bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Parametric Study of a Solar Absorption Refrigeration System to Lower Its Cut In/Off Temperature
Authors: Wageiallah Mohammed Osman , Yanling Guo
Published: October 2017

Solar-driven ammonia-water absorption refrigeration system (AARS) has been considered as an alternative for the conventional refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. However, its high initial cost seems to be the main problem that postpones its wide spread use. In the present study, a single-stage NH3/H2O ARS is analyzed in depth on the basis of energetic and exergetic coefficients of performance (COP and ECOP, respectively) to decrease its cut in/off temperature. This study was carried out to lower the required heat source temperature, so that a less-expensive solar collector could be used. Effects of all parameters that could influence the system’s performance and cut in/off temperature were investigated in detail. Presence of water in the refrigerant and evaporator temperature glide was considered. Results revealed that appropriate selection of system’s working condition can effectively reduce the driving temperature. Besides, the cut in/off temperature can be significantly decreased by inserting an effective solution heat exchanger (SHX). Required driving temperature can be lowered by up to 10 °C using SHX with 0.80 effectiveness. The results also showed that effects of water content in the refrigerant could not be neglected in studying NH3/H2O ARS because it affects both COP and ECOP. Additionally, a large temperature glide in the evaporator can substantially decrease the ECOP.
Pricing, Carbon Emission Reduction, Low-Carbon Promotion and Returning Decision in a Closed-Loop Supply Chain under Vertical and Horizontal Cooperation
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Chuanxu , Shang Meng , Ou Wei
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we examine the influences of vertical and horizontal cooperation models on the optimal decisions and performance of a low-carbon closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) with a manufacturer and two retailers, and study optimal operation in the competitive pricing, competitive the low-carbon promotion, the carbon emission reduction, the used-products collection and the profits. We consider the completely decentralized model, M-R vertical cooperation model, R-R horizontal cooperation model, M-R-R vertical and horizontal cooperation model and completely centralized model, and also identify the optimal decision results and profits. It can be observed from a systematic comparison and numerical analysis that the completely centralized model is best in all optimal decision results among all models. In semi-cooperation, the M-R vertical cooperation model is positive, the R-R horizontal cooperation model is passive, and the positivity of the M-R-R vertical and horizontal cooperation model decreases with competitive intensity increasing in the used-products returning, carbon emissions reduction level, low-carbon promotion effort and the profits of the manufacturer and the entire supply chain.
Factors Associated with Male Partner Involvement in Programs for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Rural South Africa
Authors: Matseke Motlagabo G. , Ruiter Robert A. C. , Rodriguez Violeta J. , Peltzer Karl , Setswe Geoffrey , Sifunda Sibusiso
Published: November 2017

Male partner involvement (MPI) can contribute to the success of programs aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. However, the definition and measures of MPI differ according to context. This study utilized secondary cross-sectional data to investigate the prevalence and determinants of MPI among 463 male partners of HIV-infected pregnant women in rural South Africa. Results indicated that 44.1% of male partners reported involvement in most or all specified male partner involvement activities (i.e., scores of 7 to 9). Descriptive, correlation and multiple linear-regression analyses were conducted. Positive predictors of MPI included relationship status, own HIV status, awareness of female partner’s positive HIV status, female partner’s desire to have more children, having family planning discussions with provider, condom use to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and partner reasoning skills. Negative predictors included partner verbal aggression. Overall, although MPI is low, the study underlines important information that could be used to develop interventions aimed at improving maternal and infant health in PMTCT programs in South Africa.
Heparan Sulfate Biosynthetic System Is Inhibited in Human Glioma Due to EXT1/2 and HS6ST1/2 Down-Regulation
Authors: Ushakov Victor , Tsidulko Alexandra , De La Bourdonnaye Gabin , Kazanskaya Galina , Volkov Alexander , Kiselev Roman , Kobozev Vyacheslav , Kostromskaya Diana , Gaytan Alexey , Krivoshapkin Alexei , Aidagulova Svetlana , Grigorieva Elvira
Published: November 2017

Heparan sulfate (HS) is an important component of the extracellular matrix and cell surface, which plays a key role in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. Functional activity of HS directly depends on its structure, which determined by a complex system of HS biosynthetic enzymes. During malignant transformation, the system can undergo significant changes, but for glioma, HS biosynthesis has not been studied in detail. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis of the HS biosynthetic system in human gliomas of different grades. RT-PCR analysis showed that the overall transcriptional activity of the main HS biosynthesis-involved genes (EXT1, EXT2, NDST1, NDST2, GLCE, HS2ST1, HS3ST1, HS3ST2, HS6ST1, HS6ST2, SULF1, SULF2, HPSE) was decreased by 1.5–2-fold in Grade II-III glioma (p < 0.01) and by 3-fold in Grade IV glioma (glioblastoma multiforme, GBM) (p < 0.05), as compared with the para-tumourous tissue. The inhibition was mainly due to the elongation (a decrease in EXT1/2 expression by 3–4-fold) and 6-O-sulfation steps (a decrease in 6OST1/2 expression by 2–5-fold) of the HS biosynthesis. Heparanase (HPSE) expression was identified in 50% of GBM tumours by immunostaining, and was characterised by a high intratumoural heterogeneity of the presence of the HPSE protein. The detected disorganisation of the HS biosynthetic system in gliomas might be a potential molecular mechanism for the changes of HS structure and content in tumour microenvironments, contributing to the invasion of glioma cells and the development of the disease.
A Constructive Method for Standard Borel Fixed Submodules with Given Extremal Betti Numbers
Authors: Crupi Marilena
Published: November 2017

Let S be a polynomial ring in n variables over a field K of any characteristic. Given a strongly stable submodule M of a finitely generated graded free S-module F, we propose a method for constructing a standard Borel-fixed submodule M ˜ of F so that the extremal Betti numbers of M, values as well as positions, are preserved by passing from M to M ˜ . As a result, we obtain a numerical characterization of all possible extremal Betti numbers of any standard Borel-fixed submodule of a finitely generated graded free S-module F.
Isolation and Characterization of Polysaccharides from Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) with Anti-Tumor Activities Using an Aqueous Two-Phase System
Authors: Cheong Kit-Leong , Xia Li-Xuan , Liu Yang
Published: November 2017

In this study, a simple aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was employed for concurrent purification of oyster polysaccharides. The chemical structure and anti-tumor activities of purified oyster polysaccharides (OP-1) were also investigated. Under optimal ATPS conditions, oyster polysaccharides can be partitioned in the bottom phase with 67.02% extraction efficiency. The molecular weight of OP-1 was determined as 3480 Da. OP-1 is a (1→4)-α-d-glucosyl backbone and branching points located at O-3 of glucose with a terminal-d-Glcp. The anti-tumor activity assay showed that OP-1 exhibited good activities, including promotion of splenocyte proliferation, IL-2 release, and inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation. Additionally, OP-1 had no in vivo toxicity. This finding suggests that ATPS is a much simpler and greener system, and it opens up new possibilities in the large-scale separation of active polysaccharides from oysters. OP-1 could be used by the health food and pharmaceutical therapies as potential anti-cancer adjuvants.
Are We Ready for a True Biopsychosocial–Spiritual Model? The Many Meanings of “Spiritual”
Authors: Saad Marcelo , De Medeiros Roberta , Mosini Amanda
Published: October 2017

The biopsychosocial model is a modern humanistic and holistic view of the human being in health sciences. Currently, many researchers think the biopsychosocial model should be expanded to include the spiritual dimension as well. However, “spiritual” is an open and fluid concept, and it can refer to many different things. This paper intends to explore the spiritual dimension in all its meanings: the spirituality-and-health relationship; spiritual–religious coping; the spirituality of the physician affecting his/her practice; spiritual support for inpatients; spiritual complementary therapies; and spiritual anomalous phenomena. In order to ascertain whether physicians would be willing to embrace them all in practice, each phrase from the Physician’s Pledge on the Declaration of Geneva (World Medical Association) was “translated” in this paper to its spiritual equivalent. Medical practice involves a continuous process of revisions of applied concepts, but a true paradigm shift will occur only when the human spiritual dimension is fully understood and incorporated into health care. Then, one will be able to cut stereotypes and use the term “biopsychosocial–spiritual model” correctly. A sincere and profound application of this new view of the human being would bring remarkable transformations to the concepts of health, disease, treatments, and cure.
Osseoconductive and Corrosion-Inhibiting Plasma-Sprayed Calcium Phosphate Coatings for Metallic Medical Implants
Authors: Heimann Robert
Published: November 2017

During the last several decades, research into bioceramic coatings for medical implants has emerged as a hot topic among materials scientists and clinical practitioners alike. In particular, today, calcium phosphate-based bioceramic materials are ubiquitously used in clinical applications to coat the stems of metallic endoprosthetic hips as well as the surfaces of dental root implants. Such implants frequently consist of titanium alloys, CoCrMo alloy, or austenitic surgical stainless steels, and aim at replacing lost body parts or restoring functions to diseased or damaged tissues of the human body. In addition, besides such inherently corrosion-resistant metals, increasingly, biodegradable metals such as magnesium alloys are being researched for osseosynthetic devices and coronary stents both of which are intended to remain in the human body for only a short time. Biocompatible coatings provide not only vital biological functions by supporting osseoconductivity but may serve also to protect the metallic parts of implants from corrosion in the aggressive metabolic environment. Moreover, the essential properties of hydroxylapatite-based bioceramic coatings including their in vitro alteration in contact with simulated body fluids will be addressed in this current review paper. In addition, a paradigmatic shift is suggested towards the development of transition metal-substituted calcium hexa-orthophosphates with the NaSiCON (Na superionic conductor) structure to be used for implant coatings with superior degradation resistance in the corrosive body environment and with pronounced ionic conductivity that might be utilized in novel devices for electrical bone growth stimulation.
Parameters of the Endocannabinoid System as Novel Biomarkers in Sepsis and Septic Shock
Authors: Lafreniere J. , Lehmann Christian
Published: November 2017

Sepsis represents a dysregulated immune response to infection, with a continuum of severity progressing to septic shock. This dysregulated response generally follows a pattern by which an initial hyperinflammatory phase is followed by a state of sepsis-associated immunosuppression. Major challenges in improving sepsis care include developing strategies to ensure early and accurate identification and diagnosis of the disease process, improving our ability to predict outcomes and stratify patients, and the need for novel sepsis-specific treatments such as immunomodulation. Biomarkers offer promise with all three of these challenges and are likely also to be the solution to determining a patient’s immune status; something that is critical in guiding effective and safe immunomodulatory therapy. Currently available biomarkers used in sepsis lack sensitivity and specificity, among other significant shortcomings. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an emerging topic of research with evidence suggesting a ubiquitous presence on both central and peripheral tissues, including an intrinsic link with immune function. This review will first discuss the state of sepsis biomarkers and lack of available treatments, followed by an introduction to the ECS and a discussion of its potential to provide novel biomarkers and treatments.
Detection of Rare Somatic GNAS Mutation in McCune-Albright Syndrome Using a Novel Peptide Nucleic Acid Probe in a Single Tube
Authors: Lo Fu-Sung , Chen Tai-Long , Chiou Chiuan-Chian
Published: November 2017

McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is characterized by the triad of precocious puberty, café au lait pigmentation, and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (FD) of bone, and is caused by post-zygotic somatic mutations—R201H or R201C—in the guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha stimulating (GNAS) gene. In the present study, a novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe with fluorescent labeling was designed to detect trace amounts of somatic mutant GNAS in a single tube reaction. The method was applied to screen GNAS mutations in six patients with MAS/FD. The results showed that the PNA probe assay could detect low abundant mutants in 200-fold excess of wild-type alleles. The GNAS mutation was found in three patients with severe disease (MAS) by using the assay. The other three patients with mild disease (having only FD) showed a wild-type result. This study has provided a simple method to detect trace amounts of GNAS mutants with high sensitivity in large amounts of wild-type DNA.
Characterization of Free, Conjugated, and Bound Phenolic Acids in Seven Commonly Consumed Vegetables
Authors: Gao Yuan , Ma Shuai , Wang Meng , Feng Xiao-Yuan
Published: November 2017

Phenolic acids are thought to be beneficial for human health and responsible for vegetables’ health-promoting properties. Free, conjugated, and bound phenolic acids of seven commonly consumed vegetables, including kidney bean, cow pea, snow pea, hyacinth bean, green soy bean, soybean sprouts and daylily, from the regions of Beijing, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou, were identified and quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Three vegetables, namely green soy bean, soybean sprouts, and daylily (Hemerocallis fulva L.), from the Beijing region contained higher concentrations of total phenolic acids than those from the Hangzhou and Guangzhou regions. The results indicated that the phenolic acid content in the seven vegetables appeared to be species-dependent. The highest content of phenolic acids was found in daylily, followed by green soy bean, while the least amounts were identified in kidney bean and hyacinth bean. Typically, phenolic acids are predominantly found in conjugated forms. Principle component analysis (PCA) revealed some key compounds that differentiated the seven vegetables. Green soy bean, compared to the other six vegetables, was characterized by higher levels of syringic acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, and sinapic acid. Other compounds, particularly p-coumaric acid, neochlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid, exhibited significantly higher concentrations in daylily. In addition, p-coumaric acid was the characteristic substance in cow pea. Results from this study can contribute to the development of vegetables with specific phytochemicals and health benefits.
Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Properties of Ti-Ni-Si-O Nanostructures on Ti-Ni-Si Alloy
Authors: Li Ting , Ding Dongyan , Dong Zhenbiao , Ning Congqin
Published: October 2017

Ti-Ni-Si-O nanostructures were successfully prepared on Ti-1Ni-5Si alloy foils via electrochemical anodization in ethylene glycol/glycerol solutions containing a small amount of water. The Ti-Ni-Si-O nanostructures were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and diffuse reflectance absorption spectra. Furthermore, the photoelectrochemical water splitting properties of the Ti-Ni-Si-O nanostructure films were investigated. It was found that, after anodization, three different kinds of Ti-Ni-Si-O nanostructures formed in the α-Ti phase region, Ti2Ni phase region, and Ti5Si3 phase region of the alloy surface. Both the anatase and rutile phases of Ti-Ni-Si-O oxide appeared after annealing at 500 °C for 2 h. The photocurrent density obtained from the Ti-Ni-Si-O nanostructure photoanodes was 0.45 mA/cm2 at 0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in 1 M KOH solution. The above findings make it feasible to further explore excellent photoelectrochemical properties of the nanostructure-modified surface of Ti-Ni-Si ternary alloys.
Ferroelectric Nanoparticles in Liquid Crystals: Recent Progress and Current Challenges
Authors: Garbovskiy Yuriy , Glushchenko Anatoliy
Published: November 2017

The dispersion of ferroelectric nanomaterials in liquid crystals has recently emerged as a promising way for the design of advanced and tunable electro-optical materials. The goal of this paper is a broad overview of the current technology, basic physical properties, and applications of ferroelectric nanoparticle/liquid crystal colloids. By compiling a great variety of experimental data and discussing it in the framework of existing theoretical models, both scientific and technological challenges of this rapidly developing field of liquid crystal nanoscience are identified. They can be broadly categorized into the following groups: (i) the control of the size, shape, and the ferroelectricity of nanoparticles; (ii) the production of a stable and aggregate-free dispersion of relatively small (~10 nm) ferroelectric nanoparticles in liquid crystals; (iii) the selection of liquid crystal materials the most suitable for the dispersion of nanoparticles; (iv) the choice of appropriate experimental procedures and control measurements to characterize liquid crystals doped with ferroelectric nanoparticles; and (v) the development and/or modification of theoretical and computational models to account for the complexity of the system under study. Possible ways to overcome the identified challenges along with future research directions are also discussed.
Dispersal-Based Microbial Community Assembly Decreases Biogeochemical Function
Authors: Graham Emily , Stegen James
Published: November 2017

Ecological mechanisms influence relationships among microbial communities, which in turn impact biogeochemistry. In particular, microbial communities are assembled by deterministic (e.g., selection) and stochastic (e.g., dispersal) processes, and the relative balance of these two process types is hypothesized to alter the influence of microbial communities over biogeochemical function. We used an ecological simulation model to evaluate this hypothesis, defining biogeochemical function generically to represent any biogeochemical reaction of interest. We assembled receiving communities under different levels of dispersal from a source community that was assembled purely by selection. The dispersal scenarios ranged from no dispersal (i.e., selection-only) to dispersal rates high enough to overwhelm selection (i.e., homogenizing dispersal). We used an aggregate measure of community fitness to infer a given community’s biogeochemical function relative to other communities. We also used ecological null models to further link the relative influence of deterministic assembly to function. We found that increasing rates of dispersal decrease biogeochemical function by increasing the proportion of maladapted taxa in a local community. Niche breadth was also a key determinant of biogeochemical function, suggesting a tradeoff between the function of generalist and specialist species. Finally, we show that microbial assembly processes exert greater influence over biogeochemical function when there is variation in the relative contributions of dispersal and selection among communities. Taken together, our results highlight the influence of spatial processes on biogeochemical function and indicate the need to account for such effects in models that aim to predict biogeochemical function under future environmental scenarios.
The Religious and Spiritual Beliefs and Practices among Practitioners across Five Helping Professions
Authors: Oxhandler Holly , Polson Edward , Moffatt Kelsey , Achenbaum W.
Published: October 2017

Helping professionals’ religious and spiritual beliefs and practices have been reported as important components in the consideration of clients’ religion/spirituality (RS) in mental and behavioral health treatment. However, no study to date has simultaneously examined and compared five helping professions’ RS beliefs and practices, including psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and marriage and family therapists. The current study is a secondary analysis of 536 licensed helping professionals in Texas to answer the following questions: (1) What levels of intrinsic religiosity and frequency of religious activities exist across these five professions, and how do they compare?; (2) To what extent do these five professions consider themselves religious or spiritual, and how do they compare?; and (3) What are the religious beliefs and practices across these five professions, and how do they compare? Results indicated significant differences across the five professions with regards to their religious affiliation, frequently used RS practices and activities, degree to which each profession self-identifies as spiritual, as well as intrinsic religiosity. A general comparison between helping professionals’ responses with the general population’s RS is also discussed. Implications based on these findings, as well as recommendations for future studies are included, particularly given the recent movement toward transdisciplinary clinical practice.
A Code Division Design Strategy for Multiplexing Fiber Bragg Grating Sensing Networks
Authors: Triana Andrés , Pastor Daniel , Varón Margarita
Published: November 2017

In this paper, an encoding strategy is used to design specialized fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. The encoding of each sensor requires two binary codewords to define the amplitude and phase patterns of each sensor. The combined pattern (amplitude and phase) makes each sensor unique and therefore two or more sensors can be identified under spectral overlapping. In this way, we add another dimension to the multiplexing of FBG sensors, obtaining an increase factor ‘n’ to enhance the number of sensors that the system can handle. A proof-of-concept scenario with three sensors was performed, including the manufacturing of the encoded sensors. Furthermore, an interrogation setup to detect the sensors central wavelength was proposed and its working principle was theoretically developed. Results show that total identification of the central wavelength is performed under spectral overlapping between the manufactured sensors, achieving a three-time improvement of the system capacity. Finally, the error due to overlapping between the sensors was assessed obtaining approximately 3 pm, which makes the approach suitable for use in real measurement systems.
Evaluation and Comparison of TRMM Multi-Satellite Precipitation Products With Reference to Rain Gauge Observations in Hunza River Basin, Karakoram Range, Northern Pakistan
Authors: Ali Ayaz , Xiao Cunde , Anjum Muhammad , Adnan Muhammad , Nawaz Zain , Ijaz Muhammad , Sajid Muhammad , Farid Hafiz
Published: October 2017

The performance evaluation of satellite-based precipitation products at local and regional scales is crucial for modification in satellite-based precipitation retrieval algorithms, as well as for the provision of guidance during the selection of substitute precipitation data. This study evaluated the performances of three Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) products (3B42V6, 3B42RT and 3B42V7) with a reference to rain gauge observations in the Hunza River basin, northern Pakistan. Multi-spatial (pixel and basin) and temporal (daily, monthly, seasonal and annual) resolutions were considered for performance evaluation of TMPA products. Results revealed that the spatial pattern of observed precipitation over the basin was adequately captured by 3B42V7 but misplaced by 3B42V6 and 3B42RT. All TMPA products were unable to capture the intense precipitation events. On the daily time scale, the performance of TMPA products was very poor over both spatial scales. 3B42V6 underestimated the precipitation (31.25% and 44.27% on pixel and basin scales, respectively). By contrast, 3B42RT significantly overestimated the precipitation (47.91% and 38.62% on pixel and basin scales, respectively), while 3B42V7 showed overestimation (17.30%) on pixel scale and slight underestimation (6.24%) on the basin scale. On the seasonal scale, TMPA products showed significant biases with observed precipitation data. We found that the TMPA products performed relatively better on monthly and annual time scales and overall performance of 3B42V7 product was better than that of 3B42V6 and 3B42RT. The bias in 3B42V7 was improved by 85.90% compared with 3B42V6 and by 116.16% compared with 3B42RT. Thus, it is concluded that the TMPA products were unreliable to capture the intense precipitation events and retain high errors on daily and seasonal scales. Therefore, caution should be considered while using these precipitation estimates as a substitute data in hydrology, meteorology and climatology studies in Hunza River basin. However, due to the reasonable performance of monthly and annual 3B42V7 estimates, these can be used as an acceptable substitute for applications in the region.
In the Presence of Climate Change, the Use of Fertilizers and the Effect of Income on Agricultural Emissions
Authors: Celikkol Erbas Bahar , Guven Solakoglu Ebru
Published: October 2017

This study looks into the factual link between nitrogen fertilizer use and the land annual mean temperature anomalies arising from climate change, incorporating the effect of income and agriculture share to understand better their impact on emissions from agricultural activities along climate indicators. The study unearths causalities associated with this link by employing the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) with back-dated actual panel data specifically constructed for this study by combining four datasets from 2002 to 2010. In the long-run, the causality is significant and unidirectional, indicating that income, agriculture share, and land temperature anomalies cause agricultural emissions, and that disequilibrium from such emissions is not eliminated within a year. In the short-run, the effective use of nitrogen fertilizers and other associated agricultural practices can be achieved as countries approach per capita income of 7000 USD. Changes in the structure of economies have an expected effect on agricultural emissions. Temperature anomalies increase agricultural emissions from nitrogen fertilizers, possibly due to the fact that the potential negative impacts of these anomalies are mitigated by farmers through changes in crop production inputs. Therefore, as part of adoption strategies, to avoid the excessive and inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizers by farmers, economic incentives should be aligned with the national and global incentives of sustainability.
Assessing the Extent to Which the UK’s National Risk Register Supports Local Risk Management
Authors: Hiscock Katie , Jones Aled
Published: October 2017

This paper examines how a national risk register supports the implementation of disaster risk management practices at a local level. We present a case study of the UK’s National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies and explore stakeholder understanding, views, perceptions, opinions, and application within the East of England. A semi-structured interview methodology was adopted for this paper with 14 key stakeholders from across the East of England interviewed. Thematic coding analysis was used to structure the results against a set of research questions. Interviewees were found to be largely unaware of the National Risk Register, and as such its usefulness as a risk management tool is limited. In particular, restricted local resources, limited understanding of risk, and a lack of actionable strategies were highlighted as barriers to action. Opportunities for capacity building at the local level, sharing best practice, and improved risk communication were all identified. The National Risk Register could be used to improve risk management at local levels but more engagement with it at a local level is required.
Gen2 RFID-Based System Framework for Resource Circulation in Closed-Loop Supply Chains
Authors: Kim Young-woo , Chang Tai-Woo , Park Jinwoo
Published: October 2017

Product recycling has become a mandatory activity under extended producer responsibility. Therefore, it is important to operate a closed-loop supply chain that integrates sourcing, production, delivery, and recycling to achieve not only environmental sustainability, but also economic benefits. However, this goal is affected by chronic problems caused by uncertainties relating to the return timing, quantity, and quality of returned items. Many studies proved that information visibility could solve these problems. In this context, a system framework for closed-loop supply chain management is proposed that gathers real-time information within a supply chain and product lifecycle by using the Internet-of-Things, including radio frequency identification (RFID). Specifically, the most recent Gen2 RFID protocol, which provides new features to create new positive effects, is considered. Additionally, an information system is designed, including RFID tag encoding, which supports the operation of the proposed system. Finally, the lifecycle benefits are examined, such as counterfeit prevention, real-time monitoring and maintenance in the middle-of-life phase, and reverse process streamlining. The ultimate aim is to design a system that facilitates the profitable and environmentally friendly operation of the closed-loop supply chain.
Suppressive Effects of Bee Venom Acupuncture on Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Rats: Mediation by Spinal α2-Adrenergic Receptor
Authors: Choi Jiho , Jeon Changhoon , Lee Ji , Jang Jo , Quan Fu , Lee Kyungjin , Kim Woojin , Kim Sun
Published: October 2017

Paclitaxel, a chemotherapy drug for solid tumors, induces peripheral painful neuropathy. Bee venom acupuncture (BVA) has been reported to have potent analgesic effects, which are known to be mediated by activation of spinal α-adrenergic receptor. Here, we investigated the effect of BVA on mechanical hyperalgesia and spinal neuronal hyperexcitation induced by paclitaxel. The role of spinal α-adrenergic receptor subtypes in the analgesic effect of BVA was also observed. Administration of paclitaxel (total 8 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) on four alternate days (days 0, 2, 4, and 6) induced significant mechanical hyperalgesic signs, measured using a von Frey filament. BVA (1 mg/kg, ST36) relieved this mechanical hyperalgesia for at least two hours, and suppressed the hyperexcitation in spinal wide dynamic range neurons evoked by press or pinch stimulation. Both melittin (0.5 mg/kg, ST36) and phospholipase A2 (0.12 mg/kg, ST36) were shown to play an important part in this analgesic effect of the BVA, as they significantly attenuated the pain. Intrathecal pretreatment with the α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist (idazoxan, 50 µg), but not α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist (prazosin, 30 µg), blocked the analgesic effect of BVA. These results suggest that BVA has potent suppressive effects against paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain, which were mediated by spinal α2-adrenergic receptor.
Hijacking of the Ubiquitin/Proteasome Pathway by the HIV Auxiliary Proteins
Authors: Seissler Tanja , Marquet Roland , Paillart Jean-Christophe
Published: October 2017

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) ensures regulation of the protein pool in the cell by ubiquitination of proteins followed by their degradation by the proteasome. It plays a central role in the cell under normal physiological conditions as well as during viral infections. On the one hand, the UPS can be used by the cell to degrade viral proteins, thereby restricting the viral infection. On the other hand, it can also be subverted by the virus to its own advantage, notably to induce degradation of cellular restriction factors. This makes the UPS a central player in viral restriction and counter-restriction. In this respect, the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1 and 2) represent excellent examples. Indeed, many steps of the HIV life cycle are restricted by cellular proteins, some of which are themselves components of the UPS. However, HIV itself hijacks the UPS to mediate defense against several cellular restriction factors. For example, the HIV auxiliary proteins Vif, Vpx and Vpu counteract specific restriction factors by the recruitment of cellular UPS components. In this review, we describe the interplay between HIV and the UPS to illustrate its role in the restriction of viral infections and its hijacking by viral proteins for counter-restriction.
Protoparvovirus Interactions with the Cellular DNA Damage Response
Authors: Majumder Kinjal , Etingov Igor , Pintel David
Published: October 2017

Protoparvoviruses are simple single-stranded DNA viruses that infect many animal species. The protoparvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) infects murine and transformed human cells provoking a sustained DNA damage response (DDR). This DDR is dependent on signaling by the ATM kinase and leads to a prolonged pre-mitotic cell cycle block that features the inactivation of ATR-kinase mediated signaling, proteasome-targeted degradation of p21, and inhibition of cyclin B1 expression. This review explores how protoparvoviruses, and specifically MVM, co-opt the common mechanisms regulating the DDR and cell cycle progression in order to prepare the host nuclear environment for productive infection.
A Commune-Level Groundwater Potential Map for the Republic of Mali
Authors: Díaz-Alcaide Silvia , Martínez-Santos Pedro , Villarroya Fermín
Published: October 2017

Groundwater represents an essential resource in sub-Saharan Africa, where several hundred million people rely on aquifers for domestic supply. This paper presents a method to map groundwater potential in the Republic of Mali based on a spatially-distributed database of 26,040 boreholes. The database includes exhaustive information on key parameters such as borehole location, success rate of borehole production, depth, yield, static groundwater level or water quality. Representative variables were classified and interpreted jointly to develop a groundwater potential index for each of the 703 communes in Mali. This provides a methodological novelty because groundwater potential studies typically rely on indirect indicators such as lineaments, slope, soil moisture and landforms. Also, such large borehole databases have seldom been used to estimate groundwater potential. The highest indexes were obtained for the areas in and around the River Niger’s Inner Delta, including southern Tombouctou and the central parts of the Ségou and Mopti Regions. The lower Precambrian formations, which include the country’s thoroughly populated southern plateau, had moderate scores. The lowest groundwater potential was found in the northern part of the Kayes and Koulikoro Regions, as well as in the entire region of Kidal. By providing results at the commune scale, these outcomes show that groundwater potential across the country’s geological and hydrogeological units can be highly variable, and that local and regional-scale information may be useful for groundwater management purposes. These results are policy-relevant in a context of rapid change and population growth, where groundwater resources can be expected to be increasingly relied upon in the coming years.
C-reactive protein point-of-care testing in children with cough: qualitative study of GPs' perceptions
Authors: Schot Marjolein JC , Broekhuizen Berna DL , Cals Jochen WL , Brussee Esther , de Wit Niek J , Verheij Theo JM , de Groot Esther
Published: November 2017

Background

Point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) testing is widely accepted in Dutch general practice for adult patients with acute cough, but GPs’ perceptions of its use in children with suspected lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) are unknown. Knowledge of these perceptions is important when considering broadening its indication to use in children.

Aim

To explore the perceptions of Dutch GPs of the addition of point-of-care CRP testing to the diagnostic evaluation of children, and compare these to their perceptions of use in adults.

Design & setting

A qualitative study in general practice in the Netherlands.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were held with 11 GPs. Interviews were analysed using open coding and a thematic approach.

Results

GPs’ perceptions of the addition of point-of-care CRP testing to diagnostic process in children with suspected LRTI differ from their perceptions of this in adults. Five themes were identified: patient characteristics; vulnerability of the child; clinical presentation; availability of evidence; the impact of the procedure; and use of point-of-care CRP testing as a communication tool.

Conclusion

Differences between the perceptions of using point-of-care CRP testing in children and adults need to be addressed when considering the possible implementation of this diagnostic instrument.
Fabrication of gold-coated PDMS surfaces with arrayed triangular micro/nanopyramids for use as SERS substrates
Authors: Zhang Jingran , Yan Yongda , Miao Peng , Cai Jianxiong
Published: November 2017

Using the tip-based continuous indentation process, arrays of three-dimensional pyramidal cavities have been successfully machined on a copper template and the structures were successfully transferred to a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface using a reverse nanoimprinting approach. The structured PDMS surface is coated with a thin Au film, and the final substrate is demonstrated as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was used as a probe molecule in the present study to confirm the SERS measurements. Arrays of micro/nanostructures of different dimensions were formed by the overlap of pyramidal cavities with different adjacent distances using the tip-based continuous indentation process. The effects of the reverse nanoimprinting process and coating process on the final topography of the structures are studied. The experimental results show that the Raman intensity of the Au-film-coated PDMS substrate is influenced by the topography of the micro/nanostructures and by the thickness of the Au film. The Raman intensity of 1362 cm−1 R6G peak on the structured Au-film-coated PDMS substrate is about 8 times higher than the SERS tests on a commercial substrate (Q-SERS). A SERS enhancement factor ranging from 7.5 × 105 to 6 × 106 was achieved using the structured Au-film-coated PDMS surface, and it was demonstrated that the method proposed in this paper is reliable, replicable, homogeneous and low-cost for the fabrication of SERS substrates.
Entre muses gaillardes et muses galantes : les variations du discours licencieux dans les œuvres poétiques de François Maynard
Authors: Graça Frédéric
Published: November 2017

Notre étude porte sur les différentes tonalités de l’inspiration licencieuse dans l’œuvre poétique de François Maynard, envisagée dans son déroulement historique, de ses premières publications dans des recueils collectifs, à partir de 1607, jusqu’à la parution des Œuvres de Maynard, en 1646. Nous nous sommes efforcé d’éclairer le rapport entre l’assagissement progressif de la veine érotico-satirique dans les poésies publiées par Maynard, et l’évolution des valeurs morales et esthétiques dominantes au cours de la première moitié du siècle. En examinant des manuscrits de travail heureusement conservés, nous retraçons ici l’élaboration de pièces galantes à partir de vers licencieux remaniés.
Les communes nouvelles : l’invité surprise de la réforme territoriale
Authors: Frinault Thomas
Published: November 2017

Résumé L’une des voies envisagées par la réforme visant à rationaliser le « mille-feuille territorial » français consiste à redimensionner la géographie des collectivités territoriales et de leurs établissements. Si la critique du trop grand nombre d’organisations par échelon territorial concerne au premier chef, et depuis longtemps, les dizaines de milliers de communes héritées de la Révolution française, les pouvoirs publics n’ont jamais réussi à réformer le tissu que ces communes constituent à la différence d’autres pays européens. Mais depuis la loi du 16 mars 2015 facilitant la création de communes nouvelles, une dynamique de regroupement communal se fait jour de manière assez inattendue. Cette dynamique est d’autant plus surprenante que les élus locaux n’y étaient guère favorables il y a encore peu de temps. Cet article étudie non seulement le nouveau régime ainsi créé, mais aussi les raisons ayant conduit les élus locaux à reconsidérer leur position à l’égard de la perspective de fusion.
La réforme du statut de paris de 2017 : entre banalisation et confirmation de sa singularité
Authors: Chauvel Jeanne
Published: November 2017

Résumé Cet article interroge la décentralisation à Paris, en éclairant les enjeux politiques et institutionnels de la dernière réforme territoriale du quinquennat de François Hollande, la loi du 28 février 2017 sur le statut de Paris et l’aménagement métropolitain. Avec une décentralisation de compétences de police comme dans toutes les communes françaises, le statut de Paris se rapproche certes du droit commun, mais demeure particulier avec la création en 2019 de la collectivité Ville de Paris, en lieu et place de la commune et du département de Paris. Ce mouvement décentralisateur dans la ville-capitale est contrebalancé par une recentralisation continue de l’aménagement du territoire francilien.
The Purpose and Power of Reporting Effect Sizes in Nursing Education Research
Authors: Spurlock Darrell
Published: November 2017

Like many other fields and subfields within the social sciences, education, and medicine, nursing education research has a long history of giving
p
-values associated with common statistical tests a position of primary importance in interpreting study findings. Global, transdisciplinary efforts are underway to diminish the role
p
-values play in making judgements about the significance of study findings by changing the threshold
p
-value used to pronounce statistical significance, through the use of Bayesian statistics, and through efforts to report effect sizes alongside
p
-values. In this month's Methodology Corner installment, the focus is on effect sizes and their role in enhancing the value and utility of nursing education research studies. [
J Nurs Educ
. 2017;56(11):645–647.]
An Integrative Review of the Concealed Connection: Nurse Educators' Critical Thinking
Authors: Raymond Christy , Profetto-McGrath Joanne , Myrick Florence , Strean William B.
Published: November 2017

Background:

The role of nurse educators in the development of students' critical thinking has been overlooked despite the emphasized need for effective teaching methods.

Method:

An integrative review was performed to examine both quantitative and qualitative research published from 2000 to 2015 related to nurse educators' critical thinking.

Results:

Many barriers and facilitators existing on individual, interpersonal, and contextual levels affected nurse educators' critical thinking. Various tools have been used to measure nurse educators' critical thinking. This review also highlighted the continued lack of a consensus definition of critical thinking and the limited presence of conceptual models to guide the use of critical thinking in nursing education.

Conclusion:

Continued examination of nurse educators' critical thinking is needed, given the limited number of studies that have been completed. Much needs to be explored further, including conceptualizations of critical thinking and confirmation of emerging themes identified in this review. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(11):648–654.]
Lesson Plans: Road Maps for the Active Learning Classroom
Authors: Moore-Cox Annie
Published: November 2017

Background:

Lesson planning is a documentation process used extensively in education from kindergarten through 12th grade, but rarely in higher education, including undergraduate, prelicensure nursing education. Lesson plans help teachers plan what will happen during a class period from moment to moment. Trends in nursing education, such as the incorporation of active learning strategies in the classroom, make lesson plans a timely addition to the nurse educator's toolkit.

Method:

This article describes the components of a lesson plan and offers an author-developed template for use in nursing education.

Results:

Using the template helps nurse educators map out activities for all class participants, such as students, student pairs and teams, and faculty.

Conclusion:

The lesson plan enables faculty to plot out the many dynamic components of an active learning class period. It also serves as a road map for subsequent faculty, which is an important feature as the profession faces a wave of retirements in the coming decade. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(11):697–700.]
Sustainable Software Lifecycle for Green Consumerism
Authors: Saquib Shah Muhammad Nazmus
Published: October 2017

In recent years, consumers are very concerned about environmental issues. However, they often face difficulties to regard this during purchase. This more preponderant domain of ICT includes the scopes of digital media consumption and e-platforms. Cell phones outfitted with sustainability software can be profitable for the marketers by considering consumers' choices in regard to their environmental and biodiversity impacts. This chapter seeks to address the accountability of the digital consumers who care to keep the earth green through their purchases and simultaneously those who design and administrate these digital products that include senior and mid-level professionals from industries and from government authorities.
Scheduling in Flexible Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Naifar Fraj , Gzara Mariem , Moalla Taicir Loukil
Published: October 2017

Flexible manufacturing systems have many advantages like adaptation to changes and reduction of lateness. But flexible machines are expensive. The scheduling is a central functionality in manufacturing systems. Optimizing the job routing through the system, while taking advantage from the flexibility of the machines, aims at improving the system's profitability. The introduction of the flexibility defines a variant of the scheduling problems known as flexible job shop scheduling. This variant is more difficult than the classical job shop since two sub-problems are to be solved the assignment and the routing. To guarantee the generation of efficient schedules in reasonable computation time, the metaheuristic approach is largely explored. Particularly, much research has addressed the resolution of the flexible job shop problem by genetic algorithms. This chapter presents the different adaptations of the genetic scheme to the flexible job shop problem. The solution encodings and the genetic operators are presented and illustrated by examples.