bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On‐Farm Assessments of Soil Quality in Ohio and Michigan
Authors: Nakajima Toru , Shrestha Raj K. , Lal Rattan
Published: July 2016

Core Ideas

We demonstrated the soil quality index for assessing on‐farm sites.

Clay content and soil organic C were the key indicators for soil quality index assessment.

The soil quality index was positively correlated with corn yield.

Overall, the soil quality index is an effective tool for assessing agronomic productivity in Ohio and Michigan.

Climate change may have major implications for agricultural production in the Midwest. In response, farmers and scientists need ways to ensure continued corn (Zea mays L.) productivity while minimizing the environmental impacts of their management decisions in response to those changes. The use of a soil quality index (SQI) may be an effective tool for accomplishing both goals. Our objectives were to demonstrate the on‐farm use of an SQI for assessing the effects of tillage and crop rotation on soil quality and agronomic productivity while also identifying soil properties that can serve as key indicators for SQI assessment. Clay content and soil organic C (SOC) were identified as key indicators for soil quality assessment in this region. SQI values were higher for corn–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations (C–S) than for continuous corn–cover crop systems (C–C) or corn–soybean–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotations (C–S–W) (P < 0.05). Soil quality index values were positively correlated with corn yield (R = 0.75; P < 0.05; n = 30), suggesting that an overall SQI can be an effective tool for assessing the agronomic productivity in Ohio and Michigan.
Integrating Soil Science into Primary School Curricula: Students Promote Soil Science Education with Dig It! The Secrets of Soil
Authors: Margenot Andrew J. , Alldritt Katelin , Southard Susan , O'Geen Anthony
Published: July 2016

Core Ideas

There is a need to incorporate soil science into primary education.

A partnership brought soil science to Grades 2–7 in the Sacramento–Davis area of California.

Graduate students used the Dig It! soils exhibit to engage primary school students.

Curricula standards are a potential constraint and entry point for soil science.

Principles of soil science are highly complementary with subjects required by state and national standards and offer an opportunity to integrate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and non‐STEM subjects, such as history and anthropology. However, soil science is often absent from primary education curricula. This is a missed opportunity for both primary education and the soil science community. We integrated soil science into primary education using the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) traveling soil science exhibit Dig It! The Secrets of Soil. This effort was unique in that primary school educators, The California Museum staff, SSSA, and University of California–Davis graduate students worked to make the exhibit into an external classroom for Grades 2 through 7. The goal was to raise awareness and knowledge of soils and their importance to society and to offer example career opportunities in soil science. Grade‐specific presentations and activity‐based workshops were designed to address California curricula standards. These efforts identified several gaps and opportunities in soil science outreach to primary education. Participatory and observational activities were critical for conveying concepts across all educational grades. Curricula standards represented a potential constraint and corresponding entry point to facilitate the incorporation of soil science into primary education. Our experience demonstrates the ongoing impact of Dig it! The Secrets of Soil, and illustrates the potential of collaboration between academic institutions like UC–Davis and SSSA to improve soil science education.
Time‐Course Changes in Speciation and Solubility of Cadmium in Reduced and Oxidized Paddy Soils
Authors: Furuya Mitsuhiro , Hashimoto Yohey , Yamaguchi Noriko
Published: July 2016

Core Ideas

The formation and dissolution of CdS were investigated in low‐ and high‐S soils.

CdS reached 90% in the high‐S soil but did not exceed 35% in the low‐S soil.

Cd dissolved rapidly at soil Eh >435 mV (low‐S soil) and >529 mV (high‐S soil).

A prolonged flooding during rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation is recommended to immobilize soil Cd by the formation of CdS under anoxic conditions. The problem with this recommended practice is that it reduces rice yields compared with intermittent flooding, which is less effective at immobilizing CdS through reductive precipitation. This study investigated the solubility of Cd in relation to chemical speciation of Cd and S and soil redox potential through a time series of measurements during a 29‐d reduction period followed by a 20‐d oxidation period using X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and chemical extraction. Two Aquent soils with different S levels in water‐ and oxalate‐extractable fractions (hereafter low‐S and high‐S soils) were used to investigate the formation and dissolution of CdS. In the reducing period, the CdS proportion in the high‐S soil rapidly increased to 30% at Day 4 and reached 90% at Day 29, whereas CdS in the low‐S soil did not exceed 35%. In the following oxidizing period, CdS in the soils underwent oxidative dissolution but was not completely dissolved, remaining at <20% of the total Cd. A two‐piece segmented linear relationship existed between HCl‐extractable Cd and soil Eh, and the regression slope was 28‐fold greater for the low‐S soil at Eh >435 mV and 38‐fold greater for the high‐S soil at Eh >529 mV. This result indicates that each soil has a threshold Eh value at which the solubility of Cd is drastically altered during the course of soil reduction and oxidation processes.
Review of the most important pathogens in Serbian forest nurseries
Authors: Keča Nenad
Published: July 2016

Successful reforestation depends on the quality and health of seedlings. Targeted production in forest nurseries should produce plants that will be able to survive unfavorable environmental and weather conditions in Serbia. Pathogens can reduce the vitality of seedlings and decrease survival after outplanting. The most common pathogens identified on seeds of both conifer and broadleaved seedlings are presented. The most frequently used fungicides for the control of pathogens in Serbian forest nurseries, as well as the best time of their application, are reviewed.
Improving reducibility of iron ore pellets by optimization of physical parameters
Authors: Pal J. , Ghoari S. , Ammasi A. , Hota S.K. , Koranne V.M. , Venugopalan T.
Published: July 2016

Reducibility of iron bearing material is an important property which
represents its suitability of reduction in iron making furnaces. It has
direct influence on improving productivity and lowering energy consumption in
iron making process. The reducibility of iron ore pellets of a specific
chemistry can be improved by the optimization of physical parameters such as
induration temperature, improving size distribution of fines, improving
apparent porosity etc. In this study, the reference pellet is prepared in a
typical plant condition and the properties of the reference pellet are
considered as base value to improve reducibility index (RI) maintaining other
properties at the acceptable limit without altering pellet chemistry.
Optimization of induration temperature at the 1250-1275?C shows around 74 %
RI, which is 5 points more than the base value of 69.5 %. Furthermore, on
optimizing additives size, such as limestone fines and anthracite coal fines
at -350 mesh and induration temperature of 1250-1275?C, RI is improved to 77
%, i.e., 8 points improvement is achieved with respect to the base value.
Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial studies of Mn(II) and Co(II) complexes of an ionic liquid tagged Schiff base
Authors: Saha Sanjoy , Das Ananya , Acharjee Kaushik , Sinha Biswajit
Published: July 2016

Mn(II) and Co(II) complexes of an ionic liquid-based Schiff base,
1-{2-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)ethyl}-3-methylimidazolium bromide, were
synthesized and characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic methods
such as elemental analysis, UV-Visible, FT-IR, 1H NMR, ESI-MS and magnetic
susceptibility measurement. These studies indicated tetrahedral geometry for
the complexes. The Schiff base ligand and its complexes were tested for in
vitro antibacterial activities to assess their inhibiting potentials against
Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus sp.
Glass-like carbon, pyrolytic graphite or nanostructured carbon for electrochemical sensing of bismuth ion?
Authors: Milikic Jadranka , Markicevic Nevena , Jovic Aleksandar , Hercigonja Radmila , Sljukic Biljana
Published: July 2016

Different carbon electrodes were explored for application in electroanalysis,
namely for sensing of bismuth ion as model analyte. Carbon materials tested
included glassy carbon, basal and edge plane pyrolytic graphite, as well as
nanostructured carbonized polyaniline prepared in the presence of
3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid. Bismuth ion was chosen as model analyte as
protocol for its detection and quantifications is still to be determined.
Herein, anodic stripping voltammetry was used with study of effect of several
parameters such as scan rate and deposition time. Electrode based on
carbonized polyaniline showed the highest activity for bismuth ion sensing in
terms of the highest current densities recorded both in a laboratory and in
real sample, while basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode gave the lowest
limit of detection.
Inhibition of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 2 Protects Against Hepatic Steatosis Through Modulation of Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Anaplerosis and Ketogenesis
Authors: Go Younghoon , Jeong Ji Yun , Jeoung Nam Ho , Jeon Jae-Han , Park Bo-Yoon , Kang Hyeon-Ji , Ha Chae-Myeong , Choi Young-Keun , Lee Sun Joo , Ham Hye Jin , Kim Byung-Gyu , Park Keun-Gyu , Park So Young , Lee Chul-Ho , Choi Cheol Soo , Park Tae-Sik , Lee W.N. Paul , Harris Robert A. , Lee In-Kyu
Published: July 2016

Hepatic steatosis is associated with increased insulin resistance and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux, but decreased ketogenesis and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) flux. This study examined whether hepatic PDC activation by inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 (PDK2) ameliorates these metabolic abnormalities. Wild-type mice fed a high-fat diet exhibited hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and increased levels of pyruvate, TCA cycle intermediates, and malonyl-CoA but reduced ketogenesis and PDC activity due to PDK2 induction. Hepatic PDC activation by PDK2 inhibition attenuated hepatic steatosis, improved hepatic insulin sensitivity, reduced hepatic glucose production, increased capacity for β-oxidation and ketogenesis, and decreased the capacity for lipogenesis. These results were attributed to altered enzymatic capacities and a reduction in TCA anaplerosis that limited the availability of oxaloacetate for the TCA cycle, which promoted ketogenesis. The current study reports that increasing hepatic PDC activity by inhibition of PDK2 ameliorates hepatic steatosis and insulin sensitivity by regulating TCA cycle anaplerosis and ketogenesis. The findings suggest PDK2 is a potential therapeutic target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Lorcaserin Administration Decreases Activation of Brain Centers in Response to Food Cues and These Emotion- and Salience-Related Changes Correlate With Weight Loss Effects: A 4-Week-Long Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Farr Olivia M. , Upadhyay Jagriti , Gavrieli Anna , Camp Michelle , Spyrou Nikolaos , Kaye Harper , Mathew Hannah , Vamvini Maria , Koniaris Anastasia , Kilim Holly , Srnka Alexandra , Migdal Alexandra , Mantzoros Christos S.
Published: July 2016

Lorcaserin is a serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2c receptor agonist effective in treating obesity. Studies in rodents have shown that lorcaserin acts in the brain to exert its weight-reducing effects, but this has not yet been studied in humans. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with 48 obese participants and used functional MRI to study the effects of lorcaserin on the brain. Subjects taking lorcaserin had decreased brain activations in the attention-related parietal and visual cortices in response to highly palatable food cues at 1 week in the fasting state and in the parietal cortex in response to any food cues at 4 weeks in the fed state. Decreases in emotion- and salience-related limbic activity, including the insula and amygdala, were attenuated at 4 weeks. Decreases in caloric intake, weight, and BMI correlated with activations in the amygdala, parietal, and visual cortices at baseline. These data suggest that lorcaserin exerts its weight-reducing effects by decreasing attention-related brain activations to food cues (parietal and visual cortices) and emotional and limbic activity (insula, amygdala). Results indicating that baseline activation of the amygdala relates to increased efficacy suggest that lorcaserin would be of particular benefit to emotional eaters.
Effect of various dispersing agents on the stability of silver microparticle dispersion and the formulation of uniform silver film by laser melting
Authors: Letzel Alexander , Maurer Elisabeth , Meixner Melanie , Poprawe Reinhart , Stollenwerk Jochen , Hessner Sebastian , Lehmann Kathrin , Gökce Bilal , Barcikowski Stephan
Published: July 2016

We report on the substitution of silver nanoparticles' inks by silver microparticle dispersions as a material for the production of printable silver tracks by laser melting. This approach is promising, because it helps to reduce the production costs of such silver tracks. Though silver dispersions used as materials for laser melting mostly contain polyvinylpyrrolidone as a stabilizer, which results in the appearance of an undesired balling effect of silver during laser melting, the authors test stabilizers differing in molecular weight and functionality. The resulting differences in colloidal and physicochemical properties are investigated and related to the final silver layer quality.
The influence of sodium propionate on blood glucose, insulin and cortisol concentrations in calves of different ages
Authors: Radojičić Biljana , Joksimović-Todorović Mirjana , Bukvić Maja , Simeunović Predrag , Kakishev Murat , Pračić Nermin
Published: July 2016

The process of gluconeogenesis in ruminants is under the direct influence of insulin and glucocorticoid hormones. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of added Na-propionate on the neuroendocrine regulation of blood glucose in calves at three specific physiological periods: on exclusive milk nutrition; on mixed milk and forage nutrition; and with established ruminant digestion. The influence of Na-propionate on blood glucose, insulin and cortisol concentrations was examined in the same 20 female Holstein calves at different stages of forestomach development (15 days, 2 months, and 4 months of age of calves). Group 1 of calves (n = 10) received Na-propionate intravenously; group 2 (n = 10) received Na-propionate mixed in milk. Blood sampling was performed 1 and 3 h after Na-propionate administration. After i.v. administration of Na-propionate, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in blood glucose concentration was observed 1 h after administration only in calves aged 2 and 4 months; blood insulin concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.01) 1 and 3 h after i.v. administration in 2-month-old calves; and cortisol concentration increased (P < 0.01) 1 h after administration in each selected calf in all testing periods. Orally administered Na-propionate led to a significant increase (P < 0.01) of insulin concentration 1 and 3 h after administration in 15-day-old calves, and 3 h after administration in 2-month-old calves. Based on these results it could be assumed that i.v. and p.o. administration of Na-propionate affects the neuroendocrine regulation of glycaemia in calves of different age.
Effect of diet supplementation with the addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae upon stress response in slaughter lambs
Authors: Sowińska Janina , Tański Zenon , Milewski Stanisław , Ząbek Katarzyna , Wójcik Anna , Sobiech Przemysław , Illek Josef
Published: July 2016

The study included 2 groups of lambs (GL): control (C) and experimental (E) which since day 11 of life was receiving an addition of dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae preparation. At the age of 100 days, 12 lambs from each group were weaned from mothers for 12-h pre-slaughter fasting, and transported to a slaughter house. Blood was sampled for analyses: before weaning from mothers (BST 1), before and after transport (BST 2 and 3). Blood samples were assayed for: values of neutrophils and lymphocytes, N:L (neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio), cortisol and glucose. After 24-h chilling of lamb carcasses, musculus longissimus dorsi was subjected to measurements of final acidity (pH24) and colour (CIE Lab), and muscle samples were collected for evaluation of water absorption and shear force. The GL and BST had a significant effect on the N:L ratio. No significant differences were found in the cortisol concentration between groups of lambs. This indicator was significantly different in the analyzed blood sampling time (P < 0.01). In the entire period of pre-slaughter handling, in group C cortisol concentration increased × 8.5, whereas in group E it increased × 4.3 compared to the baseline value. In both groups, the study showed an increase (P < 0.01) in glucose concentration in BST 3 compared to BST 1 and BST 2. Meat of lambs from group E was characterized by lower (P < 0.05) values of pH24, WHC, SF, and indicator a*. The obtained results suggest the advisability of applying a preparation of dried brewer’s yeast in rearing slaughter lambs in order to strengthen their immunity and to alleviate effects of pre-slaughter stress.
Gad Guterman, Performance, Identity, and Immigration Law: A Theatre of Undocumentedness
Authors: Noriega Jimmy A.
Published: July 2016

Gad Guterman keenly interrogates the intersections of performance, identity, and immigration law by examining a number of plays that portray the challenges of undocumented immigrants living within the US.
Elizabeth A. Osborne and Christine Woodworth, eds., Working in the Wings: New Perspectives on Theatre History and Labor
Authors: Schwartz Michael
Published: July 2016

Working in the Wings: New Perspectives on Theatre History and Labor is a collection of essays on the subjects of theatre labour and theatre about labour. Essays emphasize the work of theatre and its relationships to the creative process, artistic productions, and targeted audiences throughout history.
Taking on responsibility and trusting others: A response to Shiffrin
Authors: Moreau Sophia
Published: July 2016

My response begins by highlighting two distinctive and particularly helpful features of Shiffrin’s view. First, Shiffrin presents us with a conception of responsibility that is prospective, constitutive, and independent of fault. Second, she focuses on the way in which the rule of strict liability for performance affects the relationship between the promisor and promisee, rather than focusing only on the benefits to each of them, considered separately. I then question whether this relationship really does involve trust, as Shiffrin claims, and I conclude with some suggestions about how we should understand promises in the moral domain.
Synthesis of Novel Chalcones as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
Authors: Tran Thanh-Dao , Nguyen Thi-Cam-Vi , Nguyen Ngoc-Son , Nguyen Dai-Minh , Nguyen Thi-Thu-Ha , Le Minh-Tri , Thai Khac-Minh
Published: July 2016

A new series of benzylaminochalcone derivatives with different substituents on ring B were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. The study is aimed at identification of novel benzylaminochalcones capable of blocking acetylcholinesterase activity for further development of an approach to Alzheimer’s disease treatment. These compounds were produced in moderate to good yields via Claisen-Schmidt condensation and subjected to an in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay, using Ellman’s method. The in silico docking procedure was also employed to identify molecular interactions between the chalcone compounds and the enzyme. Compounds with ring B bearing pyridin-4-yl, 4-nitrophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl and 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl moieties were discovered to exhibit significant inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase, with IC50 values ranging from 23 to 39 µM. The molecular modeling studies are consistent with the hypothesis that benzylaminochalcones could exert their effects as dual-binding-site acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which might simultaneously enhance cholinergic neurotransmission and inhibit β-amyloid aggregation through binding to both catalytic and peripheral sites of the enzyme. These derivatives could be further developed to provide novel leads for the discovery of new anti-Alzheimer drugs in the future.
What’s Special about Human Imitation? A Comparison with Enculturated Apes
Authors: Subiaul Francys
Published: July 2016

What, if anything, is special about human imitation? An evaluation of enculturated apes’ imitation skills, a “best case scenario” of non-human apes’ imitation performance, reveals important similarities and differences between this special population of apes and human children. Candidates for shared imitation mechanisms include the ability to imitate various familiar transitive responses and object–object actions that involve familiar tools. Candidates for uniquely derived imitation mechanisms include: imitating novel transitive actions and novel tool-using responses as well as imitating opaque or intransitive gestures, regardless of familiarity. While the evidence demonstrates that enculturated apes outperform non-enculturated apes and perform more like human children, all apes, regardless of rearing history, generally excel at imitating familiar, over-rehearsed responses and are poor, relative to human children, at imitating novel, opaque or intransitive responses. Given the similarities between the sensory and motor systems of preschool age human children and non-human apes, it is unlikely that differences in sensory input and/or motor-output alone explain the observed discontinuities in imitation performance. The special rearing history of enculturated apes—including imitation-specific training—further diminishes arguments suggesting that differences are experience-dependent. Here, it is argued that such differences are best explained by distinct, specialized mechanisms that have evolved for copying rules and responses in particular content domains. Uniquely derived social and imitation learning mechanisms may represent adaptations for learning novel communicative gestures and complex tool-use. Given our species’ dependence on both language and tools, mechanisms that accelerated learning in these domains are likely to have faced intense selective pressures, starting with the earliest of human ancestors.
Wood Density and Mechanical Properties of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon in Malawi
Authors: Missanjo Edward , Matsumura Junji
Published: July 2016

Successful development of an appropriate tree breeding strategy and wood utilization requires information on wood properties. This study was therefore conducted to assess wood density and mechanical properties of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon grown in Malawi. Wood samples from six families of P. kesiya at the age of 30 years were used for the study. The estimated mean wood density, Modulus of Elasticity (MoE), Modulus of Rupture (MoR) and moisture content were 0.593 ± 0.001 g/cm3, 13.46 ± 0.07 GPa, 113.67 ± 0.57 MPa and 12.08% ± 0.03%, respectively. There were statistically significant (p < 0.001) differences in wood density and mechanical properties along the radial direction and stem height. Wood density and mechanical properties increased from pith to bark and decreased from the butt upwards. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in wood density and mechanical properties among the families. This is an indication that any tree among the families can be selected for tree improvement programs if density is considered as a variable. Wood density had a strong positive significant linear relationship with both MoE (r = 0.790; p < 0.001) and MoR (r = 0.793; p < 0.001). This suggests that it has the potential to simultaneously improve the wood density and mechanical properties of this species. Therefore, controlling wood density for the tree improvement program of P. kesiya in Malawi would have a positive impact on mechanical properties.
Disparities in Paediatric Injury Mortality between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Populations in British Columbia, 2001–2009
Authors: Amram Ofer , Walker Blake , Schuurman Nadine , Pike Ian , Yanchar Natalie
Published: July 2016

Injury is the leading cause of death among children and youth in Canada. Significant disparities in injury mortality rates have been observed between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations, but little is known about the age-, sex-, and mechanism-specific patterns of injury causing death. This study examines paediatric mortality in British Columbia from 2001 to 2009 using comprehensive vital statistics registry data. We highlight important disparities in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mortality rates, and use the Preventable Years of Life Lost (PrYLL) metric to identify differences between age groups and the mechanisms of injury causing death. A significantly greater age-adjusted mortality rate was observed among Aboriginal children (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.41, 3.06), and significantly higher rates of death due to assault, suffocation, and fire were detected for specific age groups. Mapped results highlight regional disparities in PrYLL across the province, which may reflect higher Aboriginal populations in rural and remote areas. Crucially, these disparities underscore the need for community-specific injury prevention policies, particularly in regions with high PrYLL.
Disparities in Under-Five Child Injury Mortality between Developing and Developed Countries: 1990–2013
Authors: Huang Yun , Wu Yue , Schwebel David , Zhou Liang , Hu Guoqing
Published: July 2016

Objective: Using estimates from the 2013 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, we update evidence on disparities in under-five child injury mortality between developing and developed countries from 1990 to 2013. Methods: Mortality rates were accessed through the online visualization tool by the GBD study 2013 group. We calculated percent change in child injury mortality rates between 1990 and 2013. Data analysis was conducted separately for <1 year and 1–4 years to specify age differences in rate changes. Results: Between 1990 and 2013, over 3-fold mortality gaps were observed between developing countries and developed countries for both age groups in the study time period. Similar decreases in injury rates were observed for developed and developing countries (<1 year: −50% vs. −50% respectively; 1–4 years: −56% vs. −58%). Differences in injury mortality changes during 1990–2013 between developing and developed nations varied with injury cause. There were greater reductions in mortality from transport injury, falls, poisoning, adverse effects of medical treatment, exposure to forces of nature, and collective violence and legal intervention in developed countries, whereas there were larger decreases in mortality from drowning, exposure to mechanical forces, and animal contact in developing countries. Country-specific analysis showed large variations across countries for both injury mortality and changes in injury mortality between 1990 and 2013. Conclusions: Sustained higher child injury mortality during 1990–2013 for developing countries merits the attention of the global injury prevention community. Countries that have high injury mortality can benefit from the success of other countries.
Barriers and Enablers to Enacting Child and Youth Related Injury Prevention Legislation in Canada
Authors: Rothman Linda , Pike Ian , Belton Kathy , Olsen Lise , Fuselli Pam , Macpherson Alison
Published: July 2016

Injury prevention policy is crucial for the safety of Canada’s children; however legislation is not adopted uniformly across the country. This study aimed to identify key barriers and enablers to enacting injury prevention legislation. Purposive snowball sampling identified individuals involved in injury prevention throughout Canada. An online survey asked respondents to identify policies that were relevant to them, and whether legislation existed in their province. Respondents rated the importance of barriers or enablers using a 5-point Likert type scale and included open-ended comments. Fifty-seven respondents identified the most common injury topics: bicycle helmets (44, 77%), cell phone-distracted driving (36, 63%), booster seats (28, 49%), ski helmets (24, 42%), and graduated driver’s licensing (21, 37%). The top enablers were research/surveillance, managerial/political support and professional group consultation, with much variability between injury topics. Open-ended comments emphasized the importance of a united opinion as an enabler and barriers included costs of protective equipment and inadequate enforcement of legislation. The results highlighted the importance of strategies that include research, management and community collaboration and that injury prevention topics should be addressed individually as information may be lost if topics are considered together. Findings can inform the process of turning injury prevention evidence into action.
The Incidence and Types of Physical Contact Associated with Body Checking Regulation Experience in 13–14 Year Old Ice Hockey Players
Authors: Goulet Claude , Roy Thierry-Olivier , Nadeau Luc , Hamel Denis , Fortier Kristine , Emery Carolyn
Published: July 2016

Background: Ice hockey has one of the highest sport participation and injury rates in youth in Canada. Body checking (BC) is the predominant mechanism of injury in leagues in which it is permitted. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the incidence and types of physical contact differ for Bantam players (aged 13–14 years) who were exposed to BC at Pee Wee level (aged 11–12 years) in Calgary, Alberta versus Bantam players who were not exposed to BC at Pee Wee level in Québec City, Québec. All teams were exposed to BC at bantam level; Methods: A cohort study was conducted in Québec City and Calgary. Sixteen games for Calgary and 15 for Québec City were randomly selected and analysed with a validated observation system to quantify five intensities of physical contact and to observe different types of physical contact such as slashing and holding; Results: A total of 5610 incidences of physical contact with the trunk and 3429 other types of physical contact were observed. Very light intensity trunk contact was more frequent in Calgary (adjusted incidence RR (ARR): 1.71; 95% CI: 1.28–2.29). Holding (ARR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02–1.07) and slashing (ARR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.07–1.77) were more frequent in Calgary; Conclusion: Results suggest that players’ physical contacts differ between Bantam leagues in which BC was permitted at Pee Wee level and leagues in which it was not permitted until Bantam level.
Endometriosis Might Be Inversely Associated with Developing Chronic Kidney Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Ben-Shian , Chang Wen-Hsun , Wang Kuan-Chin , Huang Nicole , Guo Chao-Yu , Chou Yiing-Jen , Huang Hsin-Yi , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Lee Wen-Ling , Wang Peng-Hui
Published: July 2016

This study was conducted to determine the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among women with endometriosis in Taiwan. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. A total of 27,973 women with a diagnosis of endometriosis and 27,973 multivariable-matched controls (1:1) from 2000 to 2010 were selected. Cox regression and computed hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to determine the risk of CKD among women with endometriosis. The incidence rates (IR, per 10,000 person-years) of CKD among women with and without endometriosis were 4.64 and 7.01, respectively, with a significantly decreased risk of CKD (crude HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53–0.81; adjusted HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.56–0.86) among women with endometriosis. The IR of CKD progressively increased with age, but the trend of lower CKD risk among women with endometriosis was consistent. However, the lower risk of CKD in women with endometriosis was no longer statistically significant after adjusting for menopausal status (adjusted HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.65–1.10). The results suggest that endometriosis is inversely associated with CKD, but this effect was mediated by menopause. The possible mechanism of this association is worthy of further evaluation.
A Novel Global Path Planning Method for Mobile Robots Based on Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization
Authors: Wu Zongsheng , Fu Weiping , Xue Ru , Wang Wen
Published: July 2016

The Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm has been proposed in recent years. It is a new swarm intelligence optimization algorithm simulating the teaching-learning phenomenon of a classroom. In this paper, a novel global path planning method for mobile robots is presented, which is based on an improved TLBO algorithm called Nonlinear Inertia Weighted Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (NIWTLBO) algorithm in our previous work. Firstly, the NIWTLBO algorithm is introduced. Then, a new map model of the path between start-point and goal-point is built by coordinate system transformation. Lastly, utilizing the NIWTLBO algorithm, the objective function of the path is optimized; thus, a global optimal path is obtained. The simulation experiment results show that the proposed method has a faster convergence rate and higher accuracy in searching for the path than the basic TLBO and some other algorithms as well, and it can effectively solve the optimization problem for mobile robot global path planning.
Electrospinning of Nanodiamond-Modified Polysaccharide Nanofibers with Physico-Mechanical Properties Close to Natural Skins
Authors: Mahdavi Mina , Mahmoudi Nafiseh , Rezaie Anaran Farzad , Simchi Abdolreza
Published: July 2016

Electrospinning of biopolymers has gained significant interest for the fabrication of fibrous mats for potential applications in tissue engineering, particularly for wound dressing and skin regeneration. In this study, for the first time, we report successful electrospinning of chitosan-based biopolymers containing bacterial cellulous (33 wt %) and medical grade nanodiamonds (MND) (3 nm; up to 3 wt %). Morphological studies by scanning electron microscopy showed that long and uniform fibers with controllable diameters from 80 to 170 nm were prepared. Introducing diamond nanoparticles facilitated the electrospinning process with a decrease in the size of fibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy determined hydrogen bonding between the polymeric matrix and functional groups of MND. It was also found that beyond 1 wt % MND, percolation networks of nanoparticles were formed which affected the properties of the nanofibrous mats. Uniaxial tensile testing of the woven mats determined significant enhancement of the strength (from 13 MPa to 25 MP) by dispersion of 1 wt % MND. The hydrophilicity of the mats was also remarkably improved, which was favorable for cell attachment. The water vapor permeability was tailorable in the range of 342 to 423 µg·Pa−1·s−1·m−1. The nanodiamond-modified mats are potentially suitable for wound healing applications.
Heteromeles Arbutifolia, a Traditional Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease, Phytochemistry and Safety
Authors: Wang Xiaogang , Dubois Raphael , Young Caitlyn , Lien Eric , Adams James
Published: July 2016

Background: This study examined the chemistry and safety of Heteromeles arbutifolia, also called toyon or California holly, which is a traditional California Indian food and treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Plant extracts were examined by HPLC/MS, NMR and other techniques to identify compounds. Volunteers were recruited to examine the acute safety of the plant medicine using a standard short-term memory test. Results: The plant was found to contain icariside E4, dihydroxyoleanenoic acid, maslinic acid, betulin, trihydroxyoxo-seco-ursdienoic acid, catechin, vicenin-2, farrerol, kaempferide and tetrahydroxyoleanenoic acid. These compounds are anti-inflammatory agents that may protect the blood-brain barrier and prevent inflammatory cell infiltration into the brain. The dried berries were ingested by six volunteers to demonstrate the safety of the medicine. Conclusion: The plant medicine was found to contain several compounds that may be of interest in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The plant medicine was found to be safe.
Inhibitory Activities of Phenolic Compounds Isolated from Adina rubella Leaves Against 5α-Reductase Associated with Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Authors: Yin Jun , Heo Jun , Hwang Yoon , Le Thi , Lee Min
Published: July 2016

Adina rubella Hance (AR), a plant native to Korea, has been used as traditional medicine for dysentery, eczema, intoxication, and external hemorrhages. Previous phytochemical studies of AR have reported several components, including terpenoids, phenolics, and alkaloids. The current study evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities and 5α-reductase inhibition of isolated compounds of AR leaves to find a potential therapeutic agent for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Repeated chromatographic isolation of an 80% acetone extract of AR leaves yielded seven phenolic compounds: caffeic acid (1), chlorogenic acid (2), methyl chlorogenate (3), quercetin-3-rutinoside (4), kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), hyperoside (6), and grandifloroside (7). Compound 7 is a novel compound in AR. Caffeoyl derivatives 1–3 and 7 showed good anti-oxidative activities. In particular, caffeic acid (1) and grandifloroside (7) showed potent anti-inflammatory activities, and 7 also exhibited potent inhibitory activity against TNF-α and 5α-reductase. Our results show that the extract and grandifloroside (7) from leaves of AR might be developed as a source of potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory agents and therapeutic agent for BPH.
Precision or Personalized Medicine for Cancer Chemotherapy: Is there a Role for Herbal Medicine
Authors: Wang Zhijun , Liu Xuefeng , Ho Rebecca , Lam Christopher , Chow Moses
Published: July 2016

Although over 100 chemotherapeutic agents are currently available for the treatment of cancer patients, the overall long term clinical benefit is disappointing due to the lack of effectiveness or severe side effects from these agents. In order to improve the therapeutic outcome, a new approach called precision medicine or personalized medicine has been proposed and initiated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. However, the limited availability of effective medications and the high cost are still the major barriers for many cancer patients. Thus alternative approaches such as herbal medicines could be a feasible and less costly option. Unfortunately, scientific evidence for the efficacy of a majority of herbal medicines is still lacking and their development to meet FDA approval or other regulatory agencies is a big challenge. However, herbal medicines may be able to play an important role in precision medicine or personalized medicine. This review will focus on the existing and future technologies that could speed the development of herbal products for treatment of resistant cancer in individual patients. Specifically, it will concentrate on reviewing the phenotypic (activity based) rather than genotypic (mechanism based) approach to develop herbal medicine useful for personalized cancer chemotherapy.
Lactobacillus fermentum CRL1446 Ameliorates Oxidative and Metabolic Parameters by Increasing Intestinal Feruloyl Esterase Activity and Modulating Microbiota in Caloric-Restricted Mice
Authors: Russo Matias , Fabersani Emanuel , Abeijón-Mukdsi María , Ross Romina , Fontana Cecilia , Benítez-Páez Alfonso , Gauffin-Cano Paola , Medina Roxana
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the administration of the feruloyl esterase (FE)-producing strain Lactobacillus fermentum CRL1446 enhances metabolic and oxidative parameters in caloric-restricted (CR) mice. Balb/c male mice were divided into ad libitum fed Group (ALF Group), CR diet Group (CR Group) and CR diet plus L. fermentum Group (CR-Lf Group). CR diet was administered during 45 days and CRL1446 strain was given in the dose of 108 cells/mL/day/mouse. FE activity was determined in intestinal mucosa and content at Day 1, 20 and 45. Triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and glutathione reductase activity were determined in plasma. Gut microbiota was evaluated by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. At Day 45, total intestinal FE activity in CR-Lf Group was higher (p = 0.020) than in CR and ALF groups and an improvement in both metabolic (reductions in triglyceride (p = 0.0025), total cholesterol (p = 0.005) and glucose (p < 0.0001) levels) and oxidative (decrease of TBARS levels and increase of plasmatic glutathione reductase activity (p = 0.006)) parameters was observed, compared to ALF Group. CR diet increased abundance of Bacteroidetes and CRL1446 administration increased abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus genus. L. fermentun CRL1446 exerted a bifidogenic effect under CR conditions.
Investigation of the Dermal Absorption and Irritation Potential of Sertaconazole Nitrate Anhydrous Gel
Authors: Manian Mahima , Madrasi Kumpal , Chaturvedula Ayyappa , Banga Ajay
Published: July 2016

Effective topical therapy of cutaneous fungal diseases requires the delivery of the active agent to the target site in adequate concentrations to produce a pharmacological effect and inhibit the growth of the pathogen. In addition, it is important to determine the concentration of the drug in the skin in order to evaluate the subsequent efficacy and potential toxicity for topical formulations. For this purpose, an anhydrous gel containing sertaconazole nitrate as a model drug was formulated and the amount of the drug in the skin was determined by in vitro tape stripping. The apparent diffusivity and partition coefficients were then calculated by a mathematical model describing the dermal absorption as passive diffusion through a pseudo-homogenous membrane. The skin irritation potential of the formulation was also assessed by using the in vitro Epiderm™ model. An estimation of the dermal absorption parameters allowed us to evaluate drug transport across the stratum corneum following topical application. The estimated concentration for the formulation was found to be higher than the MIC100 at the target site which suggested its potential efficacy for treating fungal infections. The skin irritation test showed the formulation to be non-irritating in nature. Thus, in vitro techniques can be used for laying the groundwork in developing efficient and non-toxic topical products.
Risk Minimization for Insurance Products via F-Doubly Stochastic Markov Chains
Authors: Biagini Francesca , Groll Andreas , Widenmann Jan
Published: July 2016

We study risk-minimization for a large class of insurance contracts. Given that the individual progress in time of visiting an insurance policy’s states follows an F -doubly stochastic Markov chain, we describe different state-dependent types of insurance benefits. These cover single payments at maturity, annuity-type payments and payments at the time of a transition. Based on the intensity of the F -doubly stochastic Markov chain, we provide the Galtchouk-Kunita-Watanabe decomposition for a general insurance contract and specify risk-minimizing strategies in a Brownian financial market setting. The results are further illustrated explicitly within an affine structure for the intensity.
An MEF-Based Localization Algorithm against Outliers in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Wang Dandan , Wan Jiangwen , Wang Meimei , Zhang Qiang
Published: July 2016

Precise localization has attracted considerable interest in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) localization systems. Due to the internal or external disturbance, the existence of the outliers, including both the distance outliers and the anchor outliers, severely decreases the localization accuracy. In order to eliminate both kinds of outliers simultaneously, an outlier detection method is proposed based on the maximum entropy principle and fuzzy set theory. Since not all the outliers can be detected in the detection process, the Maximum Entropy Function (MEF) method is utilized to tolerate the errors and calculate the optimal estimated locations of unknown nodes. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed localization method remains stable while the outliers vary. Moreover, the localization accuracy is highly improved by wisely rejecting outliers.
Node Detection and Internode Length Estimation of Tomato Seedlings Based on Image Analysis and Machine Learning
Authors: Yamamoto Kyosuke , Guo Wei , Ninomiya Seishi
Published: July 2016

Seedling vigor in tomatoes determines the quality and growth of fruits and total plant productivity. It is well known that the salient effects of environmental stresses appear on the internode length; the length between adjoining main stem node (henceforth called node). In this study, we develop a method for internode length estimation using image processing technology. The proposed method consists of three steps: node detection, node order estimation, and internode length estimation. This method has two main advantages: (i) as it uses machine learning approaches for node detection, it does not require adjustment of threshold values even though seedlings are imaged under varying timings and lighting conditions with complex backgrounds; and (ii) as it uses affinity propagation for node order estimation, it can be applied to seedlings with different numbers of nodes without prior provision of the node number as a parameter. Our node detection results show that the proposed method can detect 72% of the 358 nodes in time-series imaging of three seedlings (recall = 0.72, precision = 0.78). In particular, the application of a general object recognition approach, Bag of Visual Words (BoVWs), enabled the elimination of many false positives on leaves occurring in the image segmentation based on pixel color, significantly improving the precision. The internode length estimation results had a relative error of below 15.4%. These results demonstrate that our method has the ability to evaluate the vigor of tomato seedlings quickly and accurately.
A Cyber-Physical System for Girder Hoisting Monitoring Based on Smartphones
Authors: Han Ruicong , Zhao Xuefeng , Yu Yan , Guan Quanhua , Hu Weitong , Li Mingchu
Published: July 2016

Offshore design and construction is much more difficult than land-based design and construction, particularly due to hoisting operations. Real-time monitoring of the orientation and movement of a hoisted structure is thus required for operators’ safety. In recent years, rapid development of the smart-phone commercial market has offered the possibility that everyone can carry a mini personal computer that is integrated with sensors, an operating system and communication system that can act as an effective aid for cyber-physical systems (CPS) research. In this paper, a CPS for hoisting monitoring using smartphones was proposed, including a phone collector, a controller and a server. This system uses smartphones equipped with internal sensors to obtain girder movement information, which will be uploaded to a server, then returned to controller users. An alarming system will be provided on the controller phone once the returned data exceeds a threshold. The proposed monitoring system is used to monitor the movement and orientation of a girder during hoisting on a cross-sea bridge in real time. The results show the convenience and feasibility of the proposed system.