bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LITERATURA INFANTIL E FORMAÇÃO DO LEITOR: ATUAÇÃO DOCENTE E PARTICIPAÇÃO DOS PEQUENOS NA EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA
Authors: Lins Heloísa Andreia de Matos , Bispo Carla Fernanda Brito
Published: July 2016

Neste trabalho, apresentamos e discutimos alguns dos resultados de uma pesquisa qualitativa sobre as práticas de escolarização da literatura infantil com trinta crianças entre 6 e 7 anos, a partir da atuação de uma professora da educação básica da rede pública estadual da região de Campinas/SP, considerada por seus pares como bem sucedida nessa área. Da mesma forma, discute-se os impactos dessas práticas nos processos de ensino-aprendizagem da linguagem escrita e formação do leitor literário nesse âmbito, tendo-se como panorama a articulação entre Educação Infantil e o Ensino Fundamental, na perspectiva dos estudos da Pedagogia da Infância.
MEMÓRIAS DE INFÂNCIA E EXPERIÊNCIAS DE LEITURA: UM DIÁLOGO COM PROUST
Authors: Costa Gilcilene Dias da , Campos Jessé Pinto
Published: July 2016

Este artigo visa a discutir o tema da Leitura configurado no ensaio Sobre a Leitura, de Marcel Proust (literato parisiense que nasceu em 1871 e morreu em 1922). O objetivo consiste em espreitar o universo literário proustiano pelo viés da leitura a partir de suas memórias de infância, a fim de perscrutar experiências de leitura que nos levem a pensar, por um novo ângulo, os sentidos formativos da leitura. O estudo, de caráter bibliográfico, dialoga com Proust (2001), Nietzsche (2003) e Larrosa (2002, 2004), levantando como argumento a percepção de que a leitura, embora constitua uma atividade educativa transversal que perpassa as diferentes áreas do conhecimento no meio escolar, acadêmico e vida social, infelizmente não vem sendo desenvolvida e incentivada satisfatoriamente desde tenra idade do educando, ocasionando sérias implicações para o processo de aprendizagem em sua trajetória de escolarização e aspectos da vida cotidiana. Conclui-se que a ideia de leitura, presente na obra Sobre a Leitura, de Marcel Proust, valora e incentiva o ler na tenra idade, trazendo a importância do ato do ler por entre seu contato subjetivo com o leitor.
A PRODUÇÃO CIENTÍFICA SOBRE A EDUCAÇÃO DE BEBÊS E CRIANÇAS PEQUENAS NO CONTEXTO COLETIVO DA CRECHE
Authors: Rocha Eloisa Acires Candal , Gonçalves Fernanda
Published: July 2016

Este texto é um recorte de uma pesquisa de mestrado, que teve como preocupação central aprofundar os estudos sobre as práticas pedagógicas com as crianças de 0 a 3 anos de idade, analisando os indicativos para a docência com bebês a partir da produção científica brasileira produzida entre os anos de 2008 a 2011 no banco de teses e dissertações da CAPES. Realizou-se, deste modo, um mapeamento da produção nacional que tinham como foco de preocupação a educação das crianças de zero a três anos no contexto da Educação Infantil, totalizando 48 trabalhos, dos quais 13 constituíram o corpus definitivo analisado. Objetiva-se neste texto, apresentar os caminhos do processo de levantamento da produção, bem como a análise das categorias definidas a partir da emersão das temáticas que foram privilegiadas nas pesquisas analisadas.
RECREIO ESCOLAR: ESPAÇO E TEMPO DE PRODUÇÃO DE INTERAÇÕES INFANTIS
Authors: Michel Caroline Braga , Silva Méri Rosane Santos , Silveira Alessandra Amaral
Published: July 2016

Este artigo busca analisar, a partir do espaço e tempo de um recreio escolar, como se estabeleciam as relações de poder entre as crianças; isto é, como as interações infantis eram postas em funcionamento pelas próprias crianças – de forma geral -, e problematizar o recreio enquanto um momento tido como livre e que, por isso, as ações infantis seriam ali intensificadas. Os dados foram capturados a partir da prática de bricolagem, onde se fez fundamental o diálogo entre algumas ferramentas, como o diário de campo, os registros fotográficos, as conversas-entrevistas e observações. Durante as observações foi possível perceber que tanto o recreio como as interações infantis são atravessadas pela ordem disciplinar; logo, as ações dos sujeitos infantis não são isentas de intencionalidade e de poder. Elas vão sendo colocadas em funcionamento a partir da operacionalização de alguns instrumentos disciplinares, como a sanção, a vigilância e o exame.
The basics of plant hydraulics
Authors: Cochard Hervé
Published: July 2016

This short text gives the fundamentals of plant hydraulics and its impact of their water relations and gas exchanges.
Visualization of the stem water content of two genera with secondary phloem produced by successive cambia through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Authors: Robert Elisabeth M. R. , Schmitz Nele , Copini Paul , Gerkema Edo , Vergeldt Frank J. , Windt Carel W. , Beeckman Hans , Koedam Nico , Van As Henk
Published: July 2016

Shrubs and trees with secondary phloem tissue produced by successive cambia mainly occur in habitats characterized by a periodical or continuous lack of water availability. The amount of this secondary phloem tissue in stems of Avicennia trees rises with increasing soil water salinity and decreasing inundation frequency. Hence, increased water storage in secondary phloem tissue produced by successive cambia was put forward to be advantageous in harsh environmental conditions. It was however never tested whether the secondary phloem cells over the entire stem of woody species showing this wood anatomical feature are indeed water-filled as expected. In this preliminary and pioneering study, we use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the stem water content of three species with successive cambia, the mangroves Avicennia marina and A. officinalis and the non-mangrove Bougainvillea spectabilis. Measurements were conducted in living plants. We tested the hypothesis that not only the outermost phloem tissue has high water content but also the secondary phloem tissues over the entire stem from the bark inward to the pith, herewith serving as water storage sites. We can conclude that all secondary phloem tissue of both Bougainvillea and Avicennia has high water contents. This aligns with the contribution of secondary phloem tissue produced by successive cambia to ecological success in conditions of physiological drought. Further study should however be done to understand the mechanisms through which this secondary phloem tissue contributes to the water household of plants in conditions of water shortage.
Fine-scale mapping of sapwood anatomical properties reveals plasticity in hydraulics during water deficit
Authors: Mitchell Patrick J. , Worledge Dale
Published: July 2016

Growth responses to water deficit translate into discernible changes in the structure of woody tissues and provide an integrated record of historical water availability throughout the life of the individual. The highly dynamic nature of woody growth can impart adaptive changes in physiological performance through changes in xylem elements that regulate water transport. Here, we present a case study of how sapwood anatomical properties can be mapped using point dendrometers, in a diffuse porous, Eucalyptus spp. to reveal plasticity in hydraulic architecture under water deficit. Reductions in stem growth in response to water deficit coincided with marked changes sapwood vessel anatomy that could be matched to the commencement of large fluctuations in stem radius. These changes included: a reduction in hydraulically-weighted vessel diameter, increases in vessel density, sapwood lumen fraction and density and increase in wall strength. However, no changes in estimated stem conductivity were observed during the water deficit. This approach emphasises the responsiveness of species such as Eucalyptus to changes in water supply and provides an illustration of how we might detect short-term and rapid changes in stem hydraulic architecture in response to water availability and other environmental controls.
A Bayesian model for xylem vessel length accommodates subsampling and reveals skewed distributions in species that dominate seasonal habitats.
Authors: Oberle Brad , Ogle Kiona , Penagos Zuluaga Juan Carlos , Sweeney Jonathan , Zanne Amy E.
Published: July 2016

Vessel  length  is  an  important  but  understudied  dimension  of  variation  in  angiosperm  vascular  anatomy. Among other traits, vessel length mediates an important tradeoff between hydraulic efficiency and safety that could  influence  how  plants  respond  to  extreme  weather  with  climate  change.  However,  the  functional significance  of vessel length variation within individual stems is poorly known, in part because existing data analysis methods handle uncertainty in a way that makes vessel length distributions difficult to compare. We provide a solution to this problem through a hierarchical Bayesian framework for estimating vessel lengths and we demonstrate the flexibility of this method by applying it to data from serial cross sections of dye injected stems. Our approach can accelerate data collection and accommodate  associated uncertainties by statistically correcting for bias and error that result from subsampling images. We illustrate our analytical framework by estimating and comparing vessel length distributions for 21 woody species characteristic of a North American forest.  The best-fit  model  corrected  for both bias due to secondary  growth  and sampling  error  within  and among  species.  Vessel  length  estimates  from  this  model  varied  by  almost  an  order  of  magnitude  and parameters  of these  distributions  correlated  with  point  estimates  derived  from  a different,  commonly  used method. Furthermore, we show how key contrasts can be estimated with the Bayesian framework, and in doing so, we show that the shape of the vessel length distribution differed between ring- and diffuse-porous species, suggesting that within-stem vessel length variation corresponds to water stress seasonality and contributes to landscape-level  habitat segregation. Our analysis method revealed the importance of within-stem variation in vessel length, and our results complement work on between-species variation in average vessel length, further illuminating how vascular anatomy can influence woody plants’ responses to water stress.
Why do trees take more risks in the Amazon? †
Authors: Torres-Ruiz José M. , Cochard Hervé , Delzon Sylvain
Published: July 2016

Rowland et al. (2015) published recently in Nature a study suggesting that "death from drought in tropical forests is triggered by hydraulics not carbon starvation". We have reanalyzed they data with the objective of placing them in a more global perspective.
Effects of Pinus taeda leaf anatomy on vascular and extravascular leaf hydraulic conductance as influenced by N-fertilization and elevated CO2
Authors: Domec Jean-Christophe , Palmroth Sari , Oren Ram
Published: July 2016

Silvicultural practices (e.g., nitrogen addition through fertilization) and environmental changes (e.g., elevated [CO2]) may alter needle structure, impacting mass and energy exchange between the biosphere and atmosphere through alteration of stomatal function. Hydraulic resistances in leaves, controlling the mass and energy exchanges, occur both in the xylem and in the flow paths across the mesophyll to evaporation sites, and therefore largely depends on the structure of the leaf. We used the Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiment, providing a unique setting for assessing the interaction effects of [CO2] and nitrogen (N) supply to examine how leaf morphological and anatomical characteristics control leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees subjected to ambient or elevated (+200 ppmv) CO2 concentrations (CO2a and CO2e, respectively) and to soil nitrogen amendment (N). Our study revealed that CO2e decreased the number of tracheids per needle, and increased the distance from the xylem vascular bundle to the stomata cavities, perturbing the leaf hydraulic system. Both treatments induced a decrease in Kleaf, and CO2e also decreased leaf extravascular conductance (Kextravascular), the conductance to water flow from the xylem to the leaf-internal air space. Decline in Kleaf under CO2e was driven by the decline in Kextravascular, potentially due to longer path for water movement through the mesophyll, explaining the decline in stomatal conductance (gs) observed under CO2e. This suggests that the distance from vascular conduits to stomata sub-cavity was a major constraint of leaf water transport. Across treatments our results showed that needle vein conductivity was slightly more limited by the lumen than by the bordered-pits, the latter accounting for 30-45% of vein resistance. CO2e-induced reduction in Kleaf was also consistent with an increased resistance to xylem collapse due to thicker cell wall. In addition, stomatal closure corresponded to the water potential inducing a reduction in 50% of leaf vascular conductance (Kvascular) via xylem wall rupture. The water potential that was estimated to induce complete xylem wall collapse was related to the water potential at turgor loss. Our study provided a framework for understanding the interaction between CO2e and N availability in affecting leaf anatomy, and the mechanisms for the response of Kleaf to the treatments. These mechanisms can be incorporated into predictive models of gs, critical for estimating forest productivity in water limited environments in current and future climates and a landscape composed of sites of a range in soil N fertility.
The similarity of light curves of Fermi Blazars
Authors: Cai Wei , Liu Y , Fan Junhui
Published: July 2016

Blazars show rapid and high amplitude variability. In this work , Fermi daily light curve of 130 sources are analyzed, distribution of daily variability are compared with each other by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test. results show: 1)Some pairs of the distributions are similar; 2) In most cases, the distributions are not Gaussian.
Fractal features of Fermi Blazar Light Curves
Authors: Liu Yi , Cai Wei , Fan Junhui
Published: July 2016

In this work, we'll present the power spectra density, auto-correlation function, dentrended fluctuation analysis and multifractal spectrum are performed to the daily light curves of Blazars monitored by Fermi LAT. Some signs of power law are found.
Search for QPOs in the Light Curve of the Blazar OJ287: Preliminary Results from 2015/16 Observing Campaign
Authors: Zola S. , Valtonen M. , Bhatta G. , Goyal A. , Debski B. , Baran A. , Krzesinski J. , Siwak M. , Ciprini S. , Gopakumar A. , Jermak H. , Nilsson K. , Reichart D. , Matsumoto K. , Sadakane K. , Gazeas K. , Kidger M. , Piirola V. , Alicavus F. , Baliyan K.S. , Berdyugin A. , Boyd D. , Campas Torrent M. , Campos F. , Carrillo Gomez J. , Caton D.B. , Chavushyan V. , Dalessio J. , Dimitrov D. , Drozdz M. , Erdem A. , Escartin Perez A. , Fallah Ramazani V. , Filippenko A.V. , Garcia F. , Gomez Pinilla F. , Gopinathan M. , Haislip J.B. , Harmanen J. , Hurst G. , Ivarsen K.M. , Jelinek M. , Joshi A. , Kagitani M. , Kaur N. , Karaman N. , Keel W.C. , LaCluyze A.P. , Lee B.C. , Lindfors E. , Lozano De Haro J. , Moore J.P. , Naves Nogues R. , Neely A.W. , Nelson R.H. , Ogloza W. , Okano S. , Pandey J.C. , Perri M. , Pihajoki P. , Poyner G. , Provencal J. , Pursimo T. , Raj A. , Reinthal R. , Sadegi S. , Sakanoi T. , Salto Gonzales J.-L. , Sameer  , Schweyer T. , Soldan Alfaro F.C. , Sonbas E. , Steele I. , Stocke J.T. , Strobl J. , Takalo L.O. , Tomov T. , Tremosa Espasa L. , Valdes J.R. , Valero Perez J. , Verrecchia F. , Webb J.R. , Yoneda M. , Zejmo M. , Zheng W. , Telting J. , Saario J. , Reynolds T. , Kvammen A. , Gafton E. , Karjalainen R. , Blay P.
Published: July 2016

We analyse the light curve in the R-band gathered during the 2015/16 observing season of OJ287. We did a search for QPOs using several methods in wide time domain. No statistically significant periods were found in the high frequency domain both in the ground data and also in K2 observations. In the longer periods domain the Lomb-Scargle periodogram revealed several peaks above the 99\% significance level. The longest one, about 95-day, corresponds to the ISCO period of the more massive SMBH. The 43-day period could be an alias or can be attributed to accretion in the form of two armed spiral wave.
Dynamic simulation of urban expansion based on cellular automata and logistic regression model: Case study of Hyrcanian region of Iran
Authors: Jafari Meisam , Monavari Seyed Masoud , Majedi Hamid , Alesheikh Ali Asghar , Kheirkhah Zarkesh Mirmasoud
Published: July 2016

Although, promotion of urbanization culture in recent decades has made inevitable development of cities in the world, however, the development can be guided in a direction that leave, to the extent possible, minimum socioeconomic and environmental impacts. For this, it is required to first forecast auto-spreading orientation of cities and suburbs in rural areas over time and then avoid shapeless growth of cities. This paper is an attempt to develop a dynamic hybrid model based on logistic regression (LR), Markov chain (MC), and cellular automata (CA) for prediction of future urban sprawl in fast-growing cities. The model was developed using 12 widely-used urban development criteria, whose significant coefficient was determined by logistic regression, and validated by relative operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The validated model was run in Guilan, a tourist province in northern Iran with a very high rate of urban development. For this, changes in the area of urban land use were detected over the period of 1989 to 2013 and then, future sprawl of the province was forecasted by the years 2025 and 2037. The analysis results revealed that the area of urban land use was increased by more than 1.7 % from 36012.5 ha in 1989 to 59754.8 ha in 2013, and the area of Caspian Hyrcanian forestland was reduced by 31628 ha. The results also predicted an alarming increase in the rate of urban development in the province by the years 2025 and 2037, during which urban land use is predicted to develop 0.9 % and 1.38 %, respectively. The development pattern is expected to be uneven and scattered, without following any particular direction. The development will occur close to the existing or newly-formed urban basements as well as around major roads and commercial areas. This development, if not controlled, will lead to the loss of 13863 ha of Hyrcanian forests and if the trend continues, 21013 ha of Hyrcanian forests and 20208 ha of Barren/open lands are expected to be destroyed by the year 2037. In general, the proposed model is an efficient tool for the support of urban planning decisions and facilitates the process of sustainable development of cities by providing decision-makers with an overview on future development of cities where the growth rate is very fast.
Young adult and parent stakeholder perspectives on participation in patient-centered comparative effectiveness research
Authors: Saunders Tully , Mackie Thomas I , Shah Supriya , Gooding Holly , de Ferranti Sarah D , Leslie Laurel K
Published: July 2016

Aim:
Explore perspectives of adolescent and young adult (AYA) and parent stakeholders regarding their engagement in comparative effectiveness research (CER) evaluating cholesterol screening and treatment strategies for 17–21 year olds.
Methods:
All nine AYAs and parent stakeholders participating in a 20-member panel of AYAs, parents and professionals (i.e., clinicians, researchers, policy makers, payers), completed a quantitative survey and a semistructured interview at the completion of the core CER study.
Results & Conclusion:
AYAs and parents stakeholders emphasized the role of power differentials regarding shared knowledge, relationships and trust, and logistics. To mitigate power differentials, stakeholders recommended more materials, clearer definition of roles and in-person meetings. Perceived positive outcomes included diversity of perspectives provided, better understanding their own health and decision-making and improving CER.
Dear Driver, Could You Enter the Bus Bay Properly?
Authors: Tezcan Hüseyin Onur , Aksoy Göker , Elmorssy Mahmoud , Tanrıverdi Sami Cankat
Published: July 2016

This study investigated the underlying reasons for the improper use of bus bays in Istanbul, Turkey, one of the megacities in the developing world. Improper use occurs when a bus driver elects to enter a bus bay partially or not at all. Data were compiled from field studies during peak and off-peak hours at three selected bus bays on Buyukdere Street, which was one of the most important urban arterials on the European side of Istanbul. During the field study, information was collected about bus bay use preferences, in addition to data on arrival time, departure time, bus occupancy, number of passengers waiting at a bus stop, illegal parking in the bus bay, and traffic volume on the road. These data were used to estimate three multinomial logit bus bay use models by stratifying the sample with respect to bus bay occupancy and bus stop location. The results showed that illegally parked vehicles were a major factor that led to improper use of bus bays, and the effect was similar to that of the presence of one or more buses in a bus bay on a new bus’s arrival. Moreover, the occupancy of buses was found to be significant because relatively empty buses were more likely not to fully enter a bus bay, whereas packed buses tended toward full use, especially when passengers were alighting at each stop. In terms of policy, it is essential to prevent illegal parking through methods such as the installation of medians. Overall, the study revealed that the success of bus bays was questionable, and the need for them in megacities, such as Istanbul, disputable.
Managing Planned Disruptions of Mass Transit Systems
Authors: Christoforou Zoi , Corbillé Etienne , Farhi Nadir , Leurent Fabien
Published: July 2016

Unplanned disruptions of rail transit networks have been studied extensively. Planned disruptions for works essentially are different mainly because of their longer duration, which allows passengers to build alternative route choice strategies. The literature on this topic remains scarce. In this study, a novel methodology was proposed to enable operators to evaluate different disruption management schemes and to obtain explicit estimations of travel times, passenger comfort flows, and levels of service. Statistical tools were used to evaluate the different strategies. The methodology is illustrated here through a large-scale application to a real line disruption in Paris. The disruption took place in July 2015 as the result of network maintenance work and affected Line A of Réseau Express Régional, a major suburban railway line that provides more than 1 million trips on a typical working day. Study results indicated that the disruption would have significantly increased the generalized cost (GC) of passengers if no action had been taken. The operator’s disruption management scheme included bus bridging and increases in service frequency on alternative routes. Evaluation showed that this plan restored the average GC across the whole network. Passengers who initially used the disrupted line experienced increased GC when they used the longer, alternative routes. Passengers who initially used those alternative routes experienced lower GC as a result of the increase in service frequency. Finally, capacity problems were observed on the buses that ensured a bridge across the disrupted link.
Gender-Based Analysis of Zones of Tolerance for Transit Service Quality Considering Intelligent Transportation Systems
Authors: Arabikhan Farzad , Postorino Maria Nadia , Dupont-Kieffer Ariane , Gegov Alexander
Published: July 2016

Quality service in public transport is important in transit systems. User needs and expectations have great relevance to transit modeling and implementation. This explanatory study examined young men’s and young women’s expectations and perceptions of transit quality of service with the use of the zone of tolerance (ZOT) and adequate and desired levels of service. Given the critical role of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in public transport service enhancement, a specific dimension that reflected user perceptions and expectations of ITS also was considered. ZOTs for men and women were obtained separately, and the results showed differences. In particular, women’s minimum acceptable and desired levels of service were higher than they were for men, and women had relatively bigger ZOTs.
Reproducing Longitudinal In-Vehicle Traveler Experience and the Impact of a Service Reduction with Public Transit Smart Card Data
Authors: Chu Ka Kee Alfred , Lomone André
Published: July 2016

In-vehicle traveler experience is an influencing factor in the mode choice and satisfaction of public transit users. Vehicle load is an operator-centric indicator used as a level-of-service standard. This indicator considers crowding an isolated and deterministic event generalizable to all travelers. It has been argued that this indicator does not reflect the actual perception from the user perspective. This paper proposes a more comprehensive approach to measure in-vehicle experience by introducing an individual-based indicator that encompasses multiple days. The rationale is that the traveler’s perception is not determined by a single trip but by multiple events over time within a specific trip pattern. Multiday public transit smart card transaction data from an express bus route were used to demonstrate the concept. First, a data processing technique was developed to enrich the data with operations and vehicle capacity information. These data were used to reproduce the longitudinal in-vehicle experience of each traveler. The individual results were then summarized and analyzed according to trip and user attributes. Noticeable differences in the in-vehicle experience were found between fare groups and also were found associated with trip direction. Through the analysis of data before and after an actual service reduction, it was revealed that the level of impact on individual in-vehicle experience also varied according to fare group and trip direction. The traveler-based indicators complement traditional measures and could be integrated into operational planning, such as service reduction and increase studies, to anticipate the impact on traveler experience and customer satisfaction.
Reinterpretation of the Likert Scale for Public Transportation User Satisfaction: Pattern Recognition Approach
Authors: Kim Sung Hoo , Chung Jin-Hyuk
Published: July 2016

Myriad cities around the world conduct public transportation satisfaction investigations, and most of them use a linguistic Likert scale (i.e., it runs from strongly dissatisfied to strongly satisfied). Most such studies neglect two critical issues: users’ complex cognitive systems and the fundamental problem of applying the Likert scale. Thus the present study considered those issues and analyzed public transportation user satisfaction intervals of heterogeneous groups with different cognitive systems. The study used a Gaussian mixture model and a pattern recognition approach, with satisfaction data from public transportation users in South Korea. The results indicated that users expressed considerably different satisfaction intervals for the same linguistic Likert items: five intervals instead of the 7-point Likert scale in the survey. In addition, each Likert item was clustered into two distinguishable satisfaction intervals, and those heterogeneous groups were classified not randomly but systematically by sociodemographic attributes and characteristics of public transportation use. On the basis of the results, significant implications were found about public transportation satisfaction surveys and their analysis.
Wnt Lipidation and Modifiers in Intestinal Carcinogenesis and Cancer
Authors: Kaemmerer Elke , Gassler Nikolaus
Published: July 2016

The wingless (Wnt) signaling is suggested as a fundamental hierarchical pathway in regulation of proliferation and differentiation of cells. The Wnt ligands are small proteins of about 40 kDa essentially for regulation and initiation of the Wnt activity. They are secreted proteins requiring acylation for activity in the Wnt signaling cascade and for functional interactivity with transmembrane proteins. Dual lipidation is important for posttranslational activation of the overwhelming number of Wnt proteins and is probably involved in their spatial distribution. The intestinal mucosa, where Wnt signaling is essential in configuration and maintenance, is an established model to study Wnt proteins and their role in carcinogenesis and cancer. The intestinal crypt-villus/crypt-plateau axis, a cellular system with self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation, is tightly coordinated by a Wnt gradient. In the review, some attention is given to Wnt3, Wnt3A, and Wnt2B as important members of the Wnt family to address the role of lipidation and modifiers of Wnt proteins in intestinal carcinogenesis. Wnt3 is an important player in establishing the Wnt gradient in intestinal crypts and is mainly produced by Paneth cells. Wnt2B is characterized as a mitochondrial protein and shuttles between mitochondria and the nucleus. Porcupine and ACSL5, a long-chain fatty acid activating enzyme, are introduced as modifiers of Wnts and as interesting strategy to targeting Wnt-driven carcinogenesis.
Initiatives towards Carbon Neutrality in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area
Authors: Dahal Karna , Niemelä Jari
Published: July 2016

Carbon neutrality represents one climate strategy adopted by many cities, including the city of Helsinki and the Helsinki metropolitan area in Finland. This study examines initiatives adopted by the Helsinki metropolitan area aimed at reducing energy-related carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality through future actions. Various sectorial energy consumption rates per year and carbon emissions from various sectors within the city of Helsinki and the metropolitan area were extracted from an online database and re-calculated (in GWh, MWh/inhabitant and MtCO2e, KtCO2e/inhabitant). We employed a backcasting scenario method to explore the various carbon reduction measures in the Helsinki metropolitan area. About 96% of the emissions produced in the Helsinki metropolitan area are energy-based. District heating represents the primary source of emissions, followed by transportation and electricity consumption, respectively. We also found that accomplishing the carbon reduction strategies of the Helsinki metropolitan area by 2050 remains challenging. Technological advancement for clean and renewable energy sources, smart policies and raising awareness resulting in behavioral changes greatly affect carbon reduction actions. Thus, strong political commitments are also required to formulate and implement stringent climate actions.
Positive Sofic Entropy Implies Finite Stabilizer
Authors: Meyerovitch Tom
Published: July 2016

We prove that, for a measure preserving action of a sofic group with positive sofic entropy, the stabilizer is finite on a set of positive measures. This extends the results of Weiss and Seward for amenable groups and free groups, respectively. It follows that the action of a sofic group on its subgroups by inner automorphisms has zero topological sofic entropy, and that a faithful action that has completely positive sofic entropy must be free.
“On-The-Spot” Arresting of Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycans: Implications for Ovarian Adenocarcinoma Recognition and Intervention
Authors: Pradeep Priyamvada , Choonara Yahya , Kumar Pradeep , Pillay Viness
Published: July 2016

Ovarian Cancer (OC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated death among women. The underlying biochemical cause of OC proliferation is usually attributed to the over-expression of Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycans (CSPGs) wherein the CS-E subgroup plays a major role in tumor cell proliferation by over-expressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We hereby hypothesize that by targeting the OC extracellular matrix using a CS-E-specific antibody, GD3G7, we could provide spatial delivery of crosslinkers and anti-VEGF agents to firstly induce in vivo crosslinking and complexation (arresting) of CS-E into a “biogel mass” for efficient and effective detection, detachment and reduction of tumorous tissue, and secondly inhibit angiogenesis in OC. It is further proposed that the antibody-assisted targeted delivery of CS-E crosslinkers can bind to highly anionic CS-E to form a polyelectrolyte complex to inhibit the formation of ovarian tumor spheroids that are responsible for spheroid-induced mesothelial clearance and progression of OC. The hypothesis also describes the potential in vivo “On-The-Spot” CSPG crosslinkers such as sodium trimetaphosphate (physical crosslinker), 1,12-diaminododecane (chemical crosslinker), poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (synthetic polymer), and chitosan (natural polyelectrolyte-forming agent). In conclusion, this hypothesis proposes in vivo spatial crosslinking of CSPGs as a potential theranostic intervention strategy for OC—a first in the field of cancer research.
Silkworm Gut Fiber of Bombyx mori as an Implantable and Biocompatible Light-Diffusing Fiber
Authors: Cenis Jose , Aznar-Cervantes Salvador , Lozano-Pérez Antonio , Rojo Marta , Muñoz Juan , Meseguer-Olmo Luis , Arenas Aurelio
Published: July 2016

This work describes a new approach to the delivery of light in deeper tissues, through a silk filament that is implantable, biocompatible, and biodegradable. In the present work, silkworm gut fibers (SGFs) of Bombyx mori L., are made by stretching the silk glands. Morphological, structural, and optical properties of the fibers have been characterized and the stimulatory effect of red laser light diffused from the fiber was assayed in fibroblast cultures. SGFs are formed by silk fibroin (SF) mainly in a β-sheet conformation, a stable and non-soluble state in water or biological fluids. The fibers showed a high degree of transparency to visible and infrared radiation. Using a red laser (λ = 650 nm) as source, the light was efficiently diffused along the fiber wall, promoting a significant increment in the cell metabolism 5 h after the irradiation. SGFs have shown their excellent properties as light-diffusing optical fibers with a stimulatory effect on cells.
Environmental Factors Associated with Altered Gut Microbiota in Children with Eczema: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chan Carmen , Wong Rosa , Law Patrick , Wong Cho , Tsui Stephen , Tang Winnie , Sit Janet
Published: July 2016

Eczema is a common skin condition that impairs children’s daily life activities and quality of life. Previous research shows that gut microbiome composition plays an important role in the development of eczema. The present review summarizes evidence on environmental factors related to altered gut microbiota in children with eczema. We searched Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database of Systematic Reviews through October 2015. The search strategy focused on articles published in peer-reviewed, English-language journals with no publication year limit. Only original studies and review articles that reported environmental factors on gut microbiome specific to eczema were included in this review. We selected six studies (total 1990 participants) for full review and identified that the composition of gut microbiota specific to eczema could be influenced by the following environmental factors: length of gestation, mode of delivery, type of feeding, method of treatment, number of older siblings, and other lifestyle factors. There has been inconsistent empirical evidence as to the modulatory effects of gut microbiota on immunological functions in children with eczema. Further research on the environmental-host-microbial interaction is needed to develop a strong base of knowledge for the development and implementation of prevention strategies and policies for eczema.
The Average Lower 2-Domination Number of Wheels Related Graphs and an Algorithm
Authors: Turaci Tufan
Published: July 2016

The problem of quantifying the vulnerability of graphs has received much attention nowadays, especially in the field of computer or communication networks. In a communication network, the vulnerability measures the resistance of the network to disruption of operation after the failure of certain stations or communication links. If we think of a graph as modeling a network, the average lower 2-domination number of a graph is a measure of the graph vulnerability and it is defined by γ 2 a v ( G ) = 1 | V ( G ) | ∑ v ∈ V ( G ) γ 2 v ( G ) , where the lower 2-domination number, denoted by γ 2 v ( G ) , of the graph G relative to v is the minimum cardinality of 2-domination set in G that contains the vertex v. In this paper, the average lower 2-domination number of wheels and some related networks namely gear graph, friendship graph, helm graph and sun flower graph are calculated. Then, we offer an algorithm for computing the 2-domination number and the average lower 2-domination number of any graph G.
Specific Yielding of Selective Laser-Melted Ti6Al4V Open-Porous Scaffolds as a Function of Unit Cell Design and Dimensions
Authors: Weißmann Volker , Wieding Jan , Hansmann Harald , Laufer Nico , Wolf Andreas , Bader Rainer
Published: July 2016

Bone loss in the near-vicinity of implants can be a consequence of stress shielding due to stiffness mismatch. This can be avoided by reducing implant stiffness, i.e., by implementing an open-porous structure. Three open-porous designs were therefore investigated (cubic, pyramidal and a twisted design). Scaffolds were fabricated by a selective laser-melting (SLM) process and material properties were determined by conducting uniaxial compression testing. The calculated elastic modulus values for the scaffolds varied between 3.4 and 26.3 GP and the scaffold porosities between 43% and 80%. A proportional linear correlation was found between the elastic modulus and the geometrical parameters, between the elastic modulus and the compressive strengths, as well as between the strut width-to-diameter ratio (a/d) and elastic modulus. Furthermore, we found a power-law relationship between porosity and the modulus of elasticity that characterizes specific yielding. With respect to scaffold porosity, the description of specific yielding behaviour offers a simple way to characterize the mechanical properties of open-porous structures and helps generate scaffolds with properties specific to their intended application. A direct comparison with human bone parameters is also possible. We generated scaffolds with mechanical properties sufficiently close to that of human cortical bone.
2-O-Acyl-3-O-(1-acyloxyalkyl) Prodrugs of 5,6-Isopropylidene-l-Ascorbic Acid and l-Ascorbic Acid: Antioxidant Activity and Ability to Permeate Silicone Membranes
Authors: Thiele Nikki , McGowan Jennifer , Sloan Kenneth
Published: July 2016

2-O-Acyl-3-O-(1-acyloxyalkyl) prodrug derivatives, 15, of 5,6-isopropylidene-l-ascorbic acid, VCA, and l-ascorbic acid, VC, have been characterized by measuring (1) their solubilities in water (SAQ) and in 1-octanol (SOCT); (2) the ability of one member of the homologous series, 15a, to diffuse through a silicone membrane from its application in propylene glycol:water (PG:AQ), 30:70; (3) the ability of another member of the series, 15e, to express cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) in HaCaT cells; and (4) the ability of 15e to support cell viability in HaCaT cells. All of the prodrugs were more soluble in 1-octanol than VC or VCA were. 15a, which exhibited a good balance between SOCT and SAQ, was found to deliver approximately 15 times more 15a than VCA delivered VCA through a silicone membrane from PG:AQ, 30:70. Under those conditions, no VC permeated the membrane. 15e, which hydrolyzed to release acetaldehyde as a byproduct instead of the toxin formaldehyde, exhibited approximately 30 times the antioxidant activity of VC in CaHaT cells and supported cell viability up to 900 μM in HaCaT cells.
Structure of Moves in Research Article Abstracts in Applied Linguistics
Authors: Can Seden , Karabacak Erkan , Qin Jingjing
Published: July 2016

An abstract summarizes the accompanying article in order to promote it. While many move-analysis studies of abstracts in applied linguistics (AL) have used similar coding frameworks and demonstrated similar rhetorical organizations, their findings have not yet been aggregated to show the overall picture. The present study aimed to both examine move structures in AL abstracts and compare the results with previous studies both synchronically and diachronically. Fifty abstracts were collected from articles published in the journal English for Specific Purposes (ESP) between 2011 and 2013. Sentences were coded using a five-move scheme adapted from previous studies. Combining the results from previous research and the present study showed that most AL abstracts give information on the purpose, methodology, and findings of the associated article, while about half of the articles omit introduction of the topic and discussion of the findings. It was also found that authors frequently violate the move sequence expected by current schemes. These findings consistent with previous research suggest that future researchers informed by move analyses should explore the connection between the findings of move analyses and teaching materials for academic writing.
Real-Time Detection and Measurement of Eye Features from Color Images
Authors: Borza Diana , Darabant Adrian , Danescu Radu
Published: July 2016

The accurate extraction and measurement of eye features is crucial to a variety of domains, including human-computer interaction, biometry, and medical research. This paper presents a fast and accurate method for extracting multiple features around the eyes: the center of the pupil, the iris radius, and the external shape of the eye. These features are extracted using a multistage algorithm. On the first stage the pupil center is localized using a fast circular symmetry detector and the iris radius is computed using radial gradient projections, and on the second stage the external shape of the eye (of the eyelids) is determined through a Monte Carlo sampling framework based on both color and shape information. Extensive experiments performed on a different dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. In addition, this work provides eye annotation data for a publicly-available database.
Assessing the Efficiency of Small-Scale and Bottom Trawler Vessels in Greece
Authors: Pinello Dario , Liontakis Angelos , Sintori Alexandra , Tzouramani Irene , Polymeros Konstantinos
Published: July 2016

This study explores the technical and scale efficiency of two types of Greek fishing vessels, small-scale vessels and bottom trawlers, using a bias-corrected input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis model. Moreover, the associations between efficiency scores and vessel’s and skipper’s characteristics are also explored. The results indicate that small-scale vessels achieve a very low average technical efficiency score (0.42) but a much higher scale efficiency score (0.81). Conversely, bottom trawlers achieve lower scale but higher technical efficiency scores (0.68 and 0.73, respectively). One important finding of this study is that the technical efficiency of small-scale vessels, in contrast to trawlers, is positively associated with the experience of the skipper. In a looser context, it can be said that small-scale fisheries mainly rely on skill, whereas bottom trawlers rely more on technology. This study concludes that there is space for improvement in efficiency, mainly for small-scale vessels, which could allow the achievement of the same level of output by using reduced inputs.
Spatiotemporal Variability in the Water Quality of Poyang Lake and Its Associated Responses to Hydrological Conditions
Authors: Li Bing , Yang Guishan , Wan Rongrong , Zhang Yanhui , Dai Xue , Chen Yuwei
Published: July 2016

Determining the spatiotemporal water quality patterns and their corresponding driving factors is crucial for lake water quality managements. This study analyzed hydrological data and concentrations of 11 water quality parameters, including total nitrogen, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen and chlorophyll–a (Chl–a), for water samples collected from 15 sampling sites between 2009 and 2014. The water quality of sites in the northern Poyang Lake–Yangtze River waterway was influenced by different environmental parameters compared to sites in central lake, especially for Chl–a concentration. All pollutant parameters were significantly higher in the river phase (water level <14 m) than in the lake phase (water level >14 m) (p < 0.05). These results were confirmed via principal component analysis, which identified three principal components that explained over 79% of the dataset variance. Among all the parameters related to climatic factors, eutrophication and organic pollution were the most important contributors in water quality. Dilution was the controlling factor that drove the seasonal variability in the water quality of the Poyang Lake, China. This work further indicated that regulating pollutant effluents in tributaries and water level within the lake could improve the water quality in Poyang Lake, which may give some impetus for water quality management.
Falls among Middle-Aged Women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study
Authors: Sharma Anjali , Hoover Donald R , Shi Qiuhu , Holman Susan , Plankey Michael W , Wheeler Amber L , Weber Kathleen , Floris-Moore Michelle , Bolivar Hector H , Vance David E , Mack Wendy J , Golub Elizabeth T , Holstad Marcia McDonnell , Yin Michael T
Published: July 2016

Background

To determine the frequency and risk factors for falls among middle-aged HIV+ and HIV- women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS).

Methods

We quantified self-report of any and multiple (≥2) falls in the prior 6 months among 1,412 HIV+ and 650 HIV- women with mean age 48 years. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of demographics, behavioural factors, comorbid conditions and medications with odds of any fall (versus none) and multiple falls (versus ≤1 fall).

Results

At least one fall was reported in 263 HIV+ (19%) versus 119 HIV- (18%) women, and ≥2 falls reported in 133 HIV+ (9%) versus 65 HIV- (10%) women. HIV infection was not associated with falls in multivariate analyses. Factors independently associated with any fall included age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.71, 95% CI 1.17, 2.49 age 50-59 versus <39 years; aOR 2.26, 95% CI 1.38, 3.71 age ≥60 versus <39), current marijuana use (aOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.53, 3.13) depressive symptoms (aOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.21, 2.05 for Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression score ≥16), subjective cognitive complaints (aOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.56, 3.08), neuropathy (aOR 1.59, 95% CI 1.19, 2.13), obesity (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08, 1.80), number of central nervous system active agents (aOR 2.98, 95% CI 1.90, 4.68 for ≥3 agents versus 0) and WIHS site. Factors associated with ≥2 falls included age, marijuana use, number of central nervous system active agents, subjective cognitive complaints, depressive symptoms, neuropathy and study site.

Conclusions

Falls were associated with factors affecting cognition, but not HIV status in this large cohort of women. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the incidence and consequences of falls by HIV status as women age.