bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MyPMP: A plug-in for implementing the metamodeling approach for project management in small-sized software enterprises
Authors: Garcia Ivan , Pacheco Carla , Arcilla-Cobián Magdalena , Calvo-Manzano Jose
Published: November 2016

Nowadays, with the recurrent demands of high quality, delivery on time and no
extra costs, the task of managing a software project could be extremely
complex for any software enterprise. Furthermore, small-sized software
enterprises face several problems (e.g., lack of knowledge, human and
financial resources, time, and size of staff) that, undoubtedly, make this
task more difficult. In this context, obtaining a simplified version of the
management activities can be a helpful alternative for these enterprises. In
this way, that an inexperienced project manager can define the management
process that best fits with a particular project is not an easy task. Thus,
this paper introduces the metamodeling approach in order to help project
managers to define a process for managing a software project. Therefore, with
the aim to validate its feasibility an add-in program was developed as a part
of a case study. The achieved results show an important reduction in
project?s effort and time needed to develop a new software product.
Process and project alignment methodology: A case-study based analysis
Authors: Martins Paula , da Silva
Published: November 2016

Process descriptions represent high-level plans and do not contain
information necessary for concrete software development projects. Processes
that are unrelated to daily practices or that are hardly mapped to project
practices, cause misalignments between processes and projects. We argue that
software processes should emerge and evolve collaboratively within an
organization. With this propose, this article describes the ProPAM
methodology and explores the details of its static view. We also present a
case study to validate effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The aim of
the case study was to analyse the effects of using ProPAM in a IT
organization.
Slavic lexis denoting human traits and emotions in Elezovic’s dictionary of the Kosovo and Metohija dialect
Authors: Dragicevic Rajna
Published: November 2016

The paper discusses the Slavic lexis denoting human traits and emotions in
Glisa Elezovic?s Dictionary of the Kosovo and Metohija Dialect. The author of
the dictionary collected the material at the very beginning of the 20th
century, which means that the volume presents the lexical material of the
nineteenth century and possibly even earlier (since the material for the
dictionary also comes in part from a written document from the eighteenth
century). The present analysis of the lexis results in a large number of
conclusions with respect to the culture of the nineteenth-century Serbs who
lived in Vucitrn, and in Kosovo in general. Also, it is possible to arrive at
a number of observations concerning the word-formation processes, as well as
the semantic diachronic changes in the Serbian lexis.
The interrogative particle zar - from syntax and semantics to etymology
Authors: Vlajic-Popovic Jasna
Published: November 2016

This paper deals with the Serbian interrogative particle zar/zar/zar ?num,
forsan?, typically positioned at the beginning of a sentence (expressing
surprise, wonder, disbelief, dissent, etc.) or at its end, coupled with ne
and separated by a comma (in guided questions, affirmative and negative
alike: Ti ga (ne) volis, zar ne?), yet also broadly attested in obsolete use
(in the 19-20th-century literature) in modal function, where it is synonymous
to valjda, mozda ?perhaps, maybe?. After a review of the ways zar is treated
in modern Serbian grammars and descriptive dictionaries (including several
dialectal dictionaries), and following research of Macedonian, Bulgarian and
Turkish dictionaries, its etymology is discussed: Skok?s unconvincing
idioglottal interpretation is refuted, and Resetar?s idea is reintroduced
(prevoiusly rejected by Skok, questioned by Elezovic, accepted in the RJA)
that zar, along with its obliterated forms zaer, zajer, zaher, should be
traced back to Turkish zahir adv. ?apparently, clearly, evidently?,
?seemingly, perhaps, maybe?. The semantic-syntactic evolution of the loanword
within the Serbian language is illustrated, and hence the alloglottal
etymology corroborated, by a selection of quotes from folklore and eminent
19-20th-century writers. And finally, as the most likely, the paper offers
the interpretation of this particle as a hybrid formation resulting from
contamination by the Turkisms of an idioglottal zar, which could be related
to archaic Polish za? < PSl. *za-ze.
Examples of expressive prefixation - in the dialectal material of the Banjani, Grahovo and Oputne Rudine Speech
Authors: Bjeletic Marta
Published: November 2016

Expressive prefixes are a specific word-formation category, unknown in
synchronic derivatology. It is about word-formation elements which are
essentially prefixes, but which are not recognised as such in the structure
of the word. They can be isolated only by word-formation and etymological
analysis. In the present paper, this category is studied within the context
of dialectal material provided by J. K. Koprivica?s Dictionary of the
Banjani, Grahovo and Oputne Rudine Speech. It is concluded that the examined
speech contains a considerable number of expressively prefixed forms. Many of
them have developed word families (e.g. ceprljati ?to dig, scratch?, comrgiti
se ?to frown?, kovrijeziti se ?to be angry?, kovrljati ?to roll?, koprciti se
?to show off, boast?, temezgati ?to be slow, sluggish?, totrciti se ?to
swagger?), which testifies to their full integration into the lexical system
of language and high frequency of use. The analysed material corroborates the
statement that the expressive preverbs are a ?productive? word-formation
category in the Serbian language.
The language of the Story of the Sage Ahiqar from Serbian Manuscript No. 53 of the National Library of Serbia
Authors: Kuresevic Marina
Published: November 2016

In terms of homogeneous diglossia, the basic characteristic of the Serbian
mediaeval language situation, the usage of two language systems, Serbian
Church Slavonic and Old Serbian, were clearly functionally demarcated.
However, in some genres they could get closer to each other, could influence
each other and could even interfere with each other. In some texts of
secular character (especially those written in different sociolinguistic
contexts or in peripheral shtokavian dialectal zones) as a result of the
mutual influence of two language systems a hybrid language, a mixture of
Serbian Church Slavonic and Old Serbian (shtokavian) elements, could have
arisen. Narrative texts of non-liturgical character represented a mixed
zone, that is, the texts which could have been written in different types of
language. So far it was confirmed that some texts of this genre could have
been written in high-style Serbian Church Slavonic (e.g. the Barlaam and
Joasaph Romance), the other in its lower functional style (e.g. the Serbian
Alexander Romance), and the third in almost pure Old Serbian (e.g. the
Troy Romance). This paper investigates the phonological, phonetic,
morphological and syntactic features of the Story of the Sage Ahiqar in
order to expand the knowledge about the possibilities of language
realisations in Serbian medieval non-liturgical narrative prose. Analysis
was conducted on the 16th-century transcript from Serbian Manuscript No. 53
of the National library of Serbia, which originated in the west shtokavian
dialectal zone. The results have confirmed the presence of elements
originating both from Serbian Church Slavonic and Old Serbian (shtokavian
vernacular) at every language level without a possibility to say which of
them prevail. The analysis has also shown that the dominant vernacular
features include those of common shtokavian character which had developed
until the 15th century, while those from the later period have not been
noted. Regarding the stylistic aspect, the functional style in this text is
similar to the other narrative texts where traditional language patterns
overlap with patterns characteristic of spoken language or oral
literature.
On conteporary odonyms of Kosovo and Metohija (sociolinguistic aspect)
Authors: Reljic Mitra
Published: November 2016

This paper, based on the analysis of Albanian odonyms in the southern part of
Kosovska Mitrovica and Serbian odonyms in the northern part of Kosovska
Mitrovica, examines the current ideological and political orientations,
differences in regard to cultural and social priorities of residents living
on both sides of the Ibar River, as well as the manner and extent of
abolishing the old and establishing the new town identity. It is established
that odonyms, among other things, play an important role in shaping the
public opinion and value system of the population. The research has shown
that both Albanian and Serbian odonyms are of the commemorative type, and
that Albanian commemorative odonyms primarily consist of names of war and
rebellion participants, whereas Serbian commemorative odonyms are devoted to
cultural dignitaries. Furthermore, although Albanian odonyms considerably
outnumber the Serbian odonym corpus, the latter is characterised by a greater
variety of motifs.
Immobilization of maltase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on thiosulfonate supports
Authors: Mihailovic Mladen , Trbojevic-Ivic Jovana , Banjanac Katarina , Milosavic Nenad , Velickovic Dusan , Carevic Milica , Bezbradica Dejan
Published: November 2016

In this study, two commercial supports (Eupergit? C and Purolite? A109) were
chemically modified in order to introduce thiosulfonate groups, which could
subsequently exclusively react with cysteine residues on enzyme surface.
Thereafter, the immobilization of maltase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae onto
obtained thiosulfonate-activated supports was performed, resulting in high
expressed enzymatic activities (around 50%), while on the other hand,
immobilization on unmodified supports yielded expressed activities less than
5%. Moreover, protein loadings up to 12.3 mg g-1 and immobilized activities
up to 3580 IU g-1 were achieved by employment of theses thiosulfonate
supports. Desorption experiments, performed on samples taken during
immobilization, proved that immobilization on thiosulfonate supports
encompass first step of fast adsorption on support and second slower step of
the covalent bond formation between thiosulfonate groups and thiol groups of
cysteine. More importantly, although enzyme coupling occurs via covalent bond
formation, performed immobilization proved to be reversible, since it was
shown that 95% of immobilized activity can be detached from support after
treatment with thiol reagent (?-mercaptoethanol), thus support can be reused
after enzyme inactivation.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 Could Improve Glucose Regulation and Insulin Sensitivity Through Its RGD Domain
Authors: Haywood Natalie J. , Cordell Paul A. , Tang Kar Yeun , Makova Natallia , Yuldasheva Nadira Y. , Imrie Helen , Viswambharan Hema , Bruns Alexander F. , Cubbon Richard M. , Kearney Mark T. , Wheatcroft Stephen B.
Published: November 2016

Low circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) are associated with insulin resistance and predict the development of type 2 diabetes. IGFBP-1 can affect cellular functions independently of IGF binding through an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) integrin-binding motif. Whether causal mechanisms underlie the favorable association of high IGFBP-1 levels with insulin sensitivity and whether these could be exploited therapeutically remain unexplored. We used recombinant IGFBP-1 and a synthetic RGD-containing hexapeptide in complementary in vitro signaling assays and in vivo metabolic profiling in obese mice to investigate the effects of IGFBP-1 and its RGD domain on insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and whole-body glucose regulation. The RGD integrin-binding domain of IGFBP-1, through integrin engagement, focal adhesion kinase, and integrin-linked kinase, enhanced insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in C2C12 myotubes and INS-1 832/13 pancreatic β-cells. Both acute administration and chronic infusion of an RGD synthetic peptide to obese C57BL/6 mice improved glucose clearance and insulin sensitivity. These favorable effects on metabolic homeostasis suggest that the RGD integrin-binding domain of IGFBP-1 may be a promising candidate for therapeutic development in the field of insulin resistance.
Zonal Isolation in a High Stress Environment: A Case History in Venezuela's In-Situ Combustion Wells
Authors: Brandl Andreas , Bottiglieri Antonio , Han Jiahang , Garcia José
Published: November 2016

For the heavy oil fields of the Orinoco oil belt in Venezuela, a new cementing concept was successfully applied to maintain zonal isolation during long term exposure to temperatures up to 1,202°F (650 °C) in a process called in-situ combustion. These unconventional wells are often associated with weak and unconsolidated formations complicating proper cement placement and the resulting cement sheath must withstand extreme stresses due to the temperature and pressure cycles during the in-situ combustion process.

During a comprehensive lab study API cement based slurries were engineered with high temperature stable aluminosilicate fibers. The corresponding cement specimens were cured and then exposed in a furnace with temperature cycles up to 1,202°F (650 °C) simulating the anticipated wellbore changes. Mechanical properties and permeabilities of these cementing systems were used in a computerized cement-sheath model to evaluate potential failures from stresses during the in-situ combustion process.

The cementing systems containing 50% of the aluminosilicate fiber were suitable to withstand thermal degradation without any visual cracks. The computerized cement-sheath simulations indicated that stresses induced by prompt pressure and temperature changes during the heat cycles are not causing failures for the lead cement sheath which was critical to provide zonal isolation above the combustion zone. The biggest improvement of this thermal shock resistant cementing system towards the corresponding cementing systems not containing the aluminosilicate fibers was the significantly reduced Young's modulus by around -20%, while the tensile strength increased by at least +60% resulting in a desired resilient cement sheath. The actual cement jobs in the field were successfully executed as planned without any losses or incidents. So far, no well integrity issues have been observed since the well was cemented in March 2012 with the following combustion process.

The thermal shock resistant cementing system, based on API cement, has advantageous towards refractory cements (such as high alumina cements) due to economics, ready availability, but in particular because it performs reliably by adjusting the slurry performance with common chemical admixtures and being flexible in design simplifying operations while contributing to a high-quality job.
Slotted Liner Sheathing Coiled Tubing Fishbone Jet Drilling: An Efficient Approach for Coalbed Methane Recovery
Authors: Yang Ruiyue , Huang Zhongwei , Li Gensheng , Sepehrnoori Kamy , Li Kui
Published: November 2016

Fishbone well drilling is an efficient way of exploiting the coalbed methane wells. An innovative coiled tubing drilling technique called "Slotted Liner Sheathing Coiled Tubing" (SLSCT) is designed to further reduce the drilling cycle, prevent the borehole collapse, lower the cost, and improve the production in coalbed methane (CBM) wells. The technique synchronizes the jet drilling and liner running in one trip. The "through tubing operation" could create up to 1½–2%-in diameter laterals at a certain degree to the mother well. The paper presents the jet tool characteristics, jet drilling operation based on the optimum lateral design in the aspect of enhanced Coalbed methane recovery. First, we model the fishbones using a semi-analytical method, originally developed to model gas and water two-phase flow in CBM wells with complex fracture networks. Each fishbone lateral is treated as a fracture with flowing properties equivalent to the laterals. This new approach is used to perform sensitivity analysis and optimize the well patterns in terms of gas and water production performance. Then, based on the simulation results, the interior structure of the deflector and jet drilling tools are designed. Additionally, laboratory tests according to field requirements are conducted to further identify the optimal jet drilling tools configurations and jetting conditions. Properly designed, SLSCT drilling could provide a cost effective alternative to the conventional multilateral drilling, and become an attractive substitute or supplement to hydraulic fracturing in CBM wells.
Population Control in the “Global North”?: Canada's Response to Indigenous Reproductive Rights and Neo-Eugenics
Authors: Dyck Erika , Lux Maureen
Published: November 2016

An historical analysis of reproductive politics in the Canadian North during the 1970s necessitates a careful reading of the local circumstances regarding feminism, sovereignty, language, colonialism, and access to health services, which differed regionally and culturally. These features were conditioned, however, by international discussions on family planning that fixated on the twinned concepts of unchecked population growth and poverty. Language from these debates crept into discussions about reproduction and birth control in northern Canada, producing the state's logic that, despite low population density, the endemic poverty in the North necessitated aggressive family planning measures.
The Moral Unity of Public Law
Authors: Allan TRS
Published: November 2016

Instead of a public law fragmented into discrete departments, we should envisage a unified scheme of constitutional rights and legal standards, expressing a coherent moral theory of the rule of law. That moral theory underpins all legitimate legal orders, properly respectful of human dignity; and common law adjudication is best understood as the working out, according to context, of the practical implications of the theory. An initial focus on more local legal tradition ultimately leads to a broader inquiry about the true demands of human rights and civil liberties, offering the prospect of a larger vision of democratic constitutionalism. While Jeremy Waldron has doubted the similarity between legal analysis and moral reasoning – rejecting an analogy with Rawlsian reflective equilibrium – his view may be contested. A common law judge who attempts to reason morally in the name of the whole society, in the manner suggested by Ronald Dworkin’s theory of integrity, must take account of those legal texts and precedents that political morality makes pertinent. Legal reasoning is simply moral reasoning, attentive to historical and political context.
Regional Evaluation of Bus Rapid Transit With and Without Transit Signal Priority
Authors: Alomari Ahmad H. , Al-Deek Haitham , Sandt Adrian , Rogers John H. , Hussain Omar
Published: November 2016

This paper evaluates the performance of various bus rapid transit (BRT) scenarios with and without transit signal priority (TSP) in improving speeds and reducing travel times and delays on a real-life corridor along International Drive (I-Drive) in Orlando, Florida. This corridor is crucial for the regional economic prosperity of Central Florida. Microsimulation and statistical analysis were used to develop BRT models. The developed models used a variety of data to determine several measures of effectiveness for all vehicles and for buses only. Simulation results showed that TSP and BRT scenarios were effective in reducing travel times (up to 26%) and delays (up to 64%), as well as increasing the speed (up to 47%), compared with the base scenario. The most effective scenarios were achieved by combining BRT and TSP. Unconditional TSP scenarios produced significant crossing street delays, especially at high-traffic intersections, indicating that these scenarios are impractical for implementation and lead one to use the conditional TSP. The developed models with real-life data input are able to predict how proposed enhancements change the studied measures of effectiveness. The BRT models presented in this paper can be used for further sensitivity analysis on a larger regional network in the upcoming regional expansion of the transit system in Central Florida. Since this study demonstrated the operational functionality and effectiveness of BRT and TSP systems in this critical corridor in Central Florida, these systems’ accomplishments can be expanded throughout the state of Florida to provide greater benefits to transit passengers.
Lessons Learned from Field Operational Test of Integrated Network Management in Amsterdam
Authors: Hoogendoorn S. P. , Van Kooten J. , Adams R.
Published: November 2016

The Amsterdam Practical Trial (APT) is a multiyear program initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Transport and the Environment and is carried out in close cooperation by Rijkswaterstaat, the City of Amsterdam, the Province of North Holland, and the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region. The APT aims to integrate innovative roadside and in-car developments networkwide. After the proof of concept was finished in 2009, two parallel tracks started in the Amsterdam region: the roadside track (aiming at an innovative, automated working system with ramp metering and traffic lights) and the in-car track (aiming at individualized travel and traffic information in the car for commuter traffic and for large-event traffic). This paper aims specifically at the innovative APT roadside system. Development of this system began in 2012, with the system becoming operational in April 2014. After all technical and functional tests were completed, the system parameters were tuned and finalized the implementation phase. Starting April 14, 11 weeks were taken to collect the data for the ex post assessment. In doing so, the authors have used an alternating assessment design, implemented by switching the system on and off every week so that a fair comparison could be made. From the collected data, it could be concluded that while the system caused additional delays on the urban network and ramps, the throughput on the freeway arterial was improved. Detailed analysis of the data showed the system performed as expected and which improvements can be made to further increase its effectiveness. These optimizations are discussed, as are the expected effects of implementing them in the system. How they are operationalized in Phase 2 of this innovative project will also be discussed.
Modeling Traffic Incident Duration Using Quantile Regression
Authors: Khattak Asad J. , Liu Jun , Wali Behram , Li Xiaobing , Ng ManWo
Published: November 2016

Traffic incidents occur frequently on urban roadways and cause incident-induced congestion. Predicting incident duration is a key step in managing these events. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models can be estimated to relate the mean of incident duration data with its correlates. Because of the presence of larger incidents, duration distributions are often right-skewed; that is, the OLS model underpredicts the durations of larger incidents. Therefore, this study applies a modeling technique known as quantile regression to predict more accurately the skewed distribution of incident durations. Quantile regression estimates the relationships between correlates and a chosen percentile—for example, the 75th or 95th percentile—while the OLS regression is based on the mean of incident duration. With the use of incident data related to more than 85,000 (2013 to 2015) incidents for highways in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, quantile regression results indicate that the magnitudes of parameters and predictions can be quite different compared with OLS regression. In addition to predicting durations of larger incidents more accurately, quantile regressions can estimate the probability of an incident lasting for a specific duration; for example, incidents involving congestion and delay have an approximately 25% chance of lasting more than 100.8 min, while incidents excluding congestion and delay are estimated to have a 25% chance of lasting more than 43.3 min. Such information is helpful in accurately predicting durations and developing potential applications for using quantile regressions for better traffic incident management.
Spatial Planning versus Realized Construction in Bratislava: Zonal Planning, a Case Study Dúbravka
Authors: Horák Peter
Published: November 2016

The article deals with the implications of the spatial planning process in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The article highlights the need for the formation of zonal plans as a possible solution to the improvement of a certain territory regarding spatial planning. Bratislava, from the perspective of urban planning and design, is a diverse city representing a model for understanding the formation of the urban structure through various political and economic principles. The dynamics of the city’s development after the Second World War was conditioned by new technological and prefabrication constructions, and required new concepts for residential areas that could exceed the geographical barriers; specifically, the Danube River and the Carpathian Mountains, thus enabling further development of the city. In this article, the Carpathian region is presented by a case study of Dúbravka. To understand the developmental process of this area, basic historical, economic, and technical factors are presented. The phases of the realised construction and their comparison with spatial plans show the impacts that affect the functioning of this city part and the city as a whole, to the current day. Positive and negative aspects, potential and new development ideas are described. The existing current spatial plan and the relevant legislation take these aspects into account. The article critically evaluates the current spatial planning methods in the selected area.
Facts and Fears in and around Martin Luther
Authors: Wicks Jared
Published: November 2016

In his recent biography Richard Marius attends above all to Luther’s temperament, which was melancholy and susceptible to haunting fears of death. As the biography breaks off in 1527, Luther is in deep depression and has already published works marred by bitterness and vehemence. The biographer admits his summary judgment that while Luther did bring evangelical freshness to the faith of a few, he contributed to the Reformation precisely the elements that made it catastrophic for the West, as in the religious wars of the century after Luther’s death. Luther, after such a demythologization, can still speak to us about marshaling what talents we have to bring some light to our world. The work presents several aspects of the Church in Luther’s time inaccurately, and on Luther’s theology some of its interpretations also call for correction. But on Luther’s “discovery of the Gospel”, placed in 1519, Marius delineates well the factors exacerbating Luther’s anguish and the flash of light that came from St. Paul as Luther found an evangelical word of consolation and assurance repeatedly communicated in sacramental encounters with Christ. This creates a new dialectic of fear and hope and left Luther still susceptible to depression, especially in reaction to divisions in his own ranks and the many obstacles that blocked smooth implementation of reform.
Eschatology and World Christianity
Authors: Chow Alexander
Published: November 2016

This essay explores the developments of eschatology in world Christianity to show how Christian thought and practice have interacted with various contexts to produce unique understandings of time and history. While a number of geographical contexts will be discussed, this essay argues that there are shared theological themes which transcend geography due to the important role temporality offers to such discussions, in terms of the future, the present and the past. Such developments have involved the reinterpretation of pre-existing traditional and modern idioms, and the engagement with various contextual factors. Moreover, this shows how eschatology should be understood as having a strong corporate dimension. As such, this essay suggests that eschatology must be understood as a Christian doctrine about the communion of saints, who were, who are, and who are to come.
Industrial Hemp in North America: Production, Politics and Potential
Authors: Cherney Jerome , Small Ernest
Published: November 2016

Most of the Western World banned the cultivation of Cannabis sativa in the early 20th century because biotypes high in ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the principal intoxicant cannabinoid) are the source of marijuana. Nevertheless, since 1990, dozens of countries have authorized the licensed growth and processing of “industrial hemp” (cultivars with quite low levels of THC). Canada has concentrated on hemp oilseed production, and very recently, Europe changed its emphasis from fiber to oilseed. The USA, historically a major hemp producer, appears on the verge of reintroducing industrial hemp production. This presentation provides updates on various agricultural, scientific, social, and political considerations that impact the commercial hemp industry in the United States and Canada. The most promising scenario for the hemp industry in North America is a continuing focus on oilseed production, as well as cannabidiol (CBD), the principal non-intoxicant cannabinoid considered by many to have substantial medical potential, and currently in great demand as a pharmaceutical. Future success of the industrial hemp industry in North America is heavily dependent on the breeding of more productive oilseed cultivars, the continued development of consumer goods, reasonable but not overly restrictive regulations, and discouragement of overproduction associated with unrealistic enthusiasm. Changing attitudes have generated an unprecedented demand for the cannabis plant and its products, resulting in urgent needs for new legislative, regulatory, and business frameworks, as well as scientific, technological, and agricultural research.
An Investigation into the Relationship between Owner Knowledge, Diet, and Dental Disease in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Authors: Norman Rosemary , Wills Alison
Published: November 2016

Recent studies have highlighted a high prevalence of dental disease in domestic guinea pigs, yet the aetiology of this multi-factorial disease is still unclear. Factors that have been associated with dental disease include feeding a diet that is high in energy but low in fibre, feeding an insufficiently abrasive diet, a lack of dietary calcium, and genetics. As many of these factors relate to the husbandry requirements of guinea pigs, owner awareness of dietary requirements is of the utmost importance. An online questionnaire was created based on previous research into the husbandry and feeding of rabbits. Guinea pig owners were asked to answer questions on the clinical history of their animals and their diet and management. In total, 150 surveys were completed for 344 guinea pigs, where owners of multiple animals could complete the survey for individuals. According to the owners, 6.7% of guinea pigs had been clinically diagnosed with dental disease, but 16.6% had signs consistent with dental disease. The specific clinical signs of having difficulty eating (Exp(B) = 33.927, Nagelkerke R 2 = 0.301, p < 0.05) and producing fewer or smaller faecal droppings (Exp(B) = 13.733, Nagelkerke R 2 = 0.149, p < 0.05) were predictive for the presence of dental disease. Having access to an outside environment, including the use of runs on both concrete and grass, was significantly related to not displaying clinical signs of dental disease (Exp(B) = 1.894, Nagelkerke R 2 = 0.021, p < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between owner knowledge, guinea pig diet, and dental disease in the study population. This study highlights the importance of access to the outdoors for the health and welfare of guinea pigs in addition to the need for owners to be alert to key clinical signs. A relationship between diet and dental disease was not identified in this study; however, the underlying aetiological causes of this condition require further investigation.
Fractional-Order Identification and Control of Heating Processes with Non-Continuous Materials
Authors: Caponetto Riccardo , Sapuppo Francesca , Tomasello Vincenzo , Maione Guido , Lino Paolo
Published: November 2016

The paper presents a fractional order model of a heating process and a comparison of fractional and standard PI controllers in its closed loop system. Preliminarily, an enhanced fractional order model for the heating process on non-continuous materials has been identified through a fitting algorithm on experimental data. Experimentation has been carried out on a finite length beam filled with three non-continuous materials (air, styrofoam, metal buckshots) in order to identify a model in the frequency domain and to obtain a relationship between the fractional order of the heating process and the different materials’ properties. A comparison between the experimental model and the theoretical one has been performed, proving a significant enhancement of the fitting performances. Moreover the obtained modelling results confirm the fractional nature of the heating processes when diffusion occurs in non-continuous composite materials, and they show how the model’s fractional order can be used as a characteristic parameter for non-continuous materials with different composition and structure. Finally, three different kinds of controllers have been applied and compared in order to keep constant the beam temperature constant at a fixed length.
Effect of Tree Spacing on Tree Level Volume Growth, Morphology, and Wood Properties in a 25-Year-Old Pinus banksiana Plantation in the Boreal Forest of Quebec
Authors: Hébert François , Krause Cornelia , Plourde Pierre-Yves , Achim Alexis , Prégent Guy , Ménétrier Jean
Published: November 2016

The number of planted trees per hectare influences individual volume growth, which in turn can affect wood properties. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of six different plantation spacings of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) 25 years following planting on tree growth, morphology, and wood properties. Stem analyses were performed to calculate annual and cumulative diameter, height, and volume growth. For morphological and wood property measurements several parameters were analyzed: diameter of the largest branch, live crown ratio, wood density, and the moduli of elasticity and rupture on small clear samples. The highest volume growth for individual trees was obtained in the 1111 trees/ha plantation, while the lowest was in the 4444 trees/ha plantation. Wood density and the moduli of elasticity and rupture did not change significantly between the six plantation spacings, but the largest branch diameter was significantly higher in the 1111 trees/ha (3.26 cm mean diameter) compared with the 4444 trees/ha spacing (2.03 cm mean diameter). Based on this study, a wide range of spacing induced little negative effect on the measured wood properties, except for the size of knots. Increasing the initial spacing of jack pine plantations appears to be a good choice if producing large, fast-growing stems is the primary goal, but lumber mechanical and visual properties could be decreased due to the larger branch diameter.
The Indirect Costs of Late-Life Depression in the United States: A Literature Review and Perspective
Authors: Snow Caitlin , Abrams Robert
Published: November 2016

Late-life depression is a leading cause of disability in older adults and is associated with significant economic burden. This article draws from the existing literature and publicly available databases to describe the relative importance of the indirect costs associated with late-life depression. The authors found that unpaid caregiver costs represent the largest component of the indirect costs of late-life depression, with the highest level of economic burden attributed to the majority of care recipients who have fewer depressive symptoms. Other indirect costs, such as productivity losses related to early retirement, reduced ability to fulfill work and family functions and diminished financial success were mostly under-appreciated in the literature. Also, mortality cost estimates provided little clarity, employing variable methodologies and revealing mixed results. With respect to late-life suicide studies, studies approximated both economic costs and savings. More rigorous efforts to evaluate the indirect costs of late-life depression would afford a better understanding of the social and economic toll of this disorder and could influence the allocation of resources for research and treatment.
Promoting Healthy Growth or Feeding Obesity? The Need for Evidence-Based Oversight of Infant Nutritional Supplement Claims
Authors: Lampl Michelle , Mummert Amanda , Schoen Meriah
Published: November 2016

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) model recognizes growth in infancy and childhood as a fundamental determinant of lifespan health. Evidence of long-term health risks among small neonates who subsequently grow rapidly poses a challenge for interventions aiming to support healthy growth, not merely drive weight gain. Defining healthy growth beyond “getting bigger” is essential as infant and young child feeding industries expand. Liquid-based nutritional supplements, originally formulated for undernourished children, are increasingly marketed for and consumed by children generally. Clarifying the nature of the evidentiary base on which structure/function claims promoting “healthy growth” are constructed is important to curb invalid generalizations. Evidence points to changing social beliefs and cultural practices surrounding supplementary feeding, raising specific concerns about the long-term health consequences of an associated altered feeding culture, including reduced dietary variety and weight gain. Reassessing the evidence for and relevance of dietary supplements’ “promoting healthy growth” claims for otherwise healthy children is both needed in a time of global obesity and an opportunity to refine intervention approaches among small children for whom rapid subsequent growth in early life augments risk for chronic disease. Scientific and health care partnerships are needed to consider current governmental oversight shortfalls in protecting vulnerable populations from overconsumption. This is important because we may be doing more harm than good.
Morphological PDEs on Graphs for Image Processing on Surfaces and Point Clouds
Authors: Elmoataz Abderrahim , Lozes François , Talbot Hugues
Published: November 2016

Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)-based morphology offers a wide range of continuous operators to address various image processing problems. Most of these operators are formulated as Hamilton–Jacobi equations or curve evolution level set and morphological flows. In our previous works, we have proposed a simple method to solve PDEs on point clouds using the framework of PdEs (Partial difference Equations) on graphs. In this paper, we propose to apply a large class of morphological-based operators on graphs for processing raw 3D point clouds and extend their applications for the processing of colored point clouds of geo-informatics 3D data. Through illustrations, we show that this simple framework can be used in the resolution of many applications for geo-informatics purposes.
Procyanidin A2 Modulates IL-4-Induced CCL26 Production in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Authors: Coleman Sara , Kruger Marlena , Sawyer Gregory , Hurst Roger
Published: November 2016

Allergic asthma is an inflammatory lung disease that is partly sustained by the chemokine eotaxin-3 (CCL26), which extends eosinophil migration into tissues long after allergen exposure. Modulation of CCL26 could represent a means to mitigate airway inflammation. Here we evaluated procyanidin A2 as a means of modulating CCL26 production and investigated interactions with the known inflammation modulator, Interferon γ (IFNγ). We used the human lung epithelial cell line A549 and optimized the conditions for inducing CCL26. Cells were exposed to a range of procyanidin A2 or IFNγ concentrations for varied lengths of time prior to an inflammatory insult of interleukin-4 (IL-4) for 24 h. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure CCL26 production. Exposing cells to 5 μM procyanidin A2 (prior to IL-4) reduced CCL26 production by 35% compared with control. Greatest inhibition by procyanidin A2 was seen with a 2 h exposure prior to IL-4, whereas IFNγ inhibition was greatest at 24 h. Concomitant incubation of procyanidin A2 and IFNγ did not extend the inhibitory efficacy of procyanidin A2. These data provide evidence that procyanidin A2 can modulate IL-4-induced CCL26 production by A549 lung epithelial cells and that it does so in a manner that is different from IFNγ.
Taking Advantage of Nature’s Gift: Can Endogenous Neural Stem Cells Improve Myelin Regeneration?
Authors: Akkermann Rainer , Jadasz Janusz , Azim Kasum , Küry Patrick
Published: November 2016

Irreversible functional deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS) are directly correlated to axonal damage and loss. Neurodegeneration results from immune-mediated destruction of myelin sheaths and subsequent axonal demyelination. Importantly, oligodendrocytes, the myelinating glial cells of the central nervous system, can be replaced to some extent to generate new myelin sheaths. This endogenous regeneration capacity has so far mainly been attributed to the activation and recruitment of resident oligodendroglial precursor cells. As this self-repair process is limited and increasingly fails while MS progresses, much interest has evolved regarding the development of remyelination-promoting strategies and the presence of alternative cell types, which can also contribute to the restoration of myelin sheaths. The adult brain comprises at least two neurogenic niches harboring life-long adult neural stem cells (NSCs). An increasing number of investigations are beginning to shed light on these cells under pathological conditions and revealed a significant potential of NSCs to contribute to myelin repair activities. In this review, these emerging investigations are discussed with respect to the importance of stimulating endogenous repair mechanisms from germinal sources. Moreover, we present key findings of NSC-derived oligodendroglial progeny, including a comprehensive overview of factors and mechanisms involved in this process.
The Future Prospects of Immune Therapy in Gastric and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shaib Walid , Nammour Jean , Gill Harpaul , Mody Mayur , Saba Nabil
Published: November 2016

The prognosis of esophageal cancers is poor and novel approaches are urgently needed. Despite improvements in outcomes with transtuzumab and ramucirumab, these improvements added an average of only 2 to 3 months with a median overall survival reported to be around 1 year. Comprehensive genomic sequencing has defined some molecular alterations with potential targets, but the majority of patients still do not benefit from druggable targets. Breakthroughs in immune checkpoint blockade have provided new therapeutic options in many cancers. Programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) overexpression, a possible biomarker predicting response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, approaches forty percent in esophageal and gastric cancers. Translational and molecular studies have shown that esophageal cancers are possible candidate malignancies for immune checkpoint inhibition. In this review, we plan to highlight the mechanisms, preclinical, and early clinical data that provide insight on the role of immune therapeutics in esophageal cancers.
Accounting for the Drivers that Degrade and Restore Landscape Functions in Australia
Authors: Thackway Richard , Freudenberger David
Published: November 2016

Assessment and reporting of changes in vegetation condition at site and landscape scales is critical for land managers, policy makers and planers at local, regional and national scales. Land management, reflecting individual and collective values, is used to show historic changes in ecosystem structure, composition and function (regenerative capacity). We address the issue of how the resilience of plant communities changes over time as a result of land management regimes. A systematic framework for assessing changes in resilience based on measurable success criteria and indicators is applied using 10 case studies across the range of Australia’s agro-climate regions. A simple graphical report card is produced for each site showing drivers of change and trends relative to a reference state (i.e., natural benchmark). These reports enable decision makers to quickly understand and assimilate complex ecological processes and their effects on landscape degradation, restoration and regeneration. We discuss how this framework assists decision-makers explain and describe pathways of native vegetation that is managed for different outcomes, including maintenance, replacement, removal and recovery at site and landscape levels. The findings provide sound spatial and temporal insights into reconciling agriculture, conservation and other competing land uses.
(Bi,Sr) (Fe1−x,Mx)O3−δ (M = Co, Ni and Mn) Cathode Materials with Mixed Electro-Ionic Conductivity
Authors: Wei Wen-Cheng , Huang Der-Rong , Wang Dan
Published: November 2016

(Bi,Sr)FeO3−δ (BSF) cathode materials doped with either Co, Ni or Mn are synthesized by an ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA)-citrate complexing method, and the effects of the doping level on the mixed electronic-ionic conductivity at various temperatures are studied up to 800 °C. The phase purity and solid solution limit are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ionic conductivity is measured by the four-probe direct current (DC) method, the valence state of Fe and Mn by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the oxygen non-stoichiometry by differential thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The doped ferrites show interesting electronic conductivity dependent on the testing temperature, implying two conductive mechanisms, either controlled by double exchange at lower temperatures or small polaron (electron-oxygen vacancy) conduction at temperatures greater than 400 °C. The results of Co-doped BSF (S50C20) show the best mixed conductivity among the ferrites, and this is used to assemble cells. The cell with a S50C20 cathode in the region of 600–800 °C is improved by 15% in maximum power density greater than the cell with La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) due to the balanced contribution from oxygen ions, vacancies and electrons.
Special Issue “Molecular Engineering for Electrochemical Power Sources”
Authors: Manzhos Sergei
Published: November 2016

Electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies are expected to play an increasingly prominent role in the production and consumption of electricity in the coming decades.[...]
Recent Advances in Chiral Nematic Structure and Iridescent Color of Cellulose Nanocrystal Films
Authors: Gray Derek
Published: November 2016

One unique property of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) is their property of forming suspensions with chiral nematic order. This order can be preserved in films cast from the suspensions, raising the possibility of applications as photonic materials and templates. However, it has proved difficult to generate uniform, well-ordered chiral nematic materials from CNC. Recently, the importance of kinetic arrest due to gel formation in the later stages of evaporation has been recognized as a key step in film formation. In this brief review, recent developments regarding the structure of chiral nematic suspensions and films as monitored by polarized light microscopy are outlined, and attention is drawn to the importance of shear forces on the self-organization process.