bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Well-Dispersed Co/CoO/C Nanospheres with Tunable Morphology as High-Performance Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Bingqing , Li Jingwei , Chen Rujun , Lin Yuanhua , Nan Cewen , Shen Yang
Published: November 2016

Well-dispersed Co/CoO/C nanospheres have been designed and constructed through a facile electrospinning method with a strategy controlling the morphology of nanocomposites via adjusting the pre-oxidized and heat treatments. Scanning electron microscopy results reveal that the as-synthesized sample pre-oxidized at 275 °C shows better spherical morphology with a diameter of around 300 nm without conspicuous agglomeration. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the coexistence of cobalt and cobalt monoxide in the sample. Furthermore, the electrochemical tests reveal that the sample pre-oxidized at 275 °C displays excellent cycling stability with only 0.016% loss per cycle even after 400 cycles at 1000 mA·g−1 and enhanced high-rate capability with a specific discharge capacity of 354 mA·g−1 at 2000 mA·g−1. Besides, the sample pre-oxidized at 275 °C shows a specific capacity of 755 mA·g−1 at 100 mA·g−1 after 95 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance has been ascribed to the well dispersion of nanospheres, the improved electronic conductivity, and the structural integrity contribution from the carbon and cobalt coexisting nanocomposite. The strategy for preparing well-dispersed nanospheres by adjusting pre-oxidized and annealing processes could have insight for other oxide nanosphere synthesis.
Some Determinantal Expressions and Recurrence Relations of the Bernoulli Polynomials
Authors: Qi Feng , Guo Bai-Ni
Published: November 2016

In the paper, the authors recall some known determinantal expressions in terms of the Hessenberg determinants for the Bernoulli numbers and polynomials, find alternative determinantal expressions in terms of the Hessenberg determinants for the Bernoulli numbers and polynomials, and present several new recurrence relations for the Bernoulli numbers and polynomials.
Influence of Laser Welding Speed on the Morphology and Phases Occurring in Spray-Compacted Hypereutectic Al-Si-Alloys
Authors: Gietzelt Thomas , Wunsch Torsten , Messerschmidt Florian , Geßwein Holger , Gerhards Uta
Published: November 2016

Normally, the weldability of aluminum alloys is ruled by the temperature range of solidification of an alloy according to its composition by the formation of hot cracks due to thermal shrinkage. However, for materials at nonequilibrium conditions, advantage can be taken by multiple phase formation, leading to an annihilation of temperature stress at the microscopic scale, preventing hot cracks even for alloys with extreme melting range. In this paper, several spray-compacted hypereutectic aluminum alloys were laser welded. Besides different silicon contents, additional alloying elements like copper, iron and nickel were present in some alloys, affecting the microstructure. The microstructure was investigated at the delivery state of spray-compacted material as well as for a wide range of welding speeds ranging from 0.5 to 10 m/min, respectively. The impact of speed on phase composition and morphology was studied at different disequilibrium solidification conditions. At high welding velocity, a close-meshed network of eutectic Al-Si-composition was observed, whereas the matrix is filled with nearly pure aluminum, helping to diminish the thermal stress during accelerated solidification. Primary solidified silicon was found, however, containing considerable amounts of aluminum, which was not expected from phase diagrams obtained at the thermodynamic equilibrium.
Nanocrystallization in the Duplex Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Processed by Multiple Laser Shock Peening
Authors: Zhou Wangfan , Ren Xudong , Liu Fanfan , Ren Yunpeng , Li Lin
Published: November 2016

Laser shock peening of titanium alloys has been widely applied in the aerospace industry. However, little is known of the nanocrystalline formation characteristics and mechanisms. In this investigation, a nanocrystalline layer was formed in the duplex Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy surface region by means of multiple pulsed laser shock peening (LSP). The phase transition and residual stress characteristics of LSP samples were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the microstructure and morphologies. As the number of laser pulses increased for each location, higher grain refinement was observed. Micro-hardness testing showed that hardness increased with the number of pulses delivered to each location due to the formation of nanocrystalline layers and high dislocation density in the samples, and a gradient variation of the micro-hardness was obtained. In addition, mechanical twins and different dislocation configurations were formed in the α phase region while only dense dislocation tangles were observed in the β phase region after multiple laser pulse impacts.
Automatic Path Tracking and Target Manipulation of a Magnetic Microrobot
Authors: Wang Jingyi , Jiao Niandong , Tung Steve , Liu Lianqing
Published: November 2016

Recently, wireless controlled microrobots have been studied because of their great development prospects in the biomedical field. Electromagnetic microrobots have the advantages of control agility and good precision, and thus, have received much attention. Most of the control methods for controlling a magnetic microrobot use manual operation. Compared to the manual method, the automatic method will increase the accuracy and stability of locomotion and manipulation of microrobots. In this paper, we propose an electromagnetic manipulation system for automatically controlling the locomotion and manipulation of microrobots. The microrobot can be automatically controlled to track various paths by using visual feedback with an expert control algorithm. A positioning accuracy test determined that the position error ranges from 92 to 293 μm, which is less than the body size (600 μm) of the microrobot. The velocity of the microrobot is nearly proportional to the applied current in the coils, and can reach 5 mm/s. As a micromanipulation tool, the microrobot is used to manipulate microspheres and microgears with the automatic control method. The results verify that the microrobot can drag, place, and drive the microstructures automatically with high precision. The microrobot is expected to be a delicate micromachine that could play its role in microfluidics and blood vessels, where conventional instruments are hard to reach.
Improvement of Transmembrane Transport Mechanism Study of Imperatorin on P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Transport
Authors: Liao Zheng-Gen , Tang Tao , Guan Xue-Jing , Dong Wei , Zhang Jing , Zhao Guo-Wei , Yang Ming , Liang Xin-Li
Published: November 2016

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) affects the transport of many drugs; including puerarin and vincristine. Our previous study demonstrated that imperatorin increased the intestinal absorption of puerarin and vincristine by inhibiting P-gp-mediated drug efflux. However; the underlying mechanism was not known. The present study investigated the mechanism by which imperatorin promotes P-gp-mediated drug transport. We used molecular docking to predict the binding force between imperatorin and P-gp and the effect of imperatorin on P-gp activity. P-gp efflux activity and P-gp ATPase activity were measured using a rhodamine 123 (Rh-123) accumulation assay and a Pgp-Glo™ assay; respectively. The fluorescent probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) was used to assess cellular membrane fluidity in MDCK-MDR1 cells. Western blotting was used to analyze the effect of imperatorin on P-gp expression; and P-gp mRNA levels were assessed by qRT-PCR. Molecular docking results demonstrated that the binding force between imperatorin and P-gp was much weaker than the force between P-gp and verapamil (a P-gp substrate). Imperatorin activated P-gp ATPase activity; which had a role in the inhibition of P-gp activity. Imperatorin promoted Rh-123 accumulation in MDCK-MDR1 cells and decreased cellular membrane fluidity. Western blotting demonstrated that imperatorin inhibited P-gp expression; and qRT-PCR revealed that imperatorin down-regulated P-gp (MDR1) gene expression. Imperatorin decreased P-gp-mediated drug efflux by inhibiting P-gp activity and the expression of P-gp mRNA and protein. Our results suggest that imperatorin could down-regulate P-gp expression to overcome multidrug resistance in tumors.
Emerging Phytochemicals for the Prevention and Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Katiyar Santosh
Published: November 2016

Despite the development of more advanced medical therapies, cancer management remains a problem. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a particularly challenging malignancy and requires more effective treatment strategies and a reduction in the debilitating morbidities associated with the therapies. Phytochemicals have long been used in ancient systems of medicine, and non-toxic phytochemicals are being considered as new options for the effective management of cancer. Here, we discuss the growth inhibitory and anti-cell migratory actions of proanthocyanidins from grape seeds (GSPs), polyphenols in green tea and honokiol, derived from the Magnolia species. Studies of these phytochemicals using human HNSCC cell lines from different sub-sites have demonstrated significant protective effects against HNSCC in both in vitro and in vivo models. Treatment of human HNSCC cell lines with GSPs, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenolic component of green tea or honokiol reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis. These effects have been associated with inhibitory effects of the phytochemicals on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and cell cycle regulatory proteins, as well as other major tumor-associated pathways. Similarly, the cell migration capacity of HNSCC cell lines was inhibited. Thus, GSPs, honokiol and EGCG appear to be promising bioactive phytochemicals for the management of head and neck cancer.
Screening for Triterpenoid Saponins in Plants Using Hyphenated Analytical Platforms
Authors: Khakimov Bekzod , Tseng Li , Godejohann Markus , Bak Søren , Engelsen Søren
Published: November 2016

Recently the number of studies investigating triterpenoid saponins has drastically increased due to their diverse and potentially attractive biological activities. Currently the literature contains chemical structures of few hundreds of triterpenoid saponins of plant and animal origin. Triterpenoid saponins consist of a triterpene aglycone with one or more sugar moieties attached to it. However, due to similar physico-chemical properties, isolation and identification of a large diversity of triterpenoid saponins remain challenging. This study demonstrates a methodology to screen saponins using hyphenated analytical platforms, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, and LC-SPE-NMR/MS, in the example of two different phenotypes of the model plant Barbarea vulgaris (winter cress), glabrous (G) and pubescent (P) type that are known to differ by their insect resistance. The proposed methodology allows for detailed comparison of saponin profiles from intact plant extracts as well as saponin aglycone profiles from hydrolysed samples. Continuously measured 1D proton NMR data during LC separation along with mass spectrometry data revealed significant differences, including contents of saponins, types of aglycones and numbers of sugar moieties attached to the aglycone. A total of 49 peaks were tentatively identified as saponins from both plants; they are derived from eight types of aglycones and with 2–5 sugar moieties. Identification of two previously known insect-deterrent saponins, hederagenin cellobioside and oleanolic acid cellobioside, demonstrated the applicability of the methodology for relatively rapid screening of bioactive compounds.
Changes in Meat/Poultry/Fish Consumption in Australia: From 1995 to 2011–2012
Authors: Sui Zhixian , Raubenheimer David , Cunningham Judy , Rangan Anna
Published: November 2016

The purpose of the study was to examine temporal changes in meat/poultry/fish consumption patterns between 1995 and 2011–2012 in the Australian population. Meat/poultry/fish consumption from all food sources, including recipes, was analysed by gender, age group, and socio-economic status using 24-h recall data from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (n = 13,858) and the 2011–2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 12,153). The overall proportion of people consuming meat/poultry/fish remained stable (91.7% versus 91.3%, p = 0.55), but a shift in the type of meat consumed was observed. Red meat, including beef and lamb, was consumed by fewer people over the time period (from 56% to 49%), whereas poultry consumption increased (from 29% to 38%). Amounts of all meat/poultry/fish consumed were reportedly higher in 2011–2012 compared with 1995. This resulted in similar (red meat, and processed meat) or slightly higher (poultry, and fish) per-capita intakes in 2011–2012. The magnitude of change of consumption varied between children and adults, and by gender. Monitoring trends in consumption is particularly relevant to policy makers, researchers and other health professionals for the formulation of dietary recommendations and estimation of potential health outcomes.
Soy and Health Update: Evaluation of the Clinical and Epidemiologic Literature
Authors: Messina Mark
Published: November 2016

Soyfoods have long been recognized as sources of high-quality protein and healthful fat, but over the past 25 years these foods have been rigorously investigated for their role in chronic disease prevention and treatment. There is evidence, for example, that they reduce risk of coronary heart disease and breast and prostate cancer. In addition, soy alleviates hot flashes and may favorably affect renal function, alleviate depressive symptoms and improve skin health. Much of the focus on soyfoods is because they are uniquely-rich sources of isoflavones. Isoflavones are classified as both phytoestrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators. Despite the many proposed benefits, the presence of isoflavones has led to concerns that soy may exert untoward effects in some individuals. However, these concerns are based primarily on animal studies, whereas the human research supports the safety and benefits of soyfoods. In support of safety is the recent conclusion of the European Food Safety Authority that isoflavones do not adversely affect the breast, thyroid or uterus of postmenopausal women. This review covers each of the major research areas involving soy focusing primarily on the clinical and epidemiologic research. Background information on Asian soy intake, isoflavones, and nutrient content is also provided.
Core/Shell Conjugated Polymer/Quantum Dot Composite Nanofibers through Orthogonal Non-Covalent Interactions
Authors: Watson Brad , Meng Lingyao , Fetrow Chris , Qin Yang
Published: November 2016

Nanostructuring organic polymers and organic/inorganic hybrid materials and controlling blend morphologies at the molecular level are the prerequisites for modern electronic devices including biological sensors, light emitting diodes, memory devices and solar cells. To achieve all-around high performance, multiple organic and inorganic entities, each designed for specific functions, are commonly incorporated into a single device. Accurate arrangement of these components is a crucial goal in order to achieve the overall synergistic effects. We describe here a facile methodology of nanostructuring conjugated polymers and inorganic quantum dots into well-ordered core/shell composite nanofibers through cooperation of several orthogonal non-covalent interactions including conjugated polymer crystallization, block copolymer self-assembly and coordination interactions. Our methods provide precise control on the spatial arrangements among the various building blocks that are otherwise incompatible with one another, and should find applications in modern organic electronic devices such as solar cells.
Analysis of Vegetation Indices to Determine Nitrogen Application and Yield Prediction in Maize (Zea mays L.) from a Standard UAV Service
Authors: Maresma Ángel , Ariza Mar , Martínez Elías , Lloveras Jaume , Martínez-Casasnovas José
Published: November 2016

The growing use of commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and the need to adjust N fertilization rates in maize (Zea mays L.) currently constitute a key research issue. In this study, different multispectral vegetation indices (green-band and red-band based indices), SPAD and crop height (derived from a multispectral compact camera mounted on a UAV) were analysed to predict grain yield and determine whether an additional sidedress application of N fertilizer was required just before flowering. Seven different inorganic N rates (0, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400 kg·N·ha−1), two different pig slurry manure rates (Ps) (150 or 250 kg·N·ha−1) and four different inorganic-organic N combinations (N100Ps150, N100Ps250, N200Ps150, N200Ps250) were applied to maize experimental plots. The spectral index that best explained final grain yield for the N treatments was the Wide Dynamic Range Vegetation Index (WDRVI). It identified a key threshold above/below 250–300 kg·N·ha−1. WDRVI, NDVI and crop height showed no significant response to extra N application at the economic optimum rate of fertilization (239.8 kg·N·ha−1), for which a grain yield of 16.12 Mg·ha−1 was obtained. This demonstrates their potential as yield predictors at V12 stage. Finally, a ranking of different vegetation indices and crop height is proposed to overcome the uncertainty associated with basing decisions on a single index.
Emotion-Bracelet: A Web Service for Expressing Emotions through an Electronic Interface
Authors: Martinez Alicia , Estrada Hugo , Molina Alejandra , Mejia Manuel , Perez Joaquin
Published: November 2016

The mechanisms to communicate emotions have dramatically changed in the last 10 years with social networks, where users massively communicate their emotional states by using the Internet. However, people with socialization problems have difficulty expressing their emotions verbally or interpreting the environment and providing an appropriate emotional response. In this paper, a novel solution called the Emotion-Bracelet is presented that combines a hardware device and a software system. The proposed approach identifies the polarity and emotional intensity of texts published on a social network site by performing real-time processing using a web service. It also shows emotions with a LED matrix using five emoticons that represent positive, very positive, negative, very negative, and neutral states. The Emotion-Bracelet is designed to help people express their emotions in a non-intrusive way, thereby expanding the social aspect of human emotions.
On Performance Analysis of Protective Jamming Schemes in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Li Xuran , Dai Hong-Ning , Wang Hao , Xiao Hong
Published: November 2016

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) play an important role in Cyber Physical Social Sensing (CPSS) systems. An eavesdropping attack is one of the most serious threats to WSNs since it is a prerequisite for other malicious attacks. In this paper, we propose a novel anti-eavesdropping mechanism by introducing friendly jammers to wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In particular, we establish a theoretical framework to evaluate the eavesdropping risk of WSNs with friendly jammers and that of WSNs without jammers. Our theoretical model takes into account various channel conditions such as the path loss and Rayleigh fading, the placement schemes of jammers and the power controlling schemes of jammers. Extensive results show that using jammers in WSNs can effectively reduce the eavesdropping risk. Besides, our results also show that the appropriate placement of jammers and the proper assignment of emitting power of jammers can not only mitigate the eavesdropping risk but also may have no significant impairment to the legitimate communications.
A Dual Frequency Carrier Phase Error Difference Checking Algorithm for the GNSS Compass
Authors: Liu Shuo , Zhang Lei , Li Jian
Published: November 2016

The performance of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) compass is related to the quality of carrier phase measurement. How to process the carrier phase error properly is important to improve the GNSS compass accuracy. In this work, we propose a dual frequency carrier phase error difference checking algorithm for the GNSS compass. The algorithm aims at eliminating large carrier phase error in dual frequency double differenced carrier phase measurement according to the error difference between two frequencies. The advantage of the proposed algorithm is that it does not need additional environment information and has a good performance on multiple large errors compared with previous research. The core of the proposed algorithm is removing the geographical distance from the dual frequency carrier phase measurement, then the carrier phase error is separated and detectable. We generate the Double Differenced Geometry-Free (DDGF) measurement according to the characteristic that the different frequency carrier phase measurements contain the same geometrical distance. Then, we propose the DDGF detection to detect the large carrier phase error difference between two frequencies. The theoretical performance of the proposed DDGF detection is analyzed. An open sky test, a manmade multipath test and an urban vehicle test were carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The result shows that the proposed DDGF detection is able to detect large error in dual frequency carrier phase measurement by checking the error difference between two frequencies. After the DDGF detection, the accuracy of the baseline vector is improved in the GNSS compass.
Utilizing a Wristband Sensor to Measure the Stress Level for People with Dementia
Authors: Kikhia Basel , Stavropoulos Thanos , Andreadis Stelios , Karvonen Niklas , Kompatsiaris Ioannis , Sävenstedt Stefan , Pijl Marten , Melander Catharina
Published: November 2016

Stress is a common problem that affects most people with dementia and their caregivers. Stress symptoms for people with dementia are often measured by answering a checklist of questions by the clinical staff who work closely with the person with the dementia. This process requires a lot of effort with continuous observation of the person with dementia over the long term. This article investigates the effectiveness of using a straightforward method, based on a single wristband sensor to classify events of “Stressed” and “Not stressed” for people with dementia. The presented system calculates the stress level as an integer value from zero to five, providing clinical information of behavioral patterns to the clinical staff. Thirty staff members participated in this experiment, together with six residents suffering from dementia, from two nursing homes. The residents were equipped with the wristband sensor during the day, and the staff were writing observation notes during the experiment to serve as ground truth. Experimental evaluation showed relationships between staff observations and sensor analysis, while stress level thresholds adjusted to each individual can serve different scenarios.
Are the Changes in China’s Grain Production Sustainable: Extensive and Intensive Development by the LMDI Approach
Authors: Li Tianxiang , Baležentis Tomas , Cao Lijuan , Zhu Jing , Kriščiukaitienė Irena , Melnikienė Rasa
Published: November 2016

China has experienced an uninterrupted growth of grain output during the past decade. However, a long-term analysis indicates fluctuations in productivity and output levels, as well as dramatic shifts in grain crop mix and regional distribution. This paper, therefore, re-examines the major factors behind the dynamics in China’s grain production over the period of 1978–2013. The Index Decomposition Analysis technique, facilitated by means of Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index, is employed to factorize the changes in China’s grain output into four effects, i.e., yield effect, area effect, crop-mix effect and spatial distribution effect. The results show that yield effect, having been the major driver behind the growth, is experiencing a declining trend over time, with crop-mix effect gaining increasing importance. The results also indicate that changes in crop-mix caused an increase in the total grain output during 2003–2013, however this was due to abandonment of soybean farming, which is not sustainable in terms of self-sufficiency. The effect of spatial distribution has been diminishing ever since 1984. Therefore, re-allocation of areas sown is not likely to damper the sustainability of grain farming.
Post-Event Volunteering Legacy: Did the London 2012 Games Induce a Sustainable Volunteer Engagement?
Authors: Koutrou Niki , Pappous Athanasios , Johnson Anna
Published: November 2016

The hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games was seen as an opportunity to harness the enthusiasm of the 70,000 volunteers involved and to provide a post-event volunteer legacy. A total of 77 individuals who had acted as volunteers in London 2012 were contacted approximately four years after the Games and agreed to complete a web-based open-ended survey. The participants were asked to indicate their level of current volunteering engagement and whether volunteering at the Games had an impact on their current volunteering levels. The study found that the London Olympics were the first volunteer experience for most of the volunteers who completed the survey, with the main motivation to volunteer being anything related to the Olympic Games. Just over half of the respondents are currently volunteering. Lack of time is shown to be the main barrier towards further volunteering commitment. Only half of respondents had been contacted by a volunteering scheme after London 2012. The implications of the findings for a potential volunteering legacy are then explored.
Viperid Envenomation Wound Exudate Contributes to Increased Vascular Permeability via a DAMPs/TLR-4 Mediated Pathway
Authors: Rucavado Alexandra , Nicolau Carolina , Escalante Teresa , Kim Junho , Herrera Cristina , Gutiérrez José , Fox Jay
Published: November 2016

Viperid snakebite envenomation is characterized by inflammatory events including increase in vascular permeability. A copious exudate is generated in tissue injected with venom, whose proteomics analysis has provided insights into the mechanisms of venom-induced tissue damage. Hereby it is reported that wound exudate itself has the ability to induce increase in vascular permeability in the skin of mice. Proteomics analysis of exudate revealed the presence of cytokines and chemokines, together with abundant damage associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) resulting from both proteolysis of extracellular matrix and cellular lysis. Moreover, significant differences in the amounts of cytokines/chemokines and DAMPs were detected between exudates collected 1 h and 24 h after envenomation, thus highlighting a complex temporal dynamic in the composition of exudate. Pretreatment of mice with Eritoran, an antagonist of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), significantly reduced the exudate-induced increase in vascular permeability, thus suggesting that DAMPs might be acting through this receptor. It is hypothesized that an “Envenomation-induced DAMPs cycle of tissue damage” may be operating in viperid snakebite envenomation through which venom-induced tissue damage generates a variety of DAMPs which may further expand tissue alterations.
Urban Heat Island Intensification during Hot Spells—The Case of Paris during the Summer of 2003
Authors: De Ridder Koen , Maiheu Bino , Lauwaet Dirk , Daglis Ioannis , Keramitsoglou Iphigenia , Kourtidis Kostas , Manunta Paolo , Paganini Marc
Published: November 2016

Heat waves are projected to become more frequent, longer-lasting, and intense. At the same time, urban areas are confronted with the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, which adds to the thermal stress experienced during hot spells. Focusing on the Paris area during the hot summer of 2003, we investigated the influence of heat waves on UHI intensity, i.e., the urban-rural temperature contrast. In a first step, this was done based on observed temperatures from an urban and a rural site, showing that per C increase in the daytime temperature, the nighttime UHI intensity increased by 0.086 C. Recognizing the limited spatial representativeness of the urban experimental site, located in a park, we then performed simulations with an urban climate model, covering the wider Paris area for the summer of 2003. First, a validation was done using the aforementioned temperature measurements to do so. Subsequently, we estimated the sensitivity of the nighttime UHI intensity with respect to the daytime temperature, this time using simulated temperatures of the densely built-up areas in the center of Paris, yielding an increase of UHI intensity of 0.19 C per C increase in the daytime temperature. While these results only apply to the domain and period studied, they do confirm recent reports that the UHI intensity increases during heat waves. The results also show that for the cooler parts of the urban fabric (e.g., parks), the UHI intensification during heat waves is around half of that of the dense urban fabric, thus providing some insights into possible mitigation strategies for the future.
Coupling Modified Linear Spectral Mixture Analysis and Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) Models to Simulate Surface Runoff: Application to the Main Urban Area of Guangzhou, China
Authors: Xu Jianhui , Zhao Yi , Zhong Kaiwen , Ruan Huihua , Liu Xulong
Published: November 2016

Land surface characteristics, including soil type, terrain slope, and antecedent soil moisture, have significant impacts on surface runoff during heavy precipitation in highly urbanized areas. In this study, a Linear Spectral Mixture Analysis (LSMA) method is modified to extract high-precision impervious surface, vegetation, and soil fractions. In the modified LSMA method, the representative endmembers are first selected by combining a high-resolution image from Google Earth; the unmixing results of the LSMA are then post-processed to reduce errors of misclassification with Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The modified LSMA is applied to the Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) image from 18 October 2015 of the main urban area of Guangzhou city. The experimental result indicates that the modified LSMA shows improved extraction performance compared with the conventional LSMA, as it can significantly reduce the bias and root-mean-square error (RMSE). The improved impervious surface, vegetation, and soil fractions are used to calculate the composite curve number (CN) for each pixel according to the Soil Conservation Service curve number (SCS-CN) model. The composite CN is then adjusted with regional data of the terrain slope and total 5-day antecedent precipitation. Finally, the surface runoff is simulated with the SCS-CN model by combining the adjusted CN and real precipitation data at 1 p.m., 4 May 2015.
Functionalized platinum nanoparticles with surface charge trigged by pH: synthesis, characterization and stability studies
Authors: Testa Giovanna , Fontana Laura , Venditti Iole , Fratoddi Ilaria
Published: November 2016

In this work, the synthesis and characterization of functionalized platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) have been investigated. PtNPs were obtained by a wet redox procedure using 2-diethylaminoethanethiol hydrochloride (DEA) as capping agent. By varying the Pt/thiol molar ratio, monodispersed and stable particles with diameters in the range of 3–40 nm were isolated. The amino functionality allows neutral particles to be obtained in basic water solution and positive charged nanoparticles in neutral or acidic water solution (pH 7–2), as confirmed by DLS and ζ-potential measurements. FTIR spectroscopy, FE-SEM, DLS and ζ-potential measurements confirmed the size and showed long term water stability (up to three months) of the colloidal system.
Prevalence and factors associated with different pathogens of acute diarrhea in adults in Beijing, China
Authors: Jia Lei , Lin Changying , Gao Zhiyong , Qu Mei , Yang Junyong , Sun Jingyi , Chen He , Wang Quanyi
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Only a small proportion of patients with diarrhea are diagnosed with laboratory tests in China, and most are diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. Therefore, understanding the prevalence of different diarrheal pathogens and their specific symptoms is important. Methodology: Data from a prospective study in Beijing of acute diarrhea and the related pathogens were used to study the association between different pathogen groups and the infected patients’ characteristics. A total of 355 patients with acute diarrhea, clinically diagnosed with infectious or noninfectious diarrhea by general practitioners (GPs), were recruited from three districts. Results: Different species of diarrheal pathogens were detected in 133 (37.5%) patients. The most prevalent pathogen was calicivirus (42.9%), followed by rotavirus (30.1%), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (13.5%), and Salmonella spp. (10.5%). The detection rates in patients diagnosed with infectious or noninfectious diarrhea by GPs did not differ significantly (c2 = 0.026, p = 0.873). Abdominal pain correlated negatively with viral pathogens, whereas nausea, living in the suburbs, and winter infection correlated positively with viral infection. Abdominal pain and leukocytosis were positively associated with bacterial infections, whereas winter infection correlated negatively with them. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the detection rates in patients diagnosed with infectious or noninfectious diarrhea by GPs was the same. We also revealed the improper prescription of antibiotics by GPs based simply on clinical diagnoses. A further analysis of diagnostic accuracy and methods is required to assist GPs in improving their diagnoses when insufficient laboratory tests are available and budgets are limited.
Surveillance of antibiotic use in the private sector in Namibia using sales and claims data
Authors: Pereko Dawn Dineo , Lubbe Martie S , Essack Sabiha Y
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Antibiotics are among the most commonly used therapeutic agents for humans globally, and their use has been associated with the development of resistance. The objective of this study was to identify sources for quantifying antibiotic usage patterns and to assess such use in ambulatory patients in the private health sector of Namibia. Methodology: A retrospective analysis of prescription claims data and sales data for the period 2008 to 2011 was conducted. Antibiotic use was expressed in the number of antibiotic-containing prescriptions and volume of units sold and then standardized using defined daily dose per 1,000 inhabitants per day. Results: Antibiotic usage was highest in females (53%), in people 18–45 years of age (41%), and in Windhoek (34%). Overall, wholesale data showed higher antibiotic use than prescription claims data. However, both sources showed similar patterns of antibiotic use. Penicillins were the most used pharmacological group, with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination being the most used of the agents. Conclusion: Antibiotic use in the private sector of Namibia is comparable to that of high-consuming European countries such as Italy. A trend observed in this study was the decrease in the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics in favour of broad-spectrum and newer antibiotics. Since this was the first study to assess antibiotic use in the private sector of Namibia, it could serve as a starting point for continued monitoring of antibiotic use in the whole of Namibia in the context of the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan to contain antibiotic resistance.
Molecular survey of Cytomegalovirus shedding profile in commercial pig herds in Brazil
Authors: Dutra Maurício Cabral , Moreno Luisa Zanolli , Amigo Cristina Roman , Felizardo Maria Roberta , Ferreira Thais Sebastiana Porfida , Coutinho Tania Alen , Sanches Alexandre Abelardo , Galvis Jason Ardila , Moreno Marina , Moreno Andrea Micke
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) causes rhinitis in both young and older pigs. The present study describes the detection and characterization of shedding profiles of PCMV in nine farrow-to-finish Brazilian swine herds. Methodology: Tonsil swabs from sows, nursery and grow-finish pigs of nine farrow-to-finish commercial herds (n = 756) were evaluated for the presence of PCMV by PCR. Results: The virus was detected in all herds. Positive samples were concentrated in piglets of ages varying from 40 to 60 days (nursery phase), while none of the sows were positive for PCMV detection. Conclusions: These findings corroborate the literature regarding PCMV worldwide distribution, and introduce the first report of PCMV shedding profile in Brazilian pig farms.
Use of personal digital assistants to detect healthcare-associated infections in a neonatal intensive care unit in Egypt
Authors: El-Feky Elham AM , Saleh Doa’a A , El-Kholy Jehan , Sayed Ahmed Mahmoud , Mansi Yasmeen , Hashem Mohamed
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Personal digital assistants (PDAs) used in electronic laboratory-based surveillance are a promising alternative to conventional surveillance to detect healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The aim of the study was to monitor, detect, and analyze HAIs using PDAs in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methodology: In this descriptive study, 1,053 neonates admitted to the NICU in the obstetrics and gynecology ward at the Cairo University hospital were included and evaluated for HAIs by collecting data using PDAs programmed by Naval Medical Research Unit 3, Cairo, with the definitions for HAIs provided by the National Healthcare Safety Network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case records were reviewed three times a week over 19 months, from March 2012 to September 2013. Results: Of 124 suspected episodes of infection recorded in PDAs, 89 confirmed episodes of infection were identified. HAI and NICU infection rates were 7.4 and 2.72/1,000 patient-days, respectively. Primary bloodstream infection was detected in 81 episodes and pneumonia in 8 episodes. The majority of infections (62%) were acquired in the ward before NICU admission. Klebsiella spp. was isolated most frequently (42%), followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococci (31%). Conclusions: This study is the first to report the use of PDAs in surveillance to detect HAIs in the NICU in our hospital. The majority of infections were acquired at the obstetric care department, indicating the importance of implementing rigorous prevention and control programs and a more detailed surveillance to identify other risk factors for infections.
A highly sensitive Leishmania infantum chagasi isolation method from bone marrow and peripheral blood of adults and children
Authors: Suzuki Rodrigo Buzinaro , Cabral Aline Diniz , Martins Luciamare Perinetti Alves , Sperança Marcia Aparecida
Published: November 2016

This item has no abstract. Follow the links below to access the full text.
Dental Implantation of Atrophic Jaws Reconstructed with Iliac Bone Graft Crest - Outcome of Seven Cases
Authors: Bllaca Florian , Toci Ervin
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND: Iliac bone grafts are used to augment alveolar ridges followed by subsequent dental implants in completely edentulous patients. In Albania the information about these issues is scarce.AIM: To describe the procedure of iliac bone grafts augmentation of alveolar ridges and evaluate the survival rate of dental implants in completely edentulous patients in Albania.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seven totally edentulous patients (three males, average age 45.9 years) presenting at DurrÃ«s Regional Hospital during 2008-2015 and seeking a solution to their problem through implantation procedures were included in the study. Patients were thoroughly examined, evaluated and the best augmentation procedure, using iliac crest bone grafts, and dental implantation technique was chosen. The number of dental implants placed was recorded and their survival rate was calculated.RESULTS: The most common intervention site was maxillae (in 71.4% of cases). Dental implants were installed six months after augmentation, all fixed on the very stable augmented alveolar ridge. On average between 20%-30% of bone grafts, volume was resorbed. Of 37 implants settled, 36 of them or 97.3% survived.CONCLUSION: Iliac bone grafts are a suitable augmentation source of bone in a patient suffering from complete edentulism in Albania. The survival rate of dental implants is very satisfactory.
Diaphyseal Fractures of the Forearm in Adults, Plating Or Intramedullary Nailing Is a Better Option for the Treatment?
Authors: Al-Sadek Tabet A. , Niklev Desislav , Al-Sadek Ahmed
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the radius and ulna occupy a large field of the modern traumatology. Therefore, these fractures are a major subject in modern orthopaedics and traumatology. The study of the mechanisms of the trauma, and the pathophysiological changes that occur are of great importance for the development of ever more efficient and varied ways of the treatment and prophylactics of this type of fracture.AIM: The aim of this paper was to study the pattern of the diaphyseal fractures of the forearm in adults, to decide the modalities of surgical management, to observe the period of fracture healing clinically and radiologically, as well to study the rehabilitation of the patients.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study included 45 cases of diaphyseal fractures of both bones forearm in adults presenting to the orthopaedic outpatient department. For all the patients a detailed history was taken. A thorough clinical examination was carried out, required X-rays were taken, and initial treatment was given and admitted as in all patients. After careful pre-operative planning and evaluation for anaesthetic fitness, patients were operated for the fractures of both bone forearms. Twenty-three cases with 46 fractures were treated by open reduction and rigid fixation with DCP & Semi-tubular plates and 22 cases with 44 fractures were treated by closed reduction and fixation with â€œTalwarkarâ€ intramedullary square nails.RESULTS: United results were found in 100% of plating group vs. 86% in the nailing group. Delayed and non-union results were found in 9% of the nailing group only. Average time to union in weeks was 9.4 weeks in the plating group vs. 10.2 weeks in the nailing group.CONCLUSION: Open reduction and internal fixation with compression plates with strict adherence to surgical technique is the gold standard method of treatment in both bones forearm fractures with excellent results than closed reduction, internal fixation with â€œTalwarkarâ€ square nails which is also again a simple method with better results than conservative methods.
Pascal et Rouault
Authors: Grasset Bernard
Published: November 2016

Sur la table de chevet du peintre Georges Rouault demeurait le livre des Pensées . Une exploration patiente et attentive de l’univers de Rouault ne tarde pas à révéler sa frappante proximité avec l’univers de Pascal, et particulièrement de ses Pensées . Chez les deux, on trouve une même éthique qui dénonce l’empire de la cupidité pour ouvrir au règne de la charité. Très voisine apparaît leur esthétique qui, à un art du factice, du divertissement, préfère un art de la recherche d’absolu, un art sobre, émouvant, témoignant. À la suite du penseur, le peintre met au centre de son œuvre aussi bien l’homme que le Christ, son Visage. Dans l’anthropologie de Rouault comme dans celle de Pascal, le cœur occupe la place décisive. Dans leur christologie, la Croix est l’axe autour duquel tout gravite. Nourri de la Bible, Rouault est un peintre-exégète tout comme Pascal était un penseur-exégète. Pascal pense l’homme, Rouault peint l’homme, cet homme misérable et grand, qui erre sur la terre, guettant les traces de son vrai lieu.
La géographie, un outil diplomatique ? Rivalités impériales et collaborations internationales dans le nord de la péninsule indochinoise (fin xix e – début xx e  siècles)
Authors: de Rugy Marie
Published: November 2016

Si l’antagonisme franco-anglais dans la péninsule indochinoise est bien connu, les coopérations internationales et particulièrement les collaborations entre les différents services géographiques n’ont guère été étudiées. Elles constituent l’objet de cet article, dont l’enjeu est de montrer que la cartographie n’est pas seulement un ferment de discorde mais peut être un véritable instrument diplomatique. Les nécessités scientifiques de la géodésie produisent des échanges bilatéraux, tandis que la présence d’un Britannique à la tête du Service géographique siamois interpelle sur la réalité de la mainmise anglaise au Siam. Les échanges institutionnels entre les services géographiques pourraient enfin constituer les prémices d’une diplomatie culturelle. La géographie ne sert donc pas qu’à faire la guerre.
Transporter de la main-d’œuvre chinoise à Panama : enjeux économiques et représentations d’un jeune ingénieur suisse à la fin du xix e  siècle
Authors: Tissot Laurent
Published: November 2016

À côté de ressortissants d’autres régions asiatiques et des Antilles, le recrutement de main-d’œuvre chinoise a connu au xix e  siècle un essor considérable. À l’origine des nombreuses Chinatowns, il intensifie un mouvement d’implantation de la Chine en Occident, notamment en Amérique. L’engagement en 1886 d’un jeune ingénieur suisse par une société chargée de construire le canal de Panama présente l’intérêt de lier les enjeux économiques attachés à sa mission aux représentations suscitées par sa vision extérieure de la Chine et la connaissance qu’il en acquiert sur le terrain. Sur la base des correspondances entretenues avec ses parents par cet ingénieur, cet article vise à mieux comprendre comment il voit la Chine dans ce qu’elle a produit à l’extérieur et dans la façon dont l’Occident l’intègre dans son imaginaire.
L’idéologie dans les relations sino-européennes. L’ambassadeur Guo aux pays de Yi (1877-1879)
Authors: Chu Xiaoquan
Published: November 2016

L’héritage culturel dévoile le ressort idéologique des comportements peu rationnels dans les relations entre la Chine et l’Occident. De ce point de vue, le cas de Songtao Guo n’est pas sans pertinence aujourd’hui. Les tribulations du premier ambassadeur chinois en Occident au xix e  siècle s’expliquent par le profond enracinement de la distinction entre Xia et Yi, désignations de deux identités ethnoculturelles, présentes dans la mentalité chinoise depuis deux millénaires. La crispation de la classe des fonctionnaires-lettrés de l’époque vis-à-vis de l’ouverture forcée de la Chine impériale a été provoquée non par la prise en compte des intérêts réels de la Chine mais par une perception des relations internationales faussée par cette vision idéologique. On peut encore se demander si, de nos jours, les relations entre la Chine et l’Occident restent influencées par ce type de considérations.
Chercher, construire et combattre l’ennemi. Pour une nouvelle historicité de la guerre contre la terreur
Authors: Le Chaffotec Boris
Published: November 2016

La littérature scientifique semble s’accorder sur le rôle déclencheur des attentats du 11 septembre 2001 dans la guerre menée par les États-Unis contre la terreur. Les discours de George W. Bush des 12 et 20 septembre ainsi que l’autorisation législative de l’usage de la force armée à l’encontre des responsables des attentats de New York, de Washington et de Pennsylvanie le 18 septembre vont dans ce sens. Cette lecture offre une temporalité binaire consacrant la rupture historique que constitueraient ces évènements. Pourtant, ni l’identification de la terreur, ni la militarisation de la lutte antiterroriste ne furent le fait de l’administration républicaine. Aussi, nous proposons-nous d’établir une nouvelle historicité de la guerre contre la terreur en adoptant une approche à plus long terme. À travers les archives des administrations de George Bush, Bill Clinton et George W. Bush ainsi que celles du Congrès, nous la replacerons dans une histoire de la politique étrangère américaine d’après-Guerre froide.