: In 4 patients (15 %) 68Ga- PSMA-PET revealed previously unknown visceral metastases (3 liver, 1 adrenal gland), which changed the therapeutic decision in 2 cases. PET revealed more extended tumour involvement in the bone compared to bone scintigraphy in 9 patients (33 %). In 3 of these, the mismatch was extensive enough to question suitability for 223Ra-dichloride therapy. Conclusions: Additional 68Ga-PSMA-PET as a gatekeeper between conventional staging and 223Ra-dichloride therapy can provide valuable additional information with regard to visceral metastases and tumour manifestations without adequate bone mineral turnover. It may lead to a change in therapeutic management in a significant number of patients and should therefore be considered in future clinical trials.
Extrusion – back to the future: Using an established technique to reform automated chemical synthesis
Authors: Crawford Deborah E
Published: January 2017

Herein, the benefits which extrusion can provide for the automated continuous synthesis of organic compounds are highlighted. Extrusion is a well-established technique that has a vital role in the manufacturing processes of polymers, pharmaceuticals and food products. Furthermore, this technique has recently been applied to the solvent-free continuous synthesis of co-crystals and coordination compounds including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). To date, a vast amount of research has already been conducted into reactive extrusion (REX), particularly in the polymer industry, which in many cases has involved organic transformations, however, it has not received significant recognition for this. This review highlights these transformations and discusses how this previous research can be applied to the future of organic compound manufacture.
A WEIGHTED UNIVERSALITY THEOREM FOR PERIODIC ZETA-FUNCTIONS
Authors: Macaitienė Renata , Stoncelis Mindaugas , Šiaučiūnas Darius
Published: January 2017

The periodic zeta-function ζ(s; a), s = σ + it is defined for σ > 1 by the Dirichlet series with periodic coefficients and is meromorphically continued to the whole complex plane. It is known that the function ζ(s; a), for some sequences a of coefficients, is universal in the sense that its shifts ζ(s + iτ ; a), τ ∈ R, approximate a wide class of analytic functions. In the paper, a weighted universality theorem for the function ζ(s; a) is obtained.
PROBABILISTIC APPROACH TO CHARACTERIZE QUANTITATIVE UNCERTAINTY IN NUMERICAL APPROXIMATIONS
Authors: Chaskalovic Joel , Assous Franck
Published: January 2017

This paper proposes a statistical and probabilistic approach to compare and analyze the errors of two different approximation methods. We introduce the principle of numerical uncertainty in such a process, and we illustrate it by considering the discretization difference between two different approximation orders, e.g., first and second order Lagrangian finite element. Then, we derive a probabilistic approach to define and to qualify equivalent results. We illustrate our approach on a model problem on which we built the two above mentioned finite element approximations. We consider some variables as physical “predictors”, and we characterize how they influence the odds of the approximation methods to be locally “same order accurate”.
THE UNUSUALLY HIGH HALO CONCENTRATION OF THE FOSSIL GROUP NGC 6482: EVIDENCE FOR WEAK ADIABATIC CONTRACTION
Authors: Buote David A.
Published: January 2017

Although fossil galaxy systems are thought to be very old, and thus should possess above-average halo concentrations, typically fossils have unexceptional concentrations of their masses. We revisit the massive isolated elliptical galaxy/fossil group NGC 6482 for which previous X-ray studies of a modest Chandra observation obtained a very uncertain, but also possibly very high, halo concentration. We present new measurements of the hot gas surface brightness, temperature, and iron abundance using the modest Chandra observation and a previously unpublished Suzaku observation, the latter of which allows the measurements of the gas properties to be extended out to

. By constructing hydrostatic equilibrium models of the gas with separate components for the gas, the stellar mass of the large central galaxy (BCG), and the dark matter (DM), we measure

and

using a Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) DM profile. For a halo of this mass, the measured concentration c
200 exceeds the mean value (7.1) expected for relaxed ΛCDM halos by

in terms of the observational error, and by

considering the intrinsic scatter in the ΛCDM c–M relation, which situates NGC 6482 as the most extreme outlier known for a fossil system. We explored several variants of adiabatic contraction (AC) models and, while the AC models provide fits of the same quality as the uncontracted models, they do have the following advantages: (1) lower c
200 that is less of an outlier in the ΛCDM c–M relation, and (2) baryon fractions

that agree better with the mean cosmic value. While the standard AC prescriptions yield a BCG stellar mass that is uncomfortably low compared to results from stellar population synthesis (SPS) models, a weaker AC variant that artificially shuts off cooling and star formation at z = 2 yields the same stellar mass as the uncontracted models. These are probably the reasons why our X-ray analysis prefers this weaker AC variant applied to either an NFW or Einasto DM halo. Finally, the stellar mass we measure for the BCG from the hydrostatic analysis strongly favors results from SPS models with a Chabrier or Kroupa initial mass function (IMF) over a Salpeter IMF.
SOLAR ENERGETIC PARTICLE DRIFTS AND THE ENERGY DEPENDENCE OF 1 au CHARGE STATES
Authors: Dalla S. , Marsh M. S. , Battarbee M.
Published: January 2017

The event-averaged charge state of heavy ion solar energetic particles (SEPs), measured at 1 au from the Sun, typically increases with the ions’ kinetic energy. The origin of this behavior has been ascribed to processes taking place within the acceleration region. In this paper we study the propagation through interplanetary space of SEP Fe ions, injected near the Sun with a variety of charge states that are uniformly distributed in energy, by means of a 3D test particle model. In our simulations, due to gradient and curvature drifts associated with the Parker spiral magnetic field, ions of different charge propagate with very different efficiencies to an observer that is not magnetically well connected to the source region. As a result we find that, for many observer locations, the 1 au event-averaged charge state

, as obtained from our model, displays an increase with particle energy E, in qualitative agreement with spacecraft observations. We conclude that drift-associated propagation is a possible explanation for the observed distribution of

versus E in SEP events, and that the distribution measured in interplanetary space cannot be taken to represent that at injection.
IMPACT OF BARYONIC PHYSICS ON INTRINSIC ALIGNMENTS
Authors: Tenneti Ananth , Gnedin Nickolay Y. , Feng Yu
Published: January 2017

We explore the effects of specific assumptions in the subgrid models of star formation and stellar and active galactic nucleus feedback on intrinsic alignments of galaxies in cosmological simulations of the “MassiveBlack-II” family. Using smaller-volume simulations, we explore the parameter space of the subgrid star formation and feedback model and find remarkable robustness of the observable statistical measures to the details of subgrid physics. The one observational probe most sensitive to modeling details is the distribution of misalignment angles. We hypothesize that the amount of angular momentum carried away by the galactic wind is the primary physical quantity that controls the orientation of the stellar distribution. Our results are also consistent with a similar study by the EAGLE simulation team.
Mother-Father Differences in Postnatal Psychological Distress and Its Determinants in Iran
Authors: Mahmoodi Hassan , Golboni Farzaneh , Nadrian Haidar , Zareipour Moradali , Shirzadi Shayesteh , Gheshlagh Reza Ghanei
Published: January 2017

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the mother-father differences in Postnatal Psychological Distress (PPD) and its determinants among the parents with 8-weeks old children.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, applying simple random sampling, 306 postnatal parents with an 8-weeks old infant in Saqqez County, Iran, were invited to answer the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) items through the telephone interview. Fifty-eight subjects declined to participate in the study (Response Rate = 81.04%). The data were analysed using the SPSS Statistics v. 21.RESULTS: About 16.9% of all the parents had PPD. The difference in the prevalence of PPD in three dimensions between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.01): social dysfunction (25.8% for fathers vs. 5.6% for mothers), somatic disorders (21% for fathers vs. 7.3% for mothers), and anxiety (21% for fathers vs. 6.5% for mothers). The mode of delivery of the mothers and the level of education, the number of children, monthly income, and being consent with pregnancy among the fathers were significant predictors for PPD.CONCLUSION: The level of PPD was more prevalent among the new fathers compared to the new mothers. Among the fathers, but not the mothers, socioeconomic characteristics were contributed to PPD. Considering the differences in risk factors for maternal and paternal PPD, our findings may help family health care providers and policymakers in designing gender-specific intervention programs and diagnosis tools aimed at PPD prevention among new parents.
Définitions ostensives co-construites. Le cas de la visite guidée
Authors: Traverso Véronique , Ravazzolo Elisa
Published: January 2017

Dans cette contribution, nous abordons l’activité interactionnelle de définition en nous focalisant sur l’imbrication des ressources de différentes natures – linguistiques, prosodiques, gestuelles et spatiales – que les participants mettent en jeu dans sa réalisation. Nous étudions la définition dans la visite guidée de deux jardins (un jardin ethnobotanique et un jardin « en mouvement »). Sur la base d’un fonctionnement récurrent observé, fondé sur les étapes successives de « mise en visibilité » d’un référent, « dénomination » et « définition », nous examinons les formats utilisés par les participants, en relation avec la temporalité de l’interaction et la nature du jardin. L’étude met en évidence comment les activités de définition transmettent la philosophie différente des deux jardins et offrent une appréhension bien différente du monde végétal.
La définition comme action multimodale pour des enjeux pratiques : définir pour instruire à l’auto-école
Authors: Deppermann Arnulf
Published: January 2017

Cet article étudie les définitions en contexte d’instructions dans les leçons d’auto-école. Les observations s’appuient sur un corpus de 70 heures de leçons enregistrées par vidéo en Allemagne. Le moniteur utilise des définitions pour introduire des nouvelles expressions techniques qui sont étroitement liées aux buts de l’apprentissage de conduite. Pour leur production, l’emploi des ressources multimodales est fondamental. La définition ostensive par pointage et une assertion existentielle (ça/ici c’est X) est complétée par des définitions descriptives et des démonstrations gestuelles du maniement des objets. L’objectif des actes de définition ici n’est pas de délivrer une définition de l’expression en soi, qui soit valable pour tous les contextes possibles, mais de produire une définition qui soit efficace dans le contexte pratique concerné. Les définitions donc sont plutôt fragmentées, indexicales et situées, et elles sont adaptées aux pré-connaissances de l’interlocuteur.
Enjeux argumentatifs de la définition : l’exemple des débats sur l’ouverture du mariage aux couples de même sexe
Authors: Doury Marianne , Micheli Raphaël
Published: January 2017

L’article explore les enjeux argumentatifs attachés à l’activité de définition du mot « mariage » menée dans le cadre de la discussion du projet de loi sur l’ouverture du mariage aux couples de même sexe à l’Assemblée nationale en 2013. On examine d’abord les conditions d’émergence de l’activité définitoire dans le cadre du Parlement ; on met en évidence une forte tension entre la dimension stipulatoire de la définition et sa dimension descriptive. On analyse ensuite les modalités selon lesquelles s’exprime le conflit de définitions. Enfin, on se penche sur les moments du débat où les députés adoptent une posture réflexive pour s’interroger sur les rapports qui unissent le langage et la réalité : le désaccord tient-il à une « simple » querelle de mots, facilement réglable, ou existe-t-il un lien intime, indissoluble, entre la définition que l’on octroie aux mots et la manière dont on perçoit le monde et dont on agit sur lui ?
Définir le genre et la parenté en contexte LGBTQ : la définition comme laboratoire catégoriel et comme performance
Authors: Greco Luca
Published: January 2017

À partir d’une ethnographie multi-sites dans les groupes de parole entre parents et futurs parents gay et lesbiennes, les atelier drag king et les manifestations politiques ayant précédé l’approbation de la loi « mariage pour tous », j’analyserai les ressources linguistiques et interactionnelles mobilisées par les participants pour définir un mot dont le contenu sémantique concerne le genre et la parenté. Dans cet article, je me pencherai d’abord sur les procédés séquentiels et catégoriels par et dans lesquels les acteurs sociaux mobilisent dans l’interaction le dispositif définitionnel « un X est un Y » (un donneur est un père) et traitent la définition comme un objet d’analyse et une ressource argumentative. Ensuite, je focaliserai mes analyses sur les modalités multisémiotiques mobilisées par les acteurs sociaux pour contester et détourner les pratiques de définition à propos du genre et de la parenté.
Comparison of Irrigation Times Using Gravity and High-Pressure Lavage
Authors: Muscatelli Stefano , Howe Andrea , O'Hara Nathan N. , O'Toole Robert V. , Sprague Sheila A. , Slobogean Gerard P.
Published: January 2017

The benefits of high-pressure pulsatile lavage for open fracture irrigation have been controversial based on conflicting experimental animal research. Recently published data definitively demonstrated that irrigation pressure does not affect the incidence of reoperation for the treatment of open fractures. However, proponents of pulsatile lavage argue a faster irrigation time is an important benefit of the high-pressure treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in irrigation time between gravity and high-pressure lavage. The experimental setup was designed to mimic clinical practice and compared mean irrigation flow times for high-pressure pulsatile lavage and gravity flow with 2 commonly used tube diameters. Each irrigation setup was tested 5 times at 3 different irrigation bag heights. Analysis of variance and Student's
t
tests were used to compare the mean flow times of 3 irrigation methods at each height and among the 3 heights for each irrigation method. The mean irrigation flow time in the various experimental models ranged from 161 to 243 seconds. Gravity irrigation with wide tubing was significantly faster than pulsatile lavage or gravity with narrow tubing (
P
<.001). Increasing irrigation bag height had only a marginal effect on the overall flow times (<9% difference). The difference in mean flow time among the testing techniques was slightly longer than 1 minute, which is unlikely to have a material impact on procedural costs, operating times, and subsequent gains in patient safety. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(3):e413–e416.]