bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foliar Aspersion of Salicylic Acid Improves Phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds, and Also the Fruit Yield in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Preciado-Rangel Pablo , Reyes-Pérez Juan José , Ramírez-Rodríguez Silvia Citlaly , Salas-Pérez Lilia , Fortis-Hernández Manuel , Murillo-Amador Bernardo , Troyo-Diéguez Enrique
Published: February 2019

The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on the yield and phytochemical content in hydroponically grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). (1) Background: The importance of Mexico’s cucumber production is based on its cultivation in recent decades as one of the major winter crops; in addition, the production of vegetables under hydroponic systems has increased significantly during the last few years, with cucumber being one of the vegetables with a high economic potential. (2) Methods: A completely randomized experimental design with 15 repetitions was used. SA at five doses (0.075, 0.1, 0.15, 0.25, and 0.5 mM) and one control (distilled water) was sprinkled weekly on cucumber plants. The evaluated variables were yield (total fruit weight per plant), fruit parameters (length, size and firmness), and nutraceutical quality of cucumber. (3) Results: Low concentrations of SA improve the yield and high concentrations decrease it, but the nutraceutical quality of fruits is improved, as compared to the control treatment. (4) Conclusions: In order to obtain a higher content of bioactive compounds without affecting the yield and commercial quality of cucumber fruits, it is advisable to use the average concentration (0.15 mM) of SA.
Effects of Nitrogen Dioxide on Biochemical Responses in 41 Garden Plants
Authors: Sheng Qianqian , Zhu Zunling
Published: February 2019

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at a high concentration is among the most common and harmful air pollutants. The present study aimed to explore the physiological responses of plants exposed to NO2. A total of 41 plants were classified into 13 functional groups according to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification system. The plants were exposed to 6 μL/L NO2 in an open-top glass chamber. The physiological parameters (chlorophyll (Chl) content, peroxidase (POD) activity, and soluble protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations) and leaf mineral ion contents (nitrogen (N+), phosphorus (P+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), manganese (Mn2+), and zinc (Zn2+)) of 41 garden plants were measured. After NO2 exposure, the plants were subsequently transferred to a natural environment for a 30-d recovery to determine whether they could recover naturally and resume normal growth. The results showed that NO2 polluted the plants and that NO2 exposure affected leaf Chl contents in most functional groups. Increases in both POD activity and soluble protein and MDA concentrations as well as changes in mineral ion concentrations could act as signals for inducing defense responses. Furthermore, antioxidant status played an important role in plant protection against NO2-induced oxidative damage. NO2 poses a pollution risk to plant systems, and antioxidant status plays an important role in plant protection against NO2-induced oxidative damage. In conditions of strong air pollution, more evergreen plants may be considered in landscape design, particularly in seasonal regions. The results of this study may provide useful data for the selection of landscaping plants in NO2 polluted areas.
Scheduling of Energy-Integrated Batch Process Systems Using a Pattern-Based Framework
Authors: Suresh Jogwar Sujit , Mete Shrikant , Mathpati Channamallikarjun S.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a novel pattern-based method is developed for the generation of optimal schedules for energy-integrated batch process systems. The proposed methodology is based on the analysis of available schedules for the identification of repetitive patterns. It is shown that optimal schedules of energy-integrated batch processes are composed of several repeating sections (or building blocks), and their sizes and relative positions are dependent on the scheduling horizon and constraints. Based on such a decomposition, the proposed pattern-based algorithm generates an optimal schedule by computing the number and sequence of these blocks. The framework is then integrated with rigorous optimization-based approach wherein it is shown that the learning from the pattern-based solution significantly improves the performance of rigorous optimization. The main advantage of the pattern-based method is the significant reduction in computational time required to solve large scheduling problems, thus enabling the possibility of on-line rescheduling. Three literature examples were considered to demonstrate the presence of repeating patterns in optimal schedules of energy-integrated batch systems. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology was illustrated using an integrated reactor-separator system.
Extending Nighttime Combustion Source Detection Limits with Short Wavelength VIIRS Data
Authors: Elvidge Christopher D. , Zhizhin Mikhail , Baugh Kimberly , Hsu Feng Chi , Ghosh Tilottama
Published: February 2019

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) collects low light imaging data at night in five spectral bands. The best known of these is the day/night band (DNB) which uses light intensification for imaging of moonlit clouds in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR). The other four low light imaging bands are in the NIR and short-wave infrared (SWIR), designed for daytime imaging, which continue to collect data at night. VIIRS nightfire (VNF) tests each nighttime pixel for the presence of sub-pixel IR emitters across six spectral bands with two bands each in three spectral ranges: NIR, SWIR, and MWIR. In pixels with detection in two or more bands, Planck curve fitting leads to the calculation of temperature, source area, and radiant heat using physical laws. An analysis of January 2018 global VNF found that inclusion of the NIR and SWIR channels results in a doubling of the VNF pixels with temperature fits over the detection numbers involving the MWIR. The addition of the short wavelength channels extends detection limits to smaller source areas across a broad range of temperatures. The VIIRS DNB has even lower detection limits for combustion sources, reaching 0.001 m2 at 1800 K, a typical temperature for a natural gas flare. Comparison of VNF tallies and DNB fire detections in a 2015 study area in India found the DNB had 15 times more detections than VNF. The primary VNF error sources are false detections from high energy particle detections (HEPD) in space and radiance saturation on some of the most intense events. The HEPD false detections are largely eliminated in the VNF output by requiring multiband detections for the calculation of temperature and source size. Radiance saturation occurs in about 1% of the VNF detections and occurs primarily in the M12 spectral band. Inclusion of the radiances affected by saturation results in temperature and source area calculation errors. Saturation is addressed by identifying the presence of saturation and excluding those radiances from the Planck curve fitting. The extremely low detection limits for the DNB indicates that a DNB fire detection algorithm could reveal vast numbers of combustion sources that are undetectable in longer wavelength VIIRS data. The caveats with the DNB combustion source detection capability is that it should be restricted to pixels that are outside the zone of known VIIRS detected electric lighting.
High-Sensitivity Microwave Sensor for Liquid Characterization Using a Complementary Circular Spiral Resonator
Authors: Zhang Xingyun , Ruan Cunjun , Haq Tanveer ul , Chen Kanglong
Published: February 2019

This paper describes a low-cost, small size, and high-sensitivity microwave sensor using a Complementary Circular Spiral Resonator (CCSR), which operates at around 2.4 GHz, for identifying liquid samples and determining their dielectric constants. The proposed sensor was fabricated and tested to effectively identify different liquids commonly used in daily life and determine the concentrations of various ethanol–water mixtures at by measuring the resonant frequency of the CCSR. Using acrylic paint, a square channel was drawn at the most sensitive position of the microwave sensor to ensure accuracy of the experiment. To estimate the dielectric constants of the liquids under test, an approximate model was established using a High-Frequency Simulator Structure (HFSS). The results obtained agree very well with the existing data. Two parabolic equations were calculated and fitted to identify unknown liquids and determine the concentrations of ethanol–water mixtures. Thus, our microwave sensor provides a method with high sensitivity and low consumption of material for liquid monitoring and determination, which proves the feasibility and broad prospect of this low-cost system in industrial application.
Fano Resonance in an Asymmetric MIM Waveguide Structure and Its Application in a Refractive Index Nanosensor
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Zhang Meng , Wang Yifei , Zhao Ruijuan , Yan Shubin
Published: February 2019

Herein, the design for a tunable plasmonic refractive index nanosensor is presented. The sensor is composed of a metal–insulator–metal waveguide with a baffle and a circular split-ring resonator cavity. Analysis of transmission characteristics of the sensor structures was performed using the finite element method, and the influence of the structure parameters on the sensing characteristics of the sensor is studied in detail. The calculation results show that the structure can realize dual Fano resonance, and the structural parameters of the sensor have different effects on Fano resonance. The peak position and the line shape of the resonance can be adjusted by altering the sensitive parameters. The maximum value of structural sensitivity was found to be 1114.3 nm/RIU, with a figure of merit of 55.71. The results indicate that the proposed structure can be applied to optical integrated circuits, particularly in high sensitivity nanosensors.
Deep Learning-Based Multinational Banknote Type and Fitness Classification with the Combined Images by Visible-Light Reflection and Infrared-Light Transmission Image Sensors
Authors: Pham Tuyen Danh , Nguyen Dat Tien , Park Chanhum , Park Kang Ryoung
Published: February 2019

Automatic sorting of banknotes in payment facilities, such as automated payment machines or vending machines, consists of many tasks such as recognition of banknote type, classification of fitness for recirculation, and counterfeit detection. Previous studies addressing these problems have mostly reported separately on each of these classification tasks and for a specific type of currency only. In other words, there has been little research conducted considering a combination of these multiple tasks, such as classification of banknote denomination and fitness of banknotes, as well as considering a multinational currency condition of the method. To overcome this issue, we propose a multinational banknote type and fitness classification method that both recognizes the denomination and input direction of banknotes and determines whether the banknote is suitable for reuse or should be replaced by a new one. We also propose a method for estimating the fitness value of banknotes and the consistency of the estimation results among input trials of a banknote. Our method is based on a combination of infrared-light transmission and visible-light reflection images of the input banknote and uses deep-learning techniques with a convolutional neural network. The experimental results on a dataset composed of Indian rupee (INR), Korean won (KRW), and United States dollar (USD) banknote images with mixture of two and three fitness levels showed that the proposed method gives good performance in the combination condition of currency types and classification tasks.
High Sensitivity Flexible Electronic Skin Based on Graphene Film
Authors: Lü Xiaozhou , Yang Jiayi , Qi Liang , Bao Weimin , Zhao Liang , Chen Renjie
Published: February 2019

Electronic skin with high sensitivity, rapid response, and long-term stability has great value in robotics, biomedicine, and in other fields. However, electronic skin still has challenges in terms of sensitivity and response time. In order to solve this problem, flexible electronic skin with high sensitivity and the fast response was proposed, based on piezoresistive graphene films. The electronic skin was a pressure sensor array, composed of a 4 × 4 tactile sensing unit. Each sensing unit contained three layers: The underlying substrate (polyimide substrate), the middle layer (graphene/polyethylene terephthalate film), and the upper substrate bump (polydimethylsiloxane). The results of the measurement and analysis experiments, designed in this paper, indicated that the flexible electronic skin achieved a positive resistance characteristic in the range of 0 kPa–600 kPa, a sensitivity of 10.80 Ω /kPa in the range of 0 kPa–4 kPa, a loading response time of 10 ms, and a spatial resolution of 5 mm. In addition, the electronic skin realized shape detection on a regular-shaped object, based on the change in the resistance value of each unit. The high sensitivity flexible electronic skin designed in this paper has important application prospects in medical diagnosis, artificial intelligence, and other fields.
The Progress of Glucose Monitoring—A Review of Invasive to Minimally and Non-Invasive Techniques, Devices and Sensors
Authors: Villena Gonzales Wilbert , Mobashsher Ahmed , Abbosh Amin
Published: February 2019

Current glucose monitoring methods for the ever-increasing number of diabetic people around the world are invasive, painful, time-consuming, and a constant burden for the household budget. The non-invasive glucose monitoring technology overcomes these limitations, for which this topic is significantly being researched and represents an exciting and highly sought after market for many companies. This review aims to offer an up-to-date report on the leading technologies for non-invasive (NI) and minimally-invasive (MI) glucose monitoring sensors, devices currently available in the market, regulatory framework for accuracy assessment, new approaches currently under study by representative groups and developers, and algorithm types for signal enhancement and value prediction. The review also discusses the future trend of glucose detection by analyzing the usage of the different bands in the electromagnetic spectrum. The review concludes that the adoption and use of new technologies for glucose detection is unavoidable and closer to become a reality.
Design and DOF Analysis of a Novel Compliant Parallel Mechanism for Large Load
Authors: Wu Xiaochuan , Lu Yi , Duan Xuechao , Zhang Dan , Deng Wenyao
Published: February 2019

The degree of freedom (DOF) and motion characteristics of a kind of compliant spherical joint were analyzed based on the screw theory, and a new design scheme for force-inversion of the compliant spherical joint was proposed in this paper. A novel type of six DOF compliant parallel mechanism (CPM) was designed based on this scheme to provide a large load capacity and achieve micrometer-level positioning accuracy. The compliance matrix of the new type of CPM was obtained through matrix transformation and was then decomposed into its generalized eigenvalues. Then, the DOF of the mechanism was numerically analyzed based on the symbolic formulation. The finite element analysis model of the compliant parallel mechanism was established. The static load analysis was used to verify the large load capacity of the mobile platform. By comparing the deformation obtained by the compliance matrix numerical method with the deformation obtained by the finite element method, the correctness of the compliance matrix and the number of the DOF of the CPM was verified.
Perspectives on Comprehensive Sustainability-Orientation in Municipalities: Structuring Existing Approaches
Authors: Kirst Ev , Lang Daniel J.
Published: February 2019

Municipalities play an important role in fostering sustainable development at the local level. Yet, they still face significant challenges in comprehensively integrating sustainability aspects into administrative action. In order to overcome real or perceived barriers to implementing sustainability into administrative practices comprehensively, this article presents a structured set of 19 fields of sustainability-orientation in local administrations derived from a literature review, considering international scientific and German practical perspectives. Our findings indicate that the resulting fields of sustainability-orientation differ in their potential to foster change towards sustainability in a complex administrative system. Furthermore, there is evidence that the reviewed scientific documents in particular insufficiently illustrate comprehensive approaches for ingraining sustainability-orientation in local administrations. Based on the findings, we outline implications for further research in order to better meet the challenges of enhancing sustainable practice in local administrations.
Comparison of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Communities Living in Hotspot and Non-Hotspot Areas of Dengue in Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Ghani Nurul , Shohaimi Shamarina , Hee Alvin , Chee Hui-Yee , Emmanuel Oguntade , Alaba Ajibola Lamidi
Published: February 2019

Background: Dengue has affected more than one-third of the world population and Malaysia has recorded an increase in the number of dengue cases since 2012. Selangor state recorded the highest number of dengue cases in Malaysia. Most of the dengue infections occur among people living in hotspot areas of dengue. This study aims to compare Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among communities living in hotspot and non-hotspot dengue areas. Method: Communities living in 20 hotspot and 20 non-hotspot areas in Selangor were chosen in this study where 406 participants were randomly selected to answer questionnaires distributed at their housing areas. Total marks of each categories were compared using t-test. Result: Results show that there were significant mean differences in marks in Knowledge (p value: 0.003; 15.41 vs. 14.55) and Attitude (p value: < 0.001; 11.41 vs. 10.33), but not Practice (p value 0.101; 10.83 vs. 10.47) categories between communities of non-hotspot and hotspot areas. After considering two confounding variables which are education level and household income, different mean marks are found to be significant in Knowledge when education level acts as a covariate and Attitude when both act as covariates. Conclusion: Overall results show that people living in non-hotspot areas had better knowledge and attitude than people living in hotspot areas, but no difference was found in practice. This suggests that public health education should be done more frequently with people with a low education background and low household income, especially in hotspot areas to fight dengue outbreak and make dengue cases decrease effectively.
ENERGY FOR BUILDINGS
Authors: Martinaitis Vytautas
Published: February 2019

„Energy for buildings" Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 12(1), p. 1-2
AN ESTIMATION OF EXERGY CONSUMPTION PATERNS OF ENERGY‐INTENSIVE BUILDING SERVICE SYSTEMS
Authors: Biekša Darius , Martinaitis Vytautas , Šakmanas Aloyzas Algimantas
Published: February 2019

This paper represents the estimation of life cycle exergy consumption for building service systems (BSS). The investigation explores public building engineering systems, which are the most energy‐intensive. These include heating, ventilating and lightning. The exergy consumption analysis is divided into three parts: systems production, operating and maintenance (O&M) and decommissioning. The differences between them consist in different exergy demand and consumption intensiveness. The main attention is paid to BSS O&M investigation by categorising and defining exergy demands within the building. Exergy consumption for BSS Oamp;M period is estimated as certain amount of exergy that should be supplied to the buildings boundaries. In this investigation of building engineering systems, 4 typical buildings are explored for the Vilnius’ city conditions in Lithuania.
OVERALL EVALUATION OF INDOOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY FOR ALTERNATIVE OFFICE DESIGNS USING THE ECO‐FACTOR
Authors: Bjørn Erik , Brohus Henrik
Published: February 2019

To facilitate the decision‐making and communication, an evaluation method has been devised that incorporates environmental effects of the energy use with thermal and atmospheric indoor climate in a score on an absolute scale from 0–100 %, called the “Eco‐factor”. This factor is based on indicators of physical properties. For the indoor climate part these include mainly the indoor temperature, velocity, and concentration fields. The energy part considers the energy distributed to energy sources, and the environmental effects of the resulting airborne emissions evaluated by Life Cycle Assessment (given by default figures from a database). The tool is used to make an overall assessment of the quality of design alternatives, where the “costs” (energy) is compared to the “benefit” (indoor climate), and to identify possibilities for improvement. The paper shows a model case study of an office building, where choices are considered that must be made in an early design phase.
AN ITERATIVE ASSESSMENT CONCEPT FOR BUILDING DESIGN BASED ON THE ECO‐FACTOR
Authors: Brohus Henrik , Bjørn Erik
Published: February 2019

Problems in office buildings are often related to the design and control of the indoor environment and of the building as an energy system. The often interconnected nature of the above two issues is important to take into account, since, for instance, internal and external heat loads, temperatures, and air change rates affect both energy use and indoor comfort. Thus, to avoid the indoor climate problems, it is essential that energy optimisation is integrated with assessment of indoor climate. An assessment concept based on the so‐called Eco‐factor has been developed; it can assist building designers in creating solutions of these problems. The assessment concept is meant to be an integral part of new design guidelines for office buildings, which aim to achieve energy efficient buildings with a good indoor comfort and low environmental impact. The building designers have different needs at different stages of the design process. For this reason, the assessment concept makes use of the Eco‐factor tool, which is defined so input can be based on both simple and advanced calculations in early and later phases of design, respectively, while still delivering the same output.
STRENGTH OF MINING AND BUILDING EQUIPMENT MATERIALS SUBJECTED TO GIGACYCLE LOADING
Authors: Leonavičius Mindaugas Kazimieras , Petraitis Gediminas , Šukšta Marijonas , Svalbonas Vytas
Published: February 2019

High‐strength cast iron is used for manufacturing the supporting elements of minerals and cement clinker grinding machines. The dross layer remains inside large dimension castings after manufacturing. It has worse mechanical properties and resistance to fatigue crack formation and propagation. In this paper, the results of an experimental investigation of cyclic bending strength of semi‐natural specimens from cast iron with a dross layer of 10–11 mm thickness are presented. The mechanical properties and structures of the base and dross layers differed considerably. Before testing the methods of defectoscopy were applied to detect technology defects. The stress ratio was r = ‐0,62 and the stress alternating range varied from 70 to 280 MPa. To 1*108cycles, crack growth was insignificant. Further crack propagation was controlled. The 1st specimen was broken after 3*108 and the 2nd one after 2*108 cycles. The dependencies of crack propagation on cycle number and stress intensity factor range were estimated. The dross layer stops crack propagation, when crack front passes from dross to base metal.
ELASTIC-PLASTIC FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL COLUMNS
Authors: Zergua Abdesselam , Naimi Mohamed
Published: February 2019

This research is achieved in the general frame‐work of the study of the concrete behaviour. It has for objective the development of a numerical tool able to predict the behaviour of reinforced concrete columns with circular and square cross‐sections under an increasing compressive axial load. The concrete behaviour is assumed as elastic‐plastic model with an associated flow rule in compression region and as elastic with tension stiffening behaviour in the tension region. Two yield surfaces have been taken into account according to the Drucker‐Prager and Rankine failure criterions. However, the reinforcing steel is assumed as an elastic strain hardening model. A finite element method using solid cube elements for concrete, and bar elements for the reinforcement have been used. Correlation study between numerical and experimental results is conducted with the objective to establish the validity of the proposed model and identify the significance of the transverse reinforcement volumetric ratio effect on the response of reinforced concrete members. Good agreement has been observed in comparing these results.
More pieces to a huge puzzle: Two new Escovopsis species from fungus gardens of attine ants
Authors: Montoya Quimi Vidaurre , Sutta Martiarena Maria Jesus , Polezel Danilo Augusto , Kakazu Sérgio , Rodrigues Andre
Published: February 2019

Escovopsis (Ascomycota: Hypocreales, Hypocreaceae) is the only known parasite of the mutualistic fungi cultivated by fungus-growing ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini: Attina, the “attines”). Despite its ecological role, the taxonomy and systematics of Escovopsis have been poorly addressed. Here, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses with three molecular markers (internal transcribed spacer, large subunit ribosomal RNA and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha), we describe Escovopsisclavatus and E.multiformis as new species isolated from fungus gardens of Apterostigma ant species. Our analysis shows that E.clavatus and E.multiformis belong to the most derived Escovopsis clade, whose main character is the presence of conidiophores with vesicles. Nevertheless, the most outstanding feature of both new species is the presence of a swollen region in the central hypha of the conidiophore named swollen cell, which is absent in all previously described Escovopsis species. The less derived Escovopsis clades lack vesicles and their phylogenetic position within the Hypocreaceae still remains unclear. Considering the high genetic diversity in Escovopsis, the description of these new species adds barely two pieces to a huge taxonomic puzzle; however, this discovery is an important piece for building the systematics of this group of fungi.
New data of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Cyprus. 1. Dysderidae found in caves
Authors: Gücel Salih , Charalambidou Iris , Göçmen Bayram , Kunt Kadir Boğaç
Published: February 2019

This paper is the first in a series describing the previously unstudied cave spiders from Cyprus. Two new species, Dysderocrateskibrisensissp. n. and Harpacteakalavachianasp. n., are described. Detailed morphological descriptions and diagnostic characteristics are presented. This is the first report of the genus Dysderocrates Deeleman-Reinhold & Deeleman, 1988 from Cyprus.
Bacteriocins of Gram-positive bacteria having activity spectra extending beyond closely-related species
Authors: Todorov S.D. , de Melo Franco B.D.G. , Tagg J.R.
Published: February 2019

Bacteriocins are bacterially-produced antimicrobial peptides that have killing activity principally against other relatively closely-related bacteria. Some bacteriocins of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have for many years been extensively applied in food biopreservation. However, especially during the last decade, a number of reports have appeared about unanticipated extensions to the generally rather narrow anti-bacterial activity spectrum of some of the LAB bacteriocins and novel applications have been proposed for bacteriocins ranging from controlling the growth of an increasingly-heterogeneous variety of pathogens, including Gram-negative multidrug resistant bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and in particular, difficult to control Mycobacterium spp., to their potential application as anticancer agents. How best can we assess this now rapidly-accumulating stream of reports on potential future applications of bacteriocins? Where is the line between realistic, science-based proposals and highly-speculative fiction and what are the ‘critical points’ that might help us to draw this line? In this review, we have attempted to analyse a selection of the presently-available data concerning relatively ‘unorthodox’ (i.e. beyond food preservation) applications of bacteriocins, and, by utilising our set of ‘critical points’, we endeavour to identify essential or/and missing information that appear crucial for success of the proposed applications.
The effects of maltodextrin and protein supplementation on serum metabolites in exercising competitive weight-pulling dogs
Authors: Kim H.-T. , van Deventer G.M. , Dinallo G.K. , Frye C.W. , Zanghi B.M. , Wakshlag J.J.
Published: February 2019

Post-exercise carbohydrate repletion of skeletal muscle glycogen utilising maltodextrin, with or without highly digestible protein, can improve performance in humans which has been extrapolated to dogs. There is limited metabolic evidence regarding substrate utilisation during exercise with and without supplementation other than serum hormone status and serum amino acid responses. The objectives of this study were 2-fold; (1) to examine the metabolomic changes associated with a weight-pulling exercise; and (2) to examine the effects of maltodextrin/protein supplementation on serum metabolomics during recovery. Serum was collected from 12 dogs (6 control and 6 treatment) at different time points (pre-exercise, 0 min post-exercise, 30 min post, 3 h post) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was performed identifying 242 metabolites. A two-way analysis of variance for time and treatment with false discovery rate correction was performed using MetaboAnalyst 3.0. There were 9 metabolites found to be significantly increased or decreased immediately after exercise from baseline representing primarily citric acid cycle metabolites. Treatment differences at 30 min post-exercise showed increases in 8 metabolites including amino acids and carbohydrate intermediates with supplementation. Thirty-seven metabolites were significantly different at 3 h post-exercise, with most metabolites being related to amino acid increases, as well as decreases in fatty acid metabolites with supplementation. Definite alterations in metabolites suggesting that post-exercise supplementation with maltodextrin and protein supports glucose metabolism and alters fatty acid metabolism or clearance during recovery from a weight-pulling exercise.
Optimal Public Policy for Government-Operated Gambling
Authors: Lipnowski Irwin , McWhirter Austin
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a framework for formulating the optimal public policy for government-operated gambling. The goal of public policy with respect to government-operated gambling is typically stated as “harm minimization.” This claim masks the possible trade-off between an increase in social harm (H) and the government’s incremental net revenue (R) from increased gambling activity. Using a graphical approach, we depict first the feasible combinations of H and R, and then identify the combinations that could be classified as efficient, thereby allowing the minimum social harm for any given level of the government’s incremental net revenue from gambling. We indicate how the optimal combination of H and R could be identified and realized in both the short and long run. We then utilize the body of research on gambling and its effects to qualify what this trade-off operates in the real world.RésuméCe document présente un cadre pour l’élaboration d’une politique publique optimale encadrant les jeux de hasard gérés par le gouvernement. L’objectif d’une politique publique en matière de jeu géré par le gouvernement vise généralement une « minimisation des méfaits ». Cela permet de dissimuler le compromis possible entre une augmentation des dommages sociaux (H) et le revenu net supplémentaire du gouvernement (R) provenant d’une augmentation des activités de jeu. À l’aide d’une approche graphique, nous décrivons d’abord les combinaisons possibles entre les méfaits sociaux et les revenus (H et R), puis nous identifions les combinaisons « efficaces », ce qui permet de réduire au minimum les méfaits pour la société à tout niveau des revenus nets supplémentaires tirés du jeu par le gouvernement. Nous indiquons comment la combinaison optimale méfaits/revenus pourrait être établie et réalisée à court et à long terme. Nous utilisons ensuite le corpus de recherches sur le jeu et ses effets pour qualifier à quoi ressemble ce compromis dans le monde réel.
Energy states of soil water – a thermodynamic perspective on soil water dynamics and storage-controlled streamflow generation in different landscapes
Authors: Zehe Erwin , Loritz Ralf , Jackisch Conrad , Westhoff Martijn , Kleidon Axel , Blume Theresa , Hassler Sibylle K. , Savenije Hubert H.
Published: February 2019

Abstract. The present study confirms
that a thermodynamic perspective on soil water is well suited to distinguishing the
typical interplay of gravity and capillarity controls on soil water dynamics
in different landscapes. To this end, we express the driving matric and
gravity potentials by their energetic counterparts and characterize soil
water by its free energy state. The latter is the key to defining a new
system characteristic determining the possible range of energy states of soil
water, reflecting the joint influences of soil physical properties and height
over nearest drainage (HAND) in a stratified manner. As this characteristic
defines the possible range of energy states of soil water in the root zone,
it also allows an instructive comparison of top soil water dynamics observed
in two distinctly different landscapes. This is because the local
thermodynamic equilibrium at a given HAND and the related equilibrium storage
allow a subdivision of the possible free energy states into two different
regimes. Wetting of the soil in local equilibrium implies that free energy of
soil water becomes positive, which in turn implies that the soil is in a
state of storage excess, while further drying of the soil leads to a negative
free energy and a state of storage deficit. We show that during 1
hydrological year the energy states of soil water visit distinctly different
parts of their respective energy state spaces. The two study areas compared here exhibit
furthermore a threshold-like relation between the observed free energy of
soil water in the riparian zone and observed streamflow, while the tipping
points coincide with the local equilibrium state of zero free energy. We
found that the emergence of a potential energy excess/storage excess in the
riparian zone coincides with the onset of storage-controlled direct
streamflow generation. While such threshold behaviour is not unusual, it is
remarkable that the tipping point is consistent with the underlying theoretical
basis.
UTILIZAÇÃO DA PLANTA MEDICINAL ERVA-DE-SÃO-JOÃO (Hypericum perforatum L.) NO TRATAMENTO DE DEPRESSÃO
Authors: NUNES Aline
Published: February 2019

O Brasil possui a maior taxa de pessoas com depressão na América Latina e a tendência para os próximos anos é um crescente aumento. Para o tratamento dessa doença existem inúmeros tratamentos farmacológicos, no entanto, a utilização errônea de medicamentos pode acarretar em graves problemas à saúde. Assim, existe necessidade de incluir terapias menos agressivas no tratamento de pacientes. Desta forma, surge a possibilidade de utilizar a planta medicinal Hypericum perforatum por possuir compostos biologicamente ativos que atuam como Inibidores Seletivos da Recaptura de Serotonina (ISRS). O objetivo deste estudo foi elencar pesquisas que reportem os efeitos positivos do Hypericum perforatum sobre o tratamento de depressão, dispondo os compostos biologicamente ativos responsáveis por esta ação. Como metodologia adotou-se levantamento bibliográfico em bases de dados eletrônicos, livros científicos e legislação brasileira. Os resultados apontam que a utilização de H. perforatum pode suprir necessidades visíveis na saúde pública do país. A atuação dos compostos hipericina, pseudo-hipericina e hiperforina têm demonstrado ação positiva no tratamento de depressão leve, moderada e até mesmo em casos graves. A vantagem de utilizar compostos de plantas medicinais está em possuir menores efeitos nocivos ao organismo.
“FIAR N’UM AMIGO? É HOMEM. / TEM D’ESSENCIA A FALSIDADE”. A MASCULINIDADE NA OBRA DE FRANCÍLIA (FRANCISCA PAULA POSSOLO DA COSTA) E SÓROR DOLORES (MARIA DA FELICIDADE DE COUTO BROWNE)
Authors: Biguelini Elen
Published: February 2019

Com base na crítica literária feminista e na História das mulheres, este texto tem um objetivo interdisciplinar de perceber a situação da mulher portuguesa do século XIX, por meio da forma como Francisca Paula Possolo da Costa e Maria da Felicidade de Couto Browne se relacionam com o masculino em suas poesias. Francília (Francisca Possolo) e Sóror Dolores (Maria Browne) foram duas poetisas portuguesas que trataram da ‘traição’ masculina em seus poemas. Ambas foram traídas por homens que amavam e demonstram que isto desencadeou uma mudança na forma como escrevem sua poesia e viviam suas vidas.Neste trabalho pretende-se analisar a obra destas duas autoras portuguesas, uma de Lisboa e outra do Porto, com o propósito de compreender suas opiniões relacionadas a masculinidade e a imagem criada por elas dos homens seus contemporâneos.
Super Heróis e outros mitos modernos: Aplicação pedagógica para reflexões filosóficas e formação ético-moral de jovens e crianças.
Authors: Fuentes João Carlos
Published: February 2019

Histórias de deuses e heróis fazem parte do imaginário dos povos desde a antiguidade. Da Epopeia de Gilgamesh até os quadrinhos e filmes da Marvel, DC Comics e outras. Seriam apenas fruto da fértil imaginação humana, com intuito de entretenimento? Seriam os mitos tentativas de explicar com outro olhar a realidade. Da Grécia antiga temos o primeiro registro de uso destes mitos com a finalidade pedagógica, numa análise da Paidéia Grega observamos o uso das histórias de heróis e deuses de Homero e Hesíodo, apresentando aos jovens modelos de virtudes e excelência que moldaram por muito tempo a civilização ocidental. Esse artigo busca apontar a importância destas personagens como uma forma de mitologia moderna e a aplicabilidade pedagógica dos mesmos.
Apresentação Facundo
Authors: Bernardi Pereira Gustavo
Published: February 2019

Apresentação Facundo
O Iluminismo Português e a Literatura Instrutiva: uma visão holística
Authors: Pereira Júnior César
Published: February 2019

O trabalho em foco tem como objetivo apresentar os principais aspectos da literatura instrutiva portuguesa no setecentos. O século XVIII foi decisivo para o rumo de Portugal e seus domínios, uma vez que nessa época o Reino lusitano entrou em contato com as novas ideias oriundas do movimento iluminista por meio de vários homens de letras e da atuação política de Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, o poderoso Marquês de Pombal, ministro de D. José I. Nesse seguimento, traçamos nossa empreitada: visualizar a Ilustração lusitana por meio de sua produção intelectual. Como esses ilustrados justificaram a relação entre fé e razão? Por que os jesuítas foram culpados pelo atraso cultural do Reino? Quem eram esses pensadores? Como se deram as Reformas Pombalinas na educação? Estas e outras perguntas norteiam nosso trabalho.
The influence of the emotions produced by the wine offer, winery visits, and wine news on wine purchase intent in tourists
Authors: Pelegrín Jorge , González-Menorca Carlos , Meraz Lino
Published: February 2019

Wineries are using wine tourism to sell directly to consumers and develop brand equity. Studies show that emotions directly affect the purchase of products. However, they do not know the degree to which the emotions produced by the winery visit, the wine offer, or news about wine influence wine sales. The aim of this study was to compare the influence of emotions produced by the wine, the emotions produced by the winery visit and the emotions produced by the wine news on wine purchase intent. This paper applied structural equation modeling to a sample of 600 wine tourists in order to explain the influence of the emotions generated by the wine, the winery visit, and wine news on wine purchase intent. The results show that the different types of emotions affect tourists’ wine purchase intent differently. The percentage of variance explained was 34.6% for the model of the emotions produced by the wine vs. 10.3% for the model of the emotions produced by the winery visit and 6.3% for the model of the emotions produced by the wine news. The emotions produced by the wine offer have the greatest influence. The emotions produced by the winery visit were much less influential. Wine news had only a minor influence on purchase intent. Key findings for management are discussed.
The Low Beta Anomaly and Estimation Interval
Authors: Renfro Brandon
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this study was to assess the nature of the relationship between equity beta, and post-estimation return. Specifically, this study sought to address the validity and persistence of the low-beta anomaly across multiple beta estimation intervals. Within the twenty-year sample period from January of 1994 to December of 2013 this research covered ten different beta estimation intervals to determine whether a statistically significant and theoretically consistent relationship existed between equity beta and post-estimation realized return. This research provided two basic conclusions: First, the low-beta anomaly is not robust across multiple beta estimation intervals. Second, with any test of the relationship between beta and return the choice of beta estimation interval matters. Different estimation intervals sometimes provide contradictory empirical results for the same period.
Teaching Approach of Theory-Centered Course for Freshmen of Business English Major: A Case Study of “Research Methodology” Course
Authors: Siwei Yue , Xuefei Wang
Published: February 2019

This study explores the teaching approach of the general courses of theoretical knowledge targeted at the freshmen based on a pilot study of the course Research Methodology in School of English for International Business (SEIB) in Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. A questionnaire survey of 163 freshmen who take the course at two consecutive terms indicates that the course is pedantic and lectures’ inputs are invariable and the teacher participation is insufficient. After implementing a teaching reform against these defects, the methods of adopting case study and improving teacher participation meet the expectation of students in spite that the teacher participation is over-performed. Meanwhile, the pedantic attribute of the course remains even with an attempt to diversify the lecture inputs and to reduce the ratio of English to Chinese as the working language in lectures. This study suggests that the general courses of theoretical knowledge should be put off to the second year of university. Flipped classroom philosophy is recommended where the pre-class preparation is enforced and the teacher performs as a learning assistant for the students when executing research projects.
A Case Study on L2 Learning Strategies of Middle-Aged Learners
Authors: Liangqiu Lyu , Zhengqiu Xu
Published: February 2019

There are many researches about learning strategies of adolescent students and adult learners, but few on learning strategies of middle-aged learners. Through a case study, the paper finds out that middle-aged learners use six classes of learning strategies in a high frequency, especially cognitive strategies, meta-cognitive strategies and social strategies. But compensation strategies, memory strategies and affective strategies were used at a lower frequency. The factors of age and life experience as well as cultural background are of great significance for the choice of using certain learning strategies. The results of the study also show that SILL is of high reliability for the study on learning strategies of Chinese second language learners.
Safe transport of dangerous goods by air in the legal aspect
Authors: Lasota Małgorzata
Published: February 2019

Safe transport of dangerous goods by air is extremely important. In the event of
accident, human life can be seriously endangered. In order to avoid accidents, there are
legal principles which must be adopted. There are international and national principles,
which are described in the article. Implementation and obeying of law guarantees the
highest level of safety while dangerous goods are transported by aircraft.
The tendencies in Polish rail transport development in the context of defence
requirements
Authors: Pietrzyk-Wiszowaty Katarzyna
Published: February 2019

The expansion or modernisation of rail network requires the implementation of various
activities that are aimed at, among other things, obtaining the appropriate technical
conditions in order to meet the transportation needs of people and cargo. They are
mostly dictated by economic considerations, targeted on achieving a high growth
rate and strengthening the country’s competitiveness. Defence needs are increasingly
irrelevant in the planning and realisation of investments in this area. Therefore it is
necessary to closely combine the directions of its development with satisfying the
needs of the state defence. Therefore, the aim of this article is an attempt to identify
directions of development of railway transport in regard to defence requirements.
Counter-terrorism system in Poland: selected issues
Authors: Trubalska Justyna
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Today we are seeing a systematic development of terrorist organisations in the world.
Social, economic and political problems in Africa and the Middle East, as well as
religious fundamentalism generate threats of terrorism. If we consider in this context
both Poland’s geopolitical situation, and involvement in stabilisation operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq, those factors make our country a potential target for terrorist
attacks. Although for years the level of terrorist threat in Poland is assessed as low,
the risk analysis of this kind cannot be underestimated in the context of the analysis
of internal security of the state. The main aim of this article is to answer the question
whether there is an effective counter-terrorism system in Poland. This is done by
attempting to capture the essence and demonstrating its unique features by analysing
its individual components, i.e. regulations, entities forming the analysed system and
relationships between the indicated elements.
Operational and recreational use of horses in Border Protection Divisions in Warmia,
Masuria and Suwałki region (1945–1950)
Authors: Wójcik Zbigniew
Published: February 2019

Border Protection Troops (WOP) was formed upon the order of the Polish Army
Commander-in-chief No. 0245/org dated September 13th, 1945. This process in the
role of the head of the WOP Department was coordinated by a Soviet officer, Gwidon
Czerwiński. Due to lack of a sufficient number of motorised equipment, necessary for
the implementation of encircled tasks by the order in the newly established formation,
a big number of saddle and train horses was used. The same solution was used in the
then District of Masuria, where the northern border was guarded by the 5th Border
Protection Division. The organization of the squad was initiated by Lt Col Stanisław
Wyderka. Soldiers subordinate to him patrolling designated sectors were also using
staff horses. For recreational purposes they also practiced horseback riding. On the
basis of a squad in subsequent years, they formed other units with identical tasks.
Soldiers of Border Protection Troops were improving the artistry of horse-riding as
well as competing in regional competitions on horseback, referring in this way to the
rich equestrian tradition of the Second Republic of Poland. In Kętrzyn, for the purpose
of training, a Platoon of Cavalry was even maintained.