bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of individualized learning plans on United States senior medical students advanced clinical rotations
Authors: Guardiola Amalia , Barratt Michelle S. , Omoruyi Emma A.
Published: November 2016

The individualized learning plan (ILP) is a tool that promotes self-directed learning. The aim of this pilot study was to look at the perception of the ILPs in United States senior medical school students as a way to improve their learning experience during their advanced practice clerkship. We conducted a survey of graduating medical students that contained both quantitative and open-ended questions regarding the students’ experiences with the ILP during their advanced practice clerkship from July 2014 to March 2016. We systematically identified and compiled themes among the qualitative responses. Responses from 294 out of 460 subjects were included for analysis (63.9%). Ninety students (30.6%) reported that the ILP was definitely reviewed at the midpoint and 88 (29.9%) at the final evaluation. One hundred sixty one students (54.8%) felt the ILP provided a framework for learning. One hundred sixty one students (61.6%) felt it was a useful tool in helping open a discussion between the student and faculty. The qualitative data was grouped by areas most mentioned and these areas of concern centered on lack of faculty knowledge about ILP, time to complete ILP, and uncertainty of appropriate goal setting. The majority of students perceive the ILP to be helpful. Our results suggest that active intervention is needed by dedicated and trained faculty to improve ILP utilization. It is recommended that faculty gives students examples of learning goals to create their own learning framework and encourages them to discuss and review the ILP.
“Put not / Beyond the sphere of your activity”: The Fictional Afterlives of Ben Jonson
Authors: O'Brien Richard
Published: November 2016

This article investigates the cultural assumptions which underpin five twentieth and twenty-first century fictional depictions of Ben Jonson. Despite the wealth of documentary evidence for Jonson's dramatic and fractious biography, its particular richness has rarely captured the imagination of contemporary authors. To account for the much-reduced presence Jonson occupies in the ongoing fictionalization of the English Renaissance, the author outlines the development of a pseudo-biographical narrative of Jonson's life which evolved over the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in relation to the emerging narrative of Shakespeare's.

Jonson came to be presented as pedantic, ponderous, and ultimately outclassed by the dramatist who was his main contemporary rival, whose early reputation he was instrumental in creating. Furthermore, this gradual diminution of Jonson's own complexities was directly linked to his success within his lifetime. Outliving Shakespeare and offering an alternative model for theatrical achievement, Jonson presented a threat which had to be neutralized in the service of a protective impulse towards Shakespeare's reputation as a unique genius.

The article offers some early instances of semi-fictional anecdotes about Jonson and Shakespeare which present the two dramatists as interchangeable subjects. It then assesses at length more recent Jonson-characters in Brahms and Simon's No Bed for Bacon, Roland Emmerich's Anonymous, Edward Bond's Bingo, Rudyard Kipling's “Proofs of Holy Writ”, and Jude Morgan's The Secret Life of William Shakespeare in the light of the historical reframing of Jonson's life and temperament. Finally, it makes the case for Jonson's story as one particularly suited to our current cultural landscape.
The Parasite in the House: “Exotic” Inventories and Domestic Performance in Volpone
Authors: Beaver James
Published: November 2016

This essay explores the performative nature of probate inventories in the early modern period through a reading of Mosca's “taking an inventory” in the final act of Volpone. I argue that the capacious divide between the items listed and the domestic subject, or interior, with which we associate them, is not between intact subjects and objects, but rather between raw materials, physical and rhetorical, which are stitched together through the performance of the inventory, in an exercise of oeconomia, or “management of the household.” Jonson deftly exploits the overlap between the probate inventory and the commonplace book, as storage systems of material possessions and rhetorical copia, respectively, in order to emphasize how both contribute to managing flows of words, desires, bodies, and things in the household. In Jonson's play, the rhetorical motives of copia combine with the experiential mobility of the inventory to define relationships within the domestic space. In the process, Volpone radically destabilizes our sense of subjects and objects as discrete categories. Instead of distinct persons and things, we encounter performances like Mosca's: styles of management, mechanisms of rhetorical control, which marshal the vast storehouse of copia to organize a superabundance of material referents, and, in doing so, enable fantasies of attachments between words and things, names and objects. Through the physical, rhetorical, and social dimensions of the inventory, Jonson draws our attention to a performance at the heart of domestic experience.
The “Living Art” in The Honorable History of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay
Authors: Feinstein Sandy
Published: November 2016

The popularity and fantastic productions of natural philosophy drive the The Honorable History of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay. Those creating and responding to the special effects compete across boundaries of place, of cultures, and of courts. In the end, Friar Bacon's demonstrates his dominance and in so doing defines nationalist exceptionality while showcasing theatre as the ultimate alchemy displaying it. The play celebrates English performance, stage art that out-alchemies alchemy. Theatre, the play suggests, best celebrates and protects English interests. It can take on anyone and anything, including in this play, science, magic, myths, history, Oxford, kings, and emperors. The competitive contests, for that is what they become in the play, include verbal sparring and quibbles that trade on the conventional metaphors of alchemy or the “Art,” as it is often referred to in the play. The dialogic war of words is additionally supported by extravagant spectacles signifying individual skill in the Art while also confronting its limitations.
Instances of Lexical Inventiveness in Chapman's Bussy D'Ambois
Authors: Edgecombe Rodney Stenning
Published: November 2016

This article examines various cruces and ambiguities in the text of Bussy d'Ambois and suggests alternative readings that attempt to resolve them. Among these are a construction of ‘stillado’, tentatively equated with a stiletto by the OED, as a compound noun, ‘still-ado’, along the lines of ‘lie-abed’, and a suggestion that the line ‘bombasts his private roofs’ be read in terms of sixteenth-century millinery. There is also an attempt to resolve the problematic phrase ‘lightning's fume’ by invoking the Latin ‘fulmen’ or thunderbolt.
The Greek Translations of Francis Hickes (1565/6–1631)
Authors: Gillespie Stuart , Pelling Christopher
Published: November 2016

Francis Hickes has always had a small place in English literary history as an early translator of Lucian. Two manuscripts in the library of Christ Church, Oxford, show that his work in Greek translation went much further: he produced unprinted versions of the complete histories of Thucydides and Herodian too. After reconstructing what can be known of Hickes' life, this article undertakes detailed comparisons between his productions and the contemporary printed ones by James Maxwell (Herodian) and Thomas Hobbes (Thucydides). Hickes, it is demonstrated, is a much more successful translator than Maxwell, and his Thucydides is much more than a mere curiosity when placed alongside Hobbes' much-admired Peloponnesian War.
Thinking by Images: Kamo no Chōmei's Hōjōki and Basil Bunting's Chomei at Toyama
Authors: Houwen Andrew
Published: November 2016

Basil Bunting's Chomei at Toyama, a poetic adaptation of Kamo no Chōmei's thirteenth-century prose text Hōjōki (‘Account of a Ten-Foot-Square Hut’), has been positively received by such diverse figures as Hugh Kenner, Lorine Niedecker, and Philip Larkin. Bunting's version pivots on Chōmei's apparent scepticism towards the Buddhism he adopted when living in the hut. Previous critics have considered this depiction of Chōmei's scepticism to be in keeping with the original text. But, by comparing Bunting's version with Chōmei's Japanese, this discussion reveals fundamental difference between them. Bunting's interpretation is rooted in his own rejection of ‘idealistic’ philosophies in favour of an embrace of the world apprehended through the senses. His alterations, making Hōjōki more Poundian, derive from this aesthetic position. Bunting was influenced in this regard by his reading of Ezra Pound's conception of the Japanese as ‘thinking by images’ rather than ‘ideas’.
Statistical Contact Angle Analyses with the High-Precision Drop Shape Analysis (HPDSA) Approach: Basic Principles and Applications
Authors: Heib Florian , Schmitt Michael
Published: November 2016

Surface science, which includes the preparation, development and analysis of surfaces and coatings, is essential in both fundamental and applied as well as in engineering and industrial research. Contact angle measurements using sessile drop techniques are commonly used to characterize coated surfaces or surface modifications. Well-defined surfaces structures at both nanoscopic and microscopic level can be achieved but the reliable characterization by means of contact angle measurements and their interpretation often remains an open question. Thus, we focused our research effort on one main problem of surface science community, which is the determination of correct and valid definitions and measurements of contact angles. In this regard, we developed the high-precision drop shape analysis (HPDSA), which involves a complex transformation of images from sessile drop experiments to Cartesian coordinates and opens up the possibility of a physically meaningful contact angle calculation. To fulfill the dire need for a reproducible contact angle determination/definition, we developed three easily adaptable statistical analyses procedures. In the following, the basic principles of HPDSA will be explained and applications of HPDSA will be illustrated. Thereby, the unique potential of this analysis approach will be illustrated by means of selected examples.
Replicated Risk Nicotinic Cholinergic Receptor Genes for Nicotine Dependence
Authors: Zuo Lingjun , Garcia-Milian Rolando , Guo Xiaoyun , Zhong Chunlong , Tan Yunlong , Wang Zhiren , Wang Jijun , Wang Xiaoping , Kang Longli , Lu Lu , Chen Xiangning , Li Chiang-Shan , Luo Xingguang
Published: November 2016

It has been hypothesized that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play important roles in nicotine dependence (ND) and influence the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) in smokers. We compiled the associations between nicotinic cholinergic receptor genes (CHRNs) and ND/CPD that were replicated across different studies, reviewed the expression of these risk genes in human/mouse brains, and verified their expression using independent samples of both human and mouse brains. The potential functions of the replicated risk variants were examined using cis-eQTL analysis or predicted using a series of bioinformatics analyses. We found replicated and significant associations for ND/CPD at 19 SNPs in six genes in three genomic regions (CHRNB3-A6, CHRNA5-A3-B4 and CHRNA4). These six risk genes are expressed in at least 18 distinct areas of the human/mouse brain, with verification in our independent human and mouse brain samples. The risk variants might influence the transcription, expression and splicing of the risk genes, alter RNA secondary or protein structure. We conclude that the replicated associations between CHRNB3-A6, CHRNA5-A3-B4, CHRNA4 and ND/CPD are very robust. More research is needed to examine how these genetic variants contribute to the risk for ND/CPD.
Family Carers of People with Young-Onset Dementia: Their Experiences with the Supporter Service
Authors: Johannessen Aud , Engedal Knut , Thorsen Kirsten
Published: November 2016

Background: Family carers and people with young-onset dementia (YOD) require tailored assistance as dementia progresses. A variety of health care services is needed, including supporter services. To our knowledge, research focusing on experiences with the supporter service is scarce. Aim: To evaluate the supporter service by examining how primary family carers experience the assistance provided. Method: Qualitative interviews with 16 primary family carers of people with YOD were performed from 2014 to 2015. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Three main themes emerged from the interviews. First, a good match focused on the carers’ experiences of the relationship between the supporter and the person with YOD and included three subthemes: a nice, empathetic personality, a friendship-like relationship, and the content of the meetings. The second theme, relief, addressed the carers’ experiences with the service. The third, coordination, concerned the carers’ relationship with the health care service. Conclusion: Developing tailored services and assistance initiatives is important. A well-organized supporter service is a valuable supplement to formal programs and should be developed as part of an overall support package.
An Integrated Intervention for Increasing Clinical Nurses’ Knowledge of HIV/AIDS-Related Occupational Safety
Authors: He Liping , Lu Zhiyan , Huang Jing , Zhou Yiping , Huang Jian , Bi Yongyi , Li Jun
Published: November 2016

Background: Approximately 35 new HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV) cases and at least 1000 serious infections are transmitted annually to health care workers. In China, HIV prevalence is increasing and nursing personnel are encountering these individuals more than in the past. Contaminated needle-stick injuries represent a significant occupational burden for nurses. Evidence suggests that nurses in China may not fully understand HIV/AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS) and HIV-related occupational safety. At this time, universal protection precautions are not strictly implemented in Chinese hospitals. Lack of training may place nurses at risk for occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of integrated interventions on nurses’ knowledge improvement about reducing the risk of occupationally acquired HIV infection. Methods: We audited integrated interventions using 300 questionnaires collected from nurses at the Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University, a public polyclinic in Hunan Province. The intervention studied was multifaceted and included appropriate and targeted training content for hospital, department and individual levels. After three months of occupational safety integrated interventions, 234 participants who completed the program were assessed. Results: Of the subjects studied, 94.3% (283/300) were injured one or more times by medical sharp instruments or splashed by body fluids in the last year and 95.3% considered their risk of occupational exposure high or very high. After the intervention, awareness of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge improved significantly (χ2 = 86.34, p = 0.00), and correct answers increased from 67.9% to 82.34%. Correct answers regarding risk perception were significantly different between pre-test (54.4%) and post-test (66.6%) (χ2 = 73.2, p = 0.00). When coming into contact with patient body fluids and blood only 24.0% of subjects used gloves regularly. The pre-test knowledge scores on universal precautions were relatively high. Correct answers about universal precautions improved significantly from pre-test (83.71%) to post-test (89.58%; χ2 = 25.00, p = 0.00). After the intervention, nurses’ attitude scores improved significantly from pre-test (3.80 ± 0.79) to post-test (4.06 ± 0.75; t = 3.74, p = 0.00). Conclusions: Integrated educational interventions enhance nurses’ knowledge of risk reduction for occupationally acquired HIV infections and improve the observance of universal precautionary procedures. This enhancement allows nurses to assume a teaching role for prevention and management of HIV/AIDS.
Phylogenetic Analysis of the Synnema-Producing Genus Synnemapestaloides
Authors: Watanabe Kyoko , Sekiguchi Mao , Sato Toyozo , Hsiang Tom , Kaneko Shigeru , Tanaka Kazuaki , Kanda Masaru , Fujita Naoko , Nozawa Shunsuke
Published: November 2016

Synnemapestaloides rhododendri, the type species of the genus Synnemapestaloides, is a pathogen of Rhododendron brachycarpum. This fungus produces six-celled conidia with appendages at both end cells, and are generated by annellidic conidiogenous cells on the synnema. These conidial structures are similar to those of the genus Pestalotia. The monotypic genus Synnemapestaloides is currently classified in the family Amphisphaeriaceae solely based on conidial morphology. Here we demonstrate that Synnemapestaloides represents a distinct genus in the family Sporocadaceae (Amphisphaeriales) based on differences in the nucleotide sequences of the partial large subunit rDNA gene, the rDNA internal transcribed spacer, and the partial β-tubulin. The genus most closely related to Synnemapestaloides is Seimatosporium and the species most similar to Synnemapestaloides rhododendri is Seim. foliicola which produces short synnema-like conidiomata (sporodochia). These results demonstrate that Seim. foliicola should be transferred to Synnemapestaloides, and also demonstrate that Sporocadaceae can have synnematal in addition to pycnidial and acervular conidiomata.
Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A and Anhydrosafflor Yellow B in Safflower Series of Herb Pairs Using Prep-HPLC and a Selective Knock-Out Approach
Authors: Qu Cheng , Wang Lin-Yan , Jin Wen-Tao , Tang Yu-Ping , Jin Yi , Shi Xu-Qin , Shang Li-Li , Shang Er-Xin , Duan Jin-Ao
Published: November 2016

The flower of Carthamus tinctorius L. (Carthami Flos, safflower), important in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is known for treating blood stasis, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular disease in clinical and experimental studies. It is widely accepted that hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) and anhydrosafflor yellow B (ASYB) are the major bioactive components of many formulae comprised of safflower. In this study, selective knock-out of target components such as HSYA and ASYB by using preparative high performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) followed by antiplatelet and anticoagulation activities evaluation was used to investigate the roles of bioactive ingredients in safflower series of herb pairs. The results showed that both HSYA and ASYB not only played a direct role in activating blood circulation, but also indirectly made a contribution to the total bioactivity of safflower series of herb pairs. The degree of contribution of HSYA in the safflower and its series herb pairs was as follows: Carthami Flos-Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra (CF-GR) > Carthami Flos-Sappan Lignum (CF-SL) > Carthami Flos-Angelicae Sinensis Radix (CF-AS) > Carthami Flos-Astragali Radix (CF-AR) > Carthami Flos-Angelicae Sinensis Radix (CF-AS) > Carthami Flos-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (CF-GL) > Carthami Flos-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (CF-SM) > Carthami Flos (CF), and the contribution degree of ASYB in the safflower and its series herb pairs: CF-GL > CF-PS > CF-AS > CF-SL > CF-SM > CF-AR > CF-GR > CF. So, this study provided a significant and effective approach to elucidate the contribution of different herbal components to the bioactivity of the herb pair, and clarification of the variation of herb-pair compatibilities. In addition, this study provides guidance for investigating the relationship between herbal compounds and the bioactivities of herb pairs. It also provides a scientific basis for reasonable clinical applications and new drug development on the basis of the safflower series of herb pairs.
A Prospective Study of Different Types of Dietary Fiber and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Mirmiran Parvin , Bahadoran Zahra , Khalili Moghadam Sajad , Zadeh Vakili Azita , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: November 2016

Background and aim: This study was designed to examine the hypothesis that dietary of intake different types of fiber could modify the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a large prospective cohort among Iranian adults. Methods: In 2006–2008, we used a validated food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary fiber intake among 2295 health professionals with no previous history of heart disease. Subjects were subsequently followed until 2012 for incidence of CVD events. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models, adjusted for potential confounders were used to estimate the risk of CVD across tertiles of total dietary fiber and different types of fiber. Linear regression models were also used to indicate the association of dietary fiber intakes with changes of cardiovascular risk factors during the follow-up. Results: Mean age of participants (42.8% men) was 38.2 ± 13.4, at baseline. Mean (SD) dietary intake of total fiber was 23.4 (8.9) g/day. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk score and dietary confounders, a significant inverse association was observed between intakes of total, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber and CVD risk, in the highest compared to the lowest tertiles (HR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.18–0.83, HR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.09–0.41, and HR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.14–0.69, respectively). Inverse relations were observed between risk of CVD and dietary fiber from legumes, fruits and vegetables; however, dietary fiber intake from grain and nut sources was not related to risk of CVD. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed that higher intakes of dietary fiber from different sources is associated with CVD events and modify its major risk-related factors.
Australian and New Zealand Fish Oil Products in 2016 Meet Label Omega-3 Claims and Are Not Oxidized
Authors: Nichols Peter , Dogan Lalen , Sinclair Andrew
Published: November 2016

We provide new fish oil product results to assist industry in Australia and New Zealand and, ultimately, consumers in understanding the high product quality assurance protocols in place, together with the high product quality that has been determined by both industry and independent laboratories. Fish oil capsule products common to Australia and New Zealand were purchased in May 2016 in Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Products were from two groups; five standard fish oil products and five fish oil concentrates. Noting Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) requirement for use of standard methods, for all analyses undertaken a laboratory was selected that met the TGA criteria, including with accreditation. Total n-3 content exceeded the label-claimed content for all 10 products, with supplements containing on average 124% of the claimed content (range 115%–136%); eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA) content averaged 109% of the label claim (range 99%–119%). All 10 products (100%) similarly met the international recommended peroxide value (PV) level. Anisidine value (pAV) met the international recommended level for eight of the 10 products, with two products known to contain flavorings that interfere with the pAV test. When accredited laboratories and standard protocols are used, Australian and New Zealand fish oil products have been shown to clearly meet their label claims for EPA + DHA content, and are not oxidized.
Using Continuing Professional Development with Portfolio in a Pharmaceutics Course
Authors: Schneider Jennifer , O’Hara Kate , Munro Irene
Published: November 2016

The introduction of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to encourage individual life-long learning as a way of maintaining professional competency in pharmacy has faced resistance. To investigate ways to address this barrier we included CPD with portfolio in a university Pharmaceutics course. Underpinning knowledge for the course was delivered using a flipped classroom approach and students used the CPD model to address clinical scenarios presented in a simulated pharmacy setting. Students produced portfolio items for the different case scenarios and submitted these for assessment. This provided the opportunity for students to carry out repeated application of the CPD cycle and, in so doing, develop skills in critical thinking for self-reflection and self-evaluation. This course was designed to encourage the development of higher level learning skills for future self-directed learning. Thirty six students submitted a completed portfolio. Twenty nine students achieved a result of >70%, five students scored between 57%–69%, one student obtained a mark of 50% and one student failed. The end of course survey revealed that while students found portfolio development challenging (40%), they also reported that it was effective for self-learning (54%). Differentiating between the concepts “reflection” and “evaluation” in CPD was problematic for some students and the use of clearer, simpler language should be used to explain these processes in future CPD work.
On the Potential of Robust Satellite Techniques Approach for SPM Monitoring in Coastal Waters: Implementation and Application over the Basilicata Ionian Coastal Waters Using MODIS‐Aqua
Authors: Di Polito Carmine , Ciancia Emanuele , Coviello Irina , Doxaran David , Lacava Teodosio , Pergola Nicola , Satriano Valeria , Tramutoli Valerio
Published: November 2016

Monitoring river plume dynamics and variations in complex coastal areas can provide useful information to prevent marine environmental damage. In this work, the Robust Satellite Techniques (RST) approach has been implemented and tested on historical series of Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to monitor, for the first time, Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) anomalies associated to river plumes. To this aim, MODIS-Aqua Level 1A data were processed using an atmospheric correction adequate for coastal waters, and SPM daily maps were generated applying an algorithm adapted from literature. The RST approach was then applied to these maps to assess the anomalous presence of SPM. The study area involves the Basilicata region coastal waters (Ionian Sea, South of Italy). A long-time analysis (2003–2015) conducted for the month of December allows us to find that the maximum SPM concentration value was registered in December 2013, when an extreme hydrological event occurred. A short-time analysis was then carried out applying RST to monitor the dynamics of anomalous SPM concentrations. Finally, the most exposed areas, in terms of SPM concentration, were identified. The results obtained in this work showed the RST high potential when used in combination with standard SPM daily maps to better characterize and monitor coastal waters.
Applying Data Envelopment Analysis and Grey Model for the Productivity Evaluation of Vietnamese Agroforestry Industry
Authors: Wang Chia-Nan , Lin Han-Sung , Hsu Hsien-Pin , Le Van-Tinh , Lin Tsung-Fu
Published: November 2016

Agriculture and forestry play important roles in Vietnam, particularly as they contribute to the creation of food, conservation of forest resources, and improvement of soil fertility. Therefore, understanding the performances of relevant enterprises in this field contributes to the sustainable development of this country’s agroforestry industry. This research proposes a hybrid model, which includes a grey model (GM) and a Malmquist productivity index (MPI), to assess the performances of Vietnamese agroforestry enterprises over several time periods. After collecting the data of selected input and output variables for 10 Vietnam agroforestry enterprises in the period of 2011–2014, GM is used to forecast the future values of these input and output variables for the 10 agroforestry enterprises in 2015 and 2016. Following the results of GM, the MPI is used to measure the performance of these enterprises. The MPI scores showed some enterprises will become more efficient, while others will become less efficient. The proposed model gives past–present–future insights in order for decision-makers to sustain agroforestry development in Vietnam. This hybrid approach can be applied to performance analysis of other industries as well.
Integrating Big Data into a Sustainable Mobility Policy 2.0 Planning Support System
Authors: Semanjski Ivana , Bellens Rik , Gautama Sidharta , Witlox Frank
Published: November 2016

It is estimated that each of us, on a daily basis, produces a bit more than 1 GB of digital content through our mobile phone and social networks activities, bank card payments, location-based positioning information, online activities, etc. However, the implementation of these large data amounts in city assets planning systems still remains a rather abstract idea for several reasons, including the fact that practical examples are still very strongly services-oriented, and are a largely unexplored and interdisciplinary field; hence, missing the cross-cutting dimension. In this paper, we describe the Policy 2.0 concept and integrate user generated content into Policy 2.0 platform for sustainable mobility planning. By means of a real-life example, we demonstrate the applicability of such a big data integration approach to smart cities planning process. Observed benefits range from improved timeliness of the data and reduced duration of the planning cycle to more informed and agile decision making, on both the citizens and the city planners end. The integration of big data into the planning process, at this stage, does not have uniform impact across all levels of decision making and planning process, therefore it should be performed gradually and with full awareness of existing limitations.
Tenuifolide B from Cinnamomum tenuifolium Stem Selectively Inhibits Proliferation of Oral Cancer Cells via Apoptosis, ROS Generation, Mitochondrial Depolarization, and DNA Damage
Authors: Chen Chung-Yi , Yen Ching-Yu , Wang Hui-Ru , Yang Hui-Ping , Tang Jen-Yang , Huang Hurng-Wern , Hsu Shih-Hsien , Chang Hsueh-Wei
Published: November 2016

The development of drugs that selectively kill oral cancer cells but are less harmful to normal cells still provide several challenges. In this study, the antioral cancer effects of tenuifolide B (TFB), extracted from the stem of the plant Cinnamomum tenuifolium are evaluated in terms of their effects on cancer cell viability, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. Cell viability of oral cancer cells (Ca9-22 and CAL 27) was found to be significantly inhibited by TFB in a dose-responsive manner in terms of ATP assay, yielding IC50 = 4.67 and 7.05 μM (24 h), but are less lethal to normal oral cells (HGF-1). Dose-responsive increases in subG1 populations as well as the intensities of flow cytometry-based annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) analysis and pancaspase activity suggested that apoptosis was inducible by TFB in these two types of oral cancer cells. Pretreatment with the apoptosis inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) reduced the annexin V intensity of these two TFB-treated oral cancer cells, suggesting that TFB induced apoptosis-mediated cell death to oral cancer cells. Cleaved-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and cleaved-caspases 3, 8, and 9 were upregulated in these two TFB-treated oral cancer cells over time but less harmful for normal oral HGF-1 cells. Dose-responsive and time-dependent increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential (MitoMP) in these two TFB-treated oral cancer cells suggest that TFB may generate oxidative stress as measured by flow cytometry. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) pretreatment reduced the TFB-induced ROS generation and further validated that ROS was relevant to TFB-induced cell death. Both flow cytometry and Western blotting demonstrated that the DNA double strand marker γH2AX dose-responsively increased in TFB-treated Ca9-22 cells and time-dependently increased in two TFB-treated oral cancer cells. Taken together, we infer that TFB can selectively inhibit cell proliferation of oral cancer cells through apoptosis, ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and DNA damage.
Screening of Cytotoxic B. cereus on Differentiated Caco-2 Cells and in Co-Culture with Mucus-Secreting (HT29-MTX) Cells
Authors: Castiaux Virginie , Laloux Laurie , Schneider Yves-Jacques , Mahillon Jacques
Published: November 2016

B. cereus is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen able to cause diarrhoea. However, the diarrhoeal potential of a B. cereus strain remains difficult to predict, because no simple correlation has yet been identified between the symptoms and a unique or a specific combination of virulence factors. In this study, 70 B. cereus strains with different origins (food poisonings, foods and environment) have been selected to assess their enterotoxicity. The B. cereus cell-free supernatants have been tested for their toxicity in vitro, on differentiated (21 day-old) Caco-2 cells, using their ATP content, LDH release and NR accumulation. The genetic determinants of the main potential enterotoxins and virulence factors (ces, cytK, entFM, entS, hbl, nhe, nprA, piplC and sph) have also been screened by PCR. This analysis showed that none of these genes was able to fully explain the enterotoxicity of B. cereus strains. Additionally, in order to assess a possible effect of the mucus layer in vitro, a cytotoxicity comparison between a monoculture (Caco-2 cells) and a co-culture (Caco-2 and HT29-MTX mucus-secreting cells) model has been performed with selected B. cereus supernatants. It appeared that, in these conditions, the mucus layer had no notable influence on the cytotoxicity of B. cereus supernatants.
Comment on Detection of Mycotoxins in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Toxins 2013, 5, 605–617
Authors: Osterman John
Published: November 2016

The paper by Brewer et al. entitled “Detection of Mycotoxins in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.[...]
Nitrogen Removal in a Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland Estimated Using the First-Order Kinetic Model
Authors: Cui Lijuan , Li Wei , Zhang Yaqiong , Wei Jiaming , Lei Yinru , Zhang Manyin , Pan Xu , Zhao Xinsheng , Li Kai , Ma Wu
Published: November 2016

We monitored the water quality and hydrological conditions of a horizontal subsurface constructed wetland (HSSF-CW) in Beijing, China, for two years. We simulated the area-based constant and the temperature coefficient with the first-order kinetic model. We examined the relationships between the nitrogen (N) removal rate, N load, seasonal variations in the N removal rate, and environmental factors—such as the area-based constant, temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO). The effluent ammonia (NH4+-N) and nitrate (NO3−-N) concentrations were significantly lower than the influent concentrations (p < 0.01, n = 38). The NO3−-N load was significantly correlated with the removal rate (R2 = 0.96, p < 0.01), but the NH4+-N load was not correlated with the removal rate (R2 = 0.02, p > 0.01). The area-based constants of NO3−-N and NH4+-N at 20 °C were 27 ± 26 (mean ± SD) and 14 ± 10 m∙year−1, respectively. The temperature coefficients for NO3−-N and NH4+-N were estimated at 1.004 and 0.960, respectively. The area-based constants for NO3−-N and NH4+-N were not correlated with temperature (p > 0.01). The NO3−-N area-based constant was correlated with the corresponding load (R2 = 0.96, p < 0.01). The NH4+-N area rate was correlated with DO (R2 = 0.69, p < 0.01), suggesting that the factors that influenced the N removal rate in this wetland met Liebig’s law of the minimum.
Simulating the Impacts of an Upstream Dam on Pollutant Transport: A Case Study on the Xiangjiang River, China
Authors: Long Yuannan , Wu Changshan , Jiang Changbo , Hu Shixiong , Liu Yizhuang
Published: November 2016

Water pollution incidents can cause rapid deterioration of water quality, potentially leading to the illness and death of surrounding residents. Therefore, it is imperative to assess the impact of water pollution incidents, and to understand the mechanisms of pollutant transport and transformation. To address this problem, this paper constructed a hydraulic water quality model for the lower reaches of the Xiangjiang River, China, using the hydrodynamic module and convective diffusion module of MIKE21. Six pollution incident scenarios were simulated to investigate the transport process of pollutants, as affected by an upstream dam structure, the Changsha Comprehensive Control Project dam (CCCP). Analysis of the results suggests that the CCCP plays an essential role in controlling the transport and transformation of pollutants. With the CCCP, the process of transport is weakened, and the dispersion effect is strengthened. In particular, after the construction of the CCCP, the same amount of upstream discharge leads to lower peak pollutant concentrations and longer pollutant arrival times to each waterworks’ intake, thereby alleviating the impact of water pollution incidents. Further, comparative analysis suggests that the role of CCCP is much more significant with lower discharges (e.g., during the dry season), largely due to the higher amount of water quantity within the reach.
Biomechanics of selected arborescent and shrubby monocotyledons
Authors: Masselter Tom , Haushahn Tobias , Fink Samuel , Speck Thomas
Published: November 2016

Main aims of the study are a deepened understanding of the mechanically relevant (ultra-)structures and the mechanical behaviour of various arborescent and shrubby monocotyledons and obtaining the structure–function relationships of different structurally conspicuous parts inDracaena marginatastems. The stems of five different “woody” monocotyledon species were dissected and the mechanical properties of the most noticeable tissues in the five monocotyledons and, additionally, of individual vascular bundles inD. marginata, were tested under tensile stress. Results for Young’s moduli and density of these tissues were assessed as well as the area, critical strain, Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the vascular bundles inDracaena marginata. These analyses allowed for generating a model for the mechanical interaction of tissues and vascular bundles of the stem inD. marginataas well as filling major “white spots” in property charts for biological materials. Additionally we shortly discuss the potential significance of such studies for the development of branched and unbranched bio-inspired fibre-reinforced materials and structures with enhanced properties.
EFFECTIVE OPERATION INVESTIGATION OF UNGLAZED SOLAR AIR COLLECTOR / NEĮSTIKLINTO ORINIO SAULĖS KOLEKTORIAUS EFEKTYVAUS VEIKIMO TYRIMAS
Authors: Rimdžius Dovydas , Martinaitis Vytautas , Bielskus Juozas
Published: November 2016

The article presents results of an effective operation analysis of VGTU Environmental Engineering Faculty southern facade integrated unglazed transpired solar collector. During previous research the importance to evaluate influence to ventilation system by such type of collectors was observed. The assessment of analysed collector aerodynamics showed that under specific solar radiation and air flow conditions the amount of energy generated by collector could be smaller than the energy quantity consumed by fans for air suction. The study provides analysis of the coefficient of performance rates and quantities of generated and consumed energy under different operation conditions. The effective operation conditions of collector committed during this research could be useful for designing or creating algorithm for such device.
Straipsnyje pristatoma VGTU Aplinkos inžinerijos fakulteto pietiniame fasade integruoto neįstiklinto orinio saulės kolektoriaus efektyvaus veikimo analizė bei jos rezultatai. Ankstesnio tyrimo metu pastebėta, kad, analizuojant tokio tipo kolektorių, svarbu atsižvelgti į jo poveikį vėdinimo sistemai. Įvertinus analizuojamojo kolektoriaus aerodinamines savybes, nustatyta, kad, esant tam tikroms oro srautų ir saulės spinduliuočių vertėms, įrenginio pagamintas energijos kiekis gali būti mažesnis už orui siurbti naudojamų ventiliatorių vartojamą energijos kiekį. Tyrime pateikiama kolektoriaus energijos transformavimo rodiklių bei pagamintų ir suvartotų energijos kiekių kitimo analizė, esant skirtingiems veikimo režimams. Nustatyti kolektoriaus efektyvaus veikimo režimai gali būti naudingi projektuojant ar kuriant tokio tipo įrenginių valdymo algoritmą.
ANALYSIS OF SOLAR ENERGY USE FOR MULTI-FLAT BUILDINGS RENOVATION / SAULĖS ENERGIJOS PANAUDOJIMO MODERNIZUOJAMUOSE DAUGIABUČIUOSE ANALIZĖ
Authors: Valančius Kęstutis , Grigaliūnas Jonas
Published: November 2016

The paper analyses the energy and financial possibilities to install renewable energy sources (solar energy) generating systems when renovating multi-flat buildings. The aim is to analyse solar energy system possibilities for modernization of multi-flat buildings (5-storey, 9-storey and 16-storey), providing detailed conclusions about the appropriateness of the energy systems and financial aspects. It is also intended to determine the optimal technological combinations and solutions to reach the maximum energy benefits. For the research computer simulation tools “EnergyPRO” and “PV*SOL Premium” are chosen. Also actual collected heat and electricity consumption data is used for the analysis. Straipsnyje yra apžvelgiamos ir nagrinėjamos energinės ir finansinės galimybės daugiabučiuose namuose įdiegti atsinaujinančius energijos išteklius (saulės energiją) generuojančias sistemas. Darbo tikslas – išanalizuoti didžiausias saulės energijos sistemų panaudojimo galimybes, modernizuojant (5-ių aukštų, 9-ių aukštų ir 16-os aukštų) daugiabučius pastatus, pateikiant išsamias išvadas apie šių sistemų tinkamumą energiniu ir finansiniu aspektais. Siekiama nustatyti optimalius technologinius derinius ir sprendinius, kurių energinė vertė būtų didžiausia. Tyrime pasirinktas būdas yra naujų sistemų modeliavimas kompiuterinėmis ,,EnergyPRO“ ir ,,PV*SOL Premium“ programomis. Taip pat naudojami sukaupti faktiniai šilumos ir elektros energiniai individualių daugiabučių duomenys. Šie duomenys apima visus 2015 metus, kai atitinkamai ant 5-ių aukštų daugiabučio stogo ir 9-ių aukštų daugiabučio fasado sumontuotais prietaisais buvo kaupiami saulės spinduliuotės duomenys.
NEW STRUCTURED PACKING CUB FOR PURIFICATION OF EXHAUST GASE
Authors: Novikova Irina , Pushnov Alexander
Published: November 2016

New structured packing for heat and mass transfer processes named CUB is presented in our article. The packing can be applied in packed towers for exhaust gas cleaning instead random packing, for example, rings type that are the most used in such processes. The advantages of the new packing over random packing are lower pressure drop, capability of purification and as a consequence long-term service of the packing. The researches of intensity of liquid-phase mass-transfer in packed bed depending on liquid spray rate and gas velocity were carried out. Obtained data show that packing CUB is more effective than the most popular type of structured packing under all other conditions being equal. As experimental data shown heat transfer coefficient was up by 17% and mass transfer coefficient was up by 51%. We found out optimal geometry of cross section of the new packing, namely, number of elements and parameters of one element. The new construction of structured packing is applicable for both type of column cross-section round and square.
NOISE EMISSION CAUSED BY TRANSPORT IN TRAKAI CITY MODELLING AND EVALUATION / TRANSPORTO SUKELIAMO TRIUKŠMO SKLAIDOS TRAKŲ MIESTE MODELIAVIMAS IR VERTINIMAS
Authors: Vilniškis Tomas , Januševičius Tomas
Published: November 2016

One of the biggest problem in most cities – noise emissions in the environment caused by transport. It is found that environment noise can cause not only discomfort, but it is also harmful to health. Therefore, noise emissions in the environment is topical environmental problem. In this article the vehicle noise emissions are evaluated, depending on traffic in Trakai city. At selected locations in the northern and southern parts of the city equivalent and maximum noise levels are measured. According to estimates of traffic day, evening and night, using CadnaA program, noise maps are simulated. The noise map will show noise emissions day, evening and night. Measurement have shown, that maximum noise values was near main roads. In the south of the city, near Gediminas street, equivalent sound level during daytime was 60 dB, evening 54 dB, night – 48 dB. In the north of the city, near Karaimai street equivalent sound lever during daytime was 59 dB, evening – 54 dB, night – 51 dB. The simulations generated sound level values were similar to measured, the differences between the simulated and measured values were up to 4 dB.
Viena didžiausių problemų miestuose – tai vis didėjančių transporto srautų sukeliamas triukšmas ir jo sklaida aplinkoje. Yra nustatyta, kad aplinkos triukšmas gali sukelti ne tik nepatogumų, tačiau ir kenkti sveikatai. Todėl triukšmo sklaida aplinkoje yra aktuali aplinkosaugos problema. Šiame straipsnyje vertinama transporto triukšmo sklaida, atsižvelgiant į transporto srautus Trakų mieste. Parinktose vietose šiaurinėje ir pietinėje miesto dalyse yra išmatuojami ekvivalentiniai ir didžiausieji garso lygiai. Pagal apskaičiuotus transporto srautus dienos, vakaro ir nakties metu, naudojant CadnaA programą, sudaromas triukšmo sklaidos žemėlapis. Žemėlapiuose pavaizduota triukšmo sklaida dienos, vakaro ir nakties metu. Atlikus matavimus, buvo nustatyta, jog didžiausios triukšmo vertės yra prie pagrindinių kelių. Pietinėje miesto dalyje, šalia Gedimino gatvės, ekvivalentinis garso lygis dienos metu siekia 60 dB, vakaro – 54 dB, nakties – 48 dB. Šiaurinėje miesto dalyje didžiausi triukšmo lygiai buvo prie Karaimų gatvės, kur ekvivalentinis garso lygis dienos metu siekė 59 dB, vakaro metu buvo 54 dB, nakties metu 51 dB. Atlikus modeliavimą, gautos garso lygio vertės buvo panašios kaip ir išmatuotos, skirtumai tarp sumodeliuotų ir išmatuotų verčių buvo iki 4 dB.