bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Potential Sources of Mercury (Hg) in Farmland Soil Using a Decision Tree Method in China
Authors: Zhong Taiyang , Chen Dongmei , Zhang Xiuying
Published: November 2016

Identification of the sources of soil mercury (Hg) on the provincial scale is helpful for enacting effective policies to prevent further contamination and take reclamation measurements. The natural and anthropogenic sources and their contributions of Hg in Chinese farmland soil were identified based on a decision tree method. The results showed that the concentrations of Hg in parent materials were most strongly associated with the general spatial distribution pattern of Hg concentration on a provincial scale. The decision tree analysis gained an 89.70% total accuracy in simulating the influence of human activities on the additions of Hg in farmland soil. Human activities—for example, the production of coke, application of fertilizers, discharge of wastewater, discharge of solid waste, and the production of non-ferrous metals—were the main external sources of a large amount of Hg in the farmland soil.
Access to Drinking Water and Sanitation in Rural Kazakhstan
Authors: Tussupova Kamshat , Hjorth Peder , Berndtsson Ronny
Published: November 2016

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require nations to ensure adequate water supply for all. For Kazakhstan, this means that rural areas will need much stronger attention as they have been rather neglected in efforts to comply with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This study aims to establish a baseline data concerning the current situation in villages that will need interventions according to the SDGs. The study was performed by means of questionnaires. The results should be seen as initial guidelines that can help to illuminate some of the uncounted challenges in future efforts to meet the SDG targets. As hardly any information exists about sanitation in rural Kazakhstan, the study essentially focuses on water services. The results show that 65% of rural dwellers want to connect and pay for the piped water supply. At the same time, about 80% have toilets outside their home. Consequently, the water program aiming at providing 80% of rural people with access to tap water from a centralized piped system will not be possible. However, by carefully managing the existing water supply and sanitation system in joint collaboration with the local users, significant progress can be made. The present results show the important first steps that need to be taken in this direction.
Measurement of Low Carbon Economy Efficiency with a Three-Stage Data Envelopment Analysis: A Comparison of the Largest Twenty CO2 Emitting Countries
Authors: Liu Xiang , Liu Jia
Published: November 2016

This paper employs a three-stage approach to estimate low carbon economy efficiency in the largest twenty CO2 emitting countries from 2000 to 2012. The approach includes the following three stages: (1) use of a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with undesirable output to estimate the low carbon economy efficiency and calculate the input and output slacks; (2) use of a stochastic frontier approach to eliminate the impacts of external environment variables on these slacks; (3) re-estimation of the efficiency with adjusted inputs and outputs to reflect the capacity of the government to develop a low carbon economy. The results indicate that the low carbon economy efficiency performances in these countries had worsened during the studied period. The performances in the third stage are larger than that in the first stage. Moreover, in general, low carbon economy efficiency in Annex I countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is better than that in Non-Annex I countries. However, the gap of the average efficiency score between Annex I and Non-Annex I countries in the first stage is smaller than that in the third stage. It implies that the external environment variables show greater influence on Non-Annex I countries than that on Annex I countries. These external environment variables should be taken into account in the transnational negotiation of the responsibility of promoting CO2 reductions. Most importantly, the developed countries (mostly in Annex I) should help the developing countries (mostly in Non-Annex I) to reduce carbon emission by opening or expanding the trade, such as encouraging the import and export of the energy-saving and sharing emission reduction technology.
Detecting Urban Transport Modes Using a Hybrid Knowledge Driven Framework from GPS Trajectory
Authors: Das Rahul , Winter Stephan
Published: November 2016

Transport mode information is essential for understanding people’s movement behavior and travel demand estimation. Current approaches extract travel information once the travel is complete. Such approaches are limited in terms of generating just-in-time information for a number of mobility based applications, e.g., real time mode specific patronage estimation. In order to detect the transport modalities from GPS trajectories, various machine learning approaches have already been explored. However, the majority of them produce only a single conclusion from a given set of evidences, ignoring the uncertainty of any mode classification. Also, the existing machine learning approaches fall short in explaining their reasoning scheme. In contrast, a fuzzy expert system can explain its reasoning scheme in a human readable format along with a provision of inferring different outcome possibilities, but lacks the adaptivity and learning ability of machine learning. In this paper, a novel hybrid knowledge driven framework is developed by integrating a fuzzy logic and a neural network to complement each other’s limitations. Thus the aim of this paper is to automate the tuning process in order to generate an intelligent hybrid model that can perform effectively in near-real time mode detection using GPS trajectory. Tests demonstrate that a hybrid knowledge driven model works better than a purely knowledge driven model and at per the machine learning models in the context of transport mode detection.
Berberine Alleviates Olanzapine-Induced Adipogenesis via the AMPKα–SREBP Pathway in 3T3-L1 Cells
Authors: Li Yanjie , Zhao Xiaomin , Feng Xiyu , Liu Xuemei , Deng Chao , Hu Chang-Hua
Published: November 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of berberine (BBR) on olanzapine (OLZ)-induced adipogenesis in a well-replicated 3T3-L1 cell model. Oil-Red-O (ORO) staining showed that BBR significantly decreased OLZ-induced adipogenesis. Co-treatment with OLZ and BBR decreased the accumulation of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) by 55.58% ± 3.65% and 49.84% ± 8.31%, respectively, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes accompanied by reduced expression of Sterol regulatory element binding proteins 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), SREBP2, low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) genes compared with OLZ alone. Consistently, the co-treatment downregulated protein levels of SREBP1, SREBP2, and LDLR by 57.71% ± 9.42%, 73.05% ± 11.82%, and 59.46% ± 9.91%, respectively. In addition, co-treatment reversed the phosphorylation level of AMP-activated protein kinase-α (AMPKα), which was reduced by OLZ, determined via the ratio of pAMPKα:AMPKα (94.1%) compared with OLZ alone. The results showed that BBR may prevent lipid metabolism disorders caused by OLZ by reversing the degree of SREBP pathway upregulated and the phosphorylation of AMPKα downregulated. Collectively, these results indicated that BBR could be used as a potential adjuvant to prevent dyslipidemia and obesity caused by the use of second-generation antipsychotic medication.
Pharmacologic Treatment Assigned for Niemann Pick Type C1 Disease Partly Changes Behavioral Traits in Wild-Type Mice
Authors: Schlegel Victoria , Thieme Markus , Holzmann Carsten , Witt Martin , Grittner Ulrike , Rolfs Arndt , Wree Andreas
Published: November 2016

Niemann-Pick Type C1 (NPC1) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterized by accumulation of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids. Previously, we demonstrated that BALB/c-npc1nihNpc1−/− mice treated with miglustat, cyclodextrin and allopregnanolone generally performed better than untreated Npc1−/− animals. Unexpectedly, they also seemed to accomplish motor tests better than their sham-treated wild-type littermates. However, combination-treated mutant mice displayed worse cognition performance compared to sham-treated ones. To evaluate effects of these drugs in healthy BALB/c mice, we here analyzed pharmacologic effects on motor and cognitive behavior of wild-type mice. For combination treatment mice were injected with allopregnanolone/cyclodextrin weekly, starting at P7. Miglustat injections were performed daily from P10 till P23. Starting at P23, miglustat was embedded in the chow. Other mice were treated with miglustat only, or sham-treated. The battery of behavioral tests consisted of accelerod, Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, open field and hot-plate tests. Motor capabilities and spontaneous motor behavior were unaltered in both drug-treated groups. Miglustat-treated wild-type mice displayed impaired spatial learning compared to sham- and combination-treated mice. Both combination- and miglustat-treated mice showed enhanced anxiety in the elevated plus maze compared to sham-treated mice. Additionally, combination treatment as well as miglustat alone significantly reduced brain weight, whereas only combination treatment reduced body weight significantly. Our results suggest that allopregnanolone/cyclodextrin ameliorate most side effects of miglustat in wild-type mice.
Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiate into a Schwann Cell Phenotype and Promote Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Jung Namhee , Park Saeyoung , Choi Yoonyoung , Park Joo-Won , Hong Young , Park Hyun , Yu Yeonsil , Kwak Geon , Kim Han , Ryu Kyung-Ha , Kim Jae , Jo Inho , Choi Byung-Ok , Jung Sung-Chul
Published: November 2016

Schwann cells (SCs), which produce neurotropic factors and adhesive molecules, have been reported previously to contribute to structural support and guidance during axonal regeneration; therefore, they are potentially a crucial target in the restoration of injured nervous tissues. Autologous SC transplantation has been performed and has shown promising clinical results for treating nerve injuries and donor site morbidity, and insufficient production of the cells have been considered as a major issue. Here, we performed differentiation of tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs) into SC-like cells (T-MSC-SCs), to evaluate T-MSC-SCs as an alternative to SCs. Using SC markers such as CAD19, GFAP, MBP, NGFR, S100B, and KROX20 during quantitative real-time PCR we detected the upregulation of NGFR, S100B, and KROX20 and the downregulation of CAD19 and MBP at the fully differentiated stage. Furthermore, we found myelination of axons when differentiated SCs were cocultured with mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons. The application of T-MSC-SCs to a mouse model of sciatic nerve injury produced marked improvements in gait and promoted regeneration of damaged nerves. Thus, the transplantation of human T-MSCs might be suitable for assisting in peripheral nerve regeneration.
Brefeldin A-Inhibited Guanine Nucleotide-Exchange Factor 1 (BIG1) Governs the Recruitment of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 2 (TRAF2) to Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 (TNFR1) Signaling Complexes
Authors: Noguchi Takuya , Tsuchida Mei , Kogue Yosuke , Spadini Christian , Hirata Yusuke , Matsuzawa Atsushi
Published: November 2016

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) is a critical mediator of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) signaling. However, the regulatory mechanisms of TRAF2 are not fully understood. Here we show evidence that TRAF2 requires brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange factor 1 (BIG1) to be recruited into TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) signaling complexes. In BIG1 knockdown cells, TNF-α-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation was attenuated and the sensitivity to TNF-α-induced apoptosis was increased. Since these trends correlated well with those of TRAF2 deficient cells as previously demonstrated, we tested whether BIG1 functions as an upstream regulator of TRAF2 in TNFR1 signaling. As expected, we found that knockdown of BIG1 suppressed TNF-α-dependent ubiquitination of TRAF2 that is required for JNK activation, and impaired the recruitment of TRAF2 to the TNFR1 signaling complex (complex I). Moreover, we found that the recruitment of TRAF2 to the death-inducing signaling complex termed complex II was also impaired in BIG1 knockdown cells. These results suggest that BIG1 is a key component of the machinery that drives TRAF2 to the signaling complexes formed after TNFR1 activation. Thus, our data demonstrate a novel and unexpected function of BIG1 that regulates TNFR1 signaling by targeting TRAF2.
A Precision Microbiome Approach Using Sucrose for Selective Augmentation of Staphylococcus epidermidis Fermentation against Propionibacterium acnes
Authors: Wang Yanhan , Kao Ming-Shan , Yu Jinghua , Huang Stephen , Marito Shinta , Gallo Richard , Huang Chun-Ming
Published: November 2016

Acne dysbiosis happens when there is a microbial imbalance of the over-growth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) in the acne microbiome. In our previous study, we demonstrated that Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis, a probiotic skin bacterium) can exploit glycerol fermentation to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which have antimicrobial activities to suppress the growth of P. acnes. Unlike glycerol, sucrose is chosen here as a selective fermentation initiator (SFI) that can specifically intensify the fermentation activity of S. epidermidis, but not P. acnes. A co-culture of P. acnes and fermenting S. epidermidis in the presence of sucrose significantly led to a reduction in the growth of P. acnes. The reduction was abolished when P. acnes was co-cultured with non-fermenting S. epidermidis. Results from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis revealed four SCFAs (acetic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, and succinic acid) were detectable in the media of S. epidermidis sucrose fermentation. To validate the interference of S. epidermidis sucrose fermentation with P. acnes, mouse ears were injected with both P. acnes and S. epidermidis plus sucrose or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The level of macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and the number of P. acnes in ears injected with two bacteria plus sucrose were considerably lower than those in ears injected with two bacteria plus PBS. Our results demonstrate a precision microbiome approach by using sucrose as a SFI for S. epidermidis, holding future potential as a novel modality to equilibrate dysbiotic acne.
MicroRNAs 10a and 10b Regulate the Expression of Human Platelet Glycoprotein Ibα for Normal Megakaryopoiesis
Authors: Zhang Zuping , Ran Yali , Shaw Tanner , Peng Yuandong
Published: November 2016

MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that bind to the three prime untranslated region (3′-UTR) of target mRNAs. They cause a cleavage or an inhibition of the translation of target mRNAs, thus regulating gene expression. Here, we employed three prediction tools to search for potential miRNA target sites in the 3′-UTR of the human platelet glycoprotein (GP) 1BA gene. A luciferase reporter assay shows that miR-10a and -10b sites are functional. When miR-10a or -10b mimics were transfected into the GP Ibβ/GP IX-expressing cells, along with a DNA construct harboring both the coding and 3′-UTR sequences of the human GP1BA gene, we found that they inhibit the transient expression of GP Ibα on the cell surface. When the miR-10a or -10b mimics were introduced into murine progenitor cells, upon megakaryocyte differentiation, we found that GP Ibα mRNA expression was markedly reduced, suggesting that a miRNA-induced mRNA degradation is at work. Thus, our study identifies GP Ibα as a novel target of miR-10a and -10b, suggesting that a drastic reduction in the levels of miR-10a and -10b in the late stage of megakaryopoiesis is required to allow the expression of human GP Ibα and the formation of the GP Ib-IX-V complex.
Additive Manufacturing of Biomedical Constructs with Biomimetic Structural Organizations
Authors: Li Xiao , He Jiankang , Zhang Weijie , Jiang Nan , Li Dichen
Published: November 2016

Additive manufacturing (AM), sometimes called three-dimensional (3D) printing, has attracted a lot of research interest and is presenting unprecedented opportunities in biomedical fields, because this technology enables the fabrication of biomedical constructs with great freedom and in high precision. An important strategy in AM of biomedical constructs is to mimic the structural organizations of natural biological organisms. This can be done by directly depositing cells and biomaterials, depositing biomaterial structures before seeding cells, or fabricating molds before casting biomaterials and cells. This review organizes the research advances of AM-based biomimetic biomedical constructs into three major directions: 3D constructs that mimic tubular and branched networks of vasculatures; 3D constructs that contains gradient interfaces between different tissues; and 3D constructs that have different cells positioned to create multicellular systems. Other recent advances are also highlighted, regarding the applications of AM for organs-on-chips, AM-based micro/nanostructures, and functional nanomaterials. Under this theme, multiple aspects of AM including imaging/characterization, material selection, design, and printing techniques are discussed. The outlook at the end of this review points out several possible research directions for the future.
Novel N-Doped Carbon Dots/β-Cyclodextrin Nanocomposites for Enantioselective Recognition of Tryptophan Enantiomers
Authors: Xiao Qi , Lu Shuangyan , Huang Chusheng , Su Wei , Huang Shan
Published: November 2016

Based on N-doped carbon dots/β-cyclodextrin nanocomposites modified glassy carbon electrodes (N-CDs/β-CD/GCE), an effective electrochemical sensor for enantioselective recognition of tryptophan (Trp) enantiomers was developed by differential pulse voltammograms (DPVs). Fluorescent N-CDs were synthesized through a hydrothermal method and characterized by spectroscopic approaches. The N-CDs/β-CD nanocomposites were efficiently electrodeposited on the surface of GCE through C–N bond formation between N-CDs and electrode. The obtained N-CDs/β-CD/GCE was characterized by multispectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Such N-CDs/β-CD/GCE generated a significantly lower Ip and more negative Ep in the presence of l-Trp in DPVs, which was used for the enantioselective recognition of Trp enantiomers. The N-CDs/β-CD nanocomposites showed different binding constants for tryptophan enantiomers, and they further selectively bonded with l-Trp to form inclusion complexes. This N-CDs/β-CD/GCE combined advantages of N-CDs with strong C–N binding ability and β-CD with specific recognition of Trp enantiomers to fabricate a novel sensing platform for enantioselective recognition of Trp enantiomers. This strategy provided the possibility of using a nanostructured sensor to discriminate the chiral molecules in bio-electroanalytical applications.
Enhanced Acetone Sensing Characteristics of ZnO/Graphene Composites
Authors: Zhang Hao , Cen Yuan , Du Yu , Ruan Shuangchen
Published: November 2016

ZnO/graphene (ZnO-G) hybrid composites are prepared via hydrothermal synthesis with graphite, N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP), and Zn(NO3)2·6H2O as the precursors. The characterizations, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate the formation of ZnO-G. Gas sensors were fabricated with ZnO-G composites and ZnO as sensing material, indicating that the response of the ZnO towards acetone was significantly enhanced by graphene doping. It was found that the ZnO-G sensor exhibits remarkably enhanced response of 13.3 at the optimal operating temperature of 280 °C to 100 ppm acetone, an improvement from 7.7 with pure ZnO.
Fast and Inexpensive Detection of Bacterial Viability and Drug Effectiveness through Metabolic Monitoring
Authors: Ayyash Sondos , Wu Wen-I , Selvaganapathy Ponnambalam
Published: November 2016

Conventional methods for the detection of bacterial infection such as DNA or immunoassays are expensive, time consuming, or not definitive and thus may not provide all the information sought by medical professionals. In particular, it is difficult to obtain information about viability or drug effectiveness, which is crucial to formulate a treatment. Bacterial culture tests are the “gold standard” because they are inexpensive and do not require extensive sample preparation, and most importantly, provide all the necessary information sought by healthcare professionals, such as bacterial presence, viability and drug effectiveness. These conventional culture methods, however, have a long turnaround time, anywhere between 1 day and 4 weeks. Here, we solve this problem by monitoring the growth of bacteria in thousands of nanowells simultaneously to more quickly identify their presence in the sample and their viability. The segmentation of a sample with low bacterial concentration into thousands of nanoliter wells digitizes the samples and increases the effective concentration in those wells that contain bacteria. We monitor the metabolism of aerobic bacteria by using an oxygen-sensitive fluorophore, ruthenium tris (2,2’-diprydl) dichloride hexahydrate (RTDP), which allows us to monitor the dissolved oxygen concentration in the nanowells. Using E. coli K12 as a model pathogen, we demonstrate that the detection time of E. coli can be as fast as 35–60 min with sample concentrations varying from 104 (62 min for detection), 106 (42 min) and 108 cells/mL (38 min). More importantly, we also demonstrate that reducing the well size can reduce the detection time. Finally we show that drug effectiveness information can be obtained in this format by loading the wells with the drug and monitoring the metabolism of the bacteria. The method that we have developed is low cost, simple, requires minimal sample preparation and can potentially be used with a wide variety of samples in a resource-poor setting to detect bacterial infections such as tuberculosis.
Organic Vapour Sensing Properties of Area-Ordered and Size-Controlled Silicon Nanopillar
Authors: Li Wei , Feng Zhilin , Dai Enwen , Xu Jie , Bai Gang
Published: November 2016

Here, a silicon nanopillar array (Si-NPA) was fabricated. It was studied as a room-temperature organic vapour sensor, and the ethanol and acetone gas sensing properties were detected with I-V curves. I-V curves show that these Si-NPA gas sensors are sensitive to ethanol and acetone organic vapours. The turn-on threshold voltage is about 0.5 V and the operating voltage is 3 V. With 1% ethanol gas vapour, the response time is 5 s, and the recovery time is 15 s. Furthermore, an evaluation of the gas sensor stability for Si-NPA was performed. The gas stability results are acceptable for practical detections. These excellent sensing characteristics can mainly be attributed to the change of the overall dielectric constant of Si-NPA caused by the physisorption of gas molecules on the pillars, and the filling of the gas vapour in the voids.
Determination Method of Bridge Rotation Angle Response Using MEMS IMU
Authors: Sekiya Hidehiko , Kinomoto Takeshi , Miki Chitoshi
Published: November 2016

To implement steel bridge maintenance, especially that related to fatigue damage, it is important to monitor bridge deformations under traffic conditions. Bridges deform and rotate differently under traffic load conditions because their structures differ in terms of length and flexibility. Such monitoring enables the identification of the cause of stress concentrations that cause fatigue damage and the proposal of appropriate countermeasures. However, although bridge deformation monitoring requires observations of bridge angle response as well as the bridge displacement response, measuring the rotation angle response of a bridge subject to traffic loads is difficult. Theoretically, the rotation angle response can be calculated by integrating the angular velocity, but for field measurements of actual in-service bridges, estimating the necessary boundary conditions would be difficult due to traffic-induced vibration. To solve the problem, this paper proposes a method for determining the rotation angle response of an in-service bridge from its angular velocity, as measured by a inertial measurement unit (IMU). To verify our proposed method, field measurements were conducted using nine micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) IMUs and two contact displacement gauges. The results showed that our proposed method provided high accuracy when compared to the reference responses calculated by the contact displacement gauges.
The Ionospheric Scintillation Effects on the BeiDou Signal Receiver
Authors: He Zhijun , Zhao Hongbo , Feng Wenquan
Published: November 2016

Irregularities in the Earth’s ionosphere can make the amplitude and phase of radio signals fluctuate rapidly, which is known as ionospheric scintillation. Severe ionospheric scintillation could affect the performance of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Currently, the Multiple Phase Screen (MPS) technique is widely used in solving problems caused by weak and strong scintillations. Considering that Southern China is mainly located in the area where moderate and intense scintillation occur frequently, this paper built a model based on the MPS technique and discussed the scintillation impacts on China’s BeiDou navigation system. By using the BeiDou B1I signal, this paper analyzed the scintillation effects on the receiver, which includes the acquisition and tracking process. For acquisition process, this paper focused on the correlation peak and acquisition probability. For the tracking process, this paper focused on the carrier tracking loop and the code tracking loop. Simulation results show that under high scintillation intensity, the phase fluctuation could be −1.13 ± 0.087 rad to 1.40 ± 0.087 rad and the relative amplitude fluctuation could be −10 dB to 8 dB. As the scintillation intensity increased, the average correlation peak would decrease more than 8%, which could thus degrade acquisition performance. On the other hand, when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is comparatively lower, the influence of strong scintillation on the phase locked loop (PLL) is much higher than that of weak scintillation. As the scintillation becomes more intense, PLL variance could consequently results in an error of more than 2.02 cm in carrier-phase based ranging. In addition, the delay locked loop (DLL) simulation results indicated that the pseudo-range error caused by strong scintillation could be more than 4 m and the consequent impact on positioning accuracy could be more than 6 m.
Wide-Spectrum Microscope with a Long Working Distance Aspherical Objective Based on Obscuration Constraint
Authors: Wang Weibo , Wang Chao , Liu Jian , Tan Jiubin
Published: November 2016

We present an approach for an initial configuration design based on obscuration constraint and on-axis Taylor series expansion to realize the design of long working distance microscope (numerical aperture (NA) = 0.13 and working distance (WD) = 525 mm) with a low obscuration aspherical Schwarzschild objective in wide-spectrum imaging (λ = 400–900 nm). Experiments of the testing on the resolution target and inspection on United States Air Force (USAF) resolution chart and a line charge-coupled device (CCD) (pixel size of 14 μm × 56 μm) with different wavelength light sources (λ = 480 nm, 550 nm, 660 nm, 850 nm) were implemented to verify the validity of the proposed method.
Orphan Drug Pricing: An Original Exponential Model Relating Price to the Number of Patients
Authors: Messori Andrea
Published: November 2016

In managing drug prices at the national level, orphan drugs represent a special case because the price of these agents is higher than that determined according to value-based principles. A common practice is to set the orphan drug price in an inverse relationship with the number of patients, so that the price increases as the number of patients decreases. Determination of prices in this context generally has a purely empirical nature, but a theoretical basis would be needed. The present paper describes an original exponential model that manages the relationship between price and number of patients for orphan drugs. Three real examples are analysed in detail (eculizumab, bosentan, and a data set of 17 orphan drugs published in 2010). These analyses have been aimed at identifying some objective criteria to rationally inform this relationship between prices and patients and at converting these criteria into explicit quantitative rules.
Energetic Valorization of Wet Olive Mill Wastes through a Suitable Integrated Treatment: H2O2 with Lime and Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Siciliano Alessio , Stillitano Maria , Limonti Carlo
Published: November 2016

In the Mediterranean region, the disposal of residues of olive oil industries represents an important environmental issue. In recent years, many techniques were proposed to improve the characteristics of these wastes with the aim to use them for methane generation in anaerobic digestion processes. Nevertheless, these techniques, in many cases, result costly as well as difficult to perform. In the present work, a simple and useful process that exploits H2O2 in conjunction with lime is developed to enhance the anaerobic biodegradability of wet olive mill wastes (WMOW). Several tests were performed to investigate the influence of lime amount and H2O2 addition modality. The treatment efficiency was positively affected by the increase of lime dosage and by the sequential addition of hydrogen peroxide. The developed process allows reaching phenols abatements up to 80% and volatile fatty acids productions up to 90% by using H2O2 and Ca(OH)2 amounts of 0.05 gH2O2/gCOD and 35 g/L, respectively. The results of many batch anaerobic digestion tests, carried out by means of laboratory equipment, proved that the biogas production from fresh wet olive mill wastes is hardly achievable. On the contrary, organic matter abatements, around to 78%, and great methane yields, up to 0.34–0.35 LCH4/gCODremoved, were obtained on pretreated wastes.
Water Footprint and Virtual Water Trade of Brazil
Authors: Da Silva Vicente , De Oliveira Sonaly , Hoekstra Arjen , Dantas Neto José , Campos João , Braga Célia , De Araújo Lincoln , Aleixo Danilo , De Brito José , De Souza Márcio , De Holanda Romildo
Published: November 2016

Freshwater scarcity has increased at an alarming rate worldwide; improved water management plays a vital role in increasing food production and security. This study aims to determine the water footprint of Brazil’s national food consumption, the virtual water flows associated with international trade in the main agricultural commodities, as well as water scarcity, water self-sufficiency and water dependency per Brazilian region. While previous country studies on water footprints and virtual water trade focused on virtual water importers or water-scarce countries, this is the first study to concentrate on a water-abundant virtual water-exporting country. Besides, it is the first study establishing international virtual water trade balances per state, which is relevant given the fact that water scarcity varies across states within the country, so the origin of virtual water exports matters. The results show that the average water footprint of Brazilian food consumption is 1619 m3/person/year. Beef contributes most (21%) to this total. We find a net virtual water export of 54.8 billion m3/year, mainly to Europe, which imports 41% of the gross amount of the virtual water exported from Brazil. The northeast, the region with the highest water scarcity, has a net import of virtual water. The southeast, next in terms of water scarcity, shows large virtual water exports, mainly related to the export of sugar. The north, which has the most water, does not show a high virtual water export rate.
Limited linkages of aboveground and belowground phenology: A study in grape
Authors: Radville Laura , Bauerle Taryn L. , Comas Louise H. , Marchetto Katherine A. , Lakso Alan N. , Smart David R. , Dunst Richard M. , Eissenstat David M.
Published: November 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Plant phenology influences resource utilization, carbon fluxes, and interspecific interactions. Although controls on aboveground phenology have been studied to some degree, controls on root phenology are exceptionally poorly understood.

METHODS:

We used minirhizotrons to examine the timing of grape root production over 5 yr in Fredonia, New York, USA, in a humid continental climate; and over 3 yr in Oakville, California, USA, in a Mediterranean climate. We used data from previous experiments to examine the relationship of root phenology with aboveground phenology. We compared interannual variability in root and shoot growth and determined the influence of abiotic factors on the timing of root initiation, peak root standing crop, peak root growth rate, and cessation of root growth.

KEY RESULTS:

Root phenology was not tightly coupled with aboveground phenological periods. Both sites typically had one yearly root flush and high interannual variability in root growth. Root phenology was more variable in California than in New York. In this and other published studies, interannual variation in root phenology was greater than variation in aboveground phenology. The three phenological phases of root growth—root initiation, peak root growth, and root cessation—were related to different suites of abiotic factors.

CONCLUSIONS:

Root phenology is highly variable among years. Analysis of potential controlling factors over several years suggest that belowground phenological phases should be analyzed separately from each other. If aboveground grape phenology responds differently than belowground phenology to changes in air temperature, global warming may further uncouple the timing of aboveground and belowground growth.
Hydrophilic silver nanoparticles with tunable optical properties: application for the detection of heavy metals in water
Authors: Prosposito Paolo , Mochi Federico , Ciotta Erica , Casalboni Mauro , De Matteis Fabio , Venditti Iole , Fontana Laura , Testa Giovanna , Fratoddi Ilaria
Published: November 2016

Due their excellent chemo-physical properties and ability to exhibit surface plasmon resonance, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have become a material of choice in various applications, such as nanosensors, electronic devices, nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. In particular, from the environmental monitoring perspective, sensors based on silver nanoparticles are in great demand because of their antibacterial and inexpensive synthetic method. In the present study, we synthesized AgNPs in water phase using silver nitrate as precursor molecules, hydrophilic thiol (3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt, 3MPS) and sodium borohydride as capping and reducing agents, respectively. The AgNPs were characterized using techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential (ζ-potential) measurements and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Further, to demonstrate the environmental application of our AgNPs, we also applied them for heavy metal sensing by detecting visible color modification due to SPR spectral changes. We found that these negatively charged AgNPs show good response to nickel (II) and presented good sensibility properties for the detection of low amount of ions in water in the working range of 1.0–0.1 ppm.
ON IMPROVING ANALYTICAL MODELS OF COSMIC REIONIZATION FOR MATCHING NUMERICAL SIMULATION
Authors: Kaurov Alexander A.
Published: November 2016

The methods for studying the epoch of cosmic reionization vary from full radiative transfer simulations to purely analytical models. While numerical approaches are computationally expensive and are not suitable for generating many mock catalogs, analytical methods are based on assumptions and approximations. We explore the interconnection between both methods. First, we ask how the analytical framework of excursion set formalism can be used for statistical analysis of numerical simulations and visual representation of the morphology of ionization fronts. Second, we explore the methods of training the analytical model on a given numerical simulation. We present a new code which emerged from this study. Its main application is to match the analytical model with a numerical simulation. Then, it allows one to generate mock reionization catalogs with volumes exceeding the original simulation quickly and computationally inexpensively, meanwhile reproducing large-scale statistical properties. These mock catalogs are particularly useful for cosmic microwave background polarization and 21 cm experiments, where large volumes are required to simulate the observed signal.
SN REFSDAL: CLASSIFICATION AS A LUMINOUS AND BLUE SN 1987A-LIKE TYPE II SUPERNOVA
Authors: Kelly P. L. , Brammer G. , Selsing J. , Foley R. J. , Hjorth J. , Rodney S. A. , Christensen L. , Strolger L.-G. , Filippenko A. V. , Treu T. , Steidel C. C. , Strom A. , Riess A. G. , Zitrin A. , Schmidt K. B. , Bradač M. , Jha S. W. , Graham M. L. , McCully C. , Graur O. , Weiner B. J. , Silverman J. M. , Taddia F.
Published: November 2016

We have acquired Hubble Space Telescope
(HST) and Very Large Telescope near-infrared spectra and images of supernova (SN) Refsdal after its discovery as an Einstein cross in fall 2014. The HST light curve of SN Refsdal has a shape consistent with the distinctive, slowly rising light curves of SN 1987A-like SNe, and we find strong evidence for a broad Hα P-Cygni profile and Na I D absorption in the HST grism spectrum at the redshift (z = 1.49) of the spiral host galaxy. SNe IIn, largely powered by circumstellar interaction, could provide a good match to the light curve of SN Refsdal, but the spectrum of a SN IIn would not show broad and strong Hα and Na I D absorption. From the grism spectrum, we measure an Hα expansion velocity consistent with those of SN 1987A-like SNe at a similar phase. The luminosity, evolution, and Gaussian profile of the Hα emission of the WFC3 and X-shooter spectra, separated by ∼2.5 months in the rest frame, provide additional evidence that supports the SN 1987A-like classification. In comparison with other examples of SN 1987A-like SNe, photometry of SN Refsdal favors bluer B − V and V − R colors and one of the largest luminosities for the assumed range of potential magnifications. The evolution of the light curve at late times will provide additional evidence about the potential existence of any substantial circumstellar material. Using MOSFIRE and X-shooter spectra, we estimate a subsolar host-galaxy metallicity (8.3 ± 0.1 dex and <8.4 dex, respectively) near the explosion site.
SURVEYING THE BRIGHT STARS BY OPTICAL INTERFEROMETRY. I. A SEARCH FOR MULTIPLICITY AMONG STARS OF SPECTRAL TYPES F-K
Authors: Hutter D. J. , Zavala R. T. , Tycner C. , Benson J. A. , Hummel C. A. , Sanborn J. , Franz O. G. , Johnston K. J.
Published: November 2016

We present the first results from an ongoing survey for multiplicity among the bright stars using the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI). We first present a summary of NPOI observations of known multiple systems, including the first detection of the companion of β Scuti with precise relative astrometry, to illustrate the instrument’s detection sensitivity for binaries at magnitude differences Δm ⪅ 3 over the range of angular separation 3–860 milliarcseconds (mas). A limiting Δm
700 ∼ 3.5 is likely for binaries where the component spectral types differ by less than two. Model fits to these data show good agreement with published orbits, and we additionally present a new orbit solution for one of these stars, σ Her. We then discuss early results of the survey of bright stars at δ

−20°. This survey, which complements previous surveys of the bright stars using speckle interferometry, initially emphasizes bright stars of spectral types F0 through K2. We report observations of 41 stars of apparent visual magnitude m

V

, all having been observed on multiple nights. Analysis of these data produces fitted angular separations, position angles, and component magnitude differences for six previously known visual binaries. Three additional systems were examined as possible binaries, but no conclusive detection could be made. No evidence of close stellar companions within our detection limit of Δm ≈3 was found for the remaining 32 stars observed; however, uniform-disk angular diameters are reported for 11 of the resolved stars in this last group.
Mobile instant messaging: Whatsapp and its potential to develop oral skills
Authors: Andújar-Vaca Alberto , Cruz-Martínez Maria-Soledad
Published: November 2016

This study investigates the benefits of Mobile Mediated Communication (MMC) to develop oral skills in second-language learners. A total of 80 Spanish students taking a B1 English course at the University of Almería were studied in this research. According to treatment type, subjects were divided in two groups, experimental and control. A “Whatsapp” group was created where 40 of these students participated in a daily interaction during six months. The samples collected in the application as well as a speaking were used to measure the students’ degree of oral development and the type and triggers of the language related episodes (LRE) given rise to mobile chat-based oral interaction. This study focuses on such interaction and seeks to measure the students’ degree of oral development through a mixed analysis approach. A temporal axis is used to measure the differences between the groups studied. Significant improvements in term of oral proficiency were observed in the experimental group and negotiations were the LRE most common throughout the activity. It is worth mention that Mobile learning offers an environment where learners can ubiquitously negotiate meaning, reflect and evaluate on their own performance through authentic interaction and feedback, constituting a powerful tool for developing second language proficiency.

La presente investigación analiza los beneficios de la comunicación mediante teléfonos móviles para desarrollar las destrezas orales de los estudiantes en la segunda lengua. Un total de 80 estudiantes españoles que realizaban un curso de inglés nivel B1 en la Universidad de Almería participaron en el estudio. De acuerdo con el tipo de tratamiento, los sujetos fueron divididos en dos grupos, experimental y control. Mediante la creación de un grupo de «Whatsapp», 40 de dichos sujetos participaron en una interacción oral diaria durante 6 meses. Las muestras recogidas en la aplicación, así como un examen oral, fueron utilizados para analizar el grado en que los estudiantes desarrollan la destreza oral y los tipos y desencadenantes que dan lugar a episodios relacionados con el lenguaje en los chats orales. Este estudio se centra en la interacción utilizando un análisis mixto y un eje temporal con el fin de medir las diferencias entre los grupos analizados. Los resultados demuestran mejoras significativas en cuanto a la competencia oral en los alumnos del grupo en el que se implementó la actividad, siendo las negociaciones de significado el episodio relacionado con el lenguaje más común durante la interacción. Cabe destacar la accesibilidad que la mensajería móvil confiere a los alumnos, pues son capaces de negociar el significado, reflexionar y evaluar sus propias actuaciones mediante interacción real y feed-back.
The emotional impact of traditional and new media in social events
Authors: Salcudean Minodora , Muresan Raluca
Published: November 2016

In past times, media were the sole vector to reflect in their entire complexity the events surrounding major world tragedies. Nowadays, social media are an essential component of the media process and classical press channels are connected to the social networking flow, where they can find information and, at the same time, tap into the emotional pulse of society. On 30 October 2015, a Bucharest nightclub was destroyed in a blaze tragedy in which 64 people were killed, most of them young. The present study focuses on how Romanian mainstream media and social media came together and made use of each other, generating post-tragedy side effects. Monitoring was conducted over a period of one month, starting from 30 October 2015, the date of the tragedy, until 30 November. Our investigation method combines content analysis and the interpretation of quantitative data, with reference to parameters such as context, themes, style, genre, and information/opinion rapport. The conclusions of this case study show that the interweaving between media and social media has generated a change of paradigm in mass communication, as a result of which professional journalists continue to play a role as responsible filters.

En el pasado, al referirse a tragedias, los medios de comunicación representaban el único vector que reflejaba el acontecimiento en toda su complejidad. Hoy en día, los medios sociales constituyen un componente esencial del proceso mediático, y son los medios clásicos de prensa los que están conectados al flujo de las redes sociales, de las que, no solo recopilan información, sino también el pulso emocional de la sociedad. El 30 de octubre de 2015, en un club de Bucarest, se produjo un incendio que ocasionó 64 muertes, la mayoría jóvenes. Este estudio se centra en cómo el flujo mediático y las redes sociales en Rumanía se fusionaron y se apoyaron mutuamente, generando efectos secundarios tras la tragedia. El período de seguimiento fue de un mes, desde el 30 de octubre, cuando se produjo la tragedia, hasta el 30 de noviembre. El método de investigación combina el análisis de contenido y la interpretación cualitativa de los datos, con referencia a parámetros como el contexto, el tema del artículo, el estilo, el género periodístico o la relación información/opinión. Las conclusiones de este estudio nos muestran que la conexión entre los medios tradicionales y los medios sociales ha ocasionado un cambio en el paradigma de los medios de comunicación, cuyo resultado es que el papel de los periodistas profesionales como filtro de garantía sigue siendo prioritario.
The Social Determinants in the Process of Credibility Assessment and the Influence of Topic Areas
Authors: Llamero Lluïsa
Published: November 2016

This chapter reflects on the process of truth representation in different topics of human knowledge to reach an understanding of differences in online credibility assessment. The author argues that new cultural trends for legitimizing second-hand information –as wisdom of crowds, self-sufficiency or gatewatching– may cause friction with symbolic cultural factors and social structures settled by historical processes. This makes the evaluation of credibility an issue under negotiation. Analysis of qualitative data into the areas of health, economy and tourism allow to propose a processual theoretical model of credibility assessment.