bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copper Micro-Labyrinth with Graphene Skin: New Transparent Flexible Electrodes with Ultimate Low Sheet Resistivity and Superior Stability
Authors: Yu Hak
Published: September 2016

We have developed self-assembled copper (Cu) micro-labyrinth (ML) with graphene skin for transparent flexible electrodes of optoelectronic devices. The Cu ML is simply formed by heating a thin Cu film with a 100-nm thickness on a SiO2/Si substrate at 950 °C under hydrogen ambient to block the oxidation. Moreover, the Cu ML can have graphene skin at the surface by inserting carbo-hydroxyl molecules (CxHy) during heating due to the catalytic decomposition of C–H bonds on the Cu surface. The Cu ML with graphene skin (Cu ML-G) has superior sheet resistivity below 5 Ω/sq and mechanical flexibility without cracks at the bending radius of 0.1 cm. Although the transmittance of Cu ML-G is a little lower (70%~80%) than that of conventional metallic nanowires electrodes (such as Ag, ~90% at the visible wavelength), it has good thermal stability in conductivity without any damage at 200 °C due to a micro-sized pattern and graphene skin which prohibits the surface migration of Cu atoms.
An Accelerated Release Study to Evaluate Long-Acting Contraceptive Levonorgestrel-Containing in Situ Forming Depot Systems
Authors: Janagam Dileep , Wang Lizhu , Ananthula Suryatheja , Johnson James , Lowe Tao
Published: September 2016

Biodegradable polymer-based injectable in situ forming depot (ISD) systems that solidify in the body to form a solid or semisolid reservoir are becoming increasingly attractive as an injectable dosage form for sustained (months to years) parenteral drug delivery. Evaluation of long-term drug release from the ISD systems during the formulation development is laborious and costly. An accelerated release method that can effectively correlate the months to years of long-term release in a short time such as days or weeks is economically needed. However, no such accelerated ISD system release method has been reported in the literature to date. The objective of the current study was to develop a short-term accelerated in vitro release method for contraceptive levonorgestrel (LNG)-containing ISD systems to screen formulations for more than 3-month contraception after a single subcutaneous injection. The LNG-containing ISD formulations were prepared by using biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and polylactic acid polymer and solvent mixtures containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and benzyl benzoate or triethyl citrate. Drug release studies were performed under real-time (long-term) conditions (PBS, pH 7.4, 37 °C) and four accelerated (short-term) conditions: (A) PBS, pH 7.4, 50 °C; (B) 25% ethanol in PBS, pH 7.4, 50 °C; (C) 25% ethanol in PBS, 2% Tween 20, pH 7.4, 50 °C; and (D) 25% ethanol in PBS, 2% Tween 20, pH 9, 50 °C. The LNG release profile, including the release mechanism under the accelerated condition D within two weeks, correlated (r2 ≥ 0.98) well with that under real-time conditions at four months.
A Short History of the Development of Hospital Pharmacy in Belgium
Authors: Hecq Jean-Daniel
Published: September 2016

The Belgian Association of Hospital Pharmacists (BAHP) is a professional and scientific association representing all pharmacists who work in hospital institutions, whether private or public, university, general or psychiatric. This association was created in 1953. The aim of this short paper is to tell the history of its continuous development in a few words. The main development is reviewed from 1950 to now including: regulation, professional association roles, agreement and continuing education, development of clinical pharmacy, and updating of university training program. A new decree for the hospital pharmacist is in the course of being finalized, including new technologies: automated dispensing, automated compounding, centralization of sterile compounding, e-learning, traceability of medical devices and clinical pharmacy.
Correction: Phosphorylation Affects DNA-Binding of the Senescence-Regulating bZIP Transcription Factor GBF1. Plants 2015, 4, 691–709
Authors: Smykowski Anja , Fischer Stefan , Zentgraf Ulrike
Published: September 2016

The authors wish to make the following corrections to their paper [1].[...]
Extraction and Characterization of Extracellular Proteins and Their Post-Translational Modifications from Arabidopsis thaliana Suspension Cell Cultures and Seedlings: A Critical Review
Authors: Ghahremani Mina , Stigter Kyla , Plaxton William
Published: September 2016

Proteins secreted by plant cells into the extracellular space, consisting of the cell wall, apoplastic fluid, and rhizosphere, play crucial roles during development, nutrient acquisition, and stress acclimation. However, isolating the full range of secreted proteins has proven difficult, and new strategies are constantly evolving to increase the number of proteins that can be detected and identified. In addition, the dynamic nature of the extracellular proteome presents the further challenge of identifying and characterizing the post-translational modifications (PTMs) of secreted proteins, particularly glycosylation and phosphorylation. Such PTMs are common and important regulatory modifications of proteins, playing a key role in many biological processes. This review explores the most recent methods in isolating and characterizing the plant extracellular proteome with a focus on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, highlighting the current challenges yet to be overcome. Moreover, the crucial role of protein PTMs in cell wall signalling, development, and plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress is discussed.
MOD2SEA: A Coupled Atmosphere-Hydro-Optical Model for the Retrieval of Chlorophyll-a from Remote Sensing Observations in Complex Turbid Waters
Authors: Arabi Behnaz , Salama Mhd. , Wernand Marcel , Verhoef Wouter
Published: September 2016

An accurate estimation of the chlorophyll-a (Chla) concentration is crucial for water quality monitoring and is highly desired by various government agencies and environmental groups. However, using satellite observations for Chla estimation remains problematic over coastal waters due to their optical complexity and the critical atmospheric correction. In this study, we coupled an atmospheric and a water optical model for the simultaneous atmospheric correction and retrieval of Chla in the complex waters of the Wadden Sea. This coupled model called MOD2SEA combines simulations from the MODerate resolution atmospheric TRANsmission model (MODTRAN) and the two-stream radiative transfer hydro-optical model 2SeaColor. The accuracy of the coupled MOD2SEA model was validated using a matchup data set of MERIS (MEdium Resolution Imaging SpectRometer) observations and four years of concurrent ground truth measurements (2007–2010) at the NIOZ jetty location in the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea. The results showed that MERIS-derived Chla from MOD2SEA explained the variations of measured Chla with a determination coefficient of R2 = 0.88 and a RMSE of 3.32 mg·m−3, which means a significant improvement in comparison with the standard MERIS Case 2 regional (C2R) processor. The proposed coupled model might be used to generate a time series of reliable Chla maps, which is of profound importance for the assessment of causes and consequences of long-term phenological changes of Chla in the turbid Wadden Sea area.
Comparison of Manual Mapping and Automated Object-Based Image Analysis of Non-Submerged Aquatic Vegetation from Very-High-Resolution UAS Images
Authors: Husson Eva , Ecke Frauke , Reese Heather
Published: September 2016

Aquatic vegetation has important ecological and regulatory functions and should be monitored in order to detect ecosystem changes. Field data collection is often costly and time-consuming; remote sensing with unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) provides aerial images with sub-decimetre resolution and offers a potential data source for vegetation mapping. In a manual mapping approach, UAS true-colour images with 5-cm-resolution pixels allowed for the identification of non-submerged aquatic vegetation at the species level. However, manual mapping is labour-intensive, and while automated classification methods are available, they have rarely been evaluated for aquatic vegetation, particularly at the scale of individual vegetation stands. We evaluated classification accuracy and time-efficiency for mapping non-submerged aquatic vegetation at three levels of detail at five test sites (100 m × 100 m) differing in vegetation complexity. We used object-based image analysis and tested two classification methods (threshold classification and Random Forest) using eCognition®. The automated classification results were compared to results from manual mapping. Using threshold classification, overall accuracy at the five test sites ranged from 93% to 99% for the water-versus-vegetation level and from 62% to 90% for the growth-form level. Using Random Forest classification, overall accuracy ranged from 56% to 94% for the growth-form level and from 52% to 75% for the dominant-taxon level. Overall classification accuracy decreased with increasing vegetation complexity. In test sites with more complex vegetation, automated classification was more time-efficient than manual mapping. This study demonstrated that automated classification of non-submerged aquatic vegetation from true-colour UAS images was feasible, indicating good potential for operative mapping of aquatic vegetation. When choosing the preferred mapping method (manual versus automated) the desired level of thematic detail and the required accuracy for the mapping task needs to be considered.
Season Spotter: Using Citizen Science to Validate and Scale Plant Phenology from Near-Surface Remote Sensing
Authors: Kosmala Margaret , Crall Alycia , Cheng Rebecca , Hufkens Koen , Henderson Sandra , Richardson Andrew
Published: September 2016

The impact of a rapidly changing climate on the biosphere is an urgent area of research for mitigation policy and management. Plant phenology is a sensitive indicator of climate change and regulates the seasonality of carbon, water, and energy fluxes between the land surface and the climate system, making it an important tool for studying biosphere–atmosphere interactions. To monitor plant phenology at regional and continental scales, automated near-surface cameras are being increasingly used to supplement phenology data derived from satellite imagery and data from ground-based human observers. We used imagery from a network of phenology cameras in a citizen science project called Season Spotter to investigate whether information could be derived from these images beyond standard, color-based vegetation indices. We found that engaging citizen science volunteers resulted in useful science knowledge in three ways: first, volunteers were able to detect some, but not all, reproductive phenology events, connecting landscape-level measures with field-based measures. Second, volunteers successfully demarcated individual trees in landscape imagery, facilitating scaling of vegetation indices from organism to ecosystem. And third, volunteers’ data were used to validate phenology transition dates calculated from vegetation indices and to identify potential improvements to existing algorithms to enable better biological interpretation. As a result, the use of citizen science in combination with near-surface remote sensing of phenology can be used to link ground-based phenology observations to satellite sensor data for scaling and validation. Well-designed citizen science projects targeting improved data processing and validation of remote sensing imagery hold promise for providing the data needed to address grand challenges in environmental science and Earth observation.
Aboveground Biomass Estimation of Individual Trees in a Coastal Planted Forest Using Full-Waveform Airborne Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Cao Lin , Gao Sha , Li Pinghao , Yun Ting , Shen Xin , Ruan Honghua
Published: September 2016

The accurate estimation of individual tree level aboveground biomass (AGB) is critical for understanding the carbon cycle, detecting potential biofuels and managing forest ecosystems. In this study, we assessed the capability of the metrics of point clouds, extracted from the full-waveform Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data, and of composite waveforms, calculated based on a voxel-based approach, for estimating tree level AGB individually and in combination, over a planted forest in the coastal region of east China. To do so, we investigated the importance of point cloud and waveform metrics for estimating tree-level AGB by all subsets models and relative weight indices. We also assessed the capability of the point cloud and waveform metrics based models and combo model (including the combination of both point cloud and waveform metrics) for tree-level AGB estimation and evaluated the accuracies of these models. The results demonstrated that most of the waveform metrics have relatively low correlation coefficients (<0.60) with other metrics. The combo models (Adjusted R2 = 0.78–0.89), including both point cloud and waveform metrics, have a relatively higher performance than the models fitted by point cloud metrics-only (Adjusted R2 = 0.74–0.86) and waveform metrics-only (Adjusted R2 = 0.72–0.84), with the mostly selected metrics of the 95th percentile height (H95), mean of height of median energy (HOMEμ) and mean of the height/median ratio (HTMRμ). Based on the relative weights (i.e., the percentage of contribution for R2) of the mostly selected metrics for all subsets, the metric of 95th percentile height (H95) has the highest relative importance for AGB estimation (19.23%), followed by 75th percentile height (H75) (18.02%) and coefficient of variation of heights (Hcv) (15.18%) in the point cloud metrics based models. For the waveform metrics based models, the metric of mean of height of median energy (HOMEμ) has the highest relative importance for AGB estimation (17.86%), followed by mean of the height/median ratio (HTMRμ) (16.23%) and standard deviation of height of median energy (HOMEσ) (14.78%). This study demonstrated benefits of using full-waveform ALS data for estimating biomass at tree level, for sustainable forest management and mitigating climate change by planted forest, as China has the largest area of planted forest in the world, and these forests contribute to a large amount of carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems.
Mapping Bicycle Crash Risk Patterns on the Local Scale
Authors: Loidl Martin , Wallentin Gudrun , Wendel Robin , Zagel Bernhard
Published: September 2016

Currently, mainly aggregated statistics are used for bicycle crash risk calculations. Thus, the understanding of spatial patterns at local scale levels remains vague. Using an agent-based flow model and a bicycle crash database covering 10 continuous years of observation allows us to calculate and map the crash risk on various spatial scales for the city of Salzburg (Austria). In doing so, we directly account for the spatial heterogeneity of crash occurrences. Additionally, we provide a measure for the statistical robustness on the level of single reference units and consider modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) effects in our analysis. This study is the first of its kind. The results facilitate a better understanding of spatial patterns of bicycle crash rates on the local scale. This is especially important for cities that strive to improve the safety situation for bicyclists in order to address prevailing safety concerns that keep people from using the bicycle as a utilitarian mode of (urban) transport.
Erratum: Fang, C.; Pang, B.; Liu, H. Quantitative Study on the Dynamic Mechanism of Smart Low-Carbon City Development in China. Sustainability 2016, 8, 507
Authors:   Sustainability Editorial Office
Published: September 2016

The authors wish to correct their afﬁliations in this paper [1] as follows:[...]
Numerical Analysis of the Factors Influencing a Vertical U-Tube Ground Heat Exchanger
Authors: Chen Shangyuan , Mao Jinfeng , Han Xu , Li Chaofeng , Liu Liyao
Published: September 2016

The development of a three-dimensional, unsteady state model, which couples heat transfer with groundwater seepage for a vertical U-tube ground heat exchanger (GHE) is presented. The influence of underground soil thermal properties, grout materials, inlet water temperature and velocity, and groundwater seepage on heat transfer in the GHE is examined. The results indicate that before the heat in the borehole is saturated, the heat flux in the GHE is directly proportional to the thermal conductivity coefficient of the grout materials. The radius of the thermal effect of the GHE and the recovery rate of the temperature in the soil are also proportional to the thermal diffusion coefficient of the soil. In cooling mode, the increase of the inlet water temperature of the GHE results in enhanced heat transfer. However, this may cause issues with heat buildup. The increase of the inlet water velocity in the GHE enhances heat convection in the tube. The effect of thermal-seepage coupling in groundwater can reduce the accumulated heat, thus resulting in the effective enhancement of the heat transfer in the GHE.
Evaluating Thermal and Lighting Energy Performance of Shading Devices on Kinetic Façades
Authors: Lee Dong-Seok , Koo Sung-Han , Seong Yoon-Bok , Jo Jae-Hun
Published: September 2016

In order to evaluate the thermal and lighting energy performance of a kinetic façade using external movable shading devices, it is important to consider the operation of the shading devices since it can influence the performance significantly. This study proposes a calculation methodology which assesses the performance of the movable shading devices with the consideration of the movements of the shading devices. Calculation methods were derived by which solar heat gain, lighting energy requirement, and the primary energy equivalent to heating and cooling energy requirement can be obtained. Using the calculation methods, the optimal operation scenario for the movable shading devices was presented which can minimize the solar heat gain and lighting energy requirement. A comparison case study was carried out to demonstrate the use of the control strategies for a building where a drop awning was installed. The results showed that the optimal operation scenario suggested in this study can potentially deliver effective energy performance. The limitation and applicability of the suggested method were also discussed.
Higgs Phase in a Gauge U(1) Non-Linear CP1-Model. Two Species of BPS Vortices and Their Zero Modes
Authors: Alonso-Izquierdo Alberto , Mateos-Guilarte Juan
Published: September 2016

In this paper, zero modes of fluctuation are dissected around the two species of BPS vortices existing in the critical Higgs phase, where the scalar and vector meson masses are equal, of a gauged U ( 1 ) nonlinear CP 1 -model. If 2 π n , n ∈ Z , is the quantized magnetic flux of the two species of BPS vortex solutions, 2 n linearly-independent vortex zero modes for each species are found and described. The existence of two species of moduli spaces of dimension 2 n of these stringy topological defects is thus locally shown.
Ningretongo and Bakratongo: Race/ethnicity and language variation in 18th century Suriname
Authors: Berg Margot van den
Published: September 2016

Het Sranan Tongo ontstond in de late 17de eeuw als interetnische voertaal tussen Afrikanen en Europeanen (en hun afstammelingen) op de plantages van Suriname. Het Sranan Tongo is vrij goed gedocumenteerd. Het Suriname Creole Archive bezit tenminste tien uit de 18de eeuw daterende bronnen in het Sranan Tongo die een perspectief bieden op de vroege fasen van de ontwikkeling ervan. Vanuit taalkundig opzicht vertonen deze bronnen een hoge mate van variatie in meerdere dimensies ; er zijn voorbeelden van verschillende regionale variëteiten, registers en sociale stijlen ; daarnaast kan ook diachronische taalvariatie vastgesteld worden (van den Berg 2007). Dit artikel spitst zich toe op taalvariatie en raciale en etnische factoren in het 18de eeuwse Sranan Tongo. De termen Ningretongo et Bakratongo worden hier gebruikt als polen van een continuum aan variëteiten van het Sranan Tongo dat in de loop van de 18de eeuw steeds ingewikkelder werd. De term Ningretongo is een gemeenschappelijke benaming voor taalkenmerken die teruggevoerd kunnen worden op de Surinaamse bevolkingsgroepen van Afrikaanse herkomst, in het bijzonder slaven op de plantages. De term Bakratongo wordt hier gebruikt om te verwijzen naar taalkenmerken die teruggevoerd kunnen worden op de Europese bevolking, en tot op zekere hoogte op ‘ vrije’ personen van gemengde raciale herkomst. Vertonen de verschillende etnoraciale variëteiten van het Sranan Tongo een verschillende invloed van de Europese en Afrikaanse talen die tot het ontstaan van het Sranan Tongo bijdroegen ? In dit artikel presenteer ik linguïstische, sociolinguïstische en demografische gegevens over het 18de-eeuwse Suriname die ons in staat stellen om het ontstaan van creooltalen beter te begrijpen.
Functional diversity of resilin in Arthropoda
Authors: Michels Jan , Appel Esther , Gorb Stanislav N
Published: September 2016

Resilin is an elastomeric protein typically occurring in exoskeletons of arthropods. It is composed of randomly orientated coiled polypeptide chains that are covalently cross-linked together at regular intervals by the two unusual amino acids dityrosine and trityrosine forming a stable network with a high degree of flexibility and mobility. As a result of its molecular prerequisites, resilin features exceptional rubber-like properties including a relatively low stiffness, a rather pronounced long-range deformability and a nearly perfect elastic recovery. Within the exoskeleton structures, resilin commonly forms composites together with other proteins and/or chitin fibres. In the last decades, numerous exoskeleton structures with large proportions of resilin and various resilin functions have been described. Today, resilin is known to be responsible for the generation of deformability and flexibility in membrane and joint systems, the storage of elastic energy in jumping and catapulting systems, the enhancement of adaptability to uneven surfaces in attachment and prey catching systems, the reduction of fatigue and damage in reproductive, folding and feeding systems and the sealing of wounds in a traumatic reproductive system. In addition, resilin is present in many compound eye lenses and is suggested to be a very suitable material for optical elements because of its transparency and amorphousness. The evolution of this remarkable functional diversity can be assumed to have only been possible because resilin exhibits a unique combination of different outstanding properties.
AGHmatrix: R Package to Construct Relationship Matrices for Autotetraploid and Diploid Species: A Blueberry Example
Authors: Amadeu Rodrigo R. , Cellon Catherine , Olmstead James W. , Garcia Antonio A. F. , Resende Marcio F. R. , Muñoz Patricio R.
Published: September 2016

Progress in the rate of improvement in autopolyploid species has been limited compared with diploids, mainly because software and methods to apply advanced prediction and selection methodologies in autopolyploids are lacking. The objectives of this research were to (i) develop an R package for autopolyploids to construct the relationship matrix derived from pedigree information that accounts for autopolyploidy and double reduction and (ii) use the package to estimate the level and effect of double reduction in an autotetraploid blueberry breeding population with extensive pedigree information. The package is unique, as it can create A‐matrices for different levels of ploidy and double reduction, which can then be used by breeders to fit mixed models in the context of predicting breeding values (BVs). Using the data from this blueberry population, we found for all the traits that tetrasomic inheritance creates a better fit than disomic inheritance. In one of the five traits studied, the level of double reduction was different from zero, decreasing the estimated heritability, but it did not affect the prediction of BVs. We also discovered that different depths of pedigree would have significant implications on the estimation of double reduction using this approach. This freely available R package is available for autopolyploid breeders to estimate the level of double reduction present in their populations and the impact in the estimation of genetic parameters as well as to use advanced methods of prediction and selection.
Rascaf: Improving Genome Assembly with RNA Sequencing Data
Authors: Song Li , Shankar Dhruv S. , Florea Liliana
Published: September 2016

Abundant but short second‐generation sequencing reads make assembly difficult, leading to fragmented genomes and gene annotations. Gene structure information from RNA sequences can be used to improve the completeness and contiguity of an assembly, but bioinformatics methods have been lacking. Rascaf is a highly efficient tool leveraging long‐range continuity information from intron spanning RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) read pairs to detect new contig connections. It determines a heaviest path in an exon block graph that simultaneously represents a gene and the underlying contig relationships. Rascaf is more accurate than its competitors, highly precise, and finds thousands of new verifiable connections in several draft Rosaceae genomes. Lightweight and practical, it can be readily incorporated into sequencing pipelines to improve an assembly and its gene annotations.
THE FIRST HIGH-PHASE OBSERVATIONS OF A KBO: NEW HORIZONS IMAGING OF (15810) 1994 JR1 FROM THE KUIPER BELT
Authors: Porter Simon B. , Spencer John R. , Benecchi Susan , Verbiscer Anne J. , Zangari Amanda M. , Weaver H. A. , Lauer Tod R. , Parker Alex H. , Buie Marc W. , Cheng Andrew F. , Young Leslie A. , Olkin Cathy B. , Ennico Kimberly , Stern S. Alan ,   (the New Horizons Science Team)
Published: September 2016

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft observed (15810) 1994 JR1, a 3:2 resonant Kuiper belt object (KBO), using the LOng Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) on 2015 November 2 from a distance of 1.85 au and again on 2016 April 7 from a distance of 0.71 au. These were the first close observations of any KBO other than Pluto. Combining ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations at small phase angles and the LORRI observations at higher phase angles, we produced the first disk-integrated solar phase curve of a typical KBO from α = 0.°6–58°. Observations at these geometries, attainable only from a spacecraft in the outer solar system, constrain surface properties such as macroscopic roughness and the single particle phase function. 1994 JR1 has a rough surface with a 37° ± 5° mean topographic slope angle and has a relatively rapid rotation period of 5.47 ± 0.33 hr. 1994 JR1 is currently 2.7 au from Pluto; our astrometric points enable high-precision orbit determination and integrations that show that it comes this close to Pluto every 2.4 million years (104 heliocentric orbits), causing Pluto to perturb 1994 JR1. During the November spacecraft observation, the KBO was simultaneously observed using HST in two colors, confirming its very red spectral slope. These observations have laid the groundwork for numerous potential future distant KBO observations in the New Horizons–Kuiper belt extended mission.
GW150914: FIRST SEARCH FOR THE ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTERPART OF A GRAVITATIONAL-WAVE EVENT BY THE TOROS COLLABORATION
Authors: Díaz Mario C. , Beroiz Martín , Peñuela Tania , Macri Lucas M. , Oelkers Ryan J. , Yuan Wenlong , García Lambas Diego , Cabral Juan , Colazo Carlos , Domínguez Mariano , Sánchez Bruno , Gurovich Sebastián , Lares Marcelo , Schneiter Matías , Graña Darío , Renzi Víctor , Rodriguez Horacio , Starck Manuel , Vrech Rubén , Artola Rodolfo , Ferreyra Antonio Chiavassa , Girardini Carla , Quiñones Cecilia , Tapia Luis , Tornatore Marina , Marshall Jennifer L. , DePoy Darren L. , Branchesi Marica , Brocato Enzo , Padilla Nelson , Pereyra Nicolas A. , Mukherjee Soma , Benacquista Matthew , Key Joey
Published: September 2016

We present the results of the optical follow-up conducted by the TOROS collaboration of the first gravitational-wave event GW150914. We conducted unfiltered CCD observations (0.35–1 μm) with the 1.5 m telescope at Bosque Alegre starting ∼2.5 days after the alarm. Given our limited field of view (∼100 arcmin2), we targeted 14 nearby galaxies that were observable from the site and were located within the area of higher localization probability. We analyzed the observations using two independent implementations of difference-imaging algorithms, followed by a Random-Forest-based algorithm to discriminate between real and bogus transients. We did not find any bona fide transient event in the surveyed area down to a 5σ limiting magnitude of r = 21.7 mag (AB). Our result is consistent with the LIGO detection of a binary black hole merger, for which no electromagnetic counterparts are expected, and with the expected rates of other astrophysical transients.
Research on the Impact of Multimedia Computer-based English Teaching in High School
Authors: Guo Tao , Jia Qijian
Published: September 2016

With the establishment of new curriculum standards, the study of English calls for “task based” learning. How to practically and effectively carry out reforms on English education and teaching in order to optimize the classroom teaching of this course, fully promote education for all-round development, cultivate the students for comprehensive language abilities and strengthen the guide on learning strategies as well as encourage them to develop their abilities for listening, speaking, reading and writing through experience, practice, discussions, cooperation, communication and exploration, has become key problems the teaching of English in high school that needs to be resolved urgently. Through the survey and research of the test materials, this paper offers some information about the outstanding advantages of multimedia computer-based classroom teaching by comparing with traditional teaching methods and provides empirical evidence for the effective application of modern teaching methods in classroom teaching.
Research and Software Development of Active Learning Mode for College Students Based on Computer Network
Authors: Wu Jingfang
Published: September 2016

With the development of information technology, especially the fast development of Internet technology, the network technology has expanded to all walks of life. Using Internet to acquire knowledge has become an important means for us. The paper sums up the current status of foreign active learning modes and the problems existing in computer network environment by referring to the relevant literature. What is more, it also further clarifies the basic concepts and connotations of active learning in the computer network environment and active learning itself by researching on its relevant theoretical basis and influential factors as well. “A new active learning mode in computer network environment” is constructed based on the analysis of the relevant factors of active learning in the computer network environment, taking college students as the studying object and the college English course as an example. According to this model, the active learning platform of college English network is designed and developed. The research conclusion is not only theoretically based, but also founded on the concrete practice and the application. Therefore, it is endowed with maneuverability so as to provide a research example for the general teachers.
Burkini : Entretien croisé des Professeurs Stéphanie Hennette-Vauchez et Joël Andriantsimbazovina sur la décision du Conseil d’Etat
Authors: Hervieu Nicolas
Published: September 2016

Par une retentissante ordonnance rendue le 26 août 2016 en formation de trois juges, le Conseil d’Etat a décidé de suspendre en référé l’un des arrêtés municipaux prohibant sur la plage et/ou lors de la baignade le port de tenues contraires notamment à « la laïcité ». Depuis le début du mois d’août, les arrêtés visant – selon les déclarations des maires concernés – le « burkini » s’étaient multipliés, suscitant un vif débat estival en France ainsi que des réactions partout dans le monde. Dans un entretien croisé, les Professeurs Stéphanie Hennette-Vauchez et Joël Andriantsimbazovina livrent leurs premières analyses respectives – fort contrastées – sur une ordonnance qui interroge nombre de notions classiques et cruciales du droit des libertés. Le tout dans un contexte éminemment sensible.
Ranking Models in Data Envelopment Analysis Technique
Authors: Moghaddas Z. , Vaez-Ghasemi M.
Published: September 2016

Data envelopment analysis as a mathematical technique formulated based on linear programming problems which enables decision makers to evaluate Decision-Making Units (DMUs) with multiple inputs and outputs. One of the important issue in DEA technique which is widely discussed by researchers is ranking efficient units. Since these units are not comparable among each other. Ranking DMUs is an important issue in theory and practice and many applications in this field are performed. Considering the ranking order senior managers try to better guiding the system. In literature there exist different ranking models each of which tries to make improvements in this subject. Many researchers try to make advances in theory of ranking units and overcome the difficulties exist in presented methods. Each of the existing ranking method has its own specialties and advantages. As each of the existing method can be viewed from different aspects, it is possible that somewhat these groups have overlapping with the others.
Performance Evaluation of Suppliers with Undesirable Outputs Using DEA
Authors: Arani Alireza Shayan , Nozari Hamed , Jafari-Eskandari Meisam
Published: September 2016

Performance evaluation and selection and ranking of suppliers is very important due to the competitiveness of companies in the present age. The nature of this kind of decision is usually complex and lacks clear structure and many qualitative and quantitative performance criteria such as quality, price, flexibility, and delivery times must be considered to determine the most suitable supplier. Given that in the supplier evaluation may offer undesirable outputs and random limitations, providing a model for evaluating the performance of suppliers is of utmost importance. With regard to the issue of multi-criteria selection of suppliers, one of the most efficient models to choose suppliers is DEA.in this paper to measure the strong performance and development of undesirable output and random limitations concept the SBM model is used.
Methods and Processes for District-Wide Literacy Evaluation
Authors: Lawrence Salika A. , English Minkie O.
Published: September 2016

This study examined how quantitative and qualitative data collection methods helped evaluators learn about classroom, school, and district level practices during a school district evaluation. Findings indicate (a) qualitative methods provide more accurate information about micro level, every day practices, while macro level data are useful for comparative, cross-context review of practice to inform program and/or administrative decisions; and (b) comprehensive evaluation of literacy programs require stakeholders to collaborate across the spectrum, working with a wide range of varied data collection processes at both macro and micro levels. Dove-tailing quantitative and qualitative data collection methods can reveal macro level information about practice that can align with micro level classroom-based practice or reveal discrepancies across contexts. Recommendations are identified for collecting data and developing an action plan with stakeholders.
Reinventing PLCs
Authors: DiMarco Danielle , Parenti Melissa A.
Published: September 2016

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are widely implemented as a model for ongoing professional development of inservice teachers. Although PLCs have many promising attributes, they are rarely utilized as a vehicle for promoting district or school wide change. This chapter reintroduces PLCs as a tool for an effective launch of literacy policy through utilization of teacher led collaboration at the inception of new initiatives. Reinventing and providing authentic purpose, structure, accountability and responsibility to the framework of PLCs has great potential for unleashing the benefits of the model. Within this chapter, you will gather these new insights related to the tenants of high functioning PLCs and how they can be best applied to initiating and maintaining successful reform efforts.
Pedagogical Rationale for Flipped Learning and Digital Technology in Second Language Acquisition
Authors: Forsythe Edo
Published: September 2016

This chapter will explore the background of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) with a focus on how CALL methodologies and digital technology have enabled the implementation of flipped learning methods. The chapter briefly explores the beginning of CALL and its growth through current mobile technology uses. Successive sections explore learner autonomy and digital technology, language learner motivation, sociocultural learning theory, communicative language learning and teaching, language learning strategies, and finally, task-based language learning. Each of these pedagogical foundations of second language acquisition are explored with suggestions for practical application of the methodologies that are directly tied to or supportive of flipped learning and digital technology integration.
Testing a CALL Effectiveness Model
Authors: Loucky John Paul
Published: September 2016

This chapter reviews developments in the field of CALL evaluation. It includes the implications of accepted CALL and computer-assisted second-language acquisition (CASLA) principles for improving instruction. It blends studies of thorough research with appropriate, good practice. It suggests how to build effective flipped learning programs and the questions to ask before designing or using CALL. It suggests pedagogical implications and areas for fruitful research into the use of richer CALL applications. Using accepted CALL principles, it provides a practical model for comparing and evaluating the relative effectiveness of CALL and Computer-Mediated Communications-enhanced language learning versus traditional printed texts and simple audio.
Mentoring Teachers of English Learners in an Online Community of Practice
Authors: del Rosal Karla , Ware Paige , Montgomery Nancy
Published: September 2016

This study contributes to a growing research base investigating how teachers interact and learn from each other in online communities of practice. It specifically investigates the online mentoring conversations between five cohorts of in-service mentor teachers that participated in graduate-level courses about language pedagogy and their mentee pre-service teachers, while they discussed effective practices for English learner (EL) students. The authors used qualitative methods to ask what types of knowledge and skills related to ELs' instruction the participating mentor teachers displayed when they were situated in the role of online mentors of mentee pre-service teachers. Findings showed that mentor teachers demonstrated knowledge and skills in adjusting general learning strategies to support ELs, in applying language development strategies to teach academic language in English, and in using emotional strategies to offer ELs a welcoming environment. Findings also showed that mentor teachers found a favorable space in the online mentoring environment to position themselves as teacher leaders and ELs' advocates.
Services-based Integration of Urbanized Information Systems
Authors: Guetat Sana Bent Aboulkacem , Dakhli Salem Ben Dhaou
Published: September 2016

Information systems urbanization has been proposed by many academics and practitioners to facilitate building agile information systems needed by modern organizations to take into account continuous change and overcoming problems induced by external pressures. Nevertheless, as stressed by many authors, integration of urbanized information systems is among the most important challenges faced by organizations. Indeed, urbanized information systems of modern organizations are composed of an important number of applications available for almost every business domain which behave as islands of processing systems either within organizations or across organizations boundaries. Accordingly, they involve high costs and long time to provide consistent information needed by organizations. The integration of an urbanized information system consists in the governance of the relationships between its components (applications, software systems layers, components, etc.). Starting from the 5+1 architecture model of urbanized applications, there are three categories of information systems integration: data-based integration, process-based integration, and service-based integration. In this paper, the authors focus on the third category and analyze the contribution of services to urbanized information systems integration. In particular, they demonstrate that the dependencies between applications belonging to an urbanized information system are based on exchanges of reusable public applicative services. Moreover, they highlight the role played by such services in the integration of urbanized information systems and underline that the effectiveness of reusable public services as instruments of information system integration requires the governance of these services.
The Developing of the Maintenance and Repair Body of Knowledge to Increasing Equipment Maintenance and Repair Organization Efficiency
Authors: Kizim A.V.
Published: September 2016

This paper describes a comprehensive approach to ensuring equipment maintenance and repair organization (MRO) efficiency in solving tasks with supporting tools and a systematic approach. Types of support for MRO, classification of MRO methodologies, basic organization aspects of the program, information and methodical support for MRO, which makes maintenance and repair body of knowledge (M&R BOK) are presented. The problem of maintenance and repair organization, the MRO process formalization aspects is showed. The main essence of the MRO process was highlighted. The ways of improving MRO by using the system approach, correlated goals and key performance indicators, and also some methods of improving the MRO organization efficiency are proposed. The MRO process formalization with functional and business models and incorporating them into a common information MRO support model is proposed. The MRO KPI was described as a model. The principal algorithm of the continuous MRO improvement based on KPIs was proposed. The task of MRO knowledge accumulation and using was considered. Using the ontology for knowledge managing in the MRO tasks was substantiated. Using neural networks for decision making in the several MRO decision-making tasks was showed. The application of intellectual agents and multi-agent system for performance monitoring, data collection and decision making are described. The life cycle cost of the equipment formula is proposed. The tasks of optimization in MRO support and knowledge accumulation, application and reasoning by ontologies are commonly described.
ERP Selection using an AHP-based Decision Support System
Authors: Cruz-Cunha Maria Manuela , Silva Joaquim P. , Gonçalves Joaquim José , Fernandes José António , Ávila Paulo Silva
Published: September 2016

Selecting the best desirable Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system has been a critical problem for organizations for a long time, as the failure on the selection process may have a highly negative impact in terms of costs and market share of a company. It is one of the most important decision making issues covering both qualitative and quantitative factors for organization. Multiple-criteria decision-making has been proved to be a useful approach to analyze these conflicting qualitative and quantitative factors. Literature offers proposals and approaches to handle this kind of problem; Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has been applied successfully in most cases of software packages selection problems. This paper proposes an AHP model for the selection of an ERP system. The model's set of criteria was extracted from the literature review and validated by Portuguese organizations. This model can be applied in the ERP system selection using a software application that is under development. This software application eases the application of the AHP process to the selection of ERP packages and will provide input from real-world cases that will allow updating and refining the model.
Influence of Graphite Powder and Carbon Black Weight Percentages on the Electrical Properties of Epoxy Composite Plates
Authors: de Abreu Martins Silvana , Reis João Marciano , da Costa Mattos Heraldo
Published: August 2016

There is a growing demand for polymeric composite materials, mainly, in industrial applications. For instance, bipolar plates for polymer electrolyte fuel cell in automobile applications. This kind of composite can replace with lower cost and greater efficiency metallic components. The basic requirement is that the composite must possess adequate electrical and mechanical properties for the particular application. The goal of the present paper is to analyze the effect of graphite powder and carbon Black weight percentages on the electrical properties of epoxy composite plates. Electrical conductivity tests were performed in different composites. This study shows that is possible to obtain a semiconductor behavior with both epoxy/graphite and epoxy/Carbon Black composites.
Special Effects in Deformation Mechanism Maps for Austenitic Stainless Steels
Authors: Monteiro Sergio Neves , Muylaert Margem Frederico , Tedesco Bolzan Lucas , Fernandes George Lobo Nobre , Scarpini Cândido Verônica
Published: August 2016

The domains of the existence of deformation mechanisms in a map associated with phase transformation and mechanical effects related to aging processes were investigated in austenitic stainless steels. It was also discussed the participation of grain boundary sliding, both as an additional deformation mechanism and a damage accumulation process. A prediction analysis for two typical high temperature engineering systems was attempted based on the map information. This prediction indicates the possibility of grain boundary sliding and creep strain jumps to interfere with the expected operational life of components in these systems operating at high temperatures.
Pulmonary α-1,3-Glucan–Specific IgA-Secreting B Cells Suppress the Development of Cockroach Allergy
Authors: Patel Preeyam S. , King R. Glenn , Kearney John F.
Published: September 2016

There is a higher incidence of allergic conditions among children living in industrialized countries than those in developing regions. One explanation for this is reduced neonatal exposure to microbes and the consequent lack of immune stimulation. Sensitivity to cockroach allergen is highly correlated with the development of severe asthma. In this study, we determined that an Ab to microbial α-1,3-glucan binds an Enterobacter species and cockroach allergen. Neonatal, but not adult, mice immunized with this α-1,3-glucan–bearing Enterobacter (MK7) are protected against cockroach allergy. Following exposure to cockroach allergen, α-1,3-glucan–specific IgA-secreting cells are present in the lungs of mice immunized with MK7 as neonates but not in the lungs of those immunized as adults. Mice that are unable to generate anti–α-1,3-glucan IgA Abs were immunized with MK7 as neonates and were no longer protected against cockroach allergy. Thus, neonatal, but not adult, exposure to α-1,3-glucan results in suppressed development of cockroach allergy via pulmonary α-1,3-glucan–specific IgA-secreting cells.