bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Fine Aggregate Matrix Experimental Data in Improving Reliability of Fatigue Life Prediction of Asphalt Concrete: Sensitivity of This Approach to Variation in Input Parameters
Authors: Gudipudi Padmini P. , Underwood B. Shane
Published: March 2017

Asphalt concrete (AC) material performance has been assessed by numerous mechanistic models over the years. Often these models are purported to enable more accurate prediction of the pavement service life than existing empirical models. Most of these models use fundamental material properties, which are obtained by performing experiments on the materials, as input variables. However, by introducing more variables, these models create the potential for greater uncertainty because the variables have inherent variability. Variations observed in these input parameters affect the reliability of any resulting performance predictions. In an effort to improve the reliability of fatigue life predictions, experimental data from the fine aggregate matrix (FAM) phase was used in this study for predicting fatigue life. From the comparative assessment, it was observed that the reliability of fatigue life predictions was improved by more than 50% when data from the FAM phase rather than AC data were used. An upscaling procedure was used in predicting the AC material fundamental properties and then in performing a reliability analysis with the predicted data. More reliable fatigue prediction results were also observed when the AC predicted data were used; however, this improvement was not as good as that in the FAM phase. A parametric sensitivity analysis was performed to determine whether variation in any one parameter resulted in a greater impact on the resultant reliability than did variation of other parameters. From the analysis, it was observed that the variation of the modulus parameter affected the reliability predictions more than did the variation of the other input parameters considered in this study, regardless of the model failure criteria used.
Evaluation of Small Specimen Geometries for Asphalt Mixture Performance Testing and Pavement Performance Prediction
Authors: Lee Kangjin , Pape Sonja , Castorena Cassie , Kim Y. Richard
Published: March 2017

The use of small specimen geometries in asphalt mixture performance testing to enable the testing of as-built pavement layers has been gaining attention in recent years. Small specimens could also improve the testing efficiency of laboratory-fabricated specimens by allowing the extraction of multiple test specimens per gyratory-compacted sample. Rigorous assessment of the small specimen geometries is required before the use of such geometries is standardized. In this study, small specimens were evaluated for dynamic modulus and simplified viscoelastic continuum damage fatigue. Three specimen geometries (100-mm- and 38-mm-diameter cylindrical specimens and 25- × 50-mm prismatic specimens) were compared by using five mixtures with a nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) ranging from 9.5 to 25.0 mm. The results show that the dynamic modulus and phase angle master curves agreed at low and intermediate temperatures, regardless of the NMAS values of the mixture. At the high temperature, the small specimen dynamic modulus values were slightly higher and the phase angle values were slightly lower than those of the large specimens. The specimen-to-specimen variability for the large and small specimens was comparable. The fatigue test results for the mixtures evaluated were comparable, except for the 25-mm mixture, which proved problematic in the testing of both small and large specimens. Pavement performance was predicted by the layered viscoelastic analysis for critical distresses program by using the test results for the small and large specimens. These results suggest that specimen geometry had a minimal effect on pavement fatigue damage predictions, which indicates promise for the use of small specimen geometries in practice.
Characterization of Permanent Deformation of Asphalt Mixtures with Minimum Strain Rate, LVECD Program, and Triaxial Stress Sweep Test
Authors: Kim Dahae , Kim Y. Richard
Published: March 2017

The rutting resistance of asphalt concrete is typically assessed by using flow number tests in the lab in accordance with AASHTO TP 79. However, the flow number represents the rutting resistance of the material with regard to ranking for only a specific test condition. A significant amount of testing effort is needed to evaluate rutting resistance by using the flow number test under various loading conditions and temperatures. Therefore, researchers have developed alternative test methods to reduce the testing effort. For example, the incremental repeated-load permanent deformation test and the triaxial stress sweep (TSS) test are two promising protocols that can predict the permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures efficiently and accurately. This study compares the minimum strain rates (MSRs) obtained from incremental repeated-load permanent deformation and TSS tests to examine the ability of the TSS test to analyze the MSRs of asphalt mixtures. In addition, the viscoplastic shift model calibrated from the TSS test that is implemented in the layered viscoelastic pavement analysis for critical distresses (LVECD) program was used to predict the rut depths of 16 pavement sections from four sources. The MSRs and rut depths predicted from the LVECD program were compared with actual measured rut depths. The results of this study indicated that the MSR results could only be used to rank the rutting susceptibility of single-layer asphalt pavements. For a multilayered pavement system, structural level analysis is necessary to predict the accurate rutting performance and rut depths of the test sections.
Effect of insecticides on population reduction of sucking insects and lady bird beetle in eggplant field
Authors: Dutta NK , Alam SN , Mahmudunnabi M , Amin MR , Kwon YJ
Published: March 2017

This study evaluated the field efficacy of three newly introduced synthetic insecticides namely, Python 20SL (Nitenpyrum), Plenum 50WG (Pymetrozin), Polo 500SL (Diafentiuron) along with commonly used chemical Admire 200SL(Imidacloprid) against sucking insects of eggplant such as aphid, jassid, white fly and thrips. The effect of the insecticides on the population reduction of the novel predator lady bird beetle was also studied. Among the chemicals, Polo 500SC was found to be the most effective followed by Plenum 50WG against the sucking insects by reducing significant percentages of their population at 3 and 7 days after spray. Polo 500SC and Plenum 50WG were found to be the least deleterious against lady bird beetle since it caused lowest population reduction. Considering the higher percentages of population reduction of the pests and significantly lower affect on the predator, Polo 500SC and Plenum 50WG may be considered as a tool of IPM for management of sucking insects in the eggplant field.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(1): 35-42, March 2017
Morphological characterization of geographical indication litchi crops and released varieties grown in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain MA , Molla MR , Ahmed I
Published: March 2017

Four Geographical Indication litchi genotypes (GIs) viz., Kadmi Lichu, Mongalbari Lichu, Deshi/Ati/Rajshahi Local (BARI Lichu-1) and Bedana Lichu, and three released varieties viz., BARI Lichu-2, 3 and 4) were characterized morphologically during July 2012 to June 2013 with a view to identifying the degree of morphological and genetic variation of litchi within cultivars, and to establish a permanent database for documentation of litchi. Morphological characterization data were recorded from standing trees of the most concentrated areas of cultivation for GIs and the respective stations from where the variety was released viz., Kadmi from Sonargaon, Narayanganj; Mongalbari from Pakundia, Kishoreganj; Rajshahi Local from Mohanpur village of Shyampur union under Rajshahi district; Bedana from Masimpur, Dinajpur; BARI Lichu-2 and BARI Lichu-3 from RARS, Akbarpur and BARI Lichu-4 from BSPC, Debiganj. Historical background of geographical indication crops of litchi as described by aged people of their most concentrated areas of cultivation indicated that the cultivars were originated naturally in those areas. The cultivars were very location specific. They do not perform well in respect of yield and quality outside their areas of origin indicating their very narrow adaptability range. It was another indication regarding location of origin of the GI crops. On the other hand, the exotic cultivars grown in the country such as BARI Lichu-2, BARI Lichu-3 etc. possess country wide adaptability. Wide variations were observed among the GI crops and released varieties included in this study for plant, leaf, inflorescence, flower and fruit characters. Variation was also recorded in respect of incidence of biotic and abiotic stresses like insect pests, mites, diseases, sunburn, fruit cracking and fruit drop. Each GI/released variety possesses some unique characters, which distinguish it from all other genotypes.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(1): 103-120, March 2017
Comparative profitability analysis of shifting land from field crops to mango cultivation in selected areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Khandoker S , Miah MA Monayem , Rashid MA , Khatun M , Kundu ND
Published: March 2017

Mango has emerged as an important area for diversification and as an alternative cropping pattern due to higher returns and productivity. The study was conducted in three mango growing districts, namely Chapai Nawabganj, Natore, and Rajshahi during 2014-2015 to estimate the financial benefit of shifting cereal lands to mango production, factors influencing shifting decision, and explore related problems of mango cultivation in the study areas. A total of 180 farmers taking 60 farmers from each district were selected through using multistage stratified random sampling for the study. About 49% lands were shifted to mango cultivation from cereal crops which was higher in Chapai Nawabganj (55%) followed by Natore (48%) district. The main reason of this shifting was reported to be higher profit compared to other crops. The average total cost of mango cultivation was Tk. 1, 33,889 per hectare. Higher cost was observed in the 16th-20th year of garden (Tk. 1, 52,010) followed by 11th -15th year (Tk. 1, 48,952). The average yield of mango was found to be the highest in 16th  20th year (26.48 ton/ha) followed by 11-16th year (19.38 ton/ha). Per hectare net return from mango cultivation was Tk. 1, 75,244. Total cost of mango cultivation was 10% higher than Boro-Fallow-T.Aman cultivation. On the other hand, total cost was about 40% lower than Wheat- Jute- T.Aman, Wheat-Aus-T.Aman and Potato-Fallow-T.Aman. The net return from mango cultivation was 75% higher than other cropping patterns. The shifting of cereal lands to mango cultivation was found to be a profitable since the BCR (2.89), net present value (Tk. 33, 71,166) and internal rate of return (39%) were very high. Relative income, farm size and education turned out to be positively significant, whereas age was negatively significant for shifting decision from cereal crops to mango cultivation. Therefore, Farmers should be motivated to cultivate mango in the fallow lands or areas where other crops are not grown well.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(1): 137-158, March 2017
Effect of light quality and plant growth regulator on organogenesis of orkid Cymbidium dayanum
Authors: Nahar SJ , Haque SM , Shimasaki K
Published: March 2017

Abstract not availableBangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(1): 185-190, March 2017
An Improvement of a Fuzzy Logic-Controlled Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm for Photovoltic Applications
Authors: Na Woonki , Chen Pengyuan , Kim Jonghoon
Published: March 2017

This paper presents an improved maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm using a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) in order to extract potential maximum power from photovoltaic cells. The objectives of the proposed algorithm are to improve the tracking speed, and to simultaneously solve the inherent drawbacks such as slow tracking in the conventional perturb and observe (P and O) algorithm. The performances of the conventional P and O algorithm and the proposed algorithm are compared by using MATLAB/Simulink in terms of the tracking speed and steady-state oscillations. Additionally, both algorithms were experimentally validated through a digital signal processor (DSP)-based controlled-boost DC-DC converter. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm performs with a shorter tracking time, smaller output power oscillation, and higher efficiency, compared with the conventional P and O algorithm.
Intraguild Predation Dynamics in a Lake Ecosystem Based on a Coupled Hydrodynamic-Ecological Model: The Example of Lake Kinneret (Israel)
Authors: Makler-Pick Vardit , Hipsey Matthew R. , Zohary Tamar , Carmel Yohay , Gal Gideon
Published: March 2017

The food web of Lake Kinneret contains intraguild predation (IGP). Predatory invertebrates and planktivorous fish both feed on herbivorous zooplankton, while the planktivorous fish also feed on the predatory invertebrates. In this study, a complex mechanistic hydrodynamic-ecological model, coupled to a bioenergetics-based fish population model (DYCD-FISH), was employed with the aim of revealing IGP dynamics. The results indicate that the predation pressure of predatory zooplankton on herbivorous zooplankton varies widely, depending on the season. At the time of its annual peak, it is 10–20 times higher than the fish predation pressure. When the number of fish was significantly higher, as occurs in the lake after atypical meteorological years, the effect was a shift from a bottom-up controlled ecosystem, to the top-down control of planktivorous fish and a significant reduction of predatory and herbivorous zooplankton biomass. Yet, seasonally, the decrease in predatory-zooplankton biomass was followed by a decrease in their predation pressure on herbivorous zooplankton, leading to an increase of herbivorous zooplankton biomass to an extent similar to the base level. The analysis demonstrates the emergence of non-equilibrium IGP dynamics due to intra-annual and inter-annual changes in the physico-chemical characteristics of the lake, and suggests that IGP dynamics should be considered in food web models in order to more accurately capture mass transfer and trophic interactions.
Glycosylated Triterpenoids as Endosomal Escape Enhancers in Targeted Tumor Therapies
Authors: Fuchs Hendrik , Niesler Nicole , Trautner Alexandra , Sama Simko , Jerz Gerold , Panjideh Hossein , Weng Alexander
Published: March 2017

Protein-based targeted toxins play an increasingly important role in targeted tumor therapies. In spite of their high intrinsic toxicity, their efficacy in animal models is low. A major reason for this is the limited entry of the toxin into the cytosol of the target cell, which is required to mediate the fatal effect. Target receptor bound and internalized toxins are mostly either recycled back to the cell surface or lysosomally degraded. This might explain why no antibody-targeted protein toxin has been approved for tumor therapeutic applications by the authorities to date although more than 500 targeted toxins have been developed within the last decades. To overcome the problem of insufficient endosomal escape, a number of strategies that make use of diverse chemicals, cell-penetrating or fusogenic peptides, and light-induced techniques were designed to weaken the membrane integrity of endosomes. This review focuses on glycosylated triterpenoids as endosomal escape enhancers and throws light on their structure, the mechanism of action, and on their efficacy in cell culture and animal models. Obstacles, challenges, opportunities, and future prospects are discussed.
Field Analysis of Stepwise Effective Thermal Conductivity along a Borehole Heat Exchanger under Artificial Conditions of Groundwater Flow
Authors: Sakata Yoshitaka , Katsura Takao , Nagano Katsunori , Ishizuka Manabu
Published: March 2017

Heat advection caused by groundwater flow can potentially improve the performance of a borehole heat exchanger. However, the required flow velocity is not achieved under most natural conditions. This study focuses on artificial groundwater flow generated by pumping and investigates the associated effect in a lowland area near the Toyohira River alluvial fan, Sapporo, Japan. Thermal response test results are compared under natural and artificial groundwater flow conditions. A pumping well is constructed one meter from the borehole. Temperature profiles are measured in the U-tube during testing, using a pair of optic fiber distributed temperature sensors. The effective thermal conductivity is calculated from the profiles obtained in each 10-m sub-layer; this thermal conductivity is termed the stepwise thermal conductivity. Additionally, the upward flow velocity in the pumping well is measured to estimate the mean groundwater flow velocity at the borehole. The results show that effective thermal conductivity increases at depths less than 50 m, where the pumping creates mean velocities greater than 0.1 m d−1 in each sub-layer (1.5 md−1 on average). Thus, a borehole length of 50 m is more reasonable at the test site for its efficiency in a ground source heat pump system coupled with the pumping well than that used.
Assembly of One-Patch Colloids into Clusters via Emulsion Droplet Evaporation
Authors: Van Hai , Fortini Andrea , Schmidt Matthias
Published: March 2017

We study the cluster structures of one-patch colloidal particles generated by droplet evaporation using Monte Carlo simulations. The addition of anisotropic patch–patch interaction between the colloids produces different cluster configurations. We find a well-defined category of sphere packing structures that minimize the second moment of mass distribution when the attractive surface coverage of the colloids χ is larger than 0 . 3 . For χ < 0 . 3 , the uniqueness of the packing structures is lost, and several different isomers are found. A further decrease of χ below 0 . 2 leads to formation of many isomeric structures with less dense packings. Our results could provide an explanation of the occurrence of uncommon cluster configurations in the literature observed experimentally through evaporation-driven assembly.
Characterization and Potential Antitumor Activity of Polysaccharide from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis
Authors: Kang Yani , Wang Zhi-Jiang , Xie Dongsheng , Sun Xue , Yang Wenge , Zhao Xiaodong , Xu Nianjun
Published: March 2017

Substances with valuable antitumor properties have been identified in many marine algae, including an edible polysaccharide from the marine alga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (PGL). We previously reported transcriptome profiling data showing that PGL induced transcriptional alterations generate anti-lung cancer activity. To identify how PGL is detrimental to tumors, we purified PGL to characterize its chemical composition, molecular weight, and sugar and protein content and investigated its antitumor activity. We demonstrated that PGL exerted its antitumor activities by modulating cell viability, morphology, apoptosis, and the apoptosis-related Fas/FasL signaling pathway in the human lung cancer cell line A549, the gastric cancer cell line MKN28, and the mouse melanoma cell line B16. Our data provide the first evidence that PGL inhibits cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis, which is largely mediated by Fas/FasL in cancer cells, suggesting that PGL might be a novel therapeutic agent against cancer.
Bisarylureas Based on 1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine Scaffold as Novel Pan-RAF Inhibitors with Potent Anti-Proliferative Activities: Structure-Based Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Modelling Studies
Authors: Fu Yu , Wang Yuanyuan , Wan Shanhe , Li Zhonghuang , Wang Guangfa , Zhang Jiajie , Wu Xiaoyun
Published: March 2017

RAF (Ras activating factor) kinases are important and attractive targets for cancer therapy. With the aim of discovering RAF inhibitors that bind to DFG-out inactive conformation created by the movement of Asp-Phe-Gly (DFG), we conducted structure-based drug design using the X-ray cocrystal structures of BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1), starting from bisarylurea derivative based on 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine scaffold 1a. Most of the synthesized compounds showed good to excellent inhibitory activities against BRAFV600E kinase, possessed moderate to potent anti-proliferative activities against four tumor cell lines (A375, HT-29, PC-3 and A549) and good selectivity towards cancer cells rather normal cells (Madin-Darby canine kidney, MDCK). The most promising compound, 1v, exhibited potent inhibitory activity against not only BRAFV600E (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 23.6 nM) but also wild-type BRAF (IC50 = 51.5 nM) and C-RAF (IC50 = 8.5 nM), and effective cellular anti-proliferative activities against A375, HT-29, PC-3 and A549 cell lines as well as a very good selectivity profile. Moreover, compound 1v mainly arrested the A375 cell line in the G0/G1 stage, and showed significant suppression of MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase) phosphorylation in A375 and HT-29 cell lines. Taken together, the optimal compound 1v showed excellent in vitro potency as a pan-RAF inhibitor. In addition, the promise of compound 1v was further confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculations.
Volatiles Emitted at Different Flowering Stages of Jasminum sambac and Expression of Genes Related to α-Farnesene Biosynthesis
Authors: Yu Ying , Lyu Shiheng , Chen Dan , Lin Yi , Chen Jianjun , Chen Guixin , Ye Naixing
Published: March 2017

Fresh jasmine flowers have been used to make jasmine teas in China, but there has been no complete information about volatile organic compound emissions in relation to flower developmental stages and no science-based knowledge about which floral stage should be used for the infusion. This study monitored volatile organic compounds emitted from living flowers of Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. ‘Bifoliatum’ at five developmental stages and also from excised flowers. Among the compounds identified, α-farnesene, linalool, and benzyl acetate were most abundant. Since α-farnesene is synthesized through the Mevalonate pathway, four genes encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, and terpene synthase were isolated. Their expression patterns in living flowers at the five stages and in excised flowers coincided with the emission patterns of α-farnesene. Application of lovastatin, a HMGR inhibitor, significantly reduced the expression of the genes and greatly decreased the emission of α-farnesene. The sweet scent was diminished from lovastatin-treated flowers as well. These results indicate that α-farnesene is an important compound emitted from jasmine flowers, and its emission patterns suggest that flowers at the opening stage or flower buds 8 h after excision should be used for the infusion of tea leaves.
Assessment of Lipophilicity Indices Derived from Retention Behavior of Antioxidant Compounds in RP-HPLC
Authors: Sima Ioana Anamaria , Kot-Wasik Agata , Wasik Andrzej , Namieśnik Jacek , Sârbu Costel
Published: March 2017

Reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography was employed in order to evaluate the lipophilicity of antioxidant compounds from different classes, such as phenolic acids, flavanones, flavanols, flavones, anthocyanins, stilbenes, xantonoids, and proanthocyanidins. The retention time of each compound was measured using five different HPLC columns: RP18 (LiChroCART, Purosphere RP-18e), C8 (Zorbax, Eclipse XDBC8), C16-Amide (Discovery RP-Amide C16), CN100 (Saulentechnik, Lichrosphere), and pentafluorophenyl (Phenomenex, Kinetex PFP), and the mobile phase consisted of methanol and water (0.1% formic acid) in different proportions. The measurements were conducted at two different column temperatures, room temperature (22 °C) and, in order to mimic the environment from the human body, 37 °C. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to obtain new lipophilicity indices and holistic lipophilicity charts. Additionally, highly representative depictions of the chromatographic behavior of the investigated compounds and stationary phases at different temperatures were obtained using two new chemometric approaches, namely two-way joining cluster analysis and sum of ranking differences.
High Dietary Fructose: Direct or Indirect Dangerous Factors Disturbing Tissue and Organ Functions
Authors: Zhang Dong-Mei , Jiao Rui-Qing , Kong Ling-Dong
Published: March 2017

High dietary fructose is a major contributor to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, disturbing tissue and organ functions. Fructose is mainly absorbed into systemic circulation by glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and GLUT5, and metabolized in liver to produce glucose, lactate, triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), uric acid (UA) and methylglyoxal (MG). Its extrahepatic absorption and metabolism also take place. High levels of these metabolites are the direct dangerous factors. During fructose metabolism, ATP depletion occurs and induces oxidative stress and inflammatory response, disturbing functions of local tissues and organs to overproduce inflammatory cytokine, adiponectin, leptin and endotoxin, which act as indirect dangerous factors. Fructose and its metabolites directly and/or indirectly cause oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, autophagy and increased intestinal permeability, and then further aggravate the metabolic syndrome with tissue and organ dysfunctions. Therefore, this review addresses fructose-induced metabolic syndrome, and the disturbance effects of direct and/or indirect dangerous factors on the functions of liver, adipose, pancreas islet, skeletal muscle, kidney, heart, brain and small intestine. It is important to find the potential correlations between direct and/or indirect risk factors and healthy problems under excess dietary fructose consumption.
Vitamin C and Infections
Authors: Hemilä Harri
Published: March 2017

In the early literature, vitamin C deficiency was associated with pneumonia. After its identification, a number of studies investigated the effects of vitamin C on diverse infections. A total of 148 animal studies indicated that vitamin C may alleviate or prevent infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. The most extensively studied human infection is the common cold. Vitamin C administration does not decrease the average incidence of colds in the general population, yet it halved the number of colds in physically active people. Regularly administered vitamin C has shortened the duration of colds, indicating a biological effect. However, the role of vitamin C in common cold treatment is unclear. Two controlled trials found a statistically significant dose–response, for the duration of common cold symptoms, with up to 6–8 g/day of vitamin C. Thus, the negative findings of some therapeutic common cold studies might be explained by the low doses of 3–4 g/day of vitamin C. Three controlled trials found that vitamin C prevented pneumonia. Two controlled trials found a treatment benefit of vitamin C for pneumonia patients. One controlled trial reported treatment benefits for tetanus patients. The effects of vitamin C against infections should be investigated further.
Effects of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Risk of Asthma, Wheezing and Immune Responses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hosseini Banafshe , Berthon Bronwyn S. , Wark Peter , Wood Lisa G.
Published: March 2017

Abstract: Evidence suggests that reduced intake of fruit and vegetables may play a critical role in the development of asthma and allergies. The present review aimed to summarize the evidence for the association between fruit and vegetable intake, risk of asthma/wheeze and immune responses. Databases including PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL and EMBASE were searched up to June 2016. Studies that investigated the effects of fruit and vegetable intake on risk of asthma/wheeze and immune responses were considered eligible (n = 58). Studies used cross-sectional (n = 30), cohort (n = 13), case-control (n = 8) and experimental (n = 7) designs. Most of the studies (n = 30) reported beneficial associations of fruit and vegetable consumption with risk of asthma and/or respiratory function, while eight studies found no significant relationship. Some studies (n = 20) reported mixed results, as they found a negative association between fruit only or vegetable only, and asthma. In addition, the meta-analyses in both adults and children showed inverse associations between fruit intake and risk of prevalent wheeze and asthma severity (p < 0.05). Likewise, vegetable intake was negatively associated with risk of prevalent asthma (p < 0.05). Seven studies examined immune responses in relation to fruit and vegetable intake in asthma, with n = 6 showing a protective effect against either systemic or airway inflammation. Fruit and vegetable consumption appears to be protective against asthma.
Asymmetric Return and Volatility Transmission in Conventional and Islamic Equities
Authors: Umar Zaghum , Suleman Tahir
Published: March 2017

Abstract: This paper analyses the interdependence between Islamic and conventional equities by taking into consideration the asymmetric effect of return and volatility transmission. We empirically investigate the decoupling hypothesis of Islamic and conventional equities and the potential contagion effect. We analyse the intra-market and inter-market spillover among Islamic and conventional equities across three major markets: the USA, the United Kingdom and Japan. Our sample period ranges from 1996 to 2015. In addition, we segregate our sample period into three sub-periods covering prior to the 2007 financial crisis, the crisis period and the post-crisis period. We find weak support for the decoupling hypothesis during the post-crisis period.
Mapping the Expansion of Boom Crops in Mainland Southeast Asia Using Dense Time Stacks of Landsat Data
Authors: Hurni Kaspar , Schneider Annemarie , Heinimann Andreas , Nong Duong , Fox Jefferson
Published: March 2017

We performed a multi-date composite change detection technique using a dense-time stack of Landsat data to map land-use and land-cover change (LCLUC) in Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) with a focus on the expansion of boom crops, primarily tree crops. The supervised classification was performed using Support Vector Machines (SVM), which are supervised non-parametric statistical learning techniques. To select the most suitable SMV classifier and the related parameter settings, we used the training data and performed a two-dimensional grid search with a three-fold internal cross-validation. We worked in seven Landsat footprints and found the linear kernel to be the most suitable for all footprints, but the most suitable regularization parameter C varied across the footprints. We distinguished a total of 41 LCLUCs (13 to 31 classes per footprint) in very dynamic and heterogeneous landscapes. The approach proved useful for distinguishing subtle changes over time and to map a variety of land covers, tree crops, and transformations as long as sufficient training points could be collected for each class. While to date, this approach has only been applied to mapping urban extent and expansion, this study shows that it is also useful for mapping change in rural settings, especially when images from phenologically relevant acquisition dates are included.
A Cardiac Early Warning System with Multi Channel SCG and ECG Monitoring for Mobile Health
Authors: Sahoo Prasan , Thakkar Hiren , Lee Ming-Yih
Published: March 2017

Use of information and communication technology such as smart phone, smart watch, smart glass and portable health monitoring devices for healthcare services has made Mobile Health (mHealth) an emerging research area. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is considered as a leading cause of death world wide and an increasing number of people die prematurely due to CHD. Under such circumstances, there is a growing demand for a reliable cardiac monitoring system to catch the intermittent abnormalities and detect critical cardiac behaviors which lead to sudden death. Use of mobile devices to collect Electrocardiography (ECG), Seismocardiography (SCG) data and efficient analysis of those data can monitor a patient’s cardiac activities for early warning. This paper presents a novel cardiac data acquisition method and combined analysis of Electrocardiography (ECG) and multi channel Seismocardiography (SCG) data. An early warning system is implemented to monitor the cardiac activities of a person and accuracy assessment of the early warning system is conducted for the ECG data only. The assessment shows 88% accuracy and effectiveness of our proposed analysis, which implies the viability and applicability of the proposed early warning system.
A Self-Sustained Wireless Multi-Sensor Platform Integrated with Printable Organic Sensors for Indoor Environmental Monitoring
Authors: Wu Chun-Chang , Chuang Wen-Yu , Wu Ching-Da , Su Yu-Cheng , Huang Yung-Yang , Huang Yang-Jing , Peng Sheng-Yu , Yu Shih-An , Lin Chih-Ting , Lu Shey-Shi
Published: March 2017

A self-sustained multi-sensor platform for indoor environmental monitoring is proposed in this paper. To reduce the cost and power consumption of the sensing platform, in the developed platform, organic materials of PEDOT:PSS and PEDOT:PSS/EB-PANI are used as the sensing films for humidity and CO2 detection, respectively. Different from traditional gas sensors, these organic sensing films can operate at room temperature without heating processes or infrared transceivers so that the power consumption of the developed humidity and the CO2 sensors can be as low as 10 μW and 5 μW, respectively. To cooperate with these low-power sensors, a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) system-on-chip (SoC) is designed to amplify and to read out multiple sensor signals with low power consumption. The developed SoC includes an analog-front-end interface circuit (AFE), an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC), a digital controller and a power management unit (PMU). Scheduled by the digital controller, the sensing circuits are power gated with a small duty-cycle to reduce the average power consumption to 3.2 μW. The designed PMU converts the power scavenged from a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) module into required supply voltages for SoC circuits operation under typical indoor illuminance conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first multiple environmental parameters (Temperature/CO2/Humidity) sensing platform that demonstrates a true self-powering functionality for long-term operations.
Rural Solid Waste Management in China: Status, Problems and Challenges
Authors: Wang Aiqin , Zhang Linxiu , Shi Yaojiang , Rozelle Scott , Osborn Annie , Yang Meredith
Published: March 2017

This paper seeks to describe the overall state of Rural Solid Waste Management (RSWM) in China in three main areas: waste collection services, waste transportation services and waste disposal services. Given China’s urbanization, industrialization, and the subsequent improvement of household living standards, the amount of solid waste generated in rural China has increased rapidly. Based on primary data collected in 2016 from 100 villages across five provinces in China, we find that the proportion of villages with waste collection, waste transportation, and waste disposal services in 2015 is 80%, 55% and 22%, respectively. The differences in shares of villages with these services across provinces are statistically significant. Using descriptive and econometric analyses, the authors show that richer villages are more likely to provide rural solid waste (RSW) collection and transportation services. Villages with new (newly elected or appointed) village leaders are more likely to supply RSW disposal services. While the majority of villages report that they offer waste collection services (installing waste collection facilities and employing waste collection workers), the vast majority of villages do not transport their waste to treatment plants. Even fewer villages report using centralized disposal methods to dispose of waste, as required by law or regulation. This study represents the first effort to describe the state and determinants of waste management services in rural China in the wake of increased investment in and new policies regarding RSWM released in 2015. Additionally, we provide evidence-based suggestions that might be useful for policy makers interested in improving RSWM in China. These suggestions include increasing investments in waste collection facilities and worker services; encouraging local residents to classify and recycle waste; designing optimal waste transportation networks and routes; and improving on-site waste disposal technology.
Découverte de Phagnalon rupestre (L.) DC. dans les Alpes-Maritimes
Authors: Duret Thibault
Published: March 2017

Le Phagnalon rupestre a été découvert dans les Alpes-Maritimes. Il est présenté et comparé aux autres taxons du genre. Son écologie et sa chorologie en France sont traitées. L'existence d'un hybride nouveau pour la France est mise en évidence.
Tegeneria racovitzai Simon, 1 907 (Araneae, Agelenidae). Synthèse sur une espèce nouvelle pour la faune de France
Authors: Déjean Sylvain
Published: March 2017

Tegenaria racovitzai Simon, 1907 (Araneae, Agelenidae). Synthesis on a species new for French fauna. -This article contains information available to date on Tegenaria racovitzai : the history of its description, bibliography, sometimes old and different criteria for determining relevant. It also offers new drawings of the male palp and specifies the current distribution of this species new for France.
Le commensalisme chez les Cétacés étudié par Pierre-Joseph Van Beneden : une réalité ?
Authors: Poreau Brice
Published: March 2017

Pierre-Joseph Van Beneden (1809-1894) établit à la fin des années 1860 la catégorie de commensalisme comme type d'association biologique. Il donne, dans son ouvrage Les parasites et les commensaux dans le règne animal publié en 1875, de nombreux exemples concernant les crustacés, mais aussi les insectes. Il est, de plus, reconnu par ses pairs comme un spécialiste des Cétacés vivants et fossiles. Or, lors de son étude sur le commensalisme, il évoque la difficulté d'établir les limites de ce concept, en particulier par rapport au mutualisme d'une part, et par rapport au parasitisme d'autre part. Notre article veut présenter la vision du commensalisme de Van Beneden chez les Cétacés, animaux qu'il a étudiés longuement et dont il est l'un des plus éminents chercheurs. Décrit-il un commensalisme précis dans ce cas ? Le commensalisme existe-t-il chez les Cétacés ?
First examples of organosilica-based ionogels: synthesis and electrochemical behavior
Authors: Taubert Andreas , Löbbicke Ruben , Kirchner Barbara , Leroux Fabrice
Published: March 2017

The article describes the synthesis and properties of new ionogels for ion transport. A new preparation process using an organic linker, bis(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl)amine (BTMSPA), yields stable organosilica matrix materials. The second ionogel component, the ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-(4-sulfobutyl)imidazolium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate, [BmimSO3H][PTS], can easily be prepared with near-quantitative yields. [BmimSO3H][PTS] is the proton conducting species in the ionogel. By combining the stable organosilica matrix with the sulfonated ionic liquid, mechanically stable, and highly conductive ionogels with application potential in sensors or fuel cells can be prepared.
Genetic Algorithm Optimisation of PID Controllers for a Multivariable Process
Authors: Alharbi Wael , Gomm Barry
Published: March 2017

This project is about the design of PID controllers and the improvement of outputs in multivariable processes. The optimisation of PID controller for the Shell oil process is presented in this paper, using Genetic Algorithms (GAs). Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are used to automatically tune PID controllers according to given specifications. They use an objective function, which is specially formulated and measures the performance of controller in terms of time-domain bounds on the responses of closed-loop process.

A specific objective function is suggested that allows the designer for a single-input, single-output (SISO) process to explicitly specify the process performance specifications associated with the given problem in terms of time-domain bounds, then experimentally evaluate the closed-loop responses. This is investigated using a simple two-term parametric PID controller tuning problem. The results are then analysed and compared with those obtained using a number of popular conventional controller tuning methods. The intention is to demonstrate that the proposed objective function is inherently capable of accurately quantifying complex performance specifications in the time domain. This is something that cannot normally be employed in conventional controller design or tuning methods.

Finally, the recommended objective function will be used to examine the control problems of Multi-Input-Multi-Output (MIMO) processes, and the results will be presented in order to determine the efficiency of the suggested control system.
L’ancrage au quotidien dans les colonies populaires de la périphérie de Mexico : une approche par les pratiques et les ressources du quartier
Authors: Valette Jean-François
Published: March 2017

Au sein des fronts pionniers urbains initialement irréguliers que constituent les colonies populaires de la périphérie de Mexico, l’ancrage des populations ne semble pas aller de soi. Cette notion interroge les circulations des individus et de leur entourage dans les différentes échelles spatiales et temporelles de l’espace de vie. L’analyse des rapports que tissent les habitants avec leur quartier permet de souligner le rôle du contexte résidentiel comme lieu de ressources. À partir d’un travail empirique et d’enquêtes officielles systématiques, il s’agit d’identifier les différentes configurations des systèmes de lieux sur lesquels se construisent les ancrages des habitants dans la ville. D’abord, les liens au quartier du point de vue des pratiques permettent d’appréhender l’espace mobilisé pour accéder aux ressources urbaines. Ensuite, une fonctionnalisation économique et sociale du quartier est mise en lumière. Au total, le croisement des différentes pratiques des espaces locaux et métropolitains autorise la mise au jour de plusieurs types de rapports au quartier et d’une diversité des ancrages qui s’inscrivent dans ces lieux. Les mobilités quotidiennes témoignent de la présence forte de ressources urbaines dans l’espace local, mais aussi d’une relative intensité des déplacements à d’autres échelles, allant dans le sens d’une intégration au reste de la ville.
Culturomics: bacterial species isolated in 3 healthy donors for faecal microbiota transplantation in Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: Masucci Luca , Quaranta Gianluca , Nagel Domenico , Primus Sandra , Romano Lucio , Graffeo Rosalia , Ianiro Gianluca , Gasbarrini Antonio , Cammarota Giovanni , Sanguinetti Maurizio
Published: March 2017

Background. Clostridium difficile infections are the main cause of nosocomial acquired diarrhea, because of prolonged antibiotic regimens. In the last years, mortality has increased due to recurrent infections caused by metronidazole and vancomicin resistant hypervirulent C. difficile strain 027. Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is an infusion of faecal material obtained from healthy donors. This procedure reduces mortality in recurrent C. difficile infections (CDI). In this study we identified bacterial species obtained from donors’ stool samples using culturomics.
Materials and methods. Three donors were selected for FMT in three recipients affected by CDI. Faces obtained for FMT underwent culturomics, applying 17 different culture methods.
Results and conclusions. Several different bacteria were isolated from donors. In two donors 4 potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated; this suggests the use of culturomics for donors’ screening or for selection of bacteria to infuse.
Evaluation of the HB&L carbapenemase and extended spectrum beta lactamase-AmpC automated screening kits for the rapid detection of resistant Enterobacteriaceae in rectal swabs
Authors: Marani Sara , Pedna Maria Federica
Published: March 2017

Background. In the past two decades, a rapid increase of infections due to multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was reported worldwide, including in Italy. These bacteria express genes encoding for extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) or bear a plasmid-mediated AmpC that induce phenotypically a resistance to the last-generation cephalosporins; even more worrying is the rapid increase of Enterobacteriaceae carrying genes conferring resistance to carbapenems (CPE).
Materials and methods. The gut may serve as reservoir for these antibiotic drug-resistant bacteria: as a consequence, the rapid detection of drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae from rectal swabs is an important tool to identify rectal carriage of resistant bacteria. This procedure is the basic tool to successfully implement the infection control measures in the hospital wards. The study evaluated the capability of the HB&L ESBL/AmpC and CARBAPENEMASE screening kit (Alifax, Padua, Italy) to rapidly identify the drug resistant enterobacteriaceae from rectal swabs: the performance was compared with the conventional method.
Results and conclusions. The overall agreement was very good (91% for the detection of ESBL-AmpC, and 96.2% for the identification of CPE); this method is thus an efficient tool to quickly report positive multidrug resistant bacteria in rectal swabs.
Nonlinear Dirichlet Problems with no Growth Restriction on the Reaction
Authors: Gasiński Leszek , Klimczak Liliana , Papageorgiou Nikolaos S.
Published: March 2017

We consider nonlinear Dirichlet problems driven by the sum of a

p

-Laplacian and a Laplacian and with a Carathéodory reaction which does not satisfy any global growth condition. Instead we assume that it has constant sign

z

-dependent zeros. Using variational methods, truncation techniques and Morse theory, we prove multiplicity theorems providing sign information for all the solutions.