bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ПАНДЕМИИ ГРИППА И ПОДГОТОВКА ЖИВЫХ ГРИППОЗНЫХ ВАКЦИН ДЛЯ ИХ СДЕРЖИВАНИЯ
Authors: Дорошенко Е.М. , Григорьева Е.П. , Исакова-Сивак И.Н. , Руденко Л.Г.
Published: April 2017

Дан краткий исторический обзор эпидемиологической ситуации по гриппу в мире и приведены основные данные о биологии вируса гриппа, важные для разработки вакцины. Подробно рассмотрены случаи заболевания и гибели от различных подтипов вируса гриппа птиц [A(Н5N1), A(H5N6), A(H7N3), A(H7N7), A(H7N9)] среди людей, стимулировавшие проведение мониторинга, разработку национальных планов подготовки к возможному возникновению пандемий и активное международное сотрудничество в подготовке вакцин для профилактики гриппа. Обеспечение населения России живыми гриппозными вакцинами против потенциально опасных вирусов гриппа птиц, а также штаммов A(H1N1)pdm и A(H2N2) имеет важное стратегическое значение. В отделе вирусологии Института экспериментальной медицины создана коллекция потенциально пандемических штаммов вируса и проведено их всестороннее доклиническое и клиническое изучение. Доклинические исследования вакцин, разработанных на основе этих штаммов, на лабораторных животных продемонстрировали безвредность, иммуногенность и протективную активность. Кандидаты для пандемических и предпандемических живых гриппозных вакцин изучены в клинических испытаниях на взрослых волонтерах. Было показано, что вакцины ареактогенны и безвредны и что передача вируса от привитых волонтерам в контрольную группу отсутствовала. Эти исследования значительно расширили набор методов оценки иммуногенности ЖГВ, включая оценку секреторных антител и клеточный иммунный ответ. Учитывая стимуляцию перекрестно-реагирующих антител, живые гриппозные вакцины могут быть использованы как первичная мера борьбы с новыми пандемиями даже в случае, если пандемический штамм будет иметь антигенные отличия.
ДЕЦЕНТРАЛИЗОВАННЫЙ ОРГАНИЗМ НА ПРИМЕРЕ КОЛОНИАЛЬНЫХ ГИДРОИДОВ
Authors: Марфенин Н.Н.
Published: April 2017

Колониальные гидроиды, кораллы, мшанки, асцидии и некоторые другие водные организмы состоят как будто из множества соединенных друг с другом особей. Но это – не сообщества особей, а многочленные особи, приспособленные к перехвату пищевых частиц из потока воды, с чем, видимо, связано сходство колониальных животных с растениями, которые приспособлены к эффективному перехвату солнечного света. Считается, что у животных колониальная организация возникла в результате незавершенного вегетативного размножения, когда молодые особи остаются связанными с материнской особью. Многочленный (или модульный) организм оказывается менее целостным и централизованным, чем его одиночный (унитарный) предок. Строение децентрализованного организма позволяет изучать интеграцию частей в целое, реализованную без участия органов управления. Такое соотношение частей и целого свойственно многим природным и социальным системам, но до сих пор мало изучено. Особые органы управления (нервная и гуморальная системы) лишь надстроены над более простым типом взаимного согласования процессов, который является единственным у децентрализованных организмов, где интеграция основана на множественном взаимодействии относительно независимых паритетных частей целого. Среди различных видов децентрализованных организмов наиболее удобны для исследований колониальные гидроиды, которые могут быть биологической моделью нецентрализованной системы как таковой. Децентрализованная организация у колониальных гидроидов выражается в следующем: 1) мультипликация (или полимеризация); 2) отсутствие общеорганизменных регуляторных органов; 3) значительная самостоятельность составляющих; 4) высокая устойчивость к воздействиям на отдельные части организма; 5) пластичность формы и широкая вариативность размеров взрослого организма; 6) «врастание» в окружающую среду; 7) сетевидная форма организма; 8) циклический морфогенез; 9) преодоление возрастных ограничений. Обсуждены характерные особенности децентрализованных организмов и возможности экстраполяции полученных выводов на надорганизменные системы: популяции, экосистемы, биосферу.
Рецензия на выпуск пятый Маклаевского сборника – книгу «Бетель, кава, кола, чат. Жевательные стимуляторы в ритуале и мифологии народов мира»
Authors: Слепян Э.И.
Published: April 2017

Реферат недоступен
Рецензия на книгу: И.И. Леунов. Жизнь советского агронома
Authors: Слепян Э.И.
Published: April 2017

Реферат недоступен
A material selection approach using the TODIM (TOmada de Decisao Interativa Multicriterio) method and its analysis
Authors: Zindani Divya , Maity Saikat R. , Bhowmik Sumit , Chakraborty Shankar
Published: April 2017

Quality, performance, reliability, cost etc. of any product are all affected by the material being used to manufacture it. Hence, it becomes imperative to select an appropriate material for a successful product. Material selection involves a complex interaction between component function, material type, process, shape and cost. The designer must have a broad understanding of various properties of materials and their processing characteristics. No two materials have the same properties, and the choice is usually decided by the best possible combination of material properties and economic factors providing an optimal solution. In this paper, the best suited materials for two products, i. e. engine flywheel and metallic gear, are selected applying an almost unexplored multi-criteria decision making tool in the form of the TODIM (TOmada de Decisao Interativa Multicriterio, which means in Portuguese “interactive and multi-criteria decision making”) method. The derived results corroborate those obtained by past researchers. A sensitivity analysis showing the effect of varying values of attenuation factor of the losses on the rankings of the candidate materials proves the robustness and applicability of the TODIM method in solving material selection problems. Finite element analysis is carried out to study the behavior of the candidate materials under specific loading conditions.
Investigation of tribological and corrosion properties of CuTi–alumina nanocomposite fabricated by mechanical alloying
Authors: Baghani Mohammad , Aliofkhazraei Mahmood , Askari Mehdi
Published: April 2017

This study examined the effects of addition of alumina nanoparticles on the microstructure, tribological and corrosion properties of CuTi alloy. Mechanical alloying was performed employing satellite ball milling. X-ray diffraction revealed that CuTi solid solution was formed after 40 h of mechanical alloying. Mechanically alloyed powder was cold-pressed and sintered at 850 °C. Alumina nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the CuTi alloy matrix. Tribological properties of the samples were evaluated by pin-on-disk wear testing. The results showed a decrease in wear rate by 30 % owing to the presence of nanoparticles in the nanocomposite. The corrosion properties of samples were assessed employing potentiodynamic polarization and immersion methods in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The corrosion current density of CuTi alloy decreased from 125.9 to 6.3 μA · cm−2 following the addition of alumina nanoparticles.
The thermodynamic stability induced by solute co-segregation in nanocrystalline ternary alloys
Authors: Liang Tao , Chen Zheng , Yang Xiaoqin , Zhang Jinyong , Zhang Ping
Published: April 2017

The grain growth and thermodynamic stability induced by solute co-segregation in ternary alloys are presented. Grain growth behavior of the single-phase supersaturated grains prepared in Ni–Fe–Pb alloy melt at different undercoolings was investigated by performing isothermal annealings at T = 400 °C–800 °C. Combining the multicomponent Gibbs adsorption equation and Guttmann's grain boundary segregation model, an empirical relation for isothermal grain growth was derived. By application of the model to grain growth in Ni–Fe–Pb, Fe–Cr–Zr and Fe–Ni–Zr alloys, it was predicted that driving grain boundary energy to zero is possible in alloys due to the co-segregation induced by the interactive effect between the solutes Fe/Pb, Zr/Ni and Zr/Cr. A non-linear relationship rather than a simple linear relation between 1/D* (D* the metastable equilibrium grain size) and ln(T) was predicted due to the interactive effect.
Multidrug-resistant, Extensively drug-resistant and Pandrug-resistant bacteria and antimicrobial therapy in combination.
Authors: Shamsuzzaman S. M.
Published: April 2017

Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2015; 9 (2): 1-2
Feto-Maternal Outcomes of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Pregnancy of Bangladeshi women.
Authors: Sultana Rabeya , Rozhana Sharmin , Tabassum Shahina , Munshi Saif Ullah
Published: April 2017

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is responsible for more than half of acute viral hepatitis (AHV) with high feto-maternal complications. Bangladesh has high prevalence of HEV infection among pregnant women. This study was undertaken to observe fetal -maternal outcome of HEV infection in Bangladeshi pregnant women . For this purpose a total of 56 pregnant women with AVH were enrolled from two tertiary care hospitals of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Blood samples were collected and tested for HEV Ig-M, HBsAg and Anti HCV. Thirty one pregnant women were tested positive for HEV Ig-M, acted as case and rest 25 women had viral hepatitis other than HEV, acted as control group (non-HEV). Among the HEV infected pregnant women, 38.7% of the patients (12/31) were aged between 21-25 years with mean age of 23.7 + SD 4.5 years. Twelve (39%) AVH-E patient died due to fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), hepatic encephalopathy (HFE) and multiorgan dysfunction. Maternal mortality due to HEV was greater [ (RR), 9.6; 95% CI, 1.3 to 69.5] in HEV infected women than in non- HEV infected women and it was higher in 2nd trimester (55.5%) then the 1st and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Babies born to pregnant women with acute Hepatitis due to HEV (AHV-E) were more likely to have intrauterine death (RR 18.68; p = 0.03) and preterm delivery (RR 7.25; p = 0.05) than the non-HEV infected pregnant women. Only 23% (7/31) babies reached up to term maturity. In conclusion, his study reveals that comparing with non-HEV infection, pregnant women with AHV-E infection causes worse feto-maternal outcomes especially in the second trimester of pregnancy which needs special attention of healthcare providers to reduce bad obstetric outcome in HEV endemic countries.Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2015; 9 (2): 3-6
Bacterial isolates and drug susceptibility patterns of ear discharge from patients with ear infection at Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College.
Authors: Akter Sonia , Shamsuzzaman S. M. , Nehar Naznin , Siddiqui Ishrat , Jahan Ferdush , Islam Saquebul
Published: April 2017

Ear infection is a common problem for both children and adults especially in developing countries. However in Bangladesh particularly in the study area, there is no recent data that shows the magnitude of the problem. A retrospective study was conducted from from April, 2013 to March, 2014 at Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College. Ear discharge samples were cultured on MacConkey agar, blood agar and chocolate agar plates. A total of 115 ear discharge samples were tested for bacterial isolation and 86 (74.78%) cases were found positive; 49 (56.98%) were gram negative bacteria and the predominant isolate were S. aureus 21 (24.42%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 20 (23.26%). Of individuals 70 (81.40%) had single bacterial infection and 16 (18.60%) had mixed bacterial infections. Under five children were more affected by ear infection. The prevalence of ear infection was higher in females than males (64.35% vs 35.65%) (P=0.879). The prevalence of ear infection was very high in the study area. Majority of the bacterial isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Hence antibiotics susceptibility test is mandatory before prescribing any antibiotics.Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2015; 9 (2): 20-23
Bacterial collective behavior: role of mitochondria.
Authors: Shahnaz Sabeena , Murshed Mohammad
Published: April 2017

Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2015; 9 (2): 24-27
Upstreaming and Normalizing Advance Care Planning Conversations—A Public Health Approach
Authors: Prince-Paul Maryjo , DiFranco Evelina
Published: April 2017

As a society, we simply don’t talk about this universal experience called dying and death; in fact, we ignore it until we have to face it. Thus, it is often in a crisis experience when we have to make decisions while we are laden with uncertainty and intense emotions. Sixty percent of people say making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is extremely important, yet 56% of them have not held a conversation about its context. Instead of waiting to make end-of-life decisions, let us begin to think about what matters most while we are living, what we value most, and how we translate these values into conversations about what is important. As a public health concern, if we can upstream the advance care planning discussion into usual health promotion activities, perhaps, as a society, we can begin to normalize and reshape how we make decisions about the last chapters of our lives.
ErbB Family Signalling: A Paradigm for Oncogene Addiction and Personalized Oncology
Authors: Jacobi Nico , Seeboeck Rita , Hofmann Elisabeth , Eger Andreas
Published: April 2017

ErbB family members represent important biomarkers and drug targets for modern precision therapy. They have gained considerable importance as paradigms for oncoprotein addiction and personalized medicine. This review summarizes the current understanding of ErbB proteins in cell signalling and cancer and describes the molecular rationale of prominent cases of ErbB oncoprotein addiction in different cancer types. In addition, we have highlighted experimental technologies for the development of innovative cancer cell models that accurately predicted clinical ErbB drug efficacies. In the future, such cancer models might facilitate the identification and validation of physiologically relevant novel forms of oncoprotein and non-oncoprotein addiction or synthetic lethality. The identification of genotype-drug response relationships will further advance personalized oncology and improve drug efficacy in the clinic. Finally, we review the most important drugs targeting ErbB family members that are under investigation in clinical trials or that made their way already into clinical routine. Taken together, the functional characterization of ErbB oncoproteins have significantly increased our knowledge on predictive biomarkers, oncoprotein addiction and patient stratification and treatment.
Improving the Stability of Cold-Adapted Enzymes by Immobilization
Authors: Lee ChangWoo , Jang Sei-Heon , Chung Hye-Shin
Published: April 2017

Cold-adapted enzymes have gained considerable attention as biocatalysts that show high catalytic activity at low temperatures. However, the use of cold-adapted enzymes at ambient temperatures has been hindered by their low thermal stabilities caused by their inherent structural flexibilities. Accordingly, protein engineering and immobilization have been employed to improve the thermal stability of cold-adapted enzymes. Immobilization has been shown to increase the thermal stability of cold-adapted enzymes at the critical temperatures at which denaturation begins. This review summarizes progress in immobilization of cold-adapted enzymes as a strategy to improve their thermal and organic solvent stabilities.
Copula–Based vMEM Specifications versus Alternatives: The Case of Trading Activity
Authors: Cipollini Fabrizio , Engle Robert , Gallo Giampiero
Published: April 2017

We discuss several multivariate extensions of the Multiplicative Error Model to take into account dynamic interdependence and contemporaneously correlated innovations (vector MEM or vMEM). We suggest copula functions to link Gamma marginals of the innovations, in a specification where past values and conditional expectations of the variables can be simultaneously estimated. Results with realized volatility, volumes and number of trades of the JNJ stock show that significantly superior realized volatility forecasts are delivered with a fully interdependent vMEM relative to a single equation. Alternatives involving log–Normal or semiparametric formulations produce substantially equivalent results.
Supercapacitor State Based Control and Optimization for Multiple Energy Storage Devices Considering Current Balance in Urban Rail Transit
Authors: Yang Zhongping , Yang Zhihong , Xia Huan , Lin Fei , Zhu Feiqin
Published: April 2017

The use of supercapacitors (SCs) to store regenerative braking energy from urban rail trains is able to achieve a good energy saving effect. This paper analyzes the current balance method of stationary energy storage devices (ESDs). At the beginning of the paper, the mathematical model of the DC traction power system, which includes trains, ESDs and traction substations, is established. Next, based on this, the SC state-based control strategy (SCSCS) is proposed, which can adjust the charging voltage of the ESD according to the SC voltage and current, then the charging current of the ESD can be reasonably distributed under the voltage difference of ESDs, and the SC voltage and current stress can be reduced. In order to determine the optimal controlling parameters, the optimization model is proposed and solved by the genetic algorithm. The analysis of the case study also shows the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy and optimization algorithm. Finally, the rationality of the proposed strategy is verified by experiments.
Mapping Patterns and Trends in the Spatial Availability of Alcohol Using Low-Level Geographic Data: A Case Study in England 2003–2013
Authors: Angus Colin , Holmes John , Maheswaran Ravi , Green Mark , Meier Petra , Brennan Alan
Published: April 2017

Much literature examines the relationship between the spatial availability of alcohol and alcohol-related harm. This study aims to address an important gap in this evidence by using detailed outlet data to examine recent temporal trends in the sociodemographic distribution of spatial availability for different types of alcohol outlet in England. Descriptive analysis of measures of alcohol outlet density and proximity using extremely high resolution market research data stratified by outlet type and quintiles of area-level deprivation from 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013 was undertaken and hierarchical linear growth models fitted to explore the significance of socioeconomic differences. We find that overall availability of alcohol changed very little from 2003 to 2013 (density +1.6%), but this conceals conflicting trends by outlet type and area-level deprivation. Mean on-trade density has decreased substantially (−2.2 outlets within 1 km (Inter-Quartile Range (IQR) −3–0), although access to restaurants has increased (+1.0 outlets (IQR 0–1)), while off-trade access has risen substantially (+2.4 outlets (IQR 0–3)). Availability is highest in the most deprived areas (p < 0.0001) although these areas have also seen the greatest falls in on-trade outlet availability (p < 0.0001). This study underlines the importance of using detailed, low-level geographic data to understand patterns and trends in the spatial availability of alcohol. There are significant variations in these trends by outlet type and deprivation level which may have important implications for health inequalities and public health policy.
Soil Lead and Children’s Blood Lead Disparities in Pre- and Post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans (USA)
Authors: Mielke Howard , Gonzales Christopher , Powell Eric
Published: April 2017

This study appraises New Orleans soil lead and children’s lead exposure before and ten years after Hurricane Katrina flooded the city. Introduction: Early childhood exposure to lead is associated with lifelong and multiple health, learning, and behavioral disorders. Lead exposure is an important factor hindering the long-term resilience and sustainability of communities. Lead exposure disproportionately affects low socioeconomic status of communities. No safe lead exposure is known and the common intervention is not effective. An essential responsibility of health practitioners is to develop an effective primary intervention. Methods: Pre- and post-Hurricane soil lead and children’s blood lead data were matched by census tract communities. Soil lead and blood lead data were described, mapped, blood lead graphed as a function of soil lead, and Multi-Response Permutation Procedures statistics established disparities. Results: Simultaneous decreases occurred in soil lead accompanied by an especially large decline in children’s blood lead 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. Exposure disparities still exist between children living in the interior and outer areas of the city. Conclusions: At the scale of a city, this study demonstrates that decreasing soil lead effectively reduces children’s blood lead. Primary prevention of lead exposure can be accomplished by reducing soil lead in the urban environment.
A Standard Indoor Spatial Data Model—OGC IndoorGML and Implementation Approaches
Authors: Kang Hae-Kyong , Li Ki-Joune
Published: April 2017

With the recent progress in indoor spatial data modeling, indoor mapping and indoor positioning technologies, several spatial information services for indoor spaces have been provided like for outdoor spaces. In order to support interoperability between indoor spatial information services, IndoorGML was published by OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) as a standard data model and XML-based exchange format. While the previous standards, such as IFC (Industrial Foundation Classes) and CityGML covering also indoor space, aim at feature modeling, the goal of IndoorGML is to establish a standard basis for the indoor space model. As IndoorGML defines a minimum data model for indoor space, more efforts are required to discover its potential aspects, which are not explicitly explained in the standard document. In this paper, we investigate the implications and potential aspects of IndoorGML and its basic concept of the cellular space model and discuss the implementation issues of IndoorGML for several purposes. In particular, we discuss the issues on cell determination, subspacing and the hierarchical structure of indoor space from the IndoorGML viewpoint. Additionally, we also focus on two important issues: computation of indoor distance and the implementation of indoor context-awareness services based on IndoorGML. We expect that this paper will serve as a technical document for better understanding of IndoorGML throughout these discussions.
Radiogenomic Analysis of Oncological Data: A Technical Survey
Authors: Incoronato Mariarosaria , Aiello Marco , Infante Teresa , Cavaliere Carlo , Grimaldi Anna , Mirabelli Peppino , Monti Serena , Salvatore Marco
Published: April 2017

In the last few years, biomedical research has been boosted by the technological development of analytical instrumentation generating a large volume of data. Such information has increased in complexity from basic (i.e., blood samples) to extensive sets encompassing many aspects of a subject phenotype, and now rapidly extending into genetic and, more recently, radiomic information. Radiogenomics integrates both aspects, investigating the relationship between imaging features and gene expression. From a methodological point of view, radiogenomics takes advantage of non-conventional data analysis techniques that reveal meaningful information for decision-support in cancer diagnosis and treatment. This survey is aimed to review the state-of-the-art techniques employed in radiomics and genomics with special focus on analysis methods based on molecular and multimodal probes. The impact of single and combined techniques will be discussed in light of their suitability in correlation and predictive studies of specific oncologic diseases.
Potential Coagulation Factor-Driven Pro-Inflammatory Responses in Ovarian Cancer Tissues Associated with Insufficient O2 and Plasma Supply
Authors: Koizume Shiro , Miyagi Yohei
Published: April 2017

Tissue factor (TF) is a cell surface receptor for coagulation factor VII (fVII). The TF-activated fVII (fVIIa) complex is an essential initiator of the extrinsic blood coagulation process. Interactions between cancer cells and immune cells via coagulation factors and adhesion molecules can promote progression of cancer, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This process is not necessarily advantageous, as tumor tissues generally undergo hypoxia due to aberrant vasculature, followed by reduced access to plasma components such as coagulation factors. However, hypoxia can activate TF expression. Expression of fVII, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines can be synergistically induced in EOC cells in response to hypoxia along with serum deprivation. Thus, pro-inflammatory responses associated with the TF-fVIIa–ICAM-1 interaction are expected within hypoxic tissues. Tumor tissue consists of multiple components such as stromal cells, interstitial fluid, albumin, and other micro-factors such as proton and metal ions. These factors, together with metabolism reprogramming in response to hypoxia and followed by functional modification of TF, may contribute to coagulation factor-driven inflammatory responses in EOC tissues. The aim of this review was to describe potential coagulation factor-driven inflammatory responses in hypoxic EOC tissues. Arguments were extended to clinical issues targeting this characteristic tumor environment.
Genome-Wide Analyses of the Soybean F-Box Gene Family in Response to Salt Stress
Authors: Jia Qi , Xiao Zhi-Xia , Wong Fuk-Ling , Sun Song , Liang Kang-Jing , Lam Hon-Ming
Published: April 2017

The F-box family is one of the largest gene families in plants that regulate diverse life processes, including salt responses. However, the knowledge of the soybean F-box genes and their roles in salt tolerance remains limited. Here, we conducted a genome-wide survey of the soybean F-box family, and their expression analysis in response to salinity via in silico analysis of online RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to predict their potential functions. A total of 725 potential F-box proteins encoded by 509 genes were identified and classified into 9 subfamilies. The gene structures, conserved domains and chromosomal distributions were characterized. There are 76 pairs of duplicate genes identified, including genome-wide segmental and tandem duplication events, which lead to the expansion of the number of F-box genes. The in silico expression analysis showed that these genes would be involved in diverse developmental functions and play an important role in salt response. Our qRT-PCR analysis confirmed 12 salt-responding F-box genes. Overall, our results provide useful information on soybean F-box genes, especially their potential roles in salt tolerance.
Interactions among the Predatory Midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), the Fungal Pathogen Metarhizium brunneum (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), and Maize-Infesting Aphids in Greenhouse Mesocosms
Authors: Azevedo Ana , Steinwender Bernhardt , Eilenberg Jørgen , Sigsgaard Lene
Published: April 2017

The generalist entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum, has proved to have great potential as a versatile biological pest control agent. The gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza is a specialist predator that occurs naturally in Europe and has been successfully used for aphid suppression. However, the interaction between these two biological control organisms and how it may affect the biological control of aphids awaits further investigation. As part of the EU-supported project INBIOSOIL, this study was conducted in greenhouse conditions to assess the possible effects of combining both biological control agents. In a randomized complete block design, sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) plants were grown in large pots filled with natural soil or natural soil inoculated with M. brunneum. At the third leaf stage, before being individually caged, plants were infested with Rhopalosiphum padi and A. aphidimyza pupae were introduced in the soil. Aphidoletes aphidimyza midge emergence, number of living midges and number of aphids were recorded daily. The presence of conidia in the soil and on leaves was assessed during the experiment. At the conclusion of the experiment, the number of live aphids and their developmental stage, consumed aphids, and A. aphidimyza eggs was assessed under stereomicroscope. This study’s findings showed that the presence of M. brunneum did not affect A. aphidimyza midge emergence. However, longevity was significantly affected. As the study progressed, significantly fewer predatory midges were found in cages treated with M. brunneum compared to untreated cages. Furthermore, by the end of the study, the number of predatory midges found in the Metarhizium-treated cages was four times lower than in the untreated cages. Both daily and final count of aphids were significantly affected by treatment. Aphidoletes aphidimyza applied alone suppressed the aphid population more effectively than M. brunneum applied alone. Additionally, the aphid population was most suppressed when both agents were combined, though the suppression was less than additive.
Investigation on Indentation Cracking-Based Approaches for Residual Stress Evaluation
Authors: Rickhey Felix , Marimuthu Karuppasamy , Lee Hyungyil
Published: April 2017

Vickers indentation fracture can be used to estimate equibiaxial residual stresses (RS) in brittle materials. Previous, conceptually-equal, analytical models were established on the assumptions that (i) the crack be of a semi-circular shape and (ii) that the shape not be affected by RS. A generalized analytical model that accounts for the crack shape and its change is presented. To assess these analytical models and to gain detailed insight into the crack evolution, an extended finite element (XFE) model is established. XFE analysis results show that the crack shape is generally not semi-circular and affected by RS and that tensile and compressive RS have different effects on the crack evolution. Parameter studies are performed to calibrate the generalized analytical model. Comparison of the results calculated by the analytical models with XFE results reveals the inaccuracy inherent in the previous analytical models, namely the neglect of (the change of) the crack aspect-ratio, in particular for tensile RS. Previous models should therefore be treated with caution and, if at all, used only for compressive RS. The generalized model, on the other hand, gives a more accurate description of the RS, but requires the crack depth.
The Self-Propulsion of the Spherical Pt–SiO2 Janus Micro-Motor
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zheng Xu , Cui Haihang , Silber-Li Zhanhua
Published: April 2017

The double-faced Janus micro-motor, which utilizes the heterogeneity between its two hemispheres to generate self-propulsion, has shown great potential in water cleaning, drug delivery in micro/nanofluidics, and provision of power for a novel micro-robot. In this paper, we focus on the self-propulsion of a platinum–silica (Pt–SiO2) spherical Janus micro-motor (JM), which is one of the simplest micro-motors, suspended in a hydrogen peroxide solution (H2O2). Due to the catalytic decomposition of H2O2 on the Pt side, the JM is propelled by the established concentration gradient known as diffusoiphoretic motion. Furthermore, as the JM size increases to O (10 μm), oxygen molecules nucleate on the Pt surface, forming microbubbles. In this case, a fast bubble propulsion is realized by the microbubble cavitation-induced jet flow. We systematically review the results of the above two distinct mechanisms: self-diffusiophoresis and microbubble propulsion. Their typical behaviors are demonstrated, based mainly on experimental observations. The theoretical description and the numerical approach are also introduced. We show that this tiny motor, though it has a very simple structure, relies on sophisticated physical principles and can be used to fulfill many novel functions.
The Use of Microfluidics in Cytotoxicity and Nanotoxicity Experiments
Authors: McCormick Scott , Kriel Frederik , Ivask Angela , Tong Ziqiu , Lombi Enzo , Voelcker Nicolas , Priest Craig
Published: April 2017

Many unique chemical compounds and nanomaterials are being developed, and each one requires a considerable range of in vitro and/or in vivo toxicity screening in order to evaluate their safety. The current methodology of in vitro toxicological screening on cells is based on well-plate assays that require time-consuming manual handling or expensive automation to gather enough meaningful toxicology data. Cost reduction; access to faster, more comprehensive toxicity data; and a robust platform capable of quantitative testing, will be essential in evaluating the safety of new chemicals and nanomaterials, and, at the same time, in securing the confidence of regulators and end-users. Microfluidic chips offer an alternative platform for toxicity screening that has the potential to transform both the rates and efficiency of nanomaterial testing, as reviewed here. The inherent advantages of microfluidic technologies offer high-throughput screening with small volumes of analytes, parallel analyses, and low-cost fabrication.
A Classification Method for Seed Viability Assessment with Infrared Thermography
Authors: Men Sen , Yan Lei , Liu Jiaxin , Qian Hua , Luo Qinjuan
Published: April 2017

This paper presents a viability assessment method for Pisum sativum L. seeds based on the infrared thermography technique. In this work, different artificial treatments were conducted to prepare seeds samples with different viability. Thermal images and visible images were recorded every five minutes during the standard five day germination test. After the test, the root length of each sample was measured, which can be used as the viability index of that seed. Each individual seed area in the visible images was segmented with an edge detection method, and the average temperature of the corresponding area in the infrared images was calculated as the representative temperature for this seed at that time. The temperature curve of each seed during germination was plotted. Thirteen characteristic parameters extracted from the temperature curve were analyzed to show the difference of the temperature fluctuations between the seeds samples with different viability. With above parameters, support vector machine (SVM) was used to classify the seed samples into three categories: viable, aged and dead according to the root length, the classification accuracy rate was 95%. On this basis, with the temperature data of only the first three hours during the germination, another SVM model was proposed to classify the seed samples, and the accuracy rate was about 91.67%. From these experimental results, it can be seen that infrared thermography can be applied for the prediction of seed viability, based on the SVM algorithm.
Spatial Expansion and Soil Organic Carbon Storage Changes of Croplands in the Sanjiang Plain, China
Authors: Man Weidong , Yu Hao , Li Lin , Liu Mingyue , Mao Dehua , Ren Chunying , Wang Zongming , Jia Mingming , Miao Zhenghong , Lu Chunyan , Li Huiying
Published: April 2017

Soil is the largest pool of terrestrial organic carbon in the biosphere and interacts strongly with the atmosphere, climate and land cover. Remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) were used to study the spatio-temporal dynamics of croplands and soil organic carbon density (SOCD) in the Sanjiang Plain, to estimate soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. Results show that croplands increased with 10,600.68 km2 from 1992 to 2012 in the Sanjiang Plain. Area of 13,959.43 km2 of dry farmlands were converted into paddy fields. Cropland SOC storage is estimated to be 1.29 ± 0.27 Pg C (1 Pg = 103 Tg = 1015 g) in 2012. Although the mean value of SOCD for croplands decreased from 1992 to 2012, the SOC storage of croplands in the top 1 m in the Sanjiang Plain increased by 70 Tg C (1220 to 1290). This is attributed to the area increases of cropland. The SOCD of paddy fields was higher and decreased more slowly than that of dry farmlands from 1992 to 2012. Conversion between dry farmlands and paddy fields and the agricultural reclamation from natural land-use types significantly affect the spatio-temporal patterns of cropland SOCD in the Sanjiang Plain. Regions with higher and lower SOCD values move northeast and westward, respectively, which is almost consistent with the movement direction of centroids for paddy fields and dry farmlands in the study area. Therefore, these results were verified. SOC storages in dry farmlands decreased by 17.5 Tg·year−1 from 1992 to 2012, whilst paddy fields increased by 21.0 Tg·C·year−1.
Implementing Sustainability Co-Creation between Universities and Society: A Typology-Based Understanding
Authors: Trencher Gregory , Nagao Masafumi , Chen Chiahsin , Ichiki Kentaro , Sadayoshi Tobai , Kinai Mariko , Kamitani Mio , Nakamura Shojiro , Yamauchi Aiko , Yarime Masaru
Published: April 2017

Universities are under mounting pressure to partner with societal stakeholders and organizations to collaboratively create and implement sustainability-advancing knowledge, tools, and societal transformations. Simultaneously, an increasing number of societal organizations are reaching out to partner with universities to achieve organizational objectives and increase the effectiveness of strategies to further societal sustainability. Using a conceptual framework of “sustainability co-creation”, this study empirically examines the historical and ongoing experiences of five organizations in Japan that actively partner with universities to enhance sustainability activities and strategies to transform society. We examine motivations for partnering with universities, innovative models of practice, factors hampering the co-creative potential of the university, and desired changes to overcome these. Our empirical study leads to the proposal of a typology that might assist in categorizing and understanding key attributes of differing types of sustainability co-creation. We build our typology from two perspectives: First, in terms of the primary objective of the co-creation (ranging from knowledge production to the transformation of society), and second, in terms of the approach taken (ranging from either socially or technologically-centered). We then reflect on the organizations’ experiences to offer several strategies that could increase the effectiveness of the university when partnering with stakeholders in sustainability co-creation. We also highlight several factors effecting the university’s capacity to move beyond knowledge production towards implementation measures to transform society with external stakeholders.
Coronary Artery Anomalies in Animals
Authors: Scansen Brian
Published: April 2017

Coronary artery anomalies represent a disease spectrum from incidental to life-threatening. Anomalies of coronary artery origin and course are well-recognized in human medicine, but have received limited attention in veterinary medicine. Coronary artery anomalies are best described in the dog, hamster, and cow though reports also exist in the horse and pig. The most well-known anomaly in veterinary medicine is anomalous coronary artery origin with a prepulmonary course in dogs, which limits treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis. A categorization scheme for coronary artery anomalies in animals is suggested, dividing these anomalies into those of major or minor clinical significance. A review of coronary artery development, anatomy, and reported anomalies in domesticated species is provided and four novel canine examples of anomalous coronary artery origin are described: an English bulldog with single left coronary ostium and a retroaortic right coronary artery; an English bulldog with single right coronary ostium and transseptal left coronary artery; an English bulldog with single right coronary ostium and absent left coronary artery with a prepulmonary paraconal interventricular branch and an interarterial circumflex branch; and a mixed-breed dog with tetralogy of Fallot and anomalous origin of all coronary branches from the brachiocephalic trunk. Coronary arterial fistulae are also described including a coronary cameral fistula in a llama cria and an English bulldog with coronary artery aneurysm and anomalous shunting vessels from the right coronary artery to the pulmonary trunk. These examples are provided with the intent to raise awareness and improve understanding of such defects.
Evaluating Various Low-Impact Development Scenarios for Optimal Design Criteria Development
Authors: Seo Mijin , Jaber Fouad , Srinivasan Raghavan
Published: April 2017

Low-impact development (LID) practices as a new approach to urban stormwater management have demonstrated their positive effects through the reduction of surface runoff volumes and pollutant loadings in a substantial amount of research. The effectiveness of LID practices can be affected by various LID conditions such as type, location, and area. Cost is also an important factor to be considered in the evaluation of LID effects. This study presented the optimal LID conditions that can achieve targeted reduction goals with minimal cost, and analyzed the effectiveness of LID practices under optimal LID conditions and the consequential cost on a watershed scale. To determine cost-effective LID conditions, three types of LID practices (rain gardens, rainwater harvesting tanks, and permeable pavements), two locations (residential and commercial areas), and percent allocation of LID practices were considered. Manual optimization was conducted under those LID conditions for five targeted reduction goals which were set for surface runoff and nutrient loadings. The results provided various configurations of cost-effective conditions in treating the targeted goals, and represented the impacts of the optimized LID conditions on the effectiveness of LID practices and the consequential cost. The present study could ultimately assist regulators in establishing proper watershed-scale strategies of LID conditions for effectively managing watersheds.
Comparative Analysis of HRU and Grid-Based SWAT Models
Authors: Pignotti Garett , Rathjens Hendrik , Cibin Raj , Chaubey Indrajeet , Crawford Melba
Published: April 2017

A grid-based version of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, SWATgrid, was developed to perform simulations on a regularized grid with a modified routing algorithm to allow interaction between grid cells. However, SWATgrid remains largely untested with little understanding of the impact of user-defined grid cell size. Moreover, increases in computation time effectively preclude direct calibration of SWATgrid. To gain insight into defining appropriate strategies for future development and application of SWATgrid, this research considers the simulated differences between commonly-employed hydrologic response unit (HRU)-based and grid-based SWAT models and the implications of resolution on their simulation and calibrated parameter values for a Midwestern, agricultural watershed. Results indicate that: (1) the gridded approach underpredicted simulated streamflow between 5% and 50% relative to the baseline model, depending upon the input spatial resolution and routing algorithm implemented; (2) gridded models generally underpredicted total phosphorous and sediment loads while overpredicting nitrate load; and (3) ranges of values of optimized model parameters remained similar up to 90 m. Results from this analysis should help in defining future applications of the SWATgrid model and the effects of differing spatial resolution of the model input data.
Recombination‐dependent replication and gene conversion homogenize repeat sequences and diversify plastid genome structure
Authors: Ruhlman Tracey A. , Zhang Jin , Blazier John C. , Sabir Jamal S. M. , Jansen Robert K.
Published: April 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

There is a misinterpretation in the literature regarding the variable orientation of the small single copy region of plastid genomes (plastomes). The common phenomenon of small and large single copy inversion, hypothesized to occur through intramolecular recombination between inverted repeats (IR) in a circular, single unit‐genome, in fact, more likely occurs through recombination‐dependent replication (RDR) of linear plastome templates. If RDR can be primed through both intra‐ and intermolecular recombination, then this mechanism could not only create inversion isomers of so‐called single copy regions, but also an array of alternative sequence arrangements.

METHODS:

We used Illumina paired‐end and PacBio single‐molecule real‐time (SMRT) sequences to characterize repeat structure in the plastome ofMonsonia emarginata(Geraniaceae). We used OrgConv and inspected nucleotide alignments to infer ancestral nucleotides and identify gene conversion among repeats and mapped long (>1 kb) SMRT reads against the unit‐genome assembly to identify alternative sequence arrangements.

RESULTS:

AlthoughM. emarginatalacks the canonical IR, we found that large repeats (>1 kilobase; kb) represent ∼22% of the plastome nucleotide content. Among the largest repeats (>2 kb), we identified GC‐biased gene conversion and mapping filtered, long SMRT reads to theM. emarginataunit‐genome assembly revealed alternative, substoichiometric sequence arrangements.

CONCLUSION:

We offer a model based on RDR and gene conversion between long repeated sequences in theM. emarginataplastome and provide support that both intra‐and intermolecular recombination between large repeats, particularly in repeat‐rich plastomes, varies unit‐genome structure while homogenizing the nucleotide sequence of repeats.
Development and characterization of EST‐SSR markers in Stipa breviflora (Poaceae)
Authors: Ren Jing , Su Zhi‐Zhen , Dang Zhen‐Hua , Ding Yu , Wang Pei‐Xuan , Niu Jian‐Ming
Published: April 2017

Premise of the study:

Stipa breviflora (Poaceae) is one of the dominant species of the desert steppe in the eastern Eurasian grasslands. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed for use in genetic diversity studies of this species.

Methods and Results:

A total of 1954 potentially polymorphic loci were obtained by comparing transcriptome data of eight different S. breviflora individuals. We selected 81 loci to verify polymorphism and 63 loci amplified, of which 21 loci exhibited polymorphism. The number of alleles per locus varied from two to 24, the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.083 to 0.958, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.396 to 0.738.

Conclusions:

These newly identified SSR loci can be used for population genetic and landscape genetic studies of S. breviflora. In addition, 14 loci also amplified in six related Stipa species (S. grandis, S. krylovii, S. bungeana, S. aliena, S. gobica, and S. purpurea).
Binaural Interference: Quo Vadis?
Authors: Jerger James , Silman Shlomo , Silverman Carol , Emmer Michele
Published: April 2017

The reality of the phenomenon of binaural interference with speech recognition has been debated for two decades. Research has taken one of two avenues; group studies or case reports. In group studies, a sample of the elderly population is tested on speech recognition under three conditions;
binaural, monaural right and monaural left. The aim is to determine the percent of the sample in which the expected outcome (binaural score-better-than-either-monaural score) is reversed (i.e., one of the monaural scores is better than the binaural score). This outcome has been commonly used
to define binaural interference. The object of group studies is to answer the “how many” question, what is the prevalence of binaural interference in the sample.In case reports the binaural interference conclusion suggested by the speech recognition tests is not accepted until
it has been corroborated by other independent diagnostic audiological measures. The aim is to attempt to determine the basis for the findings, to answer the “why” question.This article is at once tutorial, editorial and a case report. We argue that it is time to accept the reality
of the phenomenon of binaural interference, to eschew group statistical approaches in search of an answer to the “how many” question, and to focus on individual case reports in search of an answer to the “why” question.