bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Grassroots and the Gift: Moral Authority, American Philanthropy, and Activism in Education
Authors: Mitchell Katharyne , Lizotte Chris
Published: November 2016

Parental activism in education reform, while often portrayed as an exemplary manifestation of participatory democracy and grassroots action in response to entrenched corporate and bureaucratic interests, is in fact carefully cultivated and channeled through strategic networks of philanthropic funding and knowledge.  This paper argues that these networks are characteristic of a contemporary form of neoliberal governance in which the philanthropic “gift” both obligates its recipients to participate in the ideological projects of the givers and obscures the incursion of market principles into education behind a veneer of progressive activism.  Drawing on archival research as well as personal interviews with Seattle-based reform advocates, representatives of philanthropic organizations, and school administrators, the paper points to the need to critically evaluate the “roots” in grassroots movements and trace their connections to larger institutions and agendas.
Political Technique, the Conflict of Umori, and Foucault’s Reading of Machiavelli in Sécurité, Territoire, Population
Authors: Erwin Sean
Published: November 2016

This article examines Foucault’s interpretation of Machiavelli in his 1978 lecture series, Sécurité, territoire, population. I argue that Foucault’s interpretation in these lectures deliberately misrepresents Machiavelli. This misrepresentation allows him to develop later traditions in political thought in a way that precludes any importance Machiavelli might have had for the concerns of these later authors. Further, thorough analysis of Foucault’s reading of Machiavelli uncovers a common thread between the two authors. For Machiavelli, the political is a space articulated by an immediacy of princes to peoples and generated from the fold formed by the difference between the qualities of the political humors. For Machiavelli, this difference of the humors—unstable and porous as it is—between those who desire to dominate and those who desire not to be dominated is immanent to the political. Read from this perspective Foucault’s critique of the tradition in anti-Machiavellian literature develops a reading of Machiavelli that, even if it misrepresents him, breaks Machiavelli free from the place his thought generally occupies in the history of raison d’État. The paper then closes developing the notion that Foucault’s interpretation of Machiavelli points in the direction of a clear theme shared by the two — the theme of historically generated political technique(s).
Presence of tigers in southern Rajasthan-some evidences
Authors: Sharma Satish Kumar
Published: November 2016

Tigers were widely present from 1902 to 1956 in Udaipur, Rajasmand, Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts of southern Rajasthan. During erstwhile time, their number was also good in the wild, but later on, due to increasing anthropogenic pressure tiger became extinct from southern Rajasthan, probably between 1970 to 1980.
Efficient Management and Security of Data by Data Base Management System (DBMS)
Authors: Singh Rakesh Kumar , Singh Ranjan
Published: November 2016

Nowadays, it is very important to securely store data and informatin in various institution. With respect to information, everyone wishes that by a click of the mouse, all the desired and stored information come to the front. Database is very important for us to work with the information. Database plays an important role in keeping all the information in one place. Database Management System (DBMS) is a collection of computer programs which provides the ability to the user to create, manipulate and maintain database.
Haldi: a precious medicinal boon of nature
Authors: Dixit Pallavi
Published: November 2016

Haldi is a precious medicinal boon of nature. Due to its excellent properties it has been not only used as spice but also used as medicine. It is also considered as auspicious and is a important part of Indian religious rituals. Some further evaluation needs to be carried out on turmeric in order to explore the concealed areas and their practical clinical applications which can use for the welfare of mankind.
Modulation of mRNA expression and activities of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1, GPx and GSTP1 by the Salicornia freitagii extract in HT-29 human colon cancer cells
Authors: Altay Ahmet , İrtem Kartal , Sadi Gökhan , Güray Tülin , Yaprak Ahmet
Published: November 2016

Phase I-II detoxification and antioxidant enzymes are responsible for the
detoxification and elimination of activated carcinogens, acting as important
biomarkers for chemoprevention. Among them, cytochrome P450s plays a
prominent role in the metabolic activation of xenobiotics. The herb
Salicornia freitagii (SF) (Amaranthaceae) is known for its anticancer,
antioxidant, antidiabetic and antiinflammatory activities. In this study, we
determined the bioactive phenolics in the SF methanol extract and
investigated its antiproliferative potential in HT-29 human colon cancer
cells. We also investigated the modulation of some phase I and II enzyme (CYP
1A1, 1A2, 2E1, GSTP1 and GPx) mRNA expression and enzymatic activities by the
SF extract and its major bioactive phenolic compounds. LC/MS-MS analysis
showed that the main phenolic compounds of the methanolic SF extract are
vanillic acid (48 ?g/100g) and p-coumaric acid (10.8 ?g/100g). SF extract,
vanillic acid and p-coumaric acid exhibited high antiproliferative activities
in HT-29 cells, with IC50 values of 81.79?g/mL, 98.8 ?M and 221.6 ?M,
respectively. The mRNA expression levels of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 were decreased,
while those of GSTP1 and GPx in HT-29 cells were increased after application
of either the SF extract or vanillic acid. The SF extract by itself also
increased the activities of GPx and GSTP1 enzymes 1.68- and 1.49-fold,
respectively. Our data indicate that the SF extract and its major bioactive
compound, vanillic acid, could exert a modulatory effect on the expression of
enzymes that are involved in xenobiotic activation and detoxification
pathways in the gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, SF can be considered
as a natural source of chemopreventive agents.
Professionalism and Performance Incentives in Accounting Firms
Authors: Coram Paul J. , Robinson Matthew J.
Published: November 2016

SYNOPSIS

This study investigates the structure of profit-sharing schemes and performance incentives within accounting firms. Accounting firms have a strong historical tradition of professionalism but they are also commercial entities. In particular, the audit function within accounting firms serves an important public interest role. Profit-sharing schemes and performance incentives play a valuable role in managing the tension between commercialism and professionalism. Interviews with partners from all Big 4 firms and four mid-tier firms were conducted to gain insights into details of the firms' profit-sharing schemes and performance incentives. We found that the Big 4 firms have established sophisticated commercial performance measurement systems in an attempt to accurately measure the contributions of individual partners, and a number of these metrics are nonfinancial in nature. The range of partner salaries within firms has increased significantly in recent years, providing a further reason for a greater focus on measuring performance. From our sample of mid-tier firms we found a trend toward similar profit-sharing and performance incentives as currently exist within the Big 4, suggesting mid-tier firms are also moving toward a more commercial business model.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting and Stakeholder Concerns: Is There a Disconnect?
Authors: Bradford Marianne , Earp Julia B. , Showalter D. Scott , Williams Paul F.
Published: November 2016

SYNOPSIS

The number of companies reporting their corporate sustainability (CS) activities has significantly increased over the last decade. The result being a wide variability in the types of activities being reported and the ways the information is presented. An unanswered question is whether the information being reported by companies following the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) CS framework is of interest to arguably one of the primary stakeholder groups, customers. Our study seeks to fill this knowledge gap by comparing the content of CS reports to results from a large-scale consumer stakeholder survey. By performing factor analysis on stakeholder evaluation of the importance of CS activities, we find that consumers see different dimensions than those put forth by the GRI framework, thereby suggesting a disconnect between corporate sustainability reporting and stakeholder views and interests. Our results indicate that risk and compliance are dimensions of interest to customers, while the GRI economic dimension is not viewed as important. Additionally, a new dimension of social justice is the most important to consumer stakeholders. Furthermore, the study highlights particular activities within each factor that are most important to the consumer stakeholder group. This research has implications for preparers of sustainability reports and organizations, such as the GRI, that establish guidance for sustainability reporting.
Large Sample Evidence of the Determinants of Nonprofit Monitoring Costs: A Resource Dependence Framework
Authors: Webb Thomas Z. , Waymire Tammy R.
Published: November 2016

Despite the importance of audit and accounting services in nonprofit organizations, few studies have examined determinants of these monitoring costs in this setting. This study provides large sample evidence (n = 32,283 nonprofit entity-years) that reliance on external resources in the form of government grants is associated with higher monitoring costs, and that this effect is increased for large nonprofit organizations. In contrast, reliance on direct contributions, which are more likely to comprise smaller amounts from a more diverse group of resource providers, is associated with lower monitoring costs. We also find that, for larger nonprofits, reliance on internal resources (e.g., investment income) is associated with lower monitoring costs. These results are consistent with the tenets of resource dependence theory, i.e., reliance on certain external support that is hard to replace results in increased monitoring costs, and reliance on internal resources can reduce monitoring costs. These results demonstrate the implications of resource dependence on monitoring and offer practical benefit from the predictive models.

Data Availability: Data are available from sources indicated in the text.
HbA1c and the Prediction of Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adults
Authors: Vijayakumar Pavithra , Nelson Robert G. , Hanson Robert L. , Knowler William C. , Sinha Madhumita
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

Long-term data validating glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in assessing the risk of type 2 diabetes in children are limited. HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-h postload plasma glucose (2hPG) concentrations were measured in a longitudinal study of American Indians to determine their utility in predicting incident diabetes, all of which is thought to be type 2 in this population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Incident diabetes (FPG ≥126 mg/dL [7.0 mmol/L], 2hPG ≥200 mg/dL [11.1 mmol/L], HbA1c ≥6.5% [8 mmol/mol], or clinical diagnosis) was determined in 2,095 children without diabetes ages 10–19 years monitored through age 39, and in 2,005 adults ages 20–39 monitored through age 59. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for HbA1c, FPG, and 2hPG in predicting diabetes within 10 years were compared.

RESULTS

During long-term follow-up of children and adolescents who did not initially have diabetes, the incidence rate of subsequent diabetes was fourfold (in boys) as high and more than sevenfold (in girls) as high in those with HbA1c ≥5.7% as in those with HbA1c ≤5.3%—greater rate ratios than experienced by adults in the same HbA1c categories. Analyses of ROCs revealed no significant differences between HbA1c, FPG, and 2hPG in sensitivity and specificity for identifying children and adolescents who later developed diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

HbA1c is a useful predictor of diabetes risk in children and can be used to identify prediabetes in children with other type 2 diabetes risk factors with the same predictive value as FPG and 2hPG.
Missing Elements in the Discussion of Teacher Shortages
Authors: Cowan James , Goldhaber Dan , Hayes Kyle , Theobald Roddy
Published: November 2016

Though policymakers are increasingly concerned about teacher shortages in U.S. public schools, the national discussion does not reflect historical patterns of the supply of and demand for newly minted teachers. Specifically, the production of teacher candidates has increased steadily since the mid-1980s, and only about half of graduating teacher candidates are hired as public school teachers in a typical year. That said, there is considerable evidence of teacher shortages in specific subjects (e.g., STEM and special education) and specific types of schools (e.g., disadvantaged). We therefore discuss public policies that contribute to these specific shortages and potential solutions.
Flow diversion in the treatment of aneurysms: a randomized care trial and registry
Authors: Raymond Jean , Gentric Jean-Christophe , Darsaut Tim E. , Iancu Daniela , Chagnon Miguel , Weill Alain , Roy Daniel
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

The Flow Diversion in the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysm Trial (FIAT) was designed to guide the clinical use of flow diversion, an innovative method to treat intracranial aneurysms, within a care trial and to study safety and efficacy.

METHODS

FIAT, conducted in 3 Canadian hospitals, proposed randomized allocation to flow diversion or standard management options (observation, coil embolization, parent vessel occlusion, or clip placement), and a registry of non-randomized patients treated with flow diversion. The primary safety outcome was death or dependency (modified Rankin Scale score > 2) at 3 months, to be determined for all patients who received flow diversion at any time. The primary efficacy outcome was angiographic occlusion at 3–12 months combined with an independent clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Of 112 participating patients recruited between May 2, 2011, and February 25, 2015, 78 were randomized (39 in each arm), and 34 received flow diversion within the registry. The study was halted due to safety concerns. Twelve (16%) of 75 patients (95% CI 8.9%–26.7%) who were allocated to or received flow diversion at any time were dead (n = 8) or dependent (n = 4) at 3 months or more, crossing a predefined safety boundary. Death or dependency occurred in 5 (13.2%) of 38 patients randomly allocated and treated by flow diversion (95% CI 5.0%–28.9%) and in 5 (12.8%) of 39 patients allocated to standard treatment (95% CI 4.8%–28.2%). Efficacy was below expectations of the trial hypothesis: 16 (42.1%) of 38 patients (95% CI 26.7%–59.1%) randomly allocated to flow diversion failed to reach the primary outcome, as compared with 14 (35.9%) of 39 patients allocated to standard treatment (95% CI 21.7%–52.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Flow diversion was not as safe and effective as hypothesized. More randomized trials are needed to determine the role of flow diversion in the management of aneurysms.

Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01349582 (clinicaltrials.gov)
A systematic review of overall survival in pediatric primary glioblastoma multiforme of the spinal cord
Authors: Konar Subhas K. , Bir Shyamal C. , Maiti Tanmoy K. , Nanda Anil
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of primary spinal cord glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in the pediatric age group is very rare. Only a few case series and case reports have been published in the literature; therefore, overall survival (OS) outcome and the as-yet poorly defined management options are not discussed in detail. The authors performed a cumulative survival analysis of all reported cases of pediatric spinal cord GBM to identify the predictive factors related to final survival outcome.

METHODS

A comprehensive search for relevant articles was performed on PubMed's electronic database MEDLINE for the period from 1950 to 2015 using the search words “malignant spinal cord tumor” and “spinal glioblastoma multiforme.” This study was limited to patients younger than 18 years of age. Survival rates for children with various tumor locations and treatments were collected from the published articles and analyzed.

RESULTS

After an extensive literature search, 29 articles met the study inclusion criteria. From the detailed information in these articles, the authors found 53 children eligible for the survival analysis. The majority (45%) of the children were more than 12 years old. Thirty-four percent of the cases were between 7 and 12 years of age, and 21% were younger than 7 years. In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, children younger than 7 years of age had better survival (13 months) than the children older than 7 years (7–12 years: 10 months, > 12 years: 9 months; p = 0.01, log-rank test). Fifty-five percent of the children were female and 45% were male. A cervical tumor location (32%) was the most common, followed by thoracic (28.3%). Cervicothoracic (18.9%) and conus (18.8%) tumor locations shared the same percentage of cases. Cervical tumors had a worse outcome than tumors in other locations (p = 0.003, log-rank test). The most common presenting symptom was limb weakness (53%), followed by sensory disturbances (25%). Median OS was 10 months. The addition of adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy [RT] and/or chemotherapy [CT]) after surgery significantly improved OS (p = 0.01, log-rank test). Children who underwent gross-total resection and RT had better outcomes than those who underwent subtotal resection and RT (p = 0.04, log-rank test). Cerebrospinal fluid spread, hydrocephalus, brain metastasis, and spinal metastasis were not correlated with OS in primary spinal GBM.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant therapy after surgery had a beneficial effect on overall outcome of spinal GBM in the pediatric age group. Gross-total resection followed by RT produced a better outcome than subtotal resection with RT. Further large-scale prospective study is required to establish the genetic and molecular factors related to OS in primary GBM of the spinal cord in pediatric patients.
Lokale Anpassung bei Waldbaumarten: genetische Prozesse und Bedeutung im Klimawandel
Authors: Rellstab Christian , Pluess Andrea R. , Gugerli Felix
Published: November 2016

Local adaptation in forest trees: genetic processes and relevance under climate change

Forest trees will have to adapt to future climatic changes, a process that will comprise genetic changes as a key component. Owing to technological advances it is now possible to identify the signature of natural selection and local adaptation in the genome. Environmental association analyses aim at associating adaptive genetic patterns with environmental parameters describing the local habitat. On the basis of such studies – including own investigations using oak and beech in Switzerland –, we show that forest trees are genetically differentiated along various environmental gradients, especially temperature and precipitation. Numerous genes could be found that presumably play a role in the adaptation to such environmental factors. Based on these findings, one could identify trees or stands that are adapted to future local conditions, and respective seed material could be considered in silviculture. Because such approaches are still in their infancy and because genome-environment interactions are complex, management strategies should focus on the preservation of (adaptive) genetic diversity, natural regeneration, and connectivity among stands. This would set the basis for the local adaptation of forest stands to altered environmental conditions by natural processes.
Factors influencing the position of the first resonance in the Frequency Response of transformer winding
Authors: Banaszak Szymon
Published: November 2016

The factors that influence the position of the first resonance in the low frequency range of transformer windings Frequency Response are discussed in the paper. It is confirmed by industrial measurements and verified by a computer modeling that the position of the first resonance, measured in a standard end-to-end open test setup, is stable and does not depend on the winding being tested. The frequency of the first resonance depends on capacitance of the HV windings in different phases so the differences between curves visible in the low frequency range of the Frequency Response are not influenced by the tested winding.
Effects of periparturient anthelmintic treatment on milk yield and quality in dairy cows
Authors: Borman Adil , Islam Md Faruk , Rahman Md Shajedur , Hoque Md Fazlul , Kispotta Sandip , Haque Md Anowarul
Published: November 2016

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of anthelmintics against gastrointestinal parasite in periparturient dairy cows and its effect on milk yield and quality. Sixty mixed breed pregnant cows were selected divided into four groups, A (n=18), B (n=14), C (n=16) and D (n=12) and group D kept as control. Cows of group A were treated with Nitroxynilat the rate of 10 mg/kg bwt. s/c, 30 days before parturition and average feacal egg per gram(EPG) was reduced from 506.1 ± 172.3 to 157.8 ± 24.9 within 14 days. Group B were treated with combined triclabendazole and levamisoleat the rate of19.5 mg/kg bwt. orally at calving. The average EPG was reduced from 967.7 ± 237.1 to 172.0 ± 25.9. Group C were treated with same as group B at calving and 42 days after. The mean EPG fall from 794.6 ± 310.5 to 166.7 ± 26.2.In group D average EPG increased from 791.7 ± 268.5 to 864.2 ± 290.7. The mean change in EPG 14 days after treatment was significantly higher (p<0.05) in treated (79.1%) cows than control (-9.2%). The average milk yield in all treated cows was significantly (p<0.01) higher in treated lactation (2.5 ± 0.7) than previous lactation (2.2 ± 0.7) and control cows (2.2 ± 0.8). Although, milk yields were higher in second parity (2.5 ± 0.7) than the first (2.4 ± 0.7), there was no significant difference (p>0.05). The percentage of milk fat, protein, lactose, SNF was significantly higher (P<0.05) in treated group than the control group.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 409-413
Establishment of reference ranges for Serum Leptin and C-Peptide using enzymelinked immmunosorbent assay method: a preliminary report
Authors: Sulaiman Mainasara Abdullah , Gumel Dahiru Shafiu , Usman Umar Zayyanu , Ocheni Anaja Peter , Abdulmumini Yakubu , Adanze Rosemary Nwaelugo , Haruna Yeldu Mohammed
Published: November 2016

Reference ranges (RR) or Reference Intervals (RIs) are very important values for accurate interpretation of clinical laboratory test results. Any test result that is not accompanied by a valid RR value is less informative and may not be interpreted correctly. However, reference values of most analytes for Nigerian population are not readily available. The present study aims at establishing reference values of Serum Leptin and C-Peptide for Dutse, Jigawa State. In a cross sectional study, eighty (80) reference individuals were recruited. Serum Leptin and C-Peptide were analysed using ELISA methods. Following an accepted guideline, population specific reference intervals were established for these analytes and found to be 3.13ng/mL to 14.09ng/mL for Leptin and 0.56ng/mL to 5.64ng/mL for C-Peptide, respectively. Populations sharing similar physical and socio-economic characteristics may adapt these intervals if validated and considered suitable for their laboratory methodsAsian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 483-487
Identification of Legionella from clinically diagnosed pneumonia patients and environmental samples
Authors: Jahan Rownak , Tarafder Shirin , Saleh Ahmed Abu , Miah Ruhul Amin
Published: November 2016

Legionnaires disease is a multisystem disease with life-threatening acute and severe form of pneumonia which is responsible for 2-9% pneumonia with high mortality. Eighty six respiratory tract samples and urine were collected from clinically diagnosed pneumonia patients and 12 water samples were collected from different environment. Identification of Legionella was done by culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of respiratory tract samples and environmental samples and Legionella Antigen (Ag) in urine was detected by Immunochromatographic test (ICT). Legionella was identified from 4 (4.65%) clinically diagnosed pneumonia patients  of which 1 (1.16%) case was culture positive, 1 (1.16%) case was urine ICT positive and PCR was positive in all four cases. Of the 12 water samples tested, 4 (33.33%) samples were Legionella positive by PCR but culture results of these samples were negative. Identification of Legionella should be done by PCR in parallel with culture and urine ICT. Detection of Legionella in environmental samples is also needed to explore possible links between the water sources and disease transmission in population.
Seasonal Canopy Temperatures for Normal and Okra Leaf Cotton under Variable Irrigation in the Field
Authors: Mahan James , Payton Paxton , Laza Haydee
Published: November 2016

Temperature affects a number of physiological factors in plants and is related to water use, yield and quality in many crop species. Seasonal canopy temperature, measured with infrared thermometers, is often used in conjunction with environmental factors (e.g., air temperature, humidity, solar radiation) to assess crop stress and management actions in cotton. Normal and okra leaf shapes in cotton have been associated with differences in water use and canopy temperature. The okra leaf shape in cotton is generally expected to result in lower water use and lower canopy temperatures, relative to normal leaf, under water deficits. In this study canopy temperatures were monitored in okra and normal leaf varieties for a growing season at four irrigation levels. Differences in canopy temperature (<2 °C) were measured between the two leaf shapes. As irrigation levels increased, canopy temperature differences between the leaf shapes declined. At the lowest irrigation level, when differences in sensible energy exchanges due to the okra leaf shape would be enhanced, the canopy temperature of the okra leaf was warmer than the normal leaf. This suggests that varietal differences that are not related to leaf shape may have more than compensated for leaf shape differences in the canopy temperature.
TβRIII Expression in Human Breast Cancer Stroma and the Role of Soluble TβRIII in Breast Cancer Associated Fibroblasts
Authors: Jovanović Bojana , Pickup Michael , Chytil Anna , Gorska Agnieszka , Johnson Kimberly , Moses Harold , Owens Philip
Published: November 2016

The TGF-β pathway plays a major role in tumor progression through regulation of epithelial and stromal cell signaling. Dysfunction of the pathway can lead to carcinoma progression and metastasis. To gain insight into the stromal role of the TGF-β pathway in breast cancer, we performed laser capture microdissection (LCM) from breast cancer patients and reduction mammoplasty patients. Microdissected tumor stroma and normal breast stroma were examined for gene expression. Expression of the TGF-β type III receptor (TGFBR3) was greatly decreased in the tumor stroma compared to control healthy breast tissue. These results demonstrated a 44-fold decrease in TGFBR3 mRNA in tumor stroma in comparison to control tissue. We investigated publicly available databases, and have identified that TGFBR3 mRNA levels are decreased in tumor stroma. We next investigated fibroblast cell lines derived from cancerous and normal breast tissue and found that in addition to mRNA levels, TβRIII protein levels were significantly reduced. Having previously identified that cancer-associated fibroblasts secrete greater levels of tumor promoting cytokines, we investigated the consequences of soluble-TβRIII (sTβRIII) on fibroblasts. Fibroblast conditioned medium was analyzed for 102 human secreted cytokines and distinct changes in response to sTβRIII were observed. Next, we used the fibroblast-conditioned medium to stimulate human monocyte cell line THP-1. These results indicate a distinct transcriptional response depending on sTβRIII treatment and whether it was derived from normal or cancerous breast tissue. We conclude that the effect of TβRIII has distinct roles not only in cancer-associated fibroblasts but that sTβRIII has distinct paracrine functions in the tumor microenvironment.
Possibility of Using Entropy Method to Evaluate the Distracting Effect of Mobile Phones on Pedestrians
Authors: Nurwulan Nurul , Jiang Bernard
Published: November 2016

The number of mobile phone users keeps increasing every year and mobile phones have become a primary need for most people. Ordinarily, people are not aware of the risk from a common dual-task study, such as using a mobile phone while walking or simply standing. This study reviewed the methodology in evaluating the distracting effect of mobile phones on pedestrians. A comprehensive review of literature revealed that the most common method in quantifying pedestrian performance is to evaluate postural task performance. Since using a mobile phone while crossing the road is a type of dual-task study, it would give more clarity to investigate it using entropy methods that have been proven more sensitive than the traditional center of pressure (COP) in discriminating the changes in human balance. The descriptions of commonly used entropy methods were also given in order to give a broad overview of the possibility in applying the methods to further clarify the distracting effect of mobile phones.
Testing Cross-Sectional Correlation in Large Panel Data Models with Serial Correlation
Authors: Baltagi Badi , Kao Chihwa , Peng Bin
Published: November 2016

This paper considers the problem of testing cross-sectional correlation in large panel data models with serially-correlated errors. It finds that existing tests for cross-sectional correlation encounter size distortions with serial correlation in the errors. To control the size, this paper proposes a modification of Pesaran’s Cross-sectional Dependence (CD) test to account for serial correlation of an unknown form in the error term. We derive the limiting distribution of this test as N , T → ∞ . The test is distribution free and allows for unknown forms of serial correlation in the errors. Monte Carlo simulations show that the test has good size and power for large panels when serial correlation in the errors is present.
Definition and Experimental Validation of a Simplified Model for a Microgrid Thermal Network and its Integration into Energy Management Systems
Authors: Bonfiglio Andrea , Brignone Massimo , Delfino Federico , Nilberto Alessandro , Procopio Renato
Published: November 2016

The present paper aims at defining a simplified but effective model of a thermal network that links the thermal power generation with the resulting temperature time profile in a heated or refrigerated environment. For this purpose, an equivalent electric circuit is proposed together with an experimental procedure to evaluate its input parameters. The paper also highlights the simplicity of implementation of the proposed model into a microgrid Energy Management System. This allows the optimal operation of the thermal network to be achieved on the basis of available data (desired temperature profile) instead of a less realistic basis (such as the desired thermal power profile). The validation of the proposed model is performed on the Savona Campus Smart Polygeneration Microgrid (SPM) with the following steps: (i) identification of the parameters involved in the equivalent circuit (performed by minimizing the difference between the temperature profile, as calculated with the proposed model, and the measured one in a set of training days); (ii) test of the model accuracy on a set of testing days (comparing the measured temperature profiles with the calculated ones); (iii) implementation of the model into an Energy Management System in order to optimize the thermal generation starting from a desired temperature hourly profile.
Effects of Hurricane-Felled Tree Trunks on Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, Microbial Biomass, and Root Length in a Wet Tropical Forest
Authors: Lodge D. , Winter Dirk , González Grizelle , Clum Naomi
Published: November 2016

Decaying coarse woody debris can affect the underlying soil either by augmenting nutrients that can be exploited by tree roots, or by diminishing nutrient availability through stimulation of microbial nutrient immobilization. We analyzed C, N, microbial biomass C and root length in closely paired soil samples taken under versus 20–50 cm away from large trunks of two species felled by Hugo (1989) and Georges (1998) three times during wet and dry seasons over the two years following the study conducted by Georges. Soil microbial biomass, % C and % N were significantly higher under than away from logs felled by both hurricanes (i.e., 1989 and 1998), at all sampling times and at both depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm). Frass from wood boring beetles may contribute to early effects. Root length was greater away from logs during the dry season, and under logs in the wet season. Root length was correlated with microbial biomass C, soil N and soil moisture (R = 0.36, 0.18, and 0.27, respectively; all p values < 0.05). Microbial biomass C varied significantly among seasons but differences between positions (under vs. away) were only suggestive. Microbial C was correlated with soil N (R = 0.35). Surface soil on the upslope side of the logs had significantly more N and microbial biomass, likely from accumulation of leaf litter above the logs on steep slopes. We conclude that decaying wood can provide ephemeral resources that are exploited by tree roots during some seasons.
Maya Lime Mortars—Relationship between Archaeomagnetic Dating, Manufacturing Technique, and Architectural Function—The Dzibanché Case
Authors: Straulino Mainou Luisa , Sedov Sergey , Soler Arechalde Ana , Pi Puig Teresa , Villa Gerardo , Balanzario Granados Sandra , Doménech-Carbó María-Teresa , Osete-Cortina Laura , Leonard Daniel
Published: November 2016

Researchers have related the manufacturing technique of plasters and stucco in the Maya area with their period of production but not with their architectural function. In this paper, we establish a relationship between those three features (manufacturing technique, age, and architectural function) in the plasters of the Maya site of Dzibanché in southern Quintana Roo. Dzibanché has abundant remains of stuccos and plasters found mainly in three buildings (Plaza Pom, Pequeña Acrópolis, and Structure 2). We used thin sections, SEM and XRD, and archaeomagnetic dating processes. The pictorial layer of Structure 2 was the earliest (AD 274–316 and the stuccoes and plasters of the other two buildings were dated to the Middle Classic (AD 422–531), but we obtained different archaeomagnetic dates for the red pigment layers found in the buildings of the Pequeña Acrópolis and thus we were able to determine their chronological order of construction. The raw materials and proportions were carefully chosen to fulfil the mechanical necessities of the architectonic function: different proportions were found in plasters of floors, in the external walls, and inside the buildings; differences between earlier and later plasters were also detected.
When the Crime Scene Is the Road: Forensic Geoscience Indicators Applied to Road Infrastructure and Urban Greening
Authors: Barone Pier , Ferrara Carlotta , Di Maggio Rosa , Salvati Luca
Published: November 2016

Common to most cities with tree-lined roads, streets, and sidewalks is damage to paved surfaces caused by the growth of roots over time. Sub-surface root growth creates potential hazards for people driving motor vehicles and pedestrian traffic. In large urban centers like Rome (Italy), roads are vital infrastructure ensuring the mobility of citizens, commercial goods, and information. This infrastructure can become a crime scene when serious injuries or deaths result from the poor monitoring and management of urban trees. Sustainable management of road infrastructure and the associated urban greening is supported by a forensic geoscientific approach. In particular, the use of the GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) technique allows (i) to control and detect anomalies in the root architecture beneath asphalt in a non-destructive way; and (ii) to plan actions to repair and avoid the possibility of further catastrophic scenarios and need for forensic investigations.
Polish Version of the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS-Poland)
Authors: Jaśkiewicz Michał , Besta Tomasz
Published: November 2016

The characteristics of built environments are the subject of intense consideration in the search for solutions to promote wellbeing and a higher quality of life among the inhabitants of cities. Walkability, defined as the extent to which the built environment is friendly to living and fulfilling the needs of the area, has become an important concept in sustainable urban design, public health and environmental psychology. This study systematically adapted the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) for Poland, and evaluated the construct validity aspects of the adapted version among Polish adults. A total sample of 783 participants from a TriCity (Trójmiasto) agglomeration completed the adapted version of the NEWS. Smaller extracted samples of the participants also completed wellbeing related scales, including self-efficacy, local identity and distance to city centre measures. It was expected that various districts of Gdańsk would differ in terms of walkability. The confirmatory factor analysis showed satisfactory goodness-of-fit statistics and factor loadings corresponding to the proposed original factor structure. According to the predictions, the NEWS subscales correlated with the self-efficacy, local identity and wellbeing related measures. In addition, the comparisons between the neighbourhoods of Gdańsk also showed a predictable pattern of results. Overall, the NEWS demonstrated satisfactory measurement properties, and may be useful in the evaluation of the built environment in Poland.
Comparative Transcriptional Analysis of Loquat Fruit Identifies Major Signal Networks Involved in Fruit Development and Ripening Process
Authors: Song Huwei , Zhao Xiangxiang , Hu Weicheng , Wang Xinfeng , Shen Ting , Yang Liming
Published: November 2016

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is an important non-climacteric fruit and rich in essential nutrients such as minerals and carotenoids. During fruit development and ripening, thousands of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from various metabolic pathways cause a series of physiological and biochemical changes. To better understand the underlying mechanism of fruit development, the Solexa/Illumina RNA-seq high-throughput sequencing was used to evaluate the global changes of gene transcription levels. More than 51,610,234 high quality reads from ten runs of fruit development were sequenced and assembled into 48,838 unigenes. Among 3256 DEGs, 2304 unigenes could be annotated to the Gene Ontology database. These DEGs were distributed into 119 pathways described in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. A large number of DEGs were involved in carbohydrate metabolism, hormone signaling, and cell-wall degradation. The real-time reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR analyses revealed that several genes related to cell expansion, auxin signaling and ethylene response were differentially expressed during fruit development. Other members of transcription factor families were also identified. There were 952 DEGs considered as novel genes with no annotation in any databases. These unigenes will serve as an invaluable genetic resource for loquat molecular breeding and postharvest storage.
Anti-Melanogenic Activities of Heracleum moellendorffii via ERK1/2-Mediated MITF Downregulation
Authors: Alam Md , Seo Bum-Ju , Zhao Peijun , Lee Sang-Han
Published: November 2016

In this study, the anti-melanogenic effects of Heracleum moellendorffii Hance extract (HmHe) and the mechanisms through which it inhibits melanogenesis in melan-a cells were investigated. Mushroom tyrosinase (TYR) activity and melanin content as well as cellular tyrosinase activity were measured in the cells. mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR), TYR-related protein-1 (TYRP-1) and -2 were also examined. The results demonstrate that treatment with HmHe significantly inhibits mushroom tyrosinase activity. Furthermore, HmHe also markedly inhibits melanin production and intracellular tyrosinase activity. By suppressing the expression of TYR, TYRP-1, TYRP-2, and MITF, HmHe treatment antagonized melanin production in melan-a cells. Additionally, HmHe interfered with the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, with reversal of HmHe-induced melanogenesis inhibition after treatment with specific inhibitor U0126. In summary, HmHe can be said to stimulate ERK1/2 phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of MITF, resulting in suppression of melanogenic enzymes and melanin production, possibly due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds.
Evidence for Biodiversity Conservation in Protected Landscapes
Authors: Dudley Nigel , Phillips Adrian , Amend Thora , Brown Jessica , Stolton Sue
Published: November 2016

A growing number of protected areas are defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as protected landscapes and seascapes, or category V protected areas, one of six protected area categories based on management approach. Category V now makes up over half the protected area coverage in Europe, for instance. While the earliest category V areas were designated mainly for their landscape and recreational values, they are increasingly expected also to protect biodiversity. Critics have claimed that they fail to conserve enough biodiversity. The current paper addresses this question by reviewing available evidence for the effectiveness of category V in protecting wild biodiversity by drawing on published information and a set of case studies. Research to date focuses more frequently on changes in vegetation cover than on species, and results are limited and contradictory, suggesting variously that category V protected areas are better than, worse than or the same as more strictly protected categories in terms of conserving biodiversity. This may indicate that differences are not dramatic, or that effectiveness depends on many factors. The need for greater research in this area is highlighted. Research gaps include: (i) comparative studies of conservation success inside and outside category V protected areas; (ii) the contribution that small, strictly protected areas make to the conservation success of surrounding, less strictly protected areas—and vice versa; (iii) the effectiveness of different governance approaches in category V; (iv) a clearer understanding of the impacts of zoning in a protected area; and (v) better understanding of how to implement landscape approaches in and around category V protected areas.
Taming Prebiotic Chemistry: The Role of Heterogeneous and Interfacial Catalysis in the Emergence of a Prebiotic Catalytic/Information Polymer System
Authors: Monnard Pierre-Alain
Published: November 2016

Cellular life is based on interacting polymer networks that serve as catalysts, genetic information and structural molecules. The complexity of the DNA, RNA and protein biochemistry suggests that it must have been preceded by simpler systems. The RNA world hypothesis proposes RNA as the prime candidate for such a primal system. Even though this proposition has gained currency, its investigations have highlighted several challenges with respect to bulk aqueous media: (1) the synthesis of RNA monomers is difficult; (2) efficient pathways for monomer polymerization into functional RNAs and their subsequent, sequence-specific replication remain elusive; and (3) the evolution of the RNA function towards cellular metabolism in isolation is questionable in view of the chemical mixtures expected on the early Earth. This review will address the question of the possible roles of heterogeneous media and catalysis as drivers for the emergence of RNA-based polymer networks. We will show that this approach to non-enzymatic polymerizations of RNA from monomers and RNA evolution cannot only solve some issues encountered during reactions in bulk aqueous solutions, but may also explain the co-emergence of the various polymers indispensable for life in complex mixtures and their organization into primitive networks.
Raman and Conductivity Analysis of Graphene for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Qiu Chao , Bennet Kevin , Khan Tamanna , Ciubuc John , Manciu Felicia
Published: November 2016

In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation of graphene’s optical and conductive properties using confocal Raman and a Drude model. A comparative analysis between experimental findings and theoretical predictions of the material’s changes and improvements as it transitioned from three-dimensional graphite is also presented and discussed. Besides spectral recording by Raman, which reveals whether there is a single, a few, or multi-layers of graphene, the confocal Raman mapping allows for distinction of such domains and a direct visualization of material inhomogeneity. Drude model employment in the analysis of the far-infrared transmittance measurements demonstrates a distinct increase of the material’s conductivity with dimensionality reduction. Other particularly important material characteristics, including carrier concentration and time constant, were also determined using this model and presented here. Furthermore, the detection of micromolar concentration of dopamine on graphene surfaces not only proves that the Raman technique facilitates ultrasensitive chemical detection of analytes, besides offering high information content about the biomaterial under study, but also that carbon-based materials are biocompatible and favorable micro-environments for such detection. Such information is valuable for the development of bio-medical sensors, which is the main application envisioned for this analysis.
Study on Payload Effects on the Joint Motion Accuracy of Serial Mechanical Mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Dan , Wei Bin
Published: November 2016

Robotic manipulators have been widely used in many arenas, when the robotic arm performs positioning, a traditional controller (e.g., a proportional-integral-derivative, PID controller) has the problem of not being able to compensate the payload variations. When the end-effector of the robotic arm grasps different payload masses as most applications require, the output of joint motion will vary under different payload masses, which will decrease the end-effector positioning accuracy of the robotic arm system. Based on the model reference adaptive control technique, the payload variation effect can be solved, therefore improving the positioning accuracy. This paper studies payload effects on the joint motion accuracy of serial mechanical mechanisms.