bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A successful habitat reconstruction effort, the short history of the European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) colony at Albertirsa (Hungary)
Authors: Urbán Sándor , Túri Katalin , Vas Zoltán , Fuisz Tibor István
Published: July 2014

In the Golyófogó Valley near Albertirsa natural erosion created near vertical walls in the loess deposited in the last glacial period, offering natural nesting sites for the European Bee-eater. Later the deeply cut coach roads, the pits of loess extraction and the construction works of the motorway nearby created further man-made banks. Hence by the 1970-ies a well-established colony bred here, but by the beginning of the 21st century, disturbance and the demise of vertical banks led to a serious reduction in the number of breeding pairs. The purchase of 5-hectare loess grassland plot and the adjacent loess bank, and later its reconstruction led to an unprecedented growth in the number of Bee-eaters. From 2010 the number of breeding pairs exceeded 200 every year. Not only the Bee-eater colony, but also the natural vegetation and the botanical values of the area are managed to maintain the population of rare and protected element of the local flora and fauna.
Professionalisation as a Modern Global Tendency in the Development of Higher Pedagogical Education in Foreign Countries and Ukraine
Authors: Desiatov Tymofiy
Published: July 2014

The paper deals with the professionalisation of higher pedagogical education as a modern global tendency that places new demands on the quality of education, direction and level of training. It has been noted that the modernization of European education appeared legitimate, since geographical and socio-economic transformations have led to the increase of European citizens’ mobility. The need for the European labor market’s correspondence with international standards of qualification, recognition of diplomas and standardization of education has been thoroughly justified. It has been stressed that the main purpose of the Bologna reforms is to harmonize European educational architecture through the elaboration of common descriptors and quality standards. It has been noted that the increasing demands of the labor market, rapid technological change, globalization, the rise of academic and labor mobility require the use of the competency approach to the formation of would be teachers to improve their professional level, which is a prerequisite and a priority in modernization of higher pedagogical education in Ukraine. The thesis that defines professionalisation as a modern global tendency in the development of higher education has been confirmed. The role of the Bologna agreement in the development of higher education in the EU and Ukraine in the context of implementing a two-stage education, since it deals with a flexible choice of higher educational qualifications and complete upgrade of training programs, as well as strengthening its professional component, has been stressed. The attention has been drawn to the fact that the predominance of bachelor and specialist levels in Ukrainian higher education prevents the effective operation of the master’s degree education.
The Beauty of Teachers’ Work in Reflections of Ukrainian and Polish Teachers
Authors: Semenog Olena
Published: July 2014

The values of human labor and teacher’s work have been reflected on the basis of lexicographical sources and research reflections of famous Ukrainian and Polish pedagogues, such as T. Novatskiy, N. Nychkalo, Pope Paul II, G. Skovoroda, Z. Vyatrovskiy, I. Zyazyun. Among the existing values presented in lexicographical sources the following characteristic of the concept is chosen: “Work is the inspiration, the inner beauty of the human, spiritual richness, and self-development of a person”. On the basis of literary analysis of philosophical and pedagogical works of G. Skovoroda it has been concluded that the working process was regarded by the great philosopher and educator as pleasure and happiness, in spite of the results. One can achieve this happiness following the command of inner nature due to the relationship with a certain kind of free vocational work. Pope Paul II proves that the priority function of teacher’s work is educating people in love, aspiraton of Truth, Beauty, Good, Hope and Freedom, “the awakening of a human in a man”. T. Novatskіy and Z. Vyatrovskiy considered teachers’ work through the values of Love, Truth, Beauty, Goodness, Hope, Liberty, Justice, Solidarity. Scientists consider that teacher’s work is “free”, happy, optimistic and finds its true purpose only when it serves as a source of creative inspiration. The summaryzing of the publications and presentations made by N. Nychkalo proves that the teachers’ work is the means of intellectual and creative potential, experience and a sense of human moral dignity.
Comparative Analysis of Legislative Provision of Adult Education in the USA and Canada (Case Study: Professional Development of Tourism Employees)
Authors: Babushko Svitlana
Published: July 2014

Today Ukraine is in the process of establishing an integral base for adult education and the system of employees’ professional development. Hence, the research of the experience of the countries with a fixed, ramified, but integral system of normative and juridical documents in the above-mentioned fields can be of great use. Addressing to the USA and Canada is caused by the fact that in these countries the questions of vocational training and professional development of employees are juridically regulated.

The article represents the results of the comparative analysis of legislative provision of professional development of employees in the USA and Canada in general, and tourism employees, in particular. Laws for analysis were taken from official sites of state and federal bodies. All of them have been systemized into 4 categories: laws on employment, on human resources, on vocational training and professional development, adult education. Common and different features of both countries have been defined. It has been determined that legislative bases of the USA and Canada are ramified and diverse, but at the same time they are integral and coherent. The analysis has shown that they have a lot of common features, similarity of normative and juridical documents, which is caused, mainly, by the geographical location of these countries, by the market economy which they both have, by similar social problems and common development trends. It has also been found out that Canada has a unique federal program EMERIT aimed at continuous learning of tourism employees and their professional development.

The study of foreign experience allowed us to distinguish the progressive ideas to be applied to the development of Ukrainian legislative provision.
Pro-Health Education of Youth in Poland
Authors: Michalska Aleksandra
Published: July 2014

Nowadays, thanks to greater awareness of society and development of restorative medicine, more and more attention is paid to preventive care. That is caused by the fact that there is little progress for both sexes in the frequency of healthy behavior: girls fall much worse than boys in terms of frequency of physical activity, they do not eat breakfast either; boys do not maintain a healthy diet and are reluctant to eat vegetables and fruits, they often drink high-calorie sodas and less frequently brush teeth. Though with age some improvements in oral hygiene and certain eating behaviors can be noticed.

It has been determined that overweight and obesity is a serious problem, as they can contribute to developmental disorders. In this respect it should be the responsibility of teachers to provide individual physical education (according to medical qualifications), prevent various forms of discrimination and bullying among peers, provide individual counseling and health education, weight control of students.

It has been defined that for modern teachers it is a difficult task as students rarely eat fruits and vegetables, do not care about hygiene and frequency of meals, have passive mode of leisure. The acquisition of health during puberty allows functioning smoothly in society. However, despite the continuous work on improving and introduction of new programs of health education classes into schools of Poland, children still suffer from health-related problems. According to epidemiological research most of children in Poland fall on obesity, overweight and accompanying disorders and allergies. Youth is also exposed to accidents and related injuries. The problem is that students do not receive assistance and necessary information.
Current Requirements of the Society to the Professional Training of Specialists in Information Technology Industry in Japan
Authors: Pododimenko Inna
Published: July 2014

The problem of professional training of skilled human personnel in the industry of information communication technology, the urgency of which is recognized at the state level of Ukraine and the world, has been considered. It has been traced that constantly growing requirements of the labour market, swift scientific progress require the use of innovative approaches to the training of future ІТ specialists with the aim to increase their professional level. The content of standards of professional training and development of information technologies specialists in foreign countries, particularly in Japan, has been analyzed and generalized. On the basis of analysis of educational and professional standards of Japan, basic requirements to the engineer in industry of information communication technology in the conditions of competitive environment at the labour market have been comprehensively characterized. The competencies that graduate students of educational qualification level of bachelor in the conditions of new state policy concerning upgrading the quality of higher education have been considered. The constituents of professional competence in the structure of an engineer-programmer’s personality, necessary on different levels of professional improvement of a specialist for the development of community of highly skilled ІТ specialists, have been summarized. Positive features of foreign experience and the possibility of their implementation into the native educational space have been distinguished. Directions for modernization and upgrading of the quality of higher education in Ukraine and the prospects for further scientific research concerning the practice of specialists in information technologies training have been suggested
Situational Methodology as Multifaceted Pedagogical Tool of Influence on the Formation of Socio-Ethical Values of Future Managers-Economists in Higher Schools of Ukraine and Germany
Authors: Sikaliuk Anzhela
Published: July 2014

The role and importance of situational methodology as one of the pedagogical tools of influence on the formation of socio-ethical values of future managers in higher schools of Ukraine and Germany have been theoretically substantiated. The possibilities of situational methodology influence on the formation of socio-ethical values of students - future managers of economic sphere in higher schools of Ukraine and Germany - have been revealed. The most important functions of the interaction of a future manager with staff have been considered. Special pedagogical factors which have an impact on students’ understanding of socio-ethical peculiarities of professional activity have been analyzed. Professionally directed situations as one of the important pedagogical mechanisms that contribute to enhancing the socio-ethical activity of the students have been considered as well as their ability to participate in meaningful, professional interaction on the basis of professional activity in deterministic situations. It has been proved that the formation of socio-ethical values by means of applying situational methodology requires modeling of situations that would activate students on finding and explaining the so-called socio-ethical and pedagogical factors that occur in professional activity. Direct and inverse relationship between the personality of a future manager and socio-ethical values of a personality in the profession of manager has been revealed. It has been proved that the managerial socio-ethical values is a reflection of a system of ethical knowledge and practical recommendations which regulate the activities of individuals in the professional community and is aimed at receiving maximum efficiency from the economic activity. In this regard two components - the professionalization of students and the formation of their socio-ethical values - make up quite multifaceted educational-upbringing process in higher schools of Ukraine as well as of Germany
Beware of the Caterpillar: Anaphylaxis to the Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Lophocampa Maculata
Authors: DuGar Brandon , Sterbank Julie , Tcheurekdjian Haig , Hostoffer Robert
Published: July 2014

We present a case report of a 5-year-old boy with presumed anaphylaxis to the caterpillar, Lophocampa maculata, manifesting as the acute development of diffuse urticaria and progressive dyspnea. This reaction required prompt treatment with antihistamines and a bronchodilator. Allergen scratch testing with a homogenized caterpillar extract suggests that immunoglobulin E–mediated type I hypersensitivity as the pathophysiological mechanism responsible for the boy's anaphylaxis. This case report represents the first documented occurrence of an anaphylactic reaction to Lophocampa maculata and adds to the rare incidence of documented hypersensitivity to the order Lepidoptera.
Azelastine and Budesonide (Nasal Sprays): Effect of Combination Therapy Monitored by Acoustic Rhinometry and Clinical Symptom Score in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Zanellato Fabbri Natalia , Abib Eduardo , de Lima Zollner Ricardo
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate the effects of intranasal therapy with azelastine (AZE), budesonide (BUD), and combined AZE plus BUD (AZE/BUD) using a nasal provocation test (NPT) and acoustic rhinometry in patients with allergic rhinitis. A randomized, single-blind, crossover study with three treatment sequences was used. Thirty patients with persistent AR received the three treatments using a nasal spray twice daily for 30 days and were evaluated by an NPT with histamine before and after each period of treatment. The treatment comparison, assessed by the nasal responsiveness to histamine, was monitored based on subjective (symptom score) and objective parameters (acoustic rhinometry). The minimal cross-area 2 (MCA2) was measured by acoustic rhinometry at 1, 4, 8, and 12 minutes after NPT for each histamine concentration administered (0.5,1, 2, 4, and 6 mg/mL) up to at least a 20% reduction in the MCA2 from baseline (NPT20). The subjects were scored regarding nasal response encompassing histamine dose and time after histamine administration that caused nasal obstruction (NPT20 score) to assess the treatments' effects. Combination therapy produced a significant increase in baseline MCA2, viz., the improvement of nasal patency (p = 0.005). The symptoms score was significantly decreased after treatment with AZE (p = 0.03), BUD (p < 0.0001), and AZE/BUD (p < 0.0001), compared with pretreatment. The NPT20 score was significantly higher (p = 0.0009) after AZE/BUD, compared with AZE and BUD on their own. Thus, AZE therapy combined with BUD might provide more therapeutic benefits than the isolated drugs for improving nasal patency.
Physical activity and diet among adolescents of Kathmandu, Nepal: Knowledge and attitudes
Authors: Pahlm J , Svensson J , Joshi S K , Swahnberg K
Published: July 2014

Background: Non-communicable diseases are becoming more prevalent in Nepal and many risk factors attributing to these diseases are behaviour-related and therefore preventable. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes among students of grade eight and nine in Kathmandu toward physical activity and diet and their knowledge about how it affects their health. Methods: We conducted four focus groups that included 24 students to explore knowledge and attitudes toward physical activity among them. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim later. Method described by K. Malterud, inspired by Giorgi’s phenomenological method was used to analyze the transcribed material. Results: Participants considered physical activity to be benefi cial for health in many ways. They also believed that healthy food is important to avoid diseases. Several participants mentioned that a balanced lifestyle is essential for a healthy life. Conclusion: Though the students saw the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet to avoid diseases and stay healthy, most of them did not connect a lack of physical activity and unhealthy diet to possible noncommunicable diseases in the future. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v2i2.10623Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 2, No. 2, Issue 4, Apr.-Jun., 2013, Page: 51-58
Role of private sector for HRH (Human Resource for Health) production in Nepal
Authors: Dixit Hemang
Published: July 2014

Human Resource for Health production was started in Nepal in a limited way some eighty years ago and picked up a somewhat faster pace from the 1950s as per the requirements at that time. The establishment of the Institute of Medicine led to some diversification but it was only after 1990 that there has been a much larger involvement of the private sector in the production of Human Resources for Health. Although a number of categories have been listed in this article, the position of doctors, dentists and nurses has been dealt with in more detail. The information provided from relevant councils and some non-governmental organisations regarding the numbers produced and working in Nepal has been quoted. Not much information is available regarding the Nepalis working out of the country. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v2i2.10634Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 2, No. 2, Issue 4, Apr.-Jun., 2013, page: 97-103
Book Review: Chikitsa Sikshyama fadko (Nepali Language) Author: Professor Dr. Sita Ram Adhikari and Essentials of Medical Education by Prof. Dr. Ramesh K. Adhikari
Authors: Dixit Hemang
Published: July 2014

Not available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v2i2.10635Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 2, No. 2, Issue 4, Apr.-Jun., 2013, Page: 104-108
Solving the Examination Timetabling Problem in GPUs
Authors: Kolonias Vasileios , Goulas George , Gogos Christos , Alefragis Panayiotis , Housos Efthymios
Published: July 2014

The examination timetabling problem belongs to the class of combinatorial optimization problems and is of great importance for every University. In this paper, a hybrid evolutionary algorithm running on a GPU is employed to solve the examination timetabling problem. The hybrid evolutionary algorithm proposed has a genetic algorithm component and a greedy steepest descent component. The GPU computational capabilities allow the use of very large population sizes, leading to a more thorough exploration of the problem solution space. The GPU implementation, depending on the size of the problem, is up to twenty six times faster than the identical single-threaded CPU implementation of the algorithm. The algorithm is evaluated with the well known Toronto datasets and compares well with the best results found in the bibliography. Moreover, the selection of the encoding of the chromosomes and the tournament selection size as the population grows are examined and optimized. The compressed sparse row format is used for the conflict matrix and was proven essential to the process, since most of the datasets have a small conflict density, which translates into an extremely sparse matrix.
Drug Resistance Mechanisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Palomino Juan , Martin Anandi
Published: July 2014

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health problem worldwide. Its situation is worsened by the presence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of the disease. In recent years, even more serious forms of drug resistance have been reported. A better knowledge of the mechanisms of drug resistance of M. tuberculosis and the relevant molecular mechanisms involved will improve the available techniques for rapid drug resistance detection and will help to explore new targets for drug activity and development. This review article discusses the mechanisms of action of anti-tuberculosis drugs and the molecular basis of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis.
Oxidative Stress and the Use of Antioxidants in Stroke
Authors: Shirley Rachel , Ord Emily , Work Lorraine
Published: July 2014

Transient or permanent interruption of cerebral blood flow by occlusion of a cerebral artery gives rise to an ischaemic stroke leading to irreversible damage or dysfunction to the cells within the affected tissue along with permanent or reversible neurological deficit. Extensive research has identified excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death as key contributory pathways underlying lesion progression. The cornerstone of treatment for acute ischaemic stroke remains reperfusion therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). The downstream sequelae of events resulting from spontaneous or pharmacological reperfusion lead to an imbalance in the production of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) over endogenous anti-oxidant protection strategies. As such, anti-oxidant therapy has long been investigated as a means to reduce the extent of injury resulting from ischaemic stroke with varying degrees of success. Here we discuss the production and source of these ROS and the various strategies employed to modulate levels. These strategies broadly attempt to inhibit ROS production or increase scavenging or degradation of ROS. While early clinical studies have failed to translate success from bench to bedside, the combination of anti-oxidants with existing thrombolytics or novel neuroprotectants may represent an avenue worthy of clinical investigation. Clearly, there is a pressing need to identify new therapeutic alternatives for the vast majority of patients who are not eligible to receive rt-PA for this debilitating and devastating disease.
STAT3 in Cancer—Friend or Foe?
Authors: Zhang Hai-Feng , Lai Raymond
Published: July 2014

The roles and significance of STAT3 in cancer biology have been extensively studied for more than a decade. Mounting evidence has shown that constitutive activation of STAT3 is a frequent biochemical aberrancy in cancer cells, and this abnormality directly contributes to tumorigenesis and shapes many malignant phenotypes in cancer cells. Nevertheless, results from more recent experimental and clinicopathologic studies have suggested that STAT3 also can exert tumor suppressor effects under specific conditions. Importantly, some of these studies have demonstrated that STAT3 can function either as an oncoprotein or a tumor suppressor in the same cell type, depending on the specific genetic background or presence/absence of specific coexisting biochemical defects. Thus, in the context of cancer biology, STAT3 can be a friend or foe. In the first half of this review, we will highlight the “evil” features of STAT3 by summarizing its oncogenic functions and mechanisms. The differences between the canonical and non-canonical pathway will be highlighted. In the second half, we will summarize the evidence supporting that STAT3 can function as a tumor suppressor. To explain how STAT3 may mediate its tumor suppressor effects, we will discuss several possible mechanisms, one of which is linked to the role of STAT3β, one of the two STAT3 splicing isoforms. Taken together, it is clear that the roles of STAT3 in cancer are multi-faceted and far more complicated than one appreciated previously. The new knowledge has provided us with new approaches and strategies when we evaluate STAT3 as a prognostic biomarker or therapeutic target.
Immobilization of Tyrosinase from Avocado Crude Extract in Polypyrrole Films for Inhibitive Detection of Benzoic Acid
Authors: Brisolari André , Gonçalves Débora
Published: July 2014

Inhibition-based biosensors were developed by immobilizing tyrosinase (Tyr, polyphenol oxidase) from the crude extract of avocado fruit on electrochemically prepared polypyrrole (PPy) films. The biosensors were prepared during the electropolymerization of pyrrole in a solution containing a fixed volume of the crude extract of avocado. The dependence of the biosensor responses on the volume used from the crude extract, values of pH and temperature was studied, and a substrate, catechol, at different concentrations, was amperometrically detected by these biosensors. Benzoic acid, a competitive inhibitor of Try, was added to the catechol solutions at specific concentrations aimed at obtaining the inhibition constant, K’m, which ranged from 1.7 to 4.6 mmol∙L−1 for 0.0 and 60 µmol∙L−1 of benzoic acid, respectively. Studies on the inhibition caused by benzoic acid by using PPy/Try films, and catechol as a substrate, allowed us propose how to develop, under optimized conditions, simple and low-cost biosensors based on the use of avocado fruit.
Searching for Conservation Laws in Brain Dynamics—BOLD Flux and Source Imaging
Authors: Voss Henning , Schiff Nicholas
Published: July 2014

Blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) imaging is the most important noninvasive tool to map human brain function. It relies on local blood-flow changes controlled by neurovascular coupling effects, usually in response to some cognitive or perceptual task. In this contribution we ask if the spatiotemporal dynamics of the BOLD signal can be modeled by a conservation law. In analogy to the description of physical laws, which often can be derived from some underlying conservation law, identification of conservation laws in the brain could lead to new models for the functional organization of the brain. Our model is independent of the nature of the conservation law, but we discuss possible hints and motivations for conservation laws. For example, globally limited blood supply and local competition between brain regions for blood might restrict the large scale BOLD signal in certain ways that could be observable. One proposed selective pressure for the evolution of such conservation laws is the closed volume of the skull limiting the expansion of brain tissue by increases in blood volume. These ideas are demonstrated on a mental motor imagery fMRI experiment, in which functional brain activation was mapped in a group of volunteers imagining themselves swimming. In order to search for local conservation laws during this complex cognitive process, we derived maps of quantities resulting from spatial interaction of the BOLD amplitudes. Specifically, we mapped fluxes and sources of the BOLD signal, terms that would appear in a description by a continuity equation. Whereas we cannot present final answers with the particular analysis of this particular experiment, some results seem to be non-trivial. For example, we found that during task the group BOLD flux covered more widespread regions than identified by conventional BOLD mapping and was always increasing during task. It is our hope that these results motivate more work towards the search for conservation laws in neuroimaging experiments or at least towards imaging procedures based on spatial interactions of signals. The payoff could be new models for the dynamics of the healthy brain or more sensitive clinical imaging approaches, respectively.
On the Connections of Generalized Entropies With Shannon and Kolmogorov–Sinai Entropies
Authors: Falniowski Fryderyk
Published: July 2014

We consider the concept of generalized Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy, where instead of the Shannon entropy function, we consider an arbitrary concave function defined on the unit interval, vanishing in the origin. Under mild assumptions on this function, we show that this isomorphism invariant is linearly dependent on the Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy.
Thermal-Economic Modularization of Small, Organic Rankine Cycle Power Plants for Mid-Enthalpy Geothermal Fields
Authors: Nusiaputra Yodha , Wiemer Hans-Joachim , Kuhn Dietmar
Published: July 2014

The costs of the surface infrastructure in mid-enthalpy geothermal power systems, especially in remote areas, could be reduced by using small, modular Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plants. Thermal-economic criteria have been devised to standardize ORC plant dimensions for such applications. We designed a modular ORC to utilize various wellhead temperatures (120–170 °C), mass flow rates and ambient temperatures (−10–40 °C). A control strategy was developed using steady-state optimization, in order to maximize net power production at off-design conditions. Optimum component sizes were determined using specific investment cost (SIC) minimization and mean cashflow (MCF) maximization for three different climate scenarios. Minimizing SIC did not yield significant benefits, but MCF proved to be a much better optimization function.
Estimating Limits for the Geothermal Energy Potential of Abandoned Underground Coal Mines: A Simple Methodology
Authors: Díez Rafael , Díaz-Aguado María
Published: July 2014

Flooded mine workings have good potential as low-enthalpy geothermal resources, which could be used for heating and cooling purposes, thus making use of the mines long after mining activity itself ceases. It would be useful to estimate the scale of the geothermal potential represented by abandoned and flooded underground mines in Europe. From a few practical considerations, a procedure has been developed for assessing the geothermal energy potential of abandoned underground coal mines, as well as for quantifying the reduction in CO2 emissions associated with using the mines instead of conventional heating/cooling technologies. On this basis the authors have been able to estimate that the geothermal energy available from underground coal mines in Europe is on the order of several thousand megawatts thermal. Although this is a gross value, it can be considered a minimum, which in itself vindicates all efforts to investigate harnessing it.
Research on Energy Saving Potential for Dedicated Ventilation Systems Based on Heat Recovery Technology
Authors: Zhang Lian , Zhang Yu-Feng
Published: July 2014

Research results have identified the use of heat pipe heat exchangers (HPHXs) for heat recovery as a way to reduce the pre-cooling and re-heating energy. This paper suggests decoupling dehumidification from cooling to reduce energy consumption. The feasible usage and the energy saving potential of heat pipe heat exchanger at the air handler dedicated in accomplishing this objective is investigated. In this paper a dedicated ventilation system combined with a HPHX to reduce energy consumption is tested and investigated under varying conditions by laboratory experiments. The energy saving potential and heat pipe (HP) effectiveness are tested and calculated under various outdoor conditions. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that for all cases examined, the average HP effectiveness and energy savings have the same trend at various outdoor temperatures and Relative Humidity (RH) values. It has been found that the heat pipe can be applied to save over 60% energy for the air-conditioning operating hours. The reduction in overall energy is from 1.8% to 2.8% for the whole system. Therefore, the results confirm that the proposed set-up is useful for buildings to achieve intended energy saving objectives in subtropical climates where air-conditioning demand is highly variable.
Correction of Erroneous LiDAR Measurements in Artificial Forest Canopy Experimental Setups
Authors: Cifuentes Renato , Van der Zande Dimitry , Salas Christian , Farifteh Jamshid , Coppin Pol
Published: July 2014

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data makes possible to directly characterize the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of canopy foliage elements. The scanned edges of these elements may result in incorrectly point measurements (i.e., “ghost points”) impacting the quality of point cloud data. Therefore, estimation of the ghost points’ spatial visibilities, measurement of their characteristics and their removal are essential. In order to quantify the improvements on data quality, a method is developed in this study to efficiently correct for ghost points. Since the occurrence of ghost points is governed by a number of factors, (e.g., scanning resolution and distance, object properties, incident angle); the developed method is based on the analysis of the effects of these factors under controlled conditions where canopy-like objects (i.e., leaves, branches and layers of leaves) were scanned using a continuous-wave TLS system that employs phase-shift technology. Manual extraction of ghost points was done in order to calculate the relative amount of ghost points per scan, or ghost points ratio (gpr). The gpr values were computed in order to: (i) analyze their relationships with variables representing the above factors; and (ii) be used as a reference to evaluate the performance of filters used for extraction of ghost points. The ghost points’ occurrence was modeled by fitting regression models using different predictor variables that represent the variables under study. The obtained results indicated that reduced models with three predictors were suitable for gpr estimation in artificial leaves and in artificial branches, with a relative root mean squared error (RMSE) of 4.7% and 3.7%, respectively; while the full model with four predictors was appropriate for artificial layers of leaves, with relative RMSE of 4.5%. According to the statistical analysis, scanning distance was identified as the most important variable for modeling ghost points occurrence. Results indicated that optimized distance-based filters relative to the scanning distance have improved the outcomes in ghost points detection, in comparison to standard filtering criteria. These results suggest that more accurate characterization of forest canopy 3D structures can be achieved by removing ghost points using the new developed method.
Hydrological Implications of Covering Wind-Blown Snow Accumulations with Geotextiles on Mount Aragats, Armenia
Authors: Nestler Alexander , Huss Matthias , Ambartzumian Rouben , Hambarian Artak
Published: July 2014

Snow is an excellent water reservoir, naturally storing large quantities of water at time scales from a few days to several months. In summer-dry countries, like Armenia, runoff due to snow melt from mountain regions is highly important for a sustained water supply (irrigation, hydropower). Snow fields on Mount Aragats, Armenia’s highest peak, often persist until July, providing vital amounts of melt water. Artificially managing these wind-driven snow accumulations as a natural water reservoir might have considerable potential. In the context of the Swiss-Armenian joint venture, Freezwater, snow fields are covered with geotextiles in order to delay snow melt long enough to provide additional melt water in the dry season of the year. In this study, we analyze the hydrological effectiveness of the artificial management of the natural snow cover on Mount Aragats based on various field measurements acquired over a three-year period and numerical modeling. Over the winter season, partly more than five meter-thick snow deposits are formed supported by snow redistribution by strong wind. Repeated mappings of snow fields indicate that snow cover patterns remain highly consistent over time. Measurements of ablation below manually applied geotextiles show a considerable reduction of melt rates by more than 50%. Simulations with an energy-balance model and a distributed temperature-index model allow assessing the hydrological effect of artificial snow management for different initial snow depths and elevations and suggest that coverage is needed at a large scale in order to generate a significant impact on discharge.
Socio Emotional Wealth Preservation in the REIT Industry: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Noguera Magdy , Chang Erick
Published: July 2014

Our study uses the Socio Emotional Wealth Perspective (SEW) to test our contention that Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) founders are more inclined to satisfy first their non-economic goals rather than satisfying the economic goals of REIT shareholders. We test our hypotheses with an unbalanced panel dataset that includes an average of 66 publicly-traded equity REITs from 1999–2012 that produced 921 REIT-year observations. Our exploratory results provide evidence of SEW preservation as REITs led by founders’ successors tend to underperform; however, the family identification with the REIT affects performance positively. This is one of the first studies that merge the REIT and the family business streams of research. Future directions are suggested.
Effects of Silica and Titanium Oxide Particles on a Human Neural Stem Cell Line: Morphology, Mitochondrial Activity, and Gene Expression of Differentiation Markers
Authors: Fujioka Kouki , Hanada Sanshiro , Inoue Yuriko , Sato Keisuke , Hirakuri Kenji , Shiraishi Kouichi , Kanaya Fumihide , Ikeda Keiichi , Usui Ritsuko , Yamamoto Kenji , Kim Seung , Manome Yoshinobu
Published: July 2014

Several in vivo studies suggest that nanoparticles (smaller than 100 nm) have the ability to reach the brain tissue. Moreover, some nanoparticles can penetrate into the brains of murine fetuses through the placenta by intravenous administration to pregnant mice. However, it is not clear whether the penetrated nanoparticles affect neurogenesis or brain function. To evaluate its effects on neural stem cells, we assayed a human neural stem cell (hNSCs) line exposed in vitro to three types of silica particles (30 nm, 70 nm, and <44 µm) and two types of titanium oxide particles (80 nm and < 44 µm). Our results show that hNSCs aggregated and exhibited abnormal morphology when exposed to the particles at concentrations = 0.1 mg/mL for 7 days. Moreover, all the particles affected the gene expression of Nestin (stem cell marker) and neurofilament heavy polypeptide (NF-H, neuron marker) at 0.1 mg/mL. In contrast, only 30-nm silica particles at 1.0 mg/mL significantly reduced mitochondrial activity. Notably, 30-nm silica particles exhibited acute membrane permeability at concentrations =62.5 µg/mL in 24 h. Although these concentrations are higher than the expected concentrations of nanoparticles in the brain from in vivo experiments in a short period, these thresholds may indicate the potential toxicity of accumulated particles for long-term usage or continuous exposure.
Restoration of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine–Nitric Oxide Balance to Prevent the Development of Hypertension
Authors: Tain You-Lin , Huang Li-Tung
Published: July 2014

Despite the use of extensive antihypertensive therapy in patients with hypertension, little attention has been paid to early identification and intervention of individuals at risk for developing hypertension. The imbalance between nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of hypertension. NO deficiency can precede the development of hypertension. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) can inhibit nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and regulate local NO/ROS balance. Emerging evidence supports the hypothesis that ADMA-induced NO–ROS imbalance is involved in the development and progression of hypertension. Thus, this review summarizes recent experimental approaches to restore ADMA–NO balance in order to prevent the development of hypertension. Since hypertension might originate in early life, we also discuss the putative role of the ADMA–NO pathway in programmed hypertension. Better understanding of manipulations of the ADMA–NO pathway prior to hypertension in favor of NO will pave the way for the development of more effective medicine for the treatment prehypertension and programmed hypertension. However, more studies are needed to confirm the clinical benefit of these interventions.
Base Flip in DNA Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulationsof Differently-Oxidized Forms of Methyl-Cytosine
Authors: Helabad Mahdi , Kanaan Natalia , Imhof Petra
Published: July 2014

Distortions in the DNA sequence, such as damage or mispairs, are specifically recognized and processed by DNA repair enzymes. Many repair proteins and, in particular, glycosylases flip the target base out of the DNA helix into the enzyme’s active site. Our molecular dynamics simulations of DNA with intact and damaged (oxidized) methyl-cytosine show that the probability of being flipped is similar for damaged and intact methyl-cytosine. However, the accessibility of the different 5-methyl groups allows direct discrimination of the oxidized forms. Hydrogen-bonded patterns that vary between methyl-cytosine forms carrying a carbonyl oxygen atom are likely to be detected by the repair enzymes and may thus help target site recognition.
Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Bacterial Blight Resistance in Rice Using Bulked Segregant Analysis
Authors: Han Xueying , Yang Yong , Wang Xuming , Zhou Jie , Zhang Wenhao , Yu Chulang , Cheng Chen , Cheng Ye , Yan Chengqi , Chen Jianping
Published: July 2014

Oryza meyeriana is highly resistant to rice bacterial blight (BB) and this resistance trait has been transferred to cultivated rice (O. sativa) using asymmetric somatic hybridization. However, no resistance genes have yet been cloned. In the present study, a progeny of the somatic hybridization with high BB resistance was crossed with a rice cultivar with high BB susceptibility to develop an F2 population. Using bulked segregant analysis (BSA), 17 polymorphic markers that were linked to rice BB resistance were obtained through scanning a total of 186 simple sequence repeats (SSR) and sequence-tagged site (STS) markers, evenly distributed on 12 chromosomes. A genetic linkage map was then constructed based on the 17 linkage markers and the F2 segregating population, which was followed by mapping for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for BB resistance. Three QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1, 3 and 5, respectively, and the alleles of the resistant parent at any of the QTLs increased BB resistance. All of the three QTLs had a strong effect on resistance, explaining about 21.5%, 12.3% and 39.2% of the resistance variance, respectively. These QTLs were different from the loci of the BB resistance genes that have been identified in previous studies. The QTLs mapped in this work will facilitate the isolation of novel BB resistance genes and their utilization in rice resistance breeding.
Molecular Identification of Diaspididae and Elucidation of Non-Native Species Using the Genes 28s and 16s
Authors: Campbell Alexander , Lawrence Andrew , Hudspath Caleb , Gruwell Matthew
Published: July 2014

Armored scale insects pose a serious threat to habitat conservation across the globe because they include some of the most potent invasive species in the world. They are such a serious concern because their basic morphology, small size, and polyphagous feeding habits often allow them to exist undetected by growers and quarantine experts. In order to provide a potential solution to the problem, we have attempted to elucidate the effectiveness of molecular identification techniques using ribosomal 28s and endosymbiotic 16s rRNA. Sequence data was obtained from many field-collected insects to test the feasibility of identification techniques. A protocol for quick species determination based on sequence data is provided.
Maternal Serum Screening Markers and Adverse Outcome: A New Perspective
Authors: Krantz David , Hallahan Terrence , Janik David , Carmichael Jonathan
Published: July 2014

There have been a number of studies evaluating the association of aneuploidy serum markers with adverse pregnancy outcome. More recently, the development of potential treatments for these adverse outcomes as well as the introduction of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) screening for aneuploidy necessitates a re-evaluation of the benefit of serum markers in the identification of adverse outcomes. Analysis of the literature indicates that the serum markers tend to perform better in identifying pregnancies at risk for the more severe but less frequent form of individual pregnancy complications rather than the more frequent but milder forms of the condition. As a result, studies which evaluate the association of biomarkers with a broad definition of a given condition may underestimate the ability of such markers to identify pregnancies that are destined to develop the more severe form of the condition. Consideration of general population screening using cffDNA solely must be weighed against the fact that traditional screening using serum markers enables detection of severe pregnancy complications, not detectable with cffDNA, of which many may be amenable to treatment options.
The Psychological Challenges of Replacing Conventional Karyotyping with Genomic SNP Array Analysis in Prenatal Testing
Authors: Riedijk Sam , Diderich Karin , Van der Steen Sanne , Govaerts Lutgarde , Joosten Marieke , Knapen Maarten , De Vries Femke , Van Opstal Diane , Tibben Aad , Galjaard Robert-Jan
Published: July 2014

Pregnant couples tend to prefer a maximum of information about the health of their fetus. Therefore, we implemented whole genome microarray instead of conventional karyotyping (CK) for all indications for prenatal diagnosis (PND). The array detects more clinically relevant anomalies, including early onset disorders, not related to the indication and more genetic anomalies of yet unquantifiable risk, so-called susceptibility loci (SL) for mainly neurodevelopmental disorders. This manuscript highlights the psychological challenges in prenatal genetic counselling when using the array and provides counselling suggestions. First, we suggest that pre-test decision counselling should emphasize deliberation about what pregnant couples wish to learn about the future health of their fetus more than information about possible outcomes. Second, pregnant couples need support in dealing with SL. Therefore, in order to consider the SL in a proportionate perspective, the presence of phenotypes associated with SL in the family, the incidence of a particular SL in control populations and in postnatally ascertained patients needs highlighting during post-test genetic counselling. Finally, the decision that couples need to make about the course of their pregnancy is more complicated when the expected phenotype is variable and not quantifiable. Therefore, during post-test psychological counseling, couples should concretize the options of continuing and ending their pregnancy; all underlying feelings and thoughts should be made explicit, as well as the couple’s resources, in order to attain adequate decision-making. As such, pre- and post-test counselling aids pregnant couples in handling the uncertainties that may accompany offering a broader scope of genetic PND using the array.
Monitoring Forest Change in Landscapes Under-Going Rapid Energy Development: Challenges and New Perspectives
Authors: Pickell Paul , Gergel Sarah , Coops Nicholas , Andison David
Published: July 2014

The accelerated development of energy resources around the world has substantially increased forest change related to oil and gas activities. In some cases, oil and gas activities are the primary catalyst of land-use change in forested landscapes. We discuss the challenges associated with characterizing ecological change related to energy resource development using North America as an exemplar. We synthesize the major impacts of energy development to forested ecosystems and offer new perspectives on how to detect and monitor anthropogenic disturbance during the Anthropocene. The disturbance of North American forests for energy development has resulted in persistent linear corridors, suppression of historical disturbance regimes, novel ecosystems, and the eradication of ecological memory. Characterizing anthropogenic disturbances using conventional patch-based disturbance measures will tend to underestimate the ecological impacts of energy development. Suitable indicators of anthropogenic impacts in forests should be derived from the integration of multi-scalar Earth observations. Relating these indicators to ecosystem condition will be a capstone in the progress toward monitoring forest change in landscapes undergoing rapid energy development.