bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A necessária superação das pedagogias do “aprender a aprender”: em foco o construtivismo no ensino de ciências
Authors: Mori Rafael Cava
Published: March 2018

Este ensaio esboça uma crítica às chamadas pedagogias do “aprender a aprender”, especificamente, o construtivismo, entendido como corrente hegemônica no ideário pedagógico contemporâneo. Muitos educadores tendem a considerar as ideias construtivistas como uma apologia à liberdade, à autonomia e à democratização da sociedade e do espaço escolar. A atribuição de um caráter progressista a essa pedagogia, no entanto, não resistirá ao desmascaramento de sua visão espontaneísta sobre o desenvolvimento humano (que remete a uma desvalorização da instituição escolar e da transmissão do saber elaborado, questão-chave para o ensino de ciências) e de suas bases filosóficas e a-históricas, muito convenientes à filosofia neoliberal e ao pós-modernismo, ambos legitimadores da perspectiva liberalizante que sustenta o sistema capitalista.
Ceruloplasmin, a potential marker for glycemic status and its relationship with lipid profile in Type II diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sharma Vijay Kumar , Tumbapo Arjun , Pant Vivek , Aryal Binod , Shrestha Sweta , Yadav Binod Kumar , Tuladhar Eans Tara , Bhattarai Aseem , Raut Mithileshwor
Published: March 2018

Background: Type II Diabetes Mellitus (Type II DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity. Marker of glycemic control are HbA1c, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose. There is altered lipid parameters in Type II DM which possess significant cardiovascular risk to the patient. Recent studies have shown that ceruloplasmin, an inflammatory marker having antioxidant property,is ideal marker to know the cardiovascular status, degree of insulin resistance and cancer risk.Aims and Objectives: Present study was carried out to determine the relation between glycemic status and serum ceruloplasmin along with lipid parameters which reflects the cardiovascular status in these patients.Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from eighty-eight patients with type II diabetes mellitus along with age and sex matched forty-two healthy controls. Fasting lipid profile and blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, serum ceruloplasmin and HbA1c levels were determined using auto analyser in the department of clinical biochemistry in Institute of Medicine.Appropriate tests of significance were computed by SPSS version 20.Results: Serum ceruloplasmin was found higher in type II DM than non-diabetic group, median 52.0 (95% CI: 49-53) mg/dl versus median 45.0 (95% CI: 41-47) mg/dl, at significant level of 0.001 probability test. Similarly, fasting blood glucose, post prandial glucose, HbA1c and TG/HDL cholesterol ratio correlated significantly with serum ceruloplasmin.The cut off value of 46.5 mg/dL was obtained for serum ceruloplasmin with sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 62% which has good discriminating value for type II diabetic patients versus non-diabetic patients.Conclusion: Findings in our study shows that increased glycation coupled with altered lipid profile in type II DM causes enhanced generation of ceruloplasmin which could be used as potential marker for identifying acceleratedglycation and atherogenesis in these subjects.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.9(2) 2018 13-18
Simultaneous cochlear implantation as a therapeutic option in vestibular schwannoma surgery: case report
Authors: dos Santos Neto Pedro Helo , Zamponi Johnni Oswaldo , Hamerschmidt Rogério , Wiemes Gislaine Richter Minhoto , Rassi Marcio S. , Borba Luis A. B.
Published: March 2018

Hearing loss is the most common symptom of vestibular schwannomas (VSs). The management of these lesions includes observation, radiosurgery, and microsurgical resection. Hearing preservation and rehabilitation are the major challenges after the tumor treatment. A 43-year-old man with previous left-sided profound hearing loss and tinnitus presented with a 2-mm left-sided intracanalicular VS. The decision was made to perform a simultaneous cochlear implantation (CI) and microsurgical resection of the tumor. The patient did well postoperatively, with significant improvement of tinnitus, sound localization, and speech recognition in noise. Previous reports of simultaneous CI and VS resection in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 and sporadic VS in the only hearing ear have been described. The role of CI in patients with VS and normal contralateral hearing has been recently described, showing positive outcomes due to the binaural benefits. Tinnitus also can be treated by the implantation of the cochlear device. The simultaneous microsurgical removal of VS and implantation of a cochlear device is a feasible approach in patients with unilateral hearing loss and severe tinnitus.
Rohingya Crisis in Bangladesh and Health Sector Challenges
Authors: Rahman Md Tahminur
Published: March 2018

Abstract not availableAnwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 9, No. 1: Jan 2018, P 3-4
Prevalence and Determinants of Smoking Among Adolescent Boys in Dhaka City
Authors: Khan Md MH , Karim Md R , Alam Md S , Ali Md M , Masud Jakir HB
Published: March 2018

Background: Smoking is recognized as a major public health problem in the world.Materials & Methods: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and determinant of adolescent smoking in West Kafrul Dhaka. This was a cross sectional study conducted in 2013 among 150 adolescent boys of school and slum.Results: The results showed 35.33% adolescent boys had smoking habit. Most of the adolescent (86.79%) had started smoking when they were 14-17 years old. This study found that peers influence (50.94 %) was the most common causes of smoking. Among the boys who live in slum, 80% were smoker and among the school going boys 15% were smoker.Conclusion: Smoking was very common among middle-class male teenagers and even more prevalent among youths from nearby slums. Awareness program on tobacco will be an effective way to control.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 9, No. 1: Jan 2018, P 34-38
Mycophenolate Mofetil versus Cyclophosphamide for Induction Treatment of Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Mahmood Nazneen , Mahmood Farhana , Shumi Shamima Islam , Siddiqui Md Mahmudur Rahman
Published: March 2018

Recent studies have suggested that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may offer advantages over intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVC) for the treatment of lupus nephritis, but these therapies have not been compared in an international randomized, controlled trial. Here, the comparison of MMF and IVC as induction treatment for active lupus nephritis in a multinational, two-phase (induction and maintenance) study was shown in the different study. Lupus nephritis (LN) occurs in up to 60% of adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and predicts poor survival. The prevalence of SLE and LN and treatment response vary by age, gender, location, and race/ethnicity; LN is especially common in black and Hispanic patients in the United States. MMF was at least as effective as IVC in induction treatment in previous trials in Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, and the United States. Meta-analyses of these and smaller trials suggested that MMF may offer advantages over IVC, but they have not yet been compared in an international randomized, controlled trial. Many comparative studies were undertaken in patients with LN, a two-part trial to assess the efficacy and safety of MMF as induction therapy and subsequently as maintenance therapy for LN. This article will describe the comparison of MMF with IVC, both with corticosteroids.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 9, No. 1: Jan 2018, P 63-67
Association News Vol.50(1-2)
Authors: BMA-Khulna Branch -
Published: March 2018

Abstract not availableBang Med J (Khulna) 2017; 50 : 55
Change Through Continuity: A Case Study of Q. 4:34 in Ibn ʿĀshūr'sal-Taḥrīr wa'l-tanwīr
Authors: Mubarak Hadia
Published: March 2018

In the context of ruptures and continuities in modern Qur'anic exegesis, this article brings attention to a modern tafsīr that has received scant attention in western scholarship, Muḥammad al-Ṭāhir b. ʿĀshūr's al-Taḥrīr wa'l-tanwīr. The significance of his tafsīr lies in its employment of premodern, philological hermeneutics to reach new interpretations, representing a unique approach in modern typologies of tafsīr, in that it seeks change through continuity with the tradition. As a case example, this article explores Ibn ʿĀshūr's ability to leverage premodern hermeneutics to reach an unprecedented interpretation of wa’ḍribūhunna, the last of three disciplinary measures prescribed for women who are guilty of nushūz in Q. 4:34. My findings dispel the common assumption that modern exegetes who utilise ‘innovative’ methods bring forth new interpretations, whereas those who do not employ such methods do not. Al-Taḥrīr wa'l-tanwīr counters intellectual currents within modern tafsīr that bypass the exegetical tradition by reviving the genre's classical, philological methods and employing them to reach new opinions for changed realities.
Design of a Facility for Studying Shock-Cell Noise on Single and Coaxial Jets
Authors: Guariglia Daniel , Rubio Carpio Alejandro , Schram Christophe
Published: March 2018

Shock-cell noise occurs in aero-engines when the nozzle exhaust is supersonic and shock-cells are present in the jet. In commercial turbofan engines, at cruise, the secondary flow is often supersonic underexpanded, with the formation of annular shock-cells in the jet and consequent onset of shock-cell noise. This paper aims at describing the design process of the new facility FAST (Free jet AeroacouSTic laboratory) at the von Karman Institute, aimed at the investigation of the shock-cell noise phenomenon on a dual stream jet. The rig consists of a coaxial open jet, with supersonic capability for both the primary and secondary flow. A coaxial silencer was designed to suppress the spurious noise coming from the feeding lines. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the coaxial jet and acoustic simulations of the silencer have been carried out to support the design choices. Finally, the rig has been validated by performing experimental measurements on a supersonic single stream jet and comparing the results with the literature. Fine-scale PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) coupled with a microphone array in the far field have been used in this scope. Preliminary results of the dual stream jet are also shown.
Temperature Dependence on Density, Viscosity, and Electrical Conductivity of Ionic Liquid 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Fluoride
Authors: Liu Fengguo , Zhong Xiongwei , Xu Junli , Kamali Ali , Shi Zhongning
Published: March 2018

Ionic liquids are considered environmentally friendly media for various industrial applications. Basic data on physicochemical properties are significant for a new material, in terms of developing its potential applications. In this work, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium fluoride ([EMIm]F) ionic liquid was synthesized via an anion metathesis process. Physical properties including the density, viscosity, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability of the product were measured. The results show that the density of [EMIm]F decreases linearly with temperature increases, while dynamic viscosity decreases rapidly below 320 K and the temperature dependence of electrical conductivity is in accordance with the VFT (Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann) equation. The temperature dependence of the density, conductivity, and viscosity of [EMIm]F can be expressed via the following equations: ρ = 1.516 − 1.22 × 10−3 T, σm = 4417.1exp[−953.17/(T − 166.65)] and η = 2.07 × 10−7exp(−5.39 × 104/T), respectively. [EMIm]F exhibited no clear melting point. However, its glass transition point and decomposition temperature are −71.3 °C and 135 °C, respectively.
Kinases and Cancer
Authors: Cicenas Jonas , Zalyte Egle , Bairoch Amos , Gaudet Pascale
Published: March 2018

Protein kinases are a large family of enzymes catalyzing protein phosphorylation. The human genome contains 518 protein kinase genes, 478 of which belong to the classical protein kinase family and 40 are atypical protein kinases [...]
A New Approach to Deep Desulfurization of Light Cycle Oil over Ni2P Catalysts: Combined Selective Oxidation and Hydrotreating
Authors: Yun Gwang-Nam , Cho Kye-Syng , Kim Yong-Su , Lee Yong-Kul
Published: March 2018

Amphiphilic phosphotungstic acid (A-PTA) and Ni2P/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared to apply for selective oxidation of refractory sulfur compounds in light cycle oils and hydrotreating of the oxidized S compounds, respectively. Physical properties of the catalyst samples were analyzed by BET, CO uptake chemisorption, and TEM. Structural properties for the supported Ni2P catalysts were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. The selective oxidation of S compounds in the LCO feed was conducted in a batch reactor at H2O2/S ratio of 10, atmospheric pressure and 353 K and then the products were fed to a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor for hydrotreating at 623 K, 3.0 MPa, and LHSV’s of 0.5–2.0 h−1. A-PTA catalyst showed a high oxidation conversion of 95% for a real LCO feed. The following hydrotreating led to a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) conversion of 99.6% and a hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) conversion of 94.7% over Ni2P/SBA-15, which were much higher than those of direct hydrotreating results which gave an HDS conversion of 63.5% and an HDN conversion of 17.5% based on the same LHSV of 2.0 h−1. It was revealed that the reduction in refractory nitrogen compounds after oxidative treatment contributed to the increase of the following HDS activity.
Anisotropic Deformation in the Compressions of Single Crystalline Copper Nanoparticles
Authors: Bian Jianjun , Zhang Hao , Niu Xinrui , Wang Gangfeng
Published: March 2018

Atomistic simulations are performed to probe the anisotropic deformation in the compressions of face-centred-cubic metallic nanoparticles. In the elastic regime, the compressive load-depth behaviors can be characterized by the classical Hertzian model or flat punch model, depending on the surface configuration beneath indenter. On the onset of plasticity, atomic-scale surface steps serve as the source of heterogeneous dislocation in nanoparticle, which is distinct from indenting bulk materials. Under [111] compression, the gliding of jogged dislocation takes over the dominant plastic deformation. The plasticity is governed by nucleation and exhaustion of extended dislocation ribbons in [110] compression. Twin boundary migration mainly sustain the plastic deformation under [112] compression. This study is helpful to extract the mechanical properties of metallic nanoparticles and understand their anisotropic deformation behaviors.
Security Analysis of Unidimensional Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution Using Uncertainty Relations
Authors: Wang Pu , Wang Xuyang , Li Yongmin
Published: March 2018

We study the equivalence between the entanglement-based scheme and prepare-and-measure scheme of unidimensional (UD) continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocol. Based on this equivalence, the physicality and security of the UD coherent-state protocols in the ideal detection and realistic detection conditions are investigated using the Heisenberg uncertainty relation, respectively. We also present a method to increase both the secret key rates and maximal transmission distances of the UD coherent-state protocol by adding an optimal noise to the reconciliation side. It is expected that our analysis will aid in the practical applications of the UD protocol.
Adaptive Controller of the Major Functions for Controlling a Drive System with Elastic Couplings
Authors: Tran Anh Dung , Nguyen Trong Thang
Published: March 2018

In any drive system, there are always couplings between the motor and the load. Since the hardness of these couplings is finite, they have elastic properties, causing unwanted vibration and negatively affecting system quality. When the couplings are springs with nonlinear characteristics, control is particularly difficult because it is very difficult or impossible to define the parameters of the controlled object. To solve these difficulties, this article proposes an adaptive controller of the major functions for controlling a drive system with nonlinear elastic couplings of unidentified parameters. For the proposed control system, we measure the response speed of the object, use a Luenberger observer to estimate the state variables of the system, and use an adaptive controller to control the system. The experimental results demonstrate that the control object can be controlled without knowing the parameters: the control quality of the system is very good, close to that of a system with a hard coupling, there is no vibration or overshoot, and the transition time is small.
Health Disparities in the Relationship of Neighborhood Greenness to Mental Health Outcomes in 249,405 U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Brown Scott , Perrino Tatiana , Lombard Joanna , Wang Kefeng , Toro Matthew , Rundek Tatjana , Gutierrez Carolina , Dong Chuanhui , Plater-Zyberk Elizabeth , Nardi Maria , Kardys Jack , Szapocznik José
Published: March 2018

Prior studies suggest that exposure to the natural environment may be important for optimal mental health. The present study examines the association between block-level greenness (vegetative presence) and mental health outcomes, in a population-based sample of 249,405 U.S. Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years living in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA, whose location did not change from 2010 to 2011. Multilevel analyses examined relationships between greenness, as measured by mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from satellite imagery at the Census block level, and each of two mental health outcomes; Alzheimer’s disease and depression, respectively, after statistically adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood income level of the individuals. Higher block-level greenness was linked to better mental health outcomes: There was a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease (by 18%) and depression (by 28%) for beneficiaries living in blocks that were 1 SD above the mean for greenness, as compared to blocks that were 1 SD below the mean. Planned post-hoc analyses revealed that higher levels of greenness were associated with even greater mental health benefits in low-income neighborhoods: An increase in greenness from 1 SD below to 1 SD above the mean was associated with 37% lower odds of depression in low-income neighborhoods, compared to 27% and 21% lower odds of depression in medium- and high-income neighborhoods, respectively. Greenness may be effective in promoting mental health in older adults, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, possibly as a result of the increased opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, or stress mitigation.
Expression of Vitis amurensis VaERF20 in Arabidopsis thaliana Improves Resistance to Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato DC3000
Authors: Wang Mengnan , Zhu Yanxun , Han Rui , Yin Wuchen , Guo Chunlei , Li Zhi , Wang Xiping
Published: March 2018

Ethylene response factor (ERF) transcription factors play important roles in regulating immune responses in plants. In our study, we characterized a member of the ERF transcription factor family, VaERF20, from the Chinese wild Vitis genotype, V. amurensis Rupr “Shuangyou”. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that VaERF20 belongs to group IXc of the ERF family, in which many members are known to contribute to fighting pathogen infection. Consistent with this, expression of VaERF20 was induced by treatment with the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) in “Shuangyou” and V. vinifera “Red Globe”. Arabidopsis thaliana plants over-expressing VaERF20 displayed enhanced resistance to B. cinerea and the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000. Patterns of pathogen-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation were entirely distinct in B. cinerea and PstDC3000 inoculated plants. Examples of both salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid/ethylene (JA/ET) responsive defense genes were up-regulated after B. cinerea and PstDC3000 inoculation of the VaERF20-overexpressing transgenic A. thaliana plants. Evidence of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), callose accumulation and stomatal defense, together with increased expression of PTI genes, was also greater in the transgenic lines. These data indicate that VaERF20 participates in various signal transduction pathways and acts as an inducer of immune responses.
Importance of ERK1/2 in Regulation of Protein Translation during Oocyte Meiosis
Authors: Kalous Jaroslav , Tetkova Anna , Kubelka Michal , Susor Andrej
Published: March 2018

Although the involvement of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway in the regulation of cytostatic factor (CSF) activity; as well as in microtubules organization during meiotic maturation of oocytes; has already been described in detail; rather less attention has been paid to the role of ERK1/2 in the regulation of mRNA translation. However; important data on the role of ERK1/2 in translation during oocyte meiosis have been documented. This review focuses on recent findings regarding the regulation of translation and the role of ERK1/2 in this process in the meiotic cycle of mammalian oocytes. The specific role of ERK1/2 in the regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR); eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1 (CPEB1) activity is addressed along with additional focus on the other key players involved in protein translation.
Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Root Ca2+ and K+ Fluxes Correlate with Salt Tolerance in Cereals: Towards the Cell-Based Phenotyping
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Shabala Lana , Zhou Meixue , Shabala Sergey
Published: March 2018

Salinity stress-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and associated oxidative damage is one of the major factors limiting crop production in saline soils. However, the causal link between ROS production and stress tolerance is not as straightforward as one may expect, as ROS may also play an important signaling role in plant adaptive responses. In this study, the causal relationship between salinity and oxidative stress tolerance in two cereal crops—barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum)—was investigated by measuring the magnitude of ROS-induced net K+ and Ca2+ fluxes from various root tissues and correlating them with overall whole-plant responses to salinity. We have found that the association between flux responses to oxidative stress and salinity stress tolerance was highly tissue specific, and was also dependent on the type of ROS applied. No correlation was found between root responses to hydroxyl radicals and the salinity tolerance. However, when oxidative stress was administered via H2O2 treatment, a significant positive correlation was found for the magnitude of ROS-induced K+ efflux and Ca2+ uptake in barley and the overall salinity stress tolerance, but only for mature zone and not the root apex. The same trends were found for wheat. These results indicate high tissue specificity of root ion fluxes response to ROS and suggest that measuring the magnitude of H2O2-induced net K+ and Ca2+ fluxes from mature root zone may be used as a tool for cell-based phenotyping in breeding programs aimed to improve salinity stress tolerance in cereals.
Effects of ReadiSorb L-GSH in Altering Granulomatous Responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Islamoglu Hicret , Cao Ruoqiong , Teskey Garrett , Gyurjian Karo , Lucar Sebastian , Fraix Marcel , Sathananthan Airani , Chan John , Venketaraman Vishwanath
Published: March 2018

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb), a rod-shaped acid-fast bacterium, is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB). TB remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Additionally, approximately one-third of the world’s population has latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) as a result of the body’s primary mechanism of defense against M. tb infection, the formation of a granuloma. A granuloma is the aggregation of immune cells that encapsulate the bacteria to keep them localized to prevent further infection and thus the bacteria become quiescent. However, if an individual becomes immunocompromised, they become more susceptible to M. tb, which may lead to bacterial reactivation and an active infection, because the host is no longer able to generate adequate immune responses. In this study, we examined liposomal glutathione’s (L-GSH) effectiveness in promoting the formation of solid, stable granulomas. We assessed this ability by generating in vitro human granulomas constructed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that were derived from healthy subjects and testing their granulomatous effector responses against both M. bovis bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) and the highly virulent Erdman strain of M. tb. Additionally, we measured the survival and immune characteristics of the Erdman strain of M. tb in THP-1 originated macrophages as well as in vitro granulomas generated from individuals from type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Our results demonstrate that L-GSH treatment can decrease the intracellular survival of both BCG and virulent M. tb, as well as downregulate the levels of overexpressed proinflammatory cytokines delegated from the granulomas derived from not only healthy subjects but also individuals with T2DM.
Material Impact on Diamond Machining of Diffractive Optical Structures for UV-Application
Authors: Holthusen Ann-Katrin , Riemer Oltmann , Brinksmeier Ekkard
Published: March 2018

This paper discusses the impact of different machining parameters on structuring quality in a diamond turning process for the machining of diffractive optical elements (DOEs). Special attention is paid to the impact of the material on the geometric structuring quality. First, the machining process for DOEs is described. The structuring process is based on a face turning process combined with a nano Fast Tool Servo (nFTS), which varies the depth of cuts within a range of up to 1 μm at a maximum frequency of 5 kHz. The diamond tools being used exhibit customized rectangular tool geometry with a tool width of 10–20 μm. To determine the material impact and the influence of several machining parameters, different structures have been machined, and their geometric and topographic quality has been analyzed.
Cryptococcosis in Colombia: Compilation and Analysis of Data from Laboratory-Based Surveillance
Authors: Escandón Patricia , Lizarazo Jairo , Agudelo Clara , Castañeda Elizabeth
Published: March 2018

The passive and voluntary surveillance of cryptococcosis in Colombia since 1997 has seen an increasing participating rate, revealing its importance to both in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent people. The present work details the national data gathered in 1997–2016, through a retrospective analysis of the information collected in the survey. From a total of 1974 cases reported, an overall incidence of 0.23 cases per 100,000 people was found. This incidence rose to 1.1 cases per 1000 people in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) population. Cryptococcosis was most common in male young adults (26–40 years), with a male:female ratio of 3.9:1 in the general population and 5.4:1 in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients. Culture was the most common form of diagnosis in 96.3% of cases, recovering C. neoformans species in 87.5% and C. gattii in 3.1% of samples. VNI was the most prevalent (96.1%) molecular type, while VGII predominated in C. gattii isolates (54.3%). Early mortality was reported as the outcome in 47.5% of patients. Cryptococcosis remains an important opportunistic disease in Colombia and is gaining status as a primary pathogen in apparently immunocompetent patients. Our findings show the importance of including cryptococcosis as a notifiable disease, which will allow for improving opportune diagnosis and treatment, resulting in better patient outcomes.
An Injectable, Dual Responsive, and Self-Healing Hydrogel Based on Oxidized Sodium Alginate and Hydrazide-Modified Poly(ethyleneglycol)
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhou Wanfu , Wang Qingguo , Xu Chao , Tang Quan , Yang Haiyang
Published: March 2018

Oxidized sodium alginate is a handily modifiable polysaccharide owing to the pendant aldehyde groups which can form dynamic covalent bonds with amines, acylhydrazines, etc., providing oxidized sodium alginate-based hydrogels with stimuli-responsive properties. However, due to the stiffness and, in particular, the hydrophobicity of sodium alginate dialdehyde at low pH, the mechanical performance and pH stimuli responsiveness of oxidized sodium alginate-based hydrogels are still strictly limited. Herein, we report a new strategy to build an injectable, dual responsive, and self-healing hydrogel based on oxidized sodium alginate and hydrazide-modified poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG). The hydrazide-modified PEG, referred to as PEG-DTP, acts as a macromolecule crosslinker. We found that the presence of PEG-DTP reduces the hydrophobicity of oxidized sodium alginate at low pH so effectively that even a pH-induced reversible sol-gel transitions can be realized. Meanwhile, the disulfide bonds in PEG-DTP endows the hydrogel with the other reversible sol-gel transitions by redox stimuli. In particular, due to the softness of PEG-DTP chains, mechanical performance was also enhanced significantly. Our results indicate we can easily integrate multi-stimuli responsiveness, injectability, and self-healing behavior together into an oxidized sodium alginate-based hydrogel merely by mixing an oxidized sodium alginate solution with PEG-DTP solution in certain proportions.
Reconstructing the Roman Site “Aquis Querquennis” (Bande, Spain) from GPR, T-LiDAR and IRT Data Fusion
Authors: Puente Iván , Solla Mercedes , Lagüela Susana , Sanjurjo-Pinto Javier
Published: March 2018

This work presents the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of one of the most important archaeological sites in Galicia: “Aquis Querquennis” (Bande, Spain) using in-situ non-invasive ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (T-LiDAR) techniques, complemented with infrared thermography. T-LiDAR is used for the recording of the 3D surface of this particular case and provides high resolution 3D digital models. GPR data processing is performed through the novel software tool “toGPRi”, developed by the authors, which allows the creation of a 3D model of the sub-surface and the subsequent XY images or time-slices at different depths. All these products are georeferenced, in such a way that the GPR orthoimages can be combined with the orthoimages from the T-LiDAR for a complete interpretation of the site. In this way, the GPR technique allows for the detection of the structures of the barracks that are buried, and their distribution is completed with the structure measured by the T-LiDAR on the surface. In addition, the detection of buried elements made possible the identification and labelling of the structures of the surface and their uses. These structures are additionally inspected with infrared thermography (IRT) to determine their conservation condition and distinguish between original and subsequent constructions.
Paddy Field Expansion and Aggregation Since the Mid-1950s in a Cold Region and Its Possible Causes
Authors: Yan Fengqin , Yu Lingxue , Yang Chaobin , Zhang Shuwen
Published: March 2018

Over the last six decades, paddy fields on the Sanjiang Plain have experienced rapid expansion and aggregation. In our study, land use and land cover changes related to paddy fields were studied based on information acquired from topographic maps and remote-sensing images. Paddy field expansion and aggregation were investigated through landscape indices and trajectory codes. Furthermore, the possible causes of paddy field expansion and aggregation were explored. Results indicated that such fields have increased by approximately 42,704 ha·y−1 over the past six decades. Approximately 98% of paddy fields in 2015 were converted from other land use types. In general, the gravity center moved 254.51 km toward the northeast, at a rate of approximately 4.17 km·y−1. The cohesion index increased from 96.8208 in 1954 to 99.5656 in 2015, and the aggregation index grew from 91.3533 in 1954 to 93.4448 in 2015, indicating the apparent aggregation of paddy fields on the Sanjiang Plain. Trajectory analyses showed that the transformations from marsh as well as from grassland to dry farmland and then into paddy fields were predominant. Climate warming provided a favorable environment for rice planting. Meanwhile, population growth, technological progress, and government policies drove paddy field expansion and aggregation during the study period.
Region Based CNN for Foreign Object Debris Detection on Airfield Pavement
Authors: Cao Xiaoguang , Wang Peng , Meng Cai , Bai Xiangzhi , Gong Guoping , Liu Miaoming , Qi Jun
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a novel algorithm based on convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed to detect foreign object debris (FOD) based on optical imaging sensors. It contains two modules, the improved region proposal network (RPN) and spatial transformer network (STN) based CNN classifier. In the improved RPN, some extra select rules are designed and deployed to generate high quality candidates with fewer numbers. Moreover, the efficiency of CNN detector is significantly improved by introducing STN layer. Compared to faster R-CNN and single shot multiBox detector (SSD), the proposed algorithm achieves better result for FOD detection on airfield pavement in the experiment.
A Foot-Mounted Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Positioning Algorithm Based on Magnetic Constraint
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Xin , Zou Jiaheng
Published: March 2018

With the development of related applications, indoor positioning techniques have been more and more widely developed. Based on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and geomagnetism, indoor positioning techniques often rely on the physical location of fingerprint information. The focus and difficulty of establishing the fingerprint database are in obtaining a relatively accurate physical location with as little given information as possible. This paper presents a foot-mounted inertial measurement unit (IMU) positioning algorithm under the loop closure constraint based on magnetic information. It can provide relatively reliable position information without maps and geomagnetic information and provides a relatively accurate coordinate for the collection of a fingerprint database. In the experiment, the features extracted by the multi-level Fourier transform method proposed in this paper are validated and the validity of loop closure matching is tested with a RANSAC-based method. Moreover, the loop closure detection results show that the cumulative error of the trajectory processed by the graph optimization algorithm is significantly suppressed, presenting a good accuracy. The average error of the trajectory under loop closure constraint is controlled below 2.15 m.
Online Sensor Drift Compensation for E-Nose Systems Using Domain Adaptation and Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Ma Zhiyuan , Luo Guangchun , Qin Ke , Wang Nan , Niu Weina
Published: March 2018

Sensor drift is a common issue in E-Nose systems and various drift compensation methods have received fruitful results in recent years. Although the accuracy for recognizing diverse gases under drift conditions has been largely enhanced, few of these methods considered online processing scenarios. In this paper, we focus on building online drift compensation model by transforming two domain adaptation based methods into their online learning versions, which allow the recognition models to adapt to the changes of sensor responses in a time-efficient manner without losing the high accuracy. Experimental results using three different settings confirm that the proposed methods save large processing time when compared with their offline versions, and outperform other drift compensation methods in recognition accuracy.
Understanding the Emergence and Social Acceptance of Electric Vehicles as Next-Generation Models for the Automobile Industry
Authors: Park Eunil , Lim Jooyoung , Cho Yongwoo
Published: March 2018

This study explores potential factors of drivers’ intentions to use electric vehicles and proposes an integrated adoption model. Results of a structural equation modeling analysis with 988 samples indicate that drivers’ intentions are predicted by one negative factor (cost) and three positive ones (satisfaction, usefulness, and attitude). In addition, the total standardized effects of potential factors on the intention are computed. The current study also validates the original technology acceptance model. Based on the results of the current study, practical and academic implications with potential limitations are examined and presented.
Can Payments for Ecosystem Services Improve the Management of Natura 2000 Sites? A Contribution to Explore Their Role in Italy
Authors: Marino Davide , Pellegrino Davide
Published: March 2018

Financing protected areas is crucial for guaranteeing the flow of ecosystem services (ES) provided by natural and semi-natural ecosystems, which are the basis of human well-being. In the last two decades, together with traditional conservation tools, innovative instruments, such as PES (Payment for Ecosystem Services), have been proposed and implemented all over the world in order to improve management effectiveness in biodiversity conservation. In this paper we identified and categorized 33 PES case studies in 19 Natura 2000 sites developing the hypothesis that a PES approach may contribute to improving the effectiveness of conservation actions at different spatial and administrative levels. We found that in these areas, farmers and foresters often allow the maintenance of natural and semi-natural ecosystems through their economic activity. Through PES schemes their important role can be formally acknowledged, both in environmental and economic terms. PES schemes are also a tool for involving more stakeholders, particularly local companies, residents and tourists in conservation actions. So PES can actually improve Natura 2000 sites’ management and increase the availability of financial resources in favor of conservation actions. However, careful attention must to be paid to the supporting role of public authorities, generally crucial for the success of a PES.
An Empirical Study on Visualizing the Intellectual Structure and Hotspots of Big Data Research from a Sustainable Perspective
Authors: Hu Feng , Liu Wei , Tsai Sang-Bing , Gao Junbin , Bin Ning , Chen Quan
Published: March 2018

Big data has been extensively applied to many fields and wanted for sustainable development. However, increasingly growing publications and the dynamic nature of research fronts pose challenges to understand the current research situation and sustainable development directions of big data. In this paper, we visually conducted a bibliometric study of big data literatures from the Web of Science (WoS) between 2002 and 2016, involving 4927 effective journal articles in 1729 journals contributed by 16,404 authors from 4137 institutions. The bibliometric results reveal the current annual publications distribution, journals distribution and co-citation network, institutions distribution and collaboration network, authors distribution, collaboration network and co-citation network, and research hotspots. The results can help researchers worldwide to understand the panorama of current big data research, to find the potential research gaps, and to focus on the future sustainable development directions.
Integrated Economic and Financial Analysis of China’s Sponge City Program for Water-resilient Urban Development
Authors: Liang Xiao
Published: March 2018

To improve Chinese cities’ resilience to climate change, the Sponge City Program, which was designed to tackle water pollution, storm water management, and flooding, was initiated in 2014. Being a major policy initiative, the Sponge City Program raises heated discussions among Chinese academics; however, no relevant extensive economic or financial analysis has been conducted. The research carries out an integrated economic and financial analysis on the Sponge City Program from the perspectives of two stakeholders: the government and the project manager. Different stakeholders have unique perspectives on the management of water projects. This study has two parts: economic analysis and financial analysis. The economic analysis is from the government perspective, and considers all the economic, environmental, and social effects. The financial analysis is from the project manager’s perspective, and judges the financial feasibility of projects. Changde city, one of the demo cities of Sponge City Program, is chosen for the research. The results show that from the perspective of the government, the Sponge City Program should be promoted, because most water projects are economically feasible. From the perspective of the project manager, the program should not be invested in, because the water projects are financially infeasible. A more comprehensive and integrated plan for developing and managing the water projects of the Sponge City Program is required. Otherwise, the private sector may not be interested in investing in the water projects, and the water projects may not be operational in the long term.
A Three Monoclonal Antibody Combination Potently Neutralizes Multiple Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype E Subtypes
Authors: Garcia-Rodriguez Consuelo , Razai Ali , Geren Isin , Lou Jianlong , Conrad Fraser , Wen Wei-Hua , Farr-Jones Shauna , Smith Theresa , Brown Jennifer , Skerry Janet , Smith Leonard , Marks James
Published: March 2018

Human botulism is most commonly caused by botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes A, B, and E. For this work, we sought to develop a human monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based antitoxin capable of binding and neutralizing multiple subtypes of BoNT/E. Libraries of yeast-displayed single chain Fv (scFv) antibodies were created from the heavy and light chain variable region genes of humans immunized with pentavalent-toxoid- and BoNT/E-binding scFv isolated by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). A total of 10 scFv were isolated that bound one or more BoNT/E subtypes with nanomolar-level equilibrium dissociation constants (KD). By diversifying the V-regions of the lead mAbs and selecting for cross-reactivity, we generated three scFv that bound all four BoNT/E subtypes tested at three non-overlapping epitopes. The scFvs were converted to IgG that had KD values for the different BoNT/E subtypes ranging from 9.7 nM to 2.28 pM. An equimolar combination of the three mAbs was able to potently neutralize BoNT/E1, BoNT/E3, and BoNT/E4 in a mouse neutralization assay. The mAbs have potential utility as therapeutics and as diagnostics capable of recognizing multiple BoNT/E subtypes. A derivative of the three-antibody combination (NTM-1633) is in pre-clinical development with an investigational new drug (IND) application filing expected in 2018.
Super Bundles
Authors: Carmeli Claudio , Fioresi Rita , Varadarajan V.
Published: March 2018

In this paper we give a brief account of the main aspects of the theory of associated and principal super bundles. As an application, we review the Borel-Weil-Bott Theorem in the super setting, and some results on projective embeddings of homogeneous spaces.
Can Contrast-Response Functions Indicate Visual Processing Levels?
Authors: Breitmeyer Bruno , Tripathy Srimant , Brown James
Published: March 2018

Many visual effects are believed to be processed at several functional and anatomical levels of cortical processing. Determining if and how the levels contribute differentially to these effects is a leading problem in visual perception and visual neuroscience. We review and analyze a combination of extant psychophysical findings in the context of neurophysiological and brain-imaging results. Specifically using findings relating to visual illusions, crowding, and masking as exemplary cases, we develop a theoretical rationale for showing how relative levels of cortical processing contributing to these effects can already be deduced from the psychophysically determined functions relating respectively the illusory, crowding and masking strengths to the contrast of the illusion inducers, of the flankers producing the crowding, and of the mask. The wider implications of this rationale show how it can help to settle or clarify theoretical and interpretive inconsistencies and how it can further psychophysical, brain-recording and brain-imaging research geared to explore the relative functional and cortical levels at which conscious and unconscious processing of visual information occur. Our approach also allows us to make some specific predictions for future studies, whose results will provide empirical tests of its validity.
Surface-plasmon-enhanced ultraviolet emission of Au-decorated ZnO structures for gas sensing and photocatalytic devices
Authors: Do T Anh Thu , Ho Truong Giang , Bui Thu Hoai , Pham Quang Ngan , Giang Hong Thai , Do Thi Thu , Nguyen Duc Van , Tran Dai Lam
Published: March 2018

Pure and Au-decorated sub-micrometer ZnO spheres were successfully grown on glass substrates by simple chemical bath deposition and photoreduction methods. The analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), UV–vis absorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra results were used to verify the incorporation of plasmonic Au nanoparticles (NPs) on the ZnO film. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectra indicated that a surface plasmonic effect exists with a fast rate of charge transfer from Au nanoparticles to the sub-micrometer ZnO sphere, which suggested the strong possibility of the use of the material for the design of efficient catalytic devices. The NO2 sensing ability of as-deposited ZnO films was investigated with different gas concentrations at an optimized sensing temperature of 120 °C. Surface decoration of plasmonic Au nanoparticles provided an enhanced sensitivity (141 times) with improved response (τRes = 9 s) and recovery time (τRec = 39 s). The enhanced gas sensing performance and photocatalytic degradation processes are suggested to be attributed to not only the surface plasmon resonance effect, but also due to a Schottky barrier between plasmonic Au and ZnO structures.
Lexical Retuning Targets Features
Authors: Durvasula Karthik , Nelson Scott
Published: March 2018

Previous work has shown that listeners systematically ``retune'' their categorical boundaries when presented with real-word tokens containing an ambiguous segment. There have been multiple previous studies on this lexically-guided retuning (Eisner and Mc- Queen 2005; McQueen et al. 2006; Norris et al. 2003), but the level of representation that retuning targets is not entirely clear. In this paper, we show that retuning occurs at the level of features for fricatives. Given that previous research has argued similarly for stops (Kraljic & Samuel 2006), we suggest that retuning generally targets featural representations.