bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes and High-Expression Mannan-Binding Lectin Genotypes: A 12-Year Follow-up Study
Authors: Østergaard Jakob A. , Thiel Steffen , Lajer Maria , Steffensen Rudi , Parving Hans-Henrik , Flyvbjerg Allan , Rossing Peter , Tarnow Lise , Hansen Troels K.
Published: July 2015

OBJECTIVE

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a complement-activating carbohydrate-recognizing molecule associated with diabetic nephropathy. MBL is associated with all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes, but whether MBL is associated with mortality in type 1 diabetes remains unknown. We therefore aimed to investigate this.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied an existing 12-year prospective cohort with type 1 diabetes with 198 patients with diabetic nephropathy (121 men, age 41 years [95% CI 40–42], estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 67 mL/min/1.73 m2 [95% CI 63–70]) and 174 normoalbuminuric patients (103 men, age 43 years [95% CI 41–44], eGFR 93 mL/min/1.73 m2 [95% CI 91–95]). Mortality rates were compared according to the concentration-determining MBL2 genotype or the MBL concentration. Patients were classified as having high or low MBL expression genotypes. The effect of MBL concentration was estimated by comparing patients with MBL concentrations above or below the median.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients died during follow-up. The unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was 1.61 (95% CI 1.07–2.43) for patients with high MBL expression genotypes versus patients with low MBL expression genotypes (P = 0.023). All-cause mortality was higher in patients with MBL concentrations above the median than in patients with MBL concentrations below the median (unadjusted HR 1.90 [95% CI 1.26–2.87], P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

High MBL expression genotypes and high MBL concentrations are both associated with increased mortality rates in type 1 diabetes compared with low MBL expression genotypes and low MBL concentrations.
Adherence to Guidelines for Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal, and Influenza Vaccination in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Alcusky Matthew J. , Pawasauskas Jayne
Published: July 2015

IN BRIEF This single-center, cross-sectional study was designed to assess adherence to national guidelines for the immunization of patients with diabetes and to evaluate predictors of vaccination with the hepatitis B, influenza, and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines. In patients considered to be at increased risk for infection and infectious disease complications because of their history of diabetes, extensive nonadherence to immunization recommendations for all three vaccines was found. Nonadherence to the 2011 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination was ubiquitous. Allocation of health care resources to increase vaccine coverage should remain a priority, with a focus on spreading awareness of the hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for people with diabetes.
What Messages Do Patients Remember? Relationships Among Patients' Perceptions of Physical Therapists' Messages, Patient Characteristics, Satisfaction, and Outcome
Authors: Overmeer Thomas , Boersma Katja
Published: July 2015

Background

Based on a behavioral medicine perspective, modern recommendations for physical therapists treating patients with spinal pain include performing a trustworthy physical examination, conveying the message that back pain is benign, and stressing that activity is a key to recovery. However, little evidence is available on how patients perceive these biopsychosocial messages and how patients' perceptions of these messages relate to their recovery.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between perceptions of treatment delivery that are related to an evidence-based approach and psychological factors, treatment outcome, and treatment satisfaction.

Design

A cohort study with 3 measurement points was conducted.

Methods

Data on 281 participants were collected.

Results

High catastrophizing and lower mood in the participants were correlated to “not perceiving the biopsychosocial message” measured at 6 weeks after treatment start. Participants who did not perceive the biopsychosocial message were at higher risk for disability and had lower treatment satisfaction 6 months after treatment start even when controlling for pretreatment pain intensity. “Not perceiving the biopsychosocial message” was not a mediator for treatment outcome and treatment satisfaction. Physical therapists' treatment orientations or attitudes were not related to the perception of the message by the patients.

Limitations

There was no measure of actual practice behavior.

Conclusions

Maladaptive cognitions and negative emotions appear to affect the way information provided during treatment is perceived by patients. The way information is perceived by patients influences treatment outcome and treatment satisfaction. Physical therapists are advised to check that patients with higher levels of catastrophizing and lower mood are correctly perceiving and interpreting a biopsychosocial message.
A Comparative Study of Coronary Angiographic (CAG) Findings Between Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients
Authors: Afsar M Nurul , Ahmed Kamal , Rahman Sufia
Published: July 2015

Patients with diabetes mellitus have a higher prevalenceof atherosclerotic heart disease and a higher incidence of myocardialinfarction than the general population. Diabetic patients alsohave several hematologic, metabolic abnormalitiesnot present in their nondiabetic counterparts that may predisposethem to formation of morphologicallycomplex plaques. Percutaneous coronary angiography (CAG) was performedin 120 consecutive patients with suggestive of ischaemic chest pain. The populationconsisted of 45 (37.50%) diabetic and 75 (62.50%) nondiabetic patients. We observed positive angiographic lesion among both groups comparing site & number of vessel(s) involvement also average percentage of stenosis. The presence of coronary risk factors was not significantlydifferent between the two populations. Total positive angiographic lesion was 79 (65.83%) in both groups. Among the Diabetes mellitus patients positive CAG finding 37 (82.22%).The recognized lesions were single vessel disease (SVD) 10 (27.02),double vessel disease (DVD) 15 (40.54%), triple vessel disease (TVD) 12 (32.43%), diffuse lesions 4 (10.80%) and average vessel stenosis 83.63%.On the other hand, total positive angiographic lesion was 42 (56%) in nondiabetic group; among them single vessel disease (SVD) 14 (33.33%), double vessel disease (DVD) 17(40.47%),triple vessel disease (TVD) 11 (26.19%), no diffuse lesions was found and average vessel stenosis was 78.03%. The results of the angiographic finding suggest that diabetic patients have a higher incidenceof coronary heart disease (CHD), DVD, TVD, diffuse lesion & marked stenosis of coronary vessel than nondiabetic patient. This increased frequency of complex lesion morphology is more difficult to treat by definitive intervention like percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PCI) & coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).Medicine Today 2014 Vol.26(2): 95-99
Adverse Effects of Larkspur (Delphinium spp.) on Cattle
Authors: Welch Kevin , Cook Daniel , Green Benedict , Gardner Dale , Pfister James , McDaneld Tara , Panter Kip
Published: July 2015

There are numerous species of larkspur (Delphinium spp.) in North America. Larkspurs are a major cause of cattle losses on western ranges in the USA, especially on foothill and mountain rangelands. The toxicity of larkspur species is due to various norditerpenoid alkaloids. In this article, we review the current knowledge regarding larkspur ecology and distribution, analytical technologies to study and quantify the toxins in larkspur, the toxicology of the larkspur plants and their individual toxins, known genetic variations in larkspur susceptibility, and current management recommendations to mitigate losses from larkspur poisoning.
Effects of Oxytocin Administration on the Response of Piglets to Weaning
Authors: Rault Jean-Loup , Dunshea Frank , Pluske John
Published: July 2015

Weaning is often an abrupt and stressful process. We studied the effects of administering oxytocin, subcutaneously or intranasally, on the ability of pigs to cope with weaning. On a commercial farm 144, 30 day-old pigs from 24 litters were used. On the day of weaning, one male and one female in each litter were administered one of three treatments: intranasal oxytocin (24 International Unit), subcutaneous oxytocin (10 International Unit per kg of body weight), or handled as a control. The pigs were placed in one of eight weaner pens, split by sex and with an equal representation of treatments. Data included body weight and growth, physiology (neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, plasma cortisol, C-reactive protein and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α concentrations), and behavior (feeding, drinking, social behavior). Both oxytocin treatments tended to result in higher levels of mild aggression within groups (p = 0.08), specifically between oxytocin-administered and control pigs (subcutaneous to control p = 0.03; intranasal to control p = 0.10). Subcutaneously-administered pigs tended to frequent the feeder more often than intranasally-administered pigs (p < 0.10), with the latter having slightly lower body weight 38 days post-weaning (p = 0.03). However, acute oxytocin administration did not result in any noticeable physiological changes 4 or 28 h post-weaning. Hence, the use of a single administration of oxytocin prior to weaning in pigs is not recommended, at least not in the conditions studied here.
Ovarian Cancer Cell Adhesion/Migration Dynamics on Micro-Structured Laminin Gradients Fabricated by Multiphoton Excited Photochemistry
Authors: He Ruei-Yu , Ajeti Visar , Chen Shean-Jen , Brewer Molly , Campagnola Paul
Published: July 2015

Haptotaxis, i.e., cell migration in response to adhesive gradients, has been previously implicated in cancer metastasis. A better understanding of cell migration dynamics and their regulation could ultimately lead to new drug targets, especially for cancers with poor prognoses, such as ovarian cancer. Haptotaxis has not been well-studied due to the lack of biomimetic, biocompatible models, where, for example, microcontact printing and microfluidics approaches are primarily limited to 2D surfaces and cannot produce the 3D submicron features to which cells respond. Here we used multiphoton excited (MPE) phototochemistry to fabricate nano/microstructured gradients of laminin (LN) as 2.5D models of the ovarian basal lamina to study the haptotaxis dynamics of a series of ovarian cancer cells. Using these models, we found that increased LN concentration increased migration speed and also alignment of the overall cell morphology and their cytoskeleton along the linear axis of the gradients. Both these metrics were enhanced on LN compared to BSA gradients of the same design, demonstrating the importance of both topographic and ECM cues on the adhesion/migration dynamics. Using two different gradient designs, we addressed the question of the roles of local concentration and slope and found that the specific haptotactic response depends on the cell phenotype and not simply the gradient design. Moreover, small changes in concentration strongly affected the migration properties. This work is a necessary step in studying haptotaxis in more complete 3D models of the tumor microenvironment for ovarian and other cancers.
Co-Expression of NEU2 and GBA3 Causes a Drastic Reduction in Cytosolic Sialyl Free N-glycans in Human MKN45 Stomach Cancer Cells—Evidence for the Physical Interaction of NEU2 and GBA3
Authors: Wang Li , Seino Junichi , Tomotake Haruna , Funakoshi Yoko , Hirayama Hiroto , Suzuki Tadashi
Published: July 2015

It is well known that the “free” form of glycans that are structurally related to asparagine (N)-linked glycans (“free N-glycans”) are found in a wide variety of organisms. The mechanisms responsible for the formation/degradation of high mannose-type free N-glycans have been extensively studied in mammalian cells. Recent evidence, however, also suggests that sialylated, complex-type free N-glycans are also present in the cytosol of various mammalian-derived cultured cells/tissues. We report herein on an investigation of the mechanism responsible for the degradation of such sialyl free N-glycans. The findings show that the amount of glycans is dramatically reduced upon the co-expression of cytosolic sialidase NEU2 with cytosolic β-glycosidase GBA3 in human stomach cancer-derived MKN45 cells. The physical interaction between NEU2 and GBA3 was confirmed by co-precipitation analyses as well as gel filtration assays. The NEU2 protein was found to be stabilized in the presence of GBA3 both in cellulo and in vitro. Our results thus indicate that cytosolic GBA3 is likely involved in the catabolism of cytosolic sialyl free N-glycans, possibly by stabilizing the activity of the NEU2 protein.
Water Quality Monitoring in Developing Countries; Can Microbial Fuel Cells be the Answer?
Authors: Chouler Jon , Di Lorenzo Mirella
Published: July 2015

The provision of safe water and adequate sanitation in developing countries is a must. A range of chemical and biological methods are currently used to ensure the safety of water for consumption. These methods however suffer from high costs, complexity of use and inability to function onsite and in real time. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has great potential for the rapid and simple testing of the quality of water sources. MFCs have the advantages of high simplicity and possibility for onsite and real time monitoring. Depending on the choice of manufacturing materials, this technology can also be highly cost effective. This review covers the state-of-the-art research on MFC sensors for water quality monitoring, and explores enabling factors for their use in developing countries.
The Critical Point Entanglement and Chaos in the Dicke Model
Authors: Bao Lina , Pan Feng , Lu Jing , Draayer Jerry
Published: July 2015

Ground state properties and level statistics of the Dicke model for a finite number of atoms are investigated based on a progressive diagonalization scheme (PDS). Particle number statistics, the entanglement measure and the Shannon information entropy at the resonance point in cases with a finite number of atoms as functions of the coupling parameter are calculated. It is shown that the entanglement measure defined in terms of the normalized von Neumann entropy of the reduced density matrix of the atoms reaches its maximum value at the critical point of the quantum phase transition where the system is most chaotic. Noticeable change in the Shannon information entropy near or at the critical point of the quantum phase transition is also observed. In addition, the quantum phase transition may be observed not only in the ground state mean photon number and the ground state atomic inversion as shown previously, but also in fluctuations of these two quantities in the ground state, especially in the atomic inversion fluctuation.
Reinforcement Learning–Based Energy Management Strategy for a Hybrid Electric Tracked Vehicle
Authors: Liu Teng , Zou Yuan , Liu Dexing , Sun Fengchun
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a reinforcement learning (RL)–based energy management strategy for a hybrid electric tracked vehicle. A control-oriented model of the powertrain and vehicle dynamics is first established. According to the sample information of the experimental driving schedule, statistical characteristics at various velocities are determined by extracting the transition probability matrix of the power request. Two RL-based algorithms, namely Q-learning and Dyna algorithms, are applied to generate optimal control solutions. The two algorithms are simulated on the same driving schedule, and the simulation results are compared to clarify the merits and demerits of these algorithms. Although the Q-learning algorithm is faster (3 h) than the Dyna algorithm (7 h), its fuel consumption is 1.7% higher than that of the Dyna algorithm. Furthermore, the Dyna algorithm registers approximately the same fuel consumption as the dynamic programming–based global optimal solution. The computational cost of the Dyna algorithm is substantially lower than that of the stochastic dynamic programming.
Investigating the Influence of Extracellular Matrix and Glycolytic Metabolism on Muscle Stem Cell Migration on Their Native Fiber Environment
Authors: Butera Gaia , Collins-Hooper Henry , Mitchell Robert , Makarenkova Helen , Lasagna Emiliano , Patel Ketan
Published: July 2015

The composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of skeletal muscle fibers is a unique environment that supports the regenerative capacity of satellite cells; the resident stem cell population. The impact of environment has great bearing on key properties permitting satellite cells to carry out tissue repair. In this study, we have investigated the influence of the ECM and glycolytic metabolism on satellite cell emergence and migration—two early processes required for muscle repair. Our results show that both influence the rate at which satellite cells emerge from the sub-basal lamina position and their rate of migration. These studies highlight the necessity of performing analysis of satellite behavior on their native substrate and will inform on the production of artificial scaffolds intended for medical uses.
Identification and Expression Analysis of PIN-Like (PILS) Gene Family of Rice Treated with Auxin and Cytokinin
Authors: Mohanta Tapan , Mohanta Nibedita , Bae Hanhong
Published: July 2015

The phytohormone auxin is one of the most important signaling molecules that undergo accumulation or depletion in a temporal or spatial manner due to wide arrays of changes in developmental or stress programs. Proper distribution, maintenance and homeostasis of auxin molecules across the plant systems are one of the most important phenomena required for proper growth and development of plant. The distribution and homeostasis of auxin is maintained by auxin transport systems across the plant. The auxin transportation is carried out by auxin transporter family proteins, popularly known as auxin efflux carriers (PINs). In this study, a sub-family of auxin efflux carrier (OsPILS) genes was identified from Oryza sativa and relative expression profile was studied by treating them with auxin and cytokinin. Oryza sativa encodes seven putative sub-cellularly localized transmembrane OsPILS genes distributed in five chromosomes. Differential expression of OsPILS genes was found to be modulated by auxin and cytokinin treatment. In auxin treated plants, all OsPILS genes were up-regulated in leaves and down regulated in roots during the third week time period of developmental stages. In the cytokinin treated plants, the maximum of OsPILS genes were up-regulated during the third week time period in root and leaf tissue. Regulation of gene expression of OsPILS genes by auxin and cytokinin during the third week time period revealed its important role in plant growth and development.
PM2.5 and Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly: An Overview
Authors: Wang Chenchen , Tu Yifan , Yu Zongliang , Lu Rongzhu
Published: July 2015

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the elderly and the ambient concentration of PM2.5 has been associated with several cardiovascular diseases. Methods: We describe the present state of planetary air pollution, analyze epidemiological studies linking PM2.5 and CVD, and discuss multiple pathophysiological mechanisms linking PM2.5 and CVD. Results: A few epidemiological studies show that the elderly appear specifically susceptible to adverse cardiovascular effects triggered by PM2.5 exposure. Plausible pathophysiological mechanisms include inflammatory dysfunction, oxidative stress, abnormal activation of the hemostatic system and disturbance of the autonomic nervous system. Conclusions: An in-depth knowledge of the chemical compounds, pathophysiological mechanisms, and epidemiological studies of PM2.5 are recommended to understand this important and modifiable factor contributing to geriatric CVD burden. We offer public health recommendations to reduce this preventable cause of disease and death.
Comparison of Regional Brain Perfusion Levels in Chronically Smoking and Non-Smoking Adults
Authors: Durazzo Timothy , Meyerhoff Dieter , Murray Donna
Published: July 2015

Chronic cigarette smoking is associated with numerous abnormalities in brain neurobiology, but few studies specifically investigated the chronic effects of smoking (compared to the acute effects of smoking, nicotine administration, or nicotine withdrawal) on cerebral perfusion (i.e., blood flow). Predominately middle-aged male (47 ± 11 years of age) smokers (n = 34) and non-smokers (n = 27) were compared on regional cortical perfusion measured by continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance studies at 4 Tesla. Smokers showed significantly lower perfusion than non-smokers in the bilateral medial and lateral orbitofrontal cortices, bilateral inferior parietal lobules, bilateral superior temporal gyri, left posterior cingulate, right isthmus of cingulate, and right supramarginal gyrus. Greater lifetime duration of smoking (adjusted for age) was related to lower perfusion in multiple brain regions. The results indicated smokers showed significant perfusion deficits in anterior cortical regions implicated in the development, progression, and maintenance of all addictive disorders. Smokers concurrently demonstrated reduced blood flow in posterior brain regions that show morphological and metabolic aberrations as well as elevated beta amyloid deposition demonstrated by those with early stage Alzheimer disease. The findings provide additional novel evidence of the adverse effects of cigarette smoking on the human brain.
Sequencing Overview of Ewing Sarcoma: A Journey across Genomic, Epigenomic and Transcriptomic Landscapes
Authors: Sand Laurens , Szuhai Karoly , Hogendoorn Pancras
Published: July 2015

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive neoplasm occurring predominantly in adolescent Caucasians. At the genome level, a pathognomonic EWSR1-ETS translocation is present. The resulting fusion protein acts as a molecular driver in the tumor development and interferes, amongst others, with endogenous transcription and splicing. The Ewing sarcoma cell shows a poorly differentiated, stem-cell like phenotype. Consequently, the cellular origin of Ewing sarcoma is still a hot discussed topic. To further characterize Ewing sarcoma and to further elucidate the role of EWSR1-ETS fusion protein multiple genome, epigenome and transcriptome level studies were performed. In this review, the data from these studies were combined into a comprehensive overview. Presently, classical morphological predictive markers are used in the clinic and the therapy is dominantly based on systemic chemotherapy in combination with surgical interventions. Using sequencing, novel predictive markers and candidates for immuno- and targeted therapy were identified which were summarized in this review.
Nano Sensing and Energy Conversion Using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
Authors: Kim Iltai , Kihm Kenneth
Published: July 2015

Nanophotonic technique has been attracting much attention in applications of nano-bio-chemical sensing and energy conversion of solar energy harvesting and enhanced energy transfer. One approach for nano-bio-chemical sensing is surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging, which can detect the material properties, such as density, ion concentration, temperature, and effective refractive index in high sensitivity, label-free, and real-time under ambient conditions. Recent study shows that SPR can successfully detect the concentration variation of nanofluids during evaporation-induced self-assembly process. Spoof surface plasmon resonance based on multilayer metallo-dielectric hyperbolic metamaterials demonstrate SPR dispersion control, which can be combined with SPR imaging, to characterize high refractive index materials because of its exotic optical properties. Furthermore, nano-biophotonics could enable innovative energy conversion such as the increase of absorption and emission efficiency and the perfect absorption. Localized SPR using metal nanoparticles show highly enhanced absorption in solar energy harvesting. Three-dimensional hyperbolic metamaterial cavity nanostructure shows enhanced spontaneous emission. Recently ultrathin film perfect absorber is demonstrated with the film thickness is as low as ~1/50th of the operating wavelength using epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) phenomena at the wavelength close to SPR. It is expected to provide a breakthrough in sensing and energy conversion applications using the exotic optical properties based on the nanophotonic technique.
Time Automorphisms on C*-Algebras
Authors: Hilfer R.
Published: July 2015

Applications of fractional time derivatives in physics and engineering require the existence of nontranslational time automorphisms on the appropriate algebra of observables. The existence of time automorphisms on commutative and noncommutative C*-algebras for interacting many-body systems is investigated in this article. A mathematical framework is given to discuss local stationarity in time and the global existence of fractional and nonfractional time automorphisms. The results challenge the concept of time flow as a translation along the orbits and support a more general concept of time flow as a convolution along orbits. Implications for the distinction of reversible and irreversible dynamics are discussed. The generalized concept of time as a convolution reduces to the traditional concept of time translation in a special limit.
A Novel Kalman Filter with State Constraint Approach for the Integration of Multiple Pedestrian Navigation Systems
Authors: Lan Haiyu , Yu Chunyang , Zhuang Yuan , Li You , El-Sheimy Naser
Published: July 2015

Numerous solutions/methods to solve the existing problems of pedestrian navigation/localization have been proposed in the last decade by both industrial and academic researchers. However, to date there are still major challenges for a single pedestrian navigation system (PNS) to operate continuously, robustly, and seamlessly in all indoor and outdoor environments. In this paper, a novel method for pedestrian navigation approach to fuse the information from two separate PNSs is proposed. When both systems are used at the same time by a specific user, a nonlinear inequality constraint between the two systems’ navigation estimates always exists. Through exploring this constraint information, a novel filtering technique named Kalman filter with state constraint is used to diminish the positioning errors of both systems. The proposed method was tested by fusing the navigation information from two different PNSs, one is the foot-mounted inertial navigation system (INS) mechanization-based system, the other PNS is a navigation device that is mounted on the user’s upper body, and adopting the pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) mechanization for navigation update. Monte Carlo simulations and real field experiments show that the proposed method for the integration of multiple PNSs could improve each PNS’ navigation performance.
Mapping Robinia Pseudoacacia Forest Health Conditions by Using Combined Spectral, Spatial, and Textural Information Extracted from IKONOS Imagery and Random Forest Classifier
Authors: Wang Hong , Zhao Yu , Pu Ruiliang , Zhang Zhenzhen
Published: July 2015

The textural and spatial information extracted from very high resolution (VHR) remote sensing imagery provides complementary information for applications in which the spectral information is not sufficient for identification of spectrally similar landscape features. In this study grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) textures and a local statistical analysis Getis statistic (Gi), computed from IKONOS multispectral (MS) imagery acquired from the Yellow River Delta in China, along with a random forest (RF) classifier, were used to discriminate Robina pseudoacacia tree health levels. Specifically, eight GLCM texture features (mean, variance, homogeneity, dissimilarity, contrast, entropy, angular second moment, and correlation) were first calculated from IKONOS NIR band (Band 4) to determine an optimal window size (13 × 13) and an optimal direction (45°). Then, the optimal window size and direction were applied to the three other IKONOS MS bands (blue, green, and red) for calculating the eight GLCM textures. Next, an optimal distance value (5) and an optimal neighborhood rule (Queen’s case) were determined for calculating the four Gi features from the four IKONOS MS bands. Finally, different RF classification results of the three forest health conditions were created: (1) an overall accuracy (OA) of 79.5% produced using the four MS band reflectances only; (2) an OA of 97.1% created with the eight GLCM features calculated from IKONOS Band 4 with the optimal window size of 13 × 13 and direction 45°; (3) an OA of 93.3% created with the all 32 GLCM features calculated from the four IKONOS MS bands with a window size of 13 × 13 and direction of 45°; (4) an OA of 94.0% created using the four Gi features calculated from the four IKONOS MS bands with the optimal distance value of 5 and Queen’s neighborhood rule; and (5) an OA of 96.9% created with the combined 16 spectral (four), spatial (four), and textural (eight) features. The most important feature ranked by RF classifier was GLCM texture mean calculated from Band 4, followed by Gi feature calculated from Band 4. The experimental results demonstrate that (a) both textural and spatial information was more useful than spectral information in determining the Robina pseudoacacia forest health conditions; and (b) the IKONOS NIR band was more powerful than visible bands in quantifying varying degrees of forest crown dieback.
On-Chip Sensing of Thermoelectric Thin Film’s Merit
Authors: Xiao Zhigang , Zhu Xiaoshan
Published: July 2015

Thermoelectric thin films have been widely explored for thermal-to-electrical energy conversion or solid-state cooling, because they can remove heat from integrated circuit (IC) chips or micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices without involving any moving mechanical parts. In this paper, we report using silicon diode-based temperature sensors and specific thermoelectric devices to characterize the merit of thermoelectric thin films. The silicon diode temperature sensors and thermoelectric devices were fabricated using microfabrication techniques. Specifically, e-beam evaporation was used to grow the thermoelectric thin film of Sb2Te3 (100 nm thick). The Seebeck coefficient and the merit of the Sb2Te3 thin film were measured or determined. The fabrication of silicon diode temperature sensors and thermoelectric devices are compatible with the integrated circuit fabrication.
Infrared Thermography to Evaluate Heat Tolerance in Different Genetic Groups of Lambs
Authors: McManus Concepta , Bianchini Eliandra , Paim Tiago , De Lima Flavia , Neto José , Castanheira Marlos , Esteves Geisa , Cardoso Caio , Dalcin Vanessa
Published: July 2015

Heat stress is considered a limiting factor for sheep production. We used information from physiological characteristics linked to heat tolerance to determine whether infrared thermography temperatures were able to separate groups of animals and determine the most important variables in this differentiation. Forty-eight four-month-old male lambs from eight genetic groups were used. Physiological (rectal temperature–RT, heart rate–HR, respiratory rate–RR) and blood traits, infrared thermography temperatures, heat tolerance indices, body measurements, weight and carcass traits were measured. Statistical analyses included variance, correlations, factor, discrimination and regression. Observing the correlations between physiological characteristics (RT, RR and HR) with temperatures measured by infrared thermography, regions for further studies should include the mean temperature of flank, nose and rump. Results show that there are strong relationships between thermograph measurements and RR, RT and HR in lambs, which are suggested to be directly correlated with heat tolerance capacity of the different genetic groups evaluated in this study. The assessment of body surface temperature measured by the thermograph could be used as a noninvasive tool to assess heat tolerance of the animals.
Design and Optimization of SiON Ring Resonator-Based Biosensors for Aflatoxin M1 Detection
Authors: Guider Romain , Gandolfi Davide , Chalyan Tatevik , Pasquardini Laura , Samusenko Alina , Pucker Georg , Pederzolli Cecilia , Pavesi Lorenzo
Published: July 2015

In this article, we designed and studied silicon oxynitride (SiON) microring-based photonic structures for biosensing applications. We designed waveguides, directional couplers, and racetrack resonators in order to measure refractive index changes smaller than 10−6 refractive index units (RIU). We tested various samples with different SiON refractive indexes as well as the waveguide dimensions for selecting the sensor with the best performance. Propagation losses and bending losses have been measured on test structures, along with a complete characterization of the resonator’s performances. Sensitivities and limit of detection (LOD) were also measured using glucose-water solutions and compared with expected results from simulations. Finally, we functionalized the resonator and performed sensing experiments with Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). We were able to detect the binding of aflatoxin for concentrations as low as 12.5 nm. The results open up the path for designing cost-effective biosensors for a fast and reliable sensitive analysis of AFM1 in milk.
Hydrogen Production from Water by Photolysis, Sonolysis and Sonophotolysis with Solid Solutions of Rare Earth, Gallium and Indium Oxides as Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Penconi Marta , Rossi Federico , Ortica Fausto , Elisei Fausto , Gentili Pier
Published: July 2015

In this work, we present the hydrogen production by photolysis, sonolysis and sonophotolysis of water in the presence of newly synthesized solid solutions of rare earth, gallium and indium oxides playing as catalysts. From the experiments of photolysis, we found that the best photocatalyst is the solid solution Y0.8Ga0.2InO3 doped by sulphur atoms. In experiments of sonolysis, we optimized the rate of hydrogen production by changing the amount of water, adding ethanol and tuning the power of our piezoelectric transducer. Finally, we performed sonolysis and sonophotolysis experiments in the presence of S:Y0.8Ga0.2InO3 finding a promising synergistic effect of UV-visible electromagnetic waves and 38 kHz ultrasound waves in producing H2.
Human Papillomaviruses; Epithelial Tropisms, and the Development of Neoplasia
Authors: Egawa Nagayasu , Egawa Kiyofumi , Griffin Heather , Doorbar John
Published: July 2015

Papillomaviruses have evolved over many millions of years to propagate themselves at specific epithelial niches in a range of different host species. This has led to the great diversity of papillomaviruses that now exist, and to the appearance of distinct strategies for epithelial persistence. Many papillomaviruses minimise the risk of immune clearance by causing chronic asymptomatic infections, accompanied by long-term virion-production with only limited viral gene expression. Such lesions are typical of those caused by Beta HPV types in the general population, with viral activity being suppressed by host immunity. A second strategy requires the evolution of sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms, and allows some HPV types to cause prominent and persistent papillomas, even in immune competent individuals. Some Alphapapillomavirus types have evolved this strategy, including those that cause genital warts in young adults or common warts in children. These strategies reflect broad differences in virus protein function as well as differences in patterns of viral gene expression, with genotype-specific associations underlying the recent introduction of DNA testing, and also the introduction of vaccines to protect against cervical cancer. Interestingly, it appears that cellular environment and the site of infection affect viral pathogenicity by modulating viral gene expression. With the high-risk HPV gene products, changes in E6 and E7 expression are thought to account for the development of neoplasias at the endocervix, the anal and cervical transformation zones, and the tonsilar crypts and other oropharyngeal sites. A detailed analysis of site-specific patterns of gene expression and gene function is now prompted.
Les composantes socio-économiques du revenu dans les Alpes Suisses. Approche cartographique et statistique
Authors: Hussy Charles
Published: July 2015

Le revenu cristallise des situations économiques, socio-résidentielles et démographiques, que permettent de mesurer toute une série d'indicateurs de recensement.

L'analyse district par district (en tout 102) de la zone alpine et préalpine suisse est effectuée de deux manières. Classiquement, une matrice d'information spatiale est réduite à quelques composantes principales, dont les scores sont cartographiés. Dans ce premier cas, les mesures effectuées permettent de décomposer le territoire en sous-ensembles homogènes de par la composante qui domine. Dans un second temps, selon une démarche inverse de la précédente, on a regroupé les districts par une procédure agrégative originale : la composition (et non plus décomposition) du territoire est obtenue grâce au produit d'une matrice d'intercorrélation statistique et d'une matrice d'intercorrélation spatiale.
La territorialité agraire réfléchie dans quelques peintures médiévales du Tessin. La place du temps, du travail et du divertissement
Authors: Boscani Leoni Simona
Published: July 2015

Riassunto : Il presente contributo analizza una serie di dipinti murali che ritraggono le attività agricole e i divertimenti popolari e signorili. Tali scene sono contenute nei calendari dei mesi, un tema che ha origine antica e che si diffonde in tutta l'Europa medievale soprattutto apartire dal XII secolo. Negli affreschi eseguiti da maestranze locali ticinesi, sipossono trovare riferimenti a feste primaverili, a divertimenti signorili (la caccia col falcone), oltre che ai lavori agricoli. In alcuni casi, all' interno di questa iconografia, vengono raffigurate attività molto diffuse a livello locale (la raccolta delle castagne).
La sensibilité géographique dans la poésie de Primo Levi
Authors: Hochkofler Gianni
Published: July 2015

Abstract : The geographic sensitivity of Primo Levi (1919-1987) is revealed by an approach of Humanistic Geography. Very deep and less known aspects of the author's personality go back up to the surface. The very precise description and evocation of the geographical lifeworld such as the industrial periphery, the extermination camp, vegetation, valleys and glaciers of Piemont and Val d'Aoste mountains are being analyzed. Bitter observations of the poet, bound to a prophetic lucidity upon the destruction of the environment are being emphasized.
Il corpo delFesotismo: cartografia, fotografia, cinema - Le corps de l'exotisme : Cartographie, photographie, cinéma
Authors: Romani Cesare
Published: July 2015

Abstract : From the end of the nineteenth century a visual culture, crucial to the western gaze, established itself through photography and cinema. It developed along with and sometimes preceded the European "civilizing mission". The visual conquest of the land relied on the exoticism, through the uncontaminated landscape and the native females eroticism. This article explores how feminizing the subdued territory, the erotic and libidinous representation of the remote land kept a close relationship with the geographical and cartographie discourse. The connection between cartography, female body, photography, cinéma and colonialism is examined through the collective imagination on exotic related to Italian colonial expérience in Africa
On Location, or Why Go? Reflections of a traveling art historian - Sur le terrain, ou pourquoi partir ? Réflexions d'une historienne de l'art voyageuse
Authors: Childs Elizabeth C.
Published: July 2015

Résumé : l'auteur a beaucoup voyagé en Polynésie lors de son étude sur la carrière de Paul Gauguin. Elle examine la perspicacité de vue gagnée en voyageant dans les régions géographiques où elle a vécu ; ce qu 'elle a appris lors des rencontres interculturelles en effectuant cette recherche ; et comment l'expérience de la voyageuse, de la touriste et de l'érudite américaine qu'elle est, lui a appris à regarder différemment l'art de Gauguin.
Traverser les Alpes au Néolithique
Authors: Borrello Maria Angelica , Mottes Elisabetta , Schlichtherle Helmut
Published: July 2015

Summary : The revision of a series of information allows us to discuss some questions related to contacts between societies living North and South of the Alps between the beginning ofthe V millennium and the middle of the V millennium BC, period which coincides with the development of peasant societies and the gradual introduction of metallurgy. These finds often relate to jewels and prestige goods made of green stone from the Piedmont, flint from the Veneto and Trentino Pre-Alps, cor al and Mediterranean shells and they appear in funeral and household assemblages in Switzerland, South Germany and Austria. In addition, some identical ceramics found on both sides ofthe alpine chain, as well as different Mediterranean plant species discovered on some sites of Eastern Switzerland and South Germany confirm ease contacts during recent prehistory.
Borges à Genève : entre mythe et réalité
Authors: Lévy Bertrand
Published: July 2015

Abstract : Borges considered Geneva as one of his intimate homelands. He lived an important part of his youth between 1914 and 1918 there and stayed in it, up to his death, in Geneva, in 1986. The article examines atfirst the counter-image which Borges is going to give of Geneva with regard to the Spanish-speaking literature which precedes. Then is drawn the mental topography of Borges in Geneva. How is the city map restored by the souvenir by the visually-impaired poet from 1955 ? What are the privileged places of his existential geography, andfinally, the mythical image which gives Borges of the city of Calvin, does it correspond to a city archetype ?
De la promotion touristique et de l'hôtellerie à Genève entre les XIVe et XXe siècles
Authors: Raffestin Sven
Published: July 2015

Summary : Of its trade fairs of the XIVth and XVth centuries which attracted numerous traders from all over Europe, in diplomatic and business tourism journeys which developed essentially since the XXth century, what reflections can we make on the evolution of the Genevan hotel business ? How did itform itself ? How, did it adapt itself to the socio economic, political and cultural environment ? At the same time, what space was reserved to the tourist promotion of Geneva? How was the image of the city shaped up during the centuries? And finally how did it influence the hotel business?
Genève, une métropole trop bonne élève ?
Authors: Delaugerre Jean-Baptiste
Published: July 2015

Abstract : Structuring scientific thinking is the subject of various metropolitan hierarchies established by geographers from the 1960s. With globalization in the 1980s, private companies specialized in advising companies will also provide rankings of cities. The paper proposes a genetic study of the rankings and confronts them to reality. It also presents their authors and their objectives. We wonder why Geneva often appears in the top 10 and measure the gap that may exist between the score and metropolitan dynamics that one can observe.
De la métropole définie à la métropole ressentie
Authors: Delaugerre Jean-Baptiste , Gal Maria , Lévy Bertrand
Published: July 2015

The first part of the article defines the metropolis with the help of literary and scientific contributions of the nineteenth century to today. It first develops the scientific concepts of metropolis and metropolization. The role of literature is then specified as a qualitative language dealing with the metropolis. The second part is thus a study of Doestoevsky’s handwriting who depicts the ambiance of Saint-Petersburg at the time when the city becomes a metropolis. His descriptions of social changes are analysed in relation to experienced space.
Lignes touristiques et logos institutionnels des villes : le marquage comme instrument du marketing urbain
Authors: Houllier-Guibert Charles-Edouard
Published: July 2015

Le marketing urbain est une manière de penser la ville qui se concrétise à travers plusieurs actions. Parmi celles-ci, le marquage de l’espace public est une intention qui affirme le pouvoir public, développe le sentiment d’appartenance, codifie le tourisme urbain, embellit la ville. A travers plusieurs marqueurs urbains dans diverses villes d’Europe et d’Amérique du Nord, les messages émis permettent une appropriation de la ville par ceux qui la pratiquent.
L'olivier, un géosymbole portugais ?
Authors: Vacheron Ismaël
Published: July 2015

Quarante ans après les travaux d’Orlando Ribeiro portant sur l’oléiculture portugaise, dans laquelle le célèbre géographe portugais fait l’annonce malheureuse de son déclin prochain, il semble que le secteur oléicole portugais ait su traverser la crise qui l’attendait alors, sans toutefois en sortir complètement indemne. La relève de ce secteur semble intrinsèquement liée à la culture oléicole existant au Portugal, culture historique trouvant ses échos dans la société et la conscience collective portugaise contemporaine. Au-delà d’une simple culture agricole, l’oléiculture constitue en effet au Portugal un véritable signifiant culturel, ce qui lui a permis de retrouver une place certaine sur le marché oléicole international.
Possibilities and limitations of advanced transmission electron microscopy for carbon-based nanomaterials
Authors: Ke Xiaoxing , Bittencourt Carla , Van Tendeloo Gustaaf
Published: July 2015

A major revolution for electron microscopy in the past decade is the introduction of aberration correction, which enables one to increase both the spatial resolution and the energy resolution to the optical limit. Aberration correction has contributed significantly to the imaging at low operating voltages. This is crucial for carbon-based nanomaterials which are sensitive to electron irradiation. The research of carbon nanomaterials and nanohybrids, in particular the fundamental understanding of defects and interfaces, can now be carried out in unprecedented detail by aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy (AC-TEM). This review discusses new possibilities and limits of AC-TEM at low voltage, including the structural imaging at atomic resolution, in three dimensions and spectroscopic investigation of chemistry and bonding. In situ TEM of carbon-based nanomaterials is discussed and illustrated through recent reports with particular emphasis on the underlying physics of interactions between electrons and carbon atoms.
New depsidones and isoindolinones from the mangrove endophytic fungus Meyerozyma guilliermondii (HZ-Y2) isolated from the South China Sea
Authors: Chen Senhua , Liu Zhaoming , Liu Yayue , Lu Yongjun , He Lei , She Zhigang
Published: July 2015

Three new depsidones, botryorhodines E–G (1–3), and two new isoindolinones, meyeroguillines A and B (7 and 9), along with five known compounds were isolated from an endophytic fungus Meyerozyma guilliermondii, derived from the mangrove plant Kandelia obovata. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry (HREIMS). Compounds 1–6 exhibited strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 2.1 to 13.3 μM. Moreover, kinetic studies of compounds 2 and 6 showed that both of them were noncompetitive inhibitors of α-glucosidase.