bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computer Vision Techniques to Collect Helmet-Wearing Data on Cyclists
Authors: Li Jinling , Hajimirsadeghi Hossein , Zaki Mohamed H. , Mori Greg , Sayed Tarek
Published: March 2015

Several studies have shown that cyclists can reduce the risk of severe head injuries by wearing a helmet. A system is proposed to collect cyclist helmet usage data automatically from video footage. Computer vision techniques are used to track the moving objects and then to analyze the object trajectories and speed profiles to identify cyclists. Image features are extracted from a region around the cyclist's head. Support vector machines determine whether the cyclist is wearing a helmet. The system can be approximately 90% accurate in cyclist classification when provided with accurate tracks of the cyclist's head. Even for situations in which obtaining video to track a cyclist is challenging, the proposed method provides an effective retrieval system, potentially reducing the number of video records that must be analyzed manually to find instances of cyclists not wearing helmets.
StreetSeen Visual Survey Tool for Determining Factors that Make a Street Attractive for Bicycling
Authors: Evans-Cowley Jennifer S. , Akar Gulsah
Published: March 2015

In one of the first visual preference surveys to use Google Street View, adult students viewed a series of paired images of city streets and were asked to choose which image they preferred for riding a bicycle. Subsequent analyses showed differences by continent in respondents’ preferences. Discrete choice models were used to demonstrate the extent to which certain segment-level factors, such as presence of trees along the street, width of the street, presence of sidewalks, and other features, were preferred. The models revealed that increasing the vehicle traffic, number of lanes, tree density of the streetscape, or number of parking lots decreased the probability of image choice. The presence of sidewalks, pedestrians, trees set back from the street, and traffic-calming devices were positively associated with respondents’ preferences. The tree-related results may relate to perceived safety; for example, dense trees close to a street may limit visibility along a roadway. The models also revealed significant differences in preferences by respondent location. This method was effective in capturing information about bicycling preferences. The survey method and the analysis techniques introduced in this study can help city planners design streets that bicyclists prefer.
Bicyclists as Consumers
Authors: Popovich Natalie , Handy Susan L.
Published: March 2015

The role of bicyclists as consumers is explored through an examination of the relationship between travel mode and shopping behavior. As cities develop policies to combat congestion and reduce emissions from the transportation sector, tension often develops when scarce road space must be allocated, particularly in dense urban cores. The challenge is to accommodate all travel modes and ensure that local businesses are not negatively affected by infrastructure changes. Previous studies in the United States and abroad focused primarily on consumable goods, not retail expenditures. These studies demonstrated that bicyclists made more frequent purchases than their car-driving and transit-riding counterparts and tended to shop at small businesses close to home, whereas motorists spent more money on single occasions. The objective of this study was to examine differences in shopping behavior between bicyclists and motorists–-two groups that are in perpetual competition for parking space and other infrastructure accommodations–-in downtown Davis, California. Two cross-sectional online surveys in 2009 and 2010 that asked questions about recent shopping in downtown Davis provide the data set. Respondents who biked on their most recent trips downtown spent, on average, slightly more on their purchases each trip than their car-driving counterparts. Bicyclists also made more frequent shopping trips and thus spent more money at downtown establishments than customers traveling by car.
Multimodal Commuting to Work by Public Transport and Bicycle
Authors: Heinen Eva , Bohte Wendy
Published: March 2015

Public transport and cycling often are combined in one trip. However, this combination has not attracted much research attention. Existing research has identified several hard factors that may explain the combined use of public transport and bicycle: station accessibility, distance to the station, and bicycle facilities at stations. Even though the effect of attitudes toward mode choice is widely acknowledged, the authors are not aware of any study that analyzes this effect on the combined use of bicycle and public transport. The effect of attitudes on the decision to commute by both public transport and bicycle was investigated. Results indicated that public transport–bicycle commuters differed significantly from those who commuted by only car, public transport, or bicycle. Nevertheless, public transport–bicycle commuters shared similarities with public transport commuters (who did not cycle to or from the station) and bicycle commuters. Public transport commuters had a more positive attitude toward car commuting and a less favorable attitude toward cycling, and bicycle commuters had a more positive attitude toward cycling and a less favorable attitude toward public transport than did public transport–bicycle commuters. Public transport–bicycle commuters also shared most beliefs about public transport with public transport commuters and shared beliefs about cycling with bicycle commuters and public transport commuters but differed on several characteristics. Nevertheless, differences between the groups were significant and indicated that commuters who used both public transport and a bicycle in one trip were different from single-mode commuters.
A Tonic to the Empire?: The 1951 Festival of Britain and the Empire-Commonwealth
Authors: Heinonen Alayna
Published: March 2015

A unique feat of an economically and physically ravaged post-war Britain, the 1951 Festival of Britain produced an ‘autobiography of a nation’ intended to instill a nationalistic sense of recovery after total war. Centrally located on the South Bank, the Festival hosted a series of exhibitions celebrating British achievements in the fields of industry, science, technology, architecture, and the arts. With few exceptions, the vast majority of scholarship assesses the Festival through its national framework, and as an attempt to facilitate post-war economic recovery under the Labour government. This article re-examines the imperial concerns underlying the Festival amidst profound global changes in the post-war era.

The ‘centrifugal’ development of the inter- and post-war Commonwealth fatally compromised administrative efforts to cultivate a tonic to the Empire through Festival exhibits. Former colonies and Dominions, emboldened by their independence from the metropole, refused to partake in an event that idealised a modernity that rested only in Britain. Representatives from India, Pakistan, and Ceylon, as new Commonwealth members, dissented against indications of their inferior status. These complications during the Festival's organisation expose the fractures in the transition from an exclusive, British-led Commonwealth to a multiracial Commonwealth.
Purification of a Multidrug Resistance Transporter for Crystallization Studies
Authors: Alegre Kamela , Law Christopher
Published: March 2015

Crystallization of integral membrane proteins is a challenging field and much effort has been invested in optimizing the overexpression and purification steps needed to obtain milligram amounts of pure, stable, monodisperse protein sample for crystallography studies. Our current work involves the structural and functional characterization of the Escherichia coli multidrug resistance transporter MdtM, a member of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). Here we present a protocol for isolation of MdtM to increase yields of recombinant protein to the milligram quantities necessary for pursuit of structural studies using X-ray crystallography. Purification of MdtM was enhanced by introduction of an elongated His-tag, followed by identification and subsequent removal of chaperonin contamination. For crystallization trials of MdtM, detergent screening using size exclusion chromatography determined that decylmaltoside (DM) was the shortest-chain detergent that maintained the protein in a stable, monodispersed state. Crystallization trials of MdtM performed using the hanging-drop diffusion method with commercially available crystallization screens yielded 3D protein crystals under several different conditions. We contend that the purification protocol described here may be employed for production of high-quality protein of other multidrug efflux members of the MFS, a ubiquitous, physiologically and clinically important class of membrane transporters.
Downhole Upgrading of Orinoco Basin Extra-Heavy Crude Oil Using Hydrogen Donors under Steam Injection Conditions. Effect of the Presence of Iron Nanocatalysts
Authors: Ovalles Cesar , Rivero Victor , Salazar Arelys
Published: March 2015

An extra-heavy crude oil underground upgrading concept and laboratory experiments are presented which involve the addition of a hydrogen donor (tetralin) to an Orinoco Basin extra-heavy crude oil under steam injection conditions (280–315 °C and residence times of at least 24-h). Three iron-containing nanocatalysts (20 nm, 60 nm and 90 nm) were used and the results showed increases of up to 8° in API gravity, 26% desulfurization and 27% reduction in the asphaltene content of the upgraded product in comparison to the control reaction using inert sand. The iron nanocatalysts were characterized by SEM, XPS, EDAX, and Mössbauer spectroscopy before and after the upgrading reactions. The results indicated the presence of hematite (Fe2O3) as the predominant iron phase. The data showed that the catalysts were deactivating by particle sintering (~20% increase in particle size) and also by carbon deposition. Probable mechanisms of reactions are proposed.
A Linearized Large Signal Model of an LCL-Type Resonant Converter
Authors: Li Hong-Yu , Li Xiaodong , Lu Ming , Hu Song
Published: March 2015

In this work, an LCL-type resonant dc/dc converter with a capacitive output filter is modeled in two stages. In the first high-frequency ac stage, all ac signals are decomposed into two orthogonal vectors in a synchronous rotating d–q frame using multi-frequency modeling. In the dc stage, all dc quantities are represented by their average values with average state-space modeling. A nonlinear two-stage model is then created by means of a non-linear link. By aligning the transformer voltage on the d-axis, the nonlinear link can be eliminated, and the whole converter can be modeled by a single set of linear state-space equations. Furthermore, a feedback control scheme can be formed according to the steady-state solutions. Simulation and experimental results have proven that the resulted model is good for fast simulation and state variable estimation.
Variation in Anticoagulant Recommendations by the Guidelines and Decision Tools among Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Shewale Anand , Johnson Jill , Li Chenghui , Nelsen David , Martin Bradley
Published: March 2015

Published atrial fibrillation (AF) guidelines and decision tools offer oral anticoagulant (OAC) recommendations; however, they consider stroke and bleeding risk differently. The aims of our study are: (i) to compare the variation in OAC recommendations by the 2012 American College of Chest Physicians guidelines, the 2012 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, the 2014 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines and two published decision tools by Casciano and LaHaye; (ii) to compare the concordance with actual OAC use in the overall study population and the population stratified by stroke/bleed risk. A cross-sectional study using the 2001–2013 Lifelink claims data was used to contrast the treatment recommendations by these decision aids. CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED algorithms were used to stratify 15,129 AF patients into nine stroke/bleed risk groups to study the variation in treatment recommendations and concordance with actual OAC use/non-use. The AHA guidelines which were set to recommend OAC when CHA2DS2-VASc = 1 recommended OAC most often (86.30%) and the LaHaye tool recommended OAC the least often (14.91%). OAC treatment recommendations varied considerably when stroke risk was moderate or high (CHA2DS2-VASc > 0). Actual OAC use/non-use was highly discordant (>40%) with all of the guidelines or decision tools reflecting substantial opportunities to improve AF OAC decisions.
WWOSC 2014: Research Needs for Better Health Resilience to Weather Hazards
Authors: Jancloes Michel , Anderson Vidya , Gosselin Pierre , Mee Carol , Chong Nicholas
Published: March 2015

The first World Weather Open Science Conference (WWOSC, held from 17–21 August 2014 in Montreal, Québec), provided an open forum where the experience and perspective of a variety of weather information providers and users was combined with the latest application advances in social sciences. A special session devoted to health focused on how best the most recent weather information and communication technologies (ICT) could improve the health emergency responses to disasters resulting from natural hazards. Speakers from a plenary presentation and its corresponding panel shared lessons learnt from different international multidisciplinary initiatives against weather-related epidemics, such as malaria, leptospirosis and meningitis and from public health responses to floods and heat waves such as in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Participants could bear witness to recent progress made in the use of forecasting tools and in the application of increased spatiotemporal resolutions in the management of weather related health risks through anticipative interventions, early alert and warning and early responses especially by vulnerable groups. There was an agreement that resilience to weather hazards is best developed based on evidence of their health impact and when, at local level, there is a close interaction between health care providers, epidemiologists, climate services, public health authorities and communities. Using near real time health data (such as hospital admission, disease incidence monitoring…) combined with weather information has been recommended to appraise the relevance of decisions and the effectiveness of interventions and to make adjustments when needed. It also helps appraising how people may be more or less vulnerable to a particular hazard depending on the resilience infrastructures and services. This session was mainly attended by climate, environment and social scientists from North American and European countries. Producing a commentary appears to be an effective way to share this session’s conclusions to research institutions and public health experts worldwide. It also advocates for better linking operational research and decision making and for appraising the impact of ICT and public health interventions on health.
Comments on Lu et al. Association between Self-Reported Global Sleep Status and Prevalence of Hypertension in Chinese Adults: Data from Kailuan Community. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12, 488–503
Authors: Huang Yuee , Sriyotha Phanuwat , Ali Gholam , Sun Wenjie
Published: March 2015

Lu et al. [1] examined the association between sleep status and prevalence of hypertension among Chinese adults varied by age and sex, using a cross-sectional study, including 5461 Chinese (4076 of them were male) aged 18 years or above, in Kailuan communities. Lu et al. claimed that short sleep duration was associated with hypertension only among Chinese men, and was attenuated after adjustment of sleep quality. However, the current conclusion of the study remains unclear.[...]
Geovisual Analytics Approach to Exploring Public Political Discourse on Twitter
Authors: Nelson Jonathan , Quinn Sterling , Swedberg Brian , Chu Wanghuan , MacEachren Alan
Published: March 2015

We introduce spatial patterns of Tweets visualization (SPoTvis), a web-based geovisual analytics tool for exploring messages on Twitter (or “tweets”) collected about political discourse, and illustrate the potential of the approach with a case study focused on a set of linked political events in the United States. In October 2013, the U.S. Congressional debate over the allocation of funds to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly known as the ACA or “Obamacare”) culminated in a 16-day government shutdown. Meanwhile the online health insurance marketplace related to the ACA was making a public debut hampered by performance and functionality problems. Messages on Twitter during this time period included sharply divided opinions about these events, with many people angry about the shutdown and others supporting the delay of the ACA implementation. SPoTvis supports the analysis of these events using an interactive map connected dynamically to a term polarity plot; through the SPoTvis interface, users can compare the dominant subthemes of Tweets in any two states or congressional districts. Demographic attributes and political information on the display, coupled with functionality to show (dis)similar features, enrich users’ understandings of the units being compared. Relationships among places, politics and discourse on Twitter are quantified using statistical analyses and explored visually using SPoTvis. A two-part user study evaluates SPoTvis’ ability to enable insight discovery, as well as the tool’s design, functionality and applicability to other contexts.
Methemoglobin Is an Endogenous Toll-Like Receptor 4 Ligand—Relevance to Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Kwon Min , Woo Seung , Kurland David , Yoon Sung , Palmer Andre , Banerjee Uddyalok , Iqbal Sana , Ivanova Svetlana , Gerzanich Volodymyr , Simard J.
Published: March 2015

Neuroinflammation is a well-recognized consequence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and may be responsible for important complications of SAH. Signaling by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated nuclear factor κB (NFκB) in microglia plays a critical role in neuronal damage after SAH. Three molecules derived from erythrocyte breakdown have been postulated to be endogenous TLR4 ligands: methemoglobin (metHgb), heme and hemin. However, poor water solubility of heme and hemin, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contamination have confounded our understanding of these molecules as endogenous TLR4 ligands. We used a 5-step process to obtain highly purified LPS-free metHgb, as confirmed by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance mass spectrometry and by the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Using this preparation, we show that metHgb is a TLR4 ligand at physiologically relevant concentrations. metHgb caused time- and dose-dependent secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), from microglial and macrophage cell lines, with secretion inhibited by siRNA directed against TLR4, by the TLR4-specific inhibitors, Rs-LPS and TAK-242, and by anti-CD14 antibodies. Injection of purified LPS-free metHgb into the rat subarachnoid space induced microglial activation and TNFα upregulation. Together, our findings support the hypothesis that, following SAH, metHgb in the subarachnoid space can promote widespread TLR4-mediated neuroinflammation.
Ceramide-Induced Apoptosis in Renal Tubular Cells: A Role of Mitochondria and Sphingosine-1-Phoshate
Authors: Ueda Norishi
Published: March 2015

Ceramide is synthesized upon stimuli, and induces apoptosis in renal tubular cells (RTCs). Sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) functions as a survival factor. Thus, the balance of ceramide/S1P determines ceramide-induced apoptosis. Mitochondria play a key role for ceramide-induced apoptosis by altered mitochondrial outer membrane permeability (MOMP). Ceramide enhances oligomerization of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, ceramide channel, and reduces anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins in the MOM. This process alters MOMP, resulting in generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytochrome C release into the cytosol, caspase activation, and apoptosis. Ceramide regulates apoptosis through mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)-dependent and -independent pathways. Conversely, MAPKs alter ceramide generation by regulating the enzymes involving ceramide metabolism, affecting ceramide-induced apoptosis. Crosstalk between Bcl-2 family proteins, ROS, and many signaling pathways regulates ceramide-induced apoptosis. Growth factors rescue ceramide-induced apoptosis by regulating the enzymes involving ceramide metabolism, S1P, and signaling pathways including MAPKs. This article reviews evidence supporting a role of ceramide for apoptosis and discusses a role of mitochondria, including MOMP, Bcl-2 family proteins, ROS, and signaling pathways, and crosstalk between these factors in the regulation of ceramide-induced apoptosis of RTCs. A balancing role between ceramide and S1P and the strategy for preventing ceramide-induced apoptosis by growth factors are also discussed.
Potential Epigenetic Mechanism in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Sun Chao , Fan Jian-Gao , Qiao Liang
Published: March 2015

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. It ranges from simple steatosis to its more aggressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may develop into hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) if it persists for a long time. However, the exact pathogenesis of NAFLD and the related metabolic disorders remain unclear. Epigenetic changes are stable alterations that take place at the transcriptional level without altering the underlying DNA sequence. DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNA are among the most common forms of epigenetic modification. Epigenetic alterations are involved in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress response, and the release of inflammatory cytokines, all of which have been implicated in the development and progression of NAFLD. This review summarizes the current advances in the potential epigenetic mechanism of NAFLD. Elucidation of epigenetic factors may facilitate the identification of early diagnositic biomarkers and development of therapeutic strategies for NAFLD.
The Story of Biotinidase Deficiency and Its Introduction into Newborn Screening: The Role of Serendipity
Authors: Wolf Barry
Published: March 2015

Today, all of the states in the United States and many countries screen their newborns for biotinidase deficiency. Biotinidase deficiency meets the major criteria for including a disorder into screening programs. However, rarely do we learn the actual story behind the discovery of a disorder where the underlying etiology was elusive or about the events leading to a disorder’s incorporation into a newborn screening program. This is the story of the role that serendipity played in the story of biotinidase deficiency and the newborn screening of the disorder.
Journal of Imaging: Multidisciplinary Open Access in Image Acquisition, Processing and Understanding
Authors: Pajares Gonzalo
Published: March 2015

The term “imaging”, specifically in relation to the journal, is considered in its broadest sense. Image processing, image understanding and computer vision are all terms related to imaging acquisition, its processing and the extraction of relevant information from the scene to obtain the underlying knowledge. All tasks related to the above items are oriented toward specific applications in a broad range of areas and topics.[...]
Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution Study of Caudatin in Normal and Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model Rats
Authors: Peng Yunru , Ding Yongfang
Published: March 2015

Caudatin is a potential antitumor agent isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine “baishouwu”, which was the root tuber of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight. In our previous studies, caudatin showed selectivity on human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721 among several different tumor cell lines, and further in vivo tests validated the inhibitory action of caudatin against hepatic cancer using an H22 solid tumor model in mice, but to our knowledge, the biopharmaceutical properties of caudatin are largely unknown. In this study, a simple, rapid and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of caudatin in rat plasma and tissues, which kept the run time to detect one sample within 4 min, was developed and validated. Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution studies of caudatin in conventional rats and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model rats were then conducted for the first time. Statistically significant differences were observed between conventional rats and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC rats with respect to pharmacokinetic parameters, including maximum concentration (Cmax), time to reach Cmax (Tmax), half-life (t1/2), area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-t, AUC0-∞), mean residence time (MRT0-t and MRT0-∞), and oral clearance (CL/F). Increased exposures of caudatin were found in the plasma and livers of HCC model rats, which would be helpful for a better understanding of pharmacological effect of caudatin in treating HCC disease.
Can We Produce Heparin/Heparan Sulfate Biomimetics Using “Mother-Nature” as the Gold Standard?
Authors: Farrugia Brooke , Lord Megan , Melrose James , Whitelock John
Published: March 2015

Heparan sulfate (HS) and heparin are glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that are heterogeneous in nature, not only due to differing disaccharide combinations, but also their sulfate modifications. HS is well known for its interactions with various growth factors and cytokines; and heparin for its clinical use as an anticoagulant. Due to their potential use in tissue regeneration; and the recent adverse events due to contamination of heparin; there is an increased surge to produce these GAGs on a commercial scale. The production of HS from natural sources is limited so strategies are being explored to be biomimetically produced via chemical; chemoenzymatic synthesis methods and through the recombinant expression of proteoglycans. This review details the most recent advances in the field of HS/heparin synthesis for the production of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and as a tool further our understanding of the interactions that occur between GAGs and growth factors and cytokines involved in tissue development and repair.
Nutrition and Respiratory Health—Feature Review
Authors: Berthon Bronwyn , Wood Lisa
Published: March 2015

Diet and nutrition may be important modifiable risk factors for the development, progression and management of obstructive lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This review examines the relationship between dietary patterns, nutrient intake and weight status in obstructive lung diseases, at different life stages, from in-utero influences through childhood and into adulthood. In vitro and animal studies suggest important roles for various nutrients, some of which are supported by epidemiological studies. However, few well-designed human intervention trials are available to definitively assess the efficacy of different approaches to nutritional management of respiratory diseases. Evidence for the impact of higher intakes of fruit and vegetables is amongst the strongest, yet other dietary nutrients and dietary patterns require evidence from human clinical studies before conclusions can be made about their effectiveness.
Fish Oil Decreases Hepatic Lipogenic Genes in Rats Fasted and Refed on a High Fructose Diet
Authors: De Castro Gabriela , Cardoso João , Calder Philip , Jordão Alceu , Vannucchi Helio
Published: March 2015

Fasting and then refeeding on a high-carbohydrate diet increases serum and hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations compared to standard diets. Fructose is a lipogenic monosaccharide which stimulates de novo fatty acid synthesis. Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids stimulate hepatic β-oxidation, partitioning fatty acids away from TAG synthesis. This study investigated whether dietary n-3 fatty acids from fish oil (FO) improve the hepatic lipid metabolic response seen in rats fasted and then refed on a high-fructose diet. During the post-prandial (fed) period, rats fed a FO rich diet showed an increase in hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) gene expression and decreased expression of carbohydrate responsive element binding protein (ChREBP), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP). Feeding a FO rich diet for 7 days prior to 48 h of fasting resulted in lower hepatic TAG, lower PPAR-α expression and maintenance of hepatic n-3 fatty acid content. Refeeding on a high fructose diet promoted an increase in hepatic and serum TAG and in hepatic PPAR-α, ChREBP and MTTP expression. FO did not prevent the increase in serum and hepatic TAG after fructose refeeding, but did decrease hepatic expression of lipogenic genes and increased the n-3 fatty acid content of the liver. n-3 Fatty acids can modify some components of the hepatic lipid metabolic response to later feeding with a high fructose diet.
Synthesis of Bio-Based Poly(lactic acid-co-10-hydroxy decanoate) Copolymers with High Thermal Stability and Ductility
Authors: Shi Dongjian , Hua Jinting , Zhang Li , Chen Mingqing
Published: March 2015

Novel bio-based aliphatic copolyesters, poly(lactic acid-co-10-hydroxy decanoate) (P(LA-co-HDA), PLH), were successfully synthesized from lactic acid (LA) and 10-hydroxycapric acid (HDA) by a thermal polycondensation process, in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA) and SnCl2·2H2O as co-catalyst. The copolymer structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The weight average molecular weights (Mw) of PLH, from gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements, were controlled from 18,500 to 37,900 by changing the molar ratios of LA and HDA. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that PLH had excellent thermal stability, and the decomposition temperature at the maximum rate was above 280 °C. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting temperature (Tm) of PLH decreased continuously with increasing the HDA composition by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. PLH showed high ductility, and the breaking elongation increased significantly by the increment of the HDA composition. Moreover, the PLH copolymer could degrade in buffer solution. The cell adhesion results showed that PLH had good biocompatibility with NIH/3T3 cells. The bio-based PLH copolymers have potential applications as thermoplastics, elastomers or impact modifiers in the biomedical, industrial and agricultural fields.
Augustine and Autobiography: Confessions as a Roadmap for Self-Reflection
Authors: Scott Mark
Published: March 2015

In this article, I explore a pedagogical strategy for teaching Augustine’s Confessions to undergraduate students, which involves a final essay assignment. In the assignment, students compose their own “confessions” at the end of the term that employs Augustine’s Confessions as a roadmap for rigorous self-reflection. Like Augustine, they must employ a creative literary frame, without duplicating his rhetorical technique of framing his autobiography as a prayer to God. Moreover, they must reflect on the salient questions, key people, pivotal moments that have shaped them, and analyze their shifts in worldviews. The assignment aims to demystify Augustine and to reinforce the evolving nature of the self as it moves through time and absorbs new ideas and experiences, as well as helping students begin to formulate a coherent and constructive life narrative.
Self-Adaptive Gradient-Based Thresholding Method for Coal Fire Detection Based on ASTER Data—Part 2, Validation and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Du Xiaomin , Bernardes Sergio , Cao Daiyong , Jordan Thomas , Yan Zhen , Yang Guang , Li Zhipeng
Published: March 2015

The self-adaptive gradient-based thresholding (SAGBT) method is a simple non-interactive coal fire detection approach involving segmentation and a threshold identification algorithm that adapts to the spatial distribution of thermal features over a landscape. SAGBT detects coal fire using multispectral thermal images acquired by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor. The method was detailed by our previous work “Self-Adaptive Gradient-Based Thresholding Method for Coal Fire Detection Based on ASTER Data—Part 1, Methodology”. The current study evaluates the performance of SAGBT and validates its results by using ASTER thermal infrared (TIR) images and ground temperature data collected at the Wuda coalfield (China) during satellite overpass. We further analyzed algorithm performance by using nighttime TIR images and images from different seasons. SAGBT-derived fires matched fire spots measured in the field with an average offset of 32.44 m and a matching rate of 70%–85%. Coal fire areas from TIR images generally agreed with coal-related anomalies from visible-near infrared (VNIR) images. Further, high-temperature pixels in the ASTER image matched observed coal fire areas, including the major extreme high-temperature regions derived from field samples. Finally, coal fires detected by daytime and by nighttime images were found to have similar spatial distributions, although fires differ in shape and size. Results included the stratification of our study site into two temperature groups (high and low temperature), using a fire boundary. We conclude that SAGBT can be successfully used for coal fire detection and analysis at our study site.
A Portable Automatic Endpoint Detection System for Amplicons of Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification on Microfluidic Compact Disk Platform
Authors: Uddin Shah , Ibrahim Fatimah , Sayad Abkar , Thiha Aung , Pei Koh , Mohktar Mas , Hashim Uda , Cho Jongman , Thong Kwai
Published: March 2015

In recent years, many improvements have been made in foodborne pathogen detection methods to reduce the impact of food contamination. Several rapid methods have been developed with biosensor devices to improve the way of performing pathogen detection. This paper presents an automated endpoint detection system for amplicons generated by loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) on a microfluidic compact disk platform. The developed detection system utilizes a monochromatic ultraviolet (UV) emitter for excitation of fluorescent labeled LAMP amplicons and a color sensor to detect the emitted florescence from target. Then it processes the sensor output and displays the detection results on liquid crystal display (LCD). The sensitivity test has been performed with detection limit up to 2.5 × 10−3 ng/µL with different DNA concentrations of Salmonella bacteria. This system allows a rapid and automatic endpoint detection which could lead to the development of a point-of-care diagnosis device for foodborne pathogens detection in a resource-limited environment.
A Bio-Inspired Two-Layer Sensing Structure of Polypeptide and Multiple-Walled Carbon Nanotube to Sense Small Molecular Gases
Authors: Wang Li-Chun , Su Tseng-Hsiung , Ho Cheng-Long , Yang Shang-Ren , Chiu Shih-Wen , Kuo Han-Wen , Tang Kea-Tiong
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we propose a bio-inspired, two-layer, multiple-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-polypeptide composite sensing device. The MWCNT serves as a responsive and conductive layer, and the nonselective polypeptide (40 mer) coating the top of the MWCNT acts as a filter into which small molecular gases pass. Instead of using selective peptides to sense specific odorants, we propose using nonselective, peptide-based sensors to monitor various types of volatile organic compounds. In this study, depending on gas interaction and molecular sizes, the randomly selected polypeptide enabled the recognition of certain polar volatile chemical vapors, such as amines, and the improved discernment of low-concentration gases. The results of our investigation demonstrated that the polypeptide-coated sensors can detect ammonia at a level of several hundred ppm and barely responded to triethylamine.
Simulations of Operation Dynamics of Different Type GaN Particle Sensors
Authors: Gaubas Eugenijus , Ceponis Tomas , Kalesinskas Vidas , Pavlov Jevgenij , Vysniauskas Juozas
Published: March 2015

The operation dynamics of the capacitor-type and PIN diode type detectors based on GaN have been simulated using the dynamic and drift-diffusion models. The drift-diffusion current simulations have been implemented by employing the software package Synopsys TCAD Sentaurus. The monopolar and bipolar drift regimes have been analyzed by using dynamic models based on the Shockley-Ramo theorem. The carrier multiplication processes determined by impact ionization have been considered in order to compensate carrier lifetime reduction due to introduction of radiation defects into GaN detector material.
Food Waste Generation at Household Level: Results of a Survey among Employees of Two European Research Centers in Italy and Germany
Authors: Jörissen Juliane , Priefer Carmen , Bräutigam Klaus-Rainer
Published: March 2015

There is a broad consensus in literature that private households are significant contributors to the total amount of food waste in the EU. Thus, any strategy to meaningfully combat food wastage must put the end consumer in the center of prevention activities. This requires deeper insights into people’s motivations to discard still edible food and knowledge about potential barriers to reduce wasting. This paper reports on results of an online survey among two European research centers in Italy (JRC/Ispra) and Germany (KIT/Karlsruhe). The focus of the survey was on households’ behaviors (shopping, eating, and food preparation habits) and its influence on the generation of food waste. Furthermore, reasons for the disposal of food as well as measures and technologies most needed to prevent wastage were discussed. The results of the survey are analyzed, especially with regard to two questions: (1) Are there considerable differences between Ispra and Karlsruhe? (2) Are there considerable similarities or inconsistencies with the results of previous studies?
Assessment of Eco-Environmental Stress in the Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone
Authors: Shi Longyu , Yang Shuncheng
Published: March 2015

Eco-environmental stress refers to the pressure borne by the environment in sustaining the pre-existing non-industrialized state and/or in counteracting adverse impacts caused by natural and human factors. The present article introduces the concept, research progress, and method for assessing eco-environmental stress. An eco-environmental stress index (ESI) is established to assess the eco-environmental stress of 13 cities in the Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone (hereafter referred to as the Economic Zone) during the period from 2000 to 2010. The research provides a reference for the strategic planning of industrial development and environmental protection. The results show that the overall eco-environmental stress of the Economic Zone was slight and did not have significant change during the past 10 years. The cities with the most severe eco-environmental stress are distributed in the north and south of the Economic Zone. Most areas of Fujian Province have a low degree of eco-environmental stress, a situation that is being constantly improved. The regions with high atmospheric and water pollutant emissions are concentrated in the northern, middle, and southern coastal regions of the Economic Zone. The pollutant emissions of coastal cities are higher than those of inland cities. In the future, ecological restoration and compensation mechanisms should be established for regions where environmental protection and remediation is urgently needed.
Application of Sonication and Microwave Irradiation to Boost Continuous Fabrication of the Copper(II) Oxide Sub-Micron Particles
Authors: Dzido Grzegorz , Drzazga Michał , Markowski Piotr , Jarzębski Andrzej
Published: March 2015

Viability of the continuous-flow synthesis of rhomboidal copper(II) oxide (CuO) micro- and nanonoparticles was demonstrated. It has been shown that ultrasonic mixing of reactants, in the stage of Cu(OH)2 synthesis, followed by microwave irradiation of the resulting suspension, gives very fine particles of CuO at high yield and within minutes. Near optimal parameters for the synthesis of fine particles in the continuous reactor were determined.
Carbon Footprint Analyses of Mainstream Wastewater Treatment Technologies under Different Sludge Treatment Scenarios in China
Authors: Chai Chunyan , Zhang Dawei , Yu Yanling , Feng Yujie , Wong Man
Published: March 2015

With rapid urbanization and infrastructure investment, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Chinese cities are putting increased pressure on energy consumption and exacerbating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A carbon footprint is provided as a tool to quantify the life cycle GHG emissions and identify opportunities to reduce climate change impacts. This study examined three mainstream wastewater treatment technologies: Anaerobic–Anoxic–Oxic (A–A–O), Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) and Oxygen Ditch, considering four different sludge treatment alternatives for small-to-medium-sized WWTPs. Following the life cycle approach, process design data and emission factors were used by the model to calculate the carbon footprint. Results found that direct emissions of CO2 and N2O, and indirect emissions of electricity use, are significant contributors to the carbon footprint. Although sludge anaerobic digestion and biogas recovery could significantly contribute to emission reduction, it was less beneficial for Oxygen Ditch than the other two treatment technologies due to its low sludge production. The influence of choosing “high risk” or “low risk” N2O emission factors on the carbon footprint was also investigated in this study. Oxygen Ditch was assessed as “low risk” of N2O emissions while SBR was “high risk”. The carbon footprint of A–A–O with sludge anaerobic digestion and energy recovery was more resilient to changes of N2O emission factors and control of N2O emissions, though process design parameters (i.e., effluent total nitrogen (TN) concentration, mixed-liquor recycle (MLR) rates and solids retention time (SRT)) and operation conditions (i.e., nitrite concentration) are critical for reducing carbon footprint of SBR. Analyses of carbon footprints suggested that aerobic treatment of sludge not only favors the generation of large amounts of CO2, but also the emissions of N2O, so the rationale of reducing aerobic treatment and maximizing anaerobic treatment applies to both wastewater and sludge treatment for reducing the carbon footprint, i.e., the annamox process for wastewater nutrient removal and the anaerobic digestion for sludge treatment.
Géomorphologie littorale
Authors: Paskoff Roland
Published: March 2015

Abstract -This issue has two goals : 1 . To improve our knowledge concerning coasts which are poorly known from a geomorphic point of view (Albania, Galapagos) ; 2. To contribute to a better understanding of cliff formation from examples chosen in different parts of the world (Albania, atlantic Morocco, Guadeloupe, Galapagos).
Les côtes d'Albanie. Aspects géomorphologiques. (The coastline of Albania. Geomorphic features)
Authors: Paskoff Roland
Published: March 2015

Résumé - La côte d'Albanie peut être divisée en cinq secteurs. Le secteur nord représente le prolongement de la côte dalmate. Le secteur centre-nord est sous la dépendance d'une structure oblique ; des caps alternent avec des baies. Le secteur centre-sud correspond à une vaste plaine deltaïque. Le secteur sud-est s'identifie à un littoral escarpé d'origine tectonique. Le secteur sud est caractérisé par une submersion récente.
Présentation de travaux récents en volcanologie et en géomorphologie volcanique. (Recent works in volcanic geology and geomorphology)
Authors: Derruau Max
Published: March 2015

Résumé - Indication de travaux récents de géomorphologie volcanique. Compte rendu du colloque du PIRPSEV (mélanges de magma, blasts et débris -flows, importance de l'hydromagmatisme, diversité du volcano-tectonisme, scénarios d'éruption et volcans-laboratoires).
Les socles volcaniques. (Volcanic basements)
Authors: Reffay Annie
Published: March 2015

Résumé - Des structures volcaniques dotées des caractéristiques des socles existent en milieu insulaire océanique. Les reliefs correspondants, qu'ils soient arasés ou régénérés, sont typiquement volcaniques.
Kalimantan-Tengah. L'ouverture d'une nouvelle province indonésienne à la transmigration. (Kalimantan-Tenagh. The opening of an Indonesian province to transmigration)
Authors: Blanadet Raymond
Published: March 2015

Résumé - L'étude porte sur les hautes terres de Kalimantan-Tengah. Le milieu est équatorial, hyperhumide. Les sols sont de qualité inégale ; les plus favorables se situent en 2 zones bien distinctes : le piémont à ferralsols au N occupé par les Dayak, la plaine littorale au S à population majoritairement malaise ou assimilée. L 'ouverture récente de la haute région entraîne un changement rapide et profond de la société et du genre de vie Dayak : l'habitat se fixe, et l'intérêt de ceux-ci va de plus en plus aux cultures commerciales. Le programme de transmigration en cours prévoit le développement prioritaire de ces hautes terres : un choix dicté par des impératifs économiques, qui pose tous les problèmes d'une petite colonisation paysanne sur hautes terres tropicales, notamment celui de la conservation des sols.
A propos de l'artisanat : quelques réflexions méthodologiques sur les critères de délimitation du secteur des métiers (Concerning handicraft : how to define the notion of trades activity-sector)
Authors: Paris Didier
Published: March 2015

Résumé. - L'artisanat se définit notamment à travers une notion juridique qui détermine le secteur des métiers. Certains critères utilisés pour sa définition suscitent des interrogations quant à ses limites, et sont à l'origine de difficultés méthodologiques dans son approche.
L'évolution récente de l'artisanat en France (The recent evolution of handicraft in France)
Authors: Moreau Blandine
Published: March 2015

Résumé. -Le nombre des artisans a fortement augmenté en France au cours des dernières années, en particulier de 1978 à 1981. Cette communication étudie les causes de cette croissance, et sa répartition dans l'espace. Il apparaît qu'elle a profité surtout à la région parisienne, et aux régions périphériques, en particulier aux régions littorales. Le bâtiment a joué un rôle moteur, malgré la récession du marché de la construction.
La notion d'espace de développement artisanal. (About the notion of area of development in handicraft)
Authors: Faugouin Patrick
Published: March 2015

Résumé. - Cette communication est une recherche sur la définition d'un espace structuré, comprenant un nombre suffisant de petites entreprises, permettant la formation des personnels et le développement des activités.