bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Production of Engineered Biochars in a Vertical Auger Pyrolysis Reactor for Carbon Sequestration
Authors: Brassard Patrick , Godbout Stéphane , Raghavan Vijaya , Palacios Joahnn , Grenier Michèle , Zegan Dan
Published: February 2017

Biomass pyrolysis and the valorization of co-products (biochar, bio-oil, syngas) could be a sustainable management solution for agricultural and forest residues. Depending on its properties, biochar amended to soil could improve fertility. Moreover, biochar is expected to mitigate climate change by reducing soil greenhouse gas emissions, if its C/N ratio is lower than 30, and sequestrating carbon if its O/Corg and H/Corg ratios are lower than 0.2 and 0.7, respectively. However, the yield and properties of biochar are influenced by biomass feedstock and pyrolysis operating parameters. The objective of this research study was to validate an approach based on the response surface methodology, to identify the optimal pyrolysis operating parameters (temperature, solid residence time, and carrier gas flowrate), in order to produce engineered biochars for carbon sequestration. The pyrolysis of forest residues, switchgrass, and the solid fraction of pig manure, was carried out in a vertical auger reactor following a Box-Behnken design, in order to develop response surface models. The optimal pyrolysis operating parameters were estimated to obtain biochar with the lowest H/Corg and O/Corg ratios. Validation pyrolysis experiments confirmed that the selected approach can be used to accurately predict the optimal operating parameters for producing biochar with the desired properties to sequester carbon.
Optimizing the Performance of Solo Duck Wave Energy Converter in Tide
Authors: Wu Jinming , Yao Yingxue , Li Wei , Zhou Liang , Göteman Malin
Published: February 2017

The high efficiency performance of the Edinburgh Duck wave energy converter (WEC) in 2D regular wave tests makes it a promising wave energy conversion scheme. A solo Duck WEC will be able to apply the point absorber effect to further enhance its performance. Since released degree of freedom will decrease the efficiency, a Duck WEC with fixed pitching axis will be a better option. However, for fixed supported WECs, tide is a non-ignorable consideration. In this paper, a movable mass method is utilized in the whole tidal range to not only balance the Duck to appropriate beak angles, but also follow the variation of hydrodynamic coefficients to keep cancelling the reactance of the system impedance so that complex conjugate control can be realized to optimize the power capture performance of the Duck WEC in tide. Results show that the beak angle should be adjusted to as large a value as possible so that the response amplitude of the Duck at maximum relative capture width will be reasonable small, and the lowest weight of the movable mass is found when its designed position locates at the center of the Duck profile.
Relationship between Forest Color Characteristics and Scenic Beauty: Case Study Analyzing Pictures of Mountainous Forests at Sloped Positions in Jiuzhai Valley, China
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Qie Guangfa , Wang Cheng , Jiang Shasha , Li Xi , Li Mingxia
Published: February 2017

Forests are important place for outdoor recreation and scenery appreciation. So in order to better meet the needs of the public, forest appreciation has received increasing attention from foresters in recent years. However, related research is still limited. Therefore, this paper seeks to examine the relationship between forest colors (measured by specific elements and spatial indices of color) and Scenic Beauty Estimation values. We researched Jiuzhai Valley in China by selecting 104 pictures to determine the scenic beauty estimation values of forests in a mountainous region. Quantitative color elements were extracted by programming on Matlab, and spatial indices of color patches were extracted by ArcGIS and FRAGSTATS. A total of 23 indices were obtained to explain the color characteristics of each forest picture. The results showed that the yellow and red colors were the main mutable colors of Jiuzhai Valley in autumn, but the color patches index had no significant change over time in that season. After partial correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis, we found that 14 color elements, eight color patch factors and six particular indices had an effect on the SBE values, which can then be used to efficiently measure and enhance the forest color beauty of Jiuzhai Valley.
Co-Operation or Co-Optation? NGOs’ Roles in Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative
Authors: Hermansen Erlend , McNeill Desmond , Kasa Sjur , Rajão Raoni
Published: February 2017

This paper investigates non-governmental organisation (NGO) involvement in policy processes related to Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) comparing four countries: Norway, Brazil, Indonesia, and Tanzania. Based on documents and interviews, NGO involvement is mapped using a conceptual framework to categorise and compare different roles and modes of engagement. NGOs have co-operated with government in policy design and implementation, albeit to varying degrees, in all four countries, but expressed relatively little public criticism. Funding seems to have an influence on NGOs’ choices regarding whether, what, when, and how to criticise. However, limited public criticism does not necessarily mean that the NGOs are co-opted. They are reflexive regarding their possible operating space, and act strategically and pragmatically to pursue their goals in an entrepreneurial manner. The interests of NGOs and NICFI are to a large extent congruent. Instead of publicly criticising a global initiative that they largely support, and thus put the initiative as a whole at risk, NGOs may use other, more informal, channels to voice points of disagreement. While NGOs do indeed run the risk of being co-opted, their opportunity to resist this fate is probably greater in this instance than is usually the case because NICFI are so reliant on their services.
Towards a Role-Oriented Governance Approach: Insights from Eight Forest Climate Initiatives
Authors: Blum Mareike , Reinecke Sabine
Published: February 2017

In forest climate governance processes such as REDD+, non-state actors take on various, more or less formal, but in fact potentially authoritative governance tasks when informing, financing, (co)deciding or implementing forest climate action. Drawing on the concept of social roles, we investigate eight different REDD+ governance processes and how a variety of practical authoritative roles are enacted in administration, finance, decision-making and knowledge production. By systematically revealing the distinct ways of how different roles were filled, we developed a first (potentially still incomplete) typology of role practices and underlying rationales within different governance settings. In this endeavor, the role concept offered a valuable and handy analytical tool for empirically operationalizing governance performance, which is principally compatible with both institutional and social constructivist approaches to legitimacy.
Predicting Spatial Distribution of Key Honeybee Pests in Kenya Using Remotely Sensed and Bioclimatic Variables: Key Honeybee Pests Distribution Models
Authors: Makori David , Fombong Ayuka , Abdel-Rahman Elfatih , Nkoba Kiatoko , Ongus Juliette , Irungu Janet , Mosomtai Gladys , Makau Sospeter , Mutanga Onisimo , Odindi John , Raina Suresh , Landmann Tobias
Published: February 2017

Bee keeping is indispensable to global food production. It is an alternate income source, especially in rural underdeveloped African settlements, and an important forest conservation incentive. However, dwindling honeybee colonies around the world are attributed to pests and diseases whose spatial distribution and influences are not well established. In this study, we used remotely sensed data to improve the reliability of pest ecological niche (EN) models to attain reliable pest distribution maps. Occurrence data on four pests (Aethina tumida, Galleria mellonella, Oplostomus haroldi and Varroa destructor) were collected from apiaries within four main agro-ecological regions responsible for over 80% of Kenya’s bee keeping. Africlim bioclimatic and derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) variables were used to model their ecological niches using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt). Combined precipitation variables had a high positive logit influence on all remotely sensed and biotic models’ performance. Remotely sensed vegetation variables had a substantial effect on the model, contributing up to 40.8% for G. mellonella and regions with high rainfall seasonality were predicted to be high-risk areas. Projections (to 2055) indicated that, with the current climate change trend, these regions will experience increased honeybee pest risk. We conclude that honeybee pests could be modelled using bioclimatic data and remotely sensed variables in MaxEnt. Although the bioclimatic data were most relevant in all model results, incorporating vegetation seasonality variables to improve mapping the ‘actual’ habitat of key honeybee pests and to identify risk and containment zones needs to be further investigated.
Tenebrio molitor Larvae Inhibit Adipogenesis through AMPK and MAPKs Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Seo Minchul , Goo Tae-Won , Chung Mi , Baek Minhee , Hwang Jae-Sam , Kim Mi-Ae , Yun Eun-Young
Published: February 2017

Despite the increasing interest in insect-based bioactive products, the biological activities of these products are rarely studied adequately. Larvae of Tenebrio molitor, the yellow mealworm, have been eaten as a traditional food and provide many health benefits. Therefore, we hypothesized that T. molitor larvae might influence adipogenesis and obesity-related disorders. In the present study, we investigated the anti-adipogenic and antiobesity effects of T. molitor larvae in vitro and in vivo. The lipid accumulation and triglyceride content in mature adipocytes was reduced significantly (up to 90%) upon exposure to an ethanol extract of T. molitor larvae, without a reduction in cell viability. Exposure also resulted in key adipogenic and lipogenic transcription factors. Additionally, in adipogenic differentiation medium the extract induced phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Daily oral administration of T. molitor larvae powder to obese mice fed high-fat diet attenuated body weight gain. We also found that the powder efficiently reduced hepatic steatosis as well as aspartate and alanine transaminase enzyme levels in mice fed a high-fat diet. Our results suggest that T. molitor larvae extract has an antiobesity effect when administered as a food supplement and has potential as a therapeutic agent for obesity.
Comparative Genomics of the Aeromonadaceae Core Oligosaccharide Biosynthetic Regions
Authors: Forn-Cuní Gabriel , Merino Susana , Tomás Juan
Published: February 2017

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are an integral part of the Gram-negative outer membrane, playing important organizational and structural roles and taking part in the bacterial infection process. In Aeromonas hydrophila, piscicola, and salmonicida, three different genomic regions taking part in the LPS core oligosaccharide (Core-OS) assembly have been identified, although the characterization of these clusters in most aeromonad species is still lacking. Here, we analyse the conservation of these LPS biosynthesis gene clusters in the all the 170 currently public Aeromonas genomes, including 30 different species, and characterise the structure of a putative common inner Core-OS in the Aeromonadaceae family. We describe three new genomic organizations for the inner Core-OS genomic regions, which were more evolutionary conserved than the outer Core-OS regions, which presented remarkable variability. We report how the degree of conservation of the genes from the inner and outer Core-OS may be indicative of the taxonomic relationship between Aeromonas species.
Phylogenetic Relationships among Whiteflies in the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Species Complex from Major Cassava Growing Areas in Kenya
Authors: Manani Duke , Ateka Elijah , Nyanjom Steven , Boykin Laura
Published: February 2017

Whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) are major insect pests that affect many crops such as cassava, tomato, beans, cotton, cucurbits, potato, sweet potato, and ornamental crops. Bemisia tabaci transmits viral diseases, namely cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak diseases, which are the main constraints to cassava production, causing huge losses to many small-scale farmers. The aim of this work was to determine the phylogenetic relationships among Bemisia tabaci species in major cassava growing areas of Kenya. Surveys were carried out between 2013 and 2015 in major cassava growing areas (Western, Nyanza, Eastern, and Coast regions), for cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI-DNA) was used to determine the genetic diversity of B. tabaci. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using Bayesian methods to understand the genetic diversity across the study regions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two B. tabaci species present in Kenya, sub-Saharan Africa 1 and 2 comprising five distinct clades (A–E) with percent sequence similarity ranging from 97.7 % to 99.5%. Clades B, C, D, and E are predominantly distributed in the Western and Nyanza regions of Kenya whereas clade B is dominantly found along the coast, the eastern region, and parts of Nyanza. Our B. tabaci clade A groups with sub-Saharan Africa 2-(SSA2) recorded a percent sequence similarity of 99.5%. In this study, we also report the identification of SSA2 after a 15 year absence in Kenya. The SSA2 species associated with CMD has been found in the Western region of Kenya bordering Uganda. More information is needed to determine if these species are differentially involved in the epidemiology of the cassava viruses.
Crack Mitigation in Concrete: Superabsorbent Polymers as Key to Success?
Authors: Mignon Arn , Snoeck Didier , Dubruel Peter , Van Vlierberghe Sandra , De Belie Nele
Published: February 2017

Cracking is a major concern in building applications. Cracks may arise from shrinkage, freeze/thawing and/or structural stresses, amongst others. Several solutions can be found but superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) seem to be interesting to counteract these problems. At an early age, the absorbed water by the SAPs may be used to mitigate autogenous and plastic shrinkage. The formed macro pores may increase the freeze/thaw resistance. The swelling upon water ingress may seal a crack from intruding fluids and may regain the overall water-tightness. The latter water may promote autogenous healing. The use of superabsorbent polymers is thus very interesting. This review paper summarizes the current research and gives a critical note towards the use of superabsorbent polymers in cementitious materials.
Upscaling Cement Paste Microstructure to Obtain the Fracture, Shear, and Elastic Concrete Mechanical LDPM Parameters
Authors: Sherzer Gili , Gao Peng , Schlangen Erik , Ye Guang , Gal Erez
Published: February 2017

Modeling the complex behavior of concrete for a specific mixture is a challenging task, as it requires bridging the cement scale and the concrete scale. We describe a multiscale analysis procedure for the modeling of concrete structures, in which material properties at the macro scale are evaluated based on lower scales. Concrete may be viewed over a range of scale sizes, from the atomic scale (10−10 m), which is characterized by the behavior of crystalline particles of hydrated Portland cement, to the macroscopic scale (10 m). The proposed multiscale framework is based on several models, including chemical analysis at the cement paste scale, a mechanical lattice model at the cement and mortar scales, geometrical aggregate distribution models at the mortar scale, and the Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) at the concrete scale. The analysis procedure starts from a known chemical and mechanical set of parameters of the cement paste, which are then used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the LDPM concrete parameters for the fracture, shear, and elastic responses of the concrete. Although a macroscopic validation study of this procedure is presented, future research should include a comparison to additional experiments in each scale.
Preparation and Characterization of Polyurethanes with Cross-Linked Siloxane in the Side Chain by Sol-Gel Reactions
Authors: Zhao Hui , Hao Tong-Hui , Hu Guo-Hua , Shi Dean , Huang Da , Jiang Tao , Zhang Qun-Chao
Published: February 2017

A series of novel polyurethanes containing cross-linked siloxane in the side chain (SPU) were successfully synthesized through a sol-gel process. The SPU was composed of 0%–20% N-(n-butyl)-3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (HDI-T) modified hexamethylene diisocynate homopolymer. The effects of HDI-T content on both the structure and properties of SPU were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical properties tests, gel content test, water contact angle measurement and water absorption test. FT-IR, XPS and XRD results confirmed the successful incorporation of HDI-T onto polyurethanes and the formation of Si–O–Si. The surface roughness and the Si content of SPU enhanced with the increase of HDI-T content. Both crystallization and melting temperature shifted to a lower point after the incorporation of HDI-T. The hydrophobicity, tensile strength, Young’s modulus and pencil hardness overall increased with the increasing of HDI-T content, whereas the thermal stability and the elongation at break of SPU slightly decreased.
Synthesis, X-ray Single Crystal Structure, Molecular Docking and DFT Computations on N-[(1E)-1-(2H-1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propylidene]-hydroxylamine: A New Potential Antifungal Agent Precursor
Authors: Al-Wabli Reem , Al-Ghamdi Alwah , Ghabbour Hazem , Al-Agamy Mohamed , Monicka James , Joe Issac , Attia Mohamed
Published: February 2017

Mycoses are serious health problem, especially in immunocompromised individuals. A new imidazole-bearing compound containing an oxime functionality was synthesized and characterized with different spectroscopic techniques to be used for the preparation of new antifungal agents. The stereochemistry of the oxime double bond was unequivocally determined via the single crystal X-ray technique. The title compound 4, C13H13N3O3·C3H8O, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21with a = 9.0963(3) Å, b = 14.7244(6) Å, c = 10.7035(4) Å, β = 94.298 (3)°, V = 1429.57(9) Å3, Z = 2. The molecules were packed in the crystal structure by eight intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions. A comprehensive spectral analysis of the title molecule 4 has been performed based on the scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field obtained by density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. A molecular docking study illustrated the binding mode of the title compound 4 into its target protein. The preliminary antifungal activity of the title compound 4 was determined using a broth microdilution assay.
Association between Dietary Share of Ultra-Processed Foods and Urinary Concentrations of Phytoestrogens in the US
Authors: Martínez Steele Eurídice , Monteiro Carlos
Published: February 2017

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between dietary contribution of ultra-processed foods and urinary phytoestrogen concentrations in the US. Participants from cross-sectional 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey aged 6+ years, selected to measure urinary phytoestrogens and with one 24-h dietary recall were evaluated (2692 participants). Food items were classified according to NOVA (a name, not an acronym), a four-group food classification based on the extent and purpose of industrial food processing. Ultra-processed foods are formulations manufactured using several ingredients and a series of processes (hence “ultra-processed”). Most of their ingredients are lower-cost industrial sources of dietary energy and nutrients, with additives used for the purpose of imitating sensorial qualities of minimally processed foods or of culinary preparations of these foods. Studied phytoestrogens included lignans (enterolactone and enterodiol) and isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, O-desmethylangolensin and equol). Gaussian regression was used to compare average urinary phytoestrogen concentrations (normalized by creatinine) across quintiles of energy share of ultra-processed foods. Models incorporated survey sample weights and were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income, and education, among other factors. Adjusted enterodiol geometric means decreased monotonically from 60.6 in the lowest quintile to 35.1 µg/g creatinine in the highest, while adjusted enterolactone geometric means dropped from 281.1 to 200.1 across the same quintiles, respectively. No significant linear trend was observed in the association between these quintiles and isoflavone concentrations. This finding reinforces the existing evidence regarding the negative impact of ultra-processed food consumption on the overall quality of the diet and expands it to include non-nutrients such as lignans.
Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Ganoderma lucidum Extract Effects on Melanoma and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Barbieri Antonio , Quagliariello Vincenzo , Del Vecchio Vitale , Falco Michela , Luciano Antonio , Amruthraj Nagoth , Nasti Guglielmo , Ottaiano Alessandro , Berretta Massimiliano , Iaffaioli Rosario , Arra Claudio
Published: February 2017

Among the most important traditional medicinal fungi, Ganoderma lucidum has been used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of numerous diseases, including cancer, in Oriental countries. The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory, anticancer and anti-metastatic activities of Ganoderma lucidum extracts in melanoma and triple-negative breast cancer cells. Ganoderma lucidum extracts were prepared by using common organic solvents; MDA-MB 231 and B16-F10 cell lines were adopted as cellular models for triple-negative breast cancer and melanoma and characterized for cell viability, wound-healing assay and measurement of cytokines secreted by cancer cells under pro-inflammatory conditions (incubation with lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and pretreatment with Ganoderma lucidum extract at different concentrations. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, how Ganoderma lucidum extracts can significantly inhibit the release of IL-8, IL-6, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in cancer cells under pro-inflammatory condition. Interestingly, Ganoderma lucidum extracts significantly also decrease the viability of both cancer cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, with abilities to reduce cell migration over time, which is correlated with a lower release of matrix metalloproteases. Taken together, these results indicate the possible use of Ganoderma lucidum extract for the therapeutic management of melanoma and human triple-negative breast cancer.
Welcome to Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, Hearing and Balance Medicine
Authors: Kong Wei-Jia , Salvi Richard , Schacht Jochen
Published: February 2017

To date, much progress has been achieved in the field of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck surgery, as well as hearing and balance science and medicine.[...]
Improved Aerosol Optical Thickness, Columnar Water Vapor, and Surface Reflectance Retrieval from Combined CASI and SASI Airborne Hyperspectral Sensors
Authors: Yang Hang , Zhang Lifu , Ong Cindy , Rodger Andrew , Liu Jia , Sun Xuejian , Zhang Hongming , Jian Xun , Tong Qingxi
Published: February 2017

An increasingly common requirement in remote sensing is the integration of hyperspectral data collected simultaneously from different sensors (and fore-optics) operating across different wavelength ranges. Data from one module are often relied on to correct information in the other, such as aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and columnar water vapor (CWV). This paper describes problems associated with this process and recommends an improved strategy for processing remote sensing data, collected from both visible to near-infrared and shortwave infrared modules, to retrieve accurate AOT, CWV, and surface reflectance values. This strategy includes a workflow for radiometric and spatial cross-calibration and a method to retrieve atmospheric parameters and surface reflectance based on a radiative transfer function. This method was tested using data collected with the Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (CASI) and SWIR Airborne Spectrographic Imager (SASI) from a site in Huailai County, Hebei Province, China. Various methods for retrieving AOT and CWV specific to this region were assessed. The results showed that retrieving AOT from the remote sensing data required establishing empirical relationships between 465.6 nm/659 nm and 2105 nm, augmented by ground-based reflectance validation data, and minimizing the merit function based on AOT@550 nm optimization. The paper also extends the second-order difference algorithm (SODA) method using Powell’s methods to optimize CWV retrieval. The resulting CWV image has fewer residual surface features compared with the standard methods. The derived remote sensing surface reflectance correlated significantly with the ground spectra of comparable vegetation, cement road and soil targets. Therefore, the method proposed in this paper is reliable enough for integrated atmospheric correction and surface reflectance retrieval from hyperspectral remote sensing data. This study provides a good reference for surface reflectance inversion that lacks synchronized atmospheric parameters.
Doppler Spectrum-Based NRCS Estimation Method for Low-Scattering Areas in Ocean SAR Images
Authors: Meng Hui , Wang Xiaoqing , Chong Jinsong , Wei Xiangfei , Kong Weiya
Published: February 2017

The image intensities of low-backscattering areas in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images are often seriously contaminated by the system noise floor and azimuthal ambiguity signal from adjacent high-backscattering areas. Hence, the image intensity of low-backscattering areas does not correctly reflect the backscattering intensity, which causes confusion in subsequent image processing or interpretation. In this paper, a method is proposed to estimate the normalized radar cross-section (NRCS) of low-backscattering area by utilizing the differences between noise, azimuthal ambiguity, and signal in the Doppler frequency domain of single-look SAR images; the aim is to eliminate the effect of system noise and azimuthal ambiguity. Analysis shows that, for a spaceborne SAR with a noise equivalent sigma zero (NESZ) of −25 dB and a single-look pixel of 8 m × 5 m, the NRCS-estimation precision of this method can reach −38 dB at a resolution of 96 m × 100 m. Three examples are given to validate the advantages of this method in estimating the low NRCS and the filtering of the azimuthal ambiguity.
Calibration and Validation of a Detailed Architectural Canopy Model Reconstruction for the Simulation of Synthetic Hemispherical Images and Airborne LiDAR Data
Authors: Bremer Magnus , Wichmann Volker , Rutzinger Martin
Published: February 2017

Canopy density measures such as the Leaf Area Index (LAI) have become standardized mapping products derived from airborne and terrestrial Light Detection And Ranging (aLiDAR and tLiDAR, respectively) data. A specific application of LiDAR point clouds is their integration into radiative transfer models (RTM) of varying complexity. Using, e.g., ray tracing, this allows flexible simulations of sub-canopy light condition and the simulation of various sensors such as virtual hemispherical images or waveform LiDAR on a virtual forest plot. However, the direct use of LiDAR data in RTMs shows some limitations in the handling of noise, the derivation of surface areas per LiDAR point and the discrimination of solid and porous canopy elements. In order to address these issues, a strategy upgrading tLiDAR and Digital Hemispherical Photographs (DHP) into plausible 3D architectural canopy models is suggested. The presented reconstruction workflow creates an almost unbiased virtual 3D representation of branch and leaf surface distributions, minimizing systematic errors due to the object–sensor relationship. The models are calibrated and validated using DHPs. Using the 3D models for simulations, their capabilities for the description of leaf density distributions and the simulation of aLiDAR and DHP signatures are shown. At an experimental test site, the suitability of the models, in order to systematically simulate and evaluate aLiDAR based LAI predictions under various scan settings is proven. This strategy makes it possible to show the importance of laser point sampling density, but also the diversity of scan angles and their quantitative effect onto error margins.
Corporate Social Responsibility Motive Attribution by Service Employees in the Parcel Logistics Industry as a Moderator between CSR Perception and Organizational Effectiveness
Authors: Lee Su-Yol , Seo Yong
Published: February 2017

With sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) emerging as urgent issues in the logistics service industry, the effects of CSR on employee work behavior is receiving increasing attention. This study explores this issue by considering intrinsic and extrinsic CSR motive attributions as moderating variables between CSR perception and organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. The results of a cross-sectional survey and hierarchical regression analyses of 241 survey responses from parcel delivery logistics employees indicate that their perception of CSR strongly enhances their organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. This study also presents evidence that the positive effect of CSR on organizational commitment is weakened when employees attribute CSR practices to intrinsic motives. This study provides guidance for managers in the logistics sector and for academics who wish to address sustainability and CSR issues and to enhance employees’ organizational commitment.
Game Algorithm for Resource Allocation Based on Intelligent Gradient in HetNet
Authors: Ye Fang , Dai Jing , Li Yibing
Published: February 2017

In order to improve system performance such as throughput, heterogeneous network (HetNet) has become an effective solution in Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LET-A). However, co-channel interference leads to degradation of the HetNet throughput, because femtocells are always arranged to share the spectrum with the macro base station. In this paper, in view of the serious cross-layer interference in double layer HetNet, the Stackelberg game model is adopted to analyze the resource allocation methods of the network. Unlike the traditional system models only focusing on macro base station performance improvement, we take into account the overall system performance and build a revenue function with convexity. System utility functions are defined as the average throughput, which does not adopt frequency spectrum trading method, so as to avoid excessive signaling overhead. Due to the value scope of continuous Nash equilibrium of the built game model, the gradient iterative algorithm is introduced to reduce the computational complexity. As for the solution of Nash equilibrium, one kind of gradient iterative algorithm is proposed, which is able to intelligently choose adjustment factors. The Nash equilibrium can be quickly solved; meanwhile, the step of presetting adjustment factors is avoided according to network parameters in traditional linear iterative model. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm enhances the overall performance of the system.
Silver Nanoparticle-Based Fluorescence-Quenching Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Sensitive Detection of Ochratoxin A in Grape Juice and Wine
Authors: Jiang Hu , Li Xiangmin , Xiong Ying , Pei Ke , Nie Lijuan , Xiong Yonghua
Published: February 2017

A silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-based fluorescence-quenching lateral flow immunoassay with competitive format (cLFIA) was developed for sensitive detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) in grape juice and wine samples in the present study. The Ru(phen) 3 2 + -doped silica nanoparticles (RuNPs) were sprayed on the test and control line zones as background fluorescence signals. The AgNPs were designed as the fluorescence quenchers of RuNPs because they can block the exciting light transferring to the RuNP molecules. The proposed method exhibited high sensitivity for OTA detection, with a detection limit of 0.06 µg/L under optimized conditions. The method also exhibited a good linear range for OTA quantitative analysis from 0.08 µg/L to 5.0 µg/L. The reliability of the fluorescence-quenching cLFIA method was evaluated through analysis of the OTA-spiked red grape wine and juice samples. The average recoveries ranged from 88.0% to 110.0% in red grape wine and from 92.0% to 110.0% in grape juice. Meanwhile, less than a 10% coefficient variation indicated an acceptable precision of the cLFIA method. In summary, the new AgNP-based fluorescence-quenching cLFIA is a simple, rapid, sensitive, and accurate method for quantitative detection of OTA in grape juice and wine or other foodstuffs.
Impact of Groundwater Level on Nitrate Nitrogen Accumulation in the Vadose Zone Beneath a Cotton Field
Authors: Jiao Xiyun , Maimaitiyiming Arkin , Salahou Mohamed , Liu Kaihua , Guo Weihua
Published: February 2017

In this study, the impacts of groundwater level on nitrate nitrogen accumulation in the vadose zone of a cotton field were investigated. Experiments were conducted in a cotton field at the CAS Ecological Agricultural Experiment Station in Nanpi from 2008 to 2010. A vertical observation well was drilled, and time-domain reflectometry probes and soil solution extractors were installed every 50 cm in the walls of the well to a depth of 5 m. The soil water content was monitored, and soil solution samples were obtained and analyzed every six days throughout the growing seasons during the three studied years. Additionally, a water consumption experiment was conducted, and the topsoil water content and leaf area index were measured in the cotton field. The resulting data were used to estimate parameters for use in a soil hydraulic and nitrate nitrogen movement model, and cotton evapotranspiration was calculated using the Penman–Monteith method. Groundwater level increases and decreases of ±4 m were simulated during a ten-year period using HYDRUS-1D. The results showed significant nitrate nitrogen accumulation in the vadose zone when the groundwater level remained unchanged or decreased, with increased accumulation as the groundwater depth increased. Additionally, increased precipitation and a deeper groundwater level resulted in greater nitrate nitrogen leaching in the cotton root zone. Therefore, irrigation and fertilization strategies should be adjusted based on precipitation conditions and groundwater depth.
Effective Design and Planning Specification of Low Impact Development Practices Using Water Management Analysis Module (WMAM): Case of Malaysia
Authors: Ahmed Kamal , Chung Eun-Sung , Song Jae-Yeol , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: February 2017

Developers are increasingly looking for the best management practices to reduce the risk of floods in rapidly growing urban areas. Low impact development (LID) is regarded as one of the most suitable solutions for urban stormwater management and thus the U.S. EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) SWMM5.1 (Storm Water Management Model) added the hydrological simulation function for LID structures in 2009. However, SWMM5.1 cannot consider the optimal or best physical specifications of LID design and planning fitted to a study area, nor can it instantly derive the best combination for multiple LID designs and plans. Therefore, in this study, a web-based decision support system (DSS) for the EPA’s SWMM 5.1, referred to as the Water Management Analysis Module (WMAM) is used to decide the most effective specifications of design and planning parameters for LID structure. This study was carried out over an urban catchment of University Technology Malaysia campus located in Johor, Malaysia. The hydrologic cycles with and without LID were simulated using EPA SWMM5.1. The sensitivity analysis and multiple scenario analysis were performed using WMAM. As a result, the effective specification of LID design parameters indicates that peak flow is reduced to 20.95% and 17.5% for two sub-catchments, S1 (highest by area) and S6 (lowest by area) by installing an LID structure. Thus, this study provides a tool for the best solution for what values for physical parameters will be the best for a specified LID type and what capacities can achieve the particular objectives using WMAM.
Assessing the Coverage of E-Health Services in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Adigun Taiwo , Misra Sanjay , Omoregbe Nicholas , Adeloye Davies
Published: February 2017

Background: E-Health has attracted growing interests globally. The relative lack of facilities, skills, funds and information on existing e-Health initiatives has affected progress on e-Health in Africa.

Objectives: To review publicly available literature on e-Health in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) towards providing information on existing and ongoing e-Health initiatives in the region.

Methods: Searches of relevant literature were conducted on Medline, EMBASE and Global Health, with search dates set from 1990 to 2016. We included studies on e-Health initiatives (prototypes, designs, or completed projects) targeting population groups in sSA.

Results: Our search returned 2322 hits, with 26 studies retained. Included studies were conducted in 14 countries across the four sub-regions in sSA (Central, East, South and West) and spreading over a 12-year period, 2002-2014. Six types of e-Health interventions were reported, with 17 studies (65%) based on telemedicine, followed by mHealth with 5 studies (19%). Other e-Health types include expert system, electronic medical records, e-mails, and online health module. Specific medical specialties covered include dermatology (19%), pathology (12%) and radiology (8%). Successes were ‘widely reported’ (representing 50% overall acceptance or positive feedbacks in a study) in 10 studies (38%). The prominent challenges reported were technical problems, poor internet and connectivity, participants’ selection biases, contextual issues, and lack of funds.

Conclusion: E-Health is evolving in sSA, but with poorly published evidence. While we call for more quality research in the region, it is also important that population-wide policies and on-going e-Health initiatives are contex- tually feasible, acceptable, and sustainable.
ICT Collaboration Tools for Virtual Teams in Terms of the SECI Model
Authors: Davidekova Monika , Hvorecky Jozef
Published: February 2017

Nowadays, the current state of development of information and communication technology (ICT) connects individuals across time and space in one common environment, that is accessible for anyone, the virtual world. To collaborate with somebody or to participate in a team activity does not require a physical presence anymore. Virtual settings allow real-time communication and cooperation across any distance at any time with negligible delay. ICT allows formation of virtual teams where those accomplish various functions in work, education and private life. Compared to local teams of physically present individuals, the collaboration in virtual environments is more intensively influenced by significantly impacting factors and requires intensive motivation of the team members, extensive support by their team leader and appropriate technology. Among all the available ICT tools, not each ICT tool is equally suitable for each and every team activity. This paper aims to provide analysis of various ICT tools, to disclose their potential to contribute to team’s quality communication and to reduce drawbacks caused by impersonal environment. Our aim is to optimize the composition of the ICT supporting infrastructure in order to form successful and effective collaboration.
Function Design for Inquiry-Based Learning Platform Based on a Computer Network
Authors: Ji Fang , Bo Hang
Published: February 2017

This platform emphasizes the design of inquiry-based learning’s function and interaction and organization of information. In this platform, students can adopt independent research and cooperative learning modes and teachers can carry out remote guidance in the students’ learning activities, which improves the students’ innovation capabilities and the practical capabilities. This platform embodies the concept of inquiry-based learning and emphasizes the establishment of an ideal environment for in-depth learning, cooperative inquiry and announcing achievements. However, it cannot replace the teachers’ functions nor can it replace the students’ dominant positions, but it embodies student-centered and teacher-directed inquiry-based learning.
Creative Merging and Practical Application of "History of Modern Design" Course Online Teaching Platform Construction and Flipped Classroom Teaching Mode
Authors: Zhu Tiejun
Published: February 2017

Design major students of Chinese universities and colleges exists a common learning concept on emphasizing the practice but contempt of theory. Students' interest in learning theoretical courses, especially design history courses is more diluted. In order to explorative change such phenomenon, researchers conducted a "History of Modern Design" course teaching of Sino-foreign cooperative education program as a pilot reform, drawing the current international hot network teaching resources and methods, innovatively constructing multivariate course online teaching platform, and combined with the flipped classroom teaching model which was vigorously advocated by the Chinese educational department. Empirical research and practice results show virtual course and online teaching and learning space. Application of flipped classroom teaching mode changed boring theory taught into exciting interactive teaching and learning. It not only trained independence of students' thinking, learning autonomy and the ability to explore knowledge, it also highly pushed students to innovatively apply design history theory. The course innovative reform achieved significant results. It was proved that can widely spread and apply in design history courses teaching of art and design majors of Chinese universities and colleges in the future.
Metformin Suppresses Systemic Autoimmunity in Roquinsan/san Mice through Inhibiting B Cell Differentiation into Plasma Cells via Regulation of AMPK/mTOR/STAT3
Authors: Lee Seon-Yeong , Moon Su-Jin , Kim Eun-Kyung , Seo Hyeon-Beom , Yang Eun-Ji , Son Hye-Jin , Kim Jae-Kyung , Min Jun-Ki , Park Sung-Hwan , Cho Mi-La
Published: February 2017

Circulating autoantibodies and immune complex deposition are pathological hallmarks of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). B cell differentiation into plasma cells (PCs) and some T cell subsets that function as B cell helpers can be therapeutic targets of SLE. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is implicated in the formation of B cells and germinal centers (GCs). We assessed the effect of metformin, which inhibits mTOR, on the development of autoimmunity using Roquinsan/san mice. Oral administration of metformin inhibited the formation of splenic follicles and inflammation in kidney and liver tissues. It also decreased serum levels of anti-dsDNA Abs without affecting serum glucose levels. Moreover, metformin inhibited CD21highCD23low marginal zone B cells, B220+GL7+ GC B cells, B220−CD138+ PCs, and GC formation. A significant reduction in ICOS+ follicular helper T cells was found in the spleens of the metformin-treated group compared with the vehicle-treated group. In addition, metformin inhibited Th17 cells and induced regulatory T cells. These alterations in B and T cell subsets by metformin were associated with enhanced AMPK expression and inhibition of mTOR–STAT3 signaling. Furthermore, metformin induced p53 and NF erythroid-2–related factor-2 activity in splenic CD4+ T cells. Taken together, metformin-induced alterations in AMPK–mTOR–STAT3 signaling may have therapeutic value in SLE by inhibiting B cell differentiation into PCs and GCs.
Inhibiting Oxidative Phosphorylation In Vivo Restrains Th17 Effector Responses and Ameliorates Murine Colitis
Authors: Franchi Luigi , Monteleone Ivan , Hao Ling-Yang , Spahr Mark A. , Zhao Wenpu , Liu Xikui , Demock Kellie , Kulkarni Aditi , Lesch Chuck A. , Sanchez Brian , Carter Laura , Marafini Irene , Hu Xiao , Mashadova Oksana , Yuan Min , Asara John M. , Singh Harinder , Lyssiotis Costas A. , Monteleone Giovanni , Opipari Anthony W. , Glick Gary D.
Published: February 2017

Integration of signaling and metabolic pathways enables and sustains lymphocyte function. Whereas metabolic changes occurring during T cell activation are well characterized, the metabolic demands of differentiated T lymphocytes are largely unexplored. In this study, we defined the bioenergetics of Th17 effector cells generated in vivo. These cells depend on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for energy and cytokine production. Mechanistically, the essential role of OXPHOS in Th17 cells results from their limited capacity to increase glycolysis in response to metabolic stresses. This metabolic program is observed in mouse and human Th17 cells, including those isolated from Crohn disease patients, and it is linked to disease, as inhibiting OXPHOS reduces the severity of murine colitis and psoriasis. These studies highlight the importance of analyzing metabolism in effector lymphocytes within in vivo inflammatory contexts and suggest a therapeutic role for manipulating OXPHOS in Th17-driven diseases.
The anvil: a crushing conversation
Authors: Grief Davidson Lindy , Davidson Adam W.
Published: February 2017

In this collaboratively written piece, the authors narrate the most crushing day of their life. Their reflections reveal their different yet resonating perceptions of finding out bad news about their first child during pregnancy. The authors seek to investigate the parental experience of receiving a devastating diagnosis for a child by placing two accounts of the same event side-by-side. While illness stories abound, they often represent only one viewpoint. The authors seek to provide a study of life in the midst of a crisis, which is rarely what it seems from the outside looking in. Additionally, by using the accessible format of personal narrative, they provide a piece of research for a more diverse audience.
Finding myself in medicine
Authors: Castelloe Erin Nissen
Published: February 2017

In this article (part one of a two-article piece), I, Erin Nissen Castelloe, a woman who has worked almost twenty years as a doctor, first in the practice of Family Medicine and later as a Pharmaceutical Medicine consultant, ponder the next phase of my career. In an attempt to understand myself and my experiences in medicine – and to connect with others who may share my belief that medicine (and those who practice it) must evolve in order to empower and serve – I share my personal story: the influences and idealism that led me to medicine; the best career advice I ever received (from a patient, not a doctor); my past and present frustrations with clinical medicine; my struggles to balance my personal and professional aspirations; my growing dissatisfaction with a career in Pharmaceutical Medicine; and, ultimately, my attempts to collect, sow, and cultivate ideas that may – nurtured with tinctures of time and collaboration – become strong, new branches on the magnificent tree of medicine.