bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
p16/Ki-67 dual staining has a better accuracy than human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in women under 30 years old
Authors: Pirtea Laurențiu , Secosan Cristina , Margan Madalin , Moleriu Lavinia , Balint Oana , Grigoras Dorin , Sas Ioan , Horhat Florin , Jianu Adelina , Ilina Răzvan
Published: June 2018

Due to a high rate of transient human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HPV genotyping has a low specificity for high-grade cervical lesions, especially in young women. p16/Ki-67 dual immunohistochemical staining can also be used for the detection of oncogenic changes in cervical cells. Our aim was to compare the performance of p16/Ki-67 dual staining and HPV genotyping in the detection of high-grade cervical lesions in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)/low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) on Pap smear. We retrospectively analyzed 310 patients with ASCUS/LSIL on Pap smear, who underwent colposcopy. Among these, 161 patients with suspected lesions detected by colposcopy were referred to biopsy. HPV genotyping by LINEAR ARRAY HPV Genotyping Test (CE-IVD) and p16/Ki-67 dual staining by CINtec PLUS Cytology kit was performed prior to cervical biopsy. The overall sensitivity and specificity of HPV genotyping for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2-3 was 79% and 72%, respectively in patients with ASCUS, and 85% and 64%, respectively in patients with LSIL. For p16/ki-67 test, sensitivity and specificity rate was 66% and 93%, respectively in ASCUS and 59% and 79%, respectively in LSIL group. The specificity of p16/Ki-67 staining was significantly higher in both groups in patients aged <30 years compared to patients >30 years old (p < 0.001). Our results showed that p16/Ki-67 dual staining has a higher specificity compared to HPV genotyping, especially in patients under 30 years old. This indicates the usefulness of p16/Ki-67 testing in the triage of patients with ASCUS/LSIL and <30 years old, prior to the referral to colposcopy and biopsy.
L1 Trace Element Solution v1
Authors: Smith Christa
Published: June 2018

L1 trace element solution, modified from Bigelow: NCMAM Center. Components to prepare 1 L of trace element solution.
THE ROLE OF OXIDANT STRESS AND GENDER IN THE ERYTHROCYTES ARGININE METABOLISM AND AMMONIA MANAGEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES v1
Authors: L. Contreras-Zentella Martha
Published: June 2018

The erythrocytes are not simply gas transporting cells, but they have a very important role in the regulation and transport of metabolites related to nitrogen metabolism both in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 DM. The different levels of metabolites are associated with gender differences. We have two particular objectives: 1) To study the differences in the levels of nitrogen metabolites, such ammonium and nitric oxide, and the correlations that exist between them in RBC and serum, in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 DM. And 2) to determine the differences in the levels of nitrogen metabolites, such ammonium and nitric oxide, and the correlations that exist between them in relation to gender in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 DM. This cross-sectional study included 80 patients diagnosed with type 2 DM (40 female and 40 male patients) and their corresponding controls paired by gender (n = 80). We separated serum and red blood cells (RBC) and determined metabolites mainly through colorimetric and spectrophotometric assays. We evaluated changes in the levels and correlations of the main catabolic by-products of blood nitrogen metabolism, as ammonium, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), among others. Healthy female and male controls showed a differential blood metabolites distribution involved in arginine metabolism, as ornithine, ammonium, urea and . NO. Patients with DM had increased ammonia, citrulline, urea, uric acid, and ornithine, mainly in the RBC, while the level of arginine was significantly lower in men with type 2 DM. These findings were associated with hyperglycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1C), as well as with levels of RBC’s MDA. Most of the DM-induced alterations in nitrogen-related metabolites seem to be associated with a different RBC capacity for the release of these metabolites and resulting in an abrogation of the gender-related differential management of nitrogen metabolites in healthy subjects. Thisstudy provides the first documented findings giving strong evidence of a putative role of RBC as an extra-hepatic mechanism for controlling serum levels of nitrogen-related metabolites, which differs according to gender in healthy subjects. Type 2 DM promotes higher ammonia, citrulline, and MDA blood levels, which culminate in a loss of the differential management of nitrogen-related metabolites seen in healthy women and men anda characteristic pattern of metabolic disturbances that culminates in a loss of the differential management of nitrogen-related metabolites seen in healthy women and men. Therefore, it is not unlikelythat these characteristic patterns of blood metabolites elicited by type 2 DM might be involved in the specific physiopathology of this disease, and changes in the oxidative status, i.e., increased lipid peroxidation in RBC membranes from diabetic patients, are playing a role in the metabolic alterations found in these blood cells.
Fluorescent staining for Callose with aniline blue v1
Authors: Araceli AZM Zavaleta Mancera Hilda
Published: June 2018

Fluorescent staining for Callose of sieve tubes of phloem. Calose (β-1→3-glucan) is the distinguished polysaccharide present on the sieve plates, of each sieve tube member of phloem tissue. Aniline blue stain specifically callose and it is use as a marker for identification of sieve elements of phloem. PROCEDURE – STAINING FOR CALLOSE WITH ANILINE BLUE (modification of Klaus Herburger and Andreas Holzinger (2016). Prepare Sørensen’s phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH=8.0) according with Ruzin (1999). Stock solutions. A) 0.2 M of NaH2PO4 (Sodium phosphate monobasic anhydrous, CAS Number: 7558-80-7) BioUltra, ≥99.0% (T) (Sigma-Aldrich S3139). B) 0.2 M of Na2HPO4 (Sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, CAS Number: 7558-79-4) Ultra ≥99.5%, (Sigma-Aldrich S7907). To prepare 100 mL of the buffer (0.1 M, pH=8.0), mix 2.7 mL of stock solution (A) with 47.3 mL of stock solution (B) and adjust volume to 100 mL in a Schott flask. Add 0.5 % Aniline blue (w/v) to freshly prepared Sørensen’s phosphate buffer. Fix tissue in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer Sorensen's solution (0.1 M, pH 7.2) and processed for LR white resin embedding according with manufactures. Obtain transverse semi thin sections (1 µm) with an ultramicrotome and bond the sections to microscope grass slides with heat (60 C) during 15 min. Stain sections with 0.5 % of Aniline blue (CAS Number: 28631-66-5, Sigma Aldrich, Germany) in Sørensen’s phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH=8.0) for 1 h under low light intensities (~5 μmol photons m-2 s-1) to prevent degradation of the dye. Observe tissue under an Epifluorescence Microscope (Axioscope 2 Plus, Carl Zeiss AG) using a Set 01 (excitation: band pass (BP) 365/12 nm; emission: long pass (LP) 397 nm) and connected to an Axiocam MRc5 camera. Calose of sieve elements stain bright green yellow. References Herburger, K., & Holzinger, A. (2016). Aniline blue and Calcofluor white staining of callose and cellulose in the streptophyte green algae Zygnema and Klebsormidium. Bio-Protocol, 6(20), e1969. http://doi.org/10.21769/BioProtoc.1969
Evolutionary Dynamics of Cryptocurrency Transaction Networks: An Empirical Study v1
Authors: Liang Jiaqi
Published: June 2018

Describe how to build and analyze cryptocurrency transaction network.
Liquid Crystalline Cyclotetraphosphazene
Authors: Davarcı Derya , Mutlu Balcı Ceylan
Published: June 2018

Full substituted dodecyloxy derivative of cyclotetraphosphazene was synthesized in order to investigate its mesomorphic properties. Octachlorocyclotetraphosphazene (tetramer) was reacted with dodecanol in tetrahydrofuran (THF) presence of sodium hydride (NaH) as base at room temperature for 24 hours and then under the reflux for a day. Full substituted derivative (1) was obtained and its structure was determined by mass analysis, and by FT–IR, 1H and 31P {1H} NMR spectroscopic techniques. Additionally, thermal and mesomorphic behaviours were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Obtained results showed that compound 1 has liquid crystal behaviour.
Ameliorative Effect of P and Ca, Mg, K Addition on Buckwheat in the Presence of Heavy Metal Stress
Authors: Dilek Tepe Hafize , Çamlı Çisil
Published: June 2018

As an important
agricultural plant, buckwheat (Fagopyrum
esculentum) was used in this study. In order to examine the negative effect
of heavy metal pollution, As, Cd and Pb were added to growth medium. On the
other hand, for reducing the stress effect of metals P and Ca, Mg, K was also
included. Obtained results showed that P was more effective than Ca, Mg and K
addition for reducing the metal stress. It was observed that P addition aids to
settle the decreased growth related parameters caused by heavy metal stress.
Besides, P has balancing effect on the increased MDA and proline contents. It
can be concluded that, although using Ca, Mg and K addition to fertilizers can
reduce the damage caused by heavy metal pollution, P addition would be more
effective and adequate to achieve efficient results.
Projeto e Análise Experimental de uma Nova Estrutura de Retificador Híbrido Trifásico Utilizando Técnica de Compensação Série de Tensão no Barramento CC
Authors: Rodrigues Danillo B. , Silva Paulo R. , Freitas Luiz C. , Lima Gustavo B. , Coelho Ernane A. A. , Freitas Luiz C. G.
Published: June 2018

Este trabalho apresenta a análise e o desenvolvimento de uma estrutura topológica de retificador híbrido trifásico que oferece as características operacionais de imposição de correntes de linha de entrada senoidais com elevado fator de potência e reduzida distorção harmônica de corrente, e de fornecimento de um barramento CC com tensão regulada utilizando a inovadora técnica de Compensação de Tensão Série no Barramento CC. Tais objetivos são alcançados tanto para condições normais de suprimento da rede elétrica como para condições de afundamentos temporários de tensão equilibrados e desequilibrados na rede CA. Para corroborar com a teoria exposta e com as análises de simulação computacional, um protótipo de 5 kW foi construído e avaliado em laboratório. Os resultados obtidos comprovam a eficácia da solução proposta e demonstram grande potencial para a alimentação de cargas CC sensíveis aos afundamentos de tensão na rede CA e para estabilização da tensão em microrredes CC devido à inerente intermitência das fontes de energia solar fotovoltaica e eólica.
Relationship between students’ performance on weekly task assessments and final practical exam at the preclinical restorative dentistry course
Authors: Ayar Muhammet Kerim
Published: June 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between dental students’ performance on weekly practical task assessments, midterm practical exam and final practical exam in the preclinical restorative dentistry course. Methods: Scores of final practical exam, midterm practical exam and weekly practical task assessments in the restorative dentistry preclinical course in the half year of the third year of the curriculum at Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry were compared. It was hypothesized that students that performed highly on weekly task assessments would perform highly on the midterm and final practical exams. Results: The results showed that the weekly practical task assessment scores were correlated with the midterm practical exam and final practical exam scores and were a positive predictor. However, final practical exam scores were significantly lower than midterm practical exam and weekly practical task assessment scores. Conclusions: The quality assessments of students’ weekly tasks would be an effective predictor to assess student’s preclinical performance. Thus, it would be recommended that integrating weekly task assessment into the preclinical restorative dentistry curriculum as an effective assessment tool.
Tingling in tongue due to alprazolam and paroxetine-induced hypergabaergic activity
Authors: Önen Ünsalver Barış , Evrensel Alper , Ceylan Mehmet Emin
Published: June 2018

Paroxetine is a commonly used serotonin-reuptake
inhibitor for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. Available
literature is sparse with cases of paresthesia that occur during withdrawal of
paroxetine, there are fewer reports of paresthesia during the initiation. Here
we report a case of panic disorder who experienced tingling of the tongue
during the initiation phase of paroxetine, and whose paresthesia resolved only
after the withdrawal of the drug. When paroxetine was introduced, the patient
was already on alprazolam monotherapy. Therefore, the previously activated
GABAergic state with alprazolam was probably further augmented with paroxetine.
We suggest that the serotonin receptor supersensitivity related to panic
disorder might have been a vulnerability factor for paresthesia, and the
hypergabaergic state caused by alprazolam and paroxetine combination made the
paresthesia evident in our case. This is the first report of a case with
paresthesia in a combination of alprazolam and paroxetine. We might suggest
that in patients who develop paresthesia during psychotropic use, the
clinician's first step might be to just decrease the dosage of the drugs before
further clinical and laboratory evaluation of the patient for paresthesia.
Investigation of the comorbidity of dissociative disorders in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: TEKİN Atilla , ÖZDİL DEMİRYÜREK Esra , GÜLEKEN Mehmet Diyaddin , BAKIM Bahadır , ÖZER Ömer Akil , KARAMUSTAFALIOĞLU Oğuz
Published: June 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the
comorbidity of dissociative disorders in patients with bipolar disorder. Methods:
Fifty-one patients who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder in euthymic state
and forty-nine healty controls were included in the study. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), Structured
Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28) were administered to all participants
with a sociodemographic form. Results: Mean DES and CTQ-28 total
scores were statistically higher in patients group than control group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Emotional abuse, emotional neglect,
physical abuse, physical neglect and sexual abuse subscale scores of CTQ-28
were higher in patients group than healthy controls group (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.005, p < 0.001 and p < 0.021,
respectively). The rate of any dissociative disorder comorbidity was %35.4 in
patients with bipolar disorder. The most frequent dissociative disorder in
patient with bipolar disorder was depersonalization disorder (%17.6). There was
a positive correlation between DES score and number of suicidal attempts (r=0.284).
Negative correlations were found between DES score and age of disease onset,
and CTQ-28 total score and age of disease onset (r=-0.332 and r=-0.291). Conclusion:
Our results have shown that dissociative disorders may be frequently
accompanied in patients with bipolar disorder. Dissociation and childhood
traumatic events can be related with clinical features in patients with bipolar
disorder.
Role of Microbiota and Tryptophan Metabolites in the Remote Effect of Intestinal Inflammation on Brain and Depression
Authors: Waclawiková Barbora , El Aidy Sahar
Published: June 2018

The human gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by trillions of commensal bacteria collectively known as the gut microbiota. Our recognition of the significance of the complex interaction between the microbiota, and its host has grown dramatically over the past years. A balanced microbial community is a key regulator of the immune response, and metabolism of dietary components, which in turn, modulates several brain processes impacting mood and behavior. Consequently, it is likely that disruptions within the composition of the microbiota would remotely affect the mental state of the host. Here, we discuss how intestinal bacteria and their metabolites can orchestrate gut-associated neuroimmune mechanisms that influence mood and behavior leading to depression. In particular, we focus on microbiota-triggered gut inflammation and its implications in shifting the tryptophan metabolism towards kynurenine biosynthesis while disrupting the serotonergic signaling. We further investigate the gaps to be bridged in this exciting field of research in order to clarify our understanding of the multifaceted crosstalk in the microbiota-gut-brain interphase, bringing about a novel microbiota-targeted therapeutics for mental illnesses.
Taguchi Orthogonal Array Dataset for the Effect of Water Chemistry on Aggregation of ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Khan Rizwan , Inam Muhammad Ali , Park Du Ri , Zam Zam Saba , Yeom Ick Tae
Published: June 2018

The extensive use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) such as zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in various commercial fields has spurred significant concern about its possible toxicological effects of ZnO NPs on human health and eco-system. Therefore, it is substantial to understand the aggregation phenomena which could attenuate this effect. This data article provides information on aggregation of ZnO NPs under the influence of various parameters of water chemistry. Moreover, Taguchi orthogonal array L27(313) design matrix was used to evaluate the effect of multiple parameters in aqueous solution. The data were obtained from single beam UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Optizen 2120 UV, Mecasys, Korea) using Optizenview 4.2.5 PC interference software, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT/IR-4700, spectroscopy, JASCO Analytical Instruments, Easton, USA) and particle electrophoresis (NanoZS, Zetasizer, Malvern Instruments Ltd, Worcestershire, UK). The dataset draws attention on dominant parameters influencing aggregation of ZnO NPs in water. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) data revealed that electrolyte concentration, type and natural organic matter (NOM) concentration were the most significant parameters. Furthermore, FT-IR data presents a possible mechanism of ZnO NPs stabilization in the presence of different NOM. This data will be helpful for the development of environmental risk assessment strategies and prediction of fate and mobility of other ENPs in the aquatic environment.
Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Mesoporous Silica Derived from Rice Husk Ash as a Potential Drug Carrier
Authors: Suttiruengwong Supakij , Chareonpanich Metta , Pivsa-Art Sommai
Published: June 2018

This work describes the preparation of mesoporous silica by the green reaction of rice husk ash (RHA) with glycerol, followed by the modification and the potential use as a drug carrier. The reaction was carried out at 215 °C for 2 h. The solution was further hydrolyzed with deionized water and aged for various times (24, 48, 120, 360, 528 and 672 h) before calcinations at 500 oC for 24 h. Further treatment of prepared mesoporous silica was performed using trimethylmethoxysilane (TMMS) to obtain hydrophobic Mesoporous silica. For all synthesized silica, silica contents were as high as 95%wt, whereas organic residues were less than 3%wt. RHA-glycerol showed the highest specific surface area with smallest pore diameter (205.70 m2/g, 7.46 nm) when aged for 48 h. The optimal hydrolysis-ageing period of 120 h resulted in 500.7 m2/g BET surface area, 0.655 cm3/g pore volume and 5.23 nm pore diameter. The surface modification of RHA-glycerol was succeeded through the reaction with TMMS as confirmed by FTIR. Ibuprofen was selected as a model drug for the adsorption experiments. The adsorption under supercritical CO2 was carried out at isothermal temperature of 40 ˚C and 100 bar, % ibuprofen loading of TMMS modified mesoporous silica (TMMS-g-MS) was 6 times less than mesoporous silica aged for 24 h (MS-24h) due to the hydrophobic nature of modified mesoporous silica, not surface and pore characteristics. The release kinetics of ibuprofen-loaded mesoporous silicas were also investigated in vitro. The release rate of ibuprofen-loaded MS-24h was much faster than that of ibuprofen-loaded TMMS-g-MS, but comparable to the crystalline ibuprofen. The slower release rate was attributed to the diffusion control and the stability of hydrophobic nature of modified silica. This would allow the design for the controlled release drug delivery system.
Improved Collecting Line Current Protection Scheme against Large-scale Wind Generators Tripping off
Authors: Jin Wei , Lu Yuping , Huang Tao
Published: June 2018

There have been several cases of large-scale wind generators (WGs) tripping off caused by untimely fault removing in recent years. Currently, the discoordination between the box-type transformer fuse protection (BTFP) and two-section collecting line current protection (CLCP) brings a security risk to wind farm. In order to ensure the selectivity, the first section (Sec-I) CLCP should be set a enough interval that is longer than the fuse melting time, and another interval is set for the Sec-II CLCP, which weakens the speed of the CLCP. When a fault occurs on the collecting line, there is no doubt that WGs cannot work too long in abnormal operation, which may cause WGs to be placed off the grid. For a power system with high penetration of wind power, large-scale WGs tripping off will cause a great power shortage, and affect the stability of the power system. The selectivity and sensitivity of the CLCP is analyzed in detail to make the CLCP speed better. Considering the fault ride-through ability of WGs, the fault clear time is an important factor to lead to large-scale WGs tripping off. Two main works are done in this paper. The first is to accelerate the speed of the Sec-I CLCP though reducing the protection zone. Another one is introduce the risk assessment module into the CLCP, which not only improve the speed of the CLCP but also ensure the safety of the wind farm during faults. According to the deference in trip-off causes of WGs, the matching functions are created to assess the trip-off risk of WGs on the spot. In the case of fault, the trip-off risk indicators of WGs are timely updated to data sharing center and open to the CLCPs. The set of risk indicators is divided into several subsets according to the risk range. The dynamic changes of the subsets during fault help to improved CLCP scheme. This scheme can accelerate protection speed based on the increasing risk of large-scale WGs tripping off in wind farms. Compared with traditional CLCP, this approach can make the CLCP combines selectivity and speed better based on the analysis of the ride- through ability of WGs.
Assessment of Circular Economy within Portuguese Organizations
Authors: Fonseca Luis Miguel , Domingues José Pedro , Pereira Maria Teresa , Martins Florinda Figueiredo , Zimon Dominik
Published: June 2018

The move towards a new Circular Economy (CE) economic model has been advocated and supported in Portugal, however, there is limited research on this topic. To address this gap, a quantitative research based on an online survey was carried out among 99 Portuguese organizations, encompassing a wide range of sectors and sizes. The results show that CE is regarded as a strategic and relevant issue for profitability and value creation. Furthermore, the perception that it requires the adoption of new business models in addition to the classical “reduce, reuse, and recycle” approach is growing. Moreover, based on the hypotheses raised, results suggest that the level of CE adoption is positively impacted by the status of the EMS (Environmental Management System) certification and the willingness to improve the environmental performance and achieve a sustainable business model. However, CE activities are still relatively modest and a friendlier context (fiscal, legal, organizational, etc.) and the stronger support from supply chain agents and consumers are required. Future research should focus on how to design and shape the transition from a linear to a CE economy, and to ascertain if the positive attitude towards CE is materialized in changing the way business is done.
Intersectoral and Intermunicipal Cooperation as a Tool of Supporting Local Economic Development: Selected Examples from the Forest and Wood-Based Sector in Poland
Authors: Wanat Leszek , Potkanski Tomasz , Chudobiecki Jan , Mikolajczak Elzbieta , Mydlarz Katarzyna
Published: June 2018

Intersectoral and intermunicipal cooperation are still underdeveloped spheres of public and economic development policies. Academic discussions are invariably focused on pro-competitive activities, the economic efficiency of which is not always sufficient. In this paper the authors attempt to identify factors leading to cooperation between local government authorities and economic entities, focusing on examples from the forest and wood-based sector in Poland. These processes are analysed in the framework of the New Institutional Economy, both in the theoretical and practical context.
Mapping the Urban Lead Exposome: A Detailed Analysis of Soil Metal Concentrations at the Household Scale Using Citizen Science
Authors: Filippelli Gabriel , Adamic Jessica , Nichols Deborah , Shukle John , Frix Emeline
Published: June 2018

An ambitious citizen-science effort in the city of Indianapolis (Indiana, USA) led to the collection and analysis of a large number of samples at the property scale, facilitating the analysis of differences in soil metal concentrations as a function of property location (i.e., dripline, yard, and street) and location within the city. This effort indicated that dripline soils had substantially higher values of lead and zinc than other soil locations on a given property, and this pattern was heightened in properties nearer the urban core. Soil lead values typically exceeded the levels deemed safe for children’s play areas in the US (<400 ppm), and almost always exceeded safe gardening guidelines (<200 ppm). As a whole, this study identified locations within properties, and cities, that exhibited the highest exposure risk to children, and also exhibited the power of citizen science to produce data at a spatial scale (i.e., within a property boundary) that is usually impossible to feasibly collect in a typical research study.
Assessing Cognitive and Social Attitudes Toward Environmental Conservation in Coral Reef Social-Ecological Systems
Authors: Alexandridis Kostas
Published: June 2018

This study addresses the latent construct of attitudes towards environmental conservation based on study participant’s responses. We measured and evaluated the latent scale based on an 18-item scale instrument, over four experimental strata (N=945) in the US Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. We estimated the latent scale reliability and validity. We further fitted multiple alternative two-parameter logistic (2PL) and graded response models (GRM) from Item-Response Theory. We finally constructed and fitted equivalent structural and generalized structural equation models (SEM/GSEM) for the attitudinal latent scale. All scale measures (composite, alpha-based, IRT-based and SEM-based) were consistently and reliably valid measures of the study participants’ latent attitudes toward conservation. We found statistically significant differences among participant’s attributes relating to socio-demographic, physical and core environmental characteristics of participants. We assert that the nature of relationship between cognitive attitudes and individual as well as social behavior related to environmental conservation.
Ultra-Low-Loss Silicon Waveguides for Heterogeneously Integrated Silicon/III-V Photonics
Authors: Tran Minh , Huang Duanni , Komljenovic Tin , Peters Jonathan , Malik Aditya , Bowers John
Published: June 2018

Integrated ultra-low-loss waveguides are highly desired for integrated photonics to enable applications that require long delay lines, high-Q resonators, narrow filters, etc. Here we present an ultra-low-loss silicon waveguide on 500 nm thick SOI platform. Meter-scale delay lines, million-Q resonators and tens of picometer bandwidth grating filters are experimentally demonstrated. We design a low-loss low-reflection taper to seamlessly integrate the ultra-low-loss waveguide with standard heterogeneous Si/III-V integrated photonics platform to allow realization of high-performance photonic devices such as ultra-low-noise lasers and optical gyroscopes.
A Smart Two-Stage Charging Strategy Implemented on a PV Module Array with a Simple MPPT for LiFePO4 Batteries
Authors: Chen Pi-Yun , Chao Kuei-Hsiang , Tsai Yu-Sheng
Published: June 2018

This paper aims to present a smart high speed battery charger, powered by a photovoltaic module array, for a LiFePO4 battery as a solar energy storage device. With a battery charging strategy, the presented battery charger involves a Buck converter as the core equipped with a simple maximum power point (MPP) tracker. Considering complexity reduction and easy hardware implementation, a constant voltage MPP tracking approach is adopted such that the maximum amount of output power can be delivered to the load in response to an arbitrary change in the solar radiation. A smart two-stage charging strategy, with a constant current mode followed by a constant voltage mode, is employed in such a way that the battery charge process can be accelerated largely, while the damage caused by overcharging can be prevented. In the end, the performance of this proposal is validated experimentally.
Enhancing Automatic Prediction of Spirality using SpArcFiRe's Spiral Arm Analysis and Random Forests
Authors: Silva Pedro , Cao Leon T. , Hayes Wayne B.
Published: June 2018

Automated machine classifications of galaxies are necessary because the size of upcoming surveys will overwhelm human volunteers. We improve upon existing machine classification methods by adding the output of SpArcFiRe to the inputs of a machine learning model. We use the human classifications from Galaxy Zoo 1 (GZ1) to train a random forest of decision trees to reproduce the human vote distributions of the Spiral class. We prefer the random forest model over other black box models like neural networks because it allows us to trace post hoc the precise reasoning behind the classification of each galaxy. We find that, across a sample of 470,000 Sloan galaxies that are large enough that details could be seen if they were there, the combination of SpArcFiRe outputs with existing SDSS features provides a better machine classification than either one alone on comparison to Galaxy Zoo 1. We suggest that adding SpArcFiRe outputs as features to any machine learning algorithm will likely improve its performance.
Improving Animal-Human Cohabitation withMachine Learning in Fiber-Wireless Networks
Authors: Singh Sandeep Kumar , Carpio Francisco , Jukan Admela
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we investigate an animal-human cohabitation problem with the help of machine learning and fiber-wireless (FiWi) access networks integrating cloud and edge (fog) computing. We propose an early warning system which detects wild animals nearby road/rail with the help of wireless sensor networks and alerts passing vehicles of possible animal crossing. Additionally, we show that animals' detection at the earliest and the related processing, if possible, at sensors would reduce the energy consumption of edge devices and the end-to-end delay in notifying vehicles, as compared to the scenarios where raw sensed data needs to be transferred up the base stations or the cloud. At the same time, machine learning helps in classification of captured images at edge devices, and in predicting different time-varying traffic profiles-- distinguished by latency and bandwidth requirements-- at base stations, including animal appearance events at sensors, and allocating bandwidth in FiWi access networks accordingly. We compare three scenarios of processing data at sensor nodes, base stations and a hybrid case of processing sensed data at either sensors or at base stations, and showed that dynamic allocation of bandwidth in FiWi access networks and processing data at its origin leads to lowering the congestion of network traffic at base stations and reducing the average end-to-end delay.
A Multi-Decadal Change Analysis for Irrigation Ponds in Taoyuan, Taiwan Using Multi-source Data
Authors: Chen Yen-Ching , Lin Wei-Chun , Hsiao Lin-Hsuan , Cheng Ke-Sheng
Published: June 2018

A multi-decadal change analysis of the irrigation ponds in Taoyuan, Taiwan was conducted by using multi-source data including digitized ancient maps, declassified single-band CORONA satellite images, and multispectral SPOT images. Supervised LULC classifications were conducted using four textural features derived from the single-band CORONA images and spectral features derived from SPOT images. Post-classification analysis revealed that the number of irrigation ponds in the study area decreased during the post-World War II farmland consolidation period (1945 – 1965) and the subsequent industrialization period (1970 – 2000). However, efforts on restoration of irrigation ponds in recent years have resulted in gradual increases in the number (9%) and total area (12%) of irrigation ponds in the study area.
Next-Generation Counseling: Noninvasive Prenatal Screening Results Disclosure and Management
Authors: Arjunan Aishwarya , Ben-Shachar Rotem , Kostialik Jamie , Johansen Taber Katherine , Lazarin Gabriel , Denne Elizabeth , Muzzey Dale , Haverty Carrie
Published: June 2018

Background: As noninvasive prenatal screening usage grows in the general obstetrics setting, proper patient education on the screen’s benefits and limitations is needed. Objective: Describe the use of a technology platform designed for large-scale dissemination of noninvasive prenatal screening information and results. Study Design: The technology platform functioned as follows: Patients were emailed a link to an noninvasive prenatal screening general-education video upon laboratory receipt of a test requisition. Providers were then notified upon availability of patients’ results. If noninvasive prenatal screening results were negative, the patient was sent an automated email with instructions to access results through a secure portal where she could watch tailored informational videos, request “on-demand” or scheduled genetic counseling, or decline any further services. If genetic counseling was elected, a summary of the session was sent to the ordering provider and patient upon completion. If noninvasive prenatal screening results were positive, either the ordering provider or a board-certified genetic counselor contacted the patient directly to communicate test results and provide counseling. The number and type of results issued through the platform, the number and type of genetic counseling consultations completed, and factors associated with requesting laboratory-delivered genetic counseling were tracked and analyzed for a 39-month period. Results: Over the study period, 67,122 noninvasive prenatal screening results were issued through the platform, and 4,673 patients elected genetic counseling consultations; 95.2% (n=4,450) of consultations were for patients receiving negative results. Over 70% (n= 3,370) of consultations were on-demand rather than scheduled. Median consultation time was 14 minutes for positive results and six minutes for negative results. A positive screen, advanced maternal age, family history, previous history of a pregnancy with a chromosomal abnormality, and other high-risk pregnancy were associated with the greatest odds of electing laboratory-delivered genetic counseling.Conclusions: By combining web education, automated notifications, and genetic counseling, we implemented a service that effectively facilitates results disclosure for ordering providers. These data demonstrate the capability to deliver noninvasive prenatal screening results, education, and counseling—congruent with management guidelines—to a large population, which is imperative to quality care as uptake increases.
Development of the Digital Competence in Secondary Education Teachers’ Training
Authors: Napal María , Peñalva Alicia , Mendióroz Ana María
Published: June 2018

Digital competence is one of the 8 key competences for life-long learning developed by the European Commission, and is requisite for personal fulfilment and development, active citizenship, social inclusion and employment in the knowledge society. To accompany young learners in the development of the competence, it is necessary that parents and teachers are, in turn, literate. The level of Teacher Digital Competence of 43 Secondary School teachers in initial training was evaluated using the Common Framework, a series of rubrics for 21 sub-competences in 5 areas. The overall level of competence was low (Basic). Students scored highest in Information, which refers mostly to the operations they performed while students. Secondly, in Safety and Communication, excluding Protection of Digital Data and preservation of the Digital Identity. Lowest values were achieved in Content Creation and Problem Solving, the dimensions most closely related with the inclusion of ICTs to transform teaching-learning processes. The knowledge or skills they exhibit are largely self-taught and, so, we perceive an urgent need to purposefully incorporate relational and didactic aspects of ICT integration.
Evolutionary and Medical Consequences of Archaic Introgression into Modern Human Genomes
Authors: Dolgova Olga , Lao Oscar
Published: June 2018

The demographic history of anatomically modern humans (AMH) involves multiple migration events, population extinctions and genetic adaptations. As genome-wide data from complete genome sequencing becomes increasingly abundant and available even from extinct hominins, new insights of the evolutionary history of our species are discovered. It is currently known that AMH introgressed with archaic hominins once they left the African continent. Current out of African human genomes carry fragments of archaic origin. This review focuses on the fitness consequences of archaic interbreeding in current human populations. We discuss new insights and challenges that researchers face when interpreting the potential impact of introgression on fitness and testing hypotheses about the role of selection within the context of health and disease.
Preparation of Non-Acylated and Acylated Anthocyanins from Black Carrot (Daucus carota L.) for Use as Food Ingredient
Authors: Espinoza-Acosta Guillermo , Ramos-Jacques Ana L. , Maya-Cornejo Jose , Molina Gustavo A. , Esparza Rodrigo , Sánchez-González Itari , Hernandez-Martinez Angel R. , Estevez Miriam
Published: June 2018

Anthocyanins are used for food coloring due to their low toxicity and health benefits. They are extracted from different sources, but black carrot has higher anthocyanin content compared with common fruits and vegetables. Here, we study anthocyanin extracts from black carrot to enhance their performance as food ingredient. Extracts were obtained by ethanol/citric acid and ethanol/acetic acid. Samples were purified through to a packed column and microencapsulated using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). Degradation studies were performed by UV radiation, and pH and temperature media changes. Antioxidant activity was evaluated with radical DPPH scavenging and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC). Color evaluations were performed with CIE Lab at the beginning and after 25 days of storage. Samples extracted with ethanol/citric acid had higher anthocyanin content. After purification, there was evidence that 3-glucoside cyanidins were trapped into resin. Results indicate that the purest acetylated 3-glucoside derivatives are more stable than the citric acid non-purified extraction. The antiradical activity of black carrots extracts was higher than other reported values, when anthocyanin content is higher, antioxidant effect increases. In conclusion, acylation of anthocyanins provides them more stability against pH media changes, purification with resin and TEOS microencapsulation not necessary benefit stability of the black carrot extracts.
Cellular Simulation for Distributed Sensing over Complex Terrains
Authors: Truong Tuyen , Pottier Bernard , Huynh Hiep
Published: June 2018

Long-range radio transmissions open new sensor application fields, in particular for environment monitoring. As an example, the {\sl LoRa} radio protocol enables to connect remote sensors at distance as long as ten kilometers in line-of-sight. However, the large area covered also bring several difficulties, such as the placement of sensing devices in regard to geography topology, or the variability of communication latency. Sensing the environment also carries constraints related to the interest of sensing points in relation with a physical phenomenon. Criteria for designs are thus evolving a lot from the existing methods, especially in complex terrains. This article describes simulation techniques based on geography analysis to compute long-range radio coverages and radio characteristics in these situations. As radio propagation is just a particular case of physical phenomena, it is shown how a unified approach also allows to characterize the behavior of potential physical risks. The case of heavy rainfall and flooding is investigated. Geography analysis is achieved using segmentation tools to produce cellular systems which are in turn translated into code for high-performance computations. The paper provides results from practical complex terrain experiments using LoRa, that confirm the accuracy of the simulation, scheduling characteristics for sample networks, and performance tables for simulations on middle range Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).
Urinary Bacterial Resistance to Nitrofurantoin in Maputo, Mozambique
Authors: Anapakala Elda , Cambaza Edgar , Manjate Alice , Koseki Shigenobu , Kawamura Shuso
Published: June 2018

Urinary tract infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Mozambique. They are sometimes treated empirically with nitrofurantoin. However, little is known about this antibiotic’s performance and bacterial resistance in the country. This study analyzed the results of nitrofurantoin sensitivity tests requested in the Central Hospital of Maputo during 2012 and 2013. As result, 181 samples were tested and most cases (66.9%) showed absolute sensitivity but there were considerable cases of resistance (29.8%). Morganella morganii was the only bacteria presenting no absolute or intermediate resistance. The sensitivity was also high in the case of Escherichia coli (90%) and Gram-negative bacteria (66.7%). Serratia marcescens was mostly resistant (64.3%). The remaining bacteria showed inconclusive results. Thus they shall be subjected to a sensitivity test before prescription. Factors such as seasonality, patients’ sex and urine transparency did not seem to be reliable indicators of microbial resistance in the urine. Yet, a longer time span (over 5 years) might be sufficient for the sensitivity profile to change.
Assessment of Coastal Protection Based on Risk Maps: A Case Study on Yunlin Coast, Taiwan
Authors: Huang Wei-Po , Hsu Jui-Chan , Chen Chun-Shen , Ye Chun-Jhen
Published: June 2018

In this study, we used the natural and anthropogenic characteristics of a coastal region to generate risk maps showing vulnerability and potential hazards, and proposed design criteria for coastal defense and land use for the various kinds of risks faced. The Yunlin coast: a first-level protection area in mid-west Taiwan, was then used as an example to illustrate the proposed design criteria. The safety of the present coastal defenses and land use of the Yunlin coastal area was assessed, and coastal protection measures for hazard prevention were proposed based on the generated risk map. The results can be informative for future coastal management and the promotion of sustainable development of coastal zones.
3D Printed Biosensor Arrays for Medical Diagnostics
Authors: Sharafeldin Mohamed , Jones Abby , Rusling James F.
Published: June 2018

AbstractWhile the technology is relatively new, low cost 3D printing has impacted many aspects of human life. 3D printers are being used as manufacturing tools for a wide variety of devices in a spectrum of applications ranging from diagnosis to implants to external prostheses. The ease of use and availability of 3D design software and low cost has made 3D printing an accessible manufacturing and fabrication tool in many research laboratories. 3D printers can print materials with varying density, optical character, strength and chemical properties providing platforms for a huge number of strategies that can be chosen for user’s needs. In this review, we focus on applications in biomedical diagnostics and how this revolutionary technique is facilitating development of low cost, sensitive and often geometrically complex tools. 3D printing in fabrication of microfluidics, supporting equipment, optical and electronic components of diagnostic devices is presented. Emerging diagnostic 3D bioprinting as a tool to incorporate living cells or biomaterials into 3D printing is also discussed.
A New Method for Measuring Fabric Visual Attributes: Wrinkle Recovery
Authors: Pan Ning , Lin Chengwei , Xu Jun
Published: June 2018

It is demonstrated in this study that PhabrOmeter creates genuine wrinkle on fabrics comparable to that in AATCC specifications, and measures fabric wrinkle recovery values fast with repeatable and reliable results with high resolution, over wide range of fabric types. It thus provides an appealing alternative to the existing test methods that are known to be slow, insensitive and unreliable. In addition, with enormous varieties of fabrics, we used a new criterion termed fabric linear density λ so that fabrics can in general be divided into relatively homogeneous groups for further study. The calculation and application of this parameter are showed in this report.
Synthesis of nitrogen-rich polymers by click polymerization reaction and gas sorption property
Authors: Song Jingru , Duan Wengui , Li Dianpeng
Published: June 2018

Microporous organic polymers (MOPs) are promising materials for gas sorption because of the intrinsic and permanent porosity, designable framework and low density. The introduction of nitrogen-rich building block in MOPs will greatly enhance the gas sorption capacity. Here, we report the synthesis of MOPs from the 2,4,6-tris(4-ethynylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine unit and aromatic azides linkers via click polymerization reaction. FTIR and solid state 13C CP-MAS NMR confirm the formation of the polymers. CMOP-1 and CMOP-2 exhibit microporous networks with BET surface area of 431 and 406 m2 g-1 and narrow pore size distribution under 1.2 nm. Gas sorption isotherms including CO2 and H2 were measured. CMOP-1 stores superior CO2 level of 8.2 wt% (1.88 mmol g-1) at 273 K/1.0 bar and H2 uptake up to 0.6 wt% at 77 K/1.0 bar, while CMOP-2 with smaller surface area shows lower CO2 adsorption capacity of 7.3 wt% (1.66 mmol g-1) and H2 uptake (0.5 wt%). In addition, I2 vapor adsorption was tested at 353 K. CMOP-1 shows higher gravimetric load of 160 wt%. Despite of the moderate surface area, the CMOPs display excellent sorption ability for CO2 and I2 due to the nitrogen-rich content in the polymers.