bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparación transnacional de los efectos de la severidad parental de las reglas sobre el bienestar de los adolescentes en Italia y en los Países Bajos
Authors: Ortega Enrique , Giannotta Fabrizia , Ciairano Silvia
Published: January 2018

Existen pocas investigaciones de los efectos de la severidad parental sobre la salud psicológica de adolescentes en diferentes naciones. Es importante entender cómo conductas parentales pueden dar resultados distintos según el país de procedencia. Italia y Holanda son países que tienen diversas normas de sociedad y familia. Este estudio investigó las asociaciones longitudinales de los efectos de la severidad parental sobre la salud psicológica de adolescentes incluyendo: confianza, autoestima, agresión, depresión, auto-percepción positiva, y la alienación. También investigamos el probable rol de moderación de país, edad y género. La muestra estuvo conformada por 510 adolescentes Italianos y Holandeses (edad media=17.4, DS=1.42). Un modelo mixto lineal se aplicó para investigar las asociaciones y moderaciones de interés. Los resultados mostraron que el efecto de la severidad parental fueron menores en auto-confianza (β=-0.38, p=0.04) y autopercepción positiva (β=0.28, p=0.03) entre holandeses de mayor edad. Los resultados apuntan al hecho de que más esfuerzos deben llevarse a cabo para entender las influencias que los efectos culturales y sociales de un país de origen tienen sobre los efectos de conductas parentales sobre la salud psicológica de los adolescentes.
Una Revisión de Artículos Empíricos desde la Teoría de los Marcos Relacionales en Niños y Adolescentes con Retraso en el Desarrollo
Authors: Sánchez L. Jorge Ruiz , Rodríguez Mª del Mar Montoya
Published: January 2018

La investigación promovida desde la nueva aproximación conductual-funcional al estudio del lenguaje y cognición humanas que aporta la Teoría de los marcos relacionales (TMR) ha dotado de un amplio cuerpo de conocimiento a áreas tradicionalmente dominadas por la psicología cognitiva. Además de una comprensión teórica del comportamiento complejo, esta nueva herramienta posibilita el diseño de estrategias prácticas eficaces dirigidas a poblaciones con repertorios deficitarios. El presente estudio analiza las aportaciones realizadas hasta la fecha por la TMR en la población infantil y adolescente con retraso en el desarrollo. Un total de 58 artículos fueron seleccionados siguiendo los criterios establecidos entre los años 1986 y 2014, 23 de los cuales incluían población con un desarrollo normalizado and 35 con retraso en el desarrollo. Los resultados indican un creciente aumento de la evidencia empírica tanto en población con desarrollo típico como atípico. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las investigaciones empíricas sobre TMR han sido llevadas a cabo con población de desarrollo normalizado. Se discuten las posibles líneas futuras de investigación necesarias para un abordaje más completo al área de retraso en el desarrollo, tales como relaciones en el marco de temporalidad, causalidad o jerarquía
Déficit de atención e hiperactividad en clase: evaluar la percepción del niño a través del dibujo
Authors: Gastaldi Francesca Giovanna Maria , Prino Laura Elvira , Pasta Tiziana
Published: January 2018

Para el niño que tiene dificultades en prestar atención y en controlar su comportamiento, el aula podría resultar un entorno “inadecuado”. Nuestro estudio implica a 124 alumnos de primero, segundo y tercero de primaria de algunas escuelas piamontesas. Los sujetos se han dividido en dos grupos: un grupo experimental (GE), compuesto por 60 niños que, según los maestros predominantes, presentan déficit de atención y comportamientos hiperactivos, y un grupo de control (GC). Para detectar el comportamiento y la calidad de las relaciones que caracterizan la vida en la clase de los dos grupos, se han utilizado diferentes test (ej. STRS, SDQ, Class Play, Prueba de atribución). En este artículo aparecen, en concreto, los resultados obtenidos a través del test gráfico “El dibujo de la clase”. Esta herramienta que, al igual que las otras confirma los datos de la relativa literatura y subraya la calidad de la relación maestro-alumno, tiene en consideración las dificultades del niño con dicho “trastorno” con respecto a específicas áreas del comportamiento, especialmente el área de la socialización y la afectividad.
Trastornos del Espectro Autista: Tipología, prevalencia y escolarización en la provincia de Almería (España)
Authors: Villegas Lirola Francisco , Sánchez Palomino Antonio
Published: January 2018

La evolución de la prevalencia en los trastornos del espectro autista (TEA) es de gran importancia para la toma de decisiones acerca de la previsión de los recursos. De igual manera la toma de decisiones relacionada con su escolarización es siempre motivo de incertidumbre y preocupación para la familia y los profesionales que han de orientar acerca del tipo de escolarización y los recursos. Nos hemos planteado como objetivos de esta investigación identificar la prevalencia del trastorno de espectro autista en la población escolar de la provincia de Almería (España), así como valorar la relación de dependencia o independencia entre la variable tipo de escolarización y la variable tipología de la discapacidad que subyace en las necesidades educativas especiales de alumnos y alumnas. Hemos utilizado para este estudio descriptivo la totalidad de la población escolar almeriense desde el año académico 2007/2008 al 2013/2014. La fiabilidad de los datos utilizados está soportada en el contraste entre la información existente en la aplicación de gestión de la administración educativa andaluza (Seneca) y la evolución de la población almeriense por grupos de edad.
Revisión del uso de las nuevas tecnologías para la intervención en violencia de género en parejas de adolescentes
Authors: Martos Martínez África , Simón Márquez Mª del Mar , Barragán Martín Ana Belén , Molero Jurado Mª del Mar , Pérez Fuentes Mª del Carmen , Gázquez Linares José Jesús
Published: January 2018

La violencia de género sigue estando lejos de ser erradicada, tal y como reflejan las cifras de mujeres victimizadas expuestas por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Los programas en el ámbito educativo se han convertido en uno de las fórmulas más populares a la hora de intervenir en la normalización de la violencia de género en las parejas, especialmente de adolescentes, obteniendo resultados alentadores, pero no concluyentes. Así, la prevención y la intervención en conductas violentas entre la población adolescente, requiere de la indagación y el estudio de nuevas vías. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar los programas que utilizan las nuevas tecnologías para la prevención e intervención en violencia de género en parejas formadas por jóvenes. Para este estudio se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de fuentes documentales, tales como bases de datos, buscadores, fuentes oficiales y webs de organismos públicos y asociaciones. Los resultados muestran como las TICs suponen una herramienta en auge en la lucha contra la violencia de género en adolescentes. La mayoría de las aplicaciones, tienen como objetivo la prevención y la concienciación de esta lacra, contando a su vez con recursos para la intervención y la ayuda a las víctimas.
Sinking in Premature Deindustrialisation or Revitalising Industrialisation? Nepal’s Prospective
Authors: Dahal Madhav Prasad
Published: January 2018

Economies of the world in general evolve by transferring them from agriculture to manufacturing and then from manufacturing to services. Today’s most developed economies have experienced their deindustrialisation at higher level of per capita income. But developing countries have begun to fall in premature deindustrialisation at low level of per capita income which is not taken as a good sign for their overall economic development. This paper analyses the potentiality of premature deindustrialisation in the context of Nepal covering the data of the period 1975-2016. The issue of premature deindustrialisation is analysed in terms of the share of manufacturing output in the gross domestic product of the country and employment. There is evidence of premature deindustrialisation in Nepal. The paper argues that reindustrialisation is essential and possible in Nepal.  Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol. 23&24 No. 1-2, (2017) Combined Issue, Page : 35-70
Book Review: Research Methods in Health Economics, 1st ed.
Authors: Adhikari Shiva Raj
Published: January 2018

Not available. Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol. 23&24 No. 1-2, (2017) Combined Issue, Page : 137-139
Dialectic Antidotes to Critics of the Technology Acceptance Model: Conceptual, Methodological, and Replication Treatments for Behavioural Modelling in Technology-Mediated Environments
Authors: Lim Weng Marc
Published: January 2018

The technology acceptance model (TAM) is a prominent and parsimonious conceptual lens that is often applied for behavioural modelling in technology-mediated environments. However, TAM has received a great deal of criticism in recent years. This article aims to address some of the most pertinent issues confronting TAM through a rejoinder that offers dialectic antidotes—in the form of conceptual, methodological, and replication treatments—to support the continued use of TAM to understand the peculiarities of user interactions with technology in technology-mediated environments. In doing so, this article offers a useful response to a common but often inadequately answered question about how TAM can continue to be relevant for behavioural modelling in contemporary technology-mediated environments.
Revisiting Technology Resistance: Current Insights and Future Directions
Authors: Samhan Bahae
Published: January 2018

Nuance conceptualization of technology resistance is needed due to the different conceptualizations that exist in the extant literature. This paper calls for information systems (IS) researchers to begin exploring technology resistance using novel perspectives. The paper also provides a guideline for conceptualizing technology resistance away from the common existing conceptualization that is shaped through theories of adoption and resistance-to-change. The goal is to encourage future research to conceptualize technology resistance beyond the typical findings available in the literature and provide more insights in light of the provided arguments and suggestions.
A sharp regularity result for the Euler equation with a free interface
Authors: Kukavica Igor , Tuffaha Amjad
Published: January 2018

We establish a priori estimates for local-in-time existence of solutions to the water wave model consisting of the 3D incompressible Euler equations on a domain with a free surface, without surface tension, under minimal regularity assumptions on the initial data and the Rayleigh–Taylor sign condition. The initial data are allowed to be rotational and they are assumed to belong to [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is arbitrary.
Molecular and Clinical Insights into the Role and Significance of Mutated DNA Repair Genes in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Abbosh Philip H. , Plimack Elizabeth R.
Published: January 2018

DNA damage response and repair genes (DDR genes) are commonly mutated in bladder cancer. The biological impact of these mutations is an area of intense basic, translational, and clinical interest. As next generation sequencing increases its foothold in the treatment of localized and advanced bladder cancer, the role of DDR genes will continue to evolve. We review the inventory and biology of DDR genes in bladder cancer and describe known and candidate roles for loss of DDR genes to engender therapeutic susceptibilities to various anti-cancer agents.
Early Stage Alterations in CA1 Extracellular Region Proteins Indicate Dysregulation of IL6 and Iron Homeostasis in the 5XFAD Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model
Authors: Gurel Busra , Cansev Mehmet , Sevinc Cansu , Kelestemur Seda , Ocalan Busra , Cakir Aysen , Aydin Sami , Kahveci Nevzat , Ozansoy Mehmet , Taskapilioglu Ozlem , Ulus Ismail Hakki , Başar Merve Karayel , Sahin Betul , Tuzuner Mete Bora , Baykal Ahmet Tarik
Published: January 2018

In recent years, an increasing number of research papers revealed that the compositional and volumetric alterations in the extracellular matrix are the consequences of aging and may be related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the alterations in hippocampal extracellular fluid proteins in vivo using the 5XFAD mouse model. Samples were obtained from hippocampi of 5XFAD mice ( n = 6) and their non-transgenic littermates by intracerebral push-pull perfusion technique at 3 months of age, representing the pre-pathological stage of the AD. Proteins in the hippocampal perfusates were analyzed by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS). 178 proteins were identified and 19 proteins of them were found to be statistically significantly altered ( p≤0.05, fold change ≥40%, unique peptide count ≥3) in the hippocampal CA1 extracellular fluid of the 5XFAD mouse model. Ingenuity pathway analysis of the protein expression results identified IL6 as an upstream regulator. The upregulation of IL6 was validated by immunohistochemical staining of the hippocampus and cortex of the 5XFAD mice prior to Aβ plaque formation. Furthermore, the iron level in the hippocampus was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry as IL6 is mentioned in several studies to take part in iron homeostasis and inflammation and found to be increased in 5XFAD mice hippocampus. Alterations in extracellular matrix proteins in addition to increasing amount of hippocampal IL6 and iron in the early stages of AD may reveal inflammation-mediated iron dyshomeostasis in the early stages of neurodegeneration.
The Relevance of Iron in the Pathogenesis of Multiple System Atrophy: A Viewpoint
Authors: Kaindlstorfer Christine , Jellinger Kurt A. , Eschlböck Sabine , Stefanova Nadia , Weiss Günter , Wenning Gregor K.
Published: January 2018

Iron is essential for cellular development and maintenance of multiple physiological processes in the central nervous system. The disturbance of its homeostasis leads to abnormal iron deposition in the brain and causes neurotoxicity via generation of free radicals and oxidative stress. Iron toxicity has been established in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease; however, its contribution to multiple system atrophy (MSA) remains elusive. MSA is characterized by cytoplasmic inclusions of misfolded α-synuclein (α-SYN) in oligodendrocytes referred to as glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs). Remarkably, the oligodendrocytes possess high amounts of iron, which together with GCI pathology make a contribution toward MSA pathogenesis likely. Consistent with this observation, the GCI density is associated with neurodegeneration in central autonomic networks as well as olivopontocerebellar and striatonigral pathways. Iron converts native α-SYN into a β-sheet conformation and promotes its aggregation either directly or via increasing levels of oxidative stress. Interestingly, α-SYN possesses ferrireductase activity and α-SYN expression underlies iron mediated translational control via RNA stem loop structures. Despite a correlation between progressive putaminal atrophy and iron accumulation as well as clinical decline, it remains unclear whether pathologic iron accumulation in MSA is a secondary event in the cascade of neuronal degeneration rather than a primary cause. This review summarizes the current knowledge of iron in MSA and gives evidence for perturbed iron homeostasis as a potential pathogenic factor in MSA-associated neurodegeneration.
White Matter Hyperintensity Predicts the Risk of Incident Cognitive Decline in Community Dwelling Elderly
Authors: Ding Ding , Xiong Yunyun , Zhao Qianhua , Guo Qihao , Chu Shuguang , Chu Winnie W.C. , Luo Jianfeng , Liang Xiaoniu , Zheng Li , Hong Zhen , Wong Lawrence K.S. , Mok Vincent C.T.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Unlike western countries, data on white matter hyperintensity (WMH) in community dwelling elderly in Asian population is very limited.

Objective:

To examine the relation between baseline WMH burden and the risk of incident cognitive decline in a community-based cohort with Chinese-dwelling elderly.

Methods:

We prospectively evaluated the incident cognitive decline for 226 participants in the Shanghai Aging Study. Baseline WMH severity was visually rated by the age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) scale based on MRI. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the relative risk (RR) of total ARWMC scale, global ARWMC score, presence of lacune and microbleed, for incident cognitive decline by adjusting potential confounders.

Results:

Forty subjects were identified with incident cognitive decline (new onset 34 mild cognitive impairment and 6 dementia) during a median duration of 6 years follow–up. The incidence of cognitive decline was 3.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2–4.1) per 100 person-years. Increasing total ARWMC scale [RR1.21 (95% CI 1.06–1.39), p = 0.004)], confluent WMH [RR3.16 (95% CI 1.50–6.64), p = 0.002), and presence of lacunes [RR 2.73 (95% CI 1.21–6.15)] at baseline were independent predictors of incident cognitive decline.

Conclusion:

Our study demonstrated that confluent WMH may increase the risk of incident cognitive decline by 3 folds in community dwelling subjects. Small vessel disease may cause heavy burden of cognitive impairment in the elderly in China.
Composite Properties and Micromechanical Analysis of Highly Ductile Cement Composite Incorporating Limestone Powder
Authors: Hyun Jung , Lee Bang , Kim Yun
Published: January 2018

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the effect of limestone powder on the compressive strength, tensile behavior, and micromechanical parameters of a highly ductile cement composite incorporating limestone powder. Four mixtures were determined according to the replacement ratio of cement with limestone powder. A series of experiments including compressive strength, uniaxial tension, single fiber pullout, and matrix toughness tests were performed. Test results showed that the strength (compressive, initial cracking, and tensile strength) decreased, and that the tensile strain capacity increased, with an increase of the replacement ratio of cement with limestone powder. Micromechanical tests and analysis supported the uniaxial tension test result.
Retinal Vessels Segmentation Techniques and Algorithms: A Survey
Authors: Almotiri Jasem , Elleithy Khaled , Elleithy Abdelrahman
Published: January 2018

Retinal vessels identification and localization aim to separate the different retinal vasculature structure tissues, either wide or narrow ones, from the fundus image background and other retinal anatomical structures such as optic disc, macula, and abnormal lesions. Retinal vessels identification studies are attracting more and more attention in recent years due to non-invasive fundus imaging and the crucial information contained in vasculature structure which is helpful for the detection and diagnosis of a variety of retinal pathologies included but not limited to: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, hypertension, and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). With the development of almost two decades, the innovative approaches applying computer-aided techniques for segmenting retinal vessels are becoming more and more crucial and coming closer to routine clinical applications. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview for retinal vessels segmentation techniques. Firstly, a brief introduction to retinal fundus photography and imaging modalities of retinal images is given. Then, the preprocessing operations and the state of the art methods of retinal vessels identification are introduced. Moreover, the evaluation and validation of the results of retinal vessels segmentation are discussed. Finally, an objective assessment is presented and future developments and trends are addressed for retinal vessels identification techniques.
Cubic Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Their Application in BCK/BCI-Algebras
Authors: Jun Young , Song Seok-Zun , Kim Seon
Published: January 2018

As a new extension of a cubic set, the notion of a cubic interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set is introduced, and its application in B C K / B C I -algebra is considered. The notions of α -internal, β -internal, α -external and β -external cubic IVIF set are introduced, and the P-union, P-intersection, R-union and R-intersection of α -internal and α -external cubic IVIF sets are discussed. The concepts of cubic IVIF subalgebra and ideal in B C K / B C I -algebra are introduced, and related properties are investigated. Relations between cubic IVIF subalgebra and cubic IVIF ideal are considered, and characterizations of cubic IVIF subalgebra and cubic IVIF ideal are discussed.
Estrogen and Androgen Blockade for Advanced Prostate Cancer in the Era of Precision Medicine
Authors: Fujimura Tetsuya , Takayama Kenichi , Takahashi Satoru , Inoue Satoshi
Published: January 2018

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been widely prescribed for patients with advanced prostate cancer (PC) to control key signaling pathways via androgen receptor (AR) and AR-collaborative transcriptional factors; however, PC gradually acquires a lethal phenotype and results in castration-resistant PC (CRPC) during ADT. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are required in clinical practice. In addition, ARs; estrogen receptors (ERs; ERα and ERβ); and estrogen-related receptors (ERRs; ERRα, ERRβ, and ERRγ) have been reported to be involved in the development or regulation of PC. Recent investigations have revealed the role of associated molecules, such as KLF5, FOXO1, PDGFA, VEGF-A, WNT5A, TGFβ1, and micro-RNA 135a of PC, via ERs and ERRs. Selective ER modulators (SERMs) have been developed. Recently, estrogen and androgen blockade (EAB) using a combination of toremifene and ADT has been demonstrated to improve biochemical recurrence rate in treatment-naïve bone metastatic PC. In the future, the suitability of ADT alone or EAB for individuals may be evaluated by making clinical decisions on the basis of information obtained from RT-PCR, gene-panel, or liquid biopsy to create a “personalized medicine” or “precision medicine”. In this review, we summarize ER and ERR signaling pathways, molecular diagnosis, and SERMs as candidates for advanced PC treatment.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Children in 2017
Authors:   Children Editorial Office
Published: January 2018

Peer review is an essential part in the publication process, ensuring that Children maintains high quality standards for its published papers [...]
Influence of Thickness of Multilayered Nano-Structured Coatings Ti-TiN-(TiCrAl)N and Zr-ZrN-(ZrCrNbAl)N on Tool Life of Metal Cutting Tools at Various Cutting Speeds
Authors: Vereschaka Alexey , Kataeva Elena , Sitnikov Nikolay , Aksenenko Anatoliy , Oganyan Gaik , Sotova Catherine
Published: January 2018

This paper considers the influence of thickness of multilayered nano-structured coatings Ti-TiN-(TiCrAl)N and Zr-ZrN-(ZrCrNbAl)N on tool life of metal cutting tools at various cutting speeds (vc = 250, 300, 350 and 400 m·min−1). The paper investigates the basic mechanical parameters of coatings and the mechanism of coating failure in scratch testing depending on thickness of coating. Cutting tests were conducted in longitudinal turning of steel C45 with tools with the coatings under study of various thicknesses (3, 5, and 7 µm), with an uncoated tool and with a tool with a “reference” coating of TiAlN. The relationship of “cutting speed vc—tool life T” was built and investigated; and the mechanisms were found to determine the selection of the optimum coating thickness at various cutting speeds. Advantages of cutting tools with these coatings are especially obvious at high cutting speeds (in particular, vc = 400 m·min−1). If at lower cutting speeds, the longest tool life is shown by tools with thicker coatings (of about 7 μm), then with an increase in cutting speed (especially at vc = 400 m·min−1) the longest tool life is shown by tools with thinner coating (of about 3 μm).
Sciencey Girls: Discourses Supporting Working-Class Girls to Identify with Science
Authors: Godec Spela
Published: January 2018

Women from working class and some ethnic minority backgrounds continue to be underrepresented in science, particularly in areas such as physical sciences and engineering. Many find it difficult to see science as something that is “for them”, which then has implications for their learning and participation in science. In this paper, I discuss findings from a U.K.-based qualitative study with 15 working-class girls, aged 11 to 13, from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Data were collected over the course of one academic year, through interviews and discussion groups with the girls and interviews with their science teachers, and analysed through a post-structural gender lens. The paper foregrounds five science-identifying girls, who negotiated their identification and engagement with science through the following discursive strategies: (i) rendering gender invisible, (ii) drawing attention to the presence of women in science, (iii) reframing “science people” as caring and nurturing, and (iv) cultural discourses of desirability of science. The findings contribute to the understanding of how working class girls—who are often “othered” and constructed as “unintelligible” within the dominant discursive regime of prototypical science—find identification with science possible. The paper discusses the affordances and challenges of each discursive strategy.
Low-Complexity PAPR Reduction Scheme Combining Multi-Band Hadamard Precoding and Clipping in OFDM-Based Optical Communications
Authors: Miao Pu , Chen Peng , Chen Zhimin
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we propose a low-complexity peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reduction scheme that combines both multi-band (MB)-Hadamard precoding and clipping for the optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Approximations of PAPR distribution for baseband OFDM signals are analyzed and the effective signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the whole transmission link considering both the clipping and quantization noise are presented. After that, the MB-Hadamard precoding is adopted to compresses the peak signals, minimizing the contaminating influence of signal distortions in subsequent clipping operations. In addition, the received SNRs and bit error rate (BER) are calculated theoretically for each split sub-band. The 50-m step-index polymer optical fiber (POF) transmission is adopted as a special case to both evaluate the system performance and then compare the proposed scheme with other well-known PAPR reduction techniques. With this scheme, the PAPR is reduced effectively and the system’s BER performance is improved significantly. The results show that the proposed scheme with appropriate number of sub-bands precoding provides favorable trade-offs among PAPR reduction, power spectral density, transmission rate, BER, and computational complexity, which demonstrates its feasibility and validity.
Dynamic Simulation of an Absorption Cooling System with Different Working Mixtures
Authors: Cerezo Jesús , Romero Rosenberg , Ibarra Jonathan , Rodríguez Antonio , Montero Gisela , Acuña Alexis
Published: January 2018

High consumption of electricity represents an economic and social problem in warm places, caused by the massive use of cooling machines. Absorption systems are a sustainable method for air conditioning applications. However, environmental conditions should be analyzed to avoid crystallization problems of the working mixture. This article presents a thermal analysis of a solar absorption cooling system in dynamic conditions using NH3-H2O, H2O-LiBr, NH3-NaSCN, NH3-LiNO3, and H2O-LiCl working mixtures using Equation Engineering Solver (EES) and TRaNsient SYstem Simulation (TRNSYS) software. A solar collector area of 42.5 m2 was selected to carry out the thermal analysis. The results showed that H2O-LiCl obtained the maximum solar (0.67) and minimum heating (0.33) fraction. However, it obtained the maximum lost heat fraction (0.12), in spite of obtaining the best coefficient of performance (COP) among the other working mixtures, due mainly to a crystallization problem. The gain fraction (GF) parameter was used to select the adequate solar collector number for each working mixture. NH3-LiNO3 and NH3-H2O obtained the highest GF (up 6), and both obtained the maximum solar (0.91) and minimum heating (0.09) fraction, respectively, using 88.8 and 100.4 m2 of solar collector area, respectively.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Assessment from Electricity Production in the Czech Republic
Authors: Jursová Simona , Burchart-Korol Dorota , Pustějovská Pavlína , Korol Jerzy , Blaut Agata
Published: January 2018

The paper deals with the computational life cycle assessment (LCA) model of electricity generation in the Czech Republic. The goal of the paper was to determine the environmental assessment of electricity generation. Taking into account the trend of electricity generation from 2000 to 2050, the paper was focused on electricity generation evaluation in this country in view of its current state and future perspectives. The computational LCA model was done using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) method, which allowed the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions. For the assessment, 1 Mega-watt hour of the obtained electricity (MWhe) was used as a functional unit. The cradle-to-gate approach was employed. The system boundary covered all the technologies included in the electricity mix of the country. Resulting from the analysis, the solids, lignite in particular, was assessed as an energy source with the most negative impact on the emissions of greenhouse gas. This article results from international cooperation of a Czech-Polish team in the field of computational LCA models. It presents partial results of the team cooperation which serves as a base for following comparison of Czech and Polish systems of electricity generation.
Ecophysiological Responses of Three Tree Species to a High-Altitude Environment in the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Gong Jirui , Zhang Zihe , Zhang Chunlai , Zhang Jiaqiong , Ran An
Published: January 2018

This paper measured the ecophysiological responses of Populus cathayana Rehd., Salix longistamina C. Wang et P. Y. Fu., and Ulmus pumila L. to high altitude in the Tibetan Plateau based on changes in water relations, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence. P. cathayana and U. pumila have higher survival rates than S. longistamina, but the latter has highest biomass. S. longistamina has higher water-use efficiency (WUE), lower transpiration rates (E), higher water potential (Ψ), highest light saturation point (LSP) and higher photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry efficiency (Fv’/Fm’) and non-photochemistry quenching (NPQ) than the other species, and is thus adapted to its habitat for afforestation. U. pumila has lower E, light compensation point (LCP), dark respiration (Rd), Fv’/Fm’ and electron transport rate (ETR), with higher Ψ, apparent quantum yield (AQY), net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), which helps it maintain water balance and utilize weak light to survive at high altitude. Relative low WUE, Ψ, Rd, NPQ, with high E, Pn, Fv’/Fm’ and biomass, imply that P. cathayana is more suitable for shelterbelt forests than for a semi-arid habitat. These three species can adapt to high-altitude conditions by different physiological mechanisms and morphological characteristics, which can provide a theoretical basis for afforestation and forest management in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau.
Genome-Wide Characterization of Heat-Shock Protein 70s from Chenopodium quinoa and Expression Analyses of Cqhsp70s in Response to Drought Stress
Authors: Liu Jianxia , Wang Runmei , Liu Wenying , Zhang Hongli , Guo Yaodong , Wen Riyu
Published: January 2018

Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are ubiquitous proteins with important roles in response to biotic and abiotic stress. The 70-kDa heat-shock genes (Hsp70s) encode a group of conserved chaperone proteins that play central roles in cellular networks of molecular chaperones and folding catalysts across all the studied organisms including bacteria, plants and animals. Several Hsp70s involved in drought tolerance have been well characterized in various plants, whereas no research on Chenopodium quinoa HSPs has been completed. Here, we analyzed the genome of C. quinoa and identified sixteen Hsp70 members in quinoa genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the independent origination of those Hsp70 members, with eight paralogous pairs comprising the Hsp70 family in quinoa. While the gene structure and motif analysis showed high conservation of those paralogous pairs, the synteny analysis of those paralogous pairs provided evidence for expansion coming from the polyploidy event. With several subcellular localization signals detected in CqHSP70 protein paralogous pairs, some of the paralogous proteins lost the localization information, indicating the diversity of both subcellular localizations and potential functionalities of those HSP70s. Further gene expression analyses revealed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis illustrated the significant variations of Cqhsp70s in response to drought stress. In conclusion, the sixteen Cqhsp70s undergo lineage-specific expansions and might play important and varied roles in response to drought stress.
Decomposition of Gasoline Hydrocarbons by Natural Microorganisms in Japanese Soils
Authors: Nishiwaki Junko , Kawabe Yoshishige , Komai Takeshi , Zhang Ming
Published: January 2018

Characterizing the mechanisms by which natural microorganisms in soil decompose gasoline hydrocarbons is of fundamental importance for a better understanding of natural attenuation and/or for predicting contaminant transport and fate in soils. To examine whether and how gasoline hydrocarbons can be decomposed under general environmental conditions, the decomposition of 10 major components generally contained in commercially available gasoline was analyzed in three arbitrarily selected Japanese soil samples. Gasoline hydrocarbons, especially aromatic hydrocarbons, are easily adsorbed by the tested Japanese soils, with straight chain hydrocarbons decomposing faster than branched hydrocarbons. Saturated monocyclic hydrocarbons were less easily decomposed than unsaturated monocyclic hydrocarbons. Enhancement of microbial decomposition of gasoline hydrocarbons requires a continuous supply of oxygen together with nutrients for the microorganisms.
Aerosol Optical Properties of Pacaya Volcano Plume Measured with a Portable Sun-Photometer
Authors: Sellitto Pasquale , Spampinato Letizia , Salerno Giuseppe , La Spina Alessandro
Published: January 2018

In this paper, Sun-photometer multichannel measurements of aerosol optical depths (AODs) in the visible and near-infrared spectral ranges, and Ångström parameters of the plume issued from the Pacaya volcano, Guatemala, are presented for the first time. These observations, made during a short-term campaign carried out on 29 and 30 January 2011, indicate a diluted (AODs lower than 0.1) volcanic plume composed of small particles (Ångström exponent ∼1.0 on 29 January and ∼1.4 on 30 January). Results are consistent with an ash-free plume. Finally, the impact of the choice of different wavelength pairs for the calculation of the Ångström parameters from the spectral AOD observations is tested and critically discussed.
Demographic and Urbanization Disparities of Liver Transplantation in Taiwan
Authors: Wen Pei-Hung , Lu Chin-Li , Strong Carol , Lin Yih-Jyh , Chen Yao-Li , Li Chung-Yi , Tsai Chiang-Chin
Published: January 2018

Limited access to or receipt of liver transplantation (LT) may jeopardize survival of patients with end-stage liver diseases. Taiwan launched its National Health Insurance (NHI) program in 1995, which essentially removes financial barriers to health care. This study aims to investigate where there are still demographic and urbanization disparities of LT after 15 years of NHI program implementation. Data analyzed in this study were retrieved from Taiwan’s NHI inpatient claims. A total of 3020 people aged ≥18 years received LT between 2000 and 2013. We calculated crude and adjusted prevalence rate of LT according to secular year, age, sex, and urbanization. The multiple Poisson regression model was further employed to assess the independent effects of demographics and urbanization on prevalence of LT. The biennial number of people receiving LT substantially increased from 56 in 2000–2001 to 880 in 2012–2013, representing a prevalence rate of 1.63 and 18.58 per 106, respectively. Such increasing secular trend was independent of sex. The prevalence was consistently higher in men than in women. The prevalence also increased with age in people <65 years, but dropped sharply in the elderly (≥65 years) people. We noted a significant disparity of LT in areas with different levels of urbanization. Compared to urban areas, satellite (prevalence rate ratio (PRR), 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.57–0.69) and rural (PRR, 0.76, 95% CI, 0.69–0.83) areas were both associated with a significantly lower prevalence of LT. There are still significant demographic and urbanization disparities in LT after 15 years of NHI program implementation. Given the predominance of living donor liver transplantation in Taiwan, further studies should be conducted to investigate factors associated with having a potential living donor for LT.
Economic Conditions May Contribute to Increased Violence toward Children: A Nationwide Population-Based Analysis of Pediatric Injuries in Taiwanese Emergency Departments
Authors: Liu Yueh-Ping , Hsu Ren-Jun , Wu Mei-Hwan , Peng Chun-Chih , Chang Shu-Ting , Lei Wei-Te , Yeh Tzu-Lin , Liu Jui-Ming , Lin Chien-Yu
Published: January 2018

Childhood injuries are unfortunately common. Analysis procedures may assist professionals who work with children with developing preventive measures for protecting children’s wellness. This study explores the causes of pediatric injuries presenting to an emergency department in Taiwan. This nationwide, population-based study was conducted using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan (NHIRD). Patients aged <18 years were identified from approximately one million individuals listed in the NHIRD. We followed up with these patients for nine years and analyzed the causes of injuries requiring presentation to an emergency department. Variables of interest were age, sex, injury mechanisms, and temporal trends. A total of 274,028 children were identified in our study. Between 2001 and 2009, the leading causes of pediatric injuries treated in emergency departments were motor vehicle injuries, falls, and homicide. The overall incidence of injuries declined over the course of the study because of reductions in motor vehicle accidents and falls. The incidence of homicide increased during the study period, particularly between 2007 and 2009. A moderately inverse correlation between homicide rate and economic growth was observed (correlation coefficient: −0.613, p = 0.041). There was a general decline in pediatric injuries between 2001 and 2009. Public policy changes, including motorcycle helmet laws and increases in alcohol taxes, may have contributed to this decline. Unfortunately, the incidence of homicide increased over the course of the study. Ongoing financial crises may have contributed to this increase. Multidisciplinary efforts are required to reduce homicide and reinforce the importance of measures that protect children against violence.
Lasiodiplodia theobromae as a Producer of Biotechnologically Relevant Enzymes
Authors: Félix Carina , Libório Sofia , Nunes Mariana , Félix Rafael , Duarte Ana , Alves Artur , Esteves Ana
Published: January 2018

Phytopathogenic fungi are known to produce several types of enzymes usually involved in plant cell wall degradation and pathogenesis. The increasing of global temperature may induce fungi, such as Lasiodiplodia theobromae (L. theobromae), to alter its behavior. Nonetheless, there is only limited information regarding the effect of temperature on L. theobromae production of enzymes. The need for new, thermostable enzymes, that are biotechnologically relevant, led us to investigate the effect of temperature on the production of several extracellular enzymatic activities by different L. theobromae strains. Fungi were grown at 25 °C, 30 °C and 37 °C and the enzymatic activities were detected by plate assays, quantified by spectrophotometric methods and characterized by zymography. The thermostability (25–80 °C) of the enzymes produced was also tested. Strains CAA019, CBS339.90, LA-SOL3, LA-SV1 and LA-MA-1 produced amylases, gelatinases, caseinases, cellulases, lipases, laccases, xylanases, pectinases and pectin liases. Temperature modulated the expression of the enzymes, and this effect was more visible when fungi were grown at 37 °C than at lower temperatures. Contrary to proteolytic and endoglucanolytic activities, whose highest activities were detected when fungi were grown at 30 °C, lipolytic activity was not detected at this growth temperature. Profiles of proteases and endoglucanases of fungi grown at different temperatures were characterized by zymography. Enzymes were shown to be more thermostable when fungi were grown at 30 °C. Proteases were active up to 50 °C and endoglucanases up to 70 °C. Lipases were the least stable, with activities detected up to 45 °C. The enzymatic profiles detected for L. theobromae strains tested showed to be temperature and strain-dependent, making this species a good target for biotechnological applications.
Pharmacokinetic Study of Bioactive Flavonoids in the Traditional Japanese Medicine Keigairengyoto Exerting Antibacterial Effects against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Matsumoto Takashi , Kaneko Atsushi , Koseki Junichi , Matsubara Yosuke , Aiba Setsuya , Yamasaki Kenshi
Published: January 2018

Recent studies have demonstrated that flavonoid glucuronides can be deconjugated to the active form aglycone by β-glucuronidase-expressing macrophages. Keigairengyoto (KRT) is a flavonoid-rich traditional Japanese medicine reported to enhance bacterial clearance through immune modulation. Our aims are to examine the pharmacokinetics of KRT flavonoids and to identify active flavonoids contributing to the adjuvant effects of KRT. KRT was evaluated at pharmacokinetic analysis to quantify absorbed flavonoids, and cutaneous infection assay induced in mice by inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus. Preventive or therapeutic KRT administration reduced the number of bacteria in the infection site as well as macroscopic and microscopic lesion scores with efficacies similar to antibiotics. Pharmacokinetic study revealed low plasma levels of flavonoid aglycones after KRT administration; however, plasma concentrations were enhanced markedly by β-glucuronidase treatment, with baicalein the most abundant (Cmax, 1.32 µg/mL). In random screening assays, flavonoids such as bacalein, genistein, and apigenin enhanced bacteria phagocytosis by macrophages. Glucuronide bacalin was converted to aglycone baicalein by incubation with living macrophages, macrophage lysate, or skin homogenate. Taken together, the adjuvant effect of KRT may be due to some blood-absorbed flavonoids which enhance macrophage functions in host defense. Flavonoid-rich KRT may be a beneficial treatment for infectious skin inflammation.
Bond Insertion at Distorted Si(001) Subsurface Atoms
Authors: Pecher Lisa , Tonner Ralf
Published: January 2018

Using density functional theory (DFT) methods, we analyze the adsorption of acetylene and ethylene on the Si(001) surface in an unusual bond insertion mode. The insertion takes place at a saturated tetravalent silicon atom and the insight gained can thus be transferred to other saturated silicon compounds in molecular and surface chemistry. Molecular orbital analysis reveals that the distorted and symmetry-reduced coordination of the silicon atoms involved due to surface reconstruction raises the electrophilicity and, additionally, makes certain σ bond orbitals more accessible. The affinity towards bond insertion is, therefore, caused by the structural constraints of the surface. Additionally, periodic energy decomposition analysis (pEDA) is used to explain why the bond insertion structure is much more stable for acetylene than for ethylene. The increased acceptor abilities of acetylene due to the presence of two π*-orbitals (instead of one π*-orbital and a set of σ*(C–H) orbitals for ethylene), as well as the lower number of hydrogen atoms, which leads to reduced Pauli repulsion with the surface, are identified as the main causes. While our findings imply that this structure might be an intermediate in the adsorption of acetylene on Si(001), the predicted product distributions are in contradiction to the experimental findings. This is critically discussed and suggestions to resolve this issue are given.
Studies of Ancient Russian Cultural Objects Using the Neutron Tomography Method
Authors: Kichanov Sergey , Saprykina Irina , Kozlenko Denis , Nazarov Kuanysh , Lukin Evgenii , Rutkauskas Anton , Savenko Boris
Published: January 2018

Neutron radiography and tomography is a non-destructive method that provides detailed information about the internal structure of cultural heritage objects. The differences in the neutron attenuation coefficients of constituent elements of the studied objects, as well as the application of modern mathematical algorithms to carry out three-dimensional imaging data analysis, allow one to obtain unique information about the spatial distribution of different phases, the presence of internal defects, or the degree of structural degradation inside valuable cultural objects. The results of the neutron studies of several archaeological objects related to different epochs of the Russian history are reported in order to demonstrate the opportunities provided by the neutron tomography method. The obtained 3D structural volume data, as well as the results of the corresponding data analysis, are presented.
Groundwater Irrigation Management and the Existing Challenges from the Farmers’ Perspective in Central Iran
Authors: Jafary Forough , Bradley Chris
Published: January 2018

The sustainable management of natural resources, and particularly groundwater, presents a major challenge in arid regions to ensure security of water supply and support agricultural production. In many cases, the role of smallholder farmers is often neglected when managing irrigated water and land processes. However, management decisions have a major impact on farmers’ livelihoods, and it is essential: first, to recognise the crucial role of regional and local social, political and economic systems; and second, to integrate farmers’ perspectives in the governance and management of local groundwater practices. This is particularly important as the ways in which arid region farmers use land and water have wider implications for land degradation and salinization. This paper uses a community-based approach to identify and examine the social, economic and cultural dimensions to groundwater irrigation systems from the perspective of local farmers in central Iran. The paper utilises interviews with local farmers and water agencies in Iran to reflect on their respective roles within the irrigation system and in developing management plans for the sustainable use of groundwater. Through social research, we investigate the reasons why farmers might reject government irrigation management schemes and outline how local problems with land degradation and salinization and reduced water availability have arisen as a result of changing management policies. In conclusion, we identify future challenges and consider appropriate future management strategies.