bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pairing season habitat selection by Montezuma quail in southeastern Arizona
Authors: Bristow Kirby D. , Ockenfels Richard A. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae Vigors) are closely associated with oak woodlands (Quercus spp.). Livestock grazing and cover availability are considered important factors affecting Montezuma quail distribution and density. While habitat conditions during pairing season (April-June) are thought to be important to Montezuma quail survival and reproduction, information on habitat selection during that time is limited. We investigated habitat selection by Montezuma quail in grazed and ungrazed areas within the Huachuca and Santa Rita mountain foothills in southeastern Arizona. We used pointing dogs to locate quail during the pairing seasons of 1998 and 1999, and measured habitat characteristics at 60 flush sites and 60 associated random plots (within 100 m of flush sites). We recorded information on landform, substrate, vegetation, and cover. Montezuma quail selected (P < 0.10) areas with higher grass canopy cover and more trees than randomly available. Short (≤ 50 cm tall) visual obstruction (cover), usually associated with bunch grass, was greater (P < 0.10) at use sites than at random plots. Land management practices that reduce grass and tree cover may affect Montezuma quail habitat quality and availability in southeastern Arizona. Based on habitat selection patterns of Montezuma quail, we recommend that oak woodland habitats should contain a minimum tree canopy of 26%, and 51-75% grass canopy cover at the 20-cm height to provide optimum cover availability.
Cervid forage utilization in noncommercially thinned ponderosa pine forests
Authors: Gibbs Mary C. , Jenks Jonathan A. , Deperno Christopher S. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

To evaluate effects of noncommercial thinning, utilization of forages consumed by elk (Cervus elaphus L.), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus Raf.), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Raf.) was measured in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. C. Lawson) stands in Custer State Park, S. D. Treatments consisted of unthinned (control; 22 to 32 m2/ha basal area), moderately thinned (12 to 22 m2/ha basal area), and heavily thinned (3 to 13 m2/ha basal area) stands of ponderosa pine. During June, July, and August, 1991 and 1992, about 7,000 individual plants were marked along permanent transects and percent-weight-removed by grazing was ocularly estimated. Sample plots were established along transects and plants within plots were clipped to estimate standing biomass. Pellet groups were counted throughout the study area to determine summer habitat use of elk and deer. Diet composition was evaluated using microhistological analysis of fecal samples. Average percent-weight-removed from all marked plants and percent-plants-grazed were used to evaluate forage utilization. Standing biomass of graminoids, shrubs, and forbs increased (P 0.05) from unthinned to moderately and heavily thinned stands. Utilization of graminoids and shrubs averaged less than 1% when measured as percent-weight-removed and percent-plants-grazed and did not differ (P 0.05) across treatments. Forb use averaged less than 5% within sampling periods when measured as percent-weight-removed and percent-of-plants grazed and did not differ among treatments. Results of pellet group surveys indicated that cervids were primarily using meadow habitats. When averaged over the 2 years, forbs were the major forage class in deer diets, whereas graminoids were the major forage class in diets of elk.
Steer diets in a montane riparian community
Authors: Pelster Andrew J. , Evans Steven , Leininger Wayne C. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

Diets of fistulated steers that grazed a montane riparian community were determined throughout a growing season. The objective was to determine if willow (Salir spp.) consumption by steers was related to the season of use and the residual stubble heights of herbaceous forae species. Diet samples were collected at 4 levels of herbaceous utilization throughout 4 grazing periods that were based on willow phenology. Results suggested that spring grazing of riparian pastures was preferable to late-season use to minimize browsing on willows. Willow consumption increased substantially as herbaceous stubble height approached 10 and 18 cm during the spring and early- summer grazing periods, repectively. Stubble heights greater than 20 cm were needed to reduce willow consumption when they were most preferred during the late- summer and fall grazing seasons in this tall sedge (Carex spp.)/willow riparian community. Sedge and rush (Juncus spp.) composition in steer diets declined, while willow composition increased in steer diets, in response to decreasing stubble heights. Grass consumption by steers was little affected by stubble height, while forb consumption was directly related to forb availability. Although grazing activity has the potential to negatively impact riparian willows, these results suggested that timing of use and carefully controlled levels of herbaceous utilization could be used to minimize the consumption of willows by cattle in a montane riparian community.
Responses of desert grassland vegetation to mesquite removal and regrowth
Authors: Tiedemann Arthur R. , Klemmedson James O. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term response of understory vegetation in the desert grassland of southeastern Arizona, USA, to removal and regrowth of mesquite Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC. var. velutina (Wooton) Sarg. trees. The study involved 3 treatments applied to mesquite in 1966; mesquite left intact (MI), mesquite removed (MR), and mesquite removed, sprouted, and regrown (MRS). Vegetation responses to 2 litter treatments, litter intact (LI) and litter removed (LR), also were examined. Cover of understory vegetation and juvenile mesquite ( 1.5 m height) were measured in canopy and open (intercanopy) locations. Major changes between 1967 and 1991 were increased cover of juvenile mesquite, shrubs, halfshrubs, bush muhly Muhlenbergia porteri Scribn., and Lehmann lovegrass Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees., and a decline in cover of Arizona cottontop Digitaria californica (Benth.) Chase, and plains bristlegrass Setaria macrostachya H.B.K. Arizona cottontop, plains bristlegrass, and bush muhly were more abundant in canopy locations; black grama Bouteloua eriopoda Torr. and Lehmann lovegrass were more abundant in open locations. Lehmann lovegrass cover was lowest in canopy locations of the mesquite intact treatment. Combination of the mesquite removed and sprouted and litter intact treatments favored increased cover development of native perennial grasses. Litter removal enhanced cover development of Lehmann lovegrass, most likely through increased amount of red light and increased soil temperature fluctuations. Low levels of understory cover (22% average) probably facilitated recruitment of mesquite and other woody plants. Our observation that the greatest cover of Arizona cottontop, plains bristlegrass, and bush muhly occurred in the canopy location of the mesquite intact treatment suggests a potential strategy for maintaining diversity of native perennial grasses. Mature mesquite should be examined as a refuge for native species.
Technical Note: Comparison of Techniques for Evaluating the Relative Preference by Sheep Among Saltbush Clones
Authors: Giambalvo Dario , Stringi Luigi , Amato Gaetano ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

This research compared 4 field methods of evaluating the relative preference by sheep of 28 clones of saltbush (Atriplex halimus L.). The methods were as follows. 1) Leaf dots (LD): 8 leaves per shrub were marked on the lower surface with a small dot using a water-resistant, nontoxic ink. 2) Twig marks (TM): 2 current-year twigs per shrub were marked with 3 lines using the same ink approximately in the middle of the basal, median, and apical thirds. 3) Branch length (BL): 2 branches per shrub were marked with ink at the base of the current year's growth. The twigs were measured from the marked point to the top, before and after sheep browsing. 4) Ocular estimation (OE): the percentage of the total number of current-year twigs browsed was visually estimated for each shrub. The percentage of use was calculated by counting the residual dots (LD) or marks (TM) after browsing and by calculating the difference between the 2 measures in the BL method. The trial was conducted in August and repeated in November and in both grazing periods 4 observations were made. Highly significant differences among clones were observed. The different methods generally gave similar results for the ranking of the clones, but each method showed a different discriminatory capacity. On the basis of the F ratio, the OE method seemed more efficient, although results were subjective and mainly dependent on the experience and skill of the observer. Among the methods based on the counting or measurement of markers, the discriminatory capacity decreased from LD to BL and TM, but the opposite order was observed for the ease of setting and counting the markers.
Grass Seedling Recruitment in Cattle Dungpats
Authors: Gokbulak F. , Call C. A. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

Livestock seed dispersal (fecal seeding) is gaining recognition as a method to reintroduce desirable species to degraded rangelands. A field study was conducted to determine the influence of cattle dungpat thickness on the recruitment of Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda Presl.), bluebunch wheatgrass (Psuedoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Love), and ‘Hycrest’ crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum [Fisch. ex Link] Schult. × A. cristatum [L.] Gaert.) in naturally and artificially deposited dungpats. Four Holstein heifers each were fed 60 000 seeds of each species. Twenty-four hours after feeding seeds, dung was collected from 2 animals receiving each plant species and formed into uniform, artificial dungpats (2 kg in mass) with thicknesses of 1, 2, and 4 cm, and respective diameters of 40, 28, and 20 cm, and deposited on bare soil. The other 2 animals receiving each plant species were used to deposit natural dungpats, varying in mass, thickness, and diameter, on bare soil. Seedling recruitment in all dungpat types was greatest for crested wheatgrass, followed by Sandberg bluegrass and bluebunch wheatgrass. Recruitment for all species was generally greatest in 1-cm-thick artificial dungpats, followed in order by 2-cm-thick artificial dungpats, natural dungpats, and 4-cm-thick artificial dungpats. Most seedlings, regardless of species, emerged and survived in the interior region of 1- and 2-cm-thick artificial dungpats and at the periphery of 4-cm-thick artificial dungpats. Most seedlings of crested wheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass emerged and survived in cracks and depressions in the interior region of natural dungpats, whereas more bluebunch wheatgrass seedlings emerged and survived at the periphery of natural dungpats. Results indicate that the efficacy of cattle seed dispersal is influenced by the seedling vigor of species (seeds) consumed and the thickness of dungpats in which the ingested seeds are deposited. Grass species with weak seedling vigor (Sandberg bluegrass and bluebunch wheatgrass) have lower recruitment than species with strong seedling vigor (crested wheatgrass), particularly in dung > 2 cm thick.
Viewpoint: The Need for Qualitative Research to Understand Ranch Management
Authors: Sayre Nathan F. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

The use and management of rangelands involves both ecological and social processes, and it is in the interaction of these that conservation is or is not achieved. Overall, the ecological dimensions of rangelands and rangeland management have been studied in greater detail and are better understood than the social dimensions. This paper argues that qualitative methods are necessary to understand the management of rangelands by ranchers. Existing studies using quantitative methods have found little correlation between ranchers' management practices and a variety of social factors. One consistent finding of these studies, however, is that profit is a secondary or insignificant motivation among ranchers, casting doubt on the premise that economic self-interest motivates ranchers to embrace improved management practices. The theoretical and methodological implications of this finding have not been adequately recognized in rangeland science. With its greater flexibility and attention to context, qualitative research can reveal social, historical, political, and economic factors that affect ranch management but have eluded quantitative studies. In addition, qualitative methods are better suited to capturing both the processes that generate ranchers' “mental models” and the historical information needed in light of recent theoretical advances in rangeland ecology. Suggestions for future research on ranch management include conducting case studies of smaller areas over longer temporal periods, focusing on interactions among ranchers, giving ranchers a greater role in identifying research needs, studying urbanization and other “new” rangeland issues, and drawing on research about pastoralist societies elsewhere.
Determination of Forage Chemical Composition Using Remote Sensing
Authors: Starks Patrick J. , Coleman Samuel W. , Phillips William A. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

Traditional forage nutrient analysis from benchtop near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) or common laboratory chemical procedures provides accurate, point -based information, but often does not provide it in a timely way to allow changes in forage or animal management. The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of estimating concentrations of nitrogen, neutral  detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of live, standing forages using a handheld hyperspectral spectroradiometer (radiometer), and to compare these estimates to values determined via NIRS and laboratory chemical methods. Calibration equations were developed from canopy reflectance measurements from monocultures of Bermuda grass and then applied to a test data set to predict N, NDF, and ADE Statistical analyses showed that forage composition estimates from the radiometer were equivalent to those from the NIRS. Such a remote-sensing approach would enable real-time assessment of forage quality, would allow mapping of the nutritional landscape, could be used as a tool to better manage pastures and supplements, and would assist in making harvesting decisions.
Evaluation of baseline cortisol concentration to monitor efficacy of twice-daily administration of trilostane to dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism: 22 cases (2008–2012)
Authors: Woolcock Andrew D. , Bugbee Andrew C. , Creevy Kate E.
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE To evaluate use of cortisol concentration prior to ACTH stimulation (baseline) to monitor efficacy of twice-daily administration of trilostane to dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH).

DESIGN Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS 22 dogs with PDH.

PROCEDURES The database of a veterinary hospital was searched to identify dogs with PDH that were treated with the FDA-approved veterinary formulation of trilostane twice daily between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012. For each dog, signalment and details regarding each hospital visit including comorbidities, electrolyte concentrations, and clinical signs were extracted from the record. For each ACTH stimulation test performed, the respective correlations between baseline cortisol concentration and the cortisol concentration after ACTH stimulation (ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentration) and resultant decision regarding trilostane dose adjustment were determined. Excessive suppression of cortisol production was defined as an ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentration < 2.0 μg/dL. The ability of various baseline cortisol concentrations to predict whether a dog had excessive suppression of cortisol production was determined.

RESULTS 109 ACTH stimulation tests were performed for the 22 dogs. A baseline cortisol concentration > 3.2 μg/dL predicted that ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentration would be ≥ 2.0 μg/dL with 100% certainty; however, 14 of 64 tests with a baseline cortisol concentration > 3.2 μg/dL had an ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentration ≤ 3.2 μg/dL, which was suggestive of inadequate adrenocortical cortisol reserves.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that baseline cortisol concentration should not be used as the sole monitoring tool for management of dogs with PDH treated with trilostane twice daily. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2016;248:814–821)
Vaginal fold prolapse in a dog with pyometra and ovarian papillary cystadenocarcinoma
Authors: Zedda Maria-Teresa , Bogliolo Luisa , Ariu Federica , Ledda Mauro , Falchi Laura , Pinna-Parpaglia Maria-Luisa , Pau Salvatore
Published: March 2016

CASE DESCRIPTION A 7-year-old 42-kg (92.4-lb) sexually intact nulliparous female Italian Mastiff was examined because of a history of vaginal prolapse during diestrus.

CLINICAL FINDINGS A physical examination revealed vaginal fold prolapse. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an enlarged uterus with hypoechogenic content, corpora lutea in the ovaries, and a cyst in the right ovary. Hematologic abnormalities included leukocytosis, neutrophilia, mild anemia, and low Hct. Progesterone and estradiol concentrations were 9.36 ng/mL and 30.42 pg/mL, respectively, in serum and 72.72 ng/mL and 792 pg/mL, respectively, in the ovarian cystic fluid.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Ovariohysterectomy was performed; the prolapsed tissue was repositioned by external manipulation and maintained in situ by temporary apposition of the vulvar lips with a retention suture. Anatomic and histologic examinations of the excised tissues revealed pyometra and papillary cystadenocarcinoma in the right ovary. The vaginal hyperplasia completely regressed at 35 days after surgery; 5 months after surgery, the dog's general condition was considered good.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings in this case were indicative of a hormonally active ovarian papillary cystadenocarcinoma in a female dog in diestrus. Hormone production by the cystadenocarcinoma was the predisposing factor that induced pyometra, mucosal hyperplasia, and vaginal fold prolapse in the dog. On the basis of these concurrent disorders, ovariohysterectomy was an appropriate treatment. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2016;248:822–826)
Unfinished MDG agenda highlighted at the first Global Maternal Newborn Health Conference
Authors: Paudel Yuba Raj
Published: March 2016

No abstract available.
Physical activity for human and planetary health
Authors: Health Prospect The
Published: March 2016
Current smokers’ perception of cigarette graphic health warnings and smoking habits: a cross sectional study from Nepal
Authors: Mishra Shiva Raj , Bhandari Parash Mani , Marahatta Sujan Babu , Rana Hari Krishan Singh , Acharya Pawan , Khanal Vishnu
Published: March 2016

Background: Nepal introduced Tobacco Products (Control and Regulatory) Act in 2011. This act has mandatory provision of enlarged graphical health warning in Nepali language on at least 75% area on the package of all the tobacco products. This study examined the perception of cigarette graphic health warnings and smoking habits among current smokers.Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Butwal sub-metropolitan city in Rupandehi district of Nepal. Among 19 wards of the sub-metropolitan city, four wards were selected randomly by computer-generated codes. Enumerators purposively selected 10 shops from each ward, then recruited every third cigarette buyer from each shop to make a total of five. Smoking status was ascertained by asking if they had ever smoked in last thirty days. We approached 200 people, of whom 40 (20.0%) didn’t agree to participate and 10 (5.0%) didn’t smoke currently. Thus, information from 150 current smokers was finally included in the analysis.Results: Nearly 71% of respondents said they would smoke even if the price of cigarette was doubled. Similarly, 55.3% reported that they had intention to quit smoking, followed by 62.0% agreeing on taxation of cigarette and tobacco products is essential. Nearly 81% said it is necessary to keep health warnings in the package of cigarette. About 87% knew that the Government of Nepal has introduced some regulations to control tobacco products. Nearly 80% of respondents had heard of new provision on enlarged graphic health warning on cigarette packages. More than one-fourth (26.7%) had reduced the frequency of smoking since they started using packages with enlarged graphic health warning.Conclusion: Majority had heard of graphic health warning on cigarette packages. Greater than a half of the respondents had intention to quit smoking, and nearly two-third identified taxation as important means to control smoking. A quarter of respondents reported that they forewent smoking after they started using new packages with enlarged graphic health warning. Further research on impact of graphic health warning on smoking levels through repeated cross sectional studies can be the future research priority.
Effects of inhibitory theta burst TMS to different brain sites involved in visuospatial attention – a combined neuronavigated cTBS and behavioural study
Authors: Platz Thomas , Schüttauf Johannes , Aschenbach Julia , Mengdehl Christine , Lotze Martin
Published: March 2016

Purpose and methods: The study sought to alter visual spatial attention in young healthy subjects by a neuronavigated inhibitory rTMS protocol (cTBS-600) to right brain areas thought to be involved in visual attentional processes, i.e. the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and the posterior middle frontal gyrus (pMFG), and to test the reversibility of effects by an additional consecutive cTBS to the homologue left brain cortical areas.

Results: Healthy subjects showed a leftward bias of the egocentric perspective for both visual-perceptive and visual-exploratory tasks specifically for items presented in the left hemifield. cTBS to the right TPJ, and less systematically to the right pMFG reduced this bias for visuo-spatial and exploratory visuo-motor behaviour. Further, a consecutive cTBS to the left TPJ changed the bias again towards the left for a visual-perceptive task.

Conclusions: The evidence supports the notion of an involvement of the right TPJ (and pMFG) in spatial visual attention. The observations further indicate that inhibitory non-invasive brain stimulation (cTBS) to the left TPJ has a potential for reversing a rightward bias of spatial attention when the right TPJ is dysfunctional. Accordingly, the findings could have implications for therapeutic rTMS development for right brain damaged patients with visual neglect.
MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Prognosis and Theranostics in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Bertoli Gloria , Cava Claudia , Castiglioni Isabella
Published: March 2016

Prostate cancer (PC) includes several phenotypes, from indolent to highly aggressive cancer. Actual diagnostic and prognostic tools have several limitations, and there is a need for new biomarkers to stratify patients and assign them optimal therapies by taking into account potential genetic and epigenetic differences. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small sequences of non-coding RNA regulating specific genes involved in the onset and development of PC. Stable miRNAs have been found in biofluids, such as serum and plasma; thus, the measurement of PC-associated miRNAs is emerging as a non-invasive tool for PC detection and monitoring. In this study, we conduct an in-depth literature review focusing on miRNAs that may contribute to the diagnosis and prognosis of PC. The role of miRNAs as a potential theranostic tool in PC is discussed. Using a meta-analysis approach, we found a group of 29 miRNAs with diagnostic properties and a group of seven miRNAs with prognostic properties, which were found already expressed in both biofluids and PC tissues. We tested the two miRNA groups on The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset of PC tissue samples with a machine-learning approach. Our results suggest that these 29 miRNAs should be considered as potential panel of biomarkers for the diagnosis of PC, both as in vivo non-invasive test and ex vivo confirmation test.
Nocturnal Pruritus: The Battle for a Peaceful Night’s Sleep
Authors: Lavery Michael , Stull Carolyn , Kinney Michael , Yosipovitch Gil
Published: March 2016

Chronic pruritus is a debilitating condition with numerous etiologies. Many patients suffer from nocturnal pruritus, which can decrease quality of life and affect mortality in hemodialysis patients. Nocturnal pruritus may occur in all sleep stages but is most prevalent in stages N1 and N2. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathophysiology of nocturnal itch, which will aid in the development of tailored management strategies.
Arsenite Regulates Prolongation of Glycan Residues of Membrane Glycoprotein: A Pivotal Study via Wax Physisorption Kinetics and FTIR Imaging
Authors: Lee Chih-Hung , Hsu Chia-Yen , Huang Pei-Yu , Chen Ching-Iue , Lee Yao-Chang , Yu Hsin-Su
Published: March 2016

Arsenic exposure results in several human cancers, including those of the skin, lung, and bladder. As skin cancers are the most common form, epidermal keratinocytes (KC) are the main target of arsenic exposure. The mechanisms by which arsenic induces carcinogenesis remains unclear, but aberrant cell proliferation and dysregulated energy homeostasis play a significant role. Protein glycosylation is involved in many key physiological processes, including cell proliferation and differentiation. To evaluate whether arsenite exposure affected protein glycosylation, the alteration of chain length of glycan residues in arsenite treated skin cells was estimated. Herein we demonstrated that the protein glycosylation was adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent and regulated by arsenite exposure by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance spectroscopy, synchrotron-radiation-based FTIR (SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy, and wax physisorption kinetics coupled with focal-plane-array-based FTIR (WPK-FPA-FTIR) imaging. We were able to estimate the relative length of surface protein-linked glycan residues on arsenite-treated skin cells, including primary KC and two skin cancer cell lines, HSC-1 and HaCaT cells. Differential physisorption of wax adsorbents adhered to long-chain (elongated type) and short-chain (regular type) glycan residues of glycoprotein of skin cell samples treated with various concentration of arsenite was measured. The physisorption ratio of beeswax remain/n-pentacosane remain for KC cells was increased during arsenite exposure. Interestingly, this increase was reversed after oligomycin (an ATP synthase inhibitor) pretreatment, suggesting the chain length of protein-linked glycan residues is likely ATP-dependent. This is the first study to demonstrate the elongation and termination of surface protein-linked glycan residues using WPK-FPA-FTIR imaging in eukaryotes. Herein the result may provide a scientific basis to target surface protein-linked glycan residues in the process of arsenic carcinogenesis.
Modeling, Simulation and Control of the Walking of Biped Robotic Devices, Part II: Rectilinear Walking
Authors: Menga Giuseppe , Ghirardi Marco
Published: March 2016

This is the second part of a three-part paper. It extends to the free walking results of a previous work on postural equilibrium of a lower limb exoskeleton for rehabilitation exercises. A classical approach has been adopted to design gait (zero moment point (ZMP), linearized inverted pendulum theory, inverse kinematics obtained through the pseudo-inverse of Jacobian matrices). While several ideas exploited here can be found in other papers of the literature, e.g., whole-body coordination, our contribution is the simplicity of the whole control approach that originates logically from a common root. (1) The approximation of the unilateral foot/feet-ground contacts with non-holonomic constraints leads naturally to a modeling and control design that implements a two-phase switching system. The approach is facilitated by Kane’s method and tools as described in Part I. (2) The Jacobian matrix is used to transfer from the Cartesian to the joint space a greater number of variables for redundancy than the degrees of freedom (DOF). We call it the extended Jacobian matrix. Redundancy and the prioritization of postural tasks is approached with weighted least squares. The singularity of the kinematics when knees are fully extended is solved very simply by fake knee joint velocities. (3) Compliance with the contact and accommodation of the swing foot on an uneven ground, when switching from single to double stance, and the transfer of weight from one foot to the other in double stance are approached by exploiting force/torque expressions returned from the constraints. (4) In the center of gravity (COG)/ZMP loop for equilibrium, an extended estimator, based on the linearized inverted pendulum, is adopted to cope with external force disturbances and unmodeled dynamics. Part II treats rectilinear walking, while Part III discusses turning while walking.
A Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression Model for Ground-Level PM2.5 Estimation from Satellite-Derived 500 m Resolution AOD
Authors: Bai Yang , Wu Lixin , Qin Kai , Zhang Yufeng , Shen Yangyang , Zhou Yuan
Published: March 2016

Regional haze episodes have occurred frequently in eastern China over the past decades. As a critical indicator to evaluate air quality, the mass concentration of ambient fine particulate matters smaller than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) is involved in many studies. To overcome the limitations of ground measurements on PM2.5 concentration, which is featured in disperse representation and coarse coverage, many statistical models were developed to depict the relationship between ground-level PM2.5 and satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD). However, the current satellite-derived AOD products and statistical models on PM2.5–AOD are insufficient to investigate PM2.5 characteristics at the urban scale, in that spatial resolution is crucial to identify the relationship between PM2.5 and anthropogenic activities. This paper presents a geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model to generate ground-level PM2.5 concentrations from satellite-derived 500 m AOD. The GTWR model incorporates the SARA (simplified high resolution MODIS aerosol retrieval algorithm) AOD product with meteorological variables, including planetary boundary layer height (PBLH), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (WS), and temperature (TEMP) extracted from WRF (weather research and forecasting) assimilation to depict the spatio-temporal dynamics in the PM2.5–AOD relationship. The estimated ground-level PM2.5 concentration has 500 m resolution at the MODIS satellite’s overpass moments twice a day, which can be used for air quality monitoring and haze tracking at the urban and regional scale. To test the performance of the GTWR model, a case study was carried out in a region covering the adjacent parts of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui provinces in central China. A cross validation was done to evaluate the performance of the GTWR model. Compared with OLS, GWR, and TWR models, the GTWR model obtained the highest value of coefficient of determination (R2) and the lowest values of mean absolute difference (MAD), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE).
Monitoring Anthropogenic Ocean Sound from Shipping Using an Acoustic Sensor Network and a Compressive Sensing Approach
Authors: Harris Peter , Philip Rachel , Robinson Stephen , Wang Lian
Published: March 2016

Monitoring ocean acoustic noise has been the subject of considerable recent study, motivated by the desire to assess the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine life. A combination of measuring ocean sound using an acoustic sensor network and modelling sources of sound and sound propagation has been proposed as an approach to estimating the acoustic noise map within a region of interest. However, strategies for developing a monitoring network are not well established. In this paper, considerations for designing a network are investigated using a simulated scenario based on the measurement of sound from ships in a shipping lane. Using models for the sources of the sound and for sound propagation, a noise map is calculated and measurements of the noise map by a sensor network within the region of interest are simulated. A compressive sensing algorithm, which exploits the sparsity of the representation of the noise map in terms of the sources, is used to estimate the locations and levels of the sources and thence the entire noise map within the region of interest. It is shown that although the spatial resolution to which the sound sources can be identified is generally limited, estimates of aggregated measures of the noise map can be obtained that are more reliable compared with those provided by other approaches.
SmartPort: A Platform for Sensor Data Monitoring in a Seaport Based on FIWARE
Authors: Fernández Pablo , Santana José , Ortega Sebastián , Trujillo Agustín , Suárez José , Domínguez Conrado , Santana Jaisiel , Sánchez Alejandro
Published: March 2016

Seaport monitoring and management is a significant research area, in which infrastructure automatically collects big data sets that lead the organization in its multiple activities. Thus, this problem is heavily related to the fields of data acquisition, transfer, storage, big data analysis and information visualization. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria port is a good example of how a seaport generates big data volumes through a network of sensors. They are placed on meteorological stations and maritime buoys, registering environmental parameters. Likewise, the Automatic Identification System (AIS) registers several dynamic parameters about the tracked vessels. However, such an amount of data is useless without a system that enables a meaningful visualization and helps make decisions. In this work, we present SmartPort, a platform that offers a distributed architecture for the collection of the port sensors’ data and a rich Internet application that allows the user to explore the geolocated data. The presented SmartPort tool is a representative, promising and inspiring approach to manage and develop a smart system. It covers a demanding need for big data analysis and visualization utilities for managing complex infrastructures, such as a seaport.
Studies on the synthesis of peptides containing dehydrovaline and dehydroisoleucine based on copper-mediated enamide formation
Authors: Gille Franziska , Kirschning Andreas
Published: March 2016

The preparation of peptide fragments containing dehydrovaline and dehydroisoleucine moieties present in the antibiotic myxovalargin is reported. Peptide formation is based on a copper-mediated C–N cross-coupling protocol between an acyl amide and a peptidic vinyl iodide. The presence of a neighboring arginine in the vinyl iodide posed a challenge with respect to the choice of the protecting group and the reaction conditions. It was found that ornithine – a suitable precursor – is better suited than arginine for achieving good yields for the C–N cross-coupling reaction. The optimized conditions were utilized for the synthesis of peptides 32, 33, 39 and 40 containing a neighboring ornithine as well as for the tripeptide 44 containing dehydroisoleucine with the correct stereochemistry.
AN INLAND WATERWAY FREIGHT SERVICE IN COMPARISON TO LAND-BASED ALTERNATIVES IN SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE: ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND AIR QUALITY PERFORMANCE
Authors: Tzannatos Ernestos , Tselentis Basil , Corres Alkis
Published: March 2016

Towards the strive of developing sustainable freight transport networks in Europe, the EU and the developing South-Eastern Europe in particular, this paper initially examines the feasibility of establishing a navigable link along the Axios–Morava waterway, for freight transport between the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (via the Aegean) and the Danube River, and then proceeds with its energy and air quality comparison with the competing modes of rail and road. It was found that this waterway service is technically feasible and offers an energy and carbon efficient alternative to road-borne and rail-borne freight. However, the land-based services were found to be superior with regard to their impact upon the air quality of the region, mainly attributed to the stricter emission standards applicable to these transport modes. Finally, it is proposed to build on the ongoing international policy and funding interest in this project in order to implement all the necessary infrastructural and operational changes which will make the proposed waterway service a commercially and environmentally sustainable freight transport alternative in South-Eastern Europe.
PEERING THROUGH THE DUST: NuSTAR OBSERVATIONS OF TWO FIRST-2MASS RED QUASARS
Authors: LaMassa Stephanie M. , Ricarte Angelo , Glikman Eilat , Urry C. Megan , Stern Daniel , Yaqoob Tahir , Lansbury George B. , Civano Francesca , Boggs Steve E. , Brandt W. N. , Chen Chien-Ting J. , Christensen Finn E. , Craig William W. , Hailey Chuck J. , Harrison Fiona , Hickox Ryan C. , Koss Michael , Ricci Claudio , Treister Ezequiel , Zhang Will
Published: March 2016

Some reddened quasars appear to be transitional objects in the paradigm of merger-induced black hole growth/galaxy evolution, where a heavily obscured nucleus starts to be unveiled by powerful quasar winds evacuating the surrounding cocoon of dust and gas. Hard X-ray observations are able to peer through this gas and dust, revealing the properties of circumnuclear obscuration. Here, we present NuSTAR and XMM-Newton/Chandra observations of FIRST-2MASS-selected red quasars F2M 0830+3759 and F2M 1227+3214. We find that though F2M 0830+3759 is moderately obscured (N
H,Z = (2.1 ± 0.2) × 1022 cm−2) and F2M 1227+3214 is mildly absorbed (

cm−2) along the line of sight, heavier global obscuration may be present in both sources, with

cm−2 and <5.5 × 1023 cm−2 for F2M 0830+3759 and F2M 1227+3214, respectively. F2M 0830+3759 also has an excess of soft X-ray emission below 1 keV, which is well accommodated by a model where 7% of the intrinsic X-ray emission from the active galactic nucleus (AGN) is scattered into the line of sight. While F2M 1227+3214 has a dust-to-gas ratio (E(B – V)/N
H) consistent with the Galactic value, the value of E(B – V)/N
H for F2M 0830+3759 is lower than the Galactic standard, consistent with the paradigm that the dust resides on galactic scales while the X-ray reprocessing gas originates within the dust sublimation zone of the broad-line region. The X-ray and 6.1 μm luminosities of these red quasars are consistent with the empirical relations derived for high-luminosity, unobscured quasars, extending the parameter space of obscured AGNs previously observed by NuSTAR to higher luminosities.
THE MOSDEF SURVEY: THE STRONG AGREEMENT BETWEEN Hα AND UV-TO-FIR STAR FORMATION RATES FOR z ∼ 2 STAR-FORMING GALAXIES*
Authors: Shivaei Irene , Kriek Mariska , Reddy Naveen A. , Shapley Alice E. , Barro Guillermo , Conroy Charlie , Coil Alison L. , Freeman William R. , Mobasher Bahram , Siana Brian , Sanders Ryan , Price Sedona H. , Azadi Mojegan , Pasha Imad , Inami Hanae
Published: March 2016

We present the first direct comparison between Balmer line and panchromatic spectral energy distribution (SED)-based star formation rates (SFRs) for

galaxies. For this comparison, we used 17 star-forming galaxies selected from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey, with

detections for Hα and at least two IR bands (Spitzer/MIPS 24 μm and Herschel/PACS 100 and 160 μm, and in some cases Herschel/SPIRE 250, 350, and 500 μm). The galaxies have total IR (8–1000 μm) luminosities of

and SFRs of

. We fit the UV-to-far-IR SEDs with flexible stellar population synthesis (FSPS) models—which include both stellar and dust emission—and compare the inferred SFRs with the SFR(Hα, Hβ) values corrected for dust attenuation using Balmer decrements. The two SFRs agree with a scatter of 0.17 dex. Our results imply that the Balmer decrement accurately predicts the obscuration of the nebular lines and can be used to robustly calculate SFRs for star-forming galaxies at

with SFRs up to

. We also use our data to assess SFR indicators based on modeling the UV-to-mid-IR SEDs or by adding SFR(UV) and SFR(IR), for which the latter is based on the mid-IR only or on the full IR SED. All these SFRs show a poorer agreement with SFR(Hα, Hβ) and in some cases large systematic biases are observed. Finally, we show that the SFR and dust attenuation derived from the UV-to-near-IR SED alone are unbiased when assuming a delayed exponentially declining star formation history.
La santé des populations
Authors: Gaimard Maryse
Published: March 2016

La santé est envisagée ici par la maladie et la morbidité, notamment par la charge des maladies et l’état de santé perçu. Les avancées réalisées pour réduire la morbidité ont été considérables et les principales pathologies rencontrées relèvent des maladies chroniques comme les maladies cardiovasculaires et les cancers. Les principaux facteurs de risque dans la plupart des pays d’Europe sont l’alcoolisme, le tabagisme, le surpoids et l’obésité qui atteignent encore des niveaux alarmants. Les inégalités de santé entre les pays et au sein d’un même pays restent importantes et sont fortement corrélées aux inégalités socioéconomiques et aux performances des systèmes de santé.
13. Quelle voie suivre pour renforcer les processus de restructuration de dette souveraine ?
Authors: Bardin Pierre
Published: March 2016

Des événements comme le défaut argentin de 2001 ou le litige judiciaire qui a opposé plus récemment l’Argentine à ses créanciers procéduriers ont conduit la communauté financière internationale à s’interroger à nouveau sur le besoin d’établir un cadre réglementaire international pour faciliter les restructurations de dette souveraine. Si ces évènements plaident effectivement pour un renforcement de la coordination, l’approche « statutaire », reposant sur la création d’une instance supranationale, n’a guère de chance d’aboutir aujourd’hui en l’absence du consensus nécessaire à son efficacité. Une autre voie permet néanmoins de répondre efficacement aux insuffisances du cadre actuel, via le renforcement des clauses contractuelles des émissions obligataires et une coordination plus étroite entre débiteurs et créanciers, privés et souverains. Le Club de Paris, acteur pivot des restructurations de dette souveraine, y joue un rôle déterminant.
À l’origine de la guerre : la peur
Authors: Oliner Marion M. , Hacker Anne-Lise
Published: March 2016

L’auteure traite de l’impact que son enfance en tant que juive dans l’Allemagne nazie et les pays occupés a eu dans sa vie et le compare à sa réaction à l’attentat contre le World Trade Center à New York. Elle examine de près la mentalité des coupables qui ont justifié la Seconde Guerre mondiale et le génocide en faisant appel à une idéologie phallocentrique et puritaine. Du fait de la destruction (autodestruction) à laquelle cette guerre a mené, elle la voit comme une guerre « stupide », de même que l’attaque américaine en Irak. Elle est convaincue que les guerres sont inévitables et que les psychanalystes doivent connaître la réorganisation de la personnalité que la guerre et l’autoconservation exigent afin d’approfondir leur compréhension du réajustement nécessaire en temps de paix.
L’aspiration à la paix ou éveil inlassable…
Authors: Chetrit-Vatine Viviane
Published: March 2016

Tout en apportant des illustrations cliniques ou des éléments en lien avec le contexte socio-politique israélien dans lequel elle pratique, l’auteure se centre sur la tension entre la réalité des guerres et l’aspiration à la paix. Alternant la reprise des propositions de Freud avec sa propre hypothèse d’un tiers matriciel, féminin /maternel à l’origine de l’éthique, elle se réfère à Levinas s’interrogeant sur le phénomène de la guerre. Elle fait en particulier allusion à l’introduction de Totalité et Infini, à des passages de Difficile liberté ainsi qu’à son ouvrage plus tardif intitulé, en résonance intéressante avec les violences contemporaines : Du sacré au saint.
Aime-moi comme moi m’aime
Authors: Parat Hélène
Published: March 2016

« La passion amoureuse consiste en un débordement de la libido du moi sur l’objet. Elle a la force de supprimer les refoulements et de rétablir les perversions ». Cette affirmation freudienne ne vient-elle pas désigner le sexuel infantile et la permanence du désir-plaisir, la perversion polymorphe infantile qui est son cœur même, ne convoque-elle pas tous les auto-érotismes qui trouvent paradoxalement à se déployer et à se décliner dans la rencontre érotique entre deux amants ? Mais dans la rencontre amoureuse, un des destins du sexuel infantile est à lier à la pulsion inhibée quant au but, dont l’instauration est sous la dépendance de l’érotique maternelle.
Towards defining the Mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease based on a contextual analysis of molecular pathways
Authors: Richens Joanna L. , Bramble Jonathan P. , Spencer Hannah L. , Cantlay Fiona , Butler Molly , O'Shea Paul
Published: March 2016

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is posing an increasingly profound problem to society. Our genuine understanding of the pathogenesis of AD is inadequate and as a consequence, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are currently insufficient. The understandable focus of many studies is the identification of molecules with high diagnostic utility however the opportunity to obtain a further understanding of the mechanistic origins of the disease from such putative biomarkers is often overlooked. This study examines the involvement of biomarkers in AD to shed light on potential mechanisms and pathways through which they are implicated in the pathology of this devastating neurodegenerative disorder. The computational tools required to analyse ever-growing datasets in the context of AD are also discussed.
Lethal time of insecticides on the predator mite Neoseiulus fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) following topical exposure
Authors: Raja Jamil Raja Z. , Vandervoort Christine , Gut Larry J. , Whalon Mark E. , Wise John C.
Published: March 2016

Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is an efficient predator of the European red mite (ERM) (Panonychus ulmi (Koch); Acari: Tetranychidae) in Michigan, United States of America apple orchards and an important part of integrated pest management. Four reduced-risk insecticides (acetamiprid, spinetoram, chlorantraniliprole, and novaluron) and two conventional insecticides (esfenvalerate and carbaryl) were tested against N. fallacis for topical toxicity effects. Bioassays using a Potter spray tower were conducted to measure the topical toxicity of compounds when applied at field rate concentrations to N. fallacis. Lethal time was measured for adult N. fallacis at 4, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after treatment. Carbaryl and esfenvalerate showed the highest levels of toxicity to adult N. fallacis with shortest lethal time values (LT50) whereas the reduced risk insecticides novaluron, acetamiprid, spinetoram, and chlorantraniliprole were nontoxic. This study provides important information to apple growers regarding direct lethal effect of insecticides on predator mites and its implications to integrated mite management.