bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Playing the Creator’s Game on God’s Day: The Controversy of Sunday Lacrosse Games in Haudenosaunee Communities, 1916-24
Authors: Downey Allan
Published: December 2016

During the late nineteenth century there was a growing movement in Canada led by Protestant denominations and their organization, the Lord’s Day Alliance, for the national observance of the Christian Sabbath. After several years, the Canadian government enacted the Lord’s Day Act in 1906, prohibiting non-essential activities on Sundays, including sports for financial gain. Sabbatarians across the Dominion attempted to enforce the Sunday law. In the Haudenosaunee communities of Ahkwesahsne and Six Nations, however, Sunday lacrosse games attracted thousands of paying non-Indigenous spectators and continued to take place “illegally” until the mid-1920s. The Lord’s Day Alliance, the attorney general of Ontario, and the Department of Indian Affairs attempted to enforce the law on the reserves. By examining the controversy surrounding the Sunday lacrosse games from 1916 to 1924, this essay demonstrates that the dispute was both a precursor to and a consequence of larger struggles over the future of self-determination in the communities. Furthermore, the struggle played into internal conflicts about Haudenosaunee governance and identity that were themselves triggered by assimilationist policies. It was hardly a coincidence that the dispute coincided with the Department of Indian Affairs’s forced removal of the hereditary council in Six Nations in 1924; rather, the lacrosse controversy was a significant incident in that series of events and provides valuable insights into the Haudenosaunee’s fight for sovereignty in the early 1920s.
Management of Distributive Conflicts Impeding Expansion of Interprovincial Hydroelectricity Transmission
Authors: Macdonald Douglas , Lesch Matthew
Published: December 2016

Conflicts over distributive effects are a perennial feature of policy-making. The purpose of this essay is to investigate how such distributive conflicts unfold in the context of interprovincial hydroelectricity transmission. Through analysis of two Eastern Canada agreements on interprovincial transmission, plus a related third case, the authors present three major findings. First, the relative distribution of associated impacts—material, non-material, and environmental—is important and often presents a significant barrier to interprovincial agreement. Second, the authors find the distribution of non-material impacts, related to both perceptions of fairness and provincial identity, is perhaps as significant as distribution of financial cost and benefit. Third, the authors find that weak intergovernmental institutions in Canada and ad hoc interventions by the federal government further compound the challenge. The authors argue that future efforts to expand hydro transmission across provincial boundaries are needed to address climate change, but to succeed they must address the challenge of all three types of distributive effects and be supported by consistent federal government leadership.
Spacial Sanctuaries and Normalizing Violence: The Canadian Soldier on the Western Front during the Great War
Authors: Cook Tim
Published: December 2016

This essay explores how Canadian soldiers of the Great War created protective spaces and sanctuaries in the front-line trenches of the Western Front to normalize violence. The Western Front was a place of industrial killing by modern weapons that inflicted enormous physical and mental harm on soldiers; but most soldiers found ways to cope and endure. What tools did the soldiers use to protect themselves? The soldiers made their trenches and holes in the ground into temporary homes, which solidified the bonds of camaraderie and normalized the abnormal experience. They banded together through song and rumours, which were often sung and shared in their deep underground dugouts, helping to raise morale. Letters from home connected soldiers to their communities back in Canada. The creation and consumption of culture helped the soldiers make sense of the war and endure the terrible violence.
Strutting Like a Peacock: Masculinity, Consumerism, and Men’s Fashion in Toronto, 1966-72
Authors: Hrynyk Nicholas
Published: December 2016

This essay examines advertisements and editorials in The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star during the peacock revolution in Toronto between 1966 and 1972. The peacock revolution was a mass commodification of a style that was just as much centred on young men setting themselves apart from their fathers as it was about older men wishing to appear youthful. This study is an exploration of the role of advertising in commoditizing masculinity as something that could be bought and displayed by male consumers. In addition to challenging the misconception that male interest in self-presentation is a recent occurrence of modern capitalism, advertisements and discussions surrounding the peacock revolution reveal how discourses of masculinity became increasingly rooted in consumption and neo-liberal ideas of capitalism while simultaneously displacing men’s inherent masculine self-image. Thus, this essay analyzes the peacock revolution’s role in changing the gendered nature of consumption and (re)defining gender and class boundaries in Toronto.
Venous sinus stenting for reduction of intracranial pressure in IIH: a prospective pilot study
Authors: Liu Kenneth C. , Starke Robert M. , Durst Christopher R. , Wang Tony R. , Ding Dale , Crowley R. Webster , Newman Steven A.
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) may cause blindness due to elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Venous sinus stenosis has been identified in select patients, leading to stenting as a potential treatment, but its effects on global ICP have not been completely defined. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effects of venous sinus stenting on ICP in a small group of patients with IIH.

METHODS

Ten patients for whom medical therapy had failed were prospectively followed. Ophthalmological examinations were assessed, and patients with venous sinus stenosis on MR angiography proceeded to catheter angiography, venography with assessment of pressure gradient, and ICP monitoring. Patients with elevated ICP measurements and an elevated pressure gradient across the stenosis were treated with stent placement.

RESULTS

All patients had elevated venous pressure (mean 39.5 ± 14.9 mm Hg), an elevated gradient across the venous sinus stenosis (30.0 ± 13.2 mm Hg), and elevated ICP (42.2 ± 15.9 mm Hg). Following stent placement, all patients had resolution of the stenosis and gradient (1 ± 1 mm Hg). The ICP values showed an immediate decrease (to a mean of 17.0 ± 8.3 mm Hg), and further decreased overnight (to a mean of 8 ± 4.2 mm Hg). All patients had subjective and objective improvement, and all but one improved during follow-up (median 23.4 months; range 15.7–31.6 months). Two patients developed stent-adjacent stenosis; retreatment abolished the stenosis and gradient in both cases. Patients presenting with papilledema had resolution on follow-up funduscopic imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) and improvement on visual field testing. Patients presenting with optic atrophy had optic nerve thinning on follow-up OCT, but improved visual fields.

CONCLUSIONS

For selected patients with IIH and venous sinus stenosis with an elevated pressure gradient and elevated ICP, venous sinus stenting results in resolution of the venous pressure gradient, reduction in ICP, and functional, neurological, and ophthalmological improvement. As patients are at risk for stent-adjacent stenosis, further follow-up is necessary to determine long-term outcomes and gain an understanding of venous sinus stenosis as a primary or secondary pathological process behind elevated ICP.
Report of effective trametinib therapy in 2 children with progressive hypothalamic optic pathway pilocytic astrocytoma: documentation of volumetric response
Authors: Miller Catherine , Guillaume Daniel , Dusenbery Kathryn , Clark H. Brent , Moertel Christopher
Published: December 2016

Brain tumors are the most common solid tumor in childhood, and astrocytomas account for the largest proportion of these tumors. Increasing sophistication in genetic testing has allowed for the detection of specific mutations within tumor subtypes that may represent targets for individualized tumor treatment. The mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and, more specifically, BRAF mutations have been shown to be prevalent in pediatric pilocytic astrocytomas and may represent one such area to target. Herein, the authors describe 2 cases of inoperable, chemotherapy-resistant pediatric pilocytic astrocytomas with a documented response to trametinib, an MAPK pathway inhibitor. While these cases were not treated in the setting of a clinical trial, their data support further ongoing clinical trial investigation to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this agent in pediatric low-grade gliomas.
A Study on Service Availability and Readiness Assessment of Non-Communicable Diseases Using the WHO Tool for Gazipur District in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Mohammad Rashemdul , Laskar Shamima Parvin , Macer Darryl
Published: December 2016

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) disproportionately affect low and middle-income countries where nearly three quarters of NCD deaths occur. Bangladesh is also in NCD burden. This cross-sectional study was done on 50 health facilities centres at Gazipur district in Bangladesh from July 2015 to December 2015 to introduce SARA for better monitoring and evaluation of non-communicable diseases health service delivery. The General Service readiness index score was 61.52% refers to the fact that about 62% of all the facilities were ready to provide general services like basic amenities, basic equipment, standard precautions for infection prevention, and diagnostic capacity and essential medicines to the patients. But in case of non-communicable diseases, among all the health facilities 40% had chronic respiratory disease and cardiovascular diseases diagnosis/ management and only 32% had availability of diabetes diagnosis/management. Overall readiness score was 52% in chronic respiratory disease, 73% in cardiovascular disease and 70% in diabetes. Therefore, service availability and readiness of the health facilities to provide NCD related health services were not up to the mark for facing future targets.  A full-scale census survey of all the facilities of the study area would give a better understanding of the availability and service readiness.
We Still Need to Improve Our Research Writing Ethics
Authors: Sehgal Sheikh Arslan
Published: December 2016

The aim of current effort is too sentient that the people should have to know what is happening and to explore the reasons behind the veil of reasons so they can generate and amend their opinions and deduce their own conclusions. The most worthy asset of a researcher is to publish valuable research and must first be earned the scientific professional integrity and then maintained it. The scientific community must obey the scientific ethical norms and rules if they want to play its due role. Still, we are bearing ethical quandaries in our research and we have to solve them for advancement of research in scientific community including Pakistan.
Ethics in Public Health Research and Clinical Research
Authors: Khan Muhammad Waseem , Tareen Afrasiab Khan , Sultan Imrana Niaz
Published: December 2016

Research conducted with ethical values is the need of modern world and great benefit to the society in general and human beings in particular. Clinical research basically focuses on improving human health individually by improving current trends, methodologies and identifying innovative methods of treatment. Public health research is mainly concerned with the health of the entire populace. No standard rules can be formulated for conducting any form of research ethically; however following some basic ethical values can assure ethical conduct of research. In any research study whether that is public health research or clinical research, the importance is need to be to recognize an ethical standard that respects individuals autonomy and communitys wellbeing. Ethical values in research studies can be achieved by requiring individuals and communitys collective collaboration for the protection of individuals autonomy, dignity and wellbeing.
Self-Organization and the Bypass: Re-Imagining Institutions for More Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Food
Authors: Sherwood Stephen , Van Bommel Severine , Paredes Myriam
Published: December 2016

In exploring the social dynamics of agrofood movements in Ecuador as examples of self-organization (i.e., locally distributed and resolved development), this article departs from a preoccupation with innovation by means of design and the use of scaling as a metaphor for describing research contributions in agriculture and food. The case material highlights that much development is contingent, unpredictable, and unmanageable as well as unbound to fixed spaces or places. In their study of people’s daily practice, the authors do not find clear boundaries between dichotomies of internal–external, lay–expert, traditional–modern, or local–global organization, but heterogeneous blends of each. For the purposes of sustainable development, this highlights the need for attention to be paid to relationships (social, material, and biological), adaptation (the capacity to innovate), and responsibility (adherence to norms of sustainability). Far from romanticizing self-organization, the authors acknowledge that people and their institutions share varying degrees of complicity for the goods as well as the bads of their economic activity, such as mass soil degradation, agrobiodiversity loss, and poisoning by pesticides. Nevertheless, even under highly difficult conditions, certain actors effectively bypass the limitations of formal institutions in forging a socio-technical course of action (i.e., policy) for relatively healthy living and being. As such, the authors have come to appreciate self-organization as a neglected, if paradoxical, resource for policy transition towards more sustainable agriculture and food.
Sorghum Biomass Production for Energy Purpose Using Treated Urban Wastewater and Different Fertilization in a Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Maucieri Carmelo , Cavallaro Valeria , Caruso Caterina , Borin Maurizio , Milani Mirco , Barbera Antonio
Published: December 2016

With the aim at enhancing the sustainability of biomass production in the Mediterranean area, this paper analyzes, for the first time, the production of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) biomass for bioenergy production using urban treated wastewaters and bio-fertilization. For this purpose, the effects on biomass production of three different fertilizations (no-nitrogen control, biofertilizer, and mineral ammonium nitrate), four levels of constructed wetland (CW) wastewater restitutions (0%, 33%, 66% and 100%) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and three harvesting dates (at full plant maturity, at the initial senescence stage, and at the post-senescence stage) were evaluated in a two year trial. For bio-fertilization, a commercial product based on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was used. Mineral nitrogen (N) fertilization significantly increased dry biomass (+22.8% in the first year and +16.8% in the second year) compared to the control (95.9 and 188.2 g·plant−1, respectively). The lowest and highest biomass production, in 2008 and 2009, was found at 0% (67.1 and 118.2 g·plant−1) and 100% (139.2 and 297.4 g·plant−1) ETc restitutions. In both years, the first harvest gave the highest biomass yield (124.3 g·plant−1 in the first year and 321.3 g·plant−1 in the second), followed by the second and the third one. The results showed that in Mediterranean areas, constructed wetlands treated wastewaters, when complying with the European restrictions for their use in agriculture, may represent an important tool to enhance and stabilize the biomass of energy crops by recycling scarce quality water and nutrients otherwise lost in the environment.
Modeling of Integrated Nanoneedle-Microfluidic System for Single Cell Temperature Measurement
Authors: Binsilm Salma , Rad Maryam , Ahmad Mohd
Published: December 2016

In this research, a finite element study on a nanoneedle-microfluidic system for single cell temperature measurement is presented. The nanoneedle design and electrical and mechanical characterization are analyzed, in which tungsten is used as the sensing material. A rectangular shaped sensor with a gap of 10.8 µm showed to give the same current density distribution within the nanoneedle, and a 90 nm2 cross-sectional area showed to cause minimum damage to the cell. Furthermore, the current showed to have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) with an increase in the temperature, and the nanoneedle showed to be able to resist ramp force up to 22.5 μN before failure. Electrical measurement on yeast cell showed that the nanoneedle was independent of the cell conductivity. The nanoneedle proved to be able to measure temperature with a current difference of 50 nA and a resolution of 0.02 °C in 10 ms. A Y-shaped microchannel was proposed and the microchannel cross-sectional area was optimized to be 63 μm2 and a flow rate of 24.6 pL/min allowed successful cell penetration causing minimal damage to the cell.
Biodegradable Nanoparticles Made of Amino-Acid-Based Ester Polymers: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Biocompatibility Study
Authors: Kantaria Temur , Kantaria Tengiz , Kobauri Sophio , Ksovreli Mariam , Kachlishvili Tinatin , Kulikova Nina , Tugushi David , Katsarava Ramaz
Published: December 2016

A systematic study of fabricating nanoparticles (NPs) by cost-effective polymer deposition/solvent displacement (nanoprecipitation) method has been carried out. Five amino acid based biodegradable (AABB) ester polymers (four neutral and one cationic), four organic solvents miscible with water, and eight surfactants were tested for the fabrication of the goal NPs. Depending on the nature of the AABB polymers, organic solvents and surfactants, as well as on the fabrication conditions, the size (Mean Particle Diameter) of the NPs could be tuned within 42 ÷ 398 nm, the zeta-potential within 12.5 ÷ +28 mV. The stability (resuspendability) of the NPs upon storage (at room temperature and refrigerated) was tested as well. In Vitro biocompatibility study of the NPs was performed with four different stable cell lines: A549, HeLa (human); RAW264.7, Hepa 1-6 (murine). Comparing the NPs parameters, their stability upon storage, and the data of biological examinations the best were found: As the AABB polymer, a poly(ester amide) composed of l-leucine, 1,6-hexanediol and sebacic acid–8L6, as a solvent (organic phase—DMSO), and as a surfactant, Tween 20.
Rheological Properties with Temperature Response Characteristics and a Mechanism of Solid-Free Polymer Drilling Fluid at Low Temperatures
Authors: Wang Sheng , Yuan Chaopeng , Zhang Chuan , Chen Liyi , Liu Jiancheng
Published: December 2016

The rheological properties of drilling fluid have important effects during drilling in natural gas hydrate at low temperatures. The present study was performed using theoretical analysis. Experiments and micro-analyses were carried out to determine the rheological properties with temperature response characteristics and the mechanism involved in solid-free polymer drilling fluid (SFPDF) at low temperatures when drilling in permafrost with natural gas hydrates (NGH). The curves of shear stress with the shear rates of three kinds of polymer drilling fluids, Semen Lepidii natural vegetable gum, polyacrylamide, and xanthan gum, were drawn. Then, statistical and related analyses of test data were performed using Matlab ver. 8.0. Through regression analysis, the Herschel–Bulkley model was used to characterize the rheological characteristics of SFPDF. On this basis, the laws regarding the rheological properties of the three kinds of SFPDF under changing temperatures were analyzed and rheological properties with temperature response state equations were established. Next, the findings of previous studies on rheological properties with temperature response characteristics of the SFPDF were reviewed. Finally, the rheological properties with temperature response mechanisms were assessed using scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectrum analysis.
Characterization of Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)-Loaded SnO2 Nanocomposite and Applications in C2H2 Gas Detection
Authors: Jin Lingfeng , Chen Weigen , Zhang He , Xiao Gongwei , Yu Chutian , Zhou Qu
Published: December 2016

Acetylene (C2H2) gas sensors were developed by synthesizing a reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-loaded SnO2 hybrid nanocomposite via a facile two-step hydrothermal method. Morphological characterizations showed the formation of well-dispersed SnO2 nanoparticles loaded on the rGO sheets with excellent transparency and obvious fold boundary. Structural analysis revealed good agreement with the standard crystalline phases of SnO2 and rGO. Gas sensing characteristics of the synthesized materials were carried out in a temperature range of 100–300 °C with various concentrations of C2H2 gas. At 180 °C, the SnO2–rGO hybrid showed preferable detection of C2H2 with high sensor response (12.4 toward 50 ppm), fast response-recovery time (54 s and 23 s), limit of detection (LOD) of 1.3 ppm and good linearity, with good selectivity and long-term stability. Furthermore, the possible gas sensing mechanism of the SnO2–rGO nanocomposites for C2H2 gas were summarized and discussed in detail. Our work indicates that the addition of rGO would be effective in enhancing the sensing properties of metal oxide-based gas sensors for C2H2 and may make a contribution to the development of an excellent ppm-level gas sensor for on-line monitoring of dissolved C2H2 gas in transformer oil.
Rain Attenuation Correction of Reflectivity for X-Band Dual-Polarization Radar
Authors: Feng Liang , Xiao Hui , Wen Guang , Li Zongfei , Sun Yue , Tang Qi , Liu Yanan
Published: December 2016

In order to improve the performance of X-band dual-polarization radars, it is necessary to conduct attenuation correction before using the X-band radar data. This study analyzes a variety of attenuation correction methods for the X-band radar reflectivity, and proposes a high-resolution slide self-consistency correction (SSCC) method, which is an improvement of Kim et al.’s method based on Bringi et al.’s original method. The new method is comprehensively evaluated with the observational data of convective cloud, stratiform cloud, and the stratiform cloud with embedded convection. Comparing with the intrinsic reflectivity at X-band calculated from the reflectivity at S-band, it is found that the new method can effectively reduce the correction errors when calculating differential propagation shift increments using the conventional self-consistency attenuation correction method. This method can efficiently correct the X-band dual-polarization radar reflectivity, in particular, for the echoes with reflectivity greater than 35 dBZ.
Applications of Cell-Ratio Constant False-Alarm Rate Method in Coherent Doppler Wind Lidar
Authors: Zhu Hao , Bu Lingbing , Gao Haiyang , Huang Xingyou , Zhang Wentao
Published: December 2016

A cell-ratio constant false-alarm rate (CR-CFAR) method for detecting the Doppler frequency shift is proposed to improve the accuracy of velocity measured by coherent Doppler wind lidar (CWL) in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) environments. The method analyzes the spectrum to solve issues of weak signal submergence in noise encountered in the widely used periodogram method. This characteristic is that the signal region slope is larger than the noise region slope in the frequency spectrum. We combined the ratio and CFAR to propose the CR-CFAR method. The peak area is discriminated from the spectrum using this method. By removing background noise, the peak signal is obtained along with the Doppler shift. To verify the CR-CFAR method, a campaign experiment using both CWL and a commercial Doppler lidar was performed in Hami, China (42°32′ N, 94°03′ E) during 1–7 June 2016. The results showed that the proposed method significantly improved the reliability of CWL data under low SNR conditions. The height—at which both horizontal wind speed correlativity and horizontal wind direction correlativity exceeded 0.99—increased by 65 m. The relative deviation of the horizontal wind speed at 120 m decreased from 40.37% to 11.04%. We used the CR-CFAR method to analyze continuous data. A greater number of wind field characteristics were obtained during observation compared to those obtained using the common wind field inversion method.
Body-Machine Interfaces after Spinal Cord Injury: Rehabilitation and Brain Plasticity
Authors: Seáñez-González Ismael , Pierella Camilla , Farshchiansadegh Ali , Thorp Elias , Wang Xue , Parrish Todd , Mussa-Ivaldi Ferdinando
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify rehabilitative effects and changes in white matter microstructure in people with high-level spinal cord injury following bilateral upper-extremity motor skill training. Five subjects with high-level (C5–C6) spinal cord injury (SCI) performed five visuo-spatial motor training tasks over 12 sessions (2–3 sessions per week). Subjects controlled a two-dimensional cursor with bilateral simultaneous movements of the shoulders using a non-invasive inertial measurement unit-based body-machine interface. Subjects’ upper-body ability was evaluated before the start, in the middle and a day after the completion of training. MR imaging data were acquired before the start and within two days of the completion of training. Subjects learned to use upper-body movements that survived the injury to control the body-machine interface and improved their performance with practice. Motor training increased Manual Muscle Test scores and the isometric force of subjects’ shoulders and upper arms. Moreover, motor training increased fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the cingulum of the left hemisphere by 6.02% on average, indicating localized white matter microstructure changes induced by activity-dependent modulation of axon diameter, myelin thickness or axon number. This body-machine interface may serve as a platform to develop a new generation of assistive-rehabilitative devices that promote the use of, and that re-strengthen, the motor and sensory functions that survived the injury.
Hydrogen Evolution Reaction of γ-Mo0.5W0.5 C Achieved by High Pressure High Temperature Synthesis
Authors: Hu Yingfei , Jia Gan , Ma Shuailing , Hu Jianqiang , Zhu Pinwen , Cui Tian , Li Zhaosheng , Zou Zhigang
Published: December 2016

For the first time, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalytic performances of incompressible γ-Mo0.5W0.5C, prepared by high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) synthesis, were investigated in the electrolyte. The polarization curve of the γ-Mo0.5W0.5C cathode exhibits the current density of 50 mA∙cm−2 at an overpotential value of 320 mV. The corresponding Tafel slope of the incompressible γ-Mo0.5W0.5C is 74 mV∙dec−1. After a 1000-cycle test, and then exposure to the air for six months, the γ-Mo0.5W0.5C electrode performed a current density of 50 mA∙cm−2 at an overpotential of 354 mV, which was close to the initial one.
A Microwave-Sensitive Solid Acid Catalyst Prepared from Sweet Potato via a Simple Method
Authors: Chen Hai-Ying , Cui Zheng-Wei
Published: December 2016

In this study, a microwave-sensitive solid acid catalyst was successfully synthesized from sweet potatoes via a simple process. The catalyst was proven to have superior microwave-sensitive and homogeneous properties. The physicochemical properties were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), thermogravimetric (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and elemental analysis (EA). Results showed that the total acid density and specific surface area for the catalyst were 6.35 mmol/g and 78.35 m2/g, respectively. The elemental sulfur content reached 7.449% after sulfonation and the catalytic activity could reach over 91% within 30 min with microwave power density of 1.0 W/mL. The catalytic reaction temperature should not exceed 200 °C, as shown in TGA curve, and the moisture content in the oil raw material should be within 1%–2%. The catalyst deactivated gradually to 64.38% after reutilization five times, but the catalytic activity could be simply regenerated by re-sulfonation, albeit slightly reduced (87.56%). The shift of diffraction peaks in the XRD patterns and new absorption peaks at 619.98 and 1190.49 cm−1 of FT-IR spectra demonstrated that the –SO3H group was effectively attached to the catalyst. The SEM images displayed a loose and porous amorphous structure in the end catalyst.
CuO Nanorods-Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocatalysts for Catalytic Oxidation of CO
Authors: Wang Yan , Wen Zhihui , Zhang Huoli , Cao Guohua , Sun Qi , Cao Jianliang
Published: December 2016

Developing an efficient non-noble catalyst for CO oxidation with high catalytic activity remains a challenge for practical applications. In this work, CuO nanorods decorated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocatalysts were prepared via a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analysis results show that CuO nanorods were successfully deposited on the surface of RGO sheets with the length of 250–500 nm. The catalytic properties of the as-prepared catalysts for CO oxidation were evaluated by using a microreactor-gas chromatograph (GC) system. The as-prepared RGO–CuO nanocatalysts exhibited high activity for CO oxidation, and the 10 wt % reduced graphene oxide content catalyst can achieve CO total oxidation at 165 °C.
Aqueous-Phase Catalytic Chemical Reduction of p-Nitrophenol Employing Soluble Gold Nanoparticles with Different Shapes
Authors: De Oliveira Francyelle , Nascimento Lucas , Calado Claudia , Meneghetti Mario , Da Silva Monique
Published: December 2016

Gold nanoparticles with different shapes were prepared and used as catalysts in the reduction of p-nitrophenol (PNP) in the aqueous phase and in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). Parameters such as the reaction temperature, substrate/NaBH4 molar ratio, and substrate/gold molar ratio were tested and evaluated. In this paper, we compare the catalytic reactivities of gold nanorods (AuNRs) and gold nanospheres (AuNSs), both synthesized by the seed-mediated method in the presence of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Physical-chemical parameters such as the apparent rate constant (kapp) and activation energy (Ea) of the reactions were obtained for both systems. We observed that the catalytic system based on AuNRs is the most active. These colloidal dispersions were investigated and fully characterized by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Microporous Zeolites as Catalysts for the Preparation of Decyl Glucoside from Glucose with 1-Decanol by Direct Glucosidation
Authors: Chung Kyong-Hwan , Park Hyunwoong , Jeon Ki-Joon , Park Young-Kwon , Jung Sang-Chul
Published: December 2016

The catalytic properties of microporous zeolite catalysts were evaluated in the synthesis of decyl glucoside from glucose with 1-decanol by direct glucosidation. The effects of the acidic properties and pore structure of the zeolite catalysts on the glucose conversions and decyl glucoside yields were investigated. The conversions of glucose on the H+ ion-exchanged FAU, MFI, and BEA zeolite catalysts were above 70%. The conversion increased with decreasing acid strength of the catalysts. The highest conversion and yield of decyl glucoside were exhibited on the H-FAU(3) zeolite catalyst. The catalytic activities were enhanced with increasing amounts of acid sites. The selectivity of decyl glucopyranoside increased with decreasing Si/Al values for the same zeolite catalysts. The pore structure of H-FAU zeolite would allow sufficient spatial restriction to produce decyl glucopyranoside through the isomerization of decyl glucofuranoside into decyl glucopyranoside in its extensive pore channels. The selectivities of the decyl glucoside isomers relied significantly on the restricted transition state to the primary products due to their pore topologies.
Risks of Climate Change with Respect to the Singapore-Malaysia High Speed Rail System
Authors: Binti Sa’adin Sazrul , Kaewunruen Sakdirat , Jaroszweski David
Published: December 2016

Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and many of the observed changes are unprecedented over the past five decades. Globally, the atmosphere and the ocean are becoming increasingly warmer, the amount of ice on the earth is decreasing over the oceans, and the sea level has risen. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average increase in global temperature (combined land and surface) between the 1850–1900 period and the 2003–2012 period was 0.78 °C (0.72 to 0.85). But should we prepare for such a relatively small change? The importance is not the means of the warming but the considerable likelihood of climate change that could trigger extreme natural hazards. The impact and the risk of climate change associated with railway infrastructure have not been fully addressed in the literature due to the differences in local environmental parameters. On the other hand, the current railway network in Malaysia, over the last decade, has been significantly affected by severe weather conditions such as rainfall, lightning, wind and very high temperatures. Our research findings based on a critical literature review and expert interviews point out the extremes that can lead to asset system failure, degraded operation and ultimately, delays in train services. During flooding, the embankment of the track can be swept away and bridge can be demolished, while during drought, the embankment of the track can suffer from soil desiccation and embankment deterioration; high temperature increases the risk of track buckling and high winds can result in vegetation or foreign object incursion onto the infrastructure as well as exert an additional quasi-static burden. This review is of significant importance for planning and design of the newly proposed high speed rail link between Malaysia and Singapore.
An Analytical Model for Evaluation of the Properties of Metallic Coatings in RF Structures
Authors: Castorina Giovanni , Marcelli Augusto , Monforte Francesca , Sarti Stefano , Spataro Bruno
Published: December 2016

A simple analytic model based on the equations of the propagation matrices theory has been developed in order to evaluate the effective skin depth of coated metallic surfaces. With particular attention to the R&D of highly-performing accelerating structures, different thick coatings with excellent mechanical and electrical properties have been considered such as molybdenum and its oxides, p-doped SiC, and TiN. Calculations show that copper coated with a p-type SiC may exhibit an improved hardness and a higher thermal resistance. Combined with experimental tests, this study may support the identification of reliable multilayers capable of improving the higher power performance of radio-frequency (RF) structures in terms of the accelerating gradient in order to increase the resistance to the high thermal stress of structures made with copper.
Reflections on the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureaute Meeting
Authors: Kruchkov Alex
Published: December 2016

This June, I was one of a group of young scientists sat in the whispering Theatre of Lindau [...]
The Megadiverse Australian Ant Genus Melophorus: Using CO1 Barcoding to Assess Species Richness
Authors: Andersen Alan , Hoffmann Benjamin , Sparks Kathryn
Published: December 2016

Melophorus is an exceptionally diverse ant genus from arid Australia that has received little taxonomic attention, such that just a fraction of its remarkable number of species is described. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization’s Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre (TERC) in Darwin holds by far the most extensive collection of Melophorus, and as of September 2016 this comprised >850 sorted morphospecies. However, the reliability of such morphospecies is open to question because species delimitation is extremely challenging due to highly generalized morphology and worker polymorphism. Here we use CO1 barcoding of 401 Melophorus specimens from 188 morphospecies in the TERC collection to determine the reliability of morphologically-based species delimitations as a basis for assessing true diversity within the genus. Our CO1 data confirm the extremely challenging nature of morphologically-based species delimitation within Melophorus, and suggest substantially higher diversity than that indicated by morphospecies. We found many cases where combinations of high (>10%) CO1 divergence, polyphyly, sympatric association, and morphological differentiation indicated that single morphospecies represented multiple lineages. Overall, our analysis indicates that the 188 morphospecies barcoded represent at least 225 independent CO1 lineages. We discuss these results in terms of both their limitations and implications for estimating the total number of species in this exceptionally diverse, arid-adapted ant genus.
Biomarkers in Lysosomal Storage Diseases
Authors: Bobillo Lobato Joaquin , Jiménez Hidalgo Maria , Jiménez Jiménez Luis
Published: December 2016

A biomarker is generally an analyte that indicates the presence and/or extent of a biological process, which is in itself usually directly linked to the clinical manifestations and outcome of a particular disease. The biomarkers in the field of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) have particular relevance where spectacular therapeutic initiatives have been achieved, most notably with the introduction of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). There are two main types of biomarkers. The first group is comprised of those molecules whose accumulation is directly enhanced as a result of defective lysosomal function. These molecules represent the storage of the principal macro-molecular substrate(s) of a specific enzyme or protein, whose function is deficient in the given disease. In the second group of biomarkers, the relationship between the lysosomal defect and the biomarker is indirect. In this group, the biomarker reflects the effects of the primary lysosomal defect on cell, tissue, or organ functions. There is no “gold standard” among biomarkers used to diagnosis and/or monitor LSDs, but there are a number that exist that can be used to reasonably assess and monitor the state of certain organs or functions. A number of biomarkers have been proposed for the analysis of the most important LSDs. In this review, we will summarize the most promising biomarkers in major LSDs and discuss why these are the most promising candidates for screening systems.
Rényi Divergences, Bures Geometry and Quantum Statistical Thermodynamics
Authors: Hardal Ali , Müstecaplıoğlu Özgür
Published: December 2016

The Bures geometry of quantum statistical thermodynamics at thermal equilibrium is investigated by introducing the connections between the Bures angle and the Rényi 1/2-divergence. Fundamental relations concerning free energy, moments of work, and distance are established.
Photonic Structure-Integrated Two-Dimensional Material Optoelectronics
Authors: Wang Tianjiao , Xu Ya-Qiong
Published: December 2016

The rapid development and unique properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, phosphorene and transition metal dichalcogenides enable them to become intriguing candidates for future optoelectronic applications. To maximize the potential of 2D material-based optoelectronics, various photonic structures are integrated to form photonic structure/2D material hybrid systems so that the device performance can be manipulated in controllable ways. Here, we first introduce the photocurrent-generation mechanisms of 2D material-based optoelectronics and their performance. We then offer an overview and evaluation of the state-of-the-art of hybrid systems, where 2D material optoelectronics are integrated with photonic structures, especially plasmonic nanostructures, photonic waveguides and crystals. By combining with those photonic structures, the performance of 2D material optoelectronics can be further enhanced, and on the other side, a high-performance modulator can be achieved by electrostatically tuning 2D materials. Finally, 2D material-based photodetector can also become an efficient probe to learn the light-matter interactions of photonic structures. Those hybrid systems combine the advantages of 2D materials and photonic structures, providing further capacity for high-performance optoelectronics.
Moisture Migration in an Oil-Paper Insulation System in Relation to Online Partial Discharge Monitoring of Power Transformers
Authors: Sikorski Wojciech , Walczak Krzysztof , Przybylek Piotr
Published: December 2016

Most power transformers operating in a power system possess oil-paper insulation. A serious defect of this type of insulation, which is associated with long operation time, is an increase in the moisture content. Moisture introduces a number of threats to proper operation of the transformer, e.g., ignition of partial discharges (PDs). Due to the varying temperature of the insulation system during the unit’s normal operation, a dynamic change (migration of water) takes place, precipitating the oil-paper system from a state of hydrodynamic equilibrium. This causes the PDs to be variable in time, and they may intensify or extinguish. Studies on model objects have been conducted to determine the conditions (temperature, humidity, time) that will have an impact on the ignition and intensity of the observed phenomenon of PDs. The conclusions of this study will have a practical application in the evaluation of measurements conducted in the field, especially in relation to the registration of an online PD monitoring system.
Research on a Micro-Grid Frequency Modulation Strategy Based on Optimal Utilization of Air Conditioners
Authors: Wan Qingzhu , Bian Yuan , Chen Yalan
Published: December 2016

With the proportion of air conditioners increasing gradually, they can provide a certain amount of frequency-controlled reserves for a micro-grid. Optimizing utilization of air conditioners and considering load response characteristics and customer comfort, the frequency adjustment model is a quadratic function model between the trigger temperature of the air conditioner compressor, and frequency variation is provided, which can be used to regulate the trigger temperature of the air conditioner when the micro-grid frequency rises and falls. This frequency adjustment model combines a primary frequency modulation method and a secondary frequency modulation method of the energy storage system, in order to optimize the frequency of a micro-grid. The simulation results show that the frequency modulation strategy for air conditioners can effectively improve the frequency modulation ability of air conditioners and frequency modulation effects of a micro-grid in coordination with an energy storage system.
Effect of Timber Harvest Intensities and Fertilizer Application on Stocks of Soil C, N, P, and S
Authors: Menegale Marcella , Rocha Jose , Harrison Robert , Goncalves Jose , Almeida Rodrigo , Piccolo Marisa , Hubner Ayeska , Arthur Junior Jose , De Vicente Ferraz Alexandre , James Jason , Michelsen-Correa Stephani
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the stocks of available P and S, total N, and oxidizable C at depth in an Oxisol cultivated with Eucalyptus in Brazil following different timber harvest intensities and fertilizer application over 12 years. The harvest regimes considered were (i) conventional stem-only harvest (all forest residues were maintained on the soil); (ii) whole-tree harvest (only litter was maintained on the soil—all slash, stemwood, and bark were removed); and (iii) whole-tree harvest + litter layer removal. The site was planted in 2004 considering three timber harvest intensities, some with and some without N and P fertilization. In 2012 the experiment was reinstalled, and all the treatments were reapplied in the each plot. From 2004 to 2016, nutrient accumulation and soil N, P, and S stocks were assessed in the 0–20 cm layer. Also in 2016, soil N, P, S, and oxidizable C stocks were measured to 2 m depth. For each treatment, the net balance of N, P, and S were calculated from soil stocks and harvest outputs during two forest rotations. A reduction in all nutrient stocks was observed in the 0–20 cm layer for all treatments. For N, this reduction was 20% smaller in the stem-only harvest treatment and 40% higher when no N fertilizer was applied, when compared to other treatments. Stem-only harvest treatment was observed to reduce the loss of N, P, and S due to harvest by 300, 30, and 25 kg·ha−1, respectively, when compared to the whole-tree harvest + litter layer removal treatment.
Problematizing the Chinese Experience in America
Authors: Wei William
Published: December 2016

The essay addresses the question “What is Genealogy?” through a consideration of the value of traditional genealogical narratives of families for the Chinese state and society, and the implications of their absence for those caught up in the 19th century diaspora to America. Using genealogy as a method of critical inquiry, however, enables scholars to begin studying the significance of this phenomenon in the lives of Chinese immigrants and the centrality of family in safeguarding their legacy. It does this through an examination of the lives of two Chinese community leaders in Denver’s Chinatown. It concludes with a call for a horizontal genealogical study of community leaders in order to have a better understanding of who they were and the role they played in Chinese America.
Stem-Loop RT-qPCR as an Efficient Tool for the Detection and Quantification of Small RNAs in Giardia lamblia
Authors: Marcial-Quino Jaime , Gómez-Manzo Saúl , Fierro Francisco , Vanoye-Carlo America , Rufino-González Yadira , Sierra-Palacios Edgar , Castillo-Villanueva Adriana , Castillo-Rodríguez Rosa , Rodríguez-Bustamante Eduardo , Arreguin-Espinosa Roberto , Reyes-Vivas Horacio
Published: December 2016

Stem-loop quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) is a molecular technique used for identification and quantification of individual small RNAs in cells. In this work, we used a Universal ProbeLibrary (UPL)-based design to detect—in a rapid, sensitive, specific, and reproducible way—the small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) GlsR17 and its derived miRNA (miR2) of Giardia lamblia using a stem-loop RT-qPCR approach. Both small RNAs could be isolated from both total RNA and small RNA samples. Identification of the two small RNAs was carried out by sequencing the PCR-amplified small RNA products upon ligation into the pJET1.2/blunt vector. GlsR17 is constitutively expressed during the 72 h cultures of trophozoites, while the mature miR2 is present in 2-fold higher abundance during the first 48 h than at 72 h. Because it has been suggested that miRNAs in G. lamblia have an important role in the regulation of gene expression, the use of the stem-loop RT-qPCR method could be valuable for the study of miRNAs of G. lamblia. This methodology will be a powerful tool for studying gene regulation in G. lamblia, and will help to better understand the features and functions of these regulatory molecules and how they work within the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway in G. lamblia.