bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD4 T Cell Count in Newly diagnosed PTB Patients With Reference to their HIV Sero status
Authors: Rajbhandari Piyush , Bhattacharya Shyamal Kumar , Gurung Rajendra , Poudyal Nimesh , Pradhan Bickram
Published: April 2017

Introduction: CD4 and CD8 T cells facilitate the containment of tuberculosis (TB) and has been postulated that there will be changes in their level in patients with TB. This study was carried out to analyze the CD4 cell counts in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients with reference to their HIV status.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital of eastern Nepal from May 2012 to April 2013. A total of 160 individuals, 40 each in the PTB, PTB/HIV, HIV and healthy population were included after obtaining informed consent. PTB and HIV diagnosis was made according to national guidelines. CD4 T cells were analyzed using a BD FACS Count Cytometer. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2007 and analyzed using SPSS version 11.7.Results: The mean absolute CD4 cells in PTB patient were 562.20 ± 197.3 cells/ul, which was a clear reduction (p < 0.001) when compared to the healthy population of this area (786.30 ± 239.17 cells/ul). There was significant decrease in the CD4 level among the HIV/TB patient (123.70 ± 99.4 cells/ul) as compared to PTB patient without HIV (p < 0.001). The study also noted that the mean CD4 cell level among HIV infected population (249.68 cells/ul) was higher compared to the HIV/TB co-infected population (p < 0.05).Conclusion: CD4 cell count can reflect the degree of immunosuppression in PTB patient irrespective of their HIV status but it cannot predict the disease severity in PTB patient.
Chiari Network in Right Atrium of Heart
Authors: Thapa Raj Kumar , KC Kanchan , Khatri Rishi , Khatri Devendra
Published: April 2017

Chiari network is an embryonic remnant of right valve of sinus venosus due to its incomplete resorption. It is a fenestrated net-like membranous structure mostly seen in the right atrium near the opening of Inferior vena cava and Coronary sinus. It is rare, often diagnosed incidentally and is usually of no clinical significance. However, there are reports of its association with atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias, right atrial thrombus entanglement, paradoxical embolism and catheter entrapment during percutaneous interventions. Here we present a case of Chiari network in a 45 years old female diagnosed by two dimensional trans-thoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE). Our aim is to highlight clinical significance of this rare but possible congenital cardiac remnant which is often silent.
Investigation of trunk muscle activity for modified plank exercise: A preliminary study
Authors: Lee Donggeon , Lee Yunbok , Cho Hwi-Young , Lee Kyeong-Bong , Hong Soungkyun , Pyo Seunghyeon , Lee Gyuchang
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND:

Plank exercise is one of the most popular methods of exercise for strengthening the trunk muscles. However, many individuals might have some difficulty performing this exercise.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to identify trunk muscle activation with postural changes and the use of dynamic cushion during a traditional plank exercise in order to propose a set of exercise levels according to exercise performance ability.

METHODS:

Seven participants were asked to perform the traditional plank exercise (TPE), a modified plank exercise (MPE), an unstable traditional plank exercise (UTPE), and an unstable modified plank exercise (UMPE). The UTPE and UMPE use a dynamic cushion to simulate an unstable surface. Surface EMG of the ractus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO) and erector spinae (ES) was recorded while participants were engaged in these exercises. The plank exercises were performed for ten seconds with a ten-minute break between each posture.

RESULTS:

Comparing the measurement results from the four postures, significant differences were observed in the RA and EO ([Formula: see text] 0.05) which were found to be significantly different during the UTPE than during the MPE and UMPE ([Formula: see text] 0.05), while TPE showed a significant difference only in the left EO muscle activation ([Formula: see text] 0.05). In terms of the right RA and the left EO, a significant difference was observed only with respect to MPE ([Formula: see text] 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study may be used as a basis to arrange the order of exercise, based on the level of muscle activation appropriate for the participant’s exercising ability. Individuals who have difficulty performing the TPE, may first perform the MPE and the UMPE.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Study of Oral ELND005 (scyllo-Inositol) in Young Adults with Down Syndrome without Dementia
Authors: Rafii Michael S. , Skotko Brian G. , McDonough Mary Ellen , Pulsifer Margaret , Evans Casey , Doran Eric , Muranevici Gabriela , Kesslak Patrick , Abushakra Susan , Lott Ira T. ,   for the ELND005-DS Study Group
Published: April 2017

Background: ELND005 ( scyllo-Inositol; cyclohexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol) has been evaluated as a potential disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk for developing AD dementia.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of ELND005 and to determine its pharmacokinetics (PK) and relationship between PK parameters, safety outcome measures, and exploratory efficacy outcome measures in young adults with DS without dementia.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, three-arm, multicenter Phase II study of the safety and pharmacokinetics of ELND005 administered orally for 4 weeks (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01791725). Participants who met study eligibility criteria were randomly assigned in a 2 : 1:1 ratio to receive ELND005 at either 250 mg twice daily (BID) or 250 mg once daily (QD) or matching placebo for 4 weeks.

Results: There were no apparent treatment group-related trends on cognitive or behavioral measures and there were no SAEs and no deaths in the study. Overall, mean changes from baseline in clinical laboratory parameters, vital sign measurements, electrocardiogram results, and other physical findings were unremarkable. ELND005 accumulation averaged approximately 2-fold with QD dosing, and 3- to 4-fold with BID dosing.

Conclusion: Overall, treatment of adults with DS with ELND005 at both doses was well tolerated, achieved measurable blood levels and demonstrated no safety findings. Further studies will be needed to test efficacy.
Reduced Cerebral Blood Flow in Mild Cognitive Impairment Assessed Using Phase-Contrast MRI
Authors: de Eulate Reyes García , Goñi Irene , Galiano Alvaro , Vidorreta Marta , Recio Miriam , Riverol Mario , Zubieta José L. , Fernández-Seara María A.
Published: April 2017

There is increasing evidence of a vascular contribution to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In some cases, prior work suggests that chronic brain hypoperfusion could play a prime pathogenic role contributing to the accumulation of amyloid-β,while other studies favor the hypothesis that vascular dysfunction and amyloid pathology are independent, although synergistic, mechanisms contributing to cognitive impairment. Vascular dysfunction can be evaluated by assessing cerebral blood flow impairment. Phase contrast velocity mapping by MRI offers a non-invasive means of quantifying the total inflow of blood to the brain. This quantitative parameter could be a sensitive indicator of vascular disease at early stages of AD. In this work, phase contrast MRI was used to evaluate cerebral hemodynamics in patients with subjective memory complaints, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and mild to moderate AD, and compare them with control subjects. Results showed that blood flow and velocity were decreased in the patients with cognitive dysfunction and the decrease correlated with the degree of cognitive impairment as assessed by means of neuropsychological tests. Total cerebral blood flow measurements were clearly reduced in AD patients, but more importantly appeared to be sensitive enough to distinguish between healthy subjects and those with mild cognitive impairment. A quantitative measurement of total brain blood flow could potentially predict vascular dysfunction and compromised brain perfusion in early stages of AD.
Diagnostic Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease as Identified in Saliva using 1H NMR-Based Metabolomics
Authors: Yilmaz Ali , Geddes Tim , Han BeomSoo , Bahado-Singh Ray O. , Wilson George D. , Imam Khaled , Maddens Michael , Graham Stewart F.
Published: April 2017

Using 1H NMR metabolomics, we biochemically profiled saliva samples collected from healthy-controls ( n = 12), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) sufferers ( n = 8), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients ( n = 9). We accurately identified significant concentration changes in 22 metabolites in the saliva of MCI and AD patients compared to controls. This pilot study demonstrates the potential for using metabolomics and saliva for the early diagnosis of AD. Given the ease and convenience of collecting saliva, the development of accurate and sensitive salivary biomarkers would be ideal for screening those at greatest risk of developing AD.
Can Better Management of Periodontal Disease Delay the Onset and Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Authors: Harding Alice , Robinson Sarita , Crean StJohn , Singhrao Sim K.
Published: April 2017

A risk factor relationship exists between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) via tooth loss, and improved memory following dental intervention. This links the microbial contribution from indigenous oral periodontal pathogens to the manifestation of chronic conditions, such as AD. Here, we use Porphyromonas gingivalis infection to illustrate its effect on mental health. P. gingivalis infection, in its primary sub-gingival niche, can cause polymicrobial synergy and dysbiosis. Dysbiosis describes the residency of select commensals from the oral cavity following co-aggregation around the dominant keystone pathogen, such as P. gingivalis, to gain greater virulence. The initial process involves P. gingivalis disturbing neutrophil mediated innate immune responses in the healthy gingivae and then downregulating adaptive immune cell differentiation and development to invade, and subsequently, establish new dysbiotic bacterial communities. Immune responses affect the host in general and functionally via dietary adjustments caused by tooth loss. Studies from animals orally infected with P. gingivalis confirm this bacterium can transmigrate to distant organ sites (the brain) and contribute toward peripheral and intracerebral inflammation, and compromise vascular and microvascular integrity. In another study, P. gingivalis infection caused sleep pattern disturbances by altering glial cell light/dark molecular clock activity, and this, in turn, can affect the clearance of danger associated molecular patterns, such as amyloid-β, via the glymphatic system. Since P. gingivalis can transmigrate to the brain and modulate organ-specific inflammatory innate and adaptive immune responses, this paper explores whether better management of indigenous periodontal bacteria could delay/prevent the onset and/or progression of dementia.
The Precipitation Variations in the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau during 1961–2015
Authors: Wan Guoning , Yang Meixue , Liu Zhaochen , Wang Xuejia , Liang Xiaowen
Published: April 2017

The variation of precipitation plays an important role in the eco-hydrological processes and water resources regimes on the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Based on the monthly mean precipitation data of 65 meteorological stations over the TP and surrounding areas from 1961 to 2015, variations, trends and temporal–spatial distribution of precipitation have been studied; furthermore, the possible reasons were also discussed preliminarily. The results show that the annual mean precipitation on the TP was 465.5 mm during 1961–2015. The precipitation in summer (June–August (JJA)) accounted for 60.1% of the whole year’s precipitation, the precipitation in summer half-year (May–October) accounted for 91.0%, while the precipitation in winter half-year (November–April) only accounted for 9.0% of the whole year’s precipitation. During 1961–2015, the annual precipitation trend was 3.8 mm/10a and the seasonal precipitation trends were 3.0 mm/10a, 0.0 mm/10a, −0.1 mm/10a and 0.4 mm/10a in spring, summer, autumn and winter on the TP, respectively. The precipitation has decreased from the southeastern to northwestern TP; the trend of precipitation has decreased with the increase of altitude, but the correlation was not significant. The rising of air temperature and land cover changes may cause the precipitation by changing the hydrological cycle and energy budget. Furthermore, different patterns of atmospheric circulation can also influence precipitation variation in different regions.
HPHT Diamond Crystallization in the Mg-Si-C System: Effect of Mg/Si Composition
Authors: Palyanov Yuri , Kupriyanov Igor , Borzdov Yuri , Nechaev Denis , Bataleva Yuliya
Published: April 2017

Crystallization of diamond in the Mg-Si-C system has been studied at 7.5 GPa and 1800 °C with the Mg-Si compositions spanning the range from Mg-C to Si-C end-systems. It is found that as Si content of the system increases from 0 to 2 wt %, the degree of the graphite-to-diamond conversion increases from about 50 to 100% and remains at about this level up to 20 wt % Si. A further increase in Si content of the system leads to a decrease in the graphite-to-diamond conversion degree down to complete termination of diamond synthesis at Si content >50 wt %. Depending on the Si content crystallization of diamond, joint crystallization of diamond and silicon carbide and crystallization of silicon carbide only are found to take place. The cubic growth of diamond, typical of the Mg-C system, transforms to the cube-octahedron upon adding 1 wt % Si and then to the octahedron at a Si content of 2 wt % and higher. The crystallized diamonds are studied by a suite of optical spectroscopy techniques and the major characteristics of their defect-and-impurity structure are revealed. The correlations between the Si content of the Mg-Si-C system and the properties of the produced diamond crystals are established.
En-LDA: An Novel Approach to Automatic Bug Report Assignment with Entropy Optimized Latent Dirichlet Allocation
Authors: Zhang Wen , Cui Yangbo , Yoshida Taketoshi
Published: April 2017

With the increasing number of bug reports coming into the open bug repository, it is impossible to triage bug reports manually by software managers. This paper proposes a novel approach called En-LDA (Entropy optimized Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA)) for automatic bug report assignment. Specifically, we propose entropy to optimize the number of topics of the LDA model and further use the entropy optimized LDA to capture the expertise and interest of developers in bug resolution. A developer’s interest in a topic is modeled by the number of the developer’s comments on bug reports of the topic divided by the number of all the developer’s comments. A developer’s expertise in a topic is modeled by the number of the developer’s comments on bug reports of the topic divided by the number of all developers’ comments on the topic. Given a new bug report, En-LDA recommends a ranked list of developers who are potentially adequate to resolve the new bug. Experiments on Eclipse JDT and Mozilla Firefox projects show that En-LDA can achieve high recall up to 84% and 58%, and precision up to 28% and 41%, respectively, which indicates promising aspects of the proposed approach.
A Quantum Description of the Stern–Gerlach Experiment
Authors: Wennerström Håkan , Westlund Per-Olof
Published: April 2017

A detailed analysis of the classic Stern–Gerlach experiment is presented. An analytical simple solution is presented for the quantum description of the translational and spin dynamics of a silver atom in a magnetic field with a gradient along a single z-direction. This description is then used to obtain an approximate quantum description of the more realistic case with a magnetic field gradient also in a second y-direction. An explicit relation is derived for how an initial off center deviation in the y-direction affects the final result observed at the detector. This shows that the “mouth shape” pattern at the detector observed in the original Stern–Gerlach experiment is a generic consequence of the gradient in the y-direction. This is followed by a discussion of the spin dynamics during the entry of the silver atom into the magnet. An analytical relation is derived for a simplified case of a field only along the z-direction. A central question for the conceptual understanding of the Stern–Gerlach experiment has been how an initially unpolarized spin ends up in a polarized state at the detector. It is argued that this can be understood with the use of the adiabatic approximation. When the atoms first experience the magnetic field outside the magnet, there is in general a change in the spin state, which transforms from a degenerate eigenstate in the absence of a field into one of two possible non-degenerate states in the field. If the direction of the field changes during the passage through the device, there is a corresponding adiabatic change of the spin state. It is shown that an application of the adiabatic approximation in this way is consistent with the previously derived exact relations.
Structured Literature Review of Electricity Consumption Classification Using Smart Meter Data
Authors: Tureczek Alexander , Nielsen Per
Published: April 2017

Smart meters for measuring electricity consumption are fast becoming prevalent in households. The meters measure consumption on a very fine scale, usually on a 15 min basis, and the data give unprecedented granularity of consumption patterns at household level. A multitude of papers have emerged utilizing smart meter data for deepening our knowledge of consumption patterns. This paper applies a modification of Okoli’s method for conducting structured literature reviews to generate an overview of research in electricity customer classification using smart meter data. The process assessed 2099 papers before identifying 34 significant papers, and highlights three key points: prominent methods, datasets and application. Three important findings are outlined. First, only a few papers contemplate future applications of the classification, rendering papers relevant only in a classification setting. Second; the encountered classification methods do not consider correlation or time series analysis when classifying. The identified papers fail to thoroughly analyze the statistical properties of the data, investigations that could potentially improve classification performance. Third, the description of the data utilized is of varying quality, with only 50% acknowledging missing values impact on the final sample size. A data description score for assessing the quality in data description has been developed and applied to all papers reviewed.
H∞ Repetitive Control Based on Active Damping with Reduced Computation Delay for LCL-Type Grid-Connected Inverters
Authors: Jin Wei , Li Yongli , Sun Guangyu , Bu Lizhi
Published: April 2017

In the paper, the H∞ repetitive current control scheme based on active damping along with the design method is proposed for three-phase grid-connected inverters with inductor-capacitor-inductor (LCL) filters. The control scheme aims to reduce the harmonic distortion of the output currents and achieve better efficiency. The design method introduces capacitor-current-feedback active damping into the H∞ controller design process by proposing an equivalent controlled plant. Additionally, based on the discrete model of the controlled plant with variable computation delay, the algebraic expression of the stable region for the feedback coefficient and the computation delay is obtained to avoid system instability caused by the digital control delay. Finally, the stability criterion is proposed to evaluate the stability of the discrete control system with the H∞ repetitive current control scheme. The theoretical analysis and experimental results prove that the control scheme presented in this paper not only can reject the harmonics of output currents, but is robust under the variation of the grid-impedance.
Association between Sleep and Body Weight: A Panel Data Model Based on a Retrospective Longitudinal Cohort of Chinese Infants
Authors: Sha Tingting , Yan Yan , Gao Xiao , Xiang Shiting , Zeng Guangyu , Liu Shiping , He Qiong
Published: April 2017

The focus of this article is on sleep duration and sleep problems in infants and their association with body weight. A retrospective birth cohort of 519 infants was enrolled in a community-based study conducted in Changsha, China. Infant weight and other health-related information were collected during regular standard checkups at the Community Health Service Centers when infants were 1, 3, 6, 8, and 12 months old. The sleep duration and sleep problems of infants were assessed by maternal self-reports. Panel data model was used to evaluate the association of sleep duration and sleep problems with infant body weight. Significant relevance between self-reported sleep duration and weight of infants has been reported in the literature tested by the fixed effects model (p < 0.01). However, this study indicated that sleep problems of infants had no effect on their weight (p = 0.151), after adjusting feeding patterns and socioeconomic factors of their families. This paper argues that, as a potentially modifiable risk factor, infant sleep duration deserves more attention from their parents and families in order to prevent and control overweight or obesity in infants as well as reducing the incidence of obesity in adults.
Speyeria (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Conservation
Authors: Sims Steven
Published: April 2017

Speyeria (Nymphalidae) are a conspicuous component of the North American butterfly fauna. There are approximately 16 species and >100 associated subspecies (or geographical variants). Speyeria are univoltine, occupy a wide range of habitats, overwinter as first instar larvae, and feed only on native violets. Speyeria species have become a model group for studies of evolution, speciation, and conservation. Several species and subspecies are threatened or endangered. The reasons for this vary with the taxa involved, but always involve the degradation or loss of quality habitat for larvae and adults. The impacts of climate change must be considered among the causes for habitat degradation and in the establishment of conservation measures. In addition to increasing the available habitat, conservation efforts should consider maintaining habitat in a seral “disturbed” successional stage that selectively favors the growth of violets and preferred adult nectar sources. A major future challenge will be determining the most effective allocation of conservation resources to those species and subspecies that have the greatest potential to respond favorably to these efforts.
Peptidyl Transferase Center and the Emergence of the Translation System
Authors: Torres de Farias Savio , Gaudêncio Rêgo Thais , José Marco
Published: April 2017

In this work, the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the ancestral Peptidyl Transferase Center (PTC) built by concatamers of ancestral sequences of tRNAs was reconstructed, and its possible interactions with tRNAs molecules were analyzed. The 3D structure of the ancestral PTC was also compared with the current PTC of T. thermophilus. Docking experiments between the ancestral PTC and tRNAs suggest that in the origin of the translation system, the PTC functioned as an adhesion center for tRNA molecules. The approximation of tRNAs charged with amino acids to the PTC permitted peptide synthesis without the need of a genetic code.
Immune-Stimulatory Effects of Althaea rosea Flower Extracts through the MAPK Signaling Pathway in RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Kim Yon-Suk , Kim Eun-Kyung , Nawarathna Weligala , Dong Xin , Shin Woen-Bin , Park Jin-Su , Moon Sang-Ho , Park Pyo-Jam
Published: April 2017

Althaea rosea (Linn.) is a medicinal plant from China and Korea that has been traditionally used to control inflammation, to stop bedwetting and as a mouthwash in cases of bleeding gums. Its flowers are employed medicinally for their emollient, demulcent and diuretic properties, which make them useful in chest complaints. Furthermore, a flower extract decoction is used to improve blood circulation, for the treatment of constipation, dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhages, etc. However, the possible mechanisms of the immune-stimulatory effect remains to be elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role of Althaea rosea flower (ARF) extracts in the immune-stimulatory effect of macrophages and the underlying mechanisms of action. ARF water extract (ARFW) could dose-dependently increase NO production and cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α). We also found that ARFW significantly increased the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins in RAW264.7 cells. Consistent with these results, MAPK protein (JNK, ERK, p38) expression levels were induced after treatment with ARFW. Additionally, ARFW showed a marked increase in the phosphorylation level of IκBα and subsequent IκBα degradation allowing NF-κB nuclear translocation. These results suggest that the immune-stimulatory effect of A. rosea flower extracts is mediated through the translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit into the nucleus from the cytoplasm and subsequent activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and other mediators (iNOS and COX-2), which occurs mainly through MAPK signalling pathway. Thus, we suggest that ARFW could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent useful in the development of immune-stimulatory compounds.
Probing Temperature- and pH-Dependent Binding between Quantum Dots and Bovine Serum Albumin by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Zonghua , Zhao Qiyan , Cui Menghua , Pang Shichao , Wang Jingfang , Liu Ying , Xie Liming
Published: April 2017

Luminescent quantum dots (QDs) with unique optical properties have potential applications in bio-imaging. The interaction between QDs and bio-molecules is important to the biological effect of QDs in vivo. In this paper, we have employed fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to probe the temperature- and pH-dependent interactions between CdSe QDs with carboxyl (QDs-COOH) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in buffer solutions. The results have shown that microscopic dissociation constant K′D is in the range of (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10−5 to (8.6 ± 0.1) × 10−7 M, the Hill coefficient n is from 0.4 to 2.3, and the protein corona thickness is from 3.0 to 9.4 nm. Variable-temperature measurements have shown both negative values of ∆H and ∆S for BSA adsorption on QDs-COOH, while pH has a profound effect on the adsorption. Additional, FCS measurement QDs-COOH and proteins in whole mice serum and plasma samples has also been conducted. Finally, simulation results have shown four favored QD binding sites in BSA.
Comparison of Two Data Assimilation Methods for Improving MODIS LAI Time Series for Bamboo Forests
Authors: Mao Fangjie , Li Xuejian , Du Huaqiang , Zhou Guomo , Han Ning , Xu Xiaojun , Liu Yuli , Chen Liang , Cui Lu
Published: April 2017

Bamboo forests, especially the Moso bamboo forest (MBF) and the Lei bamboo forest (LBF), have a strong carbon sequestration capability and play an important role in the global forest carbon cycle. The leaf area index (LAI) is an important structural parameter for simulating the spatiotemporal pattern of the carbon cycle in bamboo forests. However, current LAI products suffer from substantial noise and errors, and data assimilation methods are the most appropriate way to improve the accuracy of LAI data. In this study, two data assimilation methods (the Dual Ensemble Kalman filter (DEnKF) and Particle filter (PF) methods) were applied to improve the quality of MODIS LAI time-series data, which removed noises and smoothed the results using a locally adjusted cubic-spline capping method for the MBF and LBF during 2014–2015. The method with the highest correlation coefficient (r) and lowest root-mean-square error (RMSE) was used to generate highly accurate LAI products of bamboo forests in Zhejiang Province. The results show that the LAI assimilated using two methods saw greatly reduced fluctuations in the MODIS LAI product for both the MBF and the LBF. The LAI assimilated using DEnKF significantly correlated with the observed LAI, with an r value of 0.90 and 0.95, and an RMSE value of 0.42 and 0.42, for the MBF and the LBF, respectively. The PF algorithm achieved a better accuracy than the DEnKF algorithm, with an average increase in r of 8.78% and an average decrease in the RMSE of 33.33%. Therefore, the PF method was applied for LAI assimilation in Zhejiang Province, and the assimilated LAI of bamboo forests achieved a reasonable spatiotemporal pattern in Zhejiang Province. The PF algorithm greatly improves the accuracy of MODIS LAI products and provides a reliable structural parameter for the large-scale simulation of the carbon cycle in bamboo forest ecosystems.
Gold Nanoplates for a Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance-Based Boric Acid Sensor
Authors: Morsin Marlia , Mat Salleh Muhamad , Ali Umar Akrajas , Sahdan Mohd
Published: April 2017

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties of metallic nanostructures, such as gold, are very sensitive to the dielectric environment of the material, which can simply be adjusted by changing its shape and size through modification of the synthesizing process. Thus, these unique properties are very promising, particularly for the detection of various types of chemicals, for example boric acid which is a non-permitted preservative employed in food preparations. For the sensing material, gold (Au) nanoplates with a variety of shapes, i.e., triangular, hexagonal, truncated pentagon and flat rod, were prepared using a seed-mediated growth method. The yield of Au nanoplates was estimated to be ca. 63% over all areas of the sensing material. The nanoplates produced two absorption bands, i.e., the transverse surface plasmon resonance (t-SPR) and the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (l-SPR) at 545 nm and 710 nm, respectively. In the sensing study, these two bands were used to examine the response of gold nanoplates to the presence of boric acid in an aqueous environment. In a typical process, when the sample is immersed into an aqueous solution containing boric acid, these two bands may change their intensity and peak centers as a result of the interaction between the boric acid and the gold nanoplates. The changes in the intensities and peak positions of t-SPR and l-SPR linearly correlated with the change in the boric acid concentration in the solution.
Emergency diagnosis of cancer and previous general practice consultations: insights from linked patient survey data
Authors: Abel Gary A , Mendonca Silvia C , McPhail Sean , Zhou Yin , Elliss-Brookes Lucy , Lyratzopoulos Georgios
Published: April 2017

Background

Emergency diagnosis of cancer is common and aetiologically complex. The proportion of emergency presenters who have consulted previously with relevant symptoms is uncertain.

Aim

To examine how many patients with cancer, who were diagnosed as emergencies, have had previous primary care consultations with relevant symptoms; and among those, to examine how many had multiple consultations.

Design and setting

Secondary analysis of patient survey data from the 2010 English Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES), previously linked to population-based data on diagnostic route.

Method

For emergency presenters with 18 different cancers, associations were examined for two outcomes (prior GP consultation status; and ‘three or more consultations’ among prior consultees) using logistic regression.

Results

Among 4647 emergency presenters, 1349 (29%) reported no prior consultations, being more common in males (32% versus 25% in females, P<0.001), older (44% in ≥85 versus 30% in 65–74-year-olds, P<0.001), and the most deprived (35% versus 25% least deprived, P = 0.001) patients; and highest/lowest for patients with brain cancer (46%) and mesothelioma (13%), respectively (P<0.001 for overall variation by cancer site). Among 3298 emergency presenters with prior consultations, 1356 (41%) had three or more consultations, which were more likely in females (P<0.001), younger (P<0.001), and non-white patients (P = 0.017) and those with multiple myeloma, and least likely for patients with leukaemia (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Contrary to suggestions that emergency presentations represent missed diagnoses, about one-third of emergency presenters (particularly those in older and more deprived groups) have no prior GP consultations. Furthermore, only about one-third report multiple (three or more) consultations, which are more likely in ‘harder-to-suspect’ groups.
Certains aspects sociolinguistiques des parlers créoles français aux Antilles [Some sociolinguistic aspects of French Creole languages in the Antilles]
Authors: Valdman Albert
Published: April 2017

This article deals centrally with the role that creole languages can be expected to play in four West Indian territories : The Dutch Antilles, Guadeloupe, Saint-Lucia and Haiti.

Creole languages are defined on the basis of their origin from a pidginized variety of a West-European language in a situation of language contact and from their current socio-linguistic status in communities where they are spoken. While creole languages share with substandard varieties of such languages of culture as French or English an inferior status vis-à-vis the standard dialect, they can be distinguished from substandard varieties by the special circumstances of their genesis.

Can a creole language attain a status equal to that of the official language with which it coexists today ? To answer this question for the four territories selected, four sets of criteria are posited : (1) Intensity of use of the Creole as reflected by the percentage of speakers ; (2) attitude of authorities — proscription or toleration ; (3) attitude of monolingual speakers and members of the bilingual elite toward the creole and degree of loyalty toward the creole and the official language ; (4) absence of a linguistic gradient between the creole and the official language. These criteria make possible predictions about the amount of language engineering undertaken in behalf of the creole, and it comes as no surprise that only in the Dutch Antilles and Haiti have the creole languages been endowed with a relatively stable orthography, for instance.

Because of economic conditions that result in very low percentages of school attendance by children and, consequently, in a high proportion of creole monolinguals, it is only in Haiti that the creole may be expected to displace, or at least attain equal status with, the official language, French. But this new role will require, in addition to recognition of Haitian Creole as an official language and normalization of the orthography, extensive standardization. The establishment of a standard norm will require more rigorous observation of the sociolinguistic setting of creole in Haiti and of the attitude of various types of speakers toward geographical and social dialects.
Acculturation, aliénation ethnique et dégénérescence patoisante dans une situation ancienne de contacts linguistiques : questions de méthode [Acculturation, ethnical alienation and dialectal degeneration in situations of linguistic contacts : methodological questions]
Authors: Lafont Robert
Published: April 2017

The above study deals with a well-defined field, viz, occitan linguistic studies. However, by building on some of the conclusions arrived at, it will undoubtedly be possible to make general statements, as the article deals with phenomena which are already familiar, namely, diglossia with bilingualism (from J. A. Fishman's classification). A careful analysis of the facts nevertheless reveals a mixed, complex structure, of a type not completely alien to bilingualism.

The method proposed by the author is not only to study speech (rather than lexicon) but also to place phenomena back in their social context. We have, on the one hand, to analyse these phenomena from a diachronic viewpoint, and, on the other, to interpret them in terms of the rule which inevitably constitues the framework behind the speaker's acculturation and ethnic alienation. Though contradictory at first sight, various phenomena can be seen to be consistent when brought into contact with others that are not on the same hierarchical plane, when one comes to consider various levels of culture. These facts prove that the present-day diglossia situation is tending to shift towards bilingualism.
Mariages mixtes, sexualité, préjugés [Mixed marriages, sexuality, prejudice]
Authors: Krzywkowski Dominique , Djaoui Élian
Published: April 2017

The introduction contains preliminary information necessary for the study of mixed marriages, along with the thesis that the concept of mixed marriages requires an epistemological approach. A model for representing the phenomenon is then formulated, the elements of which help to redefine the premises of the problem. The result of the analysis is that the concept of mixed marriages no longer corresponds to a condensed heterogeneity but to a scattered homogeneity showing adaptation.

Experimental validation will test this assumption upon a typology representing the proba-lities of mixity of the couples. This research will result not in a model of representation but a model of knowledge, a model not yet completed.
Sport Participation Legacy and the Olympic Games: The Case of Sydney 2000, London 2012, and Rio 2016
Authors: Reis Arianne Carvalhedo , Frawley Stephen , Hodgetts Danya , Thomson Alana , Hughes Kate
Published: April 2017

Sport participation as a legacy of the Olympic Games (OG) has frequently featured as a component of the "legacy package" that government bodies and organizing committees promote to the local communities to gain support for the hosting of these mega-events. However, only recently increased
sport participation has been explicitly included as part of a legacy plan in OG candidature files. This article examines the changes and development of sport legacy planning and implementation from Sydney 2000, London 2012, and Rio 2016. The three case studies confirm that sport participation
legacies are only achieved if host governments engage the community, develop long-term strategies, and coordinate efforts between different government portfolios and with a range of relevant stakeholders. So far, there is limited evidence available to demonstrate that relevant government bodies
have attempted to strategically leverage the Games with the purpose of developing a sport participation legacy for the wider population.
Service Quality and Value Perceptions of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
Authors: Biscaia Rui , Correia Abel , Santos Thiago , Ross Stephen , Yoshida Masayuki
Published: April 2017

This study examines the relationships between service quality and value perceptions of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, controlling for the consumers' opinion about hosting the event in the country. Data were collected from five cities (n = 3,042), and the results from a structural
model indicate that teams, accessibilities, and event atmosphere have a positive influence on hedonic value and utilitarian value, while referees only have a positive impact on hedonic value. In turn, crowd experience has a negative effect on both hedonic and utilitarian value. Additionally,
consumers' favorable opinion about hosting the event showed a positive effect on both hedonic and utilitarian value. These findings suggest the need for an appealing ambiance and crowd vigilance to enhance the event's value. In addition, the more people agree with hosting the event in Brazil
the greater the value perception, highlighting the importance of explaining the event benefits to the host community.
Energy down converting organic fluorophore functionalized mesoporous silica hybrids for monolith-coated light emitting diodes
Authors: Börgardts Markus , Müller Thomas J J
Published: April 2017

The covalent attachment of organic fluorophores in mesoporous silica matrices for usage as energy down converting phosphors without employing inorganic transition or rare earth metals is reported in this article. Triethoxysilylpropyl-substituted derivatives of the blue emitting perylene, green emitting benzofurazane, and red emitting Nile red were synthesized and applied in the synthesis of mesoporous hybrid materials by postsynthetic grafting to commercially available MCM-41. These individually dye-functionalized hybrid materials are mixed in variable ratios to furnish a powder capable of emitting white light with CIE chromaticity coordinates of x = 0.33, y = 0.33 and an external quantum yield of 4.6% upon irradiation at 410 nm. Furthermore, as a proof of concept two different device setups of commercially available UV light emitting diodes, are coated with silica monoliths containing the three triethoxysilylpropyl-substituted fluorophore derivatives. These coatings are able to convert the emitted UV light into light with correlated color temperatures of very cold white (41100 K, 10700 K) as well as a greenish white emission with correlated color temperatures of about 5500 K.
Formation and Eruption Process of a Filament in Active Region NOAA 12241
Authors: Wang Jincheng , Yan Xiaoli , Qu ZhongQuan , Xue Zhike , Yang Liheng
Published: April 2017

In order to better understand active-region filaments, we present an intensive study on the formation and eruption of a filament in active region NOAA 12241 during the period from 2014 December 18 to 19. Using observations from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) vector magnetograms, we investigate the helicity injection rate, Lorentz force, and vertical electric current in the entire region associated with the filament. The helicity injection rate before eruption is found to be larger than that after eruption, while the vertical electric current undergoes an increase at first and then a gradual decrease, similar to what the magnetic flux undergoes. Meanwhile, we find that the right part of the filament is formed by magnetic reconnection between two bundles of magnetic field lines while the left part originated from shearing motion. The interaction of the two parts causes the eruption of this filament. The mean horizontal magnetic fields in the vicinity of the magnetic polarity inversion line (PIL) enhance rapidly during the eruption. Another striking phenomenon, where the vertical electric currents close to the magnetic PIL suddenly expand toward two sides during the eruption, is found. We propose that this fascinating feature is associated with the release of energy during the eruption.
Consultations espacées
Authors: Guittard-Maury Marie-Françoise
Published: April 2017

Les consultations espacées de jeunes adultes s’inscrivent-elles dans le champ de la psychanalyse ? Engagent-elles déjà le jeu des transferts et des contre-transferts ? Qu’en est-il du renoncement de l’analyste à transformer ce traitement en une cure analytique ? Dans la lignée des Études sur l’hystérie de Freud, ces « entretiens » requièrent et suscitent de part et d’autre un véritable travail de sublimation, et se profilent ainsi comme une succession de micro-analyses.
Corps, rythme et création
Authors: de Matteis Vanessa , Corcos Maurice
Published: April 2017

À partir de rencontres cliniques avec des artistes contemporains (ici Boris), nous explorons la place du corps dans la création, à travers la notion de rythme. Le rythme ne se résoudrait ni à la rythmicité, ni au tempo, ni à la métrique seuls, mais serait un témoignage de l’incarnation du mouvement interne. C’est dans son incarnation que ce rythme existe, arrimé au corps pulsionnel dont il est l’expression. L’œuvre créée vient s’en faire l’écho.
Femmes et métiers de l’informatique : un monde pour elles aussi
Authors: Morley Chantal , Collet Isabelle
Published: April 2017

L’informatique joue un rôle croissant dans l’évolution de nos sociétés, mais les femmes sont largement sous-représentées dans ces métiers depuis plusieurs décennies. Ce phénomène est analysé par les chercheures féministes comme le résultat de processus d’exclusion ou d’auto-exclusion. Cependant, certaines universités ont obtenu de façon pérenne une représentation quasi paritaire dans les filières informatiques. L’objectif de l’article est de relire ces actions à la lumière de la notion d’inclusion sociale et de proposer un cadre qui permet de penser l’inclusion des femmes dans le monde professionnel de l’informatique comme un changement de culture et de pratiques.
D’une demande singulière à une possible rencontre
Authors: Flausch Anouk
Published: April 2017

À partir de 3 vignettes cliniques, l’auteur aborde différentes questions mises en tension, lors de la rencontre avec des personnes en souffrance psychique. Cette rencontre va se dérouler au sein d’un dispositif particulier permettant d’accueillir au mieux les demandes des patients qui consultent dans un service public proposant des consultations en ambulatoire. Situé à un carrefour rassemblant le patient, l’envoyeur, l’équipe, elle-même incluse dans une institution et la société, il questionne la possibilité de continuer à réfléchir psychanalytiquement dans un cadre de temps contraint par le setting choisi, tout en restant garant d’une éthique de notre responsabilité de psychothérapeute face à une personne en situation de vulnérabilité.
Repères pour l’approche de l’énoncé dans les traditions linguistiques
Authors: Raby Valérie , Chevillard Jean-Luc , David Hugo , de Vogüé Sarah , Guillaume Jean-Patrick , Lallot Jean
Published: April 2017

Cette introduction collective rassemble les grands traits de l’histoire de la réflexion sur l’énoncé dans cinq aires culturelles majeures pour l’élaboration des savoirs métalinguistiques : les traditions sanskrite, tamoule, grecque, latine, arabe et française. Il est évident que les cadres interprétatifs et les enjeux de connaissance mobilisés par l’étude des séquences linguistiques perçues comme porteuses de signification, supérieures au mot, et formant une unité de la communication, diffèrent sensiblement selon les traditions et les périodes considérées. Cependant, on peut identifier plusieurs points de croisement de ces différentes lignes d’histoire, en envisageant successivement les lieux d’élaboration des savoirs sur l’énoncé, les caractéristiques du métalangage utilisé et la récurrence de certaines difficultés d’analyse.
Anticipated selection for intrapopulation breeding of passion fruit
Authors: Cavalcante Natan Ramos , Krause Willian , Viana Alexandre Pio , Silva Celice Alexandre , Porto Keithi Karla Xavier , Martinez Roberto Antonio Savelli
Published: April 2017

The aim of this work was to verify the efficiency of the anticipated selection of superior plants in intrapopulation breeding of passion fruit. The experiment was conducted at the Mato Grosso State University experimental area. Eight populations were evaluated. Planting was carried out in August 2010 following the randomized blocks experimental design, with ten repeats and ten plants per plot. The production characteristics of mass and number of fruits were evaluated from data obtained from two cultivation periods, the first year and the full two-year cycle of culture. Estimates of genetic parameters indicate the possibility of selection gains. The accuracies of fruit production, fruit number and fruit mass characteristics had high magnitude, independent of the selection cycle. Coincidence index estimates were high for all characteristics. Based on the results, early selection (first year) was efficient and reduced the time of selection for the best plants and can be used for passion fruit breeding.