bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The intra- and inter-day reproducibility of the FitroDyne as a measure of multi-jointed muscle function
Authors: Fernandes John F.T. , Lamb Kevin L. , Twist Craig
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

The FitroDyne has been used to assess muscle function but its reproducibility has not been determined during traditional multi-jointed resistance exercises.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the intra- and inter-day reproducibility of the FitroDyne during traditional resistance exercises.

METHODS:

Fourteen resistance trained males completed a one repetition maximum (1RM) and three repetitions of bench press, squat and bent-over-row in 10% increments (from 20 to 80%). Replica trials were completed two and 48 hours later. The FitroDyne rotary encoder measured barbell velocity during each repetition from which power output was calculated.

RESULTS:

For all loads and exercises the intra-day typical error (TE) for peak and mean power, and velocity, respectively, during bench press (8.2-53 W and 2.2-6.9 cm ⋅ s - 1), squat (13.3-55.6 W and 2.4-7.4 cm ⋅ s - 1), and bent-over-row(14.5-62.8 W and 4-10.5 cm ⋅ s - 1) identified only moderate changes. Bench press yielded poor intra-day reproducibility at 80% 1RM only (CV% = 12.2-17.1), whereas squat and bent-over-row across all loads for peak and mean power and velocity displayed better reproducibility CV% = 2.4-9.0). Inter-day, the TE detected moderate changes for peak and mean power and velocity for all three exercises. Inter-day reproducibility was comparable to intra-day, though improved for bench press 80% 1RM (CV% = 6.1-8.6).

CONCLUSION:

These data support the use of the FitroDyne at submaximal loads for monitoring moderate changes in muscle function both intra- and inter-day.
Do different warm-up protocols affect isometric explosive muscular contraction?
Authors: Dunsky Ayelet , Ben-Sira David
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

There is a general agreement in the physical education and coaching communities on the importance of warm-up (WU) prior to any physical performance. Nevertheless, the value of WU remains controversial among researchers.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of direct, indirect, and combined direct and indirect WU protocols (DWU, IDWU, and CWU, respectively) on knee extension rate of torque development (RTD).

METHODS:

Twenty-nine physical education students were tested for maximal isometric knee extension tests on an isokinetic machine following each of the WU protocols, as well as following a control condition of no WU. RTD index was calculated for 50, 100, 150, and 200 ms from the initiation of knee extension for each trial. RTD values following the four protocols were compared by repeated measures ANOVA for each of the temporal indices.

RESULTS:

None of the differences between the protocols' means was statistically significant at any of the temporal indices. Nevertheless, individual responses demonstrated that certain participants exhibited a non-uniform response profile, thus suggesting differential responses to alternate protocols.

CONCLUSIONS:

Within the limitations of the current protocol and outcome measures, it is recommended that practitioners experiment with different WU routines and adjust them on an individual basis.
Effect of age and fall status on lower-extremity muscle activation and joint torque and power in physically active women
Authors: Crozara Luciano F. , Morcelli Mary H. , Hallal Camilla Z. , Marques Nise R. , Spinoso Deborah H. , Goethel Márcio F. , Vieira Edgar R. , Gonçalves Mauro
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

Lower-extremity strength and neuromuscular parameters that are more affected with age and in individuals more prone to fall still needs to be identified in healthy physically active adults.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the ability of joint torque and muscle activity parameters to differentiate between physically active women, young, older non-fallers and older fallers; and their correlation with the number of falls in older women.

METHODS:

Measures were taken from concentric contractions during isokinetic sagittal plane movements at 90°/s and 120°/s. EMG from the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior were recorded.

RESULTS:

Overall young women were stronger, more powerful and presented lower muscle activation than older women fallers and non-fallers(all p < 0.04). Older women fallers had lower knee flexion and extension peak torque (p < 0.033) and power (p < 0.045), lower ankle dorsiflexion power (p = 0.04) and higher rectus femoris activation (p = 0.033) at 90°/s than older women non-fallers; and all these variables were correlated with the number of falls (r = 0.32-0.49; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

: These findings may be useful for a better understanding of biomechanical risk factors for falls and for exercise-based fall prevention programs development.
Knee extension strength profile of elite Greek soccer players
Authors: Tsiokanos Athanasios , Paschalis Vassilis , Valasotiris Konstantinos
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

The movements that soccer players have to perform during a game depend on lower limb muscles strength and clearly players with higher strength levels are able to perform better turning, sprinting and changing pace.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the isokinetic peak torque of the knee extensors in a large number of elite Greek soccer players in relation to their position on the playing field.

METHODS:

Two-hundred and seventy-five soccer players: goalkeepers(n= 24), fullbacks (n= 67), center backs (n= 59), midfield players (n= 76) and forwards (n= 49) from the first division in Greece participated in this study. All participants performed an isokinetic test of the knee extensors at 30, 60 and 180°/s.

RESULTS:

In terms of knee extension strength the goalkeepers were the strongest while the fullbacks were the weakest players but strength normalization resulted in uniform knee extension strength irrespective of field position.

CONCLUTIONS:

The present findings provide a reference system for knee extension strength in soccer players.
Toxic Gas Emissions from Damaged Lithium Ion Batteries—Analysis and Safety Enhancement Solution
Authors: Nedjalkov Antonio , Meyer Jan , Köhring Michael , Doering Alexander , Angelmahr Martin , Dahle Sebastian , Sander Andreas , Fischer Axel , Schade Wolfgang
Published: March 2016

Lithium ion batteries play an increasing role in everyday life, giving power to handheld devices or being used in stationary storage solutions. Especially for medium or large scale solutions, the latter application confines a huge amount of energy within a small volume; however, increasing the hazard potential far above the common level. Furthermore, as the safety hazards of lithium ion cells have been known for years, impressively shown by several burning cars or laptops, the need for a further enhancement of the safety of these systems is rising. This manuscript presents measurements of the gas emission from lithium ion batteries in case of a malfunction for different scenarios, showing a large variety of species with mostly toxic to highly toxic properties. The measurements were carried out using a combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS), photoacoustic spectroscopy, and chemical analysis. It is shown that the inflammation of a cell can be overcome, also preventing a cascading effect to neighboring cells, but giving rise to worse toxic gas emission. Furthermore, a filtration concept is presented that decreases the concentration of the emitted components significantly and promises filtration below immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) equivalent levels.
Effect of Ce and Co Addition to Fe/Al2O3 for Catalytic Methane Decomposition
Authors: Al-Fatesh Ahmed , Amin Ashraf , Ibrahim Ahmed , Khan Wasim , Soliman Mostafa , AL-Otaibi Raja , Fakeeha Anis
Published: March 2016

Catalytic methane decomposition is studied in a fixed bed reactor. Two sets of bimetallic catalysts are employed, namely: 30%Fe-X%Ce/Al2O3 and 30%Fe-X%Co/Al2O3, and compared with monometallic 30%Fe/Al2O3 catalyst. The effect of promoting Fe with Ce and Co and reduction temperature are investigated. The results reveal that Ce addition has shown a negative impact on H2 yield while a positive effect on H2 yield and catalyst stability are observed with Co addition. In terms of number of moles of produced hydrogen per active sites, Fe/Al2O3 has shown a higher number of moles of hydrogen compared to bimetallic catalysts. The catalyst reduced at 500 °C exhibits better activity as compared to the catalyst reduced at 950 °C. Carbon nano-tubes are deposited on the catalyst within the range of 14–73 nm diameter. Two types of carbon nanotubes are detected: Cα and Cγ.
The Simultaneous Determination of Silicic, Boric and Carbonic Acids in Natural Water via Ion-Exclusion Chromatography with a Charged Aerosol Detector
Authors: Otsuka Yu , Nakatani Nobutake , Takahashi Takuya , Kozaki Daisuke , Mori Masanobu , Tanaka Kazuhiko
Published: March 2016

The simple and simultaneous determination of silicic, boric and carbonic acids was made using ion-exclusion chromatography (IEC) and a Corona™ charged aerosol detector (C-CAD). Silicic and boric acids were separated by the column packed with a weakly acidic cation-exchange resin in H+-form and ultra-pure water eluent, and the detector responses were improved by the addition of acetonitrile to eluent. Under the optimized conditions, the simultaneous determination of weak inorganic acids, except for carbonic acid, was successfully performed. When the conversion column packed with a strong acidic cation-exchange resin in Na+- or K+-form was inserted between the separation column and the detector, weak inorganic acids including carbonic acid could be detected by the C-CAD. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.5–10 mg·L−1 as Si for silicic acid (r2 = 0.996), 10–100 mg·L−1 as B for boric acid (r2 = 0.998) and 1.3–21 mg·L−1 as C for carbonic acid (r2 = 0.993). The detection limits based on three times the standard deviation were 0.03 mg·L−1 as Si for silicic acid, 0.40 mg·L−1 as B for boric acid and 0.08 mg·L−1 as C for carbonic acid. This method was applicable to river, hot spring and drinking water.
Improved Spatio-Temporal Linear Models for Very Short-Term Wind Speed Forecasting
Authors: Filik Tansu
Published: March 2016

In this paper, the spatio-temporal (multi-channel) linear models, which use temporal and the neighbouring wind speed measurements around the target location, for the best short-term wind speed forecasting are investigated. Multi-channel autoregressive moving average (MARMA) models are formulated in matrix form and efficient linear prediction coefficient estimation techniques are first used and revised. It is shown in detail how to apply these MARMA models to the spatially distributed wind speed measurements. The proposed MARMA models are tested using real wind speed measurements which are collected from the five stations around Canakkale region of Turkey. According to the test results, considerable improvements are observed over the well known persistence, autoregressive (AR) and multi-channel/vector autoregressive (VAR) models. It is also shown that the model can predict wind speed very fast (in milliseconds) which is suitable for the immediate short-term forecasting.
A Semi-Automated Workflow Solution for Data Set Publication
Authors: Vannan Suresh , Beaty Tammy , Cook Robert , Wright Daine , Devarakonda Ranjeet , Wei Yaxing , Hook Les , McMurry Benjamin
Published: March 2016

To address the need for published data, considerable effort has gone into formalizing the process of data publication. From funding agencies to publishers, data publication has rapidly become a requirement. Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) and data citations have enhanced the integration and availability of data. The challenge facing data publishers now is to deal with the increased number of publishable data products and most importantly the difficulties of publishing diverse data products into an online archive. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC), a NASA-funded data center, faces these challenges as it deals with data products created by individual investigators. This paper summarizes the challenges of curating data and provides a summary of a workflow solution that ORNL DAAC researcher and technical staffs have created to deal with publication of the diverse data products. The workflow solution presented here is generic and can be applied to data from any scientific domain and data located at any data center.
Inulin and Fibersol-2 Combined Have Hypolipidemic Effects on High Cholesterol Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia in Hamsters
Authors: Huang Wen-Ching , Lin Che-Li , Hsu Yi-Ju , Chiu Yen-Shuo , Chen Yi-Ming , Wu Ming-Fang , Huang Chi-Chang , Wang Ming-Fu
Published: March 2016

The resistant carbohydrates, inulin, and Fibersol-2, belong to soluble dietary fibers and are considered important prebiotics that maintain biological functions, including glucose homeostasis, lipid regulation, colon disease prevention, and prebiotics characteristics. However, few studies have investigated Fibersol-2 alone or in combination with inulin to assess a pooled effect on modulation of hyperlipidemia. We aimed to investigate the effects of this combined supplement (defined as InF) on hamsters fed a 0.2% cholesterol and 10% lard diet (i.e., high-cholesterol diet, HCD) to induce hyperlipidemia. A total of 40 male hamsters were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 8 per group) for treatment: standard diet, vehicle (control); or vehicle or InF supplementation by oral gavage at 0, 864, 1727, or 2591 mg/kg/day for eight weeks, designated HCD, InF-1X, InF-2X, and InF-3X groups, respectively. The hypolipidemic efficacy and safety of InF supplementation was assessed by serum lipid indexes, hepatic and fecal lipid content, and histology. InF supplementation significantly improved serum levels of triacylglycerol (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C after two-week treatment, and reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) levels after four-week administration. After eight-week supplementation, InF supplementation dose-dependently improved serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C; LDL-C/HDL-C ratio; and hepatic TC and TG levels. It inhibited TC absorption by feces elimination. Our study provides experiment-based evidence to support that this prebiotics remedy may be useful in preventing or treating hyperlipidemia.
Cloning, Expression Profiling and Functional Analysis of CnHMGS, a Gene Encoding 3-hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Synthase from Chamaemelum nobile
Authors: Cheng Shuiyuan , Wang Xiaohui , Xu Feng , Chen Qiangwen , Tao Tingting , Lei Jing , Zhang Weiwei , Liao Yongling , Chang Jie , Li Xingxiang
Published: March 2016

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L.) is renowned for its production of essential oils, which major components are sesquiterpenoids. As the important enzyme in the sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis pathway, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase (HMGS) catalyze the crucial step in the mevalonate pathway in plants. To isolate and identify the functional genes involved in the sesquiterpene biosynthesis of C. nobile L., a HMGS gene designated as CnHMGS (GenBank Accession No. KU529969) was cloned from C. nobile. The cDNA sequence of CnHMGS contained a 1377 bp open reading frame encoding a 458-amino-acid protein. The sequence of the CnHMGS protein was highly homologous to those of HMGS proteins from other plant species. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that CnHMGS clustered with the HMGS of Asteraceae in the dicotyledon clade. Further functional complementation of CnHMGS in the mutant yeast strain YSC6274 lacking HMGS activity demonstrated that the cloned CnHMGS cDNA encodes a functional HMGS. Transcript profile analysis indicated that CnHMGS was preferentially expressed in flowers and roots of C. nobile. The expression of CnHMGS could be upregulated by exogenous elicitors, including methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid, suggesting that CnHMGS was elicitor-responsive. The characterization and expression analysis of CnHMGS is helpful to understand the biosynthesis of sesquiterpenoid in C. nobile at the molecular level and also provides molecular wealth for the biotechnological improvement of this important medicinal plant.
Differential Response of Two Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines to the Phenolic Extract from Flaxseed Oil
Authors: Sorice Angela , Guerriero Eliana , Volpe Maria , Capone Francesca , La Cara Francesco , Ciliberto Gennaro , Colonna Giovanni , Costantini Susan
Published: March 2016

Many studies have evidenced that the phenolic components from flaxseed (FS) oil have potential health benefits. The effect of the phenolic extract from FS oil has been evaluated on two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and MDA-MB231, and on the human non-cancerous breast cell line, MCF10A, by SRB assay, cellular death, cell cycle, cell signaling, lipid peroxidation and expression of some key genes. We have evidenced that the extract shows anti-proliferative activity on MCF7 cells by inducing cellular apoptosis, increase of the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase and of lipid peroxidation, activation of the H2AX signaling pathway, and upregulation of a six gene signature. On the other hand, on the MDA-MB2131 cells we verified only an anti-proliferative activity, a weak lipid peroxidation, the activation of the PI3K signaling pathway and an up-regulation of four genes. Overall these data suggest that the extract has both cytotoxic and pro-oxidant effects only on MCF7 cells, and can act as a metabolic probe, inducing differences in the gene expression. For this purpose, we have performed an interactomic analysis, highlighting the existing associations. From this approach, we show that the phenotypic difference between the two cell lines can be explained through their differential response to the phenolic extract.
Heat-Killed Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001 Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis in a Murine Model
Authors: Choi Eun-Ju , Iwasa Masahiro , Han Kwon-Il , Kim Wan-Jae , Tang Yujiao , Hwang Young , Chae Jeong , Han Weon , Shin Yu-Su , Kim Eun-Kyung
Published: March 2016

Recent reports have shown the immunomodulatory effect of heat-killed lactic acid bacteria. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic skin disease, caused by immune dysregulation among other factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001 (EF-2001) on AD. We established an in vivo AD model by repeated local exposure of Dermatophagoides farinae extract (DFE; house dust mite extract) and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to the ears of mice. After oral administration of EF-2001 for four weeks, the epidermal and dermal ear thickness, mast cell infiltration, and serum immunoglobulin levels were measured. In addition, the gene expression levels of pathogenic cytokines in the ears, lymph nodes, and splenocytes were assayed. EF-2001 attenuated AD symptoms based on the ear thickness, histopathological analysis, and serum immunoglobulin levels. Moreover, EF-2001 decreased the DFE/DNCB-induced expression of various pathogenic cytokines in the ears, lymph nodes, and splenocytes. These results suggest that EF-2001 has therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD owing to its immunomodulatory effects.
The Effects of an Oil and Wheat Flour Fortification Program on Pre-School Children and Women of Reproductive Age Living in Côte d’Ivoire, a Malaria-Endemic Area
Authors: Rohner Fabian , Raso Giovanna , Aké-Tano Sassor , Tschannen Andreas , Mascie-Taylor Christopher , Northrop-Clewes Christine
Published: March 2016

Anemia and micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, but the impact of food fortification is still debated. The objective of this study was to estimate the iron and vitamin A status of preschool children (PSC) and women of reproductive age (WRA) in households consuming fortified oil and wheat flour. The survey was cross-sectional in a rural and an urban area. Data on demographics, socioeconomic status, and fortified foods were collected at households. Hemoglobin (Hb), retinol binding protein (RBP), ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), subclinical inflammation, and Plasmodium spp. infection data were collected. In PSC, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) was prevalent, but for each 1 mg retinol equivalents (RE)/kg of oil consumed, RBP increased by 0.37 μmol/L (p = 0.03). In WRA, there was no significant VAD in the population (0.7%). Anemia was found in 92.2% of rural and 56.3% of urban PSC (p < 0.001). PSC with access to adequately fortified flour had Hb concentrations 15.7 g/L higher than those who did not (p < 0.001). Hb levels increased by +0.238 g/L per mg/kg increase in iron fortification levels (p < 0.001). The national program fortifying vegetable oil with vitamin A and wheat flour with iron and folic acid may have contributed to improved micronutrient status of PSC from two areas in Côte d’Ivoire.
Cloud Cover Assessment for Operational Crop Monitoring Systems in Tropical Areas
Authors: Eberhardt Isaque , Schultz Bruno , Rizzi Rodrigo , Sanches Ieda , Formaggio Antonio , Atzberger Clement , Mello Marcio , Immitzer Markus , Trabaquini Kleber , Foschiera William , José Barreto Luiz Alfredo
Published: March 2016

The potential of optical remote sensing data to identify, map and monitor croplands is well recognized. However, clouds strongly limit the usefulness of optical imagery for these applications. This paper aims at assessing cloud cover conditions over four states in the tropical and sub-tropical Center-South region of Brazil to guide the development of an appropriate agricultural monitoring system based on Landsat-like imagery. Cloudiness was assessed during overlapping four months periods to match the typical length of crop cycles in the study area. The percentage of clear sky occurrence was computed from the 1 km resolution MODIS Cloud Mask product (MOD35) considering 14 years of data between July 2000 and June 2014. Results showed high seasonality of cloud occurrence within the crop year with strong variations across the study area. The maximum seasonality was observed for the two states in the northern part of the study area (i.e., the ones closer to the Equator line), which also presented the lowest averaged values (15%) of clear sky occurrence during the main (summer) cropping period (November to February). In these locations, optical data faces severe constraints for mapping summer crops. On the other hand, relatively favorable conditions were found in the southern part of the study region. In the South, clear sky values of around 45% were found and no significant clear sky seasonality was observed. Results underpin the challenges to implement an operational crop monitoring system based solely on optical remote sensing imagery in tropical and sub-tropical regions, in particular if short-cycle crops have to be monitored during the cloudy summer months. To cope with cloudiness issues, we recommend the use of new systems with higher repetition rates such as Sentinel-2. For local studies, Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAVs) might be used to augment the observing capability. Multi-sensor approaches combining optical and microwave data can be another option. In cases where wall-to-wall maps are not mandatory, statistical sampling approaches might also be a suitable alternative for obtaining useful crop area information.
An Anchor-Based Pedestrian Navigation Approach Using Only Inertial Sensors
Authors: Gu Yang , Song Qian , Li Yanghuan , Ma Ming , Zhou Zhimin
Published: March 2016

In inertial-based pedestrian navigation, anchors can effectively compensate the positioning errors originating from deviations of Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), by putting constraints on pedestrians’ motions. However, these anchors often need to be deployed beforehand, which can greatly increase system complexity, rendering it unsuitable for emergency response missions. In this paper, we propose an anchor-based pedestrian navigation approach without any additional sensors. The anchors are defined as the intersection points of perpendicular corridors and are considered characteristics of building structures. In contrast to these real anchors, virtual anchors are extracted from the pedestrian’s trajectory and are considered as observations of real anchors, which can accordingly be regarded as inferred building structure characteristics. Then a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter (RBPF) is used to solve the joint estimation of positions (trajectory) and maps (anchors) problem. Compared with other building structure-based methods, our method has two advantages. The assumption on building structure is minimum and valid in most cases. Even if the assumption does not stand, the method will not lead to positioning failure. Several real-scenario experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method.
Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Surface Breaking Crack Using Rayleigh Wave Measurement
Authors: Lee Foo , Chai Hwa , Lim Kok
Published: March 2016

An improved single sided Rayleigh wave (R-wave) measurement was suggested to characterize surface breaking crack in steel reinforced concrete structures. Numerical simulations were performed to clarify the behavior of R-waves interacting with surface breaking crack with different depths and degrees of inclinations. Through analysis of simulation results, correlations between R-wave parameters of interest and crack characteristics (depth and degree of inclination) were obtained, which were then validated by experimental measurement of concrete specimens instigated with vertical and inclined artificial cracks of different depths. Wave parameters including velocity and amplitude attenuation for each case were studied. The correlations allowed us to estimate the depth and inclination of cracks measured experimentally with acceptable discrepancies, particularly for cracks which are relatively shallow and when the crack depth is smaller than the wavelength.
Improving Pulse Rate Measurements during Random Motion Using a Wearable Multichannel Reflectance Photoplethysmograph
Authors: Warren Kristen , Harvey Joshua , Chon Ki , Mendelson Yitzhak
Published: March 2016

Photoplethysmographic (PPG) waveforms are used to acquire pulse rate (PR) measurements from pulsatile arterial blood volume. PPG waveforms are highly susceptible to motion artifacts (MA), limiting the implementation of PR measurements in mobile physiological monitoring devices. Previous studies have shown that multichannel photoplethysmograms can successfully acquire diverse signal information during simple, repetitive motion, leading to differences in motion tolerance across channels. In this paper, we investigate the performance of a custom-built multichannel forehead-mounted photoplethysmographic sensor under a variety of intense motion artifacts. We introduce an advanced multichannel template-matching algorithm that chooses the channel with the least motion artifact to calculate PR for each time instant. We show that for a wide variety of random motion, channels respond differently to motion artifacts, and the multichannel estimate outperforms single-channel estimates in terms of motion tolerance, signal quality, and PR errors. We have acquired 31 data sets consisting of PPG waveforms corrupted by random motion and show that the accuracy of PR measurements achieved was increased by up to 2.7 bpm when the multichannel-switching algorithm was compared to individual channels. The percentage of PR measurements with error ≤ 5 bpm during motion increased by 18.9% when the multichannel switching algorithm was compared to the mean PR from all channels. Moreover, our algorithm enables automatic selection of the best signal fidelity channel at each time point among the multichannel PPG data.
Lateral Squats Significantly Decrease Sprint Time in Collegiate Baseball Athletes
Authors: White Jason , Dorian Trevor , Jones Margaret
Published: March 2016

The purpose was to examine the effect of prior performance of dumbbell lateral squats (DBLS) on an agility movement-into-a-sprint (AMS) test. Twelve collegiate, resistance-trained, baseball athletes participated in three sessions separated by three days. Session One consisted of AMS baseline test, DBLS 5-RM test, and experimental protocol familiarization. Subjects were randomly assigned the protocol order for Sessions Two and Three, which consisted of warm up followed by 1-min sitting (no-DBLS) or performing the DBLS for 1 × 5 repetitions @ 5RM for each leg. Four minutes of slow recovery walking preceded the AMS test, which consisted of leading off a base and waiting for a visual stimulus. In reaction to stimulus, subjects exerted maximal effort while moving to the right by either pivoting or drop stepping and sprinting for 10 yards (yd). In Session Three, subjects switched protocols (DBLS, no-DBLS). Foot contact time (FCT), stride frequency (SF), stride length (SL), and 10-yd sprint time were measured. There were no differences between conditions for FCT, SF, or SL. Differences existed between DBLS (1.85 ± 0.09 s) and no-DBLS (1.89 ± 0.10 s) for AMS (p = 0.03). Results from the current study support the use of DBLS for performance enhancement prior to performing the AMS test.
The Social Context of the Chinese Food System: An Ethnographic Study of the Beijing Seafood Market
Authors: Fabinyi Michael , Liu Neng
Published: March 2016

China’s role in the global food system has expanded immensely in recent years. In the seafood sector, it is now the largest consumer of seafood products in the world, making the Chinese market highly significant for global fisheries. Drawing on ethnographic- and interview-based research in the largest seafood market in Beijing, this paper analyzes the social context of Chinese consumption and trade. We broadly conceive of this social context as encompassing a range of social norms and practices that include culturally and historically generated consumer preferences, and distinctive forms of governance and business practice. We find that the social context of China is a key driver of patterns of consumption and trade, and provides challenges and opportunities to improve governance for environmental sustainability. We highlight the need for greater policy and academic attention to these characteristics of seafood consumption and trade within China.
Subsurface Drainage to Enable the Cultivation of Winter Crops in Consolidated Paddy Fields in Northern Iran
Authors: Jafari-Talukolaee Mehdi , Ritzema Henk , Darzi-Naftchali Abdullah , Shahnazari Ali
Published: March 2016

Subsurface drainage is a prerequisite to grow winter crops in the consolidated paddy fields in Northern Iran. A four-year study (2011–2015) was conducted to quantify the effects of subsurface drainage on the saturated hydraulic conductivity, water table, drain discharge and winter crop yields. Subsurface drainage systems with two drain depths of 0.65 and 0.90 m and two drain spacings of 15 and 30 m were installed at the consolidated paddy fields of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Iran. During four successive winter seasons, the water table depth and drain discharge were measured daily. Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured twice; before drainage system installation and four years following the installation. Canola grain yields were determined at harvest of each cultivation season. During the study period, the soil saturated hydraulic conductivity increased with the highest increase in the top 0–30 cm. The deeper drains were more effective in controlling the water table compared to the shallow, and the daily drain discharge of the deeper drains in the fourth year were higher than those of shallow drains. The canola grain yield of all drainage systems increased significantly by the seasons, and the largest difference in canola grain yield between first and fourth seasons was 2191 kg·ha−1 (318% increase) in the fields with 0.90 m drain depth and 30 m drain spacing. Totally, it became clear that installation of subsurface drainage systems with 0.90 m depth and 30 m spacing in the paddy fields of Northern Iran can be recommended to achieve high yield of winter crop, soil condition improvement, and multi-purpose land use.
CRISPR-Cas9 as a Powerful Tool for Efficient Creation of Oncolytic Viruses
Authors: Yuan Ming , Webb Eika , Lemoine Nicholas , Wang Yaohe
Published: March 2016

The development of oncolytic viruses has led to an emerging new class of cancer therapeutics. Although the safety profile has been encouraging, the transition of oncolytic viruses to the clinical setting has been a slow process due to modifications. Therefore, a new generation of more potent oncolytic viruses needs to be exploited, following our better understanding of the complex interactions between the tumor, its microenvironment, the virus, and the host immune response. The conventional method for creation of tumor-targeted oncolytic viruses is based on homologous recombination. However, the creation of new mutant oncolytic viruses with large genomes remains a challenge due to the multi-step process and low efficiency of homologous recombination. The CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas9 has hugely advanced the potential to edit the genomes of various organisms due to the ability of Cas9 to target a specific genomic site by a single guide RNA. In this review, we discuss the CRISPR-Cas9 system as an efficient viral editing method for the creation of new oncolytic viruses, as well as its potential future applications in the development of oncolytic viruses. Further, this review discusses the potential of off-target effects as well as CRISPR-Cas9 as a tool for basic research into viral biology.
La répression du banditisme en Grande-Bretagne aux XVIIème et XVIIIème siècles
Authors: Haem Mark
Published: March 2016

M. Heam, Repression of banditism in Great Britain in the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries.

We have here first a description of the Watchward system in the City of London. Theese watchmen were certainly too oJd and neglectful against to many gangs of criminals, especially in the memorable time of Jonathan Wild.

In the country, the highwayman Act of 1692 and the Tyburn Ticket 'Acts gave new possibilities to arrest bandits and thieves, but in case of riots, authorities were obliged to call for the milice.

In london, we must wait until the second half of the XVIIIth century to see a real municipal police in London. It was the great work of the Heldings brothers and the Bow Street Police Office. The third part of this article looks at the Scottish anarchy and the formation of the six military companies of 1725. Then came the great transformations with general George Wade in Scotland.
Les projets de Jacques-François Joseph Lesaffre pour le Parlement de Douai
Authors: Lesaffre-Ramette Odile
Published: March 2016

Après plusieurs années de procédure, la reconstruction du Parlement de Douai est ordonnée en 1782. Deux architectes lillois s'affrontent : Michel Lequeux, qui emportera le marché et Jacques-François-Joseph Lesaffre. Plans, croquis et devis de ce candidat malheureux sont ici étudiés et permettent de mieux cerner l'élaboration d'un projet architectural au XVIIIe siècle.
Saint-Wasnon et Saint-Vaast : deux remarquables églises de Contant d'Ivry
Authors: Joudiou Gabrielle
Published: March 2016

Two churchbuildings in the Nord department stand out in the history of neo- classicism. St-Wasnon's is the first example of a church displaying a lightly built vault resting on an entablature and isolated columns, this as early as the middle of the XVIIIth century. St-Vaast's, with the majestic proportions of our Gothic cathedrals, nearly achieves the ideal established by the theoreticians of the so- called Enlightenment age : the blending of Gothic airiness and light with the use of Antique orders.

The Paris architect, Contant d'Ivry, author of both buildings, is bold enough to use brick vaults in large buildings. He is also famous for his contribution to the Valenciennes General Hospital, to the Hermitage Park and to the Lille Government Hall.
De quelques influences dans l'architecture des Pays-Bas méridionaux à la fin du XVIIIe siècle
Authors: Souchal François
Published: March 2016

L'architecture des Pays-Bas méridionaux s'inspire à la fin du XVIIIe et au début du XIXe siècle de modèles italiens et surtout français, interprétés libre- ment par des architectes autochtones de talent. Dans le domaine de la décoration fleurissent les modes exotiques et archéologiques (égyptien, gothique). Le recueil de Goetghebuer, architecte gantois, paru en 1827, offre quelques exemples somptueusement illustrés de gravures, de ces influences. Ont été choisis : la maison Walckiers, près du château de Laeken, œuvre de Payen l'ainé (1749-1798) et l'Hôtel Meulenaere, à Gand, œuvre de Pisson (1763-1818).
Contribution à l'étude des églises de Liège (XVIe - XVIIIe siècles)
Authors: Stiennon Philippe
Published: March 2016

Longtemps méprisées, les églises modernes de Liège (16e - 18e s.) ont été peu étudiées. Il ne pouvait en aller autrement : devant la perte de nombreuses archives, l'historien a toujours été directement confronté à l'analyse architecturale, un domaine où nous accusons à Liège un retard certain. Dans cette première approche, les œuvres les plus remarquables sont intégrées dans des discussions typologiques aussi larges que possibles : le « portail » de St-Jacques (1558) et l'influence des frons scenae antiques, la façade des Carmes (1619) et les élévations « gothicisantes », celle des Bénédictines (1677) et le succès de S. Maria Novella de Florence, les rotondes édifiées ou projetées vers 1750-1780 et la permanence des combinatoires antiques. Sur le plan esthétique, un bilan mitigé. Au 17e s. et jusqu'au 1er quart du 18e s. : fidélité à un Classicisme « médiévalisant » et banalité de la production courante. Dans les années 1750-1780 : succès de l'académisme, classico-baroque chez Pisoni, classique chez Renoz. Le modernisme de Digneffe, tantôt néo-classique tantôt « laugiérien », restera malheureusement sur le papier.
Les institutions du commerce en Allemagne, 1750-1850
Authors: Hoock Jochen
Published: March 2016

Hert artikel geeft een overzicht van de handel en het handelsrecht tijdens het Keizerrijk en het 19 de-eeuwse Duitsland. Er wordt dieper ingegaan op het belang van de terrorialisatie aan de hand van een voorbeeld uit de handels- rechtspraak waarin men verschillende types van ontwikkeling kan vasttstellen in het kader van het gewone recht of dat van het autonome handelsrecht. Men mag bij allé belangstelling voor grote staten waarvan de wetgeving goed bekend is, de roi van de kleine staten waarvan de roi in het handelsverkeer vaak onderschat wordt niet mit het oog verliezen. Tenslotte wordt de evolutie van de wetgeving besproken die vanaf de Restauratie etappengewijs geleid heeft naar een algemeen handelsrecht voor de gehele Duitse Bond (1865).
THE EXTENDED SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF GLOBULAR CLUSTERS IN THE CORE OF THE FORNAX CLUSTER
Authors: D’Abrusco R. , Cantiello M. , Paolillo M. , Pota V. , Napolitano N. R. , Limatola L. , Spavone M. , Grado A. , Iodice E. , Capaccioli M. , Peletier R. , Longo G. , Hilker M. , Mieske S. , Grebel E. K. , Lisker T. , Wittmann C. , Ven G. van de , Schipani P. , Fabbiano G.
Published: March 2016

We report the discovery of a complex extended density enhancement in the Globular Clusters (GCs) in the central

(

Mpc2) of the Fornax cluster, corresponding to

of the area within 1 core radius. This overdensity connects the GC system of NGC 1399 to most of those of neighboring galaxies within

(

kpc) along the W–E direction. The asymmetric density structure suggests that the galaxies in the core of the Fornax cluster experienced a lively history of interactions that have left a clear imprint on the spatial distribution of GCs. The extended central dominant structure is more prominent in the distribution of blue GCs, while red GCs show density enhancements that are more centrally concentrated on the host galaxies. We propose that the relatively small-scale density structures in the red GCs are caused by galaxy–galaxy interactions, while the extensive spatial distribution of blue GCs is due to stripping of GCs from the halos of core massive galaxies by the Fornax gravitational potential. Our investigations are based on density maps of candidate GCs extracted from the multi-band VLT Survey Telescope (VST) survey of Fornax (FDS), identified in a three-dimensional color space and further selected based on their g-band magnitude and morphology.
New distributional data on ascidian fauna (Tunicata: Ascidiacea) from Mandapam coast, Gulf of Mannar, India
Authors: Jaffarali Abdul , Akram Soban , Arshan Kaleem
Published: March 2016

Ascidians play a key role in the ecology and biodiversity of marine ecosystem. Ascidians can be transported in ship ballast water and while attached to ship and boat hulls. Heavy traffic by domestic and international ships as well as cargo vessels between the major and minor ports warrants continuous monitoring for new introductions of ascidians. The Mandapam coast is situated in the Gulf of Mannar, India, a marine hot spot area in the Indian Ocean which provides an environment suitable for the settlement of ascidians.

A total of 30 species of ascidians were reported from Mandapam coastal waters, of which 26 species were new to the study area and five species: Ecteinascidia turbinata, Eudistoma carnosum, Trididemnum caelatum, T. vermiforme and Didemnum spadix, were new to India.
Quelques observations sur la réception du livre XII de la Métaphysique chez Thomas d’Aquin
Authors: Imbach Ruedi
Published: March 2016

Cette étude est consacrée à la réception du livre XII de la Métaphysique aristotélicienne dans l’œuvre de Thomas d’Aquin. Après une brève analyse de toutes les références à ce livre chez Thomas, l’auteur compare la manière dont Averroès, Albert le Grand et Thomas d’Aquin structurent leurs Commentaires du livre Lambda. Finalement, l’auteur analyse le commentaire thomasien des chapitres du texte aristotélicien où il est question de la connaissance divine.
Psychological Response to Disasters: Focus on Adolescents
Authors: Crane Patricia A. , Clements Paul T.
Published: March 2016

The effects of disasters may predispose many adolescents to psychological stress, which can interfere with their growth and development and disrupt their intrapsychic homeostasis. This may lead to negative long-term health outcomes and hamper normal development. Many nurses view traumatic events involving children, including adolescents, as the most frequent and stressful critical incidents. There is a need to address psychological emergency preparedness for mass disasters with the development of protocols and practice guidelines. Assessing and managing physical injuries may take priority in emergencies, but incorporating rapid, cost-effective mental health assessments for children and adolescents is essential.
Medición directa de la cinética de adsorción del 2-Mercaptobenzotiazol en una superficie micro cristalina de cobre
Authors: Ramírez-Cano Jorge A. , Veleva Lucien
Published: March 2016

En el presente trabajo se ha investigado la adsorción del 2-Mercaptobenzotiazol (2-MBT) en cobre, un compuesto heterocíclico miembro de la familia de los tiazoles, en solución acuosa a diferentes concentraciones (1×10−1 a 1×10−6 M), empleando la Balanza Electroquímica de Cristal de Cuarzo (BECC). Se midió y analizó el cambio de frecuencia con respecto al tiempo para cada concentración, mostrando un comportamiento exponencial definido en el rango de concentraciones altas (1×10−1, 1×10−2 y 1×10−3 M), los cambios de frecuencia registrados se ajustaron usando la isoterma de adsorción de Langmuir obteniendo buenos coeficientes de correlación (R2=0,91 a 0,98). Se calculó también la fracción de superficie recubierta y se halló que se encuentra en el orden de 0,50 a 0,01 para las concentraciones altas de 2-MBT. La energía libre de adsorción calculada fue de ΔGads=−5,59 kJ mol−1, lo cual corresponde a un proceso de fisisorción.
Robust Two-Stage and Multistage Optimization
Authors: Minoux Michel Andre
Published: March 2016

This chapter is intended as an overview of robust optimization models related to optimization problems subject to uncertain data, with special focus on the case when uncertainty impacts the right-hand side coefficients in the constraints. Two-stage as well as multistage models are addressed, emphasizing links with applications and computational complexity issues. A class of multistage robust optimization problems for which exact optimal strategies can be efficiently computed (via a robust dynamic programming recursion) is discussed. An application to a multiperiod energy production planning problem is presented into detail, and computational results are reported.
Modeling a Real Cable Production System as a Single Machine-Scheduling Problem
Authors: Niroomand Sadegh , Vizvári Béla
Published: March 2016

In cases where the size and colour of cable are changed, the cable industry is classified as a multi-product, mass production system. The paper provides a mixed integer linear programming model based on continuous time representation for a case study on the scheduling problem of the cable industry to minimize the total cost including setup cost, operating cost, and inventory holding cost. As the solution methodology, three grouping policies are proposed while Xpress solver could not give any feasible solution for the model. Cables of the same size and the same colour, respectively, of the different types of cable are grouped together. A metaheuristic based on a simulated annealing algorithm is applied to minimize the total cost of proposed solutions. Finally the solution with the smallest total cost is selected as the production schedule of the study case.
Hybrid Genetics Algorithms for Multiple Sequence Alignment
Authors: Tsiligaridis John
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this chapter is to present a set of algorithms and their efficiency for the consistency based Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) problem. Based on the strength and adaptability of the Genetic Algorithm (GA) two approaches are developed depending on the MSA type. The first approach, for the non related sequences (no consistency), involves a Hybrid Genetic Algorithm (GA_TS) considering also Tabu Search (TS). The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is also applied determining MSA orders. The second approach, for sequences with consistency, deals with a hybrid GA based on the Divide and Conquer principle (DCP) and it can save space. A consistent dot matrices (CDM) algorithm discovers consistency and creates MSA. The proposed GA (GA_TS_VS) also uses TS but it works with partitions. In conclusion, GAs are stochastic approaches that are proved very beneficial for MSA in terms of their performance.
Parameter Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Cell and Panel Using Genetic Algorithms Strategy
Authors: Tarik Benmessaoud Mohammed , Zerhouni Fatima Zohra , Stambouli Amine Boudghene , Tioursi Mustapha , M'harer Aouad
Published: March 2016

In this chapter, we propose to perform a numerical technique based on genetic algorithms (GAs) to identify the electrical parameters (Is, Iph, Rs, Rsh, and n) of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and modules. The one diode type approach is used to model the I–V characteristic of the solar cell. To extract electrical parameters, the approach is formulated as optimization problem. The GAs approach was used as a numerical technique in order to overcome problems involved in the local minima in the case optimization criteria. Compared to other methods, we find that the GAs is a very efficient technique to estimate the electrical parameters of photovoltaic solar cells and modules. Compared with other parameter extraction techniques, based on statistical study, results indicate the consistency and uniformity of method in terms of the quality of final solutions. In parallel, the simulated data with the extracted parameters of method base with GAs are in very good agreement with the experimental data in all cases.