bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infrastructure, City-Region Development, and Africa's Territorial Spaces
Authors: Chirisa Innocent , Mhlanga Gift , Matamanda Abraham Rajab
Published: July 2018

The chapter seeks to investigate, explore, and document the management and development of infrastructure in city-regions within the context of Africa. The specific objectives guiding the chapter are to explore the significance of the city-region concept in Africa, to examine the state of and approaches to infrastructure development in selected city-regions in Africa, to assess the approaches that have been used to facilitate the success of the such city-regions as the Gauteng in South Africa with regards infrastructure development and management, and to draw the lessons and positive implications for planned infrastructure development in city-regions in Africa. Hence, the Gauteng City Region provides a good case because the city-region is of utmost significance to the local, regional and national level. Specifically, data were gathered through a desktop approach wherein various plans and city visions will be critically analyzed to have a broad understanding of the issues on the ground.
The Role of Urban Green Spaces in the Transformation of Community Ecosystem in Developing Countries
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G. , Zdunek-Wielgołaska Justyna Anna , Pallaggst Karina
Published: July 2018

This chapter aims to analyze the review the existing literature on some important features of urban green spaces such as the components, functions, services, community involvement, initiatives, and actions from an ecosystem perspective. The analysis begins from the assumption that urban green spaces are ecosystems of vital importance in enhancing the quality of life in an urban environment and supplying ecosystem services such as biodiversity and climate regulation. Meeting the needs of users is related with the functions and services that urban green spaces provide to communities. The methods employed in this analysis are the empirical literature and documents review, analysis of existing data on uses and users, interviews with authorities, and more detailed examination of a case specific data. Also, as some concluding remarks, some wider environmental, economic, and social initiatives for local authorities and communities are suggested that can justify initiatives by all represented and involved stakeholders. Finally, the study advances some opportunities, challenges, and further research.
Urban Green Spaces for Sustainable Community Development
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G. , Pallagst Karina , Zdunek-Wielgołaska Justyna Anna
Published: July 2018

This chapter aims to analyze the strategic management innovation in sustainable management of urban green spaces for neighborhood and community development. The report is intended to review the available theoretical and empirical literature on urban green spaces in the main related topics of community and neighborhood development, sustainable management, and strategic management innovation. The research methods employed are the analytical from a functionalist approach moving later into the critical analysis and finally from a holistic or integrative point of view. Finally, this chapter adopts a provocative and prescriptive strategic management approach of urban green spaces by presenting some research gaps and suggesting future research.
Teaching the Adult Learner
Authors: Baran Mette L.
Published: July 2018

Several authors have discussed that the current structure of the educational system, geared to creating successful employees and consumers, is not adequate for the needs of today's students. Higher education continues to struggle. Today, it is imperative that higher education institutions find renewed confidence from public constituents. The emphasis on this chapter will be what faculty members can focus on to strengthen the learning and quality outcomes of instruction by developing trusting relationships with students and enhanced student motivation.
Putting Paint to Canvas
Authors: Byrd Clavon , Lansing Sean T.
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this chapter is to inform the readers about how to artfully design seamless instruction for adult learners. The authors approached this concept by drawing a connection between the processes of making beautiful art and designing instruction geared toward adult learners. The authors identified several aspects of adult learning theory applied to the following instructional strategies: clear learning objectives, differentiated instruction, formative and summative assessment, and use of descriptive feedback. The authors provided several examples of these instructional strategies intended to support adult learners.
Theories and Practice of Humor for Adult Instruction
Authors: Jonas Peter M.
Published: July 2018

This chapter is designed around the research questions: 1) What are the most plausible theories behind why we laugh, and 2) How can the theories help to enhance the learning environment. The author utilized a meta-synthesis for the research component, which is a scientific approach to selecting, appraising, and summarizing empirical qualitative studies on a specific topic and systematically analyzing the data to cross-check the evidence for repeating themes. In other words, “to steal from one is plagiarism, but to steal from many is research.” While there are a multiplicity of theories on why people laugh, this chapter only discusses the main concepts: relief theory, superiority theory, incongruity theory, entropy, and the benign violation theory. If you know why people laugh, you can use this information to transform your leadership, improve your teaching, and build relationships. Consequently, for a teacher of adult students, once you get people laughing, you can teach them anything. Laughing students become engaged students and learning students. (Drop the mic.)
Effective Online Learning for Adults
Authors: Bradley Darnell J.
Published: July 2018

Using seven of Ragan's 10 principles of effective online teaching, the online course experiences of 84 doctoral students was examined. The doctoral students took a series of research-focused elective courses over the course of a year. An instructor questionnaire was created based on Ragan's principles and disseminated to the students after completion of the course. The author offers analysis of the results via their connection to Ragan's principles and offers practical ideas for how instructors can create effective online learning experiences for adult students.
Adult Learners
Authors: Russell Freda R.
Published: July 2018

This chapter presents a framework for both the instructor and student to use as they understand the principals of effective teaching and learning practices for the adult learner. The author addresses the importance of professional standards as a means to ensure educational program quality, and gives an brief overview of the evolution of the American educational system. Comparing and contrasting assumptions about teaching children (pedagogy) vs. teaching adults (andragogy) will be discussed as well as examining learner development, learner engagement through reflective discourse, and transformational learning environments.
Intercultural Awareness in Teaching English for Early Childhood
Authors: Llamas Manuel Francisco Rábano
Published: July 2018

This chapter explores the use of film as a good tool to increase intercultural awareness, reflecting on the relevance of recent research developments in this area for current approaches to foreign language pedagogy. English teachers have got several issues to deal with. Two of them have been chosen to be studied. The first one is regarding the raising of intercultural awareness in teaching English to very young learners. A second matter that has been examined is the one related to the use of film as an effective way to enhance intercultural awareness to come to the final thought that a film-based methodology is not only valid in terms of intercultural awareness but also to introduce new contents and concepts to have a valuable effect in motivation and teaching improvement, including the language syllabus, teaching materials, language assessment, and teacher education.
Visual and Media Literacy Put Into Practice
Authors: Alter Grit
Published: July 2018

In this chapter, the author explores the concept and teaching potential of visual and media literacy and discusses the creation of digital visual narratives as a means to develop critical media literacy. Based on an example from her university class, the author argues that a hands-on approach of creating digital visual reader-responses to literary texts is a highly beneficial tool to not only develop but also experience visual and media literacy. In the process of creating digital visual narrations using the Web 2.0 application Pixton, students additionally reflect the representation of the protagonists' ethnic and cultural identity within the text and in their surrounding environment, thus fostering intercultural awareness.. This creative reader-response approach allows combining literary literacy with the development of visual and media literacy in digital learning settings.
Enhancing Classroom Authenticity, Motivation, and Learner Autonomy Through Multimodal EFL Projects
Authors: Seeger Isabella
Published: July 2018

In German secondary education, the use of authentic literature or film in language teaching is mostly reserved to advanced classrooms, as it focuses primarily on analysis and writing, which rules out using these materials for lower-level learners. However, theories in motivation and learner autonomy suggest that a process-oriented approach involving authentic materials, real-world media, meaningful activities, and self-directed learning, as in multimodal project work, is more suitable for teenagers than traditional coursebook work. Classroom implementation might overcome certain obstacles by careful planning and communication but also points towards changes in the curriculum and in teacher education. This chapter therefore suggests introducing multimodal, (semi-)autonomous project work—illustrated by examples from teaching practice—to raise motivation, foster engagement with language, and develop real-world competences in the learners; however, more in-depth research is needed to establish effects on the learners.
Buxton and the Peak District
Authors: Maxfield Jessica , Wiltshier Peter
Published: July 2018

This chapter is designed to analyze and interpret the demand from a new and anticipated international visitor market to the small market and spa town of Buxton, Derbyshire. It offers an audience development plan for the newly renovated Crescent Hotel and Spa (CHS). The hotel is currently in the final stages of re-development following a major refurbishment to a culturally important, both environmentally and socially sensitive, icon in Buxton. Benefits to the town include heightened awareness of tourism's contribution, through income from staying visitors and a resultant boost to the incomes of a range of stakeholders in the supply chain. A secondary analysis of two case studies, best practices of Harrogate and Bath, has been considered as these are both similar spa towns. The chapter concludes with several recommendations for the CHS to encourage international tourists to visit and stay a while.
Community Structure Detection Using Firefly Algorithm
Authors: Jaradat Ameera Saleh , Hamad Safa'a Bani
Published: July 2018

This article describes how parallel to the continuous growth of the Internet, which allows people to share and collaborate more, social networks have become more attractive as a research topic in many different disciplines. Community structures are established upon interactions between people. Detection of these communities has become a popular topic in computer science. How to detect the communities is of great importance for understanding the organization and function of networks. Community detection is considered a variant of the graph partitioning problem which is NP-hard. In this article, the Firefly algorithm is used as an optimization algorithm to solve the community detection problem by maximizing the modularity measure. Firefly algorithm is a new Nature-inspired heuristic algorithm that proved its good performance in a variety of applications. Experimental results obtained from tests on real-life networks demonstrate that the authors' algorithm successfully detects the community structure.
Predictive Modeling of Surgical Site Infections Using Sparse Laboratory Data
Authors: Shankar Prabhu RV , Kesari Anupama , Shalini Priya , Kamalashree N. , Bharadwaj Charan , Raj Nitika , Srinivas Sowrabha , Shivakumar Manu , Ulle Anand Raj , Tagadur Nagabhushana N.
Published: July 2018

As part of a data mining competition, a training and test set of laboratory test data about patients with and without surgical site infection (SSI) were provided. The task was to develop predictive models with training set and identify patients with SSI in the no label test set. Lab test results are vital resources that guide healthcare providers make decisions about all aspects of surgical patient management. Many machine learning models were developed after pre-processing and imputing the lab tests data and only the top performing methods are discussed. Overall, RANDOM FOREST algorithms performed better than Support Vector Machine and Logistic Regression. Using a set of 74 lab tests, with RF, there were only 4 false positives in the training set and predicted 35 out of 50 SSI patients in the test set (Accuracy 0.86, Sensitivity 0.68, and Specificity 0.91). Optimal ways to address healthcare data quality concerns and imputation methods as well as newer generalizable algorithms need to be explored further to decipher new associations and knowledge among laboratory biomarkers and SSI.
Critical Success Factors for the Implementation of Business Intelligence Systems
Authors: Eder Florian , Koch Stefan
Published: July 2018

This article focuses on critical success factors during the implementation of a business intelligence system. The existing literature was reviewed, and critical success factors were extracted. Subsequently, the critical success factors that occur in practice were collected through qualitative expert interviews that are analysed through a qualitative content analysis. The critical success factors found in literature are afterwards compared with those that have been collected during the expert interviews. It was found that many of the critical success factors were mentioned in the literature and in the expert interviews as well, such as a strong management support, a light-weight approach, user acceptance, the project team and data quality. In addition, the performance of the business intelligence system, the definition of standards, terminology and key performance indicators as well as an institutionalization and integration of business intelligence were mentioned in the expert interviews.
The Role of Favoring and Inhibiting Factors in Developing Attitude towards Mobile Application based Agricultural Extension Services
Authors: Sinha Neena , Verma Pranay
Published: July 2018

Mobile based applications like agricultural extension services are fast becoming an assistant to farming. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors associated with the adoption of innovation perceived by consumers of AES and those which influence attitude. Diffusion of innovation theory states relative advantage, trialabilty, compatibility, perceived risk, observability and complexity as the factors leading to adoption. The proposed structural model was tested upon users of mobile based agricultural extension services in India. The study was conducted by surveying a broad diversity of citizens in northern India. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 180 respondents with complete answers participating in the study. Empirical data analysis supports a positive direct relationship between relative advantage, compatibility and observability upon attitude. Marketers should use these factors to build a positive attitude of the customers.
Electrical Conductivity Measurements of Al-Doped ZnO Semiconductor in High Temperature
Authors: Hadi Syamsul , Andika Husein Jaya , Kurniawan Agus , Suyitno
Published: July 2018

Electrical conductivity plays an important role in the performance of thermoelectric semiconductor material. This study discusses the electrical conductivity measurements of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) doping Aluminium (Al) pellet as a material of thermoelectric using four-point probe method at high temperatures. Al-doped ZnO (2 wt%) pellet was sintered at the temperature of 1100°C, 1200°C, 1300°C, 1400°C, and 1500°C with the heating rate of 8°C/minute. SEM and XRD tests show that the higher sintering temperature effects to larger grain sizes, better crystallinity, and lower porosity. There is no electrical conductivity in the sintering sample at 1100°C due to the small grain sizes and high porosity. In the sintering sample at 1500°C, the phase of ZnAl2O4erupted. The highest electrical conductivity of 5923.48S/m of Al-doped ZnO pellet was obtained at the sintering temperature of 1400°C with measurement temperature of 500°C.
Medium-Frequency Electrical Resistance Sintering and Electrical Discharge Consolidation of Metallic Powders
Authors: Ternero Fatima , Astacio Raquel , Cuevas Francisco Gomez , Cintas Jesus , Montes Juan Manuel
Published: July 2018

Compacts of iron powders were prepared by medium-frequency electrical resistance sintering (MF-ERS) and electrical discharge consolidation (EDC). Structural and mechanical characterization was carried out in order to study the effect of the main processing parameters (current intensity and sintering time in MF-ERS and voltage and capacity in EDC). The compact properties resulted to be quite sensitive to the consolidation method and parameters. Porosities around 8% and microhardness of about 120 HV were reached. It is concluded that the MF-ERS process can be a best option for the consolidation of cemented carbide composites with composition WC-6wt.%Co. MF-ERS compacts of this composite show a very low porosity and reasonable uniform microstructure, preserving the original ultrafine grain size and an adequate hardness with a very quick processing cycle of the order of one second.
О весах булевых функций, представимых в виде $2$-КНФ или $3$-КНФ
Authors: Gorshkov Sergei Pavlovich , Tarasov Alexey Vyacheslavovich
Published: July 2018

Найдены множества возможных значений весов биюнктивных булевых функций ($2$-КНФ). Для булевых функций, существенно зависящих от всех переменных, описаны: множества биюнктивных функций веса, близкого к максимальному, и множества функций максимального веса, представимых $3$-КНФ. Сформулирована гипотеза о максимальном весе функций, представимых $k$-КНФ ($k\geqslant 4$) и существенно зависящих от всех переменных. Описаны некоторые множества равновероятных булевых функций, представимых $k$-КНФ.
Управляемая полиномиальная схема размещения
Authors: Mikhailov Vladimir Gavrilovich
Published: July 2018

В работе изучаются распределения ряда характеристик (в частности числа пустых ячеек) в схеме размещения частиц, управляемой стационарным случайным процессом, удовлетворяющим условию равномерно сильного перемешивания. Получены оценки точности пуассоновской аппроксимации для этих распределений и соответствующие предельные теоремы.
Poisson approximation for the number of non-decreasing runs in Markov chains
Authors: Minakov Aleksandr Aleksandrovich
Published: July 2018

Рассматривается последовательность $X_1, X_2, …, X_n$ случайных величин, являющаяся отрезком стационарной неприводимой и апериодической цепи Маркова с множеством состояний $\mathcal{A} = \{1,…, N\}$, $N \geqslant 2$. Изучаются непересекающиеся появления неубывающих серий в последовательности $X_1, X_2, …, X_n$. С использованием метода Стейна оценивается расстояние по вариации между распределением числа непересекающихся неубывающих серий и пуассоновским распределением. Как следствие доказывается соответствующая предельная теорема.
The microRNA gene bta-mir-2313 in cattle: an atlas of regulatory elements and an association analysis with growth and carcass traits in the Slovenian Simental cattle breed
Authors: Malovrh Špela , Kunej Tanja , Kovač Milena , Dovč Peter
Published: July 2018

Abstract. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of non-coding RNAs important in
posttranscriptional regulation of target genes. Regulation requires
complementarity between the target mRNA and the miRNA region responsible for
their recognition and binding, also called the seed region. Previous studies
have proven that expression profiles and genetic variations of miRNA genes
(miR-SNP; SNP – single nucleotide polymorphism) and their target sites
(miR-TS-SNPs) have an impact on phenotypic variation and disease
susceptibility in human, animal models, and livestock. MicroRNA-associated
polymorphisms therefore represent biomarker potential for phenotypic traits
in livestock. Effects of miRNA gene polymorphisms on phenotypic traits have
been studied in several animal species but much less in cattle. The aim of
the present study was therefore to analyze the genetic variability in the
bta-mir-2313 gene and test associations with growth and carcass
traits of the Slovenian Simmental cattle breed. Additionally, validated and
predicted genomic information related to the miRNA gene bta-mir-2313
has been obtained and presented as an atlas of miRNA regulatory elements.
Sanger sequencing has been used for biomarker development and genotyping of
145 animals of Slovenian dual-purpose Simmental cattle. Out of nine known
polymorphisms located within pre-miRNA regions, one mature miRNA seed SNP was
polymorphic in the Slovenian Simmental cattle breed. An additional three
polymorphisms were identified within the flanking pri-miRNA regions. There
was no significant effect of polymorphisms on 18 tested fattening and carcass
traits; however, validated polymorphisms could now be tested in association
with other traits in other cattle populations. The microRNA gene
bta-mir-2313 warrants further genetic and functional analyses since
it overlaps with a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTL), has over
3100 predicted targets and highly polymorphic mature seed regions, and is
located within protein-coding gene GRAMD1B, previously associated
with production traits in cattle. Mature miRNA seed SNPs present important
genomic loci for functional studies because they could affect the gain/loss
of downstream targets and should be systematically studied in cattle.
Surface–atmosphere exchange of water-soluble gases and aerosols above agricultural grassland pre- and post-fertilisation
Authors: Ramsay Robbie , Di Marco Chiara F. , Heal Mathew R. , Twigg Marsailidh M. , Cowan Nicholas , Jones Matthew R. , Leeson Sarah R. , Bloss William J. , Kramer Louisa J. , Crilley Leigh , Sörgel Matthias , Andreae Meinrat , Nemitz Eiko
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The increasing use of intensive agricultural practices can lead to damaging consequences for the atmosphere through enhanced emissions of air pollutants. However, there are few direct measurements of the surface–atmosphere exchange of trace gases and water-soluble aerosols over agricultural grassland, particularly of reactive nitrogen compounds. In this study, we present measurements of the concentrations, fluxes and deposition velocities of the trace gases HCl, HONO, HNO3, SO2 and NH3, and their associated water-soluble aerosol counterparts Cl−, NO2−, NO3−, SO42−, NH4+ as determined hourly for one month in May–June 2016 over agricultural grassland pre- and post-fertilisation. Measurements were made using the Gradient of Aerosols and Gases Online Registration (GRAEGOR) wet–chemical two–point gradient instrument. Emissions of NH3 peaked at 1460 ng m−2 s−1 three hours after fertilisation, with an emission of HONO peaking at 4.92 ng m−2 s−1 occurring five hours after fertilisation. Apparent emissions of NO3− aerosol were observed after fertilisation which, coupled with a divergence of HNO3 deposition velocity (Vd) from its theoretical maximum value, suggested the reaction of emitted NH3 with atmospheric HNO3 to form ammonium nitrate aerosol. The use of the conservative exchange fluxes of tot-NH4+ and tot-NO3− indicated net emission of tot-NO3−, implying a ground source of HNO3 after fertilisation. Daytime concentrations of HONO remained above the detection limit (30 ng m−3) throughout the campaign, suggesting a daytime source for HONO at the site. Whilst the mean Vd of NH4+ was with 0.93 mm/s in the range expected for the accumulation mode, the larger average Vd for Cl− (3.65 mm/s), NO3− (1.97 mm/s), SO42− (1.89 mm/s) reflected the contribution of a super-micron fraction and decreased with increasing PM2.5 / PM10 ratio (a proxy measurement for aerosol size), providing direct evidence of a size-dependence of aerosol deposition velocity for aerosol chemical compounds.
A comparison of Structure from Motion Photogrammetry and the Traversing Micro Erosion Meter for measuring erosion on rock shore platforms
Authors: Cullen Niamh D. , Verma Ankit K. , Bourke Mary C.
Published: July 2018

Abstract. For decades researchers have used the Micro Erosion Meter and it successor the Traversing Micro Erosion Meter to measure microscale rates of vertical erosion (downwearing) on rock shore platforms. Difficulties with upscaling of microscale field data in order to explain long term platform evolution have led to calls to introduce other methods which allow measurement of platform erosion at different scales. Structure from Motion Photogrammetry is fast emerging as a reliable, cost-effective tool for geomorphic change detection, providing a valuable means for detecting micro to meso-scale geomorphic change over different terrain types. Here we present the results of an experiment where we test the efficacy of Structure from Motion Photogrammetry for measuring change on rock shore platforms due to different erosion processes (sweeping abrasion, scratching and percussion). Key to this approach is the development of the Coordinate Reference System used to reference and scale the models, and which can be easily deployed in the field. Experiments were carried out on three simulated platform surfaces with low to high relative rugosity to assess the influence of surface roughness. We find that a Structure from Motion Photogrammetry can be used to reliably detect micro (sub mm) and meso (cm) scale erosion on shore platforms with a low Rugosity Index. As topographic complexity increases, the scale of detection is reduced. We also provide a detailed comparison of the two methods across a range of categories including cost, data collection, analysis and output. We find that Structure from Motion offers several advantages over the Micro Erosion Meter, most notably the ability to detect and measure erosion of shore platforms at different scales.
ADOPTION OF GEOSPATIAL GOVERNANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF E-GOVERMENT IN TANZANIA: ADDRESSING BOTTLENECKS IN SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Ngereja Z. R. , Liwa E. J. , Buberwa F.
Published: July 2018

Abstract. This study has developed a framework for adoption of geospatial governance in the context of e-government in Tanzania. After examining the governance of geospatial data, identify factors affecting governance of geospatial data, and proposed a framework that integrates e-governance and e-government. The research was undertaken to examine the understandings of geospatial governance, its challenges and to develop an institutional framework to guide the management of geospatial resources. Using documentary analysis, strategically designed interviews and questionnaire, and Focus Group Discussions, data was collected from a range of spatial data user community. Upon simple analysis of the data the following were the findings: First, the findings revealed that spatial data is not well managed, reused and shared. Second, geospatial data it is not easily and readily available and accessible. Third, there is lack of coordination and collaboration among spatial data users and custodian. The study revealed that coordination and collaboration is very important if a nation wants to utilize effectively the massive amount of data scattered in various organizations. There is an urgent need of having common gateway for spatial data discovery and sharing, and to have a mechanism that ensures spatial data is collected, processed and analyzed with acceptable standards and having metadata. In view of the findings, the study recommends that geospatial governance integration with e-Government is indispensable. The study has come out with the SPOTES framework for geospatial governance in the context of e-government; the Government should adopt the framework and establish the National Spatial Data Infrastructure. This will ensure the institutional set-up for the governance of geospatial data in the country and key players, i.e. the private sector, government institutions, and NGOs should collaborate in data sharing to benefit the country’s sustainable development.
Inverted distribution of ductile deformation in the relatively “dry” middle crust across the Woodroffe Thrust, central Australia
Authors: Wex Sebastian , Mancktelow Neil S. , Hawemann Friedrich , Camacho Alfredo , Pennacchioni Giorgio
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Thrust fault systems typically distribute shear strain preferentially into the hanging wall rather than the footwall. The Woodroffe Thrust in the Musgrave Block of central Australia is a regional-scale example that does not fit this model. It developed due to intracontinental shortening during the Petermann Orogeny (ca. 560–520 Ma) and is interpreted to be at least 600 km long in its E–W strike direction, with an approximate top-to-north minimum displacement of 60–100 km. The associated mylonite zone is most broadly developed in the footwall. The immediate hanging wall was only marginally involved in the mylonitization process, as can be demonstrated from the contrasting thorium signatures of mylonites derived from the upper amphibolite facies footwall and the granulite facies hanging wall protoliths. Thermal weakening cannot account for such an inverse deformation gradient, as syn-deformational P–T estimates for the Petermann Orogeny in the hanging wall and footwall from the same locality are very similar. The distribution of pseudotachylytes, which acted as preferred nucleation sites for shear deformation, also cannot provide an explanation, since these fault rocks are especially prevalent in the immediate hanging wall. The most likely reason for the inverted deformation gradient across the Woodroffe Thrust is water-assisted weakening due to the increased, but still limited, presence of aqueous fluids in the footwall. We also establish a qualitative increase in the abundance of fluids in the footwall along an approx. 60 km long section in the direction of thrusting, together with a slight decrease in the temperature of mylonitization (ca. 100 °C). These changes in ambient conditions are accompanied by a 6-fold decrease in thickness (from ca. 600 to 100 m) of the Woodroffe Thrust mylonitic zone.
Greenland Ice Mapping Project: ice flow velocity variation at sub-monthly to decadal timescales
Authors: Joughin Ian , Smith Ben E. , Howat Ian
Published: July 2018

Abstract. We describe several new ice velocity maps produced by the
Greenland Ice Mapping Project (GIMP) using Landsat 8 and Copernicus Sentinel
1A/B data. We then focus on several sites where we analyse these data in
conjunction with earlier data from this project, which extend back to the
year 2000. At Jakobshavn Isbræ and Køge Bugt, we find good agreement when
comparing results from different sensors. In a change from recent behaviour,
Jakobshavn Isbræ began slowing substantially in 2017, with a midsummer
peak that was even slower than some previous winter minima. Over the last
decade, we identify two major slowdown events at Køge Bugt that coincide
with short-term advances of the terminus. We also examined populations of
glaciers in north-west and south-west Greenland to produce a record of speed-up
since 2000. Collectively these glaciers continue to speed up, but there are
regional differences in the timing of periods of peak speed-up. In addition,
we computed trends in winter flow speed for much of the south-west margin of
the ice sheet and find little in the way of statistically significant changes
over the period covered by our data. Finally, although the consistency of the
data is generally good over time and across sensors, our analysis
indicates that substantial differences can arise in regions with high strain
rates (e.g. shear margins) where sensor resolution can become a factor. For
applications such as constraining model inversions, users should factor in
the impact that the data's resolution has on their results.
Comparative Study of p40 Gene Expression of Mycoplasma Agalactiae Isolated from Iranian Provinces
Authors: Yavari Fereshteh , Pourbakhsh Seyed Ali , Goudarzi Hossein , Khavarinejad Ramezan Ali
Published: July 2018

Mycoplasma agalactiae pathogen is the main cause of agalactia in small ruminants and as such, results in some economic losses in Iran. Contagious agalactia disease should be regarded as a syndrome, caused by various Mycoplasmas which infect several organs. In the present study, 30 suspected samples from 11 provinces of Iran were isolated from mammary gland, joint and eyes of sheep and goats and subjected to genus and species detection via PCR technique for 2 genes. These Mycoplasma strains and three Iranian vaccinal strains of Mycoplasma agalactiae were submitted to sequence analysis of a surface lipoprotein called p40 protein. Based on a comparative study between Iranian strains and PG2 Spanish strain of Mycoplasma agalactiae, most Iranian strains presented 97% homology, whereas some strains showed 80-88% and three vaccinal strains were associated with 99% homology. According to PCR and bioinformatics analysis outcomes, 6 provinces of Iran were recognized as infection areas with different expressions of this effecter protein, suggesting that finding the individual characteristics of a particular effecter may require empirical testing for vaccination. Finally, the selected sequence of p40 gene was cloned into pGEMB1cloning vector and subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli by pET-22b+ expression plasmid under the control of the T7 promoter. The expression of this fusion protein was absorbed and confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The recombinant P40 protein was expressed with a molecular mass of 37 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The sera taken from rabbits infected with Mycoplasma agalactiae produced polyclonal antibody which was then used for westernblotting. The rabbits were bled 10 days after the booster immunization using cardiac puncture. Significantly, the use of recombinant specific antigens instead of other tools for diagnosis of a disease could improve the discrimination and separation of positive and negative animals in the area under investigation and therefore, it can be applied to control infected animals and reduce economic losses.
The winter seasons of 2013 and 2014 in the Ghazali monastery
Authors: Obłuski Artur , Ochała Grzegorz , Calaforra-Rzepka Cristobal , Korzeniowska Małgorzata , Maślak Szymon , ed-Din Mahmoud Ed
Published: July 2018

The article reports on archaeological and conservation work carried out by the expedition of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw in cooperation with the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums in two consecutive seasons in the winter of 2013 and 2014. The excavations focused on the southeastern part of the site. They led to the discovery of a second monastic church (South Church) adjoining the church (North Church) known from Peter Shinnie’s work at the site, as well as a sanitary complex consisting of latrines and associated rooms located along the east wall of the monastery. Building material from the South Church, textual and pottery finds recovered during the two seasons, as well as conservation of the wall plaster preserved in the North Church are reported in this article.
Summer Issue, 2018
Authors: Madden Ken , Rapoport Mark , Maxwell Colleen
Published: July 2018

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MECHANOCHEMICAL ACTIVATION AS METHOD OF INTENSIFYING SYNTHESIS PROCESSES OF LOW-MODULUS ZEOLITES
Authors: Gordina Natalya E.
Published: July 2018

The systematization and generalization of the available literature data in the field of application of mechanochemical activation of the initial mixtures used for the synthesis of zeolites have been carried out in this paper. It was shown that the zeolites synthesis refers to the so-called "non-covalent synthesis", and therefore, it depends on the process conditions. On an example of obtaining NaA zeolite, it was analyzed the factors determining the synthesis result, namely, the raw material type, the activation time, the initial components ratio, the temperature at the thermal treatment stage, the effect of the solution pH on the hydrothermal crystallization stage. In the work it was clearly demonstrated that the use of hydrated compounds as raw material results in the formation of feldspathoids with close-packed structure (sodalite, nepheline). The composition of the interaction products of kaolinite with alkaline ingredients depends on its basicity. A decrease in the alkalinity of the raw material promotes an increase in the silicate module of the synthesized samples. For the zeolite synthesis, it is necessary to introduce a substance which should serve as a structure-directing agent. In the process of low-modulus zeolites synthesis, sodalite cells and sodium aluminates of cubic and tetragonal systems perform this function. Conducting a mechanochemically induced process requires alignment with the subsequent stage of the thermal treatment. At this stage, the increase in the strength of the pellets as a result of the formation of ceramic bonds between the particles occurs, as well as bilding the zeolites framework takes place. Thus, it was shown that mechanochemical activation makes it possible to simplify considerably the traditional methods for the synthesis of zeolites from gels, which largely depend on the conditions of the processes. It was demonstrated that the process time is shortened by reducing the number of stages and accelerating the nucleation, and also the components consumption decreases. This provides a reduction in sensitivity to the conditions of synthesis. In addition, the mechanochemical activation allows to create the granulated zeolite and the cation-exchanged zeolite forms by direct synthesis.Forcitation:Gordina N.E. Mechanochemical activation as method of intensifying synthesis processes of low-modulus zeolites. Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol. 2018. V. 61. N7. P. 4-22
ON MECHANISMS OF INCREASING HCL DISSOCIATION DEGREE IN GLOW DISCHARGE PLASMA
Authors: Efremov Alexander M. , Murin Dmitry B. , Belyaev Sergey V.
Published: July 2018

The influence of initial compositions of the binary HCl+Ar and HCl+O2 gas mixtures on the hydrogen chloride dissociation kinetics in low temperature gas discharge plasma was investigated. The experiments were carried out under the conditions of direct current glow discharge at constant total gas pressure (100 Pa) and discharge current (25 mA). The data on electro-physical plasma parameters and plasma composition were obtained by modeling procedure based on the simultaneous solution of Boltzmann kinetic equation and the equations of chemical kinetics for neutral and charged species in a steady-state approximation. It was found that an increase in the second component fraction in both gas mixtures results in the sufficient increase in the HCl dissociation degree (aHCl = 23–43% for 0–80% Ar and 23–90% for 0–80% O2), which is associated with different mechanisms. Particularly, in the HCl+Ar gas mixture, an effect of increasing aHCl is provided by an increase in the electron impact dissociation frequency due to the change in electro-physical plasma parameters, such as electron mean energy and electron density. For the HCl+O2 gas mixture, such mechanism is almost negligible because of the weak disturbances in both electron energy distribution and formation/decay balance for charged species in the combination of two molecular electronegative gases. At the same time, the HCl dissociation kinetics in this gas system appears to be strongly dependent on the gas-phase interactions with ground state of oxygen atoms O(3P), metastable atoms O(1D) and OH radicals. It was found that the rates of corresponding processes begin to exceed the HCl electron impact dissociation rate at 20% O2 in HCl+O2.Forcitation:Efremov A.M., Murin D.B., Belyaev S.V. On mechanisms of increasing hcl dissociation degree in glow discharge plasma. Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol. 2018. V. 61. N 7. P. 61-66
The voice of evidence
Authors: Marder Eve
Published: July 2018

In an era in which evidence is being disregarded, scientists need to speak up in support of the pursuit for truth.
Characterization and synergistic action of a tetra‐modular lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from Bacillus cereus
Authors: Mutahir Zeeshan , Mekasha Sophanit , Loose Jennifer S. M. , Abbas Faiza , Vaaje‐Kolstad Gustav , Eijsink Vincent G. H. , Forsberg Zarah
Published: July 2018

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) contribute to enzymatic conversion of recalcitrant polysaccharides such as chitin and cellulose and may also play a role in bacterial infections. Some LPMOs are multimodular, the implications of which remain only partly understood. We have studied the properties of a tetra‐modular LPMO from the food poisoning bacterium Bacillus cereus (named BcLPMO10A). We show that BcLPMO10A, comprising an LPMO domain, two fibronectin‐type III (FnIII)‐like domains, and a carbohydrate‐binding module (CBM5), is a powerful chitin‐active LPMO. While the role of the FnIII domains remains unclear, we show that enzyme functionality strongly depends on the CBM5, which, by promoting substrate binding, protects the enzyme from inactivation. BcLPMO10A enhances the activity of chitinases during the degradation of α‐chitin.
Exploratory analysis using machine learning to predict for chest wall pain in patients with stage I non‐small‐cell lung cancer treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy
Authors: Chao Hann‐Hsiang , Valdes Gilmer , Luna Jose M. , Heskel Marina , Berman Abigail T. , Solberg Timothy D. , Simone Charles B.
Published: July 2018

Background and purpose

Chest wall toxicity is observed after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for peripherally located lung tumors. We utilize machine learning algorithms to identify toxicity predictors to develop dose–volume constraints.

Materials and methods

Twenty‐five patient, tumor, and dosimetric features were recorded for 197 consecutive patients with Stage I NSCLC treated with SBRT, 11 of whom (5.6%) developed CTCAEv4 grade ≥2 chest wall pain. Decision tree modeling was used to determine chest wall syndrome (CWS) thresholds for individual features. Significant features were determined using independent multivariate methods. These methods incorporate out‐of‐bag estimation using Random forests (RF) and bootstrapping (100 iterations) using decision trees.

Results

Univariate analysis identified rib dose to 1 cc < 4000 cGy (P = 0.01), chest wall dose to 30 cc < 1900 cGy (P = 0.035), rib Dmax < 5100 cGy (P = 0.05) and lung dose to 1000 cc < 70 cGy (P = 0.039) to be statistically significant thresholds for avoiding CWS. Subsequent multivariate analysis confirmed the importance of rib dose to 1 cc, chest wall dose to 30 cc, and rib Dmax. Using learning‐curve experiments, the dataset proved to be self‐consistent and provides a realistic model for CWS analysis.

Conclusions

Using machine learning algorithms in this first of its kind study, we identify robust features and cutoffs predictive for the rare clinical event of CWS. Additional data in planned subsequent multicenter studies will help increase the accuracy of multivariate analysis.
Stereolithographic 4D Bioprinting of Multiresponsive Architectures for Neural Engineering
Authors: Miao Shida , Cui Haitao , Nowicki Margaret , Xia Lang , Zhou Xuan , Lee Se‐Jun , Zhu Wei , Sarkar Kausik , Zhang Zhiyong , Zhang Lijie Grace
Published: July 2018

4D printing represents one of the most advanced fabrication techniques for prospective applications in tissue engineering, biomedical devices, and soft robotics, among others. In this study, a novel multiresponsive architecture is developed through stereolithography‐based 4D printing, where a universal concept of stress‐induced shape transformation is applied to achieve the 4D reprogramming. The light‐induced graded internal stress followed by a subsequent solvent‐induced relaxation, driving an autonomous and reversible change of the programmed configuration after printing, is employed and investigated in depth and details. Moreover, the fabricated construct possesses shape memory property, offering a characteristic of multiple shape change. Using this novel multiple responsive 4D technique, a proof‐of‐concept smart nerve guidance conduit is demonstrated on a graphene hybrid 4D construct providing outstanding multifunctional characteristics for nerve regeneration including physical guidance, chemical cues, dynamic self‐entubulation, and seamless integration. By employing this fabrication technique, creating multiresponsive smart architectures, as well as demonstrating application potential, this work paves the way for truly initiation of 4D printing in various high‐value research fields.
Imidazole‐Grafted Nanogels for the Fabrication of Organic–Inorganic Protein Hybrids
Authors: Rodriguez‐Abetxuko Andoni , Morant‐Miñana Maria Carmen , López‐Gallego Fernando , Yate Luis , Seifert Andreas , Knez Mato , Beloqui Ana
Published: July 2018

Here, a platform for the development of highly responsive organic–inorganic enzyme hybrids is provided. The approach entails a first step of protein engineering, in which individual enzymes are armored with a porous nanogel decorated with imidazole motifs. In a second step, by mimicking the biomineralization mechanism, the assembly of the imidazole nanogels with CuSO4 and phosphate salts is triggered. A full characterization of the new composites reveals the first reported example in which the assembly mechanism is triggered by the sum of Cu(II)–imidazole interaction and Cu3(PO4)2 inorganic salt formation. It is demonstrated that the organic component of the hybrids, namely the imidazole‐modified polyacrylamide hydrogel, provides a favorable spatial distribution for the enzyme. This results in enhanced conversion rates, robustness of the composite at low pH values, and a remarkable thermal stability at 65 °C, exhibiting 400% of the activity of the mineralized enzyme lacking the organic constituent. Importantly, unlike in previous works, the protocol applies to the use of a broad range of transition metal cations (including mono‐, di‐, and trivalent cations) to trigger the mineralization mechanism, which eventually broadens the chemical and structural diversity of organic–inorganic protein hybrids.
Probing the acyl carrier protein–Enzyme interactions within terminal alkyne biosynthetic machinery
Authors: Su Michael , Zhu Xuejun , Zhang Wenjun
Published: July 2018

The alkyne functionality has attracted much interest due to its diverse chemical and biological applications. We recently elucidated an acyl carrier protein (ACP)‐dependent alkyne biosynthetic pathway, however, little is known about ACP interactions with the alkyne biosynthetic enzymes, an acyl‐ACP ligase (JamA) and a membrane‐bound bifunctional desaturase/acetylenase (JamB). Here, we showed that JamB has a more stringent interaction with ACP than JamA. In addition, site‐directed mutagenesis of a non‐cognate ACP significantly improved its compatibility with JamB, suggesting a possible electrostatic interaction at the ACP‐JamB interface. Finally, error‐prone PCR and screening of a second non‐cognate ACP identified hot spots on the ACP that are important for interacting with JamB and yielded mutants which were better recognized by JamB. Our data thus not only provide insights into the ACP interactions in alkyne biosynthesis, but it also potentially aids in future combinatorial biosynthesis of alkyne‐tagged metabolites for chemical and biological applications. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 4255–4262, 2018