bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abusive head trauma: an epidemiological and cost analysis
Authors: Boop Scott , Axente Mary , Weatherford Blakely , Klimo Paul
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE

Research on pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT) has largely focused on clinical presentation and management. The authors sought to review a single-institution experience from a public health perspective to gain a better understanding of the local population affected, determine overall incidence and seasonal trends, and provide details on the initial hospitalization, including extent of injuries, neurosurgical interventions, and hospital charges.

METHODS

All cases of AHT involving patients who presented to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital (LBCH) from 2009 through 2014 were identified. AHT was defined as skull fracture or intracranial hemorrhage in a child under the age of 5 years with a suspicious mechanism or evidence of other intentional injuries, such as retinal hemorrhages, old or new fractures, or soft-tissue bruising. Injuries were categorized as Grade I (skull fracture only), Grade II (intracranial hemorrhage or edema not requiring surgical intervention), or Grade III (intracranial hemorrhage requiring intervention or death due to brain injury).

RESULTS

Two hundred thirteen AHT cases were identified. The demographics of the study population are similar to those reported in the literature: the majority of the patients involved were 6 months of age or younger (55%), male (61%), African American (47%), and publicly insured (82%). One hundred one neurosurgical procedures were performed in 58 children, with the most common being bur hole placement for treatment of subdural collections (25%) and decompressive hemicraniectomy (22%). The annual incidence rate rose from 2009 (19.6 cases per 100,000 in the population under 5 years of age) to 2014 (47.4 cases per 100,000) and showed seasonal peaks in January, July, and October (6-year average single-month incidence, respectively, 24.7, 21.7, and 24.7 per 100,000). The total hospital charges were $13,014,584, with a median cost of $27,939. Treatment costs for children who required surgical intervention (i.e., those with Grade III) were up to 10 times those of children with less severe injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

In the authors' local population, victims of AHT are overwhelmingly infants, are more often male than female, and are disproportionately from lower socioeconomic ranks. The incidence is increasing and initial hospitalization charges are substantial and variable. The authors introduce a simple 3-tiered injury classification scheme that adequately stratifies length of hospital stay and cost.
Image reconstruction of targets under complex environment based on compressive sensing
Authors: Qi Conghui , Zhao Zhiqin
Published: July 2016

An efficient computational electromagnetic method and compressive sensing(CS) algorithm are applied to investigate the multipath effects from environment for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging when the target is on rough ground. This method can greatly reduce the computational time for electromagnetic (EM) simulation, so that the extra large scale problem can be solved efficiently. Besides, EM multipath effects between target and ground can be quantified. Compared to free-space problem, it is found the multipath effects will worsen the useful information and cause ambiguity in detection and identification of the targets. With the degradation of the sparsity of radar signal, the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) will be reduced accordingly in the reconstruction of target images by using the CS algorithm.
Effect of integrated nutrient management on nutrient uptake and economics of fertilizer use in rice cv. NERICA 10
Authors: Ghosh K , Chowdhury MAH , Rahman MH , Bhattacherjee S
Published: July 2016

The integrated use of chemical and organic fertilizers can help in sustainable and environmentally sound nutrient management of soils. A study was conducted in the farmers field of Godaghari, Rajshahi from February to May 2012 to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management on nutrient uptake by rice cv. NERICA 10 and economization of inputs. Six treatments viz. T1 = Control, T2 = RFD for MYG + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1, T3 = RFD for HYG, T4 = RFD for HYG + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1, T5 = RFD for HYG + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1 based on IPNS, and T6 = RFD for HYG + 10% excess fertilizer of HYG were used. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that the uptake of N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg by both grain and straw of rice were statistically significant due to use of integrated nutrient management. The highest nutrient uptake was recorded from the treatment T5 and the lowest value was obtained from control. Combined application of cowdung @ 5 t ha-1 along with recommended chemical fertilizers based on IPNS was more economic compared to other treatments because maximum benefit cost ratio was calculated from this treatment. The overall results suggest that integrated nutrient management can be used as an alternate option of chemical fertilization to achieve maximum yield, nutrient uptake and cost of return for rice cv. NERICA 10 cultivation.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 273-277, December 2014
Water quality of Narai canal and Balu river of Dhaka City: An impact of industrialization
Authors: Roy S , Banna LN , Hossain M , Rahman H
Published: July 2016

Rapid industrialization around riverside without having proper environmental consideration causes severe water pollution in our country. On accordance with the consecution of this problem the study was conducted to investigate the water quality of Narai canal and Balu river during January to June, 2012. Water quality parameter analysis i.e. color, odor, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonium (NH4) results show that except pH all exceeded standard limit for domestic water use, irrigation and fish cultivation. The minimum and maximum values of pH, TDS, DO and NH4 were 6.89-7.33, 982-1308 ppm, 0.33-2.12 ppm and 6.79-89.76 ppm, respectively. Present analysis with secondary research data also revealed that this pollution rate is becoming intensified quickly which may pose a great threat in future for human health, ecosystem and sustainable agricultural production. So, Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) is urgently needed to minimize the concentration of pollutants and ultimately to save the river water of the concerned area.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 285-290, December 2014
Effects of arsenic and moisture regime on nutrient content and their uptake by NERICA rice
Authors: Bhattacherjee S , Chowdhury MAH , Rahman MH , Saha BK
Published: July 2016

A pot experiment was carried out in the net house of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) to study nutrient content and their uptake by different rice varieties (NERICA-1, NERICA-10 and BRRI dhan48) in response to different levels of arsenic (As) under varying moisture regimes. Three levels of As were added viz. 0, 30, 60 ppm to the pot soil from sodium arsenate (Na2HAsO4. 7H2O). After establishment of crops the moisture level of soil was adjusted to maintain flooded, 50% and 100% field capacity condition during crop growing period. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with three replications. The amount of N, P, K, S and Zn was calculated as per their rate of application and was applied to the individual pot. Higher levels of As adversely affected the nutrient content and their uptake by rice except N contents. Nitrogen content increased with the increase of As level. Higher amount of nutrient content and uptake was recorded in BRRI dhan48 and flood condition enhanced higher nutrient content as well as uptake by rice. This study suggests the possible management of moisture regime and considering less As susceptible variety, which might reduce the toxic effects of As on nutrient uptake.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 291-296, December 2014
Quality status of groundwater of some selected villages of Bhaluka upazila in Bangladesh for drinking, irrigation and livestock consumption
Authors: Nizam MU , Zaman MW , Rahman MM , Islam MS
Published: July 2016

Groundwater samples of shallow and deep tubewells were collected from the different villages of Bhaluka upazilla in Bangladesh to assess their quality status for drinking, irrigation and livestock consumption. Different parameters of waters were determined to evaluate the quality. All the waters were alkaline in nature and electrical conductivity classified the samples as good for irrigation, while the TDS categorized the samples highest desirable limit for drinking and fresh water for irrigation and were suitable for drinking, irrigation and livestock consumption. Chloride content rated 2 samples unsuitable for livestock consumption. The concentrations of Zn were within safe limit, but Fe and Mn contents rated almost all the samples unsuitable for drinking and livestock consumption.With respect to Cu concentration, 8 samples were found unsuitable for long- term irrigation on all types of soils. Out of 17 samples, 12 samples classified as excellent, 4 as good and 1 as doubtful for irrigation due to different level of B. Ca, Mg, Na, K and P quantities of all the samples were within safe limit. SAR and EC rated all the samples as medium salinity and low alkalinity class and hardness of most of the waters were hard water class for irrigation.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 313-319, December 2014
Yield performance of some transplant aman rice varieties as influenced by different levels of nitrogen
Authors: Jisan MT , Paul SK , Salim M
Published: July 2016

The experiment was carried out during the period of June to November 2013 at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh with a view to examine the yield performance of some transplant aman rice varieties as influenced by different levels of nitrogen. The experiment consisted of four varieties viz. BRRI dhan49, BRRI dhan52, BRRI dhan56, BRRI dhan57 and four levels of N viz. 0, 46, 60 and 75 kg ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Variety, levels of N and their interactions exerted significant influence on yield contributing characters and yield of transplant aman rice. Among the varieties, BRRI dhan52 produced the tallest plant (117.20 cm), highest number of effective tillers hill-1 (11.28), grains panicle-1 (121.5) and 1000-grain weight (23.65 g) whereas the lowest values of these parameters were produced by BRRI dhan57. Highest grain yield (5.69 t ha-1) was obtained from BRRI dhan52 followed by BRRI dhan49 (5.15 t ha-1) and the lowest one (4.25 t ha-1) was obtained from BRRI dhan57. In case of N, the tallest plant (111.70 cm), highest number of total tillers hill-1 (12.34), grains panicle-1 (133.6), 1000-grain weight (24.55 g) and grain yield (5.64 t ha-1) were obtained from 75 kg N ha-1 and the lowest values were obtained from control. BRRI dhan52 fertilized with 75 kg N ha-1 showed best performance with respect to all the parameters studied. The overall results suggest that BRRI dhan52 should be fertilized with 75 kg N ha-1 for getting higher yield under the agro-climatic condition of BAU.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 321-324, December 2014
Poverty trend among the lower class households in a rural area of Bangladesh
Authors: Kabir MS , Seamoon FR , Rahman MA
Published: July 2016

The study undertakes to determine poverty trend among the lower class households during the last five years in a rural area of Bangladesh. A sample of size 80 lower class households was selected from two villages of Sherpur District in Bangladesh. The finding shows that the yearly average income and expenditure of the households were Tk 30912.50 and Tk. 25925, respectively. The change of the socioeconomic status of the lower class households has played an important role on changing pattern of poverty. Occupation of the respondent was significantly associated with change in poverty situation. A shift from lower level to higher level of a characteristic indicates, as a whole, the community has experienced a positive change in their livelihood. In statistical analysis, binary logistic regression model was fitted best. Among the occupation categories handicrafts seemed to help overcome the poverty situation more than business. Respondents involved in handicrafts were 3.673 times more likely to have a positive change in poverty situation compared to those involved in business. The result further suggests that respondents involved in agriculture were 96% significantly less likely to gain positive change than respondents involved in business and other activities. Findings of the study suggest that government should provide different types of facilities to rural lower class people and increase employment opportunities emphasizing more in handicrafts including handicrafts training.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 337-344, December 2014
Home away home: Adjustment experience of Bangladeshi immigrants in the Netherlands
Authors: Farid KS
Published: July 2016

Adjustment into a new culture is of crucial importance for the immigrants to lead a meaningful life in that culture. The present study investigates the adjustment experiences of Bangladeshi immigrants in the Netherlands by exploring and describing the nature of psychological, socio-cultural, and economic adjustment. Participants were 14 Bangladeshi immigrants aged between 29 and 62 years who were selected through snowball sampling technique, were directly or indirectly related with restaurant business and had been residing in the Netherlands for at least five years. A qualitative approach to data collection and analysis was employed in order to get insights from the study participants. For collecting data, in-depth interviews were conducted among the study participants. Data analysis was done with the use of MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software. Examination of the interview transcripts revealed that the immigrants are psychologically happy with their well-being, as almost all of their expectations have been fulfilled despite some problems of cultural differences. Bangladeshi immigrants maintain socio-cultural relationship with the people sufficient to lead normal daily lives as they do hardly face any problem. However, there interaction with Dutch is limited. Though they are not completely happy with their busy lives in the Netherlands, they feel better here compared to Bangladesh. They are economically adjusted because of the fulfilment of their economic expectations. Several practical implications were elicited from the research including a need for programmes that promote immigrants integration with the mainstream of the Dutch society by encouraging the broadening of social relationship.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 345-350, December 2014
Feasibility study of coconut coir dust briquette
Authors: Saha KK , Hossain MM , Ali MR , Alam MM
Published: July 2016

This research work was conducted on economic feasibility of briquette made of coconut coir dust mixed with rice husk at different ratio. This study sought to assess the physical properties and calorific value of briquette and to establish the demand and willingness of potential users to substitute rice husk briquette and firewood. It was observed that briquette made from mixed coconut coir dust and rice husk at the ratio of 1:2 and 1:1 had desirable properties as compared to rice husk briquette. The percent of shatter indices, density, percent of resistance to water penetration, degree of densification and calorific value of briquette of mixing ratio 1:2 were found 99.75, 1.52gm/cc, 87.5, 11.35 and 4043 kcal/kg and of mixing ratio 1:1 were found 99.82, 1.48gm/cc, 87.5, 10.84 and 3657 kcal/kg, respectively. In case of rice husk briquette, the above values were 99.21, 1.40gm/cc, 75, 10.66 and 3537 kcal/kg, respectively. The production costs of mixing ratio 1:2 and 1: 1 were 3.27 Tk/kg and 3.10 Tk/kg, respectively which were lower than that of rice husk briquette. In partial budget, the substitution propositions among the selected briquettes indicated that coconut coir dust briquette of mixing ratio 1:1 appeared as the most impressive one.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 369-376, December 2014
Improvement of livelihood, food and nutrition security through homestead vegetables production and fruit tree management in Bangladesh
Authors: Shaheb MR , Nazrul MI , Sarker A
Published: July 2016

Sustainable, safe and nutritious food productions are the major challenges for global food security which meets dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. The objectives of the study were to utilize homestead resources in scientific method for producing fresh vegetables and fruits over space and time and to meet up the food and nutritional security of the farmers. Household survey was carried out to ascertain livelihoods information of the selected farm households before intervention. The trial was conducted at six replications by the participatory approaches following vegetables production Golapgonj Model. Results revealed that a family consisting five members having small homestead area with some fruit trees could be capable of harnessing sufficient and diversified vegetables and fruit round the year by utilizing the all possible homestead nieces and management of fruit trees. Results also suggested that the farmers consumed lion share of their products that could meet up nutrition from various vegetables and fruits, some of them distributed a portion to relatives and neighbors and also sold a portion of them. The additional income generated by selling of surplus vegetables and fruits was generally utilized to purchase supplementary food items, in turn increase the diversification of the familys diet. Interestingly, active participation of family members (especially women and children) in their homestead vegetable production activities was also ensured. Thus, all these might be lead to full utilization of both physical & other farm resource available in the farm & mobilize resources that increased food & nutritional security, income as well as improved their livelihoods as well.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 377-387, December 2014
Crop Management as an Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change in Early Modern Era: A Comparative Study of Eastern and Western Europe
Authors: Pei Qing , Zhang David , Lee Harry , Li Guodong
Published: July 2016

Effective adaptation determines agricultural vulnerability to climate change, especially in the pre-industrial era. Crop management as an agricultural adaptation to climate change in recent human history, however, has rarely been systematically evaluated. Using Europe as our study area, we statistically compared yield ratio of wheat, rye, barley, and oats (an important performance indicator of an agrarian economy) between Eastern and Western Europe in AD 1500–1800. In particular, a statistical comparison was made of crop yield ratio in the two regions during the warm agricultural recovery period AD 1700–1800. The general trend of crop yield in Eastern and Western Europe basically followed the alternation of climatic epochs, in which the extreme cooling period in AD 1560–1660 drastically reduced the crop yield ratio. The yield ratio of rye in Eastern and Western Europe was very similar throughout the entire study period. However, the yield ratio of wheat, barley, and oats showed different patterns in the two regions and increased drastically in Western Europe in the warm agricultural recovery period, which might have contributed to rapid socio-economic development in Western Europe and eventually the East–West Divide in Europe in the following centuries.
Study of the Tool Geometry Influence in Indentation for the Analysis and Validation of the New Modular Upper Bound Technique
Authors: Bermudo Carolina , Sevilla Lorenzo , Martín Francisco , Trujillo Francisco
Published: July 2016

Focusing on incremental bulk metal forming processes, the indentation process is gaining interest as a fundamental part of these kinds of processes. This paper presents the analysis of the pressure obtained in indentation under the influence of different punch geometries. To this end, an innovative Upper Bound Theorem (UBT) based solution is introduced. This new solution can be easily applied to estimate the necessary force that guarantees plastic deformation by an indentation process. In this work, we propose an accurate analytical approach to analyse indentation under different punches. The new Modular Upper Bound (MUB) method presents a simpler and faster application. Additionally, its complexity is not considerably increased by the addition of more Triangular Rigid Zones. In addition, a two-dimensional indentation model is designed and implemented using the Finite Element Method (FEM). The comparison of the two methods applied to the indentation process analysed—the new Modular Upper Bound technique and the Finite Element Method—reveal close similarities, the new Modular Upper Bound being more computationally efficient.
Preparation and Grafting Functionalization of Self-Assembled Chitin Nanofiber Film
Authors: Kadokawa Jun-ichi
Published: July 2016

Chitin is a representative biomass resource comparable to cellulose. Although considerable efforts have been devoted to extend novel applications to chitin, lack of solubility in water and common organic solvents causes difficulties in improving its processability and functionality. Ionic liquids have paid much attention as solvents for polysaccharides. However, little has been reported regarding the dissolution of chitin with ionic liquids. The author found that an ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (AMIMBr), dissolved chitin in concentrations up to ~4.8 wt % and the higher contents of chitin with AMIMBr gave ion gels. When the ion gel was soaked in methanol for the regeneration of chitin, followed by sonication, a chitin nanofiber dispersion was obtained. Filtration of the dispersion was subsequently carried out to give a chitin nanofiber film. A chitin nanofiber/poly(vinyl alcohol) composite film was also obtained by co-regeneration approach. Chitin nanofiber-graft-synthetic polymer composite films were successfully prepared by surface-initiated graft polymerization technique. For example, the preparation of chitin nanofiber-graft-biodegradable polyester composite film was achieved by surface-initiated graft polymerization from the chitin nanofiber film. The similar procedure also gave chitin nanofiber-graft-polypeptide composite film. The surface-initiated graft atom transfer radical polymerization was conducted from a chitin macroinitiator film derived from the chitin nanofiber film.
DC-Link Capacitor Voltage Regulation for Three-Phase Three-Level Inverter-Based Shunt Active Power Filter with Inverted Error Deviation Control
Authors: Hoon Yap , Mohd Radzi Mohd , Hassan Mohd , Mailah Nashiren
Published: July 2016

A new control technique known as inverted error deviation (IED) control is incorporated into the main DC-link capacitor voltage regulation algorithm of a three-level neutral-point diode clamped (NPC) inverter-based shunt active power filter (SAPF) to enhance its performance in overall DC-link voltage regulation so as to improve its harmonics mitigation performances. In the SAPF controller, DC-link capacitor voltage regulation algorithms with either the proportional-integral (PI) or fuzzy logic control (FLC) technique have played a significant role in maintaining a constant DC-link voltage across the DC-link capacitors. However, both techniques are mostly operated based on a direct voltage error manipulation approach which is insufficient to address the severe DC-link voltage deviation that occurs during dynamic-state conditions. As a result, the conventional algorithms perform poorly with large overshoot, undershoot, and slow response time. Therefore, the IED control technique is proposed to precisely address the DC-link voltage deviation. To validate effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed algorithm, simulation work in MATLAB-Simulink and experimental implementation utilizing a TMS320F28335 Digital Signal Processor (DSP) are performed. Moreover, conventional algorithms with PI and FLC techniques are tested too for comparison purposes. Both simulation and experimental results are presented, confirming the improvement achieved by the proposed algorithm in terms of accuracy and dynamic response in comparison to the conventional algorithms.
Numerical Analysis of the Transient Behaviour of a Variable Speed Pump-Turbine during a Pumping Power Reduction Scenario
Authors: Pavesi Giorgio , Cavazzini Giovanna , Ardizzon Guido
Published: July 2016

To achieve the carbon free electricity generation target for 2050, the penetration of renewable energy sources should further increase. To address the impacts of their unpredictable and intermittent characteristics on the future electricity grid, Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) plants should enhance their regulation capability by extending their continuous operating range far beyond the optimal normal working range. However, for the time being, the regulation capability of the new generation of PHES, equipped with reversible pump-turbines due to their cost-effectiveness, is limited at part load by instability problems. The aim of this paper is to analyse, during a pumping power reduction scenario, the onset and development of unsteady phenomena leading to unstable behaviour. A 3D transient numerical simulation was carried out on the first stage of a variable-speed two-stage pump-turbine from full load to the unstable operating zone by progressively reducing the speed from 100% to 88% rpm corresponding to a power reduction from full load to about 60% with a ramp rate of 1.5% per s. Two three-dimensional unsteady flow structures affecting the return channel and the wicket gates at the end of the first stage were identified and their evolution in the power regulation scenario was fluid-dynamically and spectrally characterized to determine the fluid-dynamical conditions causing the head drop in the hump zone.
Classification of Land Use on Sand-Dune Topography by Object-Based Analysis, Digital Photogrammetry, and GIS Analysis in the Horqin Sandy Land, China
Authors: Miyasaka Takafumi , Okuro Toshiya , Zhao Xueyong , Takeuchi Kazuhiko
Published: July 2016

Previous field research on the Horqin Sandy Land (China), which has suffered from severe desertification during recent decades, revealed how land use on a sand-dune topography affects both land degradation and restoration. This study aimed to depict the spatial distribution of local land use in order to shed more light on previous field findings regarding policies on a broader scale. We performed the following analyses with Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM) and Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type 2 (AVNIR-2) images of Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS): (1) object-based classification to discriminate preliminary classification of land-use types that were approximately differentiated by ordinary pixel-based analysis with spectral information; (2) digital photogrammetry to generate a digital surface model (DSM) with adequately high accuracy to represent undulating sand-dune topography; (3) geographic information system (GIS) analysis to classify major topographic types with the digital surface model (DSM); and (4) overlay of the two classification results to depict the local land-use types. The overall accuracies of the object-based and GIS-based classifications were high, at 93% (kappa statistic: 0.84) and 89% (kappa statistic: 0.81), respectively. The resultant local land-use map represents areas covered in previous field studies, showing where and how land degradation and restoration are likely to occur. This research can contribute to future environmental surveys, models, and policies in the study area.
Simulating Water-Use Efficiency of Piceacrassi folia Forest under Representative Concentration Pathway Scenarios in the Qilian Mountains of Northwest China
Authors: Peng Shouzhang , Chen Yunming , Cao Yang
Published: July 2016

The current study used the Biome-Bio Geochemical Cycle (Biome-BGC) model to simulate water-use efficiency (WUE) of Piceacrassi folia (P. crassifolia) forest under four representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios, and investigated the responses of forest WUE to different combinations of climatic changes and CO2 concentrations in the Qilian Mountains of Northwest China. The model was validated by comparing simulated forest net primary productivity and transpiration under current climatic condition with independent field-measured data. Subsequently, the model was used to predict P. crassi folia forest WUE response to different climatic and CO2 change scenarios. Results showed that (1) increases in temperature, precipitation and atmospheric CO2 concentrations led to associated increases in WUE (ranging from 54% to 66% above the reference climate); (2) effect of CO2 concentration (increased WUE from 36% to 42.3%) was more significant than that of climate change (increased WUE from 2.4% to 15%); and (3) forest WUE response to future global change was more intense at high elevations than at low ones, with CO2 concentration being the main factor that controlled forest WUE variation. These results provide valuable insight to help understand how these forest types might respond to future changes in climate and atmospheric CO2 concentration.
Thinning Intensity Affects Soil-Atmosphere Fluxes of Greenhouse Gases and Soil Nitrogen Mineralization in a Lowland Poplar Plantation
Authors: Fang Shengzuo , Lin Da , Tian Ye , Hong Senxian
Published: July 2016

Thinning is one of the intensive forest management techniques commonly applied to increase the merchantable timber volume. However, how thinning affects soil–atmospheric fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is poorly understood. A field experiment with four treatments (CK: unthinned; MB: medium intensity thinning from below; HB: high intensity thinning from below; and HI: high intensity thinning by removing every alternative row of trees) was conducted to assess the impact of thinning regimes on soil–atmospheric fluxes of GHGs (CO2, CH4, and N2O) and soil nitrogen mineralization in a poplar plantation established on a lowland. Thinning significantly increased soil water content and water table in the high thinning treatments (HB and HI) and tended to increase soil temperature (p < 0.10). The result of the one-year study showed that estimated annual emissions of CO2 and CH4 were higher in HB and HI than in other treatments, while the highest emission of N2O was in the CK. The thinning treatments increased the annual emission of CO2 by 23%–64% and that of CH4 by 190%–1200%, but decreased that of N2O by 41%–62%. Thinning increased annual N mineralization by 50.3% in HI and 30.1%in HB. Changes in soil temperature and water table drove CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions, while soil water content was the most important factor driving CH4 emission. We conclude that the moderate thinning (MB) regime is the best thinning option to minimize the impact on GHG emissions for lowland poplar plantations with similar conditions to those tested in this study.
2,4,6-Tribromophenol Interferes with the Thyroid Hormone System by Regulating Thyroid Hormones and the Responsible Genes in Mice
Authors: Lee Dongoh , Ahn Changhwan , Hong Eui-Ju , An Beum-Soo , Hyun Sang-Hwan , Choi Kyung-Chul , Jeung Eui-Bae
Published: July 2016

2,4,6-Tribromophenol (TBP) is a brominated flame retardant (BFR). Based on its affinity for transthyretin, TBP could compete with endogenous thyroid hormone. In this study, the effects of TBP on the thyroid hormone system were assessed in mice. Briefly, animals were exposed to 40 and 250 mg/kg TBP. Thyroid hormones were also administered with or without TBP. When mice were treated with TBP, deiodinase 1 (Dio1) and thyroid hormone receptor β isoform 2 (Thrβ2) decreased in the pituitary gland. The levels of deiodinase 2 (Dio2) and growth hormone (Gh) mRNA increased in response to 250 mg/kg of TBP, and the relative mRNA level of thyroid stimulating hormone β (Tshβ) increased in the pituitary gland. Dio1 and Thrβ1 expression in the liver were not altered, while Dio1 decreased in response to co-treatment with thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland activity decreased in response to TBP, as did the levels of free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine in serum. Taken together, these findings indicate that TBP can disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis and the presence of TBP influenced thyroid actions as regulators of gene expression. These data suggest that TBP interferes with thyroid hormone systems
Quality Matters: Systematic Analysis of Endpoints Related to “Cellular Life” in Vitro Data of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure
Authors: Simkó Myrtill , Remondini Daniel , Zeni Olga , Scarfi Maria
Published: July 2016

Possible hazardous effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) at low exposure levels are controversially discussed due to inconsistent study findings. Therefore, the main focus of the present study is to detect if any statistical association exists between RF-EMF and cellular responses, considering cell proliferation and apoptosis endpoints separately and with both combined as a group of “cellular life” to increase the statistical power of the analysis. We searched for publications regarding RF-EMF in vitro studies in the PubMed database for the period 1995–2014 and extracted the data to the relevant parameters, such as cell culture type, frequency, exposure duration, SAR, and five exposure-related quality criteria. These parameters were used for an association study with the experimental outcome in terms of the defined endpoints. We identified 104 published articles, from which 483 different experiments were extracted and analyzed. Cellular responses after exposure to RF-EMF were significantly associated to cell lines rather than to primary cells. No other experimental parameter was significantly associated with cellular responses. A highly significant negative association with exposure condition-quality and cellular responses was detected, showing that the more the quality criteria requirements were satisfied, the smaller the number of detected cellular responses. According to our knowledge, this is the first systematic analysis of specific RF-EMF bio-effects in association to exposure quality, highlighting the need for more stringent quality procedures for the exposure conditions.
Factors Associated with the Early Introduction of Complementary Feeding in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alzaheb Riyadh
Published: July 2016

Mothers’ instigation of complementary feeding before their infant reaches 6 months old risks shortening their breastfeeding duration, and high morbidity and mortality for their child. Complementary feeding practices require further investigation in Saudi Arabia. The present study aims to evaluate complementary feeding practices, and to establish which factors are associated with the early introduction of complementary feeding in the Saudi Arabian context. Cross-sectional research was conducted with 632 mothers of infants aged between 4 and 24 months attending five primary health care centers (PHCCs) between July and December 2015 in Saudi Arabia. Data on participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and complementary feeding practices were collected via structured questionnaires. A regression analysis identified the factors associated with the early introduction of solid foods, defined as before 17 weeks. 62.5% of the study’s infants received solid foods before reaching 17 weeks old. The maternal factors at higher risk of early introduction of solids were: younger age; Saudi nationality; shorter education; employment within 6 months post-birth; caesareans; not breastfeeding fully for six weeks post-birth, and living in low-income households. Complementary feeding prior to 6 months postpartum was common in Saudi Arabia. Public health interventions are needed to reduce early complementary feeding, focusing on mothers at highest risk of giving solids too early.
The Size Distribution, Scaling Properties and Spatial Organization of Urban Clusters: A Global and Regional Percolation Perspective
Authors: Fluschnik Till , Kriewald Steffen , García Cantú Ros Anselmo , Zhou Bin , Reusser Dominik , Kropp Jürgen , Rybski Diego
Published: July 2016

Human development has far-reaching impacts on the surface of the globe. The transformation of natural land cover occurs in different forms, and urban growth is one of the most eminent transformative processes. We analyze global land cover data and extract cities as defined by maximally connected urban clusters. The analysis of the city size distribution for all cities on the globe confirms Zipf’s law. Moreover, by investigating the percolation properties of the clustering of urban areas we assess the closeness to criticality for various countries. At the critical thresholds, the urban land cover of the countries undergoes a transition from separated clusters to a gigantic component on the country scale. We study the Zipf-exponents as a function of the closeness to percolation and find a systematic dependence, which could be the reason for deviating exponents reported in the literature. Moreover, we investigate the average size of the clusters as a function of the proximity to percolation and find country specific behavior. By relating the standard deviation and the average of cluster sizes—analogous to Taylor’s law—we suggest an alternative way to identify the percolation transition. We calculate spatial correlations of the urban land cover and find long-range correlations. Finally, by relating the areas of cities with population figures we address the global aspect of the allometry of cities, finding an exponent δ ≈ 0.85, i.e., large cities have lower densities.
Transformation of Litchi Pericarp-Derived Condensed Tannin with Aspergillus awamori
Authors: Lin Sen , Li Qing , Yang Bao , Duan Xuewu , Zhang Mingwei , Shi John , Jiang Yueming
Published: July 2016

Condensed tannin is a ubiquitous polyphenol in plants that possesses substantial antioxidant capacity. In this study, we have investigated the polyphenol extraction recovery and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity of the extracted polyphenol after litchi pericarp is treated with Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus sojae or Aspergillus oryzae. We have further explored the activity of A. awamori in the formation of condensed tannin. The treatment of A. awamori appeared to produce the highest antioxidant activity of polyphenol from litchi pericarp. Further studies suggested that the treatment of A. awamori releases the non-extractable condensed tannin from cell walls of litchi pericarp. The total extractable tannin in the litchi pericarp residue after a six-time extraction with 60% ethanol increased from 199.92 ± 14.47–318.38 ± 7.59 μg/g dry weight (DW) after the treatment of A. awamori. The ESI-TOF-MS and HPLC-MS2 analyses further revealed that treatment of A. awamori degraded B-type condensed tannin (condensed flavan-3-ol via C4–C8 linkage), but exhibited a limited capacity to degrade the condensed tannin containing A-type linkage subunits (C4–C8 coupled C2–O–C7 linkage). These results suggest that the treatment of A. awamori can significantly improve the production of condensed tannin from litchi pericarp.
Type 1 Diabetes in Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal Dystrophy Syndrome (APECED): A “Rare” Manifestation in a “Rare” Disease
Authors: Fierabracci Alessandra
Published: July 2016

Type 1 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS1) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE); the encoded Aire protein plays an important role in the establishment of the immunological tolerance acting as a transcriptional regulator of the expression of organ-specific antigens within the thymus in perinatal age. While a high prevalence for this rare syndrome is reported in Finland and Scandinavia (Norway), autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome (APECED) cohorts of patients are also detected in continental Italy and Sardinia, among Iranian Jews, as well as in other countries. The syndrome is diagnosed when patients present at least two out of the three fundamental disorders including chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, and Addison’s disease. Among the associated conditions insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Type 1 diabetes) has been rarely reported in different series of patients and occurring more frequently in Finnish APECED patients. In this review, we analyze the incidence of Type 1 diabetes as a clinical manifestation of APECED in different populations highlighting the peculiar genetic and immunological features of the disease when occurring in the context of this syndrome.
(Salen)Mn(III) Catalyzed Asymmetric Epoxidation Reactions by Hydrogen Peroxide in Water: A Green Protocol
Authors: Ballistreri Francesco , Gangemi Chiara , Pappalardo Andrea , Tomaselli Gaetano , Toscano Rosa , Trusso Sfrazzetto Giuseppe
Published: July 2016

Enantioselective epoxidation reactions of some chosen reactive alkenes by a chiral Mn(III) salen catalyst were performed in H2O employing H2O2 as oxidant and diethyltetradecylamine N-oxide (AOE-14) as surfactant. This procedure represents an environmentally benign protocol which leads to e.e. values ranging from good to excellent (up to 95%).
Investigation of Voltage Control at Consumers Connection Points Based on Smart Approach
Authors: Vanin Artem , Aleshin Sergey , Nasirov Rinat , Novikov Dmitry , Tulsky Vladimir
Published: July 2016

More and more functions are performed automatically with the use of various electrical appliances and sophisticated control systems in all spheres of human life. In this regard, the demand for reliable and quality power supply is increasing. To date, low power quality, in particular unacceptable voltage levels, is an important deterrent for introducing technologies of smart electricity consumers (smart homes, smart companies, smart cities). This paper presents a comprehensive solution of this problem with the use of a voltage control system in the distribution grids, which is oriented on grids with a large number of heterogeneous loads and low level of Information Technology (IT) penetration. It is proposed to be installed on distribution substation special devices that perform continuous measurements of voltage levels, produce short-term forecasts and transmit the permissible ranges of voltage control to the power supply centers. The computing unit at the primary substation analyzes the data received from all distribution substations, and determines the optimum control actions to meet the requirements of all consumers. The proposed system was compared with conventional voltage control methods. The results have proved the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Structural Transitions in Nanosized Zn0.97Al0.03O Powders under High Pressure Analyzed by in Situ Angle-Dispersive X-ray Diffraction
Authors: Lin Chih-Ming , Liu Hsin-Tzu , Zhong Shi-Yao , Hsu Chia-Hung , Chiu Yi-Te , Tai Ming-Fong , Juang Jenh-Yih , Chuang Yu-Chun , Liao Yen-Fa
Published: July 2016

Nanosized aluminum-doped zinc oxide Zn1−xAlxO (AZO) powders (AZO-NPs) with x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.11 were synthesized by chemical precipitation method. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the precursors were converted to oxides from hydroxides near 250 °C, which were then heated to 500 °C for subsequent thermal processes to obtain preliminary powders. The obtained preliminary powders were then calcined at 500 °C for three hours. The structure and morphology of the products were measured and characterized by angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction (ADXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ADXRD results showed that AZO-NPs with Al content less than 11% exhibited würtzite zinc oxide structure and there was no other impurity phase in the AZO-NPs, suggesting substitutional doping of Al on Zn sites. The Zn0.97Al0.03O powders (A3ZO-NPs) with grain size of about 21.4 nm were used for high-pressure measurements. The in situ ADXRD measurements revealed that, for loading run, the pressure-induced würtzite (B4)-to-rocksalt (B1) structural phase transition began at 9.0(1) GPa. Compared to the predicted phase-transition pressure of ~12.7 GPa for pristine ZnO nanocrystals of similar grain size (~21.4 nm), the transition pressure for the present A3ZO-NPs exhibited a reduction of ~3.7 GPa. The significant reduction in phase-transition pressure is attributed to the effects of highly selective site occupation, namely Zn2+ and Al3+, were mainly found in tetrahedral and octahedral sites, respectively.
LCA of 1,4-Butanediol Produced via Direct Fermentation of Sugars from Wheat Straw Feedstock within a Territorial Biorefinery
Authors: Forte Annachiara , Zucaro Amalia , Basosi Riccardo , Fierro Angelo
Published: July 2016

The bio-based industrial sector has been recognized by the European Union as a priority area toward sustainability, however, the environmental profile of bio-based products needs to be further addressed. This study investigated, through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, the environmental performance of bio-based 1,4-butanediol (BDO) produced via direct fermentation of sugars from wheat straw, within a hypothetical regional biorefinery (Campania Region, Southern Italy). The aim was: (i) to identify the hotspots along the production chain; and (ii) to assess the potential environmental benefits of this bio-based polymer versus the reference conventional product (fossil-based BDO). Results identified the prevailing contribution to the total environmental load of bio-based BDO in the feedstock production and in the heat requirement at the biorefinery plant. The modeled industrial bio-based BDO supply chain, showed a general reduction of the environmental impacts compared to the fossil-based BDO. The lowest benefits were gained in terms of acidification and eutrophication, due to the environmental load of the crop phase for feedstock cultivation.
Characterizations of Rapid Sintered Nanosilver Joint for Attaching Power Chips
Authors: Feng Shuang-Tao , Mei Yun-Hui , Chen Gang , Li Xin , Lu Guo-Quan
Published: July 2016

Sintering of nanosilver paste has been extensively studied as a lead-free die-attach solution for bonding semiconductor power chips, such as the power insulated gated bipolar transistor (IGBT). However, for the traditional method of bonding IGBT chips, an external pressure of a few MPa is reported necessary for the sintering time of ~1 h. In order to shorten the processing duration time, we developed a rapid way to sinter nanosilver paste for bonding IGBT chips in less than 5 min using pulsed current. In this way, we firstly dried as-printed paste at about 100 °C to get rid of many volatile solvents because they may result in defects or voids during the out-gassing from the paste. Then, the pre-dried paste was further heated by pulse current ranging from 1.2 kA to 2.4 kA for several seconds. The whole procedure was less than 3 min and did not require any gas protection. We could obtain robust sintered joint with shear strength of 30–35 MPa for bonding 1200-V, 25-A IGBT and superior thermal properties. Static and dynamic electrical performance of the as-bonded IGBT assemblies was also characterized to verify the feasibility of this rapid sintering method. The results indicate that the electrical performance is comparable or even partially better than that of commercial IGBT modules. The microstructure evolution of the rapid sintered joints was also studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This work may benefit the wide usage of nanosilver paste for rapid bonding IGBT chips in the future.