bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA Sequencing and Coexpression Analysis Reveal Key Genes Involved in α-Linolenic Acid Biosynthesis in Perilla frutescens Seed
Authors: Zhang Tianyuan , Song Chi , Song Li , Shang Zhiwei , Yang Sen , Zhang Dong , Sun Wei , Shen Qi , Zhao Degang
Published: November 2017

Perilla frutescen is used as traditional food and medicine in East Asia. Its seeds contain high levels of α-linolenic acid (ALA), which is important for health, but is scarce in our daily meals. Previous reports on RNA-seq of perilla seed had identified fatty acid (FA) and triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis genes, but the underlying mechanism of ALA biosynthesis and its regulation still need to be further explored. So we conducted Illumina RNA-sequencing in seven temporal developmental stages of perilla seeds. Sequencing generated a total of 127 million clean reads, containing 15.88 Gb of valid data. The de novo assembly of sequence reads yielded 64,156 unigenes with an average length of 777 bp. A total of 39,760 unigenes were annotated and 11,693 unigenes were found to be differentially expressed in all samples. According to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, 486 unigenes were annotated in the “lipid metabolism” pathway. Of these, 150 unigenes were found to be involved in fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis and triacylglycerol (TAG) assembly in perilla seeds. A coexpression analysis showed that a total of 104 genes were highly coexpressed (r > 0.95). The coexpression network could be divided into two main subnetworks showing over expression in the medium or earlier and late phases, respectively. In order to identify the putative regulatory genes, a transcription factor (TF) analysis was performed. This led to the identification of 45 gene families, mainly including the AP2-EREBP, bHLH, MYB, and NAC families, etc. After coexpression analysis of TFs with highly expression of FAD2 and FAD3 genes, 162 TFs were found to be significantly associated with two FAD genes (r > 0.95). Those TFs were predicted to be the key regulatory factors in ALA biosynthesis in perilla seed. The qRT-PCR analysis also verified the relevance of expression pattern between two FAD genes and partial candidate TFs. Although it has been reported that some TFs are involved in seed development, more direct evidence is still needed to verify their function. However, these findings can provide clues to reveal the possible molecular mechanisms of ALA biosynthesis and its regulation in perilla seed.
Ruthenium-Catalyzed Dimerization of 1,1-Diphenylpropargyl Alcohol to a Hydroxybenzocyclobutene and Related Reactions
Authors: Nguyen Hoang , Tashima Naoto , Ikariya Takao , Kuwata Shigeki
Published: November 2017

Propargyl alcohol is a useful synthon in synthetic organic chemistry. We found that the ruthenium(II) complex [Cp*RuCl(diene)] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5; diene = isoprene or 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod)) catalyzes dimerization of 1,1-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-ol (1,1-diphenylpropargyl alcohol, 1a) at room temperature to afford an alkylidenebenzocyclobutenyl alcohol 2a quantitatively. Meanwhile, a stoichiometric reaction of the related hydrido complex [Cp*RuH(cod)] with 1a at 50 °C led to isolation of a ruthenocene derivative 4 bearing a cyclopentadienyl ring generated by dehydrogenative trimerization of 1a. Detailed structures of 2a and 4 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The reaction mechanisms for the formation of 2a and 4 were proposed.
Selective Laser Sintering of Porous Silica Enabled by Carbon Additive
Authors: Chang Shuai , Li Liqun , Lu Li , Fuh Jerry
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of a freeform fabrication of porous ceramic parts through selective laser sintering (SLS). SLS was proposed to manufacture ceramic green parts because this additive manufacturing technique can be used to fabricate three-dimensional objects directly without a mold, and the technique has the capability of generating porous ceramics with controlled porosity. However, ceramic printing has not yet fully achieved its 3D fabrication capabilities without using polymer binder. Except for the limitations of high melting point, brittleness, and low thermal shock resistance from ceramic material properties, the key obstacle lies in the very poor absorptivity of oxide ceramics to fiber laser, which is widely installed in commercial SLS equipment. An alternative solution to overcome the poor laser absorptivity via improving material compositions is presented in this study. The positive effect of carbon additive on the absorptivity of silica powder to fiber laser is discussed. To investigate the capabilities of the SLS process, 3D porous silica structures were successfully prepared and characterized.
Role of Collectors and Depressants in Mineral Flotation: A Theoretical Analysis Based on Extended DLVO Theory
Authors: Xing Yaowen , Gui Xiahui , Karakas Fırat , Cao Yijun
Published: November 2017

A theoretical analysis was conducted to study the role of collectors and depressants in flotation, based on the extended Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory, where the hydrophobic force is considered. The collector-coated hydrophilic particle and the depressant-coated hydrophobic particle are simplified to a sphere uniformly covered with respectively hydrophobic and hydrophilic nanometer-sized hemispherical asperities of identical radius. Results show that the role of a collector in bubble–particle attachment is to create an attractive hydrophobic force and thus overcome the repulsive van der Waals and electrostatic forces. Moreover, increasing the length of the hydrophobic part of the collector molecule is a more effective way to enhance flotation recovery, compared to increasing the collector concentration. For a depressant, however, its function mechanism is to create a strong electrostatic double-layer force, while the suppression of the hydrophobic force plays a secondary role in decreasing the bubble–particle attachment barrier. The depressant molecule length is also a dominant parameter in designing a powerful depressant.
Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Triacetate as Support for Lecitase Ultra Immobilization
Authors: Silva Francielle , Morais Júnior Wilson , Silva Cleuzilene , Vieira Andressa , Batista Antônio , Faria Anízio , Assunção Rosana
Published: November 2017

The use of polymers as supports for enzyme immobilization is a strategy that enables to remove the enzymes from a chemical reaction and improve their efficiency in catalytic processes. In this work, cellulose triacetate (CTA) was used for physical adsorption of phospholipase Lecitase ultra (LU). CTA is more hydrophobic than cellulose, shows good performance in the lipases immobilization being a good candidate for immobilization of phospholipases. We investigated the immobilization of LU in CTA, the stability of the immobilized enzyme (CTA-LU) and the performance of CTA-LU using soybean oil as a substrate. LU was efficiently immobilized in CTA reaching 97.1% in 60 min of contact with an enzymatic activity of 975.8 U·g−1. The CTA-LU system presents good thermal stability, being superior of the free enzyme and increase of the catalytic activity in the whole range of pH values. The difference observed for immobilized enzyme compared to free one occurs because of the interaction between the enzyme and the polymer, which stabilizes the enzyme. The CTA-LU system was used in the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol, with the production of fatty acid methyl esters. The results showed that CTA-LU is a promising system for enzymatic reactions.
Predict the Relationship between Gene and Large Yellow Croaker’s Economic Traits
Authors: Zeng Xiangxiang , Jin Shuting , Jiang Jing , Han Kunhuang , Min Xiaoping , Liu Xiangrong
Published: November 2017

The importance of a gene’s impact on traits is well appreciated. Gene expression will affect the growth, immunity, reproduction and environmental resistance of some fish, and then affect the economic performance of fish-related business. Studying the connection between gene and character can help elucidate the growth of fishes. Thus far, a collected database containing large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) genes does not exist. The gene having to do with the growth efficiency of fish will have a huge impact on research. For example, the protein encoded by the IFIH1 gene is associated with the function of viral infection in the immune system, which affects the survival rate of large yellow croakers. Thus, we collected data through the published literature and combined them with a biological genetic database related to the large yellow croaker. Based on the data, we can predict new gene–trait associations which have not yet been discovered. This work will contribute to research on the growth of large yellow croakers.
Lipid Peroxidation Process in Meat and Meat Products: A Comparison Study of Malondialdehyde Determination between Modified 2-Thiobarbituric Acid Spectrophotometric Method and Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Reitznerová Anna , Šuleková Monika , Nagy Jozef , Marcinčák Slavomír , Semjon Boris , Čertík Milan , Klempová Tatiana
Published: November 2017

The aim of this work was to compare the methods of malondialdehyde detection, as the main secondary product of the lipid peroxidation process, in meat and meat products. Malondialdehyde measurements were performed by two modified methods, the 2-thiobarbituric acid spectrophotometric method and the reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in raw, mechanically-deboned chicken meat and in manufactured frankfurters. The malondialdehyde concentrations measured by the 2-thiobarbituric acid spectrophotometric method were found to be overestimated by more than 25% in raw meat and more than 27% in frankfurters in comparison to the results of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (p < 0.05). The achieved results showed that the presented modified reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was more applicable and more accurate for the quantification of malondialdehyde in samples of meat and meat products.
From Insulating PMMA Polymer to Conjugated Double Bond Behavior: Green Chemistry as a Novel Approach to Fabricate Small Band Gap Polymers
Authors: Aziz Shujahadeen B. , Abdullah Omed Gh. , Hussein Ahang M. , Ahmed Hameed M.
Published: November 2017

Dye-doped polymer films of Poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA have been prepared with the use of the conventional solution cast technique. Natural dye has been extracted from environmentally friendly material of green tea (GT) leaves. Obvious Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra for the GT extract were observed, showing absorption bands at 3401 cm−1, 1628 cm−1, and 1029 cm−1, corresponding to O–H/N–H, C=O, and C–O groups, respectively. The shift and decrease in the intensity of the FTIR bands in the doped PMMA sample have been investigated to confirm the complex formation between the GT dye and PMMA polymer. Different types of electronic transition could be seen in the absorption spectra of the dye-doped samples. For the PMMA sample incorporated with 28 mL of GT dye, distinguishable intense peak around 670 nm appeared, which opens new frontiers in the green chemistry field that are particularly suitable for laser technology and optoelectronic applications. The main result of this study showed that the doping of the PMMA polymer with green tea dye exhibited a strong absorption peak around 670 nm in the visible range. The absorption edge was found to be shifted towards the lower photon energy for the doped samples. Optical dielectric loss and Tauc’s model were used to estimate the optical band gaps of the samples and to specify the transition types between the valence band (VB) and conduction band (CB), respectively. A small band gap of around 2.6 eV for the dye-doped PMMA films was observed. From the scientific and engineering viewpoints, this topic has been found to be very important and relevant. The amorphous nature of the doped samples was found and ascribed to the increase of Urbach energy. The Urbach energy has been correlated to the analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) to display the structure-properties relationships.
A Heuristic Method for Power Pylon Reconstruction from Airborne LiDAR Data
Authors: Zhou Ruqin , Jiang Wanshou , Huang Wei , Xu Bo , Jiang San
Published: November 2017

Object reconstruction from airborne LiDAR data is a hot topic in photogrammetry and remote sensing. Power fundamental infrastructure monitoring plays a vital role in power transmission safety. This paper proposes a heuristic reconstruction method for power pylons widely used in high voltage transmission systems from airborne LiDAR point cloud, which combines both data-driven and model-driven strategies. Structurally, a power pylon can be decomposed into two parts: the pylon body and head. The reconstruction procedure assembles two parts sequentially: firstly, the pylon body is reconstructed by a data-driven strategy, where a RANSAC-based algorithm is adopted to fit four principal legs; secondly, a model-driven strategy is used to reconstruct the pylon head with the aid of a predefined 3D head model library, where the pylon head’s type is recognized by a shape context algorithm, and their parameters are estimated by a Metropolis–Hastings sampler coupled with a Simulated annealing algorithm. The proposed method has two advantages: (1) optimal strategies are adopted to reconstruct different pylon parts, which are robust to noise and partially missing data; and (2) both the number of parameters and their search space are greatly reduced when estimating the head model’s parameters, as the body reconstruction results information about the original point cloud, and relationships between parameters are used in the pylon head reconstruction process. Experimental results show that the proposed method can efficiently reconstruct power pylons, and the average residual between the reconstructed models and the raw data was smaller than 0.3 m.
A Passive and Wireless Sensor for Bone Plate Strain Monitoring
Authors: Tan Yisong , Hu Jiale , Ren Limin , Zhu Jianhua , Yang Jiaqi , Liu Di
Published: November 2017

This paper reports on a sensor for monitoring bone plate strain in real time. The detected bone plate strain could be used for judging the healing state of fractures in patients. The sensor consists of a magnetoelastic material, which can be wirelessly connected and passively embedded. In order to verify the effectiveness of the sensor, a tibia-bone plate-screw (TBS) model was established using the finite element analysis method. A variation of the bone plate strain was obtained via this model. A goat hindquarter tibia was selected as the bone fracture model in the experiment. The tibia was fixed on a high precision load platform and an external force was applied. Bone plate strain variation during the bone fracture healing process was acquired with sensing coils. Simulation results indicated that bone plate strain decreases as the bone gradually heals, which is consistent with the finite element analysis results. This validated the soundness of the sensor reported here. This sensor has wireless connections, no in vivo battery requirement, and long-term embedding. These results can be used not only for clinical practices of bone fracture healing, but also for bone fracture treatment and rehabilitation equipment design.
Real-Time Indoor Scene Description for the Visually Impaired Using Autoencoder Fusion Strategies with Visible Cameras
Authors: Malek Salim , Melgani Farid , Mekhalfi Mohamed , Bazi Yakoub
Published: November 2017

This paper describes three coarse image description strategies, which are meant to promote a rough perception of surrounding objects for visually impaired individuals, with application to indoor spaces. The described algorithms operate on images (grabbed by the user, by means of a chest-mounted camera), and provide in output a list of objects that likely exist in his context across the indoor scene. In this regard, first, different colour, texture, and shape-based feature extractors are generated, followed by a feature learning step by means of AutoEncoder (AE) models. Second, the produced features are fused and fed into a multilabel classifier in order to list the potential objects. The conducted experiments point out that fusing a set of AE-learned features scores higher classification rates with respect to using the features individually. Furthermore, with respect to reference works, our method: (i) yields higher classification accuracies, and (ii) runs (at least four times) faster, which enables a potential full real-time application.
Fast, Low-Cost and Non-Destructive Physico-Chemical Analysis of Virgin Olive Oils Using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy
Authors: Garrido-Varo Ana , Sánchez María-Teresa , De la Haba María-José , Torres Irina , Pérez-Marín Dolores
Published: November 2017

Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy was used for the non-destructive assessment of physico-chemical quality parameters in olive oil. At the same time, the influence of the sample presentation mode (spinning versus static cup) was evaluated using two spectrophotometers with similar optical characteristics. A total of 478 olive oil samples were used to develop calibration models, testing various spectral signal pre-treatments. The models obtained by applying MPLS regression to spectroscopic data yielded promising results for olive oil quality measurements, particularly for acidity, the peroxide index and alkyl and ethyl ester content. The results obtained indicate that this non-invasive technology can be used successfully by the olive oil sector to categorize olive oils, to detect potential fraud and to provide consumers with more reliable information. Although both sample presentation modes yielded comparable results, equations constructed with samples scanned using the spinning mode provided greater predictive capacity.
How Well Can We Extract the Permanent Displacement from Low-Cost MEMS Accelerometers?
Authors: Jan Jyh , Chao Wei-An , Wu Yih-Min , Chen Chien-Chih , Lin Cheng-Horng
Published: November 2017

Following the recent establishment of a high-density seismic network equipped with low-cost micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) P-wave-alert-device (P-Alert) by the earthquake early warning (EEW) research group at the National Taiwan University, a large quantity of strong-motion records from moderate-magnitude earthquakes (ML > 6) around Taiwan has been accumulated. Using a data preprocessing scheme to recover the dynamic average embedded within the P-Alert data, we adopted an automatic baseline correction approach for the P-Alert accelerograms to determine the coseismic deformation (Cd). Comparisons between the Cd values determined using global positioning system (GPS) data, strong-motion records from the P-Alert network, and data from the Taiwan Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (TSMIP) demonstrates that the near-real-time determination of Cd values (>2 cm), which provide crucial information for seismic hazard mitigation, is possible using records from low-cost MEMS accelerometers.
Resources for Sustainable Economic Development: A Framework for Evaluating Infrastructure System Alternatives
Authors: Duchin Faye
Published: November 2017

We are at an early stage of a massive global build-up of public infrastructure. Long lifetimes, high money costs and resource-intensity, and the rippling effects of the built environment on all aspects of daily life call for informed public conversation about the available choices before they become a fait accompli. Substantial literatures address the phenomenon in terms of economic development, resource scarcities, impacts on climate and ecosystems, technological options, human rights, funding sources, system governance, inter-governmental agreements. This paper describes a modeling framework that integrates some of these concerns about the differential impacts of large-scale centralized infrastructure systems, smaller-scale decentralized systems, and hybrid combinations. Building on existing collaborations between economists and engineers, the paper proposes a case-study research strategy to organize new types of technical information to supplement existing databases of the world economy. The paper describes needed model extensions to estimate money costs, resource requirements, resource recovery potential, and jobs and livelihoods under alternative infrastructure assumptions. The agenda supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by identifying and evaluating globally relevant alternative infrastructure designs. The SDG process, in turn, provides both the global network and the concern to promote local development to which the proposed effort aims to contribute.
The Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Natural Gas Imports in OECD Countries
Authors: Fu Min , Yang Yang , Tian Lixin , Zhen Zaili
Published: November 2017

Abstract: The natural gas receives universal attention and priority use around the world because of its high quality and cleanness. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries’ data on imports of natural gas are rich in market information and have foresight. We quantify the role of the market in resource allocation. Based on the random matrix method, this article studies the correlation coefficient matrix of OECD countries’ natural gas imports by average correlation coefficients and explores the information that the natural gas imports market contains. At the same time, this article analyzes the risk and correlation in the OECD countries’ natural gas imports market by eigenvalues, regression analysis and absorption. Finally, combined with the clustering method, we synchronize and regionalize the OECD countries’ natural gas import market. We can find that the OECD countries’ natural gas imports are related by analyzing the correlation coefficient and the risk. Correlations in OECD countries’ natural gas imports market are high. We find that different eigenvalues have different effects on the OECD countries’ natural gas imports market by researching on the entropy of the eigenvalues. We can correctly predict the turning points of OECD countries’ natural gas imports and find the correlation coefficient matrix contains advanced market information. Through the method of absorption rate, the risk of the gas import market in OECD countries is further studied. It is found that the import of natural gas in OECD countries is large and the whole market is unstable. Through the method of dynamic clustering, it is found that the whole OECD countries have high synchronism in the market of natural gas import, except for Germany.
Conflicting Information Fusion Based on an Improved DS Combination Method
Authors: Chen Jie , Ye Fang , Jiang Tao , Tian Yuan
Published: November 2017

An effective and reliable fusion method for conflicting information is proposed in this paper. Compared with a single-sensor system, a multi-sensor fusion system can comprehensively combine the redundancy and complementarity of multi-sensor information to obtain better system performance. Hence, the multi-sensor fusion system has become one of the research hotspots. However, due to lack knowledge about the measurement environment and limited sensor accuracy, the multi-sensor system inevitably appears to have imperfect, uncertain and inconsistent information. To solve the problem, we introduce one powerful uncertainty reasoning method: Dempster–Shafer theory (DS theory). With convincing measurement and a forceful combination of uncertain information, DS theory is widely applied in various fields, like decision-making, expert systems, target tracking, monitoring systems, etc. Nevertheless, DS theory will produce counter-intuitive fusion results when the pieces of evidence are highly conflicting. To address this issue, we raise an improved DS combination method for conflicting information fusion in this paper. First of all, the modified Minkowski distance function and the betting-commitment distance function are separately employed to revise potentially conflicting pieces of evidence. The procedure availably solves the conflicting situations caused by unreliable and imprecise evidence sources, which enhances the consistency among pieces of evidence. Then, based on two revised pieces of evidence, a conflicting redistribution strategy based on locally conflicting analyses is put forward. The approach dexterously combines two revised pieces of evidence to avoid conflicting situations caused by compulsive normalization, which further improves the accuracy and convergence speed of the multi-sensor fusion system. Finally, two experimental analyses with consistent information and conflicting information reveal the remarkable effectiveness and priority of the proposed algorithm for the multi-sensor fusion system. Consequently, this paper has certain value for the multi-sensor fusion system.
Invariants of Turbulence Reynolds Stress and of Dissipation Tensors in Regular Breaking Waves
Authors: Longo Sandro , Clavero Maria , Chiapponi Luca , Losada Miguel
Published: November 2017

A series of measurements in a flume with a particle-tracking system in three dimensions applied to breaking waves is used to analyse the structure of turbulence with a full set of variables that usually are available only in numerical simulations. After extracting turbulence, in addition to the standard analysis aiming to quantify the fluxes, i.e., the time-average and the phase-average levels of turbulence and vorticity (details are given in two former papers), a more in-depth description of the structure of turbulence Reynolds stress tensor is given, focussing on the invariants evolution in time and in the vertical. A relation between the components of the Reynolds stress tensor and of the dissipation tensor is depicted. This relation is finalised to possible models of turbulence in breaking waves.
Effects of Permafrost Degradation on the Hydrological Regime in the Source Regions of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, China
Authors: Wang Xiqiang , Chen Rensheng , Yang Yong
Published: November 2017

Climate warming has intensified permafrost degradation, which could have a variety of implications on the hydrological regime in permafrost regions. In this study, we analyzed the effects of permafrost degradation on the hydrological regime via four hydrological variables for 10 unregulated catchments in the source regions of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers. The results demonstrate that catchments with high permafrost coverage are expected to have an increased winter discharge ratio (proportion of winter discharge contribution to total annual flow), a decreased recession coefficient and a decreased ratio of Qmax/Qmin due to permafrost degradation. However, the great storage effects of lakes and wetlands, which could contribute to more groundwater instead of direct surface discharge, may affect the hydrological effects of permafrost degradation and result in the abnormal performance at catchment scale. The correlation analysis between summer precipitation (July–September) and the following winter discharge (December–February) indicates that permafrost degradation may affect the redistribution of summer precipitation towards the following winter discharge via increasing the soil storage capacity and delaying the release of water into streams in permafrost regions. However, unlike the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, no significant changes for the hydrological regime (four hydrological variables) are detected over the individual periods of records for each catchment. Decreased precipitation in summer seems to reduce the water infiltration to supply the groundwater, which weakens the effects of permafrost degradation on the hydrological regime. This study implies that the storage effects of lakes and wetlands and the changes of summer precipitation patterns should be considered in future permafrost hydrological simulations, which have suggested that a large increase in groundwater discharge to streams will likely occur in response to permafrost degradation due to the warming climate in the ideal scenario.
Risk Factors Associated with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Exposure to Cigarette Smoke and Air Pollution from Pregnancy to Disease Diagnosis
Authors: França Camila Maria Paiva , Sallum Adriana Maluf Elias , Braga Alfésio Luis Ferreira , Strufaldi Fernando Louzada , Silva Clovis Artur Almeida , Farhat Sylvia Costa Lima
Published: November 2017

Objective.

To evaluate exposure to environmental factors inhaled during pregnancy and after birth until juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) diagnosis among residents of a large city.

Methods.

This is an exploratory case-control study that consists of 66 patients with JIA and 124 healthy controls matched by age and sex, living in the São Paulo, Brazil, metropolitan area until JIA diagnosis, and whose mothers had resided in this region during pregnancy. A structured and reliable questionnaire (κ index for test-retest was 0.80) assessed demographic data, gestational and perinatal-related factors, and exposure to inhalable environmental elements during pregnancy and after birth (occupational exposure to inhalable particles and/or volatile vapor, exposure to cigarette smoke, and the presence of industrial activities or gas stations near the home, work, daycare, or school). Tropospheric pollutants included particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO).

Results.

During pregnancy, intrauterine cigarette smoke exposure (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.45–8.12, p = 0.005) and maternal occupational exposure (OR 13.69, 95% CI 4.4–42.3, p < 0.001) were significant independent risk factors for JIA diagnosis. In contrast, maternal employment (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02–0.2, p < 0.001) and ideal maternal weight gain (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.2–0.8, p = 0.017) presented negative associations. Secondhand smoke exposure from birth to JIA diagnosis (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.8–7.3, p < 0.001) and exposure to O3during the second year of life (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.20–6.37, p = 0.017) were independent and significant risk factors for the pathogenesis of JIA.

Conclusion.

In our study, cigarette smoke exposure (intrauterine and after birth), exposure to O3in the second year of life, and maternal occupational exposure were identified as potential risk factors for JIA, warranting further study.
Les quatre compétitions dans un monopole naturel
Authors: Lorrain Dominique
Published: November 2017

Résumé Cet article s’attache à décrire l’offre dans le secteur de l’eau ; il le fait à partir du constat qu’un secteur jusqu’alors très national se trouvait affecté à son tour par le mouvement de libéralisation. L’article s’attache à présenter les différentes firmes privées qui interviennent. Il présente d’abord les grands opérateurs et les mutations du paysage après l’entrée puis la sortie des groupes d’énergie ; puis il liste les différentes firmes de seconde importance. Ensuite l’article traite des entreprises qui interviennent lorsque la gestion demeure publique : des ingénieristes, des industriels de la dépollution. Ce faisant l’article traite des différentes formes de la compétition dans des marchés de monopole. Il en identifie quatre : la compétition pour l’accès, une compétition de second rang lorsque l’opérateur est public, une compétition sur les préalables à l’action et une compétition dans le marché avec la montée des firmes qui vendent de l’eau en bouteille.
Survey of edible insect consumption in south-eastern Nigeria
Authors: Ebenebe C.I. , Amobi M.I. , Udegbala C. , Ufele A.N. , Nweze B.O.
Published: November 2017

Edible insect consumption called entomophagy is very important in ensuring food security especially in a developing country like Nigeria, but promotion of entomophagy after a long period of adoption of western diets demands a comprehensive inventory of edible insect consumption in the past. At present, there is little or no repository of document with comprehensive information on edible insects consumed in the south eastern states of Nigeria and methods of use is also scarce in literature. It becomes imperative to assess edible insect consumption in the region as a background for promotion of entomophagy in the area. The study used questionnaires and oral interviews to obtain information on types of edible insects consumed, season of harvest, cooking methods, local dishes with edible insects, people’s reaction to edible insect consumption, challenges of entomophagy business and ethno-cultural beliefs on edible insect consumption. Of the 2,000 individuals sampled, 56.4% were males, 43.6% females, with 22.4% children, 19.6% teenagers, 24.2% young adults, 16.6% older adults and 17.2% aged above 60 years of age. The result showed that seventeen insect species belonging to six orders were consumed and harvesting is mainly during the rains, though some recorded year round availability. Restricted seasonal availability and high collecting costs are among the reported barriers to edible insect consumption The most common cooking methods documented in the study were frying or roasting. Six traditional dishes were found to include edible insects. Four ethno-cultural beliefs on some edible insects were also documented. Edible insect farming is therefore recommended as a strategy to bridge the gap between insect protein supply and demand in the region.
The Use of Serious Games in Preschool Education
Authors: Kokkalia Georgia , Drigas Athanasios , Economou Alexandra , Roussos Petros , Choli Spyridoula
Published: November 2017

A brief review is presented in order to underlie the importance of serious games in preschool education. Their role is examined according to the educational perspectives that are explored in preschool settings including also their role in special preschool education. The domains of literacy, maths, cognitive & motor skills, creativity, communication and special education are investigated. Also, the beliefs of teachers about using games for teaching and learning are interviewed.
An Efficient Approach for Exchanging Exam Contents in E-Learning Institutions
Authors: Alamri Sultan
Published: November 2017

In some e-learning and blended-learning institutions, such as the Saudi Electronic University (SEU) in Saudi Arabia, prior to the students undertaking exams, the exam questions are distributed to and shared among faculty members. This is done by email which poses a high security risk. Moreover, there is the issue of latency and problems associated with the organization of the exams. Therefore, this paper presents a system to secure the digital content of exam questions and their transmission in e-learning institutions, enabling the control of access to content with suitable management features for security, auditing, and archiving using leading technology solutions for content management and security.
Significado da violência física ocupacional para o trabalhador de enfermagem na dinâmica familiar e social/ The meaning of physical violence at the workplace for nursing workers within family and social dynamics
Authors: Scaramal Dayane Aparecida , Haddad Maria do Carmo Fernandez Lourenço , Garanhani Mara Lucia , Galdino Maria José Quina , Pissinati Paloma De Souza Cavalcante
Published: November 2017

Neste estudo objetivou-se apreender o significado da violência física ocupacional para o trabalhador de enfermagem em sua dinâmica familiar e social. Pesquisa qualitativa, desenvolvida por meio de entrevistas individuais com 16 trabalhadores de enfermagem de serviços de urgência e emergência de dois hospitais de média complexidade de uma cidade de grande porte do norte do Paraná. Utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo para organizar os dados e o Interacionismo Simbólico como referencial teórico. Os trabalhadores relataram sentir-se despreparados para enfrentar a agressividade da população e utilizam a reflexão para questionar sua realidade. A dinâmica familiar variou de acordo com o gênero, sendo que as mulheres relataram compartilhar as vivências de agressividade física com sua família. Em contrapartida, os homens evitam informar suas esposas e filhos sobre esses atos, pois, culturalmente, são considerados mais fortes e devem enfrentar essas situações sem a necessidade de compartilhá-las. Identificou-se também a forma como a cultura está enraizada na sociedade a ponto de interferir no processo de trabalho em saúde, pois, na visão do trabalhador, essa população o despreza e por isso o agride fisicamente.
Percepção de mulheres sobre a atenção primária no âmbito da política do câncer de colo uterino no estado de Sergipe/Women’s perception about primary healthcare within the scope of cervical cancer policies in the state of Sergipe
Authors: Morais André Luiz de Jesus , Passos Taciana Silveira , Santos Deyse Mirelle Souza , Nunes Marco Antonio Prado , Vargas Marlizete Maldonado , Oliveira Cristiane Costa da Cunha
Published: November 2017

Este estudo objetivou avaliar a percepção das mulheres usuárias do serviço de saúde sobre a atenção básica quanto às ações de prevenção do câncer de colo do útero no Estado de Sergipe. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, com abordagem quali-quantitativa, realizada com usuárias nas sedes das sete regionais de saúde deste estado. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas e técnica de grupo focal, com amostra por conveniência de 840 mulheres de 25 a 59 anos de idade que realizaram o exame Papanicolau. Foi realizada distribuição de frequências dos dados quantitativos e a análise de conteúdo apontou cinco categorias: acesso e dificuldades para realização do Papanicolau; técnicas de captação de público-alvo; estrutura para encaminhamento; abrangência das secretarias; aspectos comportamentais das mulheres; e orientações ao público-alvo quanto à prevenção de colo uterino. A análise qualitativa demonstrou divergências entre os relatos das usuárias quanto ao acesso e dificuldades na realização do exame e técnicas de captação de público-alvo. Houve relatos importantes sobre aspectos comportamentais e, principalmente, sobre dificuldades de encaminhamento e condições de tratamento dos casos detectados. Torna-se necessário um profundo repensar por parte da equipe e, especialmente, dos gestores tendo como base os princípios que regem o conceito da atenção básica em saúde.
Desvelando os sentidos e significados do climatério em mulheres coronarianas/Unveiling the senses and meanings of the climacteric in coronary women
Authors: Silva Líscia Divana Carvalho , Mamede Marli Vilella
Published: November 2017

O climatério é constituído por sintomatologia específica que desencadeia na mulher processos interativos, significantes os quais influenciam a identificação de sua condição de saúde. Objetivou-se compreender o significado atribuído pelas mulheres sobre o climatério/menopausa e doença coronariana. Utilizou-se o interacionismo simbólico respaldado no método de análise de conteúdo e a técnica de grupos focais com 25 mulheres. Identificaram -se cinco categorias: Certo desconhecimento; Envelhecimento e adoecimento; Processo de mudanças; Sentimentos de desordem no bem estar físico e emocional e a menopausa tem ligação com a doença coronariana. As mulheres não conseguiram expressar o climatério como uma fase de profunda vulnerabilidade que favorece a suscetibilidade a sintomas, desordem e adaptação, manifestada por mal-estar biológico e emocional, associada ao envelhecimento e às doenças. Estabeleceram uma ligação entre a menopausa e a doença coronariana, sugerindo que a doença cardíaca se constitui como causa e/ou consequência do climatério. O climatério e a doença cardíaca necessitam de uma atenção mais qualificada que transcenda os aspectos biológicos da assistência à saúde, favorecendo um cuidado integral e mais próximo de suas necessidades, contemplando as singularidades.
Criança em tratamento conservador renal: processo de adaptação da mãe cuidadora/Children with chronic renal failure on conservative treatment: adaptation process of the caregiver-mother
Authors: Lise Fernanda , Schwartz Eda , Milbrath Viviane Marten , Dos Santos Bianca Pozza , Feijó Aline Machado
Published: November 2017

Este estudo objetivou conhecer o processo de adaptação da mulher ao tornar-se mãe/cuidadora de uma criança em tratamento conservador renal. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, desenvolvido a partir do formulário específico e entrevista semiestruturada com cuidadores familiares da criança em tratamento conservador renal em acompanhamento em serviços de nefrologia. Os dados foram analisados com a técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. Participaram 11 mães cuidadoras. A maioria das participantes vive em áreas urbanas, é casada, católica, possui ensino fundamental completo, não desempenhava atividades profissionais remuneradas, mas recebia auxílio-saúde da criança, e o processo de adaptação permitiu a construção da categoria “Reorganizando o cotidiano”, na qual são abordadas as mudanças e formas de ajustamento. O processo de adaptação da mulher, ao tornar-se mãe/cuidadora da criança em tratamento conservador renal, pode proporcionar, aos profissionais de Enfermagem, melhor compreensão da subjetividade vivenciada e contribuir para a reorganização e a promoção do equilíbrio no cotidiano da unidade familiar.
 Interagindo com a família do paciente hospitalizado: vivência do técnico em enfermagem/ Interacting with family members of hospitalized patients: a nursing technician’s experience
Authors: Silva Maria Cristina Ferreira Carlos Rodrigues da , Borba Regina Issuzu Hirooka de , Onishi Juliana Yukari Takahashi , Pinto Júlia Peres , Horta Ana Lúcia de Moraes , Ribeiro Circéa Amália
Published: November 2017

Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender o significado atribuído pelo técnico em enfermagem à vivência de interagir com a família do paciente hospitalizado. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, que utilizou como referencial teórico o Interacionismo Simbólico, e o metodológico, a Análise Qualitativa de Conteúdo. Participaram nove técnicos em enfermagem que atuavam nas unidades de clínica médica de dois hospitais públicos, sendo os dados coletados por entrevista semiestruturada e observação participante. Revelaram as dificuldades, ambiguidade e despreparo vivenciados pelos profissionais na interação com a família, embora reconheça sua importância, e a ausência de sua interação com conteúdo a respeito da temática, tanto no curso técnico como na vida profissional. Constatou-se que, na vivência com familiares, faltam-lhes conhecimento e habilidade para lidar com o cuidado da família, assim, necessitam de suporte teórico e prático para enfrentamento de tal situação.
Análise da qualidade do sistema de informações sobre nascidos vivos / Analysis of the quality of the information system on live births
Authors: Stevanato Jaquelline Monte , Gaíva Maria Aparecida Munhoz , Mathias Thais Aidar de Freitas
Published: November 2017

Este estudo objetivou analisar a qualidade do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos em Mato Grosso, estado da região Centro-Oeste do país, por meio do percentual e da tendência de incompletude das variáveis do sistema, no período de 2000 a 2012, segundo as variáveis maternas, da gestação, do parto e do recém-nascido. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico de série temporal. A incompletude das variáveis foi verificada por meio do percentual de dados ignorados e não preenchidos, considerando excelente percentuais inferiores a 1%, boa entre 1% e 2,99%, regular entre 3% e 6,99% e ruim superior a 7%. Para a análise de tendência utilizou-se regressão polinomial. Os resultados mostraram que a qualidade do Sinasc é excelente, pois o percentual de incompletude da maioria das variáveis analisadas foi inferior a 1%. Todavia observou-se tendência crescente dos percentuais de incompletude para raça/cor e idade gestacional o que indica necessidade de monitoramento e controle de qualidade contínuo.
Wear Behavior of In Situ Mg2Si Particle-Dispersed Magnesium Alloys
Authors: Asano Kazunori
Published: November 2017

Magnesium alloys, in which the in-situ Mg2Si particles were dispersed, were fabricated by a casting process, and the dry sliding wear behavior of the alloys was investigated. Optical microscopy revealed that the polygonal Mg2Si particles were homogeneously dispersed in the alloys. Mg2Si particle volume fractions in the alloys were 7 and 11 vol%. Although the wear loss of the alloy decreased due to the particle-dispersion, there was no difference in the wear loss between the alloys with different volume fractions. The worn surfaces of the particle-dispersed alloys were covered with the crumbled Mg2Si particles, which would prevent seizure between the alloy and the steel counterpart, leading to an improvement in the wear resistance of the alloy. The particle-dispersion slightly decreased the scatter of the coefficient of friction during the wear for the low sliding speed and load, but the effect of the dispersion was not clearly observed for the high speed and load.
A Study of the Structural and Mechanical Characterization of Hybrid Nanocomposite Material
Authors: Mahmoud Adel K. , Al-Nassar Suha I. , Demiral Murat , Kadhim Hala M.
Published: November 2017

This work is devoted on the synthesized new hybrid nanocomposite materials by using mechanical stirring method through a combination of different types of material; epoxy based matrix and nanofiller (TiO2 nanoparticles) as a reinforcement material. In additional this paper studies the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles with percentage 2-8 wt% added to epoxy based matrix on the mechanical properties (tensile properties and hardness property). The results showed that the tensile strength of nanocomposite material increased gradually by increasing the weight percentage of TiO2 nanoparticles from 2 wt % to 8 wt % TiO2, while the best tensile strength was at 8 wt % TiO2. The maximum value of tensile strength was 270% higher than the neat epoxy matrix. The hardness increase gradually with increasing percentage of TiO2 nanoparticles from 2wt% TiO2 up to 8wt% TiO2, the maximum value of hardness was at 8wt % TiO2, so the hardness of nanocomposite is around 86% higher than the neat epoxy matrix.
Physical Properties of Irreversible Hydrocolloid Impression Material Incorporated with Silver-Nanoparticles
Authors: Rungkiertsakul Mallika , Sawaengkit Pornrachanee , Nisalak Passiri , Thaweboon Sroisiri , Churnjitapirom Pornkiat
Published: November 2017

Dental impression is a source of cross infection and transmission of diseases. Conventional disinfection may lead to a change in physical properties. Self-disinfectant irreversible hydrocolloid is an alternative to the disinfection and can prevent microbial cross contamination. The present study evaluates the physical properties of irreversible hydrocolloid impression material incorporated with 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% w/w silver nanoparticles (AgZrPO4, Sunshine Factory Co.,Ltd, China). The working time and detail reproduction were tested according to ISO 21563:2013 with some modification. The result showed that AgZrPO4 did not significantly affect the physical properties of the impression material. Based on this in vitro study, AgZrPO4 can be added to the impression material for its antimicrobial benefit without significant changes in the physical properties of the material.
Evaluation of Tri-Axial Magnetostriction in Cube-Oriented Fe-Ga Single Crystal by Using X-Ray Diffraction Method
Authors: Ikeuchi Takehito , Koyama Akihiro , Imafuku Muneyuki , Fujieda Shun , Onuki Yusuke , Suzuki Shigeru
Published: November 2017

We carried out in situ tri-axial magnetostriction analysis for cube-oriented Fe-18%Ga single crystal by X-ray diffraction measurement under magnetic field. Periodic change in tri-axial magnetostriction with applied magnetic field direction was clearly observed. However, those values in [100] and [010] directions were not equivalent. Theoretical calculation of magnetostriction considering domain structure revealed this is caused by the non-equivalent volume fraction of initial magnetic domains.