bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Synthesis of a Core-Shell Photocatalyst Material YF3:Ho3+@TiO2 and Investigation of Its Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Xu Xuan , Zhou Shiyu , Long Jun , Wu Tianhu , Fan Zihong
Published: March 2017

In this paper, YF3:Ho3+@TiO2 core-shell nanomaterials were prepared by hydrolysis of tetra-n-butyl titanate (TBOT) using polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 (PVP) as the coupling agent. Characterization methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) under TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fluorescence spectrometry, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance (ESR) were used to characterize the properties and working mechanism of the prepared photocatalyst material. They indicated that the core phase YF3 nanoparticles were successfully coated with a TiO2 shell and the length of the composite was roughly 100 nm. The Ho3+ single-doped YF3:Ho3+@TiO2 displayed strong visible absorption peaks with wavelengths of 450, 537, and 644 nm, respectively. By selecting these three peaks as excitation wavelengths, we could observe 288 nm (5D4→5I8) ultraviolet emission, which confirmed that there was indeed an energy transfer from YF3:Ho3+ to anatase TiO2. In addition, this paper investigated the influences of different TBOT dosages on photocatalysis performance of the as-prepared photocatalyst material. Results showed that the YF3:Ho3+@TiO2 core-shell nanomaterial was an advanced visible-light-driven catalyst, which decomposed approximately 67% of rhodamine b (RhB) and 34.6% of phenol after 10 h of photocatalysis reaction. Compared with the blank experiment, the photocatalysis efficiency was significantly improved. Finally, the visible-light-responsive photocatalytic mechanism of YF3:Ho3+@TiO2 core-shell materials and the influencing factors of photocatalytic degradation were investigated to study the apparent kinetics, which provides a theoretical basis for improving the structural design and functions of this new type of catalytic material.
Effects of Charcoal Addition on the Properties of Carbon Anodes
Authors: Hussein Asem , Fafard Mario , Ziegler Donald , Alamdari Houshang
Published: March 2017

Wood charcoal is an attractive alternative to petroleum coke in production of carbon anodes for the aluminum smelting process. Calcined petroleum coke is the major component in the anode recipe and its consumption results in a direct greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint for the industry. Charcoal, on the other hand, is considered as a green and abundant source of sulfur-free carbon. However, its amorphous carbon structure and high contents of alkali and alkaline earth metals (e.g., Na and Ca) make charcoal highly reactive to air and CO2. Acid washing and heat treatment were employed in order to reduce the reactivity of charcoal. The pre-treated charcoal was used to substitute up to 10% of coke in the anode recipe in an attempt to investigate the effect of this substitution on final anode properties. The results showed deterioration in the anode properties by increasing the charcoal content. However, by adjusting the anode recipe, this negative effect can be considerably mitigated. Increasing the pitch content was found to be helpful to improve the physical properties of the anodes containing charcoal.
Flotation and Adsorption of a New Polysaccharide Depressant on Pyrite and Talc in the Presence of a Pre-Adsorbed Xanthate Collector
Authors: Deng Wei , Xu Longhua , Tian Jia , Hu Yuehua , Han Yuexin
Published: March 2017

The flotation and adsorption of a new polysaccharide konjac gum (KG) on pyrite and talc in the presence of pre-adsorbed potassium butyl xanthate (PBX) is investigated. The micro-flotation results show that KG is a quality depressant for talc and that conditioning the minerals initially with PBX before KG will increase the recovery difference between pyrite and talc. The results of artificially mixing the minerals show that compared with adding KG before PBX, when minerals are pre-adsorbed with PBX, the grade and the recovery of sulfur (S) increases by 1.96% and 5.44%, respectively. The contact angle results show that the addition of PBX before KG will increase the contact angles of pyrite, but the addition order of KG/PBX has little influence on the contact angles of talc. The adsorption tests show that KG can adsorb on pyrite and talc surfaces, while PBX can only adsorb on the pyrite surface. The addition order of KG/PBX affects the adsorption of KG and PBX on the pyrite surface but not on the talc surface. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis further demonstrates the chemical adsorption of KG on pyrite and talc surfaces, while PBX chemisorbs on the pyrite surface. Based on these analyses, a schematic illustration of the reagent adsorption forms on pyrite and talc surfaces is drawn to explain the competitive adsorption of KG and PBX on mineral surfaces.
MicroRNA MultiTool: A Software for Identifying Modified and Unmodified Human microRNA Using Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Cui Zhonghao , Chiu Norman , Wambua Dickson
Published: March 2017

microRNA (miRNA) are short endogenous non-coding RNA that play a crucial role in post-transcriptional gene regulation and have been implicated in the initiation and progression of 160+ human diseases. Excellent analytical methods have been developed for the measurement of miRNA by mass spectrometry. However, interpretation of mass spectrometric data has been an incapacitating bottleneck in miRNA identification. This study details the development of MicroRNA MultiTool, a software for the identification of miRNA from mass spectrometric data. The software includes capabilities such as miRNA search and mass calculator, modified miRNA mass calculator, and miRNA fragment search. MicroRNA MultiTool bridges the gap between experimental data and identification of miRNA by providing a rapid means of mass spectrometric data interpretation.
Long Non-Coding RNAs Regulating Immunity in Insects
Authors: Satyavathi Valluri , Ghosh Rupam , Subramanian Srividya
Published: March 2017

Recent advances in modern technology have led to the understanding that not all genetic information is coded into protein and that the genomes of each and every organism including insects produce non-coding RNAs that can control different biological processes. Among RNAs identified in the last decade, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a repertoire of a hidden layer of internal signals that can regulate gene expression in physiological, pathological, and immunological processes. Evidence shows the importance of lncRNAs in the regulation of host–pathogen interactions. In this review, an attempt has been made to view the role of lncRNAs regulating immune responses in insects.
Protective Effect of Protocatechuic Acid on TNBS-Induced Colitis in Mice Is Associated with Modulation of the SphK/S1P Signaling Pathway
Authors: Crespo Irene , San-Miguel Beatriz , Mauriz José , Ortiz de Urbina Juan , Almar Mar , Tuñón María , González-Gallego Javier
Published: March 2017

(1) Background: The present study aimed to investigate whether beneficial effects of protocatechuic acid (PCA) are associated with inhibition of the SphK/S1P axis and related signaling pathways in a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) model of inflammatory bowel disease; (2) Methods: Colitis was induced in male Balb/c mice by intracolonic administration of 2 mg of TNBS. PCA (30 or 60 mg/kg body wt) was given intraperitoneally daily for five days; (3) Results: Administration of PCA prevented the macroscopic and microscopic damage to the colonic mucosa, the decrease in body weight gain and the increase in myeloperoxidase activity induced by TNBS. PCA-treated mice exhibited a lower oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio, increased expression of antioxidant enzymes and Nrf2 and reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Following TNBS treatment mRNA levels, protein concentration and immunohistochemical labelling for SphK1 increased significantly. S1P production and expression of S1P receptor 1 and S1P phosphatase 2 were significantly elevated. However, there was a decreased expression of S1P lyase. Furthermore, TNBS-treated mice exhibited increased phosphorylation of AKT and ERK, and a higher expression of pSTAT3 and the NF-κB p65 subunit. PCA administration significantly prevented those changes; (4) Conclusions: Data obtained suggest a contribution of the SphK/S1P system and related signaling pathways to the anti-inflammatory effect of PCA.
Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement
Authors: Butawan Matthew , Benjamin Rodney , Bloomer Richard
Published: March 2017

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has become a popular dietary supplement used for a variety of purposes, including its most common use as an anti-inflammatory agent. It has been well-investigated in animal models, as well as in human clinical trials and experiments. A variety of health-specific outcome measures are improved with MSM supplementation, including inflammation, joint/muscle pain, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity. Initial evidence is available regarding the dose of MSM needed to provide benefit, although additional work is underway to determine the precise dose and time course of treatment needed to provide optimal benefits. As a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) approved substance, MSM is well-tolerated by most individuals at dosages of up to four grams daily, with few known and mild side effects. This review provides an overview of MSM, with details regarding its common uses and applications as a dietary supplement, as well as its safety for consumption.
Transglycosylated Starch Improves Insulin Response and Alters Lipid and Amino Acid Metabolome in a Growing Pig Model
Authors: Newman Monica , Zebeli Qendrim , Eberspächer Eva , Grüll Dietmar , Molnar Timea , Metzler-Zebeli Barbara
Published: March 2017

Due to the functional properties and physiological effects often associated with chemically modified starches, significant interest lies in their development for incorporation in processed foods. This study investigated the effect of transglycosylated cornstarch (TGS) on blood glucose, insulin, and serum metabolome in the pre- and postprandial phase in growing pigs. Eight jugular vein-catheterized barrows were fed two diets containing 72% purified starch (waxy cornstarch (CON) or TGS). A meal tolerance test (MTT) was performed with serial blood sampling for glucose, insulin, lipids, and metabolome profiling. TGS-fed pigs had reduced postprandial insulin (p < 0.05) and glucose (p < 0.10) peaks compared to CON-fed pigs. The MTT showed increased (p < 0.05) serum urea with TGS-fed pigs compared to CON, indicative of increased protein catabolism. Metabolome profiling showed reduced (p < 0.05) amino acids such as alanine and glutamine with TGS, suggesting increased gluconeogenesis compared to CON, probably due to a reduction in available glucose. Of all metabolites affected by dietary treatment, alkyl-acyl-phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins were generally increased (p < 0.05) preprandially, whereas diacyl-phosphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylcholines were decreased (p < 0.05) postprandially in TGS-fed pigs compared to CON. In conclusion, TGS led to changes in postprandial insulin and glucose metabolism, which may have caused the alterations in serum amino acid and phospholipid metabolome profiles.
The Low FODMAP Diet: Many Question Marks for a Catchy Acronym
Authors: Catassi Giulia , Lionetti Elena , Gatti Simona , Catassi Carlo
Published: March 2017

FODMAP, “Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Mono-saccharides And Polyols”, is a heterogeneous group of highly fermentable but poorly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates and polyols. Dietary FODMAPs might exacerbate intestinal symptoms by increasing small intestinal water volume, colonic gas production, and intestinal motility. In recent years the low-FODMAP diet for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has gained increasing popularity. In the present review we aim to summarize the physiological, clinical, and nutritional issues, suggesting caution in the prolonged use of this dietary treatment on the basis of the existing literature. The criteria for inclusion in the FODMAPs list are not fully defined. Although the low-FODMAP diet can have a positive impact on the symptoms of IBS, particularly bloating and diarrhea, the quality of the evidence is lower than optimal, due to frequent methodological flaws, particularly lack of a proper control group and/or lack of blinding. In particular, it remains to be proven whether this regimen is superior to conventional IBS diets. The drastic reduction of FODMAP intake has physiological consequences, e.g., on the intestinal microbiome and colonocyte metabolism, which are still poorly understood. A low-FODMAP diet imposes an important restriction of dietary choices due to the elimination of some staple foods, such as wheat derivatives, lactose-containing dairy products, many vegetables and pulses, and several types of fruits. For this reason, patients may be at risk of reduced intake of fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, folate, B and D vitamins, and natural antioxidants. The nutritional risk of the low-FODMAP diet may be higher in persons with limited access to the expensive, alternative dietary items included in the low-FODMAP diet.
In Memoriam: Gunter Menz
Authors: Thonfeld Frank , Rienow Andreas , Dubovyk Olena , Abdel-Hamid Ayman , Akpeokhai Agatha , Amler Esther , Bareth Georg , Basukala Amit , Canty Morton , Denich Manfred , Dobrzeniecki Tomasz , Ferner Jessica , Flügel Hendrik , Ghazaryan Gohar , Götz Ellen , Graw Valerie , Greve Klaus , Guuroh Reginald , Heinemann Sascha , Henning Tobias , Hentze Konrad , Hollberg Jens , Kirimi Fridah , Kocherscheidt Sophie , Konermann-Krüger Bärbel , Liu Di , Muro Javier , Oldenburg Carsten , Ortwein Annette , Piroska Ruben , Santos Fabián , Schellberg Jürgen , Schultz Johannes , Schurr Ulrich , Selg Fabian , Staar Kilian , Steinbach Stefanie , Strauch Adrian , Szarzynski Jörg , Tewes Andreas , Thiong’o Kuria , Vetter Anna , Wirkus Lars , Rascher Uwe
Published: March 2017

Prof. Dr. Gunter Menz passed away on 9 August 2016 following a dramatic accident.[...]
A Classification-Segmentation Framework for the Detection of Individual Trees in Dense MMS Point Cloud Data Acquired in Urban Areas
Authors: Weinmann Martin , Weinmann Michael , Mallet Clément , Brédif Mathieu
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we present a novel framework for detecting individual trees in densely sampled 3D point cloud data acquired in urban areas. Given a 3D point cloud, the objective is to assign point-wise labels that are both class-aware and instance-aware, a task that is known as instance-level segmentation. To achieve this, our framework addresses two successive steps. The first step of our framework is given by the use of geometric features for a binary point-wise semantic classification with the objective of assigning semantic class labels to irregularly distributed 3D points, whereby the labels are defined as “tree points” and “other points”. The second step of our framework is given by a semantic segmentation with the objective of separating individual trees within the “tree points”. This is achieved by applying an efficient adaptation of the mean shift algorithm and a subsequent segment-based shape analysis relying on semantic rules to only retain plausible tree segments. We demonstrate the performance of our framework on a publicly available benchmark dataset, which has been acquired with a mobile mapping system in the city of Delft in the Netherlands. This dataset contains 10.13 M labeled 3D points among which 17.6 % are labeled as “tree points”. The derived results clearly reveal a semantic classification of high accuracy (up to 90.77 %) and an instance-level segmentation of high plausibility, while the simplicity, applicability and efficiency of the involved methods even allow applying the complete framework on a standard laptop computer with a reasonable processing time (less than 2.5 h).
Multi-Feature Registration of Point Clouds
Authors: Chuang Tzu-Yi , Jaw Jen-Jer
Published: March 2017

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has become a mainstream technique for rapid acquisition of 3-D geometry. Current LiDAR platforms can be mainly categorized into spaceborne LiDAR system (SLS), airborne LiDAR system (ALS), mobile LiDAR system (MLS), and terrestrial LiDAR system (TLS). Point cloud registration between different scans of the same platform or different platforms is essential for establishing a complete scene description and improving geometric consistency. The discrepancies in data characteristics should be manipulated properly for precise transformation estimation. This paper proposes a multi-feature registration scheme suitable for utilizing point, line, and plane features extracted from raw point clouds to realize the registrations of scans acquired within the same LIDAR system or across the different platforms. By exploiting the full geometric strength of the features, different features are used exclusively or combined with others. The uncertainty of feature observations is also considered within the proposed method, in which the registration of multiple scans can be simultaneously achieved. The simulated test with an ideal geometry and data simplification was performed to assess the contribution of different features towards point cloud registration in a very essential fashion. On the other hand, three real cases of registration between LIDAR scans from single platform and between those acquired by different platforms were demonstrated to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. In light of the experimental results, it was found that the proposed model with simultaneous and weighted adjustment rendered satisfactory registration results and showed that not only features inherited in the scene can be more exploited to increase the robustness and reliability for transformation estimation, but also the weak geometry of poorly overlapping scans can be better treated than utilizing only one single type of feature. The registration errors of multiple scans in all tests were all less than point interval or positional error, whichever dominating, of the LiDAR data.
Geometric Refinement of ALS-Data Derived Building Models Using Monoscopic Aerial Images
Authors: Jarząbek-Rychard Małgorzata , Maas Hans-Gerd
Published: March 2017

Airborne laser scanning (ALS) has proven to be a strong basis for 3D building reconstruction. While ALS data allows for a highly automated processing workflow, a major drawback is often in the point spacing. As a consequence, the precision of roof plane and ridge line parameters is usually significantly better than the precision of gutter lines. To cope with this problem, the paper presents an approach for geometric refinement of building models reconstructed from ALS data using monoscopic aerial images. The core idea of the proposed modeling method is to obtain refined roof edges by intersecting roof planes accurately and reliably extracted from 3D point clouds with viewing planes assigned with building edges detected in a high resolution aerial image. In order to minimize ambiguities that may arise during the integration of modeling cues, the ALS data is used as the master providing initial information about building shape and topology. We evaluate the performance of our algorithm by comparing the results of 3D reconstruction executed using only laser scanning data and reconstruction enhanced by image information. The assessment performed within a framework of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) benchmark shows an increase in the final quality indicator up to 8.7%.
Joint Resource Allocation of Spectrum Sensing and Energy Harvesting in an Energy-Harvesting-Based Cognitive Sensor Network
Authors: Liu Xin , Lu Weidang , Ye Liang , Li Feng , Zou Deyue
Published: March 2017

The cognitive sensor (CS) can transmit data to the control center in the same spectrum that is licensed to the primary user (PU) when the absence of the PU is detected by spectrum sensing. However, the battery energy of the CS is limited due to its small size, deployment in atrocious environments and long-term working. In this paper, an energy-harvesting-based CS is described, which senses the PU together with collecting the radio frequency energy to supply data transmission. In order to improve the transmission performance of the CS, we have proposed the joint resource allocation of spectrum sensing and energy harvesting in the cases of a single energy-harvesting-based CS and an energy-harvesting-based cognitive sensor network (CSN), respectively. Based on the proposed frame structure, we have formulated the resource allocation as a class of joint optimization problems, which seek to maximize the transmission rate of the CS by jointly optimizing sensing time, harvesting time and the numbers of sensing nodes and harvesting nodes. Using the half searching method and the alternating direction optimization, we have achieved the sub-optimal solution by converting the joint optimization problem into several convex sub-optimization problems. The simulation results have indicated the predominance of the proposed energy-harvesting-based CS and CSN models.
Erratum: Sandeep P., et al. A Novel Secure IoT-Based Smart Home Automation System Using a Wireless Sensor Network. Sensors 2017, 17, 69
Authors: Pirbhulal Sandeep , Zhang Heye , E Alahi Md. , Ghayvat Hemant , Mukhopadhyay Subhas , Zhang Yuan-Ting , Wu Wanqing
Published: March 2017

n/a
Left Numb and Unengaged. (Re)Conceptualising Risk: What (Seems to) Work for at-Risk Students
Authors: Zyngier David
Published: March 2017

This review of current research into ‘at-risk’ programs serves to categorise and characterise existing programs and to evaluate the contribution of these programs to assisting students ‘at-risk’ from marginalised backgrounds. This characterisation questions the (sometimes) implicit assumptions and the consequences of those assumptions inherent in and behind these various accounts. Using as a lens the (various and varied) understandings of social justice and the goals of education, three sometimes overlapping and sometimes contesting standpoints are identified in relation to ‘at-risk’ students; they are characterised as instrumentalist or rational technical, social constructivist or individualist, and critical transformative or empowering. I argue that a critical transformative understanding of ‘at-risk’ may deliver improved outcomes for young people by challenging ‘the school context in which the young people are located’.
Effect of Oral Alpha Lipoic Acid in Preventing the Genesis of Canine Diabetic Cataract: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Williams David
Published: March 2017

Blinding cataract is a significant effect of canine diabetes with 75% of animals affected two years after diagnosis. Lens opacification occurs primarily through the generation of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, through the action of aldose reductase (AR). The osmotic effect of sorbitol draws water into the lens, causing opacification. Inhibition of AR should thus prevent the generation of cataracts. A topical AR inhibitor has been shown to have this effect, as has the commercially available neutraceutical OcuGLO, containing the AR inhibitor alpha lipoic acid (ALA) together with other plant-based antioxidants. Here a comparison is made between the number of diabetic dogs developing cataracts when given oral ALA alone and those given a mix containing ascorbic acid and tocopherol. Animals given ALA developed significantly fewer lens opacities than those given conventional antioxidants. Cataracts which formed occurred at a significantly greater duration after the commencement of treatment than those on the antioxidant mix. Although this is a small study conducted over a short period, the significant benefit of ALA in diabetic dogs is a reason to evaluate these effects in larger trials. As AR is involved in diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy, this enzyme inhibitor may be worthy of evaluation in preventing these conditions in human diabetics also.
BANK PROFITABILITY AND MACROECONOMY: EVIDENCE FROM LITHUANIA
Authors: NARUŠEVIČIUS Laurynas
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between profitability of the Lithuanian banking sector and its internal and external determinants. We use the panel error correc­tion model to assess long-term and short-term determinants of items from bank income statements (net interest income, net fee and commission income and operating expenses). The results of the pooled mean group estimator show that bank size and real GDP are the main determinants in the long-term. Meanwhile, empirical examination suggests various variables as short-term determinants of income statement items. The pooled mean group estimation technique and the analysis of sepa­rate income statement items enable us to have a better insight into the Lithuanian banking sector and determinants of its revenue and expenses.
WEB DATA MINING FOR MONITORING BUSINESS EXPORT ORIENTATION
Authors: BLAZQUEZ Desamparados , DOMENECH Josep
Published: March 2017

The World Wide Web (WWW) has become the largest repository of information in the world, providing a data stream that grows at the same time as the scope of the Internet does in society. As with most Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), its digital nature makes it easy for computer programs to analyze it and discover information. This is why it is being increas­ingly explored as a source of new indicators of technology, economics and development. Web-based indicators can be made available on a real-time basis, unlike delayed official data releases. In this paper, we examine the viability of monitoring firm export orientation from automatically retrieved web variables. Our focus on exports is consistent with the role of internationalization in economic development. To evaluate our approach, we first checked to what extent web variables are capable of predicting firm export orientation. Once these new variables are validated, their automated re­trieval is assessed by comparing the predictive performance of two nowcast models: one considering the manually retrieved web variables, the other considering the automatically retrieved ones. Our results evidence that i) web-based variables are good predictors for firm export orientation, and ii) the process of extracting and analyzing such variables can be entirely automated with no significant loss of performance. This way, it is possible to nowcast not only the export orientation of a firm, but also of an economic sector or of a region.
Equilibrium and Sudden Events in Chemical Evolution
Authors: Weinberg David H. , Andrews Brett H. , Freudenburg Jenna
Published: March 2017

We present new analytic solutions for one-zone (fully mixed) chemical evolution models that incorporate a realistic delay time distribution for Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and can therefore track the separate evolution of α-elements produced by core collapse supernovae (CCSNe) and iron peak elements synthesized in both CCSNe and SNe Ia. Our solutions allow constant, exponential, or linear–exponential (

) star formation histories, or combinations thereof. In generic cases, α and iron abundances evolve to an equilibrium at which element production is balanced by metal consumption and gas dilution, instead of continuing to increase over time. The equilibrium absolute abundances depend principally on supernova yields and the outflow mass loading parameter η, while the equilibrium abundance ratio

depends mainly on yields and secondarily on star formation history. A stellar population can be metal-poor either because it has not yet evolved to equilibrium or because high outflow efficiency makes the equilibrium abundance itself low. Systems with ongoing gas accretion develop metallicity distribution functions (MDFs) that are sharply peaked, while “gas starved” systems with rapidly declining star formation, such as the conventional “closed box” model, have broadly peaked MDFs. A burst of star formation that consumes a significant fraction of a system’s available gas and retains its metals can temporarily boost

by 0.1–0.3 dex, a possible origin for rare, α-enhanced stars with intermediate age and/or high metallicity. Other sudden transitions in system properties can produce surprising behavior, including backward evolution of a stellar population from high to low metallicity.
Thermal Physics of the Inner Coma: ALMA Studies of the Methanol Distribution and Excitation in Comet C/2012 K1 (PanSTARRS)
Authors: Cordiner M. A. , Biver N. , Crovisier J. , Bockelée-Morvan D. , Mumma M. J. , Charnley S. B. , Villanueva G. , Paganini L. , Lis D. C. , Milam S. N. , Remijan A. J. , Coulson I. M. , Kuan Y.-J. , Boissier J.
Published: March 2017

We present spatially and spectrally resolved observations of CH3OH emission from comet C/2012 K1 (PanSTARRS), using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array on 2014 June 28–29. Two-dimensional maps of the line-of-sight average rotational temperature (T
rot) were derived, covering spatial scales 0.″3–1.″8 (corresponding to sky-projected distances ρ ∼ 500–2500 km). The CH3OH column density distributions are consistent with isotropic, uniform outflow from the nucleus, with no evidence for extended sources of CH3OH in the coma. The

T

rot

(
ρ
)

radial profiles show a significant drop within a few thousand kilometers of the nucleus, falling from about 60 to 20 K between

ρ
=
0

and 2500 km on June 28, whereas on June 29, T
rot fell from about 120 to 40 K between ρ = 0 km and 1000 km. The observed T
rot behavior is interpreted primarily as a result of variations in the coma kinetic temperature due to adiabatic cooling of the outflowing gas, as well as radiative cooling of the CH3OH rotational levels. Our excitation model shows that radiative cooling is more important for the

J
=
7
−
6

transitions (at 338 GHz) than for the

K
=
3
−
2

transitions (at 252 GHz), resulting in a strongly sub-thermal distribution of levels in the

J
=
7
−
6

band at

ρ
≳
1000

km

. For both bands, the observed temperature drop with distance is less steep than predicted by standard coma theoretical models, which suggests the presence of a significant source of heating in addition to the photolytic heat sources usually considered.
The Enrichment of HBV Immune-Escape Mutations during Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogue Therapy
Authors: Shan Menglin , Shen Zhen , Sun Hua , Zheng Jianghua , Zhang Min
Published: March 2017

Background

Drug-resistant HBV mutants frequently arise during nucleoside/nucleotide analogue (NA) therapy, while the resistance mutations on polymerase also have consequent changes in the S protein. The enrichment of immune-escape mutations was negatively correlated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance under NA therapy. This study aims to characterize the variability of HBV polymerase and surface antigen in patients with virological breakthrough under NA therapy.

Methods

From 2012 to 2014, serum samples were collected from 156 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection, who had experienced NA therapy for at least 24 weeks and displayed virological breakthrough, while 165 HBV carriers without NA treatment were also enrolled. HBV DNA was quantified and polymerase reverse transcriptase domain was amplified and sequenced.

Results

A total of 97 patients in the NA treatment group had resistance mutations, with rtM204I/V/S being the most common substitution (78 of 97), while no resistance mutations were detected in the treatment-naive group. Various escape mutations were detected, and the detection rate was significantly higher in the NA treatment group (38, 24.4%) than that of treatment-naive group (18, 10.9%; P<0.05). Except for the combination of sP120T+sA128V, other double combinations ( n=11) were only detected in the NA treatment group, and nine of these combinations in the treatment group were detected in HBV variants without antiviral resistance mutations.

Conclusions

Antiviral resistance mutations were selected by a long duration of NA therapy. Virological breakthrough was not only attributed to the emergence of resistance mutations, but may also be associated with the enrichment of immune-escape mutations.
Comparison of Disease Characteristics, Organ Damage, and Survival in Patients with Juvenile-onset and Adult-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Combined Cohort from 2 Tertiary Centers in Turkey
Authors: Artim-Esen Bahar , Şahin Sezgin , Çene Erhan , Şahinkaya Yasemin , Barut Kenan , Adrovic Amra , Özlük Yasemin , Kılıçaslan Işın , Omma Ahmet , Gül Ahmet , Öcal Lale , Kasapçopur Özgür , İnanç Murat
Published: March 2017

Objective.

Age at onset has been shown to affect the clinical course and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we aimed to define the differences in clinical characteristics, organ damage, and survival between patients with juvenile-onset (jSLE) and adult-onset SLE (aSLE).

Methods.

For the study, 719 patients (76.9%) with aSLE and 216 (23.1%) with jSLE were examined. Comparisons between the groups were made for demographic characteristics, clinical features, auto-antibody profiles, damage, and survival rates.

Results.

These results were significantly more frequent in jSLE: photosensitivity, malar rash, oral ulcers, renal involvement, neuropsychiatric (NP) manifestations, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Of the autoantibodies, a higher frequency of anti-dsDNA and anticardiolipin IgG and IgM were observed in the jSLE group. A significant proportion of patients with aSLE had anti-Sm positivity and pleuritis. The proportion of patients with jSLE who developed organ damage was comparable to that of patients with aSLE (53% vs 47%) and the mean damage scores were similar in both groups. Renal damage was significantly more frequent in jSLE while musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system damage and diabetes mellitus were more prominent in aSLE. Comparison of survival rates of the 2 groups did not reveal any significant differences.

Conclusion.

We report a higher frequency in the jSLE group of renal involvement, cutaneous symptoms, oral ulcers, NP manifestations, AIHA, and anti-dsDNA positivity. A significant proportion of patients in the jSLE group had damage, most prominently in the renal domain. Our findings might support different genetic/environmental backgrounds for these 2 subgroups.
Ultrasound Evaluation of the Entheses in Daily Clinical Practice during Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Blocking Therapy in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Wink Fréke , Bruyn George A. , Maas Fiona , Griep Ed N. , van der Veer Eveline , Bootsma Hendrika , Brouwer Elisabeth , Arends Suzanne , Spoorenberg Anneke
Published: March 2017

Objective.

To assess structural and inflammatory ultrasound (US) lesions of entheses in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with active disease and to evaluate inflammatory lesions after 6 months of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) blocking therapy, in daily clinical practice.

Methods.

Consecutive patients with AS were clinically evaluated and underwent US examination of 9 bilateral entheses before and after 6 months of TNF-α blocking therapy. US examination included the following as inflammatory lesions: bone erosions/cortical irregularities, enthesophytes, calcifications as structural lesions; adjacent bursitis, effusion, increased tendon hypoechogenicity or thickness; and positive power Doppler (PD) signal.

Results.

At baseline, 105 (95%) of 111 included patients showed US abnormalities. Structural lesions were seen in 74 patients (67%) and inflammatory lesions in 88 (79%). Enthesophytes and positive PD signal were the most prevalent structural and inflammatory lesions, respectively. Most lesions were found at the lower extremities. Additionally, inflammatory lesions occurred at the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. Patients with structural lesions at baseline were significantly older, had longer disease duration, higher modified Stoke AS Spine score, and higher C-reactive protein. Individually, there was a great diversity in changes of inflammatory entheseal lesions during treatment, but on the group level no significant decrease was found.

Conclusion.

This prospective observational cohort study in daily clinical practice shows a high prevalence of structural and inflammatory US lesions in AS patients with longstanding and active disease. Positive PD signal was the most common inflammatory feature. No significant change in inflammatory US lesions was found after 6 months of TNF-α blocking therapy.
OMERACT Quality-adjusted Life-years (QALY) Working Group: Do Current QALY Measures Capture What Matters to Patients?
Authors: Trenaman Logan , Boonen Annelies , Guillemin Francis , Hiligsmann Mickael , Hoens Alison , Marra Carlo , Taylor Will , Barton Jennifer , Tugwell Peter , Wells George , Bansback Nick
Published: March 2017

Objective.

To understand the limitations with current patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) used to generate quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) in rheumatology, and set a research agenda.

Methods.

Two activities were undertaken. The first was a scoping review of published studies that have used PROM to generate QALY in rheumatology between 2011 and 2016. The second was an interactive “eyeball test” exercise at Outcome Measures in Rheumatology 13 that compared subdomains of widely used generic PROM, as identified through the scoping review, to subdomains of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis Health Index (ASAS-HI) condition-specific PROM for ankylosing spondylitis.

Results.

The scoping review included 39 studies. Five different PROM have been used to generate QALY in rheumatology; however, the EQ-5D and Short Form 6 Dimensions (SF-6D) were used most frequently (in 32 and 9 of included studies, respectively). Special interest group participants identified energy/drive and sleep as 2 key subdomains of the ASAS-HI instrument that may be missed by the EQ-5D, and sexual function as potentially missed by the SF-6D. Participants also expressed concerns that aspects of the process of care and non-health outcomes may be missed. Three ways of incorporating additional subdomains were discussed, including using an alternative generic PROM, modifying an existing generic PROM with “bolt-on” subdomain(s), and generating societal weights for a condition-specific PROM.

Conclusion.

Three priorities for future research were identified: understanding whether the EQ-5D and SF-6D identify what matters to patients with different rheumatic conditions, analyzing how much patients value process or non-health outcomes, and identifying which approaches to incorporating a greater number of subdomains into the QALY are being undertaken in other disease areas.
Comment le genre s’invite dans nos cabinets
Authors: Blanc Élise
Published: March 2017

Cet article s’appuie sur les aspects théoriques développés dans la première partie : « Le genre, regard de psy » paru dans ce même numéro. « Il s’agit de construire une posture de thérapeute martien capable d’écouter et de comprendre nos patients dans des zones restées jusqu’à présent invisibles », écrit Élise Blanc à la fin de cette première partie. Cette posture est ici largement interrogée et analysée à l’aide de concepts d’analyse transactionnelle. Où mettre le curseur entre le sain, le pathologique et la norme ? Comment respecter la demande du patient en laissant de côté nos préjugés et croyances ? Comment concilier visée thérapeutique et éthique ? Une vignette clinique enrichit notre réflexion déjà bien sollicitée par le contenu de cet écrit. F.H.
« Désolée, je ne peux rien pour vous »
Authors: Le Berre Rozenn
Published: March 2017

Manque de personnel, stress au travail, absence de pause, heures supplémentaires non récupérées, risques psychosociaux non pris en compte… Pour les salarié·e·s travaillant dans des structures d’aide aux étrangers, la liste des entraves au droit du travail est longue. Et pourtant, peu de revendications émergent, chacun·e semblant accepter son sort sans broncher. Quand des voix s’élèvent, c’est souvent pour dénoncer les conditions d’accueil réservées aux étrangers, pas leurs conditions de travail. Témoignage d’une ex-travailleuse sociale employée au « tri des mineurs ».
Précarité en miroir au guichet de l’État social
Authors: Martin Pascal
Published: March 2017

Avec la mise en place de la CMU, l’assurance maladie s’est vu confier une nouvelle mission : l’assistance, soit la prise en charge de bénéficiaires non cotisants. Pour faire face à l’arrivée de ces publics précaires, « étrangers » ou perçus comme tels, à ses guichets, sans obérer la « performance économique » de ce service public devenu « gestionnaire », le choix a été fait de sous-traiter l’assistance à des opérateurs privés. Avec des conséquences sur l’emploi et le service.
Streptococcus thermophilus fermented milk reduces serum MDA-LDL and blood pressure in healthy and mildly hypercholesterolaemic adults
Authors: Ito M. , Kusuhara S. , Yokoi W. , Sato T. , Ishiki H. , Miida S. , Matsui A. , Nakamori K. , Nonaka C. , Miyazaki K.
Published: March 2017

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL), MDA-LDL/LDL-cholesterol in serum, and blood pressure are considered useful risk markers of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to examine whether a fermented milk containing Streptococcus thermophilus YIT 2001 (ST), which has high anti-oxidative activity, would benefit healthy and mildly hyper-LDL-cholesterolaemic adults via a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ST-fermented milk or non-fermented placebo milk (PC) was consumed once a day for 12 weeks by 29 and 30 subjects, respectively, with average serum LDL-cholesterol levels of about 140 mg/dl. Serum levels of LDL-cholesterol and MDA-LDL and blood pressure were analysed before (baseline) and after consumption. Comparisons of the responses between both groups were assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA, with the baseline value as the covariate). ANCOVA demonstrated that the ST group had significant reductions in MDA-LDL, MDA-LDL/LDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) compared with the PC group during the consumption period (P<0.05). Moreover, stratified analysis revealed that there were significant reductions in MDA-LDL, MDA-LDL/LDL-cholesterol, SBP, and DBP in the ST group compared with the PC group during the consumption period in subjects who had above median (65 U/l) levels of oxidative stress marker MDA-LDL at baseline (P<0.05), but not in subjects with levels below the median. These findings suggest that daily consumption of ST-fermented milk may be beneficial in healthy or mildly hyper-LDL cholesterolaemic subjects through reductions in risk marker values of oxidative stress and/or cardiovascular diseases. The benefits were particularly remarkable in subjects who had higher levels of MDA-LDL.
Action learning in undergraduate engineering thesis supervision
Authors: Stappenbelt Brad
Published: March 2017

In the present action learning implementation, twelve action learning sets were conducted over eight years. The action learning sets consisted of students involved in undergraduate engineering research thesis work. The concurrent study accompanying this initiative, investigated the influence of the action learning environment on student approaches to learning and any accompanying academic, learning and personal benefits realised. The influence of preferred learning styles on set function and student adoption of the action learning process were also examined. The action learning environment implemented had a measurable significant positive effect on student academic performance, their ability to cope with the stresses associated with conducting a research thesis, the depth of learning, the development of autonomous learners and student perception of the research thesis experience. The present study acts as an addendum to a smaller scale implementation of this action learning approach, applied to supervision of third and fourth year research projects and theses, published in 2010.
EVALUATING TWO RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS IN AN URBAN SETTING IN OREGON'S WILLAMETTE VALLEY
Authors: Olsen Conner , Kowalewski Alexander , Gould Micah , Lambrinos John
Published: March 2017

INTRODUCTION

The recent trend toward more extreme periods of drought has been a shock to the residents of the Pacific Northwest – many of whom have relied upon heavy wateruse in the summer months in order to make a living (i.e. producers of grass seed and sod, berries, or nursery crops), or to maintain their landscapes at high levels (i.e. certain homeowners, recreational facilities, or commercial properties). Furthermore, population growth has reached the point where even an average year of precipitation has proven insufficient for urbanities that had not previously experienced issues with water scarcity (McDonald et al., 2011). This modern climate scenario has forced people of the Pacific Northwest, and people from all around the world, to rethink their water-use strategies, as the global trend has shifted toward greater sustainability (Tilman, 2001; McDonald et al., 2011). One potential mitigation strategy for cool-humid regions, such as Oregon's Willamette Valley, is to utilize rainwater-harvesting systems to alleviate freshwater demand (Kinkade-Levario, 2007). Rainwater harvesting is a logical choice for this climate zone because the average annual precipitation (42.7-in for Corvallis, OR) is sufficient for the majority of its crop production, however, this precipitation occurs almost exclusively in a nine-month period spanning from fall to spring (US Climate Data, 1981–2010). Although annual precipitation is adequate, irrigation is still required for at least three months of every year. This study considered rainwater harvesting to be ideally suited for the cool-humid Willamette Valley; the excess rainfall in the wet season that could be stored for use in the summer months, thus decreasing demand for municipal water by an equivalent amount.

It should be stated that rainwater harvesting is not a novel idea; there have been studies dating back to the 1980's and earlier that have shown significant watersavings when retrofitting homes with new features like rainwater-harvesting systems (Boers et al., 1982, Karpisack et al., 1990). Even before that, golf courses, sporting complexes, and industrial sites alike were making use of this strategy. However, their methods typically consisted of catching rainwater via surface runoff and storing it in retention ponds (Ferguson, 1998), which is a strategy that is less applicable to the small-acreage homeowner who wants to irrigate their property without having to turn half of their backyard into a pond. Fortunately, there are alternative methods of rainwater harvesting that make a lot more sense in a residential setting, where irrigated land is small in relation to the roof-area for which rain can be easily harvested. This study documents the construction of two distinct rainwater-harvesting systems (an aboveground cistern and a belowground AQUABLOX™ matrix storage system), and gives insight into their advantages and disadvantages.