bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrochemistry and 222Rn Concentrations in Spring Waters in the Arid Zone El Granero, Chihuahua, Mexico
Authors: Rentería-Villalobos Marusia , Covarrubias-Muños Alejandro , Pinedo-Álvarez Alfredo , Manjon-Collado Guillermo
Published: March 2017

Water in arid and semi-arid environments is characterized by the presentation of complex interactions, where dissolved chemical species in high concentrations have negative effects on the water quality. Radon is present in areas with a high uranium and radium content, and it is the main contributor of the annual effective dose received by humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate concentrations of 222Rn and the water quality of spring waters. Water was classified as calcium sulfated and sodium sulfated. Most of the water samples with high radon concentrations presented higher concentrations of sulfates, fluorides, and total dissolved solids. 222Rn concentrations may be attributed to possible enhancement of 226Ra due to temperature and salinity of water, as well as evaporation rate. In 100% of the sampled spring waters the 222Rn levels exceeded the maximum acceptable limit which is proposed by international institutions. Aridity increases radiological risk related to 222Rn dose because spring waters are the main supply source for local populations. The implementation of environmental education, strategies, and technologies to remove the contaminants from the water are essential in order to reduce the health risk for local inhabitants.
Reconfiguration: Symbolic Image and Language Art
Authors: Cayley John
Published: March 2017

‘Reconfiguration: Symbolic Image and Language Art’ proposes an analytic and theoretical framework for computational aesthetic practices in terms of ‘reconfiguration’ and its derivatives, ‘reconfigurationism’ and ‘reconfigurationist’. Digitization of the media of aesthetic practices has rendered these practices subject to software architectures derived from computational applications that, for the most part, have had little regard for aesthetics as such. The ‘images’ of contemporary aesthetic practices are often ‘symbolic images’ in the terms of the essay. They are co-produced by networked computation and digitized—symbolized—representations of media, all within new formations of (‘Big’) software architectures that are, typically, beyond the artists’ generative, poetic control. Aesthetic practice is configured by software and digitalization. To bring art and aesthetics back into a generative relation with this potentially constrictive not to say totalizing situation, artists must reconfigure. This is an intervention that computation traditionally and productively allows, even in the era of Big Software. Reconfigurationism is demonstrated, specifically, in the field of language art and is also proposed as a poetics, characteristic of a wide range of contemporary aesthetic practice in all media where computation is at play. ‘Reconfiguration’ and ‘reconfigurationism’ distinguishes itself from theories of a ‘New Aesthetic’ and pretends a more insightful and critically generative analysis. The essay’s ‘symbolic image’ bears a relation to Vilém Flusser’s ‘technical image’ but has a clearer relation both to language and to computation, since Flusser’s term is overweening with regard to (the end of the history of) language and overdetermined by its links to apparatus as opposed to the generalized abstractions of computation.
Relationship Marketing: A Qualitative Case Study of New-Media Marketing Use by Kansas Garden Centers
Authors: Stebner Scott , Boyer Cheryl , Baker Lauri , Peterson Hikaru
Published: March 2017

A primary factor limiting the expansion of many Kansas garden centers is marketing. Most of these businesses spend the majority of advertising dollars on traditional media (newspaper, radio, etc.). However, new-media tools such as social-media can be an effective method for developing profitable relationships with customers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of garden center stakeholders as they use new-media to market their businesses. Grunig’s Excellency Theory served as the theoretical framework for this study. Results indicate garden center operators prefer to use traditional media channels to market to their customers and asynchronously communicate with their target audiences. Stakeholders often have inaccurate or conflicting views of traditional media and new-media in regard to advertising and tend to approach new-media marketing from a public information or asynchronous viewpoint.
Model-Based Evaluation of Strategies to Control Brucellosis in China
Authors: Li Ming-Tao , Sun Gui-Quan , Zhang Wen-Yi , Jin Zhen
Published: March 2017

Brucellosis, the most common zoonotic disease worldwide, represents a great threat to animal husbandry with the potential to cause enormous economic losses. Brucellosis has become a major public health problem in China, and the number of human brucellosis cases has increased dramatically in recent years. In order to evaluate different intervention strategies to curb brucellosis transmission in China, a novel mathematical model with a general indirect transmission incidence rate was presented. By comparing the results of three models using national human disease data and 11 provinces with high case numbers, the best fitted model with standard incidence was used to investigate the potential for future outbreaks. Estimated basic reproduction numbers were highly heterogeneous, varying widely among provinces. The local basic reproduction numbers of provinces with an obvious increase in incidence were much larger than the average for the country as a whole, suggesting that environment-to-individual transmission was more common than individual-to-individual transmission. We concluded that brucellosis can be controlled through increasing animal vaccination rates, environment disinfection frequency, or elimination rates of infected animals. Our finding suggests that a combination of animal vaccination, environment disinfection, and elimination of infected animals will be necessary to ensure cost-effective control for brucellosis.
Risk Factors for Mortality among Adult HIV/AIDS Patients Following Antiretroviral Therapy in Southwestern Ethiopia: An Assessment through Survival Models
Authors: Seyoum Dinberu , Degryse Jean-Marie , Kifle Yehenew , Taye Ayele , Tadesse Mulualem , Birlie Belay , Banbeta Akalu , Rosas-Aguirre Angel , Duchateau Luc , Speybroeck Niko
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Efforts have been made to reduce HIV/AIDS-related mortality by delivering antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment. However, HIV patients in resource-poor settings are still dying, even if they are on ART treatment. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with HIV/AIDS-related mortality in Southwestern Ethiopia. Method: A non-concurrent retrospective cohort study which collected data from the clinical records of adult HIV/AIDS patients, who initiated ART treatment and were followed between January 2006 and December 2010, was conducted, to explore the factors associated with HIV/AIDS-related mortality at Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH). Survival times (i.e., the time from the onset of ART treatment to the death or censoring) and different characteristics of patients were retrospectively examined. A best-fit model was chosen for the survival data, after the comparison between native semi-parametric Cox regression and parametric survival models (i.e., exponential, Weibull, and log-logistic). Result: A total of 456 HIV patients were included in the study, mostly females (312, 68.4%), with a median age of 30 years (inter-quartile range (IQR): 23–37 years). Estimated follow-up until December 2010 accounted for 1245 person-years at risk (PYAR) and resulted in 66 (14.5%) deaths and 390 censored individuals, representing a median survival time of 34.0 months ( IQR: 22.8–42.0 months). The overall mortality rate was 5.3/100 PYAR: 6.5/100 PYAR for males and 4.8/100 PYAR for females. The Weibull survival model was the best model for fitting the data (lowest AIC). The main factors associated with mortality were: baseline age (>35 years old, AHR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.6–9.1), baseline weight (AHR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90–0.97), baseline WHO stage IV (AHR = 6.2, 95% CI: 2.2–14.2), and low adherence to ART treatment (AHR = 4.2, 95% CI: 2.5–7.1). Conclusion: An effective reduction in HIV/AIDS mortality could be achieved through timely ART treatment onset and maintaining high levels of treatment adherence.
Perceptions of Health Co-Benefits in Relation to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions: A Survey among Urban Residents in Three Chinese Cities
Authors: Gao Jinghong , Xu Guozhang , Ma Wenjun , Zhang Yong , Woodward Alistair , Vardoulakis Sotiris , Kovats Sari , Wilkinson Paul , He Tianfeng , Lin Hualiang , Liu Tao , Gu Shaohua , Wang Jun , Li Jing , Yang Jun , Liu Xiaobo , Li Jing , Wu Haixia , Liu Qiyong
Published: March 2017

Limited information is available on the perceptions of stakeholders concerning the health co-benefits of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of urban residents on the health co-benefits involving GHG abatement and related influencing factors in three cities in China. Beijing, Ningbo and Guangzhou were selected for this survey. Participants were recruited from randomly chosen committees, following quotas for gender and age in proportion to the respective population shares. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were employed to examine the associations between socio-demographic variables and individuals’ perceptions of the health co-benefits related to GHG mitigation. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the influencing factors of respondents’ awareness about the health co-benefits. A total of 1159 participants were included in the final analysis, of which 15.9% reported that they were familiar with the health co-benefits of GHG emission reductions. Those who were younger, more educated, with higher family income, and with registered urban residence, were more likely to be aware of health co-benefits. Age, attitudes toward air pollution and governmental efforts to improve air quality, suffering from respiratory diseases, and following low carbon lifestyles are significant predictors of respondents’ perceptions on the health co-benefits. These findings may not only provide information to policy-makers to develop and implement public welcome policies of GHG mitigation, but also help to bridge the gap between GHG mitigation measures and public engagement as well as willingness to change health-related behaviors.
Association of Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter with Skin Symptoms in Schoolchildren: A Panel Study in a Rural Area of Western Japan
Authors: Watanabe Masanari , Noma Hisashi , Kurai Jun , Sano Hiroyuki , Iwata Kyoko , Hantan Degejirihu , Tohda Yuji , Shimizu Eiji
Published: March 2017

Numerous studies have unmasked the deleterious effects of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) on health. However, epidemiologic evidence focusing on the effects of PM2.5 on skin health remains limited. An important aspect of Asian dust (AD) in relationship to health is the amount of PM2.5 contained therein. Several studies have demonstrated that AD can aggravate skin symptoms. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term exposure to PM2.5 and AD particles on skin symptoms in schoolchildren. A total of 339 children recorded daily skin symptom scores during February 2015. Light detection and ranging were used to calculate AD particle size. Generalized estimating equation logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the associations among skin symptoms and the daily levels of PM2.5 and AD particles. Increases in the levels of PM2.5 and AD particles were not related to an increased risk of skin symptom events, with increases of 10.1 μg/m3 in PM2.5 and 0.01 km−1 in AD particles changing odds ratios by 1.03 and 0.99, respectively. These results suggest that short-term exposure to PM2.5 and AD does not impact skin symptoms in schoolchildren.
On Data Quality Assurance and Conflation Entanglement in Crowdsourcing for Environmental Studies
Authors: Leibovici Didier , Rosser Julian , Hodges Crona , Evans Barry , Jackson Michael , Higgins Chris
Published: March 2017

Volunteer geographical information (VGI), either in the context of citizen science or the mining of social media, has proven to be useful in various domains including natural hazards, health status, disease epidemics, and biological monitoring. Nonetheless, the variable or unknown data quality due to crowdsourcing settings are still an obstacle for fully integrating these data sources in environmental studies and potentially in policy making. The data curation process, in which a quality assurance (QA) is needed, is often driven by the direct usability of the data collected within a data conflation process or data fusion (DCDF), combining the crowdsourced data into one view, using potentially other data sources as well. Looking at current practices in VGI data quality and using two examples, namely land cover validation and inundation extent estimation, this paper discusses the close links between QA and DCDF. It aims to help in deciding whether a disentanglement can be possible, whether beneficial or not, in understanding the data curation process with respect to its methodology for future usage of crowdsourced data. Analysing situations throughout the data curation process where and when entanglement between QA and DCDF occur, the paper explores the various facets of VGI data capture, as well as data quality assessment and purposes. Far from rejecting the usability ISO quality criterion, the paper advocates for a decoupling of the QA process and the DCDF step as much as possible while still integrating them within an approach analogous to a Bayesian paradigm.
Genetic Polymorphisms Contribute to the Individual Variations of Imatinib Mesylate Plasma Levels and Adverse Reactions in Chinese GIST Patients
Authors: Liu Jing , Chen Zhiyu , Chen Hanmei , Hou Yingyong , Lu Weiqi , He Junyi , Tong Hanxing , Zhou Yuhong , Cai Weimin
Published: March 2017

Imatinib mesylate (IM) has dramatically improved the outcomes of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients. However, the clinical responses of IM may considerably vary among single individuals. This study aimed to investigate the influences of genetic polymorphisms of drug-metabolizing enzyme (CYP3A4), transporters (ABCB1, ABCG2), and nuclear receptor (Pregnane X Receptor (PXR, encoded by NR1I2)) on IM plasma levels and related adverse reactions in Chinese GIST patients. A total of 68 Chinese GIST patients who have received IM 300–600 mg/day were genotyped for six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (CYP3A4 rs2242480; ABCB1 rs1045642; ABCG2 rs2231137; NRI12 rs3814055, rs6785049, rs2276706), and the steady-state IM trough plasma concentrations were measured by a validated HPLC method. There were statistically significant variances in the steady-state IM trough plasma concentrations (from 272.22 to 4365.96 ng/mL). Subjects of GG in rs2242480, T allele carriers in rs1045642 and CC in rs3814055 had significantly higher steady-state IM dose-adjusted trough plasma concentrations. Subjects of CC in rs3814055 had significantly higher incidence rate of edema. The genetic polymorphisms of rs2242480, rs1045642, rs3814055 were significantly associated with IM plasma levels, and the genetic variations of rs3814055 were significantly associated with the incidence rate of edema in Chinese GIST patients. The current results may serve as valuable fundamental knowledge for IM therapy in Chinese GIST patients.
The Application of Curve Fitting on the Voltammograms of Various Isoforms of Metallothioneins–Metal Complexes
Authors: Merlos Rodrigo Miguel , Molina-López Jorge , Jimenez Jimenez Ana , Planells Del Pozo Elena , Adam Pavlina , Eckschlager Tomas , Zitka Ondrej , Richtera Lukas , Adam Vojtech
Published: March 2017

The translation of metallothioneins (MTs) is one of the defense strategies by which organisms protect themselves from metal-induced toxicity. MTs belong to a family of proteins comprising MT-1, MT-2, MT-3, and MT-4 classes, with multiple isoforms within each class. The main aim of this study was to determine the behavior of MT in dependence on various externally modelled environments, using electrochemistry. In our study, the mass distribution of MTs was characterized using MALDI-TOF. After that, adsorptive transfer stripping technique with differential pulse voltammetry was selected for optimization of electrochemical detection of MTs with regard to accumulation time and pH effects. Our results show that utilization of 0.5 M NaCl, pH 6.4, as the supporting electrolyte provides a highly complicated fingerprint, showing a number of non-resolved voltammograms. Hence, we further resolved the voltammograms exhibiting the broad and overlapping signals using curve fitting. The separated signals were assigned to the electrochemical responses of several MT complexes with zinc(II), cadmium(II), and copper(II), respectively. Our results show that electrochemistry could serve as a great tool for metalloproteomic applications to determine the ratio of metal ion bonds within the target protein structure, however, it provides highly complicated signals, which require further resolution using a proper statistical method, such as curve fitting.
Natural Killer Cell Assessment in Peripheral Circulation and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Patients with Severe Sepsis: A Case Control Study
Authors: Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes Paulo , Guimaraes Fernando , Natânia De Souza-Araujo Caroline , Maria Boldrini Leite Lidiane , Cristina Senegaglia Alexandra , Nishiyama Anita , Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes Fernando
Published: March 2017

Sepsis is a complex systemic inflammatory syndrome, the most common cause of which is attributed to systemic underlying bacterial infection. The complete mechanisms of the dynamic pro- and anti-inflammatory processes underlying the pathophysiology of sepsis remain poorly understood. Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sepsis, leading to exaggerated inflammation due their rapid response and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Several studies have already shown that NK cells undergo lymphopenia in the peripheral blood of patients with sepsis. However, our understanding of the mechanisms behind its cellular trafficking and its role in disease development is restricted to studies in animal models. In this study, we aimed to compare the human NK cell subset (CD56bright or dim) levels in the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of sepsis patients. We conducted a case-control study with a sample size consisting of 10 control patients and 23 sepsis patients enrolled at the Hospital Cajuru (Curitiba/PR, Brazil) from 2013 to 2015. Although we were able to confirm previous observations of peripheral blood lymphopenia, no significant differences were detected in NK cell levels in the BAL fluid of these patients. Overall, these findings strengthened the evidence that peripheral blood lymphopenia is likely to be associated with cell death as a consequence of sepsis.
CmMYB19 Over-Expression Improves Aphid Tolerance in Chrysanthemum by Promoting Lignin Synthesis
Authors: Wang Yinjie , Sheng Liping , Zhang Huanru , Du Xinping , An Cong , Xia Xiaolong , Chen Fadi , Jiang Jiafu , Chen Sumei
Published: March 2017

The gene encoding the MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis vira l oncogene homolog) transcription factor CmMYB19 was isolated from chrysanthemum. It encodes a 200 amino acid protein and belongs to the R2R3-MYB subfamily. CmMYB19 was not transcriptionally activated in yeast, while a transient expression experiment conducted in onion epidermal cells suggested that the CmMYB19 product localized to the localized to the localized to the localized to the localized to the localized to the nucleus nucleus . CmMYB19 transcription was induced by aphid (Macrosiphoniella sanborni) infestation, and the abundance of transcript was higher in the leaf and stem than in the root. The over-expression of CmMYB19 restricted the multiplication of the aphids. A comparison of transcript abundance of the major genes involved in lignin synthesis showed that CmPAL1 (phenylalanine ammonia lyase 1), CmC4H (cinnamate4 hydroxylase), Cm4CL1 (4-hydroxy cinnamoyl CoA ligase 1), CmHCT (hydroxycinnamoyl CoA-shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase), CmC3H1 (coumarate3 hydroxylase1), CmCCoAOMT1 (caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase 1) and CmCCR1 (cinnamyl CoA reductase1) were all upregulated, in agreement in agreement in agreement in agreement in agreement in agreement with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content in CmMYB19 over-expressing plants plants plants. Collectively, the over-expression of CmMYB19 restricted the multiplication of the aphids on the host, mediated by an enhanced accumulation of lignin.
Factors That Negatively Affect the Prognosis of Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia in District Hospital in Tanzania
Authors: Caggiano Serena , Ullmann Nicola , De Vitis Elisa , Trivelli Marzia , Mariani Chiara , Podagrosi Maria , Ursitti Fabiana , Bertolaso Chiara , Putotto Carolina , Unolt Marta , Pietravalle Andrea , Pansa Paola , Mphayokulela Kajoro , Lemmo Maria , Mkwambe Michael , Kazaura Joseph , Duse Marzia , Nieddu Francesco , Azzari Chiara , Cutrera Renato
Published: March 2017

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still the most important cause of death in countries with scarce resources. All children (33 months ± 35 DS) discharged from the Pediatric Unit of Itigi Hospital, Tanzania, with a diagnosis of CAP from August 2014 to April 2015 were enrolled. Clinical data were gathered. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bacterial detection were collected in all 100 children included. Twenty-four percent of patients were identified with severe CAP and 11% died. Surprisingly, 54% of patients were admitted with a wrong diagnosis, which increased complications, the need for antibiotics and chest X-rays, and the length of hospitalization. Comorbidity, found in 32% of children, significantly increased severity, complications, deaths, need for chest X-rays, and oxygen therapy. Malnourished children (29%) required more antibiotics. Microbiologically, Streptococcus pneumonia (S. p.), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. a.) were the bacteria more frequently isolated. Seventy-five percent of patients had mono-infection. Etiology was not correlated with severity, complications, deaths, oxygen demand, or duration of hospitalization. Our study highlights that difficult diagnoses and comorbidities negatively affect clinical evolution. S. p. and Hib still play a large role; thus, implementation of current vaccine strategies is needed. DBS is a simple and efficient diagnostic method for bacterial identification in countries with scarce resources.
Dectin-1-Mediated Pathway Contributes to Fusarium proliferatum-Induced CXCL-8 Release from Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells
Authors: Yeh Chang-Ching , Horng Huann-Cheng , Chou Hong , Tai Hsiao-Yun , Shen Horng-Der , Hsieh Shie-Liang , Wang Peng-Hui
Published: March 2017

Fusarium species are causative agents of human respiratory disorders and are distributed widely in our environment. Little is known of their interaction with human respiratory epithelial cells, which may contribute to allergic airway responses. In this study, we report on the release of C–X–C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL-8) from human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells upon stimulation with Fusarium proliferatum extracts. F. proliferatum-induced cytokine release from BEAS-2B cells was determined by cytokine array and CXCL-8 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Blocking antibodies and signaling pathway inhibitors were employed to delineate cell surface receptors and signaling pathways participating in CXCL-8 release. F. proliferatum extracts induced the release of CXCL-8 in a time-dependent manner. The dectin-1 receptor ligands, curdlan and laminarin, reduced CXCL-8 release. Cells pre-treated with anti-Dectin-1 antibodies (2 µg/mL) decreased CXCL-8 release by 24%. Furthermore, F. proliferatum-stimulated CXCL-8 release was reduced by 32%, 53%–81%, 40% and 26% after BEAS-2B cells were pretreated with activation inhibitors of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk)—piceatannol—, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)—PD98059, U0126, SB202190, SP600125—, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)—LY294002—and nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)—BAY117082—, respectively. These results suggest that Dectin-1-mediated activation of the Syk, MAPKs, PI3K and NF-κB signaling pathways contributes to F. proliferatum-stimulated CXCL-8 release from BEAS-2B cells and provides an important basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies in clinical allergy.
Analysis and Modeling for China’s Electricity Demand Forecasting Based on a New Mathematical Hybrid Method
Authors: Liang Jie , Liang Yi
Published: March 2017

Electricity demand forecasting can provide the scientific basis for the country to formulate the power industry development strategy and the power-generating target, which further promotes the sustainable, healthy and rapid development of the national economy. In this paper, a new mathematical hybrid method is proposed to forecast electricity demand. In line with electricity demand feature, the framework of joint-forecasting model is established and divided into two procedures: firstly, the modified GM(1,1) model and the Logistic model are used to make single forecasting. Then, the induced ordered weighted harmonic averaging operator (IOWHA) is applied to combine these two single models and make joint-forecasting. Forecasting results demonstrate that this new hybrid model is superior to both single-forecasting approaches and traditional joint-forecasting methods, thus verifying the high prediction validity and accuracy of mentioned joint-forecasting model. Finally, detailed forecasting-outcomes on electricity demand of China in 2016–2020 are discussed and displayed a slow-growth smoothly over the next five years.
Understanding Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics from 1976 to 2014 in Yellow River Delta
Authors: Zhang Baolei , Zhang Qiaoyun , Feng Chaoyang , Feng Qingyu , Zhang Shumin
Published: March 2017

Long-term intensive land use/cover changes (LUCCs) of the Yellow River Delta (YRD) have been happening since the 1960s. The land use patterns of the LUCCs are crucial for bio-diversity conservation and/or sustainable development. This study quantified patterns of the LUCCs, explored the systematic transitions, and identified wetland change trajectory for the period 1976–2014 in the YRD. Landsat imageries of 1976, 1984, 1995, 2006, and 2014 were used to derive nine land use classes. Post classification change detection analysis based on enhanced transition matrix was applied to identify land use dynamics and trajectory of wetland change. The five cartographic outputs for changes in land use underlined major decreases in natural wetland areas and increases in artificial wetland and non-wetland, especially aquafarms, salt pans and construction lands. The systematic transitions in the YRD were wetland degradation, wetland artificialization, and urbanization. Wetland change trajectory results demonstrated that the main wetland changes were wetland degradation and wetland artificialization. Coastline change is the subordinate reason for natural wetland degradation in comparison with human activities. The results of this study allowed for an improvement in the understanding of the LUCC processes and enabled researchers and planners to focus on the most important signals of systematic landscape transitions while also allowing for a better understanding of the proximate causes of changes.
Design Optimization and Structural Performance Evaluation of Plate Girder Bridge Constructed Using a Turn-Over Process
Authors: Eom Gi-Ha , Kim Sung , Lee Tae-Hee , Kim Jang-Ho
Published: March 2017

A recent trend in bridge construction has been the optimization of the cost-to-performance ratio. The most effective way to optimize the cost-to-performance ratio is to maximize the efficiency of the superstructure. Currently, many bridge engineers and designers favor two- or three- girder plate superstructures, due to their cost advantages. However, research on the performance enhancements of the I-type girder in two- or three- girder plate bridges is lacking. One of the most important performance improvement technologies for the I-type girder is the “preflex” method. In the preflex method, the specimen is inverted during the construction process to apply prestressed cambering to the specimen by using self-weight. However, a problem with the preflex construction method is difficulty with inverting the girder/plate system during the concrete curing process. Therefore, a new inverting system called Turn-Over (TO) wheel was proposed. Using TO wheels, wider variations to the I-type girder design can be achieved. Using this TO construction method, various cross sectional designs of girder plate systems can be considered due to its easiness in inverting the girder/plate system. In this study, the location of concrete confinement sections between the steel I-beams and concrete plates was varied in an I-girder cross-sectional design. Design parameters included effective height, flange thickness, flange width, confining concrete section width, etc. From this study, the optimum cross-sectional design of the I-girder/concrete plate system was achieved. Then, a single 20 m TO girder/plate system and two 20 m TO girder bridges were constructed and tested to evaluate their performance. From the test, failure behavior, load carrying capacity, crack pattern, etc., are obtained. The results are discussed in detail in this paper.
Solutions for Critical Raw Materials under Extreme Conditions: A Review
Authors: Grilli Maria , Bellezze Tiziano , Gamsjäger Ernst , Rinaldi Antonio , Novak Pavel , Balos Sebastian , Piticescu Radu , Ruello Maria
Published: March 2017

In Europe, many technologies with high socio-economic benefits face materials requirements that are often affected by demand-supply disruption. This paper offers an overview of critical raw materials in high value alloys and metal-matrix composites used in critical applications, such as energy, transportation and machinery manufacturing associated with extreme working conditions in terms of temperature, loading, friction, wear and corrosion. The goal is to provide perspectives about the reduction and/or substitution of selected critical raw materials: Co, W, Cr, Nb and Mg.
High-Temperature Hot Air/Silane Coupling Modification of Wood Fiber and Its Effect on Properties of Wood Fiber/HDPE Composites
Authors: Chen Feng , Han Guangping , Li Qingde , Gao Xun , Cheng Wanli
Published: March 2017

The surfaces of poplar wood fibers were modified using high-temperature hot air (HTHA) treatment and silane coupling agent. The single factor test was then used to investigate the performances (e.g., the change of functional groups, polarity, cellulose crystallinity, and thermal stability) of modified poplar wood fibers (mPWF) through Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and thermo-gravimetric analysis for the subsequent preparation of wood-plastic composites (WPCs). The effect of HTHA treatment conditions—such as temperature, inlet air velocity, and feed rate—on the performances of WPCs was also investigated by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis. The main findings indicated that HTHA treatment could promote the hydration of mPWF and improve the mechanical properties of WPCs. Treatment temperature strongly affected the mechanical properties and moisture adsorption characteristics of the prepared composites. With the increase of treated temperature and feed rate, the number of hydroxyl groups, holocellulose content, and the pH of mPWF decreased. The degree of crystallinity and thermal stability and the storage modulus of the prepared composites of mPWF increased. However, dimensional stability and water absorption of WPCs significantly reduced. The best mechanical properties enhancement was observed with treatment temperature at 220 °C. This study demonstrated the feasibility for the application of an HTHA treatment in the WPC production industry.
Synthesis and Characterization of Copper-Based Composites Reinforced by CuZrAlNiTi Amorphous Particles with Enhanced Mechanical Properties
Authors: Tomolya Kinga , Sycheva Anna , Sveda Maria , Arki Peter , Miko Tamas , Roosz Andras , Janovszky Dora
Published: March 2017

Novel amorphous/crystalline composites were developed combining the ductile copper matrix with hard CuZr-based amorphous powder. The amorphous powders of two compositions, Cu39.2Zr36All4.8Ni10Ti10 and Cu39.2Zr35.2Al5.6Ni10Ti10, produced by ball milling were used for reinforcement of the composites. Different mixing techniques, magnetic mixing, ultrasonic mixing and high-energy ball milling, were applied in order to create a homogenous mixture of the powders. The composites were produced by hot pressing under a purified argon atmosphere. Their microstructure, homogeneity and mechanical properties were investigated. It was observed that before hot pressing, minimal porosity had been obtained for the composite blended for 15 min by the ball-mill with a ball-to-powder ratio of 80:1. Its copper content was 50 wt %, which is the minimum to produce a compact composite. Reinforcing the copper by amorphous powders, the maximal compressive strength was enhanced to 490 MPa and 470 MPa, respectively, for the abovementioned composites. The yield strength of the copper due to reinforcement increased drastically from 150 MPa to 400 MPa and 420 MPa.
Experimental and Numerical Simulation Investigation on Laser Flexible Shock Micro-Bulging
Authors: Liu Huixia , Sun Xianqing , Shen Zongbao , Li Liyin , Sha Chaofei , Ma Youjuan , Gau Jenn-Terng , Wang Xiao
Published: March 2017

Laser flexible shock micro-bulging (LFSB) is a novel micro fabrication technology, which combines laser dynamic forming and flexible die forming, which is a type of high strain rate micro-forming. The LFSB of 304 stainless steel foils was investigated in this paper. Experimental and simulated results indicated that the bulging depth and thickness thinning rate of bulging parts increased with an increase of laser energy and a decrease of workpiece thickness. Experimental results also showed the surface morphology of bulging parts. The hardness distribution in the cross section of bulging parts was revealed by nanoindentation experiments. The internal microstructure of micro bulging parts was observed by TEM. In addition, the equivalent stress and plastic strain distribution of bulging parts were shown in the numerical simulation under different workpiece thicknesses and laser energies.
Four Pentasaccharide Resin Glycosides from Argyreia acuta
Authors: Yu Bang-Wei , Sun Jing-Jing , Pan Jie-Tao , Wu Xiu-Hong , Yin Yong-Qin , Yan You-Shao , Hu Jia-Yan
Published: March 2017

Four pentasaccharide resin glycosides, acutacoside F–I (1–4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Argyreia acuta. These compounds were characterized as a group of macrolactones of operculinic acid A, and their lactonization site of 11S-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid was esterified at the second saccharide moiety (Rhamnose) at C-2. The absolute configuration of the aglycone was S. Their structures were elucidated by established spectroscopic and chemical methods.
Solventless Synthesis of Poly(pyrazolyl)phenyl-methane Ligands and Thermal Transformation of Tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)phenylmethane
Authors: Rodríguez-Venegas Edith , García-Báez Efrén , Martínez-Martínez Francisco , Cruz Alejandro , Padilla-Martínez Itzia
Published: March 2017

The solventless synthesis of tris(pyrazolyl)phenylmethane ligands of formula C6H5C(PzR2)3 (R = H, Me), starting from PhCCl3 and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (PzMe2) or pyrazole (Pz) was performed. The sterically crowded C6H5C(PzMe2)3 is thermally transformed into the bis(pyrazolyl)(p-pyrazolyl)phenylmethane ligand PzMe2-C6H4CH(PzMe2)2. In this compound both PzMe2 rings are linked through the N-atom to the methine C-atom. At higher temperatures, the binding mode of PzMe2 changes from N1 to C4. All transformations occurred via quinonoid carbocation intermediates that undergo an aromatic electrophilic substitution on the 4-position of PzMe2. Reaction conditions were established to obtain five tris(pyrazolyl)phenylmethane ligands in moderate to good yields. 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction of single crystals support the proposed structures.
Alkoxy and Enediyne Derivatives Containing 1,4-Benzoquinone Subunits—Synthesis and Antitumor Activity
Authors: Kadela-Tomanek Monika , Bębenek Ewa , Chrobak Elwira , Latocha Małgorzata , Boryczka Stanisław
Published: March 2017

The compounds produced by a living organism are most commonly as medicinal agents and starting materials for the preparation of new semi-synthetic derivatives. One of the largest groups of natural compounds consists of products containing a 1,4-benzoquinone subunit. This fragment occurs in three enediyne antibiotics, dynemicin A, deoxydynemicin A, and uncilamicin, which exhibit high biological activity. A series of alkoxy derivatives containing 1,4-naphthoquinone, 5,8-quinolinedione, and 2-methyl-5,8-quinolinedione moieties was synthesized. Moreover, the 1,4-benzoquinone subunit was contacted with an enediyne fragment. All obtained compounds were characterized by spectroscopy and spectrometry methods. The resulting alkane, alkene, alkyne and enediyne derivatives were tested as antitumor agents. They showed high cytotoxic activity depending on the type of 1,4-benzoquinone subunit and the employed tumor cell lines. The synthesized derivatives fulfill the Lipinski Rule of Five and have low permeability through the blood–brain barrier.
Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Allium cepa L. and Allium × cornutum (Clementi ex Visiani 1842) Methanolic Extracts
Authors: Fredotović Željana , Šprung Matilda , Soldo Barbara , Ljubenkov Ivica , Budić-Leto Irena , Bilušić Tea , Čikeš-Čulić Vedrana , Puizina Jasna
Published: March 2017

Here, we report a comparative study of the phytochemical profile and the biological activity of two onion extracts, namely Allium cepa L. and Allium × cornutum (Clementi ex Visiani 1842), members of the family Amaryllidaceae. The identification of flavonoids and anthocyanins, and their individual quantities, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The potency of both extracts to scavenge free radicals was determined by the DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. The DNA protective role was further tested by the single-cell gel electrophoresis (COMET) assay and by Fenton’s reagent causing double-strand breaks on the closed circular high copy pUC19 plasmid isolated from Escherichia coli. In the presence of both extracts, a significant decrease in DNA damage was observed, which indicates a protective role of Allium cepa and Allium × cornutum on DNA strand breaks. Additionally, cytotoxicity was tested on glioblastoma and breast cancer cell lines. The results showed that both extracts had antiproliferative effects, but the most prominent decrease in cellular growth was observed in glioblastoma cells.
Synthetic Peptides Derived from Bovine Lactoferricin Exhibit Antimicrobial Activity against E. coli ATCC 11775, S. maltophilia ATCC 13636 and S. enteritidis ATCC 13076
Authors: Huertas Méndez Nataly , Vargas Casanova Yerly , Gómez Chimbi Anyelith , Hernández Edith , Leal Castro Aura , Melo Diaz Javier , Rivera Monroy Zuly , García Castañeda Javier
Published: March 2017

Linear, dimeric, tetrameric, and cyclic peptides derived from lactoferricin B–containing non-natural amino acids and the RWQWR motif were synthesized, purified, and characterized using RP-HPLC, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism. The antibacterial activity of peptides against Escherichia coli ATCC 11775, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ATCC 13636, and Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076 was evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. The synthetic bovine lactoferricin exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli ATCC 11775 and S. enteritidis ATCC 13076. The dimeric peptide (RRWQWR)2K-Ahx exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strain. The monomeric, cyclic, tetrameric, and palindromic peptides containing the RWQWR motif exhibited high and specific activity against E. coli ATCC 11775. The results suggest that short peptides derived from lactoferricin B could be considered as potential candidates for the development of antibacterial agents against infections caused by E. coli.
Essential Oil Composition and Bioactivities of Waldheimia glabra (Asteraceae) from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: De Ji , Lu Yan , Ling Lijun , Peng Nan , Zhong Yang
Published: March 2017

Waldheimia glabra is traditionally used as incense and as an anti-influenza drug by Tibetans in China. Here, we collected W. glabra from the Gangs Rinpoche mountain at an altitude of 5200 m, and analyzed its essential oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with the retention indices (RI). Twenty-seven compounds, representing 72.4% of the total essential oil, were identified, including α-bisabolol (20.2%), valeranone (11.8%), chamazulene (9.9%), spathulenol (8.2%), β-caryophyllene (6.1%), and caryophyllene oxide (5.2%). Bioactivity evaluation of the essential oil revealed that it exhibited potent anti-influenza effect on viruses H3N2 and anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, but no anti-complementary activity.
MicroRNA Expression in Bovine Cumulus Cells in Relation to Oocyte Quality
Authors: Uhde Karen , Van Tol Helena , Stout Tom , Roelen Bernard
Published: March 2017

Cumulus cells play an essential role during oocyte maturation and the acquisition of fertilizability and developmental competence. Micro(mi)RNAs can post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA expression, and we hypothesized that miRNA profiles in cumulus cells could serve as an indicator of oocyte quality. Cumulus cell biopsies from cumulus−oocyte−complexes that either yielded a blastocyst or failed to cleave after exposure to sperm cells were analyzed for miRNA expression. On average, 332 miRNA species with more than 10 reads and 240 miRNA species with more than 50 reads were identified in cumulus cells; this included nine previously undescribed microRNAs. The most highly expressed miRNAs in cumulus cells were miR-21, members of the let-7 family and miR-155. However, no repeatable differences in miRNA expression between the cumulus cells from oocytes that became blastocysts versus those from non-cleaved oocytes were identified. Further examination of individual cumulus cell samples showed a wide variability in miRNA expression level. We therefore conclude that miRNA expression in cumulus cells cannot be used as an oocyte quality marker.
Comparison of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference and Weight-for-Height to Diagnose Severe Acute Malnutrition: A Study in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Tadesse Amare , Tadesse Elazar , Berhane Yemane , Ekström Eva-Charlotte
Published: March 2017

Weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) are two independent anthropometric indicators for diagnosing and admitting children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) for treatment. While severely wasted children are at high risk of mortality, MUAC and WHZ do not always identify the same population of children as having SAM. Understanding how this discrepancy relates to age and sex may provide valuable information for care programmes for children with SAM. Age and sex distribution for differences between children identified as SAM by MUAC and WHZ were examined and the degree of agreement calculated. Children (n = 4297) aged 6–59 months with validated anthropometric measures were recruited from a population-based survey conducted in rural southern Ethiopia. MUAC < 115 mm and WHZ < −3 were used to define severe wasting as per the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The kappa coefficient (κ) was calculated. There was fair agreement between the MUAC and WHZ definitions of severe wasting in boys (κ = 0.37) and children younger than 24 months (κ = 0.32) but poor agreement in girls (κ = 0.15) and children aged 24 months and above (κ = 0.13). More research is needed on response to treatment and prediction of mortality using different anthropometric measurements in relation to ages and sex of children.
A Combination of Flaxseed Oil and Astaxanthin Improves Hepatic Lipid Accumulation and Reduces Oxidative Stress in High Fat-Diet Fed Rats
Authors: Xu Jiqu , Rong Shuang , Gao Hui , Chen Chang , Yang Wei , Deng Qianchun , Huang Qingde , Xiao Lingyun , Huang Fenghong
Published: March 2017

Hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress are crucial pathophysiological mechanisms for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thus, we examined the effect of a combination of flaxseed oil (FO) and astaxanthin (ASX) on hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in rats fed a high-fat diet. ASX was dissolved in flaxseed oil (1 g/kg; FO + ASX). Animals were fed diets containing 20% fat, where the source was lard, or 75% lard and 25% FO + ASX, or 50% lard and 50% FO + ASX, or FO + ASX, for 10 weeks. Substitution of lard with FO + ASX reduced steatosis and reduced hepatic triacylglycerol and cholesterol. The combination of FO and ASX significantly decreased hepatic sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase but increased peroxisome proliferator activated receptor expression. FO + ASX significantly suppressed fatty acid synthase and acetyl CoA carboxylase but induced carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 and acyl CoA oxidase expression. FO + ASX also significantly elevated hepatic SOD, CAT and GPx activity and GSH, and markedly reduced hepatic lipid peroxidation. Thus, FO and ASX may reduce NAFLD by reversing hepatic steatosis and reducing lipid accumulation and oxidative stress.
Feasibility of Assessing Diet with a Mobile Food Record for Adolescents and Young Adults with Down Syndrome
Authors: Bathgate Katherine , Sherriff Jill , Leonard Helen , Dhaliwal Satvinder , Delp Edward , Boushey Carol , Kerr Deborah
Published: March 2017

Technology‐based methods for assessing diet in those with disability remains largely unexplored. The aim was to assess the feasibility of assessing diet with an image‐based mobile food record application (mFR) in 51 adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome (PANDs). Adherence was also assessed with the instruction to include a fiducial marker object in the before and after eating images. The PANDs sample completed a four‐day mFR and results were compared with a sample of young adults from the Connecting Health and Technology study (CHAT, n = 244). Compared to the CHAT sample, PANDs participants reported more fruit (2.2 ± 1.8 versus 1.0 ± 0.9 serves respectively) and vegetables (2.4 ± 1.3 versus 1.9 ± 1.0 serves, respectively), but no differences in energy‐dense nutrient‐poor (EDNP) foods and beverages were observed. Compared to CHAT, PANDs participants captured fewer images with the mFR (4.9 ± 2.3 versus 4.0 ± 1.5 images, respectively). Adherence to the instruction to include the fiducial marker in images was lower for PANDs compared with the CHAT sample (90.3% versus 96.5%). Due to the quality of information captured in images and the high acceptability of the fiducial marker, the mFR shows great promise as a feasible method of assessing diet in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome.