bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Highly controlled, reproducible measurements of aerosol emissions from combustion of a common African biofuel source
Authors: Haslett Sophie L. , Thomas J. Chris , Morgan William T. , Hadden Rory , Liu Dantong , Allan James D. , Williams Paul I. , Keita Sekou , Liousse Cathy , Coe Hugh 
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Particulate emissions from biomass burning can both alter the atmosphere's radiative
balance and cause significant harm to human health. However, due to the large
effect on emissions caused by even small alterations to the way in which
a fuel burns, it is difficult to study particulate production of biomass
combustion mechanistically and in a repeatable manner. In order to address
this gap, in this study, small wood samples sourced from Côte D'Ivoire in
West Africa were burned in a highly controlled laboratory environment. The
shape and mass of samples, available airflow and surrounding thermal
environment were carefully regulated. Organic aerosol and refractory black
carbon emissions were measured in real time using an Aerosol Mass
Spectrometer and a Single Particle Soot Photometer, respectively. This
methodology produced remarkably repeatable results, allowing aerosol
emissions to be mapped directly onto different phases of combustion.
Emissions from pyrolysis were visible as a distinct phase before flaming was
established. After flaming combustion was initiated, a black-carbon-dominant
flame was observed during which very little organic aerosol was produced,
followed by a period that was dominated by organic-carbon-producing
smouldering combustion, despite the presence of residual flaming. During
pyrolysis and smouldering, the two phases producing organic aerosol, distinct
mass spectral signatures that correspond to previously reported variations in
biofuel emissions measured in the atmosphere are found. Organic aerosol
emission factors averaged over an entire combustion event were found to be
representative of the time spent in the pyrolysis and smouldering phases,
rather than reflecting a coupling between emissions and the mass loss of the
sample. Further exploration of aerosol yields from similarly carefully
controlled fires and a careful comparison with data from macroscopic fires
and real-world emissions will help to deliver greater constraints on the
variability of particulate emissions in atmospheric systems.
Recent glacier mass balance and area changes in the Kangri Karpo Mountains from DEMs and glacier inventories
Authors: Wu Kunpeng , Liu Shiyin , Jiang Zongli , Xu Junli , Wei Junfeng , Guo Wanqin 
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Due to the influence of the Indian monsoon, the Kangri Karpo Mountains in the south-east of the Tibetan Plateau is in the most humid and one of the most important and concentrated regions containing maritime (temperate) glaciers. Glacier mass loss in the Kangri Karpo is an important contributor to global mean sea level rise, and changes run-off distribution, increasing the risk of glacial-lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Because of its inaccessibility and high labour costs, information about the Kangri Karpo glaciers is still limited. Using geodetic methods based on digital elevation models (DEMs) derived from 1980 topographic maps from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) (2000) and from TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X (2014), this study has determined glacier elevation changes. Glacier area and length changes between 1980 and 2015 were derived from topographical maps and Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI images. Results show that the Kangri Karpo contained 1166 glaciers with an area of 2048.50 ± 48.65 km2 in 2015. Ice cover diminished by 679.51 ± 59.49 km2 (24.9 ± 2.2 %) or 0.71 ± 0.06 % a−1 from 1980 to 2015, although nine glaciers advanced. A glacierized area of 788.28 km2, derived from DEM differencing, experienced a mean mass loss of 0.46 ± 0.08 m w.e. a−1 from 1980 to 2014. Shrinkage and mass loss accelerated significantly from 2000 to 2015 compared to 1980–2000, consistent with a warming climate.
La innovación como estrategia para el desarrollo de los sistemas en la agricultura familiar de Nicaragua
Authors: Guzmán Gómez Maurucio Antonio 
Published: January 2018

El presente artículo es una investigación documental de referencia bibliográfica de tipo no experimental, concerniente al tema de “la Innovación como Estrategia para el Desarrollo de los Sistemas en la Agricultura Familiar de Nicaragua”, publicados con el objetivo de que el lector comprenda y aprenda de este nuevo modelo. Actualmente los países de las Américas enfrenten el desafío común de lograr un desarrollo competitivo y sostenible de la agricultura, que sea compatible con la conservación y el manejo adecuado de los recursos naturales, y con la reducción del hambre y la pobreza en la agricultura familiar. En esencia, hay todo un reto de promover innovaciones, tanto tecnológicas como institucionales para la superación de este flagelo, que tiene que ver con respuestas integrales, mediante alianzas multiactores en los propios territorios. Tomando en cuenta esta problemática, el Gobierno de Nicaragua ha orientado la creación del Sistema Nicaragüense de Investigación e Innovación Agropecuaria SNIA, con el propósito de mejorar la coordinación, compartir información y complementar los procesos de investigación e innovación entre todos los sectores. Sin embargo, hace falta mucho por hacer para empoderar bajo este sistema a las Instiuciones y organizaciones públicas y privadas de que de alguna manera realizan trabajo en los territorios.
Evaluación experimental de programas para el desarrollo emocional en docentes de Educación Secundaria
Authors: Torrijos Fincias Patricia , Torrecilla Sánchez Eva María , Rodríguez Conde María José 
Published: January 2018

<p align="left"> </p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Emotional intelligence is a predictive factor of wellbeing among teachers. The discussion therefore focuses on the pertinence of, and need for, developing competences in Secondary Education teachers. This involves the design, implementation and evaluation of two training programmes linked to conflict management and the promotion of emotional competences.</span> </span></p><p align="left"> </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The efficacy of the training programmes is studied through the adoption of a pre-experimental type research design with pre/post-test measures. The results obtained following the application of both these programmes show statistically significant changes (<em>p</em> &lt; <em> </em>.05) in the different dimensions of competence. It is therefore concluded that there is empirical evidence to support the hypothesis that emotional competence is enhanced by appropriate educational experiences, empowering teachers to face the challenges of their classroom practices.</span></span></p><p align="left"> </p>
From the “ancestar” of turtles to the turtle-mouse: when Greek words are used for turtle taxon names
Authors: Vlachos Evangelos 
Published: January 2018

Background. Regardless using a rank-based or a phylogenetic nomenclature code, the use of Latinized binomens to describe the extant and extinct species has been essential. Ever since the times of Linnaeus, the use of Latinized Greek names has been a common practice both for neontologists and paleontologists.
Methods. I critically analyzed the most common Greek words used as taxa names in the chelonian literature to establish their etymology and check whether the transliteration process has been done correctly. I also compared the current guidelines for the latinisation of Greek words recommended by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, with other alternative systems for the transformation of names formed in the Greek alphabet into Latin-based languages.
Results. The preliminary results show that some Greek words (e.g. Chelone, Emys) dominate the chelonian nomenclature, but the history of the application of many of those names is intriguing. The use of Greek words is quite common in turtle taxa names when the name describes physical properties of the animal (size, shape, colour). However, several unfortunate examples exist, as some quite successful and famous names contain misspellings or poor choice of words that resulted in meanings opposite from the ones intended by the authors.
Discussion. Naming species is an integral part of the research of both neontologists and palaeontologists, but the application of Greek words to life sciences is even far more extensive, applied to numerous terminologies as well. Forming a proper name for a taxon could aid significantly to the communication and interpretation of the scientific results. Publishing a new name requires a sense of responsibility as well, as the formation of a taxon name is a unique linguistic procedure. But in the end, to add a taxonomic side to the old shakespearean question, is not the name that is important, but the information it conveys. That which we call a turtle by any other name would be as unique.
Integrating motion sensing technology in radiographic examination
Authors: Lai Christopher , Li Chun-Fai Ellis 
Published: January 2018

Background: In the daily operation of X-ray machine, radiation technologists need to have direct close contact with patients with known or potential infectious disease, resulting in environmental contamination by pathogens if hand hygiene was not properly observed. In the last 15 decades, the method for inputting computer commands has evolved from using keyboard, mouse and to touchscreen and a touch-less method: motion sensing technology. Therefore in the present study, we aim to explore the feasibility of using motion-sensing technology to replace several computer-inputting commands that were frequently used during radiographic examination in order to reduce the chance of pathogen contamination to the radiographic equipment and accessories.
Method: In this study, two sets of gesture commands that can encompass the most frequently used computer commands for image manipulation and x-ray acquisition during radiographic examination were carefully designed. Then, the proposed gesture commands were detected by the Leap Motion Controller using motion sensing technology under a controlled experimental environment. Using Leap Motion Diagnostic Visualizer, the recognition performance, practicability and feasibility of the gesture commands were assessed by 4 different trained operators.
Results: In our proposed gesture commands, the horizontal movement of the thumb (when performing right click and exposure release command) and the vertical movement of the index finger (when performing left click, scrolling up and scrolling down command) were the key sensing component that govern and trigger the gesture command. In general, the magnitude of these key sensing fingertip movement was consistent within an operator, but was varies from operator to operator because each of the operator was allowed to achieve the proposed gesture commands with certain extent of flexibility.
Discussion and conclusion: Motion-sensing technology could practicably for image manipulation and making X-ray exposure. As a high variability exists among different operators, the application of an individual operator dependent threshold value rather than a single threshold value in the magnitude of key sensing fingertip movement of gesture commands is recommended. Also, although the implementation motion sensing technology in radiographic examination may inevitably slow down the examination throughput, it could possibly reduce pathogen contamination to the radiographic equipment and accessories, in particular under nosocomial outbreak of epidemic diseases.
Agriculture-independent, sustainable, fail-safe and efficient food production by autotrophic single-cell protein
Authors: Bogdahn Ingvar 
Published: January 2018

Food production with plants consumes large amounts of water, occupies large areas of land and cannot guarantee food security beyond the 21st century. Industrial agriculture in particular, is destructive to the environment, fosters climate change in profound ways, deteriorates public health and causes high ”hidden costs”. Single-cell protein (SCP) represents an alternative with minimal carbon-, water- and land footprints. However, when grown on biowastes of industrial agriculture, heterotrophic SCP does not truly improve sustainability or food security.
This hypothesis paper proposes autotrophic SCP bioprocess designs which enable sustainable, fail-safe and efficient production of edible biomass from CO2 and N2 or NH3. They can be driven by H2, CO or HCOOH from several sustainable sources. Besides H2O-electrolysis and syngas, surprisingly fossil fuel may provide an effectively carbon-negative and cheap supply of H2 through the decomposition of CH4 or oil. Most promising bioprocess designs consist of 2-stages. In the first stage, homoacetogenic bacteria fix CO2 up to 10 more efficiently than plants, and secrete it as acetate. In the second stage, selected microbes grow on the acetate and thereby form edible biomass. Bacteria have unique features including N2-fixation, H2S tolerance and O2-tolerant hydrogenases for fast light-independent growth. Eukaryotic microalgae are already approved as food and exhibit oxygenic photosynthesis which partly replaces solar-panels, seawater desalination and H2O-electrolyzers. Photoheterotrophic growth on acetate decouples these benefits from inefficient endogenous CO2 fixation. Slow gas mass-transfer, poor light distribution and expensive cell harvest are major challenges arising from the cultivation in liquid media. To cope with this, microbes grow as hydrated biofilms that are exposed directly to substrate gases, and that can be dry-harvested. Two suitable bioreactors are presented and adaptations for 2-stage designs are proposed. Since provision with substrates is expensive, two strategies are proposed for the safe extraction of substrates from food-grade as well as non-food- grade biowastes via partial anaerobic digestion. Additionally, alkalic pH and hydroxides formed at the cathode during electrolysis may be used to precipitate CO2 from the air as carbonates. In two use cases, 2-stage designs with solar-powered H2-generation from seawater were estimated to exceed productivity of wheat 20-200 fold, for moderate and arid climates respectively. Preliminary cost estimates and data about direct and indirect subsidies of industrial agriculture lead to the hypothesis that autotrophic SCP likely outperforms industrial agriculture not only in ecological but also in economical aspects.
Invited presentations, junior research groups and research highlights at GCB 2015
Authors: Mosig Axel , Rahnenführer Jörg , Eisenacher Martin , Rahmann Sven 
Published: January 2018

There are several types of presentations at the German Conference on Bioinformatics (GCB): original research (proceedings track), highlights, posters, and, for the first time in 2015, junior research group presentations.
This document collects the abstracts of invited presentations, of the junior research groups and of research highlights from the past year that were presented at GCB 2015. The program committee accepted 8 out of 10 submitted highlight abstracts and 6 out of 8 submitted junior research group presentations.
As junior research group presentations are new to the conference, we would especially invite feedback about this new track, in addition to other feedback you may have about the conference.
De novo genome assembly of Geosmithia morbida, the causal agent of thousand cankers disease
Authors: Aggarwal Taruna , Westbrook Anthony , Broders Kirk , Woeste Keith , MacManes Matthew D 
Published: January 2018

Geosmithia morbida is a filamentous ascomycete that causes Thousand Cankers Disease in the eastern black walnut tree. This pathogen is commonly found in the western U.S.; however, recently the disease was also detected in several eastern states where the black walnut lumber industry is concentrated. G. morbida is one of two known phytopathogens within the genus Geosmithia, and it is vectored into the host tree via the walnut twig beetle. We present the first de novo draft genome of G. morbida. It is 26.5 Mbp in length and contains less than 1% repetitive elements. The genome possesses an estimated 6,273 genes, 277 of which are predicted to encode proteins with unknown functions. Approximately 31.5% of the proteins in G. morbida are homologous to proteins involved in pathogenicity, and 5.6% of the proteins contain signal peptides that indicate these proteins are secreted. Several studies have investigated the evolution of pathogenicity in pathogens of agricultural crops; forest fungal pathogens are often neglected because research efforts are focused on food crops. G. morbida is one of the few tree phytopathogens to be sequenced, assembled and annotated. The first draft genome of G. morbida serves as a valuable tool for comprehending the underlying molecular and evolutionary mechanisms behind pathogenesis within the Geosmithia genus.
Keywords: de novo genome assembly, pathogenesis, forest pathogen, black walnut, walnut twig beetle.
A new direction for prenatal chromosome microarray testing: software-targeting for detection of clinically significant chromosome imbalance without equivocal findings
Authors: Ahn Joo Wook , Bint Susan , Irving Melita D , Kyle Phillipa M , Akolekar Ranjit , Mohammed Shehla N , Mackie Ogilvie Caroline 
Published: January 2018

Purpose. To design and validate a prenatal chromosome microarray testing strategy that moves away from size-based detection thresholds, towards a more clinically relevant analysis, providing higher resolution than G-banded chromosomes but avoiding the detection of imbalances of unclear prognosis that cause parental anxiety.
Methods. All prenatal samples fulfilling our criteria for karyotype analysis (n=342) were tested by chromosome microarray and only copy number variants of established deletion/duplication syndrome regions and any other imbalance >3Mb were detected and reported. A retrospective full-resolution analysis of 249 of these samples was carried out to ascertain the performance of this testing strategy.
Results. Using our prenatal analysis, 23/342 (6.7%) samples were found to be abnormal. Of the remaining samples, 249 were anonymized and reanalyzed at full-resolution; a further 46 regions of imbalance were detected in 44 of these traces (17.7%). None of these additional imbalances were of clear clinical significance.
Conclusion. This prenatal chromosome microarray strategy detected all CNVs of clear prognostic value and did not miss any imbalances of clear clinical significance. This strategy avoided both the problems associated with interpreting imbalances of uncertain prognosis and the parental anxiety that are a result of such findings.
Lack of tonotopic organization of the auditory cortex in schizophrenia
Authors: Ragole Thomas , Slason Erin , Teale Peter , Reite Martin , Rojas Donald C. 
Published: January 2018

Background: Disorganization of tonotopy in the auditory cortex has been described in schizophrenia. Subjects with schizophrenia show little to no spatial organization of responses to different tone frequencies in the auditory cortex. Previous studies have called into question the use of MEG and the M100 response to assess tonotopy. This study seeks to replicate prior results of tonotopic disorganization in schizophrenia compared to healthy controls.
Methods: The tonotopic organization for 400 Hz and 4,000 Hz sound in 19 patients with schizophrenia and 11 comparison subjects was determined using MEG by examining the M100 auditory-evoked magnetic field dipole in primary auditory cortex. The equivalent current dipole locations were then mapped and compared.
Results: The previous result of a lack of tonotopy in subjects with schizophrenia was partly replicated. In control subjects, the 400 Hz tone auditory evoked field was found anterior to the 4000 Hz in the primary auditory cortex.
Conclusions: The lack of tonotopic organization of the auditory cortex is replicable in patients with schizophrenia and suggests that the architecture underlying tonotopy in the auditory cortex is disordered. This result suggests possible alteration in the organization of the auditory cortex, which may in turn influence higher order cognitive processes by altering the perception of incoming auditory stimuli.
Data-mining of potential antitubercular activities from molecular ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicines
Authors: Jamal Salma , Scaria Vinod ,   Open Source Drug Discovery Consortium
Published: January 2018

Background Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses a well established alternate system of medicine based on a broad range of herbal formulations and is practiced extensively in the region for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. In recent years, several reports describe in depth studies of the molecular ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicines on the biological activities including anti-bacterial activities. The availability of a well-curated dataset of molecular ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicines and accurate in-silico cheminformatics models for data mining for antitubercular agents and computational filters to prioritize molecules has prompted us to search for potential hits from these datasets.
Results We used a consensus approach to predict molecules with potential antitubercular activities from a large dataset of molecular ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicines available in the public domain. We further prioritized 160 molecules based on five computational filters (SMARTSfilter) so as to avoid potentially undesirable molecules. We further examined the molecules for permeability across Mycobacterial cell wall and for potential activities against non-replicating and drug tolerant Mycobacteria. Additional in-depth literature surveys for the reported antitubercular activities of the molecular ingredients and their sources were considered for drawing support to prioritization.
Conclusions Our analysis suggests that datasets of molecular ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicines offer a new opportunity to mine for potential biological activities. In this report, we suggest a proof-of-concept methodology to prioritize molecules for further experimental assays using a variety of computational tools. We also additionally suggest that a subset of prioritized molecules could be used for evaluation for tuberculosis due to their additional effect against non-replicating tuberculosis as well as the additional hepato-protection offered by the source of these ingredients.