bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Effective Interventions Promoting Healthy Eating for Pre-Schoolers in Childcare Settings: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Matwiejczyk Louisa , Mehta Kaye , Scott Jane , Tonkin Emma , Coveney John
Published: March 2018

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings have a pivotal role in shaping children’s dietary food habits by providing the contextual environment within which they develop these behaviours. This study examines systematic reviews for (1) the effectiveness of interventions to promote healthy eating in children aged 2–5 years attending centre-based childcare; (2) intervention characteristics which are associated with promoting healthy eating and; (3) recommendations for child-health policies and practices. An Umbrella review of systematic reviews was undertaken using a standardized search strategy in ten databases. Twelve systematic reviews were examined using validated critical appraisal and data extraction tools. Children’s dietary food intake and food choices were significantly influenced. Interventions to prevent obesity did not significantly change children’s anthropometric measures or had mixed results. Evidence was more convincing if interventions were multi-component, addressed physical activity and diet, targeted individual-level and environmental-level determinants and engaged parents. Positive outcomes were mostly facilitated by researchers/external experts and these results were not replicated when implemented in centres by ECEC providers without this support. The translation of expert-led interventions into practice warrants further exploration of implementation drivers and barriers. Based on the evidence reviewed, recommendations are made to inform child-health directed practices and policies.
Use of Table Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners in Brazil: National Dietary Survey 2008–2009
Authors: Silva Monteiro Luana , Kulik Hassan Bruna , Melo Rodrigues Paulo , Massae Yokoo Edna , Sichieri Rosely , Alves Pereira Rosangela
Published: March 2018

The study aimed to describe the use of table sugar and artificial sweeteners (AS) in Brazil. A representative sample (n = 32,749) of individuals aged > 10 years was examined from the Brazilian National Dietary Survey (2008–2009). Participants reported whether they use table sugar, AS, both, or none as sweeteners for their foods and beverages. Energy intake and the contribution of selected food groups to energy intake were evaluated according to the type of sweetener reported. Sample weights and design effects were considered in the analysis. The majority of the population (85.7%) used sugar to sweeten foods and beverages, 7.6% used AS, and 5.1% utilized both products. The use of AS was more frequent among the elderly (20%), women (10% versus 5.5%), overweight individuals (10% versus 6%), those who live in urban areas (8.5% versus 3%), and those who belong to the highest income quartile (14% versus 1.6%), compared with men, normal weight individuals, those who live in rural areas, and those who belong to the first income quartile, respectively. Overall, the mean daily energy intake of individuals using only sugar was approximately 16% higher than those who used AS exclusively. The contribution of staple foods to daily energy intake was higher in individuals who used sugar than those who used AS.
Molecular and Supramolecular Changes in Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and Polybutylene Succinate Adipate (PBSA) Copolymer during Degradation in Various Environmental Conditions
Authors: Puchalski Michał , Szparaga Grzegorz , Biela Tadeusz , Gutowska Agnieszka , Sztajnowski Sławomir , Krucińska Izabella
Published: March 2018

In this paper, the influence of the various degradation conditions, on the molecular and supramolecular structure of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) copolymer during degradation is described. The experiment was carried out by the use of injection molded samples and normalized conditions of biodegradation in soil, composting and artificial weathering. Materials were studied by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Additionally, the physical and mechanical properties of the samples were determined. The performed experiments clearly show difference impacts of the selected degradation conditions on the macroscopic, supramolecular and molecular parameters of the studied aliphatic polyesters. The structural changes in PBS and PBSA explain the observed changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained injection molded samples.
Thermal and Mechanical Characterization of EMA-TEGDMA Mixtures for Cosmetic Applications
Authors: Donoso Ruben , Reina Jose , Giamberini Marta , De La Flor Silvia , Ferrando Francesc , Cerruti Pierfrancesco
Published: March 2018

Mixtures of methacrylic polymers are the most common materials for making composites to be used as resins for dental and cosmetic applications. Some of these mixtures are composed by poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which constitute a solid component to be mixed with a liquid component made out of methacrylate monomers. The reaction between the thermal initiator benzoyl peroxyde (BPO) present in the solid component and the activator of the polymerization process, N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (DMT) present in the liquid component, gives rise to thermoset materials. In the present study, different liquid formulations composed by a mixture of two methacrylic monomers, ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) for cosmetic applications, were prepared and characterized, using a commercial powder (POW) composed by PEMA and PMMA. With the aim of improving workability during final application of the material, it was necessary to slow down the polymerization rate of liquid formulations. Their thermal behavior was investigated by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) in order to check the polymerization rate. Thermal stability of final materials was determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), microindentation hardness and impact tests were performed on final materials, to assess their performance with respect to standard formulation. The combination of thermal and mechanical properties allows choosing which formulations could be suitable for use in cosmetics.
Conventual Writing and Context: The Case of Port-Royal
Authors: Conley John
Published: March 2018

Many of the spiritual texts produced in the early modern period were written by nuns. To teach these texts adequately, it is not sufficient to study the work itself or the biography of the author. Effective exegesis of the texts requires detailed attention to the conventual culture in which these works were written, since this culture is foreign to the vast majority of contemporary students and readers. This contextual analysis operates on three levels. The first level introduces the students to the general nature of the convent and the life of a nun: the evangelical vows, the rule/constitution of the order, and the different types of religious orders. The second level focuses on the specific culture of the convent where the texts were composed. This involves analysis of the convent’s particular spirituality, apostolate, literary genres of communication, and relationship to broader ecclesiastical and political movements of the times. The third level studies the gendered nature of the nuns’ writings. This contextualist-cultural method of teaching écriture couventuelle is illustrated through analysis of the writings of the prolific Port-Royal abbess, Angélique de Saint-Jean Arnauld d’Andilly.
An Observation Task Chain Representation Model for Disaster Process-Oriented Remote Sensing Satellite Sensor Planning: A Flood Water Monitoring Application
Authors: Yang Chao , Luo Jin , Hu Chuli , Tian Lu , Li Jie , Wang Ke
Published: March 2018

An accurate and comprehensive representation of an observation task is a prerequisite in disaster monitoring to achieve reliable sensor observation planning. However, the extant disaster event or task information models do not fully satisfy the observation requirements for the accurate and efficient planning of remote-sensing satellite sensors. By considering the modeling requirements for a disaster observation task, we propose an observation task chain (OTChain) representation model that includes four basic OTChain segments and eight-tuple observation task metadata description structures. A prototype system, namely OTChainManager, is implemented to provide functions for modeling, managing, querying, and visualizing observation tasks. In the case of flood water monitoring, we use a flood remote-sensing satellite sensor observation task for the experiment. The results show that the proposed OTChain representation model can be used in modeling process-owned flood disaster observation tasks. By querying and visualizing the flood observation task instances in the Jinsha River Basin, the proposed model can effectively express observation task processes, represent personalized observation constraints, and plan global remote-sensing satellite sensor observations. Compared with typical observation task information models or engines, the proposed OTChain representation model satisfies the information demands of the OTChain and its processes as well as impels the development of a long time-series sensor observation scheme.
Optimal, Recursive and Sub-Optimal Linear Solutions to Attitude Determination from Vector Observations for GNSS/Accelerometer/Magnetometer Orientation Measurement
Authors: Zhou Zebo , Wu Jin , Wang Jinling , Fourati Hassen
Published: March 2018

The integration of the Accelerometer and Magnetometer (AM) provides continuous, stable and accurate attitude information for land-vehicle navigation without magnetic distortion and external acceleration. However, magnetic disturbance and linear acceleration strongly degrade the overall system performance. As an important complement, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) produces the heading estimates, thus it can potentially benefit the AM system. Such a GNSS/AM system for attitude estimation is mathematically converted to a multi-observation vector pairs matching problem in this paper. The optimal and sub-optimal attitude determination and their time-varying recursive variants are all comprehensively investigated and discussed. The developed methods are named as the Optimal Linear Estimator of Quaternion (OLEQ), Suboptimal-OLEQ (SOLEQ) and Recursive-OLEQ (ROLEQ) for different application scenarios. The theory is established based on our previous contributions, and the multi-vector matrix multiplications are decomposed with the eigenvalue factorization. Some analytical results are proven and given, which provides the reader with a brand new viewpoint of the attitude determination and its evolution. With the derivations of the two-vector case, the n-vector case is then naturally formed. Simulations are carried out showing the advantages of the accuracy, robustness and time consumption of the proposed OLEQs, compared with representative methods. The algorithms are then implemented using the C++ programming language on the designed hardware with a GNSS module, three-axis accelerometer and three-axis magnetometer, giving an effective validation of them in real-world applications. The designed schemes have proven their fast speed and good accuracy in these verification scenarios.
Land Cover Classification Using Integrated Spectral, Temporal, and Spatial Features Derived from Remotely Sensed Images
Authors: Zhai Yongguang , Qu Zhongyi , Hao Lei
Published: March 2018

Obtaining accurate and timely land cover information is an important topic in many remote sensing applications. Using satellite image time series data should achieve high-accuracy land cover classification. However, most satellite image time-series classification methods do not fully exploit the available data for mining the effective features to identify different land cover types. Therefore, a classification method that can take full advantage of the rich information provided by time-series data to improve the accuracy of land cover classification is needed. In this paper, a novel method for time-series land cover classification using spectral, temporal, and spatial information at an annual scale was introduced. Based on all the available data from time-series remote sensing images, a refined nonlinear dimensionality reduction method was used to extract the spectral and temporal features, and a modified graph segmentation method was used to extract the spatial features. The proposed classification method was applied in three study areas with land cover complexity, including Illinois, South Dakota, and Texas. All the Landsat time series data in 2014 were used, and different study areas have different amounts of invalid data. A series of comparative experiments were conducted on the annual time-series images using training data generated from Cropland Data Layer. The results demonstrated higher overall and per-class classification accuracies and kappa index values using the proposed spectral-temporal-spatial method compared to spectral-temporal classification methods. We also discuss the implications of this study and possibilities for future applications and developments of the method.
The Effect of Film Thickness on the Gas Sensing Properties of Ultra-Thin TiO2 Films Deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Wilson Rachel , Simion Cristian , Blackman Christopher , Carmalt Claire , Stanoiu Adelina , Di Maggio Francesco , Covington James
Published: March 2018

Analyte sensitivity for gas sensors based on semiconducting metal oxides should be highly dependent on the film thickness, particularly when that thickness is on the order of the Debye length. This thickness dependence has previously been demonstrated for SnO2 and inferred for TiO2. In this paper, TiO2 thin films have been prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) using titanium isopropoxide and water as precursors. The deposition process was performed on standard alumina gas sensor platforms and microscope slides (for analysis purposes), at a temperature of 200 °C. The TiO2 films were exposed to different concentrations of CO, CH4, NO2, NH3 and SO2 to evaluate their gas sensitivities. These experiments showed that the TiO2 film thickness played a dominant role within the conduction mechanism and the pattern of response for the electrical resistance towards CH4 and NH3 exposure indicated typical n-type semiconducting behavior. The effect of relative humidity on the gas sensitivity has also been demonstrated.
Wide Swath Stereo Mapping from Gaofen-1 Wide-Field-View (WFV) Images Using Calibration
Authors: Chen Shoubin , Liu Jingbin , Huang Wenchao , Chen Ruizhi
Published: March 2018

The development of Earth observation systems has changed the nature of survey and mapping products, as well as the methods for updating maps. Among optical satellite mapping methods, the multiline array stereo and agile stereo modes are the most common methods for acquiring stereo images. However, differences in temporal resolution and spatial coverage limit their application. In terms of this issue, our study takes advantage of the wide spatial coverage and high revisit frequencies of wide swath images and aims at verifying the feasibility of stereo mapping with the wide swath stereo mode and reaching a reliable stereo accuracy level using calibration. In contrast with classic stereo modes, the wide swath stereo mode is characterized by both a wide spatial coverage and high-temporal resolution and is capable of obtaining a wide range of stereo images over a short period. In this study, Gaofen-1 (GF-1) wide-field-view (WFV) images, with total imaging widths of 800 km, multispectral resolutions of 16 m and revisit periods of four days, are used for wide swath stereo mapping. To acquire a high-accuracy digital surface model (DSM), the nonlinear system distortion in the GF-1 WFV images is detected and compensated for in advance. The elevation accuracy of the wide swath stereo mode of the GF-1 WFV images can be improved from 103 m to 30 m for a DSM with proper calibration, meeting the demands for 1:250,000 scale mapping and rapid topographic map updates and showing improved efficacy for satellite imaging.
Modeling and Analysis of a Combined Stress-Vibration Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor
Authors: Yao Kun , Lin Qijing , Jiang Zhuangde , Zhao Na , Tian Bian , Shi Peng , Peng Gang-Ding
Published: March 2018

A combined stress-vibration sensor was developed to measure stress and vibration simultaneously based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology. The sensor is composed of two FBGs and a stainless steel plate with a special design. The two FBGs sense vibration and stress and the sensor can realize temperature compensation by itself. The stainless steel plate can significantly increase sensitivity of vibration measurement. Theoretical analysis and Finite Element Method (FEM) were used to analyze the sensor’s working mechanism. As demonstrated with analysis, the obtained sensor has working range of 0–6000 Hz for vibration sensing and 0–100 MPa for stress sensing, respectively. The corresponding sensitivity for vibration is 0.46 pm/g and the resulted stress sensitivity is 5.94 pm/MPa, while the nonlinearity error for vibration and stress measurement is 0.77% and 1.02%, respectively. Compared to general FBGs, the vibration sensitivity of this sensor is 26.2 times higher. Therefore, the developed sensor can be used to concurrently detect vibration and stress. As this sensor has height of 1 mm and weight of 1.15 g, it is beneficial for minimization and integration.
Filament Breakage Monitoring in Fused Deposition Modeling Using Acoustic Emission Technique
Authors: Yang Zhensheng , Jin Li , Yan Youruiling , Mei Yiming
Published: March 2018

Polymers are being used in a wide range of Additive Manufacturing (AM) applications and have been shown to have tremendous potential for producing complex, individually customized parts. In order to improve part quality, it is essential to identify and monitor the process malfunctions of polymer-based AM. The present work endeavored to develop an alternative method for filament breakage identification in the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) AM process. The Acoustic Emission (AE) technique was applied due to the fact that it had the capability of detecting bursting and weak signals, especially from complex background noises. The mechanism of filament breakage was depicted thoroughly. The relationship between the process parameters and critical feed rate was obtained. In addition, the framework of filament breakage detection based on the instantaneous skewness and relative similarity of the AE raw waveform was illustrated. Afterwards, we conducted several filament breakage tests to validate their feasibility and effectiveness. Results revealed that the breakage could be successfully identified. Achievements of the present work could be further used to develop a comprehensive in situ FDM monitoring system with moderate cost.
Impacts of GDP, Fossil Fuel Energy Consumption, Energy Consumption Intensity, and Economic Structure on SO2 Emissions: A Multi-Variate Panel Data Model Analysis on Selected Chinese Provinces
Authors: Zhao Haoran , Guo Sen , Zhao Huiru
Published: March 2018

Atmospheric pollution gradually become a focus of concern all over the world owing to its detrimental influence on human health as well as long range impact on global ecosystem. This paper investigated the relationship among SO2 emissions, GDP, fossil fuel energy consumption, energy consumption intensity, and economic structure of five provinces in China with the highest SO2 emissions spanning from 2002–2015 based on panel data model. Through comparatively analyzing the coefficients in the established panel data model for Hebei, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, and Shanxi, we can obtain that: (1) fossil fuel energy consumption made the most devotion to SO2 discharge compared with GDP, energy consumption intensity, and economic structure. And the more the fossil fuel energy consumption, the more the devotion made by it to SO2 discharge. (2) GDP devoted less to SO2 emissions than fossil fuel energy consumption, and the larger the scale of the economy, the greater the contribution made by it to SO2 emissions. (3) The higher the proportion of the secondary industry added value accounted in GDP, the more the devotion made by the economic structure and energy consumption intensity to SO2 emissions. Through analyzing the Granger causality examination results, it can be concluded that: (1) there existed a bi-directional causal relationship between fossil fuel energy consumption and SO2 emissions among five selected provinces. (2) There existed uni-directional causal nexus running from GDP to SO2 emissions, from energy consumption intensity to SO2 emissions, and from economic structure to SO2 emissions among five chosen provinces. Based on the empirical analysis, several policy implications were proposed to provide references for policy makers, which were (1) Giving full play to the guiding role of price signals, and improving the price policy for desulfurization. (2) Formulating a new comprehensive evaluation system to measure the regional development level considering economic development and environmental impacts. (3) Exploring renewable and sustainable energy sources to substitute for fossil fuel energy according to regional resources endowment. (4) Developing high value added and low pollution emissions industries and reducing the proportion of secondary industry.
A Sustainable Home Energy Prosumer-Chain Methodology with Energy Tags over the Blockchain
Authors: Park Lee , Lee Sanghoon , Chang Hangbae
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we aim to provide a power trade system that will promote a sustainable electrical energy transaction ecosystem between prosumers and consumers of smart homes. We suggest a blockchain-based peer-to-peer (P2P) energy transaction platform be implemented to enable efficient electrical energy transaction between prosumers. We suggest the platform be built on the blockchain, as this technology allows a decentralized and distributed trading system, and allows a more transparent, trustworthy and secure P2P trading environment. We believe that such characteristics of the blockchain are necessary in electrical energy transactions within the smart home environment because the smart home aims to enhance user comfort and security, along with energy conservation and cost-savings. First, we classify the two different types of P2P trade to identify which will best benefit from the use of the suggested blockchain-based P2P energy-transaction platform. Within the two types of P2P trade, that we classify (pure P2P trade and hybrid P2P trade), the hybrid P2P trade will benefit more from a blockchain-based P2P energy-transaction platform. In the blockchain-based P2P energy-transaction platform, a smart contract is embedded in the blockchain and called an energy tag. The energy tag will set conditions for making every future energy transaction more cost-efficient while maintaining the most ideal and high-quality energy selection. With the blockchain-based energy tag in the energy-transaction process, multiple energy resources and home appliances will be democratically connected in order to provide users with high-quality, low-cost energy at all times and locations. In this paper, we provide simulation results that compare the unit price of electrical energy on the suggested platform to the unit price of electrical energy set by currently existing conventional power-generation companies. Additionally, we present simulation results that calculate how long initial investments to create a smart home environment that enables P2P energy transactions will take to be paid back. Based on simulation results, we believe that, in the long run, the suggested blockchain-based P2P energy-transaction platform will create a sustainable energy-transaction environment between consumers and prosumers, and the expanding ecosystem will enable the development of a trusted, sustainable, secure and energy-efficient energy transaction environment.
Main Factors Affecting Post-Harvest Grain Loss during the Sales Process: A Survey in Nine Provinces of China
Authors: Chen Xiujuan , Wu Linhai , Shan Lijie , Zang Qiuxia
Published: March 2018

Ensuring food security has always been a top priority of the Chinese government. However, China’s grain supply is facing challenges due to limited resources for grain production and the growth of domestic grain consumption. Reducing post-harvest grain loss represents one of the most realistic and effective ways to ensure grain security in China. In view of the importance of grain sales in the post-harvest period, we conducted a survey, interviewing 1890 grain sellers across 54 regions in 9 provinces of China, to investigate the factors affecting post-harvest grain loss during sales. The results of the survey show that grain storage conditions have the greatest impact on post-harvest grain loss, followed by transportation. Display and sales have the least impact on grain loss. The Tobit regression model was used to analyze the main factors affecting post-harvest grain loss during sales. The findings suggest that the seller’s education level, years of working as a seller, the conditions of grain storage, and the supply and management level of public facilities in the market were negatively correlated with grain loss in the sales process, whereas the seller’s age, the separation of sales shops and storage warehouses, and the fall season were positively correlated with grain loss. Policy implications are also provided for potential future policy decisions.
Enhancing Eco-Efficiency of Agro-Products’ Closed-Loop Supply Chain under the Belt and Road Initiatives: A System Dynamics Approach
Authors: Zhao Rui , Liu Yiyun , Zhang Zhenyan , Guo Sidai , Tseng Ming-Lang , Wu Kuo-Jui
Published: March 2018

This study redesigns the supply chain of agricultural products in southwest China under the Belt and Road Initiative to improve its eco-efficiency by considering the associated agro-wastes flowing into bioenergy enterprise for energy production. Two scenarios are created, in which the first assumes that all waste flows into the enterprise, whereas the second only considers the inflow of agro-waste produced by farmers and the wholesale market. A system dynamics simulation is conducted by using carbon emissions per product as an indicator to obtain the optimal scenario for managerial practice and design an incentivizing mechanism to drive supply chain operations. A case study is provided to demonstrate application of the system dynamics. Finally, the limitations of the study are discussed to lay the foundation for further improvement.
Street Trees in a Chinese Forest City: Structure, Benefits and Costs
Authors: Wang Xueyan , Yao Jing , Yu Shuai , Miao Chunping , Chen Wei , He Xingyuan
Published: March 2018

Street trees provide critical ecosystem services and economic benefits that are often disregarded, due to their unknown monetary value. This study analyzed the structural characteristics of Dalian’s street trees and estimated the monetary value of structural and functional benefits by i-Tree Streets. Dalian’s street trees encompassed 28 species and were dominated by Ginkgo biloba, Platanus acerifolia and Sophora japonica, comprising 64.1% of a total of 57,699 trees. The age structure of street trees was distributed somewhat unevenly, with 18% young trees, 56% maturing trees, 25% mature trees and 1% old trees. These trees provide annual functional benefits valued at US$4.9 million and delivered a benefit-cost ratio of 3.2:1. The largest values associated with energy savings and property value were $1.7 million ($29/tree) and $1.5 million ($25/tree), respectively. The net carbon reduction benefits were valued at $935,205 ($16/tree). Smaller benefits resulted from air quality improvement ($381,088 or $7/tree) and stormwater runoff ($459,457 or $8/tree). The structural benefits were valued at $130 million, with the value of $4.5 million for carbon storage. These findings suggested that the benefits produced by street trees were worth the management costs. Our results provide a thorough understanding of the benefits produced by street trees to policy-makers and managers, and help them make informed policies to maximize and sustain the flow of benefits.
Editorial for the Special Issue “Personal Health and Wellbeing Intelligent Systems Based on Wearable and Mobile Technologies”
Authors: Munoz-Organero Mario
Published: March 2018

Wearable and mobile personal devices, from smart phones, bands, glasses, and watches to smart clothes and implants, are becoming increasingly ubiquitous [...]
Melioidosis: An Australian Perspective
Authors: Smith Simon , Hanson Josh , Currie Bart
Published: March 2018

Burkholderia pseudomallei is endemic in northern Australia, with cases of melioidosis most commonly occurring during the wet season in individuals with diabetes, hazardous alcohol use, and chronic kidney disease. Pneumonia is the most common presentation and the majority of patients are bacteraemic—however, infection may involve almost any organ, with the skin and soft tissues, genitourinary system, visceral organs, and bone and joints affected most commonly. Central nervous system involvement is rarer, but has a high attributable mortality. Increased awareness of the disease amongst healthcare providers, ready access to appropriate antibiotic therapy and high-quality intensive care services has resulted in a sharp decline in the case fatality rate over the last 20 years. Further improvement in clinical outcomes will require a greater understanding of the disease′s pathophysiology, its optimal management, and more effective strategies for its prevention.
Equation of State for Dense Matter with a QCD Phase Transition
Authors: Benić Sanjin
Published: March 2018

We construct a dense matter equation of state (EoS) starting from a hadronic density dependent relativistic mean-field model with a DD2 parametrization including the excluded volume corrections at low densities. The high density part is given by a Nambu–Jona–Lasinio (NJL) model with multi-quark interactions. This EoS is characterized by increasing speed of sound below and above the phase transition region. The first order transition region has a large latent heat leaving a distinctive signature in the mass-radii relations in terms of twin stars.
Oral Immunization against PEDV with Recombinant Lactobacillus casei Expressing Dendritic Cell-Targeting Peptide Fusing COE Protein of PEDV in Piglets
Authors: Hou Xingyu , Jiang Xinpeng , Jiang Yanping , Tang Lijie , Xu Yigang , Qiao Xinyuan , Liu Min , Cui Wen , Ma Guangpeng , Li Yijing
Published: March 2018

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a highly contagious disease in newborn piglets. In our previous study, a genetically engineered Lactobacillus casei oral vaccine (pPG-COE-DCpep/L393) expressing a dendritic cell (DC)-targeting peptide fused with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) COE antigen was developed. This vaccine induced significant levels of anti-PEDV specific IgG and IgA antibody responses in mice, indicating a potential strategy against PEDV infection. In this study, pPG-COE-DCpep/L393 was used for oral vaccination of newborn piglets against PEDV. We then assessed the immune responses and protection efficacy of pPG-COE-DCpep/L393. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the recombinant Lactobacillus vaccine elicits a specific systemic and mucosal immune response. The T-helper cells mediated by pPG-COE-DCpep/L393 and PEDV infection display a Th1 phenotype. The histopathological results showed that pPG-COE-DCpep/L393 promotes lymphocyte proliferation and effectively protects piglets against PEDV infection. The transforming growth factor-β level indicated that the recombinant Lactobacillus vaccine plays a role in anti-inflammatory responses in mesenteric lymph nodes during PEDV infection. These results show that pPG-COE-DCpep/L393 is a potential vaccine against PEDV infection.
Sensitivity Analysis of the Surface Runoff Coefficient of HiPIMS in Simulating Flood Processes in a Large Basin
Authors: Wang Yueling , Yang Xiaoliu
Published: March 2018

To simulate flood processes at the basin level, the GPU-based High-Performance Integrated Hydrodynamic Modelling System (HiPIMS) is gaining interest as computational capability increases. However, the difficulty of coping with rainfall input to HiPIMS reduces the possibility of acquiring a satisfactory simulation accuracy. The objective of this study is to test the sensitivity of the surface runoff coefficient in the HiPIMS source term in the Misai basin with an area of 797 km2 in south China. To achieve this, the basin was divided into 909,824 grid cells, to each of which a Manning coefficient was assigned based on its land use type interpreted from remote sensing data. A sensitivity analysis was conducted for three typical flood processes under four types of surface runoff coefficients, assumed a priori, upon three error functions. The results demonstrate the crucial role of the surface runoff coefficient in achieving better simulation accuracy and reveal that this coefficient varies with flood scale and is unevenly distributed over the basin.
What contributes to total factor productivity growth in the Chinese banking sector?
Authors: ZHU Ning , ZHANG Ning , WANG Bing , BALEŽENTIS Tomas
Published: March 2018

We propose a new metafrontier, non-radial, biennial Luenberger productivity indicator to evaluate the total factor productivity growth of the Chinese banking sector, during the period of 2004–2012. The bootstrapping approach is also taken into account to introduce the statistical inference of the total factor productivity, and its components. It is found that the overall Chinese banking sector operated well with an average growth rate of 5.4%, where technological progress was the driving force promoting the development of the Chinese banking sector during the earlier studied period, and efficiency gains outperformed technological progress during the later studied period. We investigated three banking groups, state-owned commercial banks and joint-stock commercial banks depending on their technological progress, but city commercial banks were dominated by efficiency gains. Regarding the productivity growth gap, the metafrontier productivity growth gap and efficiency change gap appeared to show gradual convergences, but the technological change gap maintained the width at a certain extent.
A Dwarf Planet Class Object in the 21:5 Resonance with Neptune
Authors: Holman Matthew J. , Payne Matthew J. , Fraser Wesley , Lacerda Pedro , Bannister Michele T. , Lackner Michael , Chen 陳 Ying-Tung 英同 , Lin 林 Hsing Wen 省文 , Smith Kenneth W. , Kokotanekova Rosita , Young David , Chambers K. , Chastel S. , Denneau L. , Fitzsimmons A. , Flewelling H. , Grav Tommy , Huber M. , Induni Nick , Kudritzki Rolf-Peter , Krolewski Alex , Jedicke R. , Kaiser N. , Lilly E. , Magnier E. , Mark Zachary , Meech K. J. , Micheli M. , Murray Daniel , Parker Alex , Protopapas Pavlos , Ragozzine Darin , Veres Peter , Wainscoat R. , Waters C. , Weryk R.
Published: March 2018

We report the discovery of an H

r
 = 3.4 ± 0.1 dwarf planet candidate by the Pan-STARRS Outer Solar System Survey. 2010 JO179 is red with (g − r) = 0.88 ± 0.21, roughly round, and slowly rotating, with a period of 30.6 hr. Estimates of its albedo imply a diameter of 600–900 km. Observations sampling the span between 2005 and 2016 provide an exceptionally well determined orbit for 2010 JO179, with a semimajor axis of 78.307 ± 0.009 au; distant orbits known to this precision are rare. We find that 2010 JO179 librates securely within the 21:5 mean-motion resonance with Neptune on 100 Myr timescales, joining the small but growing set of known distant dwarf planets on metastable resonant orbits. These imply a substantial trans-Neptunian population that shifts between stability in high-order resonances, the detached population, and the eroding population of the scattering disk.
Super-solar Metallicity Stars in the Galactic Center Nuclear Star Cluster: Unusual Sc, V, and Y Abundances
Authors: Do Tuan , Kerzendorf Wolfgang , Konopacky Quinn , Marcinik Joseph M. , Ghez Andrea , Lu Jessica R. , Morris Mark R.
Published: March 2018

We present adaptive-optics assisted near-infrared high-spectral-resolution observations of late-type giants in the nuclear star cluster of the Milky Way. The metallicity and elemental abundance measurements of these stars offer us an opportunity to understand the formation and evolution of the nuclear star cluster. In addition, their proximity to the supermassive black hole (∼0.5 pc) offers a unique probe of the star formation and chemical enrichment in this extreme environment. We observed two stars identified by medium spectral-resolution observations as potentially having very high metallicities. We use spectral-template fitting with the PHOENIX grid and Bayesian inference to simultaneously constrain the overall metallicity, [M/H], alpha-element abundance [α/Fe], effective temperature, and surface gravity of these stars. We find that one of the stars has very high metallicity ([M/H] > 0.6) and the other is slightly above solar metallicity. Both Galactic center stars have lines from scandium (Sc), vanadium (V), and yttrium (Y) that are much stronger than allowed by the PHOENIX grid. We find, using the spectral synthesis code Spectroscopy Made Easy, that [Sc/Fe] may be an order of magnitude above solar. For comparison, we also observed an empirical calibrator in NGC 6791, the highest metallicity cluster known ([M/H] ∼ 0.4). Most lines are well matched between the calibrator and the Galactic center stars, except for Sc, V, and Y, which confirms that their abundances must be anomalously high in these stars. These unusual abundances, which may be a unique signature of nuclear star clusters, offer an opportunity to test models of chemical enrichment in this region.
Dynamo Induced by Time-periodic Force
Authors: Wei Xing
Published: March 2018

To understand the dynamo driven by time-dependent flow, e.g., turbulence, we investigate numerically the dynamo induced by time-periodic force in rotating magnetohydrodynamic flow and focus on the effect of force frequency on the dynamo action. It is found that the dynamo action depends on the force frequency. When the force frequency is near resonance the force can drive dynamo, but when it is far away from resonance dynamo fails. In the frequency range near resonance to support dynamo, the force frequency at resonance induces a weak magnetic field and magnetic energy increases as the force frequency deviates from the resonant frequency. This is opposite to the intuition that a strong flow at resonance will induce a strong field. It is because magnetic field nonlinearly couples with fluid flow in the self-sustained dynamo and changes the resonance of driving force and inertial wave.
NICER Observes the Effects of an X-Ray Burst on the Accretion Environment in Aql X-1
Authors: Keek L. , Arzoumanian Z. , Bult P. , Cackett E. M. , Chakrabarty D. , Chenevez J. , Fabian A. C. , Gendreau K. C. , Guillot S. , Güver T. , Homan J. , Jaisawal G. K. , Lamb F. K. , Ludlam R. M. , Mahmoodifar S. , Markwardt C. B. , Miller J. M. , Prigozhin G. , Soong Y. , Strohmayer T. E. , Wolff M. T.
Published: March 2018

Accretion disks around neutron stars regularly undergo sudden strong irradiation by Type-I X-ray bursts powered by unstable thermonuclear burning on the stellar surface. We investigate the impact on the disk during one of the first X-ray burst observations with the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) on the International Space Station. The burst is seen from Aql X-1 during the hard spectral state. In addition to thermal emission from the neutron star, the burst spectrum exhibits an excess of soft X-ray photons below 1 keV, where NICER’s sensitivity peaks. We interpret the excess as a combination of reprocessing by the strongly photoionized disk and enhancement of the pre-burst persistent flux, possibly due to Poynting–Robertson drag or coronal reprocessing. This is the first such detection for a short sub-Eddington burst. As these bursts are observed frequently, NICER will be able to study how X-ray bursts affect the disk and corona for a range of accreting neutron star systems and disk states.
Species rediscovery or lucky endemic? Looking for the supposed missing species Leistus punctatissimus through a biogeographer’s eye (Coleoptera, Carabidae)
Authors: Roberto Pizzolotto , Pietro Brandmayr
Published: March 2018

Is it correct to look for a supposedly missing species by focusing research at the type locality? A species can be declared extinct because for an unusual amount of time it has not been seen again; however, in the frame of the climate change it is likely that a supposedly missing species is a lucky survivor not seen because it was not searched for in the correct environment. We used the strictly endemic Leistus punctatissimus Breit, 1914 (Coleoptera, Carabidae) as the case study for testing the latter hypothesis vs. the type locality approach. On the basis of past unsuccessful searches in the Dolomites (a mountain range in the eastern Alps, Italy) driven by the type locality approach, a study area was selected where climate change may have exerted environmental constraints on endemic species. Five pitfall traps were used in each of seven sample sites, at an average altitude of 2600 m a.s.l., within a high altitude alpine plateau covered by scarce patchy vegetation. Leistus punctatissimus was rediscovered, far from its type locality, after one hundred years since its first collection. It was part of a group of species well adapted to the extreme ecological factors of the alpine environments above the vegetation line. Following a biogeographical approach (i.e., the biogeographer’s eye rather than the collector’s eye) it was possible to find an endemic species of the alpine ecological landscape in places from where it probably had never disappeared. The supposed refugial area was a nunatak during the last glacial period, where Leistus punctatissimus found suitable habitat conditions, and from where it alternated between downward and uphill changes in its distribution range after the last glacial period, under the effect of climate change. From such a perspective, it can be concluded that the type locality may be the wrong place to look for a supposedly extinct species.
Renal Remission Status and Longterm Renal Survival in Patients with Lupus Nephritis: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Davidson Julie E. , Fu Qinggong , Ji Beulah , Rao Sapna , Roth David , Magder Laurence S. , Petri Michelle
Published: March 2018

Objective.

This observational study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected Hopkins Lupus Cohort data to compare longterm renal survival in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) who achieved complete (CR), partial (PR), or no remission following standard-of-care LN induction therapy.

Methods.

Eligible patients with biopsy-proven LN (revised American College of Rheumatology or Systemic Lupus Collaborating Clinics criteria) were identified and categorized into ordinal (CR, PR, or no remission) or binary (response or no response) renal remission categories at 24 months post-diagnosis [modified Aspreva Lupus Management Study (mALMS) and modified Belimumab International Lupus Nephritis Study (mBLISS-LN) criteria]. The primary endpoint was longterm renal survival [without endstage renal disease (ESRD) or death].

Results.

In total, 176 patients met the inclusion criteria. At Month 24 postbiopsy, more patients met mALMS remission criteria (CR = 59.1%, PR = 30.1%) than mBLISS-LN criteria (CR = 40.9%, PR = 16.5%). During subsequent followup, 18 patients developed ESRD or died. Kaplan–Meier plots suggested patients with no remission at Month 24 were more likely than those with PR or CR to develop the outcome using either mALMS (p = 0.0038) and mBLISS-LN (p = 0.0097) criteria for remission. Based on Cox regression models adjusted for key confounders, those in CR according to the mBLISS-LN (HR 0.254, 95% CI 0.082–0.787; p = 0.0176) and mALMS criteria (HR 0.228, 95% CI 0.063–0.828; p = 0.0246) were significantly less likely to experience ESRD/mortality than those not in remission.

Conclusion.

Renal remission status at 24 months following LN diagnosis is a significant predictor of longterm renal survival, and a clinically relevant endpoint.
L'autre, le semblable, le différent...
Authors: Munnich Arnold
Published: March 2018

L’autisme, le syndrome d’Asperger et les troubles envahissants du développement non spécifiés sont regroupés sous l’appellation de troubles du spectre autistique (TSA). Dans les années 1980-2000, les études de jumeaux et les études familiales ont apporté des arguments à l’appui du rôle de facteurs génétiques et héréditaires dans l’autisme. Toutefois, le flou qui entoure les contours phénotypiques et l’importante hétérogénéité étiologique constituent autant d’obstacles pour identifier ces facteurs. Actuellement, des anomalies chromosomiques et des mutations intragéniques sont retrouvées dans environ 20-25 % des cas. La CGH-array constitue une avancée technique importante dans l’investigation de ces anomalies chez ces sujets en permettant une approche globale du génome avec un seuil de résolution 50 à 100 fois supérieur à celui du caryotype. Le développement des techniques d’analyse du génome à haut débit, tant au niveau structural (génotypage, séquençage) qu’au niveau fonctionnel (transcriptome, protéome, méthylome), est prometteur mais génère une quantité importante d’informations qui nécessitent de nombreuses analyses bio-informatiques, bio-statistiques et d’interprétation des données.
L'autre, le semblable, le différent...
Authors: Heudin Jean-Claude
Published: March 2018

Cet article envisage l’hypothèse souvent évoquée d’une évolution des êtres humains vers les cyborgs. Un cyborg, ou organisme cybernétique, est une créature hybride composée de parties organiques et cybernétiques. Nous soutenons qu’à l’inverse de la vision caricaturale d’une robotisation de l’homme, le post-humain sera un être humain comme vous et moi, mais probablement « augmenté » grâce aux avancées conjointes des cybertechnologies, des biotechnologies et des nanotechnologies.
Preoperative Bariatric Surgery and the Risk of Readmission Following Total Joint Replacement
Authors: Liu James X. , Paoli Albit R. , Mahure Siddharth A. , Bosco Joseph , Campbell Kirk A.
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to compare nonelective and all-cause readmission rates and to identify risk factors for readmission of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients who had preoperative bariatric surgery (BS) compared with TJA patients without preoperative BS. The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database was queried to identify 343,710 TJA patients between 2005 and 2014. Three patient groups were evaluated: group 1 (patients with preoperative BS within 2 years of TJA [N=1478]); group 2 (obese patients without preoperative BS [N=60,259]); and group 3 (nonobese patients without preoperative BS [N=281,973]). Nonelective and all-cause readmission rates (30 days, 90 days, and 1 year) were compared, and multivariate analyses of readmission risk factors were performed. Group 1 had no significant difference in nonelective readmission rates compared with groups 2 and 3. However, when elective TJA readmissions were included, group 1 had significantly higher all-cause readmission rates at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year compared with groups 2 and 3. Bariatric surgery was not a risk factor for nonelective readmissions at any time point. When elective TJA admissions were included, BS was an independent risk factor for all-cause readmission at all time points. Patients who have BS prior to TJA do not have higher nonelective readmission rates than obese TJA patients without BS. Bariatric surgery is not a risk factor for nonelective readmissions. However, BS is a significant predictor of elective TJA admissions up to 1 year following the index TJA. [
Orthopedics.
2018; 41(2):107–114.]