bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing Consumption Emotions in Service Encounters
Authors: Maguire Louise
Published: December 2016

This paper examines the methodological arguments for using ‘SMS diaries’ to capture the emotions experienced by consumers of services at the very moment they are being felt. The objective of the methodology was to capture the emotions that patrons experienced in real time, in a manner that gives them the freedom to express these feelings in their own words, without having to adhere to a predefined list of emotions, which could potentially be considered restrictive. The importance of capturing emotions as they are being experienced cannot be overstated, as previous studies (and indeed the one outlined here) have evidenced that consumers can forget the emotions they have experienced when asked to recall them in retrospect. Using mobile phones to capture consumption experiences has found some take-up in consumer research, but not in the context of the emotional ‘journeys’ that customers experience in service situations. These emotional episodes are important to understand as they can influence customer satisfaction levels and the overall evaluative judgements of service providers. The SMS diaries used here proved to be an effective and compelling way of learning about the consumption emotions that patrons experienced while using a variety of services.
Consumer Sentiment after the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Lozza Edoardo , Bonanomi Andrea , Castiglioni Cinzia , Bosio A. Claudio
Published: December 2016

The present study seeks to analyse the predictive capacity of the Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS) (a leading index in international market research) in Italy, before and after the global financial crisis. The analysis focuses on the period 2005–2013 and investigates the predictive power of the ICS with regard to two different outcomes: (1) the actual level of household consumption (considering both its absolute value as total spending and its quarterly variations) and (2) consumers' strategies (i.e. reducing their consumption, focusing on discounts and promotions, focusing on quality), both in general and in specific sectors (e.g. food, leisure, health). The study is based on a second-level analysis of data collected by the Italian Statistical Institute (ISTAT) and a tracking survey on Italian consumers' perceptions and strategic intentions (four waves per year, each consisting of 1,000 telephone interviews based on a structured questionnaire). The findings show that the ICS is predictive of quarterly variations in household consumption, and not of its absolute values; that the index is more predictive in the following trimester, while less predictive synchronously (i.e. in the same quarter); and that its predictive power was stronger between 2009 and 2013 compared to previous years. Furthermore, after 2008, the ICS was also predictive of consumer strategies, particularly those aimed at reducing expenses and focusing on quality (while no relation seems to exist between consumer sentiment and consumers' strategies aimed at discounts and promotions). Implications for marketing and market research are discussed.
True Lies and True Implicit
Authors: Penn David
Published: December 2016

This paper explains how response latency and semantic priming were harnessed to create a truly implicit methodology that taps in to automatic processes. Much of the truth (about brands, advertising and products) lies submerged, in our implicit mind. Direct questioning cannot elicit this truth, because we cannot express attitudes that we don't know we possess. To penetrate the implicit mind, we need approaches that reflect its fast, automatic nature. For eBay, the approach described here revealed a strong (and hidden) negative bias among non-users and showed that these beliefs could be successfully challenged by new ATL advertising.
Understanding Shopper Transaction Data
Authors: Tanusondjaja Arry , Nenycz-Thiel Magda , Kennedy Rachel
Published: December 2016

This paper applies the D Duplication Coefficient from the Duplication of Purchase Law as a benchmark to help investigate patterns in simultaneous product category purchases. Shopper transaction data enable a deep analysis of what goes into shoppers' baskets; however, robust benchmarks are critical to see patterns in such rich data. We demonstrate the application of D Duplication Coefficient data to 30,000-plus UK and US supermarket transactions. The cross-category benchmarks allow meaningful deviations to be identified, isolating categories that are more or less intensely co-purchased than expected, which can then be used to guide decisions regarding store layout, prioritise in-store activations and plan product category promotions.
3D Visualisation for Online Retail
Authors: Wodehouse Andrew , Abba Mohammed
Published: December 2016

This work investigates the effect of 3D product visualisation on online shopping behaviour. A virtual shopping interface with product categories projected in both 2D and 3D was developed and deployed. The main purpose of this system was to determine the suitability of a 3D virtual catalogue as a shopping outlet for consumers and the potential impact on consumer shopping behaviour. The virtual catalogue was implemented as a web-based interface, with products displayed with the intent of determining whether the level of presence experienced affected consumer motivations to shop. Participants completed an immersive tendency questionnaire to ascertain their alertness and levels of immersion before viewing the interface, and afterwards completed a presence questionnaire related to the viewing experience. The results showed significant correlations between individual immersive tendencies and presence experienced. In addition, items in the presence questionnaire were aligned with ease of use, interactivity and realism. This leads to a number of recommendations for the design of future virtual shopping environments and considerations for the assessment of online consumer behaviour.
Negative Online Consumer Reviews
Authors: Pee L.G.
Published: December 2016

This study proposes that managing the marketing variables of product information, price, promotion and product distribution can mitigate the impact of negative online reviews (NOR). NOR are often inevitable, have a much wider reach, dwell much longer and threaten product sales. It is therefore necessary to understand how the negative impact can be managed more actively. The marketing variables are conceptualised for the e-commerce context. Analysis of objective data on 500 books supports the hypotheses and provides empirical evidence for the relative effectiveness of the variables. In addition to adapting the 4Ps framework of marketing management to the e-commerce context, this study highlights the need and potential to extend theoretical development and research efforts beyond the antecedents and effects of NOR to understand how to manage NOR. The findings have practical relevance for e-commerce businesses. Avenues for future research are also identified.
Forum: A Better Rim Weighting Algorithm
Authors: Baxter Michael
Published: December 2016

This paper proposes the asymmetric rim weighting algorithm as an alternative to rim weighting (also called raking). The latter is currently a popular method for grossing up the results of a sample survey, but asymmetric rim weighting produces results that are more efficient and have fewer high weights, with little or no increase in processing time.
Comparing Association Grids and ‘Pick Any’ Lists for Measuring Brand Attributes
Authors: Rintoul Duncan , Hajibaba Homa , Dolnicar Sara
Published: December 2016

Using a split-ballot experiment with 940 respondents, this study compares the quality of data from an association grid with data gathered through a single ‘pick any’ list repeated for each brand on a new page in a web survey. The association grid is a multiple response matrix used to measure brand image associations for a number of brands at the same time. Attributes are usually presented as rows, and brands in columns, allowing respondents to select each association they perceive to be true (e.g. Coca Cola – Popular). Our results indicate that larger association grids are answered considerably faster, but are heavily prone to evasion bias and perform worse when it comes to drop-out, comprehension and attention to the task. Smaller association grids have no ill effect on the respondent experience, but are also devoid of material benefit in terms of field time or data quality. As a tool for measuring brand-image association, the association grid is therefore not recommended.
Les cadres devraient-ils être « nomades » ?
Authors: Pralong Jean , Peretti-Ndiaye Marie
Published: December 2016

Les comportements effectifs des cadres montrent la persistance des trajectoires managériales et intra-organisationnelles : les cadres ne sont pas « nomades ». Pour compléter ces constats, on cherche ici à vérifier si les carrières « nomades » cumulent plus de gains que les autres. Une carrière « nomade » se définit, dans cet article, par le fait qu’elle déroge aux scripts de carrières institutionnalisés. L’échelle de qualité de carrière est utilisée pour mesurer les gains liés aux trajectoires. L’étude est complétée par l’analyse de l’influence de l’attitude de management de carrière par soi-même sur la qualité de carrière. Les résultats (784 cadres français) montrent que moins les cadres sont nomades, plus forte est la qualité de leurs carrières. Ces résultats permettent de discuter de l’intérêt de la notion de script pour aborder la co-construction (individuelle et institutionnelle) des trajectoires.
Precarious Time, Morality, and the Republic
Authors: Ortega Francisco A.
Published: December 2016

Spanish American countries exhibited during the nineteenth century many
of the features Koselleck associated with the Sattelzeit, the transitioning period
into our contemporaneity. However, the region’s history was marked by
social instability and political upheaval, and contemporaries referred to such
experiences of time as precarious. In this article I explore the connection
between this precarious time and the emergence of the sociopolitical concept
of morality in New Granada (present-day Colombia) during the first thirty-
five years of the republic (1818–1853). I focus on two conceptual moments
as exemplified ed by the reflections put forth by Simón Bolívar (1783–1830),
military and political leader of the independence period, and José Eusebio
Caro (1817–1853), publicist, poet, and political ideologue of the Conservative
Party.
Assessing the Dynamic Performance of Microbots in Complex Fluid Flows
Authors: Campo-Deaño Laura
Published: December 2016

The use of microbots in biomedicine is a powerful tool that has been an object of study in the last few years. In the special case of using these microdevices in the human circulatory system to remove clots or to deliver drugs, the complex nature of blood flow must be taken into account for their proper design. The dynamic performance, defined in this context as the quantification of the disturbance of the flow around an object (which is essentially dependent on the microbot morphology and the rheological characteristics of the fluid) should be improved in order to diminish the damage inside the patient body and to increase the efficiency when they swim through the main veins or arteries. In this article, different experimental techniques (micro-Particle Image Velocimetry, flow visualization, pressure drop measurements, etc.) are analyzed to assess their dynamic performance when they swim through the human body immersed in complex fluid flows. This article provides a useful guide for the characterization of the dynamic performance of microbots and also highlights the necessity to consider the viscoelastic character of blood in their design.
Hyperspectral Imaging to Evaluate the Effect of IrrigationWater Salinity in Lettuce
Authors: Lara Miguel , Diezma Belén , Lleó Lourdes , Roger Jean , Garrido Yolanda , Gil María , Ruiz-Altisent Margarita
Published: December 2016

Salinity is one of the most important stress factors in crop production, particularly in arid regions. This research focuses on the effect of salinity on the growth of lettuce plants; three solutions with different levels of salinity were considered and compared (S1 = 50, S2 = 100 and S3 = 150 mM NaCl) with a control solution (Ct = 0 mM NaCl). The osmotic potential and water content of the leaves were measured, and hyperspectral images of the surfaces of 40 leaves (10 leaves per treatment) were taken after two weeks of growth. The mean spectra of the leaves (n = 32,000) were pre-processed by means of a Savitzky–Golay algorithm and standard normal variate normalization. Principal component analysis was then performed on a calibration set of 28 mean spectra, yielding an initial model for salinity effect detection. A second model was subsequently proposed based on an index computing an approximation to the second derivative at the red edge region. Both models were applied to all the hyperspectral images to obtain the corresponding artificial images, distinguishing between the 28 that were used to extract the calibration mean spectra and the rest that constituted an external validation. Those virtual images were studied using analysis of variance in order to compare their ability for detecting salinity effects on the leaves. Both models showed significant differences between each salinity level, and the hyperspectral images allowed observations of the distribution of the salinity effects on the leaf surfaces, which were more intense in the areas distant from the veins. However, the index-based model is simpler and easier to apply because it is based solely on the reflectance at three different wavelengths, thus allowing for the implementation of less expensive multispectral devices.
Characterization of Transition-Metal Oxide Deposition on Carbon Electrodes of a Supercapacitor
Authors: Chen Ying-Chung , Wen Chih-Yu , Wang Chih-Ming , Ho Chia-Wei , Lin Shih-Yuan , Chen Ying-Lin
Published: December 2016

In order to fabricate the composite electrodes of a supercapacitor, transition-metal oxide materials NiO and WO3 were deposited on carbon electrodes by electron beam evaporation. The influences of various transition-metal oxides, scan rates of cyclic voltammograms (CVs), and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests on the characteristics of supercapacitor were studied. The charge/discharge efficiency and the lifetime of the composite electrodes were also investigated. It was found that the composite electrodes exhibited more favorable capacitance properties than those of the carbon electrodes at high scan rates. The results revealed the promotion of the capacitance property of the supercapacitor with composite electrode and the improving of the decay property in capacitance at high scan rate. In addition, the charge/discharge efficiency is close to 100% after 5000 cycles, and the composite electrode retains strong adhesion between the electrode material and the substrate.
A Novel Personalized Diagnosis Methodology Using Numerical Simulation and an Intelligent Method to Detect Faults in a Shaft
Authors: Xiang Jiawei , Zhong Yongteng
Published: December 2016

Personalized medicine is a hot topic to develop a medical procedure for healthcare. Motivated by molecular dynamics simulation-based personalized medicine, we propose a novel numerical simulation-based personalized diagnosis methodology and explain the fundamental procedures. As an example, a personalized fault diagnosis method is developed using the finite element method (FEM), wavelet packet transform (WPT) and support vector machine (SVM) to detect faults in a shaft. The shaft unbalance, misalignment, rub-impact and the combination of rub-impact and unbalance are investigated using the present method. The method includes three steps. In the first step, Theil’s inequality coefficient (TIC)-based FE model updating technique is employed to determine the boundary conditions, and the fault-induced FE model of the faulty shaft is constructed. Further, the vibration signals of the faulty shaft are obtained using numerical simulation. In the second step, WPT is employed to decompose the vibration signal into several signal components. Specific time-domain feature parameters of all of the signal components are calculated to generate the training samples to train the SVM. Finally, the measured vibration signal and its components decomposed by WPT serve as a test sample to the trained SVM. The fault types are finally determined. In the simulation of a simple shaft, the classification accuracy rates of unbalance, misalignment, rub-impact and the combination of rub-impact and unbalance are 93%, 95%, 89% and 91%, respectively, whereas in the experimental investigations, these decreased to 82%, 87%, 73% and 79%. In order to increase the fault diagnosis precision and general applicability, further works are continuously improving the personalized diagnosis methodology and the corresponding specific methods.
Insights from a Chronology of the Development of Atmospheric Composition Monitoring Networks Since the 1800s
Authors: Malley Christopher , Heal Mathew , Braban Christine
Published: December 2016

Ground-based monitoring networks for evaluating atmospheric composition relevant to impacts on human health and the environment now exist worldwide (according to the United Nations Environment Programme, 48% of countries have an air quality monitoring system). Of course, this has not always been the case. Here, we analyse for the first time the key developments in network coordination and standardisation over the last 150 years that underpin the current implementations of city-scale to global monitoring networks for atmospheric composition. Examples include improvements in respect of site type and site representativeness, measurement methods, quality assurance, and data archiving. From the 1950s, these developments have progressed through two distinct types of network: those designed for the protection of human health, and those designed to increase scientific understanding of atmospheric composition and its interaction with the terrestrial environment. The step changes in network coordination and standardisation have increased confidence in the comparability of measurements made at different sites. Acknowledged limitations in the current state of monitoring networks include a sole focus on compliance monitoring. In the context of the unprecedented volumes of atmospheric composition data now being collected, we suggest the next developments in network standardisation should include more integrated analyses of monitor and other relevant data within “chemical climatology” frameworks that seek to more directly link the impacts, state and drivers of atmospheric composition. These approaches would also enhance the role of monitoring networks in the development and evaluation of air pollution mitigation strategies.
Anaphase B
Authors: Scholey Jonathan , Civelekoglu-Scholey Gul , Brust-Mascher Ingrid
Published: December 2016

Anaphase B spindle elongation is characterized by the sliding apart of overlapping antiparallel interpolar (ip) microtubules (MTs) as the two opposite spindle poles separate, pulling along disjoined sister chromatids, thereby contributing to chromosome segregation and the propagation of all cellular life. The major biochemical “modules” that cooperate to mediate pole–pole separation include: (i) midzone pushing or (ii) braking by MT crosslinkers, such as kinesin-5 motors, which facilitate or restrict the outward sliding of antiparallel interpolar MTs (ipMTs); (iii) cortical pulling by disassembling astral MTs (aMTs) and/or dynein motors that pull aMTs outwards; (iv) ipMT plus end dynamics, notably net polymerization; and (v) ipMT minus end depolymerization manifest as poleward flux. The differential combination of these modules in different cell types produces diversity in the anaphase B mechanism. Combinations of antagonist modules can create a force balance that maintains the dynamic pre-anaphase B spindle at constant length. Tipping such a force balance at anaphase B onset can initiate and control the rate of spindle elongation. The activities of the basic motor filament components of the anaphase B machinery are controlled by a network of non-motor MT-associated proteins (MAPs), for example the key MT cross-linker, Ase1p/PRC1, and various cell-cycle kinases, phosphatases, and proteases. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of anaphase B spindle elongation in eukaryotic cells and briefly mentions bacterial DNA segregation systems that operate by spindle elongation.
Application, Deactivation, and Regeneration of Heterogeneous Catalysts in Bio-Oil Upgrading
Authors: Cheng Shouyun , Wei Lin , Zhao Xianhui , Julson James
Published: December 2016

The massive consumption of fossil fuels and associated environmental issues are leading to an increased interest in alternative resources such as biofuels. The renewable biofuels can be upgraded from bio-oils that are derived from biomass pyrolysis. Catalytic cracking and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) are two of the most promising bio-oil upgrading processes for biofuel production. Heterogeneous catalysts are essential for upgrading bio-oil into hydrocarbon biofuel. Although advances have been achieved, the deactivation and regeneration of catalysts still remains a challenge. This review focuses on the current progress and challenges of heterogeneous catalyst application, deactivation, and regeneration. The technologies of catalysts deactivation, reduction, and regeneration for improving catalyst activity and stability are discussed. Some suggestions for future research including catalyst mechanism, catalyst development, process integration, and biomass modification for the production of hydrocarbon biofuels are provided.
Innovations in Detection of Deliberate or Accidental Contamination with Biological Agents in Environment and Foods
Authors: Poltronieri Palmiro
Published: December 2016

In 2016, two special issues were launched and attended in this journal, “Challenges in New Technologies for Security” (http://www.mdpi.com/journal/challenges/special_issues/tech_ security) and “Food Microbiology: Technologies and processes, microbiology analysis methods, and antimicrobials” (http://www.mdpi.com/journal/challenges/special_issues/food-microbiology). In this editorial, I will review one of the topics of biological hazards detection, namely, the rapid analysis of biological agents (DNA and antigens of fungi, bacteria, and viruses) and their toxins.[...]
Characterization and Photovoltaic Properties of BiFeO3 Thin Films
Authors: Shirahata Yasuhiro , Oku Takeo
Published: December 2016

Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) thin films were prepared by a spin-coating method. Crystal structure and optical properties of the BiFeO3 films were evaluated using X-ray diffraction. The lattice constants, crystallite size, and energy gap of BiFeO3 films depended on the concentration of the BiFeO3 precursor solution. BiFeO3/CH3NH3PbI3 photovoltaic devices were fabricated to investigate photovoltaic properties of BiFeO3. Current density–voltage characteristics of the photovoltaic devices showed rectifying behavior, indicating that BiFeO3 worked as an electron transport layer in CH3NH3PbI3-based photovoltaic devices.
Differential Physiological Responses of Portuguese Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes under Aluminium Stress
Authors: Garcia-Oliveira Ana , Martins-Lopes Paula , Tolrà Roser , Poschenrieder Charlotte , Guedes-Pinto Henrique , Benito César
Published: December 2016

The major limitation of cereal production in acidic soils is aluminium (Al) phytotoxicity which inhibits root growth. Recent evidence indicates that different genotypes within the same species have evolved different mechanisms to cope with this stress. With these facts in mind, root responses of two highly Al tolerant Portuguese bread wheat genotypes—Barbela 7/72/92 and Viloso mole—were investigated along with check genotype Anahuac (Al sensitive), using different physiological and histochemical assays. All the assays confirmed that Barbela 7/72/92 is much more tolerant to Al phytotoxicity than Viloso Mole. Our results demonstrate that the greater tolerance to Al phytotoxicity in Barbela 7/72/92 than in Viloso Mole relies on numerous factors, including higher levels of organic acid (OAs) efflux, particularly citrate efflux. This might be associated with the lower accumulation of Al in the root tips, restricting the Al-induced lipid peroxidation and the consequent plasma membrane integrity loss, thus allowing better root regrowth under Al stress conditions. Furthermore, the presence of root hairs in Barbela 7/72/92 might also help to circumvent Al toxicity by facilitating a more efficient uptake of water and nutrients, particularly under Al stress on acid soils. In conclusion, our findings confirmed that Portuguese bread wheat genotype Barbela 7/72/92 represents an alternative source of Al tolerance in bread wheat and could potentially be used to improve the wheat productivity in acidic soils.
Static Einstein–Maxwell Magnetic Solitons and Black Holes in an Odd Dimensional AdS Spacetime
Authors: Blázquez-Salcedo Jose , Kunz Jutta , Navarro-Lérida Francisco , Radu Eugen
Published: December 2016

We construct a new class of Einstein–Maxwell static solutions with a magnetic field in D-dimensions (with D ≥ 5 an odd number), approaching at infinity a globally Anti-de Sitter (AdS) spacetime. In addition to the mass, the new solutions possess an extra-parameter associated with a non-zero magnitude of the magnetic potential at infinity. Some of the black holes possess a non-trivial zero-horizon size limit, which corresponds to a solitonic deformation of the AdS background.
Guided Modes in a Double-Well Asymmetric Potential of a Graphene Waveguide
Authors: Xu Yi , Ang Lay
Published: December 2016

The analogy between the electron wave nature in graphene electronics and the electromagnetic waves in dielectrics has suggested a series of optical-like phenomena, which is of great importance for graphene-based electronic devices. In this paper, we propose an asymmetric double-well potential on graphene as an electronic waveguide to confine the graphene electrons. The guided modes in this graphene waveguide are investigated using a modified transfer matrix method. It is found that there are two types of guided modes. The first kind is confined in one well, which is similar to the asymmetric quantum well graphene waveguide. The second kind can appear in two potential wells with double-degeneracy. Characteristics of all the possible guide modes are presented.
The Desalination Process Driven by Wave Energy: A Challenge for the Future
Authors: Franzitta Vincenzo , Curto Domenico , Milone Daniele , Viola Alessia
Published: December 2016

The correlation between water and energy is currently the focus of several investigations. In particular, desalination is a technological process characterized by high energy consumption; nevertheless, desalination represents the only practicable solution in several areas, where the availability of fresh water is limited but brackish water or seawater are present. These natural resources (energy and water) are essential for each other; energy system conversion needs water, and electrical energy is necessary for water treatment or transport. Several interesting aspects include the study of saline desalination as an answer to freshwater needs and the application of renewable energy (RE) devices to satisfy electrical energy requirement for the desalination process. A merge between renewable energy and desalination is beneficial in that it is a sustainable and challenging option for the future. This work investigates the possibility of using renewable energy sources to supply the desalination process. In particular, as a case study, we analyze the application of wave energy sources in the Sicilian context.
Design and Output Performance Model of Turbodrill Blade Used in a Slim Borehole
Authors: Wang Yu , Xia Bairu , Wang Zhiqiao , Wang Liguang , Zhou Qin
Published: December 2016

Small-diameter turbodrills have great potential for use in slim boreholes because of their lower cost and higher efficiency when used in geothermal energy and other underground resource applications. Multistage hydraulic components consisting of stators and rotors are key aspects of turbodrills. This study aimed to develop a suitable blade that can be used under high temperature in granite formations. First, prediction models for single- and multi-stage blades were established based on Bernoulli’s Equation. The design requirement of the blade for high-temperature geothermal drilling in granite was proposed. A Φ89 blade was developed based on the dimensionless parameter method and Bezier curve; the parameters of the blade, including its radial size, symotric parameters, and blade profiles, were input into ANASYS and CFX to establish a calculation model of the single-stage blade. The optimization of the blade structure of the small-diameter turbodrill enabled a multistage turbodrill model to be established and the turbodrill’s overall output performance to be predicted. The results demonstrate that the design can meet the turbodrill’s performance requirements and that the multistage model can effectively improve the accuracy of the prediction.
Forest Inventory Attribute Prediction Using Lightweight Aerial Scanner Data in a Selected Type of Multilayered Deciduous Forest
Authors: Sačkov Ivan , Santopuoli Giovanni , Bucha Tomáš , Lasserre Bruno , Marchetti Marco
Published: December 2016

Airborne laser scanning is a promising technique for efficient and accurate, remote-based forest inventory, due to its capacity for direct measurement of the three-dimensional structure of vegetation. The main objective of this study was to test the usability and accuracy of an individual tree detection approach, using reFLex software, in the evaluation of forest variables. The accuracy assessment was conducted in a selected type of multilayered deciduous forest in southern Italy. Airborne laser scanning data were taken with a YellowScan Mapper scanner at an average height of 150 m. Point density reached 30 echoes per m2, but most points belonged to the first echo. The ground reference data contained the measured positions and dimensions of 445 trees. Individual tree-detection rates were 66% for dominant, 48% for codominant, 18% for intermediate, and 5% for suppressed trees. Relative root mean square error for tree height, diameter, and volume reached 8.2%, 21.8%, and 45.7%, respectively. All remote-based tree variables were strongly correlated with the ground data (R2 = 0.71–0.79). At the stand-level, the results show that differences ranged between 4% and 17% for stand height and 22% and 40% for stand diameter. The total growing stock differed by −43% from the ground reference data, and the ratios were 64% for dominant, 58% for codominant, 36% for intermediate, and 16% for suppressed trees.
Foliage Chemistry of Pinus baksiana in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Proemse Bernadette , Maynard Doug , Mayer Bernhard
Published: December 2016

Industrial emissions in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR), Alberta, Canada, have caused concerns about the effect of oil sands operations on the surrounding terrestrial environments, including jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) stands. We collected jack pine needles from 19 sites in the AOSR (13–128 km from main operations) for foliar chemical analyses to investigate the environmental impact on jack pine. Pine needles from three age classes, the current annual growth (CAG, 2011), one year and two year old pine needles, were collected. Samples were analyzed for total carbon (TC), nitrogen (TN), and sulfur (TS), inorganic S (SO4-S), base cations (Ca, Mg, Na), and other elements (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, P, Zn); CAG needles were also analyzed for their nitrogen and carbon isotopic compositions. Only TN, TS, Ca, B, Zn, and Fe contents showed weak but significant increases with proximity to the major oil sands operations. C and N isotopic compositions showed no trend with distance or TC and TN contents. Total S contents in CAG of pine foliage increased significantly with proximity to the main industrial operation while foliar inorganic S to organic S ratios (SO4-S/Sorg) ranged consistently between 0.13 and 0.32, indicating low to moderately high S loading. Hence, this study suggests some evidence of uptake of S emissions in close proximity to anthropogenic sources, although the reported values have not reached a level of environmental concern.
The Determinants of Organic Vegetable Purchasing in Jabodetabek Region, Indonesia
Authors: Slamet Alim , Nakayasu Akira , Bai Hu
Published: December 2016

Over the last few years, the global market of organic vegetables has grown. This is due to increased consumer concern regarding environmental and health issues, especially for food products. This study aims to examine factors that influence consumer behavior in purchasing organic vegetables. In this study, data were obtained from household surveys conducted in the Jabodetabek region (Greater Jakarta) from February to March 2015. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and a binary logit model were used to analyze the data. Subsequently, the results show that consumers with fewer family members and have a higher income, and are price tolerant, are more likely to purchase organic vegetables. Meanwhile, female consumers are less likely to buy organic vegetables. Another important finding is that positive attitude towards organic products, safety and health, environmental concerns, as well as degree of trust in organic attributes, are the determinants of organic vegetable purchasing among consumers. Therefore, based on the study results, the following recommendations are needed for organic vegetable development in Indonesia: (a) implementing an appropriate pricing strategy; (b) encouraging organic labeling and certification for vegetables; and (c) intensively promoting organic food with respect to consumers’ motives and concerns on health, safety, as well as environmental sustainability.
Evolution of the Maillard Reaction in Glutamine or Arginine-Dextrinomaltose Model Systems
Authors: Pastoriza Silvia , Rufián-Henares José , García-Villanova Belén , Guerra-Hernández Eduardo
Published: December 2016

Enteral formulas are foods designed for medical uses to feed patients who are unable to eat normally. They are prepared by mixing proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates and fats and submitted to sterilization. During thermal treatment, the Maillard reaction takes place through the reaction of animo acids with reducing sugars. Thus, although glutamine and arginine are usually added to improve the nutritional value of enteral formulas, their final concentration may vary. Thus, in the present paper the early, intermediate, and advanced states of the Maillard reaction were studied in model systems by measuring loss of free amino acids through the decrease of fluorescence intensity with o-phtaldialdehyde (OPA), 5-Hydroximethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, glucosylisomaltol, fluorescence, and absorbance at 420 nm. The systems were prepared by mixing glutamine or arginine with dextrinomaltose (similar ingredients to those used in special enteral formula), and heated at 100 °C, 120 °C and 140 °C for 0 to 30 min. The recorded changes in the concentration of furanic compounds was only useful for longer heating times of high temperatures, while absorbance and fluorescence measurements were useful in all the assayed conditions. In addition, easiness and sensitivity of absorbance and fluorescence make them useful techniques that could be implemented as indicators for monitoring the manufacture of special enteral formulas. Glucosylisomaltol is a useful indicator to monitor the manufacture of glutamine-enriched enteral formulas.
Achieving HIV-1 Control through RNA-Directed Gene Regulation
Authors: Klemm Vera , Mitchell Jye , Cortez-Jugo Christina , Cavalieri Francesca , Symonds Geoff , Caruso Frank , Kelleher Anthony , Ahlenstiel Chantelle
Published: December 2016

HIV-1 infection has been transformed by combined anti-retroviral therapy (ART), changing a universally fatal infection into a controllable infection. However, major obstacles for an HIV-1 cure exist. The HIV latent reservoir, which exists in resting CD4+ T cells, is not impacted by ART, and can reactivate when ART is interrupted or ceased. Additionally, multi-drug resistance can arise. One alternate approach to conventional HIV-1 drug treatment that is being explored involves gene therapies utilizing RNA-directed gene regulation. Commonly known as RNA interference (RNAi), short interfering RNA (siRNA) induce gene silencing in conserved biological pathways, which require a high degree of sequence specificity. This review will provide an overview of the silencing pathways, the current RNAi technologies being developed for HIV-1 gene therapy, current clinical trials, and the challenges faced in progressing these treatments into clinical trials.
The Virulence Regulator Rns Activates the Expression of CS14 Pili
Authors: Bodero Maria , Munson George
Published: December 2016

Although many viral and bacterial pathogens cause diarrhea, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is one of the most frequently encountered in impoverished regions where it is estimated to kill between 300,000 and 700,000 children and infants annually. Critical ETEC virulence factors include pili which mediate the attachment of the pathogen to receptors in the intestinal lumen. In this study we show that the ETEC virulence regulator Rns positively regulates the expression of CS14 pili. Three Rns binding sites were identified upstream of the CS14 pilus promoter centered at −34.5, −80.5, and −155.5 relative to the Rns-dependent transcription start site. Mutagenesis of the promoter proximal site significantly decreased expression from the CS14 promoter. In contrast, the contribution of Rns bound at the promoter distal site was negligible and largely masked by occupancy of the promoter proximal site. Unexpectedly, Rns bound at the site centered at −80.5 had a slight but statistically significant inhibitory effect upon the pilin promoter. Nevertheless, this weak inhibitory effect was not sufficient to overcome the substantial promoter activation from Rns bound to the promoter proximal site. Thus, CS14 pili belong to a group of pili that depend upon Rns for their expression.
Magnetic Materials: Novel Monitors of Long-Term Evolution of Engineered Barrier Systems
Authors: Harley Simon , Rigonat Nicola , Butler Ian
Published: December 2016

Most safety cases for the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste are reliant on the swelling of bentonite in the engineered barrier system as it saturates with groundwater. Assurance of safety therefore requires effective monitoring of bentonite saturation. The time- and fluid-dependent corrosion of synthetic magnets embedded in bentonite is demonstrated here to provide a novel and passive means of monitoring saturation. Experiments have been conducted at 70 °C in which neo magnets, AlNiCo magnets, and ferrite magnets have been reacted with saline (NaCl, KCl, CaCl2) solutions and alkaline fluids (NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)2 solutions; pH = 12) in the presence of bentonite. Nd-Fe-B magnets undergo extensive corrosion that results in a dramatic change from ferromagnetic to superparamagnetic behaviour concomitant with bentonite saturation. AlNiCo magnets in saline solutions show corrosion but only limited decreases in their magnetic intensities, and ferrite magnets are essentially unreactive on the experimental timescales, retaining their initial magnetic properties. For all magnets the impact of their corrosion on bentonite swelling is negligible; alteration of bentonite is essentially governed by the applied fluid composition. In principle, synthetic magnet arrays can, with further development, be designed and embedded in bentonite to monitor its fluid saturation without compromising the integrity of the engineered barrier system itself.
Network Modelling of the Influence of Swelling on the Transport Behaviour of Bentonite
Authors: Athanasiadis Ignatios , Wheeler Simon , Grassl Peter
Published: December 2016

Wetting of bentonite is a complex hydro-mechanical process that involves swelling and, if confined, significant structural changes in its void structure. A coupled structural transport network model is proposed to investigate the effect of wetting of bentonite on retention conductivity and swelling pressure response. The transport network of spheres and pipes, representing voids and throats, respectively, relies on Laplace–Young’s equation to model the wetting process. The structural network uses a simple elasto-plastic approach without hardening to model the rearrangement of the fabric. Swelling is introduced in the form of an eigenstrain in the structural elements, which are adjacent to water filled spheres. For a constrained cell, swelling is shown to produce plastic strains, which result in a reduction of pipe and sphere spaces and, therefore, influence the conductivity and retention behaviour.
Estimation of Saliva Cotinine Cut-Off Points for Active and Passive Smoking during Pregnancy—Polish Mother and Child Cohort (REPRO_PL)
Authors: Polanska Kinga , Krol Anna , Kaluzny Pawel , Ligocka Danuta , Mikolajewska Karolina , Shaheen Seif , Walton Robert , Hanke Wojciech
Published: December 2016

A reliable assessment of smoking status has significant public health implications and is essential for research purposes. The aim of this study was to determine optimal saliva cotinine cut-off values for smoking during pregnancy. The analyses were based on data from 1771 women from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort. Saliva cotinine concentrations were assessed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI + MS/MS). The saliva cotinine cut-off value for active smoking was established at 10 ng/mL (sensitivity 96%, specificity 95%) and for passive smoking at 1.5 ng/mL (sensitivity 63%, specificity 71%). About 5% of the self-reported non-smoking women were classified as smokers based on the cotinine cut-off value. Significantly more younger, single, and less educated self-reported non-smokers had a cotinine concentration higher than 10 ng/mL compared to those who were older, married, and who had a university degree. Close to 30% of the non-smokers who indicated that smoking was not allowed in their home could be classified as exposed to passive smoking based on the cut-off value. The study suggests that self-reported smoking status is a valid measure of active smoking, whereas in the case of passive smoking, a combination of questionnaire data and biomarker verification may be required.
The Impact of Greenspace on Thermal Comfort in a Residential Quarter of Beijing, China
Authors: Wu Zhifeng , Kong Fanhua , Wang Yening , Sun Ranhao , Chen Liding
Published: December 2016

With the process of urbanization, a large number of residential quarters, which is the main dwelling form in the urban area of Beijing, have been developed in last three decades to accommodate the rising population. In the context of intensification of urban heat island (UHI), the potential degradation of the thermal environment of residential quarters can give rise to a variety of problems affecting inhabitants’ health. This paper reports the results of a numerical study of the thermal conditions of a residential quarter on a typical summertime day under four greening modification scenarios, characterized by different leaf area density (LAD) profiles. The modelling results demonstrated that vegetation could evidently reduce near-surface air temperature, with the combination of grass and mature trees achieving as much as 1.5 °C of air temperature decrease compared with the non-green scenario. Vegetation can also lead to smaller air temperature fluctuations, which contribute to a more stable microclimate. The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was then calculated to represent the variation of thermal environment of the study area. While grass is helpful in improving outdoor thermal comfort, trees are more effective in reducing the duration and expansion of suffering from severe heat stress. The results of this study showed that proper maintenance of vegetation, especially trees, is significant to improving the outdoor thermal environment in the summer season. In consideration of the deficiency of the current code in the management of greenspace in residential areas, we hope the results reported here will help promote the improvement of the code and related regulations for greenspace management.
The Role of ERK1/2 in the Development of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Xu Zheng , Sun Jian , Tong Qian , Lin Qian , Qian Lingbo , Park Yongsoo , Zheng Yang
Published: December 2016

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic condition that affects carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism and may impair numerous organs and functions of the organism. Cardiac dysfunction afflicts many patients who experience the oxidative stress of the heart. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the major complications that accounts for more than half of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality cases. Chronic hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia from diabetes mellitus cause cardiac oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, impaired cellular calcium handling, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic disturbances, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix, which ultimately lead to DCM. Although many studies have explored the mechanisms leading to DCM, the pathophysiology of DCM has not yet been fully clarified. In fact, as a potential mechanism, the associations between DCM development and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation have been the subjects of tremendous interest. Nonetheless, much remains to be investigated, such as tissue- and cell-specific processes of selection of MAPK activation between pro-apoptotic vs. pro-survival fate, as well as their relation with the pathogenesis of diabetes and associated complications. In general, it turns out that MAPK signaling pathways, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase, are demonstrated to be actively involved in myocardial dysfunction, hypertrophy, fibrosis and heart failure. As one of MAPK family members, the activation of ERK1/2 has also been known to be involved in cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction. However, many recent studies have demonstrated that ERK1/2 signaling activation also plays a crucial role in FGF21 signaling and exerts a protective environment of glucose and lipid metabolism, therefore preventing abnormal healing and cardiac dysfunction. The duration, extent, and subcellular compartment of ERK1/2 activation are vital to differential biological effects of ERK1/2. Moreover, many intracellular events, including mitochondrial signaling and protein kinases, manipulate signaling upstream and downstream of MAPK, to influence myocardial survival or death. In this review, we will summarize the roles of ERK1/2 pathways in DCM development by the evidence from current studies and will present novel opinions on “differential influence of ERK1/2 action in cardiac dysfunction, and protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury”.