bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A critique on Avicennas (980  1037 A.D) studies on anatomy of the upper respiratory system and some otorhinolaryngologic concepts
Authors: Mazengenya Pedzisai , Bhikha Rashid
Published: March 2017

Background: Avicenna (also known as Ibn Sina) was arguably one of the outstanding medical scientists and physicians of the time. He made significant contributions in the development of various medical fields in the golden age of Islamic medicine (9-12th century AD) and in Europe. Ibn Sina contributed immensely to human anatomy, physiology, pathology and management of most disorders of the human body. Of paramount importance was the systemic description of the anatomy of various organs and surgical interventions associated with the problems. Although neither formal dissection nor surgical training was recorded during his time, the anatomic and surgical information presented in the Canon of Medicine is congruent with modern advancement. The current study was undertaken to compare Avicennas anatomy of the ear, nose, oral cavity, throat and larynx to modern anatomical texts.Methods: The current work analysed the anatomy information on the ear, nose, oral cavity, throat and the larynx as presented in volumes one and three of the Canon of Medicine. The information was compared to modern anatomic descriptions.Results: Avicenna described correctly the anatomy and functions of the external and internal ear, nose, oral cavity, parts of the throat and larynx. He described voice production in the larynx and subsequent contributions on the nose, uvula and tongue in shaping the syllables. The functional aspects, disorders and their management associated with the ear and the upper respiratory system were also described.Conclusions: The findings show that Ibn Sinas contributions had a major influence on the development and advancement of medical practise. His anatomic explanations are comparable to modern knowledge on the subject. They also show that the Canon of Medicine is still a valuable book in the study of the history of medicine.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(2) 2017 p.188-193
Patterns of Semen Analysis: Experiences of a Laboratory Catering to Semi Urban Population of Delhi
Authors: Jairajpuri Zeeba S , Rana Safia , Ali Manal Ashraf , Pujani Mukta , Jetley Sujata
Published: March 2017

Background:Infertilityis defined as failure of a couple to conceive after one year of regular sexual intercourse. It remains both prevalent and problematic among couples worldwide. The analysis of semen remains the preliminary investigation for males in the workup of infertility in couples.It is a key element in the fertility evaluation of men and permits male reproductive potential to be evaluated in association with possible risk factors.Aim: To assess and analyse the semen characteristics of all the males who presented to our hospital, irrespective of primary or secondary infertility.Material and Methods: This is an observational study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi; from Jan 2012 to Oct 2013. Semen of 139 subjects were evaluated and results analyzed.Results: The present study included 139 subjects whose age ranged from 22 years to 48 years with a mean age of 29.42 years. Patients were divided into oligospermia[17%], normospermia[16%] and azoospermia[9%]. 42.5% of the cases had sperm counts in the range of 51-80million/ml. Asthenospermia was seen in 22.1% of the cases.An age specific comparative analysis of the mean sperm counts, total motility and normal morphology revealed a decline in the aaverage values of these parameters with age.Conclusions: Routine semen analysis remains the backbone of the evaluation of the male factor infertility, but it is important to acknowledge the limitation of semen analysis with respect to collection, processing, evaluation, biological variation of the parameters and lack of information on sperm function. A normal semen analysis does not guarantee the fertilization potential of sperm.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(2) 2017 p.314-319
Maiestas in Thomas More’s Political Thought
Authors: Gordon Walter M.
Published: March 2017

Maiestas, especially as the word applies to the king, occupies a place of importance in Thomas More’s reflection upon man’s relation to God within the human community. The term originated with the greatness of the Roman people and then became attached to the emperor who had assumed a divine stature. More tempers the awesome sweep of this notion and resists the prince’s inclination towards divinity by linking the meaning of maiestas to the mind of the populace. Royal majesty ceases to function when the sovereign loses the respect of the people he is meant to serve.
Superradiance: the principles of generation and implementation in lasers*
Authors: Kocharovsky VI V , Zheleznyakov V V , Kocharovskaya E R , Kocharovsky V V
Published: March 2017

The electrodynamics of active continuous media is applied to theoretically examine collective spontaneous emission regimes of dipole oscillator ensembles. Recent experiments in which the superfluorescence phenomenon has been observed are reviewed. The focus is on propagation and interaction effects experienced by the inhomogeneous waves of active center polarization and electromagnetic fields. The superradiant laser dynamics is examined and prospects for the realization of superradiant lasers using low-Q cavities are discussed.
Spray Characteristics of Alternative Aviation Fuel Blends
Authors: Vouros Andreas , Vouros Alexandros , Panidis Thrassos
Published: March 2017

The compatibility of spray characteristics of alternative fuel blends, in relation to currently used Jet A-1 fuel, has been assessed experimentally. Tested blends were selected based on a narrow cut of paraffins, mixed with appropriately selected aromatics and naphthenes. Relevant physical properties including the density, viscosity, and surface tension were estimated first. The jet spray was produced using a single fluid, generic nozzle at operating pressures 5–11 bars. The atomization characteristics were assessed through measurements of droplet velocity field and droplet size, using phase Doppler anemometry. The physical properties varied within 10% of the reference fuel values. The spray results indicate that all tested blends produced similar atomized jets and droplet sizes, although observed differences may influence the implementation of combustion schemes which require precise control of the flow pattern.
Environmental Enrichment in Kennelled Pit Bull Terriers (Canis lupus familiaris)
Authors: Kiddie Jenna , Bodymore Anna , Dittrich Alex
Published: March 2017

Although social enrichment can be considered beneficial in helping dogs cope with the kennel environment, when taking individual needs into account, it places a large demand on the carers and may not be appropriate in under-resourced kennels. Some kennels are also designed in such a way that there is too much social interaction, in that individuals cannot choose to distance themselves from conspecifics. This study therefore aimed to assess the effects of easily accessible enrichment on the behaviour of kennelled Pit Bull Terrier type dogs rescued from a dog-fighting ring in the Philippines. Thirty-six dogs were allocated to one of three treatment groups following a matched-subject design: (i) cardboard bed provision; (ii) coconut provision; and (iii) visual contact with dogs housed in adjacent cages obstructed with cardboard partitions. Behavioural diversity and the duration and frequency of individual behaviours were analysed using linear mixed-effect models. Yawning frequencies and time spent lying down and sitting decreased during treatment. No particular treatment was more influential in these behavioural changes. In conclusion, enrichment, regardless of type, affected the dogs’ behaviour, with some effects depending on the sex of the dogs. Therefore, it is possible to cheaply and sustainably enrich the lives of dogs living in highly constrained environments, however, further research is required to refine the methods used.
Global Climate Responses to Land Use and Land Cover Changes Over the Past Two Millennia
Authors: Yan Mi , Liu Jian , Wang Zhiyuan
Published: March 2017

A reconstructed land use/land cover change (LUCC) dataset was used with the Community Earth System Model (CESM) to conduct a climate sensitivity analysis over the past two millennia. Compared to a controlled experiment conducted with the CESM, the LUCC showed significant biogeophysical effects on global climate on multi-decadal to centennial time scales. The global annual mean temperature and precipitation show clear decadal and multi-centennial scale oscillations when the LUCC effect was considered in the CESM simulation. With increased crop acreage and decreased natural vegetation over the past two millennia, the reflected terrestrial solar radiation has increased and the net terrestrial radiation has decreased, leading to a decrease in the global annual mean temperature. Global annual mean precipitation has also decreased along with decreased evaporation and atmospheric humidity. Our simulation suggests that LUCC mainly influences convective precipitation and has little influence on large-scale precipitation. The impact of LUCC has latitudinal and seasonal differences. The largest response of temperature to LUCC has occurred in the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere (NH), while the largest precipitation response occurred at lower latitudes of the NH. The responses of temperature and precipitation to LUCC is stronger in winter and spring than in summer and autumn.
Comparison of Space Heating Energy Consumption of Residential Buildings Based on Traditional and Model-Based Techniques
Authors: Perera Degurunnehalage , Skeie Nils-Olav
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a comparison of different scenarios in controlling the space heating systems in residential buildings. The space heating energy consumption of a three-storey residential building is estimated using traditional control methods (fixed-temperature schedule and fixed-time schedule) and a mathematical model-based control strategy. The model-based control technique takes the usage pattern of the building into account and operates the heaters based on the calculated heating time of the building. The results from the experiments confirm that the use of a model in heating control is the best option, which can save up to 1400 kWh and 320 kWh per year compared to a fixed-temperature schedule and fixed-time schedule, respectively.
Esoteric Twist: An Efficient in-Place Streaming Algorithmus for the Lattice Boltzmann Method on Massively Parallel Hardware
Authors: Geier Martin , Schönherr Martin
Published: March 2017

We present and analyze the Esoteric Twist algorithm for the Lattice Boltzmann Method. Esoteric Twist is a thread safe in-place streaming method that combines streaming and collision and requires only a single data set. Compared to other in-place streaming techniques, Esoteric Twist minimizes the memory footprint and the memory traffic when indirect addressing is used. Esoteric Twist is particularly suitable for the implementation of the Lattice Boltzmann Method on Graphic Processing Units.
The Logic of Democracy and Education
Authors: Johnston James
Published: March 2017

To the best of my knowledge; no one has ever exploited the relationship between Democracy and Education and Dewey’s logical theory as presented in these other works. Doing so not only lends textual evidence to the important relationship between Dewey’s logical theory and Democracy and Education; it reinforces Dewey’s claim that Democracy and Education best represents his philosophy in general. Democracy and Education evinces arguments regarding logical theory that Dewey hadn’t yet made in his published works on logical theory. These arguments concern the role and scope of scientific method in the context of the practice of teaching and the social psychology of learning. Attention to scientific method and to the habits and dispositions of the student-as-learner will be my focus. I argue that these arguments find their way into Dewey’s later logical theory; represented in Logic: the Theory of Inquiry (1938) under the rubrics of ‘the existential matrix of inquiry’ and ‘social inquiry.’ In particular; the accounts of habit; adaptation; and interaction in Chapter 2 of Dewey’s Logic; together with the account of social problems and their resolution in a genuine determination as discussed in Chapter 24; are indebted to Chapters 11–14 of Democracy and Education. And for this reason alone; Democracy and Education should be considered among the most important of Dewey’s influences regarding the development of his logical theory.
FPGA and SoC Devices Applied to New Trends in Image/Video and Signal Processing Fields
Authors: Bravo-Muñoz Ignacio , Lázaro-Galilea José Luis , Gardel-Vicente Alfredo
Published: March 2017

Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and, recently, System on Chip (SoC) devices have been applied in different areas and fields for the past 20 years. [...]
Design and optimization of collection efficiency and conversion gain of buried p-well SOI pixel X-ray detector
Authors: Shi Chen , Tian Li , Feng Songlin , Li Qiliang , Wang Hui
Published: March 2017

Buried P-Well (BPW) technology was used in silicon-on-insulator pixels (SOIPIX) to suppress the back-gate effect, the major challenge in SOIPIX. In this work, we have designed and optimized two novel pixel structures, which are based on different BPW design layouts, to study the carrier collection efficiency and conversion gain of the pixel unit used in SOIPIX X-ray detectors. The first structure has an extended BPW region connected with a P+ node. In the second structure, a separated BPW ring region is formed surrounding the P+ node. Two X-ray sources with different photon energies have been applied in the simulation of excess carrier generation. The results indicated that the first structure had higher collection efficiency while the second structure had a slightly better conversion gain. As a result, the total photoelectric voltage of the first structure is about two times that of the second structure, where low doping concentration (<1 × 1016 cm‒3) in the BPW region is preferred. Such a study of design and optimization of BPW technology is very important for applications in SOIPIX detectors
Sustainability Assessment of the Bui Hydropower System
Authors: Mortey Eric , Ofosu Eric , Kolodko Dmitri , Kabobah Amos
Published: March 2017

Sustainable hydroelectric projects are judged by their contribution to sustainable development, long-term viability, and ability to integrate sustainability goals. This paper analyses the Bui hydroelectric dam in Ghana vis-à-vis these expectations using sustainability indices. A multi-criteria analysis tool, APIS (Aggregated Preference Indices System), is used to build indices for Bui dam for four hydrologic seasons. An analysis of the indicators used revealed that environmental indicators are weightiest and economic indicators have the least weight. Comparative analysis of the Bui dam project shows 40%, 36%, 18%, and 6% priority for technical, economic, social, and environmental criteria, respectively, during its implementation stages. Per estimation of this work, the general sustainability index of the Bui dam is between 0.4 and 0.6 on a scale of 0 to 1. The impact of seasonal climate change will reduce the index to below 0.5 for three hydrologic seasons. The results show that Bui dam has an average but weak index of sustainability. Multi-criteria analysis offers quality assessment of energy projects, which is valuable for analyzing proposed or existing energy projects. This paper shows the possibility of using multi-criteria analysis approach to assess the sustainability of a hydroelectric dam. The approach offers a quantitative and qualitative assessment of a hydroelectric dam via a suitable choice of indicators.
New Bio-Composites Based on Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Posidonia oceanica Fibres for Applications in a Marine Environment
Authors: Seggiani Maurizia , Cinelli Patrizia , Mallegni Norma , Balestri Elena , Puccini Monica , Vitolo Sandra , Lardicci Claudio , Lazzeri Andrea
Published: March 2017

Bio-composites based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and fibres of Posidonia oceanica (PO) were investigated to assess their processability by extrusion, mechanical properties, and potential biodegradability in a natural marine environment. PHAs were successfully compounded with PO fibres up to 20 wt % while, at 30 wt % of fibres, the addition of 10 wt % of polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) was necessary to improve their processability. Thermal, rheological, mechanical, and morphological characterizations of the developed composites were conducted and the degradation of composite films in a natural marine habitat was evaluated in a mesocosm by weight loss measure during an incubation period of six months. The addition of PO fibres led to an increase in stiffness of the composites with tensile modulus values about 80% higher for composites with 30 wt % fibre (2.3 GPa) compared to unfilled material (1.24 GPa). Furthermore, the impact energy markedly increased with the addition of the PO fibres, from 1.63 (unfilled material) to 3.8 kJ/m2 for the composites with 30 wt % PO. The rate of degradation was markedly influenced by seawater temperature and significantly promoted by the presence of PO fibres leading to the total degradation of the film with 30 wt % PO in less than six months. The obtained results showed that the developed composites can be suitable to manufacture items usable in marine environments, for example, in natural engineering interventions, and represent an interesting valorisation of the PO fibrous wastes accumulated in large amounts on coastal beaches.
Thermoelectric Properties of Highly-Crystallized Ge-Te-Se Glasses Doped with Cu/Bi
Authors: Srinivasan Bhuvanesh , Boussard-Pledel Catherine , Dorcet Vincent , Samanta Manisha , Biswas Kanishka , Lefèvre Robin , Gascoin Franck , Cheviré François , Tricot Sylvain , Reece Michael , Bureau Bruno
Published: March 2017

Chalcogenide semiconducting systems are of growing interest for mid-temperature range (~500 K) thermoelectric applications. In this work, Ge20Te77Se3 glasses were intentionally crystallized by doping with Cu and Bi. These effectively-crystallized materials of composition (Ge20Te77Se3)100−xMx (M = Cu or Bi; x = 5, 10, 15), obtained by vacuum-melting and quenching techniques, were found to have multiple crystalline phases and exhibit increased electrical conductivity due to excess hole concentration. These materials also have ultra-low thermal conductivity, especially the heavily-doped (Ge20Te77Se3)100−xBix (x = 10, 15) samples, which possess lattice thermal conductivity of ~0.7 Wm−1 K−1 at 525 K due to the assumable formation of nano-precipitates rich in Bi, which are effective phonon scatterers. Owing to their high metallic behavior, Cu-doped samples did not manifest as low thermal conductivity as Bi-doped samples. The exceptionally low thermal conductivity of the Bi-doped materials did not, alone, significantly enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit, zT. The attempt to improve the thermoelectric properties by crystallizing the chalcogenide glass compositions by excess doping did not yield power factors comparable with the state of the art thermoelectric materials, as these highly electrically conductive crystallized materials could not retain the characteristic high Seebeck coefficient values of semiconducting telluride glasses.
A Generalization of b-Metric Space and Some Fixed Point Theorems
Authors: Kamran Tayyab , Samreen Maria , UL Ain Qurat
Published: March 2017

In this paper, inspired by the concept of b-metric space, we introduce the concept of extended b-metric space. We also establish some fixed point theorems for self-mappings defined on such spaces. Our results extend/generalize many pre-existing results in literature.
Solanesol Biosynthesis in Plants
Authors: Yan Ning , Liu Yanhua , Zhang Hongbo , Du Yongmei , Liu Xinmin , Zhang Zhongfeng
Published: March 2017

Solanesol is a non-cyclic terpene alcohol composed of nine isoprene units that mainly accumulates in solanaceous plants. Solanesol plays an important role in the interactions between plants and environmental factors such as pathogen infections and moderate-to-high temperatures. Additionally, it is a key intermediate for the pharmaceutical synthesis of ubiquinone-based drugs such as coenzyme Q10 and vitamin K2, and anti-cancer agent synergizers such as N-solanesyl-N,N′-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl) ethylenediamine (SDB). In plants, solanesol is formed by the 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway within plastids. Solanesol’s biosynthetic pathway involves the generation of C5 precursors, followed by the generation of direct precursors, and then the biosynthesis and modification of terpenoids; the first two stages of this pathway are well understood. Based on the current understanding of solanesol biosynthesis, we here review the key enzymes involved, including 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS), 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IPI), geranyl geranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS), and solanesyl diphosphate synthase (SPS), as well as their biological functions. Notably, studies on microbial heterologous expression and overexpression of key enzymatic genes in tobacco solanesol biosynthesis are of significant importance for medical uses of tobacco.
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of N-Substituted Dibenzo[a,j]xanthene-3,11-dicarboxamide Derivatives
Authors: Song Yongbin , Yang Yihui , Wu Lijun , Dong Naiwei , Gao Shang , Ji Hongrui , Du Xia , Liu Bo , Chen Guoyou
Published: March 2017

In order to study the structure-activity relationships of xanthene derivatives, four series of N-substituted 14-aryl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthene-3,11-dicarboxamide derivatives were synthesized. The structures of all compounds were identified by 1H-NMR, HR-MS and IR spectra, in which compounds 6a–h were further identified by 13C-NMR spectra. The in vitro antitumor activity of the synthesized compounds was tested by MTT assay. Most of them displayed strong inhibitory activity on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (SK-HEP-1, HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells) and acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells. Compounds 6c–6e exhibited significant inhibitory activity against NB4 cells with IC50 values of 0.52 μM and 0.76 μM, respectively, much lower than 5.31 μM of the positive control As2O3.
The Effect of a Breakfast Rich in Slowly Digestible Starch on Glucose Metabolism: A Statistical Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Vinoy Sophie , Meynier Alexandra , Goux Aurélie , Jourdan-Salloum Nathalie , Normand Sylvie , Rabasa-Lhoret Rémi , Brack Olivier , Nazare Julie-Anne , Péronnet François , Laville Martine
Published: March 2017

Starch digestibility may have an effect on the postprandial blood glucose profile. The aim of this meta-analysis was to analyze the relationship between Slowly Digestible Starch (SDS) levels and plasma glucose appearance and disappearance rates, as well as other parameters of glucose metabolism, after healthy subjects consumed cereal products that differed in SDS content. Three randomized controlled clinical trials that included a total of 79 subjects were identified. Using binary classification for the variables (high versus low levels, more than 12 g of SDS per portion, and less than 1 g of SDS per portion, respectively), we found that there was a 15-fold higher chance of having a low rate of appearance of exogenous glucose (RaE) after consumption of a high-SDS product. A high SDS content was also associated with a 12-fold and 4-fold higher chance of having a low rate of disappearance of exogenous glucose (RdE) and rate of disappearance of total plasma glucose (RdT), respectively. The RaE kinetics were further analyzed by modeling the contribution of SDS content to the different phases of the RaE response. We show that the higher the SDS content per portion of cereal product, the higher its contribution to the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of the RaE response after 165 min. Using the association rule technique, we found that glycemic iAUC and insulinemic iAUC values vary in the same direction. In conclusion, this meta-analysis confirms the effect of the SDS level in cereal products on the metabolic response, and shows for the first time that the degree to which SDS affects the RaE response differs depending on the SDS content of the food product, as well as the phase of the postprandial period.
Nutrient Status of Vitamin D among Chinese Children
Authors: Wang Shuojia , Shen Guosong , Jiang Shuying , Xu Hongwei , Li Minchao , Wang Zhaopin , Zhang Su , Yu Yunxian
Published: March 2017

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is considered to be a public health problem. However, the nutrient status of vitamin D in Chinese children is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the vitamin D status among children aged under 18 years in southeast China. Methods: Children who visited the Huzhou Maternal and Child Care Hospital from January 2012 to August 2015 were included in this large cross-sectional study. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Vitamin D status was defined as deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL), insufficiency (25(OH)D: 20–29 ng/mL) and sufficiency (25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/mL). The association between relevant variables and vitamin D status was analyzed by a using generalized estimated equation model and a multivariate regression model. Results: 13,997 children aged under 18 years were included. Of these, 23.3% children suffered from low vitamin D status (deficiency and insufficiency), while 76.7% had a sufficient vitamin D status. The prevalence of low vitamin D status was 29.7% in winter and 23.4% in spring, which was higher than that in summer (21.4%) and autumn (19.9%). Clinical visiting children (32.1%) suffered more from low vitamin D than health examination children (17.6%). Additionally, age and season were independently and significantly associated with 25(OH)D concentrations, respectively. Conclusions: The deficiency and insufficiency status of vitamin D was very common among newborns and children aged one to 17 years. This indicates that more sunshine and vitamin D–fortified foods are necessary among Chinese children.
eBASIS (Bioactive Substances in Food Information Systems) and Bioactive Intakes: Major Updates of the Bioactive Compound Composition and Beneficial Bioeffects Database and the Development of a Probabilistic Model to Assess Intakes in Europe
Authors: Plumb Jenny , Pigat Sandrine , Bompola Foteini , Cushen Maeve , Pinchen Hannah , Nørby Eric , Astley Siân , Lyons Jacqueline , Kiely Mairead , Finglas Paul
Published: March 2017

eBASIS (Bioactive Substances in Food Information Systems), a web-based database that contains compositional and biological effects data for bioactive compounds of plant origin, has been updated with new data on fruits and vegetables, wheat and, due to some evidence of potential beneficial effects, extended to include meat bioactives. eBASIS remains one of only a handful of comprehensive and searchable databases, with up-to-date coherent and validated scientific information on the composition of food bioactives and their putative health benefits. The database has a user-friendly, efficient, and flexible interface facilitating use by both the scientific community and food industry. Overall, eBASIS contains data for 267 foods, covering the composition of 794 bioactive compounds, from 1147 quality-evaluated peer-reviewed publications, together with information from 567 publications describing beneficial bioeffect studies carried out in humans. This paper highlights recent updates and expansion of eBASIS and the newly-developed link to a probabilistic intake model, allowing exposure assessment of dietary bioactive compounds to be estimated and modelled in human populations when used in conjunction with national food consumption data. This new tool could assist small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the development of food product health claim dossiers for submission to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
An Updated View on an Emerging Target: Selected Papers from the 8th International Conference on Protein Kinase CK2
Authors: Jose Joachim , Le-Borgne Marc , Pinna Lorenzo , Montenarh Mathias
Published: March 2017

The 8th International Conference on Protein Kinase CK2 took place in Homburg, Germany, from 6 September to 9 September 2016.[...]
Poor, Wayfaring Stranger: Erik Peterson’s Apocalyptic and Public Witness against Christian Embourgoisement
Authors: Cooper Patrick Ryan
Published: March 2017

With the present collection of essays reflecting upon the complex convergences and divergences between Eschatology and genuine transcendence, there is perhaps no greater modern Catholic figure to recall than that of the great, German Catholic convert Erik Peterson (1890–1960). As an immediate forerunner to twentieth century Catholic ressourcement, eschatology, for Peterson, not only factors as the central arc within his diverse corpus of writings, yet he himself is equally credited for having coined the phrase, ‘the eschatological proviso’ in describing the coming of the Kingdom as both ‘already’ and ‘not yet’. Fundamentally, Peterson’s proviso presents a historical view of the suffering Church as necessarily beyond political confinement and ideological capture. As a pilgrim community in-between the “earthly Jerusalem, which is at once polis and temple” and its “ever drawing closer to the eschatological, heavenly temple and its own…polis”, Peterson bears witness to this ontic difference in his writings by framing the Church’s distinctly public act, the liturgy, as the site of a transversal commericum. That is, an angelic participation within the earthly cult as well as her “participation in the worship that the angels offer to God.” In this following contribution, I will examine this eschatological provision as the primary governing optic by first contextualizing Peterson’s critical reception of historicism and its methodological atheism (Troeltsch, Harnack) within German liberal Protestantism and the Religionsgeschictliche schule as the necessary precursor to his conversion. Secondly, I will build upon these critiques in view of Peterson’s concise and influential 1950 essay, “Kierkegaard und der Protestanismus” that theologically focuses specifically upon his attack against Barthian dialectic and its inability in approaching the very concretissimum of revelation and its ecclesial extension of dogma as none other than the “concrete continuation of Christ’s assumption of a body”. Lastly, in view of genuine transcendence, the ambivalent influence of Kierkegaard will be more positively assessed in terms of Peterson’s long held attack upon the bourgeois character of much of modern Christianity. As an immediate parallel to the critique of secular, historical immanentism, focus will center upon the martyrological witness of the poor as aptly encapsulating Peterson’s theopolitical vision. Herein, the invisible poor function as an “eschatological symbol” that lays at the porous threshold of genuine transcendence (Lk. 16, 19–31) wherein Christ recognizes the depths of his very divine person and in whom the poor are integrally inseparable through their witness.
Prediction of Soil Physical and Chemical Properties by Visible and Near-Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy in the Central Amazon
Authors: Pinheiro Érika , Ceddia Marcos , Clingensmith Christopher , Grunwald Sabine , Vasques Gustavo
Published: March 2017

Visible and near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (VIS-NIR) has shown levels of accuracy comparable to conventional laboratory methods for estimating soil properties. Soil chemical and physical properties have been predicted by reflectance spectroscopy successfully on subtropical and temperate soils, whereas soils from tropical agro-forest regions have received less attention, especially those from tropical rainforests. A spectral characterization provides a proficient pathway for soil characterization. The first step in this process is to develop a comprehensive VIS-NIR soil library of multiple key soil properties to be used in future soil surveys. This paper presents the first VIS-NIR soil library for a remote region in the Central Amazon. We evaluated the performance of VIS-NIR for the prediction of soil properties in the Central Amazon, Brazil. Soil properties measured and predicted were: pH, Ca, Mg, Al, H, H+Al, P, organic C (SOC), sum of bases, cation exchange capacity (CEC), percentage of base saturation (V), Al saturation (m), clay, sand, silt, silt/clay (S/C), and degree of flocculation. Soil samples were scanned in the laboratory in the VIS-NIR range (350–2500 nm), and forty-one pre-processing methods were tested to improve predictions. Clay content was predicted with the highest accuracy, followed by SOC. Sand, S/C, H, Al, H+Al, CEC, m and V predictions were reasonably good. The other soil properties were poorly predicted. Among the soil properties predicted well, SOC is one of the critical soil indicators in the global carbon cycle. Besides the soil property of interest, the landscape position, soil order and depth influenced in the model performance. For silt content, pH and S/C, the model performed better in well-drained soils, whereas for SOC best predictions were obtained in poorly drained soils. The association of VIS-NIR spectral data to landforms, vegetation classes, and soil types demonstrate potential for soil characterization.
Automated Improvement of Geolocation Accuracy in AVHRR Data Using a Two-Step Chip Matching Approach—A Part of the TIMELINE Preprocessor
Authors: Dietz Andreas , Frey Corinne , Ruppert Thomas , Bachmann Martin , Kuenzer Claudia , Dech Stefan
Published: March 2017

The geolocation of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data is known to be imprecise due to minor satellite position and orbit uncertainties. These uncertainties lead to distortions once the data are projected based on the provided orbit parameters. This can cause geolocation errors of up to 10 km per pixel which is an obstacle for applications such as time series analysis, compositing/mosaicking of images, or the combination with other satellite data. Therefore, a fusion of two techniques to match the data in orbit projection has been developed to overcome this limitation, even without the precise knowledge of the orbit parameters. Both techniques attempt to find the best match between small image chips taken from a reference water mask in the first, and from a median Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) mask in the second round. This match is determined shifting around the small image chips until the best correlation between reference and satellite data source is found for each respective image part. Only if both attempts result in the same shift in any direction, the position in the orbit is included in a third order polynomial warping process that will ultimately improve the geolocation accuracy of the AVHRR data. The warping updates the latitude and longitude layers and the contents of the data layers itself remain untouched. As such, original sensor measurements are preserved. An included automated quality assessment generates a quality layer that informs about the reliability of the matching.
Land Use Efficiency and Total Factor Productivity—Distribution Dynamic Evolution of Rural Living Space in Chongqing, China
Authors: Hong Huikun , Xie Deti , Liao Heping , Tu Bo , Yang Jun
Published: March 2017

Research on the land use efficiency of rural living spaces is at the core of conflicts about current rural land use and ecological environment construction in China. It can be effectively dealt with through the rational and healthy use of rural land, by promoting sustainable development and urban and rural coordination. Building on the foundation of ecosystem metabolism and sustainable development theories, this paper utilizes the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Malmquist productivity index to divide the land use efficiency total factor productivity (LUTFP) into Malmquist–Luenberger technical change (MLTECH) and Malmquist–Luenberger efficiency change (MLEFFCH) from the perspective of scale change, and uses Kernel Function to measure and study the distribution characteristics of the dynamic evolution and land use efficiency (LUE) in different functional and productive areas and living space subsystem. The results show that, in the process of land use, desirable output growth in the Chongqing city rural living space is lower than the undesirable output reduction rate. Rural human settlement and construction management appears to damage the environment. The LUE in the obtained results showcases an obvious agglomeration effect in Chongqing. Also, there is a very significant “match-up” effect between the LUE and economic development level. In addition, the paper also finds that the technical change index and efficiency change index work together in rural living space LUTFP. The results presented in this paper can provide a basis for the optimization of regional development strategies and rural land utilization.
Mongolia, Modernity, Systems + Solutions: Questing Holistic Design + Planning Strategies for a Brighter Tomorrow
Authors: Sinclair Brian
Published: March 2017

Mongolia is a unique nation underpinned by rich history, spectacular landscapes, rich culture and deep spirituality. It is also a country grappling with change, modernization, growth and governance. The author has been extensively engaged, over many years, in research and consulting in this interesting milieu, including architectural design, city planning, informal settlements and poverty reduction. Building from an innovative integrative framework (Sinclair 2009) for design and planning, the present paper explores the challenges of realizing progress in Mongolia through the lens of systems thinking. In particular, the author critically examines parameters that inform and inspire the development of guidelines to aid in more effective reconsideration, reform and redesign of the urban fabric. A key dimension of the research centers on ethnographic methods, with sensitivities focused on the needs, desires and aspirations of the local community. Many efforts to modernize, advance and develop nations are hamstrung through fragmentation, specialization, narrow agendas and an inability to see the broader picture. The current speculative proposition aims to connect the dots—intentionally pursuing interdisciplinary and interconnected ways of seeing, thinking and acting. While not directly providing answers to questions about the next steps on Mongolia’s path, the author builds and delineates ways of knowing that can support such answers and inform such steps. The main goal of the paper is to consider the complicated ethos in more systemic, holistic, overarching and impactful ways.
Spin-Field Correspondence
Authors: Mielczarek Jakub
Published: March 2017

In the recent article Phys. Lett. B 2016, 759, 424–429, a new class of field theories called Nonlinear Field Space Theory was proposed. In this approach, the standard field theories are considered as linear approximations to some more general theories characterized by nonlinear field phase spaces. The case of spherical geometry is especially interesting due to its relation with the spin physics. Here, we explore this possibility, showing that classical scalar field theory with such a field space can be viewed as a perturbation of a continuous spin system. In this picture, the spin precession and the scalar field excitations are dual descriptions of the same physics. The duality is studied in the example of the Heisenberg model. It is shown that the Heisenberg model coupled to a magnetic field leads to a non-relativistic scalar field theory, characterized by quadratic dispersion relation. Finally, on the basis of analysis of the relation between the spin phase space and the scalar field theory, we propose the Spin-Field correspondence between the known types of fields and the corresponding spin systems.
An Investigation of the Relationships between Rainfall Conditions and Pollutant Wash-Off from the Paved Road
Authors: Yuan Qingke , Guerra Heidi , Kim Youngchul
Published: March 2017

Stormwater runoff monitoring was carried out from 2011 to 2015 to investigate the relationships between rainfall conditions (antecedent dry days (ADDs), rainfall intensity, depth and duration), and water quality parameters of stormwater from a paved road in Korea. Factor analysis suggested that the effect of rainfall conditions on the concentrations of selected pollutants varied depending on the pollutant. As total COD (total chemical oxygen demand) concentration increased, the level of heavy metals increased and resulted in a decrease of BOD5 (biochemical oxygen demand) because of their toxicity. In addition, ADDs had a significant impact on the wash-off of solids from paved road. The predominant particles in stormwater were 30 μm and smaller, and increased in concentration as ADDs increased. Thus, the initial load of accumulated particles became a major factor in the wash-off process. The mass of particle-related pollutants was also subject to the effect of ADDs due to the affinity between pollutants and predominant particles (<30 μm). However, the effect of ADDs on the mass of organic matter and nitrogen was relatively weak. ADDs contributed to the decrease of some pollutants by photo-oxidation, volatilization and natural decay over dry days, as well as desorption from solids during rainfall.
Les Collyris (Coleoptera Cicindelidae). Complément à la « Révision du genre Collyris (sensu lato) » et description de nouveaux taxons
Authors: Naviaux Roger L.
Published: March 2017

Collyris (Coleoptera Cicindelidae). Supplement to «The revision of the genus Collyris (sensu lato) » and descriptions of new taxa.

— In this additional note are described 42 taxa. Among them, 20 taxa which were previously introduced in short diagnoses are described here in extenso. They are : Protocollyris annamensis, P. schuhi, Neocollyris (Brachy collyris) akka, N. (Brachycollyris) atrata, N. (Isocollyris ) septentrionalis, N. (Isocollyris) fulgida, N. (Isocollyris) latissima, N. (Neocollyris ) orichalcina yunnana, N. (Neocollyris ) highlandensis, N. (Orthocollyris ) karli, N. (Leptocollyris) granulata, N. (Leptocollyris) concinna, N. (Leptocollyris) juergenwiesneri, N. (Leptocollyris ) ampliata, N. (Leptocollyris) laosensis, N. (Leptocollyris ) tumida, N. (Leptocollyris ) globicollis, N. (Pachycollyris ) inflata, N. (Pachycollyris) valida, N. (Heterocollyris) conigera.

2 species : N. (Stenocollyris ) vedda and N. (Pachycollyris) panfilovi previously published are introduced with more complete descriptions and drawings.

1 species : N. (Isocollyris ) grandivadosa Horn which was erroneously made synonymous with N. (Isocollyris) grandisubtilis Horn is restored to species rank and redescribed.

19 taxa are newly described, they are : Protocollyris fragilis, Neocollyris (Isocollyris ) sinica, N. (Isocollyris) karen, N. (Isocollyris) ingridae, N. (Isocollyris) macilenta, N. (Isocollyris) annulicornis, N. (Isocollyris) taiwanensis, N. (Isocollyris) moraveci, N. (Neocollyris) lepida, N. (Neocollyris) egregia, N. (Neocollyris) nishikawai, N. (Neocollyris) dimidiata sabahensis, N. (Leptocollyris) siniaevi, N. (Leptocollyris) stricta, N. (Leptocollyris) jendeki, N. (Leptocollyris) sausai, N. (Leptocollyris) cognata, N. (Mesocollyris) metallica, N. (Stenocollyris) minang.

The subspecies Neocollyris (Neocollyris) bonellii arunensis Naviaux is made synonymous with the nominative form bonellii bonellii Guérin-Méneville.

The subspecies Neocollyris (Neocollyris) orichalcina intermedia Naviaux is elevated to species rank.

Status of 3 species are modified as follows : vannideki and flava, previously classified in Stenocollyris subgenus are now placed in Mesocollyris subgenus while pseudosignata, previously classified in Stenocollyris subgenus is placed into Neocollyris subgenus.

Additional data are supplied to the following taxa : Protocollyris brevilabris, P. sauteri, P. antennalis , N. (Neocollyris) schaumi, N. (N.) brevicula, N. (N.) moesta, N. (N.) stiengensis, N. (N.) emarginata, N. (Stenocollyris) oblita, N. (Pachycollyris) vietnamensis, N. (Heterocollyris) sumatrensis, Collyris dormeri.
Nouvelles observations sur Marolia leseigneuri J.-P. Nicolas (Coleoptera, Melandryidae)
Authors: Leseigneur Lucien , Dalmon Jacques
Published: March 2017

De nouvelles données sur la morphologie, la biologie, le comportement et la chorologie de Marolia leseigneuri J.-R Nicolas sont apportées. Cette espèce encore méconnue est en fait une espèce active en automne, plus largement distribuée que l'on ne pensait. Elle est signalée pour la première fois d'Italie.
The M33 Synoptic Stellar Survey. II. Mira Variables
Authors: Yuan Wenlong , He Shiyuan , Macri Lucas M. , Long James , Huang Jianhua Z.
Published: March 2017

We present the discovery of 1847 Mira candidates in the Local Group galaxy M33 using a novel semi-parametric periodogram technique coupled with a random forest classifier. The algorithms were applied to ∼2.4 × 105
I-band light curves previously obtained by the M33 Synoptic Stellar Survey. We derive preliminary period–luminosity relations at optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared wavelengths and compare them to the corresponding relations in the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Forming the Flora Family: Implications for the Near-Earth Asteroid Population and Large Terrestrial Planet Impactors
Authors: Vokrouhlický David , Bottke William F. , Nesvorný David
Published: March 2017

Formed from a catastrophic collision of a parent body larger than 150 km in diameter, the Flora family is located in the innermost part of the main belt near the

secular resonance. Objects in this region, when pushed onto planet-crossing orbits, tend to have relatively high probabilities of striking the Earth. These factors suggest that Flora may be a primary source of present-day LL chondrite-like NEOs and Earth/Moon impactors. To investigate this possibility, we used collisional and dynamical models to track the evolution of Flora family members. We created an initial Flora family and followed test asteroids 1 and 3 km in diameter using a numerical code that accounted for both planetary perturbations and nongravitational effects. Our Flora family members reproduce the observed semimajor axis, eccentricity, and inclination distributions of the real family after

to 1.4 Gyr. A consistency with the surface age inferred from crater spatial densities found on (951) Gaspra may favor the latter age. Our combined collisional and dynamical runs indicate that the family has lost nearly 90% of its initial kilometer-sized members. At its peak,

after the family-forming event, Flora family members filled NEO space with nearly 1000

size bodies before fading to its present contribution of 35–50 such NEOs. Therefore, it is not currently a major source of large NEOs. We also find 700–950 and 35–47 kilometer-sized asteroids struck the Earth and Moon, respectively, most within the first 300 Myr after family formation. These results imply that Flora played a major role in providing impacts to the mid-Proterozoic Earth.