bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost effectiveness comparison of dutasteride and finasteride in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia - the Markov model based on data from Montenegro
Authors: Dabanovic Vera , Kostic Marina , Jankovic Slobodan
Published: November 2015

Background/Aim. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common
disease among males aging 50 years and more. The rise of the prevalence of
BPH is related to aging, and since duration of life time period has the
tendency of rising the prevalence of BPH will rise as costs of BPH treatment
will and its influence on health economic budget. Dutasteride is a new drug
similar to finasteride, inhibits enzyme testosterone 5-alpha reductase,
diminish symptoms of BPH, reduce risk of the complications and increases
quality of life in patients with BPH. But, the use of dutasteride is limited
by its high costs. The aim of this study was to compare cost effectiveness of
dutasteride and finasteride from the perspective of a purchaser of health
care service (Republic Institute for Health Insuranse, Montenegro). ??thods.
We constructed a Markov model to compare cost effectivenss of dutasteride and
finasteride using data from the available pharmacoeconomic literature and
data about socioeconomic sphere actual in Montenegro. A time horizon was
estimated to be 20 years, with the duration of 1 year per one cycle. The
discount rate was 3%. We performed Monte Carlo simulation for virtual cohort
of 1,000 patients with BPH. Results. The total costs for one year treatment
of BPH with dutasteride were estimated to be 6,458.00 ? which was higher
comparing with finasteride which were 6,088.56 ?. The gain in quality
adjusted life years (QALY) were higher with dutasteride (11.97 QALY ) than
with finasteride (11.19 QALY). The results of our study indicate that
treating BPH with dutasteride comparing to finasteride is a cost effective
option since the value of incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is
1,245.68 ?/QALY which is below estimated threshold (1,350.00 ? per one gained
year of life). Conclusion. Dutasteride is a cost effective option for
treating BPH comparing to finasteride. The results of this study provide new
information for health care decision makers about treatment of BPH in
socioeconomic environment which is actual both in Montenegro and other
countries with a recent history of socioeconomic transition.
A Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Risk Score Can Aid Discrimination Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Young Adults
Authors: Oram Richard A. , Patel Kashyap , Hill Anita , Shields Beverley , McDonald Timothy J. , Jones Angus , Hattersley Andrew T. , Weedon Michael N.
Published: November 2015

OBJECTIVE

With rising obesity, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in young adults. There has been substantial recent progress in identifying the contribution of common genetic variants to T1D and T2D. We aimed to determine whether a score generated from common genetic variants could be used to discriminate between T1D and T2D and also to predict severe insulin deficiency in young adults with diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We developed genetic risk scores (GRSs) from published T1D- and T2D-associated variants. We first tested whether the scores could distinguish clinically defined T1D and T2D from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) (n = 3,887). We then assessed whether the T1D GRS correctly classified young adults (diagnosed at 20–40 years of age, the age-group with the most diagnostic difficulty in clinical practice; n = 223) who progressed to severe insulin deficiency <3 years from diagnosis.

RESULTS

In the WTCCC, the T1D GRS, based on 30 T1D-associated risk variants, was highly discriminative of T1D and T2D (area under the curve [AUC] 0.88 [95% CI 0.87–0.89]; P < 0.0001), and the T2D GRS added little discrimination (AUC 0.89). A T1D GRS >0.280 (>50th centile in those with T1D) is indicative of T1D (50% sensitivity, 95% specificity). A low T1D GRS (<0.234, <5th centile T1D) is indicative of T2D (53% sensitivity, 95% specificity). Most discriminative ability was obtained from just nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (AUC 0.87). In young adults with diabetes, T1D GRS alone predicted progression to insulin deficiency (AUC 0.87 [95% CI 0.82–0.92]; P < 0.0001). T1D GRS, autoantibody status, and clinical features were independent and additive predictors of severe insulin deficiency (combined AUC 0.96 [95% CI 0.94–0.99]; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A T1D GRS can accurately identify young adults with diabetes who will require insulin treatment. This will be an important addition to correctly classifying individuals with diabetes when clinical features and autoimmune markers are equivocal.
Relationship Between Parental Diabetes and Presentation of Metabolic and Glycemic Function in Youth With Type 2 Diabetes: Baseline Findings From the TODAY Trial
Authors: Chernausek Steven D. , Arslanian Silva , Caprio Sonia , Copeland Kenneth C. , El ghormli Laure , Kelsey Megan M. , Koontz Michaela B. , Orsi Carisse M. , Wilfley Denise
Published: November 2015

OBJECTIVE

Children whose parents have diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This report assessed relationships between parental diabetes status and baseline demographics, anthropometrics, metabolic measurements, insulin sensitivity, and β-cell function in children recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The sample included 632 youth (aged 10–17 years) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for <2 years who participated in the TODAY clinical trial. Medical history data were collected at baseline by self-report from parents and family members. Youth baseline measurements included an oral glucose tolerance test and other measures collected by trained study staff.

RESULTS

Youth exposed to maternal diabetes during pregnancy (whether the mother was diagnosed with diabetes prior to pregnancy or had gestational diabetes mellitus) were diagnosed at younger ages (by 0.6 years on average), had greater dysglycemia at baseline (HbA1c increased by 0.3% [3.4 mmol/mol]), and had reduced β-cell function compared with those not exposed (C-peptide index 0.063 vs. 0.092). The effect of maternal diabetes on β-cell function was observed in non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics but not whites. Relationships with paternal diabetes status were minimal.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal diabetes prior to or during pregnancy was associated with poorer glycemic control and β-cell function overall but particularly in non-Hispanic black and Hispanic youth, supporting the hypothesis that fetal exposure to aberrant metabolism may have long-term effects. More targeted research is needed to understand whether the impact of maternal diabetes is modified by racial/ethnic factors or whether the pathway to youth-onset type 2 diabetes differs by race/ethnicity.
Low Carbohydrate–Diet Scores and Long-term Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Women With a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Bao Wei , Li Shanshan , Chavarro Jorge E. , Tobias Deirdre K. , Zhu Yeyi , Hu Frank B. , Zhang Cuilin
Published: November 2015

OBJECTIVE

Low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) may improve short-term glycemic control in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the long-term effect on progression from GDM to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is unknown. We aimed to examine the long-term risk of T2DM in association with a low-carbohydrate dietary pattern among women with a history of GDM.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Overall, 4,502 women with a history of GDM from the Nurses' Health Study II (NHSII) cohort, as part of the Diabetes & Women’s Health (DWH) study, were followed up from 1991 to 2011. Overall, animal, or vegetable LCD scores, which represent adherence to different low-carbohydrate dietary patterns, were calculated using diet intake information assessed every 4 years since 1991 by validated food-frequency questionnaires. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

We documented 722 incident cases of T2DM during 68,897 person-years of observation. The multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CIs) of T2DM, comparing the highest with lowest quintiles, were 1.36 (1.04–1.78) for overall LCD score (P = 0.003 for trend), 1.40 (1.06–1.84) for animal LCD score (P = 0.004 for trend), and 1.19 (0.91–1.55) for vegetable LCD score (P = 0.50 for trend).

CONCLUSIONS

Among women with a history of GDM, a low-carbohydrate dietary pattern, particularly with high protein and fat intake mainly from animal-source foods, is associated with higher T2DM risk, whereas a low-carbohydrate dietary pattern with high protein and fat intake from plant-source foods is not significantly associated with risk of T2DM.
Effects of Control Release Fertilizers on Nutrient Leaching, Palm Growth and Production Cost
Authors: Soti Pushpa , Fleurissaint Angie , Reed Stewart , Jayachandran Krish
Published: November 2015

Objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different controlled release fertilizer technologies on nutrient leaching and plant growth parameters of two palm species, Chinese Fan (Livistona chinensis) and Queen (Syagrus romanzoffiana). We compared Nutri-Pak (12-4-12 controlled release packet) and Harrell’s (12-4-12 controlled release polymer coated urea) against Atlantic (8-4-12 controlled release polymer coated urea, coated sulfate of potash), the most commonly used palm fertilizer in South Florida. Plants were grown in 25 cm (11 L) pots under 70% shade, watered weekly, with pest and weed control done as required. Plant growth parameters: number of leaves, leaf length and width, and basal diameter, were measured every two months. Leachate was collected weekly after irrigation and a two-month composite sample was analyzed for nutrient concentrations. There was no difference in the growth parameters among the three fertilizers for Chinese Fan plants. However for Queen, Atlantic and Harrell’s had significantly thicker basal diameter than Nutri-Pak. Significant difference in the concentration of nutrients in the leachate was observed among the fertilizer types. Throughout the study period, Nutri-Pak had a lower concentration of nutrients in the leachate than Atlantic and Harrell’s. Our research indicates that Nutri-Pak control release fertilizer is comparable to other commercial fertilizers in Chinese Fan growth, but the larger Queen palms likely require an additional packet. Nutri-Pak fertilizer resulted in less nutrient leaching and could be a better environmental choice.
Mass Deposition Fluxes of Asian Dust to the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea from Geostationary Satellite MTSAT: A Case Study
Authors: Tu Qianguang , Hao Zengzhou , Pan Delu
Published: November 2015

Windblown dust aerosol plays an important role in marine ecosystems once they are deposited and dissolved. At present, methods for estimating the deposition flux are mainly limited to direct measurements or model outputs. Additionally, satellite remote sensing was often used to estimate the integral dust column concentration (DCC). In this paper, an algorithm is developed to estimate the mass deposition fluxes of Asian dust by satellite. The dust aerosol is identified firstly and then the DCC is derived based on the relationships between the pre-calculated lookup table (LUT) and observations from Japanese geostationary Multi-functional Transport Satellites (MTSAT). The LUT is built on the dust cloud and surface parameters by a radiation transfer model Streamer. The average change rate of deposition is derived, which shows an exponential decay dependence on transport time along the pathway. Thus, the deposition flux is acquired via integrating the hourly deposition. This simple algorithm is applied to a dust storm that occurred in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea from 1 to 3 March 2008. Results indicate that the properties of the dust cloud over the study area changed rapidly and the mass deposition flux is estimated to be 2.59 Mt.
Prostate Cancer Stem-like Cells Contribute to the Development of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ojo Diane , Lin Xiaozeng , Wong Nicholas , Gu Yan , Tang Damu
Published: November 2015

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the standard care for patients with advanced prostate cancer (PC) since the 1940s. Although ADT shows clear benefits for many patients, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) inevitably occurs. In fact, with the two recent FDA-approved second-generation anti-androgens abiraterone and enzalutamide, resistance develops rapidly in patients with CRPC, despite their initial effectiveness. The lack of effective therapeutic solutions towards CRPC largely reflects our limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for CRPC development. While persistent androgen receptor (AR) signaling under castration levels of serum testosterone (<50 ng/mL) contributes to resistance to ADT, it is also clear that CRPC evolves via complex mechanisms. Nevertheless, the physiological impact of individual mechanisms and whether these mechanisms function in a cohesive manner in promoting CRPC are elusive. In spite of these uncertainties, emerging evidence supports a critical role of prostate cancer stem-like cells (PCSLCs) in stimulating CRPC evolution and resistance to abiraterone and enzalutamide. In this review, we will discuss the recent evidence supporting the involvement of PCSLC in CRPC acquisition as well as the pathways and factors contributing to PCSLC expansion in response to ADT.
Utilizing Humidity and Temperature Data to Advance Monitoring and Prediction of Meteorological Drought
Authors: Behrangi Ali , Loikith Paul , Fetzer Eric , Nguyen Hai , Granger Stephanie
Published: November 2015

The fraction of land area over the Continental United States experiencing extreme hot and dry conditions has been increasing over the past several decades, consistent with expectation from anthropogenic climate change. A clear concurrent change in precipitation, however, has not been confirmed. Vapor pressure deficit (VPD), combining temperature and humidity, is utilized here as an indicator of the background atmospheric conditions associated with meteorological drought. Furthermore, atmospheric conditions associated with warm season drought events are assessed by partitioning associated VPD anomalies into the temperature and humidity components. This approach suggests that the concurrence of anomalously high temperature and low humidity was an important driver of the rapid development and evolution of the exceptionally severe 2011 Texas and the 2012 Great Plains droughts. By classification of a decade of extreme drought events and tracking them back in time, it was found that near surface atmospheric temperature and humidity add essential information to the commonly used precipitation-based drought indicators and can advance efforts to determine the timing of drought onset and its severity.
Selection of Cutting Inserts in Dry Machining for Reducing Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions
Authors: Domingo Rosario , Marín Marta , Claver Juan , Calvo Roque
Published: November 2015

Manufacturing processes are responsible for climate change due to the emissions produced as result of energy consumption. This paper analyzes the influence of the cutting conditions and the characteristics of cutting tools on the energy required in machining processes and the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) emissions generated per material removed ratio (MRR) in an effort to define common criteria for using cutting inserts in a sustainable manner. Consequently, four cutting inserts were evaluated during the turning of Ti6Al4V alloy. An experimental and statistical methodology that combined the orthogonal array L36, the signal-to-noise ratio under the “small is better” criterion of Taguchi, and a multifactor analysis of variance was used. The effects of the geometry, material and coating of the tool and the cutting conditions on the energy and the carbon footprint during the manufacturing process were analyzed. The results show that a high tool cutting length and a high cutting depth are significant common factors, whereas the coating-cutting depth and cutting length-cutting speed are significant common interactions for both the energy/MRR ratio and the CO2-eq emissions/MRR ratio, and the coating-cutting speed exhibits a significant interaction for emissions. The outcomes show that the lifespan of the tool has little influence on the total emissions, at the time that the methodology is able to identify the most appropriate manner to calculate energy.
Economic, Environmental and Health Implications of Enhanced Ventilation in Office Buildings
Authors: MacNaughton Piers , Pegues James , Satish Usha , Santanam Suresh , Spengler John , Allen Joseph
Published: November 2015

Introduction: Current building ventilation standards are based on acceptable minimums. Three decades of research demonstrates the human health benefits of increased ventilation above these minimums. Recent research also shows the benefits on human decision-making performance in office workers, which translates to increased productivity. However, adoption of enhanced ventilation strategies is lagging. We sought to evaluate two of the perceived potential barriers to more widespread adoption—Economic and environmental costs. Methods: We estimated the energy consumption and associated per building occupant costs for office buildings in seven U.S. cities, representing different climate zones for three ventilation scenarios (standard practice (20 cfm/person), 30% enhanced ventilation, and 40 cfm/person) and four different heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system strategies (Variable Air Volume (VAV) with reheat and a Fan Coil Unit (FCU), both with and without an energy recovery ventilator). We also estimated emissions of greenhouse gases associated with this increased energy usage, and, for comparison, converted this to the equivalent number of vehicles using greenhouse gas equivalencies. Lastly, we paired results from our previous research on cognitive function and ventilation with labor statistics to estimate the economic benefit of increased productivity associated with increasing ventilation rates. Results: Doubling the ventilation rate from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers minimum cost less than $40 per person per year in all climate zones investigated. Using an energy recovery ventilation system significantly reduced energy costs, and in some scenarios led to a net savings. At the highest ventilation rate, adding an ERV essentially neutralized the environmental impact of enhanced ventilation (0.03 additional cars on the road per building across all cities). The same change in ventilation improved the performance of workers by 8%, equivalent to a $6500 increase in employee productivity each year. Reduced absenteeism and improved health are also seen with enhanced ventilation. Conclusions: The health benefits associated with enhanced ventilation rates far exceed the per-person energy costs relative to salary costs. Environmental impacts can be mitigated at regional, building, and individual-level scales through the transition to renewable energy sources, adoption of energy efficient systems and ventilation strategies, and promotion of other sustainable policies.
A Discriminant Function Approach to Adjust for Processing and Measurement Error When a Biomarker is Assayed in Pooled Samples
Authors: Lyles Robert , Van Domelen Dane , Mitchell Emily , Schisterman Enrique
Published: November 2015

Pooling biological specimens prior to performing expensive laboratory assays has been shown to be a cost effective approach for estimating parameters of interest. In addition to requiring specialized statistical techniques, however, the pooling of samples can introduce assay errors due to processing, possibly in addition to measurement error that may be present when the assay is applied to individual samples. Failure to account for these sources of error can result in biased parameter estimates and ultimately faulty inference. Prior research addressing biomarker mean and variance estimation advocates hybrid designs consisting of individual as well as pooled samples to account for measurement and processing (or pooling) error. We consider adapting this approach to the problem of estimating a covariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) relating a binary outcome to a continuous exposure or biomarker level assessed in pools. In particular, we explore the applicability of a discriminant function-based analysis that assumes normal residual, processing, and measurement errors. A potential advantage of this method is that maximum likelihood estimation of the desired adjusted log OR is straightforward and computationally convenient. Moreover, in the absence of measurement and processing error, the method yields an efficient unbiased estimator for the parameter of interest assuming normal residual errors. We illustrate the approach using real data from an ancillary study of the Collaborative Perinatal Project, and we use simulations to demonstrate the ability of the proposed estimators to alleviate bias due to measurement and processing error.
Leptin Genes in Blunt Snout Bream: Cloning, Phylogeny and Expression Correlated to Gonads Development
Authors: Zhao Honghao , Zeng Cong , Yi Shaokui , Wan Shiming , Chen Boxiang , Gao Zexia
Published: November 2015

To investigate the leptin related genes expression patterns and their possible function during the gonadal development in fish, the cDNA and genomic sequences of leptin, leptin receptor (leptinR), and leptin receptor overlapping transcript like-1 (leprotl1) were cloned and their expression levels were quantified in the different gonadal development stages of Megalobrama amblycephala. The results showed that the full length cDNA sequences of leptin, leptinR and leprotl1 were 953, 3432 and 1676 bp, coding 168, 1082, and 131 amino acid polypeptides, and the genomic sequences were 1836, 28,528 and 5480 bp, which respectively had 3, 15 and 4 exons, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that three genes were relatively conserved in fish species. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the three genes were ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues during the different gonadal development stages. The leptin and leptinR took part in the onset of puberty, especially in female M. amblycephala, by increasing the expression levels in brain during the stage I to III of ovary. The expression levels of leptin and leptinR had significant differences between male and female in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis tissues (p < 0.05). The leptinR had the same variation tendency with leptin, but the opposite changes of expression levels were found in leprotl1, which may resist the expression of leptinR for inhibiting the function of leptin in target organ. These findings revealed details about the possible role of these genes in regulating gonadal maturation in fish species.
Redox Species of Redox Flow Batteries: A Review
Authors: Pan Feng , Wang Qing
Published: November 2015

Due to the capricious nature of renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar, large-scale energy storage devices are increasingly required to make the best use of the renewable power. The redox flow battery is considered suitable for large-scale applications due to its modular design, good scalability and flexible operation. The biggest challenge of the redox flow battery is the low energy density. The redox active species is the most important component in redox flow batteries, and the redox potential and solubility of redox species dictate the system energy density. This review is focused on the recent development of redox species. Different categories of redox species, including simple inorganic ions, metal complexes, metal-free organic compounds, polysulfide/sulfur and lithium storage active materials, are reviewed. The future development of redox species towards higher energy density is also suggested.
The Role of MicroRNAs in Kidney Disease
Authors: Mukhadi Sydwell , Hull Rodney , Mbita Zukile , Dlamini Zodwa
Published: November 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate pathophysiological processes that suppress gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs. These biomolecules can be used to study gene regulation and protein expression, which will allow better understanding of many biological processes such as cell cycle progression and apoptosis that control the fate of cells. Several pathways have also been implicated to be involved in kidney diseases such as Transforming Growth Factor-β, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase signaling, and Wnt signaling pathways. The discovery of miRNAs has provided new insights into kidney pathologies and may provide new innovative and effective therapeutic strategies. Research has demonstrated the role of miRNAs in a variety of kidney diseases including renal cell carcinoma, diabetic nephropathy, nephritic syndrome, renal fibrosis, lupus nephritis and acute pyelonephritis. MiRNAs are implicated as playing a role in these diseases due to their role in apoptosis, cell proliferation, differentiation and development. As miRNAs have been detected in a stable condition in different biological fluids, they have the potential to be tools to study the pathogenesis of human diseases with a great potential to be used in disease prognosis and diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to examine the role of miRNA in kidney disease.
Insertion Process of Ceramic Nanoporous Microneedles by Means of a Novel Mechanical Applicator Design
Authors: Hartmann Xavier , Van der Linde Peter , Homburg Erik , Van Breemen Lambert , De Jong Arthur , Luttge Regina
Published: November 2015

Arrays of microneedles (MNAs) are integrated in an out-of-plane fashion with a base plate and can serve as patches for the release of drugs and vaccines. We used soft-lithography and micromolding to manufacture ceramic nanoporous (np)MNAs. Failure modes of ceramic npMNAs are as yet poorly understood and the question remained: is our npMNA platform technology ready for microneedle (MN) assembly into patches? We investigated npMNAs by microindentation, yielding average crack fracture forces above the required insertion force for a single MN to penetrate human skin. We further developed a thumb pressure-actuated applicator-assisted npMNA insertion method, which enables anchoring of MNs in the skin by an adhesive in one handling step. Using a set of simple artificial skin models, we found a puncture efficiency of this insertion method a factor three times higher than by applying thumb pressure on the npMNA base plate directly. In addition, this new method facilitated zero MN-breakage due to a well-defined force distribution exerted onto the MNs and the closely surrounding area prior to bringing the adhesive into contact with the skin. Owing to the fact that such parameter space exists, we can conclude that npMNAs by soft lithography are a platform technology for MN assembly into a patch.
Using UAV-Based Photogrammetry and Hyperspectral Imaging for Mapping Bark Beetle Damage at Tree-Level
Authors: Näsi Roope , Honkavaara Eija , Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa Päivi , Blomqvist Minna , Litkey Paula , Hakala Teemu , Viljanen Niko , Kantola Tuula , Tanhuanpää Topi , Holopainen Markus
Published: November 2015

Low-cost, miniaturized hyperspectral imaging technology is becoming available for small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms. This technology can be efficient in carrying out small-area inspections of anomalous reflectance characteristics of trees at a very high level of detail. Increased frequency and intensity of insect induced forest disturbance has established a new demand for effective methods suitable in mapping and monitoring tasks. In this investigation, a novel miniaturized hyperspectral frame imaging sensor operating in the wavelength range of 500–900 nm was used to identify mature Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) trees suffering from infestation, representing a different outbreak phase, by the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.). We developed a new processing method for analyzing spectral characteristic for high spatial resolution photogrammetric and hyperspectral images in forested environments, as well as for identifying individual anomalous trees. The dense point clouds, measured using image matching, enabled detection of single trees with an accuracy of 74.7%. We classified the trees into classes of healthy, infested and dead, and the results were promising. The best results for the overall accuracy were 76% (Cohen’s kappa 0.60), when using three color classes (healthy, infested, dead). For two color classes (healthy, dead), the best overall accuracy was 90% (kappa 0.80). The survey methodology based on high-resolution hyperspectral imaging will be of a high practical value for forest health management, indicating a status of bark beetle outbreak in time.
A Generic Algorithm to Estimate LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER Variables from SPOT4_HRVIR and Landsat Sensors: Evaluation of the Consistency and Comparison with Ground Measurements
Authors: Li Wenjuan , Weiss Marie , Waldner Francois , Defourny Pierre , Demarez Valerie , Morin David , Hagolle Olivier , Baret Frédéric
Published: November 2015

The leaf area index (LAI) and the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by green vegetation (FAPAR) are essential climatic variables in surface process models. FCOVER is also important to separate vegetation and soil for energy balance processes. Currently, several LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER satellite products are derived moderate to coarse spatial resolution. The launch of Sentinel-2 in 2015 will provide data at decametric resolution with a high revisit frequency to allow quantifying the canopy functioning at the local to regional scales. The aim of this study is thus to evaluate the performances of a neural network based algorithm to derive LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER products at decametric spatial resolution and high temporal sampling. The algorithm is generic, i.e., it is applied without any knowledge of the landcover. A time series of high spatial resolution SPOT4_HRVIR (16 scenes) and Landsat 8 (18 scenes) images acquired in 2013 over the France southwestern site were used to generate the LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER products. For each sensor and each biophysical variable, a neural network was first trained over PROSPECT+SAIL radiative transfer model simulations of top of canopy reflectance data for green, red, near-infra red and short wave infra-red bands. Our results show a good spatial and temporal consistency between the variables derived from both sensors: almost half the pixels show an absolute difference between SPOT and LANDSAT estimates of lower that 0.5 unit for LAI, and 0.05 unit for FAPAR and FCOVER. Finally, downward-looking digital hemispherical cameras were completed over the main land cover types to validate the accuracy of the products. Results show that the derived products are strongly correlated with the field measurements (R2 > 0.79), corresponding to a RMSE = 0.49 for LAI, RMSE = 0.10 (RMSE = 0.12) for black-sky (white sky) FAPAR and RMSE = 0.15 for FCOVER. It is concluded that the proposed generic algorithm provides a good basis to monitor the seasonal variation of the vegetation biophysical variables for important crops at decametric resolution.
Normative Ideals, “Alternative” Realities: Perceptions of Interracial Dating among Professional Latinas and Black Women
Authors: Garcia Rocio
Published: November 2015

Family types continue to expand in the U.S., yet normative patterns of endogamy and the privileging of nuclear families persist. To understand how professional women of color navigate endogamy and family ideals, I draw on 40 in-depth interviews of professional Black women and Latinas to ask how they construct partner preferences. I find that professional Latinas and Black women prefer same-race, similarly educated partners but report significant barriers to satisfying these desires. Respondents’ experiences with racism, the rejection of ethno-racial and cultural assimilation, gendered racism from men of color, and the college gender gap emerge as mechanisms for endogamous preferences. These preferences resist and support hegemonic family formation, an ideological and behavioral process that privileges, white, middle class, endogamous, heteronormative ideals for families comprising courtship, marriage, and biological childbearing. By challenging the racial devaluation of people of color while preferring the normativity that endogamy offers, the women in this study underscore the fluidity embedded in endogamy.
Measuring Shared Social Appreciation of Community Goods: An Experiment for the East Elevated Expressway of Rome
Authors: Miccoli Saverio , Finucci Fabrizio , Murro Rocco
Published: November 2015

Many large projects held over the last few decades in Europe have been based on the enhancement of community goods as a strategy to put in place sustainable urban regeneration. The inclusive nature of these goods and the social importance of the related decision-making processes suggests the need to involve the relevant community and to take into account its intentions and wishes regarding planning and organization. Therefore, before even starting to plan possible interventions, it is crucial to know what the members of the community think about the good in terms of social appreciation, in order to achieve socially sustainable choices. This paper offers a method to measure the social appreciation of community goods and describes the following: (a) deliberative esteem value technology to measure the social appreciation based on a combination between stated preference techniques and deliberative methods; (b) the criterion and methodology of the valuation technique proposed; and (c) an experimental application of the valuation technique pertinent to the specific case of the East Elevated Expressway of Rome.
Grain-Size Analysis of Debris Flow Alluvial Fans in Panxi Area along Jinsha River, China
Authors: Zhang Wen , Wang Qing , Chen Jianping , Li Huizhong , Que Jinsheng , Kong Yuanyuan
Published: November 2015

The basic geometric parameters of 236 debris flow catchments were determined by interpreting SPOT5 remote sensing images with a resolution of 2.5 m in a 209 km section along the Jinsha River in the Panxi area, China. A total of 27 large-scale debris flow catchments were selected for detailed in situ investigation. Samples were taken from two profiles in the deposition zone for each debris flow catchment. The φ value gradation method of the grain size was used to obtain 54 histograms with abscissa in a logarithmic scale. Five types of debris flows were summarized from the outline of the histogram. Four grain size parameters were calculated: mean grain size, standard deviation, coefficient of skewness, and coefficient of kurtosis. These four values were used to evaluate the features of the histogram. The grain index that reflects the transport (kinetic) energy information of debris flows was defined to describe the characteristics of the debris-flow materials. Furthermore, a normalized grain index based on the catchment area was proposed to allow evaluation of the debris flow mobility. The characteristics of the debris-flow materials were well-described by the histogram of grain-size distribution and the normalized grain index.
Improving the Environmental Sustainability of Flash Geothermal Power Plants—A Case Study
Authors: Bruscoli Lorenzo , Fiaschi Daniele , Manfrida Giampaolo , Tempesti Duccio
Published: November 2015

The sustainability of geothermal energy production is analyzed with reference to a production plant located in a specific area (Monte Amiata, Italy). Four solutions combining a flash power plant with an Organic Rankine Cycle in a hybrid configuration are analyzed in terms of production of electricity, exergy balance and emissions level (CO2, H2S, Hg). The different solutions correspond to increasing environmental performance, and for the most advanced case achieve near-zero emissions (complete reinjection of the natural resource, including incondensable gases). The results show that this can be achieved at the price of a progressive reduction of electrical productivity.
Adsorptive Removal of Reactive Black 5 from Wastewater Using Bentonite Clay: Isotherms, Kinetics and Thermodynamics
Authors: Amin Muhammad , Alazba Abdulrahman , Shafiq Muhammad
Published: November 2015

The studies of the kinetics and isotherms adsorption of the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) onto bentonite clay were explored in a batch study in a laboratory. The maximum RB5 adsorption conditions of bentonite clay were optimized such as shaking speed (100 rpm), temperature (323 K), pH (10), contact time (40 min), initial dye concentration (170 mg·L−1), and particle size (177 µm). The adsorbent surface was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy spectroscopy. The mechanisms and characteristic parameters of the adsorption process were analyzed using two parameter isotherm models which revealed the following order (based on the coefficient of determination): Harkin-Jura (0.9989) > Freundlich (0.9986) and Halsey (0.9986) > Langmuir (0.9915) > Temkin (0.9818) > Dubinin–Radushkevich (0.9678). This result suggests the heterogeneous nature of bentonite clay. Moreover, the adsorption process was chemisorption in nature because it follows the pseudo-second order reaction model with R2 value of 0.9998, 0.9933 and 0.9891 at 25, 75 and 100 mg·L−1 RB5 dye in the solution, respectively. Moreover, based on the values of standard enthalpy, Gibbs free energy change, and entropy, bentonite clay showed dual nature of exothermic and endothermic, spontaneous and non-spontaneous as well as increased and decreased randomness at solid–liquid interface at 303–313 K and 313–323 K temperature, respectively.
Predicting Depression among Patients with Diabetes Using Longitudinal Data
Authors: Jin H. , Vidyanti I. , Di Capua P. , Wu B. , Wu S.
Published: November 2015

Introduction: This article is part of the Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on “Big Data and Analytics in Healthcare”.

Background: Depression is a common and often undiagnosed condition for patients with diabetes. It is also a condition that significantly impacts healthcare outcomes, use, and cost as well as elevating suicide risk. Therefore, a model to predict depression among diabetes patients is a promising and valuable tool for providers to proactively assess depressive symptoms and identify those with depression.

Objectives: This study seeks to develop a generalized multilevel regression model, using a longitudinal data set from a recent large-scale clinical trial, to predict depression severity and presence of major depression among patients with diabetes.

Methods: Severity of depression was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 score. Predictors were selected from 29 candidate factors to develop a 2-level Poisson regression model that can make population-average predictions for all patients and subject-specific predictions for individual patients with historical records. Newly obtained patient records can be incorporated with historical records to update the prediction model. Root-mean-square errors (RMSE) were used to evaluate predictive accuracy of PHQ-9 scores. The study also evaluated the classification ability of using the predicted PHQ-9 scores to classify patients as having major depression.

Results: Two time-invariant and 10 time-varying predictors were selected for the model. Incorporating historical records and using them to update the model may improve both predictive accuracy of PHQ-9 scores and classification ability of the predicted scores. Subject-specific predictions (for individual patients with historical records) achieved RMSE about 4 and areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve about 0.9 and are better than population-average predictions.

Conclusions: The study developed a generalized multilevel regression model to predict depression and demonstrated that using generalized multilevel regression based on longitudinal patient records can achieve high predictive ability.
Beyond catalyst deactivation: cross-metathesis involving olefins containing N-heteroaromatics
Authors: Lafaye Kevin , Bosset Cyril , Nicolas Lionel , Guérinot Amandine , Cossy Janine
Published: November 2015

Alkenes containing N-heteroaromatics are known to be poor partners in cross-metathesis reactions, probably due to catalyst deactivation caused by the presence of a nitrogen atom. However, some examples of ring-closing and cross-metathesis involving alkenes that incorporate N-heteroaromatics can be found in the literature. In addition, recent mechanistic studies have focused on the rationalization of nitrogen-induced catalysts deactivation. The purpose of this mini-review is to give a brief overview of successful metathesis reactions involving olefins containing N-heteroaromatics in order to delineate some guidelines for the use of these challenging substrates in metathesis reactions.
Lectotypification of three Iberian endemic species belonging to monotypic genera described by Cosson
Authors: Buira Antoni , Quintanar Alejandro , Aedo Carlos
Published: November 2015

Three lectotypes are here designated for Euzomodendron bourgaeanum Coss., Guiraoa arvensis Coss. and Laserpitium scabrum Cav. (Guillonea scabra (Cav.) Coss.), whose genera are monospecific and endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. The selected types of the two former species are kept at P and belong to Cosson’s personal herbarium, whilst the last one is kept at MA and belongs to the historical herbarium of Cavanilles.
Primera cita de Culicoides paradoxalis Ramilo & Delécolle, 2013 (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) en España
Authors: Sánchez Murillo J. M. , González M. , Martínez Díaz M. M. , Reyes Galán A. , Alarcón-Elbal P. M.
Published: November 2015

Se cita por primera vez en España el ceratopogónido Culicoides paradoxalis Ramilo & Delécolle, 2013, basándose en evidencias morfológicas de acuerdo a las descripciones previas de otros autores. Un total de 438 hembras (349 nulíparas y 89 paras) y un macho se recolectaron con minitrampas de luz CDC en tres localidades ganaderas en la Comunidad Autónoma de Extremadura (España) en 2014. La mayor parte de los especímenes fueron capturados entre junio y agosto, mostrando un único período de vuelo que se extendió durante todo el verano y principios del otoño. Aunque el número de capturas de C. paradoxalis es reducido en comparación con los Culicoides dominantes, la aparición de esta nueva especie merece especial atención en los programas de vigilancia entomológica con el fin de estimar inequívocamente la proporción exacta de vectores potenciales. Se presenta en este artículo información de interés sobre el período de vuelo así como fotografías de las características morfológicas de C. paradoxalis.
Mises en scène du pouvoir et enjeux statutaires chez les jeunes Palestiniens réfugiés (Liban)
Authors: Gharbi Mesmar Agnès
Published: November 2015

Fondé sur une ethnographie réalisée entre 2005 et 2006 dans le centre de l’ONG El Markez du camp de réfugiés palestinien de Nahr el-Barid (Nord-Liban), cet article explore les enjeux de pouvoir, de statuts et de réputation pour des jeunes qui doivent se construire un avenir dans un contexte économique extrêmement difficile. Dans une première partie est exposé le contexte de marginalisation des Palestiniens réfugiés au Liban et le développement des ONG comme structures d’encadrement et ressource culturelle et économique importante ainsi que l’organisation d’El Markez, sa vocation et les positions relatives de ses cadres. Le cœur de l’article est ensuite consacré à l’analyse d’une situation d’épreuve entre les différents protagonistes du centre : la dénonciation de l’immodestie du bras droit du responsable surpris alors qu’il flirtait avec une Française en visite. Les rebondissements de l’affaire sont soigneusement analysés, chacun reposant sur une mise en scène relativement formalisée, de la manière « d’ouvrir » et de « fermer » les problèmes, caractéristique du jeu politique oriental. Cette étude donne à voir les modalités de l’apprentissage de la chose politique par les jeunes Palestiniens du Liban, comment cette période de formation construit des réputations et enfin quelles sont les ressources qui permettent de les asseoir ou, au contraire, de les transformer.
Devenir un « maître de maison » dans le Sud jordanien
Authors: Jungen Christine
Published: November 2015

Comment devient-on un maître de maison, un homme capable de maîtriser un réseau de parenté et un espace familial ? Cet article propose d’aborder les logiques de pouvoir et d’autorité dans le Sud tribal jordanien à travers ses dimensions spatiale et corporelle. Il retrace le parcours d’un jeune homme vers le statut d’homme adulte en examinant, à travers la relation dialectique entre père et fils, l’apprentissage d’une gestion du corps et, plus encore, de la présence. De celle, ostentatoire et intempestive, du shabb, à celle, maîtrisée et posée, de l’homme adulte, le cheminement, parfois tâtonnant, vers l’âge adulte est ici synonyme de l’expérimentation d’un « art d’être » : celui d’« habiter », au sens propre, le rôle de maître de maison dans l’espace domestique et au-delà.
Asynchronous Hard Real Time Signals Transmission in Embedded Networks
Authors: Koblyakova Liudmila , Sheynin Yuriy , Suvorova Elena
Published: November 2015

Nowadays in the aerospace industry the router-based onboard embedded networks gradually replacing bus-based networks because they are already not satisfy the aerospace performance requirements. The SpaceWire, GigaSpaceWire and SpaceFibre standards are developing to meet the increasing aerospace requirements. The important requirement for any aerospace embedded onboard network is a transmission of control information and system signals in hard real time. These signals can be synchronous and asynchronous, periodic and aperiodic, with or without acknowledges. The distributed interrupt mechanism is used for asynchronous signal transmission and it is included into the second edition of SpaceWire standard. The Time-code propagation mechanism is used for synchronous signal transmission in SpaceWire. The broadcast messages mechanism is used for transmission of different system signal in SpaceFibre but it does not quite meet the requirements of hard real time. In this paper the authors consider the asynchronous signals transmission with and without acknowledges. The aims of this paper are following: 1) theoretically investigate the distributed interrupt mechanism; 2) to prove its properties; 3) to specify parameters and limitations; 4) to derive the time characteristics. For these purpose the authors developed the analytical model which describe the distributed interrupt propagation mechanism in terms of the graph theory.
Quality of Service in Embedded Networks
Authors: Suvorova Elena , Sheynin Yuriy , Matveeva Nadezhda
Published: November 2015

Embedded systems are widely used in many fields, from space industry to medicine. In this paper we consider Quality of Service (QoS) in embedded networks. Different QoS are analyzed. The authors consider three structures and implementations of the network layer for providing QoS, compare their implementation characteristics and evaluate hardware costs. They consider QoS mechanisms support in modern space network protocols, possibility of using them in embedded networks. Hardware costs are one of the main constraints for embedded networks. Therefore hardware costs of basic routers with these QoS mechanisms are compared.
Geology, tectonic assemblage map of Peel Sound, Prince of Wales and Somerset islands, Nunavut
Authors: Harrison J C , Hillary E M , Ford A , Stewart W D , Frisch T , Mayr U , Thorsteinsson R
Published: November 2015

This map and the related geodatabase illustrate the bedrock geology of central and eastern Prince of Wales Island, Somerset Island, and northern Boothia Peninsula. Major features of the area include Archean and Paleoproterozoic granitoid and metasedimentary rocks
of Boothia Uplift overlain unconformably by Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic sediments, which are, in turn, unconformably overlain by Cambrian to Devonian strata of Arctic Platform. The higher Silurian and Lower Devonian interval provides a multiphase depositional record of Boothia Uplift.
Youngest events are recorded by Cretaceous kimberlite diatremes and outliers of Paleogene strata.