bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BML-111 Protected LPS/D-GalN-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Rats
Authors: Yan Dan , Liu Hai-Ling , Yu Zhong-Jian , Huang Yong-Hong , Gao Dian , Hao Hua , Liao Shou-Sheng , Xu Fang-Yun , Zhou Xiao-Yan
Published: July 2016

Lipoxins (LXs) display unique pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory functions in a variety of inflammatory conditions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of BML-111 (5(S),6(R),7-trihydroxyheptanoic acid methyl ester), the agonist of lipoxin A4 receptor, in a model of Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and d-Galactosamine (d-GalN) induced acute liver injury, and to explore the mechanisms. Histopathological analyses were carried out to quantify liver injury degree. The activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) were examined to evaluate the levels of neutrophil infiltration. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum were detected to evaluate the functions of the liver. The amounts of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were examined using Western blotting. The antioxidant capacity, the activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were analyzed with the kits via biochemical analysis. We established the model of acute liver injury with lipopolysaccharide and d-Galactosamine (LPS/d-GalN): (1) histopathological results and MPO activities, with the activities of AST and ALT in serum, consistently demonstrated LPS and d-GalN challenge could cause severe liver damage, but BML-111 could prevent pathological changes, inhibit neutrophil infiltration, and improve the hepatic function; (2) LPS/d-GalN increased TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2, and IL-10, while decreasing TGF-β1. However, BML-111 could repress LPS/d-GalN -induced TNF-α, IL-1β and COX-2, meanwhile increasing the expression levels of TGF-β1 and IL-10; (3) LPS/d-GalN inhibited the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability, simultaneously increasing the levels of MDA and NO, so also the activity of iNOS. Otherwise, BML-111 could reverse all the phenomena. In a word, BML-111 played a protective role in acute liver injury induced by LPS and d-GalN in rats, through improving antioxidant capacity and regulating the balance of inflammatory cytokines.
Cell Fusion in the War on Cancer: A Perspective on the Inception of Malignancy
Authors: Platt Jeffrey , Zhou Xiaofeng , Lefferts Adam , Cascalho Marilia
Published: July 2016

Cell fusion occurs in development and in physiology and rarely in those settings is it associated with malignancy. However, deliberate fusion of cells and possibly untoward fusion of cells not suitably poised can eventuate in aneuploidy, DNA damage and malignant transformation. How often cell fusion may initiate malignancy is unknown. However, cell fusion could explain the high frequency of cancers in tissues with low underlying rates of cell proliferation and mutation. On the other hand, cell fusion might also engage innate and adaptive immune surveillance, thus helping to eliminate or retard malignancies. Here we consider whether and how cell fusion might weigh on the overall burden of cancer in modern societies.
MicroRNAs in Valvular Heart Diseases: Potential Role as Markers and Actors of Valvular and Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Oury Cécile , Servais Laurence , Bouznad Nassim , Hego Alexandre , Nchimi Alain , Lancellotti Patrizio
Published: July 2016

miRNAs are a class of over 5000 noncoding RNAs that regulate more than half of the protein-encoding genes by provoking their degradation or preventing their translation. miRNAs are key regulators of complex biological processes underlying several cardiovascular disorders, including left ventricular hypertrophy, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertension and arrhythmias. Moreover, circulating miRNAs herald promise as biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction and heart failure. In this context, this review gives an overview of studies that suggest that miRNAs could also play a role in valvular heart diseases. This area of research is still at its infancy, and further investigations in large patient cohorts and cellular or animal models are needed to provide strong data. Most studies focused on aortic stenosis, one of the most common valvular diseases in developed countries. Profiling and functional analyses indicate that miRNAs could contribute to activation of aortic valve interstitial cells to a myofibroblast phenotype, leading to valvular fibrosis and calcification, and to pressure overload-induced myocardial remodeling and hypertrophy. Data also indicate that specific miRNA signatures, in combination with clinical and functional imaging parameters, could represent useful biomarkers of disease progression or recovery after aortic valve replacement.
Niemann-Pick Type C2 Protein Mediates Hepatic Stellate Cells Activation by Regulating Free Cholesterol Accumulation
Authors: Twu Yuh-Ching , Lee Tzong-Shyuan , Lin Yun-Lian , Hsu Shih-Ming , Wang Yuan-Hsi , Liao Chia-Yu , Wang Chung-Kwe , Liang Yu-Chih , Liao Yi-Jen
Published: July 2016

In chronic liver diseases, regardless of their etiology, the development of fibrosis is the first step toward the progression to cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main profibrogenic cells that promote the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, and so it is important to identify the molecules that regulate HSCs activation and liver fibrosis. Niemann-Pick type C2 (NPC2) protein plays an important role in the regulation of intracellular cholesterol homeostasis by directly binding with free cholesterol. However, the roles of NPC2 in HSCs activation and liver fibrosis have not been explored in detail. Since a high-cholesterol diet exacerbates liver fibrosis progression in both rodents and humans, we propose that the expression of NPC2 affects free cholesterol metabolism and regulates HSCs activation. In this study, we found that NPC2 is decreased in both thioacetamide- and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis tissues. In addition, NPC2 is expressed in quiescent HSCs, but its activation status is down-regulated. Knockdown of NPC2 in HSC-T6 cells resulted in marked increases in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced collagen type 1 α1 (Col1a1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, and Smad2 phosphorylation. In contrast, NPC2 overexpression decreased TGF-β1-induced HSCs activation. We further demonstrated that NPC2 deficiency significantly increased the accumulation of free cholesterol in HSCs, increasing Col1a1 and α-SMA expression and activating Smad2, and leading to sensitization of HSCs to TGF-β1 activation. In contrast, overexpression of NPC2 decreased U18666A-induced free cholesterol accumulation and inhibited the subsequent HSCs activation. In conclusion, our study has demonstrated that NPC2 plays an important role in HSCs activation by regulating the accumulation of free cholesterol. NPC2 overexpression may thus represent a new treatment strategy for liver fibrosis.
IoT Privacy and Security Challenges for Smart Home Environments
Authors: Lin Huichen , Bergmann Neil
Published: July 2016

Often the Internet of Things (IoT) is considered as a single problem domain, with proposed solutions intended to be applied across a wide range of applications. However, the privacy and security needs of critical engineering infrastructure or sensitive commercial operations are very different to the needs of a domestic Smart Home environment. Additionally, the financial and human resources available to implement security and privacy vary greatly between application domains. In domestic environments, human issues may be as important as technical issues. After surveying existing solutions for enhancing IoT security, the paper identifies key future requirements for trusted Smart Home systems. A gateway architecture is selected as the most appropriate for resource-constrained devices, and for high system availability. Two key technologies to assist system auto-management are identified. Firstly, support for system auto-configuration will enhance system security. Secondly, the automatic update of system software and firmware is needed to maintain ongoing secure system operation.
Modulation of Vascular ACE by Oxidative Stress in Young Syrian Cardiomyopathic Hamsters: Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Cruz Nildris , Miranda Jorge , Crespo Maria
Published: July 2016

Increased vascular angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and oxidative stress are present in young Syrian cardiomyopathic hamsters (SCH) before the clinical manifestation of heart failure (HF). The developmental time-course of these alterations and their potential interactions, however, are still unknown. We evaluated mRNA and protein levels of ACE, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the vasculature of SCH from one to four months of age. Total RNA and proteins were quantified with real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The role of nitric oxide (NO) on vascular ACE activity was also assessed. ACE mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated in SCH at two months of age compared with controls (CT) (p < 0.05). At this two-month stage, eNOS protein levels were lower in SCH (87%) than in CT (100%) (p < 0.05), although iNOS protein levels increased significantly (482%) compared to CT (100%; p < 0.05). In addition, ACE mRNA expression and activity were modulated by NO at two months of age. Thus, the combination of low eNOS and high iNOS protein levels may underlie vascular renin-angiotensin system (RAS) over-activation. Altogether, these factors may contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction and vascular hyper-reactivity in the early stages of heart failure, and eventually trigger cardiac deterioration in this animal model of HF.
Introducing the Special Issue: Mixed Verbs and Linguistic Creativity in Bi/Multilingual Communities
Authors: Lakshmanan Usha , Balam Osmer , Bhatia Tej
Published: July 2016

In introducing this inaugural Special Issue for the open access journal Languages, it is important to understand the concept of linguistic creativity and how this relates to code-switching (henceforth CS)1, a common practice in bi/multilingual communities.[...]
Preparation and Analysis of Complex Barrier Layer of Heterocyclic and Long-Chain Organosilane on Copper Alloy Surface
Authors: Zhao Qian , Tang Tiantian , Dang Peilin , Zhang Zhiyi , Wang Fang
Published: July 2016

A single electrodeposited film of 6-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol monosodium (TES) on a copper alloy surface was prepared by the galvanostatic method, then octyl-triethoxysilane (OTES) or hexadecyl-trimethoxysilane (HDTMS) was used to modify the electrodeposited film by the self-assembled technique to fabricate the complex film. The electrodeposition process was inferred by cyclic voltammetry. The single and complex films were characterized by means of contact angle, cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the contact angle of the complex film covering the copper alloy surface was up to 118.1° compared with 89.4° of the bare copper alloy. The cyclic voltammogram, polarization curves and EIS indicated that the anti-corrosion performance of complex film was better than that of single electrodeposited TES film, and the protection efficiency was up to 90.2%.
Plasmonic Structures, Materials and Lenses for Optical Lithography beyond the Diffraction Limit: A Review
Authors: Wang Changtao , Zhang Wei , Zhao Zeyu , Wang Yanqin , Gao Ping , Luo Yunfei , Luo Xiangang
Published: July 2016

The rapid development of nanotechnologies and sciences has led to the great demand for novel lithography methods allowing large area, low cost and high resolution nano fabrications. Characterized by unique sub-diffraction optical features like propagation with an ultra-short wavelength and great field enhancement in subwavelength regions, surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), including surface plasmon waves, bulk plasmon polaritons (BPPs) and localized surface plasmons (LSPs), have become potentially promising candidates for nano lithography. In this paper, investigations into plasmonic lithography in the manner of point-to-point writing, interference and imaging were reviewed in detail. Theoretical simulations and experiments have demonstrated plasmonic lithography resolution far beyond the conventional diffraction limit, even with ultraviolet light sources and single exposure performances. Half-pitch resolution as high as 22 nm (~1/17 light wavelength) was observed in plasmonic lens imaging lithography. Moreover, not only the overview of state-of-the-art results, but also the physics behind them and future research suggestions are discussed as well.
Enzymatic Hydrolytic Resolution of Racemic Ibuprofen Ethyl Ester Using an Ionic Liquid as Cosolvent
Authors: Wei Tao , Yang Kunpeng , Bai Bing , Zang Jie , Yu Xuan , Mao Duobin
Published: July 2016

The aim of this study was to develop an ionic liquid (IL) system for the enzymatic resolution of racemic ibuprofen ethyl ester to produce (S)-ibuprofen. Nineteen ILs were selected for use in buffer systems to investigate the effects of ILs as cosolvents for the production of (S)-ibuprofen using thermostable esterase (EST10) from Thermotoga maritima. Analysis of the catalytic efficiency and conformation of EST10 showed that [OmPy][BF4] was the best medium for the EST10-catalyzed production of (S)-ibuprofen. The maximum degree of conversion degree (47.4%), enantiomeric excess of (S)-ibuprofen (96.6%) and enantiomeric ratio of EST10 (177.0) were achieved with an EST10 concentration of 15 mg/mL, racemic ibuprofen ethyl ester concentration of 150 mM, at 75 °C , with a reaction time of 10 h. The reaction time needed to achieve the highest yield of (S)-ibuprofen was decreased from 24 h to 10 h. These results are relevant to the proposed application of ILs as solvents for the EST10-catalyzed production of (S)-ibuprofen.
Characterization and Analysis of 2-(2-Phenylethyl)-chromone Derivatives from Agarwood (Aquilaria crassna) by Artificial Holing for Different Times
Authors: Yang Jin Ling , Dong Wen Hua , Kong Fan Dong , Liao Ge , Wang Jun , Li Wei , Mei Wen Li , Dai Hao Fu
Published: July 2016

A total of fifty-six chromones, including seven 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)-chromones (THPECs), five 5,6-epoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (EPECs), seven 5,6:7,8-diepoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (DEPECs) and thirty-seven 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones of the flidersia type (FTPECs), were characterized by HPLC/DAD/ESI/MS/MS in three agarwood samples (from Aquilaria crassna) induced by artificial holing with different holing times. The characteristic fragmentation behavior of DEPECs and EPECs, and the methods to distinguish these four types of chromones by MS analysis were described for the first time. In addition, it was found that the relative contents of DEPECs and EPECs were down-regulated, while the relative contents of THPECs and FTPECs were up-regulated for the samples from two, four and five years of the agarwood formation time. However, the relative contents of six most widespread and abundant FTPECs presented roughly upward based on the formation time. These results could be referenced to distinguish different agarwood samples collected from different formation time.
Economic Efficiency or Gender Equality: Conceptualizing an Equitable “Social Framing” for Economic Evaluations to Support Gender Equality in Disaster Risk- and Environmental-Management Decision-Making
Authors: Shreve Cheney
Published: July 2016

It is unlikely that cost–benefit approaches will be effective in identifying investments that support gender equality without a relevant “social framing”. Criteria for a “social framing” are lacking, yet cost–benefit approaches often guide investment decisions for disaster risk and environmental management. Mainstream approaches typically do a poor job identifying and characterizing costs and benefits, and often fail to address distributive concerns (i.e., how costs and benefits may be distributed throughout society, to whom, etc.). Gender-blind investments may project responsibility for equality “problems” onto one sex, potentially augmenting gender inequalities and disaster risk. This article examines evidence from the gender, disaster, and development literature to identify distributive concerns and criteria for an equitable “social framing” for economic evaluations. Primary distributive concerns identified regard assumptions of women’s homogeneity, agency, “active” participation, and the influence of customary practice and displacement on disaster vulnerability. The need for a “gender-responsive” “social framing” that considers the needs of men and women in relation to one another is evident. Second, cost–benefit studies focused on gender equality concerns are reviewed and the “social framing” is critiqued. Results show most studies are not “gender-responsive”. Women’s health concerns, often exacerbated by disasters, are sidelined by assumptions regarding distributive concerns and reductive outcome measures.
Impact of Initial Soil Temperature Derived from Remote Sensing and Numerical Weather Prediction Datasets on the Simulation of Extreme Heat Events
Authors: Gómez Igor , Caselles Vicente , Estrela María , Niclòs Raquel
Published: July 2016

Extreme heat weather events have received increasing attention and has become of special importance as they can remarkably affect sectors as diverse as public health, energy consumption, water resources, natural biodiversity and agricultural production. In this regard, summer temperatures have become a parameter of essential interest under a framework of a hypothetical increase in the number of intense-heat conditions. Thus, their forecast is a crucial aspect bearing in mind a mitigation of the effects and impacts that these intense-heat situations could produce. The current work tries to reach a better understanding of these sorts of situations that are really common over the Western Mediterranean coast. An extreme heat episode that took place in the Valencia Region in July 2009 is analysed, based on the simulations performed with the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). This event recorded maximum temperatures exceeding 40 °C amply extended over the region besides reaching minimum temperatures up to 25.92 °C. We examine the role of improved skin and soil temperature (ST) initial conditions in the forecast results by means of different modelling and satellite-derived products. The influence of incorporating the Land Surface Temperature (LST) into RAMS is not found to produce a meaningful impact on the simulation results, independently of the resolution of the dataset used in the initial conditions of the model. In contrast, the introduction of the ST in lower levels, not only the skin temperature, has a more marked decisive effect in the simulation. Additionally, we have evaluated the influence of increasing the number of soil levels to spread deeper underground. This sensitivity experiment has revealed that more soil levels do not produce any meaningful impact on the simulation compared to the original one. In any case, RAMS is able to properly capture the observed patterns in those cases where a Western advection is widely extended over the area of study. This region’s variability in orography and in distances to the sea promotes the development of sea-breeze circulations, thus producing a convergence of two opposite wind flows, a Western synoptic advection and a sea-breeze circulation. As a result, the RAMS skill in those cases where a sea breeze is well developed depends on the proper location of the boundary and convergence lines of these two flows.
Tower-Based Validation and Improvement of MODIS Gross Primary Production in an Alpine Swamp Meadow on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Niu Ben , He Yongtao , Zhang Xianzhou , Fu Gang , Shi Peili , Du Mingyuan , Zhang Yangjian , Zong Ning
Published: July 2016

Alpine swamp meadow on the Tibetan Plateau is among the most sensitive areas to climate change. Accurate quantification of the GPP in alpine swamp meadow can benefit our understanding of the global carbon cycle. The 8-day MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) gross primary production (GPP) products (GPP_MOD) provide a pathway to estimate GPP in this remote ecosystem. However, the accuracy of the GPP_MOD estimation in this representative alpine swamp meadow is still unknown. Here five years GPP_MOD was validated using GPP derived from the eddy covariance flux measurements (GPP_EC) from 2009 to 2013. Our results indicated that the GPP_EC was strongly underestimated by GPP_MOD with a daily mean less than 40% of EC measurements. To reduce this error, the ground meteorological and vegetation leaf area index (LAIG) measurements were used to revise the key inputs, the maximum light use efficiency (εmax) and the fractional photosynthetically active radiation (FPARM) in the MOD17 algorithm. Using two approaches to determine the site-specific εmax value, we suggested that the suitable εmax was about 1.61 g C MJ−1 for this alpine swamp meadow which was considerably larger than the default 0.68 g C MJ−1 for grassland. The FPARM underestimated 22.2% of the actual FPAR (FPARG) simulated from the LAIG during the whole study period. Model comparisons showed that the large inaccuracies of GPP_MOD were mainly caused by the underestimation of the εmax and followed by that of the undervalued FPAR. However, the DAO meteorology data in the MOD17 algorithm did not exert a significant affection in the MODIS GPP underestimations. Therefore, site-specific optimized parameters inputs, especially the εmax and FPARG, are necessary to improve the performance of the MOD17 algorithm in GPP estimation, in which the calibrated MOD17A2 algorithm (GPP_MODR3) could explain 91.6% of GPP_EC variance for the alpine swamp meadow.
Flow Rates Measurement and Uncertainty Analysis in Multiple-Zone Water-Injection Wells from Fluid Temperature Profiles
Authors: Reges José , Salazar A. , Maitelli Carla , Carvalho Lucas , Britto Ursula
Published: July 2016

This work is a contribution to the development of flow sensors in the oil and gas industry. It presents a methodology to measure the flow rates into multiple-zone water-injection wells from fluid temperature profiles and estimate the measurement uncertainty. First, a method to iteratively calculate the zonal flow rates using the Ramey (exponential) model was described. Next, this model was linearized to perform an uncertainty analysis. Then, a computer program to calculate the injected flow rates from experimental temperature profiles was developed. In the experimental part, a fluid temperature profile from a dual-zone water-injection well located in the Northeast Brazilian region was collected. Thus, calculated and measured flow rates were compared. The results proved that linearization error is negligible for practical purposes and the relative uncertainty increases as the flow rate decreases. The calculated values from both the Ramey and linear models were very close to the measured flow rates, presenting a difference of only 4.58 m³/d and 2.38 m³/d, respectively. Finally, the measurement uncertainties from the Ramey and linear models were equal to 1.22% and 1.40% (for injection zone 1); 10.47% and 9.88% (for injection zone 2). Therefore, the methodology was successfully validated and all objectives of this work were achieved.
Improved Fuzzy Logic System to Evaluate Milk Electrical Conductivity Signals from On-Line Sensors to Monitor Dairy Goat Mastitis
Authors: Zaninelli Mauro , Tangorra Francesco , Costa Annamaria , Rossi Luciana , Dell’Orto Vittorio , Savoini Giovanni
Published: July 2016

The aim of this study was to develop and test a new fuzzy logic model for monitoring the udder health status (HS) of goats. The model evaluated, as input variables, the milk electrical conductivity (EC) signal, acquired on-line for each gland by a dedicated sensor, the bandwidth length and the frequency and amplitude of the first main peak of the Fourier frequency spectrum of the recorded milk EC signal. Two foremilk gland samples were collected from eight Saanen goats for six months at morning milking (lactation stages (LS): 0–60 Days In Milking (DIM); 61–120 DIM; 121–180 DIM), for a total of 5592 samples. Bacteriological analyses and somatic cell counts (SCC) were used to define the HS of the glands. With negative bacteriological analyses and SCC < 1,000,000 cells/mL, glands were classified as healthy. When bacteriological analyses were positive or showed a SCC > 1,000,000 cells/mL, glands were classified as not healthy (NH). For each EC signal, an estimated EC value was calculated and a relative deviation was obtained. Furthermore, the Fourier frequency spectrum was evaluated and bandwidth length, frequency and amplitude of the first main peak were identified. Before using these indexes as input variables of the fuzzy logic model a linear mixed-effects model was developed to evaluate the acquired data considering the HS, LS and LS × HS as explanatory variables. Results showed that performance of a fuzzy logic model, in the monitoring of mammary gland HS, could be improved by the use of EC indexes derived from the Fourier frequency spectra of gland milk EC signals recorded by on-line EC sensors.
Helium Ion Microscope-Assisted Nanomachining of Resonant Nanostrings
Authors: Zheng Wei , Li Peng , Van den Hurk Remko , Evoy Stephane
Published: July 2016

Helium ion microscopy has recently emerged as a potent tool for the in-situ modification and imaging of nanoscale devices. For example; finely focused helium ion beams have been used for the milling of pores in suspended structures. We here report the use of helium ion milling for the post-fabrication modification of nanostrings machined from an amorphous SiCN material. The modification consisted of milling linear arrays of holes along the length of nanostrings. This milling results in a slight decrease of resonant frequency while increasing the surface to volume ratio of the device. The frequency decrease is attributed to a reduction of the effective Young’s modulus of the string, which in turn reduces the tension the string is under. Such experimental observations are supported by the finite element analysis of milled and non-milled strings.
Diurnal Variability in Chlorophyll-a, Carotenoids, CDOM and SO42− Intensity of Offshore Seawater Detected by an Underwater Fluorescence-Raman Spectral System
Authors: Chen Jing , Ye Wangquan , Guo Jinjia , Luo Zhao , Li Ying
Published: July 2016

A newly developed integrated fluorescence-Raman spectral system (λex = 532 nm) for detecting Chlorophyll-a (chl-a), Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), carotenoids and SO42− in situ was used to successfully investigate the diurnal variability of all above. Simultaneously using the integration of fluorescence spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy techniques provided comprehensive marine information due to the complementarity between the different excitation mechanisms and different selection rules. The investigation took place in offshore seawater of the Yellow Sea (36°05′40′′ N, 120°31′32′′ E) in October 2014. To detect chl-a, CDOM, carotenoids and SO42−, the fluorescence-Raman spectral system was deployed. It was found that troughs of chl-a and CDOM fluorescence signal intensity were observed during high tides, while the signal intensity showed high values with larger fluctuations during ebb-tide. Chl-a and carotenoids were influenced by solar radiation within a day cycle by different detection techniques, as well as displaying similar and synchronous tendency. CDOM fluorescence cause interference to the measurement of SO42−. To avoid such interference, the backup Raman spectroscopy system with λex = 785 nm was employed to detect SO42− concentration on the following day. The results demonstrated that the fluorescence-Raman spectral system has great potential in detection of chl-a, carotenoids, CDOM and SO42− in the ocean.
Hazardous Traffic Event Detection Using Markov Blanket and Sequential Minimal Optimization (MB-SMO)
Authors: Yan Lixin , Zhang Yishi , He Yi , Gao Song , Zhu Dunyao , Ran Bin , Wu Qing
Published: July 2016

The ability to identify hazardous traffic events is already considered as one of the most effective solutions for reducing the occurrence of crashes. Only certain particular hazardous traffic events have been studied in previous studies, which were mainly based on dedicated video stream data and GPS data. The objective of this study is twofold: (1) the Markov blanket (MB) algorithm is employed to extract the main factors associated with hazardous traffic events; (2) a model is developed to identify hazardous traffic event using driving characteristics, vehicle trajectory, and vehicle position data. Twenty-two licensed drivers were recruited to carry out a natural driving experiment in Wuhan, China, and multi-sensor information data were collected for different types of traffic events. The results indicated that a vehicle’s speed, the standard deviation of speed, the standard deviation of skin conductance, the standard deviation of brake pressure, turn signal, the acceleration of steering, the standard deviation of acceleration, and the acceleration in Z (G) have significant influences on hazardous traffic events. The sequential minimal optimization (SMO) algorithm was adopted to build the identification model, and the accuracy of prediction was higher than 86%. Moreover, compared with other detection algorithms, the MB-SMO algorithm was ranked best in terms of the prediction accuracy. The conclusions can provide reference evidence for the development of dangerous situation warning products and the design of intelligent vehicles.
Evaluation Analysis of the CO2 Emission and Absorption Life Cycle for Precast Concrete in Korea
Authors: Kim Taehyoung , Chae Chang
Published: July 2016

To comply with recent international trends and initiatives, and in order to help achieve sustainable development, Korea has established a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target of 37% (851 million tons) of the business as usual (BAU) rate by 2030. Regarding environmentally-oriented standards such as the IGCC (International Green Construction Code), there are also rising demands for the assessment on CO2 emissions during the life cycle in accordance with ISO (International Standardization Organization’s Standard) 14040. At present, precast concrete (PC) engineering-related studies primarily cover structural and construction aspects, including improvement of structural performance in the joint, introduction of pre-stressed concrete and development of half PC. In the manufacture of PC, steam curing is mostly used for the early-strength development of concrete. In steam curing, a large amount of CO2 is produced, causing an environmental problem. Therefore, this study proposes a method to assess CO2 emissions (including absorption) throughout the PC life cycle by using a life cycle assessment (LCA) method. Using the proposed assessment method, CO2 emissions during the life cycle of a precast concrete girder (PCG) were assessed. In addition, CO2 absorption was assessed against a PCG using conventional carbonation and CO2 absorption-related models. As a result, the CO2 emissions throughout the life cycle of the PCG were 1365.6 (kg-CO2/1 PCG). The CO2 emissions during the production of raw materials among the CO2 emissions throughout the life cycle of the PCG were 1390 (kg-CO2/1 PCG), accounting for a high portion to total CO2 emissions (nearly 90%). In contrast, the transportation and manufacture stages were 1% and 10%, respectively, having little effect on total CO2 emissions. Among the use of the PCG, CO2 absorption was mostly decided by the CO2 diffusion coefficient and the amount of CO2 absorption by cement paste. The CO2 absorption by carbonation throughout the service life of the PC was about 11% of the total CO2 emissions, which is about 16% of CO2 emissions from ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete.
Assessing the Impacts of Chinese Sustainable Ground Transportation on the Dynamics of Urban Growth: A Case Study of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge
Authors: Zheng Qing , He Shan , Huang Lingyan , Zheng Xinyu , Pan Yi , Shahtahmassebi Amir , Shen Zhangquan , Yu Zhoulu , Wang Ke
Published: July 2016

Although China has promoted the construction of Chinese Sustainable Ground Transportation (CSGT) to guide sustainable development, it may create substantial challenges, such as rapid urban growth and land limitations. This research assessed the effects of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge on impervious surface growth in Cixi County, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. Changes in impervious surfaces were mapped based on Landsat images from 1995, 2002, and 2009 using a combination of multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis (MESMA) and landscape metrics. The results indicated that the area and density of impervious surfaces increased significantly during construction of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge (2002–2009). Additionally, the bridge and connected road networks promoted urban development along major roads, resulting in compact growth patterns of impervious surfaces in urbanized regions. Moreover, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge promoted the expansion and densification of impervious surfaces in Hangzhou Bay District, which surrounds the bridge. The bridge also accelerated socioeconomic growth in the area, promoting rapid urban growth in Cixi County between 2002 and 2009. Overall, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge is an important driver of urban growth in Cixi County, and policy suggestions for sustainable urban growth should be adopted in the future.
Image Region Duplication Forgery Detection Based on Angular Radial Partitioning and Harris Key-Points
Authors: Uliyan Diaa , Jalab Hamid , Abdul Wahab Ainuddin , Sadeghi Somayeh
Published: July 2016

Region duplication forgery where a part of the image itself is copied and pasted onto a different part of the same image grid is becoming more popular in image manipulation. The forgers often apply geometric transformations such as rotation and scaling operations to make the forgery imperceptible. In this study, an image region duplication forgery detection algorithm is proposed based on the angular radial partitioning and Harris key-points. Two standard databases have been used: image data manipulation and MICC-F220 (Media Integration and Communication Center– of the University of Florence) for experimentation. Experiment results demonstrate that the proposed technique can detect rotated regions in multiples of 30 degrees and can detect region duplication with different scaling factors from 0.8, to 1.2. More experimental results are presented to confirm the effectiveness of detecting region duplication that has undergone other changes, such as Gaussian noise, and JPEG compression.
Biosorption of B-aflatoxins Using Biomasses Obtained from Formosa Firethorn [Pyracantha koidzumii (Hayata) Rehder]
Authors: Ramales-Valderrama Rosa , Vázquez-Durán Alma , Méndez-Albores Abraham
Published: July 2016

Mycotoxin adsorption onto biomaterials is considered as a promising alternative for decontamination without harmful chemicals. In this research, the adsorption of B-aflatoxins (AFB1 and AFB2) using Pyracantha koidzumii biomasses (leaves, berries and the mixture of leaves/berries) from aqueous solutions was explored. The biosorbent was used at 0.5% (w/v) in samples spiked with 100 ng/mL of B-aflatoxin standards and incubated at 40 °C for up to 24 h. A standard biosorption methodology was employed and aflatoxins were quantified by an immunoaffinity column and UPLC methodologies. The biosorbent-aflatoxin interaction mechanism was investigated from a combination of zeta potential (ζ), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest aflatoxin uptakes were 86% and 82% at 6 h using leaves and the mixture of leaves/berries biomasses, respectively. A moderate biosorption of 46% was attained when using berries biomass. From kinetic studies, the biosorption process is described using the first order adsorption model. Evidence from FTIR spectra suggests the participation of hydroxyl, amine, carboxyl, amide, phosphate and ketone groups in the biosorption and the mechanism was proposed to be dominated by the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged functional groups and the positively charged aflatoxin molecules. Biosorption by P. koidzumii biomasses has been demonstrated to be an alternative to conventional systems for B-aflatoxins removal.
Evaluation of Freshwater Provisioning for Different Ecosystem Services in the Upper Mississippi River Basin: Current Status and Drivers
Authors: Li Ping , Chaubey Indrajeet , Muenich Rebecca , Wei Xiaomei
Published: July 2016

With the high demand for freshwater and its vital role in sustaining multiple ecosystem services, it is important to quantify and evaluate freshwater provisioning for various services (e.g., drinking, fisheries, recreation). Research on ecosystem services has increased recently, though relatively fewer studies apply a data driven approach to quantify freshwater provisioning for different ecosystem services. In this study, freshwater provisioning was quantified annually from 1995 to 2013 for 13 watersheds in the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB). Results showed that the annual freshwater provision indices for all watersheds were less than one indicating that freshwater provisioning is diminished in the UMRB. The concentrations of sediment and nutrients (total nitrogen, and total phosphorus) are the most sensitive factors that impact freshwater provisioning in the UMRB. A significant linear relationship was observed between precipitation and freshwater provisioning index. During wet periods freshwater provisioning generally decreased in the study watersheds, primarily because of relatively high concentrations and loads of sediment and nutrients delivered from nonpoint sources. Results from this study may provide an insight, as well as an example of a data-driven approach to enhance freshwater provisioning for different ecosystem services and to develop a sustainable and integrated watershed management approach for the UMRB.
When the waters recede: the economic impact of tsunamis in the Graeco-Roman world
Authors: Naco Del Hoyo Toni , Nappo Dario
Published: July 2016

This article investigates the impact of ancient tsunamis on the ancient World. Nowadays, the effects of such events on contemporary economic is easy to assess and investigate, thanks to the amount of information available. More complicated is the picture for pre-modern societies. The aim of this paper is precisely to focus on the economic consequences, if any, of tidal waves on certain regions and periods of the classical world. As a matter of fact, the study of natural disasters has been a popular topic for modern scholarship of the Antiquity. Along the Mediterranean basin, ancient tsunamis usually devastated regions with high levels of seismic activity, such as the Balkans, the South-East, the Levant or the central and eastern islands. Most of the archaeological evidence from tsunamis and earthquakes, however, has been mixed up by a combination of geological and human activity, making it difficult to single out which is which. Tsunamis were less frequent than earthquakes but their impact on human communities and their available natural resources could have been more catastrophic, at least in the short-term. The unexpected nature of such tidal waves surely produced considerable unrest within the affected population, who might have been familiar with the devastating effects of earthquakes but most probably were unaware of such a rare natural phenomenon. Our main goal, however, is to ascertain the economic impact of ancient tsunamis on the ‘ longue-durée’. The article is composed of two main parts. In the first one, we examine the evidence for tsunamis occurred in the Mediterranean basins from fifth century BC till the fourth AD, before the great tsunami of AD 365. It is possible to recognize how the Graeco-Roman literature describes, in some cases with remarkable accuracy, the basic functioning of what geologists know as tsunamis, but generally fails to provide any information on the economic impact of them on the ancient societies. In the second part, we focus on the tsunami of AD 365, for which we have more information, provided by both literary and documentary evidence, allowing us to use it as an interesting case study with a particular relevance in the ancient history. The final conclusion is that tsunamis in antiquity, as far as it is possible to infer from the status of our sources, despite having probably a huge damaging effect on the economy on the short term, usually did not affect it on the ‘ longue-durée’, given, most likely, to efficient policies devised by ancient civilizations, to cope with such events.
Seeking for honour(s)? The exploitation of philotimia and citizen benefactors in classical Athens
Authors: Deene Marloes
Published: July 2016

Although the concept of philotimia was thought to be not totally unproblematic in ancient Greece and in Athenian society more specifically, the Athenian polis exploited the power of philotimia in its own interests, and this from the early beginnings of Athenian democracy onwards. Nevertheless, this exploitation had its limitations when Athenian citizens were concerned. The available evidence concerning the Athenian honours system, which can be considered as one of the most remarkable and most effective examples of the Athenian exploitation of the power of philotimia, indicates a serious reluctance on the part of the demos to honour Athenian benefactors officially. Public and private associations at sub-polis level, which unlike the polis did officially honour citizen benefactors, might for wealthy citizens have functioned as alternative routes for obtaining honour and status.
Respectability on display. Alba and fasti of the Augustales in the context of collegial and magisterial hierarchy
Authors: Vandevoorde Lindsey
Published: July 2016

Much like for other associations, lists of magistrates (fasti) and members (alba) of the association of the * Augustales are preserved, yet research on hierarchies of the (associations of the) * Augustales is virtually non-existent. This paper is an attempt to partially remedy this, based on a limited corpus of exceptional inscriptions from Ostia, Liternum and Trebula Suffenas. More specifically, it is an attempt to trace what this may have meant for individual members of the association (listed in alba) or magistrates in office (listed in fasti), and how these texts help to contextualise their position. I will focus on three questions : (1) Which inscriptions can be considered as alba and fasti of the * Augustales (and why) ? (2) What do (sometimes problematic) titles and positions mentioned in these inscription tell us – or not tell us – concerning hierarchy among the * Augustales and their interaction with the city council ? (3) How can these texts offer insights in inter-and trans-generational mobility patterns within the associations of the Augustales ?
« Edel, arm en rijk, maakt de dood gelijk? ». Sociale ongelijkheid (post mortem) in plattelandsgemeenschappen ten noorden van Brugge (1500-1579)
Authors: Dombrecht Kristof
Published: July 2016

“ Edel, arm en rijk, maakt de dood gelijk ?” Sociale ongelijkheid (post mortem) in plattelandsgemeenschappen ten noorden van Brugge (1500-1579)

Dit artikel benadrukt het belang van de manier waarop iemand begraven werd als auditieve en visuele post mortem statusclaim in plattelandsgemeenschappen. Hiervoor werden de 16de-eeuwse begrafenispraktijken van het Vlaamse polderdorp Dudzele geanalyseerd. Met behulp van zowel kwalitatief bronnenmateriaal als een kwantitatieve analyse wordt aangetoond dat er op het micro-niveau bij de meeste overledenen, maar weliswaar niet in alle gevallen, een sterk verband bestond tussen het vermogen van de gestorvene en de manier waarop zij/ hij werd begraven. Op macro-niveau wordt gedemonstreerd dat de begrafenispraktijken diepgaand werden beïnvloed door de sterk veranderende sociaal-economische context doorheen de 16de eeuw.
Het verleden verzameld in anderhalve reeks. De Bijdragen voor Vaderlandsche Geschiedenis en Oudheidkunde als “hoofdzakelijke standmeter” van de Nederlandse geschiedbeoefening (1835-1868)
Authors: Huistra Pieter
Published: July 2016

Collecting the Past in One and a Half Series. The Bijdragen voor Vaderlandsche Geschiedenis en Oudheidkunde as the “ Main Indicator” of Dutch Historiography (1835-1868)

The Bijdragen voor Vaderlandsche Geschiedenis en Oudheidkunde stood out as a national historical journal in the provincially organized historiography. In this article, the Bijdragen have been studied to shed light on the personnel, the organisational structure and the content of mid-nineteenth-century Dutch historiography. The collaborators of the journal came from diverse backgrounds. In the Bijdragen they were united by the concept of historiography that the founder Isaac Anne Nijhoff propagated. In the Bijdragen history was collected, in preparation of a future history of the Netherlands, that should be the sum of local and provincial histories. The primary source material was central to the enterprise of the Bijdragen, documentary as well as material remains of the past. Furthermore, the Bijdragen showed a coexistence of history and antiquarianism in the middle of the nineteenth century.
La France et le Congo ex-belge (1961-1965). Intérêts et influences en mutation
Authors: Genin Vincent
Published: July 2016

France and the Former Belgian Congo (1961-1965) : Interests and Influences in Mutation

The history of the decolonization is inseparable of that of Western interests in recently decolonized states. The specific case of the Franco-Belgian relations offers a rich and unexplored research domain. While Belgium, as a consequence of the Congolese crisis, was treated as a pariah in the UN during the summer of 1960, it could however count on the support of France, itself confronted with the Algerian affair. On the basis of new archives, it is worth while studying the evolution of French policy in the ex-Belgian Congo from 1961 till 1965. France considered its overseas influence as a key element in its foreign policy ; did it invest as much energy in the former Belgian Congo as in its own former empire ? Which were the forms and the means (both official and informal) of this influence, and who were its protagonists ? To what extent did France adapt to the postcolonial context ? Did this problem affect the Franco-Belgian relations ?
D’Empires et de frontières, La pratique de la frontière du IXe au XIIIe siècle
Authors: Schneider Jens
Published: July 2016

Van rijken en grenzen : de aard van grenzen van de negende tot de dertiende eeuw

Dit artikel bestudeert de manier waarop grenzen en de hieraan verbonden praktijken werden gepercipieerd in het Frankische en het Heilige Roomse Rijk van de negende tot de dertiende eeuw. Met behulp van een diachronische aanpak onderzoekt het hoe grenzen als instrument van ruimtelijke ordening evolueerden van de negendeeeuwse verdeelverdragen tot de grensonderzoeken van de dertiende eeuw. Het begrip ‘ grens’ veranderde van een vrij onnauwkeurige en vaak veranderlijke afbakening, die in teksten werd voorgesteld als een lijst van plaatsnamen, naar een scheidingslijn die door lokale getuigen werd bevestigd in naam van de administratieve autoriteiten (graaf, hertog, koning, paus). Bijgevolg waren rivieren zoals de Rijn en de Maas referentiepunten eerder dan echte grensmarkeringen. Vanaf de dertiende eeuw werden er grensonderzoeken gevoerd om conflicten op te lossen tussen lokale actoren die elkaar de zeggenschap over grensgebieden betwistten.