bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
8-Bit Adder and Subtractor with Domain Label Based on DNA Strand Displacement
Authors: Han Weixuan , Zhou Changjun
Published: November 2018

DNA strand displacement, which plays a fundamental role in DNA computing, has been widely applied to many biological computing problems, including biological logic circuits. However, there are many biological cascade logic circuits with domain labels based on DNA strand displacement that have not yet been designed. Thus, in this paper, cascade 8-bit adder/subtractor with a domain label is designed based on DNA strand displacement; domain t and domain f represent signal 1 and signal 0, respectively, instead of domain t and domain f are applied to representing signal 1 and signal 0 respectively instead of high concentration and low concentration high concentration and low concentration. Basic logic gates, an amplification gate, a fan-out gate and a reporter gate are correspondingly reconstructed as domain label gates. The simulation results of Visual DSD show the feasibility and accuracy of the logic calculation model of the adder/subtractor designed in this paper. It is a useful exploration that may expand the application of the molecular logic circuit.
The Effect of Boron Nitride on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)
Authors: Öner Mualla , Kızıl Gülnur , Keskin Gülşah , Pochat-Bohatier Celine , Bechelany Mikhael
Published: November 2018

The thermal and mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate, PHBV) composites filled with boron nitride (BN) particles with two different sizes and shapes were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical testing. The biocomposites were produced by melt extrusion of PHBV with untreated BN and surface-treated BN particles. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of the composites was higher than that of neat PHBV while the effect of the different shapes and sizes of the particles on the thermal stability was insignificant. DSC analysis showed that the crystallinity of the PHBV was not affected significantly by the change in filler concentration and the type of the BN nanoparticle but decreasing of the crystallinity of PHBV/BN composites was observed at higher loadings. BN particles treated with silane coupling agent yielded nanocomposites characterized by good mechanical performance. The results demonstrate that mechanical properties of the composites were found to increase more for the silanized flake type BN (OSFBN) compared to silanized hexagonal disk type BN (OSBN). The highest Young’s modulus was obtained for the nanocomposite sample containing 1 wt.% OSFBN, for which increase of Young’s modulus up to 19% was observed in comparison to the neat PHBV. The Halpin–Tsai and Hui–Shia models were used to evaluate the effect of reinforcement by BN particles on the elastic modulus of the composites. Micromechanical models for initial composite stiffness showed good correlation with experimental values.
Liquid-Phase Exfoliation of Graphene: An Overview on Exfoliation Media, Techniques, and Challenges
Authors: Xu Yanyan , Cao Huizhe , Xue Yanqin , Li Biao , Cai Weihua
Published: November 2018

Graphene, a two-dimensional (2D) carbon nanomaterial, has attracted worldwide attention owing to its fascinating properties. One of critical bottlenecks on some important classes of applications, such as printed electronics, conductive coatings, and composite fillers, is the lack of industrial-scale methods to produce high-quality graphene in the form of liquid suspensions, inks, or dispersions. Since 2008, when liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) of graphene via sonication was initiated, huge progress has been made in the past decade. This review highlights the latest progress on the successful preparation of graphene in various media, including organic solvents, ionic liquids, water/polymer or surfactant solutions, and some other green dispersants. The techniques of LPE, namely sonication, high-shear mixing, and microfluidization are reviewed subsequently. Moreover, several typical devices of high-shear mixing and exfoliation mechanisms are introduced in detail. Finally, we give perspectives on future research directions for the development of green exfoliation media and efficient techniques for producing high-quality graphene. This systematic exploratory study of LPE will potentially pave the way for the scalable production of graphene, which can be also applied to produce other 2D layered materials, such as BN, MoS2, WS2, etc.
Changing to a Low-Polyphenol Diet Alters Vascular Biomarkers in Healthy Men after Only Two Weeks
Authors: Hurtado-Barroso Sara , Quifer-Rada Paola , Rinaldi de Alvarenga José Fernando , Pérez-Fernández Silvia , Tresserra-Rimbau Anna , Lamuela-Raventos Rosa M.
Published: November 2018

Bioactive dietary compounds play a critical role in health maintenance. The relation between bioactive compound intake and cardiovascular health-related biomarkers has been demonstrated in several studies, although mainly with participants who have altered biochemical parameters (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, etc.). The aim of this study was to evaluate if adopting a diet low in polyphenol-rich food for two weeks would affect vascular biomarkers in healthy men. In a crossover study, 22 healthy men were randomly assigned to their usual diet (UD), consuming healthy food rich in polyphenols, or to a low antioxidant diet (LAD), with less than two servings of fruit and vegetables per day and avoiding the intake of cocoa products, coffee and tea. As a marker of compliance, total polyphenols in urine were significantly lower after the LAD than after the UD (79 ± 43 vs. 123 ± 58 mg GAE/g creatinine). Nitric oxide levels were also reduced (52 ± 28 in LAD vs. 80 ± 34 µM in UD), although no significant changes in cellular adhesion molecules and eicosanoids were observed; however, an increasing ratio between thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) was reached (p = 0.048). Thus, a slight dietary modification, reducing the consumption of polyphenol-rich food, may affect vascular biomarkers even in healthy individuals.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake among Chilean Preschoolers and Adolescents in 2016: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Essman Michael , Popkin Barry M. , Corvalán Camila , Reyes Marcela , Taillie Lindsey Smith
Published: November 2018

Background: Chile has the highest sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) sales of any country and a growing burden of childhood obesity. This study examines SSB intake in Chilean children after a 5% SSB tax increase in 2014 but prior to marketing, labeling, and school policies implemented in 2016. Methods: 24-h recalls were collected in 2016 from two cohorts comprised of preschoolers 3–5 years of age (n = 961) and adolescents 12–14 years of age (n = 770) from low–moderate income neighborhoods. Beverages were categorized as regulated or unregulated according to whether they exceeded nutrient thresholds established by the 2016 policies. Results: Preschoolers consumed mainly beverage calories from regulated dairy beverages and substitutes (109 kcal, SD 30), unregulated dairy beverages (102 kcal, SD 24), and regulated fruit and vegetables drinks (44 kcal, SD 20). For adolescents, the greatest contributions came from regulated sodas (77 kcal, SD 47), regulated dairy beverages and substitutes (41 kcal, SD 16), and unregulated coffee and tea (41 kcal, SD 11). Overall, regulated beverages provided a greater proportion of calories than unregulated for preschoolers (15.0% vs. 11.8%) and for adolescents (9.1% vs. 5.0%). Conclusions: Before major policy implementation, regulated beverages accounted for a higher percentage of energy intake than unregulated beverages among both age groups. Future research will be needed to evaluate the impact of Chile’s new policies on sugary beverage intake in children.
Caffeine in the Diet: Country-Level Consumption and Guidelines
Authors: Reyes Celine Marie , Cornelis Marilyn C.
Published: November 2018

Coffee, tea, caffeinated soda, and energy drinks are important sources of caffeine in the diet but each present with other unique nutritional properties. We review how our increased knowledge and concern with regard to caffeine in the diet and its impact on human health has been translated into food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG). Using the Food and Agriculture Organization list of 90 countries with FBDG as a starting point, we found reference to caffeine or caffeine-containing beverages (CCB) in 81 FBDG and CCB consumption data (volume sales) for 56 of these countries. Tea and soda are the leading CCB sold in African and Asian/Pacific countries while coffee and soda are preferred in Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Key themes observed across FBDG include (i) caffeine-intake upper limits to avoid risks, (ii) CCB as replacements for plain water, (iii) CCB as added-sugar sources, and (iv) health benefits of CCB consumption. In summary, FBDG provide an unfavorable view of CCB by noting their potential adverse/unknown effects on special populations and their high sugar content, as well as their diuretic, psycho-stimulating, and nutrient inhibitory properties. Few FBDG balanced these messages with recent data supporting potential benefits of specific beverage types.
Hyperglycemia Affects miRNAs Expression Pattern during Adipogenesis of Human Visceral Adipocytes—Is Memorization Involved?
Authors: Strycharz Justyna , Świderska Ewa , Wróblewski Adam , Podolska Marta , Czarny Piotr , Szemraj Janusz , Balcerczyk Aneta , Drzewoski Józef , Kasznicki Jacek , Śliwińska Agnieszka
Published: November 2018

microRNAs are increasingly analyzed in adipogenesis, whose deregulation, especially visceral, contributes to the development of diabetes. Hyperglycemia is known to affect cells while occurring acutely and chronically. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of hyperglycemia on human visceral pre/adipocytes from the perspective of microRNAs. The relative expression of 78 microRNAs was determined by TaqMan Low Density Arrays at three stages of HPA-v adipogenesis conducted under normoglycemia, chronic, and intermittent hyperglycemia (30 mM). Hierarchical clustering/Pearson correlation revealed the relationship between various microRNAs’ expression profiles, while functional analysis identified the genes and signaling pathways regulated by differentially expressed microRNAs. Hyperglycemia affected microRNAs’ expression patterns during adipogenesis, and at the stage of pre-adipocytes, differentiated and mature adipocytes compared to normoglycemia. Interestingly, the changes that were evoked upon hyperglycemic exposure during one adipogenesis stage resembled those observed upon chronic hyperglycemia. At least 15 microRNAs were modulated during normoglycemic and/or hyperglycemic adipogenesis and/or upon intermittent/chronic hyperglycemia. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the involvement of these microRNAs in cell cycle, lipid metabolism, ECM–receptor interaction, oxidative stress, signaling of insulin, MAPK, TGF-β, p53, and more. The obtained data suggests that visceral pre/adipocytes exposed to chronic/intermittent hyperglycemia develop a microRNAs’ expression pattern, which may contribute to further visceral dysfunction, the progression of diabetic phenotype, and diabetic complications possibly involving “epi”-memory.
Bad Religion as False Religion: An Empirical Study of UK Religious Education Teachers’ Essentialist Religious Discourse
Authors: Smith David R. , Nixon Graeme , Pearce Jo
Published: November 2018

We argue that there is a well-intentioned—yet mistaken—definitional turn within contemporary cultural discourse in which ‘true’ religion, being essentially loving and peaceful, is distinguished from ‘false’ religion. Concerned with the possibility that this discourse might be prevalent in school Religious Education (RE), we surveyed practicing RE teachers within the United Kingdom (UK) on their beliefs about religion. We wanted to see how far the surveyed teachers evidenced a strand of contemporary cultural discourse which, we argue, conceptualizes bad religion as false religion. Responses from 465 teachers to our online survey indicate that many RE teachers understand religion(s) as essentially benign or pro-social—and present it/them as such in the classroom. We argue that RE can only foster religious literacy if religions are presented as multifarious, complex, social phenomena. This cannot be predicated upon an essentialist conceptualization of harmful religion as false religion, which is inimical to understanding religion in the world today—as in times past. We conclude that this conceptualization is a barrier to UK RE meeting both its extrinsic purpose to educate, and one of its intrinsic purposes to foster tolerance and pro-social attitudes.
Evaluation of the SPARSE Dual-Source Model for Predicting Water Stress and Evapotranspiration from Thermal Infrared Data over Multiple Crops and Climates
Authors: Delogu Emilie , Boulet Gilles , Olioso Albert , Garrigues Sébastien , Brut Aurore , Tallec Tiphaine , Demarty Jérôme , Soudani Kamel , Lagouarde Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2018

Using surface temperature as a signature of the surface energy balance is a way to quantify the spatial distribution of evapotranspiration and water stress. In this work, we used the new dual-source model named Soil Plant Atmosphere and Remote Sensing Evapotranspiration (SPARSE) based on the Two Sources Energy Balance (TSEB) model rationale which solves the surface energy balance equations for the soil and the canopy. SPARSE can be used (i) to retrieve soil and vegetation stress levels from known surface temperature and (ii) to predict transpiration, soil evaporation, and surface temperature for given stress levels. The main innovative feature of SPARSE is that it allows to bound each retrieved individual flux component (evaporation and transpiration) by its corresponding potential level deduced from running the model in prescribed potential conditions, i.e., a maximum limit if the surface water availability is not limiting. The main objective of the paper is to assess the SPARSE model predictions of water stress and evapotranspiration components for its two proposed versions (the “patch” and “layer” resistances network) over 20 in situ data sets encompassing distinct vegetation and climate. Over a large range of leaf area index values and for contrasting vegetation stress levels, SPARSE showed good retrieval performances of evapotranspiration and sensible heat fluxes. For cereals, the layer version provided better latent heat flux estimates than the patch version while both models showed similar performances for sparse crops and forest ecosystems. The bounded layer version of SPARSE provided the best estimates of latent heat flux over different sites and climates. Broad tendencies of observed and retrieved stress intensities were well reproduced with a reasonable difference obtained for most of the points located within a confidence interval of 0.2. The synchronous dynamics of observed and retrieved estimates underlined that the SPARSE retrieved water stress estimates from Thermal Infra-Red data were relevant tools for stress detection.
Long-Term Ground-Based Measurements of Aerosol Optical Depth over Kuwait City
Authors: Kokkalis Panagiotis , K. Al Jassar Hala , Solomos Stavros , Raptis Panagiotis-Ioannis , Al Hendi Hamad , Amiridis Vassilis , Papayannis Alexandros , Al Sarraf Hussain , Al Dimashki Marwan
Published: November 2018

We analyze ten years (2008–2017) of ground-based observations of the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) in the atmosphere of Kuwait City, in Middle East. The measurements were conducted with a CIMEL sun-sky photometer, at various wavelengths. The daily average AOD at 500 nm (AOD500) is 0.45, while the mean Ångström coefficient (AE), calculated from the pair of wavelengths 440 and 870 nm, is 0.61. The observed high AOD500 values (0.75–2.91), are due to regional sand and dust storm events, which are affecting Kuwait with a mean annual frequency of almost 20 days/year. The long-term record analysis of AOD500 and AE, shows a downward and upward tendency respectively, something which could be attributed to the continuous expansion and industrialization of the main city of Kuwait, in combination with the simultaneous increase of soil moisture over the area. By utilizing back trajectories of air masses for up to 4 days, we assessed the influence of various regions to the aerosol load over Kuwait. The high aerosol loads during spring, are attributed to the dominance of coarse particles from Saudi Arabia (AOD500 0.56–0.74), a source area that contributes the 56% to the mean annual AOD500. Other dust sources affecting significantly Kuwait originated from the regions of Iraq and Iran with contribution of 21%.
ISAR Autofocus Imaging Algorithm for Maneuvering Targets Based on Phase Retrieval and Gabor Wavelet Transform
Authors: Shi Hongyin , Yang Ting , Qiao Zhijun
Published: November 2018

The imaging issue of a rotating maneuvering target with a large angle and a high translational speed has been a challenging problem in the area of inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) autofocus imaging, in particular when the target has both radial and angular accelerations. In this paper, on the basis of the phase retrieval algorithm and the Gabor wavelet transform (GWT), we propose a new method for phase error correction. The approach first performs the range compression on ISAR raw data to obtain range profiles, and then carries out the GWT transform as the time-frequency analysis tool for the rotational motion compensation (RMC) requirement. The time-varying terms, caused by rotational motion in the Doppler frequency shift, are able to be eliminated at the selected time frame. Furthermore, the processed backscattered signal is transformed to the one in the frequency domain while applying the phase retrieval to run the translational motion compensation (TMC). Phase retrieval plays an important role in range tracking, because the ISAR echo module is not affected by both radial velocity and the acceleration of the target. Finally, after the removal of both the rotational and translational motion errors, the time-invariant Doppler shift is generated, and radar returned signals from the same scatterer are always kept in the same range cell. Therefore, the unwanted motion effects can be removed by applying this approach to have an autofocused ISAR image of the maneuvering target. Furthermore, the method does not need to estimate any motion parameters of the maneuvering target, which has proven to be very effective for an ideal range–Doppler processing. Experimental and simulation results verify the feasibility of this approach.
Prediction of Drought on Pentad Scale Using Remote Sensing Data and MJO Index through Random Forest over East Asia
Authors: Park Seonyoung , Seo Eunkyo , Kang Daehyun , Im Jungho , Lee Myong-In
Published: November 2018

Rapidly developing droughts, including flash droughts, have frequently occurred throughout East Asia in recent years, causing significant damage to agricultural ecosystems. Although many drought monitoring and warning systems have been developed in recent decades, the short-term prediction of droughts (within 10 days) is still challenging. This study has developed drought prediction models for a short-period of time (one pentad) using remote-sensing data and climate variability indices over East Asia (20°–50°N, 90°–150°E) through random forest machine learning. Satellite-based drought indices were calculated using the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI) soil moisture, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface temperature (LST), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The real-time multivariate (RMM) Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) indices were used because the MJO is a short timescale climate variability and has important implications for droughts in East Asia. The validation results show that those drought prediction models with the MJO variables (r ~ 0.7 on average) outperformed the original models without the MJO variables (r ~ 0.4 on average). The predicted drought index maps showed similar spatial distribution to actual drought index maps. In particular, the MJO-based models captured sudden changes in drought conditions well, from normal/wet to dry or dry to normal/wet. Since the developed models can produce drought prediction maps at high resolution (5 km) for a very short timescale (one pentad), they are expected to provide decision makers with more accurate information on rapidly changing drought conditions.
Contact Force Measurement in an Operational Thrust Bearing using PVDF Film at the Blade and Pad Passing Frequencies
Authors: Youssef Andrew , Matthews David , Guzzomi Andrew , Pan Jie
Published: November 2018

A major contributor to longitudinal vibration in marine propulsion systems is propeller induced excitation. This constitutes a key source of underwater acoustical radiation through excitation of the hull. Understanding this hydrodynamic force at the interface of the thrust bearing is important in order to develop an accurate vibrational model of the propulsion system and in determining potential control mechanisms. In order to investigate the thrust force during operation of a propulsion system, Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) was embedded into the stationery collar inside a custom thrust bearing in a scaled model of a typical propulsion system. The number of blades of the propeller and its rotational speed were altered to obtain an understanding of the characteristic vibrations of the shaft propulsion system. The rig comprised of the propeller, shaft, journal bearings and a thrust bearing. A two and three blade propeller and a four, five and six pad bearing were tested. A strain gauge and accelerometer were used to infer the propeller force and enable comparison with the PVDF signals. As a result of the asymmetrical flow around the propeller, the blade passing frequencies (BPF) are clearly observed. This frequency contribution was present at all speeds tested. The PVDF signal also showed significant pad passing frequency (PPF) and BPF and modulation of both.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Determination of Surface Defects in Large Metallic Structures using Ultrasonic Guided Waves
Authors: Abbas Muntazir , Shafiee Mahmood
Published: November 2018

Ultrasonic guided wave (UGW) is one of the most commonly used technologies for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) of structural components. Because of its excellent long-range diagnostic capability, this method is effective in detecting cracks, material loss, and fatigue-based defects in isotropic and anisotropic structures. The shape and orientation of structural defects are critical parameters during the investigation of crack propagation, assessment of damage severity, and prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) of structures. These parameters become even more important in cases where the crack intensity is associated with the safety of men, environment, and material, such as ship’s hull, aero-structures, rail tracks and subsea pipelines. This paper reviews the research literature on UGWs and their application in defect diagnosis and health monitoring of metallic structures. It has been observed that no significant research work has been convened to identify the shape and orientation of defects in plate-like structures. We also propose an experimental research work assisted by numerical simulations to investigate the response of UGWs upon interaction with cracks in different shapes and orientations. A framework for an empirical model may be considered to determine these structural flaws.
Roof Shape Classification from LiDAR and Satellite Image Data Fusion Using Supervised Learning
Authors: Castagno Jeremy , Atkins Ella
Published: November 2018

Geographic information systems (GIS) provide accurate maps of terrain, roads, waterways, and building footprints and heights. Aircraft, particularly small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), can exploit this and additional information such as building roof structure to improve navigation accuracy and safely perform contingency landings particularly in urban regions. However, building roof structure is not fully provided in maps. This paper proposes a method to automatically label building roof shape from publicly available GIS data. Satellite imagery and airborne LiDAR data are processed and manually labeled to create a diverse annotated roof image dataset for small to large urban cities. Multiple convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures are trained and tested, with the best performing networks providing a condensed feature set for support vector machine and decision tree classifiers. Satellite image and LiDAR data fusion is shown to provide greater classification accuracy than using either data type alone. Model confidence thresholds are adjusted leading to significant increases in models precision. Networks trained from roof data in Witten, Germany and Manhattan (New York City) are evaluated on independent data from these cities and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Economical High–Low Temperature and Heading Rotation Test Method for the Evaluation and Optimization of the Temperature Control System for High-Precision Platform Inertial Navigation Systems
Authors: Yang Qiang , Zhang Rong , Li Haixia
Published: November 2018

Inertial navigation systems (INSs) use the temperature control system to ensure the stability of the temperature of the inertial sensors for improving the navigation accuracy of the INSs. That is, the temperature control accuracy affects the performance of the INSs. Thus, the performance of temperature control systems must be evaluated before their application. However, nearly all high-precision INSs are large and heavy and require long-term testing under many different experimental conditions. As a result, conducting an outdoor navigation experiment, which involves high–low temperature and heading rotation tests, is time consuming, laborious, and costly for researchers. To address this issue, an economical high–low temperature and heading rotation test method for high-precision platform INSs is proposed, and an evaluation system based on this method is developed to evaluate the performance of the temperature control systems for high-precision platform INSs indoors. The evaluation system uses an acrylic chamber, exhaust fans, temperature sensors, and an air conditioner to simulate the environment temperature change. The outer gimbals of the platform INSs are utilized to simulate the heading rotation. The temperature control system of a high-precision platform INS is evaluated using the proposed evaluation method. The temperature difference of the gyros is obtained in the high–low temperature test, and the temperature fluctuation of the temperature control system is observed in the rotation test. These tests verify the effectiveness of the proposed evaluation method. Then, the corresponding optimization method for the temperature control system of this high-precision platform INS is put forward on the basis of the test results of the evaluation system. Experimental results show that the maximum temperature differences of the two gyros between high- and low-temperature tests are decreased from 1.51 °C to 0.50 °C, and the maximum temperature fluctuation value of the temperature control system is decreased from 0.81 °C to 0.27 °C after the proposed evaluation and optimization processes. Therefore, the proposed methods are cost effective and useful for evaluating and optimization of the temperature control system for INSs.
Quantitative Evaluation of Broadband Photoacoustic Spectroscopy in the Infrared with an Optical Parametric Oscillator
Authors: Bruhns Henry , Wolff Marcus , Saalberg Yannick , Spohr Klaus Michael
Published: November 2018

We evaluate the spectral resolution and the detection thresholds achievable for a photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) system in the broadband infrared wavelength region 3270 n m ≲ λ ≲ 3530 n m driven by a continuous wave optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with P ¯ ≈ 1.26 W . The absorption spectra, I PAS ( λ i ) , for diluted propane, ethane and methane test gases at low concentrations ( c ∼ 100 ppm ) were measured for ∼1350 discrete wavelengths λ i . The I PAS ( λ i ) spectra were then compared to the high resolution cross section data, σ FTIR , obtained by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy published in the HITRAN database. Deviations of 7.1(6)% for propane, 8.7(11)% for ethane and 15.0(14)% for methane with regard to the average uncertainty between I PAS ( λ i ) and the expected reference values based on σ FTIR were recorded. The characteristic absorption wavelengths λ res can be resolved with an average resolution of δ λ res ∼ 0.08 nm . Detection limits range between 7.1 ppb (ethane) to 13.6 ppb (methane). In an additional step, EUREQA, an artificial intelligence (AI) program, was successfully applied to deconvolute simulated PAS spectra of mixed gas samples at low limits of detection. The results justify a further development of PAS technology to support e.g., biomedical research.
The Rise and Fall of Adult Community Education in Portugal
Authors: Fragoso António , T. Valadas Sandra
Published: November 2018

In this article, we intend to reflect on community education in Portugal. We analyse the background of the emergence of community education in the aftermath of the revolution of 1974, examine the main reasons that contributed to its dissemination, and identify its characteristics. We present a case study that illustrates both the rise and the fall of community education. The original investigation was a multiple case study. To gather information, we used non-structured interviews, informal conversations, observation, and document analysis. To continue the original investigation, we used biographical research, which allowed us to obtain more data on some of the key individuals and, at the same time, to improve our knowledge of the communities. Our results show that the period between 1985 and 2005 (roughly) constituted a very important period for community education. National phenomena, European funding programmes, and a notion of adult education that was very close to popular education aided civil society organisations to work with communities with interesting results in terms of social change. After 2005, changes in European social policy, neoliberalism affecting the power of civil society, and a new version of adult education (influenced by lifelong learning) partially caused the fall of community education.
Vegetation Cover Drives Arthropod Communities in Mediterranean/Subtropical Green Roof Habitats
Authors: Salman Ibrahim N. A. , Blaustein Leon
Published: November 2018

Worldwide, urban areas are expanding both in size and number, which results in a decline in habitats suitable for urban flora and fauna. The construction of urban green features, such as green roofs, may provide suitable habitat patches for many species in urban areas. On green roofs, two approaches have been used to select plants—i.e., matching similar habitat to green roofs (habitat template approach) or identifying plants with suitable traits (plant trait approach). While both approaches may result in suitable habitats for arthropods, how arthropods respond to different combinations of plants is an open question. The aim of this study was to investigate how the structural complexity of different plant forms can affect the abundance and richness of arthropods on green roofs. The experimental design crossed the presence and absence of annuals with three Sedum sediforme (Jacq.) Pau (common name: stonecrops) treatments—i.e., uniformly disrupted Sedum, clumped disrupted Sedum, and no Sedum. We hypothesized that an increased structural diversity due to the coexistence of different life forms of plants on roofs is positively related to the abundance and richness of arthropods. We found that arthropod abundance and richness were positively associated with the percent of vegetation cover and negatively associated with substrate temperature. Neither arthropod abundance nor richness was influenced by the relative moisture of substrate. We also found that arthropod abundance and richness varied by green roof setups (treatments) and by seasonality. Arthropod abundance on green roofs was the highest in treatments with annuals only, while species richness was slightly similar between treatments containing annuals but varied between sampling periods. This study suggests that adding annuals to traditional Sedum roofs has positive effects on arthropods. This finding can support the development of biodiverse cities because most extensive green roofs are inaccessible to the public and can provide undisturbed habitat for several plant and arthropod species.
The Sustainable Existence of China’s Bicycle-Sharing Market: To Oversupply or to Disappear
Authors: Chen Xi , Qu Qixing , Chen Ming-Hsiang , Fang Shaofen , Cheng Yi
Published: November 2018

Most cities in China benefit from having a commercial and public bicycle-sharing system. However, the bicycle-sharing markets still face unbalanced development problems, i.e., initial rapid expansion in most areas, and a recent disappearance in some local areas. Thus, the economic features and rules of this market need further exploration to introduce better management measures. Based on agent-based modeling, the current paper stimulated the interactions between supply and demand with two models to illuminate the supply characteristics of the bicycle-sharing market. The main findings included the following: (1) the bicycle-sharing market is governed by a set of objective laws which naturally require an oversupply, meaning that the attainment of a high level of user satisfaction depends on high supply; (2) based on each customer’s tolerance level, there is a supply density threshold that determines the existence and disappearance of the market; and (3) the width and elasticity of the supply density threshold are influenced by the tolerance of the customers, which, in turn, reflects their values and attitudes. The current research is a preliminary exploration of the interactive characteristics of supply and demand in the bicycle-sharing market. We believe that the current paper provides insights and implications to illuminate the law of existence in the bicycle-sharing market. It also includes a discussion on the sustainable development of the bicycle-sharing market in China.
The Dual Processing of Donation Size in Cause-Related Marketing (CRM): The Moderating Roles of Construal Level and Emoticons
Authors: Yoo Dongho , Kim Jung-Ae , Doh Sun-Jae
Published: November 2018

Donation size is known to be one of the factors that determines the success of cause-related marketing (CRM), which is the most practical form of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Although various studies have investigated the influence of donation size on CRM, they have not shown clear results. In addition, no research has examined the mechanism of how consumers process donation-size information. In this study, we examined the effect of donation size on consumer responses, focusing on the differences in perceived benefits and perceived monetary sacrifice according to the construal level. Furthermore, we investigated the role of emoticons as a way to increase the intention to participate in CRM by lowering the consumers’ perceptions of monetary sacrifice. Study 1 showed that for consumers with a higher construal level who perceive donation size as benefits, donation size had positive effects on consumer responses, whereas for those with a lower construal level who perceive donation size as monetary sacrifice, it had negative effects on their responses. Study 2 showed that emoticons attenuated the interaction effect of donation size and construal level. Finally, the implications of this study are discussed.
Entry Mode, Market Selection, and Innovation Performance
Authors: Wu Chong , Huang Fang , Huang Caihong , Zhang Huiming
Published: November 2018

Recent studies highlighted the need for multi-perspective research on the internationalization and performance of emerging market multinational enterprises (EM-MNEs) and revealed why many EM-MNEs perform negatively when they respond to the host-country environment. Using a sample of listed Chinese manufacturing firms from 2003 to 2014, this study examines the relationship between entry mode choice, which is driven by different environmental response patterns, and firms’ innovation performance. We further analyze the moderating role of market selection on the relationship between host-country institutional factors and firms’ innovation performance. The results show that the international breadth of firms and the economic stability and investment protection of the host country significantly promote firms’ innovation performance. While the entry mode is unilaterally driven by the host-country response, early international experience and the international depth of firms have significant negative effects on firms’ innovation performance. The level of economic development in the invested area plays a moderating role in the relationship between the host-country institutional factors and firms’ innovation performance. Our findings enrich the literature on the relationship between internationalization and EM-MNE performance, and provide inspiring and straightforward empirical evidence.
MBSE with/out Simulation: State of the Art and Way Forward
Authors: Zeigler Bernard P. , Mittal Saurabh , Traore Mamadou Kaba
Published: November 2018

The limitations of model-based support for engineering complex systems include limited capability to develop multifaceted models as well as their analysis with robust reliable simulation engines. Lack of such Modeling and Simulation (M&S) infrastructure leads to knowledge gaps in engineering such complex systems and these gaps appear as epistemological emergent behaviors. In response, an initiative is underway to bring Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) closer together with model-based simulation developments. M&S represents a core capability and is needed to address today’s complex, adaptive, systems of systems engineering challenges. This paper considers the problems raised by MBSE taken as a modeling activity without the support of full strength integrated simulation capability and the potential for, and possible forms of, closer integration between the two streams. An example of a system engineering application, an unmanned vehicle fleet providing emergency ambulance service, is examined as an application of the kind of multifaceted M&S methodology required to effectively deal with such systems.
A Rapid, Sensitive, and Portable Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype A in Complex Food Matrices
Authors: Tam Christina C. , Flannery Andrew R. , Cheng Luisa W.
Published: November 2018

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) intoxication can lead to the disease botulism, characterized by flaccid muscle paralysis that can cause respiratory failure and death. Due to the significant morbidity and mortality costs associated with BoNTs high toxicity, developing highly sensitive, rapid, and field-deployable assays are critically important to protect the nation’s food supply against either accidental or intentional contamination. We report here that the B-cell based biosensor assay CANARY® (Cellular Analysis and Notification of Antigen Risks and Yields) Zephyr detects BoNT/A holotoxin at limits of detection (LOD) of 10.0 ± 2.5 ng/mL in assay buffer. Milk matrices (whole milk, 2% milk and non-fat milk) with BoNT/A holotoxin were detected at similar levels (7.4–7.9 ng/mL). BoNT/A complex was positive in carrot, orange, and apple juices at LODs of 32.5–75.0 ng/mL. The detection of BoNT/A complex in solid complex foods (ground beef, smoked salmon, green bean baby puree) ranged from 14.8 ng/mL to 62.5 ng/mL. Detection of BoNT/A complex in the viscous liquid egg matrix required dilution in assay buffer and gave a LOD of 171.9 ± 64.7 ng/mL. These results show that the CANARY® Zephyr assay can be a highly useful qualitative tool in environmental and food safety surveillance programs.
Conformal Symmetry in Field Theory and in Quantum Gravity
Authors: Rachwał Lesław
Published: November 2018

Conformal symmetry always played an important role in field theory (both quantum and classical) and in gravity. We present construction of quantum conformal gravity and discuss its features regarding scattering amplitudes and quantum effective action. First, the long and complicated story of UV-divergences is recalled. With the development of UV-finite higher derivative (or non-local) gravitational theory, all problems with infinities and spacetime singularities might be completely solved. Moreover, the non-local quantum conformal theory reveals itself to be ghost-free, so the unitarity of the theory should be safe. After the construction of UV-finite theory, we focused on making it manifestly conformally invariant using the dilaton trick. We also argue that in this class of theories conformal anomaly can be taken to vanish by fine-tuning the couplings. As applications of this theory, the constraints of the conformal symmetry on the form of the effective action and on the scattering amplitudes are shown. We also remark about the preservation of the unitarity bound for scattering. Finally, the old model of conformal supergravity by Fradkin and Tseytlin is briefly presented.
Human Bocavirus Infection Markers in Peripheral Blood and Stool Samples of Children with Acute Gastroenteritis
Authors: Nora-Krukle Zaiga , Vilmane Anda , Xu Man , Rasa Santa , Ziemele Inga , Silina Elina , Söderlund-Venermo Maria , Gardovska Dace , Murovska Modra
Published: November 2018

Human bocaviruses (HBoVs) 1–4 belong to the Parvoviridae family, and they infect the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts in children. We investigated the prevalence of HBoV1–4 DNAs in the blood and stool samples, and of HBoV1–4 IgG and IgM in the plasma samples, of children presenting with acute gastroenteritis (AGE). In addition, we identified HBoV co-infections with the five most frequent gastrointestinal pathogens. A total of 83 paired blood and stool samples were collected from children aged five years or less. Infection markers of HBoV1, 2, or 3 (viral DNA in blood and/or stool and/or antibodies) were detected in 61 out of 83 (73.5%) patients. HBoV1, 2, or 3 DNA as a monoinfection was revealed in 18.1%, 2.4%, and 1.2%, respectively, and 21.7% in total. In 56.1% of the HBoV DNA-positive patients, the presence in stool of another virus—most frequently norovirus or rotavirus—was observed. In conclusion, this study, for the first time, illustrates the prevalence and genetic diversity of HBoVs in Latvian children with gastroenteritis, and shows a widespread distribution of these viruses in the community. HBoV1 and 2 are commonly found as single infectious agents in children with AGE, suggesting that the viruses can be as pathogenic by themselves as other enteric agents are.
Enhancing Protective Efficacy of Poultry Vaccines through Targeted Delivery of Antigens to Antigen-Presenting Cells
Authors: Shrestha Angita , Sadeyen Jean-Remy , Iqbal Munir
Published: November 2018

Avian viral diseases including avian influenza, Marek’s disease and Newcastle disease are detrimental to economies around the world that depend on the poultry trade. A significant zoonotic threat is also posed by avian influenza viruses. Vaccination is an important and widely used method for controlling these poultry diseases. However, the current vaccines do not provide full protection or sterile immunity. Hence, there is a need to develop improved vaccines. The major aim of developing improved vaccines is to induce strong and specific humoral and cellular immunity in vaccinated animals. One strategy used to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccines is the selective delivery of protective antigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) including dendritic cells, macrophages and B cells. APCs have a central role in the initiation and maintenance of immune responses through their ability to capture, process and present antigens to T and B cells. Vaccine technology that selectively targets APCs has been achieved by coupling antigens to monoclonal antibodies or ligands that are targeted by APCs. The aim of this review is to discuss existing strategies of selective delivery of antigens to APCs for effective vaccine development in poultry.
La jadéite dans les Alpes françaises
Authors: Saliot Pierre
Published: November 2018

La répartition de la jadéite dans les Alpes françaises n'est pas quelconque. Dans le Nord, elle apparaît seulement dans les roches magmatiques acides où elle se développe dans le feldspath potassique, elle est abondante dans les roches incluses dans les évaporites. Dans le Sud, elle est présente dans les roches magmatiques acides et basiques, elle apparaît alors en association avec la lawsonite dans les sites des plagioclases.

Une vingtaine de gisements nouveaux sont étudiés en détail. Les analyses des pyroxènes permettent de mettre en évidence des jadéites très pures et des aegyrines-jadéites. Une limite à la solution solide entre diopside et jadéite peut faire apparaître une jadéite très pure.

Si, dans le cas des plagioclases, la jadéite semble avoir été en association avec une albite de basse température, on peut douter de la stabilité de la jadéite par rapport à ce minéral dans les cas où elle apparaît dans le feldspath potassique. L'emploi de la paire jadéite + quartz à des fins barométriques est alors délicat dans certaines roches des Alpes françaises. Il est difficile de savoir quel était l'état structural du feldspath lors de la formation de la jadéite. Des réseaux feldspathiques désordonnés pourraient permettre à la jadéite de se développer plus vite et peut-être à des pressions plus faibles que celles de l'équilibre albite = jadéite + quartz étudié expérimentalement.

Les phénomènes de phengitisation de la jadéite montrent que ce dernier minéral reste métastable dans des conditions de rétromorphose où des phengites sont stables.
La sayrite, (Pb2[(UO2)5O6(OH)2].4H2O, nouveau minéral ; propriétés et structure cristalline
Authors: Piret Paul , Deliens Michel , Piret-Meunier Jacqueline , Germain Gabriel
Published: November 2018

La sayrite provient du gisement uranifère de Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaïre. Elle est associée principalement à l'uranophane, la becquerelite, la masuyite et la richétite. Elle se présente sous forme de petits cristaux prismatiques jaune orange à rouge orange allongés selon b et aplatis sur {102} . Clivage {102} distinct. Densité calculée 6,76. Microdureté Vickers : 150 kg/mm². Optiquement elle est biaxe (— ), avec 2V grand, NZ = 1,95, NY = 1,94, Z ~ a, Y = b, X ~ c* . Système monoclinique, groupe spatial P2₁/c, avec a = 10,704(3), b = 6,960(2), c = 14,533(3) Å, β = 116,81(2)°, Z = 2. La structure cristalline a été déterminée par diffraction des rayons X (R = 0, 105 pour 2 197 réflexions). Elle comporte des feuillets [(UO₂)5O₆ OH₂]⁴ⁿ⁻n d'un type nouveau reliés entre eux par Pb et H₂O. La formule globale, confirmée par l'analyse à la microsonde électronique est 2PbO.5UO₃5H₂O ; la formule de structure est celle donnée dans le titre. Le nom est en l'honneur du cristallographe américain David Sayre.