bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
18F-FDG PET/CT Findings in Acute Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Mimicking Malignant Lymphoma
Authors: Ørbæk Mathilde , Graff Jesper , Markova Elena , Kronborg Gitte , Lebech Anne-Mette
Published: May 2016

We present a case demonstrating the diagnostic work-up and follow-up of a patient with acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in which the clinical picture and imaging on 18F-FDG PET/CT mimicked malignant lymphoma. Follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT scan in the patient performed 7 weeks after the abnormal scan revealed complete resolution of the metabolically active disease in the neck, axillas, lung hili, and spleen. This case highlights inflammation as one of the most well established false positives when interpreting 18F-FDG PET/CT scans.
Comparing the Models of Steepest Entropy Ascent Quantum Thermodynamics, Master Equation and the Difference Equation for a Simple Quantum System Interacting with Reservoirs
Authors: Smith Charles
Published: May 2016

There is increasing interest concerning the details about how quantum systems interact with their surroundings. A number of methodologies have been used to describe these interactions, including Master Equations (ME) based on a system-plus-reservoir (S + R) approach, and more recently, Steepest Entropy Ascent Quantum Thermodynamics (SEAQT) which asserts that entropy is a fundamental physical property and that isolated quantum systems that are not at stable equilibrium may spontaneously relax without environmental influences. In this paper, the ME, SEAQT approaches, and a simple linear difference equation (DE) model are compared with each other and experimental data in order to study the behavior of a single trapped ion as it interacts with one or more external heat reservoirs. The comparisons of the models present opportunities for additional study to verify the validity and limitations of these approaches.
Fatiguing Effects on the Multi-Scale Entropy of Surface Electromyography in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Hong Tong , Zhang Xu , Ma Hongjun , Chen Yan , Chen Xiang
Published: May 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of muscle fatigue on the multi-scale entropy of surface electromyography (EMG) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typical development (TD). Sixteen CP children and eighteen TD children participated in experiments where they performed upper limb cyclic lifting tasks following a muscle fatiguing process, while the surface EMG signals were recorded from their upper trapezius muscles. Multi-scale entropy (MSE) analyses of the surface EMG were applied by calculating sample entropy (SampEn) on individual intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) adaptively generated by empirical mode decomposition (EMD) of the original signal. The declining degree of the resultant MSE curve was found to reflect muscle fatigue level for all subjects, with its slope (purposely calculated over the first four scales) increasing significantly as the fatigue level increased. Further, such a slope increase was less significant for CP children as compared with TD children. Our findings confirmed that the decrease of muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) and the increase of motor unit synchronization may be two possible factors induced by muscle fatigue, and further indicated that there appear to be some neuromuscular changes (such as MFCV decrease, motor unit synchronization increase, motor unit firing rates reduction, selective loss of larger motor units) that occur as a result of cerebral palsy. These changes may account for experimentally observed difference in fatiguing effects between subject groups. Our study provides an investigative tool to assess muscle fatigue as well as to help reveal complex neuropathological changes underlying the motor impairments of CP children.
Joining Criteria for Harmonizing European Forest Available for Wood Supply Estimates. Case Studies from National Forest Inventories
Authors: Fischer Christoph , Gasparini Patrizia , Nylander Martin , Redmond John , Hernandez Laura , Brändli Urs-Beat , Pastor Alejandro , Rizzo Maria , Alberdi Iciar
Published: May 2016

For national and international reporting on forest available for wood supply (FAWS), harmonized data are needed. This information is required as forests provide goods for various sectors like the timber industry or the bioenergy sector. The effect of applying different thresholds to the three restriction classes (environmental, social and economic restriction) within the proposed reference definition for FAWS was evaluated. We applied the reference definition for FAWS to national data sets provided by five European National Forest Inventories using harmonized thresholds. The effects on FAWS area and growing stock were evaluated for each restriction and threshold. All countries within this study could report on protected areas. Social restrictions were not applied in any country, data on other restrictions are available but definitions vary. The application of common thresholds for restrictions proved difficult as effects vary between countries. The economic restriction is the most challenging to assess as many countries do not have corresponding data for direct calculation of, e.g., harvesting costs. Using proxies for harvesting costs was difficult, as common thresholds may not be applied in different countries. For standardized reporting, a FAWS definition should be developed that utilizes existing, harmonized indicators to describe restrictions.
What Are the Impacts of Deforestation on the Harvest of Non-Timber Forest Products in Central Africa?
Authors: Gillet Pauline , Vermeulen Cédric , Doucet Jean-Louis , Codina Elisabet , Lehnebach Charlotte , Feintrenie Laurène
Published: May 2016

The objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of forest transition on non-timber forest product (NTFP) harvesting in Central Africa. We analyze the evolution of several parameters, including distance from NTFP harvest site to road, proportion of dietary intake and villagers’ incomes. The research is based on field surveys, participatory mapping and the geolocation of activities in three study sites representing different stages along the Mather’s forest transition curve: (i) intact forest; (ii) partially degraded forest; and (iii) small areas of degraded forest with plantations of useful trees. The results show that the maximum distance from harvest site to road is higher in Site 2 compared to Site 1 as a consequence of a lower availability of NTFPs; and that this distance is significantly lower in Site 3 due to a drastically smaller village territory. The diversity of bushmeat decreases as game evolves from large to small species, commensurate with the progression of forest transition. As a consequence, there is also a reduction in the proportion of these products represented both in household dietary intake and cash income. This analysis establishes a strong link between the Mather’s forest transition curve and a decline in the importance of NTFPs in village production and livelihoods.
Enhancing Spatio-Temporal Identity: States of Existence and Presence
Authors: Hallot Pierre , Billen Roland
Published: May 2016

This work presents a new approach that aims to characterize the spatio-temporal relationships that exist between geographical objects that are absent or non-existent at the moment of analysis. First, we would like to propose a formal analysis of the spatio-temporal states of presence and existence of a geographical object. We will then use a combination of these states in order to define a set of life and motion configurations. The model developed then serves as a formal basis for the realization of a series of spatio-temporal queries based on an analysis of patterns in the succession of spatio-temporal states. The entire approach is then demonstrated by using the example of the organization of a scientific conference by defining the spatio-temporal relationships between the conference participants. The research methodology is finally compared with a real dataset taken from a geolocalized social network to show the efficiency of this type of management.
Identification of More Feasible MicroRNA–mRNA Interactions within Multiple Cancers Using Principal Component Analysis Based Unsupervised Feature Extraction
Authors: Taguchi Y-h.
Published: May 2016

MicroRNA(miRNA)–mRNA interactions are important for understanding many biological processes, including development, differentiation and disease progression, but their identification is highly context-dependent. When computationally derived from sequence information alone, the identification should be verified by integrated analyses of mRNA and miRNA expression. The drawback of this strategy is the vast number of identified interactions, which prevents an experimental or detailed investigation of each pair. In this paper, we overcome this difficulty by the recently proposed principal component analysis (PCA)-based unsupervised feature extraction (FE), which reduces the number of identified miRNA–mRNA interactions that properly discriminate between patients and healthy controls without losing biological feasibility. The approach is applied to six cancers: hepatocellular carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, colorectal/colon cancer and breast cancer. In PCA-based unsupervised FE, the significance does not depend on the number of samples (as in the standard case) but on the number of features, which approximates the number of miRNAs/mRNAs. To our knowledge, we have newly identified miRNA–mRNA interactions in multiple cancers based on a single common (universal) criterion. Moreover, the number of identified interactions was sufficiently small to be sequentially curated by literature searches.
Regulatory Networks that Direct the Development of Specialized Cell Types in the Drosophila Heart
Authors: Lovato TyAnna , Cripps Richard
Published: May 2016

The Drosophila cardiac tube was once thought to be a simple linear structure, however research over the past 15 years has revealed significant cellular and molecular complexity to this organ. Prior reviews have focused upon the gene regulatory networks responsible for the specification of the cardiac field and the activation of cardiac muscle structural genes. Here we focus upon highlighting the existence, function, and development of unique cell types within the dorsal vessel, and discuss their correspondence to analogous structures in the vertebrate heart.
Effective Degradation of Aqueous Tetracycline Using a Nano-TiO2/Carbon Electrocatalytic Membrane
Authors: Liu Zhimeng , Zhu Mengfu , Wang Zheng , Wang Hong , Deng Cheng , Li Kui
Published: May 2016

In this work, an electrocatalytic membrane was prepared to degrade aqueous tetracycline (TC) using a carbon membrane coated with nano-TiO2 via a sol-gel process. SEM, XRD, EDS, and XPS were used to characterize the composition and structure of the electrocatalytic membrane. The effect of operating conditions on the removal rate of tetracycline was investigated systematically. The results show that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate increased with increasing residence time while it decreased with increasing the initial concentration of tetracycline. Moreover, pH had little effect on the removal of tetracycline, and the electrocatalytic membrane could effectively remove tetracycline with initial concentration of 50 mg·L−1 (pH, 3.8–9.6). The 100% tetracycline and 87.8% COD removal rate could be achieved under the following operating conditions: tetracycline concentration of 50 mg·L−1, current density of 1 mA·cm−2, temperature of 25 °C, and residence time of 4.4 min. This study provides a new and feasible method for removing antibiotics in water with the synergistic effect of electrocatalytic oxidation and membrane separation. It is evident that there will be a broad market for the application of electrocatalytic membrane in the field of antibiotic wastewater treatment.
A New Algorithm for the Numerical Solution of Telegraph Equations by Using Fibonacci Polynomials
Authors: Kurt Bahşı Ayşe , Yalçınbaş Salih
Published: May 2016

In this study, we present a numerical scheme to solve the telegraph equation by using Fibonacci polynomials. This method is based on the Fibonacci collocation method which transforms the equation into a matrix equation, and the unknown of this equation is a Fibonacci coefficients matrix. Some numerical examples with comparisons are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed method. The results show the efficiency and accuracy of this paper.
Effects of Basicity and MgO in Slag on the Behaviors of Smelting Vanadium Titanomagnetite in the Direct Reduction-Electric Furnace Process
Authors: Jiang Tao , Wang Shuai , Guo Yufeng , Chen Feng , Zheng Fuqiang
Published: May 2016

The effects of basicity and MgO content on reduction behavior and separation of iron and slag during smelting vanadium titanomagnetite by electric furnace were investigated. The reduction behaviors affect the separation of iron and slag in the direct reduction-electric furnace process. The recovery rates of Fe, V, and Ti grades in iron were analyzed to determine the effects of basicity and MgO content on the reduction of iron oxides, vanadium oxides, and titanium oxides. The chemical compositions of vanadium-bearing iron and main phases of titanium slag were detected by XRF and XRD, respectively. The results show that the higher level of basicity is beneficial to the reduction ofiron oxides and vanadium oxides, and titanium content dropped in molten iron with the increasing basicity. As the content of MgO increased, the recovery rate of Fe increased slightly but the recovery rate of V increased considerably. The grades of Ti in molten iron were at a low level without signiﬁcant change when MgO content was below 11%, but increased as MgO content increased to 12.75%. The optimum conditions for smelting vanadium titanomagnetite were about 11.38% content of MgO and quaternary basicity was about 1.10. The product, vanadium-bearing iron, can be applied in the converter steelmaking process, and titanium slag containing 50.34% TiO2 can be used by the acid leaching method.
A Rapid Micromixer for Centrifugal Microfluidic Platforms
Authors: Cai Ziliang , Xiang Jiwen , Chen Hualing , Wang Wanjun
Published: May 2016

This paper presents an innovative mixing technology for centrifugal microfluidic platforms actuated using a specially designed flyball governor. The multilayer microfluidic disc was fabricated using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) replica molding process with a soft lithography technique. The operational principle is based on the interaction between the elastic covering membrane and an actuator pin installed on the flyball governor system. The flyball governor was used as the transducer to convert the rotary motion into a reciprocating linear motion of the pin pressing against the covering membrane of the mixer chamber. When the rotation speed of the microfluidic disc was periodically altered, the mixing chamber was compressed and released accordingly. In this way, enhanced active mixing can be achieved with much better efficiency in comparison with diffusive mixing.
Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response
Authors: Mlcek Jiri , Jurikova Tunde , Skrovankova Sona , Sochor Jiri
Published: May 2016

Quercetin is the great representative of polyphenols, flavonoids subgroup, flavonols. Its main natural sources in foods are vegetables such as onions, the most studied quercetin containing foods, and broccoli; fruits (apples, berry crops, and grapes); some herbs; tea; and wine. Quercetin is known for its antioxidant activity in radical scavenging and anti-allergic properties characterized by stimulation of immune system, antiviral activity, inhibition of histamine release, decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, leukotrienes creation, and suppresses interleukin IL-4 production. It can improve the Th1/Th2 balance, and restrain antigen-specific IgE antibody formation. It is also effective in the inhibition of enzymes such as lipoxygenase, eosinophil and peroxidase and the suppression of inflammatory mediators. All mentioned mechanisms of action contribute to the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties of quercetin that can be effectively utilized in treatment of late-phase, and late-late-phase bronchial asthma responses, allergic rhinitis and restricted peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions. Plant extract of quercetin is the main ingredient of many potential anti-allergic drugs, supplements and enriched products, which is more competent in inhibiting of IL-8 than cromolyn (anti-allergic drug disodium cromoglycate) and suppresses IL-6 and cytosolic calcium level increase.
High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Cambodian Women: A Common Deficiency in a Sunny Country
Authors: Smith Geoffry , Wimalawansa Sunil , Laillou Arnaud , Sophonneary Prak , Un Samoeurn , Hong Rathavuth , Poirot Etienne , Kuong Khov , Chamnan Chhoun , De los Reyes Francisco , Wieringa Frank
Published: May 2016

Recent studies have shown that in spite of being generally close to the equator; vitamin D deficiency is common in South East Asian countries. In order to quantify micronutrient status for women and children in Cambodia; a nationally-representative survey was conducted in 2014 linked to the Cambodian Demographic Health Survey. The countrywide median of 25(OH)D was, respectively, 64.9 and 91.1 nmol/L for mothers and children. Based on The Endocrine Society cutoffs (>50<75 nmol/L = insufficiency; ≤50 nmol/L = deficiency); 64.6% of mothers and 34.8% of their children had plasma vitamin D concentrations indicating insufficiency or deficiency. For deficiency alone, 29% of the mothers were found to be vitamin D deficient, but only 13.4% of children. Children who live in urban areas had a 43% higher rate of vitamin D insufficiency versus those who live in rural areas (OR; 1.434; 95% CI: 1.007; 2.041). However, such differences were not observed in their mothers. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is likely in part due to lifestyle choices, including sun avoidance, increasingly predominant indoor work, and covered transport. These survey findings support the need for a broader national Cambodian study incorporating testing of adult men, adolescents and the elderly, and encompassing other parameters such as skeletal health. However, the data presented in this study already show significant deficiencies which need to be addressed and we discuss the benefit of establishing nationally-mandated food fortification programs to enhance the intake of vitamin D.
An Efficient Seam Elimination Method for UAV Images Based on Wallis Dodging and Gaussian Distance Weight Enhancement
Authors: Tian Jinyan , Li Xiaojuan , Duan Fuzhou , Wang Junqian , Ou Yang
Published: May 2016

The rapid development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote sensing conforms to the increasing demand for the low-altitude very high resolution (VHR) image data. However, high processing speed of massive UAV data has become an indispensable prerequisite for its applications in various industry sectors. In this paper, we developed an effective and efficient seam elimination approach for UAV images based on Wallis dodging and Gaussian distance weight enhancement (WD-GDWE). The method encompasses two major steps: first, Wallis dodging was introduced to adjust the difference of brightness between the two matched images, and the parameters in the algorithm were derived in this study. Second, a Gaussian distance weight distribution method was proposed to fuse the two matched images in the overlap region based on the theory of the First Law of Geography, which can share the partial dislocation in the seam to the whole overlap region with an effect of smooth transition. This method was validated at a study site located in Hanwang (Sichuan, China) which was a seriously damaged area in the 12 May 2008 enchuan Earthquake. Then, a performance comparison between WD-GDWE and the other five classical seam elimination algorithms in the aspect of efficiency and effectiveness was conducted. Results showed that WD-GDWE is not only efficient, but also has a satisfactory effectiveness. This method is promising in advancing the applications in UAV industry especially in emergency situations.
Classification of Horse Gaits Using FCM-Based Neuro-Fuzzy Classifier from the Transformed Data Information of Inertial Sensor
Authors: Lee Jae-Neung , Lee Myung-Won , Byeon Yeong-Hyeon , Lee Won-Sik , Kwak Keun-Chang
Published: May 2016

In this study, we classify four horse gaits (walk, sitting trot, rising trot, canter) of three breeds of horse (Jeju, Warmblood, and Thoroughbred) using a neuro-fuzzy classifier (NFC) of the Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) type from data information transformed by a wavelet packet (WP). The design of the NFC is accomplished by using a fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm that can solve the problem of dimensionality increase due to the flexible scatter partitioning. For this purpose, we use the rider’s hip motion from the sensor information collected by inertial sensors as feature data for the classification of a horse’s gaits. Furthermore, we develop a coaching system under both real horse riding and simulator environments and propose a method for analyzing the rider’s motion. Using the results of the analysis, the rider can be coached in the correct motion corresponding to the classified gait. To construct a motion database, the data collected from 16 inertial sensors attached to a motion capture suit worn by one of the country’s top-level horse riding experts were used. Experiments using the original motion data and the transformed motion data were conducted to evaluate the classification performance using various classifiers. The experimental results revealed that the presented FCM-NFC showed a better accuracy performance (97.5%) than a neural network classifier (NNC), naive Bayesian classifier (NBC), and radial basis function network classifier (RBFNC) for the transformed motion data.
A High Sensitivity IDC-Electronic Tongue Using Dielectric/Sensing Membranes with Solvatochromic Dyes
Authors: Khan Md. , Khalilian Alireza , Kang Shin-Won
Published: May 2016

In this paper, an electronic tongue/taste sensor array containing different interdigitated capacitor (IDC) sensing elements to detect different types of tastes, such as sweetness (glucose), saltiness (NaCl), sourness (HCl), bitterness (quinine-HCl), and umami (monosodium glutamate) is proposed. We present for the first time an IDC electronic tongue using sensing membranes containing solvatochromic dyes. The proposed highly sensitive (30.64 mV/decade sensitivity) IDC electronic tongue has fast response and recovery times of about 6 s and 5 s, respectively, with extremely stable responses, and is capable of linear sensing performance (R2 ≈ 0.985 correlation coefficient) over the wide dynamic range of 1 µM to 1 M. The designed IDC electronic tongue offers excellent reproducibility, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of about 0.029. The proposed device was found to have better sensing performance than potentiometric-, cascoded compatible lateral bipolar transistor (C-CLBT)-, Electronic Tongue (SA402)-, and fiber-optic-based taste sensing systems in what concerns dynamic range width, response time, sensitivity, and linearity. Finally, we applied principal component analysis (PCA) to distinguish between various kinds of taste in mixed taste compounds.
Potential for Eco-Industrial Park Development in Moncton, New Brunswick (Canada): A Comparative Analysis
Authors: LeBlanc Rachelle , Tranchant Carole , Gagnon Yves , Côté Raymond
Published: May 2016

Eco-industrial development projects are increasingly popular because of their ability to transform the traditional model of industrial parks into more sustainable forms of economic development. Still, few industrial parks worldwide have achieved the high degree of eco-transformation that characterizes eco-industrial parks (EIPs). Assessing the potential for eco-industrial development at the park or regional scale is an important step towards this goal. This study aimed to assess the potential for ecological development of a growing industrial park (Caledonia Industrial Estates (CIE), province of New Brunswick, Canada) following the principles of industrial ecology. A baseline survey of CIE businesses was conducted. The results were compared to results from similar assessments in three other industrial parks across Canada, located in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The main categories used for comparison were business variety and size, public transportation, green spaces, energy and material use, and environmental management organization. While showing that CIE has EIP potential, the results revealed similarities and differences between the industrial parks studied, some of which were related to barriers limiting the efficient use and sharing of resources. One way that was identified that could help CIE incorporate eco-industrial activities into their operations would be the appointment of an environmental management organization or a shared environmental manager. Strategies to foster EIP development, in general, are also identified. These findings, based on actual business experiences, can help determine which actions and activities are suitable for CIE and other business communities that consider eco-industrial development as their next phase. They are particularly relevant to industrial parks in a development or redevelopment phase.
Two Novel Dermaseptin-Like Antimicrobial Peptides with Anticancer Activities from the Skin Secretion of Pachymedusa dacnicolor
Authors: Shi Daning , Hou Xiaojuan , Wang Lei , Gao Yitian , Wu Di , Xi Xinping , Zhou Mei , Kwok Hang , Duan Jinao , Chen Tianbao , Shaw Chris
Published: May 2016

The dermaseptin antimicrobial peptide family contains members of 27–34 amino acids in length that have been predominantly isolated from the skins/skin secretions of phyllomedusine leaf frogs. By use of a degenerate primer in Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR designed to a common conserved domain within the 5′-untranslated regions of previously-characterized dermaseptin encoding cDNAs, two novel members of this peptide family, named dermaseptin-PD-1 and dermaseptin-PD-2, were identified in the skin secretion of the phyllomedusine frog, Pachymedusa dacnicolor. The primary structures of both peptides were predicted from cloned cDNAs, as well as being confirmed by mass spectral analysis of crude skin secretion fractions resulted from reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Chemically-synthesized replicates of dermaseptin-PD-1 and dermaseptin-PD-2 were investigated for antimicrobial activity using standard model microorganisms (Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and a yeast) and for cytotoxicity using mammalian red blood cells. The possibility of synergistic effects between the two peptides and their anti-cancer cell proliferation activities were assessed. The peptides exhibited moderate to high inhibition against the growth of the tested microorganisms and cancer cell lines with low haemolytic activity. Synergistic interaction between the two peptides in inhibiting the proliferation of Escherichia coli and human neuronal glioblastoma cell line, U251MG was also manifested.
Coliphages as Model Organisms in the Characterization and Management of Water Resources
Authors: Jofre Juan , Lucena Francisco , Blanch Anicet , Muniesa Maite
Published: May 2016

Two groups of bacteriophages that infect Escherichia coli, somatic and F-specific coliphages, have been used in academia as both fecal and viral indicators for many years. Regulatory authorities in different parts of the world are beginning to consider coliphages as indicators of water quality in a range of settings. However, issues such as their potential replication in natural water environments, the cumbersome detection and enumeration methods, a lack of definition concerning which of the two groups should be included in future regulations, and the lack of a clear correlation between coliphages and human viruses and health risks in different water settings remain controversial. This review attempts to shed some light on these contentious issues. The conclusions are that: 1) supposing that they can replicate in some natural water settings, the contribution of coliphages replicated outside the gut will not affect the numbers contributed by fecal pollution and detected by strains recommended for standardized methods; 2) there are easy, fast, and cost-effective methods that can be used in routine laboratories after a little training; 3) perhaps the best option is to determine both groups in a single step; and 4) the low correlation of coliphages with human viruses and health risks is no worse than the correlation between different human viruses.
COMET 322P/SOHO 1: AN ASTEROID WITH THE SMALLEST PERIHELION DISTANCE?*
Authors: Knight Matthew M. , Fitzsimmons Alan , Kelley Michael S. P. , Snodgrass Colin
Published: May 2016

We observed comet 322P/SOHO 1 (P/1999 R1) from the ground and with the Spitzer Space Telescope when it was between 2.2 and 1.2 au from the Sun. These are the first observations of any Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)-discovered periodic comet by a non-solar observatory and allow us to investigate its behavior under typical cometary circumstances. 322P appeared inactive in all images. Its light curve suggests a rotation period of 2.8 ± 0.3 hr and has an amplitude ≳0.3 mag, implying a density of at least 1000 kg m−3, considerably higher than that of any known comet. It has average colors of

g

′

−

r

′

=
0.52
±
0.04

and

r

′

−

i

′

=
0.03
±
0.06

. We converted these to Johnson colors and found that the V − R color is consistent with average cometary colors, but R − I is somewhat bluer; these colors are most similar to V- and Q-type asteroids. Modeling of the optical and IR photometry suggests it has a diameter of 150–320 m and a geometric albedo of 0.09–0.42, with diameter and albedo inversely related. Our upper limits to any undetected coma are still consistent with a sublimation lifetime shorter than the typical dynamical lifetimes for Jupiter-family comets. These results suggest that 322P may be of asteroidal origin and only active in the SOHO fields of view via processes different from the volatile-driven activity of traditional comets. If so, it has the smallest perihelion distance of any known asteroid.
ON THE DETECTION OF NON-TRANSITING HOT JUPITERS IN MULTIPLE-PLANET SYSTEMS
Authors: Millholland Sarah , Wang Songhu , Laughlin Gregory
Published: May 2016

We outline a photometric method for detecting the presence of a non-transiting short-period giant planet in a planetary system harboring one or more longer-period transiting planets. Within a prospective system of the type that we consider, a hot Jupiter on an interior orbit inclined to the line of sight signals its presence through approximately sinusoidal full-phase photometric variations in the stellar light curve, correlated with astrometrically induced transit timing variations for exterior transiting planets. Systems containing a hot Jupiter along with a low-mass outer planet or planets on inclined orbits are a predicted hallmark of in situ accretion for hot Jupiters, and their presence can thus be used to test planetary formation theories. We outline the prospects for detecting non-transiting hot Jupiters using photometric data from typical Kepler objects of interest (KOIs). As a demonstration of the technique, we perform a brief assessment of Kepler candidates and identify a potential non-transiting hot Jupiter in the KOI-1822 system. Candidate non-transiting hot Jupiters can be readily confirmed with a small number of Doppler velocity observations, even for stars with V ≳ 14.
Constipation in Children: A Practical Review
Authors: Madani Shailender , Tsang Lisa , Kamat Deepak
Published: May 2016

Pediatricians and other child care providers manage a large number of children with constipation, a recurrent medical problem that is frustrating to patients, their care givers, and the health care providers themselves. Most often the constipation in children is functional in nature, and only a very small percentage of patients have an organic cause for it. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, causes, evaluation, and management of children with functional constipation.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2016;45(5):e189–e196.]
Corps publics, paroles publiques
Authors: Majdouli Zineb
Published: May 2016

L’enquête, dont je présente les résultats, porte sur les manifestations du 20 février marocain et s’étend sur la période de février 2012 à mars 2013. Elle a la particularité de considérer ce mouvement social dans une période où « la voix » des contestataires est plus faible, médiatiquement comme dans l’espace urbain. Celui-ci traverse en effet une crise après l’effervescence remarquable de février 2011, date du début des contestations. Toutefois, les rues sont toujours investies à un rythme régulier par les manifestants. Je cherche à mettre en lumière les moyens verbaux et non verbaux ayant pour but de « rester dans la rue », de signifier une présence maintenue dans l’espace public. Et j’analyse cette expérience de la présence manifestante par le corps et la voix au moment de son déclin. Mamfakinch, un des slogans les plus importants du mouvement veut précisément dire « nous ne céderons pas ».
Améliorer l’apprentissage et l’alternance entre l’école et le monde du travail
Authors: Rapallini Marta
Published: May 2016

Ces dernières années, l’éducation et la formation professionnelle en Italie ont été l’objet de réformes qui ont renforcé le rôle des régions tout en créant de nouveaux parcours de qualification. Il en résulte un cadre très différent entre les différentes régions, autant en termes de qualité que d’objectifs, et dans de nombreux cas une intégration insuffisante avec le monde du travail. Les réformes les plus récentes, qui concernent autant l’école que le monde du travail, cherchent à combler ces lacunes par la construction de parcours communs, tout en donnant un rôle central au système scolaire, en améliorant l’apprentissage et l’alternance entre l’école et le monde du travail.
L’enseignement professionnel au cœur des innovations
Authors: Rage Michel
Published: May 2016

L’enseignement technique et professionnel se caractérise en France par sa complexité. Puisant ses racines dans l’histoire politique et sociale, il exprime les tensions entre les différents acteurs impliqués : État, patronat et syndicats. L’entreprise est omniprésente dans le paysage de la formation professionnelle et les branches sont les acteurs principaux de la construction des diplômes : elles conçoivent, délivrent et financent leurs propres certifications. La création du baccalauréat professionnel et sa durée de formation réduite à trois ans ont permis la recomposition territoriale de l’offre diplômante, enrayé la chute des effectifs et donné une image plus positive de la voie professionnelle, en permettant un meilleur accès à la poursuite d’études, principalement en section de technicien supérieur. La création des lycées polyvalents, porteurs de mixité sociale, est un signe de l’inscription de la formation professionnelle dans l’environnement scolaire.
Un besoin mondial d’enseignement supérieur professionnel court
Authors: Majid Zayer El
Published: May 2016

Malgré des difficultés persistantes, le système d’enseignement supérieur professionnel court au Maroc bénéficie aujourd’hui d’un climat favorable car il répond en partie à des besoins d’une économie en constante évolution et permet, dans un contexte de fort chômage des jeunes diplômés de l’enseignement supérieur, d’offrir des opportunités d’emploi et d’insertion aux sortants. Le pays s’est engagé dans un processus continu de réformes politiques, économiques et sociales avec le déploiement de plans stratégiques sectoriels. La formation professionnelle doit encore relever quelques défis : la réorganisation de la politique d’orientation et d’information destinée aux jeunes et à leurs familles ainsi que la mise en place d’un observatoire des emplois et des qualifications.
Arts and Branches of Science Significantly Contributing to Cyber and Cyber Security
Authors: Jaitner Margarita Levin , MacDermott Áine
Published: May 2016

Academia plays an important role in shaping a country's cyber readiness. In the past years, nations have started investing in new cyber-related programs at colleges and universities. This also includes promoting academic exchange with partner countries, as well as putting effort into improved cooperation between industries and scholars in the area of cyber. In many cases the efforts focus largely on computer science and closely related branches of science. However, the very nature of the cyberspace as both a continuation and a reflection of the physical world require a broader perspective on academic assets required to create and sustain sound cyber defines capabilities. Acknowledging this premise, this paper sets out to map branches of science that significantly contribute to the domain known as ‘cyber' and searches for new aspects for further development.
Content Elements for Web-Based Health Promotion
Authors: Noman Marwan , Koo Ah Choo , Tee Sim Hui
Published: May 2016

This paper provides an analysis of the basic elements required for health promotion based on digital content. It covers the feedback from the respondents involved in a pilot study type; content interventions were examined among the respondents to analyze the most required content elements for health promotion programs for workplace community. These elements should be focused on to highlight the importance of content quality and interactivity features for health promoters using technology solutions to provide digital content. The findings of this research has attracted the interest of policy makers associates in Malaysia to engage with the research team to enhance the quality of content provided to the Malaysian society.
Mobile Phone Purchasing and Brand Presence on Facebook
Authors: Ardley Barry , Hardwick Jialin , Delarue Lauriane , Taylor Nick
Published: May 2016

Focusing on the mobile phones sector, this study explores how the social networking site ‘Facebook' is used by consumers in their purchasing. Although there is extensive work on the influences on the buying decision process relevant to mobile phone purchasing, it is mainly set outside of a social media context. This paper assists in filling a gap in contemporary research, revealing the presence of different behavioural segments on Facebook. The authors analyse the consumer decision sequence in response to the notion of ‘brand presence', manifested through online advertising, fan and group pages. The approach is interpretative. The study is based on young professional user's experiences, collected through semi-structured individual and focus group interviews. The findings show that Facebook fan pages are shown to have a degree of influence, particularly in the early stages of buying behaviour. In this context, five novel behavioural segments of consumer interactions with Smartphone brands on Facebook have been identified by the research. These are the Avoider, the Suspicious, the Passive, the Receptive, and the Active. Future research of cross comparative studies could be taken on the issues the authors examine and consider them in relation to not only Facebook, but additionally, to other social network sites. Companies could utilise the findings in the future development of social media strategy. The research highlights the socially networked and collective nature of much activity on Facebook, which impacts on the consumer decision-making process for mobile phones.
Fuzzy Rule-Based Vulnerability Assessment Framework for Web Applications
Authors: Shahriar Hossain , Haddad Hisham
Published: May 2016

This paper addresses the problem of assessing risk in web application due to implementation level vulnerabilities. In particular, the authors address the common research challenge of finding enough historical data to compute the probability of vulnerabilities and exploitations. They develop a Fuzzy Logic based System (FLS)1 to compute the risk uniformly and to address the diversity of risks. The authors propose a set of crisp metrics that are used to define fuzzy sets. They also develop a set of rule-bases to assess the risk level. The proposed FLS can be a useful tool to aid application developers and industry practitioners to assess the risk and plan ahead for employing necessary mitigation approaches. The authors evaluate their proposed approach using three real-world web applications implemented in PHP, and apply it to four types of common vulnerabilities. The initial results indicate that the proposed FLS approach can effectively discover high risk applications.
Customer Satisfaction through Technological Integration
Authors: Seng Kah Phooi , Ang Li-Minn , Shing Ooi Chien
Published: May 2016

This paper presents a review of automated technology integrations for organizations to assess their customer satisfaction levels. The paper also includes a comparison of the common resources that are used to measure customer satisfaction. The main part of the paper subsequently describes the related concerns and challenges that are faced by the business company to realize customer satisfactions. This paper presents a review of automated technology integrations for organizations to assess their customer satisfaction. These components can be integrated into communication tools to solve the existing problems efficiently, and improve the way of assessing customer satisfaction. The limitations or challenges of current approaches in technology related ways to realize the satisfactions are also discussed. The end of the paper gives recommendations and solutions to show the possible ways in solving the existing problems and improving the way of assessing customer satisfaction by integrating the appropriate technology.
A Static Change Impact Analysis Approach based on Metrics and Visualizations to Support the Evolution of Workflow Repositories
Authors: Oliva Gustavo Ansaldi , Gerosa Marco Aurélio , Kon Fabio , Smith Virginia , Milojicic Dejan
Published: May 2016

In ever-changing business environments, organizations continuously refine their processes to benefit from and meet the constraints of new technology, new business rules, and new market requirements. Workflow management systems (WFMSs) support organizations in evolving their processes by providing them with technological mechanisms to design, enact, and monitor workflows. However, workflows repositories often grow and start to encompass a variety of interdependent workflows. Without appropriate tool support, keeping track of such interdependencies and staying aware of the impact of a change in a workflow schema becomes hard. Workflow designers are often blindsided by changes that end up inducing side- and ripple-effects. This poses threats to the reliability of the workflows and ultimately hampers the evolvability of the workflow repository as a whole. In this paper, the authors introduce a change impact analysis approach based on metrics and visualizations to support the evolution of workflow repositories. They implemented the approach and later integrated it as a module in the HP Operations Orchestration (HP OO) WFMS. The authors conducted an exploratory study in which they thoroughly analyzed the workflow repositories of 8 HP OO customers. They characterized the customer repositories from a change impact perspective and compared them against each other. The authors were able to spot the workflows with high change impact among thousands of workflows in each repository. They also found that while the out-of-the-box repository included in HP OO had 10 workflows with high change impact, customer repositories included 11 (+10%) to 35 (+250%) workflows with this same characteristic. This result indicates the extent to which customers should put additional effort in evolving their repositories. The authors' approach contributes to the body of knowledge on static workflow evolution and complements existing dynamic workflow evolution approaches. Their techniques also aim to help organizations build more flexible and reliable workflow repositories.
Eugenia no contexto do atual desenvolvimento das tecnologias genéticas: as deficiências em foco
Authors: Moura Simone Moreira de , Crochík José Leon
Published: May 2016

Neste texto faz-se uma reflexão sobre o discurso eugênico no contexto do atual desenvolvimento das tecnologias genéticas, orientando-se para tanto, pelas considerações de Theodor W. Adorno sobre o conceito de progresso numa sociedade marcada por um clima propício à barbárie, à frieza e à dessensibilização no tocante ao uso das intervenções genéticas sobre o corpo dos sujeitos considerados imperfeitos/deficientes.
Artificial Neural Networks Modeling of Electrospun Polyurethane Nanofibers from Chloroform/Methanol Solution
Authors: Firoozi Saman , Amani Amir , Derakhshan Mohammad Ali , Ghanbari Hossein
Published: May 2016

In this study, electrospun nanofibers of polyurethane were prepared utilizing a new solvent system made of chloroform/methanol. Also, we planned to assess effects of four important parameters on diameter of electrospun polyurethane nanofibers using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The parameters investigated included flow rate of syringe pump, distance of spinneret to collector, applied voltage and concentration of polymer solution. Diameter of obtained electrospun nanofibers was measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that flow rate and distance had reverse relation with fiber diameter, while applied voltage and concentration of polymer solution directly affected the diameter. Also, polymer concentration was shown to be the dominant factor here.
Toxicity of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae) Leaf Fractions against Immature Stages of Anopheles gambiae (Giles) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Younoussa Lame , Nukenine Elias Nchiwan , Esimone Charles Okechukwu
Published: May 2016

Mosquitoes are vectors of several human pathogens, and great attention has recently been placed on insecticides from plant-derived products, in search for mosquito control agents. This study, thus, investigated the potency of Boswellia dalzielii methanol leaf extract and its four fractions as mosquito ovicide, larvicide, and pupicide against Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus. The plant products were tested at the following concentrations: 125, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 ppm on eggs and 312.5, 625, 1250, and 2500 ppm on the larvae and pupae of the mosquitoes. For results, hatchability of A. gambiae eggs was reduced to 5% with n-hexane fraction at 2000 ppm. Among the plant products tested, n-hexane fraction was most toxic against A. gambiae (LC50 = 385.9 ppm) and C. quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 3394.9 ppm). The n-hexane fraction of B. dalzielii might be used as a mosquitocidal agent in the breeding sites of A. gambiae and C. quinquefasciatus.
Stochastic Collocation vial1-Minimisation on Low Discrepancy Point Sets with Application to Uncertainty Quantification
Authors: Liu Yongle , Guo Ling
Published: May 2016

Various numerical methods have been developed in order to solve complex systems with uncertainties, and the stochastic collocation method usingl1-minimisation on low discrepancy point sets is investigated here. Halton and Sobol' sequences are considered, and low discrepancy point sets and random points are compared. The tests discussed involve a given target function in polynomial form, high-dimensional functions and a random ODE model. Our numerical results show that the low discrepancy point sets perform as well or better than random sampling for stochastic collocation vial1-minimisation.