bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Model Simplifications Excitation Force in Surge for a Floating Foundation for Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Andersen Morten , Hindhede Dennis , Lauridsen Jimmy
Published: April 2015

As offshore wind turbines move towards deeper and more distant sites, the concept of floating foundations is a potential technically and economically attractive alternative to the traditional fixed foundations. Unlike the well-studied monopile, the geometry of a floating foundation is complex and, thereby, increases the difficulty in wave force determination due to limitations of the commonly used simplified methods. This paper deals with a physical model test of the hydrodynamic excitation force in surge on a fixed three-columned structure intended as a floating foundation for offshore wind turbines. The experiments were conducted in a wave basin at Aalborg University. The test results are compared with a Boundary Element Method code based on linear diffraction theory for different wave force regimes defined by the column diameter, wave heights and lengths. Furthermore, the study investigates the influence of incident wave direction and stabilizing heave-plates. The structure can be divided into primary, secondary and tertiary parts, defined by the columns, heave-plates and braces to determine the excitation force in surge. The test results are in good agreement with the numerical computation for the primary parts only, which leads to simplified determination of peak frequencies and corresponding dominant force regime.
Biomass, Carbon and Nutrient Storage in a 30-Year-Old Chinese Cork Oak (Quercus Variabilis) Forest on the South Slope of the Qinling Mountains, China
Authors: Cao Yang , Chen Yunming
Published: April 2015

Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis) forests are protected on a large-scale under the Natural Forest Protection (NFP) program in China to improve the ecological environment. However, information about carbon (C) storage to increase C sequestration and sustainable management is lacking. Biomass, C, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) storage of trees, shrubs, herb, litter and soil (0–100 cm) were determined from destructive tree sampling and plot level investigation in approximately 30-year old Chinese cork oak forests on the south slope of the Qinling Mountains. There was no significant difference in tree components’ biomass estimation, with the exception of roots, among the available allometric equations developed from this study site and other previous study sites. Leaves had the highest C, N and P concentrations among tree components and stems were the major compartments for tree biomass, C, N and P storage. In contrast to finding no difference in N concentrations along the whole soil profile, higher C and P concentrations were observed in the upper 0–10 cm of soil than in the deeper soil layers. The ecosystem C, N, and P storage was 163.76, 18.54 and 2.50 t ha−1, respectively. Soil (0–100 cm) contained the largest amount of C, N and P storage, accounting for 61.76%, 92.78% and 99.72% of the total ecosystem, followed by 36.14%, 6.03% and 0.23% for trees, and 2.10%, 1.19% and 0.03% for shrubs, herbs and litter, respectively. The equations accurately estimate ecosystem biomass, and the knowledge of the distribution of C, N and P storage will contribute to increased C sequestration and sustainable management of Chinese cork oak forests under the NFP program.
Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Affects Ectomycorrhizal Species Abundance and Increases Sporocarp Production under Field Conditions
Authors: Godbold Douglas , Vašutová Martina , Wilkinson Anna , Edwards-Jonášová Magda , Bambrick Michael , Smith Andrew , Pavelka Marian , Cudlin Pavel
Published: April 2015

Anthropogenic activities during the last century have increased levels of atmospheric CO2. Forest net primary productivity increases in response to elevated CO2, altering the quantity and quality of carbon supplied to the rhizosphere. Ectomycorrhizal fungi form obligate symbiotic associations with the fine roots of trees that mediate improved scavenging for nutrients in exchange for a carbohydrate supply. Understanding how the community structure of ectomycorrhizal fungi is altered by climate change is important to further our understanding of ecosystem function. Betula pendula and Fagus sylvatica were grown in an elevated CO2 atmosphere delivered using free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) under field conditions in the U.K., and Picea abies was grown under elevated CO2 in glass domes in the Czech Republic. We used morphotyping and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of the fungal ribosomal operon to study ectomycorrhizal community structure. Under FACE, un-colonised roots tips increased in abundance for Fagus sylvatica, and during 2006, sporocarp biomass of Peziza badia significantly increased. In domes, ectomycorrhizal community composition shifted from short-distance and smooth medium-distance to contact exploration types. Supply and competition for carbon belowground can influence ectomycorrhizal community structure with the potential to alter ecosystem function.
Mental Health Benefits of Long-Term Exposure to Residential Green and Blue Spaces: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gascon Mireia , Triguero-Mas Margarita , Martínez David , Dadvand Payam , Forns Joan , Plasència Antoni , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark
Published: April 2015

Many studies conducted during the last decade suggest the mental health benefits of green and blue spaces. We aimed to systematically review the available literature on the long-term mental health benefits of residential green and blue spaces by including studies that used standardized tools or objective measures of both the exposures and the outcomes of interest. We followed the PRISMA statement guidelines for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. In total 28 studies were included in the systematic review. We found limited evidence for a causal relationship between surrounding greenness and mental health in adults, whereas the evidence was inadequate in children. The evidence was also inadequate for the other exposures evaluated (access to green spaces, quality of green spaces, and blue spaces) in both adults and children. The main limitation was the limited number of studies, together with the heterogeneity regarding exposure assessment. Given the increase in mental health problems and the current rapid urbanization worldwide, results of the present systematic review should be taken into account in future urban planning. However, further research is needed to provide more consistent evidence and more detailed information on the mechanisms and the characteristics of the green and blue spaces that promote better mental health. We provide recommendations for future studies in order to provide consistent and evidence-based recommendations for policy makers.
Early Exposure to Intermediate-Frequency Magnetic Fields Alters Brain Biomarkers without Histopathological Changes in Adult Mice
Authors: Win-Shwe Tin-Tin , Ohtani Shin , Ushiyama Akira , Kunugita Naoki
Published: April 2015

Recently we have reported that intermediate-frequency magnetic field (IF-MF) exposure transiently altered the mRNA expression levels of memory function-related genes in the hippocampi of adult male mice. However, the effects of IF-MF exposure during brain development on neurological biomarkers have not yet been clarified. In the present study, we investigated the effect of IF-MF exposure during development on neurological and immunological markers in the mouse hippocampus in 3- and 7-week-old male mice. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were exposed to IF-MF (21 kHz, 3.8 mT) for one hour per day from organogenesis period day 7 to 17. At adolescence, some IF-MF-exposed mice were further divided into exposure, recovery, and sham-exposure groups. The adolescent-exposure groups were exposed again to IF-MF from postnatal day 27 to 48. The expression of mRNA in the hippocampi was examined using a real-time RT-PCR method, and microglia activation was examined by immunohistochemical analysis. The expression levels of NR1 and NR2B as well as transcription factors (CaMKIV, CREB1), inflammatory mediators (COX2, IL-1 b,TNF-α), and the oxidative stress marker heme-oxygenase (HO)-1 were significantly increased in the IF-MF-exposed mice, compared with the control group, in the 7-week-old mice, but not in the 3-week-old mice. Microglia activation was not different between the control and other groups. This study provides the first evidence that early exposure to IF-MF reversibly affects the NMDA receptor, its related signaling pathways, and inflammatory mediators in the hippocampus of young adult mice; these changes are transient and recover after termination of exposure without histopathological changes.
Processed vs. Non-Processed Biowastes for Agriculture: Effects of Post-Harvest Tomato Plants and Biochar on Radish Growth, Chlorophyll Content and Protein Production
Authors: Monterumici Chiara , Rosso Daniele , Montoneri Enzo , Ginepro Marco , Baglieri Andrea , Novotny Etelvino , Kwapinski Witold , Negre Michèle
Published: April 2015

The aim of this work was to address the issue of processed vs. non-processed biowastes for agriculture, by comparing materials widely differing for the amount of process energy consumption. Thus, residual post harvest tomato plants (TP), the TP hydrolysates obtained at pH 13 and 60 °C, and two known biochar products obtained by 650 °C pyrolysis were prepared. All products were characterized and used in a cultivation of radish plants. The chemical composition and molecular nature of the materials was investigated by solid state 13C NMR spectrometry, elemental analysis and potentiometric titration. The plants were analysed for growth and content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and soluble proteins. The results show that the TP and the alkaline hydrolysates contain lignin, hemicellulose, protein, peptide and/or amino acids moieties, and several mineral elements. The biochar samples contain also similar mineral elements, but the organic fraction is characterized mainly by fused aromatic rings. All materials had a positive effect on radish growth, mainly on the diameter of roots. The best performances in terms of plant growth were given by miscanthus originated biochar and TP. The most significant effect was the enhancement of soluble protein content in the plants treated with the lowest energy consumption non processed TP. The significance of these findings for agriculture and the environment is discussed.
A Two-Step Nanofiltration Process for the Production of Phenolic-Rich Fractions from Artichoke Aqueous Extracts
Authors: Cassano Alfredo , Conidi Carmela , Ruby Figueroa René , Castro Muñoz Roberto
Published: April 2015

Commercial nanofiltration (NF) membranes in spiral-wound configuration (NP030 from Microdyn Nadir and Desal DK from GE Water & Process Technologies) were used in a sequential design in order to produce a separated fraction of phenolic and sugar compounds from an aqueous artichoke extract. For both membranes, the effect of transmembrane pressure (TMP) on the permeation flux was evaluated. In optimized conditions of TMP, the NP030 membrane exhibited high rejections of apigenin, cynarin and chlorogenic acid (higher than 85%); on the other hand, very low rejections of fructose, glucose and sucrose (lower than 4%) were measured. Starting from an extract with a total antioxidant activity (TAA) of 5.28 mM trolox a retentate fraction with a TAA of 47.75 mM trolox was obtained. The NF permeate from the NP030 membrane was processed with the Desal DK membrane in optimized conditions of TMP producing a permeate stream free of phenolic and sugar compounds. Accordingly, as most part of phenolic compounds was removed in the first NF step, the concentration of sugar compounds in the NF retentate had much higher results than that of phenolic compounds.
Crystal Structure, Chemical Bonding and Magnetism Studies for Three Quinary Polar Intermetallic Compounds in the (Eu1−xCax)9In8(Ge1−ySny)8 (x = 0.66, y = 0.03) and the (Eu1−xCax)3In(Ge3−ySn1+y) (x = 0.66, 0.68; y = 0.13, 0.27) Phases
Authors: Woo Hyein , Jang Eunyoung , Kim Jin , Lee Yunho , Kim Jongsik , You Tae-Soo
Published: April 2015

Three quinary polar intermetallic compounds in the (Eu1−xCax)9In8(Ge1−ySny)8 (x = 0.66, y = 0.03) and the (Eu1−xCax)3In(Ge3-ySn1+y) (x = 0.66, 0.68; y = 0.13, 0.27) phases have been synthesized using the molten In-metal flux method, and the crystal structures are characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffractions. Two orthorhombic structural types can be viewed as an assembly of polyanionic frameworks consisting of the In(Ge/Sn)4 tetrahedral chains, the bridging Ge2 dimers, either the annulene-like “12-membered rings” for the (Eu1−xCax)9In8(Ge1−ySny)8 series or the cis-trans Ge/Sn-chains for the (Eu1−xCax)3In(Ge3−ySn1+y) series, and several Eu/Ca-mixed cations. The most noticeable difference between two structural types is the amount and the location of the Sn-substitution for Ge: only a partial substitution (11%) occurs at the In(Ge/Sn)4 tetrahedron in the (Eu1−xCax)9In8(Ge1−ySny)8 series, whereas both a complete and a partial substitution (up to 27%) are observed, respectively, at the cis-trans Ge/Sn-chain and at the In(Ge/Sn)4 tetrahedron in the (Eu1−xCax)3In(Ge3−ySn1+y) series. A series of tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital calculations is conducted to understand overall electronic structures and chemical bonding among components. Magnetic susceptibility measurement indicates a ferromagnetic ordering of Eu atoms below 5 K for Eu1.02(1)Ca1.98InGe2.87(1)Sn1.13.
Differential Cell Adhesion of Breast Cancer Stem Cells on Biomaterial Substrate with Nanotopographical Cues
Authors: Tan Kenneth , Giam Christine , Leow Ming , Chan Ching , Yim Evelyn
Published: April 2015

Cancer stem cells are speculated to have the capability of self-renewal and re-establishment of tumor heterogeneity, possibly involved in the potential relapse of cancer. CD44+CD24−/lowESA+ cells have been reported to possess tumorigenic properties, and these biomarkers are thought to be highly expressed in breast cancer stem cells. Cell behavior can be influenced by biomolecular and topographical cues in the natural microenvironment. We hypothesized that different cell populations in breast cancer tissue exhibit different adhesion characteristics on substrates with nanotopography. Adhesion characterizations were performed using human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), breast cancer cell line MCF7 and primary invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) cells obtained from patients’ samples, on micro- and nano-patterned poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) films. Topography demonstrated a significant effect on cell adhesion, and the effect was cell type dependent. Cells showed elongation morphology on gratings. The CD44+CD24−/lowESA+ subpopulation in MCF7 and IDC cells showed preferential adhesion on 350-nm gratings. Flow cytometry analysis showed that 350-nm gratings captured a significantly higher percentage of CD44+CD24− in MCF7. A slightly higher percentage of CD44+CD24−/lowESA+ was captured on the 350-nm gratings, although no significant difference was observed in the CD44+CD24−ESA+ in IDC cells across patterns. Taken together, the study demonstrated that the cancer stem cell subpopulation could be enriched using different nanopatterns. The enriched population could subsequently aid in the isolation and characterization of cancer stem cells.
Additively Manufactured Open-Cell Porous Biomaterials Made from Six Different Space-Filling Unit Cells: The Mechanical and Morphological Properties
Authors: Ahmadi Seyed , Yavari Saber , Wauthle Ruebn , Pouran Behdad , Schrooten Jan , Weinans Harrie , Zadpoor Amir
Published: April 2015

It is known that the mechanical properties of bone-mimicking porous biomaterials are a function of the morphological properties of the porous structure, including the configuration and size of the repeating unit cell from which they are made. However, the literature on this topic is limited, primarily because of the challenge in fabricating porous biomaterials with arbitrarily complex morphological designs. In the present work, we studied the relationship between relative density (RD) of porous Ti6Al4V EFI alloy and five compressive properties of the material, namely elastic gradient or modulus (Es20–70), first maximum stress, plateau stress, yield stress, and energy absorption. Porous structures with different RD and six different unit cell configurations (cubic (C), diamond (D), truncated cube (TC), truncated cuboctahedron (TCO), rhombic dodecahedron (RD), and rhombicuboctahedron (RCO)) were fabricated using selective laser melting. Each of the compressive properties increased with increase in RD, the relationship being of a power law type. Clear trends were seen in the influence of unit cell configuration and porosity on each of the compressive properties. For example, in terms of Es20–70, the structures may be divided into two groups: those that are stiff (comprising those made using C, TC, TCO, and RCO unit cell) and those that are compliant (comprising those made using D and RD unit cell).
Flexural Behavior of HPFRCC Members with Inhomogeneous Material Properties
Authors: Shin Kyung-Joon , Jang Kyu-Hyeon , Choi Young-Cheol , Lee Seong-Cheol
Published: April 2015

In this paper, the flexural behavior of High-performance Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite (HPFRCC) has been investigated, especially focusing on the localization of cracks, which significantly governs the flexural behavior of HPFRCC members. From four points bending tests with HPFRCC members, it was observed that almost evenly distributed cracks formed gradually, followed by a localized crack that determined the failure of the members. In order to investigate the effect of a localized crack on the flexural behavior of HPFRCC members, an analytical procedure has been developed with the consideration of intrinsic inhomogeneous material properties of HPFRCC such as cracking and ultimate tensile strengths. From the comparison, while the predictions with homogeneous material properties overestimated flexural strength and ductility of HPFRCC members, it was found that the analysis results considering localization effect with inhomogeneous material properties showed good agreement with the test results, not only the flexural strength and ductility but also the crack widths. The test results and the developed analysis procedure presented in this paper can be usefully applied for the prediction of flexural behaviors of HPFRCC members by considering the effect of localized cracking behavior.
Synthesis and in Vitro Antiproliferative Evaluation of Some B-norcholesteryl Benzimidazole and Benzothiazole Derivatives
Authors: Cui Jianguo , Qi Binbin , Gan Chunfang , Liu Zhipin , Huang Hu , Lin Qifu , Zhao Dandan , Huang Yanmin
Published: April 2015

Taking orostanal (a compound from a Japanese marine sponge, Stelletta hiwasaensis) as a lead compound, some novel B-norcholesteryl benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives were synthesized. The antiproliferative activity of the compounds against human cervical carcinoma (HeLa), human lung carcinoma (A549), human liver carcinoma cells (HEPG2) and normal kidney epithelial cells (HEK293T) was assayed. The results revealed that the benzimidazole group was a better substituent than benzothiazole group for increasing the antiproliferative activity of compounds. 2-(3β′-Acetoxy-5β′-hydroxy-6′-B-norcholesteryl)benzimidazole (9b) with the structure of 6-benzimidazole displays the best antiproliferative activity to the cancer cells in all compounds, but is almost inactive to normal kidney epithelial cells (HEK293T). The assay of compound 9b to cancer cell apoptosis by flow cytometry showed that the compound was able to effectively induce cancer cell apoptosis. The research provided a theoretical reference for the exploration of new anti-cancer agents and may be useful for the design of novel chemotherapeutic drugs.
New Polyphenols from a Deep Sea Spiromastix sp. Fungus, and Their Antibacterial Activities
Authors: Niu Siwen , Liu Dong , Proksch Peter , Shao Zongze , Lin Wenhan
Published: April 2015

Eleven new polyphenols namely spiromastols A–K (1–11) were isolated from the fermentation broth of a deep sea-derived fungus Spiromastix sp. MCCC 3A00308. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR data and mass spectroscopic analysis in association with chemical conversion. The structures are classified as diphenyl ethers, diphenyl esters and isocoumarin derivatives, while the n-propyl group in the analogues is rarely found in natural products. Compounds 1–3 exhibited potent inhibitory effects against a panel of bacterial strains, including Xanthomanes vesicatoria, Pseudomonas lachrymans, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Ralstonia solanacearum, Bacillus thuringensis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.25 to 4 µg/mL. The structure-activity relationships are discussed, while the polychlorinated analogues 1–3 are assumed to be a promising structural model for further development as antibacterial agents.
Extended Kalman Filter for Real Time Indoor Localization by Fusing WiFi and Smartphone Inertial Sensors
Authors: Deng Zhi-An , Hu Ying , Yu Jianguo , Na Zhenyu
Published: April 2015

Indoor localization systems using WiFi received signal strength (RSS) or pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) both have their limitations, such as the RSS fluctuation and the accumulative error of PDR. To exploit their complementary strengths, most existing approaches fuse both systems by a particle filter. However, the particle filter is unsuitable for real time localization on resource-limited smartphones, since it is rather time-consuming and computationally expensive. On the other hand, the light computation fusion approaches including Kalman filter and its variants are inapplicable, since an explicit RSS-location measurement equation and the related noise statistics are unavailable. This paper proposes a novel data fusion framework by using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to integrate WiFi localization with PDR. To make EKF applicable, we develop a measurement model based on kernel density estimation, which enables accurate WiFi localization and adaptive measurement noise statistics estimation. For the PDR system, we design another EKF based on quaternions for heading estimation by fusing gyroscopes and accelerometers. Experimental results show that the proposed EKF based data fusion approach achieves significant localization accuracy improvement over using WiFi localization or PDR systems alone. Compared with a particle filter, the proposed approach achieves comparable localization accuracy, while it incurs much less computational complexity.
Copper(I) Complexes of Mesoionic Carbene: Structural Characterization and Catalytic Hydrosilylation Reactions
Authors: Hohloch Stephan , Duecker Fenja , Van der Meer Margarethe , Sarkar Biprajit
Published: April 2015

Two series of different Cu(I)-complexes of “click” derived mesoionic carbenes are reported. Halide complexes of the type (MIC)CuI (with MIC = 1,4-(2,6-diisopropyl)-phenyl-3-methyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (for 1b), 1-benzyl-3-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (for 1c)) and cationic complexes of the general formula [Cu(MIC)2]X (with MIC =1,4-dimesityl-3-methyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene, X = CuI2− (for 2á), 1,4-dimesityl-3-methyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene, X = BF4− (for 2a), 1,4-(2,6-diisopropyl)phenyl-3-methyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene, X = BF4− (for 2b), 1-benzyl-3-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene, X = BF4− (for 2c)) have been prepared from CuI or [Cu(CH3CN)4](BF4) and the corresponding ligands, respectively. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and standard spectroscopic methods. Complexes 2á and 1b were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Structural analysis revealed 2á to adopt a cationic form as [Cu(MIC)2](CuI2) and comparison of the NMR spectra of 2á and 2a confirmed this conformation in solution. In contrast, after crystallization complex 1b was found to adopt the desired neutral form. All complexes were tested for the reduction of cyclohexanone under hydrosilylation condition at elevated temperatures. These complexes were found to be efficient catalysts for this reaction. 2c was also found to catalyze this reaction at room temperature. Mechanistic studies have been carried out as well.
Optical and Structural Properties of Si Nanocrystals in SiO2 Films
Authors: Nikitin Timur , Khriachtchev Leonid
Published: April 2015

Optical and structural properties of Si nanocrystals (Si-nc) in silica films are described. For the SiOx (x < 2) films annealed above 1000 °C, the Raman signal of Si-nc and the absorption coefficient are proportional to the amount of elemental Si detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A good agreement is found between the measured refractive index and the value estimated by using the effective-medium approximation. The extinction coefficient of elemental Si is found to be between the values of crystalline and amorphous Si. Thermal annealing increases the degree of Si crystallization; however, the crystallization and the Si–SiO2 phase separation are not complete after annealing at 1200 °C. The 1.5-eV PL quantum yield increases as the amount of elemental Si decreases; thus, this PL is probably not directly from Si-nc responsible for absorption and detected by Raman spectroscopy. Continuous-wave laser light can produce very high temperatures in the free-standing films, which changes their structural and optical properties. For relatively large laser spots, the center of the laser-annealed area is very transparent and consists of amorphous SiO2. Large Si-nc (up to ∼300 nm in diameter) are observed in the ring around the central region. These Si-nc lead to high absorption and they are typically under compressive stress, which is connected with their formation from the liquid phase. By using strongly focused laser beams, the structural changes in the free-standing films can be made in submicron areas.
A Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Perspective on Cancer Immunology
Authors: Byrne-Hoffman Christina , II David
Published: April 2015

The return on investment within the pharmaceutical industry has exhibited an exponential decline over the last several decades. Contemporary analysis suggests that the rate-limiting step associated with the drug discovery and development process is our limited understanding of the disease pathophysiology in humans that is targeted by a drug. Similar to other industries, mechanistic modeling and simulation has been proposed as an enabling quantitative tool to help address this problem. Moreover, immunotherapies are transforming the clinical treatment of cure cancer and are becoming a major segment of the pharmaceutical research and development pipeline. As the clinical benefit of these immunotherapies seems to be limited to subset of the patient population, identifying the specific defect in the complex network of interactions associated with host immunity to a malignancy is a major challenge for expanding the clinical benefit. Understanding the interaction between malignant and immune cells is inherently a systems problem, where an engineering perspective may be helpful. The objective of this manuscript is to summarize this quantitative systems perspective, particularly with respect to developing immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer.
A Test of the New VIIRS Lights Data Set: Population and Economic Output in Africa
Authors: Chen Xi , Nordhaus William
Published: April 2015

The present study analyses the new Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) lights data to determine whether it can provide more accurate proxies for socioeconomic data in areas with poor quality data than proxies based on stable lights. Our analysis indicates that VIIRS lights are a promising supplementary source for standard measures on population and economic output at a small scale, especially for low population and economic density areas in Africa. The current analysis also suggests that in comparison to stable lights generated by the DMSP-OLS system, data generated by the VIIRS system provide more information to estimate population than output index. However, further analysis and formal statistical models are needed to evaluate the usefulness of VIIRS lights versus other lights products. With more advanced methods, there is also a potential to generate a synthetic index by combining different lights products to produce a better proxy measure for other indexes.
Peer Attachment and Cyber Aggression Involvement among Chinese, Indian, and Japanese Adolescents
Authors: Wright Michelle , Aoyama Ikuko , Kamble Shanmukh , Li Zheng , Soudi Shruti , Lei Li , Shu Chang
Published: April 2015

Significant advancements have been made in cyber aggression literature, with many studies revealing the consequences associated with adolescents’ involvement in these behaviors. Few studies have focused on cyber aggression involvement in China, India, and Japan. The present study examined differences in cyber aggression perpetration and victimization among 1637 adolescents living in China, India, and Japan, while controlling for face-to-face bullying involvement, individualism, and collectivism. Another aim of the present study was to examine country of origin and cyber aggression involvement (i.e., the uninvolved, cyberaggressor-cybervictims, cyberaggressors, and cybervictims) differences in peer attachment. Findings revealed that adolescents from India had the highest levels of cyber aggression involvement when compared to adolescents from China or Japan. Chinese adolescents engaged in more cyber aggression perpetration and were victimized more by cyber aggression when compared to Japanese adolescents. No country of origin differences were found for peer attachment. However, uninvolved adolescents reported higher levels of peer attachment when compared to the other groups. Cyberaggressor-cybervictims had the lowest levels of peer attachment, followed by cybervictims and cyberaggressors. These results suggest that there should be concern about cyber aggression involvement among adolescents in these countries, especially in India, where cyber aggression research has been slow to develop.
“Jihad Cool/Jihad Chic”: The Roles of the Internet and Imagined Relations in the Self-Radicalization of Colleen LaRose (Jihad Jane)
Authors: Picart Caroline
Published: April 2015

The internet provides the means through which a “self-activating terrorist” may first self-radicalize through some imaginary or sympathetic connection with an organized terrorist network. Additionally, the internet allows such a self-activating terrorist to move into the stage of radical violent action. The internet serves both functions by providing the lone wolf with not only a rhetorical medium for self-justification and communication through the use of “monster talk” and its converse, the rhetoric about the “good citizen,” but it is also a source for relatively inexpensive and more unpredictable technologies of mass destruction. Crucial to this analysis is the distinction between radicalization of thought and radicalization of action, as a theoretical rhetoric of radicalization does not automatically convert into a rhetoric of radical action unless there are catalysts at work. The internet, as well as imagined relations cemented by the rhetorics of “jihadi cool” or “jihadi chic,” function as these crucial catalysts, galvanizing monster talk into monstrous action. The article focuses specifically on the case of self-activating terrorist Colleen LaRose to analyze how different factors—mental, psychological, social, and economic—interact with imaginative elements, such as surrogate father-mentor-lover relations for LaRose, and contribute to the formation of a self-activating terrorist, and what ultimately motivates and galvanizes her to move from a rhetoric of radical talk to a rhetoric of radical action, using Silber and Bhatt’s model of radicalization as an initial heuristic. In the case of Colleen LaRose, the romance of “jihadi chic” or “jihadi cool” (the converse of the rhetoric of the monstrous “infidel” or “lone wolf terrorist”) was an essential factor to her self-radicalization. It is this imagined status of “jihadi chic” or “jihadi cool” (that nevertheless must somehow have a look of “reality” or “authenticity” and command a response from its audience) that continues to be a crucial component of the success of recruitment strategies of radical jihadi groups, such as ISIS.
The Establishment and Application of Environment Sustainability Evaluation Indicators for Ecotourism Environments
Authors: Chen Han-Shen
Published: April 2015

Kinmen National Park is the only battle memorial-themed natural resource conservation park in Taiwan. With the rapid growth in tourism, Kinmen National Park faces the challenge of managing with the resulting environmental impact. For this study, we adopted the tourism ecological footprint (TEF) and tourism ecological capacity (TEC) to evaluate the ecological conditions of Kinmen National Park from 2002 to 2011. The empirical results indicated the following findings: (a) TEF increased by 8.03% over 10 years; (b) Regarding the environmental sustainability index (ESI), per capita tourism ecological deficit (PTED) yielded a deficit growth rate of 45.37%. In 2011, the ecological footprint index (EFI) was at Level 4 with 1.16, and the ESI was at Level 3 with 0.495. According to the aforementioned results, with the increased scale of tourism to Kinmen National Park, the pressure that ecological occupancy exerted on the national ecosystem exceeded its ecological capacity.
Single-stage bilateral tibial tuberosity advancement for treatment of bilateral canine cranial cruciate ligament deficiency
Authors: Langenbach A. , Boim J. , Gordon S. , Marcellin-Little D. J. , Kiefer J. E.
Published: April 2015

Objective: To report complications in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture following single-stage bilateral tibial tuberosity advancement (SS-BTTA) procedures, and to compare these complications to a population of dogs undergoing unilateral tibial tuberosity advancement (UTTA).

Methods: Medical records and radiographs of client-owned dogs treated with tibial tuberosity advancement between August 2008 and December 2011 were reviewed. Forty-four client-owned dogs with bilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture that underwent SS-BTTA procedures and 82 client-owned dogs that underwent UTTA proced -ures were randomly selected from our hospital population. Complications were recorded and analysed. Major complications were defined as fractures or any complication requiring a second surgery. Minor complications were any problem identified that did not require surgical management.

Results: Incidence for major and minor complications in the UTTA group was 2.3% and 24.4%, respectively. Incidence for major and minor complications in the SS-BTTA group was 12.5% and 26.1%, respectively. Single-stage bilateral tibial tuberosity advancement procedures had a four- to five-fold increase in odds of a major complication (p <0.050) compared to UTTA.

Clinical significance: The findings of our study indicate that SS-BTTA procedures are associated with an increased risk of major complications compared to UTTA procedures.
Patterning technique for gold nanoparticles on substrates using a focused electron beam
Authors: Noriki Takahiro , Abe Shogo , Kajikawa Kotaro , Shimojo Masayuki
Published: April 2015

We propose a novel patterning technique for gold nanoparticles on substrates that combines a chemical reaction with electron beam irradiation. First, gold nanoparticles are placed in a two-dimensional arrangement on the substrate. Then, particular nanoparticles are fixed on the substrate by irradiation with a focused electron beam to produce a desired pattern. Finally, the unfixed nanoparticles are removed. Using this technique, an array of gold nanoparticles, for example, in the form of a line or patterned over an area, are prepared on the substrate. This technique could contribute to the fabrication of plasmonic devices and other applications that require the controlled placement of gold nanoparticles on substrates.
Metal-free one-pot synthesis of 2-substituted and 2,3-disubstituted morpholines from aziridines
Authors: Sun Hongnan , Huang Binbin , Lin Run , Yang Chao , Xia Wujiong
Published: April 2015

The metal-free synthesis of 2-substituted and 2,3-disubstituted morpholines through a one-pot strategy is described. A simple and inexpensive ammonium persulfate salt enables the reaction of aziridines with halogenated alcohols to proceed via an SN2-type ring opening followed by cyclization of the resulting haloalkoxy amine.
The Role of Cloud Computing Adoption in Global Business
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: April 2015

This chapter introduces the role of cloud computing adoption in global business, thus explaining the application overview of cloud computing, the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and the Technology, Organization, and Environment (TOE) framework related to technological context, organizational context, and environmental context. In addition, technological context includes the relative advantage, uncertainty, compatibility, and trialability. Organizational context includes the size, top management support, innovation, and prior technology experience. Environmental context includes competitive pressure, industry, market scope, and supplier computing support. Adopting cloud computing in global business will significantly enhance organizational performance and achieve business goals in the digital age.
A Resource Allocation Model for Desktop Clouds
Authors: Alwabel Abdulelah , Walters Robert John , Wills Gary B.
Published: April 2015

Cloud computing is a new paradigm that promises to move IT a step further towards utility computing, in which computing services are delivered as a utility service. Traditionally, Cloud employs dedicated resources located in one or more data centres in order to provide services to clients. Desktop Cloud computing is a new type of Cloud computing that aims at providing Cloud capabilities at low or no cost. Desktop Clouds harness non dedicated and idle resources in order to provide Cloud services. However, the nature of such resources can be problematic because they are prone to failure at any time without prior notice. This research focuses on the resource allocation mechanism in Desktop Clouds.The contributions of this chapter are threefold. Firstly, it defines and explains Desktop Clouds by comparing them with both Traditional Clouds and Desktop Grids. Secondly, the paper discusses various research issues in Desktop Clouds. Thirdly, it proposes a resource allocation model that is able to handle node failures.
Performance Evaluation of Multi-Core Multi-Cluster Architecture (MCMCA)
Authors: Hamid Norhazlina , Walters Robert John , Wills Gary B.
Published: April 2015

A multi-core cluster is a cluster composed of numbers of nodes where each node has a number of processors, each with more than one core within each single chip. Cluster nodes are connected via an interconnection network. Multi-cored processors are able to achieve higher performance without driving up power consumption and heat, which is the main concern in a single-core processor. A general problem in the network arises from the fact that multiple messages can be in transit at the same time on the same network links. This chapter considers the communication latencies of a multi core multi cluster architecture, investigated using simulation experiments and measurements under various working conditions.
A Formal Framework for Cloud Systems
Authors: Benzadri Zakaria , Bouanaka Chafia , Belala Faïza
Published: April 2015

Cloud Computing is an emerging topic with high potentials in the IT industry. Its offered services need to be adapted to deal with variations caused by hostile environment, such as the Internet. Hence, a challenging issue in Cloud systems architecture is to model and analyze cloud-based services. However, few work has been dedicated to guarantee safe and secure adaptable services. The main objective of this chapter is to propose a formal framework for specifying cloud systems and offering analysis support to model-check their inherent properties. Based on Bigraphical Reactive Systems, the formalization process is achieved via the definition of the BiCloud-Arch model. Then, cloud architecture dynamics is formalized by a set of generic reaction rules to be applied on the obtained bigraphical model. This chapter also addresses a mapping from the proposed model (BiCloud-Arch) to a Maude-based formal executable specification (BiCloud-2M). On this basis, the proposed BiCloud Maude-based Model Checker (BMMC) is used to formally verify some Cloud system properties.
New or little known Halictidae from Italy (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)
Authors: Nobile Vittorio , Turrisi Giuseppe Fabrizio
Published: April 2015

The authors, after examination of some collections of Halictidae, obtain the following novelties regarding the Italian fauna: Lasioglossum zonulum Smith is new for Latium and Sardinia, Sphecodes ferruginatus Hagens is new for Molise and Sardinia, Lasioglossum laterale (Brullé) is new for Tuscany and Sicily, L. leucopus (Kirby) and L. prasinum (Smith) are new for Latium and Sicily, Halictus kessleri Bramson, Lasioglossum aeratum (Kirby), L. brevicorne (Schenck), L. breviventre (Schenck), L. costulatum (Kriechbaumer) and Sphecodes miniatus Hagens are new for Sicily. Moreover, new data regarding Sphecodes combai Nobile & Turrisi are provided. Finally, they observe that the presence of Halictus balearicus Pérez in Italy needs confirmation.
Segnalazioni Faunistiche Italiane
Authors: V.V. A.A.
Published: April 2015

584 - Hololepta (Hololepta) plana (Sulzer, 1776) (Coleoptera Histeridae)585 - Curculio betulae (Stephens, 1831) (Coleoptera Curculionidae)586 - Agrilus (Uragrilus) ater (Linnaeus, 1767) (Coleoptera Buprestidae)587 - Dolicharthria aetnaealis (Duponchel, 1833) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Spilomelinae)588 - Harpalus (Harpalus) atratus Latreille, 1804 (Coleoptera Carabidae)589 - Ctenoplusia accentifera (Lefèbvre, 1827) (Noctuidae Plusiinae)
Knowledge, attitude, and awareness of childhood cancer among undergraduate medical students in South India
Authors: Latha M. Sneha , Chitralakshmi Kumaravel , Ravindran Manipriya , Angeline P. Ravichandran , Kannan Lakshminarayanan , Scott Julius Xavier
Published: April 2015

Background :In India roughly 60000 childhood cancer cases are diagnosed annually with only nearly 100 pediatric oncologists. So it′s pertinent that the physicians and pediatricians are adequately equipped to recognize and refer them appropriately. Hence this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and awareness of childhood cancer among undergraduate medical students in South India. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 240 undergraduate students from all over South India in a undergraduate pediatric clinical training. A 24 point questionnaire was given to assess their understanding of pediatric malignancies and their interest towards pediatric oncology. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 18.V software. Results: 50% were interested in pursuing pediatrics as their career but 80% of them were not interested in pursuing pediatric oncology as their career. 55% of the students have not encountered any pediatric oncology patients in the ward. 40% did not have any lecture classes on pediatric oncology. 65.5% felt that their knowledge of childhood cancer did not make them competent to suspect and refer appropriately during their practice. 84% supported that there is a need to improve pediatric oncology teaching in their medical curriculum. Conclusions : The study unambiguously states that the future physicians lack confidence in identifying and managing childhood malignancies and pediatric oncology is far down in their career options. There is a need to reform the undergraduate medical students by increasing their exposure to pediatric oncology to improve their competence levels and interest in pursuing it as a career also.
Emerging potential of parenteral estrogen as androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Ali Shah Syed Imran
Published: April 2015

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a key management strategy for prostate cancer (PC), achieved commonly by administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa), ADT markedly suppresses both male and female sex hormones which results in "castration syndrome", a constellation of adverse events such as muscle weakness, impairment of glucose and lipid metabolism, impotence, osteoporosis, and fractures. Recent evidence suggests that estrogen, in the parenteral form, may emerge as an alternative to LHRHa as it offers potential benefits of arresting PC growth as well as avoiding some of the estrogen deficiency related toxicities of LHRHa by maintaining endogenous levels of estrogen.
Dexmedetomidine and propofol for cerebral angiography in non-intubated patients: A comparative study
Authors: Banik Sujoy , Kumar Pallav , Prabhakar Hemanshu , Singh Gyaninder
Published: April 2015

Context: Patients posted for cerebral angiography may be restless and drowsy with high chance of inadvertent movements. Aims: The primary objective was to compare the incidence of inadvertent movements between propofol and dexmedetomidine groups. The secondary objectives include comparison of recovery time and characteristics, Steward’s score, and haemodynamic and respiratory parameters between the two groups. Settings and Design: Prospective, randomised, double-blind, pilot study. Materials and Methods: In all, 20 adult uncooperative, drowsy patients were randomised to dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg bolus over 10 minutes followed by 0.3-0.7 μg/kg/hour infusion) or propofol (100 μg/kg/min for 10 minutes followed by 25-75 μg/kg/min infusion). Rate of movement, success of sedation, haemodynamics, respiratory parameters, Steward’s recovery score and recovery time were recorded. Statistical analysis used: Repeated measures of analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney test, independent and paired t-tests, and Fisher test. Results: The median rate of movement was similar (1, P = 0.206) with success of sedation achieved in 7 (70%) patients in Group D and 9 (90%) patients in Group P, which was comparable (P = 0.582). The median recovery time in patients in Group D was 150 (37–764) seconds and in Group P was 128 (54–174) seconds (P = 0.519) with similar Steward’s scores (P = 0.363). Haemodynamics and respiratory variables were well-maintained during loading and maintenance dose infusions in both the groups. Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine is a safe alternative for diagnostic cerebral angiography. Its success of sedation, median rate of movement during the imaging procedure, haemodynamics, respiratory parameters, recovery time and Steward’s recovery score were similar to propofol in our study.
On doubly nonlocal fractional elliptic equations
Authors: Molica Bisci Giovanni , Repovš Dušan D.
Published: April 2015

This work is devoted to the study of the existence of solutions to nonlocal equations involving the fractional Laplacian. These equations have a variational structure and we find a nontrivial solution for them using the Mountain Pass Theorem. To make the nonlinear methods work, some careful analysis of the fractional spaces involved is necessary. In addition, we require rather general assumptions on the local operator. As far as we know, this result is new and represent a fractional version of a classical theorem obtained working with Laplacian equations.