bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LITIGACIÓN INTERNACIONAL, FORUM NON CONVENIENS Y DAÑOS PUNITIVOS: EL CASO DEL ACCIDENTE AÉREO DE SPANAIR
Authors: Lorente Martínez Isabel
Published: March 2016

El 20 de agosto del año 2008 pasó a la historia de la aviación civil española como un día negro. Un avión de la compañía Spanair que despegaba desde el aeropuerto Madrid-Barajas con rumbo hacía Gran Canaria sufrió un fatal accidente al despegar. Sobrevivieron al mismo 18 personas, con heridas de diversa consideración y 154 fallecieron. Desde una perspectiva pragmática este trabajo intenta despejar dos incógnitas: la de la Competencia Judicial Internacional y la de la Ley estatal aplicable a un asunto donde hay una responsabilidad extracontractual derivada de un producto.
UNA INCURSIÓN EN LOS ORÍGENES. LA INSERCIÓN DE RAMÓN DE LA SAGRA EN LA SOCIOLOGÍA ESPAÑOLA
Authors: Rodríguez Rodríguez M. Carmen
Published: March 2016

Este texto recoge el debate sobre el momento inaugural de la Sociología española. Se plantea el problema de los inicios de la disciplina, realizando un recorrido histórico que revisa el estado de la cuestión, prestando atención a una figura en particular, la de Ramón de la Sagra. A través de una profunda revisión bibliográfica, se perfila, en palabras de los investigadores, la importancia de este autor en los orígenes de estos estudios en España.
EL DESAFÍO CATALÁN. UN ANÁLISIS DESCRIPTIVO
Authors: Llorca Asensi Elena
Published: March 2016

El doce de diciembre de 2013 el Presidente de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Artur Mas, acompañado por representantes de algunas organizaciones de la vida política y social catalana, confirmó ante los medios de comunicación su decisión de llevar a cabo una consulta popular para conocer el respaldo de la ciudadanía a una posible independencia de Cataluña respecto de España. La fecha de la misma sería el 9 de noviembre de 2014. Este “desafío independentista” planteado por la Generalitat de Cataluña situó al Gobierno español en una situación harto difícil. En un clima de absoluta confrontación, en el que partidarios y detractores de la consulta habían dejado a un lado de facto la posibilidad de acuerdo, la brecha política y social abierta a raíz de este conflicto está hoy lejos de resolverse.
LA REDEFINICIÓN DEL PAPEL DE LA EMPRESA EN LA SOCIEDAD
Authors: Sánchez Jiménez Vicente
Published: March 2016

La definición de la empresa como una unidad de organización dedicada a actividades industriales, mercantiles o de prestación de servicios con fines lucrativos lleva aparejado el vínculo indisoluble entre la misma y la sociedad en la que se desarrolla. Si bien, tal connotación no permite entrever cuales son las funciones anexas que cualquier proyecto empresarial necesita para llevar a cabo su principal objetivo, el beneficio económico. Este artículo pretende poner de manifiesto cómo las empresas se han visto obligadas a adentrarse en los requerimientos sociales actualmente existentes para poder seguir manteniendo una alta competitividad en sus tradicionales espacios. Es por ello, que se puede hablar de una redefinición en la función social de las empresas al verse enriquecida la misma con múltiples variables que hasta hace poco eran anecdóticas o simplemente impensables.
Calcium-Enriched Mixture Pulpotomy of Primary Molar Teeth with Irreversible Pulpitis. A Clinical Study
Authors: Memarpour Mahtab , Fijan Soleiman , Asgary Saeed , Keikhaee Marzieh
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

To evaluate the outcome of vital pulp therapy in primary teeth with irreversible pulpitis by using calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement according to clinical and radiographic assessment.

Participants and Methods:

Fifty primary molar teeth with irreversible pulpitis in 50 children aged 6-8 years underwent pulpotomy using CEM cement as the dressing material. Following pulpotomy, pain intensity was evaluated by use of a visual analog scale at 1 and 7 days from the treatment and in clinical appointments at 3, 6 and 12 months after baseline. Radiographic evaluation was performed at 6 and 12 months. Data were analyzed using the McNemar test.

Results:

A total of 42 children (mean age 7.26 ± 0.82 year) completed the study. After one day treatment 56 % of children reported complete relief of pain and after 7 days 62% reported the same. However, two children complained of increased pain 1 day after treatment. None of the children reported pain in the subsequent appointments. One child complained of tenderness in percussion after 6 months. Pulp canal obliteration was the most common change in the radiographic assessment. There was no significant difference between clinical (92.8%) and radiographic (90.4%) success (p=0.990).

Conclusion:

Pulpotomy using CEM cement could present a successful treatment in primary molar teeth with irreversible pulpitis.
Efficacy and Safety of Switching Latanoprost Monotherapy to Bimatoprost Monotherapy or Combination of Brinzolamide and Latanoprost
Authors: Imasawa Mitsuhiro , Tanabe Joji , Kashiwagi Fumiko , Kashiwagi Kenji
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

To prospectively assess the efficacy and safety of switching to bimatoprost monotherapy or brinzolamide and latanoprost combination therapy in patients who had been receiving latanoprost monotherapy.

Methods:

A prospective, open-label study was conducted. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who had been receiving latanoprost monotherapy for three months or more were enrolled. Bimatoprost was substituted for latanoprost in one eye (BIM group), and brinzolamide was added to the latanoprost in the other eye (BRZ group) simultaneously. The patients underwent examinations at 6 weeks (visit 1) and 12 weeks (visit 2) after changing therapies. Subsequently, the treatments were returned to latanoprost monotherapy. The patients underwent another examination 6 weeks (visit 3) after the return to latanoprost. The parameters examined were intraocular pressure (IOP), conjunctival hyperemia, and corneal epithelial damage.

Results:

Twenty-six patients (13 men and 13 women) completed the protocol. Both groups showed a significant IOP reduction at visits 1 and 2 compared with the baseline, with a similar magnitude (BIM group: P = 0.016 at visit 1, P = 0.025 at visit 2, BRZ group: P = 0.0006 at visit 1, P = 0.028 at visit 2). The IOPs at the baseline and on visit 3 were similar in both groups (P = 0.7). The two groups showed no changes in either conjunctival hyperemia or corneal epithelial damage compared with the baseline.

Conclusion:

Bimatoprost monotherapy and brinzolamide adjunctive to latanoprost similarly reduced the IOP, with no additive adverse effects, compared with latanoprost monotherapy.
Survival in unresectable AJCC stage I and II HCC and the effect of DEB-TACE: SEER versus tertiary cancer center cohort study
Authors: Xing Minzhi , Kokabi Nima , Prajapati Hasmukh J , Close Orrie , Ludwig Johannes M , Kim Hyun S
Published: March 2016

Aim:
To evaluate overall survival (OS) in unresectable American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage I/II hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with drug-eluting-bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) versus best supportive care.
Materials & methods:
OS in consecutive patients with AJCC stage I/II unresectable HCC diagnosed in 2005–2010 who underwent DEB-TACE and similar patients from SEER with no surgery/radiation recommended/performed was evaluated.
Results:
Median OS from HCC diagnosis was 28.9 months (DEB-TACE) versus 10.0 months (SEER), p < 0.0001. Median OS was 36.3 months (DEB-TACE) versus 12.0 months (SEER) in AJCC I, and 27.9 months (DEB-TACE) versus 10.0 months (SEER) in AJCC II, p < 0.0001. Significant independent prognostic factors for OS were single primary tumor, no vascular invasion, normal α-fetoprotein and DEB-TACE.
Conclusion:
DEB-TACE in patients with unresectable AJCC stage I/II HCC was a significant independent prognostic factor for greater OS in a population-based study.
Is the use of esomeprazole in gastroesophageal reflux disease a cost-effective option in Poland?
Authors: Petryszyn Pawel , Staniak Aleksandra , Grzegrzolka Jedrzej
Published: March 2016

Objectives:
To compare the cost-effectiveness of therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease with esomeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in Poland.
Materials & methods:
Studies comparing esomeprazole with other PPIs in the treatment of erosive esophagitis, non-erosive reflux disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease maintenance therapy were systematically reviewed. 9 randomized clinical trials were selected, meta-analyses were conducted. Cost data derived from Polish Ministry of Health and Pharmacies in Wroclaw.
Results:
In the treatment of erosive esophagitis esomeprazole was significantly more effective than other PPIs. Both for 4- and 8-week therapy respective incremental cost–effectiveness ratio values were acceptably low. Differences in effectiveness of non-erosive reflux disease therapy were not significant. The replacement of pantoprazole 20 mg with more effective esomeprazole 20 mg in the 6-month maintenance therapy was associated with a substantially high incremental cost–effectiveness ratio.
Status and prospects of maize research in Nepal
Authors: KC Govind , Karki Tika B , Shrestha Jiban , Achhami Buddhi B
Published: March 2016

Food and nutritional securities are the major threats coupled with declining factor productivity and climate change effects in Nepal. Maize being the principal food crops of the majority of the hill people and source of animal feed for ever growing livestock industries in Terai of Nepal. Despite the many efforts made to increase the maize productivity in the country, the results are not much encouraging. Many of the maize based technologies developed and recommended for the farmers to date are not fully adopted. Therefore, problem is either on technology development or on dissemination or on both. Considering the above facts, some of the innovative and modern approaches of plant breeding and crop management technologies to increase the maize yield need to be developed and disseminated. There is a need for location-specific maize production technologies, especially for lowland winter maize, marginal upland maize production system, and resource poor farmers. Research efforts can be targeted to address both yield potential and on-farm yields by reducing the impacts of abiotic and biotic constraints. Therefore, in order to streamline the future direction of maize research in Nepal, an attempt has been made in this article to highlight the present status and future prospects with few key pathways.Journal of Maize Research and Development (2015) 1(1):1-9DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34284
A review on threat of gray leaf spot disease of maize in Asia
Authors: Dhami Narayan Bahadur , Kim SK , Paudel Arjun , Shrestha Jiban , Rijal Tirtha Raj
Published: March 2016

Biotic and biotic constraints are yield limiting factors in maize producing regions. Among these gray leaf spot is a yield limiting foliar disease of maize in high land regions of Asia. This review is done from related different national and international journals, thesis, books, research papers etc. The objectives of this review are to become familiar with genetics and inheritance, epidemiology, symptoms and disease management strategies etc. High relative humidity, temperature, minimum tillage and maize monoculture are important factors responsible for disease development. The sibling species of Cercospora zeae-maydis (Tehon and Daniels, 1925) Group I and Group II and Cercospora sorghai var. maydis (Chupp, 1954) are associated with this disease. Pathogens colonize in maize debris. Conidia are the source of inoculums for disease spread. Severe blighting of leaves reduces sugars, stalk lodging and causes premature death of plants resulting in yield losses of up to 100%. Disease management through cultural practices is provisional. The use of fungicides for emergencies is effective however; their prohibitive cost and detrimental effects on the environment are negative consequences. The inheritance of tolerance is quantitative with small additive effects. The introgression of resistant genes among the crosses of resistant germplasm enhances the resistance. The crosses of resistant and susceptible germplasm possess greater stability than the crosses of susceptible and resistant germplasm. The development of gray leaf spot tolerant populations through tolerance breeding principle is an economical and sustainable approach to manage the disease.Journal of Maize Research and Development (2015) 1(1):71-85DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34286
Application of csm- ceres-maize model for seasonal and multi-decadal predictions of maize yield in under subtropical condition of Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Amgain Lal Prasad
Published: March 2016

The average maize yield of 2.5 t/ha in sub-tropical terai and inner terai of Nepal has been very less than its potential yield of about 5.0 t/ha, for which changing climatic scenarios have been reported the critical factors. Cropping system Model (CSM)-Crop Estimation through Resource and Environment Synthesis (CERES)-Maize, embedded under Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) ver. 4.2 was evaluated from a datasets of field experimentation by growing four diverse maize genotypes viz. full season OPV (Rampur Composite), Quality Protein Maize (Posilo Makai-1), Hybrid (Gaurav) and Pop corn (Pool-12) under three different planting dates (September 1, October 1 and November 1) in 2009-10 at Rampur Campus, Chitwan. The experiment was laid out in two factor factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in slightly acidic (pH 6.7) sandy loam soil having low soil available N( 0.49%) and K (148 kg/ha) and medium P (16.3 kg/ha) status. The ancillary and yield data obtaining from field experiment was analyzed from the M-Stat C software and recorded that Gaurav hybrid produced significantly higher yield under September 1 planting (5.86 t/ha) followed by Posilo Makai 1 (5.55 t/ha), Rampur Composite (5.1t/ha) and the least with Pool-12 (3.45 t/ha). Further, the heat use efficiency of diverse maize genotypes were also calculated by using the mean temperature based accumulative heat unit system and found the stable yields only with Rampur Composite for all planting dates and the rest genotypes were suitable only to the early winter plantings. Model calibration was done by using September 1 planting date for all 4 maize genotypes while validation was accomplished by using the remaining treatments for predicting growth and yield of different maize genotypes. The year 2006- 07 was found 13, 18, 23 and 7% higher in producing the maize yield than the standard year 2009-10 for Rampur Composite, Posilo Makai-1, Gaurav and Pool-12, respectively. Further, the different climate change scenarios as advocated by IPCC (2007) for 2020, 2050 and 2080 from base line of 2009-10 was studied to simulate the growth and yield performance of diverse maize genotypes with September 1 planting date and found that there would be increment in winter maize yield up to 2020 scenario of climate change and the drastic yield loss would be on 2050 to 2080 scenarios under the present levels of agronomic management options and urged for the new climate change adaptation and mitigation production technologies.Journal of Maize Research and Development (2015) 1(1):86-97DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34283
Technology adoption analysis of improved maize technology in western hills of Nepal
Authors: Lamichhane Jeevan , Timsina Krishna P , RanaBhat Durga B , Adhikari Surya
Published: March 2016

The survey was carried out in two districts namely Palpa and Baglung to determine the current level of adoption of improved maize production practices. This study identifies the technology adoption extent and pattern of improved maize technologies in Western Hills of Nepal. In each of these districts, two village development committees (V.D.Cs) were surveyed. Deurali and Khasyouli V.D.C from Palpa and Kudule and Malika V.D.C from Baglung Districts were selected. Structured Questionnaire were administered to 30 randomly selected households in each VDC. Altogether 120 Households were surveyed. The degree of adoption was measured on the seed rate, adoption of improved varieties, application of Nitrogenous, Phosphatic and Potassium fertilizer, Weeding and method of planting. The adoption index was used to determine the adoption level of the respondents. There seems to be a gap between the recommended practice and current level of practice at the farmers level in some of the factors like Nitrogenous, Phosphorus and Potassium fertilizers, method of planting .The study revealed that majority farmers belonged to high adoption category (57%) followed by medium adoption category (54%) and low adoption category (9%). The Technology Adoption Index (TAI) was found 63%. In nutshell there is still large scope for yield improvement of the maize in the study area by adopting improved maize varieties.Journal of Maize Research and Development (2015) 1(1):146-152DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34265
Tendances violentes de la droite radicale au Canada : analyses chronologiques et facteurs d’influence
Authors: Bérubé Maxime
Published: March 2016

Notamment en raison de l’absence de partis politiques d’extrême droite à l’échelle nationale au Canada, peu d’études se sont attachées à comprendre quels étaient les facteurs pouvant influencer les variations du nombre d’actes de violence liés à cette orientation politique radicale. La littérature scientifique propose toutefois trois grandes familles de variables explicatives sur le phénomène, soit les conditions économiques, le développement social et la situation politique. Afin de mieux comprendre l’évolution de ce phénomène au Canada, nous avons recensé 241 incidents de violence perpétrés au nom de l’extrême droite entre les années 1977 et 2010. Cette étude montre, au moyen d’analyses de séries chronologiques ARIMA, que seules les conditions politiques sont liées aux variations des taux globaux de violence d’extrême droite. Également, on y constate que les facteurs explicatifs sont liés différemment avec les taux d’incidents plus spécifiques ayant trait à l’exclusion raciale, religieuse et homophobe.
Evidence of Reliability, Validity, and Practicality for the Canadian Physiotherapy Assessment of Clinical Performance
Authors: Mori Brenda , Norman Kathleen E. , Brooks Dina , Herold Jodi , Beaton Dorcas E.
Published: March 2016

Purpose: To investigate the internal consistency, construct validity, and practicality of the Canadian Physiotherapy Assessment of Clinical Performance (ACP), a descriptive measure used by physiotherapy students and their clinical instructors (CIs) at the mid- and endpoints of an internship to describe the students' behaviours as observed in the clinical education setting relative to what might be expected of an entry-level physiotherapist. Methods: This multi-centre study piloted the ACP in 10 university physiotherapy (PT) programmes. Both CIs and students undertaking clinical internships completed the ACP and the current tool, the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT-CPI; Version 1997). Results: CIs assessing PT students' performance during internships representing a variety of areas of practice completed the ACP at the midpoint (n=132) and the endpoint (n=126) of the internship. The end-of-internship sample consisted of 55 junior, 30 intermediate, and 41 senior students. The ACP demonstrated strong internal consistency: Alpha coefficients for each role ranged from 0.94 to 0.99. Aligned items on the ACP and PT-CPI were significantly correlated (r=0.51–0.84). Senior PT students performed significantly better than intermediate students, who, in turn, performed better than junior students (p<0.0001). Effect sizes for midpoint to final scores on the ACP ranged from medium to large (0.40–0.74). Participants were satisfied with the online education module that provided instruction on how to use and interpret the ACP, as indicated by satisfaction scores and qualitative comments. Conclusions: The ACP is a reliable, valid, and practical measure to assess and describe the PT students' behaviours as observed during clinical education relative to what is expected of an entry-level physiotherapist.
Learning Curves Observed in Establishing Targeted Rate of Force Application in Pressure Pain Algometry
Authors: Emerson Kavchak Alicia J. , Sault Josiah D. , Vendrely Ann
Published: March 2016

Purpose: To determine whether learning curves can be observed with deliberate practice when the goal is to apply a consistent rate of force at 5 N/second during pressure pain threshold (PPT) testing in healthy volunteers. Methods: In this prospective study, 17 clinician participants completed PPT targeted rate-of-application testing with healthy volunteers using three different feedback paradigms. The resultant performances of ramp rate during 36 trials were plotted on a graph and examined to determine whether learning curves were observed. Results: Clinicians were not consistent in the rate of force applied. None demonstrated a learning curve over the course of 36 trials and three testing paradigms. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that applying a consistent 5 N/second of force is difficult for practising clinicians. The lack of learning curves observed suggests that educational strategies for clinicians using PPT may need to change.
Degradation behavior of theophylline/chitosan/β-cyclodextrin microspheres for pulmonary drug delivery
Authors: Wang Li , Yang Tingting , Ju Weiping , Ren Ming , Feng Zhanqin , Zheng Zengjuan , Hu Zhenbo , Liu Yuqing , Zhang Weifen
Published: March 2016

To evaluate the degradation behavior of theophylline/chitosan/β-cyclodextrin microspheres, we performed both in vitro study by putting the microspheres in phosphate buffered saline or in phosphate buffer saline with enzyme and in vivo study by implanting the microspheres into the back of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The results showed that microspheres were degraded in enzymatic hydrolysis and phosphate buffer saline, which were degraded faster in 0.2 mg/mL lysozyme than in phosphate buffer saline. The morphology of microspheres in phosphate buffer saline and enzyme solution developed rough surfaces, and showed irregular shape and pores after 8 weeks. The microspheres were degraded in vivo within 8 weeks with irregular, sheet, porous morphology, and the diameters were smaller than 5 ?m. These results indicated that the theophylline/chitosan/β-cyclodextrin microspheres had a good degradation both in vitro and in vivo which can be used as a pulmonary drug delivery carrier.
Excavation of a Bronze Age Ring-Groove House at Inverkip, Inverclyde
Authors: Rennie Christine , Ballin Torben Bjarke , Smith Beverley Ballin , Ramsay Susan , Carson Sharon
Published: March 2016

This paper describes the excavation of an unenclosed ring-groove house at Ardgowan Rise, Inverkip, Inverclyde. The remains were identified during an archaeological evaluation carried out prior to development of the site, and comprised a timber-built structure, defined by two sections of ring-groove and postholes, along with interior and exterior features. While material from most of the structural components and from the hearth has been radiocarbon dated to the Mid-Bronze Age, other features indicate use of the site during the Mesolithic and Early Bronze Age. Some evidence for later agricultural use of the site was also uncovered.
Evolutionary Recycling of Light Signaling Components in Fleshy Fruits: New Insights on the Role of Pigments to Monitor Ripening
Authors: Llorente Briardo , D’Andrea Lucio , Rodríguez-Concepción Manuel
Published: March 2016

Besides an essential source of energy, light provides environmental information to plants. Photosensory pathways are thought to have occurred early in plant evolution, probably at the time of the Archaeplastida ancestor, or perhaps even earlier. Manipulation of individual components of light perception and signaling networks in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) affects the metabolism of ripening fruit at several levels. Most strikingly, recent experiments have shown that some of the molecular mechanisms originally devoted to sense and respond to environmental light cues have been re-adapted during evolution to provide plants with useful information on fruit ripening progression. In particular, the presence of chlorophylls in green fruit can strongly influence the spectral composition of the light filtered through the fruit pericarp. The concomitant changes in light quality can be perceived and transduced by phytochromes (PHYs) and PHY-interacting factors, respectively, to regulate gene expression and in turn modulate the production of carotenoids, a family of metabolites that are relevant for the final pigmentation of ripe fruits. We raise the hypothesis that the evolutionary recycling of light-signaling components to finely adjust pigmentation to the actual ripening stage of the fruit may have represented a selective advantage for primeval fleshy-fruited plants even before the extinction of dinosaurs.
Estimation of the Heating Time of Small-Scale Buildings Using Dynamic Models
Authors: Perera Degurunnehalage , Skeie Nils-Olav
Published: March 2016

Most buildings are not continuously occupied, such as office buildings, schools, churches and many residential buildings. Maintaining comfortable conditions only during the occupied periods reduces the energy costs. This can be done by lowering the temperature as much as possible during unoccupied periods and at nights and then raising the temperature for occupation. More energy can be saved by using this method. The estimation of the time taken for the temperature increase is important in determining the optimal time for switching the heating equipment on. A dynamic model for single-zone buildings is developed for estimating the heating time, and the model is validated using four case studies with real measurements. The model computes the heating time with an error of less than 3%. It can also be used to obtain a rough prediction of the space heating energy use. Further, it was observed that starting the heating at the right time returns the lowest energy cost with the introduction of usage-based energy tariff systems. The model is quick in predicting the results, and hence, physics-based models can play an influential role in building system control with advanced control strategies.
South Asian Medicinal Compounds as Modulators of Resistance to Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
Authors: Prasad N. , Muthusamy Ganesan , Shanmugam Mohana , Ambudkar Suresh
Published: March 2016

Cancer is a hyperproliferative disorder that involves transformation, dysregulation of apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. During the last 30 years, extensive research has revealed much about the biology of cancer. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the mainstays of cancer treatment, particularly for patients who do not respond to surgical resection. However, cancer treatment with drugs or radiation is seriously limited by chemoresistance and radioresistance. Various approaches and strategies are employed to overcome resistance to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Many plant-derived phytochemicals have been investigated for their chemo- and radio-sensitizing properties. The peoples of South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan have a large number of medicinal plants from which they produce various pharmacologically potent secondary metabolites. The medicinal properties of these compounds have been extensively investigated and many of them have been found to sensitize cancer cells to chemo- and radio-therapy. This review focuses on the role of South Asian medicinal compounds in chemo- and radio-sensitizing properties in drug- and radio-resistant cancer cells. Also discussed is the role of South Asian medicinal plants in protecting normal cells from radiation, which may be useful during radiotherapy of tumors to spare surrounding normal cells.
Gold-Iron Oxide Catalyst for CO Oxidation: Effect of Support Structure
Authors: Cui Hui-Zhen , Guo Yu , Wang Xu , Jia Chun-Jiang , Si Rui
Published: March 2016

Gold-iron oxide (Au/FeOx) is one of the highly active catalysts for CO oxidation, and is also a typical system for the study of the chemistry of gold catalysis. In this work, two different types of iron oxide supports, i.e., hydroxylated (Fe_OH) and dehydrated iron oxide (Fe_O), have been used for the deposition of gold via a deposition-precipitation (DP) method. The structure of iron oxide has been tuned by either selecting precipitated pH of 6.7–11.2 for Fe_OH or changing calcination temperature of from 200 to 600 °C for Fe_O. Then, 1 wt. % Au catalysts on these iron oxide supports were measured for low-temperature CO oxidation reaction. Both fresh and used samples have been characterized by multiple techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and temperature-programmed reduction by hydrogen (H2-TPR). It has been demonstrated that the surface properties of the iron oxide support, as well as the metal-support interaction, plays crucial roles on the performance of Au/FeOx catalysts in CO oxidation.
Bonding Strength Effects in Hydro-Mechanical Coupling Transport in Granular Porous Media by Pore-Scale Modeling
Authors: Chen Zhiqiang , Xie Chiyu , Chen Yu , Wang Moran
Published: March 2016

The hydro-mechanical coupling transport process of sand production is numerically investigated with special attention paid to the bonding effect between sand grains. By coupling the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and the discrete element method (DEM), we are able to capture particles movements and fluid flows simultaneously. In order to account for the bonding effects on sand production, a contact bond model is introduced into the LBM-DEM framework. Our simulations first examine the experimental observation of “initial sand production is evoked by localized failure” and then show that the bonding or cement plays an important role in sand production. Lower bonding strength will lead to more sand production than higher bonding strength. It is also found that the influence of flow rate on sand production depends on the bonding strength in cemented granular media, and for low bonding strength sample, the higher the flow rate is, the more severe the erosion found in localized failure zone becomes.
Assessing the Robustness of Thermoeconomic Diagnosis of Fouled Evaporators: Sensitivity Analysis of the Exergetic Performance of Direct Expansion Coils
Authors: Piacentino Antonio , Catrini Pietro
Published: March 2016

Thermoeconomic diagnosis of refrigeration systems is a pioneering approach to the diagnosis of malfunctions, which has been recently proven to achieve good performances for the detection of specific faults. Being an exergy-based diagnostic technique, its performance is influenced by the trends of exergy functions in the “design” and “abnormal” conditions. In this paper the sensitivity of performance of thermoeconomic diagnosis in detecting a fouled direct expansion coil and quantifying the additional consumption it induces is investigated; this fault is critical due to the simultaneous air cooling and dehumidification occurring in the coil, that induce variations in both the chemical and thermal fractions of air exergy. The examined parameters are the temperature and humidity of inlet air, the humidity of reference state and the sensible/latent heat ratio (varied by considering different coil depths). The exergy analysis reveals that due to the more intense dehumidification occurring in presence of fouling, the exergy efficiency of the evaporator coil eventually increases. Once the diagnostic technique is based only on the thermal fraction of air exergy, the results suggest that the performance of the technique increases when inlet air has a lower absolute humidity, as evident from the “optimal performance” regions identified on a psychrometric chart.
Spatial Econometrics: A Rapidly Evolving Discipline
Authors: Arbia Giuseppe
Published: March 2016

Spatial econometrics has a relatively short history in the scenario of the scientific thought. Indeed, the term “spatial econometrics” was introduced only forty years ago during the general address delivered by Jean Paelinck to the annual meeting of the Dutch Statistical Association in May 1974 (see [1]). [...]
Effect of the Coordinative Optimization of Interruptible Loads in Primary Frequency Regulation on Frequency Recovery
Authors: Zhou Xia , Li Wei , Li Mengya , Chen Qian , Zhang Chaohai , Yu Jilai
Published: March 2016

When faults and disturbances occur in power systems, backup power resources respond to maintain the system’s frequency, and the frequency recovery effect is related to the primary frequency regulation of the reserve capacity provided by and the response speeds of the system’s generating units and interruptible loads. The relationships between a system’s frequency and the frequency regulation capacity of the generating units and the interruptible loads are different. In this paper, an index for the frequency recovery effect is proposed based on the static frequency adjustment coefficient of the interruptible load and the adjustment coefficients of the generating units, and an optimization model of an interruptible load participating in primary frequency regulation is built with the objective of minimizing the cost of the primary frequency regulation reserve that uses the system’s frequency recovery effect as a constraint. The simulation results verify the validity of the model.
Fuel Classes in Conifer Forests of Southwest Sichuan, China, and Their Implications for Fire Susceptibility
Authors: Wang San , Niu Shukui
Published: March 2016

The fuel characteristics that influence the initiation and spread of wildfires were measured in Keteleeria fortune forest (FT1), Pinus yunnanensis forest (FT2), P. yunnanensis and Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco mixed forest (FT3), P. yunnanensis Franch and K. fortunei (Murr.) Carr mixed forest (FT4), Tsuga chinensis forest (FT5), and P. orientalis forest (FT6) in southwest Sichuan Province, China. We compared vertical distributions of four fuel classes (active fuel, fine fuel, medium fuel and thick fuel) in the same vertical strata and in different spatial layers, and analyzed the fire potential (surface fire, passive and active crown fires) of the six forest types (FT). We then classified the six forest types into different groups depending on their wildfire potential. By using the pattern of forest wildfire types that burnt the most number of forests, we identified four fire susceptibility groups. The first two groups had the lowest susceptibility of active crown fires but they differed in the proportion of surface and passive crown fires. The third group was positioned in the middle between types with low and extremely high fire susceptibility; while the fourth group had the highest susceptibility of active crown fires. The results of this study will not only contribute to the prediction of fire behavior, but also will be invaluable for use in forestry management.
Support Values for Genome Phylogenies
Authors: Klötzl Fabian , Haubold Bernhard
Published: March 2016

We have recently developed a distance metric for efficiently estimating the number of substitutions per site between unaligned genome sequences. These substitution rates are called “anchor distances” and can be used for phylogeny reconstruction. Most phylogenies come with bootstrap support values, which are computed by resampling with replacement columns of homologous residues from the original alignment. Unfortunately, this method cannot be applied to anchor distances, as they are based on approximate pairwise local alignments rather than the full multiple sequence alignment necessary for the classical bootstrap. We explore two alternatives: pairwise bootstrap and quartet analysis, which we compare to classical bootstrap. With simulated sequences and 53 human primate mitochondrial genomes, pairwise bootstrap gives better results than quartet analysis. However, when applied to 29 E. coli genomes, quartet analysis comes closer to the classical bootstrap.
Silica-Gentamicin Nanohybrids: Synthesis and Antimicrobial Action
Authors: Mosselhy Dina , Ge Yanling , Gasik Michael , Nordström Katrina , Natri Olli , Hannula Simo-Pekka
Published: March 2016

Orthopedic applications commonly require the administration of systemic antibiotics. Gentamicin is one of the most commonly used aminoglycosides in the treatment and prophylaxis of infections associated with orthopedic applications, but gentamicin has a short half-life. However, silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) can be used as elegant carriers for antibiotics to prolong their release. Our goal is the preparation and characterization of SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids for their potential antimicrobial administration in orthopedic applications. In vitro gentamicin release profile from the nanohybrids (gentamicin-conjugated SiO2 NPs) prepared by the base-catalyzed precipitation exhibited fast release (21.4%) during the first 24 h and further extension with 43.9% release during the five-day experiment. Antimicrobial studies of the SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids versus native SiO2 NPs and free gentamicin were performed against Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Pseudomonas fluorescens (P. fluorescens) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids were most effective against B. subtilis. SiO2 NPs play no antimicrobial role. Parallel antimicrobial studies for the filter-sterilized gentamicin were performed to assess the effect of ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation on gentamicin. In summary, the initial fast gentamicin release fits the need for high concentration of antibiotics after orthopedic surgical interventions. Moreover, the extended release justifies the promising antimicrobial administration of the nanohybrids in bone applications.
Corrosion Resistance Properties of Aluminum Coating Applied by Arc Thermal Metal Spray in SAE J2334 Solution with Exposure Periods
Authors: Lee Han-Seung , Singh Jitendra , Ismail Mohamed , Bhattacharya Chinmoy
Published: March 2016

Arc thermal metal spray coating provides excellent corrosion, erosion and wear resistance to steel substrates. This paper incorporates some results of aluminum coating applied by this method on plain carbon steel. Thereafter, coated panels were exposed to an environment known to form stable corrosion products with aluminum. The coated panels were immersed in Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2334 for different periods of time. This solution consists of an aqueous solution of NaCl, CaCl2 and NaHCO3. Various electrochemical techniques, i.e., corrosion potential-time, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the potentiodynamic were used to determine the performance of stimulants in improving the properties of the coating. EIS studies revealed the kinetics and mechanism of corrosion and potentiodynamic attributed the formation of a passive film, which stifles the penetration of aggressive ions towards the substrate. The corrosion products that formed on the coating surface, identified using Raman spectroscopy, were Dawsonite (NaAlCO3(OH)2) and Al(OH)3. These compounds of aluminum are very sparingly soluble in aqueous solution and protect the substrate from pitting and uniform corrosion. The morphology and composition of corrosion products determined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses indicated that the environment plays a decisive role in improving the corrosion resistance of aluminum coating.
Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling to Study the Antipyretic Effect of Qingkailing Injection on Pyrexia Model Rats
Authors: Zhang Zhixin , Qin Lingling , Peng Long , Zhang Qingqing , Wang Qing , Lu Zhiwei , Song Yuelin , Gao Xiaoyan
Published: March 2016

Qingkailing injection (QKLI) is a modern Chinese medicine preparation derived from a well-known classical formulation, An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan. Although the clinical efficacy of QKLI has been well defined, its severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were extensively increased. Through thorough attempts to reduce ADR rates, it was realized that the effect-based rational use plays the key role in clinical practices. Hence, the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model was introduced in the present study, aiming to link the pharmacokinetic profiles with the therapeutic outcomes of QKLI, and subsequently to provide valuable guidelines for the rational use of QKLI in clinical settings. The PK properties of the six dominant ingredients in QKLI were compared between the normal treated group (NTG) and the pyrexia model group (MTG). Rectal temperatures were measured in parallel with blood sampling for NTG, MTG, model control group (MCG), and normal control group (NCG). Baicalin and geniposide exhibited appropriate PK parameters, and were selected as the PK markers to map the antipyretic effect of QKLI. Then, a PK-PD model was constructed upon the bacalin and geniposide plasma concentrations vs. the rectal temperature variation values, by a two-compartment PK model with a Sigmoid Emax PD model to explain the time delay between the drug plasma concentration of PK markers and the antipyretic effect after a single dose administration of QKLI. The findings obtained would provide fundamental information to propose a more reasonable dosage regimen and improve the level of individualized drug therapy in clinical settings.
Continuous-Flow Synthesis of Deuterium-Labeled Antidiabetic Chalcones: Studies towards the Selective Deuteration of the Alkynone Core
Authors: Ötvös Sándor , Hsieh Chi-Ting , Wu Yang-Chang , Li Jih-Heng , Chang Fang-Rong , Fülöp Ferenc
Published: March 2016

Flow chemistry-based syntheses of deuterium-labeled analogs of important antidiabetic chalcones were achieved via highly controlled partial C≡C bond deuteration of the corresponding 1,3-diphenylalkynones. The benefits of a scalable continuous process in combination with on-demand electrolytic D2 gas generation were exploited to suppress undesired over-reactions and to maximize reaction rates simultaneously. The novel deuterium-containing chalcone derivatives may have interesting biological effects and improved metabolic properties as compared with the parent compounds.
Effect of Saturation Pressure Difference on Metal–Silicide Nanopowder Formation in Thermal Plasma Fabrication
Authors: Shigeta Masaya , Watanabe Takayuki
Published: March 2016

A computational investigation using a unique model and a solution algorithm was conducted, changing only the saturation pressure of one material artificially during nanopowder formation in thermal plasma fabrication, to highlight the effects of the saturation pressure difference between a metal and silicon. The model can not only express any profile of particle size–composition distribution for a metal–silicide nanopowder even with widely ranging sizes from sub-nanometers to a few hundred nanometers, but it can also simulate the entire growth process involving binary homogeneous nucleation, binary heterogeneous co-condensation, and coagulation among nanoparticles with different compositions. Greater differences in saturation pressures cause a greater time lag for co-condensation of two material vapors during the collective growth of the metal–silicide nanopowder. The greater time lag for co-condensation results in a wider range of composition of the mature nanopowder.
Hell Hounds, Hillbillies, and Hedonists: The Evangelical Roots of Rock n’ Roll
Authors: Motley Clay
Published: March 2016

This essay contends that much of the creativity driving the formation of popular folk music, such as blues, country, and early Rock n’ Roll, in the American South during the early twentieth century grew from the religious tension between concepts of “sacred” and “secular” rooted in evangelical Protestantism. This essay examines the rebellious impulse of Rock n’ Roll as, in the absence of religious boundaries, tensions, and influences, it grew beyond its Southern roots.
Development of a Semi-Analytical Algorithm for the Retrieval of Suspended Particulate Matter from Remote Sensing over Clear to Very Turbid Waters
Authors: Han Bing , Loisel Hubert , Vantrepotte Vincent , Mériaux Xavier , Bryère Philippe , Ouillon Sylvain , Dessailly David , Xing Qianguo , Zhu Jianhua
Published: March 2016

Remote sensing of suspended particulate matter, SPM, from space has long been used to assess its spatio-temporal variability in various coastal areas. The associated algorithms were generally site specific or developed over a relatively narrow range of concentration, which make them inappropriate for global applications (or at least over broad SPM range). In the frame of the GlobCoast project, a large in situ data set of SPM and remote sensing reflectance, Rrs(λ), has been built gathering together measurements from various coastal areas around Europe, French Guiana, North Canada, Vietnam, and China. This data set covers various contrasting coastal environments diversely affected by different biogeochemical and physical processes such as sediment resuspension, phytoplankton bloom events, and rivers discharges (Amazon, Mekong, Yellow river, MacKenzie, etc.). The SPM concentration spans about four orders of magnitude, from 0.15 to 2626 g·m−3. Different empirical and semi-analytical approaches developed to assess SPM from Rrs(λ) were tested over this in situ data set. As none of them provides satisfactory results over the whole SPM range, a generic semi-analytical approach has been developed. This algorithm is based on two standard semi-analytical equations calibrated for low-to-medium and highly turbid waters, respectively. A mixing law has also been developed for intermediate environments. Sources of uncertainties in SPM retrieval such as the bio-optical variability, atmospheric correction errors, and spectral bandwidth have been evaluated. The coefficients involved in these different algorithms have been calculated for ocean color (SeaWiFS, MODIS-A/T, MERIS/OLCI, VIIRS) and high spatial resolution (LandSat8-OLI, and Sentinel2-MSI) sensors. The performance of the proposed algorithm varies only slightly from one sensor to another demonstrating the great potential applicability of the proposed approach over global and contrasting coastal waters.
Deriving the Characteristic Scale for Effectively Monitoring Heavy Metal Stress in Rice by Assimilation of GF-1 Data with the WOFOST Model
Authors: Huang Zhi , Liu Xiangnan , Jin Ming , Ding Chao , Jiang Jiale , Wu Ling
Published: March 2016

Accurate monitoring of heavy metal stress in crops is of great importance to assure agricultural productivity and food security, and remote sensing is an effective tool to address this problem. However, given that Earth observation instruments provide data at multiple scales, the choice of scale for use in such monitoring is challenging. This study focused on identifying the characteristic scale for effectively monitoring heavy metal stress in rice using the dry weight of roots (WRT) as the representative characteristic, which was obtained by assimilation of GF-1 data with the World Food Studies (WOFOST) model. We explored and quantified the effect of the important state variable LAI (leaf area index) at various spatial scales on the simulated rice WRT to find the critical scale for heavy metal stress monitoring using the statistical characteristics. Furthermore, a ratio analysis based on the varied heavy metal stress levels was conducted to identify the characteristic scale. Results indicated that the critical threshold for investigating the rice WRT in monitoring studies of heavy metal stress was larger than 64 m but smaller than 256 m. This finding represents a useful guideline for choosing the most appropriate imagery.