bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indicated Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in South Africa: Effectiveness of Case Management
Authors: De Vries Marlene , Joubert Belinda , Cloete Marise , Roux Sumien , Baca Beth , Hasken Julie , Barnard Ronel , Buckley David , Kalberg Wendy , Snell Cudore , Marais Anna-Susan , Seedat Soraya , Parry Charles , May Philip
Published: December 2015

In the Western Cape Province of South Africa (ZA) a subculture of binge drinking produces the highest global documented prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD prevention research activities in ZA use the Comprehensive Prevention approach from the United States Institute of Medicine. Case management (CM) was delivered as a method of indicated prevention to empower heavy drinking pregnant women to achieve cessation or a reduction in drinking. CM activities incorporated life management, Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques and the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA). Data were collected at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. Mean drinking decreases 6 months into CM; but overall alcohol consumption rose significantly over time to levels higher than baseline at 12 and 18 months. Alcohol consumption drops significantly from before pregnancy to the second and third trimesters. AUDIT scores indicate that problematic drinking decreases significantly even after the vulnerable fetus/baby was born. CM significantly increases client happiness, which correlates with reduced weekend drinking. CM was successful for women with high-risk drinking behaviour, and was effective in helping women stop drinking, or drink less, while pregnant, reducing the risk of FASD.
The Role of Alternative Splicing in the Control of Immune Homeostasis and Cellular Differentiation
Authors: Yabas Mehmet , Elliott Hannah , Hoyne Gerard
Published: December 2015

Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA helps to enhance the genetic diversity within mammalian cells by increasing the number of protein isoforms that can be generated from one gene product. This provides a great deal of flexibility to the host cell to alter protein function, but when dysregulation in splicing occurs this can have important impact on health and disease. Alternative splicing is widely used in the mammalian immune system to control the development and function of antigen specific lymphocytes. In this review we will examine the splicing of pre-mRNAs yielding key proteins in the immune system that regulate apoptosis, lymphocyte differentiation, activation and homeostasis, and discuss how defects in splicing can contribute to diseases. We will describe how disruption to trans-acting factors, such as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), can impact on cell survival and differentiation in the immune system.
Identification of the Avian Pasteurella multocida phoP Gene and Evaluation of the Effects of phoP Deletion on Virulence and Immunogenicity
Authors: Xiao Kangpeng , Liu Qing , Liu Xueyan , Hu Yunlong , Zhao Xinxin , Kong Qingke
Published: December 2015

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is an animal pathogen of worldwide economic significance that causes fowl cholera in poultry and wild birds. Global gene regulators, including PhoP are important in regulating bacterial virulence and are good targets for developing attenuated vaccines against many pathogenic bacteria. However, the biological significance of phoP gene has not been identified in P. multocida. Here, we identified the phoP gene in P. multocida, and we evaluated the roles of phoP in P. multocida by deleting the phoP gene. The P. multocida phoP mutant exhibited similar growth curves and lipopolysaccharide and outer membrane protein profiles but displayed defective polymyxin resistance in vitro compared with the parent strain. Additionally, the phoP deletion resulted in decreased virulence. The LD50 of the ΔphoP mutant was 32- and 154-fold higher than the parent strain via the oral and intranasal routes, respectively. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that 161 genes were up-regulated and 173 genes were down-regulated in the absence of the phoP gene. Finally, the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the ΔphoP mutant were evaluated. Immunized ducks produced significantly higher levels of serum IgY and bile IgA compared to the control ducks, and immunization with the ΔphoP mutant conferred 54.5% protection efficiency against challenge with the virulent P. multocida. This work provides a platform to dissect the function of phoP and develop a new vaccine against P. multocida.
Polymer-Induced Swelling of Solid-Supported Lipid Membranes
Authors: Kreuzer Martin , Trapp Marcus , Dahint Reiner , Steitz Roland
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we study the interaction of charged polymers with solid-supported 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) membranes by in-situ neutron reflectivity. We observe an enormous swelling of the oligolamellar lipid bilayer stacks after incubation in solutions of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) in D2O. The positively charged polyelectrolyte molecules interact with the lipid bilayers and induce a drastic increase in their d-spacing by a factor of ~4. Temperature, time, and pH influence the swollen interfacial lipid linings. From our study, we conclude that electrostatic interactions introduced by the adsorbed PAH are the main cause for the drastic swelling of the lipid coatings. The DMPC membrane stacks do not detach from their solid support at T > Tm. Steric interactions, also introduced by the PAH molecules, are held responsible for the stabilizing effect. We believe that this novel system offers great potential for fundamental studies of biomembrane properties, keeping the membrane’s natural fluidity and freedom, decoupled from a solid support at physiological conditions.
Effect of Cold Rolling and Heat Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of GH4169 Alloy Sheet at Room Temperature
Authors: Zhang Shi-Hong , Ye Neng-Yong , Cheng Ming , Song Hong-Wu , Zhou Hong-Wei , Wang Ping-Bo
Published: December 2015

The mechanical properties of GH4169 alloy sheet after cold rolling (at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50% and 70%) and solid solution were investigated. The textures and Taylor factors were characterized using electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). The fractions of δ phase were measured by X-ray diffraction. The contributions of δ phase, grain size, texture, and work hardening on the mechanical properties were also discussed. The results showed increases in the yield strength (YS) (0.2%) as well as the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of GH4169 superalloy sheet after cold rolling, when rolling reduction was increased. In contrast, following solid solution treatment, YS and UTS were increased then subsequently decreased. The changes of yield strength of GH4169 superalloy were attributed to the texture and work hardening, followed by the grain refinement and precipitation of δ phase. When the rolling reduction was below 30%, the influence of δ phase was greater than grain refinement and when the rolling reduction was larger than 50%, the controversial results occur. The precipitation of δ phase promoted the improvement of yield strength, the relationship between the fraction of δ phase and improved yield strength satisfactory fit to the following equation: σδ = 15.9Wδ + 59.7.
Biodegradable Behaviors of Ultrafine-Grained ZE41A Magnesium Alloy in DMEM Solution
Authors: Jiang Jinghua , Zhang Fan , Ma Aibin , Song Dan , Chen Jianqing , Liu Huan , Qiang Mingshan
Published: December 2015

The main limitation to the clinical application of magnesium alloys is their too-fast degradation rate in the physiological environment. Bio-corrosion behaviors of the ZE41A magnesium alloy processed by multi-pass equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) were investigated in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) solution, in order to tailor the effect of grain ultrafining on the biodegradation rate of the alloy implant. Hydrogen evolution tests indicated that a large number of ECAP passes decreased the stable corrosion rate of the alloy after the initial incubation period. Potentiodynamic polarization curves showed that more ECAP passes made the corrosion potential nobler and the corrosion tendency lower. Corroded surfaces of the ECAPed alloy indicated a higher resistance toward localized corrosion due to the homogeneous redistribution of broken second phases on the ultrafine-grained Mg matrix. It suggests that grain ultrafining can decrease the biodegradable rate of the magnesium alloy-containing rare-earth elements and tailor the lifetime of the biodegradable material.
New Insights in the Ontogeny and Taphonomy of the Devonian Acanthodian Triazeugacanthus affinis From the Miguasha Fossil-Lagerstätte, Eastern Canada
Authors: Chevrinais Marion , Balan Etienne , Cloutier Richard
Published: December 2015

Progressive biomineralization of a skeleton occurs during ontogeny in most animals. In fishes, larvae are poorly mineralized, whereas juveniles and adults display a progressively more biomineralized skeleton. Fossil remains primarily consist of adult specimens because the fossilization of poorly-mineralized larvae and juveniles necessitates exceptional conditions. The Miguasha Fossil-Lagerstätte is renowned for its Late Devonian vertebrate fauna, revealing the exceptional preservation of fossilized ontogenies for 14 of the 20 fish species from this locality. The mineralization of anatomical structures of the acanthodian Triazeugacanthus affinis from Miguasha are compared among larval, juvenile and adult specimens using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry. Chemical composition of anatomical structures of Triazeugacanthus reveals differences between cartilage and bone. Although the histology and anatomy is well-preserved, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry shows that the original chemical composition of bone is altered by diagenesis; the mineral phase of the bone (i.e., hydroxyapatite) is modified chemically to form more stable carbonate-fluorapatite. Fluorination occurring in mineralized skeletal structures of adult Triazeugacanthus is indicative of exchanges between groundwater and skeleton at burial, whereas the preservation of larval soft tissues is likely owing to a rapid burial under anoxic conditions. The exceptional state of preservation of a fossilized ontogeny allowed us to characterize chemically the progressive mineralization of the skeleton in a Devonian early vertebrate.
New Alcamide and Anti-oxidant Activity of Pilosocereus gounellei A. Weber ex K. Schum. Bly. ex Rowl. (Cactaceae)
Authors: Maciel Jéssica , Chaves Otemberg , Brito Filho Severino , Teles Yanna , Fernandes Marianne , Assis Temilce , Fernandes Pedro , De Andrade Alberício , Felix Leonardo , Silva Tania , Ramos Nathalia , Silva Girliane , De Souza Maria
Published: December 2015

The Cactaceae family is composed by 124 genera and about 1438 species. Pilosocereus gounellei, popularly known in Brazil as xique-xique, is used in folk medicine to treat prostate inflammation, gastrointestinal and urinary diseases. The pioneering phytochemical study of P. gounellei was performed using column chromatography and HPLC, resulting in the isolation of 10 substances: pinostrobin (1), β-sitosterol (2), a mixture of sitosterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside/stigmasterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3a/3b), 132-hydroxyphaeophytin a (4), phaeophytin a (5), a mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol (6a/6b), kaempferol (7), quercetin (8), 7′-ethoxy-trans-feruloyltyramine (mariannein, 9) and trans-feruloyl tyramine (10). Compound 9 is reported for the first time in the literature. The structural characterization of the compounds was performed by analyses of 1-D and 2-D NMR data. In addition, a phenolic and flavonol total content assay was carried out, and the anti-oxidant potential of P. gounellei was demonstrated.
Synthesis and Properties of Bis-Porphyrin Molecular Tweezers: Effects of Spacer Flexibility on Binding and Supramolecular Chirogenesis
Authors: Blom Magnus , Norrehed Sara , Andersson Claes-Henrik , Huang Hao , Light Mark , Bergquist Jonas , Grennberg Helena , Gogoll Adolf
Published: December 2015

Ditopic binding of various dinitrogen compounds to three bisporphyrin molecular tweezers with spacers of varying conformational rigidity, incorporating the planar enediyne (1), the helical stiff stilbene (2), or the semi-rigid glycoluril motif fused to the porphyrins (3), are compared. Binding constants Ka = 104–106 M−1 reveal subtle differences between these tweezers, that are discussed in terms of porphyrin dislocation modes. Exciton coupled circular dichroism (ECCD) of complexes with chiral dinitrogen guests provides experimental evidence for the conformational properties of the tweezers. The results are further supported and rationalized by conformational analysis.
Antioxidant Activity of Flaxseed Extracts in Lipid Systems
Authors: Slavova-Kazakova Adriana , Karamać Magdalena , Kancheva Vessela , Amarowicz Ryszard
Published: December 2015

The aim of this work was to compare the antioxidant activity of the extract of flaxseed and its alkaline hydrolysate in two model systems: lipid autoxidation of triacylglycerols of sunflower oil (TGSO)—in a homogeneous lipid media and during β-carotene-linoleate emulsion system. In addition, pure lignans were tested. The material was defatted with hexane and then phenolic compounds were extracted using dioxane-ethanol (50:50, v/v) mixture. Carbohydrates were removed from the crude extract using an Amberlite XAD-16 column chromatography. The content of total phenolic compounds in the crude extract and after alkaline hydrolysis was determined using a Folin-Ciocalteu’s phenol reagent. Individual phenolic compounds were determined by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (RP-HPLC) method in gradient system. The alkaline hydrolysis increased the content of total phenolics in the extract approximately by 10%. In the extracts of flaxseed, phenolic compounds were present in the form of macromolecular complex. In the alkaline hydrolysate, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) was found as the main phenolic compound. Small amounts of p-coumaric and ferulic acids were also determined. SDG and both extracts were not able to inhibit effectively lipid autoxidation. The kinetics of TGSO autoxidation at 80 °C in absence and in presence of the extract before hydrolysis (EBH) and after hydrolysis (EAH) was monitored and compared with known standard antioxidants. Ferulic acid (FA) and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) showed much higher antioxidant efficiency and reactivity than that of both extracts. Secoisolariciresinol (SECO) showed a higher activity in both model systems than SDG. However, the activity of SECO was much lower than that of nordihydroquaiaretic acid (NDGA).
Comparative Indoor and Outdoor Degradation of Organic Photovoltaic Cells via Inter-laboratory Collaboration
Authors: Owens Charles , Ferguson Gretta , Hermenau Martin , Voroshazi Eszter , Galagan Yulia , Zimmermann Birger , Rösch Roland , Angmo Dechan , Teran-Escobar Gerardo , Uhrich Christian , Andriessen Ronn , Hoppe Harald , Würfel Uli , Lira-Cantu Monica , Krebs Frederik , Tanenbaum David
Published: December 2015

We report on the degradation of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells in both indoor and outdoor environments. Eight different research groups contributed state of the art OPV cells to be studied at Pomona College. Power conversion efficiency and fill factor were determined from IV curves collected at regular intervals over six to eight months. Similarly prepared devices were measured indoors, outdoors, and after dark storage. Device architectures are compared. Cells kept indoors performed better than outdoors due to the lack of temperature and humidity extremes. Encapsulated cells performed better due to the minimal oxidation. Some devices showed steady aging but many failed catastrophically due to corrosion of electrodes not active device layers. Degradation of cells kept in dark storage was minimal over periods up to one year.
Sensor Capability and Atmospheric Correction in Ocean Colour Remote Sensing
Authors: Emberton Simon , Chittka Lars , Cavallaro Andrea , Wang Menghua
Published: December 2015

Accurate correction of the corrupting effects of the atmosphere and the water’s surface are essential in order to obtain the optical, biological and biogeochemical properties of the water from satellite-based multi- and hyper-spectral sensors. The major challenges now for atmospheric correction are the conditions of turbid coastal and inland waters and areas in which there are strongly-absorbing aerosols. Here, we outline how these issues can be addressed, with a focus on the potential of new sensor technologies and the opportunities for the development of novel algorithms and aerosol models. We review hardware developments, which will provide qualitative and quantitative increases in spectral, spatial, radiometric and temporal data of the Earth, as well as measurements from other sources, such as the Aerosol Robotic Network for Ocean Color (AERONET-OC) stations, bio-optical sensors on Argo (Bio–Argo) floats and polarimeters. We provide an overview of the state of the art in atmospheric correction algorithms, highlight recent advances and discuss the possible potential for hyperspectral data to address the current challenges.
Mapping Submerged Habitats and Mangroves of Lampi Island Marine National Park (Myanmar) from in Situ and Satellite Observations
Authors: Giardino Claudia , Bresciani Mariano , Fava Francesco , Matta Erica , Brando Vittorio , Colombo Roberto
Published: December 2015

In this study we produced the first thematic maps of submerged and coastal habitats of Lampi Island (Myanmar) from in situ and satellite data. To focus on key elements of bio-diversity typically existing in tropical islands the detection of corals, seagrass, and mangrove forests was addressed. Satellite data were acquired from Landsat-8; for the purpose of validation Rapid-Eye data were also used. In situ data supporting image processing were collected in a field campaign performed from 28 February to 4 March 2015 at the time of sensors overpasses. A hybrid approach based on bio-optical modeling and supervised classification techniques was applied to atmospherically-corrected Landsat-8 data. Bottom depth estimations, to be used in the classification process of shallow waters, were in good agreement with depth soundings (R2 = 0.87). Corals were classified with producer and user accuracies of 58% and 77%, while a lower accuracy (producer and user accuracies of 50%) was found for the seagrass due to the patchy distribution of meadows; accuracies more than 88% were obtained for mangrove forests. The classification indicated the presence of 18 mangroves sites with extension larger than 5 km2; for 15 of those the coexistence of corals and seagrass were also found in the fronting bays, suggesting a significant rate of biodiversity for the study area.
Fusion of Airborne Discrete-Return LiDAR and Hyperspectral Data for Land Cover Classification
Authors: Luo Shezhou , Wang Cheng , Xi Xiaohuan , Zeng Hongcheng , Li Dong , Xia Shaobo , Wang Pinghua
Published: December 2015

Accurate land cover classification information is a critical variable for many applications. This study presents a method to classify land cover using the fusion data of airborne discrete return LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and CASI (Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager) hyperspectral data. Four LiDAR-derived images (DTM, DSM, nDSM, and intensity) and CASI data (48 bands) with 1 m spatial resolution were spatially resampled to 2, 4, 8, 10, 20 and 30 m resolutions using the nearest neighbor resampling method. These data were thereafter fused using the layer stacking and principal components analysis (PCA) methods. Land cover was classified by commonly used supervised classifications in remote sensing images, i.e., the support vector machine (SVM) and maximum likelihood (MLC) classifiers. Each classifier was applied to four types of datasets (at seven different spatial resolutions): (1) the layer stacking fusion data; (2) the PCA fusion data; (3) the LiDAR data alone; and (4) the CASI data alone. In this study, the land cover category was classified into seven classes, i.e., buildings, road, water bodies, forests, grassland, cropland and barren land. A total of 56 classification results were produced, and the classification accuracies were assessed and compared. The results show that the classification accuracies produced from two fused datasets were higher than that of the single LiDAR and CASI data at all seven spatial resolutions. Moreover, we find that the layer stacking method produced higher overall classification accuracies than the PCA fusion method using both the SVM and MLC classifiers. The highest classification accuracy obtained (OA = 97.8%, kappa = 0.964) using the SVM classifier on the layer stacking fusion data at 1 m spatial resolution. Compared with the best classification results of the CASI and LiDAR data alone, the overall classification accuracies improved by 9.1% and 19.6%, respectively. Our findings also demonstrated that the SVM classifier generally performed better than the MLC when classifying multisource data; however, none of the classifiers consistently produced higher accuracies at all spatial resolutions.
On the Reliability of a Solitary Wave Based Transducer to Determine the Characteristics of Some Materials
Authors: Deng Wen , Nasrollahi Amir , Rizzo Piervincenzo , Li Kaiyuan
Published: December 2015

In the study presented in this article we investigated the feasibility and the reliability of a transducer design for the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of the stiffness of structural materials. The NDE method is based on the propagation of highly nonlinear solitary waves (HNSWs) along a one-dimensional chain of spherical particles that is in contact with the material to be assessed. The chain is part of a built-in system designed and assembled to excite and detect HNSWs, and to exploit the dynamic interaction between the particles and the material to be inspected. This interaction influences the time-of-flight and the amplitude of the solitary pulses reflected at the transducer/material interface. The results of this study show that certain features of the waves are dependent on the modulus of elasticity of the material and that the built-in system is reliable. In the future the proposed NDE method may provide a cost-effective tool for the rapid assessment of materials’ modulus.
Application of Carbon-Microsphere-Modified Electrodes for Electrochemistry of Hemoglobin and Electrocatalytic Sensing of Trichloroacetic Acid
Authors: Wang Wen-Cheng , Yan Li-Jun , Shi Fan , Niu Xue-Liang , Huang Guo-Lei , Zheng Cai-Juan , Sun Wei
Published: December 2015

By using the hydrothermal method, carbon microspheres (CMS) were fabricated and used for electrode modification. The characteristics of CMS were investigated using various techniques. The biocompatible sensing platform was built by immobilizing hemoglobin (Hb) on the micrometer-sized CMS-modified electrode with a layer of chitosan membrane. On the cyclic voltammogram, a couple of quasi-reversible cathodic and anodic peaks appeared, showing that direct electrochemistry of Hb with the working electrode was achieved. The catalytic reduction peak currents of the bioelectrode to trichloroacetic acid was established in the linear range of 2.0~70.0 mmol·L−1 accompanied by a detection limit of 0.30 mmol·L−1 (3σ). The modified electrode displayed favorable sensitivity, good reproducibility and stability, which suggests that CMS is promising for fabricating third-generation bioelectrochemical sensors.
A Novel Time-Varying Spectral Filtering Algorithm for Reconstruction of Motion Artifact Corrupted Heart Rate Signals During Intense Physical Activities Using a Wearable Photoplethysmogram Sensor
Authors: Salehizadeh Seyed , Dao Duy , Bolkhovsky Jeffrey , Cho Chae , Mendelson Yitzhak , Chon Ki
Published: December 2015

Accurate estimation of heart rates from photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals during intense physical activity is a very challenging problem. This is because strenuous and high intensity exercise can result in severe motion artifacts in PPG signals, making accurate heart rate (HR) estimation difficult. In this study we investigated a novel technique to accurately reconstruct motion-corrupted PPG signals and HR based on time-varying spectral analysis. The algorithm is called Spectral filter algorithm for Motion Artifacts and heart rate reconstruction (SpaMA). The idea is to calculate the power spectral density of both PPG and accelerometer signals for each time shift of a windowed data segment. By comparing time-varying spectra of PPG and accelerometer data, those frequency peaks resulting from motion artifacts can be distinguished from the PPG spectrum. The SpaMA approach was applied to three different datasets and four types of activities: (1) training datasets from the 2015 IEEE Signal Process. Cup Database recorded from 12 subjects while performing treadmill exercise from 1 km/h to 15 km/h; (2) test datasets from the 2015 IEEE Signal Process. Cup Database recorded from 11 subjects while performing forearm and upper arm exercise. (3) Chon Lab dataset including 10 min recordings from 10 subjects during treadmill exercise. The ECG signals from all three datasets provided the reference HRs which were used to determine the accuracy of our SpaMA algorithm. The performance of the SpaMA approach was calculated by computing the mean absolute error between the estimated HR from the PPG and the reference HR from the ECG. The average estimation errors using our method on the first, second and third datasets are 0.89, 1.93 and 1.38 beats/min respectively, while the overall error on all 33 subjects is 1.86 beats/min and the performance on only treadmill experiment datasets (22 subjects) is 1.11 beats/min. Moreover, it was found that dynamics of heart rate variability can be accurately captured using the algorithm where the mean Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the power spectral densities of the reference and the reconstructed heart rate time series was found to be 0.98. These results show that the SpaMA method has a potential for PPG-based HR monitoring in wearable devices for fitness tracking and health monitoring during intense physical activities.
A Case Study in Organizing for Livable and Sustainable Communities
Authors: Marx Jerry , Rataj Alison
Published: December 2015

Citizens in the U.S. are making organized efforts to demand a new approach to planning urban communities, one that results in more sustainable and livable communities. The profession of social work in the U.S. once had a primary role in organizing urban residents to advocate for healthier environments in their neighborhoods. Yet, recent research documents the diminishing emphasis on community organization as an intervention method in social work. This paper offers a descriptive case study of a successful community organizing effort to promote a more livable city in Portland, Maine (USA). Data was collected by the authors using in-depth personal interviews; archival records (census data, architect models); documents (e-mails, newspaper clippings) as well as direct observation of the impacted community and development site. Implications for social work practitioners and educators involved in community organization promoting healthy communities are presented.
An Efficient Graph-based Method for Long-term Land-use Change Statistics
Authors: Zhang Yipeng , Gao Yunbing , Gao Bingbo , Pan Yuchun , Yan Mingyang
Published: December 2015

Statistical analysis of land-use change plays an important role in sustainable land management and has received increasing attention from scholars and administrative departments. However, the statistical process involving spatial overlay analysis remains difficult and needs improvement to deal with mass land-use data. In this paper, we introduce a spatio-temporal flow network model to reveal the hidden relational information among spatio-temporal entities. Based on graph theory, the constant condition of saturated multi-commodity flow is derived. A new method based on a network partition technique of spatio-temporal flow network are proposed to optimize the transition statistical process. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method is verified through experiments using land-use data in Hunan from 2009 to 2014. In the comparison among three different land-use change statistical methods, the proposed method exhibits remarkable superiority in efficiency.
Does Dietary Deoxynivalenol Modulate the Acute Phase Reaction in Endotoxaemic Pigs?—Lessons from Clinical Signs, White Blood Cell Counts, and TNF-Alpha
Authors: Tesch Tanja , Bannert Erik , Kluess Jeannette , Frahm Jana , Kersten Susanne , Breves Gerhard , Renner Lydia , Kahlert Stefan , Rothkötter Hermann-Josef , Dänicke Sven
Published: December 2015

We studied the interaction between deoxynivalenol (DON)-feeding and a subsequent pre- and post-hepatic immune stimulus with the hypothesis that the liver differently mediates the acute phase reaction (APR) in pigs. Barrows (n = 44) were divided into a DON-(4.59 mg DON/kg feed) and a control-diet group, surgically equipped with permanent catheters pre- (V. portae hepatis) and post-hepatic (V. jugularis interna) and infused either with 0.9% NaCl or LPS (7.5 µg/kg BW). Thus, combination of diet (CON vs. DON) and infusion (CON vs. LPS, jugular vs. portal) created six groups: CON_CONjug.-CONpor., CON_CONjug.-LPSpor., CON_LPSjug.-CONpor., DON_CONjug.-CONpor., DON_CONjug.-LPSpor., DON_LPSjug.-CONpor.. Blood samples were taken at −30, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 120, 150, 180 min relative to infusion and analyzed for leukocytes and TNF-alpha. Concurrently, clinical signs were scored and body temperature measured during the same period. LPS as such induced a dramatic rise in TNF-alpha (p < 0.001), hyperthermia (p < 0.01), and severe leukopenia (p < 0.001). In CON-fed pigs, an earlier return to physiological base levels was observed for the clinical complex, starting at 120 min post infusionem (p < 0.05) and persisting until 180 min. DON_LPSjug.-CONpor. resulted in a lower temperature rise (p = 0.08) compared to CON_LPSjug.-CONpor.. In conclusion, APR resulting from a post-hepatic immune stimulus was altered by chronic DON-feeding.
Validating a Structural Model of Destination Image, Satisfaction, and Loyalty Across Gender and Age: Multigroup Analysis with PLS-SEM
Authors: Assaker Guy , Hallak Rob , Assaf A. George , Assad Tony
Published: December 2015

This study validates an interesting model of destination image (DI), tourist satisfaction, and loyalty across gender and age. We confirm that DI predicts satisfaction and has a significant direct and indirect effect on loyalty. After examining the validated structural model across different groups of respondents based on gender, age, and the gender by age interaction, we found that the model constructs differ across some of the groups. Specifically, young males from the sample were less likely to develop destination loyalty despite having a strong destination image of Australia and reportedly being satisfied with their trip experience. The findings present important implications concerning the predictors of destination loyalty across market segments with different demographics.
Short-Term Volunteering and International Development: An Evaluation Framework for Volunteer Tourism
Authors: Gilfillan Daniel
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this article is to promote debate about the linkages between volunteer tourism and international development, and to argue that volunteer tourism should be assessed as a development activity. Most volunteer tourism activities involve participants from developed countries
traveling to volunteer in developing nations, with volunteers largely motivated by the desire to make a positive contribution to their hosts. Volunteer tourism has strong linkages to sustainable tourism, which originated in response to criticisms of mass tourism, including concerns over the
negative impacts on hosting communities. In this article I propose a framework to evaluate the potential contributions of volunteer tourism projects to developmental goals. The proposed framework includes four criteria: that volunteers provide skills unavailable locally; that projects form
part of a larger development program; that projects prioritize benefit to the host community; and that projects are community driven.
Planning for the Economic Impacts of Tourism in Ireland: A Local Authority Perspective
Authors: Hanrahan James , McLoughlin Emmet
Published: December 2015

In this study, the authors investigate the level of local authority economic planning in Ireland. Every Irish local authority county development plan (CDP) was investigated, utilizing a content analysis approach to differentiate the levels of sustainable economic planning for tourism
in 2014. Analysis has found that some local authorities seem to acknowledge tourism's potential for economic development and are developing plans based on this. In spite of this, further analysis reveals a lack of strong effective policies, strategies, economic indicators, and guidelines to
sustainably manage the economic impacts of tourism. The findings from this article suggest that local authorities in Ireland still have a lot of work to do if they are to proactively plan to mitigate tourism's negative economic impacts and maximize the positive potential for all tourism stakeholders
within the county parameters.
Chronic KidneY Disease-Mineral Bone Disorder in the Elderly Peritoneal Dialysis Patient
Authors: Heaf James Goya
Published: December 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to review the literature concerning the treatment of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in the elderly peritoneal dialysis (PD) patient.

Results

Chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder is a major problem in the elderly PD patient, with its associated increased fracture risk, vascular calcification, and accelerated mortality fracture risk. Peritoneal dialysis, however, bears a lower risk than hemodialysis (HD). The approach to CKD-MBD prophylaxis and treatment in the elderly PD patient is similar to other CKD patients, with some important differences. Avoidance of hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperparathyroidism is important, as in other CKD groups, and is generally easier to attain. Calcium-free phosphate binders are recommended for normocalcemic and hypercalcemic patients. Normalization of vitamin D levels to > 75 nmol/L (> 30 pg/L) and low-dose active vitamin D therapy is recommended for all patients. Hyperparathryoidism is to be avoided by using active vitamin D and cinacalcet. Particular attention should be paid to treating protein malnutrition. Fracture prophylaxis (exercise, use of walkers, dwelling modifications) are important. Hypomagnesemia is common in PD and can be treated with magnesium supplements. Vitamin K deficiency is also common and has been identified as a cause of vascular calcification. Accordingly, warfarin treatment for this age group is problematic.

Conclusion

While treatment principles are similar to other dialysis patient groups, physicians should be aware of the special problems of the elderly group.
Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis for Older People with End-Stage Renal Disease: The French and Danish Experience
Authors: Béchade Clémence , Lobbedez Thierry , Ivarsen Per , Povlsen Johan V.
Published: December 2015

Older people are the largest and fastest growing group of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and, due to advanced age and a heavy burden of comorbidities, they are usually not candidates for renal transplantation or home-based dialysis treatment. Some of the barriers for home treatment are non-modifiable, but the majority of physical disabilities and psychosocial problems can be overcome provided that assistance is offered to the patients at home.

In the present review, we describe the programs for assisted peritoneal dialysis (PD) in France and Denmark, respectively. In both nations, assisted PD is totally publicly funded, and the cost of assisted PD is comparable to the cost of in-center HD. Assisted continuous ambulatory PD (aCAPD) is the preferred modality in France whereas assisted automated PD (aAPD) is the preferred modality in Denmark. Assistants are professional nurses or healthcare technicians briefly educated by expert PD nurses from the dialysis unit.

The establishment of a program for assisted PD may increase the number of patients actually treated with PD and may reduce the risk of PD technique failure and prolong PD duration. Compared with autonomous PD patients, patients on assisted PD may have shorter patient survival and peritonitis-free survival indicating that, besides advanced age and the burden of comorbidities, dependency on help may be an independent risk factor for poorer outcome.

Assisted PD is an evolving dialysis modality, and may in the future prove to be a feasible complementary alternative to in-center hemodialysis (HD) for the growing group of dependent older patients with ESRD.
Unplanned Start on Peritoneal Dialysis Right after Pd Catheter Implantation for Older People with End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Povlsen Johan V. , Sørensen Anette Bagger , Ivarsen Per
Published: December 2015

Unplanned start on dialysis remains a major problem for the dialysis community worldwide. Late-referred patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and urgent need for dialysis are overrepresented among older people. These patients are particularly likely to be started on in-center hemodialysis (HD), with a temporary vascular access known to be associated with excess mortality and increased risks of potentially lethal complications such as bacteremia and central venous thrombosis or stenosis.

The present paper describes in detail our program for unplanned start on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) right after PD catheter implantation and summarizes our experiences with the program so far. Compared with planned start on PD after at least 2 weeks of break-in between PD catheter implantation and initiation of dialysis, unplanned start may be associated with a slight increased risk of mechanical complications but apparently no detrimental effect on mortality, peritonitis-free survival, or PD technique survival.

In our opinion and experience, the risk of serious complications associated with the implantation and immediate use of a PD catheter is less than the risk of complications associated with unplanned start on HD with a temporary central venous catheter (CVC). Unplanned start on APD is a gentle, safe, and feasible alternative to unplanned start on HD with a temporary CVC that is also valid for the late-referred older patient with ESRD and urgent need for dialysis.
Caring for Older Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis at End of Life
Authors: Meeus Frédérique , Brown Edwina A.
Published: December 2015

End of life is the last phase of life, not merely the last few days. For many older patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), the end-of-life phase commences with the start of dialysis. The principal aim of management of this phase should be optimizing the quality of life of the patient. Evidence suggests that patients on dialysis mostly want involvement in decisions at this stage, but most do not have the opportunity to do so. Management should therefore include discussions with the patient and their family to determine lifestyle goals, treatment wishes, and ceilings of care (including resuscitation and dialysis withdrawal). Care should also include symptom identification and management, psychosocial support, and adaptation of dialysis to the ability and needs of the patient. By doing this, quality of life at end of life is achievable.
Managing Older Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Brown Edwina A. , Bargman Joanne M. , Li Philip K.T.
Published: December 2015

“You are old, Father William,” the young man said,

And your hair has become very white;

And yet you incessantly stand on your head

Do you think, at your age, it is right?”

—Lewis Carroll
The Effect of the Arabic Computer Rehabilitation Program “Rannan” on Sound Detection and Discrimination in Children with Cochlear Implants
Authors: Hagr Abdulrahman , Garadat Soha N , Hassan Sabah M , Malki Khalid , Al Ohali Yousef , Al Ghamdi Najwa , Al Nafjan Abeer , Al Masaad Ayna , Al Hamid Sara
Published: December 2015

Purpose:The aim of this work is to examine the efficacy of using computer-based training program (Rannan) as an intervention approach to enhance sound detection and discrimination in Arabic-speaking children with cochlear implants (CIs).Research Design:A prospective study
comparing performance between two groups of children. Participants were divided into two equal groups that were matched in age and programming strategies. Group I received the traditional clinic-based therapy and group II received the same traditional therapy approach in addition to a computer-based
program.Study Sample:A total of 26 children with CIs in the age range of 3‐6.5 yr were recruited from King Abdulaziz University Hospital.Data Collection and Analysis:Listening Progress Profile and Infant‐Toddler Meaningful Integration Scale were used preoperatively,
and to compare performance between the two groups at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-mo after device-fitting. Data were subjected to mixed analysis of variance.Results:Both assessment tools (Listening Progress Profile and Infant‐Toddler Meaningful Integration Scale) revealed that group II
scored higher than group I.Conclusion:The study demonstrated that using computer-based training in addition to the traditional rehabilitation therapy can serve as a facilitative tool to enhance the benefit achieved from CI.
THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOUSE PRICES AND OUTPUT: EVIDENCE FROM US METROPOLITAN AREAS
Authors: APERGIS Nicholas , SIMO-KENGNE Beatrice D.
Published: December 2015

This paper investigates the long-run and short-term dynamics of 351 US metropolitan statistical area housing prices in relation to personal income. We apply a panel cointegration approach on annual data from 1993 to 2011 and find a long-run relationship between local house prices and per capita personal income. The causal direction is then assessed based on an autoregressive distributed lag specification that also accommodates for error-correction. Results from Granger-causality tests reveal the existence of a bi-directional causality between real house prices and real per capita personal income over both long and short-horizons. Our results continue to be robust, when our bivariate system is extended to include additional MSA-level (employment and population) and national-level variables (real stock price and mortgage interest rate). We conclude that changes in personal income can predict house price movements and vice versa.
Handicap, une encyclopédie des savoirs
Authors: Herbin Régis
Published: December 2015

Quelles que soient les particularités des utilisateurs, il y a nécessité de penser autrement l’accessibilité du cadre bâti et l’usage des espaces de vie. Le « droit de cité » des personnes en situation de handicap ou des aînés en perte d’autonomie exige la remise en cause des méthodes de production de l’espace construit. Cela concerne à la fois l’évaluation des besoins, la programmation, la conception et la réalisation d’espaces de vie pour tous. La dimension purement technique mérite d’être questionnée dans l’optique d’une « humanisation » de l’urbanisme et de l’architecture. C’est pourquoi la qualité d’usage met l’homme et ses besoins au cœur de tout projet, afin de remédier aux insuffisances de stratégies d’aménagement davantage centrées sur les préoccupations des aménageurs que sur la vie des usagers. Mais quelles sont les ressources et les limites du cadre réglementaire ? Qu’est-ce qui entrave la prise en compte de l’accessibilité dans l’urbanisme ? Où résident les enjeux de l’accessibilité et de la conception universelle ? En quoi les besoins des personnes en situation de handicap conduisent-ils au développement de la qualité d’usage pour tous ?
Handicap, une encyclopédie des savoirs
Authors: Gardou Charles , Laplantine François
Published: December 2015

L’anthropologie, qui se définit moins par son objet que par un mode de connaissance singulier, révèle combien le handicap constitue un « événement » à dimension à la fois individuelle et collective. Modelé par le contexte et les manières collectives, diverses selon les époques et les cultures, de le considérer et le prendre en compte, ce « phénomène social total » ne peut s’appréhender qu’en situation. Dans une démarche qui allie distanciation et implication, l’anthropologie conduit donc à le des-essentialiser et à le re-culturaliser. Elle met aussi en lumière la continuité entre sensible, intelligible, culturel et social, comme entre singulier et universel. Elle montre que la question du handicap, où nichent les problématiques de l’identité et de l’altérité, des croyances, de l’échange et des modes de socialisation, éclaire les angles morts de la pensée sociale.
Handicap, une encyclopédie des savoirs
Authors: Gardou Charles , Plaisance Éric
Published: December 2015

Les savoirs et pratiques pédagogiques sont grandement redevables aux précurseurs de l’éducation des enfants sourds et aveugles qui, au xviii e siècle, ont conçu, à partir du postulat d’éducabilité, des méthodes originales. De même, la tentative d’éducation de Victor, l’enfant sauvage, a inauguré l’éducation des enfants « arriérés » au début du xix e siècle. Cette expérience marque tout le siècle, jusqu’aux projets conçus pour les enfants des asiles, puis pour ceux que l’école considère comme « débiles ». Cependant, ces actions pionnières se sont, pour la plupart, heurtées à la persistance de préjugés stigmatisants et à l’extension, sans limites, de l’ « enseignement spécial », par exemple, avec les classes de perfectionnement dans les années 1960 et 1970. Qu’en est-il aujourd’hui d’une éducation voulue « inclusive », de la prise en compte des besoins éducatifs particuliers et de l’accessibilité pédagogique ?
Handicap, une encyclopédie des savoirs
Authors: Parisot Anne-Sophie
Published: December 2015

Le droit est le reflet du regard porté par la société sur le handicap : parfois il révèle les retards du corps social, parfois il bouscule ses archaïsmes. Depuis un siècle, l’œuvre du législateur témoigne ainsi de lents mais incontestables progrès de la société en matière de reconnaissance des droits de la personne en situation de handicap. Au cours des quatre dernières décennies, de grands pas ont été franchis, notamment grâce à l’influence du droit international, à l’œuvre des juridictions européennes et à la pénétration du droit communautaire dans notre droit interne. Le juge français – et singulièrement le juge administratif – contribue aussi, par sa jurisprudence, à faire évoluer l’application des droits. En outre, un droit du handicap, encore embryonnaire aujourd’hui, pourrait prochainement émerger si, d’une part, certains freins inhérents à des cloisonnements juridiques ancrés dans notre culture législative et réglementaire sont levés, et si, d’autre part, les praticiens du droit comme les justiciables eux-mêmes prennent conscience de la nécessité d’obtenir une pleine effectivité de ces droits, désormais reconnus et proclamés.