bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative metabolism of neutrophils in patients with community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Demidchik Lyudmila Andreevna , Lee Valentina Vitalyevna , Muravlyova Larissa Yevgenyevna , Molotov-Luchanskiy Vilen Borisovich , Bakirova Ryszhan Yemelyevna , Klyuyev Dmitriy Anatolyevich , Kolesnikova Yevgeniya Alexandrovna
Published: May 2016

At the present time, available views show our limited knowledge of the peculiarities of the functional status of neutrophils and their metabolism in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The studying of changes of metabolic status of neutrophils can broaden our views about pneumonia pathogenesis and define datum points of therapeutic effect.

Purpose of our research: to define oxidative stress activity and the level of oxidative modification of proteins of neutrophils in CAP patients.

Materials and methods: neutrophils obtained from 23 patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Control group consisting of 19 healthy volunteers. The reactive carbonyl derivatives of proteins and advanced oxidation protein products were defined so as to assess the oxidative damage of proteins. The malondialdehyde and nitrite ions were assessed as being indicators of the oxidative stress. The neutrophils of CAP patients with moderate severity were characterized by a tendency of evidencing decreasing content of advanced oxidation protein products, along with the statistically important enhanced levels of carbonyl derivatives and nitrite ions, while their malondialdehyde status practically leveled off with the control and had only an insignificant trend towards growth. We have demonstrated the accumulation of carbonyl derivatives and nitrite ions in the peripheral neutrophils of CAP patients. These results give evidence of an oxidative misbalance in the cells which contributes to the aggravation of the disease.
Characteristics of oral probiotics – a review
Authors: Chalas Renata , Janczarek Magdalena , Bachanek Teresa , Mazur Elzbieta , Cieszko-Buk Maria , Szymanska Jolanta
Published: May 2016

Probiotics are a group of microorganisms able to have a positive influence on a host organism when applied in adequate amounts. They are grouped either as: bacteria (mainly Lactobacillus spp and Bifidobacterium) or fungi (Saccharomyces boulardii). Recent studies have revealed many opportunities for their use in several fields of medicine, such as in: reducing the level of cholesterol in the body, cancer therapy, human immune system regulation, skin regeneration, pancreas necrosis, cirrhosis of liver treatment, regulation of post- antibiotic bowel function, constipation and digestive disorders in infants. Probiotics efficacy has also been demonstrated in oral cavity malfunctions. With the use of modern scientific methods, probiotics have the potential to become an important part of the daily diet and a natural drug supplementation in severe diseases.
“That There Be No Schisms among You”
Authors: Kaminska Barbara A.
Published: May 2016

This essay analyzes an early series of paintings by an Antwerp artist Martin de Vos, commissioned around 1568 by a local entrepreneur and a leading figure of the Calvinist community, Gillis Hooftman, specifically for the dining hall of his residence. The cycle comprised five panels, three of which are still extant: Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas at Lystra, Saint Paul and the Silversmith Demetrius, and Saint Paul on Malta. On the one hand, the series’ focus on the apostolic mission of Saint Paul corresponds with the diversity of Antwerp’s population, and, on the other hand, matches the universal interest in Pauline theology among Catholics and Protestants alike. Therefore, the paintings accommodated different confessional interpretations, while simultaneously precluding accusations of heresy. I further propose that they were actively incorporated into dining rituals and stimulated amicable learned conversations (convivia) among Hooftman’s guests, who indeed represented diverse sectarian beliefs. Finally, I link the paintings’ iconography and the conciliatory spirit of convivia with the preaching of Antonio del Corro, a former Spanish monk active in Antwerp, who fashioned his identity after Saint Paul, and make a case that de Vos’ panels functioned as a visual equivalent of del Corro’s irenic theology.
Is calomel truly a poison and what happens when it enters the human stomach? A study from the thermodynamic viewpoint
Authors: Nikolaychuk Pavel Anatolyevich
Published: May 2016

The chemical and electrochemical equilibria involving mercurous and mercuric chlorides in the conditions, corresponding to the human stomach environment, were studied from the point of view of chemical thermodynamics. The Gibbs free energies of formation of various mercury and chlorine compounds, the equilibrium constants, and the electrode potentials of reactions involving these compounds at 37°C were calculated. The potential-pH diagrams of
Semiautomatic land cover mapping according to the 2nd level of the CORINE Land Cover legend
Authors: Golenia Martyna , Zagajewski Bogdan , Ochtyra Adrian , Hościło Agata
Published: May 2016

Actual land cover maps are a very good source of information on present human activities. It increases value of actual spatial databases and it is a key element for decision makers. Therefore, it is important to develop fast and cheap algorithms and procedures of spatial data updating. Every day, satellite remote sensing deliver vast amount of new data, which can be semi-automatically classified.

The paper presents a method of land cover classification based on a fuzzy artificial neural network simulator and Landsat TM satellite images. The latest CORINE Land Cover 2012 polygons were used as reference data. Three satellite images acquired 21 April 2011, 5 June 2010, 27 August 2011 over Warsaw and surrounding areas were processed. As an outcome of classification procedure, the maps, error matrices and a set of overall, producer and user accuracies and a kappa coefficient were achieved. The classification accuracy oscillates around 76% and confirms that artificial neural networks can be successfully used for forest, urban fabric, arable land, pastures, inland waters and permanent crops mapping. Low accuracies were obtained in case of heterogenic land cover units.
Crowdsourcing for Context: Regarding Privacy in Beacon Encounters via Contextual Integrity
Authors: Bello-Ogunu Emmanuel , Shehab Mohamed
Published: May 2016

Research shows that context is important to the privacy perceptions associated with technology. With Bluetooth Low Energy beacons, one of the latest technologies for providing proximity and indoor tracking, the current identifiers that characterize a beacon are not sufficient for ordinary users to make informed privacy decisions about the location information that could be shared. One solution would be to have standardized category and privacy labels, produced by beacon providers or an independent third-party. An alternative solution is to find an approach driven by users, for users. In this paper, we propose a novel crowdsourcing based approach to introduce elements of context in beacon encounters.We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach through a user study, where participants use a crowd-based mobile app designed to collect beacon category and privacy information as a scavenger hunt game. Results show that our approach was effective in helping users label beacons according to the specific context of a given beacon encounter, as well as the privacy perceptions associated with it. This labeling was done with an accuracy of 92%, and with an acceptance rate of 82% of all recommended crowd labels. Lastly, we conclusively show how crowdsourcing for context can be used towards a user-centric framework for privacy management during beacon encounters.
Bicycles’ Role in Road Accidents a Review of Literature
Authors: Levulytė Loreta , Baranyai David , Török Ádám , Sokolovskij Edgar
Published: May 2016

Nearly 1.3 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,287 deaths a day. In 2013 in the European Union more than 6 % of all who died in road traffic crashes were cyclists. The number of cyclist killed on roads in the EU has decreased by only 9 %, compared to the total fatality decrease of 18 % from 2010 to 2013. The majority of cyclist fatalities are males (78 %). For the larger countries, Belgium and The Netherlands had the highest proportion of female cyclist fatalities (> 30 %). In general, 55 % of the bicycle fatalities in the EU countries were killed inside urban areas but there are large differences between the countries. In the last couple of years there has been an enormous effort on reduction in cycling fatality numbers across almost all ages in the EU. As a result of this effort, the number of accidents started to slightly decrease.

This paper reviews the literature concerning cyclist-motor vehicle collision and road safety management according to the cyclist role in the accident rise. The paper examines pedestrians safety in order to determine what kind of factors of transport infrastructure, vehicle technical parameters, cyclist behavior and road or street category have the influence on cyclist and vehicle accidents and identify technical reasons of the accidents rise. A review is conducted of information in the literature on the injury outcome of a cyclist/vehicle collision for a given impact speed and the likely consequences of reducing the travelling speeds of vehicles in terms of the frequency and severity of cyclist injuries.
Development of an Intelligent System of Determinating the Coordinates and the Speed of the Train
Authors: Tarasov Evgenii M. , Zheleznov Dmitrii V.
Published: May 2016

Dynamic development of the country’s transport system leads to the increase of the length of highways, traffic interchange, including places of crossing with the railway. Notification time for crossing is determined by the maximum speed of the train, which is a significant disadvantage of the automatic crossing signaling. In reality the train speed is less than the estimated one, so the idles at transport intersection (crossing) reach 30-30 minutes, creating not only inconveniences to vehicle traffic, but also unfavorable environmental conditions.

In the development of intellectual control system automatic crossing signaling there is applied the principles patterns recognition with lots of informative features and decisive functions with the procedure of “learning” the decisive function “teacher”.
Activity-Regulated Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein Controls AMPAR Endocytosis through a Direct Interaction with Clathrin-Adaptor Protein 2
Authors: DaSilva Luis L. P. , Wall Mark J. , P. de Almeida Luciana , Wauters Sandrine C. , Januário Yunan C. , Müller Jürgen , Corrêa Sonia A. L.
Published: May 2016

The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein controls synaptic strength by facilitating AMPA receptor (AMPAR) endocytosis. Here we demonstrate that Arc targets AMPAR to be internalized through a direct interaction with the clathrin-adaptor protein 2 (AP-2). We show that Arc overexpression in dissociated hippocampal neurons obtained from C57BL/6 mouse reduces the density of AMPAR GluA1 subunits at the cell surface and reduces the amplitude and rectification of AMPAR-mediated miniature-EPSCs (mEPSCs). Mutations of Arc, that prevent the AP-2 interaction reduce Arc-mediated endocytosis of GluA1 and abolish the reduction in AMPAR-mediated mEPSC amplitude and rectification. Depletion of the AP-2 subunit µ2 blocks the Arc-mediated reduction in mEPSC amplitude, an effect that is restored by reintroducing µ2. The Arc–AP-2 interaction plays an important role in homeostatic synaptic scaling as the Arc-dependent decrease in mEPSC amplitude, induced by a chronic increase in neuronal activity, is inhibited by AP-2 depletion. These data provide a mechanism to explain how activity-dependent expression of Arc decisively controls the fate of AMPAR at the cell surface and modulates synaptic strength, via the direct interaction with the endocytic clathrin adaptor AP-2.
Liraglutide alters DPP4 in the circumvallate papillae of type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Cao Xun , Zhou Xiao , Liu Xiao-Min , Zhou Li-Hong
Published: May 2016

Liraglutide, a human glucagon-like peptide (GLP1) analog that partially inhibits dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4), can decrease glucose levels and suppress appetite in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). GLP1 and its receptor (GLP1R) also exist in the taste buds of rodents and regulate taste sensitivity. DPP4, a protease, functions in homeostasis of blood glucose, lipids, and body weight. Interactions among GLP1, GLP1R, and DPP4 likely affect taste and food-intake behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate DPP4 expression in the taste buds of the circumvallate papillae (CV) in T2DM rats, and determine the effects of liraglutide treatment. Rats were divided into diabetic control (T2DM-C), normal control (NC), and liraglutide-treated diabetic (T2DM+LIR) groups. DPP4 localization and gene expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), respectively. DPP4 immunoreactive cells were localized in the taste buds of the rat CV. RT-qPCR showed significantly higher expression of Dpp4 mRNA in both the taste buds and hypothalamus of T2DM-C rats compared with NC rats. However, in the T2DM+LIR group, Dpp4 expression differed between the taste buds and hypothalamus, with significantly higher and lower levels compared with the T2DM-C group, respectively. Dpp4 mRNA expression is increased in the taste buds of the CV of T2DM rats. Liraglutide simultaneously upregulated (taste buds) and downregulated (hypothalamus) Dpp4 expression in T2DM rats. Therefore, DPP4 may be closely associated with the anorexigenic signaling and weight loss induced by the treatment of liraglutide in type 2 diabetic patients.
Dobrobyt – ujęcie teoretyczne i pomiar
Authors: Wronowska Gabriela
Published: May 2016

The paper focuses on problems in measuring welfare. It provides a comprehensive presentation of opinions and theories explaining the phenomenon of prosperity in economic theory over the centuries. Some parts of the paper focus on identificatying and critiquing methods of measuring the phenomenon. The paper highlights:– the advantages of GDP and GDP per capita indicators in terms of ease of calculation, comparability, versatility;– their disadvantages, among the most important of which is the failure to include all factors influencing welfare, and those affecting the phenomenon in a negative way (externalities, for example) as well in a positive way (satisfaction from leisure);– that indicators and methods of measurement have evolved. Starting from simple indicators like GDP, GDP per capita and HDI scale and complex rankings, which contain much more information about welfare.The final conclusion from the author’s work would be the necessity of continuous work on inventing the optimal method of measuring welfare.
Uzasadnienie idei solidaryzmu społecznego w koncepcji Leopolda Caro
Authors: Giza Wojciech
Published: May 2016

The article seeks theoretical substantiation of the idea of solidarism in Leopold Caro’s studies in the interwar period. The main part of the analysis, which looks at Caro’s scientific achievements, is devoted to problems of research methods, ethical and normative assumptions and Catholic Social Teaching. These assumptions constitute the basis for the economist’s arrangement of legal and political conditions. The main thesis of this paper is that the value of Caro’s achievement is in his interdisciplinary approach to the legal and political order of that period. This approach is based on the investigation of relations between ethical, sociological and economic factors.
Sposoby podziału środków na konsumpcję, oszczędzanie i inwestowanie wśród polskich gospodarstw domowych
Authors: Fatuła Dariusz
Published: May 2016

The main subject of this article was the analysis of data from national research on how Polish households share resources on consumption, savings and investments. The paper investigates which features of households influence how money is allocated. The analysis included the goals of saving and investing, and the needs respondents to a survey satisfied by these means. The results indicate that most of the surveyed households anticipate spending all income on consumption. Accumulated savings generally located in bank deposits are not initially earmarked for any particular purpose or goal. Savings and investments mostly satisfy the needs of security and the desire to possess increasing wealth. Self-realisation needs are more often satisfied by spending savings than by investing.
Zakopiańskie dziedzictwo architektoniczne przełomu XIX i XX wieku jako potencjał rozwoju funkcji turystycznej
Authors: Hołuj Dominika
Published: May 2016

The article analyses the problem of using architectural heritage resources for the development of tourism, taking the Polish city of Zakopane as an example. By analysing the past and present functions of the selected group of heritage objects included in the municipal register of monuments, the relationship between the location and state of preservation of the object with the occurrence of its role in tourism development is examined. Studies have shown that Zakopane continues to grow, at least in quantitative terms, its tourism potential and that it utilises its architectural heritage resources to that purpose. On the other hand, market pressure is weakening the city’s identity, atmosphere and originality, both in terms of individual objects, and its entirety as a resort.
Intestinal Dysbiosis, Barrier Dysfunction, and Bacterial Translocation Account for CKD–Related Systemic Inflammation
Authors: Andersen Kirstin , Kesper Marie Sophie , Marschner Julian A. , Konrad Lukas , Ryu Mi , Kumar VR Santhosh , Kulkarni Onkar P. , Mulay Shrikant R. , Romoli Simone , Demleitner Jana , Schiller Patrick , Dietrich Alexander , Müller Susanna , Gross Oliver , Ruscheweyh Hans-Joachim , Huson Daniel H. , Stecher Bärbel , Anders Hans-Joachim
Published: May 2016

CKD associates with systemic inflammation, but the underlying cause is unknown. Here, we investigated the involvement of intestinal microbiota. We report that collagen type 4 α3–deficient mice with Alport syndrome–related progressive CKD displayed systemic inflammation, including increased plasma levels of pentraxin-2 and activated antigen–presenting cells, CD4 and CD8 T cells, and Th17– or IFNγ–producing T cells in the spleen as well as regulatory T cell suppression. CKD–related systemic inflammation in these mice associated with intestinal dysbiosis of proteobacterial blooms, translocation of living bacteria across the intestinal barrier into the liver, and increased serum levels of bacterial endotoxin. Uremia did not affect secretory IgA release into the ileum lumen or mucosal leukocyte subsets. To test for causation between dysbiosis and systemic inflammation in CKD, we eradicated facultative anaerobic microbiota with antibiotics. This eradication prevented bacterial translocation, significantly reduced serum endotoxin levels, and fully reversed all markers of systemic inflammation to the level of nonuremic controls. Therefore, we conclude that uremia associates with intestinal dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and bacterial translocation, which trigger the state of persistent systemic inflammation in CKD. Uremic dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction may be novel therapeutic targets for intervention to suppress CKD–related systemic inflammation and its consequences.
A EAD Tupiniquim na Terra de Garibaldi
Authors: Gazzaneu Marcelo Sebastiani da Cunha , Benvenuti Zilma Mônica Salomão
Published: May 2016

O trabalho a seguir nos remete ao desenvolvimento de levar para uma escola de língua italiana situada no coração da Itália o sistema de educação a distância aplicado no Brasil. O objetivo central deste trabalho é mostrar que a modalidade do ensino a distância brasileiro ajudaria a Scuola Dante Alighieri em seu desenvolvimento junto a seus aspirantes a estudantes. Norteado pela metodologia de pesquisa qualitativa, o conteúdo trabalhado aponta elementos de importância fundamental para a aplicabilidade desse método de ensino na escola em questão. A troca de conhecimento na modalidade educacional entre países é uma forma de intercâmbio intelectual que é salutar para os envolvidos; o conhecimento tem que ser expandido e a forma de aplicação mais conveniente para o momento é de fundamental importância para o aprendizado de quem fará uso, pois, no caso desta produção, traremos soluções plausíveis para o desenvolvimento da escola frente a seus aspirantes. Uma vez dado esse trabalho, esperemos que a Scuola Dante Alighieri usufrua dos elementos aqui apresentados e possa com isso aumentar o número de estudantes. Palavras-chave: Desenvolvimento educacional; Educação a distância; Internacionalização. The EaD Tupiniquim in Garibaldi Land AbstractThe following work refers us to the process of taking to an Italian language school located in the heart of Italy the distance education system that is applied in Brazil. The central objective of this work is to show that Brazilian distance education modality would help "Scuola Dante Alighieri" in its development with possible future students. Guided under a qualitative research methodology, content points extremely important elements to the applicability of this teaching method at this school. The exchange of knowledge among countries in the educational modality is a form of intellectual exchange which is beneficial for those involved, knowledge has to be expanded and the most convenient application form in the moment has fundamental importance for those who will use it, as in the case of this production it will bring plausible solutions for the development of the school to its aspirants. Once given this study hopefully "Scuola Dante Alighieri" makes use of the presented elements and may thereby increase the number of students. Keywords: Startup for basic training; distance education; internationalization.
Design de Aplicativos Mobile para a Aprendizagem de Língua
Authors: Garcia Marilene Santana dos Santos
Published: May 2016

O presente artigo discute os desafios do design de aplicativos para a aprendizagem de línguas com foco nas demandas da vida mobile que, ao mesmo tempo que cria acessos, oportunidades e experiências, exige modelos atualizados de design aprendizagem que sejam compatíveis perfis de aprendizes, que comuniquem para aprendizagem. Assim, espera-se que o design para aplicativos voltados à aprendizagem de línguas traga dinamismo para que não cansem os seus aprendizes e que eles não desistam facilmente, inclua elementos da gamificação para prender a atenção, aproveite recursos da tecnologia sem exageros nem sobreposição de ferramentas, enfim, possa vencer barreiras naturais da aprendizagem mediada por tecnologias. Palavras-chave: Design de apps para línguas; Línguas estrangeiras; Aplicativos mobile. Mobile-Apps design for Foreign Language Learning AbstractThis article discusses the applications of design challenges to language learning with a focus on contexts of mobile life, that at the same time creating access opportunities and experiences requires new modified design for learning that are compatible with new demands and learner profiles. Thus, it is expected that the design for applications dedicated to language learning should be dynamic, so that the learners do not give up easily. The design should include gamification elements to hold the attention, and also the use of leverage technology resources without exaggeration or overlapping tools. I can overcome natural barriers of learning mediated by technology.Keywords: Design for learning with apps; Foreign languages; Mobile apps.
Central European Innovative Practices Supporting Active Ageing
Authors: Bihari Ildikó , Czibere Ibolya , Csoba Judit , Kerekes Noémi , Rácz Andrea
Published: May 2016

The study presents through international examples of how the security and quality of life of elderly and disabled people can be enhanced. 12 partners in eight Central European countries carried out pilot activities within the framework of the HELPS project. The aim of this international project is to contribute to the decrease of the social exclusion of elderly, and to elaborate practises through which seniors would not be constraint to institutional care, and can live in their homes on a longer term. The study presents the outcomes of these pilots and the ensuing primary experiences. The presented innovative solutions offer possibilities in various fields (housing, services, career, practises, information of relatives) for the home care of elderly and people living with disabilities. Prior to the elaboration and put into practice of the development ideas and plans, the partners evaluated the health care system and related services offered to elderly and disabled people in their homeland. The analyses revealed those shortage areas, where further developments would increase the possibility to keep and care for the target group in their homes.
Tense Polyadic N × M-Valued Łukasiewicz–Moisil Algebras
Authors: Figallo Aldo V. , Pelaitay Gustavo
Published: May 2016

In 2015, A.V. Figallo and G. Pelaitay introduced tense n×m-valued Łukasiewicz–Moisil algebras, as a common generalization of tense Boolean algebras and tense n-valued Łukasiewicz–Moisil algebras. Here we initiate an investigation into the class tpLMn×m of tense polyadic n × m-valued Łukasiewicz–Moisil algebras. These algebras constitute a generalization of tense polyadic Boolean algebras introduced by Georgescu in 1979, as well as the tense polyadic n-valued Łukasiewicz–Moisil algebras studied by Chiriţă in 2012. Our main result is a representation theorem for tense polyadic n × m-valued Łukasiewicz–Moisil algebras.
Alternative scenarios of bioenergy crop production in an agricultural landscape and implications for bird communities
Authors: Blank Peter J. , Williams Carol L. , Sample David W. , Meehan Timothy D. , Turner Monica G.
Published: May 2016

Increased demand and government mandates for bioenergy crops in the United States could require a large allocation of agricultural land to bioenergy feedstock production and substantially alter current landscape patterns. Incorporating bioenergy landscape design into land‐use decision making could help maximize benefits and minimize trade‐offs among alternative land uses. We developed spatially explicit landscape scenarios of increased bioenergy crop production in an 80‐km radius agricultural landscape centered on a potential biomass‐processing energy facility and evaluated the consequences of each scenario for bird communities. Our scenarios included conversion of existing annual row crops to perennial bioenergy grasslands and conversion of existing grasslands to annual bioenergy row crops. The scenarios explored combinations of four biomass crop types (three potential grassland crops along a gradient of plant diversity and one annual row crop [corn]), three land conversion percentages to bioenergy crops (10%, 20%, or 30% of row crops or grasslands), and three spatial configurations of biomass crop fields (random, clustered near similar field types, or centered on the processing plant), yielding 36 scenarios. For each scenario, we predicted the impact on four bird community metrics: species richness, total bird density, species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) density, and SGCN hotspots (SGCN birds/ha ≥ 2). Bird community metrics consistently increased with conversion of row crops to bioenergy grasslands and consistently decreased with conversion of grasslands to bioenergy row crops. Spatial arrangement of bioenergy fields had strong effects on the bird community and in some cases was more influential than the amount converted to bioenergy crops. Clustering grasslands had a stronger positive influence on the bird community than locating grasslands near the central plant or at random. Expansion of bioenergy grasslands onto marginal agricultural lands will likely benefit grassland bird populations, and bioenergy landscapes could be designed to maximize biodiversity benefits while meeting targets for biomass production.
Bird functional diversity decreases with time since disturbance: Does patchy prescribed fire enhance ecosystem function?
Authors: Sitters Holly , Di Stefano Julian , Christie Fiona , Swan Matthew , York Alan
Published: May 2016

Animal species diversity is often associated with time since disturbance, but the effects of disturbances such as fire on functional diversity are unknown. Functional diversity measures the range, abundance, and distribution of trait values in a community, and links changes in species composition with the consequences for ecosystem function. Improved understanding of the relationship between time since fire (TSF) and functional diversity is critical given that the frequency of both prescribed fire and wildfire is expected to increase. To address this knowledge gap, we examined responses of avian functional diversity to TSF and two direct measures of environmental heterogeneity, plant diversity, and structural heterogeneity. We surveyed birds across a 70‐year chronosequence spanning four vegetation types in southeast Australia. Six bird functional traits were used to derive four functional diversity indices (richness, evenness, divergence, and dispersion) and the effects of TSF, plant diversity and structural heterogeneity on species richness and the functional diversity indices were examined using mixed models. We used a regression tree method to identify traits associated with species more common in young vegetation. Functional richness and dispersion were negatively associated with TSF in all vegetation types, suggesting that recent prescribed fire generates heterogeneous vegetation and provides greater opportunities for resource partitioning. Species richness was not significantly associated with TSF, and is probably an unreliable surrogate for functional diversity in fire‐prone systems. A positive relationship between functional evenness and structural heterogeneity was common to all vegetation types, suggesting that fine‐scale (tens of meters) structural variation can enhance ecosystem function. Species more common in young vegetation were primarily linked by their specialist diets, indicating that ecosystem services such as seed dispersal and insect control are enhanced in more recently burnt vegetation. We suggest that patchy prescribed fire sustains functional diversity, and that controlled use of patchy fire to break up large expanses of mature vegetation will enhance ecosystem function.
Crop Yields and Soil Phosphorus Lability under Soluble and Humic‐Complexed Phosphate Fertilizers
Authors: Bejarano Herrera Wilfrand Ferney , Rodrigues Marcos , Bettoni Teles Ana Paula , Barth Gabriel , Pavinato Paulo Sergio
Published: May 2016

Phosphorus is one of the most limiting nutrients for plants in weathered tropical soils. To overcome this constraint, the use of humic‐complexed phosphate fertilizer may be considered as one alternative, which would reduce P fixation and increase its bioavailability. This study aimed to determine the crop yield response and soil P lability changes after five crop cycles under humic‐complexed and non‐humic‐complexed superphosphate cumulative applications. The field experiment was conducted for 4 yr (2010–2013) in Tibagi, Brazil, in a Typic Hapludox, arranged in a randomized block design with two P sources; single superphosphate (SSP) and complexed single superphosphate (CSSP); and five cumulative dosages (0, 48, 96, 144, and 192 kg P ha−1), divided over five consecutive crops: maize (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], white oat (Avena sativa L.), and soybean. Grain yield was determined for each crop and soil samples were collected after the fifth harvest for Hedley P fractionation. Our results demonstrated that cumulative grain yield increased in line with the P dosage, however, higher agronomic efficiency was also observed at intermediate P dosages, when CSSP was used. Labile soil P was more influenced by the application of CSSP than SSP. Moreover, higher cumulative P dosages also increased labile and non‐labile P, mainly in the 0‐ to 5‐cm layer, indicating an intensive P pool reallocation in the surface soil layer. The study demonstrated that humic‐complexed phosphate fertilizer can enhance soil P availability and improve crop grain yield in commercial field conditions.

Core Ideas

Phosphate fertilizers efficiency in cropping system.

Residual effects of phosphate sources in tropical weathered soils.

Organic complexed fertilizers can be more efficient in plant P supply.

Soil labile P is affected by clay content and its adsorption capacity.
Effects of Riparian Buffer Vegetation and Width: A 12‐Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: King S. E. , Osmond D. L. , Smith J. , Burchell M. R. , Dukes M. , Evans R. O. , Knies S. , Kunickis S.
Published: May 2016

Agricultural contributions of nitrogen are a serious concern for many water resources and have spurred the implementation of riparian buffer zones to reduce groundwater nitrate (NO3). The optimum design for buffers is subject to debate, and there are few long‐term studies. The objective of this project was to determine the effectiveness over time (12 yr) of buffer types (trees, switchgrass, fescue, native, and a control) and buffer widths (8 and 15 m) by measuring groundwater NO3–N and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) trends. At the intermediate groundwater depth (1.5–2.1 m), NO3–N reduction effectiveness was 2.5 times greater (46 vs. 16%) for the wider buffer, and, regardless of width, buffer effectiveness increased 0.62% yr−1. Buffer vegetative type was never statistically significant. In the deep‐groundwater depth (2.1–3.5 m), there was no change in NO3–N removal over time, although the statistical interaction of width and vegetative type indicated a wide range of removal rates (19–82%). The DOC concentrations were analyzed at the field/buffer and buffer/stream sampling locations. Depending on location position and groundwater sampling depth, DOC concentrations ranged from 1.6 to 2.8 mg L−1 at Year 0 and increased at a rate of 0.13 to 0.18 mg L−1 yr−1 but always remained low (≤5.0 mg L−1). Greater DOC concentrations in the intermediate‐depth groundwater did not increase NO3–N removal; redox measurements indicated intermittent reduced soil conditions may have been limiting. This study suggests that riparian buffer width, not vegetation, is more important for NO3–N removal in the middle coastal plain of North Carolina for a newly established buffer.

Core Ideas

Unique, long‐term replicated riparian buffer study in the southeastern United States.

Long‐term riparian buffer study from establishment through Year 12.

Effects of five different riparian‐buffer vegetation types of nitrate reduction.
Evaluating the Role of Water Availability in Determining the Yield–Plant Population Density Relationship
Authors: Friedman Shmulik P.
Published: May 2016

Core Ideas

The effect of plant population density on soil water availability is analyzed.

Horizontally uniform irrigation and maximum possible suction applied by plant roots are assumed.

The analysis requires knowledge of only the radius of the active root zone and the soil capillary length.

The water‐competition factor is proportional to the product of the root system radius and soil capillary length.

Thirty‐eight yield–plant population density (Y‐PPD) data sets were collected from the literature and analyzed statistically to yield, inter alia, a single “universal” relationship that realistically describes the Y‐PPD data obtained with various plants under various agricultural and environmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the dependence of water availability to plant root systems on plant population density, plant arrangement geometry, active‐root‐system size, and soil texture. The outlined evaluation of the relative water uptake rate–plant population density (RWUR‐PPD) relationship can quantify the roles of water availability and competition among neighboring root systems in determining the Y‐PPD relationship. In particular, this methodology quantifies the effects of root system size, soil capillary length, and planting rectangularity on the Y‐PPD relationship. Overall, the proposed RWUR evaluation shows, in reasonable qualitative agreement with experimental findings, that the Y‐PPD relationship increases with increasing root system radius and soil capillary length and with decreasing rectangularity. The RWUR evaluation shows that interplant competition for water increases approximately linearly with the product of (root‐system radius) × (soil capillary length). The water‐competition factor is approximately 4π r01α−1, i.e., the surface area of a sphere with a radius equal to the geometric mean of the radius of the root system (r0) and the soil capillary length (α−1). Plant roots and shoots compete also for resources other than water, e.g., soil nutrients, O2, and solar radiation. Thus, the agronomically important Y‐PPD relationship depends on genetic, agricultural, and environmental factors that affect the availability of other resources differently from their effects on water availability; and these differences render it virtually impossible to define and quantify the roles of the various essential resources and the effects of diverse factors in determining the Y‐PPD relationship. This is why practical agronomists use empirical mathematical expressions to describe Y‐PPD.
Indirect anodic oxidation applied for treatment of simulated wastewater containing Cationic Red X-GRL and Disperse Red 3B
Authors: Yang Bo , Li Yue Xiang , Song Jiao
Published: May 2016

The treatment of simulated wastewater containing Cationic Red X-GRL (X-GRL) or Disperse Red 3B (DR-3B) dye was carried out by indirect anodic oxidation, using Ti/SnO2 electrodes as the anode. The influences of pH value, voltage, electrolysis time and sodium chloride dosage on the degradation performance were studied by single factor experiment. Furthermore the nitrogen states and UV-Vis spectra in dyes degradation were analyzed. The results showed that under the optimum condition (pH = 3, voltage = 20 V, NaCl = 2.5 g/L), the decolorization and chemical oxygen demand removal of X-GRL were 98% and 67%, respectively; and those of DR-3B were 51% and 61%, respectively. The azo double bond conjugated system in X-GRL is much more easily destroyed than the anthraquinone conjugated system in DR-3B; the aryl ring structures of them can be partially degraded.
Electrophoretic deposition of titanium dioxide films on copper in aqueous media
Authors: Laamari M. , Ben Youssef A. , Bousselmi L.
Published: May 2016

Electrophoretic deposition was used to produce titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructured films on copper substrate in aqueous media for photocatalytic application. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) with a weight rate from 0 to 15% was added to TiO2 P25 suspension in order to enhance film adhesion. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, contact angle measurement, nanoindentation, scratch test and photoluminescence. The photocatalytic activity of the films was tested with amido black 10B under UV irradiation. The results indicated that the morphology and the mechanical properties of films depended on the added PVP amount. Scratch test showed that adhesion strength rose with increased PVP amount. The photocatalytic activity indicated that TiO2 film synthesized with 13% PVP had the highest efficiency.
A Further Step to Develop Patient-Friendly Implementation Strategies for Virtual Reality–Based Rehabilitation in Patients With Acute Stroke
Authors: Lee Minyoung , Pyun Sung-Bom , Chung Jinjoo , Kim Jungjin , Eun Seon-Deok , Yoon BumChul
Published: May 2016

Background

Virtual reality (VR)–based rehabilitation is gaining attention as a way to promote early mobilization in patients with acute stroke. However, given the motor weakness and cognitive impairment associated with acute stroke, implementation strategies for overcoming patient-perceived difficulty need to be developed to enhance their motivation for training.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore patient-perceived difficulty and enjoyment during VR-based rehabilitation and the factors affecting those experiences.

Design

An exploratory mixed-method design was used in this study.

Methods

Eight individuals with acute stroke participated in 2 training modes of VR-based rehabilitation (ie, workout and game modes) 20 to 30 minutes per day for 5 to 8 sessions. A visual analog scale was used to assess patient-perceived difficulty and enjoyment at every session. Then semistructured interviews were conducted to explore the factors affecting those experiences.

Results

Levels of difficulty and enjoyment varied depending on the training mode and participants' phases of recovery. Five major factors were identified as affecting those varied experiences: (1) ease of following the directions, (2) experience of pain, (3) scores achieved, (4) novelty and immediate feedback, and (5) self-perceived effectiveness.

Conclusions

Levels of difficulty and enjoyment during VR-based rehabilitation differed depending on the phases of recovery and training mode. Therefore, graded implementation strategies for VR-based rehabilitation are necessary for overcoming patient-perceived difficulty and enhancing enjoyment. Ease of following the directions might be best considered in the very early stage, whereas multisensory feedback may be more necessary in the later stage. Health professionals also should find a way for patients to avoid pain during training. Feedback, such as knowledge of results and performance, should be used appropriately.
Embolization of the choroidal artery in the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations
Authors: Elkordy Alaa , Endo Hidenori , Sato Kenichi , Matsumoto Yasushi , Kondo Ryushi , Niizuma Kuniyasu , Endo Toshiki , Fujimura Miki , Tominaga Teiji
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

The anterior and posterior choroidal arteries are often recruited to supply arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) involving important paraventricular structures, such as the basal ganglia, internal capsule, optic radiation, lateral geniculate body, and medial temporal lobe. Endovascular embolization through these arteries is theoretically dangerous because they supply eloquent territories, are of small caliber, and lack collaterals. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of embolization through these arteries.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed 13 patients with cerebral AVMs who underwent endovascular embolization through the choroidal arteries between 2006 and 2014. Embolization was performed as a palliative procedure before open surgery or Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Computed tomography and MRI were performed the day after embolization to assess any surgical complications. The incidence and type of complications and their association with clinical outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Decreased blood flow was achieved in all patients after embolization. Postoperative CT detected no hemorrhagic complications. In contrast, postoperative MRI detected that 4 of the 13 patients (30.7%) developed infarctions: 3 patients after embolization through the anterior choroidal artery, and 1 patient after embolization through the lateral posterior choroidal artery. Two of the 4 patients in whom embolization was from the cisternal segment of the anterior choroidal artery (proximal to the plexal point) developed symptomatic infarction of the posterior limb of the internal capsule, 1 of whom developed morbidity (7.7%). The treatment-related mortality rate was 0%. Additional treatment was performed in 12 patients: open surgery in 9 and Gamma Knife radiosurgery in 3 patients. Complete obliteration was confirmed by angiography at the last follow-up in 10 patients. Recurrent bleeding from the AVMs did not occur in any of the cases during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemic complications are possible following the embolization of cerebral AVMs through the choroidal artery, even with modern neurointerventional devices and techniques. Although further study is needed, embolization through the choroidal artery may be an appropriate treatment option when the risk of surgery or radiosurgery is considered to outweigh the risk of embolization.
Patency of the posterior communicating artery following treatment with the Pipeline Embolization Device
Authors: Daou Badih , Valle-Giler Edison P. , Chalouhi Nohra , Starke Robert M. , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula , Hasan David , Rosenwasser Robert H. , Hebert Ryan , Jabbour Pascal
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) has become an effective treatment strategy for some cerebral aneurysms. Concerns regarding the patency of branch arteries have been raised. The objective of this study was to assess the patency of the posterior communicating artery (PCoA) following treatment of PCoA aneurysms using the PED.

METHODS

All patients with PCoA aneurysms treated with the PED who had angiographic follow-up were retrospectively identified. The patency of the PCoA at follow-up was evaluated by 2 authors who were not involved in the intervention. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the following: 1) PCoA patency versus no or diminished flow, and 2) PCoA patency and diminished flow versus PCoA occlusion.

RESULTS

Thirty patients with an angiographic follow-up of 6 months were included. Aneurysm obliteration was achieved in 25 patients (83.3%). The PCoA was patent in 7 patients (23.3%), had diminished flow in 7 patients (23.3%), and was occluded in 16 patients (53.3%). In the univariate analysis of outcome, there was a trend for aneurysms with incomplete occlusion, aneurysms not previously treated, those with presence of a fetal PCoA, and those with an artery coming from the aneurysm to have higher odds of the PCoA remaining patent. In univariate and multivariate analyses of factors associated with outcome, fetal PCoA and presence of an artery coming from the aneurysm were associated with the PCoA remaining open with or without diminished flow. No patients had symptoms related to PCoA occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Occlusion and diminished flow through the PCoA is common following PED treatment of PCoA aneurysms. However, it is clinically insignificant in most cases.