bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Temporal Effects on Truck Accident Occurrences in Manhattan, New York City
Authors: Marquis Robyn , Wang Xiaokun (Cara)
Published: September 2015

Truck-related crash occurrences in Manhattan, New York City, are analyzed during four time blocks: morning peak (AMP, 6:00 to 10:00 a.m.), midday (MD, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), afternoon peak (PMP, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.), and nighttime (NT, 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.). The results of zero-inflated negative binomial models indicate that both the built environment and traffic flows contribute to temporal variation in truck-related crash occurrences. More specifically, tracts with larger populations and higher employment in the finance, insurance, and health care sectors tend to have fewer crashes at night. In contrast, larger household sizes and the retail, professional services, education, and accommodation industry sectors are associated with increased NT crash occurrences. In addition, if 1,000 trucks were shifted from AMP to the NT, the average tract would experience a net increase of truck crashes of 0.2160; the net increase would be 0.1948 if the trucks were shifted from the PMP to the NT. Shifting trucks from the MD to the NT reduces the count by 0.0267; this result suggests that this strategy might provide the best safety benefits. When possible induced nontruck demand is accounted for, even the largest impact on safety (during the PMP) increased crashes by only 3.56%. These findings fill the void of studies that focused on the influence of temporal effects on truck crash occurrences in congested urban settings.
Simplified Method for Comparing Emissions in Roundabouts and at Signalized Intersections
Authors: Salamati Katy , Rouphail Nagui M. , Frey H. Christopher , Liu Bin , Schroeder Bastian J.
Published: September 2015

An empirically based macroscopic method is presented. It estimates and compares the pollutant emissions generated from signalized intersections and roundabouts. This method was built on a large sample size of real-world second-by-second vehicle trajectories, traffic volumes, and other traffic characteristics collected at signalized intersections and roundabouts in six U.S. states. The basis for predicting and estimating pollutant emissions was the concept of vehicle-specific power. The method enables inclusion of emissions standards and vehicle classes, such as Tier 1 (T1) and Tier 2 (T2) passenger cars (PCs) and passenger trucks (PTs). More than 1,980 vehicle trajectories were analyzed. Traffic variables including intersection capacity, demand-to-capacity ratio ( d/ c), cycle length, green-to-cycle length ratio, signal progression (i.e., arrival type), and number of lanes were included in the model for analysis and comparison between signals and roundabouts. Application of the method to a case study showed that on average under low d/ c (<0.7), roundabouts generated lower emission rates than signalized intersections. As demand approached capacity under high traffic volumes, signalized intersections with favorable progression (i.e., most demand arrived during green phase) generally produced lower emission rates than roundabouts. Signalized intersections with poor progression (i.e., most demand arrived during red phase) generated more emissions than roundabouts. Results also showed that during oversaturation periods (when d/ c > 1), the amount of produced emissions increased steadily in roundabouts but increased a large amount at signals.
Simulation Study of Truck Traffic at Single-Lane Roundabouts with and without Slip Lanes
Authors: Al-Ghandour Majed
Published: September 2015

As transportation planners and engineers design useful and effective roundabouts, these professionals are challenged by the need to accommodate safely truck traffic and high truck volumes in particular. Delay is a major challenge with truck traffic, especially with returning left-turning trucks. The delay performance of single-lane roundabouts with an adjacent slip lane for right turns was considered under various truck traffic percentages and two slip lane exit types (free flow and yield). A microsimulation assessment compared four percentages of right-turn truck traffic: 0% (no trucks), 5%, 45%, and 80%. Results indicate that the average delay of a roundabout with a slip lane under various truck traffic percentages is a nonlinear relationship with slip lane volumes and is sensitive to changes in truck traffic percentages before oversaturation is reached. As expected, results indicate that a free-flow slip lane exit type significantly reduces total average delay in roundabouts compared with having no slip lane with truck traffic. Yield slip lane exit types also reduced total average delay from truck traffic in roundabouts, but to a lesser degree than free-flow slip lane exit types. At higher truck traffic volumes, overall average roundabout delay decreased 15% (estimated VISSIM 95% confidence interval of reduction estimated between —16% and —2%) with a free-flow slip lane exit type. Finally, returning left-turn trucks increased total roundabout average delay significantly, by 64%.
Impact of Including Exiting Vehicles in Single-Lane Roundabout Capacity Models
Authors: Suh Wonho , Barry Christina , Schmitt Laura , Anderson James , Rodgers Michael O. , Hunter Michael
Published: September 2015

Roundabouts are classified as alternative intersection forms because they provide operational conditions not found at conventional intersections (e.g., a low-speed environment and fewer possible vehicle conflicts). Such conditions provide a combination of safety and operational benefit that normally is not achievable at a conventional intersection. The ability to predict capacity accurately is important when alternative intersection designs are examined. Highway Capacity Manual 2010 provides a current method for determining the capacity of a roundabout approach in which vehicles that exit on the same approach are considered not to influence capacity. However, the inclusion of exiting vehicles in the model creates a different circulating vehicle gap distribution (dividing larger gaps into smaller gaps) that reduces the number of opportunities to measure follow-up headway. Also, most critical headway values for the analysis are smaller than the critical headway values found when exiting vehicles are excluded. Capacity equations were developed from video imagery recorded for 28 approaches at 13 roundabouts, and the impact of including exiting vehicles in the analysis of single-lane roundabout capacity was evaluated. Vehicles exiting the roundabout were found to have a measurable impact on the estimated capacity of the roundabout approach. Both follow-up and critical headway values decreased when exiting vehicles were included. Also, the estimated capacity including exiting vehicles was found to increase or decrease (relative to capacity estimates that excluded exiting vehicles) depending on the percentage of conflicting vehicles that were exiting vehicles.
Heavy Metals in Crop Plants: Transport and Redistribution Processes on the Whole Plant Level
Authors: Page Valérie , Feller Urs
Published: September 2015

Copper, zinc, manganese, iron, nickel and molybdenum are essential micronutrients for plants. However, when present in excess they may damage the plant or decrease the quality of harvested plant products. Some other heavy metals such as cadmium, lead or mercury are not needed by plants and represent pollutants. The uptake into the roots, the loading into the xylem, the acropetal transport to the shoot with the transpiration stream and the further redistribution in the phloem are crucial for the distribution in aerial plant parts. This review is focused on long-distance transport of heavy metals via xylem and phloem and on interactions between the two transport systems. Phloem transport is the basis for the redistribution within the shoot and for the accumulation in fruits and seeds. Solutes may be transferred from the xylem to the phloem (e.g., in the small bundles in stems of cereals, in minor leaf veins). Nickel is highly phloem-mobile and directed to expanding plant parts. Zinc and to a lesser degree also cadmium are also mobile in the phloem and accumulate in meristems (root tips, shoot apex, axillary buds). Iron and manganese are characterized by poor phloem mobility and are retained in older leaves.
Extreme Ultraviolet Spectra of Few-Times Ionized Tungsten for Divertor Plasma Diagnostics
Authors: Clementson Joel , Lennartsson Thomas , Beiersdorfer Peter
Published: September 2015

The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission from few-times ionized tungsten atoms has been experimentally studied at the Livermore electron beam ion trap facility. The ions were produced and confined during low-energy operations of the EBIT-I electron beam ion trap. By varying the electron-beam energy from around 30–300 eV, tungsten ions in charge states expected to be abundant in tokamak divertor plasmas were excited, and the resulting EUV emission was studied using a survey spectrometer covering 120–320 Å. It is found that the emission strongly depends on the excitation energy; below 150 eV, it is relatively simple, consisting of strong isolated lines from a few charge states, whereas at higher energies, it becomes very complex. For divertor plasmas with tungsten impurity ions, this emission should prove useful for diagnostics of tungsten flux rates and charge balance, as well as for radiative cooling of the divertor volume. Several lines in the 194–223 Å interval belonging to the spectra of five- and seven-times ionized tungsten (Tm-like W VI and Ho-like W VIII) were also measured using a high-resolution spectrometer.
A Hydrodynamical Model for Carriers and Phonons With Generation-Recombination, Including Auger Effect
Authors: Rossani Alberto
Published: September 2015

The asymptotic procedure proposed allows to derive closed hydrodynamical equations from the kinetic equations of carriers and phonons (treated as a partecipating species) in a photon background. The direct generation-recombination processes are accounted for. The fluid-dynamical equations constructed for the chemical potentials of carriers, temperature, and drift velocity, are related to the extended thermodynamical (ET) ones for the chemical potentials of carriers, temperature, and drift velocity. In the drift-diffusion approximation the constitutive laws are derived and the Onsager relation recovered.
Determining the Frequency for Load-Independent Output Current in Three-Coil Wireless Power Transfer System
Authors: Sun Longzhao , Tang Houjun , Zhang Yingyi
Published: September 2015

Conditions for load-independent output voltage or current in two-coil wireless power transfer (WPT) systems have been studied. However, analysis of load-independent output current in three-coil WPT system is still lacking in previous studies. This paper investigates the output current characteristics of a three-coil WPT system against load variations, and determines the operating frequency to achieve a constant output current. First, a three-coil WPT system is modeled by circuit theory, and the analytical expression of the root-mean-square of the output current is derived. By substituting the coupling coefficients, the quality factor, and the resonant frequency of each coil, we propose a method of calculating the frequency for load-independent output current in a three-coil WPT system, which indicates that there are two frequencies that can achieve load-independent output current. Experiments are conducted to validate these analytical results.
The Economic Viability of Renewable Portfolio Standard Support for Offshore Wind Farm Projects in Korea
Authors: Min Chang-Gi , Park Jong , Hur Don , Kim Mun-Kyeom
Published: September 2015

Offshore wind farm (WF) projects have been promoted by support schemes as part of the expansion of renewable energy resources in Korea. This paper examines in detail how the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which was adopted post the Feed-in-Tariff scheme in 2012, has had a profound impact on the economic benefits of offshore WFs in Korea. A framework for analyzing the economic viability of RPS is presented and applied to the sixth basic plan for long-term electricity supply and demand in Korea. The electricity market price is forecast using a reformulated probabilistic production cost (PPC) model, and the renewable energy certificate (REC) price is calculated using its determination rule. The results show that the existing RPS will be ineffective in increasing the penetration of offshore WFs in Korea; however, they also indicate that the economic viability of offshore WFs could be improved by adjusting the existing RPS.
Parametric Optimization of Regenerative Organic Rankine Cycle System for Diesel Engine Based on Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Wang Hongjin , Zhang Hongguang , Yang Fubin , Song Songsong , Chang Ying , Bei Chen , Yang Kai
Published: September 2015

To efficiently recover the waste heat from a diesel engine exhaust, a regenerative organic Rankine cycle (RORC) system was employed, and butane, R124, R416A, and R134a were used as the working fluids. The resulting diesel engine-RORC combined system was defined and the relevant evaluation indexes were proposed. First, the variation tendency of the exhaust energy rate under various diesel engine operating conditions was analyzed using experimental data. The thermodynamic model of the RORC system was established based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and the net power output and exergy destruction rate of the RORC system were selected as the objective functions. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was used to optimize the operating parameters of the RORC system, including evaporating pressure, intermediate pressure, and degree of superheat. The operating performances of the RORC system and diesel engine-RORC combined system were studied for the four selected working fluids under various operating conditions of the diesel engine. The results show that the operating performances of the RORC system and the combined system using butane are optimal on the basis of optimizing the operating parameters; when the engine speed is 2200 r/min and engine torque is 1215 N·m, the net power output of the RORC system using butane is 36.57 kW, and the power output increasing ratio (POIR) of the combined system using butane is 11.56%.
Decision Support for Energy Contracts Negotiation with Game Theory and Adaptive Learning
Authors: Pinto Tiago , Vale Zita , Praça Isabel , Pires E. , Lopes Fernando
Published: September 2015

This paper presents a decision support methodology for electricity market players’ bilateral contract negotiations. The proposed model is based on the application of game theory, using artificial intelligence to enhance decision support method’s adaptive features. This model is integrated in AiD-EM (Adaptive Decision Support for Electricity Markets Negotiations), a multi-agent system that provides electricity market players with strategic behavior capabilities to improve their outcomes from energy contracts’ negotiations. Although a diversity of tools that enable the study and simulation of electricity markets has emerged during the past few years, these are mostly directed to the analysis of market models and power systems’ technical constraints, making them suitable tools to support decisions of market operators and regulators. However, the equally important support of market negotiating players’ decisions is being highly neglected. The proposed model contributes to overcome the existing gap concerning effective and realistic decision support for electricity market negotiating entities. The proposed method is validated by realistic electricity market simulations using real data from the Iberian market operator—MIBEL. Results show that the proposed adaptive decision support features enable electricity market players to improve their outcomes from bilateral contracts’ negotiations.
Integrated Three-Voltage-Booster DC-DC Converter to Achieve High Voltage Gain with Leakage-Energy Recycling for PV or Fuel-Cell Power Systems
Authors: Shen Chih-Lung , Chen Hong-Yu , Chiu Po-Chieh
Published: September 2015

In this paper, an integrated three-voltage-booster DC-DC (direct current to direct current) converter is proposed to achieve high voltage gain for renewable-energy generation systems. The proposed converter integrates three voltage-boosters into one power stage, which is composed of an active switch, a coupled-inductor, five diodes, and five capacitors. As compared with conventional high step-up converters, it has a lower component count. In addition, the features of leakage-energy recycling and switching loss reduction can be accomplished for conversion efficiency improvement. While the active switch is turned off, the converter can inherently clamp the voltage across power switch and suppress voltage spikes. Moreover, the reverse-recovery currents of all diodes can be alleviated by leakage inductance. A 200 W prototype operating at 100 kHz switching frequency with 36 V input and 400 V output is implemented to verify the theoretical analysis and to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed high step-up DC-DC converter.
Changing Perceptions of Forest Value and Attitudes toward Management of a Recently Established Nature Reserve: A Case Study in Southwest China
Authors: Yang Hua , Harrison Rhett , Yi Zhuang-Fang , Goodale Eben , Zhao Ming-Xu , Xu Jian-Chu
Published: September 2015

Identifying the main sources of conflict and understanding the relationships between protected areas and local communities are critical to conflict resolution related to protected area management. We surveyed and assessed the perceptions of local people related to forest values of the Bulong Nature Reserve (BNR), Yunnan, China, and their attitudes toward forest management of the recently-established nature reserve. Factors influencing the differences in perceptions and attitudes were investigated. Our results indicated local residents preferred the economic value of forests, and they perceived more forest values after reserve establishment than before, especially for ecological services. Interviewees believed the value of the forests have increased, and predicted that the forest will have increased importance to their livelihoods and health in the future. Nonetheless, the majority of interviewees were dissatisfied with current reserve management. Variation in these perceptions and attitudes were related to several social variables: age, gender, education, and distance from the reserve. Embedding the findings of the present study, specifically the perceptions and attitudes of local people, into management guidelines for mitigation of potential conflicts is proposed and should help managers to achieve biodiversity-related goals. This study offers new insights related to the identification of the underlying sources of conflict in forest management and provides a better understanding of the relationship between local people and protected areas. The study also contributes to the literature on forest values of indigenous populations by examining those of remote, rural populations in China.
High Birth Weight Increases the Risk for Bone Tumor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Songfeng , Yang Lin , Pu Feifei , Lin Hui , Wang Baichuan , Liu Jianxiang , Shao Zengwu
Published: September 2015

There have been several epidemiologic studies on the relationship between high birth weight and the risk for bone tumor in the past decades. However, due to the rarity of bone tumors, the sample size of individual studies was generally too small for reliable conclusions. Therefore, we have performed a meta-analysis to pool all published data on electronic databases with the purpose to clarify the potential relationship. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 independent studies with more than 2796 cases were included. As a result, high birth weight was found to increase the risk for bone tumor with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 1.13, with the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) ranging from 1.01 to 1.27. The OR of bone tumor for an increase of 500 gram of birth weight was 1.01 (95% CI 1.00–1.02; p = 0.048 for linear trend). Interestingly, individuals with high birth weight had a greater risk for osteosarcoma (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.40, p = 0.006) than those with normal birth weight. In addition, in the subgroup analysis by geographical region, elevated risk was detected among Europeans (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.00–1.29, p = 0.049). The present meta-analysis supported a positive association between high birth weight and bone tumor risk.
Performance and Behavior of Family Firms
Authors: Memili Esra
Published: September 2015

This Guest Editor’s note reflects on the contributions of each article in the Special Issue on family firms’ behavior and performance. Building on this, several under-researched areas concerning family involvement in businesses are identified and the resulting impact on firm behavior and performance is explained. Finally, future research directions and insights for practitioners are outlined.
CrWSKP1, an SKP1-like Gene, Is Involved in the Self-Incompatibility Reaction of “Wuzishatangju” (Citrus reticulata Blanco)
Authors: Li Peng , Miao Hongxia , Ma Yuewen , Wang Lu , Hu Guibing , Ye Zixing , Zhao Jietang , Qin Yonghua
Published: September 2015

Plant S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 (SKP1) genes play crucial roles in plant development and differentiation. However, the role of SKP1 in citrus is unclear. Herein, we described a novel SKP1-like gene, designated as CrWSKP1, from “Wuzishatangju” (Citrus reticulata Blanco). The cDNA sequence of CrWSKP1 is 779 base pairs (bp) and contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 477 bp. The genomic sequence of the CrWSKP1 gene is 1296 bp with two exons and one intron. CrWSKP1 has high identity with SKP1-like genes from other plant species within two conserved regions. Approximately 85% of pollen tubes of self-pollinated CrWSKP1 transgenic tobaccos became twisted at four days after self-pollination. Pollen tube numbers of self-pollinated CrWSKP1 transformants entering into ovules were significantly fewer than that of the control. Seed number of self-pollinated CrWSKP1 transformants was significantly reduced. These results suggested that the CrWSKP1 is involved in the self-incompatibility (SI) reaction of “Wuzishatangju”.
The Three Bacterial Lines of Defense against Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Zhou Gang , Shi Qing-Shan , Huang Xiao-Mo , Xie Xiao-Bao
Published: September 2015

Antimicrobial agents target a range of extra- and/or intracellular loci from cytoplasmic wall to membrane, intracellular enzymes and genetic materials. Meanwhile, many resistance mechanisms employed by bacteria to counter antimicrobial agents have been found and reported in the past decades. Based on their spatially distinct sites of action and distribution of location, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of bacteria were categorized into three groups, coined the three lines of bacterial defense in this review. The first line of defense is biofilms, which can be formed by most bacteria to overcome the action of antimicrobial agents. In addition, some other bacteria employ the second line of defense, the cell wall, cell membrane, and encased efflux pumps. When antimicrobial agents permeate the first two lines of defense and finally reach the cytoplasm, many bacteria will make use of the third line of defense, including alterations of intracellular materials and gene regulation to protect themselves from harm by bactericides. The presented three lines of defense theory will help us to understand the bacterial resistance mechanisms against antimicrobial agents and design efficient strategies to overcome these resistances.
An Ensemble Method to Distinguish Bacteriophage Virion from Non-Virion Proteins Based on Protein Sequence Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Lina , Zhang Chengjin , Gao Rui , Yang Runtao
Published: September 2015

Bacteriophage virion proteins and non-virion proteins have distinct functions in biological processes, such as specificity determination for host bacteria, bacteriophage replication and transcription. Accurate identification of bacteriophage virion proteins from bacteriophage protein sequences is significant to understand the complex virulence mechanism in host bacteria and the influence of bacteriophages on the development of antibacterial drugs. In this study, an ensemble method for bacteriophage virion protein prediction from bacteriophage protein sequences is put forward with hybrid feature spaces incorporating CTD (composition, transition and distribution), bi-profile Bayes, PseAAC (pseudo-amino acid composition) and PSSM (position-specific scoring matrix). When performing on the training dataset 10-fold cross-validation, the presented method achieves a satisfactory prediction result with a sensitivity of 0.870, a specificity of 0.830, an accuracy of 0.850 and Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.701, respectively. To evaluate the prediction performance objectively, an independent testing dataset is used to evaluate the proposed method. Encouragingly, our proposed method performs better than previous studies with a sensitivity of 0.853, a specificity of 0.815, an accuracy of 0.831 and MCC of 0.662 on the independent testing dataset. These results suggest that the proposed method can be a potential candidate for bacteriophage virion protein prediction, which may provide a useful tool to find novel antibacterial drugs and to understand the relationship between bacteriophage and host bacteria. For the convenience of the vast majority of experimental Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16 21735 scientists, a user-friendly and publicly-accessible web-server for the proposed ensemble method is established.
Surface Properties of Squalene/Meibum Films and NMR Confirmation of Squalene in Tears
Authors: Ivanova Slavyana , Tonchev Vesselin , Yokoi Norihiko , Yappert Marta , Borchman Douglas , Georgiev Georgi
Published: September 2015

Squalene (SQ) possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities (antioxidant, drug carrier, detoxifier, hydrating, emollient) that can be of benefit to the ocular surface. It can come in contact with human meibum (hMGS; the most abundant component of the tear film lipid layer) as an endogenous tear lipid or from exogenous sources as eyelid sebum or pharmaceuticals. The aims of this study were to determine (i) if SQ is in tear lipids and (ii) its influence on the surface properties of hMGS films. Heteronuclear single quantum correlation NMR confirmed 7 mol % SQ in Schirmer’s strips extracts. The properties of SQ/hMGS pseudo-binary films at the air/water interface were studied with Langmuir surface balance, stress-relaxation dilatational rheology and Brewster angle microscopy. SQ does not possess surfactant properties. When mixed with hMGS squalene (i) localized over the layers’ thinner regions and (ii) did not affect the film pressure at high compression. Therefore, tear SQ is unlikely to instigate dry eye, and SQ can be used as a safe and “inert” ingredient in formulations to protect against dry eye. The layering of SQ over the thinner film regions in addition to its pharmacological properties could contribute to the protection of the ocular surface.
Psychosocial Predictors of Compliance with Speed Limits and Alcohol Limits by Spanish Drivers: Modeling Compliance of Traffic Rules
Authors: Bautista Rebeca , Sitges Esther , Tirado Sonia
Published: September 2015

To prevent dangerous driving behaviors, the Spanish government has implemented public policies focused primarily on increasing the harshness of sanctions for violations of traffic laws. However, empirical evidence has demonstrated that other factors, such as social norms and one’s own value system, have an impact on people’s motivation to obey the law. A telephone survey was administered to a random sample of 570 Spanish drivers in order to determine the role played by each of these factors in compliance with two of the most flouted traffic rules. Logistic regression of the data allowed for the construction of models and arrive at the following conclusions: (1) social influence exerted by the reference group is a determining factor in compliance with both traffic laws; (2) legitimacy factors play an important role in complying with alcohol limits; and (3) variables from the deterrence approach only influenced compliance with speed limits, and then only moderately. The results of the present study suggest a need for a review of current public policy approaches for the prevention of dangerous driving behaviors.
Effect of Lemongrass Essential Oil Vapors on Microbial Dynamics and Listeria monocytogenes Survival on Rocket and Melon Stored under Different Packaging Conditions and Temperatures
Authors: Hadjilouka Agni , Polychronopoulou Melissanthi , Paramithiotis Spiros , Tzamalis Periklis , Drosinos Eleftherios
Published: September 2015

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of lemongrass essential oil vapors on the dynamics of surface microbiota and L. monocytogenes growth on rocket and melon under different packaging conditions and storage temperature. For that purpose, rocket and melon were placed on Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) trays, sprayed with L. monocytogenes to a population of 4.5–5.0 log CFU·g−1, packaged using microperforated Oriented Polypropylene (OPP) film in either air or Microperforated Active Modified Atmosphere (MAMA) (initial atmosphere 5% O2, 10% CO2) including a Whatman paper containing the essential oil, without contact with the product, and stored at 0, 5, 10, and 15 °C. Application of lemongrass exhibited a bactericidal effect on enterococci and a fungistatic effect on yeast-mould populations but only during air storage of rocket. The former took place at all temperatures and the latter only at 10 and 15 °C. No effect on shelf life of both products was recorded. However, an important effect on the sensorial properties was observed; during the first 4–5 days of storage both products were organoleptically unacceptable. Regarding MAMA packaging, it affected only Pseudomonas spp. population resulting in a reduction of 1–2 log CFU·g−1 in both products.
Escherichia coli ASKA Clone Library Harboring tRNA-Specific Adenosine Deaminase (tadA) Reveals Resistance towards Xanthorrhizol
Authors: Yogiara  , Kim Dooil , Hwang Jae-Kwan , Pan Jae-Gu
Published: September 2015

Xanthorrhizol is a potent antimicrobial compound isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma xanthorrhiza. However, the mechanism of xanthorrhizol action is unknown. To screen for probable target(s), we introduced the ASKA pooled-plasmid library into Escherichia coli W3110 imp4213 and enriched the library for resistant clones with increasing concentrations of xanthorrhizol. After three rounds of enrichment, we found nine genes that increased xanthorrhizol resistance. The resistant clones were able to grow in LB medium containing 256 µg/mL xanthorrhizol, representing a 16-fold increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration. Subsequent DNA sequence analysis revealed that overexpression of tadA, galU, fucU, ydeA, ydaC, soxS, nrdH, yiiD, and mltF genes conferred increased resistance towards xanthorrhizol. Among these nine genes, tadA is the only essential gene. tadA encodes a tRNA-specific adenosine deaminase. Overexpression of E. coli W3110 imp4213 (pCA24N-tadA) conferred resistance to xanthorrhizol up to 128 µg/mL. Moreover, overexpression of two tadA mutant enzymes (A143V and F149G) led to a twofold increase in the MIC. These results suggest that the targets of xanthorrhizol may include tadA, which has never before been explored as an antibiotic target.
Microfiber-Lithium Niobate on Insulator Hybrid Waveguides for Efficient and Reconfigurable Second-Order Optical Nonlinearity on a Chip
Authors: Gorbach Andrey , Ding Wei
Published: September 2015

We present an optical microfiber-lithium niobate on insulator (MF-LNOI) hybrid waveguide for efficient second-order nonlinear processes. The structure combines the advantages of low-loss fiber and high-nonlinearity waveguide systems. We demonstrate the possibility of phase matching between fundamental and second harmonics in a wide spectral and dimensional range, and efficient second harmonic generation over sub-millimeter propagation distances, both of which are very attractive for high-density on-chip integration.
An Experimental Study on Non-Compression X-Bracing Systems Using Carbon Fiber Composite Cable for Seismic Strengthening of RC Buildings
Authors: Lee Kang
Published: September 2015

Cross-bracing (X-bracing) is one of the most popular methods of seismic retrofitting, and has been shown to significantly increase the structural stiffness and strength of buildings. Conventional steel X-bracing methods typically exhibit brittle failure at the connection between the brace and the building, or buckling failure of the braces. This study investigated the structural properties of a new type of non-compression X-bracing system using carbon fiber composite cable (CFCC). This non-compression X-bracing system uses CFCC bracing and bolt connections between structural members and the terminal fixer of the CFCC, instead of conventional steel bracing. The aim is to overcome the brittle and buckling failures that can occur at the connection and bracings with conventional steel X-bracing methods. We carried out cyclic loading tests, and the maximum load carrying capacity and deformation were investigated, as well as hysteresis in the lateral load–drift relations. The test results revealed that the CFCC X-bracing system installed in reinforced concrete frames enhanced the strength markedly, and buckling failure of the bracing was not observed.
Conceptual Design of an Operator Training Simulator for a Bio-Ethanol Plant
Authors: Gerlach Inga , Hass Volker , Mandenius Carl-Fredrik
Published: September 2015

Conceptual design methodology for the configuration and procedural training with an operating training simulator (OTS) in a large-scale plant for commercial bio-ethanol production is described. The aim of the study is to show how the methodology provides a powerful way for finding the best configuration and training structure of the OTS before constructing and implementing the software of the OTS. The OTS principle, i.e., to use a computer-based virtual representation of the real process plant intended for efficient training of process operators, has long since been applied in aviation and process industries for more efficient and flawless operations. By using the conceptual design methodology (sometimes referred to as bio-mechatronics) a variety of OTS configurations with this capacity was generated. The systematic approach of for targeting the users’ (i.e., the plant management and process operators) needs resulted in better understanding and efficiency in training of hands-on skills in operating the plant. The training included general standard operating procedures for running the plant under normal operation conditions with different starch materials, handling of typical frequent disturbances as well as acting in situations not described in the standard operation procedures and applying trouble-shooting.
Development of Ionic Liquid Modified Disposable Graphite Electrodes for Label-Free Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization Related to Microcystis spp.
Authors: Sengiz Ceren , Congur Gulsah , Erdem Arzum
Published: September 2015

In this present study, ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (IL)) modified pencil graphite electrode (IL-PGEs) was developed for electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization related to Microcystis spp. (MYC). The characterization of IL-PGEs was performed using microscopic and electrochemical techniques. DNA hybridization related to MYC was then explored at the surface of IL-PGEs using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique. After the experimental parameters were optimized, the sequence-selective DNA hybridization related to MYC was performed in the case of hybridization between MYC probe and its complementary DNA target, noncomplementary (NC) or mismatched DNA sequence (MM), or and in the presence of mixture of DNA target: NC (1:1) and DNA target: MM (1:1).
A Wireless Optogenetic Headstage with Multichannel Electrophysiological Recording Capability
Authors: Gagnon-Turcotte Gabriel , Kisomi Alireza , Ameli Reza , Camaro Charles-Olivier , LeChasseur Yoan , Néron Jean-Luc , Bareil Paul , Fortier Paul , Bories Cyril , De Koninck Yves , Gosselin Benoit
Published: September 2015

We present a small and lightweight fully wireless optogenetic headstage capable of optical neural stimulation and electrophysiological recording. The headstage is suitable for conducting experiments with small transgenic rodents, and features two implantable fiber-coupled light-emitting diode (LED) and two electrophysiological recording channels. This system is powered by a small lithium-ion battery and is entirely built using low-cost commercial off-the-shelf components for better flexibility, reduced development time and lower cost. Light stimulation uses customizable stimulation patterns of varying frequency and duty cycle. The optical power that is sourced from the LED is delivered to target light-sensitive neurons using implantable optical fibers, which provide a measured optical power density of 70 mW/mm2 at the tip. The headstage is using a novel foldable rigid-flex printed circuit board design, which results into a lightweight and compact device. Recording experiments performed in the cerebral cortex of transgenic ChR2 mice under anesthetized conditions show that the proposed headstage can trigger neuronal activity using optical stimulation, while recording microvolt amplitude electrophysiological signals.
A New Trans-Tympanic Microphone Approach for Fully Implantable Hearing Devices
Authors: Woo Seong , Shin Dong , Lim Hyung-Gyu , Seong Ki-Woong , Gottlieb Peter , Puria Sunil , Lee Kyu-Yup , Cho Jin-Ho
Published: September 2015

Fully implantable hearing devices (FIHDs) have been developed as a new technology to overcome the disadvantages of conventional acoustic hearing aids. The implantable microphones currently used in FIHDs, however, have difficulty achieving high sensitivity to environmental sounds, low sensitivity to body noise, and ease of implantation. In general, implantable microphones may be placed under the skin in the temporal bone region of the skull. In this situation, body noise picked up during mastication and touching can be significant, and the layer of skin and hair can both attenuate and distort sounds. The new approach presently proposed is a microphone implanted at the tympanic membrane. This method increases the microphone’s sensitivity by utilizing the pinna’s directionally dependent sound collection capabilities and the natural resonances of the ear canal. The sensitivity and insertion loss of this microphone were measured in human cadaveric specimens in the 0.1 to 16 kHz frequency range. In addition, the maximum stable gain due to feedback between the trans-tympanic microphone and a round-window-drive transducer, was measured. The results confirmed in situ high-performance capabilities of the proposed trans-tympanic microphone.
Super Virasoro Algebras From Chiral Supergravity
Authors: Hyakutake Yoshifumi
Published: September 2015

In this note, we construct Noether charges for the chiral supergravity, which contains the Lorentz Chern–Simons term, by applying Wald’s prescription to the vielbein formalism. We investigate the AdS3/CFT2 correspondence by using the vielbein formalism. The asymptotic symmetry group is carefully examined by taking into account the local Lorentz transformation, and we construct super Virasoro algebras with central extensions from the chiral supergravity.
Pollutant Dispersion Modeling in Natural Streams Using the Transmission Line Matrix Method
Authors: Meddah Safia , Saidane Abdelkader , Hadjel Mohamed , Hireche Omar
Published: September 2015

Numerical modeling has become an indispensable tool for solving various physical problems. In this context, we present a model of pollutant dispersion in natural streams for the far field case where dispersion is considered longitudinal and one-dimensional in the flow direction. The Transmission Line Matrix (TLM), which has earned a reputation as powerful and efficient numerical method, is used. The presented one-dimensional TLM model requires a minimum input data and provides a significant gain in computing time. To validate our model, the results are compared with observations and experimental data from the river Severn (UK). The results show a good agreement with experimental data. The model can be used to predict the spatiotemporal evolution of a pollutant in natural streams for effective and rapid decision-making in a case of emergency, such as accidental discharges in a stream with a dynamic similar to that of the river Severn (UK).
Revenus d’activité et niveaux de vie des professionnels de la culture
Authors: Gouyon Marie
Published: September 2015

En France, 2,2 % des actifs exercent une profession culturelle. Au sein des professions culturelles, ils exercent des métiers très divers (artisans d’art, professeurs d’art, artistes et techniciens des spectacles, architectes ou cadres de l’édition, etc.) dont ils tirent des revenus dont la nature et les montants varient fortement d’une profession à l’autre (salaires, revenus d’indépendants, mais aussi revenus de remplacement tels que indemnités de chômage ou même, pour certains actifs, pensions de retraite). L’exploitation de plusieurs éditions de l’enquête Revenus fiscaux et sociaux de l’Insee permet de connaître les revenus annuels moyens tirés de l’activité ainsi que les revenus de complément. Si les salaires annuels moyens perçus par les professionnels de la culture sont globalement équivalents à ceux de l’ensemble des actifs, les revenus de remplacement constituent en revanche une part importante de leurs ressources d’activité. Au total, les actifs des professions culturelles ont perçu en moyenne 26 000 euros de revenus annuels d’activité entre 2005 et 2012. C’est 6 % de plus que la moyenne de l’ensemble des actifs. Toutefois, les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et les conditions d’emploi (qualification, temps de travail, etc.) des professionnels de la culture sont très différentes de celles des autres actifs. À caractéristiques identiques, les professionnels de la culture perçoivent en fait des revenus d’activité inférieurs de 26 % à ceux des autres actifs. La composition du ménage, l’histoire familiale, les revenus d’activités d’autres personnes du ménage, le plus souvent le conjoint, viennent compléter le revenu d’activité. Avec 30 200 euros par an, les revenus d’activité des autres membres du ménage sont plus élevés (+ 16 %) pour les professionnels de la culture que pour les autres actifs. Les ménages des professionnels de la culture déclarent par ailleurs des revenus d’origine sociale, financière ou foncière supérieurs de 13 %, en moyenne, à ceux de l’ensemble des actifs (6 800 euros par an). Rapporté à toutes les personnes composant le ménage, l’ensemble de ces revenus définit le niveau de vie. Entre 2005 et 2012, le niveau de vie annuel moyen des professionnels de la culture s’établit ainsi à 28 300 euros, supérieur de 11 % à celui des autres actifs ; mais là encore, à caractéristiques comparables il est inférieur de 12 % à celui d’un actif exerçant une autre profession. Au sein des professions culturelles, l’écart de revenus d’activité entre hommes et femmes est de 19 % en faveur des hommes, de 29 % dans l’ensemble des actifs en emploi. La prise en compte des revenus complémentaires du ménage, et notamment les revenus du conjoint, conduit à gommer l’écart de revenus d’activité entre les femmes et les hommes : le niveau de vie des femmes actives, qu’elles exercent une profession culturelle ou non, est très proche de celui des hommes.
L’audace de Dieu : prolégomènes à une théologie faible
Authors: Caputo John D.
Published: September 2015

John D. Caputo ** présente ici l’idée selon laquelle Dieu n’existe pas mais qu’il insiste, ce qui donne tout son poids à la responsabilité de l’être humain pour que Dieu existe. Le « peut-être » est ouverture au risque, à l’inattendu d’une existence possible, et constitue une théologie de ce qui peut advenir, ce qui peut arriver et que l’on ne voit pas venir. Une théologie faible se dessine ainsi, en dialogue avec la pensée postmoderne, exigeant une audace qui répond à celle de Dieu.
La Bible à la lettre. Délittéralisation et lecture littérale chez Caputo
Authors: Delecroix Vincent
Published: September 2015

Quel rôle la référence à la parole biblique joue-t-elle dans l’entreprise de déconstruction postmoderne de la métaphysique dont John D. Caputo assume la tâche ? Vincent Delecroix * explore l’idée selon laquelle le langage biblique n’est pas seulement ce qui est affecté par la crise de la métaphysique : il est aussi ce qui participe à cette crise et peut-être ce qui la rend possible. Ce qui a construit l’ontothéologie est aussi ce qui, de l’intérieur, la déconstruit toujours. Mais dans cette ambivalence, le statut de cette parole est en jeu. Une théologie postmoderne réclame la délittéralisation, qui est aussi une désontologisation, d’un tel langage ; mais elle nécessite également, et à l’inverse, un retour ad litteram contre sa traduction religieuse et ontothéologique. Le commentaire de Caputo des deux récits de la Genèse n’en donne pas seulement un exemple : si le statut opératoire de la parole biblique est lié à sa désontologisation, les récits de la création, lus ad litteram , établissent, en déconstruisant le Dieu créateur et souverain de l’Être, la possibilité même de cette désontologisation. Compris littéralement, ils ouvrent l’espace d’une pensée de l’événement qui est elle-même la condition de la délittéralisation.
Pour une théologie du mouvement : l’épreuve de la pratique pastorale
Authors: Renaud-Grosbras Pascale
Published: September 2015

La pratique de la théologie est une mise à l’épreuve de l’immobilité dont nous rêvons pourtant, par laquelle s’ordonnent souvent nos concepts et nos lieux théologiques. Pascale Renaud-Grosbras * s’attache à montrer que la théologie pratique, et tout particulièrement l’épreuve du ministère pastoral, est un lieu mouvant par excellence. Le mouvement, chance pour la théologie, ne l’est pas par choix délibéré, mais en raison de l’objet même de la théologie pratique : ce qui vient est l’horizon de notre espérance.
Dedicated Education Unit Model for a Transition Into Practice Course
Authors: Hill Renee Y. , Foster Beverly , Oermann Marilyn
Published: September 2015

A dedicated education unit (DEU) model involves a collaborative partnership between a clinical agency and a school of nursing. This article describes the development of a DEU for a transition to practice course. No differences were noted in the satisfaction of students, staff nurses, and the clinical agency between the DEU and traditional preceptor models, but the DEU design enabled the school of nursing to place more students in the unit, compared with a preceptorship model.

J Contin Nurs Educ.
2015;46(9):403–408.
There’s an “App” for That: Tips for Preparing Nurses for Roles in Mobile Health
Authors: Billings Diane M.
Published: September 2015

As health care services shift to being provided in the home and in the community, nurses must be prepared to use mobile health applications for diagnosis, monitoring, managing transitions of care, and health coaching.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2015;46(9):390–391.