bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of capsicum to boron and zinc application in terrace soils of Gazipur, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed R , Siddiky MA , Karim MR , Quddus MA , Ahmed S
Published: March 2017

A field experiment was conducted at vegetables research field of Horticulture Research Centre, Gazipur in terrace soils under Madhupur Tract (AEZ 28) during rabi seasons of 2009-10, 2010-11and 2011-12 to determine the optimum dose of boron and zinc for yield maximization of capsicum. There were sixteen treatment combinations comprising four levels each of B (0, 1, 2 and 3 kg ha-1) and Zn (0, 2, 3 and 4 kg ha-1) along with blanket dose of N150P65K120S20 kg ha-1 including cow dung 10 t ha-1 were used. The experiment was laid out in RCBD factorial with three replications. Results revealed that maximum mean number of fruits per plant (11.1), the highest fruit length (9.29 cm) and diameter (7.34 cm), maximum individual weight of fruits (122 g) were recorded from the combination treatment of B2.0Zn3.0 and the highest mean yield (31.8 t ha-1) was also recorded from the same treatment. The 84.8% yield increase over control (B0Zn0) due to combined application of B2.0Zn3.0 kg ha-1. The combined application of zinc and boron were observed superior to their single application. Therefore, the combination of B2.0Zn3.0 treatment may be considered as suitable dose for capsicum cultivation in terrace soils of Bangladesh.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(1): 43-52, March 2017
Attitudes to proposed assessment of pharmacy skills in Korean pharmacist licensure examination
Authors: Kim Joo Hee , Lee Ju-Yeun , Lee Young Sook , Yong Chul-Soon , Han Nayoung , Gwak Hye Sun , Oh Jungmi , Lee Byung Koo , Lee Sukhyang
Published: March 2017

Purpose: The survey aimed to obtain opinions about a proposed implementation of pharmacy skills assessment in Korean pharmacist licensure examination (KPLE).Methods: A 16-question survey was distributed electronically to 2,738 people including 570 pharmacy professors of 35 pharmacy schools, 550 preceptors from 865 practice sites and 1,618 students who graduated in 2015. The survey solicited responses concerning the adequacy of the current KPLE in assessing pharmacy knowledge/skills/attitudes, deficiencies of pharmacy skills testing in assessing the professional competencies necessary for pharmacists, plans for pharmacy skills tests in the current KPLE, and subject areas of pharmacy practice.Results: A total of 466 surveys were returned. The current exam is not adequate for assessing skills and attitudes according to 42%–48% of respondents. Sixty percent felt that skills test is necessary to assess qualifications and professional competencies. Almost two-thirds of participants stated that testing should be implemented within 5 years. More than 60% agreed that candidates should be graduates and that written and skills test scores can be combined for pass-fail decisions. About 70% of respondents felt that the test should be less than 2 hours in duration. Over half of the respondents thought that the assessor should be a pharmacy faculty member with at least 5 years of clinical experience. Up to 70% stated that activities related to patient care were appropriate and practical for the scope of skills test. Conclusion: Pharmacy skills assessment was supported by the majority of respondents.
Inside and outside the Neotropics: three Polish naturalists during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
Authors: Mierzwa-Szymkowiak D. , Breure A. S. H.
Published: March 2017

Władysław Emanuel Lubomirski (1824–1882) was a Polish amateur naturalist who amassed a large collection of molluscs; this included specimens, partly collected by Konstanty Roman Jelski (1837–1896) and Jan Stanisław Sztolcman (Stolzmann) (1854–1928) in the Neotropics. Jelski travelled through French Guiana and Peru between 1865 and 1879. Sztolcman joined him in 1875 and worked in Peru and Ecuador until 1881.
Proximity to Industrial Food Animal Production and Asthma Exacerbations in Pennsylvania, 2005–2012
Authors: Rasmussen Sara , Casey Joan , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Schwartz Brian
Published: March 2017

The research on industrial food animal production (IFAP) and asthma exacerbations in the United States has relied on small sample sizes and/or self-reported outcomes. We assessed associations of proximity to large-scale and densely stocked swine and dairy/veal IFAP with three types of asthma exacerbations: hospitalizations, emergency encounters, and oral corticosteroid (OCS) medication orders from Geisinger Clinic in Pennsylvania. We used a diagnosis code (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification code 493.x) and medication orders from electronic health records to identify these exacerbations among asthma patients (n = 35,269) from 2005–2012. We compared residential proximity to swine or dairy/veal IFAP (dichotomized as <3 miles (4.8 km) or ≥3 miles) among asthma patients with and without exacerbations and estimated odds ratios using multilevel logistic regression. In adjusted models, proximity to IFAP was associated (odds ratio (95% confidence interval)) with OCS orders (1.11 (1.04–1.19)) and hospitalizations (1.29 (1.15–1.46)), but not emergency encounters (1.12 (0.91–1.37)). This study contributes to growing evidence that IFAP may impact health, in this case clinically-documented asthma exacerbations. No prior study has evaluated the association of IFAP and clinically-documented asthma exacerbations in the United States.
Cancer/Testis Antigens: “Smart” Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Prostate and Other Cancers
Authors: Kulkarni Prakash , Uversky Vladimir
Published: March 2017

A clinical dilemma in the management of prostate cancer (PCa) is to distinguish men with aggressive disease who need definitive treatment from men who may not require immediate intervention. Accurate prediction of disease behavior is critical because radical treatment is associated with high morbidity. Here, we highlight the cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) as potential PCa biomarkers. The CTAs are a group of proteins that are typically restricted to the testis in the normal adult but are aberrantly expressed in several types of cancers. Interestingly, >90% of CTAs are predicted to belong to the realm of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), which do not have unique structures and exist as highly dynamic conformational ensembles, but are known to play important roles in several biological processes. Using prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4) as an example of a disordered CTA, we highlight how IDP conformational dynamics may regulate phenotypic heterogeneity in PCa cells, and how it may be exploited both as a potential biomarker as well as a promising therapeutic target in PCa. We also discuss how in addition to intrinsic disorder and post-translational modifications, structural and functional variability induced in the CTAs by alternate splicing represents an important feature that might have different roles in different cancers. Although it is clear that significant additional work needs to be done in the outlined direction, this novel concept emphasizing (multi)functionality as an important trait in selecting a biomarker underscoring the theranostic potential of CTAs that is latent in their structure (or, more appropriately, the lack thereof), and casts them as next generation or “smart” biomarker candidates.
Action of Thyroid Hormones, T3 and T2, on Hepatic Fatty Acids: Differences in Metabolic Effects and Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Damiano Fabrizio , Rochira Alessio , Gnoni Antonio , Siculella Luisa
Published: March 2017

The thyroid hormones (THs) 3,3′,5,5′-tetraiodo-l-thyronine (T4) and 3,5,3′-triiodo-l-thyronine (T3) influence many metabolic pathways. The major physiological function of THs is to sustain basal energy expenditure, by acting primarily on carbohydrate and lipid catabolism. Beyond the mobilization and degradation of lipids, at the hepatic level THs stimulate the de novo fatty acid synthesis (de novo lipogenesis, DNL), through both the modulation of gene expression and the rapid activation of cell signalling pathways. 3,5-Diiodo-l-thyronine (T2), previously considered only a T3 catabolite, has been shown to mimic some of T3 effects on lipid catabolism. However, T2 action is more rapid than that of T3, and seems to be independent of protein synthesis. An inhibitory effect on DNL has been documented for T2. Here, we give an overview of the mechanisms of THs action on liver fatty acid metabolism, focusing on the different effects exerted by T2 and T3 on the regulation of the DNL. The inhibitory action on DNL exerted by T2 makes this compound a potential and attractive drug for the treatment of some metabolic diseases and cancer.
The Role of MicroRNAs in Myocardial Infarction: From Molecular Mechanism to Clinical Application
Authors: Sun Teng , Dong Yan-Han , Du Wei , Shi Chun-Ying , Wang Kun , Tariq Muhammad-Akram , Wang Jian-Xun , Li Pei-Feng
Published: March 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small single-stranded and highly conserved non-coding RNAs, which are closely linked to cardiac disorders such as myocardial infarction (MI), cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and heart failure. A growing number of studies have demonstrated that miRNAs determine the fate of the heart by regulating cardiac cell death and regeneration after MI. A deep understanding of the pathophysiology of miRNA dependent regulatory pathways in these processes is required. The role of miRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets also needs to be explored in order to utilize them in clinical settings. This review summarizes the role of miRNAs in myocardial infarction and focuses mainly on their influence on cardiomyocyte regeneration and cell death including apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. In addition, the targets of pro- and anti-MI miRNAs are comparatively described. In particular, the possibilities of miRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for myocardial infarction are discussed in this review.
The Production of Porous Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds with Graded Porosity by Sequential Freeze-Casting
Authors: Lee Hyun , Jang Tae-Sik , Song Juha , Kim Hyoun-Ee , Jung Hyun-Do
Published: March 2017

Porous hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds with porosity-graded structures were fabricated by sequential freeze-casting. The pore structures, compressive strengths, and biocompatibilities of the fabricated porous HA scaffolds were evaluated. The porosities of the inner and outer layers of the graded HA scaffolds were controlled by adjusting the initial HA contents of the casting slurries. The interface between the dense and porous parts was compact and tightly adherent. The porosity and compressive strengths of the scaffold were controlled by the relative thicknesses of the dense/porous parts. In addition, the porous HA scaffolds showed good biocompatibility in terms of preosteoblast cell attachment and proliferation. The results suggest that porous HA scaffolds with load-bearing parts have potential as bone grafts in hard-tissue engineering.
Electrodeposited Porous Mn1.5Co1.5O4/Ni Composite Electrodes for High-Voltage Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Pan Guan-Ting , Chong Siewhui , Yang Thomas , Huang Chao-Ming
Published: March 2017

Mesoporous Mn1.5Co1.5O4 (MCO) spinel films were prepared directly on a conductive nickel (Ni) foam substrate via electrodeposition and an annealing treatment as supercapacitor electrodes. The electrodeposition time markedly influenced the surface morphological, textural, and supercapacitive properties of MCO/Ni electrodes. The (MCO/Ni)-15 min electrode (electrodeposition time: 15 min) exhibited the highest capacitance among three electrodes (electrodeposition times of 7.5, 15, and 30 min, respectively). Further, an asymmetric supercapacitor that utilizes (MCO/Ni)-15 min as a positive electrode, a plasma-treated activated carbon (PAC)/Ni electrode as a negative electrode, and carboxymethyl cellulose-lithium nitrate (LiNO3) gel electrolyte (denoted as (PAC/Ni)//(MCO/Ni)-15 min) was fabricated. In a stable operation window of 2.0 V, the device exhibited an energy density of 27.6 Wh·kg−1 and a power density of 1.01 kW·kg−1 at 1 A·g−1. After 5000 cycles, the specific energy density retention and power density retention were 96% and 92%, respectively, demonstrating exceptional cycling stability. The good supercapacitive performance and excellent stability of the (PAC/Ni)//(MCO/Ni)-15 min device can be ascribed to the hierarchical structure and high surface area of the (MCO/Ni)-15 min electrode, which facilitate lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation at the electrode/electrolyte interface and mitigate volume change during long-term charge/discharge cycling.
Chloride Diffusion and Acid Resistance of Concrete Containing Zeolite and Tuff as Partial Replacements of Cement and Sand
Authors: Mohseni Ehsan , Tang Waiching , Cui Hongzhi
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the properties of concrete containing zeolite and tuff as partial replacements of cement and sand were studied. The compressive strength, water absorption, chloride ion diffusion and resistance to acid environments of concretes made with zeolite at proportions of 10% and 15% of binder and tuff at ratios of 5%, 10% and 15% of fine aggregate were investigated. The results showed that the compressive strength of samples with zeolite and tuff increased considerably. In general, the concrete strength increased with increasing tuff content, and the strength was further improved when cement was replaced by zeolite. According to the water absorption results, specimens with zeolite showed the lowest water absorption values. With the incorporation of tuff and zeolite, the chloride resistance of specimens was enhanced significantly. In terms of the water absorption and chloride diffusion results, the most favorable replacement of cement and sand was 10% zeolite and 15% tuff, respectively. However, the resistance to acid attack reduced due to the absorbing characteristic and calcareous nature of the tuff.
Fabrication of Carbonate Apatite Block through a Dissolution–Precipitation Reaction Using Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate Dihydrate Block as a Precursor
Authors: Tsuru Kanji , Yoshimoto Ayami , Kanazawa Masayuki , Sugiura Yuki , Nakashima Yasuharu , Ishikawa Kunio
Published: March 2017

Carbonate apatite (CO3Ap) block, which is a bone replacement used to repair defects, was fabricated through a dissolution–precipitation reaction using a calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) block as a precursor. When the DCPD block was immersed in NaHCO3 or Na2CO3 solution at 80 °C, DCPD converted to CO3Ap within 3 days. β-Tricalcium phosphate was formed as an intermediate phase, and it was completely converted to CO3Ap within 2 weeks when the DCPD block was immersed in Na2CO3 solution. Although the crystal structures of the DCPD and CO3Ap blocks were different, the macroscopic structure was maintained during the compositional transformation through the dissolution–precipitation reaction. CO3Ap block fabricated in NaHCO3 or Na2CO3 solution contained 12.9 and 15.8 wt % carbonate, respectively. The diametral tensile strength of the CO3Ap block was 2 MPa, and the porosity was approximately 57% regardless of the carbonate solution. DCPD is a useful precursor for the fabrication of CO3Ap block.
A Novel Extrusion for Manufacturing TiBw/Ti6Al4V Composite Tubes with a Quasi-Continuous Reinforced Structure
Authors: Yang Jianlei , Jiao Xueyan , Chen Wenzhen , Zhang Wencong , Wang Guofeng
Published: March 2017

The present work introduces a novel extrusion with filler material to produce the high-performance TiBw/Ti-6Al-4V composite tube with a quasi-continuous reinforced structure. A simulation was adopted to study the effect of the filler material on the shape accuracy of the tubes. Based on the simulation results, the flow stress of the filler material was not the important factor, but the friction coefficient between the filler and TiBw/Ti-6Al-4V composite and the canning shape were critical to the tube precision. The microstructure and mechanical performance for the as-extruded TiBw/Ti-6Al-4V composite tubes were systematically investigated. After extrusion, the transverse section microstructure of the TiBw/Ti6Al4V composite tube remained quasi-continuous and the TiBw were rotated to align the extrusion direction. Moreover, the tensile strength and elongation reached 1240 MPa and 13.5%, resulting from dynamic recrystallization and whisker rotation.
Effects of Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers’ Interlayers on High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Gao Tianji , Le TrungHieu , Yang Ying , Yu Zhihao , Huang Zhenghong , Kang Feiyu
Published: March 2017

Two different interlayers were introduced in lithium–sulfur batteries to improve the cycling stability with sulfur loading as high as 80% of total mass of cathode. Melamine was recommended as a nitrogen-rich (N-rich) amine component to synthesize a modified polyacrylic acid (MPAA). The electrospun MPAA was carbonized into N-rich carbon nanofibers, which were used as cathode interlayers, while carbon nanofibers from PAA without melamine was used as an anode interlayer. At the rate of 0.1 C, the initial discharge capacity with two interlayers was 983 mAh g−1, and faded down to 651 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles with the coulombic efficiency of 95.4%. At the rate of 1 C, the discharge capacity was kept to 380 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 98.8%. It apparently demonstrated that the cathode interlayer is extremely effective at shutting down the migration of polysulfide ions. The anode interlayer induced the lithium ions to form uniform lithium metal deposits confined on the fiber surface and in the bulk to strengthen the cycling stability of the lithium metal anode.
Optimization of Bromelain-Aided Production of Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Hydrolysates from Stone Fish Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Auwal Shehu Muhammad , Zarei Mohammad , Abdul-Hamid Azizah , Saari Nazamid
Published: March 2017

The stone fish is an under-utilized sea cucumber with many nutritional and ethno-medicinal values. This study aimed to establish the conditions for its optimum hydrolysis with bromelain to generate angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory hydrolysates. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a central composite design was used to model and optimize the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and ACE-inhibitory activity. Process conditions including pH (4–7), temperature (40–70 °C), enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio (0.5%–2%) and time (30–360 min) were used. A pH of 7.0, temperature of 40 °C, E/S ratio of 2% and time of 240 min were determined using a response surface model as the optimum levels to obtain the maximum ACE-inhibitory activity of 84.26% at 44.59% degree of hydrolysis. Hence, RSM can serve as an effective approach in the design of experiments to improve the antihypertensive effect of stone fish hydrolysates, which can thus be used as a value-added ingredient for various applications in the functional foods industries.
Distal Proton Shuttle Mechanism of Ribosome Catalysed Peptide Bond Formation—A Theoretical Study
Authors: Zhang Xiaotong , Jiang Yafei , Mao Qiuyun , Tan Hongwei , Li Xichen , Chen Guangju , Jia Zongchao
Published: March 2017

In this work, we have investigated a novel distal proton shuttle mechanism of ribosome catalyzed peptide bond formation reaction. The reaction was found to follow a two-step mechanism. A distal water molecule located about 6.1 Å away from the attacking amine plays as a proton acceptor and results in a charge-separated intermediate that is stabilized by the N terminus of L27 and the A-site A76 5′-phosphate. The ribose A2451 bridges the proton shuttle pathway, thus plays critical role in the reaction. The calculated 27.64 kcal•mol−1 free energy barrier of the distal proton shuttle mechanism is lower than that of eight-membered ring transition state. The distal proton shuttle mechanism studied in this work can provide new insights into the important biological peptide synthesis process.
Teaching Music in the Reformed/Calvinist Tradition: Sphere Sovereignty and the Arts
Authors: MacInnis John
Published: March 2017

This article shares objectives, teaching methods, and sources of inspiration as I lead 21st-century students in engaging a Reformed/Calvinistic vision for the arts generally, and music specifically. Special explanation is made of Calvinistic concepts such as sphere sovereignty and sensus divinitatis. To conclude, I discuss aspects of a recent composition titled The God of Material Things by Jonathan Posthuma, a graduate of our college music program, whose work exemplifies many of the elements that my colleagues and I hope distinguish the accomplishments of music students beyond their education at Dordt College.
Gas Sensor Based on 3-D WO3 Inverse Opal: Design and Applications
Authors: Xing Ruiqing , Du Yang , Zhao Xiaonan , Zhang Xiu
Published: March 2017

A three-dimensional inverse opal (3DIO) WO3 architecture has been synthesized via a simple sacrificial template method. Morphology features of the 3DIO were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and its structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The shrinking ratio of the PMMA spheres was ~28.2% through measuring the distribution of the PMMA spheres and 3DIO WO3 center-to-center distance between the spheres and macropores, respectively. Beyond that, the 3DIO gas sensing properties were investigated systematically and the sensing mechanism of 3DIO WO3 was proposed. The results indicated that the response of the 3DIO sensor possessed excellent sensitivity to acetone gas, especially at trace levels. The 3DIO gas sensor response was ~7 to 5 ppm of acetone and could detect acetone low to 0.2 ppm effectively, which was in close proximity to the theoretical low detection limit of 0.14 ppm when Ra/Rg ≥ 1.2 was used as the criterion for reliable gas sensing. All in all, the obvious satisfaction of the gas-sensing properties was ascribed to the structure of the 3DIO, and the sensor could be a promising novel device in the future.
Energy-Efficient Channel Coding Strategy for Underwater Acoustic Networks
Authors: Barreto Grasielli , Simão Daniel , Pellenz Marcelo , Souza Richard , Jamhour Edgard , Penna Manoel , Brante Glauber , Chang Bruno
Published: March 2017

Underwater acoustic networks (UAN) allow for efficiently exploiting and monitoring the sub-aquatic environment. These networks are characterized by long propagation delays, error-prone channels and half-duplex communication. In this paper, we address the problem of energy-efficient communication through the use of optimized channel coding parameters. We consider a two-layer encoding scheme employing forward error correction (FEC) codes and fountain codes (FC) for UAN scenarios without feedback channels. We model and evaluate the energy consumption of different channel coding schemes for a K-distributed multipath channel. The parameters of the FEC encoding layer are optimized by selecting the optimal error correction capability and the code block size. The results show the best parameter choice as a function of the link distance and received signal-to-noise ratio.
Monitoring and Discovery for Self-Organized Network Management in Virtualized and Software Defined Networks
Authors: Caraguay Ángel , Villalba Luis
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the Monitoring and Discovery Framework of the Self-Organized Network Management in Virtualized and Software Defined Networks SELFNET project. This design takes into account the scalability and flexibility requirements needed by 5G infrastructures. In this context, the present framework focuses on gathering and storing the information (low-level metrics) related to physical and virtual devices, cloud environments, flow metrics, SDN traffic and sensors. Similarly, it provides the monitoring data as a generic information source in order to allow the correlation and aggregation tasks. Our design enables the collection and storing of information provided by all the underlying SELFNET sublayers, including the dynamically onboarded and instantiated SDN/NFV Apps, also known as SELFNET sensors.
Bench-Top Fabrication of an All-PDMS Microfluidic Electrochemical Cell Sensor Integrating Micro/Nanostructured Electrodes
Authors: Saem Sokunthearath , Zhu Yujie , Luu Helen , Moran-Mirabal Jose
Published: March 2017

In recent years, efforts in the development of lab-on-a-chip (LoC) devices for point-of-care (PoC) applications have increased to bring affordable, portable, and sensitive diagnostics to the patients’ bedside. To reach this goal, research has shifted from using traditional microfabrication methods to more versatile, rapid, and low-cost options. This work focuses on the benchtop fabrication of a highly sensitive, fully transparent, and flexible poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic (μF) electrochemical cell sensor. The μF device encapsulates 3D structured gold and platinum electrodes, fabricated using a shape-memory polymer shrinking method, which are used to set up an on-chip electrochemical cell. The PDMS to PDMS-structured electrode bonding protocol to fabricate the μF chip was optimized and found to have sufficient bond strength to withstand up to 100 mL/min flow rates. The sensing capabilities of the on-chip electrochemical cell were demonstrated by using cyclic voltammetry to monitor the adhesion of murine 3T3 fibroblasts in the presence of a redox reporter. The charge transfer across the working electrode was reduced upon cell adhesion, which was used as the detection mechanism, and allowed the detection of as few as 24 cells. The effective utilization of simple and low cost bench-top fabrication methods could accelerate the prototyping and development of LoC technologies and bring PoC diagnostics and personalized medicine to the patients’ bedside.
Real-Time and High-Resolution 3D Face Measurement via a Smart Active Optical Sensor
Authors: You Yong , Shen Yang , Zhang Guocai , Xing Xiuwen
Published: March 2017

The 3D measuring range and accuracy in traditional active optical sensing, such as Fourier transform profilometry, are influenced by the zero frequency of the captured patterns. The phase-shifting technique is commonly applied to remove the zero component. However, this phase-shifting method must capture several fringe patterns with phase difference, thereby influencing the real-time performance. This study introduces a smart active optical sensor, in which a composite pattern is utilized. The composite pattern efficiently combines several phase-shifting fringes and carrier frequencies. The method can remove zero frequency by using only one pattern. Model face reconstruction and human face measurement were employed to study the validity and feasibility of this method. Results show no distinct decrease in the precision of the novel method unlike the traditional phase-shifting method. The texture mapping technique was utilized to reconstruct a nature-appearance 3D digital face.
Activity Learning as a Foundation for Security Monitoring in Smart Homes
Authors: Dahmen Jessamyn , Thomas Brian , Cook Diane , Wang Xiaobo
Published: March 2017

Smart environment technology has matured to the point where it is regularly used in everyday homes as well as research labs. With this maturation of the technology, we can consider using smart homes as a practical mechanism for improving home security. In this paper, we introduce an activity-aware approach to security monitoring and threat detection in smart homes. We describe our approach using the CASAS smart home framework and activity learning algorithms. By monitoring for activity-based anomalies we can detect possible threats and take appropriate action. We evaluate our proposed method using data collected in CASAS smart homes and demonstrate the partnership between activity-aware smart homes and biometric devices in the context of the CASAS on-campus smart apartment testbed.
Distributed Humidity Sensing in PMMA Optical Fibers at 500 nm and 650 nm Wavelengths
Authors: Liehr Sascha , Breithaupt Mathias , Krebber Katerina
Published: March 2017

Distributed measurement of humidity is a sought-after capability for various fields of application, especially in the civil engineering and structural health monitoring sectors. This article presents a method for distributed humidity sensing along polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer optical fibers (POFs) by analyzing wavelength-dependent Rayleigh backscattering and attenuation characteristics at 500 nm and 650 nm wavelengths. Spatially resolved humidity sensing is obtained from backscatter traces of a dual-wavelength optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR). Backscatter dependence, attenuation dependence as well as the fiber length change are characterized as functions of relative humidity. Cross-sensitivity effects are discussed and quantified. The evaluation of the humidity-dependent backscatter effects at the two wavelength measurements allows for distributed and unambiguous measurement of relative humidity. The technique can be readily employed with low-cost standard polymer optical fibers and commercial OTDR devices.
A Geo-Event-Based Geospatial Information Service: A Case Study of Typhoon Hazard
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wu Wenzhou , Wang Qi , Su Fenzhen
Published: March 2017

Social media is valuable in propagating information during disasters for its timely and available characteristics nowadays, and assists in making decisions when tagged with locations. Considering the ambiguity and inaccuracy in some social data, additional authoritative data are needed for important verification. However, current works often fail to leverage both social and authoritative data and, on most occasions, the data are used in disaster analysis after the fact. Moreover, current works organize the data from the perspective of the spatial location, but not from the perspective of the disaster, making it difficult to dynamically analyze the disaster. All of the disaster-related data around the affected locations need to be retrieved. To solve these limitations, this study develops a geo-event-based geospatial information service (GEGIS) framework and proceeded as follows: (1) a geo-event-related ontology was constructed to provide a uniform semantic basis for the system; (2) geo-events and attributes were extracted from the web using a natural language process (NLP) and used in the semantic similarity match of the geospatial resources; and (3) a geospatial information service prototype system was designed and implemented for automatically retrieving and organizing geo-event-related geospatial resources. A case study of a typhoon hazard is analyzed here within the GEGIS and shows that the system would be effective when typhoons occur.
Agroecology, Public Policies and Labor-Driven Intensification: Alternative Development Trajectories in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region
Authors: Petersen Paulo F. , Silveira Luciano M.
Published: March 2017

The institutional recognition obtained by family farming in Brazil over recent decades has translated into the launching of a broad and diverse set of public policies specifically aimed towards this sociopolitical category. However, the design of these policies was heavily influenced by the productivist bias derived from the agricultural modernization paradigm, making the sector increasingly dependent on input and capital markets. In this same movement of institutional evolution, policies consistent with the agroecological approach created new margins for maneuvering for development trajectories founded on the use of local resources self-controlled by rural families and communities. Taking as a reference the recent trajectory of rural development in Brazil’s semi-arid region, the article analyses the role of the agroecological perspective in the strategic combination between territorially endogenous rural resources and public resources redistributed by the State. Based on the analysis of the economy of agroecosystems linked to two sociotechnical networks structured by contrasting logics of productive intensification, the study demonstrates agroecology’s potential as a scientific-technological approach for the combined attainment of various Sustainable Development Goals, starting with the economic and political emancipation of the socially most vulnerable portions of the rural population.
Reaction Networks as a Language for Systemic Modeling: On the Study of Structural Changes
Authors: Veloz Tomas , Razeto-Barry Pablo
Published: March 2017

Reaction Networks have been recently proposed as a framework for systems modeling due to its capability to describe many entities interacting in contextual ways and leading to the emergence of meta-structures. Since systems can be subjected to structural changes that not only alter their inner functioning, but also their underlying ontological features, a crucial issue is how to address these structural changes within a formal representational framework. When modeling systems using reaction networks, we find that three fundamentally different types of structural change are possible. The first corresponds to the usual notion of perturbation in dynamical systems, i.e., change in system’s state. The second corresponds to behavioral changes, i.e., changes not in the state of the system but on the properties of its behavioral rules. The third corresponds to radical structural changes, i.e., changes in the state-set structure and/or in reaction-set structure. In this article, we describe in detail the three types of structural changes that can occur in a reaction network, and how these changes relate to changes in the systems observable within this reaction network. In particular, we develop a decomposition theorem to partition a reaction network as a collection of dynamically independent modules, and show how such decomposition allows for precisely identifying the parts of the reaction network that are affected by a structural change.
Design and Operation of Decentralized Reservoirs in Urban Drainage Systems
Authors: Lee Eui Hoon , Kim Joong Hoon
Published: March 2017

Poor drainage of urban storm water can lead to urban inundation which presents a risk to people and property. Previous research has presented various measures to prevent and reduce urban flooding and these measures can be classified into costly but effective structural measures, and economical but less effective non-structural measures. This study suggests a new approach to reduce urban flooding by combining structural and non-structural measures in a target watershed in Seoul, South Korea. Inlet design modification in a detention reservoir (Decentralized Reservoir, DR) is examined in conjunction with combined inlet/outlet management for the DR. Monitoring nodes used to control DR inlet/outlet operations are selected by locating the first flooding node, maximum flooding node and DR inlet node. This new approach demonstrates outstanding flood volume reduction for historical flooding events that occurred in Seoul during 2010 and 2011. Flood volumes during the 2010 event using the combined inlet/outlet operation in the DR were between 1656 m3 and 1815 m3 compared to a flood volume of 6617 m3 using current DR operation. Finally, the suggested operating level for the DR based on the best hydraulic section, system resilience index, and local regulations is 1.2 m.
Description de la femelle d'Heteroclita digennaroi (Legrand, 2004) et remarques sur l'espèce (Coleoptera, Cetoniidae)
Authors: Rojkoff Sébastien
Published: March 2017

Description of the female of Heteroclita digennaroi (Legrand, 2004) and comments on the species.

A series of specimens of Heteroclita digennaroi (Legrand, 2004), a species so far known only from the male holotype, has been collected at Mount Entoto in September, 2006, by the author and Karl Werner during a trip to Ethiopia. The female is here described, illustrated, and comments are added about the male morphology and the biology of the species. A correction is made regarding the data of the holotype. A female is designated as an alloreferent.
À propos des Cerylonidae de France et nouvelle découverte de Philothermus evanescens (Reitter) en Rhône-Alpes (Coleoptera)
Authors: Dodelin Benoît
Published: March 2017

About Cerylonidae in France with a new locality for Philothermus evanescens (Reitter) in Rhône-Alpes (Coleoptera) This article presents a taxonomic list for Cerylonidae in France. An identification key is given for the Ceryloninae (genera Cerylon and Philothermus ). The paper gathers available information about distribution and biology of the species of the genus Philothermus with special notes for P. evanescens, a very rare saproxylic species recently discovered in the Ain department.
Contribution à l'étude des Araneidae (Araneae) de Guyane française. III - Compléments sur le genre Metazygia F O. P-Cambridge
Authors: Dierkens Michaël
Published: March 2017

Trois espèces de Metazygia sont signalées pour la première fois de Guyane française. La femelle de Metazygia tanica Levi, jusqu'alors inconnue, est décrite.
Deux nouveaux Trechus de Tunisie (Coleoptera Carabidae Trechini) et discussion sur le complexe fulvus en Afrique du Nord
Authors: Queinnec Éric , Ollivier Éric
Published: March 2017

Dans le cadre d'un inventaire des Carabidae de Tunisie de nombreuses prospections de terrain ont été menées en ciblant tout particulièrement les environnements endogés et hypogés. Ces travaux ont permis la découverte de deux nouveaux Trechus endémiques appartenant au complexe d'espèces du Trechus fulvus Dejean, 1831. Les caractères de ces espèces les rapprochent du groupe du Trechus lallemantii Fairmaire, 1859 que nous définissons sur la base d'un ensemble de caractères morphologiques.
Effect of Stimulus Polarity on Physiological Spread of Excitation in Cochlear Implants
Authors: Spitzer Emily R. , Hughes Michelle L.
Published: March 2017

Background:Contemporary cochlear implants (CIs) use cathodic-leading, symmetrical, biphasic current pulses, despite a growing body of evidence that suggests anodic-leading pulses may be more effective at stimulating the auditory system. However, since much of this research on
humans has used pseudomonophasic pulses or biphasic pulses with unusually long interphase gaps, the effects of stimulus polarity are unclear for clinically relevant (i.e., symmetric biphasic) stimuli.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of stimulus polarity on
basic characteristics of physiological spread-of-excitation (SOE) measures obtained with the electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) in CI recipients using clinically relevant stimuli.Research Design:Using a within-subjects (repeated measures) design, we examined the differences
in mean amplitude, peak electrode location, area under the curve, and spatial separation between SOE curves obtained with anodic- and cathodic-leading symmetrical, biphasic pulses.Study Sample:Fifteen CI recipients (ages 13‐77) participated in this study. All were users of Cochlear
Ltd. devices.Data Collection and Analysis:SOE functions were obtained using the standard forward-masking artifact reduction method. Probe electrodes were 5‐18, and they were stimulated at an 8 (of 10) loudness rating (“loud”). Outcome measures (mean amplitude, peak
electrode location, curve area, and spatial separation) for each polarity were compared within subjects.Results:Anodic-leading current pulses produced ECAPs with larger average amplitudes, greater curve area, and less spatial separation between SOE patterns compared with that for cathodic-leading
pulses. There was no effect of polarity on peak electrode location.Conclusions:These results indicate that for equal current levels, the anodic-leading polarity produces broader excitation patterns compared with cathodic-leading pulses, which reduces the spatial separation between functions.
This result is likely due to preferential stimulation of the central axon. Further research is needed to determine whether SOE patterns obtained with anodic-leading pulses better predict pitch discrimination.
Detection of the Atmosphere of the 1.6 M⊕ Exoplanet GJ 1132 b
Authors: Southworth John , Mancini Luigi , Madhusudhan Nikku , Mollière Paul , Ciceri Simona , Henning Thomas
Published: March 2017

Detecting the atmospheres of low-mass, low-temperature exoplanets is a high-priority goal on the path to ultimately detecting biosignatures in the atmospheres of habitable exoplanets. High-precision HST observations of several super-Earths with equilibrium temperatures below 1000 K have to date all resulted in featureless transmission spectra, which have been suggested to be due to high-altitude clouds. We report the detection of an atmospheric feature in the atmosphere of a 1.6

transiting exoplanet, GJ 1132 b, with an equilibrium temperature of ∼600 K and orbiting a nearby M dwarf. We present observations of nine transits of the planet obtained simultaneously in the griz and JHK passbands. We find an average radius of 1.43 ± 0.16

for the planet, averaged over all the passbands, and a radius of 0.255 ± 0.023

for the star, both of which are significantly greater than previously found. The planet radius can be decomposed into a “surface radius” at ∼1.375

overlaid by atmospheric features that increase the observed radius in the z and K bands. The z-band radius is 4σ higher than the continuum, suggesting a strong detection of an atmosphere. We deploy a suite of tests to verify the reliability of the transmission spectrum, which are greatly helped by the existence of repeat observations. The large z-band transit depth indicates strong opacity from H2O and/or CH4 or a hitherto-unconsidered opacity. A surface radius of 1.375 ± 0.16

allows for a wide range of interior compositions ranging from a nearly Earth-like rocky interior, with ∼70% silicate and ∼30% Fe, to a substantially H2O-rich water world.
Convective-core Overshoot and Suppression of Oscillations: Constraints from Red Giants in NGC 6811
Authors: Arentoft T. , Brogaard K. , Jessen-Hansen J. , Silva Aguirre V. , Kjeldsen H. , Mosumgaard J. R. , Sandquist E. L.
Published: March 2017

Using data from the NASA spacecraft Kepler, we study solar-like oscillations in red giant stars in the open cluster NGC 6811. We determine oscillation frequencies, frequency separations, period spacings of mixed modes, and mode visibilities for eight cluster giants. The oscillation parameters show that these stars are helium-core-burning red giants. The eight stars form two groups with very different oscillation power spectra; the four stars with the lowest Δν values display rich sets of mixed l = 1 modes, while this is not the case for the four stars with higher Δν. For the four stars with lowest Δν, we determine the asymptotic period spacing of the mixed modes, ΔP, which together with the masses we derive for all eight stars suggest that they belong to the so-called secondary clump. Based on the global oscillation parameters, we present initial theoretical stellar modeling that indicates that we can constrain convective-core overshoot on the main sequence and in the helium-burning phase for these ∼2 M
⊙ stars. Finally, our results indicate less mode suppression than predicted by recent theories for magnetic suppression of certain oscillation modes in red giants.
Magnetic Fields in the Massive Dense Cores of the DR21 Filament: Weakly Magnetized Cores in a Strongly Magnetized Filament
Authors: Ching Tao-Chung , Lai Shih-Ping , Zhang Qizhou , Girart Josep M. , Qiu Keping , Liu Hauyu B.
Published: March 2017

We present Submillimeter Array 880 μm dust polarization observations of six massive dense cores in the DR21 filament. The dust polarization shows complex magnetic field structures in the massive dense cores with sizes of 0.1 pc, in contrast to the ordered magnetic fields of the parsec-scale filament. The major axes of the massive dense cores appear to be aligned either parallel or perpendicular to the magnetic fields of the filament, indicating that the parsec-scale magnetic fields play an important role in the formation of the massive dense cores. However, the correlation between the major axes of the cores and the magnetic fields of the cores is less significant, suggesting that during the core formation, the magnetic fields below 0.1 pc scales become less important than the magnetic fields above 0.1 pc scales in supporting a core against gravity. Our analysis of the angular dispersion functions of the observed polarization segments yields a plane-of-sky magnetic field strength of 0.4–1.7 mG for the massive dense cores. We estimate the kinematic, magnetic, and gravitational virial parameters of the filament and the cores. The virial parameters show that the gravitational energy in the filament dominates magnetic and kinematic energies, while the kinematic energy dominates in the cores. Our work suggests that although magnetic fields may play an important role in a collapsing filament, the kinematics arising from gravitational collapse must become more important than magnetic fields during the evolution from filaments to massive dense cores.
Gaseous Dynamical Friction in Presence of Black Hole Radiative Feedback
Authors: Park KwangHo , Bogdanović Tamara
Published: March 2017

Dynamical friction is thought to be a principal mechanism responsible for orbital evolution of massive black holes (MBHs) in the aftermath of galactic mergers and an important channel for formation of gravitationally bound MBH binaries. We use 2D radiative hydrodynamic simulations to investigate the efficiency of dynamical friction in the presence of radiative feedback from an MBH moving through a uniform density gas. We find that ionizing radiation that emerges from the innermost parts of the MBH’s accretion flow strongly affects the dynamical friction wake and renders dynamical friction inefficient for a range of physical scenarios. MBHs in this regime tend to experience positive net acceleration, meaning that they speed up, contrary to the expectations for gaseous dynamical friction in absence of radiative feedback. The magnitude of this acceleration is however negligibly small and should not significantly alter the velocity of MBHs over relevant physical timescales. Our results suggest that suppression of dynamical friction is more severe at the lower mass end of the MBH spectrum which, compounded with inefficiency of the gas drag for lower mass objects in general, implies that <107

MBHs have fewer means to reach the centers of merged galaxies. These findings provide formulation for a sub-resolution model of dynamical friction in presence of MBH radiative feedback that can be easily implemented in large scale simulations.
Serovar prevalence of Leptospira in semirural India and the development of an IgM-based indirect ELISA
Authors: Chandy Sara , Kirubanandhan Lokeshwaran , Hemavathy Priya , Khadeeja Anees Mohammad , Kurian Siby Jacob , Venkataraman Krishnan , Mørch Kristine , Mathai Dilip , Manoharan Anand
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a major public health problem in India. However, it has been underreported and under-diagnosed due to a lack of awareness of the disease, a functional surveillance system, and appropriate laboratory diagnostic facilities. Methodology: This multicenter study aimed to understand the Leptospira serovars causing leptospirosis in seven secondary-level hospitals in six states in India. Since early and accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis is one of the challenges faced by clinicians in India due to the poor specificity and sensitivity of commercially available diagnostic systems, an in-house indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. Genomic DNA from L. interrogans serovar Canicola was used for polymerase chain reaction amplification, cloning, and expression of the lipL32 gene in E. coli to amplify, clone, and express the lipL32 gene. Results: Australis was the common serovar seen at all the study centers. Serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae was seen in samples from Tamil Nadu and Assam. In-house ELISA was standardized using the purified recombinant LipL32 polypeptide and was used to evaluate serum. Subsequently, acute serum samples from leptospirosis patients (n = 60) were screened. Compared to the gold standard, the microscopic agglutination test, sensitivity and specificity of the in-house ELISA was 95% and 90%, respectively. Conclusions: Understanding Leptospira serovars circulating in leptospirosis-endemic areas will help to formulate better vaccines. LipL32-based ELISA may serve as a valuable tool for early diagnosis of leptospirosis.