bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knockdown of WHIRLY1 Affects Drought Stress-Induced Leaf Senescence and Histone Modifications of the Senescence-Associated Gene HvS40
Authors: Janack Bianka , Sosoi Paula , Krupinska Karin , Humbeck Klaus
Published: September 2016

The plastid-nucleus located protein WHIRLY1 has been described as an upstream regulator of leaf senescence, binding to the promoter of senescence-associated genes like HvS40. To investigate the impact of WHIRLY1 on drought stress-induced, premature senescence, transgenic barley plants with an RNAi-mediated knockdown of the HvWHIRLY1 gene were grown under normal and drought stress conditions. The course of leaf senescence in these lines was monitored by physiological parameters and studies on the expression of senescence- and drought stress-related genes. Drought treatment accelerated leaf senescence in WT plants, whereas WHIRLY 1 knockdown lines (RNAi-W1) showed a stay-green phenotype. Expression of both senescence-associated and drought stress-responsive genes, was delayed in the transgenic plants. Notably, expression of transcription factors of the WRKY and NAC families, which are known to function in senescence- and stress-related signaling pathways, was affected in plants with impaired accumulation of WHIRLY1, indicating that WHIRLY1 acts as an upstream regulator of drought stress-induced senescence. To reveal the epigenetic indexing of HvS40 at the onset of drought-induced senescence in WT and RNAi-W1 lines, stress-responsive loading with histone modifications of promoter and coding sequences of HvS40 was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantified by qRT-PCR. In the wildtype, the euchromatic mark H3K9ac of the HvS40 gene was low under control conditions and was established in response to drought treatment, indicating the action of epigenetic mechanisms in response to drought stress. However, drought stress caused no significant increase in H3K9ac in plants impaired in accumulation of WHIRLY1. The results show that WHIRLY1 knockdown sets in motion a delay in senescence that involves all aspects of gene expression, including changes in chromatin structure.
Noise Suppression on the Tunable Laser for Precise Cavity Length Displacement Measurement
Authors: Šmíd Radek , Čížek Martin , Mikel Břetislav , Hrabina Jan , Lazar Josef , Číp Ondřej
Published: September 2016

The absolute distance between the mirrors of a Fabry-Perot cavity with a spacer from an ultra low expansion material was measured by an ultra wide tunable laser diode. The DFB laser diode working at 1542 nm with 1.5 MHz linewidth and 2 nm tuning range has been suppressed with an unbalanced heterodyne fiber interferometer. The frequency noise of laser has been suppressed by 40 dB across the Fourier frequency range 30–300 Hz and by 20 dB up to 4 kHz and the linewidth of the laser below 300 kHz. The relative resolution of the measurement was 10 − 9 that corresponds to 0.3 nm (sub-nm) for 0.178 m long cavity with ability of displacement measurement of 0.5 mm.
Modeling of Distributed Sensing of Elastic Waves by Fiber-Optic Interferometry
Authors: Agbodjan Prince Just , Kohl Franz , Sauter Thilo
Published: September 2016

This paper deals with the transduction of strain accompanying elastic waves in solids by firmly attached optical fibers. Stretching sections of optical fibers changes the time required by guided light to pass such sections. Exploiting interferometric techniques, highly sensitive fiber-optic strain transducers are feasible based on this fiber-intrinsic effect. The impact on the actual strain conversion of the fiber segment’s shape and size, as well as its inclination to the elastic wavefront is studied. FEM analyses show that severe distortions of the interferometric response occur when the attached fiber length spans a noticeable fraction of the elastic wavelength. Analytical models of strain transduction are presented for typical transducer shapes. They are used to compute input-output relationships for the transduction of narrow-band strain pulses as a function of the mechanical wavelength. The described approach applies to many transducers depending on the distributed interaction with the investigated object.
Income Sharing within Households: Evidence from Data on Financial Satisfaction
Authors: Elsas Susanne
Published: September 2016

This paper contributes to the understanding of gender aspects in the intra-household sharing of income. I estimate models of differences in financial satisfaction between household partners using panel data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study, which allows one to account for household-level fixed effects. The paper adds to the literature a further convincing rejection of the equal sharing hypothesis. What is more and novel, the results imply that unequal income sharing is asymmetric and triggered by the relative employment statuses of the partners: in male breadwinner households, the women’s well-being is affected by the distribution factor; in double full-time couples, it is the man’s well-being.
Influence of Source Credibility on Consumer Acceptance of Genetically Modified Foods in China
Authors: Zhang Mingyang , Chen Chao , Hu Wuyang , Chen Lijun , Zhan Jintao
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the reasoning mechanism behind the consumer acceptance of genetically modified foods (GMFs) in China, and investigates influence of source credibility on consumer acceptance of GMFs. Based on the original Persuasion Model—which was developed by Carl Hovland, an American psychologist and pioneer in the study of communication and its effect on attitudes and beliefs—we conducted a survey using multistage sampling from 1167 urban residents, which were proportionally selected from six cities in three economic regions (south, central, and north) in the Jiangsu province through face to face interviews. Mixed-process regression that could correct endogeneity and ordered probit model were used to test the impact of source credibility on consumers’ acceptance of GMFs. Our major finding was that consumer acceptance of GMFs is affected by such factors as information source credibility, general attitudes, gender, and education levels. The reliability of biotechnology research institutes, government offices devoted to management of GM organisms (GMOs), and GMO technological experts have expedited urban consumer acceptance of GM soybean oil. However, public acceptance can also decrease as faith in the environmental organization. We also found that ignorance of the endogeneity of above mentioned source significantly undervalued its effect on consumers’ acceptance. Moreover, the remaining three sources (non-GMO experts, food companies, and anonymous information found on the Internet) had almost no effect on consumer acceptance. Surprisingly, the more educated people in our survey were more skeptical towards GMFs. Our results contribute to the behavioral literature on consumer attitudes toward GMFs by developing a reasoning mechanism determining consumer acceptance of GMFs. Particularly, this paper quantitatively studied the influence of different source credibility on consumer acceptance of GMFs by using mixed-process regression to correct endogeneity in information sources, while taking into consideration of information asymmetry and specific preference in the use of information sources.
Public Willingness to Pay for Transforming Jogyesa Buddhist Temple in Seoul, Korea into a Cultural Tourism Resource
Authors: Lim Seul-Ye , Kim Ho-Young , Yoo Seung-Hoon
Published: September 2016

The Jogyesa Buddhist Temple (JBT), located in Seoul, Korea, is the chief temple of the Jogye Order, which represents Korean Buddhism. The Seoul government plans to transform the JBT into a cultural tourism resource and a historical site. This study attempts to analyze the willingness to pay (WTP) for implementing the transformation, which includes building a new shopping arcade for Buddhist culture and tourism, constructing a museum for the teaching of history and an experience center for Korean traditional culture in the precincts of JBT, and making an open space for domestic and/or foreign visitors. To this end, the study looks into the WTP for the implementation, reporting on a contingent valuation (CV) survey that was conducted with 500 Seoul households. The single-bounded dichotomous choice CV model and a spike model were applied to derive the WTP responses and analyze the WTP data with zero observations, respectively. The mean yearly WTP was computed to be KRW 7129 (USD 6.30) per household for the next five years, with the estimate being statistically significant at the 1% level. Expanding the value to the Seoul population gives us KRW 25.4 billion (USD 22.5 million) per year. The present value of the total WTP amounts to KRW 114.6 billion (USD 101.3 million) using a social discount rate of 5.5%. We can conclude that Seoul households are ready to shoulder some of the financial burden of implementing the transformation.
miR-541 Contributes to Microcystin-LR-Induced Reproductive Toxicity through Regulating the Expression of p15 in Mice
Authors: Meng Xiannan , Zhang Ling , Chen Xiang , Xiang Zou , Li Dongmei , Han Xiaodong
Published: September 2016

Microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR) is a harmful cyanotoxin produced by cyanobacteria. MC-LR can exert endocrine-disrupting activities in many organisms. We have previously demonstrated that MC-LR exerts both acute and chronic reproductive toxicity in male mice, resulting in a decline in sperm quality and damage to testicular structure. Moreover, we also observed extensive alterations in a panel of microRNAs in spermatogonial cells after exposure to MC-LR. In this study, we have confirmed that miR-541 was significantly increased both in GC-1 cells (in vitro) and in mouse testes (in vivo) after exposure to MC-LR. Our data support that p15 was the target gene of miR-541. Increase in miR-541 led to a reduction of p15 and murine double minute2 (MDM2), promoting the activation of p53 signaling and MC-LR-mediated cell apoptosis. Moreover, cells responded to MC-LR with reduced viability and increased apoptosis. Consistently, inhibiting miR-541 could upregulate the expression of p15 and MDM2, resulting in the downregulation of phospho-p53. Downregulation of miR-541 promoted cell viability by reducing MC-LR-induced cell apoptosis. In conclusion, we demonstrate here a crucial role for miR-541 in MC-LR-induced toxic effects on the reproductive system, in an attempt to provide a rational strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of MC-LR-induced impairment in the reproductive system.
Treatment of Alkaline Stripped Effluent in Aerated Constructed Wetlands: Feasibility Evaluation and Performance Enhancement
Authors: He Keli , Lv Tao , Wu Shubiao , Guo Luchen , Ajmal Zeeshan , Luo Hongzhen , Dong Renjie
Published: September 2016

Ammonium stripping has gained increasing interest for nitrogen recovery in anaerobically digested effluents. However, the stripped effluents often still do not meet discharge standards, having high pH and residual pollutants. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are an easy to operate ecosystem and have a long history of application in treatment of wastewaters with extreme pH, such as acid mine drainage. However, knowledge of the mechanistic details involved in the use of CWs to treat high alkaline drainage, such as stripped effluent, is insufficient. This study explored the feasibility and effectiveness of using three sub-surface horizontal flow CWs to treat high alkaline stripped effluent (pH > 10). Two intensification strategies—intermittent aeration and effluent recirculation—were evaluated to enhance nitrogen depuration performance. The results show that the treatment of alkaline stripped effluent is feasible due to the high buffering capacity of the wetlands. Effluent recirculation combined with intermittent artificial aeration improves nitrogen removal, with 71% total nitrogen (TN) removal. Ammonia volatilization from the surface of the wetlands in high alkaline conditions only contributed to 3% of the total removed ammonium. The microbial abundance and activity had significant diversity for the various enhancement strategies used in the constructed wetland systems. Anammox is an important process for nitrogen removal in CWs treating alkaline stripped effluent, and possible enhancements of this process should be investigated further.
The in situ generation and reactive quench of diazonium compounds in the synthesis of azo compounds in microreactors
Authors: Akwi Faith M , Watts Paul
Published: September 2016

In this paper, a micro-fluidic optimized process for the continuous flow synthesis of azo compounds is presented. The continuous flow synthesis of Sudan II azo dye was used as a model reaction for the study. At found optimal azo coupling reaction temperature and pH an investigation of the optimum flow rates of the reactants for the diazotization and azo coupling reactions in Little Things Factory-MS microreactors was performed. A conversion of 98% was achieved in approximately 2.4 minutes and a small library of azo compounds was thus generated under these reaction conditions from couplers with aminated or hydroxylated aromatic systems. The scaled up synthesis of these compounds in PTFE tubing (i.d. 1.5 mm) was also investigated, where good reaction conversions ranging between 66–91% were attained.
CHANDRA AND SWIFT X-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF THE X-RAY PULSAR SMC X-2 DURING THE OUTBURST OF 2015
Authors: Li K. L. , Hu C.-P , Lin L. C. C. , Kong Albert K. H.
Published: September 2016

We report the Chandra/HRC-S and Swift/XRT observations for the 2015 outburst of the high-mass X-ray binary pulsar in the Small Magellanic Cloud, SMC X-2. While previous studies suggested that either an O star or a Be star in the field is the high-mass companion of SMC X-2, our Chandra/HRC-S image unambiguously confirms the O-type star as the true optical counterpart. Using the Swift/XRT observations, we extracted accurate orbital parameters of the pulsar binary through a time of arrivals analysis. In addition, there were two X-ray dips near the inferior conjunction, which are possibly caused by eclipses or an ionized high-density shadow wind near the companion’s surface. Finally, we propose that an outflow driven by the radiation pressure from day ∼10 played an important role in the X-ray/optical evolution of the outburst.
THE ROLE OF THE KOZAI–LIDOV MECHANISM IN BLACK HOLE BINARY MERGERS IN GALACTIC CENTERS
Authors: VanLandingham John H. , Miller M. Coleman , Hamilton Douglas P. , Richardson Derek C.
Published: September 2016

In order to understand the rate of merger of stellar mass black hole binaries (BHBs) by gravitational wave (GW) emission it is important to determine the major pathways to merger. We use numerical simulations to explore the evolution of BHBs inside the radius of influence of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in galactic centers. In this region, the evolution of binaries is dominated by perturbations from the central SMBH. In particular, as first pointed out by Antonini and Perets, the Kozai–Lidov mechanism trades relative inclination of the BHB to the SMBH for eccentricity of the BHB, and for some orientations can bring the BHB to an eccentricity near unity. At very high eccentricities, GW emission from the BHB can become efficient, causing the members of the BHB to coalesce. We use a novel combination of two N-body codes to follow this evolution. We are required to simulate small systems to follow the behavior accurately. We have completed 400 simulations that range from ∼300 stars around a 103

black hole to ∼4500 stars around a 104

black hole. These simulations are the first to follow the internal orbit of a binary near an SMBH while also following the changes to its external orbit self-consistently. We find that this mechanism could produce mergers at a maximum rate per volume of ∼100 Gpc−3 yr−1 or considerably less if the inclination oscillations of the binary remain constant as the BHB inclination to the SMBH changes, or if the binary black hole fraction is small.
ATMOSPHERE-INTERIOR EXCHANGE ON HOT, ROCKY EXOPLANETS
Authors: Kite Edwin S. , Bruce Fegley Jr.  , Schaefer Laura , Gaidos Eric
Published: September 2016

We provide estimates of atmospheric pressure and surface composition on short-period, rocky exoplanets with dayside magma pools and silicate-vapor atmospheres. Atmospheric pressure tends toward vapor-pressure equilibrium with surface magma, and magma-surface composition is set by the competing effects of fractional vaporization and surface-interior exchange. We use basic models to show how surface-interior exchange is controlled by the planet’s temperature, mass, and initial composition. We assume that mantle rock undergoes bulk melting to form the magma pool, and that winds flow radially away from the substellar point. With these assumptions, we find that: (1) atmosphere-interior exchange is fast when the planet’s bulk-silicate FeO concentration is low, and slow when the planet’s bulk-silicate FeO concentration is high; (2) magma pools are compositionally well mixed for substellar temperatures ≲2400 K, but compositionally variegated and rapidly variable for substellar temperatures ≳2400 K; (3) currents within the magma pool tend to cool the top of the solid mantle (“tectonic refrigeration”); (4) contrary to earlier work, many magma planets have time-variable surface compositions.
Heart Failure Predictors in a Group of Patients with Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Myftiu Sokol , Bara Petrit , Sharka Ilir , Shkoza Artan , Belshi Xhina , Rruci Edlira , Vyshka Gentian
Published: September 2016

AIM: The present study considers of the prevalence of heart failure (HF) in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the University Hospital Centre of Tirana (UHCT) “Mother Theresa”; the demographic and clinical characteristics of the sample during hospitalization; and the main predictors of heart failure occurrence inside the group of patients suffering an AMI.MATERIAL AND METHODS: During a period of study from 2013-2015 we studied demographic and clinical data from 587 consecutive patients presenting with AMI; Framingham criteria were adopted for classifying patients with HF upon admission.RESULTS: A Killip class ≥ 2 was the main diagnostic criterion of HF during hospitalisation. HF was identified in 156 patients (26.6%). The subgroup with HF had significant differences when compared with the other patients with regard to age, sex (male), heart rate upon admission, systolic blood pressure on admission, previous episodes of AMI, glycemia on admission, previous antihypertensive treatment, previous revascularization procedures, peripheral vascular disease, chronic renal disease, ejection fraction (EF), anemia, and atrial fibrillation presence. Independent predictors for HF occurrence in the logistic regression model were EF, previous revascularization, peripheral vascular disease, age, sex, previous AMI, systolic blood pressure upon admission, and anaemia.CONCLUSION: As a conclusion, HF seems to be a common occurrence after AMI, in spite of changes in the epidemiological profile of the acute coronary syndrome. An increase in the incidence is registered as well, parallel to a decrease in the mortality following AMI. Attention must be shown for highly risked subpopulations, aged persons, patients with the previous coronary disease, and concomitant conditions.
Processus de reprise de contrôle d’un client en situation d’extrême dépendance sur un fournisseur stratégique : le cas Orange-Apple
Authors: Trehan Natacha , Pourrat Cyril
Published: September 2016

L’article présente les résultats d’une recherche participative de trois ans et demi au sein d’Orange dans le cadre de ses tentatives de contrôle sur son fournisseur de terminaux Apple. Apple est à la fois un fournisseur incontournable mais aussi un concurrent impactant l’ensemble de son business model. Orange se retrouve donc en position d’extrême dépendance. Dans cette position, les modes de contrôle identifiés dans la littérature interorganisationnelle, contrôle social, relationnel, stratégies non coercitives se révèlent inopérants. À partir de l’analyse des chemins empruntés par Orange, selon une approche story telling, nous montrons que la complexité appelle un cheminement par tâtonnements et qu’Orange déploie ce que nous nommons des processus de contrôle préemptifs.
Le Hamas et les djihadistes à Gaza : contrôle impossible, trêve improbable
Authors: Seurat Leïla
Published: September 2016

Le Hamas est parvenu au pouvoir dans la bande de Gaza en 2007, à la suite d’un coup de force. Il a alors dû rétablir l’ordre et s’imposer face à d’autres groupes armés. Ses relations avec les cellules djihadistes – liées à Al-Qaïda ou à l’État islamique – ont oscillé jusqu’à aujourd’hui entre tolérance et répression. Parmi les facteurs qui influent sur la position du Hamas à l’égard des djihadistes, la politique du gouvernement en place au Caire joue un rôle déterminant.
Océan Indien : le rapprochement stratégique indo-australien
Authors: Grare Frédéric
Published: September 2016

En 2009, l’Inde et l’Australie ont signé une déclaration conjointe de sécurité. Depuis lors, les relations stratégiques entre ces deux États se développent. New Delhi et Canberra ont intérêt à éviter qu’un ordre régional dominé par la Chine ne s’instaure et que les relations entre Pékin et Washington ne s’enveniment. La coopération indo-australienne est néanmoins contrainte par plusieurs facteurs, dont le plus important a trait à une appréciation différente de la réponse à apporter à la menace chinoise.
The carbon to nitrogen ratio in isoenergetic wheat based diets controls the growth rate of the aquatic worm Lumbriculus variegatus
Authors: Laarhoven B. , Elissen H.J.H. , Buisman C.J.N. , Temmink H.
Published: September 2016

The aquatic worm Lumbriculus variegatus (Lv) contains high levels of proteins and can provide an excellent fish food. Large-scale production of Lv on low value organic substrates, such as by-products produced during wheat processing, therefore can be a promising and sustainable concept for the aquaculture industry. Growth and reproduction of Lv on different combinations of wheat based derivatives was studied at fixed isoenergetic levels (expressed by the chemical oxygen demand of the food), but at different carbon to nitrogen (C:N) mass ratios under controlled conditions in specifically designed test-beaker tests. Growth and reproduction rates were compared to those on Tetramin®, a substrate known to give excellent growth of Lv. Although Lv did exhibit a growth response on single as well as on mixed wheat fractions, growth was mainly controlled by the C:N ratio of the diets. Lower C:N ratios of typically 6-7 gave a much better performance than high C:N ratios of approximately 20. It was discussed this is probably caused by Lv relying on the presence of proteins for their carbon and energy source. Although growth and reproduction rates were not as high as on the control diet, the results are promising for the development of a worm biomass production system operating on by-products from the wheat processing industry.
Adaptation and response to mycotoxin presence in pathogen-pathogen interactions within theFusarium genus
Authors: Dawidziuk A. , Koczyk G. , Popiel D.
Published: September 2016

The ability of fungal plant pathogens to exude bioactive compounds is an important element of competition in a changing environment. The filamentous fungi usually retain a number of adaptations related not only to the production of toxic compounds by themselves but also to the mitigation of exogenous influences by toxins present in the environment. We examined a distinct effect of toxins on morphology, growth patterns and gene expression after stimulation in mycotoxin-producing and nonproducing isolates representing four evolutionarily divergent species (and chemotypes) within theFusarium genus (Fusarium graminearum,Fusarium oxysporum,Fusarium proliferatum andFusarium verticillioides). The aim of our work was to investigate the influence of mycotoxins present in the environment on fungal isolates belonging to evolutionarily divergent complexes withinFusarium genus. The results point to retention of resistance mechanisms in non-producer isolates (F. oxysporum) and specific dose-dependent differences in response to other mycotoxins. In particular, the growth ofFusarium graminearum (confirmed zearalenone and trichothecene producer) was shown to be significantly inhibited by fumonisin B1 and deoxynivalenol. Conversely, spread ofFusarium verticillioides was accelerated by low concentrations (0.5 mg/l) of nivalenol and zearalenone and deoxynivalenol addition resulted in upregulation of the fumonisin poliketyde synthase (FUM1). The basics of competition between divergent fusaria can be described by ‘rock-paper-scissors’ theory, but some of the effects can be explained by other interactions, e.g. autotoxicity of deoxynivalenol and the potential role of low doses of trichothecenes and zearalenone acting as a ‘warning signal’ for competing species.
Use of functional genomics to assess the climate change impact onAspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production
Authors: Gilbert M.K. , Mack B.M. , Payne G.A. , Bhatnagar D.
Published: September 2016

Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic and pathogenic fungus that infects several crops of agricultural importance and under certain conditions may produce carcinogenic mycotoxins. Rising global temperatures, disrupted precipitation patterns and increased CO2 levels that are associated with future climate conditions are expected to impact the growth and toxigenic potential ofA. flavus. Both laboratory and real world observations have demonstrated this potential, especially when examining the effects of water availability and temperature. Recent experiments have also established that CO2 may also be affecting toxin production. The application of current technologies in the field of functional genomics, including genomic sequencing, RNA-seq, microarray technologies and proteomics have revealed climate change-related, abiotic regulation of the aflatoxin cluster and influence on the plant-fungus interaction. Furthermore, elevated CO2 levels have been shown to impact expression of the aflatoxin biosynthetic regulatory geneaflR. The use of functional genomics will allow researchers to better understand the underlying transcriptomic response within the fungus to climate change, with a view towards predicting changes in fungal infection and toxin production associated with climate change.
European survey on sterigmatocystin in cereals, cereals-based products, beer and nuts
Authors: Mol H.G.J. , Mac Donald S.J. , Anagnostopoulos C. , Spanjer M. , Bertuzzi T. , Pietri A.
Published: September 2016

Based on the EFSA proposal ‘Survey on sterigmatocystin in food’ (GP/EFSA/CONTAM/2013/02), this study provides a survey on the occurrence of this mycotoxin. A total of 1,259 samples of cereal grains (429), cereal products (713), beer (53) and nuts (64) were analysed for the presence of sterigmatocystin (STC). Samples were mainly collected at processing plants, storage facilities, wholesale and retail between August 2013 and November 2014, in nine European countries, mostly Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The products originated from 27 European countries and 18 other countries. All samples were analysed by methods based on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.5 µg/kg and the limit of detection (LOD) was in the range 0.05-0.15 µg/kg (0.005-0.01 µg/l for beer). Overall, STC was identified in 10% of the samples; it was not detected in either beer or nut samples. More than 50% of the contaminated samples contained levels between LOD and LOQ; in the other cases, levels were between 0.5-6 µg/kg with one exception (33 µg/kg in oats). In cereal grains, rice and oats seemed the cereals most prone to STC contamination (100% unprocessed rice, 22% oats grains); however the number of rice samples was limited (n=28) and the samples were collected almost exclusively in Italy and Greece. In cereal products, levels were lower than in cereal grains. The highest incidence was in processed rice (21%) and breakfast cereals (19%), while for the other cereal products this was between 5-7%. In the contaminated cereal products, rice and oats were often present as ingredients.
Lifelong Health and Health Services Use: A New Focus for Gerontological Nursing Research and Practice
Authors: Wilson Donna M. , Low Gail
Published: September 2016

It is commonly believed that older adults are often ill and therefore high users of health services. A pilot study involving adults 60 and older living in the Canadian province of Alberta was conducted to (a) raise interest in the concepts of lifelong health and health services use; (b) develop a lifelong health data collection tool; (c) obtain information about lifelong and recent health services use, and self-perceived lifelong and current health; and (d) reveal links (if any) between perceived health and lifelong health services use. A questionnaire was developed, pilot tested, and posted for completion by 100 volunteers. Most older adults reported good or very good current and lifelong health. Comorbidities and low finances were associated with higher health services use. These findings suggest community-dwelling older adults may be healthy currently and throughout their lives. Gerontological nursing research, practice, and advocacy are needed because myths about aging must be addressed to refocus attention on the importance of lifelong health promotion for older adults. [
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
,
43
(2), 28–32.]
Visual and Refractive Outcomes of Photorefractive Keratectomy and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) for Myopia
Authors: Yildirim Yusuf , Olcucu Onur , Alagoz Cengiz , Basci Abdurrahman , Agca Alper , Yasa Dilek , Ozgurhan Engin Bilge , Demirok Ahmet
Published: September 2016

PURPOSE:

To compare the refractive outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using an aberration-free ablation profile.

METHODS:

One eye of patients diagnosed as having myopia for bilateral refractive correction was randomly allocated to either PRK or SMILE. The primary outcome measures included refractive efficacy, predictability, safety, stability, corneal aberrations, and adverse events. Patients were followed up for 1 year postoperatively; postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, and corneal aberrations were recorded and compared with preoperative data.

RESULTS:

Thirty-nine patients in the PRK group and 35 patients in the SMILE group completed the study. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent refractions were −3.27 ± 0.62 diopters (D) for the PRK group and −3.56 ± 1.12 D for the SMILE group. The average postoperative spherical equivalent refractions were −0.26 ± 0.29 and −0.43 ± 0.38 D for the PRK and SMILE groups, respectively (
P
= .06). Total higher order aberrations in the 6-mm central corneal zone were significantly higher in the SMILE group (0.21 ± 0.10
µ
m) than in the PRK group (0.09 ± 0.03
µ
m) (
P
= .01) 12 months postoperatively. However, no statistically significant differences were found among spherical, trefoil, and coma aberrations between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

The refractive results of PRK with aberration-free aspheric ablation are similar to those of SMILE in eyes with low myopia. The induction of coma, spherical, and trefoil aberrations did not statistically differ after both surgeries, but the total higher order aberrations after SMILE were significantly higher than PRK with aberration-free aspheric ablation.

[
J Refract Surg.
2016;32(9):604–610.]
Asymmetric Corneal Flattening Effect After Small Incision Cataract Surgery
Authors: Alpins Noel , Ong James K. Y. , Stamatelatos George
Published: September 2016

PURPOSE:

To determine whether the flattening effect of corneal incisions differs between the right and left eye.

METHODS:

A retrospective study of preoperative and postoperative corneal astigmatism was performed for patients who had bilateral cataract surgery by a right-handed surgeon. The change in corneal astigmatism was attributed to the 2.2-mm phacoemulsification incision, and the incisional flattening effect was calculated. The incisions were grouped by position on the eye and whether they were performed on the preoperative steep corneal meridian.

RESULTS:

A total of 1,298 eyes of 649 patients were evaluated. The flattening effect of temporal 2.2-mm incisions performed on the preoperative corneal steep meridian was different for right eyes (0.53 diopters [D]) and left eyes (0.34 D) (
P
= .017). The flattening effect of superior 2.2-mm incisions performed on the preoperative corneal steep meridian was equivalent in the two eyes.

CONCLUSIONS:

The flattening effect of a corneal incision may depend on whether it has been performed on the right or the left eye.

[
J Refract Surg.
2016;32(9):598–603.]
Rigturm de Viena
Authors: Boltenstern Erich
Published: September 2016

El nuevo edificio para el Servicio Municipal de Seguros de la ciudad de Viena se halla enclavado a orillas del Danubio, en la esquina de las dos calles principales de la capital de Austria, Schottenring y Kai.
Comprobación experimental de cubiertas laminares por medio de modelos reducidos
Authors: Benito C. Benito
Published: September 2016

La sensación de grandiosidad, la admiración que produce al espectador la contemplación de una gran sala o recinto cubierto y totalmente exento de soportes o columnas intermedias, ha sido buscada por constructores de todos los tiempos. A este efecto, se ha sumado la perfecta visibilidad ofrecida por tales recintos, útil siempre para reuniones y, actualmente, por la libertad que ofrece para cambiar los planes de distribución de espacios; cambios exigidos en las grandes fábricas, por los continuos avances de la técnica industrial.
Escuela Fairlawn – Lewisham
Authors: Moro Peter
Published: September 2016

La escuela Fairlawn está realizada de acuerdo con las necesidades actuales de la enseñanza moderna. Las clases de los párvulos se han separado de las de los niños mayores, incluso en los accesos y jardines de recreo, teniendo ambas como único enlace un amplio hall de recepción.
Librería Hansa Interbau
Authors: Duttmann Werner
Published: September 2016

La biblioteca Hansa forma parte de las instalaciones culturales del nuevo barrio berlinés que, aun siendo una construcción de reducidas proporciones, ha extendido su importancia más allá de los límites de este nuevo sector urbano, viéndose concurrido por gentes de todas las zonas de Berlín, debido al gran sentido funcionalista y estético con que está concebida.
Comprobación experimental de cubiertas laminares, por medio da modelos reducidos
Authors: Benito C.
Published: September 2016

No disponible
Palacio de los deportes, en Bolonia
Authors: Zauli Bruno , Allegra F.
Published: September 2016

Como consecuencia de los acuerdos del Comité Olímpico Nacional Italiano, se ha construido, recientemente, en Bolonia, sobre los terrenos a tal objeto cedidos por el Ayuntamiento de aquella ciudad italiana, un amplio palacio de deportes. La cancha de este edificio cubierto podrá transformarse en pistas para tenis, baloncesto, hockey sobre patines, patinaje, boxeo, gimnasia, conciertos, etc.
Nuestro peligro y nuestra salvación
Authors: Neutra Richard J.
Published: September 2016

En el principio era la forma. ¿Qué otra razón puede esgrimir una revista de gran difusión para que un arquitecto exponga en ella el tapiz mágico de su filosofía? Y no le falta razón. A decir verdad, arquitecto equivale a comerciante en formas. Si lleva en su alma a un especialista eficaz, es también un ingeniero. Pero si confiesa sin rodeos su amor por la forma, es, sobre todo, un verdadero arquitecto. Y en las páginas que siguen, él —el arquitecto— va a exponeros, con franqueza, pequeños pensamientos que de vez en cuando acuden a su mente. Las sesudas revistas de economía comercial sólo admiten estadísticas económicas sobre nuestra caótica —y proteica, al mismo tiempo— civilización occidental.
Autopista Londres - Yorkshire
Authors: Laing John
Published: September 2016

La construcción de la autopista Londres - Yorkshire era una urgente necesidad para aliviar los terribles embotellamientos en las carreteras y disminuir el tiempo empleado en el recorrido en las grandes distancias. Naturalmente, esto se refiere únicamente a una zona del país, cuidadosamente elegida entre las que se resienten.
Escuela Mayfield, en Putney
Authors: Powell y Moya Arquitectos
Published: September 2016

Aprovechando la circunstancia de que los alrededores de la escuela Mayfield habían quedado destruidos después de la última guerra mundial, este Centro ha adquirido un solar contiguo de 25.000 metros cuadrados, ampliando, de este modo, su capacidad para 1.620 alumnas más, y renovando sus instalaciones, de forma que esta escuela se ha convertido en uno de los Centros modelo de educación para la juventud femenina en Inglaterra.
Escuela Greenfield, en Birmingham
Authors: Smith Eberle M.
Published: September 2016

Había que proyectar para un suburbio una escuela del grado primero al sexto, con 18 clases, dos jardines de infancia, biblioteca, amplio salón de actos, sala de arte y de música, clínica y oficina de administración; todo ello sin contar con ampliaciones en el futuro. La exigencia especial del cliente era la separación de la zona de juego para los cursos inferiores y superiores, y acceso fácil al jardín de infancia para las madres que traen sus niños en coche.
Palacio de los deportes - Madrid
Authors: Briones Sáenz de Tejada I.
Published: September 2016

La capital de España contará, gracias al tesón del Delegado Nacional de Educación Física y Deportes, don José Antonio Elola Olaso, con un magnífico Palacio de Deportes. Sin él, el proyecto de los arquitectos señores Boteras y García-Barbón habría sido uno de los muchos que, habiendo obtenido el primer premio en un Concurso, terminan cubiertos por el polvo y el olvido.
Presa Orlík, en Checoslovaquia
Authors: Ogánek Mojmír
Published: September 2016

Checoslovaquia, país muy industrializado, aumenta progresivamente sus recursos de energía eléctrica desde su constitución en Estado. La producción de energía eléctrica en 1957 fue de 17.800 millones kWh, cantidad que se piensa elevar a 64.000 millones kWh en 1970. La energía hidroeléctrica se utiliza para cubrir las puntas de consumo, y representa el 13 por 100 de la producción total.
Esclusa Wilson
Authors: Editorial Equipo
Published: September 2016

En la presa Wilson, construida sobre el río Tennessee, ya existía una esclusa y canal que permitía la navegación fluvial por el río. Este rio tiene un curso de difícil navegación en una extensión próxima a la presa, pero la construcción de canales y esclusas ha permitido mejorar estas vías navegables. Estos últimos años ha aumentado tanto la navegación, que la esclusa existente no bastaba para hacer frente al paso de tantas embarcaciones dedicadas al transporte de mercancías que, aún en competencia con él transporte por ferrocarril y carretera, ha llegado a un volumen anual de unos trece millones de toneladas.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry in BRIC Nations
Authors: Ambardar Ankush
Published: September 2016

Travel and tourism is the largest service industry globally in terms of gross revenue, foreign exchange earnings and leading employment generators. More than two dozen nation's economic developments have been dependent on tourism and hospitality activities. Thus, most of the countries have realised that tourism and hospitality industry is the major engines of growth for developing their economies. The present study aims to analyse the contribution of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) nation in the area of travel and tourism. This study is based on WTTC reports on Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2009 to 2015. The BRIC nations have been selected as these countries that have huge touristic potentials. These nations have breadth and global presence in travel and tourism at global level. The analysis presents the direct contribution of travel and tourism (T&T) on GDP – GDP generated by industries that deal directly with tourists, including hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passage transport services, and the activities of restaurant and leisure industries that deal directly with tourists. The results of the study reveal that, China remains the most important emerging economy in the area of travel and tourism. India continues to have fastest growing economy in the world after China. Moreover, the continuous growth and development in tourism and travel activities will further nurture economies of these countries and will have a place in global tourism in coming future.
Gap Analysis
Authors: Lee Chang
Published: September 2016

Employees have their own perceptions or attitudes about many aspects of work itself, and their own satisfaction with job or non-work-related attributes. Job satisfaction has been widely studied by many researchers and practitioners. This study surveys selected work-related attributes to help hoteliers improve work environments. This study initially identifies the level of importance on work-related attributes and the level of satisfaction with those attributes among hotel workers. Whether differences exist between the levels of importance of work-related attributes and satisfaction with those attributes is also explored. The purpose of this study is to identify how hotel workers perceive their work environments and identify areas that need more attention from hotel managers. Based on the purpose of this study, work-related attributes are measured according to the level of importance and the level of satisfaction. The study indicates that hotel workers consider their work environments, in terms of who they work with; to be well provided; however, work-related expectation, in terms of what they receive for their work, has not met their expectations. This study finds supervisor's friendlessness, job security, and pay are top three most important.
The Travel Trade Business in Garhwal Himalaya of India
Authors: Gupta S. K. , Rout Prakash Chandra
Published: September 2016

The changing travel attitude of globetrotters and their travel demand amid diverse, fragmented travel trade businesses is shaping each approach towards the business dramatically. Entrepreneurs of the trade are undoubtedly facing a different wind of change in every now and then. The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is no different from the rest. Entrepreneurs of the state are grappling for their survival amid the cut throat competition and unpredictable environment. The deductive findings of this piece of research address challenges and opportunities confronted by travel trade entrepreneurs of Garhwal region of the state Uttarakhand. The thrust area of the discussion has also brought forth the policy related issues into the discourse.
Waterborne Diseases and Climate Change
Authors: Bouzid Maha
Published: September 2016

Waterborne diseases are caused by a multitude of pathogens and associated with a significant burden in both developed and developing countries. While the assessment of the adverse impacts of climate change on human heath from infectious diseases has mainly focused on vector-borne diseases, waterborne diseases prevalence and transmission patterns are also likely to be impacted by environmental change. This chapter will outline relevant waterborne pathogens, summarise the impact of climate change on disease transmission and explore climate change adaptation options in order to reduce the increased burden of waterborne diseases.
A Novel Multiobjective Optimization for Cement Stabilized Soft Soil based on Artificial Bee Colony
Authors: Khandelwal Rahul , Senthilnath J. , Omkar S. N. , Shivanath Narendra
Published: September 2016

Cement is the most widely used additive in soft soil stabilization due to its high strength and availability. The cement content and curing time have a direct influence on the stabilization cost and hence it is prudent to minimize these variables to achieve optimality. Thus, it is a classical multi-objective optimization problem to find the optimum combination of cement content used and the curing time provided to achieve the target strength. This paper brings out the use of Vector Evaluated Artificial Bee Colony (VEABC) algorithm, a multi-objective variant of Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) technique, for the problem on hand. VEABC is a swarm intelligence algorithm, which employs multiple swarms to handle the multiple objectives and the information migration between these swarms ensures a global optimum solution is reached. Due to the stochastic nature of ABC algorithm, the resulting Pareto Curve will cover a good range of data with smooth transition. The Pareto fronts obtained for target strength could be used as calibration charts for scheduling the soft soil stabilization activities.
Improving Online Course Performance Through Customization
Authors: Sankaran Siva , Sankaran Kris
Published: September 2016

The number of educational courses offered online is growing, with students often having no choice for alternative formats. However, personal characteristics may affect online academic performance. In this study, the authors apply two business analytics methods - multiple linear/polynomial regression and generalized additive modeling (GAM) - to predict online student performance based on six personal characteristics. These characteristics are: communication aptitude, desire to learn, escapism, hours studied, gender, and English as a Second Language. Survey data from 168 students were partitioned into training/validation sets and the best fit models from the training data were tested on the validation data. While the regression method outdid the GAM at predicting student performance overall, the GAM explained the performance behavior better over various predictor intervals using natural splines. The study confirms the usefulness of business analytics methods and presents implications for college administrators and faculty to optimize individual student online learning.
An Intelligent Approval System for City Construction based on Cloud Computing and Big Data
Authors: Chen Guanlin , Wang Erpeng , Sun Xinxin , Lu Yizhe
Published: September 2016

On the theoretical basis of cloud services, big data technology and case-based reasoning technology (CBR), the authors propose an Intelligent Approval System for City Construction (IASCC). The paper introduces the concept of ‘case approval cloud' and puts forward the city construction approval model based on CBR, by which the storage and computation of the urban construction approval data are concentrated in the cloud. In this system, the authors use the distributed database of HBase, making the data storage capacity of the system with high scalability, design the intelligent approval system based on CBR using the distributed programming framework of MapReduce, making full use of the large amount of historical approval data, and use the distributed full-text retrieval system of SorCloud to retrieve the approval data with a high response speed. IASCC adopts Hadoop as the development platform, using HBase, Solr and MapReduce technology to complete the prototype development of an intelligent approval system. Finally, the authors give the implementation of the system and the performance tests of some key modules.