bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extension of applicability of the crystal structures compact matrix description method by M.S. Sychev
Authors: Fomin Denis Vasilyevish
Published: October 2016

A lot of modern research devoted to the creation and study of compounds present in the condensed state. In this regard, development and improvement of methods of description of crystalline structures are actual. To describe the crystal structure and the calculation of its key parameters is developed and continue to develop special techniques. Among them is the method of compact description of the crystal lattice proposed in Ph. D. Sychev M. S. The article seeks to study the applicability of these methods to crystals of hexagonal crystal structure and a method of solving this problem.
Influência da diferença esperada na progênie no preço da dose do sêmen de touros da raça Nelore
Authors: Buzzo Álida Mariana dos Reis , Martinez Antonio Campanha
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the commercial price of bull’s semen and  estimate it’s correlation with genetic characteristics (from the Summary of Program of Genetic Improvement of the Nelore Breed – PMGRN) and with the prizes from Competitions of National Association of Brazil’s Nelore Breeders (ANCB), and verify what influences the final price of bull semen. Data were collected from both ANCB and PMGRN’s Summary 2008. The PROC COR’s SAS V8.0 program was used. Results show that, only the bulls whose calf had won prizes, from the first to the third place, had correlation with the bull’s semen, with 60,6%, 60,2% and 56,5%, respectively. About the heritability characteristics, the only one which had correlation with semen price was birth of weight, with an influence of 17,6% on the bull’s semen price. The most important genetic characteristics when aiming at improving cattle’s genotype in a farm have not been used to determine the price of each dose of commercial semen. Therefore, the present investigation showed that the cattle’s phenotipe has influenced more than inherited characteristics.
Digestibilidade aparente de ração para tambaqui com níveis crescentes de substituição do milho por farinha de crueira de mandioca
Authors: Pereira Junior Geraldo , Pereira Expedita Maria de Oliveira , Pereira Filho Manoel , Barbosa Paula de Sousa , Souza Fábio Silva de
Published: October 2016

This experiment was lead with the aim to evaluate the apparent digestibility of the ration nutrients for young tambaqui, with growing levels of corn substitution for the manioc flour. There were been used 336 tambaqui with 34,5 ± 6,5g medium weight. The experimental limitation was entirely combined with six treatment and four repetitions, resulting in 24 experimental unities. The ration were formulated in way that they could be iso-protein (36% PB) and iso-caloric (3500 kcal ED/kg), with growing substitution levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100%) from corn to manioc flour, corresponding to control treatments I, II, III, IV e V respectively. Fishes were daily fed at 9 am, 1 pm and 5:30 pm, and the excrements were collected by decantation in the water column in one hour breaks. The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) determination was made by indirect method, being used as external marker 0,5% of chrome oxide (Cr2O3) incorporated to the rations. The results have demonstrated that total substitution of corn by manioc flour in young tambaqui rations does not compromise the nutrients apparent digestibility.
Local Bias in Google Search and the Market Response around Earnings Announcements
Authors: Chi Sabrina S. , Shanthikumar Devin M.
Published: October 2016

We examine the impact of distance on internet search, and the effect of the “local bias” in search on the stock market response around earnings announcements. We find significant local bias in search behavior. Motivated by theories explaining local bias, local information advantage, and familiarity bias, we predict and find that firms with higher local bias in search experience higher bid-ask spreads, lower trading volumes, and lower earnings response coefficients at the time of earnings announcements, consistent with non-local investors relying more than locals on public information announcements. Consistent with local information advantage, we find that in the week prior to the announcement, firms with higher local bias have higher bid-ask spreads, higher trading volumes, and returns that are more predictive of the coming earnings surprise. Consistent with familiarity bias, firms with higher local bias in search experience stronger post-earnings announcement drift. We use unique predictions, propensity score matching, and two-stage least squares to identify the effects of local bias separately from the effects of overall visibility. Overall, we show there is significant local bias in search, and that this local bias has a significant impact on the market response around earnings announcements.
Audit Partner Identification: Unintended Consequences on Audit Judgment
Authors: Cianci Anna M. , Houston Richard W. , Montague Norma R. , Vogel Ryan
Published: October 2016

We examine the impact of partner identification, a regulation proposed by the PCAOB and contested by the audit profession, on audit partners' judgments. Based on accountability theory (e.g., Lerner and Tetlock 1999) and professionalism literature (e.g., Hall 1968; Adler and Kwon 2013), we conduct an experiment in which we manipulate partner identification at three levels (i.e., no identification, disclosure identification, signature identification) and ask 83 partners to make inventory writedown assessments and other judgments underlying their decision making. We find that, contrary to the PCAOB's stated purpose of enhancing audit quality, and consistent with the professionalism literature, partner identification—in the form of either disclosure or signature—yields more aggressive writedown judgments through its negative impact on partners' self-reported measures of commitment to the profession and, in turn, commitment to the public. This result suggests that regulators should consider possible unintended consequences of accountability-inducing regulations.

JEL Classifications: C91; M42; M48.
Improving influenza virological surveillance in Europe: strain-based reporting of antigenic and genetic characterisation data, 11 European countries, influenza season 2013/14
Authors: Broberg Eeva , Hungnes Olav , Schweiger Brunhilde , Prosenc Katarina , Daniels Rod , Guiomar Raquel , Ikonen Niina , Kossyvakis Athanasios , Pozo Francisco , Puzelli Simona , Thomas Isabelle , Waters Allison , Wiman Åsa , Meijer Adam
Published: October 2016

Influenza antigenic and genetic characterisation data are crucial for influenza vaccine composition decision making. Previously, aggregate data were reported to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control by European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. A system for collecting case-specific influenza antigenic and genetic characterisation data was established for the 2013/14 influenza season. In a pilot study, 11 EU/EEA countries reported through the new mechanism. We demonstrated feasibility of reporting strain-based antigenic and genetic data and ca 10% of influenza virus-positive specimens were selected for further characterisation. Proportions of characterised virus (sub)types were similar to influenza virus circulation levels. The main genetic clades were represented by A/StPetersburg/27/2011(H1N1)pdm09 and A/Texas/50/2012(H3N2). A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses were more prevalent in age groups (by years) < 1 (65%; p = 0.0111), 20–39 (50%; p = 0.0046) and 40–64 (55%; p = 0.00001) while A(H3N2) viruses were most prevalent in those ≥ 65 years (62%*; p = 0.0012). Hospitalised patients in the age groups 6–19 years (67%; p = 0.0494) and ≥ 65 years (52%; p = 0.0005) were more frequently infected by A/Texas/50/2012 A(H3N2)-like viruses compared with hospitalised cases in other age groups. Strain-based reporting enabled deeper understanding of influenza virus circulation among hospitalised patients and substantially improved the reporting of virus characterisation data. Therefore, strain-based reporting of readily available data is recommended to all reporting countries within the EU/EEA.
Study of Evolution of Asphalt Binder Microstructure Resulting from Aging and Tensile Loading
Authors: Jahangir Rezwan , Little Dallas N. , Bhasin Amit
Published: October 2016

This paper presents findings from a study conducted to evaluate changes in the microstructure of asphalt binder resulting from aging as well as the effect of these changes on the evolution of damage resulting from tensile deformations. Two types of asphalt binders were aged with the rolling thin film oven and pressure aging vessel aging techniques. The microstructure and the microrheology of the six binders were obtained with atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging and creep indentation experiments. This information was then used to perform numerical simulations to examine the effect of tensile strains on the internal stress distribution in the binder. Experimentally, a microloading apparatus was used to induce tensile strains in the samples of the asphalt binder while the binder was observed for damage with the use of AFM. The damage and changes in the binder microstructure resulting from the tensile load observed experimentally were compared with the results from the numerical simulations. Results suggest that localized regions of high stress intensity between different domains act as damage nucleation sites. Results also suggest that the differences in the rheological properties of the microdomains reduce with aging. As a result, the internal distribution of stresses becomes less heterogeneous, the magnitude of stress localization decreases, and there are fewer sites where damage nucleates.
Blending Measurements in Mixtures with Reclaimed Asphalt: Use of Scanning Electron Microscopy with X-Ray Analysis
Authors: Castorena Cassie , Pape Sonja , Mooney Charles
Published: October 2016

A major impediment to the widespread use of asphalt concrete with a high content of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is uncertainty in the degree of blending between the RAP and the fresh binder. Furthering knowledge concerning the blending between RAP and fresh binder has been difficult because of the lack of an experimental method to quantify the degree of blending in asphalt concrete. This study introduces energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as a means to analyze the degree of blending between RAP and fresh materials in asphalt concrete. EDS allows for mapping the distribution and relative proportion of elements in a sample, hence, allowing for the detection of the distribution of elements in an asphalt concrete specimen. Fresh and RAP binders will have a similar elemental composition. Therefore, titanium dioxide in a fine powder form (0.15-µm particles) is blended with the fresh binder as a tracer before the production of asphalt concrete to enable delineation of the RAP and fresh binders using EDS SEM. The efficacy of EDS SEM for quantifying the degree of blending between RAP and fresh binders in asphalt concrete is demonstrated with two high RAP content mixtures.
Biochemical and Clinical Variables of Normal Parathyroid and Hyperparathyroid Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Kader Syed Abdul , Pathan Faruque , Amin Md Ruhul , Hoque Md Azizul , Rob Sonia Afrin
Published: October 2016

Background: In chronic kidney disease (CKD) intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level is often increased before clinical hyperphosphatemia occurs. Despite its importance very few studies evaluated parathyroid status in CKD.Objective: The study was undertaken to estimate level of parathormone in diabetic CKD patients at a tertiary level hospital and assessing its relationship with different parameters like hemoglobin, calcium etc. and comparing biochemical and clinical variables between normal parathyroid and hyperparathyroid groups.Materials and Methods: It was a hospital based cross-sectional study involving purposively selected chronic kidney disease patients attending nephrology and endocrinology outdoor and indoor services of BIRDEM hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Study was conducted during the period of April to October 2010. All the subjects were divided into two groups based on serum parathormone level and different parameters were compared between groups.Results: The mean duration of chronic kidney disease was significantly higher in hyperparathyroid group than that in the normal group (<0.001). Retinopathy and hypertension were more common in hyperparathyroid group than that in patients with normal serum parathormone (p<0.001 and p=0.012). Neuropathy was solely present in hyperparathyroid group (p<0.001). Mean fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine and serum phosphate were significantly higher in the hyperparathyroid group compared to normal group (p<0.001 in all cases) while the mean serum calcium and haemoglobin were lower in hyperparathyroid group than those in the normal group (p<0.001 in both cases). Serum creatinine and serum parathormone bears a significantly linear relationship (r=0.986, p<0.001), while serum parathormone and serum calcium bears a significantly negative relationship (r=?0.892 and p<0.001).Conclusion: Earlier intervention on the basis of iPTH in addition to other biochemical parameters of chronic kidney disease is recommended.J Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 140-147
A 4-Year-Old Girl with Precocious Puberty
Authors: Begum Poly , Saha Dipti Rani , Hassan Md Kamrul
Published: October 2016

Appearance of secondary sexual development before the age of nine in a male child and before the age of eight in a female child is called precocious puberty. Precocious puberty due to premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is called central or complete precocious puberty. Incomplete precocious puberty is called if ectopic gonadotrophin secretion occurs in boys or autonomous sex steroid secretion occurs in either sex. Here we report a case of a 4-year-old girl brought to a gynecologist by her parents because of breast development, pubic hair and periodic per vaginal bleeding. Her medical history was unremarkable. The parents were of average height, and the mother reported first menstruation when she was 11 years. At physical examination, the girl was 100 cm tall, weighed 17 kg, and had a body mass index of 17. Her pubertal development is classified as Tanner stage 3 breast development and Tanner stage 2 pubic hair development.J Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 161-163
College News 6(3)
Authors: Khan Md Aminul Haque , Parvin Rukhsana
Published: October 2016

Abstract not availableJ Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 171
Role of Water Vapor Content in the Effects of Aerosol on the Electrification of Thunderstorms: A Numerical Study
Authors: Zhao Pengguo , Yin Yan , Xiao Hui , Zhou Yunjun , Liu Jia
Published: October 2016

We explored the role of the water vapor content below the freezing level in the response of idealized supercell storm electrical processes to increased concentrations of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with parameterizations electrification and discharging, we performed 30 simulations by varying both the CCN concentration and water vapor content below the freezing level. The sensitivity simulations showed a distinct response to increased concentrations of CCN, depending on the water vapor content below the freezing level. Enhancing CCN concentrations increased electrification processes of thunderstorms and produced a new negative charge region above the main positive charge center when there were ample amounts of water vapor below the freezing level. Conversely, there were weak effects on electrification and the charge structure in numerical experiments initialized with lower water vapor content below the freezing level.
Study of Wind Turbine Fault Diagnosis Based on Unscented Kalman Filter and SCADA Data
Authors: Cao Mengnan , Qiu Yingning , Feng Yanhui , Wang Hao , Li Dan
Published: October 2016

Effective wind turbine fault diagnostic algorithms are crucial for wind turbine intelligent condition monitoring. An unscented Kalman filter approach is proposed to successfully detect and isolate two types of gearbox failures of a wind turbine in this paper. The state space models are defined for the unscented Kalman filter model by a detailed wind turbine nonlinear systematic principle analysis. The three failure modes being studied are gearbox damage, lubrication oil leakage and pitch failure. The results show that unscented Kalman filter model has special response to online input parameters under different fault conditions. Such property makes it effective on fault identification. It also shows that properly defining unscented Kalman filter state space vectors and control vectors are crucial for improving its sensitivity to different failures. Online fault detection capability of this approach is then proved on SCADA data. The developed unsented Kalman filter model provides an effective way for wind turbine fault detection using supervisory control and data acquisition data. This is essential for further intelligent WT condition monitoring.
Polymorphisms of HLA-DM on Treatment Response to Interferon/Ribavirin in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Chen Hongbo , Yao Yinan , Wang Yifan , Zhou Hua , Xu Tianxiang , Liu Jing , Wang Guocheng , Zhang Yongfeng , Chen Xiang , Liu Qingwei , Huang Peng , Yu Rongbin
Published: October 2016

Background: HLA-DM gene, which is related to antigen processing and presentation and located in the non-classical class-II region of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region, may play a crucial role in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treatment outcomes. The study was conducted to evaluate the role of the variant of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HLA-DM gene in HCV treatment outcomes. Methods: We genotyped four SNPs from the candidate genes (HLA-DMA and DMB) in 336 patients who were treated with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin (PEG IFN-α/RBV). Multivariate analysis of factors predicting sustained virological response (SVR) was conducted. Results: HLA-DMA rs1063478 and DMB rs23544 were independent factors of HCV treatment outcomes in Chinese Han population. Individuals who carried favorable genotypes of rs1063478TT and rs23544GG were more likely to achieve SVR {Dominant model: odds ratio (OR) = 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.24–3.41; OR = 2.04, 95% CI =1.23–3.35, respectively}. Rs23544, rs1063478, baseline glucose, baseline platelet and T4 level were independent predictors of SVR. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.740. Conclusions: The genetic variation of rs1063478 and rs23544 are associated with the treatment outcomes in the Chinese Han population.
Prokaryotic Expression, Purification and Immunogenicity in Rabbits of the Small Antigen of Hepatitis Delta Virus
Authors: Tunitskaya Vera , Eliseeva Olesja , Valuev-Elliston Vladimir , Tyurina Daria , Zakirova Natalia , Khomich Olga , Kalis Martins , Latyshev Oleg , Starodubova Elizaveta , Ivanova Olga , Kochetkov Sergey , Isaguliants Maria , Ivanov Alexander
Published: October 2016

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a viroid-like blood-borne human pathogen that accompanies hepatitis B virus infection in 5% patients. HDV has been studied for four decades; however, the knowledge on its life-cycle and pathogenesis is still sparse. The studies are hampered by the absence of the commercially-available HDV-specific antibodies. Here, we describe a set of reproducible methods for the expression in E. coli of His-tagged small antigen of HDV (S-HDAg), its purification, and production of polyclonal anti-S-HDAg antibodies in rabbits. S-HDAg was cloned into a commercial vector guiding expression of the recombinant proteins with the C-terminal His-tag. We optimized S-HDAg protein purification procedure circumventing a low affinity of the His-tagged S-HDAg to the Ni-nitrilotriacetyl agarose (Ni-NTA-agarose) resin. Optimization allowed us to obtain S-HDAg with >90% purity. S-HDAg was used to immunize Shinchilla grey rabbits which received 80 μg of S-HDAg in two subcutaneous primes in the complete, followed by four 40 μg boosts in incomplete Freunds adjuvant. Rabbits were bled two weeks post each boost. Antibody titers determined by indirect ELISA exceeded 107. Anti-S-HDAg antibodies detected the antigen on Western blots in the amounts of up-to 100 pg. They were also successfully used to characterize the expression of S-HDAg in the eukaryotic cells by immunofluorescent staining/confocal microscopy.
Natural Occurring Silks and Their Analogues as Materials for Nerve Conduits
Authors: Radtke Christine
Published: October 2016

Spider silk and its synthetic derivatives have a light weight in combination with good strength and elasticity. Their high cytocompatibility and low immunogenicity make them well suited for biomaterial products such as nerve conduits. Silk proteins slowly degrade enzymatically in vivo, thus allowing for an initial therapeutic effect such as in nerve scaffolding to facilitate endogenous repair processes, and then are removed. Silks are biopolymers naturally produced by many species of arthropods including spiders, caterpillars and mites. The silk fibers are secreted by the labial gland of the larvae of some orders of Holometabola (insects with pupa) or the spinnerets of spiders. The majority of studies using silks for biomedical applications use materials from silkworms or spiders, mostly of the genus Nephila clavipes. Silk is one of the most promising biomaterials with effects not only in nerve regeneration, but in a number of regenerative applications. The development of silks for human biomedical applications is of high scientific and clinical interest. Biomaterials in use for biomedical applications have to meet a number of requirements such as biocompatibility and elicitation of no more than a minor inflammatory response, biodegradability in a reasonable time and specific structural properties. Here we present the current status in the field of silk-based conduit development for nerve repair and discuss current advances with regard to potential clinical transfer of an implantable nerve conduit for enhancement of nerve regeneration.
Assessment of Damage and Adaptation Strategies for Structures and Infrastructure from Storm Surge and Sea Level Rise for a Coastal Community in Rhode Island, United States
Authors: Small Christopher , Blanpied Tyler , Kauffman Alicia , O’Neil Conor , Proulx Nicholas , Rajacich Mathew , Simpson Hailey , White Jeffrey , Spaulding Malcolm , Baxter Christopher , Swanson J.
Published: October 2016

This paper presents an evaluation of inundation, erosion, and wave damage for a coastal community in Rhode Island, USA. A methodology called the Coastal Environmental Risk Index (CERI) was used that incorporates levels of inundation including sea level rise, wave heights using STWAVE, and detailed information about individual structures from an E911 database. This information was input into damage functions developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following Hurricane Sandy. Damage from erosion was evaluated separately from local published erosion rates. Using CERI, two different adaptation strategies were evaluated that included a combination of dune restoration, protective berms, and a tide gate. A total of 151 out of 708 structures were estimated to be protected from inundation and wave action by the combined measures. More importantly, the use of CERI allowed for the assessment of the impact of different adaptation strategies on both individual structures and an entire community in a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) environment. This tool shows promise for use by coastal managers to assess damage and mitigate risk to coastal communities.
Extracellular Metabolites from Industrial Microalgae and Their Biotechnological Potential
Authors: Liu Lu , Pohnert Georg , Wei Dong
Published: October 2016

Industrial microalgae, as a big family of promising producers of renewable biomass feedstock, have been commercially exploited for functional food, living feed and feed additives, high-value chemicals in nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and chemical reagents. Recently, microalgae have also been considered as a group that might play an important role in biofuel development and environmental protection. Almost all current products of industrial microalgae are derived from their biomass; however, large amounts of spent cell-free media are available from mass cultivation that is mostly unexploited. In this contribution we discuss that these media, which may contain a remarkable diversity of bioactive substances are worthy to be recovered for further use. Obviously, the extracellular metabolites from industrial microalgae have long been neglected in the development of production methods for valuable metabolites. With the advances in the last ten years, more and more structures and properties from extracellular metabolites have been identified, and the potential utilization over wide fields is attracting attention. Some of these extracellular metabolites can be potentially used as drugs, antioxidants, growth regulators or metal chelators. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the known extracellular metabolites from industrial microalgae which might be of commercial interest. The attention mainly focuses on the reports of extracellular bioactive metabolites and their potential application in biotechnology.
Curcumin Shows Antiviral Properties against Norovirus
Authors: Yang Minji , Lee GilJae , Si Jiyeon , Lee Sung-Joon , You Hyun , Ko GwangPyo
Published: October 2016

Phytochemicals provide environmentally friendly and relatively inexpensive natural products, which could potentially benefit public health by controlling human norovirus (HuNoV) infection. In this study, 18 different phytochemicals were evaluated for antiviral effects against norovirus using murine norovirus (MNV) as a model for norovirus biology. Among these phytochemicals, curcumin (CCM) was the most potent anti-noroviral phytochemical, followed by resveratrol (RVT). In a cell culture infection model, exposure to CCM or RVT for 3 days reduced infectivity of norovirus by 91% and 80%, respectively. To confirm the antiviral capability of CCM, we further evaluated its antiviral efficacy at various doses (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 2 mg/mL) and durations (short-term: 10, 30, 60, and 120 min; long-term: 1, 3, 7, and 14 days). The anti-noroviral effect of CCM was verified to occur in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of each phytochemical on the replication of HuNoV using a HuNoV replicon-bearing cell line (HG23). Neither CCM nor RVT had a strong inhibitory effect on HuNoV replication, which suggests that their antiviral mechanism may involve viral entry or other life cycle stages rather than the replication of viral RNA. Our results demonstrated that CCM may be a promising candidate for development as an anti-noroviral agent to prevent outbreaks of foodborne illness.
Identification of Novel Human Breast Carcinoma (MDA-MB-231) Cell Growth Modulators from a Carbohydrate-Based Diversity Oriented Synthesis Library
Authors: Lenci Elena , Innocenti Riccardo , Biagioni Alessio , Menchi Gloria , Bianchini Francesca , Trabocchi Andrea
Published: October 2016

The application of a cell-based growth inhibition on a library of skeletally different glycomimetics allowed for the selection of a hexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b][1,4]oxazine compound as candidate inhibitors of MDA-MB-231 cell growth. Subsequent synthesis of analogue compounds and preliminary biological studies validated the selection of a valuable hit compound with a novel polyhydroxylated structure for the modulation of the breast carcinoma cell cycle mechanism.
Emerging Multifunctional NIR Photothermal Therapy Systems Based on Polypyrrole Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Mozhen
Published: October 2016

Near-infrared (NIR)-light-triggered therapy platforms are now considered as a new and exciting possibility for clinical nanomedicine applications. As a promising photothermal agent, polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles have been extensively studied for the hyperthermia in cancer therapy due to their strong NIR light photothermal effect and excellent biocompatibility. However, the photothermal application of PPy based nanomaterials is still in its preliminary stage. Developing PPy based multifunctional nanomaterials for cancer treatment in vivo should be the future trend and object for cancer therapy. In this review, the synthesis of PPy nanoparticles and their NIR photothermal conversion performance were first discussed, followed by a summary of the recent progress in the design and implementation on the mulitifunctionalization of PPy or PPy based therapeutic platforms, as well as the introduction of their exciting biomedical applications based on the synergy between the photothermal conversion effect and other stimulative responsibilities.
Mapping Smallholder Wheat Yields and Sowing Dates Using Micro-Satellite Data
Authors: Jain Meha , Srivastava Amit , Balwinder-Singh  , Joon Rajiv , McDonald Andrew , Royal Keitasha , Lisaius Madeline , Lobell David
Published: October 2016

Remote sensing offers a low-cost method for developing spatially continuous crop production statistics across large areas and through time. Nevertheless, it has been difficult to characterize the production of individual smallholder farms, given that the land-holding size in most areas of South Asia (<2 ha) is smaller than the spatial resolution of most freely available satellite imagery, like Landsat and MODIS. In addition, existing methods to map yield require field-level data to develop and parameterize predictive algorithms that translate satellite vegetation indices to yield, yet these data are costly or difficult to obtain in many smallholder systems. To overcome these challenges, this study explores two issues. First, we employ new high spatial (2 m) and temporal (bi-weekly) resolution micro-satellite SkySat data to map sowing dates and yields of smallholder wheat fields in Bihar, India in the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 growing seasons. Second, we compare how well we predict sowing date and yield when using ground data, like crop cuts and self-reports, versus using crop models, which require no on-the-ground data, to develop and parameterize prediction models. Overall, sow dates were predicted well (R2 = 0.41 in 2014–2015 and R2 = 0.62 in 2015–2016), particularly when using models that were parameterized using self-report sow dates collected close to the time of planting and when using imagery that spanned the entire growing season. We were also able to map yields fairly well (R2 = 0.27 in 2014–2015 and R2 = 0.33 in 2015–2016), with crop cut parameterized models resulting in the highest accuracies. While less accurate, we were able to capture the large range in sow dates and yields across farms when using models parameterized with crop model data and these estimates were able to detect known relationships between management factors (e.g., sow date, fertilizer, and irrigation) and yield. While these results are specific to our study site in India, it is likely that the methods employed and the lessons learned are applicable to smallholder systems more generally across the globe. This is of particular interest given that similar high spatio-temporal resolution micro-satellite data will become increasingly available in the coming years.
Abrupt Change in Forest Height along a Tropical Elevation Gradient Detected Using Airborne Lidar
Authors: Wolf Jeffrey , Brocard Gilles , Willenbring Jane , Porder Stephen , Uriarte María
Published: October 2016

Most research on vegetation in mountain ranges focuses on elevation gradients as climate gradients, but elevation gradients are also the result of geological processes that build and deconstruct mountains. Recent findings from the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico, have raised questions about whether erosion rates that vary due to past tectonic events and are spatially patterned in relation to elevation may drive vegetation patterns along elevation gradients. Here we use airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology to observe forest height over the Luquillo Mountain Range. We show that models with different functional forms for the two prominent bedrock types best describe the forest height-elevation patterns. On one bedrock type there are abrupt decreases in forest height with elevation approximated by a sigmoidal function, with the inflection point near the elevation of where other studies have shown there to be a sharp change in erosion rates triggered by a tectonic uplift event that began approximately 4.2 My ago. Our findings are consistent with broad geologically mediated vegetation patterns along the elevation gradient, consistent with a role for mountain building and deconstructing processes.
Using Google Earth Surface Metrics to Predict Plant Species Richness in a Complex Landscape
Authors: Block Sebastián , González Edgar , Gallardo-Cruz J. , Fernández Ana , Solórzano Jonathan , Meave Jorge
Published: October 2016

Google Earth provides a freely available, global mosaic of high-resolution imagery from different sensors that has become popular in environmental and ecological studies. However, such imagery lacks the near-infrared band often used in studying vegetation, thus its potential for estimating vegetation properties remains unclear. In this study, we assess the potential of Google Earth imagery to describe and predict vegetation attributes. Further, we compare it to the potential of SPOT imagery, which has additional spectral information. We measured basal area, vegetation height, crown cover, density of individuals, and species richness in 60 plots in the oak forests of a complex volcanic landscape in central Mexico. We modelled each vegetation attribute as a function of surface metrics derived from Google Earth and SPOT images, and selected the best-supported linear models from each source. Total species richness was the best-described and predicted variable: the best Google Earth-based model explained nearly as much variation in species richness as its SPOT counterpart (R2 = 0.44 and 0.51, respectively). However, Google Earth metrics emerged as poor predictors of all remaining vegetation attributes, whilst SPOT metrics showed potential for predicting vegetation height. We conclude that Google Earth imagery can be used to estimate species richness in complex landscapes. As it is freely available, Google Earth can broaden the use of remote sensing by researchers and managers in low-income tropical countries where most biodiversity hotspots are found.
A Readout IC Using Two-Step Fastest Signal Identification for Compact Data Acquisition of PET Systems
Authors: Jung Sung-Jin , Hong Seong-Kwan , Kwon Oh-Kyong
Published: October 2016

A readout integrated circuit (ROIC) using two-step fastest signal identification (FSI) is proposed to reduce the number of input channels of a data acquisition (DAQ) block with a high-channel reduction ratio. The two-step FSI enables the proposed ROIC to filter out useless input signals that arise from scattering and electrical noise without using complex and bulky circuits. In addition, an asynchronous fastest signal identifier and a self-trimmed comparator are proposed to identify the fastest signal without using a high-frequency clock and to reduce misidentification, respectively. The channel reduction ratio of the proposed ROIC is 16:1 and can be extended to 16 × N:1 using N ROICs. To verify the performance of the two-step FSI, the proposed ROIC was implemented into a gamma photon detector module using a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode with a lutetium-yttrium oxyorthosilicate array. The measured minimum detectable time is 1 ns. The difference of the measured energy and timing resolution between with and without the two-step FSI are 0.8% and 0.2 ns, respectively, which are negligibly small. These measurement results show that the proposed ROIC using the two-step FSI reduces the number of input channels of the DAQ block without sacrificing the performance of the positron emission tomography (PET) systems.
Decoupling and Decomposition Analysis of Carbon Emissions from Industry: A Case Study from China
Authors: Wang Qiang , Li Rongrong , Jiang Rui
Published: October 2016

China has overtaken the United States as the world’s largest producer of carbon dioxide, with industrial carbon emissions (ICE) accounting for approximately 65% of the country’s total emissions. Understanding the ICE decoupling patterns and factors influencing the decoupling status is a prerequisite for balancing economic growth and carbon emissions. This paper provides an overview of ICE based on decoupling elasticity and the Tapio decoupling model. Furthermore, the study identifies the factors contributing to ICE changes in China, using the Kaya identity and Log Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) techniques. Based on the effects and contributions of ICE, we close with a number of recommendations. The results revealed a significant upward trend of ICE during the study period 1994 to 2013, with a total amount of 11,147 million tons. Analyzing the decoupling relationship indicates that “weak decoupling” and “expansive decoupling” were the main states during the study period. The decomposition analysis showed that per capita wealth associated with industrial outputs and energy intensity are the main driving force of ICE, while energy intensity of industrial output and energy structure are major determinants for ICE reduction. The largest contributing cumulative effect to ICE is per capita wealth, at 1.23 in 2013. This factor is followed by energy intensity, with a contributing cumulative effect of −0.32. The cumulative effects of energy structure and population are relatively small, at 0.01 and 0.08, respectively.
Scenario-Based Digital Forensics Challenges in Cloud Computing
Authors: Miranda Lopez Erik , Moon Seo , Park Jong
Published: October 2016

The aim of digital forensics is to extract information to answer the 5Ws (Why, When, Where, What, and Who) from the data extracted from the evidence. In order to achieve this, most digital forensic processes assume absolute control of digital evidence. However, in a cloud environment forensic investigation, this is not always possible. Additionally, the unique characteristics of cloud computing create new technical, legal and architectural challenges when conducting a forensic investigation. We propose a hypothetical scenario to uncover and explain the challenges forensic practitioners face during cloud investigations. Additionally, we also provide solutions to address the challenges. Our hypothetical case scenario has shown that, in the long run, better live forensic tools, development of new methods tailored for cloud investigations and new procedures and standards are indeed needed. Furthermore, we have come to the conclusion that forensic investigations biggest challenge is not technical but legal.
The Inhibitory Effect of PDIA6 Downregulation on Bladder Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion
Authors: Cheng He-Peng , Liu Qian , Li Yang , Li Xiao-Dong , Zhu Chao-Yang
Published: October 2016

Protein disulfide isomerases A6 (PDIA6) belongs to the PDI family. Recently, PDIA6 was found to have a close association with various cancers. However, there has been little investigation into the biological functions of PDIA6 in bladder cancer (BC). In this study, we explored the expression
pattern and functional significance of PDIA6 in BC. We found that PDIA6 was overexpressed in BC tissues and cell lines. The in vitro study showed that PDIA6 downregulation significantly inhibited BC proliferation and invasion. In addition, the in vivo experiment demonstrated that PDIA6 downregulation
decreased the volume, weight, and metastasis of tumors. Furthermore, PDIA6 downregulation reduced the protein expression of β-catenin, cyclin D1, and c-Myc and thus suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In conclusion, we suggest that PDIA6 could be targeted for the treatment
of BC.
HATS-18B: AN EXTREME SHORT-PERIOD MASSIVE TRANSITING PLANET SPINNING UP ITS STAR∗
Authors: Penev K. , Hartman J. D. , Bakos G. Á. , Ciceri S. , Brahm R. , Bayliss D. , Bento J. , Jordán A. , Csubry Z. , Bhatti W. , Val-Borro M. de , Espinoza N. , Zhou G. , Mancini L. , Rabus M. , Suc V. , Henning T. , Schmidt B. , Noyes R. W. , Lázár J. , Papp I. , Sári P.
Published: October 2016

We report the discovery by the HATSouth network of HATS-18b: a

,

planet in a

day orbit, around a solar analog star (mass

 and radius

) with

mag. The high planet mass, combined with its short orbital period, implies strong tidal coupling between the planetary orbit and the star. In fact, given its inferred age, HATS-18 shows evidence of significant tidal spin up, which together with WASP-19 (a very similar system) allows us to constrain the tidal quality factor for Sun-like stars to be in the range of

even after allowing for extremely pessimistic model uncertainties. In addition, the HATS-18 system is among the best systems (and often the best system) for testing a multitude of star–planet interactions, be they gravitational, magnetic, or radiative, as well as planet formation and migration theories.
IMAGING AN 80 au RADIUS DUST RING AROUND THE F5V STAR HD 157587
Authors: Millar-Blanchaer Maxwell A. , Wang Jason J. , Kalas Paul , Graham James R. , Duchêne Gaspard , Nielsen Eric L. , Perrin Marshall , Moon Dae-Sik , Padgett Deborah , Metchev Stanimir , Ammons S. Mark , Bailey Vanessa P. , Barman Travis , Bruzzone Sebastian , Bulger Joanna , Chen Christine H. , Chilcote Jeffrey , Cotten Tara , Rosa Robert J. De , Doyon Rene , Draper Zachary H. , Esposito Thomas M. , Fitzgerald Michael P. , Follette Katherine B. , Gerard Benjamin L. , Greenbaum Alexandra Z. , Hibon Pascale , Hinkley Sasha , Hung Li-Wei , Ingraham Patrick , Johnson-Groh Mara , Konopacky Quinn , Larkin James E. , Macintosh Bruce , Maire Jérôme , Marchis Franck , Marley Mark S. , Marois Christian , Matthews Brenda C. , Oppenheimer Rebecca , Palmer David , Patience Jennifer , Poyneer Lisa , Pueyo Laurent , Rajan Abhijith , Rameau Julien , Rantakyrö Fredrik T. , Savransky Dmitry , Schneider Adam C. , Sivaramakrishnan Anand , Song Inseok , Soummer Remi , Thomas Sandrine , Vega David , Wallace J. Kent , Ward-Duong Kimberly , Wiktorowicz Sloane , Wolff Schuyler
Published: October 2016

We present H-band near-infrared polarimetric imaging observations of the F5V star HD 157587 obtained with the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) that reveal the debris disk as a bright ring structure at a separation of ∼80–100 au. The new GPI data complement recent Hubble Space Telescope/STIS observations that show the disk extending out to over 500 au. The GPI image displays a strong asymmetry along the projected minor axis as well as a fainter asymmetry along the projected major axis. We associate the minor and major axis asymmetries with polarized forward scattering and a possible stellocentric offset, respectively. To constrain the disk geometry, we fit two separate disk models to the polarized image, each using a different scattering phase function. Both models favor a disk inclination of ∼70° and a 1.5 ± 0.6 au stellar offset in the plane of the sky along the projected major axis of the disk. We find that the stellar offset in the disk plane, perpendicular to the projected major axis is degenerate with the form of the scattering phase function and remains poorly constrained. The disk is not recovered in total intensity due in part to strong adaptive optics residuals, but we recover three point sources. Considering the system’s proximity to the galactic plane and the point sources’ positions relative to the disk, we consider it likely that they are background objects and unrelated to the disk’s offset from the star.
PHYSICAL PARAMETER STUDY OF EIGHT W URSAE MAJORIS-TYPE CONTACT BINARIES IN NGC 188
Authors: Chen Xiaodian , Deng Licai , Grijs Richard de , Zhang Xiaobin , Xin Yu , Wang Kun , Luo Changqing , Yan Zhengzhou , Tian Jianfeng , Sun Jinjiang , Liu Qili , Zhou Qiang , Luo Zhiquan
Published: October 2016

We used the newly commissioned 50 cm Binocular Network telescope at Qinghai Station of Purple Mountain Observatory (Chinese Academy of Sciences) to observe the old open cluster NGC 188 in V and R as part of a search for variable objects. Our time-series data span a total of 36 days. Radial velocity and proper-motion selection resulted in a sample of 532 genuine cluster members. Isochrone fitting was applied to the cleaned cluster sequence, yielding a distance modulus of

and a total foreground reddening of E(V − R) = 0.062 ± 0.002 mag. Light-curve solutions were obtained for eight W Ursae Majoris eclipsing binary systems (W UMas), and their orbital parameters were estimated. Using the latter parameters, we estimate a distance to the W UMas that is independent of the host cluster’s physical properties. Based on combined fits to six of the W UMas (EP Cep, EQ Cep, ES Cep, V369 Cep, and—for the first time—V370 Cep and V782 Cep), we obtain an average distance modulus of

, which is comparable to that resulting from our isochrone fits. These six W UMas exhibit an obvious period–luminosity relation. We derive more accurate physical parameters for the W UMa systems and discuss their initial masses and ages. The former show that these W UMa systems have likely undergone angular momentum evolution within a convective envelope (W-type evolution). The ages of the W UMa systems agree well with the cluster’s age.
CHANGES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE INNER COMA OF 67P/CHURYUMOV–GERASIMENKO WITH DECREASING HELIOCENTRIC DISTANCE
Authors: Bodewits D. , Lara L. M. , A’Hearn M. F. , La Forgia F. , Gicquel A. , Kovacs G. , Knollenberg J. , Lazzarin M. , Lin (林忠義) Z.-Y. , Shi X. , Snodgrass C. , Tubiana C. , Sierks H. , Barbieri C. , Lamy P. L. , Rodrigo R. , Koschny D. , Rickman H. , Keller H. U. , Barucci M. A. , Bertaux J.-L. , Bertini I. , Boudreault S. , Cremonese G. , Da Deppo V. , Davidsson B. , Debei S. , De Cecco M. , Fornasier S. , Fulle M. , Groussin O. , Gutiérrez P. J. , Güttler C. , Hviid S. F. , Ip W.-H. , Jorda L. , Kramm J.-R. , Kührt E. , Küppers M. , López-Moreno J. J. , Marzari F. , Naletto G. , Oklay N. , Thomas N. , Toth I. , Vincent J.-B.
Published: October 2016

The Wide Angle Camera of the OSIRIS instrument on board the Rosetta spacecraft is equipped with several narrow-band filters that are centered on the emission lines and bands of various fragment species. These are used to determine the evolution of the production and spatial distribution of the gas in the inner coma of comet 67P with time and heliocentric distance, here between 2.6 and 1.3 au pre-perihelion. Our observations indicate that the emission observed in the OH, O i, CN, NH, and NH2 filters is mostly produced by dissociative electron impact excitation of different parent species. We conclude that CO2 rather than H2O is a significant source of the [O i] 630 nm emission. A strong plume-like feature observed in the CN and O i filters is present throughout our observations. This plume is not present in OH emission and indicates a local enhancement of the CO2/H2O ratio by as much as a factor of 3. We observed a sudden decrease in intensity levels after 2015 March, which we attribute to decreased electron temperatures in the first few kilometers above the surface of the nucleus.