bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the Mass Transfer Process of Malvidin-3-Glucoside during Simulated Extraction from Fresh Grape Solids under Wine-Like Conditions
Authors: Setford Patrick C. , Jeffery David W. , Grbin Paul R. , Muhlack Richard A.
Published: August 2018

Extraction of grape components is a key consideration for red winemaking. The impact of changing process variables on mass transfer properties of anthocyanins from fresh pre-fermentative red grape solids under forced convective conditions was explored using the dominant red grape anthocyanin, malvidin-3-glucoside (M3G) as a model solute. A two level full factorial design was implemented to investigate effects of temperature, sugar and ethanol on mass transfer properties. Factor levels were chosen to simulate conditions found at various points during the maceration and fermentation steps of the red winemaking process. A rigorous mathematical model was developed and applied to experimental extraction curves, allowing the separation of mass transport properties in liquid and solid phases in a wine-like system, for the first time. In all cases, the coefficient of determination exceeded 0.92, indicating good agreement between experimental and mathematically-solved M3G concentrations. For the conditions studied, internal mass transfer was found to limit M3G extraction and changes to the liquid phase composition and temperature influence the distribution constant. Surface response models of mass transfer parameters were developed to allow future simulations of fermentation scenarios aimed at maximising the extraction potential of M3G.
Co-Amorphous Simvastatin-Nifedipine with Enhanced Solubility for Possible Use in Combination Therapy of Hypertension and Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Martínez-Jiménez Cecilia , Cruz-Angeles Jorge , Videa Marcelo , Martínez Luz María
Published: August 2018

The high index of simultaneous incidence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in the population of many countries demands the preparation of more efficient drugs. Therefore, there is a significant area of opportunity to provide as many alternatives as possible to treat these illnesses. Taking advantage of the solubility enhancement that can be achieved when an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is obtained and stabilized in its amorphous state, in the present work, new drug-drug co-amorphous formulations (Simvastatin SIM- Nifedipine NIF) with enhanced solubility and stability were prepared and characterized. Results show that the co-amorphous system (molar ratio 1:1) is more soluble than the pure commercial APIs studied separately. Aqueous dissolution profiles showed increments of solubility of 3.7 and 1.7 times for SIM and NIF, correspondingly, in the co-amorphous system. The new co-amorphous formulations, monitored in time, (molar fractions 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 of SIM) remained stable in the amorphous state for more than one year when stored at room temperature and did not show any signs of crystallization when re-heating. Inspection on the remainder of a sample after six hours of dissolution showed no recrystallization, confirming the stability of co-amorphous system. The enhanced solubility of the co-amorphous formulations makes them promising for simultaneously targeting of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia through combination therapy.
Oxadiazole/Pyridine-Based Ligands: A Structural Tuning for Enhancing G-Quadruplex Binding
Authors: Doria Filippo , Pirota Valentina , Petenzi Michele , Teulade-Fichou Marie-Paule , Verga Daniela , Freccero Mauro
Published: August 2018

Non-macrocyclic heteroaryls represent a valuable class of ligands for nucleic acid recognition. In this regard, non-macrocyclic pyridyl polyoxazoles and polyoxadiazoles were recently identified as selective G-quadruplex stabilizing compounds with high cytotoxicity and promising anticancer activity. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a new family of heteroaryls containing oxadiazole and pyridine moieties targeting DNA G-quadruplexes. To perform a structure–activity analysis identifying determinants of activity and selectivity, we followed a convergent synthetic pathway to modulate the nature and number of the heterocycles (1,3-oxazole vs. 1,2,4-oxadiazole and pyridine vs. benzene). Each ligand was evaluated towards secondary nucleic acid structures, which have been chosen as a prototype to mimic cancer-associated G-quadruplex structures (e.g., the human telomeric sequence, c-myc and c-kit promoters). Interestingly, heptapyridyl-oxadiazole compounds showed preferential binding towards the telomeric sequence (22AG) in competitive conditions vs. duplex DNA. In addition, G4-FID assays suggest a different binding mode from the classical stacking on the external G-quartet. Additionally, CD titrations in the presence of the two most promising compounds for affinity, TOxAzaPy and TOxAzaPhen, display a structural transition of 22AG in K-rich buffer. This investigation suggests that the pyridyl-oxadiazole motif is a promising recognition element for G-quadruplexes, combining seven heteroaryls in a single binding unit.
Inclusion of Fructooligosaccharide and Resistant Maltodextrin in High Fat Diets Promotes Simultaneous Improvements on Body Fat Reduction and Fecal Parameters
Authors: Kao Wei-Min , Chang Chih-Ren , Chang Tsai-Ju , Li Shang-Yan , Chen Wei-Jen , Chau Chi-Fai
Published: August 2018

This study investigated the effects of incorporating a mixture of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and resistant maltodextrin (RMD) at a ratio of 1:2 on body fat accumulation and fecal bacterial parameters in rats. Our results indicated that high dietary fat consumption might effectively (p < 0.05) increase body fat, but consequently inducing a significantly (p < 0.05) higher growth of C. perfringens and retarded growth (p < 0.05) of the Bifidobacterium spp. in the large intestine. As compared with the high fat control, an incorporation of the FOS and RMD mixture at a high dose (0.97 and 1.94 g/kg body weight, respectively) could result in a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in feed efficiency (−16%), total visceral fat (−17.4%), non-visceral fat levels (−20.3%), and total body fat (−19.2%). Furthermore, feeding the FOS and RMD mixture at a high dose was capable to counter the above undesirable impacts by reducing the C. perfringens count (−14.8%) and increasing the total Bifidobacterium count (134.4%) and total fecal short chain fatty acids (195.4%). A supplementation of adequate amount of FOS and RMD might confer a concreted solution to the obesity and deteriorated fecal bacteria profiles due to high fat consumption.
Microbial Synthesis of Non-Natural Anthraquinone Glucosides Displaying Superior Antiproliferative Properties
Authors: Nguyen Trang Thi Huyen , Pandey Ramesh Prasad , Parajuli Prakash , Han Jang Mi , Jung Hye Jin , Park Yong Il , Sohng Jae Kyung
Published: August 2018

Anthraquinones, naturally occurring bioactive compounds, have been reported to exhibit various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. In this study, we biotransformed three selected anthraquinones into their novel O-glucoside derivatives, expressing a versatile glycosyltransferase (YjiC) from Bacillus licheniformis DSM 13 in Escherichia coli. Anthraflavic acid, alizarin, and 2-amino-3-hydroxyanthraquinone were exogenously fed to recombinant E. coli as substrate for biotransformation. The products anthraflavic acid-O-glucoside, alizarin 2-O-β-d-glucoside, and 2-amino-3-O-glucosyl anthraquinone produced in the culture broths were characterized by various chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses. The comparative anti-proliferative assay against various cancer cells (gastric cancer-AGS, uterine cervical cancer-HeLa, and liver cancer-HepG2) were remarkable, since the synthesized glucoside compounds showed more than 60% of cell growth inhibition at concentrations ranging from ~50 μM to 100 μM. Importantly, one of the synthesized glucoside derivatives, alizarin 2-O-glucoside inhibited more than 90% of cell growth in all the cancer cell lines tested.
The Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use Among Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students: A Nationwide Survey in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Etsuko , Nishijima Chiharu , Sato Yoko , Umegaki Keizo , Chiba Tsuyoshi
Published: August 2018

The prevalence of dietary supplement use, such as vitamins, minerals, or fish oil, has increased among children in Japan; however, whether children are using dietary supplements appropriately remains unclear. This study aimed to determine dietary supplement use among children. In August 2017, a nationwide internet preliminary survey of 265,629 mothers aged from 25 to 59 years old was undertaken. Of these, 19,041 mothers of children attending either elementary school, junior high school, or high school were selected. Among them, 16.4% were currently providing their children with dietary supplements and 5.2% had previously given dietary supplements to their children. The prevalence of dietary supplement use was higher in boys than in girls, and the prevalence increased according to their grade. A total of 2439 participants were eligible to undertake a targeted survey on dietary supplement use. Dietary supplements were being taken to maintain health, supplement nutrients, and enhance growth in both boys and girls, and many children (37.5%) were provided with vitamin and mineral supplements. Mothers mainly obtained information concerning dietary supplements via the internet, and supplements were purchased in drug stores or via the internet. The prevalence of dietary supplement use in mothers was 65.4% and may be associated with the prevalence rates in children. Some mothers reported adverse events (3.6%) in their children, such as stomachache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and constipation. The cause-and-effect relationships for adverse events were not clear, but some children were given products for adults. Children are more influenced by dietary supplements compared to adults. To prevent adverse events due to inappropriate use, parental education concerning dietary supplements is essential.
Association of Handgrip Strength with Dietary Intake in the Korean Population: Findings Based on the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII-1), 2016
Authors: Tak Young Jin , Lee Jeong Gyu , Yi Yu Hyeon , Kim Yun Jin , Lee Sangyeoup , Cho Byung Mann , Cho Young Hye
Published: August 2018

To evaluate associations between handgrip strength (HGS) and dietary nutrients, this study of a representative Korean population of 1553 adults aged ≥60 years (706 men and 847 women) analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016). HGS was measured in both hands three times using a digital grip strength dynamometer. Dietary intake data were collected by the 24-h recall method through computer-assisted personal interviews. The study population had a mean age of 70.1 years, body mass index (BMI) of 24.2 kg/m2, and HGS of 35.7 kg in men, 21.2 kg in women. Total energy (r = 0.411), protein (r = 0.217), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (r = 0.269), fiber (r = 0.272), and vitamin C (r = 0.098) were positively correlated with HGS. In multivariable regression analysis, PUFA (β = 0.083) and vitamin C (β = 0.003) were positively associated with HGS among women. Fiber (β = 0.071) and vitamin C (β = 0.006) showed a positive association with HGS among men. Community-dwelling older men and women with higher levels of PUFA, fiber, and vitamin C in their diet were more likely to have greater HGS even after adjusting for age, total calorie intake, BMI, chronic diseases and health-related habits.
Dietary Intake and Beliefs of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Krige Stephanie M. , Booley Sharmilah , Levitt Naomi S. , Chivese Tawanda , Murphy Katherine , Harbron Janetta
Published: August 2018

This study investigated the dietary intake of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their beliefs relating to the consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) and sugary foods and drinks. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 239 pregnant women with GDM in Cape Town. Dietary intake was assessed using a quantified Food Frequency Questionnaire and beliefs relating to food choices were assessed using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The mean energy intake was 7268 KJ, carbohydrate was 220 (±104.5) g, protein 60.3 (±27.5) g and fat 67.7 (±44.2) g. The macronutrient distribution was 55% carbohydrates, 14.5% protein and 30.5% fat of total energy. The majority of the sample had inadequate intakes of vitamin D (87.4%), folate (96.5%) and iron (91.3%). The median (IQR) amount of added table sugar and sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) was 4.0 (0.00–12.5) g and 17.9 (0.0–132.8) mL per day, respectively. Only 31.4% met the recommendation (400 g per day) for F&V. Beliefs that it was not easy to exclude sugary foods/drinks and that knowing how to control cravings for sugary foods/drinks are areas to target messages on the sugar content of SSBs. In conclusion, the dietary intake of these women was not optimal and fell short of several nutritional guidelines for pregnant women with hyperglycaemia. The strongly held beliefs regarding sugary foods/drinks may contribute to poor adherence to nutritional guidelines among pregnant women with GDM in South Africa.
Merging Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Imagery and Echo Soundings with an Adaptive Sampling Technique for Bathymetric Surveys
Authors: Alvarez Laura V. , Moreno Hernan A. , Segales Antonio R. , Pham Tri G. , Pillar-Little Elizabeth A. , Chilson Phillip B.
Published: August 2018

Bathymetric surveying to gather information about depths and underwater terrain is increasingly important to the sciences of hydrology and geomorphology. Submerged terrain change detection, water level, and reservoir storage monitoring demand extensive bathymetric data. Despite often being scarce or unavailable, this information is fundamental to hydrodynamic modeling for imposing boundary conditions and building computational domains. In this manuscript, a novel, low-cost, rapid, and accurate method is developed to measure submerged topography, as an alternative to conventional approaches that require significant economic investments and human power. The method integrates two types of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sampling techniques. The first couples a small UAS (sUAS) to an echosounder attached to a miniaturized boat for surveying submerged topography in deeper water within the range of accuracy. The second uses Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry to cover shallower water areas no detected by the echosounder where the bed is visible from the sUAS. The refraction of light passing through air–water interface is considered for improving the bathymetric results. A zonal adaptive sampling algorithm is developed and applied to the echosounder data to densify measurements where the standard deviation of clustered points is high. This method is tested at a small reservoir in the U.S. southern plains. Ground Control Points (GCPs) and checkpoints surveyed with a total station are used for properly georeferencing of the SfM photogrammetry and assessment of the UAS imagery accuracy. An independent validation procedure providing a number of skill and error metrics is conducted using ground-truth data collected with a leveling rod at co-located reservoir points. Assessment of the results shows a strong correlation between the echosounder, SfM measurements and the field observations. The final product is a hybrid bathymetric survey resulting from the merging of SfM photogrammetry and echosoundings within an adaptive sampling framework.
Statistical Machine Learning Methods and Remote Sensing for Sustainable Development Goals: A Review
Authors: Holloway Jacinta , Mengersen Kerrie
Published: August 2018

Interest in statistical analysis of remote sensing data to produce measurements of environment, agriculture, and sustainable development is established and continues to increase, and this is leading to a growing interaction between the earth science and statistical domains. With this in mind, we reviewed the literature on statistical machine learning methods commonly applied to remote sensing data. We focus particularly on applications related to the United Nations World Bank Sustainable Development Goals, including agriculture (food security), forests (life on land), and water (water quality). We provide a review of useful statistical machine learning methods, how they work in a remote sensing context, and examples of their application to these types of data in the literature. Rather than prescribing particular methods for specific applications, we provide guidance, examples, and case studies from the literature for the remote sensing practitioner and applied statistician. In the supplementary material, we also describe the necessary steps pre and post analysis for remote sensing data; the pre-processing and evaluation steps.
Estimating Fire Background Temperature at a Geostationary Scale—An Evaluation of Contextual Methods for AHI-8
Authors: Hally Bryan , Wallace Luke , Reinke Karin , Jones Simon , Engel Chermelle , Skidmore Andrew
Published: August 2018

An integral part of any remotely sensed fire detection and attribution method is an estimation of the target pixel’s background temperature. This temperature cannot be measured directly independent of fire radiation, so indirect methods must be used to create an estimate of this background value. The most commonly used method of background temperature estimation is through derivation from the surrounding obscuration-free pixels available in the same image, in a contextual estimation process. This method of contextual estimation performs well in cloud-free conditions and in areas with homogeneous landscape characteristics, but increasingly complex sets of rules are required when contextual coverage is not optimal. The effects of alterations to the search radius and sample size on the accuracy of contextually derived brightness temperature are heretofore unexplored. This study makes use of imagery from the AHI-8 geostationary satellite to examine contextual estimators for deriving background temperature, at a range of contextual window sizes and percentages of valid contextual information. Results show that while contextual estimation provides accurate temperatures for pixels with no contextual obscuration, significant deterioration of results occurs when even a small portion of the target pixel’s surroundings are obscured. To maintain the temperature estimation accuracy, the use of no less than 65% of a target pixel’s total contextual coverage is recommended. The study also examines the use of expanding window sizes and their effect on temperature estimation. Results show that the accuracy of temperature estimation decreases significantly when expanding the examined window, with a 50% increase in temperature variability when using a larger window size than 5 × 5 pixels, whilst generally providing limited gains in the total number of temperature estimates (between 0.4%–4.4% of all pixels examined). The work also presents a number of case study regions taken from the AHI-8 disk in more depth, and examines the causes of excess temperature variation over a range of topographic and land cover conditions.
Star Centroiding Based on Fast Gaussian Fitting for Star Sensors
Authors: Wan Xiaowei , Wang Gangyi , Wei Xinguo , Li Jian , Zhang Guangjun
Published: August 2018

The most accurate star centroiding method for star sensors is the Gaussian fitting (GF) algorithm, because the intensity distribution of a star spot conforms to the Gaussian function, but the computational complexity of GF is too high for real-time applications. In this paper, we develop the fast Gaussian fitting method (FGF), which approximates the solution of the GF in a closed-form, thus significantly speeding up the GF algorithm. Based on the fast Gaussian fitting method, a novel star centroiding algorithm is proposed, which sequentially performs the FGF twice to calculate the star centroid: the first FGF step roughly calculates the Gaussian parameters of a star spot and the noise intensity of each pixel; subsequently the second FGF accurately calculates the star centroid utilizing the noise intensity provided in the first step. In this way, the proposed algorithm achieves both high accuracy and high efficiency. Both simulated star images and star sensor images are used to verify the performance of the algorithm. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the proposed algorithm is almost the same as the GF algorithm, higher than most existing centroiding algorithms, meanwhile, the proposed algorithm is about 15 times faster than the GF algorithm, making it suitable for real-time applications.
Paper-Based Sensors: Emerging Themes and Applications
Authors: Singh Amrita Tribhuwan , Lantigua Darlin , Meka Akhil , Taing Shainlee , Pandher Manjot , Camci-Unal Gulden
Published: August 2018

Paper is a versatile, flexible, porous, and eco-friendly substrate that is utilized in the fabrication of low-cost devices and biosensors for rapid detection of analytes of interest. Paper-based sensors provide affordable platforms for simple, accurate, and rapid detection of diseases, in addition to monitoring food quality, environmental and sun exposure, and detection of pathogens. Paper-based devices provide an inexpensive technology for fabrication of simple and portable diagnostic systems that can be immensely useful in resource-limited settings, such as in developing countries or austere environments, where fully-equipped facilities and highly trained medical staff are absent. In this work, we present the different types of paper that are currently utilized in fabrication of paper-based sensors, and common fabrication techniques ranging from wax printing to origami- and kirigami-based approaches. In addition, we present different detection techniques that are employed in paper-based sensors such as colorimetric, electrochemical, and fluorescence detection, chemiluminescence, and electrochemiluminescence, as well as their applications including disease diagnostics, cell cultures, monitoring sun exposure, and analysis of environmental reagents including pollutants. Furthermore, main advantages and disadvantages of different types of paper and future trends for paper-based sensors are discussed.
Exploiting Linear Support Vector Machine for Correlation-Based High Dimensional Data Classification in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Muriira Lawrence Mwenda , Zhao Zhiwei , Min Geyong
Published: August 2018

Linear Support Vector Machine (LSVM) has proven to be an effective approach for link classification in sensor networks. In this paper, we present a data-driven framework for reliable link classification that models Kernelized Linear Support Vector Machine (KLSVM) to produce stable and consistent results. KLSVM is a linear classifying technique that learns the “best” parameter settings. We investigated its application to model and capture two phenomena: High dimensional multi-category classification and Spatiotemporal data correlation in wireless sensor network (WSN). In addition, the technique also detects anomalies within the network. With the optimized selection of the linear kernel hyperparameters, the technique models high-dimensional data classification and the examined packet traces exhibit correlations between link features. Link features with Packet Reception Rate (PRR) greater than 50% show a high degree of negative correlation while the other sensor node observations show a moderate degree of positive correlation. The model gives a good visual intuition of the network behavior. The efficiency of the supervised learning technique is studied over real dataset obtained from a WSN testbed. To achieve that, we examined packet traces from the 802.15.4 network. The technique has a good performance on link quality estimation accuracy and a precise anomaly detection of sensor nodes within the network.
A Psychological Approach to ‘Public Perception’ of Land-Use Planning: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Qu Zhongqiong , Lu Yiming , Jiang Zhiqiu , Bassett Ellen , Tan Tao
Published: August 2018

Public perception and attitudes towards public affairs in the USA since the 1960s become a societal issue of growing importance in the field of planning. Good land-use planning should deliver a bright future vision in a way that unites and inspires groups to implement it. The introduction of public perception into planning helps to understand the process of how the public develop their awareness, value judgments, behavior and attitudes. In this research, we built the framework of public perception in land-use planning based on the affect, behavior, cognition (ABC) theory of consumer behavior. We gathered empirical data for Jiangsu province in China. We used structural equation modeling, a commonly used statistical analysis method for examining the structural relationship between multiple variables. We found that the public perception towards public affairs contributed to forming a multiple iterative interaction effect, which evolves a process from primary cognition to knowledge extraction, internalized absorption, emotional judgement and finally externalization into a certain attitudes and behaviors. On the cognitive level, our research result showed that public expectation and perceived quality have opposite effects on perceived difference and the public expectation is more influential. If the planning vision provides a clear and convincing picture of the future, and the information of planning is easy to understand, the public’s cognition and emotion can be well integrated. The core element of the emotional level is perceived value. The public is more concerned about a new planning project if it can add the value to the land, protect community environment, and improve the condition of low-income and minority populations. On the behavior level, public continuous behavior intentions could enhance perceived value, subjective norms and perceived availability. The research could further account for the root of public attitudes and behavior. This is crucial to China's land-use policy, and may well provide important lessons for other developing countries.
Potential of 3D Visualization for Collaborative Rural Landscape Planning with Remote Participants
Authors: Onitsuka Kenichiro , Ninomiya Kento , Hoshino Satoshi
Published: August 2018

Rural populations are aging and declining, which has reduced the capacity for rural landscape conservation. Thus, collaborative governance with non-local stakeholders is essential to foster innovative ideas by combining knowledge bases. In the current digital era, remote actors can play a part in rural governance across boundaries through information technology. This study focused on the potential of 3D visualization for rural landscape planning and examined the effects and challenges of using 3D models for collaboration with non-local stakeholders. We conducted a survey with remote participants about a rural village landscape, using 3D models created from drone-shot aerial photos, and then discussed the findings with local stakeholders in a workshop in the village. We found that, by using 3D models, various opinions could be obtained from non-local stakeholders who had never seen the actual landscape. They used the 3D model to view the landscape from various perspectives and it enabled participants to accurately grasp local situations and problems. However, some of the opinions gathered in the survey were unrealistic for actual landscape planning. We conclude that 3D models are a useful tool to incorporate external opinions into rural landscape planning across temporal and spatial boundaries, to maintain healthy rural landscapes.
Does Business Group Affiliation Matter for Superior Performance? Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Ishtiaq , Oláh Judit , Popp József , Máté Domicián
Published: August 2018

Business groups have been described as improving the value of the affiliated firms they control, which is often beyond the capability of standalone firms. The purpose of the current study is to analyze the financial performance of affiliates of diversified Pakistani business groups relative to standalone firms. The current study employs data from 284 Pakistani listed non-financial firms from 2008–2015. In order to test the hypotheses, two dependent variables are used, namely, accounting (Return on Assets (ROA)) and stock market (Tobin’s Q) measures of performance. Specifically, this study probes and compares the performance measures of group member and standalone firms. The findings of the study suggest that business group memberships have statistically significant effects on accounting and stock market measures of firm performance. In addition, size and sales growth have an increasing effect on the performance of firms. We believe that business groups in Pakistan are efficient economic actors and can be considered responses to high transaction costs and market failures.
HHV-8 Seroprevalence and Genotype Distribution in Africa, 1998–2017: A Systematic Review
Authors: Etta Elizabeth , Alayande Doyinmola , Mavhandu-Ramarumo Lufuno , Gachara George , Bessong Pascal
Published: August 2018

Human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8) is the causative agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). We systematically reviewed literature published between 1998 and 2017, according to the PRISMA guidelines, to understand the distribution of HHV-8 infection in Africa. More than two-thirds (64%) of studies reported on seroprevalence and 29.3% on genotypes; 9.5% were on both seroprevalence and genotypes. About 45% of African countries had data on HHV-8 seroprevalence exclusively, and more than half (53%) had data on either seroprevalence or genotypes. Almost half (47%) of the countries had no data on HHV-8 infection. There was high heterogeneity in the types of tests and interpretation algorithms used in determining HHV-8 seropositivity across the different studies. Generally, seroprevalence ranged from 2.0% in a group of young children in Eritrea to 100% in a small group of individuals with KS in Central African Republic, and in a larger group of individuals with KS in Morocco. Approximately 16% of studies reported on children. Difference in seroprevalence across the African regions was not significant (95% CI, χ2 = 0.86; p = 0.35), although specifically a relatively significant level of infection was observed in HIV-infected children. About 38% of the countries had data on K1 genotypes. K1 genotypes A, A5, B, C, F and Z occurred at frequencies of 5.3%, 26.3%, 42.1%, 18.4%, 5.3% and 2.6%, respectively. Twenty-three percent of the countries had data for K15 genotypes, and genotypes P, M and N occurred at frequencies of 52.2%, 39.1%, and 8.7%, respectively. Data on HHV-8 inter-genotype recombinants in Africa are scanty. HHV-8 may be endemic in the entire Africa continent but there is need for a harmonized testing protocol for a better understanding of HHV-8 seropositivity. K1 genotypes A5 and B, and K15 genotypes P and M, from Africa, should be considered in vaccine design efforts.
Two Crinivirus-Conserved Small Proteins, P5 and P9, Are Indispensable for Efficient Lettuce infectious yellows virus Infectivity in Plants
Authors: Qiao Wenjie , Helpio Erin L. , Falk Bryce W.
Published: August 2018

Genomic analysis of Lettuce infectious yellows virus (LIYV) has revealed two short open reading frames (ORFs) on LIYV RNA2, that are predicted to encode a 5-kDa (P5) and a 9-kDa (P9) protein. The P5 ORF is part of the conserved quintuple gene block in the family Closteroviridae, while P9 orthologs are found in all Criniviruses. In this study, the expression of LIYV P5 and P9 proteins was confirmed; P5 is further characterized as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized integral transmembrane protein and P9 is a soluble protein. The knockout LIYV mutants presented reduced symptom severity and virus accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana or lettuce plants, indicating their importance in efficient virus infection. The P5 mutant was successfully complemented by a dislocated P5 in the LIYV genome. The structural regions of P5 were tested and all were found to be required for the appropriate functions of P5. In addition, P5, as well as its ortholog P6, encoded by Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) and another ER-localized protein encoded by LIYV RNA1, were found to cause cell death when expressed in N. benthamiana plants from a TMV vector, and induce ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR).
Decontamination of Arsenic in Actual Water Samples by Calcium Containing Layered Double Hydroxides from a Convenient Synthesis Method
Authors: Lu Hongtao , Liu Shuxia , Zhang Hua , Qiu Yanling , Zhao Jianfu , Zhu Zhiliang
Published: August 2018

A series of calcium-containing layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and calcined product (CLDH) were synthesized using a comparative simple synthesis method (without using organic solvents and with a shortened reaction time) and applied in the adsorption of arsenic in water. The adsorption performance of arsenate on these LDHs and CLDH were studied using batch tests. The effects of various factors during the adsorption process, such as pH of the solution, dosage of materials, coexisting ions, contact time, and initial arsenate concentration, were evaluated. The maximum adsorption capacity of arsenate on three materials (CaFe-CLDH, CaFe-Cl-LDH, CaFe-NO3-LDH) were 156.0 mg·g−1, 150.5 mg·g−1, and 148.0 mg·g−1, respectively. When the concentration of CaFe-CLDH was 0.5 g·L−1, the concentration of arsenate was reduced from 5000 μg·L−1 to 10 μg·L−1 after adsorption. Moreover, when the CaFe-NO3-LDH or CaFe-Cl-LDH dosage was 1.0 g·L−1, a similar decontamination result could be achieved. The synthesized CaFe-CLDH was used to treat actual contaminated water samples from a river in a mining area north of Lengshuijiang City in Hunan Province, China. After treating using CaFe-CLDH, the residual arsenic concentration of actual water samples can fully meet the requirements for arsenic in the drinking water standards of the World Health Organization and China. This indicates that synthetic CaFe-CLDH has the potential to serve as an effective adsorbent for the removal of arsenic contamination.
L'organisation sanitaire aux frontières lors des évacuations des populations espagnoles de 1936 à 1939
Authors: Sodigné-Loustau Jeanine
Published: August 2018

L'organisation pour assurer les soins aux malades et aux blessés, prévenir la propagation d'épidémies fut perturbée en 1937 par le nombre de réfugiés et la fréquence des convois. Le personnel médical en poste à la frontière en janvier 1939 dut être renforcé lors de l'exode (sur 150 km de frontière) afin d'assurer les soins de première urgence, les hospitalisations, et les évacuations par des routes et voies ferrées enneigées et surchargées.
Emigración exterior y mercado de trabajo en España (1960-1985)
Authors: Ródenas Carmen
Published: August 2018

Ever since the sixties, studies on Spanish economic development have dealt with the importance for this process of Spanish foreign emigration movements. This article is an analysis of the size of this emigration and its impact on the Spanish labour market. Until now, Spanish emigration has been regarded as a safety valve for the active population, which diminished the tensions within the Spanish labour market and thus explained the low unemployment rates during the development period. The data and estimations presented in this paper challenge this traditional interpretation and put forward more balanced conclusions. Emigration to Europe during the sixties did not relieve the pressure on the Spanish labour market, nor did the return of emigrants later affect negatively the rise of unemployment in the seventies.
Emigraçâo, exilio e democracia em Portugal
Authors: Telo António josé
Published: August 2018

In this article, the character and significance of Portuguese emigration to America (1850-1929), Europe (from 1950) and southern Africa (from 1974) are analyzed from a long-term perspective. Especially interesting is the fact of the links between modern Portuguese emigration and "Fontismo". It is in this period when the Portuguese commence to emigrate as labour force to other countries, thus at the same time contributing to Portugal's own economic development, internal political stability and social modernization. Portuguese exile, on the other hand, presents very different characteristics from emigration. Much less numerous, it will however always be present in Portugal from the early years of the 19th century. Both phenomena, emigration and exile, play an essential role in Portugal's links with the exterior and consequently in her modernization.
La investigación de «los refugiados españoles» en Chile : fuentes y hallazgos en un exilio de larga duración
Authors: Lemus Encarnación
Published: August 2018

El exilio chileno ha sido poco tratado, este artículo -fruto de una investigación en curso-presenta la variedad de fuentes disponibles. En cuanto a las hipótesis de trabajo, son planteadas desde la perspectiva de la etapa más reciente de la política de España y Chile, la transición. En este sentido , destaca el interés de la opinión, los sentimientos y la evolución de la ideología política de los «viejos republicanos» ante la Monarquía de Juan Carlos I y el socialismo de Felipe González. (Fuentes, Evolución ideológica )
L'immigration portugaise et l'impossible accord de main-d'œuvre franco-portugais
Authors: Volovitch-Tavares Marie-Christine
Published: August 2018

Un des paradoxes de l'immigration portugaise en France tient au fait que cette immigration s'est développée en dehors de tout accord de main-d'œuvre entre la France et le Portugal. De ce fait, les Portugais furent majoritairement des émigrés clandestins entrés irrégulièrement en France. Pourquoi cette émigration illégale fut-elle à la fois interdite et tolérée par la dictature salazariste, et comment les gouvernements français ont-ils fait des régularisations une règle pour les Portugais, telles sont les questions abordées dans cet article.
Les Espagnols en Algérie : questions sur l'identité et sur l'intégration
Authors: Bachoud Andrée
Published: August 2018

Quel est le rapport des immigrés espagnols en Algérie à leur identité française et à leurs racines espagnoles ? L'indifférence à la cause républicaine durant la guerre civile, leur participation au combat pour l'Algérie française accréditent l'idée d'une francisation réussie. Cependant le regard des autorités espagnoles et françaises les enferme dans leur nationalité d'origine
Performance analysis of rigorous coupled-wave analysis and its integration in a coupled modeling approach for optical simulation of complete heterojunction silicon solar cells
Authors: Lokar Ziga , Lipovsek Benjamin , Topic Marko , Krc Janez
Published: August 2018

A variety of light management structures have been introduced in solar cells to improve light harvesting and further boost their conversion efficiency. Reliable and accurate simulation tools are required to design and optimize the individual structures and complete devices. In the first part of this paper, we analyze the performance of rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) for accurate three-dimensional optical simulation of solar cells, in particular heterojunction silicon (HJ Si) solar cells. The structure of HJ Si solar cells consists of thin and thick layers, and additionally, micro- and nano-textures are also introduced to further exploit the potential of light trapping. The RCWA was tested on the front substructure of the solar cell, including the texture, thin passivation and contact layers. Inverted pyramidal textures of different sizes were included in the simulations. The simulations rapidly converge as long as the textures are small (in the (sub)micrometer range), while for larger microscale textures (feature sizes of a few micrometers), this is not the case. Small textures were optimized to decrease the reflectance, and consequently, increase the absorption in the active layers of the solar cell. Decreasing the flat parts of the texture was shown to improve performance. For simulations of structures with microtextures, and for simulations of complete HJ Si cells, we propose a coupled modeling approach (CMA), where the RCWA is coupled with raytracing and the transfer matrix method. By means of CMA and nanotexture optimization, we show the possible benefits of nanotextures at the front interface of HJ Si solar cells, demonstrating a 13.4% improvement in the short-circuit current density with respect to the flat cell and 1.4% with respect to the cell with double-sided random micropyramids. We additionally demonstrate the ability to simulate a combination of nano- and microtextures at a single interface, although the considered structure did not show an improvement over the pyramidal textures.
Composition and distribution of lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) on Colombian and Peruvian birds: New data on louse-host association in the Neotropics
Authors: Soto-Patiño Juliana , Londoño Gustavo , Johnson Kevin , Weckstein Jason , Avendaño Jorge , Catanach Therese , Sweet Andrew , Cook Andrew , Jankowski Jill , Allen Julie
Published: August 2018

The diversity of permanent ectoparasites is likely underestimated due to the difficulty of collecting samples. Lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) are permanent ectoparasites of birds and mammals; there are approximately 5,000 species described and many more undescribed, particularly in the Neotropics. We document the louse genera collected from birds sampled in Peru (2006–2007) and Colombia (2009–2016), from 22 localities across a variety of ecosystems, ranging from lowland tropical forest and Llanos to high elevation cloud forest. We identified 35 louse genera from a total of 210 bird species belonging to 37 avian families and 13 orders. These genera belong to two suborders and three families of lice: Amblycera, families Menoponidae (present on 131 bird species) and Ricinidae (39 bird species); and Ischnocera, family Philopteridae (119 bird species). We compared our bird-louse associations with data in Price et al. (2003) and recently published Neotropical studies. The majority of bird-louse associations (51.9%) were new, with most of these coming from Passeriformes, the most diverse avian order, with the most poorly known louse fauna. Finally, we found geographical variation in louse infestation and prevalence rates. With this study, we report the first comprehensive documentation of bird-louse associations for Colombia and substantially increase the known associations documented for Peru.
Identification of best available thermal energy storage compounds for low-to-moderate temperature storage applications in buildings
Authors: Lizana J. , Chacartegui R. , Barrios-Padura A. , Valverde J. M. , Ortiz C.
Published: August 2018

Over the last 40 years different thermal energy storage materials have been investigated with the aim of enhancing energy efficiency in buildings, improving systems performance, and increasing the share of renewable energies. However, the main requirements for their efficient implementation are not fully met by most of them. This paper develops a comparative review of thermophysical properties of materials reported in the literature. The results show that the highest volumetric storage capacities for the best available sensible, latent and thermochemical storage materials are 250 MJ/m3, 514 MJ/m3 and 2000 MJ/m3, respectively, corresponding to water, barium hydroxide octahydrate, and magnesium chloride hexahydrate. A group of salt hydrates and inorganic eutectics have been identified as the most promising for the development of competitive thermal storage materials for cooling, heating and comfort applications in the short-term. In the long-term, thermochemical storage materials seem promising. However, additional research efforts are required.
Didier Guth et le pointillé blanc
Authors: Déotte Jean-Louis
Published: August 2018

L’exposition « … et les marguerites » de Didier Guth à l’Hôtel-Dieu de Tonnerre invite à une réflexion sur l’espace de l’art comme lieu d’immanence (musée, Hôtel-Dieu) ainsi que sur le temps de l’œuvre, plus spécialement sur l’articulation entre perception et mémoire. Le pointillé blanc de Guth amène donc tout aussi bien à s’interroger sur l’espace d’exposition qu’il vient rythmer que sur le temps du spectateur qui l’appréhende.
Durability of Pultruded Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composite Subjected to Hygrothermal Ageing in Sea Water
Authors: Sawpan Moyeen Ahmad
Published: August 2018

Durability of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite is an important research topic because the changes occur in GFRP composite with ageing can affect its properties and lifetime. For long term use, GFRP composites should be examined in real time and with reasonable in-service environments. However, this is not practical because the time involved would significantly delay product development and therefore, accelerated ageing technique is required. Conditioning in wet and elevated temperatures known as hygrothermal ageing is a very useful technique to evaluate the durability of GFRP composites in a reasonable timeframe. In this work, pultruded GFRP composites were aged in sea water and in dry conditions at 23, 55 and 75°C for 0, 8 and 20 months to assess the changes in shear properties (e.g. short beam shear strength, SBSS and transverse shear strength, TSS) and in glass transition temperature, Tg. After ageing in sea water for 20 months, SBSS was found to retain by about 101, 102 and 95% at 23, 55 and 75°C, respectively. On the other hand, SBSS was retained by around 106% after ageing in dry condition for 20 months at 55 and 75°C. TSS was found to retain by approximately 99, 95 and 91% after ageing in sea water for 20 months at 23, 55 and 75°C, respectively, whereas TSS of dry conditioned samples was retained by about 105 and 107% at 55 and 75°C, respectively. Tg, measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analyser, showed little change both in wet and dry conditions at different temperatures and time.
Microstructure and Fracture Toughness of a TiAl/Ti Laminated Composite
Authors: Sun Wei , Yang Fei , Kong Fan Tao , Wang Xiao Peng , Chen Yu Yong
Published: August 2018

In this paper, the TiAl/Ti laminated (MIL) composite was fabricated via hot-pack rolling of the as-forged Ti-43Al-9V-0.3Y (at.%) plates and commercial Ti6Al4V (wt.%) sheet at 1250°C and then annealed at 90°C for 6 hours. The composite was analyzed by XRD and SEM techniques, respectively. Results showed that the interface between Ti and TiAl in the composite was consisted of four different microstructure areas and the phase constitutions for each area were: area 1: acicular β-Ti and α2 phase; area 2: acicular α2 phase; area 3: acicular α2 phase and B2 matrix; and area 4: acicular γ, α2 phase and B2 matrix. The fracture toughness of the TiAl/Ti MIL composite was tested, showing that the KIC value was about 38.35MPa·m1/2 at room temperature and higher than that of the pure Ti-43Al-9V-0.3Y alloy, which had a value of about 24.72 MPa·m1/2. The possible toughening mechanism for the TiAl/Ti MIL composite was discussed.