bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on the Sulfate Attack upon Ordinary Portland Cement and Slag-Blended Mortars
Authors:   Atta-ur-Rehman, Qudoos Abdul , Kim Hong , Ryou Jae-Suk
Published: February 2018

In this study, the effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the sulfate attack resistance of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and slag-blended mortars were investigated. OPC and slag-blended mortars (OPC:Slag = 50:50) were made with water to binder ratio of 0.4 and a binder to sand ratio of 1:3. TiO2 was added as an admixture as 0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% of the binder weight. Mortar specimens were exposed to an accelerated sulfate attack environment. Expansion, changes in mass and surface microhardness were measured. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) tests were conducted. The formation of ettringite and gypsum crystals after the sulfate attack were detected. Both these products had caused crystallization pressure in the microstructure of mortars and deteriorated the mortars. Our results show that the addition of nano-TiO2 accelerated expansion, variation in mass, loss of surface microhardness and widened cracks in OPC and slag-blended mortars. Nano-TiO2 containing slag-blended mortars were more resistant to sulfate attack than nano-TiO2 containing OPC mortars. Because nano-TiO2 reduced the size of coarse pores, so it increased crystallization pressure due to the formation of ettringite and gypsum thus led to more damage under sulfate attack.
Simultaneous Analysis of Saccharides between Fresh and Processed Radix Rehmanniae by HPLC and UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS with Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Authors: Xue Shujuan , Wang Lili , Chen Suiqing , Cheng Yongxian
Published: February 2018

Radix Rehmanniae (RR) is a kind of herb which is widely used in the clinical and food processing industry. There are four forms of RR used in traditional Chinese medicine practice, which include fresh RR (FRR), raw RR (RRR), processed RR (PRR), and another processed RR (APRR), in which the APRR was processed by nine cycles of repeated steaming and drying. There are a large number of saccharides in RR. However, the differences in content were shown by different processing methods. In this study, an effective method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) coupled with multivariate statistical analysis to rapidly distinguish different RR samples and validate the proposed chemical conversion mechanism. The datasets of the content of saccharides were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that there different changes occurred in the contents of saccharides corresponding to the different processing methods, in which the contents of monosaccharides—namely arabinose, glucose, mannose, and galactose—had an increasing trend or remained relatively stable. However, the contents of fructose and oligosaccharides, including manninotriose, melibiose, sucrose, and raffinose, first increased and then reduced, or gradually decreased, yet the content of stachyose gradually decreased. The MSn data indicated that manninotriose, melibiose, and some monosaccharides were produced by the hydrolysis of oligosaccharides. In addition, the fragmentation pathways of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP) derivatization of monosaccharides were also found that its glycosidic bond was first broken and subsequently its inside ring broke, and the characteristic fragment ions were produced at m/z 511.22, 493.20, 373.16, and 175.08 in the PMP derivatization of monosaccharides. In conclusion, this study illustrates the change and chemical conversion mechanism of saccharides by processing in RR samples which might play a key role in further application of RR.
MOF-Derived Cu@Cu2O Nanocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Cycloaddition Reaction
Authors: Kim Aram , Muthuchamy Nallal , Yoon Chohye , Joo Sang , Park Kang
Published: February 2018

Research on the synthesis of nanomaterials using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are characterized by multi-functionality and porosity, as precursors have been accomplished through various synthetic approaches. In this study, copper and copper oxide nanoparticles were fabricated within 30 min by a simple and rapid method involving the reduction of a copper(II)-containing MOF with sodium borohydride solution at room temperature. The obtained nanoparticles consist of a copper core and a copper oxide shell exhibited catalytic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction. The as-synthesized Cu@Cu2O core-shell nanocatalyst exhibited an enhanced limit current density as well as onset potential in the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Moreover, the nanoparticles exhibited good catalytic activity in the Huisgen cycloaddition of various substituted azides and alkynes under mild reaction conditions.
Factors Affecting Gastrointestinal Microbiome Development in Neonates
Authors: Chong Clara , Bloomfield Frank , O’Sullivan Justin
Published: February 2018

The gut microbiome is established in the newborn period and is recognised to interact with the host to influence metabolism. Different environmental factors that are encountered during this critical period may influence the gut microbial composition, potentially impacting upon later disease risk, such as asthma, metabolic disorder, and inflammatory bowel disease. The sterility dogma of the foetus in utero is challenged by studies that identified bacteria, bacterial DNA, or bacterial products in meconium, amniotic fluid, and the placenta; indicating the initiation of maternal-to-offspring microbial colonisation in utero. This narrative review aims to provide a better understanding of factors that affect the development of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome during prenatal, perinatal to postnatal life, and their reciprocal relationship with GI tract development in neonates.
Lower Vitamin D Status Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhou Ren , Wang Mengying , Huang Hui , Li Wenyong , Hu Yonghua , Wu Tao
Published: February 2018

In recent years, accumulating evidence has supported the hypothesis that lower vitamin D status is associated with several known risk factors of stroke. However, the relationship between vitamin D and stroke is still uncertain. To explore if there was an association between vitamin D status and the risk of stroke, a systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted by searching three databases: Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the relative risk estimates of all the included studies were pooled together to compare the risk of stroke between the lowest and the highest category of vitamin D. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool were used to assess the risk of bias, and the publication bias was detected by using a funnel plot and Egger’s test. Nineteen studies were included and the pooled relative risk was 1.62 (95% CI: 1.34–1.96). Further analysis found that vitamin D status was associated with ischemic stroke (relative risk = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.56–3.86), but not with hemorrhagic stroke (relative risk = 2.50, 95% CI: 0.87–7.15). In conclusion, our meta-analysis supported the hypothesis that lower vitamin D status was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Further studies are required to confirm this association and to explore the association among different subtypes.
Selenium and Mercury Interactions in Apex Predators from the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea)
Authors: Faganeli Jadran , Falnoga Ingrid , Horvat Milena , Klun Katja , Lipej Lovrenc , Mazej Darja
Published: February 2018

Since the environmental levels of selenium (Se) can moderate the bioaccumulation and toxicity of mercury (Hg) in marine organisms, their interactions were studied in seawater, sediments, plankton and the benthic (Bull ray Pteromylaeus bovinus, Eagle ray Myliobatis aquila) and the pelagic (Pelagic stingray Dasyiatis violacea) rays, as apex predators in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea). Male and female rays showed no difference in the Se contents in muscle tissue. Pelagic species contained higher Se levels in muscle but slightly lower levels in the livers of both genders. The Hg/Se ratios in seawater dissolved and colloidal fractions, plankton and sediment were <0.5, while those in particulate matter were <1.3. In benthic ray species, a parallel increase in Se and Hg in muscle was observed, so that an increased in Hg (MeHg) bioaccumulation results in Se coaccumulation. The Hg/Se ratios (molar) in muscle and liver of pelagic and benthic rays were <1.4 and <0.7, respectively. The low levels of Hg in muscle and liver in all the ray species corresponded to low Hg/Se ratios and increases in muscle and liver to 1 at 7 µg/g, dry weight (dw) and 5 µg/g dw, respectively, i.e., about 1.6 µg/g wet weight (ww).
The Postprandial Anti-Hyperglycemic Effect of Pyridoxine and Its Derivatives Using In Vitro and In Vivo Animal Models
Authors: Kim Hyuk Hwa , Kang Yu-Ri , Lee Jung-Yun , Chang Hung-Bae , Lee Ki Won , Apostolidis Emmanouil , Kwon Young-In
Published: February 2018

In the current study, we investigated the inhibitory activity of pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine, against various digestive enzymes such as α-glucosidases, sucrase, maltase, and glucoamylase. Inhibition of these enzymes involved in the absorption of disaccharide can improve post-prandial hyperglycemia due to a carbohydrate-based diet. Pyridoxal (4.14 mg/mL of IC50) had the highest rat intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, followed by pyridoxamine and pyridoxine (4.85 and 5.02 mg/mL of IC50, respectively). Pyridoxal demonstrated superior inhibition against maltase (0.38 mg/mL IC50) and glucoamylase (0.27 mg/mLIC50). In addition, pyridoxal showed significant higher α-amylase inhibitory activity (10.87 mg/mL of IC50) than that of pyridoxine (23.18 mg/mL of IC50). This indicates that pyridoxal can also inhibit starch hydrolyzing by pancreatic α-amylase in small intestine. Based on these in vitro results, the deeper evaluation of the anti-hyperglycemic potential of pyridoxine and its derivatives using Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat models, was initiated. The post-prandial blood glucose levels were tested two hours after sucrose/starch administration, with and without pyridoxine and its derivatives. In the animal trial, pyridoxal (p < 0.05) had a significantly reduction to the postprandial glucose levels, when compared to the control. The maximum blood glucose levels (Cmax) of pyridoxal administration group were decreased by about 18% (from 199.52 ± 22.93 to 164.10 ± 10.27, p < 0.05) and 19% (from 216.92 ± 12.46 to 175.36 ± 10.84, p < 0.05) in sucrose and starch loading tests, respectively, when compared to the control in pharmacodynamics study. The pyridoxal administration significantly decreased the minimum, maximum, and mean level of post-prandial blood glucose at 0.5 h after meals. These results indicate that water-soluble vitamin pyridoxine and its derivatives can decrease blood glucose level via the inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing and absorption-linked enzymes. Therefore, pyridoxal may have the potential to be used as a food ingredient for the prevention of prediabetes progression to type 2 diabetes.
Relationships between Nutrient Heterogeneity, Root Growth, and Hormones: Evidence for Interspecific Variation
Authors: Dong Jia , Jones Robert , Mou Pu
Published: February 2018

(1) Background: Plant roots respond to nutrients through root architecture that is regulated by hormones. Strong inter-specific variation in root architecture has been well documented, but physiological mechanisms that may control the variation have not. (2) Methods: We examined correlations between root architecture and hormones to seek clues on mechanisms behind root foraging behavior. In the green house at Beijing Normal University, hydroponic culture experiments were used to examine the root responses of four species—Callistephus chinensis, Solidago canadensis, Ailanthus altissima, Oryza sativa—to two nitrogen types (NO3− or NH4+), three nitrogen concentrations (low, medium, and high concentrations of 0.2, 1, and 18 mM, respectively) and two ways of nitrogen application (stable vs. variable). The plants were harvested after 36 days to measure root mass, 1st order root length, seminal root length for O. sativa, density of the 1st order laterals, seminal root number for O. sativa, the inter-node length of the 1st order laterals, and root hormone contents of indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid, and cytokinins (zeatin + zeatinriboside). (3) Results: Species differed significantly in their root architecture responses to nitrogen treatments. They also differed significantly in hormone responses to the nitrogen treatments. Additionally, the correlations between root architecture and hormone responses were quite variable across the species. Each hormone had highly species-specific relationships with root responses. (4) Conclusions: Our finding implies that a particular root foraging behavior is probably not controlled by the same biochemical pathway in all species.
“To Sey or Thinke Otherwise”: Ordinary Theology and Facing Death in Late Medieval Norfolk
Authors: Foroughi Louisa
Published: February 2018

This article explores how Jeff Astley’s work on ordinary theology can enrich historical study of late medieval lay religion. Ordinary theology provides scholars with a new set of vocabulary and methodological approaches for accessing the religious discourses of “everyday” Christians and allows medievalists in particular to reach beyond contested labels for lay belief. The article begins with a discussion of the promises and limitations of Astley’s theories for historians of religion and concludes with a test case of how they might guide future research, through a quantitative and qualitative analysis of 152 wills from fifteenth-century Norfolk. The results highlight the diversity of beliefs about the afterlife and associated doctrines among medieval laypeople even as they demonstrated commitment to orthodox Christianity and their local parishes.
Structure Tensor-Based Algorithm for Hyperspectral and Panchromatic Images Fusion
Authors: Qu Jiahui , Lei Jie , Li Yunsong , Dong Wenqian , Zeng Zhiyong , Chen Dunyu
Published: February 2018

Restricted by technical and budget constraints, hyperspectral (HS) image which contains abundant spectral information generally has low spatial resolution. Fusion of hyperspectral and panchromatic (PAN) images can merge spectral information of the former and spatial information of the latter. In this paper, a new hyperspectral image fusion algorithm using structure tensor is proposed. An image enhancement approach is utilized to sharpen the spatial information of the PAN image, and the spatial details of the HS image is obtained by an adaptive weighted method. Since structure tensor represents structure and spatial information, a structure tensor is introduced to extract spatial details of the enhanced PAN image. Seeing that the HS and PAN images contain different and complementary spatial information for a same scene, a weighted fusion method is presented to integrate the extracted spatial information of the two images. To avoid artifacts at the boundaries, a guided filter is applied to the integrated spatial information image. The injection matrix is finally constructed to reduce spectral and spatial distortion, and the fused image is generated by injecting the complete spatial information. Comparative analyses validate the proposed method outperforms the state-of-art fusion methods, and provides more spatial details while preserving the spectral information.
Diagnosis of Insulation Condition of MV Switchgears by Application of Different Partial Discharge Measuring Methods and Sensors
Authors: Álvarez Gómez Fernando , Albarracín-Sánchez Ricardo , Garnacho Vecino Fernando , Granizo Arrabé Ricardo
Published: February 2018

Partial discharges (PD) measurement provides valuable information for the condition assessment of the insulation status of high-voltage (HV) electrical installations. During the last three decades, several PD sensors and measuring techniques have been developed to perform accurate diagnostics when PD measurements are carried out on-site and on-line. For utilities, the most attractive characteristics of on-line measurements are that once the sensors are installed in the grid, the electrical service is uninterrupted and that electrical systems are tested in real operating conditions. In medium-voltage (MV) and HV installations, one of the critical points where an insulation defect can occur is inside metal-clad switchgears (including the cable terminals connected to them). Thus, this kind of equipment is increasingly being monitored to carry out proper maintenance based on their condition. This paper presents a study concerning the application of different electromagnetic measuring techniques (compliant with IEC 62478 and IEC 60270 standards), together with the use of suitable sensors, which enable the evaluation of the insulation condition mainly in MV switchgears. The main scope is to give a general overview about appropriate types of electromagnetic measuring methods and sensors to be applied, while considering the level of detail and accuracy in the diagnosis and the particular fail-save requirements of the electrical installations where the switchgears are located.
Three Dimensional Distribution of Sensitive Field and Stress Field Inversion of Force Sensitive Materials under Constant Current Excitation
Authors: Zhao Shuanfeng , Liu Min , Guo Wei , Zhang Chuanwei
Published: February 2018

Force sensitive conductive composite materials are functional materials which can be used as the sensitive material of force sensors. However, the existing sensors only use one-dimensional electrical properties of force sensitive conductive materials. Even in tactile sensors, the measurement of contact pressure is achieved by large-scale arrays and the units of a large-scale array are also based on the one-dimensional electrical properties of force sensitive materials. The main contribution of this work is to study the three-dimensional electrical properties and the inversion method of three-dimensional stress field of a force sensitive material (conductive rubber), which pushes the application of force sensitive material from one dimensional to three-dimensional. First, the mathematical model of the conductive rubber current field distribution under a constant force is established by the effective medium theory, and the current field distribution model of conductive rubber with different geometry, conductive rubber content and conductive rubber relaxation parameters is deduced. Secondly, the inversion method of the three-dimensional stress field of conductive rubber is established, which provides a theoretical basis for the design of a new tactile sensor, three-dimensional stress field and space force based on force sensitive materials.
Ppbv-Level Ethane Detection Using Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy with a Continuous-Wave, Room Temperature Interband Cascade Laser
Authors: Li Chunguang , Dong Lei , Zheng Chuantao , Lin Jun , Wang Yiding , Tittel Frank
Published: February 2018

A ppbv-level quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS)-based ethane (C2H6) sensor was demonstrated by using a 3.3 μm continuous-wave (CW), distributed feedback (DFB) interband cascade laser (ICL). The ICL was employed for targeting a strong C2H6 absorption line located at 2996.88 cm−1 in its fundamental absorption band. Wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) combined with the second harmonic (2f) detection technique was utilized to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and simplify data acquisition and processing. Gas pressure and laser frequency modulation depth were optimized to be 100 Torr and 0.106 cm−1, respectively, for maximizing the 2f signal amplitude. Performance of the QEPAS sensor was evaluated using specially prepared C2H6 samples. A detection limit of 11 parts per billion in volume (ppbv) was obtained with a 1-s integration time based on an Allan-Werle variance analysis, and the detection precision can be further improved to ~1.5 ppbv by increasing the integration time up to 230 s.
Soil Washing Optimization, Recycling of the Solution, and Ecotoxicity Assessment for the Remediation of Pb-Contaminated Sites Using EDDS
Authors: Fabbricino Massimiliano , Ferraro Alberto , Luongo Vincenzo , Pontoni Ludovico , Race Marco
Published: February 2018

This paper presents the results of an experimental study aimed at investigating the applicability of ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS) as a washing solution for the remediation of Pb-contaminated soil. All aspects of the treatment are analyzed and optimized, including the reuse and the final disposal of the EDDS spent solution. Different molar concentrations of the washing solutions and the efficiencies of varying solid/liquid ratio are tested at different pH values. More than 90% of the mobile Pb fraction is removed in about 24 h at pH 6. Accordingly, soil toxicity strongly decreases as a consequence of the treatment. The regenerated solution exhibits a reduced, but not negligible, extractive capacity. The total extraction of Pb is approximately 50% of the initial value after one regeneration cycle, and almost 20% after a second regeneration cycle. Respirometric tests, conducted using an activated sludge sampled in a municipal wastewater treatment plant, indicate that the spent solutions are not biodegradable, but they do not exert any toxic effect on the biomass. On the contrary, tests on regenerated solutions displayed the same biodegradability as the fresh ones.
Post-Disaster Business Recovery and Sustainable Development: A Study of 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake
Authors: Huang Lifang , Wang Lin , Song Jie
Published: February 2018

Business sectors are essential for community prosperity, and thus it is important to investigate the recovery of businesses after disasters. However, current studies on business recovery after natural disasters are limited, particularly a lack of empirical observations in developing countries. Our observations of the patterns and transformations of small businesses in the recovery process after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China can bridge this gap and provide a valuable contribution to academia. We conducted research through a four-year longitudinal study to track small business recovery in Beichuan County since 2014. Field observations, repeat photography, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The operating status, business type, and spatiotemporal changes of small businesses in the new business district, Banaqia, were demonstrated. Overall, less than 50% of the planned shops were occupied and in operation, and this figure keeps declining from 2014 to 2017. Catering, garments, and souvenirs are the primary business types, but they show individual patterns in terms of sustainable development and spatial configuration. The results help to inform the development of recovery policies following disasters in developing countries.
Tackling Fragmented Last Mile Deliveries to Nanostores by Utilizing Spare Transportation Capacity—A Simulation Study
Authors: Kin Bram , Ambra Tomas , Verlinde Sara , Macharis Cathy
Published: February 2018

Last mile deliveries in urban areas cause a disproportionate unsustainable impact, while it is also the most expensive part of the supply chain. This is particularly true for freight flows that are characterized by fragmentation. Logistically, this becomes apparent in vehicles that are driving around with a low vehicle fill rate, leading to the unnecessary presence of freight vehicles in our cities. This study focuses on the operational feasibility of utilizing the spare transportation capacity of a service-driven company as a potential solution to supply small independent retailers, or nanostores. The aim is to reduce inefficient vehicle movement. Based on a real-life implementation, we use SYnchronization Model for Belgian Inland Transport (SYMBIT), an agent-based model, to simulate various bundling scenarios. Results show the total vehicle kilometers and lead times to supply nanostores for the service-driven company to serve its customers. There is a potential to utilize spare capacity to supply nanostores while maintaining a decent service level. The number of vehicle kilometers driven highly depends on the location of the distribution center where the service-driven company operates. Based on these results, the conditions that have to be met to replicate this solution in other urban areas are discussed.
Tectus niloticus (Tegulidae, Gastropod) as a Novel Vector of Ciguatera Poisoning: Clinical Characterization and Follow-Up of a Mass Poisoning Event in Nuku Hiva Island (French Polynesia)
Authors: Gatti Clémence , Lonati Davide , Darius Hélène , Zancan Arturo , Roué Mélanie , Schicchi Azzurra , Locatelli Carlo , Chinain Mireille
Published: February 2018

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is the most prevalent non-bacterial food-borne form of poisoning in French Polynesia, which results from the consumption of coral reef fish naturally contaminated with ciguatoxins produced by dinoflagellates in the genus Gambierdiscus. Since the early 2000s, this French territory has also witnessed the emergence of atypical forms of ciguatera, known as ciguatera shellfish poisoning (CSP), associated with the consumption of marine invertebrates. In June 2014, nine tourists simultaneously developed a major and persistent poisoning syndrome following the consumption of the gastropod Tectus niloticus collected in Anaho, a secluded bay of Nuku Hiva Island (Marquesas Archipelago, French Polynesia). The unusual nature and severity of this event prompted a multidisciplinary investigation in order to characterize the etiology and document the short/long-term health consequences of this mass-poisoning event. This paper presents the results of clinical investigations based on hospital medical records, medical follow-up conducted six and 20 months post-poisoning, including a case description. This study is the first to describe the medical signature of T. niloticus poisoning in French Polynesia and contributed to alerting local authorities about the potential health hazards associated with the consumption of this gastropod, which is highly prized by local communities in Pacific island countries and territories.
Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol by Microwave-Enhanced Advanced Oxidation Processes: Kinetics and Influential Process Parameters
Authors: Milh Hannah , Van Eyck Kwinten , Dewil Raf
Published: February 2018

In this study, the degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) is investigated by using a combination of microwave (MW) irradiation and hydrogen peroxide as oxidant (the MW–H2O2-process). The influence of the critical parameters on the efficiency of the process is examined by applying Partial Least Square Regression (PLS) on a Design of Experiments (DOE). Also, a kinetic evaluation of the process is carried out. Results showed that the MW–H2O2-process is effective in the degradation of 4-CP. The most influential parameter of the MW–H2O2-process is the reaction temperature. Besides this parameter, the reaction time, initial 4-CP concentration, and initial hydrogen peroxide concentration have a (minor) influence on the 4-CP degradation. A maximum degradation efficiency within the levels of the DOE (remaining percentage of 4-CP of 34%) was achieved with an initial 4-CP concentration of 1000 mg/L, an initial H2O2 concentration of 11 g/L, reaction temperature of 180 °C, and reaction time of 20 min. The process follows pseudo first order reaction kinetics.
Heavy-metal detectors based on modified ferrite nanoparticles
Authors: Klekotka Urszula , Wińska Ewelina , Zambrzycka-Szelewa Elżbieta , Satuła Dariusz , Kalska-Szostko Beata
Published: February 2018

In this work, we analyze artificial heavy-metal solutions with ferrite nanoparticles. Measurements of adsorption effectiveness of different kinds of particles, pure magnetite or magnetite doped with calcium, cobalt, manganese, or nickel ions, were carried out. A dependence of the adsorption efficiency on the composition of the inorganic core has been observed. Ferrites surfaces were modified by phthalic anhydride (PA), succinic anhydride (SA), acetic anhydride (AA), 3-phosphonopropionic acid (3-PPA), or 16-phosphohexadecanoic acid (16-PHDA) to compare the adsorption capability of the heavy metals Cd, Cu and Pb. The obtained nanoparticles were structurally characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The amounts of Cd, Cu and Pb were measured out by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) as comparative techniques. The performed study shows that SA linker appears to be the most effective in the adsorption of heavy metals. Moreover, regarding the influence of the composition of the inorganic core on the detection ability, the most effective ferrite Mn0.5Fe2.5O4 was selected for discussion. The highest heavy-metal adsorption capability and universality was observed for SA as a surface modifier.
Phonotactics and phonetic context in the perception of onset nasality in Taiwanese
Authors: Wang Sheng-Fu
Published: February 2018

This paper reports an experiment on Taiwanese speakers' perception of the distinction between voiced oral and nasal onsets. This distinction is not phonemic in Taiwanese, a language with phonemic nasal vowels: voiced oral onsets only precede oral vowels, and the nasal onsets only precede nasal vowels. The experiment aimed to answer two research questions. First, when the distinction occurs before a nasal vowel, does perception improve when the oral onset is cued by an initial oral portion of the nasal vowel? Second, are all attested contrasts of oral and nasal syllables (e.g., [ba] vs. [mã], [la] vs. [nã]) perceived equally well, or are there effects of places and manners of articulation? The results of an ABX experiment showed that the adding an oral portion to a nasal vowel did not improve Taiwanese speakers’ perception of the unattested distinction of oral voiced and nasal onsets. Within the attested contrasts between oral and nasal syllables, the results showed that contrasts with more salient cues (e.g., aspirated stops vs. nasals) yielded better performances. Overall, this experiment shows that both phonotactics and phonetic cues play a role in the perception of nasality distinction in voiced onsets.
Lookahead Effect in Mbe Reduplication
Authors: Wei Wei
Published: February 2018

An approach to reduplication in parallel Optimality Theory predicts the possibility of lookahead effects in contrast to Serial Template Satisfaction in Harmonic Serialism (McCarthy, Kimper & Mullin 2012). I argue that a lookahead effect is found in the reduplicative imperative affixation in Mbe, where the amount of material copied foresees the availability of a subsequent phonological change. A straightforward account of the pattern is available in parallel OT but not the serial approach, which requires ad hoc stipulations about constraint evaluation that introduce unwanted theoretical complications. This paper thus provides evidence in favor of parallel evaluation in the theory of reduplication.
ATR Vowel Harmony: new patterns and diagnostics
Authors: Rose Sharon
Published: February 2018

This paper presents a large-scale typological study of over 500 Nilo-Saharan and Niger-Congo vowel inventories, both with and without ATR harmony. The survey reveals: i) ATR contrasts in high vowels correlate with a strong likelihood of ATR harmony; ii) the vowel system /i e ɛ a ɔ o u/ (termed 1IU in Casali 2008) does not correlate well with ATR harmony. In Nilo-Saharan, such systems do not show ATR harmony, and in Niger-Congo, the majority of such systems also do not have harmony. The survey results are interpreted in terms of perceptual distance, driven by inventory contrast. High vowel ATR contrasts are perceptually more difficult than mid contrasts and activate harmony. In languages that lack mid vowel contrasts, [+ATR] harmony derives allophonic [e o] from /ɛ ɔ/. In languages that lack high vowel contrasts, mid vowel contrasts do not present enough of a perceptual difficulty to reliably activate harmony. If harmony is present, it tends to operate only between mid vowels and does not generate allophonic high vowels.
Transparadigmatic Output-Output Correspondence: A Case Study from Ese Ejja
Authors: Rolle Nicholas Revett
Published: February 2018

One prominent theory capturing unexpected phonological similarity across morphologically-related forms is Output-Output Correspondence (OO-Corr – Benua 1997; Burzio 1998; a.o.). Classic OO-Corr involves correspondence between an output [x-y] and a subconstituent base [x], e.g. a derived stem with a bare root [√-deriv]x↔ [√]x (párent-hood ↔ párent). Further, Paradigmatic OO-Corr (Pa-OO-C) involves correspondence between an output [x-a] and a base [x-b], where the affixes [a] and [b] share a morphosyntactic feature [+f] which places them together in a morphological paradigm (McCarthy 2005, Hall & Scott 2007), e.g. [√-infl[1sg past]]x↔ [√-infl[1sg pres]]x. In contrast, this paper proposes a novel type of OO-Corr termed Transparadigmatic Output-Output Correspondence (Tr-OO-C), involving correspondence between an output [x-y-z] and a base [x-z]. Under Tr-OO-C, morphologically-related forms share the same root as well as share the same outer morphology, but differ in terms of an inner morphology, e.g. [√-deriv-infl]x↔ [√-infl]x. I argue that Ese Ejja (Takanan: Bolivia) is an example of Tr-OO-C, wherein there is unexpected stress uniformity between inflectional and derivational verbal forms. I argue that derivational forms are in correspondence with an inflectional base enforced by highly ranked constraints Id-BO(stress), Corr-BO(root), and Corr-BO(infl), modeled after Agreement-By-Correspondence (Rose & Walker 2004). In total, Ese Ejja prosody is a crucial case study for OO-C and adds to the body of evidence showing how the phonology of words can be shaped by morphologically-related forms.
Description of a new species of Homonota (Reptilia, Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) from the central region of northern Paraguay
Authors: Cacciali Pier , Morando Mariana , Avila Luciano Javier , Koehler Gunther
Published: February 2018

Homonotais a gecko distributed in central and southern South America with 12 species allocated in three groups. In this work, we performed molecular and morphological analyses of samples ofHomonotafrom the central region of northern Paraguay, comparing the data with those of related species of the group:H.horridaandH.septentrionalis. We found strong molecular evidence (based on 16S, Cyt-b, and PRLR gene sequences) to distinguish this lineage as a new species. Morphological statistical analysis showed that females of the three species are different in metric characters (SVL and TL as the most contributing variables), whereas males are less differentiated. No robust differences were found in meristic characters. The most remarkable trait for the diagnosis of the new species is the presence of well-developed keeled tubercles on the sides of the neck, and lack of a white band (crescent-shaped) in the occipital area, which is present inH.horridaandH.septentrionalis. Nevertheless, in our sample, we found three specimens (one juvenile and two young adults) that exhibit the white occipital band. Thus, this character seems only reliable in adults of the new species. The new species is parapatric toH.septentrionalis, both inhabiting the Dry Chaco of Paraguay.
De la théologie au « complot d’impiété » : l’abbé Mallet et les débuts de l’Encyclopédie
Authors: McGinnis Reginald
Published: February 2018

L’abbé Edme Mallet fut l’auteur de plusieurs centaines d’articles de l’ Encyclopédie de Diderot et d’Alembert et le premier théologien à y contribuer. Dans la mesure où l’ Encyclopédie est perçue comme une œuvre anti-religieuse, la participation d’un théologien orthodoxe constitue une sorte d’énigme que l’on a souvent tenté d’expliquer en recourant à des théories conspirationnistes. Reginald McGinnis propose d’inverser l’approche habituelle consistant à faire précéder l’appréciation de Mallet de celle de la religion. La question de la religion dans l’ Encyclopédie ayant presque toujours été interprétée à travers la lentille des controverses qui opposaient Diderot et d’Alembert à des jansénistes et à des jésuites, et la participation de Mallet ayant fini, pour l’essentiel, avant ces controverses, il parait nécessaire à l’auteur de reprendre le dossier depuis le début.
Contributions du D r Louis Perrier aux recherches en psychologie, en éducation et en pédagogie : conflits et enjeux (1907-1945)
Authors: Pithon Gérard
Published: February 2018

À la fin du xix e siècle, et au début du xx e , un mouvement anticlérical et laïc s’appuie sur la science et la psychologie scientifique en plein essor pour lutter contre des croyances, des superstitions et la foi, en les réduisant à des processus psycho pathologiques. La Faculté de théologie protestante de Montauban réagit en recrutant des enseignants-chercheurs réputés pour leurs compétences interdisciplinaires, notamment Franz Leenhardt et ensuite le D r Louis Perrier, diplômé de la Faculté des sciences et de médecine de Montpellier, mais aussi de la Faculté de théologie de Montauban dont Gérard Pithon analyse ici les travaux. Spécialisé dans les troubles obsessionnels compulsifs, à caractère religieux en particulier, Louis Perrier a contribué au développement d’un courant de recherches sur le sentiment religieux impulsé par Henri Bois. Il a œuvré pour le transfert de la Faculté de théologie de Montauban à Montpellier. Ses engagements d’enseignant, de chercheur et de médecin visaient à promouvoir la démarche scientifique contre l’obscurantisme et les fanatismes, à défendre avant l’heure la symbiose éco-systémique de l’homme dans son environnement, notamment en pays cévenol. À la fin de sa carrière, il semble s’investir davantage dans des recherches appliquées à l’éducation et à la pédagogie, où la nature et sa préservation doivent jouer un rôle important pour responsabiliser les jeunes au devenir de l’humanité.
La Vierge, les citadins et le clergé. Dévotion mariale et politique urbaine à Cambrai au Moyen Âge central
Authors: Waerniers Ewoud
Published: February 2018

Comme dans beaucoup d’autres villes épiscopales du Nord de la France, la Vierge Marie n’était pas seulement la sainte patronne du diocèse de Cambrai, mais aussi de la population urbaine. Dans le contexte des tensions communales entre le clergé et la population laïque au Moyen Âge central, le culte de Marie était un point de discussion primordial. Cette importance est confirmée par la description de la translation du reliquaire de Notre-Dame de la cathédrale au marché cambrésien en 1165 qui a provoqué une controverse entre le clergé et la population laïque au sujet du traitement de la relique sacrée. Par le biais d’une étude des rituels, du temps et de l’espace et en comparant avec des événements similaires dans d’autres villes au nord de la France, à savoir Arras et Tournai, cet article offre une analyse d’une part du rôle du culte de Marie dans la population laïque et d’autre part de l’émancipation de la population urbaine au milieu du Moyen Âge.
Bifidobacterial strains shared by mother and child as source of probiotics
Authors: Peirotén A. , Arqués J.L. , Medina M. , Rodríguez-Mínguez E.
Published: February 2018

Importance of bifidobacteria as part of the infant intestinal microbiota has been highlighted. Their acquisition is influenced by the mode of birth and the feed regime afterwards, with a special role of the maternal microbiota. The presence of the same shared bifidobacterial strains between breast milk and infant faeces in 14 mother-infant pairs was assessed by means of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) genotyping. Four shared strains of Bifidobacterium breve (2), Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis and B. longum subsp. longum were found in breast milk-infant faeces pairs. Two years later, a second survey yielded four shared strains of the species Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, B. longum subsp. longum and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum. Moreover, a B. bifidum strain was found to be shared by the infant faeces of the first study and the mother faeces tested two years later, pointing out a long term persistence. Some of the selected bifidobacterial strains showed probiotic potential due to their survival to gastrointestinal conditions and their ability to form biofilms.
Contribution to the logistic evaluation system in the transportation process in Santo Domingo, Ecuador
Authors: Martínez Vivar Rodobaldo , Sánchez Rodríguez Alexander , Pérez Campdesuñer Reyner , García Vidal Gelmar
Published: February 2018

Purpose: The objective of the present research is to design and apply a methodology to evaluate the logistics system in the transportation process in a base vehicle fleet, which contributes to decrease the costs of distribution and to increase the performance of the logistics system of the organization.Design/methodology: The proposal of a holistic technology for the management of this process is carried out, which integrates indicators and tools that improve control and decision-making activities in this area.Findings: The application of the procedure developed in the selected organization contributed to the identification of deficiencies related to the availability of the equipment and the needs of the clients, the low technical availability of the automotive plant, the low utilization of the capacity of the freight vehicles, the absence of a plan of measures to diminish the empty routes of the transport and the overconsumption of fuel due to the accomplishment of extra trips. Aspects that contributed to the redesign of some of the main functions of physical distribution such as itinerary planning, selection of means of transport and analysis of operating indicators, aspects that favored the optimization of the number of trips and, consequently, the adequate use of the equipment and the loads to be transported, observing a saving of 15% in the fuel consumption per load transported.Originality: The originality of the present research lies in the combination of different theories and techniques that contribute from a holistic approach to the logistics evaluation of the transportation process, facilitating the optimization of transportation requirements, its operation and maintenance.
The project scheduling problem with non-deterministic activities duration: A literature review
Authors: Ortiz Pimiento Nestor Raul , Diaz Serna Francisco Javier
Published: February 2018

Purpose: The goal of this article is to provide an extensive literature review of the models and solution procedures proposed by many researchers interested on the Project Scheduling Problem with non-deterministic activities duration.Design/methodology/approach: This paper presents an exhaustive literature review, identifying the existing models where the activities duration were taken as uncertain or random parameters. In order to get published articles since 1996, was employed the Scopus database. The articles were selected on the basis of reviews of abstracts, methodologies, and conclusions. The results were classified according to following characteristics: year of publication, mathematical representation of the activities duration, solution techniques applied, and type of problem solved.Findings: Genetic Algorithms (GA) was pointed out as the main solution technique employed by researchers, and the Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (RCPSP) as the most studied type of problem. On the other hand, the application of new solution techniques, and the possibility of incorporating traditional methods into new PSP variants was presented as research trends.Originality/value: This literature review contents not only a descriptive analysis of the published articles but also a statistical information section in order to examine the state of the research activity carried out in relation to the Project Scheduling Problem with non-deterministic activities duration.
Identification and classification of behavioural indicators to assess innovation competence
Authors: Pérez Peñalver María Jose , Aznar Mas Lourdes E. , Montero Fleta Begoña
Published: February 2018

Purpose: Taking a literature review as a point of departure, the main aim of this paper was the identification of the behavioural indicators of innovators at the workplace, and their classification. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review was addressed by means of a search in Elsevier’s Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. By applying inclusive and exclusive criteria, references were obtained with the search protocol. After filtering and scanning, there was a selection of references plus other articles added by the snowball effect. The final phase undertaken was the classification of the main indicators raised in the publications selected.Findings: Our main contribution was the identification of the behavioural indicators of innovators at the workplace and their classification in five dimensions.Practical implications: This research may yield some light on the assessment of innovative workplace performance of individuals in organisations, as well as on the development of the innovative competence of students in academic institutions as a challenge to meet the needs of both professionals and Higher Education institutions.Originality/value: Some authors have studied the characteristics of innovative people mainly focusing on cognitive abilities, personality, motivation and knowledge. We have sought to offer a better understanding of the phenomenon of individual innovation in organisations, through the analysis of behavioural indicators, an issue that has not been studied from this perspective previously.
Professional Work of Computer Science Students and their Academic Achievements – Imagination vs. Reality
Authors: Milosz Marek , Milosz Elzbieta
Published: February 2018

Due to the rapid development of Information Technology in the EU and throughout the world, there is a lack of Computer Science specialists. This lack deepens due to the inability to educate an adequate number of graduates by universities. This phenomenon causes students of computer science to be sought and employed by companies. This may have a negative impact on the academic achievements of these students. The paper presents the results of questionnaire surveys of Computer Science students at all levels and years of study. The study was conducted over two consecutive years. The article presents the research methodology and comparative analysis of their results. On this basis, a deeper analysis of the data contained in the questionnaires was made to verify the reality of students' perceptions about the impact of their employment on their academic achievements. The self-assessment of the impact of employment on the study process by freshmen and other students was also compared.