bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hiperintensidad de tracto corticoespinal en resonancia magnética nuclear como signo de lesión de neurona motora superior en esclerosis lateral amiotrófica, reporte de caso y revisión de literatura
Authors: Enriquez-Marulanda Alejandro , Uribe-Becerra Juan Pablo , Granados Ana María , Shinchi Masaru
Published: March 2017

La esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa que compromete principalmente el sistema motor. Puede ser adquirida de manera esporádica o hereditaria y presenta una incidencia que varía entre 1.5 a 2.7 casos por 100.000 personas/año, con una mediana de supervivencia de 2 a 4 años. Esta enfermedad está caracterizada por compromiso de ambas motoneuronas, superior e inferior y sus manifestaciones clínicas pueden variar desde leve debilidad muscular en etapas tempranas, hasta falla respiratoria asociada en etapas tardías. El diagnóstico es esencialmente clínico y se hace de acuerdo a los criterios revisados de El Escorial para el diagnóstico de Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica (ELA). A pesar de esto, el diagnóstico de ELA en etapas tempranas sigue siendo un reto, lo que retrasa su identificación. Por esta razón surge el interés por identificar nuevos biomarcadores que ayuden al diagnóstico más temprano de la entidad. A continuación se presentará el caso de una mujer de 53 años, a la cual se le realiza un diagnóstico de ELA y en la que se encuentra como hallazgo de resonancia magnética cerebral (RM) cerebral, hiperintensidad bilateral del tracto corticoespinal. Discutiremos en este caso la importancia de los hallazgos en neuroimagen como biomarcador de daño en la enfermedad.
Uso de anticonvulsivantes en epilepsia secundaria a gliomas en adultos: serie de casos
Authors: Reyes-Botero Germán , Naranjo Luis Fermín , Tobón Vladimir , Franco César , Álvarez Juan Felipe , Barrientos Hernán
Published: March 2017

INTRODUCCIÓN:
La mayoría de gliomas difusos de bajo grado y un gran porcentaje de gliomas de alto grado desarrollan epilepsia en la historia natural de la enfermedad. Los anticonvulsivantes permiten el control de la epilepsia en la gran mayoría de pacientes con gliomas. Sin embargo, la politerapia anticonvulsivante es necesaria en aproximadamente 1/3 de casos, lo que puede potenciar la incidencia de efectos adversos neurocognitivos y afectar la calidad de vida.

OBJETIVO:
Establecer la frecuencia de epilepsia y el uso de anticonvulsivantes en un grupo de pacientes adultos con gliomas difusos que acuden a la consulta externa del Instituto Neurológico de Colombia.

PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS:
Estudio tipo serie de casos descriptivo retrospectivo que incluyó pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de glioma difuso con confirmación histológica atendidos en consulta externa entre agosto 2014 y enero 2016. Las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, radiológicas y terapéuticas fueron analizadas mediante estadística descriptiva y se utilizó el test exacto de Fisher para comparación de variables.

RESULTADOS:
Se incluyeron 42 pacientes (edad promedio 41 años, rango 15-71) incluyendo 15 gliomas grado II (7 astrocitoma, 4 oligodendroglioma, 2 gliomas mixtos, 2 gliomas no especificados) y 27 gliomas de alto grado (14 glioblastoma, 8 astrocitoma III, 3 oligodendroglioma, 2 gliomas mixtos). Durante la evolución de la enfermedad 36 (85 %) pacientes presentaron epilepsia sintomática. Las convulsiones fueron la manifestación clínica inicial en 28 (66 %) de casos siendo significativamente más frecuente en gliomas de bajo grado (93 % bajo grado vs. 51 % alto grado, p=0,07). El uso de monoterapia anticonvulsivante fue reportada en 23 casos (63 %). En el grupo de gliomas de bajo grado, solo 40 % respondieron a terapia con 1 solo medicamento, requiriendo politerapia más frecuentemente que los gliomas de alto grado (9 de 15 bajo grado vs. 4 de 21 alto grado, p=0,01) mientras que en gliomas de alto grado fue tratada con monoterapia en 80 %.

CONCLUSIÓN:
La epilepsia fue más frecuente en gliomas de bajo grado y este grupo requirió politerapia en la mayoría de casos comparado a gliomas de alto grado. Es necesario optimizar la terapia anticonvulsivante en pacientes con gliomas identificando los grupos de riesgo de pobre respuesta y evitando el uso de politerapia en aquellos con alta probabilidad de buena respuesta a la monoterapia.
Síndrome de Charles Bonnet: presentación de un caso en la población infantil y breve revisión de la literatura
Authors: Jaramillo Orrego Yesyka Sibila , Cabrera Hemer Dagoberto Nicanor
Published: March 2017

El síndrome de Charles Bonnet se ha mencionado desde el siglo XVIII como la presencia de alucinaciones visuales complejas con deterioro de la visión sin otras enfermedades asociadas en ancianos. Este síndrome también se encuentra en la población infantil, al parecer poco frecuente por la escasa literatura en este grupo de edad. Se muestra el caso de una menor de edad que cumple los criterios.
Síndrome de Opalski, una variante del síndrome de Wallenberg: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura
Authors: Navarro Castro Cristian E. , Macea Ortiz Jaiver
Published: March 2017

Se presenta un caso local de la variante de Opalski, del síndrome medular lateral (síndrome de Wallenberg) y se hace una revisión de la literatura sobre los síntomas de este cuadro clínico, así como las posibles razones que explican esta modificación en la expresión clínica. La variante de Opalski fue descrita en 1948, ochenta y nueve años después de la descripción original del síndrome por Adolf Wallenberg, su principal característica es la presencia de hemiparesia o hemiplejía del cuerpo del mismo lado de la lesión del bulbo raquídeo. La etiología es vascular en la mayoría de casos, por obstrucción de la arteria cerebelosa postero-inferior o de los ostium de vasos penetrantes que se originan en la arteria. No hay estudios que reporten la incidencia exacta de este cuadro clínico a nivel mundial, sin embargo, su presentación no es tan infrecuente. Lo más interesante al analizar cada caso, es que los hallazgos semiológicos son una muestra de la profunda organización del sistema nervioso.
Revisión sistemática de nuevos anticoagulantes orales frente a warfarina en fibrilación auricular no valvular
Authors: Mendoza José Alejandro , Silva Federico Arturo , Ortiz Castro Carlos Hernando , Rangel Lady Marcela
Published: March 2017

INTRODUCCIÓN:
Los nuevos anticoagulantes orales son el más reciente avance en anticoagulación oral. Existen suficientes estudios publicados, pero muy poca síntesis de la información.

MÉTODOS:
Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de los estudios en Medline, Cochrane y Embase con los términos predefinidos. Se aplicaron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión definidos, se definieron las variables utilizadas en este estudio según el beneficio (reducción de la mortalidad y reducción del ACV) y el riesgo en la anticoagulación (sangrado intracraneal, sangrado gastrointestinal, sangrado mayor y otros sangrados). Se seleccionaron los artículos y se extrajo la información en una hoja de cálculo para análisis.

RESULTADOS:
Se incluyeron 24 meta-análisis y 62 subanálisis; 77 % de los meta-análisis mostraron reducción de ACV, 65 % mortalidad, 71 % reportó disminución de hemorragia intracraneal y 45 % de sangrado mayor, pero hubo aumento de sangrado gastrointestinal en el 5 4% de los estudios. En relación a los resultados de los subanálisis, 4 estudios mostraron algún dato estadísticamente significativo para apixabán, 5 para dabigatrán, 3 para edoxabán y 5 estudios para rivaroxabán. Existen diferencias en algunas variables como sexo, riesgo de ACV, resultados a 30 días, función renal; diferentes dosis (dabigatrán y edoxabán), según la edad, síntomas gastrointestinales, relación con el INR; niveles séricos del medicamento, uso de amiodarona, uso previo de warfarina; enfermedad arterial periférica, transición a warfarina; factores de riesgo de HGI y sangrado mayor para cada anticoagulante en particular.

CONCLUSIONES:
Los nuevos anticoagulantes orales muestran mejor perfil de seguridad y de eficacia frente a warfarina.
Enfoque del estatus epiléptico en adultos: consideraciones sobre la fisiopatología y tratamiento
Authors: Castellanos Rafael Gustavo , Barrios Peralta Elkin , Suarez Jorge , Nariño Daniel
Published: March 2017

El estatus epiléptico es una entidad clínica compleja, su identificación oportuna y tratamiento continúa siendo en la actualidad un reto dado su perfil de morbilidad y mortalidad. Recientemente se han realizado avances en el entendimiento de la fisiopatología, logrando así modificaciones en la clasificación y por ende en su manejo, mediante el desarrollo de ensayos clínicos y de laboratorio, lo que ha permitido mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes. El fin de este trabajo es realizar una revisión narrativa de la epidemiología, fisiopatología, diagnóstico y tratamiento del estatus epiléptico.
Características clínicas, electroencefalográficas e imagenológicas de adultos con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal del Programa de Epilepsia de la Universidad de Antioquia: estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo en Medellín 2008-2012
Authors: Ortiz Giraldo Blair , Naranjo Atehortúa Luis Fermín , Cornejo Ochoa José William , Solarte Mila Rodrigo Andrés
Published: March 2017

En este estudio se establecieron las características clínicas, electroencefalográficas e imagenológicas en una muestra de adultos con epilepsias del lóbulo temporal (ELI) diagnosticados en el programa de epilepsia de la Universidad de Antioquia. Metodología: estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo y observacional de 41 pacientes mayores de 18 años con semiología típica o diagnóstico de ELT y que tenían electroencefalograma (EEG) de superficie ictal o interictal e imagen de resonancia magnética (IRM) cerebral.

RESULTADOS:
El grupo fue constituido por 51,2 % de hombres y 48,8 % de mujeres. La epilepsia más frecuente fue la mesial (90,2 %); el aura más común fue la sensación en epigastrio (34,2 %); los automatismos se presentaron en 97,5% de los pacientes y el más usual fue oro-alimentario (80,6 %); se encontró generalización tónico-clónica en 61 % de los pacientes. Los principales antecedentes fueron convulsiones febriles (34,1 %) y trauma craneoencefálico (TCE) (26,8 %). En el EEG se encontró frecuente diseminación fuera del lóbulo temporal (LT) (75,6 %) y la etiología que predomino fue la esclerosis mesial hipocampal (EMH) (66,6 %).

CONCLUSIONES:
Las ELT tienen manifestaciones y características EEG heterogéneas, siendo la mesial el subtipo más frecuente (90,2%).
Methodological approach to the study of dynamics of specific concentration of cell wall antigens per cell of Bacillus species and examples of its application
Authors: Kiseleva Elena Pavlovna , Mikhailopulo Konstantin Igorevich , Ladutska Alena Ivanovna , Novik Galina Ivanovna
Published: March 2017

Background: Nonpathogenic Bacillus strains are used in biotechnology, and pathogenic Bacillus strains are cause of food borne disease. It explains the relevance of the methods of detection and quantification of whole cell and cell components of these bacteria. Aims: Development of methodological approach for investigation of dynamics of specific concentration of cell wall antigens per cell of bacilli without solubilization of cell wall during sample preparation; using of the approach with 6 strains of bacilli as an example. Method: ELISA. Results: Methodological approach for investigation of dynamics of specific concentration of bacilli cell wall antigens has been developed. The distinctive features of the approach are rabbit polyclonal antibodies to genera-specific antigens of bacilli as key reagent and lack of need for solubilization of cell wall during sample preparation. It was shown using 6 strains of Bacilli as an example that specific concentration of cell wall antigens per cell vary according to bacillus strain, stage of culture growth and media composition. The data will find an application in biotechnology of clinical diagnostics and test-systems for food control including detection of whole bacillus cells.
Antimicrobial efficacy of some plant extracts on bacterial ring rot pathogen, clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus
Authors: Ichim Elena , Marutescu Luminita , Popa Marcela , Cristea Stelica
Published: March 2017

Control of plant bacterial diseases remains difficult due to the limited availability of efficient plant protection products with reduced negative effects either in the environment or with human and animal health. In order to reduce the usage of chemical pesticides alternative strategies for controlling plant pathogens and improve plant disease resistance are promoted. The aim of the study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of some natural compounds (plant extracts of Tamarix ramosissima, Rosmarinus officinalis, Chelidonium majus, Silybum marianum, Satureja hortensis essential oil and propolis) against bacterial ring rot pathogen, Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (Cms). An agar diffusion method was used for the screening of the inhibitory effect of natural compounds on bacterial strains’ growth. Minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) were determined by a twofold serial dilution method. The anti-pathogenic activity was investigated by the study of anti-biofilm activity of natural substances. The analyzed natural substances showed a good microbicidal activity and anti-biofilm activity. The results obtained from this study may contribute to the development of new bio-control agents as alternative strategies for prevention and control of ring rot pathogen.
A novel β-galactosidase from Arthrobacter sulfonivorans: purification, characterization and gene cloning
Authors: Kastsianevich Aliaksandr Aliaksandravich
Published: March 2017

Process schemes yielding β-galactosidase of different purity grade were designed, the enzyme properties were determined. It was the first isolation and investigation of the gene encoding Arthrobacter sulfonivorans extracellular β-galactosidase.
Afrodescendant Women: A Race and Gender Intersectional Spiderweb
Authors: Rivera Lassén Ana Irma , Borzone Manuela , Ponomareff Alexander
Published: March 2017

Since the beginnings of 1970s activism in Puerto Rico, like in other countries, there have been tensions between dialogues about race and feminism. Tensions between feminisms and Afrodescendant women's movements persist. As part of a cross-sectional analysis, it is necessary to recognize the wide range of subject positions that combine to create the identities of Afrodescendant women.
Assessing the Effects of Rising Groundwater from Sea Level Rise on the Service Life of Pavements in Coastal Road Infrastructure
Authors: Knott Jayne F. , Elshaer Mohamed , Daniel Jo Sias , Jacobs Jennifer M. , Kirshen Paul
Published: March 2017

Coastal communities with road infrastructure close to the shoreline are vulnerable to the effects of sea level rise caused by climate change. The sea level in coastal New Hampshire is projected to rise by 3.9 to 6.6 ft (1.2 to 2.0 m) by 2100. Climate change vulnerability and adaptation studies have focused on surface water flooding caused by sea level rise; however, little attention has been given to the effects of climate change on groundwater. Groundwater is expected to rise with sea level rise and will intersect the unbound layers of coastal road infrastructure, thus reducing the service life of pavement. Vulnerability studies are an essential part of adaptation planning, and pavement engineers are looking for methods to identify roads that may experience premature failure. In this study, a regional groundwater flow model of coastal New Hampshire was used to identify road infrastructure for which rising groundwater will move into the unbound materials during the design life of the pavement. Multilayer elastic theory was used to analyze typical pavement profiles in several functional classifications of roadway to determine the magnitude of fatigue and rutting life reduction expected from four scenarios of sea level rise. All the evaluation sites experienced service life reduction, the magnitude and timing of which depended on the current depth to groundwater, the pavement structure, and the subgrade. The use of this methodology will enable pavement engineers to target coastal road adaptation projects effectively and will result in significant cost savings compared with implementation of broad adaptation projects or the costs of no action.
Pavement Friction Degradation Based on Pennsylvania Field Test Data
Authors: Li Lingyu , Guler S. Ilgin , Donnell Eric T.
Published: March 2017

Pavement surface–tire friction is a critical safety element associated with roadway design, construction, and maintenance practices. The skid resistance of pavements generally declines over time and increases the risk of skidding-related crashes. On horizontal curves, lateral friction may be associated with lane-departure incidents, particularly as the pavement ages and drivers demand more lateral friction than the pavement surface–tire interaction can supply. On tangent roadway sections, longitudinal friction affects braking distances. As the skid-resistance properties of a pavement surface decline over time, braking distances increase, and may increase risks to driver safety. A comprehensive understanding of the process of pavement friction degradation could help highway agencies identify roadway segments that need maintenance to reduce the probability of skid-related incidents. This paper presents a survival analysis of friction degradation for asphalt pavement surfaces. Duration models were estimated with data collected annually along an Interstate highway in Pennsylvania to investigate the degradation of friction over time. These models consider traffic volume and roadway features to determine the probability that friction levels will remain above various friction thresholds. The resulting statistical models can help transportation agencies make better decisions about pavement maintenance to reduce safety risk.
Sampling to Evaluate Performance on the Interstate Highway System
Authors: Simpson Amy L. , Rada Gonzalo R. J. , Visintine Beth , Groeger Jonathan
Published: March 2017

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act highlighted the need to monitor the performance of pavement sections over time. An important aspect of performance monitoring is collecting a statistically significant sample of the network so conclusions can be made about changes in performance and types of maintenance and rehabilitation needed for maintaining these assets. This paper reviews the sampling requirements on the Interstate highway system to draw accurate conclusions about the network. Specifically, the paper answers the following questions: Is two-way data collection necessary? Do data have to be collected in more than one lane in a direction? What is the optimum reporting length? For what percentage of the network should data be collected? Should data be collected annually?
Assessing the Effect of Considering Multiple Data Properties on Detecting Potential Errors in Pavement Condition Data
Authors: Siabil Salar Zabihi , Gharaibeh Nasir G.
Published: March 2017

The quality of pavement condition data can affect the assessment of current condition, predictions of future condition, and the reliability of maintenance and rehabilitation plans and funding need estimates at the network level. Thus, improving the quality of pavement condition data is an ongoing process for transportation agencies. Detecting potential errors in network-level pavement condition data is a primary step in assessing and enhancing the accuracy of this data. Current error detection techniques tend to focus on analyzing time series trends in pavement condition to identify unexpected changes that may denote data errors. However, there are additional properties of these data that can be used to identify potential errors, including variability within uniform performance families and consistency between multiple performance indicators. This paper assesses the effect of considering those data properties on detecting potential errors in pavement condition data. Three case analyses were defined such that each considered a different combination of these properties to identify likely errors. The analyses were performed on a pavement condition data set representing the Brownwood District roadway network of the Texas Department of Transportation. The results of this investigation indicate that considering such properties in a combined manner can reduce the numbers of false positive errors and false negative errors.
Evaluation Framework for Automated Pavement Distress Identification and Quantification Applications
Authors: Kargah-Ostadi Nima , Nazef Abdenour , Daleiden Jerome , Zhou Yuxiao
Published: March 2017

Tracking types and extent of pavement deterioration is critical for maintaining road networks in a serviceable condition. The prevailing methods for obtaining pavement condition data include manual and semiautomated surveys, which are time-consuming and involve significant human intervention. Extensive research has been performed in automating the process for more efficient, objective, and repeatable distress evaluations. This paper highlights the preliminary results from an effort sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation to develop and implement automated software for identification and quantification of pavement surface cracking distresses. A technical framework was developed for systematic evaluation of available automated technologies in contrast to manual methods. Pertinent performance measures were identified to evaluate the accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, and efficiency of various methods. This framework was implemented to determine the gaps in effectiveness of automated applications, to design corresponding solutions, and to gauge reliability expectations accordingly. The evaluation follows two main steps: ( a) comparison of the cumulative quantities of various distress types found in manual surveys versus automated surveys and ( b) verification of the automatically detected distresses against reference crack maps generated through a semiautomated process of manually rating the collected images. Although the overall comparison of distress quantities indicates strengths and weaknesses of the evaluated algorithm, the distress by distress verification of software performance is used to identify design solutions for addressing the indicated weaknesses. The guidelines in this systematic framework can be modified with context-sensitive considerations to be applicable to other highway agencies transitioning to automated applications.
Real-Time Piecewise Regression
Authors: Zhang Yang , Liu Yuandong , Han Lee D.
Published: March 2017

Ubiquitous sensing technologies make big data a trendy topic and a favored approach in transportation studies and applications, but the increasing volumes of data sets present remarkable challenges to data collection, storage, transfer, visualization, and processing. Fundamental aspects of big data in transportation are discussed, including how many data to collect and how to collect data effectively and economically. The focus is GPS trajectory data, which are used widely in this domain. An incremental piecewise regression algorithm is used to evaluate and compress GPS locations as they are produced. Row-wise QR decomposition and singular value decomposition are shown to be valid numerical algorithms for incremental regression. Sliding window–based piecewise regression can subsample the GPS streaming data instantaneously to preserve only the points of interest. Algorithm performance is evaluated completely as accuracy and compression power. A procedure is presented for users to choose the best parameter value for their GPS devices. Results of experiments with real-world trajectory data indicate that when the proper parameter value is selected, the proposed method achieves significant compression power (more than 10 times), maintains acceptable accuracy (less than 5 m), and always outperforms the fixed-rate sampling approach.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensor Radio Frequency Measurements for Privacy Concerns
Authors: Sterne Kevin T. , Ernst Joseph M. , Kilcoyne Deirdre K. , Michaels Alan J. , Moy Geffrey
Published: March 2017

Since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mandated the incorporation of tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMSs) in all newly produced passenger vehicles, most vehicle manufacturers have adopted direct pressure measurement. Direct TPMS sensors embedded in each tire require a wireless radio frequency (RF) communications link that broadcasts tire status to the vehicle once per minute from each tire when at speed. Each TPMS message communicates benign information that includes pressure and temperature as well as a static unique identifier that may be exploited, which raises concerns about privacy and spoofing. To focus on concerns related to the TPMS-RF interface, vehicle motion simulations were integrated with live propagation modeling measurements from three classes of passenger vehicles: subcompact car, full-size sedan, and full-size pickup. The RF link and channel models for this TPMS interface with the vehicle resulted in surprisingly long ranges away from the vehicle for the radiation of the unique identifiers. A TPMS sensor redesign could use the proposed RF channel propagation measurements to change the directions of signal propagation while reducing battery consumption by the TPMS sensor (which is affected primarily by RF transmission).
Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties of InAs Phases: By GGA-PBG and GGA-EV Approximations
Authors: Sohrabi Leila , Boochani Arash , Sebt S. Ali , Elahi S. Mohammad
Published: March 2017

Structural, electronic and optical properties of InAs are investigated in the zinc-blende (ZB), rock-salt (RS) and wurtzite (WZ) phases using the full potential linearised augmented plane wave method in the framework of density functional theory (DFT). The electronic band gap of the ZB and WZ phases are improved and in good agreement with experiments by GGA-EV approximation. This compound has a direct band gap in the ZB and WZ phases in point at the centre Brillouin zone and in the RS phase the conduction band crosses towards the valence band and has metallic behaviour. Also, the optical parameters such as the real and imaginary parts of epsilon, energy loss, and the refraction and reflection indices of all the phases are calculated and compared. The calculated optical properties of InAs have promising applications such as the design of optoelectronic and photonic devices.
Spinning their way into history: Silkworms, mulberries and manufacturing landscapes in China
Authors: Russell Edmund
Published: March 2017

This paper uses the history of silk manufacturing in China as a case study of the impact of biological processes on manufacturing landscapes. The thesis is that the Chinese silk industry succeeded because people inserted themselves as partners in the coevolution of silkworms and mulberry trees. Becoming a coevolutionary partner enabled people to make silkworms and mulberries into more efficient biotechnologies. Silkworms and mulberry trees evolved traits that benefited themselves. People capitalised on those traits, and intensified their expression, through domestic relationships. People pushed evolution of silkworms and mulberries in new directions to maximise their economic value. Coevolution of people, silkworms, and mulberries enabled people to create complex societies marked by gender divisions and social hierarchies.
Breeding uniformity and banking diversity: The genescapes of industrial agriculture, 1935-1970
Authors: Curry Helen Anne
Published: March 2017

In the mid-twentieth century, American agriculturists began to fret about a growing threat to key economic crops: the loss or extinction of manifold local varieties, or landraces, resulting from the displacement of these in cultivation by recently introduced varieties that were better suited for industrial-style agriculture. Many breeders considered diverse landraces to be a valuable, and indeed essential, source of genetic material for their crop improvement efforts - and therefore an essential resource for the very system of agricultural production that appeared to threaten their continued existence. This paper explores how knowledge of this dilemma - that is, the reliance of industrial agriculture on genetic diversity that it tends to destroy - shaped efforts to conserve biological diversity and simultaneously shaped the landscapes and genescapes of twentieth-century agriculture. It takes maize (corn) as its central example, as it was changes in the landscapes of maize production, first in the United States and then across Latin America, which spurred an early international collaboration for the preservation of crop genetic diversity. As it shows with reference to this program and subsequent international developments in the conservation of crop diversity, the technology of the 'seed bank' was considered a crucial addition to the technologies of industrial agricultural production. It was understood to allow breeders to continue responsibly in the creation of high-yielding but ecologically vulnerable inbred crops by lessening the perceived risks inherent in the un-diverse landscapes of industrial monocrop agriculture.
Insecticides, agriculture, and the Anthropocene
Authors: Davis Frederick Rowe
Published: March 2017

Over the course of the past century, agricultural chemists have developed insecticides from plants with phytotoxic properties ('botanical' insecticides) and a range of chemicals including heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, chlorinated hydrocarbons like DDT, and organophosphates like parathion. All of the synthetic insecticides carried profound unintended consequences for ecosystems and wildlife alike. In the process of knowledge and technology transfer of the Green Revolution, industrial agriculture as practiced in the US spread to Mexico, China and India, and around the globe. In the constant search for novel insecticides, chemists returned to nature and developed chemical analogues of the botanical insecticides, first with the synthetic pyrethroids and now with the neonicotinoids. Despite recent introduction, neonics have become widely used in agriculture and there are suspicions that these chemicals contribute to declines in bees and grassland birds. The past and present of pesticides use resonates with themes of the Anthropocene and in particular the Great Acceleration following World War II. Along with chemical fertilisers, pesticides contribute to the conversion of natural ecosystems into human-dominated landscapes.
Industrial ecology and groundwater contamination
Authors: Colten Craig E.
Published: March 2017

This paper reviews the contemporary legal, hydrological, engineering, waste management and water supply literature to illustrate the prevailing knowledge about the environmental processes that operated in waste disposal settings. Framed as a question of past ecological knowledge, it traces the emergence of business managers' conceptualisation of their place in the industrial ecosystem. It also examines the institutionalisation of groundwater pollution by numerous professional groups to illustrate the processes of internalisation. Finally, it offers a historically supported account of the context within which those decision makers' operated. Tracing this process historically offers critical insights into problems and management procedures that might assist with managing wastes associated with the globalisation of industry in new areas.
The value of citizen science: The controversy over municipal solid waste incineration and dioxin pollution in contemporary China
Authors: Da Mao
Published: March 2017

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) has become the subject of one of the most heated environmental debates in mainland China. While government officials and industry representatives are in favour of this technology, claiming that incineration is the most advanced and effective way of managing waste and that the risks are minimal, residents in the vicinity of incinerators are concerned about toxic pollutants, particularly dioxins. This article traces the rise of the anti-incineration movement in China since 2006. It shows how citizens have mobilised, gathered evidence, and informed themselves with the help of internet bulletin board systems; joining forces with NGOs and independent scientific experts, they have petitioned the government and called on government representatives to respond to their concerns in public debates. Dioxin pollution from MSWI continues to be a problem, but the controversy has demonstrated the resourcefulness and determination of Chinese citizens in making their voices heard.
Suppression of CH4 Emission by Rice Straw Removal and Application of Bio‐Ethanol Production Residue in a Paddy Field in Akita, Japan
Authors: Takakai Fumiaki , Ichikawa Jota , Ogawa Masato , Ogaya Saki , Yasuda Kentaro , Kobayashi Yukiya , Sato Takashi , Kaneta Yoshihiro , Nagahama Ken‐ichiro
Published: March 2017

To elucidate the effects of rice straw removal and rice straw‐based bio‐ethanol production residue application on rice growth and methane (CH4) emission from a paddy field, a lysimeter experiment with three treatments (application of rice straw after harvesting (the rice‐straw plot); removal of rice straw and the application of bio‐ethanol production residue (the Et‐residue plot); removal of rice straw (the no‐application plot)) was conducted over three years. Though the grain yields in the Et‐residue and no‐application plots tended to be slightly higher than that in the ricestraw plot, there were no significant differences among the plots (530–546 g∙m−2). Suppression of CH4 emission by the treatments was found clearly in the early part of the growing season. The total CH4 emissions during the rice‐growing season (unit: g∙C∙m−2∙period−1) followed the order of the noapplication plot (11.9) < the Et‐residue plot (14.6) < the rice‐straw plot (25.4), and a significant difference was found between the no‐application and rice‐straw plots. Consequently, bio‐ethanol production from rice straw and a following application of its residue to paddy fields is considered to be a promising technology which can obtain new sustainable energy and suppress CH4 emission without any inhibition on rice growth.
The Role of Specialized Photoreceptors in the Protection of Energy‐Rich Tissues
Authors: Major Ian , Campos Marcelo , Moreno Javier
Published: March 2017

The perception and absorption of light by plants is a driving force in plant evolutionary history, as plants have evolved multiple photoreceptors to perceive different light attributes including duration, intensity, direction and quality. Plant photoreceptors interpret these signals from the light environment and mold plant architecture to maximize foliar light capture. As active sites of the production and accumulation of energy‐rich products, leaves are targets of pests and pathogens, which have driven the selection of physiological processes to protect these energy‐rich tissues. In the last ten years, several research groups have accumulated evidence showing that plant photoreceptors control specific molecular programs that define plant growth and immune processes. Here, we discuss recent knowledge addressing these roles in Arabidopsis and show that (1) plant immune responses affect energy acquisition and partitioning; (2) plant photoreceptors interpret the light environment and control growth and immune processes; and finally; (3) defense and light signaling pathways can be genetically manipulated to obtain plants able to grow and defend at the same time. This basic knowledge from Arabidopsis plants should lead new lines of applied research in crops.
Optical Parametric Amplification Techniques for the Generation of High-Energy Few-Optical-Cycles IR Pulses for Strong Field Applications
Authors: Ciriolo Anna , Negro Matteo , Devetta Michele , Cinquanta Eugenio , Faccialà Davide , Pusala Aditya , De Silvestri Sandro , Stagira Salvatore , Vozzi Caterina
Published: March 2017

Over the last few decades, the investigation of ultrafast phenomena occurring in atoms, molecules and solid-state systems under a strong-field regime of light-matter interaction has attracted great attention. The increasing request for a suitable optical technology is significantly boosting the development of powerful ultrafast laser sources. In this framework, Optical Parametric Amplification (OPA) is currently becoming a leading solution for applications in high-power ultra-broadband light burst generation. The main advantage provided by the OPA scheme consists of the possibility of exploring spectral ranges that are inaccessible by other laser technologies, as the InfraRed (IR) window. In this paper, we will give an overview on recent progress in the development of high-power few-optical-cycle parametric amplifiers in the near-IR and in the mid-IR spectral domain. In particular, the design of the most advanced OPA implementations is provided, containing a discussion on the key technical aspects. In addition, a review on their application to the study of strong-field ultrafast physical processes is reported.
Robust and Agile System against Fault and Anomaly Traffic in Software Defined Networks
Authors: Kim Mihui , Park Younghee , Kotalwar Rohit
Published: March 2017

The main advantage of software defined networking (SDN) is that it allows intelligent control and management of networking though programmability in real time. It enables efficient utilization of network resources through traffic engineering, and offers potential attack defense methods when abnormalities arise. However, previous studies have only identified individual solutions for respective problems, instead of finding a more global solution in real time that is capable of addressing multiple situations in network status. To cover diverse network conditions, this paper presents a comprehensive reactive system for simultaneously monitoring failures, anomalies, and attacks for high availability and reliability. We design three main modules in the SDN controller for a robust and agile defense (RAD) system against network anomalies: a traffic analyzer, a traffic engineer, and a rule manager. RAD provides reactive flow rule generation to control traffic while detecting network failures, anomalies, high traffic volume (elephant flows), and attacks. The traffic analyzer identifies elephant flows, traffic anomalies, and attacks based on attack signatures and network monitoring. The traffic engineer module measures network utilization and delay in order to determine the best path for multi-dimensional routing and load balancing under any circumstances. Finally, the rule manager generates and installs a flow rule for the selected best path to control traffic. We implement the proposed RAD system based on Floodlight, an open source project for the SDN controller. We evaluate our system using simulation with and without the aforementioned RAD modules. Experimental results show that our approach is both practical and feasible, and can successfully augment an existing SDN controller in terms of agility, robustness, and efficiency, even in the face of link failures, attacks, and elephant flows.
Researching a Fuzzy- and Performance-Based Optimization Method for the Life-Cycle Cost of SRHPC Frame Structures
Authors: Zheng Jie , Dong Li-guo , Zheng Shan-suo , Zeng Lei , Xiang Ze-hui , He Wei
Published: March 2017

In order to solve two problems with the traditional optimization method of steel reinforced high strength high performance concrete (SRHPC) frame structures, a fuzzy mathematics and performance-based optimization method for the life-cycle cost of SRHPC frame structures is proposed. In the optimization program, quantitative seismic performance indicators of SRHPC frame structures are determined according to the experimental results of SRHPC columns. Furthermore, by considering the fuzzy reliability of structures under each performance level, the life-cycle optimization model of SRHPC frame structures can be established. In order to solve the problem of too many variables and constraints in the optimization process, a two-step optimization method is proposed. Finally, an optimization example is carried out through the MATLAB program to demonstrate the feasibility of this model.
Fabrications of High-Capacity Alpha-Ni(OH)2
Authors: Young Kwo-Hsiung , Wang Lixin , Yan Shuli , Liao Xingqun , Meng Tiejun , Shen Haoting , Mays William
Published: March 2017

Three different methods were used to produce α-Ni(OH)2 with higher discharge capacities than the conventional β-Ni(OH)2, specifically a batch process of co-precipitation, a continuous process of co-precipitation with a phase transformation step (initial cycling), and an overcharge at low temperature. All three methods can produce α-Ni(OH)2 or α/β mixed-Ni(OH)2 with capacities higher than that of conventional β-Ni(OH)2 and a stable cycle performance. The second method produces a special core–shell β-Ni(OH)2/α-Ni(OH)2 structure with an excellent cycle stability in the flooded half-cell configuration, is innovative and also already mass-production ready. The core–shell structure has been investigated by both scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The shell portion of the particle is composed of α-Ni(OH)2 nano-crystals embedded in a β-Ni(OH)2 matrix, which helps to reduce the stress originating from the lattice expansion in the β-α transformation. A review on the research regarding α-Ni(OH)2 is also included in the paper.
Hybrid Approach to State Estimation for Bioprocess Control
Authors: Simutis Rimvydas , Lübbert Andreas
Published: March 2017

An improved state estimation technique for bioprocess control applications is proposed where a hybrid version of the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) is employed. The underlying dynamic system model is formulated as a conventional system of ordinary differential equations based on the mass balances of the state variables biomass, substrate, and product, while the observation model, describing the less established relationship between the state variables and the measurement quantities, is formulated in a data driven way. The latter is formulated by means of a support vector regression (SVR) model. The UKF is applied to a recombinant therapeutic protein production process using Escherichia coli bacteria. Additionally, the state vector was extended by the specific biomass growth rate µ in order to allow for the estimation of this key variable which is crucial for the implementation of innovative control algorithms in recombinant therapeutic protein production processes. The state estimates depict a sufficiently low noise level which goes perfectly with different advanced bioprocess control applications.
Electrocatalysts Prepared by Galvanic Replacement
Authors: Papaderakis Athanasios , Mintsouli Ioanna , Georgieva Jenia , Sotiropoulos Sotiris
Published: March 2017

Galvanic replacement is the spontaneous replacement of surface layers of a metal, M, by a more noble metal, Mnoble, when the former is treated with a solution containing the latter in ionic form, according to the general replacement reaction: nM + mMnoblen+ → nMm+ + mMnoble. The reaction is driven by the difference in the equilibrium potential of the two metal/metal ion redox couples and, to avoid parasitic cathodic processes such as oxygen reduction and (in some cases) hydrogen evolution too, both oxygen levels and the pH must be optimized. The resulting bimetallic material can in principle have a Mnoble-rich shell and M-rich core (denoted as Mnoble(M)) leading to a possible decrease in noble metal loading and the modification of its properties by the underlying metal M. This paper reviews a number of bimetallic or ternary electrocatalytic materials prepared by galvanic replacement for fuel cell, electrolysis and electrosynthesis reactions. These include oxygen reduction, methanol, formic acid and ethanol oxidation, hydrogen evolution and oxidation, oxygen evolution, borohydride oxidation, and halide reduction. Methods for depositing the precursor metal M on the support material (electrodeposition, electroless deposition, photodeposition) as well as the various options for the support are also reviewed.
Targeting H19, an Imprinted Long Non-Coding RNA, in Hepatic Functions and Liver Diseases
Authors: Pope Chad , Mishra Shashank , Russell Joshua , Zhou Qingqing , Zhong Xiao-Bo
Published: March 2017

H19 is a long non-coding RNA regulated by genomic imprinting through methylation at the locus between H19 and IGF2. H19 is important in normal liver development, controlling proliferation and impacting genes involved in an important network controlling fetal development. H19 also plays a major role in disease progression, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma. H19 participates in the epigenetic regulation of many processes impacting diseases, such as activating the miR-200 pathway by histone acetylation to inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition to suppress tumor metastasis. Furthermore, H19’s normal regulation is disturbed in diseases, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. In this disease, aberrant epigenetic maintenance results in biallelic expression of IGF2, leading to uncontrolled cellular proliferation. This review aims to further research utilizing H19 for drug discovery and the treatment of liver diseases by focusing on both the epigenetic regulation of H19 and how H19 regulates normal liver functions and diseases, particularly by epigenetic mechanisms.
Effects of Biogas Substrate Recirculation on Methane Yield and Efficiency of a Liquid-Manure-Based Biogas Plant
Authors: Müller Frauke , Maack Gerd-Christian , Buescher Wolfgang
Published: March 2017

Biogas plants are the most complex systems and are heavily studied in the field of renewable energy. A biogas system is mainly influenced by biological and technical parameters that strongly interact with each other. One recommended practice when operating a biogas plant is the recirculation of the substrate from the second fermenter into the first fermenter, which extends the recirculation amount (RA) and, in turn, the recirculation rate (RR). This technique should be applied to support and secure the biogas process. In this investigation, the RA was varied, starting with the recommended “best practice” of 10.0 m3/d (RR 40%). Every ten days, the RA was reduced in steps of 1.5 m3/d, with 5.5 m3/d (RR 27%) being the final value. The basic question to be addressed concerns to what extent the RR influences the methane yield and thereby influence the efficiency of a manure-based biogas plant in practice. Diverting the “best practice” to a RR of 27% stabilised the fermentation process and lead to significantly higher methane yields with smaller standard deviations. In addition, with a reduced RR, the standard optimal acid concentration within the biogas substrate was approximately reached.
Optimized Design and Feasibility of a Heating System with Energy Storage by Pebble Bed in a Solar Attic
Authors: Cheng Hao , Wang Xinke , Zhou Min
Published: March 2017

For efficient application of solar energy, a pebble bed energy storage heating system in a solar attic is optimally designed and operated. To study the characteristics of the heating system, a numerical model for the system is presented and is validated with the experiment data in the literature. Based on the model, the influence of the envelopes of the solar house and the meteorological condition on the system performance is investigated. The results show that the envelopes, except those on the north face, with more glazed exterior surfaces can be beneficial to raise the temperature of the solar house. It is also found that outdoor temperature may have less impact on the energy storage in the system compared with solar radiation. Furthermore, through optimizing the system design and operation, solar energy can account for 56% of the energy requirement in the heating season in Xi’an (about 34° N, 108° E), which has an average altitude of 397.5 m and moderate solar irradiation. Also, the suitability of the system in northwest China is investigated, and the outcome demonstrates that the external comprehensive temperature should be more than 269 K if a 50% energy saving rate is expected.