bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Two Small Pharmacy Schools’ Competency Standards Compare with an International Competency Framework and How Well These Schools Prepare Students for International Placements
Authors: Hawboldt John , Nash Rose , FitzPatrick Beverly
Published: March 2017

International standards of pharmacy curricula are necessary to ensure student readiness for international placements. This paper explores whether curricula from two pharmacy programs, in Australia and Canada, are congruent with international standards and if students feel prepared for international placements. Nationally prescribed educational standards for the two schools were compared to each other and then against the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Global Competency Framework. Written student reflections complemented this analysis. Mapping results suggested substantial agreement between the FIP framework and Australia and Canada, with two gaps being identified. Moreover, the students felt their programs prepared them for their international placements. Despite differences in countries, pharmacy programs, and health-systems all students acclimatized to their new practice sites. Implications are that if pharmacy programs align well with FIP, pharmacists should be able to integrate and practise in other jurisdictions that also align with the FIP. This has implications for the mobility of pharmacy practitioners to countries not of their origin of training.
Au Nanoparticles Immobilized on Honeycomb-Like Polymeric Films for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Detection
Authors: Chiang Chia-Yen , Liu Ting-Yu , Su Yu-An , Wu Chien-Hsin , Cheng Yu-Wei , Cheng Ho-Wen , Jeng Ru-Jong
Published: March 2017

We have successfully developed novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates with three-dimensional (3D) porous structures for effectively improving the sensitivity and reproducibility of SERS, which can rapidly detect small molecules (rhodamine 6G as an example). Periodical arrays of the honeycomb-like substrates were fabricated by self-assembling polyurethane-co-azetidine-2,4-dione (PU-PAZ) polymers. PU-PAZ comprising amphiphilic dendrons could stabilize the phase separation between the water droplets and polymer solution, and then organize into regular porous structures during the breath figure method. Subsequently, SERS substrates were fabricated by immobilizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto the honeycomb-like films with various 3D porous structures, controlled by the different PU-PAZ concentrations and relative humidities. Results show that surface enhancement factors of honeycomb-like substrates were 20 times higher than that of flat-film substrates (control group) due to enormous hot-spots resonance effects by the 3D porous structure, verified through Raman mapping at various positions of the z-axis. Furthermore, the particle size effects were evaluated by immobilized 12 and 67 nm of AuNPs on the honeycomb-like substrates, indicating larger AuNPs could induce more pronounced hot-spots effects. The generation of hot-spots resonance to enhance Raman intensity is strongly dependent on the diameter of AuNPs and the pore size of the honeycomb-like and 3D porous substrates for label-free and rapid SERS detection.
Crystal Structure Evolution of UHMWPE/HDPE Blend Fibers Prepared by Melt Spinning
Authors: Wang Fei , Liu Lichao , Xue Ping , Jia Mingyin
Published: March 2017

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blend fibers with the highest tensile strength of 1.13 GPa were prepared by a melt spinning process. The mechanical behavior and crystal structure of the as-spun filaments and fibers were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), sound velocity orientation testing, and tensile testing. The orientation degree, crystallinity, tensile strength, and initial modulus of the fibers increased with the increasing of the draw ratios. The grain size was shortened in the radial direction and elongated in the axial direction. The results suggested that the improvement of the tensile strength and initial modulus was a result of the compact crystal structure formed by slender grains composed of highly oriented molecular chains. Blending with HDPE could improve the formation of a slender and compact crystal structure, and the tensile strength and initial modulus of the blend fibers were higher.
Evaluation of Orthomosics and Digital Surface Models Derived from Aerial Imagery for Crop Type Mapping
Authors: Wu Mingquan , Yang Chenghai , Song Xiaoyu , Hoffmann Wesley , Huang Wenjiang , Niu Zheng , Wang Changyao , Li Wang
Published: March 2017

Orthomosics and digital surface models (DSM) derived from aerial imagery, acquired by consumer-grade cameras, have the potential for crop type mapping. In this study, a novel method was proposed for extracting the crop height from DSM and for evaluating the orthomosics and crop height for the identification of crop types (mainly corn, cotton, and sorghum). The crop height was extracted by subtracting the DSM derived during the crop growing season from that derived after the crops were harvested. Then, the crops were identified from four-band aerial imagery (blue, green, red, and near-infrared) and the crop height, using an object-based classification method and a maximum likelihood method. The results showed that the extracted crop height had a very high linear correlation with the field measured crop height, with an R-squared value of 0.98. For the object-based method, crops could be identified from the four-band airborne imagery and crop height, with an overall accuracy of 97.50% and a kappa coefficient of 0.95, which were 2.52% and 0.04 higher than those without crop height, respectively. When considering the maximum likelihood, crops could be mapped from the four-band airborne imagery and crop height with an overall accuracy of 78.52% and a kappa coefficient of 0.67, which were 2.63% and 0.04 higher than those without crop height, respectively.
A Lookup Table-Based Method for Estimating Sea Surface Hemispherical Broadband Emissivity Values (8–13.5 μm)
Authors: Cheng Jie , Cheng Xiaolong , Liang Shunlin , Niclòs Raquel , Nie Aixiu , Liu Qiang
Published: March 2017

Sea surface hemispherical broadband emissivity (BBE, 8–13.5 μm) is a vital parameter for calculating surface radiation budgets. Such data are currently unavailable. This paper proposes a lookup table-based method for retrieving sea surface hemispherical BBE values. The physicallybased sea surface emissivity model of Wu and Smith, together with the optimal refractive index, were used to generate hemispherical BBE values under wind speeds ranging from zero to 50 m/s. A lookup table of hemispherical BBE values as a function of wind speed was established and used to retrieve sea surface hemispherical BBE values under foam-free conditions. The accuracy of the estimates of hemispherical BBE was 0.003, given a wind speed of zero. The foam effect was explicitly considered. After incorporating the foam effect, hemispherical BBE was expressed as a linear function of the hemispherical BBE values of sea water and foam, weighted by the fraction of foam coverage. With this method, we have produced an hourly sea surface hemispherical BBE product with a resolution of 10 km and global coverage that covers the period from 2003 to 2005, using wind speed data from Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA)-2.
Mid-Infrared Trace Gas Sensor Technology Based on Intracavity Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy
Authors: Wojtas Jacek , Gluszek Aleksander , Hudzikowski Arkadiusz , Tittel Frank
Published: March 2017

The application of compact inexpensive trace gas sensor technology to a mid-infrared nitric oxide (NO) detectoion using intracavity quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (I-QEPAS) is reported. A minimum detection limit of 4.8 ppbv within a 30 ms integration time was demonstrated by using a room-temperature, continuous-wave, distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser (QCL) emitting at 5.263 µm (1900.08 cm−1) and a new compact design of a high-finesse bow-tie optical cavity with an integrated resonant quartz tuning fork (QTF). The optimum configuration of the bow-tie cavity was simulated using custom software. Measurements were performed with a wavelength modulation scheme (WM) using a 2f detection procedure.
A Pulsed Thermographic Imaging System for Detection and Identification of Cotton Foreign Matter
Authors: Kuzy Jesse , Li Changying
Published: March 2017

Detection of foreign matter in cleaned cotton is instrumental to accurately grading cotton quality, which in turn impacts the marketability of the cotton. Current grading systems return estimates of the amount of foreign matter present, but provide no information about the identity of the contaminants. This paper explores the use of pulsed thermographic analysis to detect and identify cotton foreign matter. The design and implementation of a pulsed thermographic analysis system is described. A sample set of 240 foreign matter and cotton lint samples were collected. Hand-crafted waveform features and frequency-domain features were extracted and analyzed for statistical significance. Classification was performed on these features using linear discriminant analysis and support vector machines. Using waveform features and support vector machine classifiers, detection of cotton foreign matter was performed with 99.17% accuracy. Using frequency-domain features and linear discriminant analysis, identification was performed with 90.00% accuracy. These results demonstrate that pulsed thermographic imaging analysis produces data which is of significant utility for the detection and identification of cotton foreign matter.
New System of Shrinkage Measurement through Cement Mortars Drying
Authors: Morón Carlos , Saiz Pablo , Ferrández Daniel , García-Fuentevilla Luisa
Published: March 2017

Cement mortar is used as a conglomerate in the majority of construction work. There are multiple variants of cement according to the type of aggregate used in its fabrication. One of the major problems that occurs while working with this type of material is the excessive loss of moisture during cement hydration (setting and hardening), known as shrinkage, which provokes a great number of construction pathologies that are difficult to repair. In this way, the design of a new sensor able to measure the moisture loss of mortars at different age levels is useful to establish long-term predictions concerning mortar mass volume loss. The purpose of this research is the design and fabrication of a new capacitive sensor able to measure the moisture of mortars and to relate it with the shrinkage.
Imprinting Technology in Electrochemical Biomimetic Sensors
Authors: Frasco Manuela , Truta Liliana , Sales M. , Moreira Felismina
Published: March 2017

Biosensors are a promising tool offering the possibility of low cost and fast analytical screening in point-of-care diagnostics and for on-site detection in the field. Most biosensors in routine use ensure their selectivity/specificity by including natural receptors as biorecognition element. These materials are however too expensive and hard to obtain for every biochemical molecule of interest in environmental and clinical practice. Molecularly imprinted polymers have emerged through time as an alternative to natural antibodies in biosensors. In theory, these materials are stable and robust, presenting much higher capacity to resist to harsher conditions of pH, temperature, pressure or organic solvents. In addition, these synthetic materials are much cheaper than their natural counterparts while offering equivalent affinity and sensitivity in the molecular recognition of the target analyte. Imprinting technology and biosensors have met quite recently, relying mostly on electrochemical detection and enabling a direct reading of different analytes, while promoting significant advances in various fields of use. Thus, this review encompasses such developments and describes a general overview for building promising biomimetic materials as biorecognition elements in electrochemical sensors. It includes different molecular imprinting strategies such as the choice of polymer material, imprinting methodology and assembly on the transduction platform. Their interface with the most recent nanostructured supports acting as standard conductive materials within electrochemical biomimetic sensors is pointed out.
Ratiometric Dissolved Oxygen Sensors Based on Ruthenium Complex Doped with Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Jiang Zike , Yu Xinsheng , Zhai Shikui , Hao Yingyan
Published: March 2017

A ratiometric optical sensor has been developed with electrospinning processing method for dissolved oxygen measurement. The sensing film is fabricated by using silver nano-particles (Ag NPs) doped with tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) dichloride complex (Ru(DPP)3Cl2) encapsulated in plasticized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). An insensitive 3-(2-benzothiazolyl)-7-(diethy lamino)-(6CI,7CI) (Coumarin6) is adopted as reference. The ratio of oxygenation is calculated at each image pixel of a 3CCD camera to quantify the oxygen concentration in aqueous environment. Compared to Ag-free film, the response time of Ag-containing films were improved from 1.5 s to 1.0 s upon switching from deoxygenated to air saturation and from 65 s to 45 s from air saturation to fully deoxygenated. The response times of the Ag-free film obtained by knifing was 2.0 s upon switching from deoxygenated to air saturation and 104 s from air saturation to fully deoxygenated. Results of the evaluation of accuracy, limit of detection, stability, and photostability are presented. An experiment measuring the spatiotemporal variation of oxygen distribution within the photosynthesis and respiration of Chlorella vulgaris is demonstrated. It is shown that the nanofiber-based optical sensor film could serve as a promising method for rapid oxygen monitoring in aqueous applications.
Road Trafﬁc Anomaly Detection via Collaborative Path Inference from GPS Snippets
Authors: Wang Hongtao , Wen Hui , Yi Feng , Zhu Hongsong , Sun Limin
Published: March 2017

Road trafﬁc anomaly denotes a road segment that is anomalous in terms of trafﬁc ﬂow of vehicles. Detecting road trafﬁc anomalies from GPS (Global Position System) snippets data is becoming critical in urban computing since they often suggest underlying events. However, the noisy ands parse nature of GPS snippets data have ushered multiple problems, which have prompted the detection of road trafﬁc anomalies to be very challenging. To address these issues, we propose a two-stage solution which consists of two components: a Collaborative Path Inference (CPI) model and a Road Anomaly Test (RAT) model. CPI model performs path inference incorporating both static and dynamic features into a Conditional Random Field (CRF). Dynamic context features are learned collaboratively from large GPS snippets via a tensor decomposition technique. Then RAT calculates the anomalous degree for each road segment from the inferred ﬁne-grained trajectories in given time intervals. We evaluated our method using a large scale real world dataset, which includes one-month GPS location data from more than eight thousand taxi cabs in Beijing. The evaluation results show the advantages of our method beyond other baseline techniques.
An Elimination Method of Temperature-Induced Linear Birefringence in a Stray Current Sensor
Authors: Xu Shaoyi , Li Wei , Xing Fangfang , Wang Yuqiao , Wang Ruilin , Wang Xianghui
Published: March 2017

In this work, an elimination method of the temperature-induced linear birefringence (TILB) in a stray current sensor is proposed using the cylindrical spiral fiber (CSF), which produces a large amount of circular birefringence to eliminate the TILB based on geometric rotation effect. First, the differential equations that indicate the polarization evolution of the CSF element are derived, and the output error model is built based on the Jones matrix calculus. Then, an accurate search method is proposed to obtain the key parameters of the CSF, including the length of the cylindrical silica rod and the number of the curve spirals. The optimized results are 302 mm and 11, respectively. Moreover, an effective factor is proposed to analyze the elimination of the TILB, which should be greater than 7.42 to achieve the output error requirement that is not greater than 0.5%. Finally, temperature experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility of the elimination method. The results indicate that the output error caused by the TILB can be controlled less than 0.43% based on this elimination method within the range from −20 °C to 40 °C.
The 3-Omega Method for the Measurement of Fouling Thickness, the Liquid Flow Rate, and Surface Contact
Authors: Clausen Casper , Pedersen Tim , Bentien Anders
Published: March 2017

The 3-omega method is conventionally used for the measurement of thermal conductivity in solid samples. The present work includes the experimental characterization and proof-of-concept measurements of sensor concepts, based on the 3-omega method. It is shown that this method can be used to measure fouling layers with a thickness of 10 to 400 μm, to conduct the measurement of flow rates with a high precision, and finally, as a simple on-off contact sensor with a fast response time.
A Micro Bubble Structure Based Fabry–Perot Optical Fiber Strain Sensor with High Sensitivity and Low-Cost Characteristics
Authors: Yan Lu , Gui Zhiguo , Wang Guanjun , An Yongquan , Gu Jinyu , Zhang Meiqin , Liu Xinglin , Wang Zhibin , Wang Gao , Jia Pinggang
Published: March 2017

A high-sensitivity, low-cost, ultrathin, hollow fiber micro bubble structure was proposed; such a bubble can be used to develop a high-sensitivity strain sensor based on a Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI). The micro bubble is fabricated at the fiber tip by splicing a glass tube to a single mode fiber (SMF) and then the glass tube is filled with gas in order to expand and form a micro bubble. The sensitivity of the strain sensor with a cavity length of about 155 μm and a bubble wall thickness of about 6 μm was measured to be up to 8.14 pm/μϵ.
Resolving Governance Issues to Achieve Priority Sustainable Development Goals Related to Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries
Authors: Rodić Ljiljana , Wilson David
Published: March 2017

As a key utility service that more than 2 billion people are currently lacking, solid waste management (SWM) is a crosscutting issue that can be directly linked to 12 out of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Distinguishing between physical components and governance aspects of SWM, this research focuses on governance issues concerning basic solid waste collection services and controlled disposal, thus addressing the ‘How’ and the ‘Who’ dimensions of a SWM system. As a form of transdisciplinary research, the findings from the literature on governance issues in SWM were iteratively subjected to several rounds of commentary by a large group of stakeholders from six continents, within the authors’ work for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s 2015 Global Waste Management Outlook. The study identifies a combination of complementary instruments required for extending collection to all and bringing disposal under control. While municipalities have a legal responsibility for providing services to their citizens, various service providers can contribute to an effective SWM system. Appropriate forms of funding are essential to secure financial sustainability of the services under the local conditions of affordability and willingness to pay. As new services require behavioural change on the part of citizens and municipal waste departments alike, communication and exchange with other stakeholders function as enabling and supporting factors. The significance of capacity development is highlighted.
Urban Land Use Efficiency and Coordination in China
Authors: Yang Xiaodong , Wu Yongxiang , Dang Hang
Published: March 2017

Due to the focused pursuit of economic growth in the process of the large-scale urban development of China, the phenomena of low land use efficiency and discordance of land use induce unwanted economic, social, and environmental costs. This paper presents a comprehensive study of urban land use efficiency and of the degree of land use coordination of 33 cities in China, using theoretical analysis, data envelopment analysis, principal component analysis, the coordination coefficient method, and four-quadrant analysis. The findings of this study suggest a gradually increasing proportion of land use efficiency from eastern to central and western regions of China, coinciding with China’s pattern of socioeconomic development. No correlation was found between high levels of urban land use efficiency and the degree of land use coordination; however, a significant correlation was found between low land use efficiency and low degrees of land use coordination. Rational land use planning and policy design can effectively improve both urban land use efficiency and coordination.
Cosmological Perturbations in Phantom Dark Energy Models
Authors: Albarran Imanol , Bouhmadi-López Mariam , Morais João
Published: March 2017

The ΛCDM paradigm, characterised by a constant equation of state w = − 1 for dark energy, is the model that better fits observations. However, the same observations strongly support the possibility of a dark energy content where the corresponding equation of state is close to but slightly smaller than − 1 . In this regard, we focus on three different models where the dark energy content is described by a perfect fluid with an equation of state w ≲ − 1 which can evolve or not. The three proposals show very similar behaviour at present, while the asymptotic evolution of each model drives the Universe to different abrupt events known as (i) Big Rip; (ii) Little Rip (LR); and (iii) Little Sibling of the Big Rip. With the aim of comparing these models and finding possible imprints in their predicted matter distribution, we compute the matter power spectrum and the growth rate f σ 8 . We conclude that the model which induces a LR seems to be favoured by observations.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Neuropathogenesis: A Model for HIV-Induced CNS Inflammation and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Meeker Rick , Hudson Lola
Published: March 2017

Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV), similar to its human analog human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), enters the central nervous system (CNS) soon after infection and establishes a protected viral reservoir. The ensuing inflammation and damage give rise to varying degrees of cognitive decline collectively known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Because of the similarities to HIV infection and disease, FIV has provided a useful model for both in vitro and in vivo studies of CNS infection, inflammation and pathology. This mini review summarizes insights gained from studies of early infection, immune cell trafficking, inflammation and the mechanisms of neuropathogenesis. Advances in our understanding of these processes have contributed to the development of therapeutic interventions designed to protect neurons and regulate inflammatory activity.
The Awareness of the International Veterinary Profession of Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine and Preferred Methods of Training
Authors: Huntley Selene , Dean Rachel , Brennan Marnie
Published: March 2017

Evidence-based veterinary medicine (EVM) is an evolving discipline in veterinary medicine so it is important to periodically “benchmark” opinion about EVM across the profession. An international survey to assess veterinarians’ awareness of EVM was conducted. Veterinarians were surveyed via an online questionnaire (all countries) or a postal questionnaire (UK only). Participants were asked whether they had heard of EVM, where they had first heard the term, and their preferences of method for receiving continuing professional development (CPD). There were 6310 respondents, of which 4579 (72.5%) worked in the UK and 5384 (85.3%) were clinicians. Veterinarians that had heard of EVM (n = 5420, 85.9%) were most likely to be clinicians (OR = 4.00; 95% CI: 3.37, 4.75), respondents working in the UK (OR = 1.32; CI: 1.13, 1.54), or respondents with a postgraduate degree or qualification (OR = 1.77; CI: 1.51, 2.08). The most common sources from which respondents had heard of EVM were at vet school or university (n = 1207, 29.8%), via literature (peer-reviewed papers or other publications) (n = 1074, 26.5%), and via CPD courses (n = 564, 13.9%). Most respondents were interested in finding out more about EVM (n = 4256 of 6173, 69%). The preferred methods of CPD were day or evening seminars (n = 2992 of 6017, 49.7%), conferences (n = 1409, 23.4%), and online courses (n = 524, 8.7%), although the order of preference differed slightly between groups. There appears to be substantial awareness of EVM amongst veterinarians internationally. However, it appears that further training in EVM would be welcomed. Preferences on how CPD in general is received differs between groups, so this should be borne in mind by training providers when formulating a strategy for the dissemination of EVM training across the global profession.
Optimization of Bioelectricity Generation in Constructed Wetland-Coupled Microbial Fuel Cell Systems
Authors: Song Hailiang , Zhang Shuai , Long Xizi , Yang Xiaoli , Li Hua , Xiang Wenli
Published: March 2017

Constructed wetland-coupled microbial fuel cell systems (CW-MFCs) incorporate an aerobic zone and an anaerobic zone to generate electricity that achieves the oxidative degradation of contaminants. However, there are few reports on the performance of such coupled systems. In this study, we determined the optimal configuration of CW-MFCs to characterize their electricity generation performance. Based on the results using different levels of dissolved oxygen among the CW-MFCs, we concluded that a 20-cm distance between the anode and cathode produced an optimal removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 94.90% with a 0.15 W/m3 power density, 339.80 Ω internal resistance, and 0.31% coulombic efficiency. In addition, a COD of 200 mg/L provided greater electricity generation (741 mV open circuit voltage, 0.20 W/m3 power density, 339.80 Ω internal resistance, and 0.49 mA current) and purification ability (90.45% COD removal) to meet system COD loading limitations than did higher COD values. By adding 50 mM phosphate buffer solution to synthetic wastewater, relatively high conductivity and buffer capacity were achieved, resulting in improvement in electricity generation. These findings highlight important aspects of bioelectricity generation in CW-MFCs.
Multivariate Analysis of Joint Probability of Different Rainfall Frequencies Based on Copulas
Authors: Wang Yang , Li Chuanzhe , Liu Jia , Yu Fuliang , Qiu Qingtai , Tian Jiyang , Zhang Mengjie
Published: March 2017

The performance evaluation of a city’s flood control system is essentially based on accurate storm designs, where a particular challenge is the development of the joint distributions of dependent rainfall variables. When it comes to the research design for consecutive rainfall, the analytical investigation is only focused on the maximum of consecutive rainfalls, and it does not consider the probabilistic relations between the first day of rainfall and the overall rainfall included in consecutive rainfall events. In this study, the copula method is used to separate the dependence structure of multi-day rainfall from its marginal distribution and analyse the different impacts of the dependence structure and marginal distribution on system performance. Three one-parameter Archimedean copulas, including the Clayton, Gumbel, and Frank families, are fitted and compared for different combinations of marginal distributions that cannot be rejected by statistical tests. The fitted copulas are used to generate rainfall events for a system performance analysis, including the conditional probability and design values for different return periods. The results obtained in this study highlight the importance of taking into account the dependence structure of one-day and multi-day rainfall in the context of storm design evaluations and reveal the different impacts of the dependence structure and the marginal distributions on the probability.
La mousse Buxbaumia viridis (Bryophytes, Buxbaumiacées) retrouvée dans l'Ain (France)
Authors: Philippe Marc
Published: March 2017

La mousse Buxbaumia viridis, espèce rare en France, considérée comme non revue depuis près d'un siècle dans l'Ain, a été retrouvée dans plusieurs localités. Celles-ci se situent toutes dans des forêts calcicoles. Une brève revue des stations de Rhône-Alpes et de l'arc jurassien montre que des forêts de ce type accueillent régulièrement la Buxbaumie verte.
La costière rhodanienne granitique de Givors à Châteaubourg (France)
Authors: Delaigue Jacques
Published: March 2017

Il s'agit de la bordure orientale du Massif central, en grande partie ardéchoise. La végétation y est variable selon les conditions climatiques ou topographiques. Zone de transition et de refuge, notre dition est caractérisée par sa richesse floristique, les plantes méridionales venant plus ou moins se mêler aux plantes atlantico-continentales. L'auteur a voulu rassembler les nombreuses données anciennes, trop éparses et pas assez sélectives, avec ses propres observations, afin d'arriver à un ensemble plus cohérent.
Megischina rosinae(Seidlitz, 1896) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Alleculinae), genre et espèce nouveaux pour la faune de France
Authors: Soldati Fabien , Bouyon Hervé
Published: March 2017

Megischina rosinae (Seidlitz, 1896), Coléoptère Tenebrionidae ibérique méconnu, est signalé pour la première fois de France, dans et aux environs de la réserve naturelle de Jujols (Pyrénées-Orientales). Des commentaires écologiques, faunistiques et morphologiques sont apportés. Une photographie d'habitus de cette nouvelle espèce pour la faune française est présentée pour la première fois.
Nouvelles observations sur les Gastrotriches d'eau douce de Guyane française
Authors: d'Hondt Jean-Loup , Pourriot Roger , Rougier Claude
Published: March 2017

Finding in French Guyana of three species of freshwater gastrotrichs considered up to now as endemic from Paraguay. Anyone of these species is known from Brazil. Biogeographical remarks on the freshwater Gastrotricha from South America.
Réhabilitation de Adrastus luteipennis Erichson, 1841 , espèce distincte de A. rachifer (Geoffroy, 1875) (Coleoptera Elateridae).
Authors: Leseigneur Lucien
Published: March 2017

Adrastus luteipennis Erichson, 1841, considéré comme synonyme de Adrastus rachifer Geoffroy, 1785, est en réalité bien distinct de cette espèce par plusieurs caractères morphologiques externes et par la forme de l'édéage. Il s'en distingue aussi à première vue par sa couleur jaune paille uniforme et sa taille plus grande. Adrastus rachifer Fourcroy var. reitteri Buysson, 1896 = Adrastus luteipennis Erichson, 1841 syn. nov.
A propos de Poecilus sericeus monspessulani Schatzmayr, 1943 : sous-espèce localisée aux environs de Montpellier (Coleoptera Carabidae)
Authors: Pupier René
Published: March 2017

L'indication de la présence de la sous-espèce Poecilus sericeus monspessulani dans la région Rhône-Alpes est vraisemblablement erronée. Nous donnons les raisons de cette incertitude.
Ontogeny and the process of biomineralization in the trichomes of Loasaceae
Authors: Mustafa Adeel , Ensikat Hans‐Jürgen , Weigend Maximilian
Published: March 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

South American Loasaceae have a morphologically complex trichome cover, which is characterized by multiple biomineralization. The current study investigates the ontogeny of these complex trichomes and the process of their biomineralization, since both are very poorly understood.

METHODS:

The development of stinging trichomes on various parts of the plants and the process of mineralization were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX).

KEY RESULTS:

Trichomes are initiated very early in organ development and the different trichome types begin developing their distinctive morphology at a very early developmental stage. Biomineralization in the stinging trichomes starts with the deposition of silica or calcium phosphate in the apex and then proceeds basipetally, with a more irregular, subsimultaneous mineralization of the base and the shaft. Mineralization of the scabrid‐glochidiate trichomes starts on the surface processes and in the apex (silica, calcium phosphate), with a subsequent mineralization of the shaft with calcium carbonate.

CONCLUSION:

Mineralized trichomes in Loasaceae provide an excellent model for the study of biomineralization. The overall sequence of mineralization is typically from distal and peripheral to proximal and central. Typically, three biominerals—silica, calcium carbonate, and calcium phosphate—are differentially and sequentially deposited in different parts of each unicellular stinging trichome.
A Modern Search for Wolf–Rayet Stars in the Magellanic Clouds. III. A Third Year of Discoveries*
Authors: Massey Philip , Neugent Kathryn F. , Morrell Nidia
Published: March 2017

For the past three years we have been conducting a survey for Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC, SMC). Our previous work resulted in the discovery of a new type of WR star in the LMC, which we are calling WN3/O3. These stars have the emission-line properties of a WN3 star (strong N v, but no N iv), plus the absorption-line properties of an O3 star (Balmer hydrogen plus Pickering He ii, but no He i). Yet, these stars are 15 times fainter than an O3 V star, ruling out the possibility that WN3/O3s are WN3+O3 binaries. Here we report the discovery of two more members of this class, bringing the total number of these objects to 10, 6.5% of the LMC’s total WR population. The optical spectra of nine of these WN3/O3s are virtually indistinguishable from each other, but one of the newly found stars is significantly different, showing a lower excitation emission and absorption spectrum (WN4/O4-ish). In addition, we have newly classified three unusual Of-type stars, including one with a strong C iii

line, and two rapidly rotating “Oef” stars. We also “rediscovered” a low mass X-ray binary, RX J0513.9-6951, and demonstrate its spectral variability. Finally, we discuss the spectra of 10 low priority WR candidates that turned out to not have He ii emission. These include both a Be star and a B[e] star.
An Evaluation of U.S. National Wildlife Refuge Planning for Off-Road Vehicle Use
Authors: Fischman Robert L. , Meretsky Vicky J. , Freeman Katie , Lamm Alexi , Missik Leah , Salmon Scott
Published: March 2017

Off-road vehicles (hereafter, ORVs) rank high among public-land management challenges because they are popular, often impair environmental conditions, and may cause conflicts with other recreational users. Unit-level planning for federal lands increasingly translates broad, system-wide objectives, such as maintenance of ecological integrity, into place-based limitations on ORV use to minimize and mitigate adverse impacts on wildlife. We reviewed 176 planning documents covering 313 National Wildlife Refuges (hereafter, Refuges) to understand how planning supports or undermines ORV recreation management. These plans offer an important perspective on ORV management because the Refuges are a large, diverse system of conservation lands where recreation may be permitted only where it is compatible with wildlife protection. Of the plans we evaluated, 24% mentioned ORV use and 12% prescribed some action related to ORVs. The most common prescriptions banned ORV use or limited it to mobility-impaired hunters. Many plans lacked clarity or documentation of analysis in discussing ORV recreation. When analyses grouped ORV use with other activities, such as hunting or other modes of transportation, they often failed to consider the characteristic effects of ORV use. Regardless of how ORV use was categorized, evaluation of its effects seldom considered the full range of environmental impacts documented in the scientific literature. Published research recommends many best practices for managing ORV use and impacts. Though some are habitat specific, five general best-practice categories highlight where planning connects with and diverges from common recommendations. Other land management agencies offer helpful models for implementing these practices in planning. We suggest that public land managers employ tools from each of the five categories: policy formation and public participation, spatial and temporal route planning, permitting, monitoring, and enforcement. The plan prescriptions we examined were strongest in their efforts at route planning. Refuge prescriptions have the most room to improve in detailing how they can work with neighbors and external stakeholders in formulating ORV-use rules.
Applying an Electromagnetism-Like Algorithm for Solving the Manufacturing Cell Design Problem
Authors: Lanza-Gutierrez Jose M. , Soto Ricardo , Crawford Broderick , Gomez-Pulido Juan A. , Fernandez Nicolas , Castillo Carlos
Published: March 2017

Group technology has acquired a great consideration in the last years. This technique allows including the advantages of serial production to any manufacturing industry by dividing a manufacturing plant into a set of machine-part cells. The identification and formation of the cells are known as the Manufacturing Cell Design Problem (MCDP), which is an NP-hard problem. In this paper, the authors propose to solve the problem through a swarm intelligence metaheuristic called ElectroMagnetism-like (EM-like) algorithm, which is inspired by the attraction-repulsion mechanism of particles in the context of the electromagnetic theory. The original EM-like algorithm was designed for solving continuous optimization problems, while the MCDP is usually formulated by assuming a binary approach. Hence, the authors propose an adaptation of this algorithm for addressing the problem. Such adaptation is applied for solving a freely available dataset of the MCDP, obtaining competitive results compared to recent approaches.
Collective-Animal-Behaviour-Based Optimized Null Placement in Time-Modulated Linear Antenna Arrays
Authors: Ram Gopi , Kar Rajib , Mandal Durbadal , Ghoshal Sakti Prasad
Published: March 2017

In this paper optimal design of time modulated linear antenna arrays (TMLAA) with optimal placement of nulls in the desired direction of elevation plane has been dealt with the approach based on evolutionary algorithm like collective animal behaviour (CAB). Analysis has been done in theoretical and practical environment. Firstly the current excitation weights of the linear array of isotropic elements have been optimized by CAB is applied to improve null performance of TMLAA by Radio Frequency (RF) switch in MATLAB environment. The nulls positions of a TMLAA can be reduced significantly by optimizing the static excitation amplitudes and proper design of switch-on time intervals of each element. The CAB adjusts the current excitation amplitude of each element to place deeper nulls in the desired directions. Secondly the obtained optimal current excitation weight of the array factor is practically implemented in computer simulation technology- microwave studio (CST- MWS) environment. The array of microstrip patch antenna has been designed to operate at 5.85 GHz.
Distinct and Overlapping Functions of TEC Kinase and BTK in B Cell Receptor Signaling
Authors: de Bruijn Marjolein J. W. , Rip Jasper , van der Ploeg Esmee K. , van Greuningen Lars W. , Ta Van T. B. , Kil Laurens P. , Langerak Anton W. , Rimmelzwaan Guus F. , Ellmeier Wilfried , Hendriks Rudi W. , Corneth Odilia B. J.
Published: March 2017

The Tec tyrosine kinase is expressed in many cell types, including hematopoietic cells, and is a member of the Tec kinase family that also includes Btk. Although the role of Btk in B cells has been extensively studied, the role of Tec kinase in B cells remains largely unclear. It was previously shown that Tec kinase has the ability to partly compensate for loss of Btk activity in B cell differentiation, although the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this study, we confirm that Tec kinase is not essential for normal B cell development when Btk is present, but we also found that Tec-deficient mature B cells showed increased activation, proliferation, and survival upon BCR stimulation, even in the presence of Btk. Whereas Tec deficiency did not affect phosphorylation of phospholipase Cγ or Ca2+ influx, it was associated with significantly increased activation of the intracellular Akt/S6 kinase signaling pathway upon BCR and CD40 stimulation. The increased S6 kinase phosphorylation in Tec-deficient B cells was dependent on Btk kinase activity, as ibrutinib treatment restored pS6 to wild-type levels, although Btk protein and phosphorylation levels were comparable to controls. In Tec-deficient mice in vivo, B cell responses to model Ags and humoral immunity upon influenza infection were enhanced. Moreover, aged mice lacking Tec kinase developed a mild autoimmune phenotype. Taken together, these data indicate that in mature B cells, Tec and Btk may compete for activation of the Akt signaling pathway, whereby the activating capacity of Btk is limited by the presence of Tec kinase.
PPAR-α Activation Mediates Innate Host Defense through Induction of TFEB and Lipid Catabolism
Authors: Kim Yi Sak , Lee Hye-Mi , Kim Jin Kyung , Yang Chul-Su , Kim Tae Sung , Jung Mingyu , Jin Hyo Sun , Kim Sup , Jang Jichan , Oh Goo Taeg , Kim Jin-Man , Jo Eun-Kyeong
Published: March 2017

The role of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPAR-α) in innate host defense is largely unknown. In this study, we show that PPAR-α is essential for antimycobacterial responses via activation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) transcription and inhibition of lipid body formation. PPAR-α deficiency resulted in an increased bacterial load and exaggerated inflammatory responses during mycobacterial infection. PPAR-α agonists promoted autophagy, lysosomal biogenesis, phagosomal maturation, and antimicrobial defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M. bovis bacillus Calmette–Guérin. PPAR-α agonists regulated multiple genes involved in autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, including Lamp2, Rab7, and Tfeb in bone marrow–derived macrophages. Silencing of TFEB reduced phagosomal maturation and antimicrobial responses, but increased macrophage inflammatory responses during mycobacterial infection. Moreover, PPAR-α activation promoted lipid catabolism and fatty acid β-oxidation in macrophages during mycobacterial infection. Taken together, our data indicate that PPAR-α mediates antimicrobial responses to mycobacterial infection by inducing TFEB and lipid catabolism.
The Cytokine Response to Lipopolysaccharide Does Not Predict the Host Response to Infection
Authors: Fensterheim Benjamin A. , Guo Yin , Sherwood Edward R. , Bohannon Julia K.
Published: March 2017

The magnitude of the LPS-elicited cytokine response is commonly used to assess immune function in critically ill patients. A suppressed response, known as endotoxin tolerance, is associated with worse outcomes, yet endotoxin tolerance-inducing TLR4 ligands are known to protect animals from infection. Thus, it remains unknown whether the magnitude of the LPS-elicited cytokine response provides an accurate assessment of antimicrobial immunity. To address this, the ability of diverse TLR ligands to modify the LPS-elicited cytokine response and resistance to infection were assessed. Priming of mice with LPS, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), or poly(I:C) significantly reduced plasma LPS–elicited proinflammatory cytokines, reflecting endotoxin tolerance, whereas CpG-ODN–primed mice showed augmented cytokine production. In contrast, LPS, MPLA, and CpG-ODN, but not poly(I:C), improved the host response to a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Mice primed with protective TLR ligands, including CpG-ODN, showed reduced plasma cytokines during P. aeruginosa infection. The protection imparted by TLR ligands persisted for up to 15 d yet was independent of the adaptive immune system. In bone marrow–derived macrophages, protective TLR ligands induced a persistent metabolic phenotype characterized by elevated glycolysis and oxidative metabolism as well as augmented size, granularity, phagocytosis, and respiratory burst. Sustained augmentation of glycolysis in TLR-primed cells was dependent, in part, on hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α and was essential for increased phagocytosis. In conclusion, the magnitude of LPS-elicited cytokine production is not indicative of antimicrobial immunity after exposure to TLR ligands. Additionally, protective TLR ligands induce sustained augmentation of phagocyte metabolism and antimicrobial function.
Factors affecting the course of body and kidney growth in infants with urolithiasis: A critical long-term evaluation
Authors: Sarica Kemal , Narter Fatma , Sabuncu Kubilay , Akca Ahmet , Can Utku , Buz Ayse , Sarica H. Nese , Eryildirim Bilal
Published: March 2017

Objective: To investigate the possible effects of dietary, patient and stone related factors on the clinical course of the stone disease as well as the body and renal growth status of the infants. Patients and Methods: A total of 50 children with an history of stone disease during infancy period were studied. Patient (anatomical abnormalities, urinary tract infection - UTI, associated morbidities), stone (obstruction, UTI and required interventions) and lastly dietary (duration of sole breast feeding, formula feeding) related factors which may affect the clinical course of the disease were all evaluated for their effects on the body and renal growth during long-term follow-up. Results: Mean age of the children was 2.40 ± 2.65 years. Our findings demonstrated that infants receiving longer period of breast feeding without formula addition seemed to have a higher rate of normal growth percentile values when compared with the other children. Again, higher frequency of UTI and stone attacks affected the growth status of the infants in a remarkable manner than the other cases. Our findings also demonstrated that thorough a close follow-up and appropriately taken measures; the possible growth retardation as well as renal growth problems could be avoided in children beginning to suffer from stone disease during infancy period. Conclusions: Duration of breast feeding, frequency of UTI, number of stone attacks and stone removal procedures are crucial factors for the clinical course of stone disease in infants that may affect the body as well as kidney growth during long-term follow-up.