bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Book Reviews
Authors: Plum Catherine , Berghahn Klaus , Smulewicz-Zucker Gregory , Freis David , Eckel Matthew , Pehl Malte
Published: April 2016

Mike Dennis and Norman LaPorte, State and Minorities in Communist East Germany (Berghahn: New York, 2013)
Reviewed by Catherine Plum

Florian Illies, 1913. Der Sommer des Jahrhunderts (Fischer: Frankfurt/Main, 2012)
Reviewed by Klaus Berghahn

Howard Eiland and Michael W. Jennings, Walter Benjamin: A Critical Life (Cambridge: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2014)
Reviewed by Gregory Smulewicz-Zucker

Helmut Schmitz and Annette Seidel-Arpacı, ed., Narratives of Trauma: Discourses of German Wartime Suffering in National and International Perspective (Amsterdam: Rodopi, 2011)
Reviewed by David Freis

Triadafilos Triadafilopoulos, Becoming Multicultural: Immigration and the Politics of Membership in Canada and Germany (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2012)
Reviewed by Matthew Eckel

Frank Trommler. Kulturmacht ohne Kompass – Deutsche auswärtige Kulturbeziehungen im 20. Jahrhundert (Cologne: Böhlau Verlag, 2014).
Reviewed by Malte Pehl
The use of thebe-passive in academic Englishes: localversusglobal usage in an international language
Authors: Hundt Marianne , Schneider Gerold , Seoane Elena
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we examine the diffusion of a syntactic change in a specialised text type in different World Englishes – in particular, the use of be-passives in academic discourse in nine contact varieties of English and six English as a Native Language (ENL) varieties. The Zürich-parsed International Corpus of English (ICE) makes it possible to retrieve automatically, for the first time, the two variants in the envelope of variation: active transitive constructions and be-passives. We apply regression analysis in order to gauge the effect of potential external factors that play a role in the choice between them: regional variety (with potential influence from the substrate in the contact varieties) and academic sub-discipline. The use of the passive has undergone change in the twentieth century (see, for example, Leech et al., 2009 ). As a necessary backdrop for variation found in the ICE corpora, we therefore use historical data from the extended Brown family of corpora, which have also been parsed at the University of Zürich.

The results of our analysis show that regional variety is less important than academic sub-discipline: with the sole exception of American English, be-passives are about equally frequent in both ENL and contact varieties; moreover, they are distributed similarly across all varieties according to academic sub-discipline (humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and technology).
Alternative Energies and Fossil Fuels in the Bioeconomy Era: What is Needed in the Next Five Years for Real Change
Authors: Poltronieri Palmiro
Published: April 2016

Sustainable biomass feedstock is the key to sustainable biofuels.[...]
Erratum: Ingelfinger, J.R.; et al. Averting the Legacy of Kidney Disease—Focus on Childhood. Children 2016, 3, 4
Authors:   Children Editorial Office
Published: April 2016

The Children Editorial Office wishes to notify its readers of a correction in [1].[...]
Positive Response to Thermobalancing Therapy Enabled by Therapeutic Device in Men with Non-Malignant Prostate Diseases: BPH and Chronic Prostatitis
Authors: Aghajanyan Ivan , Allen Simon
Published: April 2016

Background: The most common types of non-malignant prostate diseases are benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and chronic prostatitis (CP). The aim of this study was to find out whether thermobalancing therapy with a physiotherapeutic device is effective for BPH and CP. Methods: During a 2.5-year period, 124 men with BPH over the age of 55 were investigated. Clinical parameters were tested twice: via the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and via ultrasound measurement of prostate volume (PV) and uroflowmetry maximum flow rate (Qmax), before and after six months of therapy. In 45 men with CP under the age of 55, the dynamics of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) were studied. Results: The results of the investigated index tests in men with BPH confirmed a decrease in IPSS (p < 0.001), a reduction in PV (p < 0.001), an increase in Qmax (p < 0.001), and an improvement of quality of life (QoL) (p < 0.001). NIH-CPSI scores in men with CP indicated positive dynamics. Conclusions: The observed positive changes in IPSS, PV, and Qmax in men with BPH and the improvement in NIH-CPSI-QoL in patients with CP after using a physiotherapeutic device for six months as mono-therapy, support the view that thermobalancing therapy with the device can be recommended for these patients. Furthermore, the therapeutic device is free of side effects.
Reproducibility Probability Estimation and RP-Testing for Some Nonparametric Tests
Authors: De Capitani Lucio , De Martini Daniele
Published: April 2016

Several reproducibility probability (RP)-estimators for the binomial, sign, Wilcoxon signed rank and Kendall tests are studied. Their behavior in terms of MSE is investigated, as well as their performances for RP-testing. Two classes of estimators are considered: the semi-parametric one, where RP-estimators are derived from the expression of the exact or approximated power function, and the non-parametric one, whose RP-estimators are obtained on the basis of the nonparametric plug-in principle. In order to evaluate the precision of RP-estimators for each test, the MSE is computed, and the best overall estimator turns out to belong to the semi-parametric class. Then, in order to evaluate the RP-testing performances provided by RP estimators for each test, the disagreement between the RP-testing decision rule, i.e., “accept H0 if the RP-estimate is lower than, or equal to, 1/2, and reject H0 otherwise”, and the classical one (based on the critical value or on the p-value) is obtained. It is shown that the RP-based testing decision for some semi-parametric RP estimators exactly replicates the classical one. In many situations, the RP-estimator replicating the classical decision rule also provides the best MSE.
Training Concept, Evolution Time, and the Maximum Entropy Production Principle
Authors: Bezryadin Alexey , Kountz Erik
Published: April 2016

The maximum entropy production principle (MEPP) is a type of entropy optimization which demands that complex non-equilibrium systems should organize such that the rate of the entropy production is maximized. Our take on this principle is that to prove or disprove the validity of the MEPP and to test the scope of its applicability, it is necessary to conduct experiments in which the entropy produced per unit time is measured with a high precision. Thus we study electric-field-induced self-assembly in suspensions of carbon nanotubes and realize precise measurements of the entropy production rate (EPR). As a strong voltage is applied the suspended nanotubes merge together into a conducting cloud which produces Joule heat and, correspondingly, produces entropy. We introduce two types of EPR, which have qualitatively different significance: global EPR (g-EPR) and the entropy production rate of the dissipative cloud itself (DC-EPR). The following results are obtained: (1) As the system reaches the maximum of the DC-EPR, it becomes stable because the applied voltage acts as a stabilizing thermodynamic potential; (2) We discover metastable states characterized by high, near-maximum values of the DC-EPR. Under certain conditions, such efficient entropy-producing regimes can only be achieved if the system is allowed to initially evolve under mildly non-equilibrium conditions, namely at a reduced voltage; (3) Without such a “training” period the system typically is not able to reach the allowed maximum of the DC-EPR if the bias is high; (4) We observe that the DC-EPR maximum is achieved within a time, Te, the evolution time, which scales as a power-law function of the applied voltage; (5) Finally, we present a clear example in which the g-EPR theoretical maximum can never be achieved. Yet, under a wide range of conditions, the system can self-organize and achieve a dissipative regime in which the DC-EPR equals its theoretical maximum.
Robust Longitudinal Speed Control of Hybrid Electric Vehicles with a Two-Degree-of-Freedom Fuzzy Logic Controller
Authors: Perng Jau-Woei , Lai Yi-Horng
Published: April 2016

This paper proposes a new robust two-degree-of-freedom (DoF) design method for controlling the nonlinear longitudinal speed problem of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). First, the uncertain parameters of the HEV model are described by fuzzy α-cut representation, in which the interval uncertainty and the possibility can be simultaneously indicated by the fuzzy membership function. For the fuzzy parametric uncertain system, the maximum uncertainty interval can be translated into the weighting matrix Q of the linear quadratic tracking problem to guarantee that the designed feedback controller is robust. Second, the fuzzy forward compensator is incorporated with a robust feedback controller to enhance the system tracking response. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed controller has higher tracking performance compared to the single-DoF self-tuning fuzzy logic controller or conventional optimal H∞ controller.
How Can the Context Affect Policy Decision-Making: The Case of Climate Change Mitigation Policies in the Greek Building Sector
Authors: Spyridaki Niki-Artemis , Ioannou Anastasia , Flamos Alexandros
Published: April 2016

The influence of context dynamics in the course of the climate change mitigation policy instruments’ (PIs) deployment cycle, usually causes a need for policy adaptation mechanisms to ensure that policies can meet the sector needs efficiently and effectively. In this paper, we argue that important contextual factors are the ones that are perceived to have a great impact over policy effectiveness by key related actors. By examining more thoroughly those effects over PIs, as perceived by policy and market actors, useful feedback on observed policy adaptations can be highlighted. In this context, the aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework which seeks to investigate the impact of key external factors on policy decision-making. This framework is then applied to policies intended to foster sustainability in the Greek building sector. Contextual parameters that are influential over the effectiveness of the national energy conservation measures are identified through a stakeholder survey. Cluster analysis is then employed for the elicitation of three distinct decision-making priorities’ scenarios. General macroeconomic trends, energy costs, characteristics of the building sector and socio-institutional factors are prioritized differently from various types of actors and induce certain types of PI changes. Distinguishing among the different types of PI change can help explain better under which contextual circumstances policy adaptations occur and provide guidance to other policy makers when found in similar decisional contexts.
Synthesis and Textural Characterization of Mesoporous and Meso-/Macroporous Silica Monoliths Obtained by Spinodal Decomposition
Authors: Galarneau Anne , Abid Zakaria , Said Bilel , Didi Youcef , Szymanska Katarzyna , Jarzębski Andrzej , Tancret Franck , Hamaizi Hadj , Bengueddach Abdelkader , Di Renzo Francesco , Fajula Francois
Published: April 2016

Silica monoliths featuring either mesopores or flow-through macropores and mesopores in their skeleton are prepared by combining spinodal phase separation and sol-gel condensation. The macroporous network is first generated by phase separation in acidic medium in the presence of polyethyleneoxides while mesoporosity is engineered in a second step in alkaline medium, possibly in the presence of alkylammonium cations as surfactants. The mesoporous monoliths, also referred as aerogels, are obtained in the presence of alkylpolyethylene oxides in acidic medium without the use of supercritical drying. The impact of the experimental conditions on pore architecture of the monoliths regarding the shape, the ordering, the size and the connectivity of the mesopores is comprehensively discussed based on a critical appraisal of the different models used for textural analysis.
Research on Glass Frit Deposition Based on the Electrospray Process
Authors: Liu Yifang , Chen Daner , Zhan Zhan , Li Chenlei , Zheng Jianyi , Sun Daoheng
Published: April 2016

In this paper, the electrospray technology is used to easily deposit the glass frit into patterns at a micro-scale level. First, far-field electrospray process was carried out with a mixture of glass frit in the presence of ethanol. A uniform, smooth, and dense glass frit film was obtained, verifying that the electrospray technology was feasible. Then, the distance between the nozzle and the substrate was reduced to 2 mm to carry out near-field electrospray. The experimental process was improved by setting the range of the feed rate of the substrate to match both the concentration and the flow rate of the solution. Spray diameter could be less at the voltage of 2 kV, in which the glass frit film was expected to reach the minimum line width. A uniform glass frit film with a line width within the range of 400–500 μm was prepared when the speed of the substrate was 25 mm/s. It indicates that electrospray is an efficient technique for the patterned deposition of glass frit in wafer-level hermetic encapsulation.
Study of Charge Carrier Transport in GaN Sensors
Authors: Gaubas Eugenijus , Ceponis Tomas , Kuokstis Edmundas , Meskauskaite Dovile , Pavlov Jevgenij , Reklaitis Ignas
Published: April 2016

Capacitor and Schottky diode sensors were fabricated on GaN material grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy and metal-organic chemical vapor deposition techniques using plasma etching and metal deposition. The operational characteristics of these devices have been investigated by profiling current transients and by comparing the experimental regimes of the perpendicular and parallel injection of excess carrier domains. Profiling of the carrier injection location allows for the separation of the bipolar and the monopolar charge drift components. Carrier mobility values attributed to the hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) GaN material have been estimated as μe = 1000 ± 200 cm2/Vs for electrons, and μh = 400 ± 80 cm2/Vs for holes, respectively. Current transients under injection of the localized and bulk packets of excess carriers have been examined in order to determine the surface charge formation and polarization effects.
Fungal Iron Biomineralization in Río Tinto
Authors: Oggerin Monike , Tornos Fernando , Rodriguez Nuria , Pascual Laura , Amils Ricardo
Published: April 2016

Although there are many studies on biomineralization processes, most of them focus on the role of prokaryotes. As fungi play an important role in different geological and biogeochemical processes, it was considered of interest to evaluate their role in a natural extreme acidic environment, Río Tinto, which has a high level of fungal diversity and a high concentration of metals. In this work we report, for the first time, the generation of iron oxyhydroxide minerals by the fungal community in a specific location of the Tinto basin. Using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and High Angle Angular Dark Field coupled with Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), we observed fungal structures involved in the formation of iron oxyhydroxide minerals in mineralized sediment samples from the Río Tinto basin. Although Río Tinto waters are supersaturated in these minerals, they do not precipitate due to their slow precipitation kinetics. The presence of fungi, which simply provide charged surfaces for metal binding, favors the precipitation of Fe oxyhydroxides by overcoming these kinetic barriers. These results prove that the fungal community of Río Tinto participates very actively in the geochemical processes that take place there.
A Green Ultrasound Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Evaluation of 1,4-Disubstituted 1,2,3-Triazoles Tethering Bioactive Benzothiazole Nucleus
Authors: Rezki Nadjet
Published: April 2016

The synthesis of N-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-2-(4-substituted-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetamides 5a–r via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between 2-azido-N-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)acetamide derivatives 3a–c and different alkynes were performed in the presence and absence of ultrasound irradiation. The synthesis was carried out using t-BuOH/H2O (1:1, v/v) as reaction solvents and CuSO4·5H2O/sodium ascorbate as the catalyst. The copper catalyst was implemented to provide the regioselective 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles 5a–r. Significant reductions in reaction times with comparably higher yields were observed when the reactions were carried out under ultrasound irradiation. The structures of the newly synthesized 1,2,3-triazoles were elucidated by IR, NMR, MS, and elemental analyses. They were also screened for their antimicrobial activity against three gram-positive (Streptococcus pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus), three gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonia), and two fungal strains (Aspergillus fumigates and Candida albicans). Most of the tested compounds displayed promising antimicrobial activities at a Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of 4–16 μg/mL.
1-(2,3-Dibenzimidazol-2-ylpropyl)-2-methoxybenzene Is a Syk Inhibitor with Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Authors: Kim Eunji , Son Young-Jin , Yang Yanyan , Shen Ting , Kim Ikyon , Aravinthan Adithan , Kim Jong-Hoon , Cho Jae
Published: April 2016

Inflammation is the protective action of our bodies against external pathogens by recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Proper regulation of inflammatory responses is required to maintain our body’s homeostasis, as well as there are demands to develop proper acute or chronic inflammation. In this study, we elucidated the regulatory mechanism of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses by a novel compound, 1-(2,3-dibenzimidazol-2-ylpropyl)-2-methoxybenzene (DBMB). We found that DBMB suppressed inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), reacted to exposure to a number of toll like receptor (TLR) ligands. Such observations occurred following to decreased mRNA expression of several pro-inflammatory mediators, and such diminished mRNA levels were caused by inhibited transcriptional factor nuclear factor (NF)-κB, as evaluated by luciferase reporter assay and molecular biological approaches. To find the potential targets of DBMB, we screened phosphorylated forms of NF-κB signal molecules: inhibitor of κBα (IκBα), IκB kinase (IKK)α/β, Akt, 3-phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), p85, and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). We found that DBMB treatment could suppress signal transduction through these molecules. Additionally, we conducted in vitro kinase assays using immunoprecipitated Syk and its substrate, p85. Consequently, we could say that DBMB clearly suppressed the kinase activity of Syk kinase activity. Together, our results demonstrate that synthetic DBMB has an effect on the inflammatory NF-κB signaling pathway and suggest the potential for clinical use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Temperature-Dependent Magnetic Response of Antiferromagnetic Doping in Cobalt Ferrite Nanostructures
Authors: Nairan Adeela , Khan Maaz , Khan Usman , Iqbal Munawar , Riaz Saira , Naseem Shahzad
Published: April 2016

In this work MnxCo1−xFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a chemical co-precipitation method. Phase purity and structural analyses of synthesized NPs were performed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the presence of highly crystalline and narrowly-dispersed NPs with average diameter of 14 nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum was measured in the range of 400–4000 cm−1 which confirmed the formation of vibrational frequency bands associated with the entire spinel structure. Temperature-dependent magnetic properties in anti-ferromagnet (AFM) and ferromagnet (FM) structure were investigated with the aid of a physical property measurement system (PPMS). It was observed that magnetic interactions between the AFM (Mn) and FM (CoFe2O4) material arise below the Neel temperature of the dopant. Furthermore, hysteresis response was clearly pronounced for the enhancement in magnetic parameters by varying temperature towards absolute zero. It is shown that magnetic properties have been tuned as a function of temperature and an externally-applied field.
Multifunctional Inorganic Nanoparticles: Recent Progress in Thermal Therapy and Imaging
Authors: Cherukula Kondareddy , Manickavasagam Lekshmi Kamali , Uthaman Saji , Cho Kihyun , Cho Chong-Su , Park In-Kyu
Published: April 2016

Nanotechnology has enabled the development of many alternative anti-cancer approaches, such as thermal therapies, which cause minimal damage to healthy cells. Current challenges in cancer treatment are the identification of the diseased area and its efficient treatment without generating many side effects. Image-guided therapies can be a useful tool to diagnose and treat the diseased tissue and they offer therapy and imaging using a single nanostructure. The present review mainly focuses on recent advances in the field of thermal therapy and imaging integrated with multifunctional inorganic nanoparticles. The main heating sources for heat-induced therapies are the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the near infrared region and alternating magnetic fields (AMFs). The different families of inorganic nanoparticles employed for SPR- and AMF-based thermal therapies and imaging are described. Furthermore, inorganic nanomaterials developed for multimodal therapies with different and multi-imaging modalities are presented in detail. Finally, relevant clinical perspectives and the future scope of inorganic nanoparticles in image-guided therapies are discussed.
Synthesis of Monodisperse Silica Particles Grafted with Concentrated Ionic Liquid-Type Polymer Brushes by Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Use as a Solid State Polymer Electrolyte
Authors: Morinaga Takashi , Honma Saika , Ishizuka Takeo , Kamijo Toshio , Sato Takaya , Tsujii Yoshinobu
Published: April 2016

A polymerizable ionic liquid, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-methacryloylethyl)-N-methylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (DEMM-TFSI), was polymerized via copper-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The polymerization proceeded in a living manner producing well-defined poly(DEMM-TFSI) of target molecular weight up to about 400 K (including a polycation and an counter anion). The accurate molecular weight as determined by a GPC analysis combined with a light scattering measurement, and the molecular weight values obtained exhibited good agreement with the theoretical values calculated from the initial molar ratio of DEMM-TFSI and the monomer conversion. Surface-initiated ATRP on the surface of monodisperse silica particles (SiPs) with various diameters was successfully performed, producing SiPs grafted with well-defined poly(DEMM-TFSI) with a graft density as high as 0.15 chains/nm2. Since the composite film made from the silica-particle-decorated polymer brush and ionic liquid shows a relatively high ionic conductivity, we have evaluated the relationship between the grafted brush chain length and the ionic conductivity.
Hydrological Response of Alpine Wetlands to Climate Warming in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Wenjiang , Yi Yonghong , Song Kechao , Kimball John , Lu Qifeng
Published: April 2016

Alpine wetlands in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) play a crucial role in the regional hydrological cycle due to their strong influence on surface ecohydrological processes; therefore, understanding how TP wetlands respond to climate change is essential for projecting their future condition and potential vulnerability. We investigated the hydrological responses of a large TP wetland complex to recent climate change, by combining multiple satellite observations and in-situ hydro-meteorological records. We found different responses of runoff production to regional warming trends among three basins with similar climate, topography and vegetation cover but different wetland proportions. The basin with larger wetland proportion (40.1%) had a lower mean runoff coefficient (0.173 ± 0.006), and also showed increasingly lower runoff level (−3.9% year−1, p = 0.002) than the two adjacent basins. The satellite-based observations showed an increasing trend of annual non-frozen period, especially in the wetland-dominated region (2.64 day·year−1, p < 0.10), and a strong extension of vegetation growing-season (0.26–0.41 day·year−1, p < 0.10). Relatively strong increasing trends in evapotranspiration (ET) (~1.00 mm·year−1, p < 0.01) and the vertical temperature gradient above ground surface (0.043 °C·year−1, p < 0.05) in wetland-dominant areas were documented from satellite-based ET observations and weather station records. These results indicate recent surface drying and runoff reduction of alpine wetlands, and their potential vulnerability to degradation with continued climate warming.
Rapid Detection of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Activity in Mouse Sperm Using Fluorescent Gel Shift Electrophoresis
Authors: Choi Hoseok , Choi Bomi , Seo Ju , Lee Kyung , Gye Myung , Kim Young-Pil
Published: April 2016

Assaying the glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) activity in sperm is of great importance because it is closely implicated in sperm motility and male infertility. While a number of studies on GSK3 activity have relied on labor-intensive immunoblotting to identify phosphorylated GSK3, here we report the simple and rapid detection of GSK3 activity in mouse sperm using conventional agarose gel electrophoresis and a fluorescent peptide substrate. When a dye-tethered and prephosphorylated (primed) peptide substrate for GSK3 was employed, a distinct mobility shift in the fluorescent bands on the agarose was observed by GSK3-induced phosphorylation of the primed peptides. The GSK3 activity in mouse testes and sperm were quantifiable by gel shift assay with low sample consumption and were significantly correlated with the expression levels of GSK3 and p-GSK3. We suggest that our assay can be used for reliable and rapid detection of GSK3 activity in cells and tissue extracts.
Capturing the Stakeholders’ View in Sustainability Reporting: A Novel Approach
Authors: Bellantuono Nicola , Pontrandolfo Pierpaolo , Scozzi Barbara
Published: April 2016

Sustainability reporting is the process by which companies describe how they deal with their own economic, environmental, and social impacts, thus making stakeholders able to recognize the value of sustainable practices. As stressed in the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines, which act as a de facto standard for sustainability reporting, sustainable reports should take into account the stakeholders’ view. In particular, engaging stakeholders is essential to carry out the materiality analysis, by which organizations can identify their own more relevant sustainability aspects. Yet, on the one hand, the existing guidelines do not provide specific indications on how to get stakeholders actually engaged; on the other hand, research on quantitative techniques to support stakeholder engagement in materiality analysis is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is the development of a quantitative structured approach based on multi-attribute group decision-making techniques to effectively and reliably support stakeholder engagement during materiality analysis in sustainability reporting. As it more strictly guides the reporting process, the proposed approach at the same time simplifies materiality analysis and makes it more reliable. Though any company can adopt the approach, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to particularly benefit from it, due to the quite limited implementation effort that is required. With this respect, the approach has been validated on a sample of Italian SMEs belonging to different sectors.
Do Urban Rail Transit Facilities Affect Housing Prices? Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Xu , Liu Xiaoxing , Hang Jianqin , Yao Dengbao , Shi Guangping
Published: April 2016

Urban rail transit facilities play a critical role in citizen’s social activities (e.g., residence, work and education). Using panel data on housing prices and urban rail transit facilities for 35 Chinese cities for 2002 to 2013, this study constructs a panel data model to evaluate the effect of rail transit facilities on housing prices quantitatively. A correlation test reveals significant correlations between housing prices and rail transit facilities. Empirical results demonstrate that rail transit facilities can markedly elevate real estate prices. Quantitatively, a 1% increase in rail transit mileage improves housing prices by 0.0233%. The results highlight the importance of other factors (e.g., per capita GDP, land price, investment in real estate and population density) in determining housing prices. We also assess the effects of expectations of new rail transit lines on housing prices, and the results show that expectation effects are insignificant. These findings encourage Chinese policy makers to take rail transit facilities into account in achieving sustainable development of real estate markets.
Peptide Toxins in Solitary Wasp Venoms
Authors: Konno Katsuhiro , Kazuma Kohei , Nihei Ken-ichi
Published: April 2016

Solitary wasps paralyze insects or spiders with stinging venom and feed the paralyzed preys to their larva. Accordingly, the venoms should contain a variety of constituents acting on nervous systems. However, only a few solitary wasp venoms have been chemically studied despite thousands of species inhabiting the planet. We have surveyed bioactive substances in solitary wasp venoms found in Japan and discovered a variety of novel bioactive peptides. Pompilidotoxins (PMTXs), in the venoms of the pompilid wasps Anoplius samariensis and Batozonellus maculifrons, are small peptides consisting of 13 amino acids without a disulfide bond. PMTXs slowed Na+ channel inactivation, in particular against neuronal type Na+ channels, and were rather selective to the Nav1.6 channel. Mastoparan-like cytolytic and antimicrobial peptides are the major components of eumenine wasp venoms. They are rich in hydrophobic and basic amino acids, adopting a α-helical secondary structure, and showing mast cell degranulating, antimicrobial and hemolytic activities. The venom of the spider wasp Cyphononyx fulvognathus contained four bradykinin-related peptides. They are hyperalgesic and, dependent on the structure, differently associated with B1 or B2 receptors. Further survey led to the isolation of leucomyosuppressin-like FMRFamide peptides from the venoms of the digger wasps Sphex argentatus and Isodontia harmandi. These results of peptide toxins in solitary wasp venoms from our studies are summarized.
Identifying Watershed, Landscape, and Engineering Design Factors that Influence the Biotic Condition of Restored Streams
Authors: Doll Barbara , Jennings Gregory , Spooner Jean , Penrose David , Usset Joseph , Blackwell James , Fernandez Mark
Published: April 2016

Restored stream reaches at 79 sites across North Carolina were sampled for aquatic macroinvertebrates using a rapid bioassessment protocol. Morphological design parameters and geographic factors, including watershed and landscape parameters (e.g., valley slope, substrate), were also compiled for these streams. Principal component regression analyses revealed correlations between design and landscape variables with macroinvertebrate metrics. The correlations were strengthened by adding watershed variables. Ridge regression was used to find the best-fit model for predicting dominant taxa from the “pollution sensitive” orders of Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies), or EPT taxa, resulting in coefficient weights that were most interpretable relative to site selection and design parameters. Results indicate that larger (wider) streams located in the mountains and foothills where there are steeper valleys, larger substrate, and undeveloped watersheds are expected to have higher numbers of dominant EPT taxa. In addition, EPT taxa numbers are positively correlated with accessible floodplain width and negatively correlated with width-to-depth ratio and sinuosity. This study indicates that both site selection and design should be carefully considered in order to maximize the resulting biotic condition and associated potential ecological uplift of the stream.
Development of a Watershed-Scale Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment Model with the Asymptotic Curve Number Regression Equation
Authors: Ryu Jichul , Jang Won , Kim Jonggun , Choi Joong , Engel Bernard , Yang Jae , Lim Kyoung
Published: April 2016

In this study, 52 asymptotic Curve Number (CN) regression equations were developed for combinations of representative land covers and hydrologic soil groups. In addition, to overcome the limitations of the original Long-term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA) model when it is applied to larger watersheds, a watershed-scale L-THIA Asymptotic CN (ACN) regression equation model (watershed-scale L-THIA ACN model) was developed by integrating the asymptotic CN regressions and various modules for direct runoff/baseflow/channel routing. The watershed-scale L-THIA ACN model was applied to four watersheds in South Korea to evaluate the accuracy of its streamflow prediction. The coefficient of determination (R2) and Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values for observed versus simulated streamflows over intervals of eight days were greater than 0.6 for all four of the watersheds. The watershed-scale L-THIA ACN model, including the asymptotic CN regression equation method, can simulate long-term streamflow sufficiently well with the ten parameters that have been added for the characterization of streamflow.
Le Code de l'environnement de la Polynésie française
Authors: Stahl Lucile
Published: April 2016

L'adoption du Code de l'environnement de la Polynésie française le 15 décembre 2003 fait de cette collectivité un cas unique dans l'outre-mer français. Face aux difficultés d'accès aux textes et de mise en œuvre effective du droit polynésien de l'environnement, le Code apparaît comme un instrument juridique utile et pratique au service des administrations et des administrés. Mais son examen se solde finalement par un bilan mitigé. Étape nécessaire à l'évolution et à la connaissance du droit polynésien de l'environnement, le Code élaboré sous un mode non participatif et à droit constant reste inachevé. Il mériterait désormais une réforme de fond orientée vers la recherche d'une vision plus globale et mieux adaptée au contexte écologique particulier des îles.
Strecker degradation of amino acids promoted by a camphor-derived sulfonamide
Authors: Carvalho M Fernanda N N , Ferreira M João , Knittel Ana S O , Oliveira Maria da Conceição , Costa Pessoa João , Herrmann Rudolf , Wagner Gabriele
Published: April 2016

A camphor-derived sulfonimine with a conjugated carbonyl group, oxoimine 1 (O2SNC10H13O), reacts with amino acids (glycine, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-leucine) to form a compound O2SNC10H13NC10H14NSO2 (2) which was characterized by spectroscopic means (MS and NMR) and supported by DFT calculations. The product, a single diastereoisomer, contains two oxoimine units connected by a –N= bridge, and thus has a structural analogy to the colored product Ruhemann´s purple obtained by the ninhydrin reaction with amino acids. A plausible reaction mechanism that involves zwitterions, a Strecker degradation of an intermediate imine and water-catalyzed tautomerizations was developed by means of DFT calculations on potential transition states.
THE EFFECT OF EXPANDED GLASS AND POLYSTYRENE WASTE ON THE PROPERTIES OF LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATE CONCRETE
Authors: Šeputytė-Jucikė Jurga , Sinica Marijonas
Published: April 2016

The main objective of this study is to create a lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) with a low thermal conductivity coefficient using expanded glass (EG) aggregate, produced from waste glass or crushed expanded polystyrene waste, obtained by crushing waste packing tare of household appliances. Research related to the effects of the amount of Portland cement (PC) as well as EG aggregates and crushed expanded polystyrene waste on physical (density, thermal conductivity coefficient, water absorption and capillary coefficient) and mechanical (compressive strength) properties of LWAC samples are provided.

Insulating LWAC based on a small amount of PC and lightweight EG aggregates and crushed expanded polystyrene waste, with especially low thermal conductivity coefficient values (from 0.070 to 0.098 W/ (m·K)) has been developed. A strong relationship between thermal conductivity coefficient and density of LWAC samples was obtained. The density of LWAC samples depending on the amount of PC ranged between 225 and 335 kg/m3. A partial replacement of EG aggregate by crushed expanded polystyrene waste, results in relative density decrease of LWAC samples. In LWAC samples the increased amount of PC results in increased compressive strength.
SUPPORTING OF REPAIRS PROCESSES OF CONCRETE INDUSTRIAL FLOORS
Authors: Gajzler Marcin
Published: April 2016

In the large-scale facilities, including on-site storage or shopping malls, floor plays an important role. It has to meet special requirements regarding mechanical properties, aesthetics and durability. Despite much effort, both in the design and execution phase, cases of damage of the floor happens, causing some specific consequences – often associated with restrictions on use. In such a situation it is required to perform rapid diagnosis and effective repair. One possibility foster this process is the use of advisory system which operates in terms of material and technological solutions. The article points out the limitations resulting from the use of advisory system related to situations of individual and unique damage. In the case of such damage it is necessary to implement research procedures and the use of advisory system turns out to be ineffective.
TRANSIT TIMING VARIATIONS FOR PLANETS NEAR ECCENTRICITY-TYPE MEAN MOTION RESONANCES
Authors: Deck Katherine M. , Agol Eric
Published: April 2016

We derive the transit timing variations (TTVs) of two planets near a second-order mean motion resonance (MMR) on nearly circular orbits. We show that the TTVs of each planet are given by sinusoids with a frequency of

jn

2

−

(
j
−
2
)

n

1

, where

j
≥
3

is an integer characterizing the resonance and n
2 and n
1 are the mean motions of the outer and inner planets, respectively. The amplitude of the TTV depends on the mass of the perturbing planet, relative to the mass of the star, and on both the eccentricities and longitudes of pericenter of each planet. The TTVs of the two planets are approximated anti-correlated, with phases of ϕ and

≈
ϕ
+
π

, where the phase ϕ also depends on the eccentricities and longitudes of pericenter. Therefore, the TTVs caused by proximity to a second-order MMR do not in general uniquely determine both planet masses, eccentricities, and pericenters. This is completely analogous to the case of TTVs induced by two planets near a first-order MMR. We explore how other TTV signals, such as the short-period synodic TTV or a first-order resonant TTV, in combination with the second-order resonant TTV, can break degeneracies. Finally, we derive approximate formulae for the TTVs of planets near any order eccentricity-type MMR; this shows that the same basic sinusoidal TTV structure holds for all eccentricity-type resonances. Our general formula reduces to previously derived results near first-order MMRs.
ON THE RADIO DETECTION OF MULTIPLE-EXOMOON SYSTEMS DUE TO PLASMA TORUS SHARING
Authors: Noyola J. P. , Satyal S. , Musielak Z. E.
Published: April 2016

The idea of single exomoon detection due to the radio emissions caused by its interaction with the host exoplanet is extended to multiple-exomoon systems. The characteristic radio emissions are made possible in part by plasma from the exomoon’s own ionosphere. In this work, it is demonstrated that neighboring exomoons and the exoplanetary magnetosphere could also provide enough plasma to generate a detectable signal. In particular, the plasma-torus-sharing phenomenon is found to be particularly well suited to facilitate the radio detection of plasma-deficient exomoons. The efficiency of this process is evaluated, and the predicted power and frequency of the resulting radio signals are presented.
ELECTRON ACCELERATION BY LANGMUIR WAVES PRODUCED BY A DECAY CASCADE
Authors: Krafft C. , Volokitin A. S.
Published: April 2016

It was recently reported that a significant part of the Langmuir waveforms observed by the STEREO satellite during type III solar radio bursts are likely consistent with the occurrence of electrostatic decay instabilities, when a Langmuir wave



resonantly interacts with another Langmuir wave


′

and an ion sound wave


′

through the decay channel


→

′
+

′
.

Usually such wave–wave interactions occur in regions of the solar wind where the presence of electron beams can drive Langmuir turbulence to levels allowing waves



to decay. Moreover, such solar wind plasmas can present long-wavelength, randomly fluctuating density inhomogeneities or monotonic density gradients which can significantly modify the development of such resonant instabilities. If some conditions are met, the waves can encounter a second decay cascade (SDC) according to


′
→

″
+

″

. Analytical estimates and observations based on numerical simulations show that the Langmuir waves


″

produced by this SDC can accelerate beam particles up to velocities and kinetic energies exceeding two times the beam drift velocity v

b
and half the initial beam energy, respectively. Moreover, this process can be particularly efficient if the scattering effects of waves on the background plasma inhomogeneities have already accelerated a sufficient amount of beam electrons up to the velocity range where the phase velocities of the


″

waves are lying. The paper shows that the conditions necessary for such process to occur can be easily met in solar wind plasmas if the beam velocities do not exceed around 35 times the plasma thermal velocity.
Modifiable Risk Factors in Patients With Low Back Pain
Authors: Shemory Scott T. , Pfefferle Kiel J. , Gradisar Ian M.
Published: April 2016

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for physician visits in the United States and is a chief complaint frequently seen by orthopedic surgeons. Patients with chronic low back pain can experience recurring debilitating pain and disability, decreasing their quality of life. A commercially available software platform, Explorys (Explorys, Inc, Cleveland, Ohio), was used to mine a pooled electronic health care database consisting of the medical records of more than 26 million patients. According to the available medical history data, 1.2 million patients had a diagnosis of low back pain (4.54%). The information was used to determine the incidence of low back pain in patients with a history of nicotine dependence, obesity (body mass index, >30 kg/m
2
), depressive disorders, and alcohol abuse. Relative risk was then calculated for the defined modifiable risk factors. Patients with nicotine dependence, obesity, depressive disorders, and alcohol abuse had a relative risk of 4.489, 6.007, 5.511, and 3.326 for low back pain, respectively, compared with patients without the defined risk factor. A statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of low back pain between all 4 groups with the risk factors evaluated and the general population (
P
<.05). By determining treatable patient risk factors for low back pain, physicians can monitor at-risk patients and focus on prevention and control of debilitating disease. These approaches can decrease the number of patients with isolated low back pain who are seen by orthopedic surgeons. [
Orthopedics.
2016; 39(3):e413–e416.]
Correlation Between Cam-Type Femoroacetabular Impingement and Radiographic Osteitis Pubis
Authors: Phillips Elizabeth , Khoury Viviane , Wilmot Andrew , Kelly John D.
Published: April 2016

A mechanistic link has been suggested between cam-type femoroacetabular impingement and increased stress on the symphysis pubis. This retrospective study was conducted to determine whether there is an increased prevalence of osteitis pubis, as evidenced by imaging, in patients with femoroacetabular impingement compared with age-matched control subjects. Search of a radiologic database of a large academic health institution for all patients with cam-type femoroacetabular impingement diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging or magnetic resonance arthrogram between January 2000 and October 2013 identified 46 cases. Two radiologists reviewed these cases independently and confirmed the presence of femoroacetabular impingement based on alpha angle and other characteristics of cam morphology. The imaging studies were further evaluated for characteristics of osteitis pubis, with severity graded from minimal to severe on a 4-point Likert scale. A control group composed of age-matched subjects without diagnosed femoroacetabular impingement was also evaluated for osteitis pubis. A statistically significant increase in the prevalence of osteitis pubis was found in patients with femoroacetabular impingement compared with age-matched control subjects, with a prevalence of 43.48% in the femoroacetabular impingement group compared with 12.77% in the control group (
P
=.0012). On the 4-point Likert scale, the average severity of osteitis pubis in the group with femoroacetabular impingement was 1.5 (minimal to mild) compared with 0.53 (no osteitis pubis to minimal findings) in the control population. This significant increase in osteitis pubis in patients with femoroacetabular impingement supports the clinical link between these 2 processes. [
Orthopedics.
2016; 39(3):e417–e422.]
Comparison of PZT and FBG sensing technologies for debonding detection on reinforced concrete beams strengthened with external CFRP strips subjected to bending loads
Authors: Sevillano E. , Sun R. , Perera R. , Arteaga A. , De Diego A. , Cisneros D.
Published: April 2016

The development of monitoring technologies particularly suitable to be used with novel CFRP strengthening techniques has gained great attention in recent years. However, in spite of the high performance of these advanced composite materials in the strengthening and repairing of structures in service, they are usually associated with brittle and sudden failure mainly caused by debonding phenomena, originated either at the CFRP-plate end or at the intermediate areas in the vicinity of flexural cracks in the RC beam. Thus, it is highly recommended for these structures to be monitored in order to ensure their integrity while in service. Specifically, the feasibility of smart sensing technologies such as Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors and piezo-impedance transducers (PZT) has been studied. To the knowledge of the authors, none serious study has been carried out until now concerned to the topic of damage detection due to debonding in rehabilitated structures with CFRP composites.