bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Geometric Framework for Nutrition as a tool in precision medicine
Authors: Simpson Stephen J. , Le Couteur David G. , James David E. , George Jacob , Gunton Jenny E. , Solon-Biet Samantha M. , Raubenheimer David
Published: August 2017

Fundamental questions in nutrition include, “What constitutes a nutritionally balanced diet?”, “What are the consequences of failing to achieve diet balance?”, and “How does diet balance change across the lifecourse and with individual circumstances?”. Answering these questions requires coming to grips with the multidimensionality and dynamic nature of nutritional requirements, foods and diets, and the complex relationships between nutrition and health, while at the same time avoiding becoming overwhelmed by complexity. Here we illustrate the use of an integrating framework for taming the complexity of nutrition, the Geometric Framework for Nutrition (GFN), and show how this might be used to untap the full potential for nutrition to provide targeted primary interventions and treatments for the chronic diseases of aging. We first briefly introduce the concepts behind GFN, then provide an example of how GFN has been used to relate nutrition to various behavioural, physiological and health outcomes in a large mouse experiment, and end by suggesting a translational pathway to human health.
Effect of Slip Conditions and Entropy Generation Analysis with an Effective Prandtl Number Model on a Nanofluid Flow through a Stretching Sheet
Authors: Rashidi Mohammad Mehdi , Abbas Munawwar Ali
Published: August 2017

This article describes the impact of slip conditions on nanofluid flow through a stretching sheet. Nanofluids are very helpful to enhance the convective heat transfer in a boundary layer flow. Prandtl number also play a major role in controlling the thermal and momentum boundary layers. For this purpose, we have considered a model for effective Prandtl number which is borrowed by means of experimental analysis on a nano boundary layer, steady, two-dimensional incompressible flow through a stretching sheet. We have considered γAl2O3-H2O and Al2O3-C2H6O2 nanoparticles for the governing flow problem. An entropy generation analysis is also presented with the help of the second law of thermodynamics. A numerical technique known as Successive Taylor Series Linearization Method (STSLM) is used to solve the obtained governing nonlinear boundary layer equations. The numerical and graphical results are discussed for two cases i.e., (i) effective Prandtl number and (ii) without effective Prandtl number. From graphical results, it is observed that the velocity profile and temperature profile increases in the absence of effective Prandtl number while both expressions become larger in the presence of Prandtl number. Further, numerical comparison has been presented with previously published results to validate the current methodology and results.
Differential Effects of Coarse Woody Debris on Microbial and Soil Properties in Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. Forests
Authors: Kim Seongjun , Li Guanlin , Han Seung Hyun , Chang Hanna , Kim Hyun-Jun , Son Yowhan
Published: August 2017

Although coarse woody debris (CWD) is important for soil functioning, the mechanism which affects soil properties beneath CWD are unclear. Here, initial changes in microbial and soil properties were studied using homogenous CWD samples in eight Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) forests. For each forest, CWD samples (diameter: 11.1 ± 0.1 cm; length: 10.2 ± 0.0 cm) from similarly aged Korean red pine trees were laid on the mineral soil surface from May to June, 2016, and soils were sampled at points beneath CWD and at a distance of 1 m from the CWD after 1 year. Soils beneath the CWD had higher moisture but lower inorganic nitrogen (N) and a higher microbial biomass C (carbon)/N ratio than those sampled 1 m from the CWD. No differences in total C and N, labile C, pH, and C substrate utilization between the soils were significant. The difference in inorganic N between the soils decreased with increasing CWD decomposition, whereas that for microbial biomass fraction in total C and N increased correspondingly. Our results showed that soil microbial affinity for retaining N might become higher than that for retaining C under the presence of CWD, which possibly alters N availability and generates a spatial heterogeneity in forest soils.
Effects of Lifetime Unemployment Experience and Job Insecurity on Two-Year Risk of Physician-Diagnosed Incident Depression in the German Working Population
Authors: Wege Natalia , Angerer Peter , Li Jian
Published: August 2017

Unemployment and job insecurity have been reported to be associated with a higher risk of depression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the separate and combined effects of lifetime unemployment experience and job insecurity on the incidence of depression in an unselected working population in Germany. Data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) study were used, as was a final sample of those currently employed, with complete data at baseline (2009) and follow-up (2011) restricted to those free of depression in 2009 (n = 7073). Poisson regression analysis was applied to test the prospective associations between unemployment, job insecurity, and a two-year incident of depression. Results showed that the experience of unemployment and perceived job insecurity were significantly associated with a higher risk of depression during the two-year follow-up (risk ratios 1.64; 95% confidence intervals (1.16, 2.31) and risk ratios 1.48; 95% confidence intervals (1.13, 1.92), respectively). Notably, the strongest risk was observed among participants with insecure jobs and past long-term unemployment (risk ratios 2.15; 95% confidence intervals (1.32; 3.52)). In conclusion, even during employment, the experience of lifetime unemployment led to a higher risk of depression. The combination of previous unemployment experience and anticipated job insecurity increased the risk of developing depression. Results support health promotion with special emphasis on unemployment and precarious working conditions.
Why Do People Like Loud Sound? A Qualitative Study
Authors: Welch David , Fremaux Guy
Published: August 2017

Many people choose to expose themselves to potentially dangerous sounds such as loud music, either via speakers, personal audio systems, or at clubs. The Conditioning, Adaptation and Acculturation to Loud Music (CAALM) Model has proposed a theoretical basis for this behaviour. To compare the model to data, we interviewed a group of people who were either regular nightclub-goers or who controlled the sound levels in nightclubs (bar managers, musicians, DJs, and sound engineers) about loud sound. Results showed four main themes relating to the enjoyment of loud sound: arousal/excitement, facilitation of socialisation, masking of both external sound and unwanted thoughts, and an emphasis and enhancement of personal identity. Furthermore, an interesting incidental finding was that sound levels appeared to increase gradually over the course of the evening until they plateaued at approximately 97 dBA Leq around midnight. Consideration of the data generated by the analysis revealed a complex of influential factors that support people in wanting exposure to loud sound. Findings were considered in terms of the CAALM Model and could be explained in terms of its principles. From a health promotion perspective, the Social Ecological Model was applied to consider how the themes identified might influence behaviour. They were shown to influence people on multiple levels, providing a powerful system which health promotion approaches struggle to address.
Sequestration Effect on the Open-Cyclic Switchable Property of Warfarin Induced by Cyclodextrin: Time-Resolved Fluorescence Study
Authors: Al-Dubaili Naji , Saleh Na’il
Published: August 2017

The excited-state lifetimes of the anticoagulant drug warfarin (W) in water and in the absence and presence of methyl-β-cyclodextrins (Me-β-CD) were recorded using time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Selective excitation of the open and cyclic protonated isomers of W were acquired with laser emitting diodes (LED) producing 320 and 280 nm excitation pulses, respectively. Formation of the inclusion complex was checked by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and the values of binding constants (2.9 × 103 M–1 and 4.2 × 102 M−1 for protonated and deprotonated forms, respectively) were extracted from the spectrophotometric data. Both absorption and time-resolved fluorescence results established that the interior of the macromolecular host binds preferentially the open protonated form, red shifts the maximum of its absorption of light at ~305 nm, extends its excited-state lifetime, and decreases its emission quantum yield (ФF). Collectively, sequestration of the open guest molecules decreases markedly their radiative rate constants (kr), likely due to formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes in both the ground and excited states. Due to lack of interactions, no change was observed in the excited-state lifetime of the cyclic form in the presence of Me-β-CD. The host also increases the excited-state lifetime and ФF of the drug deprotonated form (W−). These later findings could be attributed to the increased rigidity inside the cavity of Me-β-CD. The pKa values extracted from the variations of the UV-visible absorption spectra of W versus the pH of aqueous solution showed that the open isomer is more acidic in both ground and excited states. The positive shifts in pKa values induced by three derivatives of cyclodextrins: HE-β-CD, Ac-β-CD, and Me-β-CD supported the preferential binding of these hosts to open isomers over cyclic.
Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Medicinal Plant Artemisia annua
Authors: Shen Xiaofeng , Wu Mingli , Liao Baosheng , Liu Zhixiang , Bai Rui , Xiao Shuiming , Li Xiwen , Zhang Boli , Xu Jiang , Chen Shilin
Published: August 2017

The complete chloroplast genome of Artemisia annua (Asteraceae), the primary source of artemisinin, was sequenced and analyzed. The A. annua cp genome is 150,995 bp, and harbors a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb), of 24,850 bp each that separate large (LSC, 82,988 bp) and small (SSC, 18,267 bp) single-copy regions. Our annotation revealed that the A. annua cp genome contains 113 genes and 18 duplicated genes. The gene order in the SSC region of A. annua is inverted; this fact is consistent with the sequences of chloroplast genomes from three other Artemisia species. Fifteen (15) forward and seventeen (17) inverted repeats were detected in the genome. The existence of rich SSR loci in the genome suggests opportunities for future population genetics work on this anti-malarial medicinal plant. In A. annua cpDNA, the rps19 gene was found in the LSC region rather than the IR region, and the rps19 pseudogene was absent in the IR region. Sequence divergence analysis of five Asteraceae species indicated that the most highly divergent regions were found in the intergenic spacers, and that the differences between A. annua and A. fukudo were very slight. A phylogenetic analysis revealed a sister relationship between A. annua and A. fukudo. This study identified the unique characteristics of the A. annua cp genome. These results offer valuable information for future research on Artemisia species identification and for the selective breeding of A. annua with high pharmaceutical efficacy.
Anti-Anxiety Effect of (−)-Syringaresnol-4-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside from Albizzia julibrissin Durazz (Leguminosae)
Authors: Liu Jie , Lv Yue-Wei , Shi Jin-Li , Ma Xiao-Jie , Chen Yi , Zheng Zhi-Quan , Wang Sheng-Nan , Guo Jian-You
Published: August 2017

Albizzia julibrissin Durazz, a Chinese Medicine, is commonly used for its anti-anxiety effects. (−)-syringaresnol-4-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside (SAG) is the main ingredient of Albizzia julibrissin Durazz. The present study investigated the anxiolytic effect and potential mechanisms on the HPA axis and monoaminergic systems of SAG on acute restraint-stressed rats. The anxiolytic effect of SAG was examined through an open field test and an elevated plus maze test. The concentration of CRF, ACTH, and CORT in plasma was examined by an enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kit while neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the brain were examined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). We show that repeated treatment with SAG (3.6 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly increased the number and time spent on the central entries in the open-field test when compared to the vehicle/stressed group. In the elevated plus maze test, 3.6 mg/kg SAG could increase the percentage of entries into and time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze. In addition, the concentration of CRF, ACTH, and CORT in plasma and neurotransmitters (NE, 5-HT, DA and their metabolites 5-HIAA, DOPAC, and HVA) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the brain were decreased after SAG treatment, as compared to the repeated acute restraint-stressed rats. These results suggest that SAG is a potential anti-anxiety drug candidate.
Chemometric Analysis of Lavender Essential Oils Using Targeted and Untargeted GC-MS Acquired Data for the Rapid Identification and Characterization of Oil Quality
Authors: Beale David J. , Morrison Paul D. , Karpe Avinash V. , Dunn Michael S.
Published: August 2017

Standard raw material test methods such as the ISO Standard 11024 are focused on the identification of lavender oil and not the actual class/quality of the oil. However, the quality of the oil has a significant effect on its price at market. As such, there is a need for raw material tests to identify not only the type of oil but its quality. This paper describes two approaches to rapidly identifying and classifying lavender oil. First, the ISO Standard 11024 test method was evaluated in order to determine its suitability to assess lavender oil quality but due to its targeted and simplistic approach, it has the potential to miss classify oil quality. Second, utilizing the data generated by the ISO Standard 11024 test methodology, an untargeted chemometric predicative model was developed in order to rapidly assess and characterize lavender oils (Lavandula angustifolia L.) for geographical/environmental adulteration that impact quality. Of the 170 compounds identified as per the ISO Standard 11024 test method utilizing GC-MS analyses, 15 unique compounds that greatly differentiate between the two classes of lavender were identified. Using these 15 compounds, a predicative multivariate chemometric model was developed that enabled lavender oil samples to be reliably differentiated based on quality. A misclassification analysis was performed and it was found that the predictions were sound (100% matching rate). Such an approach will enable producers, distributers, suppliers and manufactures to rapidly screen lavender essential oil. The authors concede that the validation and implementation of such an approach is more difficult than a conventional chromatographic assay. However, the rapid, reliable and less problematic screening is vastly superior and easily justifies any early implementation validation difficulties and costs.
The Effect of Buffering High Acid Load Meal with Sodium Bicarbonate on Postprandial Glucose Metabolism in Humans—A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Kozan Pinar , Blythe Jackson , Greenfield Jerry , Samocha-Bonet Dorit
Published: August 2017

Background: High dietary acid load relates to increased risk of type 2 diabetes in epidemiological studies. We aimed to investigate whether buffering a high acid load meal with an alkalizing treatment changes glucose metabolism post meal. Methods: Non-diabetic participants (n = 32) were randomized to receive either 1680 mg NaHCO3 or placebo, followed by a high acid load meal in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover (1–4 weeks apart) study. Thirty (20 men) participants completed the study. Venous blood pH, serum bicarbonate, blood glucose, serum insulin, C-peptide, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations were measured at baseline (fasting) and at 15–30 min intervals for 3 h post meal. Results: The treatment was well tolerated. Venous blood pH declined in the first 15 min post meal with the placebo (p = 0.001), but not with NaHCO3 (p = 0.86) and remained decreased with the placebo for 3 h (pinteraction = 0.04). On average over the 3 h blood pH iAUC was greater with NaHCO3 compared with placebo (p = 0.02). However, postprandial glucose, insulin, C-peptide, NEFA and GLP-1 were not different between treatments (pinteraction ≥ 0.07). Conclusions: An alkalizing medication administered pre-meal has no acute effect on glycaemia and insulin response in healthy individuals. Long-term interventions in at-risk populations are necessary to investigate the effect of sustained alkalization on glucose metabolism.
Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals from Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber
Authors: Chieng Buong , Lee Syn , Ibrahim Nor , Then Yoon , Loo Yuet
Published: August 2017

The aim was to explore the utilization of oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) as a source for the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). OPMF was first treated with alkali and then bleached before the production of CNC by acid hydrolysis (H2SO4). The produced materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). It was proven that acid hydrolysis can increase the crystallinity of bleached OPMF and reduce the dimension of cellulose to nano scale. Changes in the peaks of the FTIR spectrum at 2852 (C-H stretching), 1732 (C=O stretching) and 1234 cm−1 (C-O stretching) indicated that the alkali treatment completely removed hemicelluloses and lignin from the fiber surface. This can be seen from the thermogram obtained from the TGA characterization. Morphological characterization clearly showed the formation of rod-shaped CNCs. The promising results prove that OPMF is a valuable source for the production of CNC.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Impact from Recycling the Organic Fraction of Solid Waste: Comparison of Different Treatment Schemes from a Life Cycle Perspective
Authors: Maria Francesco Di , Sisani Federico
Published: August 2017

The emission of greenhouse gases and the impact from recycling the organic fraction of solid waste were investigated from a life cycle (LCA) perspective. Three different treatment schemes were investigated with the aid of a pilot apparatus including exclusively composting (COMP), integrated solid anaerobic batch not inoculated and post-composting (SADBPC), and an integrated solid anaerobic batch inoculated and post-composting (SADBPC-I). SADBPC-I and SADBPC generated an average of 300 NL/kgVS and 267 NL/kgVS of biogas, respectively. On the other hand, the amount of stabilized organic carbon contained in the organic fertilizer returned by COMP, SADBPC-I, and SADBPC led to a potential of 470 kgCO2 eq/Mg, 382 kgCO2 eq/Mg, and 545 kgCO2 eq/Mg sequestered in soils for each treatment scheme, respectively. The LCA study highlighted that the impact categories most affected were global warming and human toxicity cancer, and on average, the highest impact was detected for COMP.
Determinants of Aboveground Biomass across an Afromontane Landscape Mosaic in Kenya
Authors: Adhikari Hari , Heiskanen Janne , Siljander Mika , Maeda Eduardo , Heikinheimo Vuokko , K. E. Pellikka Petri
Published: August 2017

Afromontane tropical forests maintain high biodiversity and provide valuable ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration. The spatial distribution of aboveground biomass (AGB) in forest-agriculture landscape mosaics is highly variable and controlled both by physical and human factors. In this study, the objectives were (1) to generate a map of AGB for the Taita Hills, in Kenya, based on field measurements and airborne laser scanning (ALS), and (2) to examine determinants of AGB using geospatial data and statistical modelling. The study area is located in the northernmost part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, with an elevation range of approximately 600–2200 m. The field measurements were carried out in 215 plots in 2013–2015 and ALS flights conducted in 2014–2015. Multiple linear regression was used for predicting AGB at a 30 m × 30 m resolution based on canopy cover and the 25th percentile height derived from ALS returns (R2 = 0.88, RMSE = 52.9 Mg ha−1). Boosted regression trees (BRT) were used for examining the relationship between AGB and explanatory variables at a 250 m × 250 m resolution. According to the results, AGB patterns were controlled mainly by mean annual precipitation (MAP), the distribution of croplands and slope, which explained together 69.8% of the AGB variation. The highest AGB densities have been retained in the semi-natural vegetation in the higher elevations receiving more rainfall and in the steep slope, which is less suitable for agriculture. AGB was also relatively high in the eastern slopes as indicated by the strong interaction between slope and aspect. Furthermore, plantation forests, topographic position and the density of buildings had a minor influence on AGB. The findings demonstrate the utility of ALS-based AGB maps and BRT for describing AGB distributions across Afromontane landscapes, which is important for making sustainable land management decisions in the region.
Do Image-Assisted Mobile Applications Improve Dietary Habits, Knowledge, and Behaviours in Elite Athletes? A Pilot Study
Authors: Simpson Anne , Gemming Luke , Baker Dane , Braakhuis Andrea
Published: August 2017

To date, there has been a paucity of research on optimal ways to educate and promote dietary behavioural change within athletes. Optimising athlete nutrition is fundamental to reaching peak performance and maintaining athlete wellbeing. MealLogger® is a smartphone application that incorporates the use of an image-based food record and social-media functionality to provide in-application personalised feedback to individuals or groups, peer-support, and a platform to deliver nutrition education material. This study measured the feasibility of MealLogger® within New Zealand elite male field hockey players (n = 17) aged 18–20 to increase athlete knowledge and nutrition promoting behaviours. During a six-week intervention, participants were instructed to log images of their meals three days per week and they received individualised dietetic feedback on logged meals. Weekly nutrition-education fact-sheets and videos were delivered through the application. Nutrition knowledge increased moderately from baseline (%Pre 54.7 ± 14.3; %Post 61.1 ± 11.45, p = 0.01). Participants report a highly positive experience of application use (8/10) with 82.3% attempting to make positive changes in dietary behaviours based on in-app education. All participants preferred this method to traditional methods of dietary analysis. Using image-based applications such as MealLogger® is an effective approach to monitor dietary intake and deliver education to optimise the nutritional behaviours of elite athletes.
Economic Sustainability in Franchising: A Model to Predict Franchisor Success or Failure
Authors: Calderon-Monge Esther , Pastor-Sanz Ivan , Huerta-Zavala Pilar
Published: August 2017

As a business model, franchising makes a major contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). A model that predicts franchisor success or failure is therefore necessary to ensure economic sustainability. In this study, such a model was developed by applying Lasso regression to a sample of franchises operating between 2002 and 2013. For franchises with the highest likelihood of survival, the franchise fees and the ratio of company-owned to franchised outlets were suited to the age of the franchise. Surviving franchises were those that opened franchised outlets at a sustainable pace, increased the franchise fee as intangible assets increased, and effectively managed profitability and efficiency.
Knowledge Interaction and Spatial Dynamics in Industrial Districts
Authors: Lin Hai-Ping , Hu Tai-Shan
Published: August 2017

The knowledge economy plays a leading role in current socioeconomic development and has changed industrial development. This study addresses whether changes in industrial development have improved the knowledge innovation, technical level, and productive efficiency of industries. Taiwanese industries were typically labor and technology-intensive and policy-oriented manufacturing industries in the past. This study analyzes the change in the spatial distribution of industries in southern Taiwan, and further examines the effect of knowledge interactions between industries and the region on industrial development, as well as the restrictions and opportunities for future development. Industries in southern Taiwan have formed a solid foundation based on policies promoted in the past. Nevertheless, an over-reliance on policy guidance has impeded breakthroughs and motivation to learn. Analytical results indicate that industries with stable and changing clusters achieve sustainable economic growth by creating links for innovative knowledge interactions through collaboration with suppliers and competitors. Accordingly, knowledge sources depend not only on internal research and development but also on external interactions to stimulate innovation. Restated, the input of key knowledge generates a high output, provides opportunities for industry transformation, and decreases resource consumption to achieve environmental sustainability during development. Additionally, the ripple effect of innovation, research, and development enhances structural evolution in industries, generating sustainable economic development.
Impact of Hydroelectric Dam Development and Resettlement on the Natural and Social Capital of Rural Livelihoods in Bo Hon Village in Central Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Hien , Pham Ty , Lobry de Bruyn Lisa
Published: August 2017

The study examined the natural and social capital of Bo Hon villagers in central Vietnam, before and after resettlement within Binh Thanh commune due to the building of Binh Dien Hydroelectric dam on the Huu Trach River. (1) Background: The two-fold aim was to develop solutions to the impacts of resettlement on natural and social capital, and strategies for timely intervention and new livelihoods after households were resettled. (2) Methods: Livelihood survey of all 46 households was conducted in 2010, and villagers were asked about 2004, before resettlement, and about 2009, when the occupants of Bo Hon village had been moved to a new location 15 km away from the original one. The research employed mixed-methods by using household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The impacts of displacement and resettlement on production activities and daily life of rural people were examined in the following areas: (i) land resource; (ii) access to common-pool natural resources; (iii) income structure; (iv) agriculturally based livelihoods; (v) material assets; (vi) customary practices; and (vii) social relationships. (3) Results: The most significant impact was on the type of production activities that could be conducted after resettlement and reduction in land area to grow profitable commodities such as Lồ Ô Bamboo. Specifically, land for growing rice and other crops were significantly affected with the land area substantially reduced or flooded. Also harvesting of common pool resources from the forest (NTFPs) were reduced such as honey and rattan, and only 25% of the villagers continued to fish in the river. (4) Conclusions: Strategies were put in place to reduce the level of disruption to the villagers’ livelihoods, but some parts of the compensation package were short-lived or inequitably distributed (e.g., land), while infrastructure developments such as sealed roads have made the village far more accessible to Hue City some 25 km away.
A Very Fast and Angular Momentum Conserving Tree Code
Authors: Marcello Dominic C.
Published: August 2017

There are many methods used to compute the classical gravitational field in astrophysical simulation codes. With the exception of the typically impractical method of direct computation, none ensure conservation of angular momentum to machine precision. Under uniform time-stepping, the Cartesian fast multipole method of Dehnen (also known as the very fast tree code) conserves linear momentum to machine precision. We show that it is possible to modify this method in a way that conserves both angular and linear momenta.
Lensing and the Warm-hot Intergalactic Medium
Authors: Atrio-Barandela F. , Mücket J. P.
Published: August 2017

The correlation of weak lensing and Cosmic Microwave Anisotropy (CMB) data traces the pressure distribution of the hot, ionized gas and the underlying matter density field. The measured correlation is dominated by baryons residing in halos. Detecting the contribution from unbound gas by measuring the residual cross-correlation after masking all known halos requires a theoretical understanding of this correlation and its dependence with model parameters. Our model assumes that the gas in filaments is well described by a log-normal probability distribution function, with temperatures 105–7 K and overdensities ξ ≤ 100. The lensing-Comptonization cross-correlation is dominated by gas with overdensities in the range ξ ≈ [3–33]; the signal is generated at redshifts z ≤ 1. If only 10% of the measured cross-correlation is due to unbound gas, then the most recent measurements set an upper limit of

on the mean temperature of the intergalactic Medium. The amplitude is proportional to the baryon fraction stored in filaments. The lensing-Comptonization power spectrum peaks at a different scale than the gas in halos, making it possible to distinguish both contributions. To trace the distribution of the low-density and low-temperature plasma on cosmological scales, the effect of halos will have to be subtracted from the data, requiring observations with larger signal-to-noise ratios than are currently available.
Transient Mass-loss Analysis of Solar Observations Using Stellar Methods
Authors: Crosley M. K. , Osten R. A. , Norman C.
Published: August 2017

Low-frequency dynamic spectra of radio bursts from nearby stars offer the best chance to directly detect the stellar signature of transient mass loss on low-mass stars. Crosley et al. (2016) proposes a multi-wavelength methodology to determine coronal mass ejection (CME) parameters, such as speed, mass, and kinetic energy. We test the validity and accuracy of the results derived from the methodology by using Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite X-ray observations and Bruny Island Radio Spectrometer radio observations. These are analogous observations to those that would be found in the stellar studies. Derived results from these observations are compared to direct white light measurements of the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph. We find that, when a pre-event temperature can be determined, the accuracy of CME speeds are within a few hundred km s−1, and are reliable when specific criteria has been met. CME mass and kinetic energies are only useful in determining the approximate order of magnitude measurements when considering the large errors associated to them. These results will be directly applicable to the interpretation of any detected stellar events and the derivation of stellar CME properties.
Confronting/Managing the Crisis of Indian Libraries
Authors: Gul Sumeer , Shueb Sheikh
Published: August 2017

Consortia-based initiatives have been launched for pooling electronic information resources on cost-beneficial platforms. The ever-increasing diversified needs of the user community in the face of diminishing budget and increasing cost of resources, consortia based subscription is key to survive for the academic libraries. Consortia are need of the hour for the Indian libraries, as the situation in India is compounded by the devaluation of rupee against the major foreign currencies, resulting in steep decline in procurement of international scholarly journals. As a result, a number of cooperative initiatives have surfaced covering different disciplines and institutions. In view of the importance and mushrooming of consortia, the chapter tries to explore the various initiatives in India for providing access to knowledge under the purview of consortia to the end users.
A Decision Making Paradigm for Software Development in Libraries
Authors: Maringanti Harish
Published: August 2017

Framing a technology question as a simple choice between developing an in- house application system and off-the- shelf proprietary system, or simply put, as a choice between build and buy, runs the risk of ignoring myriad options available in between the two extremes. In this era of cloud computing and run anything-as- a-service model, the very notion of developing an in-house application would raise a few eyebrows among C- level executives. How then can academic libraries, under mounting pressure to demonstrate their value (Oakleaf, 2010), justify investments in software development in particular? What follows in these sections is a brief discussion on the importance of investing in software development in libraries, three mini-case studies demonstrating the wide possibilities of integrating software development in library operations and a non- prescriptive model to assess which projects may be worth pursuing from the software development standpoint.
Drips Gallery
Authors: Lederman Alexandra , Jindani Farah
Published: August 2017

This paper explores the possibilities of using digital technologies in an archival setting. The hypothesis examined and investigated was: street art can be preserved and archived through archival websites and mobile applications. In order to explore this problem a community driven digital archive, Drips Gallery, was created. Drips Gallery is a new archive consisting of graffiti photograph collections and is available through a website and mobile app. The database, website, and mobile app was created, coded, and programmed specifically for the archival and community needs of Drips Gallery. Drips Gallery allows the community to drive the archive and changes the role of the archivist from record keeper to facilitator. By creating an archival mobile app and website, new and immediate ways of capturing and preserving culture as it is being created and consumed is now possible.
Student-to-Student Communication in Online Graduate-Level Education Courses
Authors: Vickers Jason C.
Published: August 2017

In 2014, nearly one million graduate students were enrolled in online courses, with many of the courses requiring discussions that contributed to students' overall course grades. In this chapter, the author discusses student-to-student communication in online graduate level education courses. Specifically, the author reviews literature salient to online discussions and utilizes original research from three courses in the Spring 2015 term taught by the author to discuss effective practices to increase student-to-student communication. These techniques include creating social presence, establishing discussion criteria, establishing the number of posts, utilizing self-assessment to assist students in creating posts, and student facilitation of discourse.
Communication in Online Learning
Authors: Chametzky Barry
Published: August 2017

An online learning environment is a rather lonely, isolated place. Because of this seemingly dismal venue, learners suffer in invisible ways such as attrition and disempowerment. While great educational things can and do happen online, it is vital to remember that because of the reduced visual clues, a number of things that need to be accomplished if learners are to succeed in this environment. In order to understand more clearly what is required in an online environment for learners to be successful, under the umbrella of communication, this author will discuss a number of ways to help course members break down feelings of isolation, increase meaningfulness, and increase empowerment.
Instructional Activities, Online Technologies, and Social Community in Online Graduate Student Courses
Authors: Campbell Jessica Lynn
Published: August 2017

This chapter provides an operational definition of, “effective communication,” that instructors and scholars can utilize to measure successful online graduate course pedagogy strategies. There is not a drought of research on online graduate courses, including studies that focus specifically on communication within the online environment. However, in this chapter a detailed analysis from aggregated research was performed in order to offer new knowledge and insight on how to successfully increase effective online graduate student communication. By the end of this chapter, several questions will be answered: What online instructional technologies do instructors utilize in online graduate courses? What assignments and activities do instructors include in online graduate course curriculum? What level of social presence helps create a learning environment that facilitates effective online graduate communication?
Out of Isolation
Authors: Nyysti Katia , Walters Kelley
Published: August 2017

Having a supportive community in graduate school is a key element that increases the probability of a student's success in their program. Online learning can often feel very isolating both for students and faculty. In a 1:1 teaching model that offers more personalized feedback to students, students can spend significant time in their studies without communication with other faculty, students or school administrators. Such isolation can inhibit the development of a supportive community. In this chapter, we will explore how a graduate school initiated a transition in their culture from one of isolation to one of community by increasing faculty and students' ability to engage and communicate to each other beyond their courses. We will review the strategies they implemented, the challenges they faced, the successes they saw, how they reviewed their progress and how they plan to use their initial work as a foundation for growing a more engaged graduate culture out of isolation and into community.
Automated Method of Analysing Sputum Smear Tuberculosis Images Using Multifractal Approach
Authors: Priya Ebenezer , Subramanian Srinivasan
Published: August 2017

In this chapter, an attempt has been made to automate the analysis of positive and negative Tuberculosis (TB) sputum smear images using multifractal approach. The smear images (N=100) recorded under standard image acquisition protocol are considered. The images are subjected to multifractal analysis and the corresponding spectrum parameters are extracted. Most significant parameters are selected based on the principal component analysis. Further, these parameters are subjected to classification using support vector machine classifier with different kernels. Results demonstrate that the multifractal analysis is capable of discriminating positive and negative TB images. The values of apex, broadness and aperture of the singularity spectrum are higher for TB positive than negative images and are statistically significant. The performance estimators obtained in the classification process show that the polynomial kernel performs better. It appears that this method of texture analysis could be useful for automated analysis of TB using digital sputum smear images.
Rehabilitation and Medical Assistant Technique in Virtual Reality
Authors: Sharma Greeshma
Published: August 2017

In the modern world, Virtual Reality (VR) has been accepted by the researcher as a state-of-the-art neuropsychological assessment tool in clinical research. Owing to the two prominent VR attributes i.e. immersivity and interactivity, VR is being used as an assessment tool as well as a training module. Combining cognitive knowledge with existing VR technology can propel VR to achieve a quantum leap in the rehabilitation sector. In addition, it offers potential radical modifications in the traditional way of neuropsychological assessment in the clinical settings, by improving ecological validity of the existing tests. Subsequently, features of VR facilitate customisation of an individual's treatment plan with the informed gradual progression of the challenge. This chapter explains VR as an innovative platform in the sector of medical & others such as military and sports for assessment as well as for training.
Understanding Social Business and Wellbeing at the BoP
Authors: Khalik Mahmoud , Lopez-Gomez Sara
Published: August 2017

The interest in poverty reduction has received scholarly attention from various academics studying developmental economics, the informal economy and the base of the pyramid (BoP). This chapter intends to engage with the BoP topic by reviewing research areas that are intertwined: the informal economy, the BoP and perhaps most importantly social business and wellbeing. The chapter introduces Algramo, a BoP venture from Chile that aims to reduce food poverty in Latin America. The focus of this chapter is on Algramo's activities in Colombia as a single case study to better understand the impact of three wellbeing aspects on the stakeholders involved. Although Algramo, a work in progress, is primarily focused on food poverty reduction; this chapter reveals that there are potentially much wider implications that are consistent with BoP literature. Wellbeing is important and merits further study when investigating BoP ventures. The chapter concludes with future research directions for BoP scholars and for those who are interested in the wider impacts of engaging with the BoP segment.
Flipped Classroom in China
Authors: Yuan Chang , Moran Clarice M.
Published: August 2017

The flipped classroom method has the potential to transform schools by promising an innovative instructional design that merges a student-centered approach with a technology-assisted application. The method has attracted attention over the past 10 years. The Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China has supported the inclusion of technology, digital learning environments, and new instructional models as an important aspect of educational reform. The chapter begins with a background of the flipped classroom, including origin, history, and usage. Next there is a discussion of the design models that have been addressed in the research field, and a comparison of instructional practices in different regions of China. Several empirical studies that reflect the effectiveness of the flipped classroom are examined as well. This chapter sheds light on the benefits and challenges of the flipped classroom in Chinese school systems. Future research directions are articulated for those who may be interested in the use of the flipped classroom for educational purposes.
Recontextualizing Immersion in the Chinese Context
Authors: Xiong Tao
Published: August 2017

Immersion and bilingual education have been key concepts in English language education policies and practices. Though discussions have been made on the theoretical and practical issues of bilingual education in China, there has been much disagreement between which model of bilingual education is suitable for the Chinese context, as well as which terminology to use. Drawing on interview, observation, and documentary data gathered during a three-year study of a public-funded foreign language school in Shenzhen, one of the most economically developed cities in China, this chapter is focused on the impact of a Sino-Canadian collaborative educational program on the teachers, students, and school leadership, and reports some preliminary findings and thoughts on related issues. The conclusion is that immersion and bilingual education in the Chinese educational context needs to be reconceptualized and reinterpreted.
A Theoretically Informed Approach to Collaborative Writing in EAP Contexts Using Web-Based Technologies
Authors: Johnston Kris Pierre , Lawrence Geoff
Published: August 2017

This chapter examines the need for a theoretically-informed approach to collaborative English for Academic Purpose (EAP) pedagogy and research. It discusses the relevance of online collaborative learning in EAP and the call for a theoretically-informed facilitative framework to guide the use of online collaborative writing tools to sustain learning communities and language learning. It establishes the importance of virtual learning communities as catalysts for online collaboration and discusses the need to examine technological affordances, adopting an ecological perspective to inform curricular design. The chapter examines the relevance of the Community of Inquiry model and its three presences: cognitive, social and teaching, as a theoretical basis to inform a facilitative framework to design online collaborative EAP writing tasks. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the interactions of these three presences, details on how they can inform online EAP collaborative writing practices and the need for future research in this area.
The Pitfalls and Promises of Electronic Portfolio Assessment With Secondary English Language Learners
Authors: Cho Hyesun
Published: August 2017

This chapter discusses the pitfalls and promises of electronic portfolio assessment for English language learners in high school classrooms in the United States. In a three-year federally funded program designed to improve academic performance among culturally and linguistically diverse students at an urban high school in Honolulu, Hawaii, the author implemented electronic portfolio assessment (EPA) into academic English and heritage language classrooms. This chapter delineates how EPA was developed to enhance academic and linguistic abilities of adolescent ELLs while embracing their multifaceted and hybrid identities. It also presents both challenges and benefits that teachers and students experienced in the process of EPA. It concludes with suggestions for developing and implementing EPA for English language learners in similar contexts.
Flipped Learning in TESOL
Authors: Kostka Ilka , Marshall Helaine W.
Published: August 2017

Flipped learning is an innovative educational model in which content that is traditionally presented in class is completed at home, and in class, students work on applying what they have learned at home to engage in interactive and collaborative activities. Over the past five years, flipped learning has found a strong voice within the field of the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), as evidenced by the rapid increase in conference presentations, research, and publications noting its implementation. In this chapter, the authors provide an overview of the flipped learning approach within English language instruction. Included is a discussion of flipped learning's evolution and an analysis of current research that identifies areas of consensus, issues, and controversies. Finally, the authors offer six recommendations for implementing flipped learning in English language classrooms and conclude with future directions for inquiry into flipped learning in TESOL.
Big Data Analytics in Aquaculture Using Hive and Hadoop Platform
Authors: Rao P. Venkateswara , Reddy A. Ramamohan , Sucharita V.
Published: August 2017

In the field of Aquaculture with the help of digital advancements huge amount of data is constantly produced for which the data of the aquaculture has entered in the big data world. The requirement for data management and analytics model is increased as the development progresses. Therefore, all the data cannot be stored on single machine. There is need for solution that stores and analyzes huge amounts of data which is nothing but Big Data. In this chapter a framework is developed that provides a solution for shrimp disease by using historical data based on Hive and Hadoop. The data regarding shrimps is acquired from different sources like aquaculture websites, various reports of laboratory etc. The noise is removed after the collection of data from various sources. Data is to be uploaded on HDFS after normalization is done and is to be put in a file that supports Hive. Finally classified data will be located in particular place. Based on the features extracted from aquaculture data, HiveQL can be used to analyze shrimp diseases symptoms.