bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of electrochemical parameters in microbial fuel cell system based on Fuzzy-PID and CMAC neural network
Authors: Fu Chengcai , Ma Fengying
Published: December 2018

Due to the extensive application prospects on wastewater treatment and new energy development, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have gained more and more attention by many scholars all over the world. The bioelectrochemical reaction in MFC system is highly complex, serious nonlinear and time-delay dynamic process, in which the optimal control of electrochemical parameters is still a considerable challenge. A new optimal control scheme for MFC system which combines proportional integral derivative (PID) controller with parameters fuzzy optional algorithm and cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) neural network was proposed. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme has rapider response, better control effect and stronger anti-interference ability than Fuzzy PID controller by taking constant voltage output of MFC under the different load disturbances as example.
Vandens temperatūros pasiskirstymą per metus apibūdinančių rodiklių taikymo Lietuvos upėse galimybės
Authors: Valiuškevičius Gintaras , Milonaitytė Donata
Published: December 2018

Straipsnyje nagrinėjami rodikliai, apibūdinantys vandens temperatūros pasiskirstymą per metus ir jų pritaikymo Lietuvos upių klasifikavimui pagal terminį režimą galimybės. Tyrimo metu nagrinėta informacija iš 12 VMS, apibūdinančių skirtingu hidrologiniu režimu ir baseinų rodikliais pasižyminčias upes, reprezentuojančias įvairius šalies regionus. Analizei naudoti duomenys, atskleidžiantys 2007–2016 m. vidutinę paros vandens temperatūrą. Pagal juos apskaičiuotos svarbiausios temperatūros kaitos statistinės charakteristikos, nubrėžtos temperatūros trukmės kreivės, vidutinių dešimtadienio temperatūrų pasiskirstymo per metus grafikai, pirmą kartą nustatyti H-indekso principu apskaičiuojami vandens temperatūros indeksai. Atsižvelgiant į vandens temperatūros matavimo metodinius pokyčius po stočių automatizavimo ir į tai, kad kol kas Lietuvoje taikomos upių klasifikacijos pagal terminį režimą menkai atsižvelgia į vandens temperatūros pasiskirstymą per metus (kuris itin svarbus apibūdinant ekologines sąlygas), siūloma plėtoti klasifikacijos metodiką pasitelkiant temperatūros trukmės kreives ir temperatūros indeksus. Tikimasi, kad ateityje, praplėtus tyrimų arealą ir išanalizavus ilgesnes duomenų sekas, šių rodiklių (ypač vandens temperatūros indekso) taikymas palengvins upių ekologinių sąlygų vertinimą pagal vandens temperatūros kriterijus.
Sociotopography of Vilnius: Industrial Zones and their Development (1870–1914)
Authors: Ambrulevičiūtė Aelita
Published: December 2018

The scheme for the formation of the industrial zone of Vilnius is best supported by Homer Hoyt’s city development model (the sector theory). At the initial stage of industrialization of Vilnius, the industrial zone evolved along the most important transport arteries (the Vilnelė and the Neris rivers, the railway, closer to Kaunas and Kalvarija highways). They extended from south-eastern and southern part to the western part of the city and occupied the north-western and the northern parts of the city. Industrial buildings arranged in this way correspond to Hoyt’s second (transport and industrial) urban sector. Next to it there were residential zones of lower-class inhabitants in Naujamiestis, Šnipiškės, and Paupys; there was also a cone-shaped zone in the suburb of Lukiškės, in the section of Gedimino Avenue formed by Juozo Tumo-Vaižganto Street and Žvėryno Bridge, which was populated by the middle-class. Its manifestations can also be seen at the fringes of the suburbs of Šnipiškės and Paupys.
Judging from the dominant industries, the environmental impact of industrial enterprises must have been felt in certain urban areas. Although all types of factories used the rivers for waste disposal and polluted them, the greatest environmental impact in Vilnius was caused by the companies processing leather and other raw materials of animal origin. They were most common in Vilnius, but their concentration in one district of the city (Lukiškės) formed a pollution zone along the river below the city and had no significant impact on the city itself. This is evidenced by the formation of middle-class neighbourhoods of rented houses and cottages in the section of Gedimino Avenue behind Tumo-Vaižganto Street, in TumoVaižganto Street and around it, and is a proof that the fourth zone (inhabited by skilled workers and higher-class civil servants and intellectuals) was forming.
Due to close proximity of brickworks, leather processing factories, dyehouses, and other enterprises and residential buildings, the damage to the environment and human health caused by the factories must have been more severe in Šnipiškės. The factories of Paupys, which at that time were considered modern, best equipped, and of high sanitary norms, still polluted the water of the Vilnelė, which was the source of drinking water for the inhabitants further along the river, most of whom belonged to lower and middle classes. Šnipiškės were also a residential area with emerging neighbourhoods of low-income unskilled workers.
Any study of defeat should be closely allied to the study of heuristic defection (I)
Authors: Michaelsen Jørgen
Published: December 2018

Jørgen Michaelsen: "Any study of defeat should be closely allied to the study of heuristic defection (I)"
Razzle Dazzle
Authors: Kristensen Jens Tang
Published: December 2018

Jens Tang Kristensen: “Razzle Dazzle. The Camouflaged Avant-Garde”This article demonstrates that Razzle Dazzle, a type of camouflage applied to war and merchant ships in the early twentieth century, can be seen as a complex form of visual expression that emerged in close dialogue with several of the avant-garde movements which appeared in the same period. In a sense Razzle Dazzle can thus further be seen as a mode by which the avant-garde was inadvertently integrated into the military sector, which certain avant-garde groups, namely the Futurists, idealized.
Univеrsity Students’ Еntrеprеnеurial Intentions: Insights from BiH (Republic of Srpska)
Authors: Petković Saša
Published: December 2018

This paper analytically presents the factors of entrepreneurial intentions of students in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The research problem can be defined by the question whether today a university can be called an “entrepreneurial university” which educates, prepares and encourages students to start their own business as a career option independently? Do economic policies of small countries contribute to their significant role in encouraging entrepreneurship, and what are predictors of entrepreneurial intentions of students? The study was conducted on a sample of 351 students at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Banja Luka in April 2016, based on previously empirically verified questionnaire that measures the support of closer social environment (friends and family), self-efficacy and acceptability of entrepreneurship as a career, as well as the entrepreneurial intention, through three dimensions of time - starting a business immediately after the end of their formal academic education, within 5 years after graduation and in an indefinite moment in the future. The methods of descriptive statistics, factor and correlation analyses have been applied. The aim of the research is to determine the predictors of entrepreneurial intentions of students in small countries in transition in the case ofstudents from BiH at the early stage during their education and whether their entrepreneurialintentions are influenced by the economic policies through the constructionof entrepreneurial infrastructure institutions? The research results indicate theexistence of clearly defined and mutually comparable latent variables that can beidentified as factors of entrepreneurial intentions of students. Personal competenceand motivation of students are predictors of entrepreneurial intentions, which isnot the case with the “entrepreneurial university” and the institutional support forentrepreneurs who are beginners.
From Defective to Effective BiH Development Policy
Authors: Domljan Vjekoslav , Mirašćić Goran , Riđić Goran , Riđić Ognjen
Published: December 2018

After 21 post-war years Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) found itself in a “middle-income trap”. It is not classified into low income countries because workers and citizens do not accept low wages and low standard of living, nor does it fit into high income countries because those workers do not produce sophisticated products that ensure competitiveness, export and the basis for high wages and the standard of living. The development vision of BiH is to become a high income country. However, the state has neither suitable strategy nor policy.This paper represents a detailed research of multifaceted secondary sources (i.e. journal articles, government publications, internet sources, etc.), conducted in a cross-sectional time manner. By utilizing secondary sources of data we conducted our own calculations based on data from the World Bank, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina.We hold that key sectors which would provide return to pre-crisis GDP growthrate of 6-7 percent per year, should be: financial system, diaspora and digitalizationof industry (with the introduction of suitable strategies and policies), each of whichwould contribute to GDP growth of two percent per year. The key agents of changeshould be the leaders of value chains (large-scale companies), cities-regions, gazellecompanies (fast growing small and medium size companies) and micro digital companies.
Students’ Career Aspirations towards Entrepreneurial and Managerial Jobs: A Comparative Study in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia
Authors: Petković Saša , Krneta Mira , Alfirević Ana Marija , Ivanović Đukić Maja
Published: December 2018

In conditions of significant high youth unemployment rates in the transition countries of Southeast Europe, the subject of special interest of public administration and the academic community is researching the connection between stimulating entrepreneurial activity and launching independent entrepreneurial ventures and self-employment. Also, the subjectof research interest is factors influencing the entrepreneurial affinities andintentions of youth, who are finishing the process of formal education andtrying to get involved in the world of work, either as employees or employers.The subject research was conducted on a purposive (deliberate)sample of 448 respondents in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) andSerbia, collected through online questionnaire, with the aim of comparingcareer aspirations of youth towards entrepreneurial and managerial jobs.The research is an extension of the interest of the academic community,complements the previous intense research from the region of SoutheastEurope and gives a scientific contribution by modifying and testingpreviously conducted empirical research in BiH and Croatia (Umihanić,Đonlagić Alibegović & Alfirević, 2018), extending the sample to Serbia,where significant research of this kind has not been conducted. The results,obtained by using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (F-Test) andPost Hoc Fisher’s LSD test for testing research hypothesis, indicate thatthere are significant differences in the career orientation of the surveyedstudents between three observed countries. In Croatia and Serbia, the impactof society and national culture is neither favourable for entering entrepreneurship,nor for a managerial career. Attitudes are somewhat morefavourable in BiH, but not significantly more favourable in comparison toSerbia and Croatia.
Кључне димензије квалитета запослености у Србији
Authors: Јандрић Маја , Молнар Дејан
Published: December 2018

Предмет рада је критичко сагледавање стања и динамике на тржи-шту рада у Србији, са посебним освртом на квалитет запослености уодносу на земље чланице ЕУ. У раду се, најпре, анализирају нова ин-ституционална решења у овој области, која за циљ имају већу флек-сибилност на тржишту рада, при чему се посебна пажња придаје EPLиндексу (индексу законодавне заштите запослења). Потом се, студи-озно и детаљно, сагледава квалитет запослености у Србији. Налазидо којих се у истраживању дошло указују на то да су, и поред побољ-шања на тржишту рада у Србији током претходних неколико година,основни индикатори у току 2016. године и даље били знатно нижинего у ЕУ-28. Осим тога, анализом бројних релевантних показатељадошло се до закључка да постоје изражени проблеми повезани саквалитетом запослености у Србији – релативно високо учешће ра-њиве запослености, висока стопа неформалне запослености и нижеучешће запослених радника који имају уговоре на неодређено време.Резултати спроведеног истраживања указују и на то да је субјективниосећај сигурности радног места у Србији мањи него у ЕУ-28, што јепотврђено и кроз објективне податке o преласцима из једног статусана тржишту рада у други, који доноси нижи ниво сигурности запо-слења – у Србији је удео оваквих прелазака виши него у ЕУ-28.
The sharing economy: Uber and its effect on taxi companies
Authors: Pepić Lana
Published: December 2018

The popular ride sharing service Uber has undoubtedly affected the taxi industry by offering lower prices, faster and more quality service, as well as a higher degree of transparency in terms of choosing drivers and determining fares. A question arises inevitably: does Uber present loyal or unloyal price competition to taxi companies by offering significantly lower prices, cutting fixed costs and bypassing middlemen? Is there a tax loophole at play? The hypothesis this paper aims to examine is whether Uber is a new way of providing transportation services, thus bringing more transparency and fair competition to the industry, or it is a disruptor on a previously fair market. If the second case is correct, not all hope should be lost - perhaps with the right amount of regulation, Uber could become a new standard in service transportation.This paper is divided into three parts. The first part briefly explores the concept of the sharing economy; a relatively new term and even newer foundation for business models of contemporary startups. Special significance is given to the reduced costs in companies which operate based on the sharing economy versus the so-called traditional companies. The second part of the paper examines Uber’s business model through costs, thepricing system, driver earnings and working conditions. Finally, the thirdpart of the paper estimates the present and future impact of Uber on traditionaltaxi companies, taking into account its legal status, competition andthe changing labor market.
Coastal ecosystem monitoring using long-term satellite data records: A case study of Chilika Lake, Odisha
Authors: G. Vivek , Goswami Santonu , Samal Rabindra N. , Choudhury Saroj B.
Published: December 2018

Changing trend in coastal ecosystem can be quantified by performing time series analysis. Time series analysis performed using long term remote sensing data will help us to identify the dynamic changes happening in the coastal ecosystem and its surrounding regions. In the present study we performed time series analysis on northern sector of Chilika Lake and its nearby regions of Odisha, which is situated in the east coast of India using three decades of freely available Landsat archive data. In order to detect dynamic changes trend parameters were calculated by using available data sets from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Operational Land Imager and Thermal Infrared Sensor (OLI/TIRS) for the observation period from 1988 to 2017. Two multi-spectral indices i.e. NDVI and EVI were generated from the available data sets and the trend analyses were performed using Theil-Sen (T-S) regression method by identifying robust trend parameters (slope and pvalue). The average mean values for NDVI and EVI were recorded at 0.4 and 0.2. Significant positive trend was observed in both vegetation indices (NDVI and EVI) with a mean slope value of 0.004 and 0.003 and pvalue of 0.03 and 0.02 respectively.
Liliana Segre, or the courageous struggle against “indifference” and for social recognition
Authors: Greco Silvana
Published: December 2018

From a historical and sociological perspective, based on the social theory of recognition of Axel Honneth, this article analyzes the life course of the Italian Jewish Holocaust survivor Liliana Segre, born in 1930 in Milan, and her struggle for social recognition after her liberation from the concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Ravensbrück, Jugendlager and Malchow. The article will underline on one side, the “spiral of misrecognition” that Liliana Segre, as all Italian Jews, has been victim of after the approval of the Fascist racial laws of 1938 and the negative consequences for her identity, such as social shame, loss of self-confidence, self-respect and self-esteem. On the other side, the article focus on the “upward spiral of recognition”, that Liliana Segre was able to realize after her return from the concentration camp. Through marriage, maternity, paid work in the labor market and civil engagement as Shoah witness, she was able to regain social self-esteem and dignity for herself and, for the Jewish people.
Diffused Religion and Civil Society in Italy
Authors: Cipriani Roberto
Published: December 2018

“Diffused religion” is to be understood in at least a double sense. First of all, it is diffused in that it comprises vast sections of the population and goes beyond the simple limits of church religion. Besides, it has become widespread, since it has been shown to be a historical and cultural result of the almost bi-millennial presence of the Catholic institution in Italy and of its socializing and legitimizing action. However values diffused in the Italian civil society can be considered as a form of conflict with the established institution of Catholic Church. Civil society shows a peculiar trend towards civic freedoms and ethical pluralism. Although the Catholic perspective is dominant, the civil society prefers a different system of values, even though not so much different from ecclesiastical social doctrine. This way there is a public space where religion is not the reference point and other perspectives take place.
Modern legal systems and the principle of “Culpa in Contrahendo”: A review of the Albanian model of pre-contractual liability on a Roman-Germanic model reference.
Authors: Mustafaraj Borana
Published: December 2018

The doctrine of “culpa in contrahendo” constitutes an integral part of the legal systems of different states, although its content differs from one country to another. “Culpa in contrahendo”, as the states with a civil law system recognize, is bound by the obligation to act in good faith during the pre-contractual phase. It represents a responsibility that derives from the injurious behavior of the party during the stage of the contract. The common problem of various modern systems lies in classifying this responsibility, and the solution that states give is expanding the meaning of the contract or the meaning of non-contractual damage, since they do not categorize it as a sui generis responsibility. In Albanian law, there is no special provision for pre-contractual, however, the provision of Article 674 of the civil code may be considered as a basic provision that imposes liability at the negotiation stage. Regarding the nature of this responsibility, it is difficult to admit that it is of a contractual nature, when Albanian case law, despite the low number of cases, has considered it as extra contractual damage. Also, the European Court of Justice has foreseen pre-contractual liability as an extra contractual liability. The lack of unification regarding the rights, obligations and the way of protection against damage at the pre-contractual stage may cause uncertainty, especially in international trade relations.
The Specious Denials of Access to Administrative Documents: Practical Problems in the Transparency Era with the Case of Italian Military Court of Verona
Authors: Ratto Trabucco Fabio
Published: December 2018

The contribution examines the institution of the right of access to administrative documents between coarse and pretentious denials in the Italian public administration and particularly the case of the reiterated illegitimate denials of access to the Military Court of Verona. The age of transparency between information to the consumer, right of access to documents and civic and the lack of responsibility of the public employee for abnormal denial is therefore still connoted by abnormal and inadmissible cases of denial of access particularly by the military state administration unable to adapt to the principle of transparency.
Sustainability of water use in agriculture. Southern European farmers participation and social impact.
Authors: Miftari Alda
Published: December 2018

This paper aims to open a discussion in the scientific point of view and policy making processes on sustainability of water policies. The social and environmental impact on the Agriculture sector in Southern European countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) will be investigated to analyse the adoption of measures taken by decision makers on water policies. The community assets of farmers will have an important role on the implementation of different strategies concerning agriculture water management. The paper will focus on the role of farmer’s participation as central actors of implementation in water policy. Furthermore, the social and the environmental aspects will be addressed.
Primary prevention: a need for concerted action
Authors: Schüz Joachim , Espina Carolina , Wild Christopher P.
Published: December 2018

The burden of cancer is increasing worldwide, and Europe is no exception in this regard. Cancer incidence rate for men in 2018, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers, averaged over the 40 UN‐defined European countries has been estimated as 436/100 000. For women, the estimated incidence rate is 332.6/100 000. Although mortality rates are declining in most European countries, the total number of cancer deaths continues to rise due to an increase in the number of older people in the age range when the cancer typically occurs. The increase in incident cases and cancer deaths increases the pressure on healthcare infrastructure and related costs, thus presenting a challenge to health service sustainability in countries. In the general population, there remains a perception of an ever‐increasing cancer risk. Hence, treatment alone is not a solution to address the cancer burden. At the same time, recent estimates of preventable fractions of cancer suggest that about half of all cancer cases could be prevented through rigorous implementation of successful prevention measures, among other actions, by following the cancer prevention recommendations of the European Code against Cancer. Smoking alone explains almost half of all preventable cancers, and the scattered way of implementing tobacco control in Europe with still increasing numbers of lung cancers in women demonstrates the gap between prevention potential and effectively implemented prevention. Cancer prevention clearly needs more resources, stronger support from decision‐makers and society, and a solid network to better speak with one voice. The newly established ‘Cancer Prevention Europe’ (Forman et al., ) offers promising opportunities for the latter.
Surface‐EnhancedRaman Spectroscopy: Protein Application
Authors: Chen Lei , Cai Linjun , Ruan Weidong , Zhao Bing
Published: December 2018

This article outlines the recent progress in surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)‐based biological applications, especially in the study of proteins. SERS is a specific Raman spectroscopic technique that provides enhanced Raman signals (several orders of magnitude greater than normal) for numerous Raman active analyte molecules adsorbed onto rough metal surfaces. SERS is a sensitive, selective, and versatile technique, and it lends itself readily to fast data acquisition. Therefore, SERS has undergone rapid development due to numerous technical advances in both instrumentation and methods of data analysis as well as to a vast proliferation and combination of basic techniques for its multiple biological applications. This article highlights several representative areas in biology where SERS could be employed. Some of the biological applications of SERS are more developed, whereas others are in their initial stages of development (in laboratories). This article discusses the recent developments in SERS‐based quantitative analysis: (i) directly with different substrates (e.g. biomolecules on electrodes, colloidal particles, and periodic pattern structure, semiconductor‐based substrates, and tip‐based substrates), and (ii) indirectly with different types of sensors (e.g. immunogold‐, enzymatic‐, reagent‐, and Raman active nanomaterial‐based sensors). Furthermore, SERS‐based techniques are advantageous for obtaining valuable information on protein–protein, protein–ligand and protein–drug recognition via spectral differences among molecular bridges. More importantly, SERS was employed to determination of disease‐related proteins which the structure and/or the content changes in the tissue fluid. SERS‐based techniques show considerable promise for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis and early diagnosis of disease for life body.
Two‐Dimensional Correlation Spectroscopy: New Developments and Applications
Authors: Jung Young Mee , Noda Isao
Published: December 2018

This article outlines the recent progress in two‐dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D‐COS), especially new and noteworthy developments and its applications. 2D‐COS is a powerful technique applicable to the in‐depth analysis of various spectral data, especially those obtained in various spectroscopic experiments. 2D‐COS has undergone rapid developments. This article highlights new types of 2D correlation analysis, such as combination of chemometrics and 2D‐COS, moving‐window 2D analysis, projection 2D analysis, hetero‐correlation analysis, and two‐dimensional codistribution spectroscopy (2D‐CDS) as well as experimental practices, such as various perturbation methods, fields of applications, and analytical probes employed.
Bioanalytical Chemistry, Biosensors
Authors: Jiang Jian‐Hui , Tang Hao
Published: December 2018

Bioanalytical chemistry and biosensor research have achieved great success since the first biosensor development in 1960s. Biosensor has its unique advantages to achieve fast, real‐time analysis at a low cost with small integrated and portable device comparing with conventional analytical techniques. It represents a promising tool for clinic diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and many other areas. However, only small part of biosensors have been applied for practical and commercial applications, technical challenges and economic barrier are needed to be overcome for many biosensors toward practical applications. This article covers principles, basic types, construction of biosensor, current situation, and research trends of biosensors.
Secondary Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Breath Studies
Authors: Li Haorong , Zhu Jiangjiang , Hill Jane E.
Published: December 2018

Spurred by recent events, there is an ever‐growing interest in the detection of volatile metabolites through human breath. Breath analysis, which is entirely noninvasive, can be applied to clinical diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring, where frequent sampling is required. The history of breath analysis can be traced back to as early as the time of ancient Greek. While the benefits of breath analysis are attractive, its technical basis and implementation are challenging. Despite the countless efforts in making use of breath analysis to guide clinical decisions, the potential of breath analysis remains to be fully exploited. The instruments used for breath analysis must be very selective, sensitive, and comprehensive. Comparing the published literature of several other mass spectrometry (MS)‐based breath analysis techniques, this review paper particularly focused on one recently developed breath analysis technique, secondary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SESI‐MS). SESI‐MS has major advantages such as its high ionization efficiency and its flexibility comparing to other existing techniques, as it can be interfaced with high‐end commercial mass spectrometers. In this review, the instrumentation, mechanism of ionization and extensive applications of SESI‐MS are discussed in detail.
Effects of Parasite Infection and Host Body Size on Habitat Associations of Invasive Aquatic Snails: Implications for Environmental Monitoring
Authors: Tolley-Jordan Lori R. , Chadwick Michael A.
Published: December 2018

The Comal River, a spring-fed system in central Texas, was invaded in the 1960s by two Asian aquatic snails (Thiaridae: red-rimmed melania Melanoides tuberculata and quilted melania Tarebia granifera) and subsequently by three of their trematode parasites (the avian eye-fluke Philophthalmus gralli in the 1960s; the gill trematode Centrocestus formosanus in the 1990s; and the intestinal fluke Haplorchis pumilio in the 2000s). Previous snail collections (2001–2002) established that habitat conditions significantly affect the distribution of both snail species. However, the effects of snail size (known to influence infection prevalence) and habitat conditions (known to influence snail size) on trematode infection patterns in this system were not evaluated. In a re-evaluation of this data set, logistic regression analyses with individual snails showed that for both M. tuberculata and T. granifera populations, large snails were more likely to be infected than small snails, and habitat conditions were significantly related to infection in T. granifera. However, only snail size was significant in explaining the probability of infection in M. tuberculata. This result was confirmed by linear regression models, which showed that both infected and noninfected M. tuberculata used similar habitats, as large individuals in both infection categories were found in patches dominated by fine substrates and high levels of aquatic vegetation and detritus. For the large size-class of T. granifera, noninfected individuals were found primarily in habitats with silt/sand substrates and high vegetation and detritus cover, while infected individuals occurred among all available habitats. Using these results, we suggest that targeted sampling of large individuals of M. tuberculata in habitats with high detritus and vegetation and large individuals of T. granifera in any habitat can be used to efficiently ascertain parasite “hot spots” and to evaluate changes in parasite prevalence or detect the invasion of new parasites in these thiarid snails.
Clinical spectrum of BCS1L Mitopathies and their underlying structural relationships
Authors: Baker Rachael A. , Priestley Jessica R. C. , Wilstermann Amy M. , Reese Kalina J. , Mark Paul R.
Published: December 2018

The most frequent cause of isolated complex III deficits is mutations to the nuclear‐encoded ATPase BCS1L. Disease phenotypes are varied and can be as mild as Björnstad syndrome, characterized by pili torti and sensorineural hearing loss, or as severe as GRACILE syndrome, characterized by growth restriction, aminoaciduria, cholestasis, iron overload, lactic acidosis, and early death. BCS1L mutations are also linked to an undefined complex III deficiency, a heterogeneous condition generally involving low birth weight, renal and hepatic pathologies, hypotonia, and developmental delays. We analyzed all published patient cases of mutations to BCS1L and modeled the tertiary and quaternary structure of the BCS1L protein to map the location of disease‐causing BCS1L mutations. We show that higher order structural analysis can be used to understand the phenotype observed in a patient with the novel compound heterozygous c.550C>T(p.Arg184Cys) and c.838C>T(p.Leu280Phe) mutations. More broadly, higher order structural analysis reveals genotype–phenotype relationships within the intermediate complex III deficiency category that help to make sense of the spectrum of observed phenotypes. We propose a change in nomenclature that unifies the intermediate phenotype under “BCS1L Mitopathies”. Patterns in genotype–phenotype correlations within these BCS1L Mitopathies are evident in the context of the tertiary and quaternary structure of BCS1L.
Anomalies of the genitourinary tract in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Van Batavia Jason P. , Crowley Terrence B. , Burrows Evanette , Zackai Elaine H. , Sanna‐Cherchi Simone , McDonald‐McGinn Donna M. , Kolon Thomas F.
Published: December 2018

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) involves multiple organ systems with variable phenotypic expression. Genitourinary tract abnormalities have been noted to be present in up to 30–40% of patients. At our institution, an internationally recognized, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary 22q11.2DS care center has been providing care to these children. We sought to report on the incidence of genitourinary tract anomalies in this large cohort and, therefore, retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent a complete evaluation from 1992 to March 2017. We identified all children with any genital or urinary tract anomaly. For all children with a diagnosis of hydronephrosis, the underlying etiology was determined, when possible. Overall, 1,073 of 1,267 children with 22q11.2DS underwent renal evaluations at our institution. Hundered Sixty‐Two (15.1%) children had structural abnormalities of their kidneys/urinary tracts. The majority of children with hydronephrosis (63%) had isolated upper tract dilation without any additional diagnoses. Boys were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a genital abnormality than girls (7.7 vs. 0.5%, p < 0.001). Of the 649 boys in the entire cohort, 24 (3.7%) had cryptorchidism and 24 (3.7%) had hypospadias, which was noted to be mild in all except one boy. Overall, findings of hydronephrosis, unilateral renal agenesis, and multicystic dysplastic kidney occur at higher rates than expected in the general population. Given these findings, in addition to routine physical examination, we believe that all patients with 22q11.2DS warrant screening RBUS at time of diagnosis.
The comb‐like modified styrene‐maleic anhydride copolymer dispersant for disperse dyes
Authors: Qian Tao , Zhong Yi , Mao Zhiping , Xu Hong , Zhang Linping , Sui Xiaofeng , Wang Bijia
Published: December 2018

The comb‐like styrene‐maleic anhydride copolymer‐g‐isatoic anhydride‐methoxypolyethylene glycols condensate (SMA‐g‐IA‐MPEG) was synthesized by transesterification and amidation reaction. The chemical structure of SMA‐g‐IA‐MPEG was characterized by FTIR and 1H‐NMR. The comb‐like modified SMA was first employed as the dispersant of disperse dyes suspension in this paper. The addition of SMA‐g‐IA‐MPEG dispersant improved the dispersibility and stability of the disperse dyes suspension observably due to the steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion on the surface of dye particles. The impacts of the length of side chains on the particle size, Zeta potential, centrifugal stability, and temperature sensitivity of disperse dyes suspensions were particularly discussed. The results showed that SMA‐g‐IA‐MPEG with moderate length of side chain had the best dispersibility for disperse dyes suspension and the average particle size of dyes can be reduced to 356.1 nm. Thus, the comb‐like dispersants played a vital role in dispersing of disperse dyes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47330.
The second life of Ziegler catalyst. Ethylene polymerization reactions with TiCl4–Al[C2H5]2Cl/Mg(C4H9)2 catalyst
Authors: Kissin Yury V. , Rishina Laura A. , Lalayan Svetlana S. , Krasheninnikov Vadim G.
Published: December 2018

The Ziegler catalyst, a combination of TiCl4 and Al(C2H5)2Cl, was widely used since 1950s for the commercial manufacture of linear polyethylene. We found that addition of Mg(C4H9)2 to this catalyst at [Al]:[Mg]molar > 2 leads to the formation of a very active catalyst system for homopolymerization of ethylene and for copolymerization of ethylene and 1‐alkenes. The principal advantages of the ternary TiCl4–Al(C2H5)2Cl/Mg(C4H9)2 catalyst are very high activity (six to seven times higher than the activity of the original Ziegler catalyst), low cost, and the ease of use: the catalyst is prepared in situ from three commercially available cheap compounds soluble in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47340.
Application of the Vrentas–Duda free‐volume theory of diffusion below the glass‐transition temperature: Application to hypromellose acetate succinate–solvent systems
Authors: Sturm Derek R. , Danner Ronald P. , Moser Justin D. , Chiu Sheng‐Wei
Published: December 2018

The Vrentas–Duda free‐volume theory for diffusion characterizes the diffusivity of a solvent in a polymer in terms of the concentration and size of the solvent, the temperature, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the individual components. The effective Tg of the polymer, however, is a function of the concentration of the solvent. This article introduces a modification that corrects for this change in the glass‐transition temperature, thus providing more accurate diffusivities. The model has been verified by comparison with experimental diffusivities of water, acetone, methanol, and tetrahydrofuran in hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS). HPMCAS is widely used in the production of pharmaceutical formulations. One common application is the formation of amorphous solid dispersions with poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for dissolution and solubility enhancement. Frequently, the APIs and HPMCAS are put into solution and spray dried at an outlet temperature below the normal glass‐transition temperature. The modified free‐volume theory is able to directly predict or correlate with only one adjustable parameter the diffusivities as a function of the concentration and temperature. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47351.
Preparation of superabsorbent composite based on acrylic acid‐hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate and clinoptilolite for agricultural applications
Authors: Kazeminejadfard Fatemeh , Hojjati Mahmoud Reza
Published: December 2018

Recently, using superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are considered as a solution for reducing the water consumption particularly in agricultural applications. Presented here is the synthesis of a novel biocompatible SAP, utilizing for reducing the water consumption particularly in agricultural applications via graft copolymerization of hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (HDP) based on tapioca starch with acrylic acid (AA), loading with clinoptilolite zeolites. A two‐level factorial design of experiments, investigating the effect of the SAP composition on the water absorbency exhibited that the optimum SAP has the maximum water absorbencies of 1075 and 67 g g−1 in distilled water and 0.9 wt % NaCl solution, respectively. The chemical structure of the best superabsorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The results revealed that AA was successfully grafted onto HDP and surface morphology of the superabsorbent was improved with incorporated clinoptilolite zeolites. In addition, the results of water absorption in different soil textures showed that within a first week after irrigation, the soil texture with 100% sand has the maximum water retention (69.6 g more than its control sample), as well as that with 50% sand, loses the absorbed moisture 49 days later than its control sample. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47365.
Preparation and adsorption selectivity of deltamethrin molecularly imprinted polymers by two‐step seed swelling method
Authors: Xie Lei , Zhou Liumei , Li Lu , Xie Xinan , Li Yan
Published: December 2018

Deltamethrin (DM) is one of the most efficient pyrethroid insecticides, which is widely applied to the control of insect pests in tea. In this work, efficient molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized using DM as the template and acrylamide as the functional monomer, in conjunction with two‐step seed swelling polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis confirmed the staggered pore structure and the presence of binding site in DM MIPs. The adsorption properties of the DM MIPs were also investigated based on assessing equilibrium adsorption as well as kinetic modeling and solid‐phase extraction. Isothermal equilibrium adsorption experiments show that the adsorption behavior is consistent with the Freundlich and Halsey models, indicating heterogeneous multilayer specific adsorption. Fitting of the kinetic data demonstrates that chemical adsorption could be the rate‐limiting step in DM extraction, which is consistent with a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. Using the imprinted polymers as solid‐phase extraction filler, the DM recoveries from various teas were greater than 80% and exceeded those of the structural analogs cypermethrin, lambda‐cyhalothrin, and bifenthrin. These results confirm that the MIPs exhibit specific adsorption of this analyte. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47415.
Examining scientific writing styles from the perspective of linguistic complexity
Authors: Lu Chao , Bu Yi , Wang Jie , Ding Ying , Torvik Vetle , Schnaars Matthew , Zhang Chengzhi
Published: December 2018

Publishing articles in high‐impact English journals is difficult for scholars around the world, especially for non‐native English‐speaking scholars (NNESs), most of whom struggle with proficiency in English. To uncover the differences in English scientific writing between native English‐speaking scholars (NESs) and NNESs, we collected a large‐scale data set containing more than 150,000 full‐text articles published inPLoSbetween 2006 and 2015. We divided these articles into three groups according to the ethnic backgrounds of the first and corresponding authors, obtained by Ethnea, and examined the scientific writing styles in English from a two‐fold perspective of linguistic complexity: (a) syntactic complexity, including measurements of sentence length and sentence complexity; and (b) lexical complexity, including measurements of lexical diversity, lexical density, and lexical sophistication. The observations suggest marginal differences between groups in syntactical and lexical complexity.
Social Information as a Means to Enhance Engagement in Citizen Science‐Based Telerehabilitation
Authors: Nakayama Shinnosuke , Tolbert Tyrone J. , Nov Oded , Porfiri Maurizio
Published: December 2018

Advancements in computer‐mediated exercise put forward the feasibility of telerehabilitation, but it remains a challenge to retain patients' engagement in exercises. Building on our previous study demonstrating enhanced engagement in citizen science through social information about others' contributions, we propose a novel framework for effective telerehabilitation that integrates citizen science and social information into physical exercise. We hypothesized that social information about others' contributions would augment engagement in physical activity by encouraging people to invest more effort toward discovery of novel information in a citizen science context. We recruited healthy participants to monitor the environment of a polluted canal by tagging images using a haptic device toward gathering environmental information. Along with the images, we displayed the locations of the tags created by the previous participants. We found that participants increased both the amount and duration of physical activity when presented with a larger number of the previous tags. Further, they increased the diversity of tagged objects by avoiding the locations tagged by the previous participants, thereby generating richer information about the environment. Our results suggest that social information is a viable means to augment engagement in rehabilitation exercise by incentivizing the contribution to scientific activities.
Biolubricant production from edible and novel indigenous vegetable oils: mainstream methodology, and prospects and challenges in Iran
Authors: Dehghani Soufi Masoud , Ghobadian Barat , Atashgaran Mohsen , Mousavi Seyyed Mohammad , Najafi Gholamhassan
Published: December 2018

The reduction in crude oil resources, its volatile prices, and the irreparable environmental pollution caused by their production and consumption have led to worrying global challenges. At the same time, ever‐increasing population growth and growing industrialization have resulted in an increasing demand for petroleum‐based crude oil products, including lubricants. In this respect, the proper management of biomass to produce higher value‐added products such as biolubricants is very important. Iran, with a population of more than 80 million, is the fourth largest producer of crude oil and one of the largest lubricant producers in the region, but the development of clean bio‐based lubricants has always been neglected there, mostly due to the abundance of petroleum. The present study, reviewing the status of Iran's lubricant industry and its technical and environmental challenges, investigates the potential use of conventional edible oils and introduces novel drought‐resistant native edible oil sources, for the production of biolubricants. It is believed that this case study could be of assistance to researchers and specialists in developing countries, enabling them to take action to confront the challenges ahead by relying on sustainable development based on renewable and environmentally friendly products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Treatment of an Advanced Gingival Recession Involving the Apex of the Tooth: Periodontal Plastic, Endodontic Surgical Approach With a Laterally Stretched Flap and a Connective Tissue Graft
Authors: Carranza Nelson , Rojas Mariana A.
Published: December 2018

Introduction

This case report presents the successful multidisciplinary treatment of a maxillary lateral incisor with a deep and narrow recession involving the root apex associated with pulpal necrosis. The tooth initially considered with a hopeless prognosis, was treated with a combined periodontal plastic, regenerative, and endodontic surgical procedure.

Case Presentation

A recently reported technique, the laterally stretched (LAST) flap with a connective tissue graft (CTG) technique for root coverage, was combined with enamel matrix derivative (EMD) for periodontal regeneration of the periapical lesion, that complemented an apicoectomy with retrograde sealing.

The 6‐year follow‐up evidenced root coverage (RC) of 91.6% and increased keratinized tissue. Clinical and radiographic evaluation showed resolution of the periapical process.

Conclusions

A severe gingival recession with endodontic involvement can be repaired if adequate control of the endodontic infection is obtained. The LAST flap, originally described for lower anterior teeth, was used successfully in a maxillary tooth, under extreme circumstances.