bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barley Developmental Mutants: The High Road to Understand the Cereal Spike Morphology
Authors: Terzi Valeria , Tumino Giorgio , Pagani Donata , Rizza Fulvia , Ghizzoni Roberta , Morcia Caterina , Stanca Antonio
Published: May 2017

A better understanding of the developmental plan of a cereal spike is of relevance when designing the plant for the future, in which innovative traits can be implemented through pre-breeding strategies. Barley developmental mutants can be a Mendelian solution for identifying genes controlling key steps in the establishment of the spike morphology. Among cereals, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the best investigated crop plants and is a model species for the Triticeae tribe, thanks to several characteristics, including, among others, its adaptability to a wide range of environments, its diploid genome, and its self-pollinating mating system, as well as the availability of its genome sequence and a wide array of genomic resources. Among them, large collections of natural and induced mutants have been developed since the 1920s, with the aim of understanding developmental and physiological processes and exploiting mutation breeding in crop improvement. The collections are not only comprehensive in terms of single Mendelian spike mutants, but with regards to double and triple mutants derived from crosses between simple mutants, as well as near isogenic lines (NILs) that are useful for genetic studies. In recent years the integration of the most advanced omic technologies with historical mutation-genetics research has helped in the isolation and validation of some of the genes involved in spike development. New interrogatives have raised the question about how the behavior of a single developmental gene in different genetic backgrounds can help in understanding phenomena like expressivity, penetrance, phenotypic plasticity, and instability. In this paper, some genetic and epigenetic studies on this topic are reviewed.
Paediatric Over-the-Counter (OTC) Oral Liquids Can Soften and Erode Enamel
Authors: Zhao Dan , Tsoi James , Wong Hai , Chu Chun , Matinlinna Jukka
Published: May 2017

This study investigated the softening and erosive effects of various paediatric over-the-counter (OTC) oral liquids on deciduous teeth. Twenty sectioned and polished deciduous enamel blocks were ground on the buccal surface (2 × 2 mm2) and randomly divided into five groups, immersed into four commercially-available paediatric OTC oral liquids (two for paracetamol, both sugared; and two for chlorpheniramine, one sugared and one sugar-free), with deionized water as control. The pH of the oral liquids ranged from 2.50 to 5.77. Each block was immersed into the test or control groups for 15 s, rinsed with deionized water, and Vickers micro-hardness (n = 5) was measured. After twenty cycles of immersion and hardness measurements, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS) were used to evaluate the surface morphology and chemistry of the tooth blocks, respectively. The pH values of the liquids were also recorded. Rapidly descending trends in the micro-hardness ratios of the four test groups were observed that were statistically different from the control group (p < 0.001). EDS showed an increase of Ca/C ratio after drug immersion, whereas SEM showed an enamel loss in all the test groups. Paediatric OTC oral liquids could significantly soften the enamel and render them more susceptible to caries, such that the formulation of the oral liquids is the major factor.
Calculating Iso-Committor Surfaces as Optimal Reaction Coordinates with Milestoning
Authors: Elber Ron , Bello-Rivas Juan , Ma Piao , Cardenas Alfredo , Fathizadeh Arman
Published: May 2017

Reaction coordinates are vital tools for qualitative and quantitative analysis of molecular processes. They provide a simple picture of reaction progress and essential input for calculations of free energies and rates. Iso-committor surfaces are considered the optimal reaction coordinate. We present an algorithm to compute efficiently a sequence of isocommittor surfaces. These surfaces are considered an optimal reaction coordinate. The algorithm analyzes Milestoning results to determine the committor function. It requires only the transition probabilities between the milestones, and not transition times. We discuss the following numerical examples: (i) a transition in the Mueller potential; (ii) a conformational change of a solvated peptide; and (iii) cholesterol aggregation in membranes.
A Mixed Application of Geographically Weighted Regression and Unsupervised Classification for Analyzing Latex Yield Variability in Yunnan, China
Authors: Kim Oh , Nugent Jeffrey , Yi Zhuang-Fang , Newell Joshua , Curtis Andrew
Published: May 2017

This paper introduces a mixed method approach for analyzing the determinants of natural latex yields and the associated spatial variations and identifying the most suitable regions for producing latex. Geographically Weighted Regressions (GWR) and Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis Technique (ISODATA) are jointly applied to the georeferenced data points collected from the rubber plantations in Xishuangbanna (in Yunnan province, south China) and other remotely-sensed spatial data. According to the GWR models, Age of rubber tree, Percent of clay in soil, Elevation, Solar radiation, Population, Distance from road, Distance from stream, Precipitation, and Mean temperature turn out statistically significant, indicating that these are the major determinants shaping latex yields at the prefecture level. However, the signs and magnitudes of the parameter estimates at the aggregate level are different from those at the lower spatial level, and the differences are due to diverse reasons. The ISODATA classifies the landscape into three categories: high, medium, and low potential yields. The map reveals that Mengla County has the majority of land with high potential yield, while Jinghong City and Menghai County show lower potential yield. In short, the mixed method can offer a means of providing greater insights in the prediction of agricultural production.
Influence of Cutting Type and Fertilization in Production of Containerized Poplar Plants
Authors: Böhlenius Henrik , Fransson Thomas , Holmström Emma , Salk Carl
Published: May 2017

Most poplar plantations are planted on marginal agricultural land, but poplar plantations also hold the potential for increased profits compared to plantations of other species on non-agricultural, previously forested land. To date, the establishment of poplar plantations on previously forested land is limited by the production of suitable containerized poplar stock for planting. The objective of this study is to investigate how different cutting quality and fertilizer treatments influence height, diameter, and root biomass growth and root-to-shoot ratio, all important variables for plant establishment. Our results show that fertilization increases plant growth and that single-bud and two-bud cuttings with cutting diameters of 5 to 10 mm can be used in the production of containerized plants. Root biomass was similar between these plant types but the number of roots per plant was higher if two-bud cuttings were used. In contrast to fertilized plants, only one cutting type (two-bud 10 mm) grew to a sufficient height and diameter for use in poplar plantation establishment. Interestingly, the root-to-shoot ratio for this cutting type was 0.16 while the ratio for the same cutting type is 0.11 if fertilized. Together, these results suggest that most types of poplar cuttings can be used to establish poplar plantations if fertilizer is used and that the largest cutting type (two-bud 10 mm) might be more suitable to establish poplar plantations at harsh sites, thus reducing the cost of poplar plant production.
A Computational Simulation Study of Fluid Mechanics of Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Contractions
Authors: Kao Yi-Huan , Jiang Zhou-Wei , Fang Sheng-Cyuan
Published: May 2017

In this work, the fluid mechanics performance of four different contraction wall shapes has been studied and compared side-by-side by computational simulation, and the effect of contraction cross-sectional shape on the flow uniformity at the contraction exit has been included as well. A different contraction wall shape could result in up to an extra 4% pressure drop of a closed-loop wind tunnel, and the contraction wall shape has a stronger influence on the pressure loss than the contraction cross-sectional shape. The first and the second derivatives from different wall shape equations could provide a hint for qualitatively comparing the flow uniformity at the contraction exits. A wind tunnel contraction with an octagonal shape provides not only better fluid mechanics performance than that with a circular or a square cross-sectional shape, but also lower manufacturing costs. Moreover, a smaller blockage ratio within the test section can be achieved by employing an octagonal cross-sectional shape instead of a circular cross-sectional shape under the same hydraulic diameter circumstance. A wind tunnel contraction with an octagonal cross-sectional shape is recommended to be a design candidate.
Caregiver Supervision Practices and Risk of Childhood Unintentional Injury Mortality in Bangladesh
Authors: Khatlani Khaula , Alonge Olakunle , Rahman Aminur , Hoque Dewan , Bhuiyan Al-Amin , Agrawal Priyanka , Rahman Fazlur
Published: May 2017

Unintentional injury-related mortality rate, including drowning among children under five, is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries. The evidence links lapse of supervision with childhood unintentional injury deaths. We determined the relationship between caregiver supervision and unintentional injury mortality among children under five in rural Bangladesh. We conducted a nested, matched, case-control study within the cohort of a large-scale drowning prevention project in Bangladesh, “SOLID—Saving of Children’s Lives from Drowning”. From the baseline survey of the project, 126 cases (children under five with unintentional injury deaths) and 378 controls (alive children under five) were selected at case-control ratio of 1:3 and individually matched on neighborhood. The association between adult caregiver supervision and fatal injuries among children under five was determined in a multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis, and reported as adjusted matched odds ratio (MOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Children under five experiencing death due to unintentional injuries, including drowning, had 3.3 times increased odds of being unsupervised as compared with alive children (MOR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.6–7.0), while adjusting for children’s sex, age, socioeconomic index, and adult caregivers’ age, education, occupation, and marital status. These findings are concerning and call for concerted, multi-sectoral efforts to design community-level prevention strategies. Public awareness and promotion of appropriate adult supervision strategies are needed.
Environmental Barriers to Participation of Preschool Children with and without Physical Disabilities
Authors: Kang Lin-Ju , Hsieh Ming-Chieh , Liao Hua-Fang , Hwang Ai-Wen
Published: May 2017

Environment plays a vital role in affecting participation of young children in home, school, and community. Knowledge of environmental barriers helps to develop solutions or strategies that enable participation. The study compared the environmental barriers perceived by parents of preschool children with physical disabilities (PD, n = 142) and with typical development (TD, n = 192) in Taiwan. Parents identified environmental barriers by structured interview using the Chinese version of the Child and Adolescent Scale of Environment (CASE-C). The CASE-C is an 18-item measure of the impact of problems with physical, social, and attitudinal environmental features. Differences between the PD and TD groups in the summary scores for the CASE-C and the percentages of parents who perceived a problem for each item were examined by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Chi-square test. Parents of children with PD more often identified barriers related to family resources and community programs or services, social attitudes, assistance and supports outside of home, physical design of home and community, transportation, and assistive devices or equipment. Greater impacts of barriers were also reported by parents of preschool children with PD. Our findings provide evidence of environmental barriers that inform practice and policies to modify the barriers and provide an accessible and inclusive environment for families with young children.
Circulating Cell-Free DNA and Circulating Tumor Cells as Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with First-Line Chemotherapy
Authors: Coco Simona , Alama Angela , Vanni Irene , Fontana Vincenzo , Genova Carlo , Dal Bello Maria , Truini Anna , Rijavec Erika , Biello Federica , Sini Claudio , Burrafato Giovanni , Maggioni Claudia , Barletta Giulia , Grossi Francesco
Published: May 2017

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we examined the prognostic role of cfDNA and CTCs, in separate and joint analyses, in NSCLC patients receiving first line chemotherapy. Seventy-three patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. CfDNA and CTC were analyzed at baseline and after two cycles of chemotherapy. Plasma cfDNA quantification was performed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) whereas CTCs were isolated by the ScreenCell Cyto (ScreenCell, Paris, France) device and enumerated according to malignant features. Patients with baseline cfDNA higher than the median value (96.3 hTERT copy number) had a significantly worse overall survival (OS) and double the risk of death (hazard ratio (HR): 2.14; 95% confidence limits (CL) = 1.24–3.68; p-value = 0.006). Conversely, an inverse relationship between CTC median baseline number (6 CTC/3 mL of blood) and OS was observed. In addition, we found that in patients reporting stable disease (SD), the baseline cfDNA and CTCs were able to discriminate patients at high risk of poor survival. cfDNA demonstrated a more reliable biomarker than CTCs in the overall population. In the subgroup of SD patients, both biomarkers identified patients at high risk of poor prognosis who might deserve additional/alternative therapeutic interventions.
Highway Bridge Infrastructure in the Province of British Columbia (BC), Canada
Authors: Siddiquee Kader , Alam M.
Published: May 2017

Some recent catastrophic impacts on highway bridges around the world have raised concerns for assessing the vulnerability of existing highway bridges in Canada. Rapid aging of bridge infrastructure coupled with increased traffic volume has made it crucial to establish an advanced Bridge Management System (BMS) for highway bridges. This paper aims at developing a highway bridge inventory for the province of British Columbia (BC) which is critical for efficient assessment of the existing structural health condition of the bridges, predicting their future deterioration, and prioritizing their maintenance and retrofitting works. This inventory is an extensive assemblage of data on highway bridges in BC under the responsibility of the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (BC MoT) that includes more than 2500 highway bridges. It includes identification of the most common bridge types along with their location, structural and geometric parameters such as construction materials, bridge length, number of spans, deck width, skew angle, bridge pier, and foundation type, structural health condition rating and construction period. This information is of paramount importance for effective infrastructure management, proper rehabilitation solutions, and efficient design of a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Control System for enhancing structural resilience of highway bridges in BC. Several statistical analyses have been carried out for efficient utilization of the information available in the inventory for further research and analyses, as well as for developing a proper BMS for the province’s bridges.
Local-Level Genetic Diversity and Structure of Matsutake Mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake) Populations in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Revealed by 15 Microsatellite Markers
Authors: Kurokochi Hiroyuki , Zhang Shijie , Takeuchi Yoshie , Tan Engkong , Asakawa Shuichi , Lian Chunlan
Published: May 2017

The annual yield of matsutake mushrooms (Tricholoma matsutake) has consistently decreased in Japan over the past few decades. We used 15 polymorphic and codominant simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, developed using next-generation sequencing, to carry out genetic analyses of 10 populations in Nagano, Japan. Using the SSRs, we identified 223 genotypes, none of which was observed in more than one population. The mean expected heterozygosity and standardized allelic richness values were 0.67 and 4.05, respectively. Many alleles appeared in only one of the 10 populations; 34 of these private alleles were detected with a mean number per population of 3.4. The fixation index (FST) and standardized genetic differentiation (G′ST) values were 0.019 and 0.028, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that the contribution of among population, among genets within a population, and within genets variation to the total variation was 2.91%, 11.62%, and 85.47%, respectively, with genetic differentiation being detected for all sources. Twenty-eight of 45 pairwise FST values were significantly larger than zero, and no pattern of isolation by distance was detected among the 10 populations. Bayesian-based clustering did not show clear differences among populations. These results suggest that reestablishment of a colony would be best accomplished by transplantation within a field; if this is not possible, then transplantation from within several dozen kilometers will cause little damage to the original population genetic structure.
Transcriptomic Profiling of the Allorecognition Response to Grafting in the Demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Authors: Grice Laura , Degnan Bernard
Published: May 2017

Sponges, despite their simple body plan, discriminate between self and nonself with remarkable specificity. Sponge grafting experiments simulate the effects of natural self or nonself contact under laboratory conditions. Here we take a transcriptomic approach to investigate the temporal response to self and nonself grafts in the marine demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica. Auto- and allografts were established, observed and sampled over a period of three days, over which time the grafts either rejected or accepted, depending on the identity of the paired individuals, in a replicable and predictable manner. Fourteen transcriptomes were generated that spanned the auto- and allograft responses. Self grafts fuse completely in under three days, and the process appears to be controlled by relatively few genes. In contrast, nonself grafting results in a complete lack of fusion after three days, and appears to involve a broad downregulation of normal biological processes, rather than the mounting of an intense defensive response.
Improvement of Polylactide Properties through Cellulose Nanocrystals Embedded in Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Electrospun Nanofibers
Authors: López de Dicastillo Carol , Garrido Luan , Alvarado Nancy , Romero Julio , Palma Juan , Galotto Maria
Published: May 2017

Electrospun nanofibers of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PV) were obtained to improve dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) within hydrophobic biopolymeric matrices, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Electrospun nanofibers (PV/CNC)n were successfully obtained with a final concentration of 23% (w/w) of CNC. Morphological, structural and thermal properties of developed CNC and electrospun nanofibers were characterized. X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis revealed that the crystallinity of PV was reduced by the electrospinning process, and the incorporation of CNC increased the thermal stability of biodegradable nanofibers. Interactions between CNC and PV polymer also enhanced the thermal stability of CNC and improved the dispersion of CNC within the PLA matrix. PLA materials with CNC lyophilized were also casted in order to compare the properties with materials based on CNC containing nanofibers. Nanofibers and CNC were incorporated into PLA at three concentrations: 0.5%, 1% and 3% (CNC respect to polymer weight) and nanocomposites were fully characterized. Overall, nanofibers containing CNC positively modified the physical properties of PLA materials, such as the crystallinity degree of PLA which was greatly enhanced. Specifically, materials with 1% nanofiber 1PLA(PV/CNC)n presented highest improvements related to mechanical and barrier properties; elongation at break was enhanced almost four times and the permeation of oxygen was reduced by approximately 30%.
Urinary Metabolomics in Pediatric Obesity and NAFLD Identifies Metabolic Pathways/Metabolites Related to Dietary Habits and Gut-Liver Axis Perturbations
Authors: Troisi Jacopo , Pierri Luca , Landolfi Annamaria , Marciano Francesca , Bisogno Antonella , Belmonte Federica , Palladino Carmen , Guercio Nuzio Salvatore , Campiglia Pietro , Vajro Pietro
Published: May 2017

To get insight into still elusive pathomechanisms of pediatric obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) we explored the interplay among GC-MS studied urinary metabolomic signature, gut liver axis (GLA) abnormalities, and food preferences (Kid-Med). Intestinal permeability (IP), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance were investigated in forty children (mean age 9.8 years) categorized as normal weight (NW) or obese (body mass index <85th or >95th percentile, respectively) ± ultrasonographic bright liver and hypertransaminasemia (NAFLD). SIBO was increased in all obese children (p = 0.0022), IP preferentially in those with NAFLD (p = 0.0002). The partial least-square discriminant analysis of urinary metabolome correctly allocated children based on their obesity, NAFLD, visceral fat, pathological IP and SIBO. Compared to NW, obese children had (1) higher levels of glucose/1-methylhistidine, the latter more markedly in NAFLD patients; and (2) lower levels of xylitol, phenyl acetic acid and hydroquinone, the latter especially in children without NAFLD. The metabolic pathways of BCAA and/or their metabolites correlated with excess of visceral fat centimeters (leucine/oxo-valerate), and more deranged IP and SIBO (valine metabolites). Urinary metabolome analysis contributes to define a metabolic fingerprint of pediatric obesity and related NAFLD, by identifying metabolic pathways/metabolites reflecting typical obesity dietary habits and GLA perturbations.
Acquisition and Neural Network Prediction of 3D Deformable Object Shape Using a Kinect and a Force-Torque Sensor
Authors: Tawbe Bilal , Cretu Ana-Maria
Published: May 2017

The realistic representation of deformations is still an active area of research, especially for deformable objects whose behavior cannot be simply described in terms of elasticity parameters. This paper proposes a data-driven neural-network-based approach for capturing implicitly and predicting the deformations of an object subject to external forces. Visual data, in the form of 3D point clouds gathered by a Kinect sensor, is collected over an object while forces are exerted by means of the probing tip of a force-torque sensor. A novel approach based on neural gas fitting is proposed to describe the particularities of a deformation over the selectively simplified 3D surface of the object, without requiring knowledge of the object material. An alignment procedure, a distance-based clustering, and inspiration from stratified sampling support this process. The resulting representation is denser in the region of the deformation (an average of 96.6% perceptual similarity with the collected data in the deformed area), while still preserving the object’s overall shape (86% similarity over the entire surface) and only using on average of 40% of the number of vertices in the mesh. A series of feedforward neural networks is then trained to predict the mapping between the force parameters characterizing the interaction with the object and the change in the object shape, as captured by the fitted neural gas nodes. This series of networks allows for the prediction of the deformation of an object when subject to unknown interactions.
Ambiguity Resolution for Phase-Based 3-D Source Localization under Fixed Uniform Circular Array
Authors: Chen Xin , Liu Zhen , Wei Xizhang
Published: May 2017

Under fixed uniform circular array (UCA), 3-D parameter estimation of a source whose half-wavelength is smaller than the array aperture would suffer from a serious phase ambiguity problem, which also appears in a recently proposed phase-based algorithm. In this paper, by using the centro-symmetry of UCA with an even number of sensors, the source’s angles and range can be decoupled and a novel algorithm named subarray grouping and ambiguity searching (SGAS) is addressed to resolve angle ambiguity. In the SGAS algorithm, each subarray formed by two couples of centro-symmetry sensors can obtain a batch of results under different ambiguities, and by searching the nearest value among subarrays, which is always corresponding to correct ambiguity, rough angle estimation with no ambiguity is realized. Then, the unambiguous angles are employed to resolve phase ambiguity in a phase-based 3-D parameter estimation algorithm, and the source’s range, as well as more precise angles, can be achieved. Moreover, to improve the practical performance of SGAS, the optimal structure of subarrays and subarray selection criteria are further investigated. Simulation results demonstrate the satisfying performance of the proposed method in 3-D source localization.
Radon Mitigation Approach in a Laboratory Measurement Room
Authors: Blanco-Rodríguez Patricia , Fernández-Serantes Luis , Otero-Pazos Alberto , Calvo-Rolle José , De Cos Juez Francisco
Published: May 2017

Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, causing thousands of deaths annually. It can be a problem for people or animals in houses, workplaces, schools or any building. Therefore, its mitigation has become essential to avoid health problems and to prevent radon from interfering in radioactive measurements. This study describes the implementation of radon mitigation systems at a radioactivity laboratory in order to reduce interferences in the different works carried out. A large set of radon concentration samples is obtained from measurements at the laboratory. While several mitigation methods were taken into account, the final applied solution is explained in detail, obtaining thus very good results by reducing the radon concentration by 76%.
A Vision-Aided 3D Path Teaching Method before Narrow Butt Joint Welding
Authors: Zeng Jinle , Chang Baohua , Du Dong , Peng Guodong , Chang Shuhe , Hong Yuxiang , Wang Li , Shan Jiguo
Published: May 2017

For better welding quality, accurate path teaching for actuators must be achieved before welding. Due to machining errors, assembly errors, deformations, etc., the actual groove position may be different from the predetermined path. Therefore, it is significant to recognize the actual groove position using machine vision methods and perform an accurate path teaching process. However, during the teaching process of a narrow butt joint, the existing machine vision methods may fail because of poor adaptability, low resolution, and lack of 3D information. This paper proposes a 3D path teaching method for narrow butt joint welding. This method obtains two kinds of visual information nearly at the same time, namely 2D pixel coordinates of the groove in uniform lighting condition and 3D point cloud data of the workpiece surface in cross-line laser lighting condition. The 3D position and pose between the welding torch and groove can be calculated after information fusion. The image resolution can reach 12.5 μm. Experiments are carried out at an actuator speed of 2300 mm/min and groove width of less than 0.1 mm. The results show that this method is suitable for groove recognition before narrow butt joint welding and can be applied in path teaching fields of 3D complex components.
Social Loafing in the Refugee Crisis: Information about Existing Initiatives Decreases Willingness to Help
Authors: Schindler Simon , Reese Gerhard
Published: May 2017

In light of the European refugee situation, we investigate how information about others’ support influences individuals’ willingness to help. When individuals see information about other people supporting refugees, they may either be influenced by a descriptive norm, and act accordingly. Alternatively, they may perceive that others are already doing the job, and thus engage in social loafing. In an experiment (N = 132), we tested these competing predictions. Specifically, participants were exposed to a map of Germany that either indicated many or few helping initiatives across the country. In a control group, no map was shown. Subsequently, participants were asked about their willingness to help. While there was no effect between the two map conditions, results revealed that participants reported lower willingness to help in both map conditions, compared with the control group. Thus, providing information about helping projects results in social loafing, jeopardizing widespread communication strategies to increase solidarity.
Effects of Pros and Cons of Applying Big Data Analytics to Consumers’ Responses in an E-Commerce Context
Authors: Le Thi , Liaw Shu-Yi
Published: May 2017

The era of Big Data analytics has begun in most industries within developed countries. This new analytics tool has raised motivation for experts and researchers to study its impacts to business values and challenges. However, studies which help to understand customers’ views and their behavior towards the applications of Big Data analytics are lacking. This research aims to explore and determine the pros and cons of applying Big Data analytics that affects customers’ responses in an e-commerce environment. Data analyses were conducted in a sample of 273 respondents from Vietnam. The findings found that information search, recommendation system, dynamic pricing, and customer services had significant positive effects on customers’ responses. Privacy and security, shopping addiction, and group influences were found to have significant negative effects on customers’ responses. Customers’ responses were measured at intention and behavior stages. Moreover, positive and negative effects simultaneously presented significant effect on customers’ responses. Each dimension of positive and negative factors had different significant impacts on customers’ intention and behavior. Specifically, information search had a significant influence on customers’ intention and improved customers’ behavior. Shopping addiction had a drastic change from intention to behavior compared to group influences and privacy and security. This study contributes to improve understanding of customers’ responses under big data era. This could play an important role to develop sustainable consumers market. E-vendors can rely on Big Data analytics but over usage may have some negative applications.
Examining Spatial Variation in the Effects of Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) on Burn Severity Using Geographically Weighted Regression
Authors: Lee Hyun-Joo , Kim Eujin-Julia , Lee Sang-Woo
Published: May 2017

Burn severity has profound impacts on the response of post-fire forest ecosystems to fire events. Numerous previous studies have reported that burn severity is determined by variables such as meteorological conditions, pre-fire forest structure, and fuel characteristics. An underlying assumption of these studies was the constant effects of environmental variables on burn severity over space, and these analyses therefore did not consider the spatial dimension. This study examined spatial variation in the effects of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) on burn severity. Specifically, this study investigated the presence of spatially varying relationships between Japanese red pine and burn severity due to changes in slope and elevation. We estimated conventional ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models and compared them using three criteria; the coefficients of determination (R2), Akaike information criterion for small samples (AICc), and Moran’s I-value. The GWR model performed considerably better than the OLS model in explaining variation in burn severity. The results provided strong evidence that the effect of Japanese red pine on burn severity was not constant but varied spatially. Elevation was a significant factor in the variation in the effects of Japanese red pine on burn severity. The influence of red pine on burn severity was considerably higher in low-elevation areas but became less important than the other variables in high-elevation areas. The results of this study can be applied to location-specific strategies for forest managers and can be adopted to improve fire simulation models to more realistically mimic the nature of fire behavior.
Blind Spots for Direct Detection with Simplified DM Models and the LHC
Authors: Choudhury Arghya , Kowalska Kamila , Roszkowski Leszek , Sessolo Enrico , Williams Andrew
Published: May 2017

Using the existing simplified model framework, we build several dark matter models which have suppressed spin-independent scattering cross section. We show that the scattering cross section can vanish due to interference effects with models obtained by simple combinations of simplified models. For weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) masses ≳10 GeV, collider limits are usually much weaker than the direct detection limits coming from LUX or XENON100. However, for our model combinations, LHC analyses are more competitive for some parts of the parameter space. The regions with direct detection blind spots can be strongly constrained from the complementary use of several Large Hadron Collider (LHC) searches like mono-jet, jets + missing transverse energy, heavy vector resonance searches, etc. We evaluate the strongest limits for combinations of scalar + vector, “squark” + vector, and scalar + “squark” mediator, and present the LHC 14 TeV projections.
Inhibition of ERK1/2 Signaling Impairs the Promoting Effects of TGF-β1 on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Invasion and Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Liu Ling , Li Nianfeng , Zhang Qi , Zhou Jixiang , Lin Ling , He Xinxin
Published: May 2017

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and ERK signaling have been implicated in various human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma, but the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of ERK1/2 in the regulation of TGF-β’s
promoting and suppressive activities in HCC cells. Our data showed that treatment with TGF-β1 enhanced invasion and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC HepG2 cells, accompanied with increased MMP9 production and activation of Smad2/3 and ERK1/2, but inhibited tumor cell
proliferation. These effects were eliminated by treatment with SB431542, a TGF-β inhibitor. Afterward, treatment with the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 reduced the TGF-β1-induced invasion and vimentin and MMP9 secretion in HepG2 cells, without affecting the inhibitory effects of TGF-β1
on HepG2 cell proliferation. Moreover, inhibition of Smad2/3 expression attenuated TGF-β1-induced cell invasion, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and MMP9 production in HepG2 cells. However, knockdown of Slug only reduced cell invasion but did not affect ERK1/2 activation and MMP9 secretion in
HepG2 cells. These data indicate that TGF-β1 activates ERK1/2 in HepG2 cells through the Smad2/3 pathway but not the Slug pathway. In summary, our study demonstrates that inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling attenuates the promoting effects of TGF-β1 on the metastatic phenotypes of HCC
cells without affecting its suppressive effects on HCC cell proliferation. Therefore, we suggest that ERK1/2 may be used as a molecular target for the treatment of TGF-β-responsive HCC.
Histone Demethylase JARID1B Is Overexpressed in Osteosarcoma and Upregulates Cyclin D1 Expression via Demethylation of H3K27me3
Authors: Wang Wei , Zheng Ke , Pei Yi , Zhang XiaoJing
Published: May 2017

JARID1B has been proven to be upregulated in many human malignancies and is correlated with tumor progression. However, its expression and clinical significance in osteosarcoma are still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of JARID1B in osteosarcoma tumorigenesis and development. In this study, we found that the expression levels of JARID1B in osteosarcoma tissues were significantly higher than those in corresponding noncancerous bone tissues. In addition, JARID1B upregulation occurred more frequently in osteosarcoma specimens from patients with a poor prognosis. After JARID1B transfection in osteosarcoma cells, cell proliferation was significantly promoted in vitro and in vivo. On the contrary, knockdown of JARID1B inhibited cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. JARID1B can also decrease the G0/G1phase cell numbers and increase the S and G2/M phase cell numbers. We further demonstrated that JARID1B regulates cyclin D1 expression through H3K27me3. These findings indicate that JARID1B may act not only as a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker but also as a potential target for molecular therapy in osteosarcoma.
EmpiriciSN: Re-sampling Observed Supernova/Host Galaxy Populations Using an XD Gaussian Mixture Model
Authors: Holoien Thomas W.-S. , Marshall Philip J. , Wechsler Risa H.
Published: May 2017

We describe two new open-source tools written in Python for performing extreme deconvolution Gaussian mixture modeling (XDGMM) and using a conditioned model to re-sample observed supernova and host galaxy populations. XDGMM is new program that uses Gaussian mixtures to perform density estimation of noisy data using extreme deconvolution (XD) algorithms. Additionally, it has functionality not available in other XD tools. It allows the user to select between the AstroML and Bovy et al. fitting methods and is compatible with scikit-learn machine learning algorithms. Most crucially, it allows the user to condition a model based on the known values of a subset of parameters. This gives the user the ability to produce a tool that can predict unknown parameters based on a model that is conditioned on known values of other parameters. EmpiriciSN is an exemplary application of this functionality, which can be used to fit an XDGMM model to observed supernova/host data sets and predict likely supernova parameters using a model conditioned on observed host properties. It is primarily intended to simulate realistic supernovae for LSST data simulations based on empirical galaxy properties.
Megafauna of the UKSRL exploration contract area and eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean: Echinodermata
Authors: Amon Diva , Ziegler Amanda , Kremenetskaia Antonina , Mah Christopher , Mooi Rich , O'Hara Tim , Pawson David , Roux Michel , Smith Craig
Published: May 2017

There is growing interest in mining polymetallic nodules from the abyssal Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Despite being the focus of environmental studies for decades, the benthic megafauna of the CCZ remain poorly known. In order to predict and manage the environmental impacts of mining in the CCZ, baseline knowledge of the megafauna is essential. The ABYSSLINE Project has conducted benthic biological baseline surveys in the UK Seabed Resources Ltd polymetallic-nodule exploration contract area (UK-1). Prior to these research cruises in 2013 and 2015, no biological studies had been done in this area of the eastern CCZ.

Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, the megafauna within the UKSRL exploration contract area (UK-1) and at a site ~250 km east of the UK-1 area were surveyed, allowing us to make the first estimates of megafaunal morphospecies richness from the imagery collected. Here, we present an atlas of the abyssal echinoderm megafauna observed and collected during the ABYSSLINE cruises to the UK-1 polymetallic-nodule exploration contract area in the CCZ. There appear to be at least 62 distinct morphospecies (13 Asteroidea, 5 Crinoidea, 9 Echinoidea, 29 Holothuroidea and 6 Ophiuroidea) identified mostly by imagery but also using molecular barcoding for a limited number of animals that were collected. This atlas will aid the synthesis of megafaunal presence/absence data collected by contractors, scientists and other stakeholders undertaking work in the CCZ, ultimately helping to decipher the biogeography of the megafauna in this threatened habitat.
Raconter la révolte : l’exemple des Nu-Pieds de Normandie ( XVII e siècle - XVIII e siècle)
Authors: Evain Brice
Published: May 2017

Cet article étudie les mises en mots et en récits de la révolte des Nu-pieds (1639) tout au long des xvii e  et xviii e  siècles. Après avoir décliné les rhétoriques séditieuses et répressives, respectivement mises en œuvre par les acteurs du mouvement et par les autorités, nous nous attachons à analyser les premiers récits et témoignages portant sur le soulèvement normand, avant de réfléchir au traitement qui est réservé à ce dernier dans l’historiographie officielle : à travers ce flot de discours concurrents ou parallèles, c’est un phénomène de construction d’un événement historique par l’écriture que nous entendons explorer.
État et institutions asociales. La révolte de Naples dans le récit de ses protagonistes (1647-1648)
Authors: di Franco Saverio , Lezowski Marie
Published: May 2017

Les multiples voix qui contribuèrent au déclenchement de la révolte et à sa postérité sont emblématiques des divisions et des conflits au sein de la société napolitaine. Elles doivent être analysées et interprétées à la lumière d’un contexte élargi, en prenant en compte à l’échelle espagnole et européenne mais aussi les valeurs, les formæ mentis du peuple napolitain. Ce dernier était représenté par des juristes qui s’appuyaient sur la plèbe pour reconquérir les postes supérieurs de la magistrature dont ils avaient été évincés dans les années 1620. Ainsi, le Conseil Collatéral et celui des Sièges du peuple constituent des postes d’observation privilégiés pour l’historien afin de mesurer la diversité des stratégies et les conflits institutionnels qui accompagnèrent la révolte napolitaine.
« L’objet de moquerie le plus colossal et le plus honteux du monde » : récits de la honte nationale en 1660
Authors: Peters Erin
Published: May 2017

Cet article porte sur les efforts menés par le gouvernement de la monarchie restaurée pour rendre collectivement la nation honteuse des événements de la décennie 1650. Dans un premier temps, la législation votée en 1660, notamment The Act of Indemnity and Oblivion, insistait sur la nécessité d’un pardon et d’une amnésie collective pour la période entre le régicide de 1649 et la Restauration de 1660. Ensuite, le gouvernement finança la publication d’imprimés à destination d’un large public qui distillaient dans la mémoire collective un sentiment de honte nationale. Cet article se propose d’analyser cette masse documentaire et de retrouver les objectifs du gouvernement. Il semble que ce dernier espérait renforcer l’adhésion de la population à la monarchie restaurée et discréditer le régime républicain antérieur. En outre, il est aussi possible de voir dans ces récits de hontes et de souffrances partagées, la possibilité d’une stratégie rédemptrice. Dans cette expiation collective, sous le manteau royal, la reconnaissance de la honte nationale contribuait à occulter le souvenir d’actes individuels méprisables et de protéger la nation de son passé troublé.
Quand le rire gagne le paratexte : l’espace pré-fictionnel des petites comédies (1660-1670)
Authors: Piot Coline
Published: May 2017

Cet article interroge la rupture de ton manifeste dans un ensemble de paratextes théâtraux à partir des années 1660, pour en déterminer les contours et les fonctions. Une nouvelle forme paratextuelle introduit en effet les petites comédies dont l’impression est inédite. Une certaine unité de ton caractérise ces discours d’auteurs qui instaurent un rapport de connivence ludique avec le lecteur. L’espace intermédiaire du paratexte, marqué par une forme spécifique de légèreté, favorise l’entrée du lecteur dans un univers fictionnel conçu à l’origine pour la scène uniquement. Il semble ainsi être une réponse originale à la crainte que le papier ne puisse transmettre à la lecture toute la saveur comique de la représentation scénique.
La Pologne en Europe au début du xxi e siècle : à la croisée des chemins ?
Authors: Misiuna Jan , Pachocka Marta
Published: May 2017

Centre ou périphérie ? En choisissant tel ou tel positionnement de la Pologne en Europe, les gouvernements successifs déterminaient – parfois inconsciemment – la forme de la politique extérieure, et souvent celle de la politique intérieure, y compris de la politique économique. La question de la perspective, qui détermine les agissements au plan international, connaît un nouvel essor pendant les périodes de réévaluations et de changements rapides. Nous traversons justement une telle période, au niveau du continent entier et des différents États à la fois, y compris la Pologne. C’est pourquoi il est utile de se pencher sur les problèmes concernant toute l’Europe, l’UE et la Pologne à partir d’une perspective moins évidente. Le but de cet article est de familiariser les lecteurs francophones avec la position de la Pologne à l’égard de l’Union et de certains problèmes fondamentaux qui se posent à elle (entre autres choses : les crises des migrants et des réfugiés en Europe).
À quoi sert la Turquie en Europe ?
Authors: Seni Nora
Published: May 2017

La Turquie est au cœur de la politisation de l’enjeu « Union européenne » en France et en Allemagne, tandis que le projet de la Turquie d’adhérer à l’UE a été instrumentalisé par le gouvernement de Recep Tayyip Erdogan pour contourner la méfiance de l’armée et des chancelleries occidentales. Cet article s’attache à présenter cette double instrumentalisation. Il tente également de repérer les différences – en termes de cultures politiques postérieures à la Seconde Guerre mondiale – entre la Turquie obnubilée par l’homogénéité de sa population et l’Union européenne guidée par le souci de la paix.
« Je t’aime, moi non plus » : le Parti républicain et les Hispaniques au prisme des primaires de 2016
Authors: Vagnoux Isabelle
Published: May 2017

C’est à Richard Nixon, président républicain natif de Californie, que l’on doit le recensement des personnes d’origine hispanique au plan national, dès 1970, ancrant ainsi la minorité dans le paysage statistique du pays et lui donnant une visibilité politique nouvelle. C’est un autre Républicain, George H. Bush, qui s’efforcera de les intégrer au sein du comité national du parti. Pourtant, l’histoire de la relation entre le Parti républicain et les Hispaniques est ponctuée de faux-pas, souvent agressifs, et de tensions multiples. Au sein d’une minorité en pleine expansion et très majoritairement démocrate, dont nous verrons les forces et les faiblesses, qui sont les Latinos républicains ou susceptibles de voter républicain ? Comment les primaires de 2016 qui ont vu s’affronter, pour la première fois de leur histoire, entre autres candidats, deux Hispaniques et un troisième « Latino de cœur », prennent-elles en compte l’élément latino ? Le vote des Latinos compte-t-il vraiment pour les candidats et pour le parti ? Quelle stratégie celui-ci a-t-il mise en place ? Telles sont les questions que cet article se propose d’aborder.