bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Begomoviruses Infecting Tomato Crops in Panama
Authors: Herrera‐Vásquez José Angel , Ortega Deibis , Romero Ana Belkis , Davino Salvatore , Mejía Luis Carlos , Panno Stefano , Davino Mario
Published: August 2015

The key regions in Panama involved in open field‐ and greenhouse‐grown commercial tomato production, including the Chiriquí, Veraguas, Herrera, Los Santos, Coclé and Panama Oeste provinces, were surveyed for the incidence and distribution of begomoviruses in the growing seasons of 2011 and 2012. The surveys took place in 14 of the 51 districts of the above‐mentioned provinces and comprised all relevant tomato production areas of the provinces. A total of 28 tomato plots were surveyed. The exact location of each plot was geo‐referenced using a hand‐held Global Positioning System unit. In total, 319 individual tomato plants (181 in 2011 and 138 in 2012) were sampled. Plants displayed diverse combinations of virus‐like symptoms of different severity, including necrosis, yellowing, mosaic, mottling, rolling, curling, distortion and puckering of leaves, reduced leaf size, and stunted growth. DNA was extracted from each plant for a subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, using two sets of degenerate primers able to detect members of the genus Begomovirus. The samples displaying a positive reaction were subsequently analysed with specific primer pairs to identify the affecting begomoviruses. A total of 42.3% of all collected samples showed a positive signal to PCRs. Three begomovirus species were detected with the species‐specific set of primers; in particular, in the samples obtained in 2011, Potato yellow mosaic Panama virus (PYMPV), Tomato leaf curl Sinaloa virus (ToLCSiV) and Tomato yellow mottle virus (TYMoV) were detected, while in the 2012 samples, only PYMPV and ToLCSiV were found. To our knowledge, this is the first reported incidence of ToLCSiV and TYMoV in Panamanian tomato crops.
New hosts for the mite Ornithonyssus bursa in Argentina
Authors: SANTILLÁN M. Á. , GRANDE J. M. , LIÉBANA M. S. , MARTÍNEZ P. , DÍAZ L. A. , BRAGAGNOLO L. A. , SOLARO C. , GALMES M. A. , SARASOLA J. H.
Published: August 2015

The mite Ornithonyssus bursa (Berlese) (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) is considered a poultry pest causing important infestations in chickens and it is considered a potential vector of arbovirus. Despite being considered a common parasite in wild birds, there is scarce published information about its potential hosts and effects on them. Here we present new bird hosts for O. bursa, assess the presence of Alphavirus, Flavivirus and Bunyavirus in mites from three host species, and discuss its potential impact on wild bird populations. We found O. bursa infecting five raptor and six passerine wild bird species. For nine of these species, this is the first record of infection by O. bursa. Although all analysed mites were negative for the examined arboviruses, the small sample size of mites does not allow further conclusions at the present moment. Because of the general nature of this ectoparasite, its presence in migratory long dispersal and endangered bird species, and the seropositivity for arboviruses in some of the species studied here, we consider it critical to assess the role of O. bursa and other ectoparasites as vectors and reservoirs of pathogens and as potential deleterious agents in wild bird populations.
Effect of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans from Aggressive Periodontitis patients on Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Kozlovsky A , Wolff A , Saminsky M , Mazor Y , Venezia E , Bar‐Ness Greenstein R
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To determine in vivo association between Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Streptococcus mutans (Sm) in aggressive periodontitis patients (AgP) and the in vitro influence on Sm of saliva and of Aa strains isolated from individual Aa‐positive patients.

Materials and Methods

Clinical indices and saliva samples were taken from 30 AgP patients. Aa and mutans streptococci levels were determined. Antibacterial effect of saliva from 12 Aa‐positive patients, and their individual Aa strain, was checked turbidimetrically in vitro on Sm.

Results

Aa salivary level was inversely correlated with levels of mutans streptococci and directly correlated with pockets of ≥7 mm. During exponential growth phase: (i) All Aa‐positive and Aa‐negative saliva samples showed no significant influence on Sm growth. (ii) Each individually isolated Aa strain presented significant inhibitory effect on Sm growth. During stationary growth phase, all the above demonstrated an inhibitory effect on Sm growth, with significantly greater influence of Aa individual strains.

Conclusion

Saliva of each AgP Aa‐positive subject had an inhibitory effect on Sm growth, which is most likely derived from Aa bacterial physiology. This research raises the possibility that suppression of Aa due to periodontal treatment may increase Sm levels and hence caries incidence.
Nationwide survey of Streptococcus pneumoniae drug resistance in the pediatric field in Japan
Authors: Okada Takafumi , Sato Yoshitake , Toyonaga Yoshikiyo , Hanaki Hideaki , Sunakawa Keisuke
Published: August 2015

Background

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major causative pathogen of pneumonia in children. The Drug‐Resistant Pathogen Surveillance Group in Pediatric Infectious Disease conducted a nationwide surveillance of S. pneumoniae in 2000–2001, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2012, and investigated changes in drug resistance of S. pneumoniae.

Methods

All strains of S. pneumoniae were isolated from clinical specimens collected from pediatric patients. The minimun inhibitory concentration was measured and the strains were classified according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute criteria. The isolation rates of penicillin‐intermediate resistant S. pneumoniae (PISP) and penicillin‐resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) were compared based on seven patient factors. Logistic regression analysis was also performed.

Results

The sum of the isolation rates for PISP and PRSP for each period was 64.6%, 67.0%, 56.2%, 76.9% and 49.5%, respectively. Among the patient factors, age category 1 (<3 years, ≥3 years), age category 2 (infant, toddler and preschooler, schoolchild), siblings (absence, presence), and pre‐treatment with antimicrobial agents (absence, presence) were associated with significant differences in the isolation rate of PISP + PRSP. An interaction was observed between pre‐treatment with antimicrobial agents and schoolchild, and the isolation rate of PISP + PRSP was higher in patients with both pre‐treatment with antimicrobial agents and schoolchild.

Conclusion

Although some changes were observed in the rate of resistance of S. pneumoniae, an increasing trend was not observed. Both pre‐treatment with antimicrobial agents and age were associated with resistance, and an interaction was observed between pre‐treatment with antimicrobial agents and schoolchild.
Joint Models for Discrete Longitudinal Outcomes in Aging Research
Authors: van den Hout Ardo , Muniz-Terrera Graciela
Published: August 2015

Given the aging population in the UK, statistical modelling of cognitive function in the older population is of interest. Joint models are formulated for survival and cognitive function in the older population. Because tests of cognitive function often result in discrete outcomes, binomial and beta–binomial mixed effects regression models are applied to analyse longitudinal measurements. Dropout due to death is accounted for by parametric survival models, where the choice of a Gompertz baseline hazard and the specification of the random-effects structure are of specific interest. The measurement model and the survival model are combined in a shared parameter joint model. Estimation is by marginal likelihood. The methods are used to analyse data from the Cambridge City over-75s cohort study and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
Effects of Free-Stream Turbulence on Transition of a Separated Boundary Layer Over the Leading-Edge of a Constant Thickness Airfoil
Authors: Samson A. , Sarkar S.
Published: August 2015

This paper describes the change in the transition mechanism of a separated boundary layer formed from the semicircular leading-edge of a constant thickness airfoil as the free-stream turbulence (fst) increases. Experiments are carried out in a low-speed wind tunnel for three levels of fst (Tu = 0.65%, 4.6%, and 7.7%) at two Reynolds numbers (Re) 25,000 and 55,000 (based on the leading-edge diameter). Measurements of velocity and surface pressure along with flow field visualizations are carried out using a planar particle image velocimetry (PIV). The flow undergoes separation in the vicinity of leading-edge and reattaches in the downstream forming a separation bubble. The shear layer is laminar up to 20% of separation length, and then, the perturbations are amplified in the second-half attributing to breakdown and reattachment. The bubble length is highly susceptible to change in Tu. At low fst, the primary mode of instability of the shear layer is Kelvin–Helmholtz (K-H), although the local viscous effect may not be neglected. At high fst, the mechanism of shear layer rollup is bypassed with transient growth of perturbations along with evidence of spot formation. The predominant shedding frequency when normalized with respect to the momentum thickness at separation is almost constant and shows a good agreement with the previous studies. After reattachment, the flow takes longer length to approach a canonical boundary layer.
Flow in a Curved Pipe With a Sudden Expansion
Authors: Shusser Michael , Ramus Artyom , Gendelman Oleg
Published: August 2015

This study considers a combination of two well studied flows: the flow in a curved pipe and the flow in a straight pipe with a sudden expansion. Steady laminar flow of an incompressible fluid through an axisymmetric sudden expansion followed by a curved pipe was investigated numerically. The influence of the expansion ratio and the Reynolds number on the vortex pair in the bend and on the recirculating flow caused by the sudden expansion was studied. A correlation for the length of the recirculation flow was obtained.
Acoustic characteristics of biosonar sounds of free-ranging botos (Inia geoffrensis) and tucuxis (Sotalia fluviatilis) in the Negro River, Amazon, Brazil
Authors: Yamamoto Yukiko , Akamatsu Tomonari , da Silva Vera M. F. , Yoshida Yayoi , Kohshima Shiro
Published: August 2015

Odontoceti emit broadband high-frequency clicks on echolocation for orientation or prey detection. In the Amazon Basin, two odontoceti species, boto (Amazon River dolphin, Inia geoffrensis) and tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis), live sympatrically. The acoustic characteristics of the echolocation clicks of free-ranging botos and tucuxis were measured with a hydrophone array consisting of a full-band and an acoustic event recorder (A-tag). The clicks of the two species were short-duration broadband signals. The apparent source level was 201 dB 1 μPa peak-to-peak at 1 m in the botos and 181 dB 1 μPa peak-to-peak at 1 m in the tucuxis, and the centroid frequency was 82.3 kHz in the botos and 93.1 kHz in the tucuxis. The high apparent source level and low centroid frequency are possibly due to the difference in body size or sound production organs, especially the nasal structure, the sound source of clicks in odontoceti.
Reliability of Volumetry and Perimetry to Assess Knee Volume
Authors: Nunes Guilherme S. , Yamashitafuji Igor , Wageck Bruna , Garcia Teixeira Guilherme , Karloh Manuela , de Noronha Marcos
Published: August 2015

Context: The treatment of edema after a knee injury is usually 1 of the main objectives during rehabilitation. To assess the success of treatment, 2 methods are commonly used in clinical practice: volumetry and perimetry. Objective: To investigate the intra- and interassessor reliability of volumetry and perimetry to assess knee volume. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: 45 health participants (26 women) with mean age of 22.4 ± 2.8 y. Main Outcome Measures: Knee volume was assessed by 3 assessors (A, B, and C) with 3 methods (lower-limb volumetry [LLV], knee volumetry [KV], and knee perimetry [KP]). Assessor A was the most-experienced assessor, and assessor C, the least experienced. LLV and KV were performed with participants in the orthostatic position, while KP was performed with participants in supine. Results: For the interassessor analysis, the ICC2,1 was high (.82) for KV and very high for LLV (.99) and KP (.99). For the intra-assessor analysis, ICC2,1 ranged from moderate to high for KV (.69-.83) and was very high for LLV (.99) and KP (.97-.99). Conclusion: KV, LLV, and KP are reliable methods, both intra- and interassessor, to measure knee volume.
Gadolinium(III) Complexes with N-Alkyl-N-methylglucamine Surfactants Incorporated into Liposomes as Potential MRI Contrast Agents
Authors: Silva Simone Rodrigues , Duarte Érica Correia , Ramos Guilherme Santos , Kock Flávio Vinícius Crizóstomo , Andrade Fabiana Diuk , Frézard Frédéric , Colnago Luiz Alberto , Demicheli Cynthia
Published: August 2015

Complexes of gadolinium(III) with N-octanoyl-N-methylglucamine (L8) and N-decanoyl-N-methylglucamine (L10) with 1 : 2 stoichiometry were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and molar conductivity measurements. The transverse (r2) and longitudinal (r1) relaxivity protons were measured at 20 MHz and compared with those of the commercial contrasts. These complexes were incorporated in liposomes, resulting in the increase of the vesicle zeta potential. Both the free and liposome-incorporated gadolinium complexes showed high relaxation effectiveness, compared to commercial contrast agent gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist). The high relaxivity of these complexes was attributed to the molecular rotation that occurs more slowly, because of the elevated molecular weight and incorporation in liposomes. The results establish that these paramagnetic complexes are highly potent contrast agents, making them excellent candidates for various applications in molecular MR imaging.
Introduction to the Co-edited issue “Music, Affect and Memory Politics in Post-Yugoslav space”
Authors: Hofman Ana
Published: August 2015

The power of music to bring people across newly established national borders even during the ethnic conflict and dissolution of socialist Yugoslavia has been particularly appealing to scholars. Reflecting on the complex relationship between the affective, the aural, and the political, this issue points out the limits of existing interpretative discourses of music and memory in post-Yugoslav spaces, which underplay the lived intensity of the sensory experiences, emotional investment, and the affective technologies of remembering the past. The authors here argue that the emphasis on the social and political production of affect embedded in the experience of music might be beneficial for shedding new light on memory politics in a post-Yugoslav context. Examining why and how music matters for post-Yugoslav memory practices, the articles in this issue strive to fashion new readings that go beyond the dichotomies commonly drawn between political/nostalgic, commercial/engaged, and escapist/emancipatory. The issue thus argues that the sensorial politics of music can serve as a conceptual framework that provides an important base for new theorizations of Yugoslav cultural memories, which is done by focusing on the politics of sentimentalism and the politics of joy. Accordingly, the goal of this issue is to raise productive questions that resonate with a multiplicity of interpretational and theoretical dilemmas and gaps by mobilizing the tools of affect theory primarily to open a space and spur further criticism and theory.
Studies of Bolivian Ptiliidae (Coleoptera) 2: The subfamily Acrotrichinae
including two new genera Petrotrichis and Microtrichis, and eight new species of Acrotrichis
Authors: DARBY MICHAEL
Published: August 2015

This is the second report on a collection of Ptiliidae from Bolivian forest leaf litter made by Dr Petr Baňař of the Brno Museum (Czech Republic) in 2013. A small collection of Bolivian Acrotrichis in the Natural Museum, London, made by H. Mendel and M.V.L. Barclay in 2004 is also included. Two new monotypic genera are described Petrotrichis gen. n. (Acrotrichini), type species P. rotundata sp. n., and Microtrichis gen. n. (Nephanini), type species M. pectana sp. n., together with eight new species of Acrotrichis: A. armillata sp. n., A. cincinna sp. n., A. cornuta sp. n., A. corpulenta sp. n., A. inlecebrosa sp. n., A. linea sp. n., A. nashi sp. n. and A. segmenta sp. n..
Description of a new species and redescriptions of two rare species of Parapercis (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) from the tropical Pacific Ocean
Authors: HO HSUAN-CHING
Published: August 2015

Parapercis johnsoni sp. nov. is described based on 19 specimens from Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. It differs from congeners in having a combination of the following characters: dorsal-fin rays V, 21; anal-fin rays I, 17; pectoral-fin rays modally 17; pored lateral-line scales modally 52 or 53; predorsal scales 7 or 8; transverse scale rows 3.5 or 4 + 14 or 15; total gill rakers on 1st gill arch 13–16; single row of teeth on vomer; 6 large canines at front of lower jaw; and a distinct coloration. Two rare species, P. flavescens Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1979 and P. fuscolineata Fourmanoir, 1985, are redescribed based on the types and newly identified specimens. Comments on other species occurring in the area are provided.
Trends in Moderate Rainfall Extremes: A Regional Monotone Regression Approach
Authors: Roth M. , Buishand T. A. , Jongbloed G.
Published: August 2015

Rainfall extremes are thought to have increased over recent years. Typically linear trends have been considered to describe the temporal evolution of high quantiles of the daily rainfall distribution. For long records it is important to allow more flexibility. Quantile regression methods are available to estimate monotone trends for single stations. Having multiple stations in a region, the significance of the trend at the regional scale is often of interest. From this perspective the authors propose a regression approach that can be used to estimate a common monotone trend for the site-specific quantiles. Moreover, the method allows for the construction of confidence bands and testing the hypothesis of an existing nondecreasing trend against the null hypothesis of no trend. The approach is applied to 102 series of daily rainfall over the Netherlands for the period 1910–2009. The results are compared with those from a (regional) Mann–Kendall test. Significantly increasing trends are found for the winter season and for the whole year. In the summer season trends are less consistent over the region and are only significant in the western part of the Netherlands. For the summer season, linearity of the trend seems less apparent than for winter and for the whole year. However, the deviation from linearity is not significant.
Amelioration of the Reduced Antinociceptive Effect of Morphine in the Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Model Mice by Noradrenalin but Not Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Authors: Ide Soichiro , Satoyoshi Hiroshi , Minami Masabumi , Satoh Masamichi
Published: August 2015

Background

Although alterations in not only the pain sensitivity but also the analgesic effects of opioids have been reported under conditions of stress, the influence of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) on the antinociceptive effects of opioid analgesics remains to be fully investigated. The present study examined the influence of UCMS on the thermal pain sensitivity and antinociceptive effects of two opioid analgesics, morphine (an agonist of opioid receptors) and tramadol (an agonist of μ-opioid receptor and an inhibitor of both noradrenaline and serotonin transporters). We also examined the effects of pretreatment with maprotiline (a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) and escitalopram (a serotonin reuptake inhibitor) on the antinociceptive action of morphine in mice under an UCMS condition.

Results

Unpredictable chronic mild stress did not affect the basal thermal pain sensitivity in a mouse hot-plate test. Although morphine dose-dependently induced thermal antinociceptive effects under both the UCMS and non-stress conditions, the thermal antinociceptive effect of 3 mg/kg morphine under the UCMS condition was significantly lower than under the non-stressed condition. Unlike the case with morphine, we observed no significant difference in the thermal antinociceptive effect of tramadol between the UCMS and non-stress conditions. Furthermore, the reduced thermal antinociceptive effect of 3 mg/kg morphine under the UCMS condition was significantly ameliorated by pretreatment with 10 mg/kg maprotiline but not 3 mg/kg escitalopram. Pretreatment with neither maprotiline nor escitalopram alone was associated with an antinociceptive effect under either condition.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the antinociceptive effect of morphine but not tramadol was reduced in mice that had experienced UCMS. The reduced antinociceptive effect of morphine under the UCMS condition was ameliorated by pretreatment with maprotiline but not escitalopram. These results suggest that the reduced antinociceptive effects of morphine under conditions of chronic stress may be ameliorated by activation of the noradrenergic but not the serotonergic system.
Possible anti-diarrhoeal potential of ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata in castor oil-induced rats
Authors: Aba Patrick Emeka , Joshua Parker Elija , Ezeonuogu Francis Chimaobi , Ezeja Maxwell Ikechukwu , Omoja Valentine Uneojo , Umeakuana Paschal Ugochukwu
Published: August 2015

Background: Chromolaena odorata is a plant commonly used traditionally to treat ailments including diarrhoea in Nigeria.

Methods: The ethanol leaf extract of C. odorata was studied for its anti-diarrhoeal activity using electrolyte test and castor oil-induced diarrhoea rats’ models. Acute toxicity effect of the extract was also evaluated.

Results: The extract showed a dose-dependent protection against castor oil-induced diarrhoea at the tested doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weights). The protection offered by pretreatment with 400 mg/kg body weight of the ethanol leaf extract of C. odorata with regards to reductions in the incidences of faecal wetness and rate of defaecations were statistically comparable to that achieved with Lomotil, a known anti-diarrhoeic drug. The result of the electrolyte test showed that the extract pretreated groups had significantly (p<0.05) lower potassium and sodium ions in their intestinal fluid when compared with the diarrhoeic untreated controls. This is well tolerated.

Conclusions: The results indicate that the ethanol leaf extract of C. odorata is safe and possesses anti-diarrhoeal activity with electrolyte reabsorption proposed as the possible mechanism of action.
Cooperative defence of female chamois successfully deters an eagle attack
Authors: Scornavacca Davide , Brunetti Claudia
Published: August 2015

In mountain ungulates, antipredator behaviour is one of the main constraints on foraging behaviour and habitat selection, especially when newborn, vulnerable offspring are present. Golden eagles have been known to prey on ungulates successfully, but predation may be relatively rare on chamois. Here, we report an unsuccessful predation attempt by a golden eagle on a kid of Apennine chamois. The kid was grazing in a female kid mixed herd, and the attack by the eagle was deterred by cooperative defence of females. Chamois are a social species: defending other females’ fawns may be consistent with the importance of cooperative maternal behaviour in kin groups.
Creeping Bentgrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Tall Fescue Tolerance to Topramezone During Establishment
Authors: Johnston Christopher R. , Yu Jialin , McCullough Patrick E.
Published: August 2015

Topramezone controls weeds in tolerant, cool-season turfgrasses, but injury potential during establishment has received limited investigation. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the tolerance of ‘Penn A-4’ creeping bentgrass, ‘Manhattan V' perennial ryegrass, and ‘Titan' tall fescue to topramezone at 18.5, 37, or 74 g ae ha−1during establishment. Grasses were seeded in strips in October, and treatments were applied at 0, 2, 4, or 6 wk after seeding (WAS). Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue had minimal (≤ 8%) injury from all treatments, and ground cover was greater or equal to the nontreated at all application timings. Topramezone applied 4 WAS at 37 and 74 g ha−1injured creeping bentgrass 16 and 23% at 2 wk after treatment, respectively. However, all other topramezone rates and timings caused < 10% injury. Mesotrione at 175 g ai ha−1injured creeping bentgrass 14 to 43% at all timings and was more injurious than topramezone. Mesotrione applied at 2, 4, or 6 WAS controlled lesser swinecress ≥ 99% at 20 WAS, whereas applications on the day of seeding provided 71% control. All topramezone treatments provided poor control (< 70%) of lesser swinecress at 20 WAS. Overall, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are tolerant to topramezone during establishment at the rates tested. Seedling creeping bentgrass has better tolerance to topramezone from 18.5 to 74 g ha−1, than to mesotrione at 175 g ha−1and may provide end-users an HPPD inhibitor for use during establishment.
BASES MATEMÁTICAS DESARROLLADAS EN EL AULA DE CLASE PARA LA SEGURIDAD DE LOS DATOS EN REDES
Authors: Cáceres Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2015

En el artículo se exponen los fundamentos matemáticos en los cuales se basa la criptografía cuando se pretende, con el fin de garantizar su seguridad, modificar códigos o mensajes que se envían a través de medios electrónicos. Las matemáticas, y en especial la rama que se dedica al estudio de los números primos, a pesar de su complejidad, presentan un sinnúmero de posibilidades para que, mediante procedimientos algorítmicos de programación, se logre el cifrado de los códigos o palabras de salida y el descifrado de los códigos de entrada al receptor indicado. La aplicación de los principios de la matemática modular en la codificación/decodificación de los caracteres, palabras o frases encriptados es uno de los avances tecnológicos en donde las matemáticas son la fuente de aplicación.
Forging of Subsea Equipment: Standardization of Specifications Aims to Improve Delivery Time
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: August 2015

A DNV GL joint industry project brought together operators, contractors, and manufacturers to develop a recommended practice (RP) for carbon and low alloy steel forgings for subsea applications. The RP aims to build consensus in the specifications for melting practices, forging, heat treatment, testing, and further processing to reduce delivery lead times and improve quality and reliability.
Novel Proppant Surface Treatment Yields Enhanced Multiphase Flow Performance and Improved Hydraulic Fracture Clean-up
Authors: Palisch Terry , Chapman Mark , Leasure Joshua
Published: August 2015

Traditional proppants used in hydraulic fracturing have strongly water-wet surfaces, which retain water within the proppant pack and reduce the relative permeability to hydrocarbons. Oil-wet proppants have been evaluated, but pose significant operational challenges and have yielded poor recovery of treating fluids in the laboratory suggesting unsatisfactory hydrocarbon production if applied in the field. This paper describes the development and testing of a new proppant designed to exhibit a neutrally-wet surface. The modified surface does not have a preferential affinity for oil, gas or water, and therefore will not promote the preferential entrapment of any phase within the proppant pack. This concept yields significant advantages under multiphase flow conditions.

Laboratory results are presented showing dramatic improvement in the multiphase flow performance of the neutrally wet proppant. Pressure losses due to the simultaneous flow of water, gas and liquid hydrocarbons are significantly reduced leading to an improvement in relative permeability to hydrocarbon production. The surface treatment is resistant to abrasion, can withstand both acidic and basic environments, and can be used at reservoir temperatures up to 400° F. Testing and field application have also confirmed the compatibility with common fracturing fluid systems.

The neutral wettability proppant is expected improve the recovery of frac fluids, achieving longer effective fracture lengths through superior clean-up of the fracture. In addition to improved frac lengths, production rates are further increased by improved effective conductivity under realistic multiphase conditions. Field results will be presented which illustrate the positive results.

This proppant technology and the results described in this paper should be useful for completions, production and reservoir engineers dealing with hydraulically fractured wells, particularly in oil and condensate-rich reservoirs that are particularly challenged by multiphase flow. The implementation of this technology should improve completion effectiveness and well economics.
Development of an integrated computational tool to assess climate change impacts on water supply–demand and flood inundation
Authors: Yu Pao-Shan , Yang Tao-Chang , Kuo Chen-Min , Chen Shien-Tsung
Published: August 2015

This paper aims to propose a decision support system (DSS) for evaluating the climate change impacts on water supply–demand and inundation; and assessing the risks for water shortage and inundation under future scenarios. The proposed DSS framework is universal and flexible, which comprises five modules integrated by a geographic information system platform, including the modules of (1) scenario rainfall and temperature projection under climate change, (2) impact assessment of water supply–demand, (3) impact assessment of inundation, (4) assessment of vulnerability and risk, and (5) adaptation strategy. A case study in southern Taiwan was performed to demonstrate how the DSS provides information on the climate change impacts and risks under future scenarios. The information is beneficial to the authorities of water resources management for understanding the spatial risks for water shortage and inundation, and planning suitable adaptation strategies for the locations with larger risks.
Measuring the Cost–Effectiveness of Midwife-Led versus Physician-Led Intrapartum Teams in Developing Countries
Authors: Friedman Howard S , Liang Mengjia , Banks Jamie L
Published: August 2015

International agencies have advocated scaling-up of midwifery resources as an important method for improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality rates (MMR). The cost-effectiveness of midwife-led versus physician-led intrapartum care is an important consideration in the human resource planning required to reduce MMR. Studies suggest that midwife-led teams can achieve comparable effectiveness and outcomes using less medically intensive care compared with physician-led teams. In the absence of adequate medical cost data, decision makers should consider the substantially lower average costs for three main drivers: salaries, benefits and incentives (≥two-times lower); preservice training (three-times lower) and attrition (two-times lower) necessary to deliver intrapartum care at the level of midwife competencies. This suggests that scale-up of midwifery resources is a less expensive and more cost-effective way to reduce MMRs and could potentially increase access to skilled intrapartum care.
Treatment effects of skeletally anchored Forsus FRD EZ and Herbst appliances: A retrospective clinical study
Authors: Celikoglu Mevlut , Buyuk Suleyman Kutalmis , Ekizer Abdullah , Unal Tuba
Published: August 2015

Objective: 

To evaluate the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue effects of the Forsus FRD appliance with miniplate anchorage inserted in the mandibular symphyses and to compare the findings with a well-matched control group treated with a Herbst appliance for the correction of a skeletal Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrusion.

Materials and Methods: 

The sample consisted of 32 Class II subjects divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 16 patients (10 females and 6 males; mean age, 13.20 ± 1.33 years) treated using the Forsus FRD EZ appliance with miniplate anchorage inserted in the mandibular symphyses. Group II consisted of 16 patients (9 females and 7 males; mean age, 13.56 ± 1.27 years) treated using the Herbst appliance. Seventeen linear and 10 angular measurements were performed to evaluate and compare the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue effects of the appliances using paired and Student's t-tests.

Results: 

Both appliances were effective in correcting skeletal class II malocclusion and showed similar skeletal and soft tissue changes. The maxillary incisor was statistically significantly more retruded in the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD group (P < .01). The mandibular incisor was retruded in the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD group (−4.09° ± 5.12°), while it was protruded in the Herbst group (7.50° ± 3.98°) (P < .001).

Conclusion: 

Although both appliances were successful in correcting the skeletal Class II malocclusion, the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD EZ appliance did so without protruding the mandibular incisors.
Effects of Precipitation Intensity and Temperature on NDVI-Based Grass Change over Northern China during the Period from 1982 to 2011
Authors: Yuan Xiuliang , Li Longhui , Chen Xi , Shi Hao
Published: August 2015

The knowledge about impacts of changes in precipitation regimes on terrestrial ecosystems is fundamental to improve our understanding of global environment change, particularly in the context that heavy precipitation is expected to increase according to the 5th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment. Based on observed climate data and the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), here we analyzed the spatio-temporal changes in grassland NDVI, covering 1.64 × 106 km2, in northern China and their linkages to changes in precipitation and temperature during the period 1982–2011. We found that mean growing season (April–October) grass NDVI is more sensitive to heavy precipitation than to moderate or light precipitation in both relatively arid areas (RAA) and relatively humid areas (RHA), whereas the sensitivities of grass NDVI to temperature are comparable to total precipitation in RHA. Heavy precipitation showed the strongest impacts in more than half of northern China (56%), whereas impacts of light precipitation on grass NDVI were stronger in some areas (21%), mainly distributed in northwestern China, a typical arid and semi-arid area. Our findings suggest that responses of grasslands are divergent with respect to changes in precipitation intensities.
Development of microsatellite markers in Ilex kaushue (Aquifoliaceae), a medicinal plant species
Authors: Qin Lan‐Fang , Qu Xin‐Cheng , Hu Gang , Huang Yun‐Feng , Zhang Qi‐Wei
Published: August 2015

Premise of the study:

Microsatellite markers were developed for Ilex kaushue (Aquifoliaceae), a medicinal plant with extremely small wild populations that exists in fragmented habitats, to assess and protect its genetic diversity.

Methods and Results:

Using 454 GS FLX Titanium sequencing, 16 microsatellite primer sets were isolated and characterized. Fifteen of these markers were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to nine across 22 individuals from both cultivated and wild populations. The observed and expected heterozygosity in these two populations ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 and from 0.000 to 0.785, respectively.

Conclusions:

These markers will be useful in studies on genetic diversity of I. kaushue.
Film as Modern Medium and Ontology
Authors: Mickūnas Algis
Published: August 2015

The interest in television programming, its content, even its semiotics and at times the various levels of rhetoric, economic context and controlling interests, have been thoroughly analyzed. This is even the case with the analyses of the phenomenon of reruns, although one could surmise that the analyses are somewhat artificial. What has been left out of these important contributions are some of the most fundamental compositions of media in general and television in particular. These compositions will be called ontological, i.e. explicating the presumed nature of media, all the way to its very substance. The latter can only be intimated, since the more comprehensible aspects will be offered first.
A Fuzzy Algorithm to Study the Inverse Kinematics Problem of a Serial Manipulator
Authors: Aggogeri Francesco , Pellegrini Nicola , Adamini Riccardo
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a fuzzy logic to solve the inverse kinematics problem. As the complexity of robot increases, obtaining the inverse kinematics solution requires the solution of non linear equations having transcendental functions are difficult and computationally expensive. This study focuses on a serial manipulator modelled as a serial chain of rigid bodies connected by joints. A new fuzzy interactive algorithm is developed and the effectiveness is compared with other methods on a SCARA robot. It converge in all the developed simulations showing a robust performance.
Advances in Measurement of Indoor 222Rn and 220Rn Gas Concentrations Using Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors
Authors: Sahoo B.K. , Sapra B.K.
Published: August 2015

Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs) have been widely used for time integrated radon measurements due to their cost effectiveness, portability and easy-to-use feature. In order to obtain a proper measurement of radon using SSNTDs, it is necessary to select a proper exposure mode. The various modes in which the SSNTDs can be exposed are: (i) bare mode, (ii) single cup mode, and (iii) twin cup mode. This paper addresses the merits and demerits of SSNTDs used in each type of mode of exposure for radon monitoring. The paper analyses the results of the conventional bare mode as well as the latest twin cup mode of SSNTDs. The paper also analyses the performance comparison of single entrance vis a vis double entrance type twin cup dosimeter. Design and features of the newly developed pinhole based single entrance twin cup dosimeter have been discussed. A protocol has been proposed for the selection of houses and deployment of the dosimeter. Some of the important findings from laboratory and field experiments of the new device have been presented.
Heavy Ion Range Measurements in SSNTD Materials: A Review
Authors: Diwan P.K. , Virk Hardev Singh
Published: August 2015

Range of heavy ion is one of the important parameters and understanding of this parameter is highly essential in almost all those experiments where heavy ions are used. The present review deals with the range measurements of different heavy ions through solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) technique. The importance of SSNTD technique as compared to other techniques is highlighted and different methods/models proposed for range measurements are described. An attempt has been made to compile the measured range values for heavy ions from H4to U238in different classes of SSNTD materials viz. polymers, glasses and minerals, from the available literature. An inter-comparison between the measured range values of different laboratories and through different range measurement methods has been made. Further, the reliability and validity of most commonly used theoretical and semi-empirical/empirical range formulations, through comparison with the measured range, are highlighted. Furthermore, the isotropic and anisotropic behaviour in polymers and minerals through range measurements has been described.Contents of Paper
Environmental effects on fruit composition of cloudberry/bakeapple (Rubus chamaemorusL.) grown in southern Labrador, Canada
Authors: Li Jiabai , Percival David , Hoyle Jeff , Yue Jin , White Jane , Head Krista , Pruski Kris
Published: August 2015

Li, J., Percival, D., Hoyle, J., Yue, J., White, J., Head, K. and Pruski, K. 2015. Environmental effects on fruit composition of cloudberry/bakeapple (Rubus chamaemorus L.) grown in southern Labrador, Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1167–1175. The composition of fruit collected from three fields located near Lanse'au Clair, Red Bay and Cartwright in southern Labrador, Canada, was analyzed over the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. Soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside and ellagic acid were determined after each harvest using standard laboratory procedures. Temperature, precipitation, wind and other environmental factors affected growth and deposition of nutrients in harvested fruit. Soluble solids content (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), total anthocyanin, chlorogenic acid, cyanidin, total phenolic compounds and total anthocyanins of cloudberry fruit were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the combination of the growing season and the location. The TSS, TA and total phenolics were higher in fruits from Cartwright (most northern location) in both seasons compared with the other two locations. The HPLC analysis of compounds showed the ellagic acid and quercetin 3-o-β-D-glucoside contents of fruits were significantly affected by the location and the growing season (higher in 2012 compared with 2011), while contents of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acids, and cyanidin-3-o-β-glucoside were not. To our knowledge this is the most comprehensive study of fruit composition of bakeapple conducted in southern Labrador, Canada.
Investiture Beseeching in Vietnam – China Diplomatic Relationship in Feudal Age
Authors: My Hanh Nguyen Thi
Published: August 2015

Investiture beseeching between Vietnam and China Feudal Dynasties actually started in the 10th Century (Ngo Xuong Ngap Reign), after Vietnam had escaped over 1000 years Northern colony and domination by China Feudal Dynasty, gaining its full independence. This also meant that it was not until China faced military failure and had to return national sovereignty for Vietnam that they conferred kingship for Vietnam. In other words, naturally, Kingship conferring of China for Vietnam firstly confirmed the independence of Vietnam according to the defined rules among China and countries with tribute and consecration relationship. For Vietnam, whose border was adjacent to Great Feudal China and who used to be invaded by China for thousands years, investiture beseeching was always used as a diplomatic way to maintain friendship with this strong neighbor. This investiture beseeching lasted till time of Tu Duc King (Nguyen Dynasty) because Tianjin Agreement in 1885 between France and China permanently ended this mother country – vassal relationship between China and Vietnam.
Species of Wadicosa (Araneae, Lycosidae): transfer of two species from Pardosa and description of three new species from Africa
Authors: Kronestedt Torbjörn
Published: August 2015

Pardosa benadira Caporiacco, 1940 is redescribed, including the hitherto unknown female. The species is here transferred to the genus Wadicosa Zyuzin, 1985. Previously known only from its type locality in Somalia, additional localities for P. benadira in Somalia and Kenya are given. Male and female W. cognata sp. nov. (Kenya: Lake Magadi), male and female W. jocquei sp. nov. (Comoros Islands, Aldabra, Madagascar and Mauritius) and female W. russellsmithi sp. nov. (Mauritius) are described. Pardosa oncka Lawrence, 1927, widely distributed in Africa and redescribed by Kronestedt in 1987, is formally transferred to the genus Wadicosa and new records given.
Mantle‐driven uplift of Hangai Dome: New seismic constraints from adjoint tomography
Authors: Chen Min , Niu Fenglin , Liu Qinya , Tromp Jeroen
Published: August 2015

The origin of Hangai Dome, an unusual large‐scale, high‐elevation low‐relief landform in central Mongolia, remains enigmatic partly due to lack of constraints on its underlying seismic structure. Using adjoint tomography—a full waveform tomographic technique—and a large seismic waveform data set in East Asia, we discover beneath the dome a deep low shear wave speed (low‐V) conduit indicating a slightly warmer (54 K to 127 K) upwelling from the transition zone. This upwelling is spatially linked to a broader uppermost mantle low‐V region underlying the dome. Further observations of high compressional to shear wave speed ratios and positive radial anisotropy in the low‐V region suggest partial melting and horizontal melt transport. We propose that the mantle upwelling induced decompression melting in the uppermost mantle and that excess heat associated with melt transport modified the lithosphere that isostatically compensates the surface uplift at upper mantle depths (>80 km).
Global and seasonal variations in three‐dimensional gravity wave momentum flux from satellite limb‐sounding temperatures
Authors: Alexander M. Joan
Published: August 2015

Satellite limb‐sounding methods provide the best global temperature data available for simultaneous measurement of gravity wave horizontal and vertical structures needed to estimate momentum flux and constrain wave effects on general circulation. Gravity waves vary in the three spatial dimensions and time, so the ideal measurement observes all three dimensions at high resolution nearly simultaneously. High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) measurements give near‐simultaneous profiles in close proximity and at high vertical resolution, but these coincident profiles lie only along the plane of the measurement track. Here we combine HIRDLS and radio occultation data sets to obtain three‐dimensional properties of gravity waves on a global scale as well as seasonal variations. The results show dramatic changes from previous estimates using either data set alone. Changes include much larger momentum fluxes and latitudinal variations in propagation direction that support an enhanced role for gravity wave forcing of middle atmosphere circulation.
Skill metrics for evaluation and comparison of sea ice models
Authors: Dukhovskoy Dmitry S. , Ubnoske Jonathan , Blanchard‐Wrigglesworth Edward , Hiester Hannah R. , Proshutinsky Andrey
Published: August 2015

Five quantitative methodologies (metrics) that may be used to assess the skill of sea ice models against a control field are analyzed. The methodologies are Absolute Deviation, Root‐Mean‐Square Deviation, Mean Displacement, Hausdorff Distance, and Modified Hausdorff Distance. The methodologies are employed to quantify similarity between spatial distribution of the simulated and control scalar fields providing measures of model performance. To analyze their response to dissimilarities in two‐dimensional fields (contours), the metrics undergo sensitivity tests (scale, rotation, translation, and noise). Furthermore, in order to assess their ability to quantify resemblance of three‐dimensional fields, the metrics are subjected to sensitivity tests where tested fields have continuous random spatial patterns inside the contours. The Modified Hausdorff Distance approach demonstrates the best response to tested differences, with the other methods limited by weak responses to scale and translation. Both Hausdorff Distance and Modified Hausdorff Distance metrics are robust to noise, as opposed to the other methods. The metrics are then employed in realistic cases that validate sea ice concentration fields from numerical models and sea ice mean outlook against control data and observations. The Modified Hausdorff Distance method again exhibits high skill in quantifying similarity between both two‐dimensional (ice contour) and three‐dimensional (ice concentration) sea ice fields. The study demonstrates that the Modified Hausdorff Distance is a mathematically tractable and efficient method for model skill assessment and comparison providing effective and objective evaluation of both two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional sea ice characteristics across data sets.