bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relevance of business practices in linking smallholders and large agro-businesses in Sub-Sahara Africa
Authors: Kleemann Linda
Published: November 2016

Smallholders often have to certify according to international standards and produce under contract for large agro-businesses to access export markets. While mostly positive effects for the farmers have been found for contracts and certifications, often these effects do not persist because contracts fail and certifications are not renewed. We suggest that individual firm behavior is crucial for the long-term success of farmer-agro-business relationships. In this article, we use data of 386 smallholders in the pineapple export sector in Ghana, analyze them quantitatively and enrich it by a detailed case study of a large-scale agro-business in Ghana. The results show that, in an environment with weak contract enforcement, certification is an agent of change in farmer-agro-business relations and that building trust and aligning expectations of farmers and firms largely determine success. We conclude that individual firm behavior matters more than taken into account in previous research. Our case study shows that three ‘R’ – reliability, reputation and respect – constitute the basis for contract relationships that benefit all.
Members’ attitudes towards cooperatives and their perception of agency problems
Authors: Hakelius Karin , Hansson Helena
Published: November 2016

This study examines whether and how members’ perceptions of agency problems, in terms of the decision problem and the follow-up problem, shape their attitudes to agricultural cooperatives. The study is based on empirical data collected through a postal questionnaire sent to 2,250 Swedish farmers in 2013 (response rate ~40%). Exploratory factor analysis of a set of attitudinal measurement items was used to assess members’ attitudes to agricultural cooperatives. Seemingly unrelated regression analysis was used to identify the impact of members’ perceptions of agency problems on the attitude measures obtained from the exploratory factor analysis. The results suggest that perceived agency problems significantly explain members’ attitudes to their cooperatives. Therefore, working with these problems can be a way for directors of cooperatives to influence members’ attitudes and, in continuation, behaviors to these. This would be one way of developing more sustainable member-director relationships in these cooperatives.
Bier's block
Authors: Kharbuja Kalpana , Sharma Mahesh , Sharma Nil Raj
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) has been first described in 1908 by the German surgeon August KG Bier. Although the technique was convenient to perform and effective in giving surgical anesthesia, the recent plexus block techniques have largely replaced the "Bierâ€™s block" instantly because of time limitations and safety considerations of IVRA. Throughout the years, modifications in procedure and new pharmacologic adjuvants have shown to prevent toxic reactions to anesthetics and mitigate limitations of IVRA, still IVRA can be preferred as choice of anesthesia for short procedures.

Case Report: We present a case of 86 yr old male who was operated for radius fracture after a fall injury under Bier's Block or IVRA technique. Conclusion: IVRA can be the choice ofanesthesia for short procedures because of rapid onset of anesthesia, easy administration and cheaper cost with special considerations on its side effects, complications which can be the outcome of technical errors.
Manual versus target-controlled infusion of balanced propofol during diagnostic colonoscopy: A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Vucicevic Vera , Milakovic Branko , Tesic Milorad , Djordjevic Jelena , Djuranovic Srdjan
Published: November 2016

Introduction. There is an increasing interest in balanced propofol sedation
(BPS) for colonoscopy in outpatient settings. Propofol is a potent anesthetic
agent for this purpose and has a narrow therapeutic range, which increases a
risk of cardiovascular and respiratory complications in case of improper
administration. Objective. The aim of this study was to compare patients?
safety and comfort of endoscopists in two methods of BPS targeting deep
sedation - propofol target-controlled infusion (TCI) and manual intravenous
titration technique (MT) - during colonoscopy. Methods. This prospective
randomized controlled trial included 90 patients (class I or II of the
American Society of Anesthesiologists) deeply sedated with propofol,
coadministered with small doses of midazolam and fentanyl. Propofol was given
by MT technique (45 patients) or by TCI (45 patients). The following adverse
effects were recorded: hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, tachycardia,
hypoxemia, bradypnea, apnea, hiccupping, and coughing, as well as
endoscopist?s comfort during colonoscopy by means of a questionnaire.
Results. The MT group compared to the TCI group had a lower mean arterial
pressure in the 10th minute after the beginning (p = 0.017), and at the end
of colonoscopy (p = 0.006), higher oxygen saturation in the fifth minute (p =
0.033), and in the 15th minute (p = 0.008) after the beginning of
colonoscopy, and lower heart rate at the beginning of the procedure (p =
0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in adverse
events. Endoscopist?s comfort during colonoscopy was high 95.6% in the TCI
group vs. 88.9% in the MT group (p = 0.069). Conclusion. MT is clinically as
stable as TCI of propofol for deep sedation during colonoscopy, and
endoscopists experienced the same comfort during colonoscopy in both groups.
Thus, both combinations are suitable for deep sedation during diagnostic
colonoscopy.
The effect of root and bone visualization on perceptions of the quality of orthodontic treatment simulations
Authors: Grünheid Thorsten , Kirk Danae C. , Larson Brent E.
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of root and bone visibility on orthodontists' perceptions of the quality of treatment simulations.

Material and Methods:

An online survey was used to present orthodontists with setups generated for 10 patients in two different types of view: with and without bone and roots as modeled from a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. The orthodontists were asked to rate the quality of the setups from poor to ideal on a 100-point visual analog scale and, if applicable, to identify features of concern that led them to giving a setup a less-than-ideal rating.

Results:

The quality ratings were significantly lower when roots and bone were visible in the setups (P < .0001). Buccolingual inclination and periodontal concerns were selected significantly more often as reasons for a less-than-ideal rating when roots and bone were shown, whereas occlusal relationship, overjet, occlusal contacts, and arch form were selected significantly more often as reasons for a less-than-ideal rating when roots and bone were not shown. The odds of selecting periodontal concerns as a reason for a less-than-ideal setup rating were 331 times greater when roots and bones were visible than when they were not.

Conclusions:

Additional diagnostic information derived from CBCT scans affects orthodontists' perceptions of the overall case quality, which may influence their treatment-planning decisions.
Association between Severity of Tooth Wear and Dentinal Hypersensitivity
Authors: Ayer Ashok
Published: November 2016

Background & Objectives: Tooth wear (attrition, abrasion, erosion, and abfraction) is perceived globally as ever increasing problem. Several outcome of the tooth wear are hypersensitivity, esthetic problems, functional impairment, annoyance to the patient, and fracture of the tooth. Among these, the measurable and more commonly reported outcome is hypersensitivity to stimuli. Although dentin hypersensitivity is a common clinical condition and is generally reported by the patient after experiencing a sharp, short pain caused by one of the several different external stimuli, it is often inadequately understood. None of the scientific literature available till date attempted to establish the relationship between tooth wear and dentin hypersensitivity which could be a key factor in monitoring those patients.  The aim of the study was to estimate the association between severity of teeth wear and sensitivity in the patients with reported dentinal hypersensitivity.Materials & Methods: Fifty patients with dentin hypersensitivity were investigated for tooth wear. Tooth wear measured using exact tooth wear index and level of sensitivity to stimuli was recorded using a numerical rating scale. Results: Enamel wear at cervical region of teeth showed a positive correlation (p=.010), similarly, dentin wear at cervical region of teeth showed positive correlation and significant association (p<.001) with dentinal hypersensitivity.Conclusion: The observation supports a significant association between severities of tooth surface wear and dentinal hypersensitivity.
Is Darwinism a Religion?
Authors: Ruse Michael
Published: November 2016

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection is today's working tool of professional biologists. Is it something more? I argue that from the first it has functioned as a secular religion, in opposition to the Christian religion of which it is the bastard offspring. To make this case, using literature—fiction and poetry—I run through a number of areas including God, origins, ethics, and sin, showing how Darwinism speaks to these issues.
Interreligious Dialogue Includes Listening to Secular Voices
Authors: Baum Gregory
Published: November 2016

In this article I present several reasons why interreligious dialogue should include secular thinkers concerned with religion. Pope Benedict xvi appears to agree. In 2004, he engaged in a public dialogue with Habermas, in 2007 he quoted Adorno and Habermas in his encyclical Spes salvi, and in 2008 he fostered dialogue with secular thinkers by founding the Courtyard of the Gentiles in Rome, a reference to a courtyard in the Jerusalem Temple open to non-Jewish visitors.
Vatican ii and Sexual Ethics: Past, Present, Future
Authors: Salzman Todd A. , Lawler Michael G.
Published: November 2016

This article explores Catholic sexual ethics, past, present, and future. Part 1 investigates the shifting theological views on human sexuality that preceded Vatican ii and influenced its theological debates. Part 2 explores three methodological and anthropological shifts approved by a large majority at the council and thus promulgated as official Catholic perspectives. All three shifts have had a major influence on Catholic sexual ethics since the Council. The first is the shift from a classical perspective to a historically conscious one. The second is the shift from a sexual anthropology that sees procreation as the primary end of sexuality and marriage and the mutual love of the spouses as a secondary end, to a sexual anthropology that sees procreation and the bonding of the spouses as equal ends of marriage. The third is the shift from a focus on sexual acts to a focus “on the nature of the human [sexual] person and his acts” (Gaudium et spes, 51). The nature of the human person precedes and guides his or her acts, and “human activity must be judged insofar as it refers to the human person integrally and adequately considered.” Part 3 predicts changes in Catholic doctrine on contraception and homosexuality in light of these shifts.
The Search for Christian Unity: Past, Present, and Beyond
Authors: Fahey Michael A.
Published: November 2016

For the Roman Catholic community, the Second Vatican Council inaugurated a notable paradigm shift, especially in the ecumenical movement. Joining earlier efforts of the Orthodox and Reformation churches, Catholics established official theological consultations with other churches. Since then there have appeared collaborative studies on the teachings of the Council and the imperative of unity movements. In addition to these studies, individual scholars have analyzed afresh the origins of ecclesial divergences and the paths to reconciliation. This article provides a bibliographical overview of these two genres of publications, especially those appearing in Canada and the United States. Because of the emergence of “receptive ecumenism” and “unity in diversity,” church leaders and scholars are hopeful that, in the near future, the divisions that have marked Christianity for centuries will gradually be healed. Attention is also paid to university centres such as Leuven, Bologna, and Durham that have been prominent in research, including collection of archival materials and publication of conciliar diaries by now deceased council participants. Also provided are lists of major international conferences in Europe and America that have explored reasons for implementation of and even resistance to the teachings of Vatican ii.
Fifty Years and Learning: Developments in the Roman Catholic Church's Encounter with Religions
Authors: Dias Darren J.
Published: November 2016

In this article the author argues that the Roman Catholic Church does not have a firm theological position on other religions, as its engagement with them as partners in dialogue has emerged only since the Second Vatican Council. The article provides an overview of the Roman Catholic Church's theology and teachings on non-Christian religions, beginning with the council's shortest, but by no means least-significant, document, Nostra aetate. The author claims that an examination of Nostra aetate's redaction history, the text itself, and the text in relation to other conciliar texts, reveals an optimistic view of salvation and other religions. The author then traces further doctrinal developments in the magisterium of John Paul ii. The length of his papacy, coupled with his personal commitment to dialogue, resulted in significant developments and milestones. The teachings of Benedict xvi and Francis are briefly surveyed. A last section explores ever-evolving theologies and practices that shape the church's approach to other religions today: comparative theology, theologies of dialogue, and theologies of religion.
The Alteration of ZiBuPiYin Recipe on Proteomic Profiling of Forebrain Postsynaptic Density of db/db Mice with Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Decline
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhan Libin , Lu Xiaoguang , Xiao Chi , Sun Nijing
Published: November 2016

Diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) is a brain injury induced by diabetes mellitus, with cognitive impairment as the major symptom. Growing evidence has revealed that DACD is correlated with disruptions in synapses involved in cognition. Within synapses, more specifically in areas of postsynaptic density (PSD), there is a high concentration of proteins that receive and transduce synaptic information. In the present study, to identify the differentially expressed PSD proteins among DACD mice, ZiBuPiYin recipe (ZBPYR)-treated DACD mice and control mice, we applied isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) with LC-MS/MS technology, by which three biological replicates and three technical replicates were examined. A total of 24 and 23 differentially expressed proteins were observed in control versus DACD mice and in DACD versus ZBPYR-treated DACD mice, respectively. Notably, we found ‘Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum’ and ‘PI3K-Akt signaling pathway’ might be impaired in DACD pathogenesis, while Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 might be a crucial protein as a molecular target of the neuroprotective effects of ZBPYR. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide a reference proteome map for DACD and ZBPYR-treated DACD mouse forebrain PSD to aid understanding the underlying mechanisms of DACD and ZBPYR.
Recent Advances in Aeroacoustics
Authors: Campos Luís
Published: November 2016

Acoustics is one of the oldest examples of applied research, long before the term was even coined: [...]
Impact of Stratospheric Volcanic Aerosols on Age-of-Air and Transport of Long-Lived Species
Authors: Pitari Giovanni , Cionni Irene , Di Genova Glauco , Visioni Daniele , Gandolfi Ilaria , Mancini Eva
Published: November 2016

The radiative perturbation associated to stratospheric aerosols from major explosive volcanic eruptions may induce significant changes in stratospheric dynamics. The aerosol heating rates warm up the lower stratosphere and cause a westerly wind anomaly, with additional tropical upwelling. Large scale transport of stratospheric trace species may be perturbed as a consequence of this intensified Brewer–Dobson circulation. The radiatively forced changes of the stratospheric circulation during the first two years after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo (June 1991) may help explain the observed trend decline of long-lived greenhouse gases at surface stations (approximately −8 and −0.4 ppbv/year for CH4 and N2O, respectively). This decline is partly driven by the increased mid- to high-latitude downward flux at the tropopause and also by an increased isolation of the tropical pipe in the vertical layer near the tropopause, with reduced horizontal eddy mixing. Results from a climate-chemistry coupled model are shown for both long-lived trace species and the stratospheric age-of-air. The latter results to be younger by approximately 0.5 year at 30 hPa for 3–4 years after the June 1991 Pinatubo eruption, as a result of the volcanic aerosols radiative perturbation and is consistent with independent estimates based on long time series of in situ profile measurements of SF6 and CO2. Younger age of air is also calculated after Agung, El Chichón and Ruiz eruptions, as well as negative anomalies of the N2O growth rate at the extratropical tropopause layer. This type of analysis is made comparing the results of two ensembles of model simulations (1960–2005), one including stratospheric volcanic aerosols and their radiative interactions and a reference case where the volcanic aerosols do not interact with solar and planetary radiation.
Influence of Wine Education on Wine Hedonic and Confidence Ratings by Millennial Wine Consumers of Different Ethnicities
Authors: Cliff Margaret , Bejaei Masoumeh , King Marjorie , McArthur David
Published: November 2016

Consumer wine preferences are not well understood. Anecdotally it is believed that preferences evolve over time, from sweet whites to full-bodied reds, as consumers become more experienced and familiar with wine. However, little is known about the change in wine preference or confidence with education and training. This research explored changes in consumers’ hedonic and confidence ratings for five commercial British Columbian (BC) wines (Ehrenfelser, Chardonnay, rosé, Pinot noir, Cabernet-Merlot) over a 12-week education/training period. Consumers (n = 133) completed a wine survey and evaluated the wines during the first and twelfth week of a university wine course, consisting of wine education and sensory training. Consumers provided hedonic (degree-of-liking) and confidence (degree-of-sureness) ratings for the visual, aroma and flavor characteristics of the wines, on 9-point and 5-point scales, respectively, before and after the 12-week wine course. Consumers were classified by gender (female, male), age and ethnicity. Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney, Friedman, Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Chi-square tests and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to explore the effects of education/training on hedonic and confidence ratings. In general, consumers’ hedonic (visual, aroma, flavor) ratings increased significantly with education/training for the white and rosé wines (Ehrenfelser, Chardonnay, rosé) over the 12-week period. In contrast, consumer confidence increased substantially for all wine types. Surveys revealed, for the three largest subgroups of consumers (North American (NA), n = 38; European (EU), n = 31; Asian, n = 54), that NA and EU consumers had significantly higher frequency-of-purchase, frequency-of-purchase of Canadian wine, frequency-of-consumption and self-rated wine knowledge than Asian consumers. However, Asian consumers were willing to pay more for a bottle of wine compared to NA and EU consumers. This research provided insight into the millennial consumers and explored the nature and magnitude of changes in hedonic and confidence ratings with wine education/training.
Pulsed Laser Deposition of Platinum Nanoparticles as a Catalyst for High-Performance PEM Fuel Cells
Authors: Qayyum Hamza , Tseng Chung-Jen , Huang Ting-Wei , Chen Szu-yuan
Published: November 2016

The catalyst layers for polymer-electrolyte-membrane (PEM) fuel cells were fabricated by deposition of platinum directly onto the gas diffusion layer using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). This technique reduced the number of steps required to synthesize the catalyst layers and the amount of Pt loading required. PEM fuel cells with various Pt loadings for the cathode were investigated. With a cathode Pt loading of 100 μ g·cm − 2 , the current density of a single cell reached 1205 mA·cm − 2 at 0.6 V, which was close to that of a single cell using an E-TEK (trademark) Pt/C electrode with a cathode Pt loading of 400 μ g·cm − 2 . Furthermore, for a PEM fuel cell with both electrodes prepared by PLD and a total anode and cathode Pt loading of 117 μ g·cm − 2 , the overall Pt mass-specific power density at 0.6 V reached 7.43 kW·g − 1 , which was five times that of a fuel cell with E-TEK Pt/C electrodes. The high mass-specific power density was due to that a very thin nanoporous Pt layer was deposited directly onto the gas diffusion layer, which made good contact with the Nafion membrane and thus resulted in a low-resistance membrane electrode assembly.
Topological Insulator Film Growth by Molecular Beam Epitaxy: A Review
Authors: Ginley Theresa , Wang Yong , Law Stephanie
Published: November 2016

In this article, we will review recent progress in the growth of topological insulator (TI) thin films by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The materials we focus on are the V2-VI3 family of TIs. These materials are ideally bulk insulating with surface states housing Dirac excitations which are spin-momentum locked. These surface states are interesting for fundamental physics studies (such as the search for Majorana fermions) as well as applications in spintronics and other fields. However, the majority of TI films and bulk crystals exhibit significant bulk conductivity, which obscures these states. In addition, many TI films have a high defect density. This review will discuss progress in reducing the bulk conductivity while increasing the crystal quality. We will describe in detail how growth parameters, substrate choice, and growth technique influence the resulting TI film properties for binary and ternary TIs. We then give an overview of progress in the growth of TI heterostructures. We close by discussing the bright future for TI film growth by MBE.
A Hierarchically Micro-Meso-Macroporous Zeolite CaA for Methanol Conversion to Dimethyl Ether
Authors: Wang Yan , Ren Fen-fen , Pan Da-hai , Ma Jing-hong
Published: November 2016

A hierarchical zeolite CaA with microporous, mesoporous and macroporous structure was hydrothermally synthesized by a ”Bond-Blocking” method using organo-functionalized mesoporous silica (MS) as a silica source. The characterization by XRD, SEM/TEM and N2 adsorption/desorption techniques showed that the prepared material had well-crystalline zeolite Linde Type A (LTA) topological structure, microspherical particle morphologies, and hierarchically intracrystalline micro-meso-macropores structure. With the Bond-Blocking principle, the external surface area and macro-mesoporosity of the hierarchical zeolite CaA can be adjusted by varying the organo-functionalized degree of the mesoporous silica surface. Similarly, the distribution of the micro-meso-macroporous structure in the zeolite CaA can be controlled purposely. Compared with the conventional microporous zeolite CaA, the hierarchical zeolite CaA as a catalyst in the conversion of methanol to dimethyl ether (DME), exhibited complete DME selectivity and stable catalytic activity with high methanol conversion. The catalytic performances of the hierarchical zeolite CaA results clearly from the micro-meso-macroporous structure, improving diffusion properties, favoring the access to the active surface and avoiding secondary reactions (no hydrocarbon products were detected after 3 h of reaction).
A Cross-National Study of Implicit Theories of a Creative Person
Authors: Hopp Manuel , Händel Marion , Stoeger Heidrun , Vialle Wilma , Ziegler Albert
Published: November 2016

Implicit theories can influence learning behavior, the approaches individuals take to learning and performance situations, and the learning goals individuals set, as well as, indirectly, their accomplishments, intelligence, and creativity. For this cross-cultural study, Kenyan and German students were asked to draw a creative person and rate it on a number of attributes. The data indicated considerable differences among the implicit theories according to students’ gender and nationality. Kenyan girls, in particular, frequently ascribed a gender to their prototypical creative person that differed from their own, whereas the gender of the prototypical creative people drawn by German students was more equally spread. The data offer evidence that implicit theories of a creative person are multifaceted. Kenyan students value diligence as an important attribute of a creative person. In addition, social variables were seen as important, followed by talents in languages and mathematics. By contrast, German students valued imagination and talent in artistic areas, followed by diligence and social components. Their lowest rated attributes for creativity were talents in the domains of languages, mathematics and technical areas. Future studies should further examine the influence of implicit theories on the learning behavior of gifted students.
The Potential Reduction of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions from Gas Flaring in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry through Alternative Productive Use
Authors: Otene Iduh , Murray Phil , Enongene Kevin
Published: November 2016

Globally, climate change and its adverse effects on the human population and the environment has necessitated significant research on the sustainable use of natural resources. Gas flaring in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry causes environmental and health hazards and to a large extent, culminates in yearly loss of the Nation’s revenue. The aim of the study is to highlight the potentials of converting flared gas from the Nigerian oil and gas industry to compressed natural gas (CNG) which could be an alternative fuel for the 220 Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT-Lite) while reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, the study provided an overview of gas flaring in the oil and gas industry and energy utilisation in some selected sectors in the country. The Long-range Energy Alternative Planning System (LEAP) software was employed to model the energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions from the BRT-Lite by creating a current scenario and projections to the year 2030. The use of CNG as an alternative fuel for Lagos BRT-Lite will significantly reduce CO2 emissions in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Other utilization options for flared gas from this industry includes: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and power generation.
Relic—Shock Connection in Abell 115
Authors: Botteon Andrea , Gastaldello Fabio , Brunetti Gianfranco , Dallacasa Daniele
Published: November 2016

Giant radio relics are arc-shaped diffuse sources with Mpc-scale found in the peripheries of some dynamically disturbed galaxy clusters. According to the leading scenario of relic formation, shock waves occurring in merger events amplify the local magnetic field and (re)accelerate particles. However, Mach numbers associated with merger shocks are typically low, and hence inefficient at accelerating particles from the thermal pool. We analyzed a deep Chandra observation (334 ks) to study the relic region in the cluster Abell 115. Temperature and surface brightness profiles taken across the relic both show a clear discontinuity, which is consistent with a shock. This result supports the relic–shock connection and represents a test case to study the origin of radio relics. In this particular case, we suggest that a re-acceleration scenario is more suitable. The relic morphology and position are consistent with a shock produced in an off-axis merger between clusters with different masses.
Structure-Functional Basis of Ion Transport in Sodium–Calcium Exchanger (NCX) Proteins
Authors: Giladi Moshe , Shor Reut , Lisnyansky Michal , Khananshvili Daniel
Published: November 2016

The membrane-bound sodium–calcium exchanger (NCX) proteins shape Ca2+ homeostasis in many cell types, thus participating in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. Determination of the crystal structure of an archaeal NCX (NCX_Mj) paved the way for a thorough and systematic investigation of ion transport mechanisms in NCX proteins. Here, we review the data gathered from the X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamics simulations, hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass-spectrometry (HDX-MS), and ion-flux analyses of mutants. Strikingly, the apo NCX_Mj protein exhibits characteristic patterns in the local backbone dynamics at particular helix segments, thereby possessing characteristic HDX profiles, suggesting structure-dynamic preorganization (geometric arrangements of catalytic residues before the transition state) of conserved α1 and α2 repeats at ion-coordinating residues involved in transport activities. Moreover, dynamic preorganization of local structural entities in the apo protein predefines the status of ion-occlusion and transition states, even though Na+ or Ca2+ binding modifies the preceding backbone dynamics nearby functionally important residues. Future challenges include resolving the structural-dynamic determinants governing the ion selectivity, functional asymmetry and ion-induced alternating access. Taking into account the structural similarities of NCX_Mj with the other proteins belonging to the Ca2+/cation exchanger superfamily, the recent findings can significantly improve our understanding of ion transport mechanisms in NCX and similar proteins.
Intracranial Thrombus Morphology and Composition Undergoes Time-Dependent Changes in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A CT Densitometry Study
Authors: Pikija Slaven , Magdic Jozef , Trkulja Vladimir , Unterkreuter Peter , Mutzenbach Johannes , Novak Helmut , Weymayr Friedrich , Hauer Larissa , Sellner Johann
Published: November 2016

The aim of our study was to assess whether cerebral artery clots undergo time-dependent morphological and compositional changes in acute ischemic stroke. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients admitted within 5 h from symptom onset to three European stroke centers and evaluated non-contrast-enhanced CT (NECT) for hyperdense artery signs (HAS) in 2565 scans. The occlusion site, density of HAS expressed in Hounsfield units (HU), area of HAS, and relative density (rHU) (HU clot/HU non-affected artery) were studied and related to time from symptom onset, clinical severity, stroke etiology, and laboratory parameters. A HAS was present in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 185 (7.2%) and further explored. The mean time from symptom onset to CT was 100 min (range 17–300). We found a time-dependent loss of density in the occluded M1 segment within the first 5 h (N = 118, 95% CI [−15, −2], p = 0.01). Further, the thrombus area in the M2 segment decreased with time (cubic trend N = 67, 95% CI [−63, −8], p = 0.02). Overall, and especially in the M2 segment, a lower clot area was associated with higher fibrinogen (−21.7%, 95% CI [−34.8, −5.8], p = 0.009). In conclusion, our results disclosed time-dependent changes of intracranial thrombi with regard to occlusion site, density and area.
Fatty Acid and Phenolic Compound Concentrations in Eight Different Monovarietal Virgin Olive Oils from Extremadura and the Relationship with Oxidative Stability
Authors: Montaño Alfonso , Hernández Marcos , Garrido Inmaculada , Llerena José , Espinosa Francisco
Published: November 2016

Olive oils have been shown to be more resistant to oxidation than other vegetable fats, mainly due to their fatty acid (FA) profile which is rich in oleic acid and to their high content of antioxidants, principally phenols and tocopherols. This has situated virgin olive oils (VOOs) among the fats of high nutritional quality. However, it is important to stress that the oil’s commercial category (olive oil, virgin olive oil, extra-virgin olive oil), the variety of the source plant, and the extraction-conservation systems all decisively influence the concentration of these antioxidants and the oil’s shelf-life. The present work studied the fatty acid (FA) and phenolic composition and the oxidative stability (OS) of eight olive varieties grown in Extremadura (Arbequina, Cornicabra, Manzanilla Cacereña, Manzanilla de Sevilla, Morisca, Pico Limón, Picual, and Verdial de Badajoz), with the olives being harvested at different locations and dates. The Cornicabra, Picual, and Manzanilla Cacereña VOOs were found to have high oleic acid contents (>77.0%), while the VOOs of Morisca and Verdial de Badajoz had high linoleic acid contents (>14.5%). Regarding the phenol content, high values were found in the Cornicabra (633 mg·kg−1) and Morisca (550 mg·kg−1) VOOs, and low values in Arbequina (200 mg·kg−1). The OS was found to depend upon both the variety and the date of harvesting. It was higher in the Cornicabra and Picual oils (>55 h), and lower in those of Verdial de Badajoz (26.3 h), Arbequina (29.8 h), and Morisca (31.5 h). In relating phenols and FAs with the OS, it was observed that, while the latter, particularly the linoleic content (R = −0.710, p < 0.001, n = 135), constitute the most influential factors, the phenolic compounds, especially o-diphenols, are equally influential when the oils’ linoleic content is ≥12.5% (R = 0.674, p < 0.001, n = 47). The results show that VOOs’ resistance to oxidation depends not only on the FA or phenolic profile, but also on the interaction of these compounds within the same matrix.
Priority-Based Content Delivery in the Internet of Vehicles through Named Data Networking
Authors: Amadeo Marica , Campolo Claudia , Molinaro Antonella
Published: November 2016

Named Data Networking (NDN) has been recently proposed as a prominent solution for content delivery in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), where cars equipped with a variety of wireless communication technologies exchange information aimed to support safety, traffic efficiency, monitoring and infotainment applications. The main NDN tenets, i.e., name-based communication and in-network caching, perfectly fit the demands of time- and spatially-relevant content requested by vehicles regardless of their provenance. However, existing vehicular NDN solutions have not been targeted to wisely ensure prioritized traffic treatment based on the specific needs of heterogeneous IoV content types. In this work, we propose a holistic NDN solution that, according to the demands of data traffic codified in NDN content names, dynamically shapes the NDN forwarding decisions to ensure the appropriate prioritization. Specifically, our proposal first selects the outgoing interface(s) (i.e., 802.11, LTE) for NDN packets and then properly tunes the timing of the actual transmissions. Simulation results show that the proposed enhancements succeed in achieving differentiated traffic treatment, while keeping traffic load under control.
Historical and Current Niche Construction in an Anthropogenic Biome: Old Cultural Landscapes in Southern Scandinavia
Authors: Eriksson Ove
Published: November 2016

Conceptual advances in niche construction theory provide new perspectives and a tool-box for studies of human-environment interactions mediating what is termed anthropogenic biomes. This theory is useful also for studies on how anthropogenic biomes are perceived and valued. This paper addresses these topics using an example: “old cultural landscapes” in Scandinavia, i.e., landscapes formed by a long, dynamic and continuously changing history of management. Today, remnant habitats of this management history, such as wooded pastures and meadows, are the focus of conservation programs, due to their rich biodiversity and cultural and aesthetic values. After a review of historical niche construction processes, the paper examines current niche construction affecting these old cultural landscapes. Features produced by historical niche construction, e.g., landscape composition and species richness, are in the modern society reinterpreted to become values associated with beauty and heritage and species’ intrinsic values. These non-utilitarian motivators now become drivers of new niche construction dynamics, manifested as conservation programs. The paper also examines the possibility to maintain and create new habitats, potentially associated with values emanating from historical landscapes, but in transformed and urbanized landscapes.
Efficient Solar-Induced Photoelectrochemical Response Using Coupling Semiconductor TiO2-ZnO Nanorod Film
Authors: Abd Samad Nur , Lai Chin , Lau Kung , Abd Hamid Sharifah
Published: November 2016

Efficient solar driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) response by enhancing charge separation has attracted great interest in the hydrogen generation application. The formation of one-dimensional ZnO nanorod structure without bundling is essential for high efficiency in PEC response. In this present research work, ZnO nanorod with an average 500 nm in length and average diameter of about 75 nm was successfully formed via electrodeposition method in 0.05 mM ZnCl2 and 0.1 M KCl electrolyte at 1 V for 60 min under 70 °C condition. Continuous efforts have been exerted to further improve the solar driven PEC response by incorporating an optimum content of TiO2 into ZnO nanorod using dip-coating technique. It was found that 0.25 at % of TiO2 loaded on ZnO nanorod film demonstrated a maximum photocurrent density of 19.78 mA/cm2 (with V vs. Ag/AgCl) under UV illumination and 14.75 mA/cm2 (with V vs. Ag/AgCl) under solar illumination with photoconversion efficiency ~2.9% (UV illumination) and ~4.3% (solar illumination). This performance was approximately 3–4 times higher than ZnO film itself. An enhancement of photocurrent density and photoconversion efficiency occurred due to the sufficient Ti element within TiO2-ZnO nanorod film, which acted as an effective mediator to trap the photo-induced electrons and minimize the recombination of charge carriers. Besides, phenomenon of charge-separation effect at type-II band alignment of Zn and Ti could further enhance the charge carrier transportation during illumination.
A Bayesian Approach for Sensor Optimisation in Impact Identification
Authors: Mallardo Vincenzo , Sharif Khodaei Zahra , Aliabadi Ferri
Published: November 2016

This paper presents a Bayesian approach for optimizing the position of sensors aimed at impact identification in composite structures under operational conditions. The uncertainty in the sensor data has been represented by statistical distributions of the recorded signals. An optimisation strategy based on the genetic algorithm is proposed to find the best sensor combination aimed at locating impacts on composite structures. A Bayesian-based objective function is adopted in the optimisation procedure as an indicator of the performance of meta-models developed for different sensor combinations to locate various impact events. To represent a real structure under operational load and to increase the reliability of the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system, the probability of malfunctioning sensors is included in the optimisation. The reliability and the robustness of the procedure is tested with experimental and numerical examples. Finally, the proposed optimisation algorithm is applied to a composite stiffened panel for both the uniform and non-uniform probability of impact occurrence.
Prediction of Three-Dimensional Downward Flame Spread Characteristics over Poly(methyl methacrylate) Slabs in Different Pressure Environments
Authors: Zhao Kun , Zhou Xiao-Dong , Liu Xue-Qiang , Lu Lei , Wu Zhi-Bo , Peng Fei , Ju Xiao-Yu , Yang Li-Zhong
Published: November 2016

The present study is aimed at predicting downward flame spread characteristics over poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with different sample dimensions in different pressure environments. Three-dimensional (3-D) downward flame spread experiments on free PMMA slabs were conducted at five locations with different altitudes, which provide different pressures. Pressure effects on the flame spread rate, profile of pyrolysis front and flame height were analyzed at all altitudes. The flame spread rate in the steady-state stage was calculated based on the balance on the fuel surface and fuel properties. Results show that flame spread rate increases exponentially with pressure, and the exponent of pressure further shows an increasing trend with the thickness of the sample. The angle of the pyrolysis front emerged on sample residue in the width direction, which indicates a steady-burning stage, varies clearly with sample thicknesses and ambient pressures. A global non-dimensional equation was proposed to predict the variation tendency of the angle of the pyrolysis front with pressure and was found to fit well with the measured results. In addition, the dependence of average flame height on mass burning rate, sample dimension and pressure was proposed based on laminar diffusion flame theory. The fitted exponent of experimental data is 1.11, which is close to the theoretical value.
Corrosion of Fe-(9~37) wt. %Cr Alloys at 700–800 °C in (N2, H2O, H2S)-Mixed Gas
Authors: Kim Min , Abro Muhammad , Lee Dong
Published: November 2016

Fe-(9, 19, 28, 37) wt. %Cr alloys were corroded at 700 and 800 °C for 70 h under 1 atm of N2, 1 atm of N2/3.2%H2O mixed gas, and 1 atm of N2/3.1%H2O/2.42%H2S mixed gas. In this gas composition order, the corrosion rate of Fe-9Cr alloy rapidly increased. Fe-9Cr alloy was always non-protective. In contrast, Fe-(19, 28, 37) wt. %Cr alloys were protective in N2 and N2/3.2%H2O mixed gas because of the formation of the Cr2O3 layer. They, however, became nonprotective in N2/3.1%H2O/2.42%H2S mixed gas because sulfidation dominated to form the outer FeS layer and the inner Cr2S3 layer containing some FeCr2S4.
Digestion of Alumina from Non-Magnetic Material Obtained from Magnetic Separation of Reduced Iron-Rich Diasporic Bauxite with Sodium Salts
Authors: Li Guanghui , Luo Jun , Jiang Tao , Li Zhuoxuan , Peng Zhiwei , Zhang Yuanbo
Published: November 2016

Recovery of iron from iron-rich diasporic bauxite ore via reductive roasting followed by magnetic separation has been explored recently. However, the efficiency of alumina extraction in the non-magnetic materials is absent. In this paper, a further study on the digestion of alumina by the Bayer process from non-magnetic material obtained after magnetic separation of reduced iron-rich diasporic bauxite with sodium salts was investigated. The results indicate that the addition of sodium salts can destroy the original occurrences of iron-, aluminum- and silicon-containing minerals of bauxite ore during reductive roasting. Meanwhile, the reactions of sodium salts with complex aluminum- and silicon-bearing phases generate diaoyudaoite and sodium aluminosilicate. The separation of iron via reductive roasting of bauxite ore with sodium salts followed by magnetic separation improves alumina digestion in the Bayer process. When the alumina-bearing material in bauxite ore is converted into non-magnetic material, the digestion temperature decreases significantly from 280 °C to 240 °C with a nearly 99% relative digestion ratio of alumina.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Benzimidazole Phenylhydrazone Derivatives as Antifungal Agents against Phytopathogenic Fungi
Authors: Wang Xing , Chen Yong-Fei , Yan Wei , Cao Ling-Ling , Ye Yong-Hao
Published: November 2016

A series of benzimidazole phenylhydrazone derivatives (6a–6ai) were synthesized and characterized by 1H-NMR, ESI-MS, and elemental analysis. The structure of 6b was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction as (E)-configuration. All the compounds were screened for antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Magnaporthe oryzae employing a mycelium growth rate method. Compound 6f exhibited significant inhibitory activity against R. solani and M. oryzae with the EC50 values of 1.20 and 1.85 μg/mL, respectively. In vivo testing demonstrated that 6f could effectively control the development of rice sheath blight (RSB) and rice blast (RB) caused by the above two phytopathogens. This work indicated that the compound 6f with a benzimidazole phenylhydrazone scaffold could be considered as a leading structure for the development of novel fungicides.
Structural Analysis of Sortase A Inhibitors
Authors: Nitulescu Georgiana , Zanfirescu Anca , Olaru Octavian , Nicorescu Isabela , Nitulescu George , Margina Denisa
Published: November 2016

Bacterial sortases are cysteine transpeptidases that regulate the covalent linkage of several surface protein virulence factors in Gram-positive bacteria. Virulence factors play significant roles in adhesion, invasion of host tissues, biofilm formation and immune evasion, mediating the bacterial pathogenesis and infectivity. Therefore, sortases are emerging as important targets for the design of new anti-infective agents. We employed a computational study, based on structure derived descriptors and molecular fingerprints, in order to develop simple classification methods which could allow predicting low active or high active SrtA inhibitors. Our results indicate that a highly active SrtA inhibitor has a molecular weight ranging between 180 and 600, contains one up to four nitrogen atoms, up to three oxygen atoms and under 18 hydrogen atoms. Also the hydrogen acceptor number and the molecular flexibility, as assessed by the number of rotatable bounds, have emerged as the most relevant descriptors for SrtA affinity. The Bemis-Murcko scaffolding revealed favoured scaffolds as containing at least two ring structures bonded directly or merged in a condensed cycle. This data represent a valuable tool for identifying new potent SrtA inhibitors, potential anti-virulence agents targeted against Gram-positive bacteria, including multiresistant strains.