bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Landslide susceptibility mapping using GIS-based statistical models and Remote sensing data in tropical environment
Authors: Shahabi Himan , Hashim Mazlan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis research presents the results of the GIS-based statistical models for generation of landslide susceptibility mapping using geographic information system (GIS) and remote-sensing data for Cameron Highlands area in Malaysia. Ten factors including slope, aspect, soil, lithology, NDVI, land cover, distance to drainage, precipitation, distance to fault and distance to road were extracted from SAR data, SPOT 5 and WorldView-1 images. The relationships between the detected landslide locations and these ten related factors were identified by using GIS-based statistical models including analytical hierarchy process (AHP), weighted linear combination (WLC) and spatial multi-criteria evaluation (SMCE) models. The landslide inventory map which has a total of 92 landslide locations was created based on numerous resources such as digital aerial photographs, AIRSAR data, WorldView-1 images and field surveys. Then, 80% of the landslide inventory was used for training the statistical models and the remaining 20% was used for validation purpose. The validation results using the Relative landslide density index (R-index) and Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) demonstrated that the SMCE model (accuracy is 96%) is better in prediction than AHP (accuracy is 91%) and WLC (accuracy is 89%) models. These landslide susceptibility maps would be useful for hazard mitigation purpose and regional planning.
High step‐up Z‐source DC–DC converter with coupled inductors and switched capacitor cell
Authors: Poorali Behzad , Torkan Arash , Adib Ehsan 
Published: April 2015

Z‐source converter has several advantages such as high‐voltage gain, clamped switch voltage and positive output voltage polarity. This study presents a new non‐isolated high step‐up DC–DC converter which is derived from Z‐source converter and provides higher‐voltage gain compared with its conventional counterpart. Owing to its high‐voltage conversion ratio, the proposed converter is a proper choice for photovoltaic applications. Furthermore, reverse‐recovery problems caused by the output diode are reduced in the proposed converter which reduces the switching losses. In addition, the leakage energy is recycled so the conversion efficiency is improved. Analysis and operating principles of the proposed converter are discussed and design guidelines are presented. Moreover, the effect of non‐ideal elements on the proposed converter performance is analysed. A 100 W laboratory prototype to convert 20–300 V is implemented and experimental results are presented to verify theoretical analysis.
Performance analysis and capacitor design of three‐phase uncontrolled rectifier in slightly unbalanced grid
Authors: Fang Zhi‐Jian , Cai Tao , Duan Shan‐Xu , Chen Changsong , Ren Cheng‐Da 
Published: April 2015

Slightly unbalanced grid voltage can cause large unbalanced current and non‐characteristic harmonics in three‐phase uncontrolled rectifier. This study proposes an accurate model to analyse the performance of three‐phase uncontrolled rectifier in slightly unbalanced grid. Three appreciative operation modes (three‐phase rectifier, double‐phase rectifier and single‐phase rectifier with discontinuous rectifier current) in slightly unbalanced grid are discussed in detail in this study. Moreover, the closed‐form analytical expressions for boundaries of modes are also derived. To further aid the designer, the curves of current unbalance, third harmonic current, output average voltage, output voltage droop and output voltage harmonic as function of loads under the condition of 2% voltage imbalance are illustrated. Then the design procedure of capacitor is given considering the influence of unbalance and harmonics in slightly unbalanced grid. Finally, a design case is expressed. The design results are realised in a 5 kW three‐phase uncontrolled rectifier to verify the accuracy of the proposed models. The proposed model provides a tool for rapidly and accurately judging the impact of various loads on the rectifier performance in slightly unbalanced grid.
NK cells require IL-28R for optimal in vivo activity
Authors: Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes Fernando , Young Arabella , Mittal Deepak , Martinet Ludovic , Bruedigam Claudia , Takeda Kazuyoshi , Andoniou Christopher E. , Degli-Esposti Mariapia A. , Hill Geoffrey R. , Smyth Mark J. 
Published: April 2015

Significance
Natural killer (NK) cells are naturally circulating innate lymphocytes that sense altered cells, including pathogen-activated and early-transformed cells. The signals that prime the NK cell to respond are not completely understood, but cytokines, such as IL-12, IL-18, and type I interferon (IFN-αβ) from antigen-presenting cells, are appreciated to be key to NK cell effector functions in response to bacteria, viruses, and tumors. In this light, another class of IFN, IFN type III (IFN-λ), has been described that shares some common functions with IFN-αβ, but with a more restricted cellular expression. Here, we demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, the ability of IFN-λ to directly regulate NK cell effector functions in vivo, alone and in the context of IFN-αβ.
Cell growth defect factor 1 is crucial for the plastid import of NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase A in
Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Reinbothe Steffen , Gray John , Rustgi Sachin , von Wettstein Diter , Reinbothe Christiane 
Published: April 2015

Significance
As a component of the photosynthetic machinery, chlorophyll (Chl) absorbs light energy and is involved in energy transfer in the course of photosynthesis. Because of this molecule, however, photosynthetic organisms are also prone to photooxidative damage. Excited Chl molecules in the photosynthetic reaction centers interact with molecular oxygen and provoke the production of highly toxic singlet oxygen. In this article, we show how higher plants prevent self-poisoning with molecular oxygen during greening and identify a protein that controls Chl precursor homoeostasis.
The Spawning Success of Early Maturing Resident Hatchery Chinook Salmon in a Natural River System
Authors: Ford Michael , Pearsons Todd N. , Murdoch Andrew 
Published: April 2015

AbstractHatchery propagation of spring Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha has been shown to increase the proportion of males maturing as minijacks (age 2) or microjacks (age 1) relative to those proportions in wild populations. However, little is known about the success of early maturing males when they spawn in the wild. A captive broodstock program for spring Chinook Salmon in the White River (a tributary of the Wenatchee River, Washington) has a high rate of early male maturity. We used genetic parentage analysis to evaluate the spawning success of anadromous males in comparison with inferred early maturing resident, hatchery‐origin males that spawned naturally. Based on samples of juvenile offspring (n = 1,007–1,368 fish/year) and a nearly complete sample of the potential anadromous parents, we found that during 2006–2009, 26–45% of the progeny did not have a male parent in the anadromous sample. In contrast, 0–23% of the progeny did not have a female parent represented in the sample. Using grandparentage analysis, we eliminated wild resident fish as a likely source of the unsampled male parents; thus, we concluded that those male parents were most likely early maturing resident fish that had been released from the captive broodstock program. The inferred spawning success of the unsampled resident males was significantly lower than that of the anadromous males. The typical mating pattern was for an anadromous female to produce about two‐thirds of her offspring with one or two anadromous males and the remaining one‐third with as many as 12 or more apparently resident males. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present evidence of successful reproduction by early maturing resident, hatchery‐origin Chinook Salmon in the wild. The conservation implications of this finding are complex and will depend upon the genetic basis of early maturity and its causes in hatchery settings.
Production, optimization and characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate, a biodegradable plastic by Bacillus spp.
Authors: Bhagowati Pabitra , Pradhan Shreema , Dash Hirak R , Das Surajit 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is the intracellular lipid reserve accumulated by many bacteria. The most potent terrestrial bacterium Bacillus cereus SE-1 showed more PHB accumulating cells (22.1 and 40% after 48 and 72 h) than that of the marine Bacillus sp. CS-605 (5 and 33% after 48 and 72 h). Both the isolates harbored phbB gene and the characteristics C=O peak was observed in the extracted PHB by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis. Maltose was found to be the most suitable carbon source for the accumulation of PHB in B. cereus SE-1. The extracted PHB sample from B. cereus SE-1 was blended with a thermoplastic starch (TS) and an increased thermoplasticity and decreased crystallinity were observed after blending in comparison to the standard PHB. The melting temperature (Tm), melting enthalpy (∆Hf), and crystallinity (Xc) of the blended PHB sample were found to be 109.4 °C, 64.58 J/g, and 44.23%, respectively.
Incidental Durotomy in Open Versus Tubular Revision Microdiscectomy
Authors: Kogias Evangelos , Klingler Jan-Helge , Franco Jimenez Pamela , Vasilikos Ioannis , Sircar Ronen , Scholz Christoph , Hubbe Ulrich 
Published: April 2015

Study Design:
Retrospective case-control study.

Objective:
To compare the incidence, management, and outcome of incidental durotomy in revision microdiscectomy with open and minimal-access surgery.

Summary of Background Data:
Incidental durotomy occurs with a variable incidence of 3%–27% in spine surgery. The highest rate occurs in revision microdiscectomy. The intraoperative and postoperative management of dural tears varies in the literature and the definite impact on clinical outcome has to be clarified.

Methods:
This is a retrospective study of medical records of 135 patients who underwent revision microdiscectomy, divided into 2 subgroups: OPEN (n=82) versus minimal-access surgery (MINI, n=53). Occurrence of intraoperative dural tears, intraoperative and postoperative management of durotomy, and clinical outcomes, according to MacNab criteria, were retrospectively examined. Statistical comparisons for categorical values between groups were accomplished using the 2-tailed Fisher exact test. P-values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results:
The incidence of durotomy in group OPEN was 19.5% (n=16/82) and in group MINI 17.0% (n=9/53) (P=0.822). The majority of durotomies (23/25) were repaired with an absorbable fibrin sealant patch alone. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid fistula occurred only in 1 case of the OPEN group and was treated with lumbar drainage without the need for a reoperation. Patients with durotomy of the MINI group tended to have better outcome compared with those of the OPEN group without being statistically significant.

Conclusions:
The incidence of durotomy and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid fistula in lumbar revision microdiscectomy does not significantly differ between minimal-access and standard open procedures. The application of a fibrin sealant patch alone is an effective strategy for dural repair in revision lumbar microdiscectomy.
Delayed Presentation of Jejuno-Jejunal Fistula With Stricture After Physical Child Abuse
Authors: Solaiman Adil Z. , Kulaylat Afif N. , Santos Mary C. , Rocourt Dorothy V. , Methratta Sosamma T. , Millington Karmaine , Alexander Chandran P. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Small intestinal injury is seldom described in the context of child abuse. Signs and symptoms are subtle, often leading to delays in diagnosis. We describe a 3-year-old boy initially admitted with severe blunt abdominal trauma from physical child abuse. He was successfully managed nonoperatively. The child was then hospitalized several times for nonspecific abdominal symptoms until diagnostic laparoscopy discovered a jejunal stricture with a proximal jejuno-jejunal fistula. Symptoms fully resolved after resection. Delayed presentation of small intestinal injury should remain on the differential diagnosis in the evaluation of persistent abdominal symptoms in a child with a prior history of physical abuse, even if imaging studies do not reveal specific abnormalities.
A cell-free framework for biological systems engineering
Authors: Niederholtmeyer Henrike , Sun Zachary Z. , Hori Yutaka , Yeung Enoch , Verpoorte Amanda , Murray Richard M. , Maerkl Sebastian J. 
Published: April 2015

SUMMARY:While complex dynamic biological networks control gene expression and metabolism in all living organisms, engineering comparable synthetic networks remains challenging1,2. Conducting extensive, quantitative and rapid characterization during the design and implementation process of synthetic networks is currently severely limited due to cumbersome molecular cloning and the difficulties associated with measuring parts, components and systems in cellular hosts. Engineering gene networks in a cell-free environment promises to be an efficient and effective approach to rapidly develop novel biological systems and understand their operating regimes3-5. However, it remains questionable whether complex synthetic networks behave similarly in cells and a cell-free environment, which is critical forin vitroapproaches to be of significance to biological engineering. Here we show that synthetic dynamic networks can be readily implemented, characterized, and engineered in a cell-free framework and consequently transferred to cellular hosts. We implemented and characterized the “repressilator”6, a three-node negative feedback oscillatorin vitro. We then used our cell-free framework to engineer novel three-node, four-node, and five-node negative feedback architectures going from the characterization of circuit components to the rapid analysis of complete networks. We validated our cell-free approach by transferring these novel three-node and five-node oscillators toEscherichia coli, resulting in robust and synchronized oscillations reflecting thein vitroobservation. We demonstrate that comprehensive circuit engineering can be performed in a cell-free system and that thein vitroresults have direct applicabilityin vivo. Cell-free synthetic biology thus has the potential to drastically speed up design-build-test cycles in biological engineering and enable the quantitative characterization of synthetic and natural networks.
Social feedback and the emergence of rank in animal society
Authors: Hobson Elizabeth A. , DeDeo Simon 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDominance hierarchies are group-level properties that emerge from the aggressions of individuals. Although individuals can gain critical benefits from their position in a hierarchy, we do not understand how real-world hierarchies form, or what signals and decision-rules individuals use to construct and maintain them in the absence of simple cues. A study of aggression in two groups of captive monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) found a transition to large-scale ordered aggression occurred in newly-formed groups after one week, with individuals thereafter preferring to direct aggression against those nearby in rank. We describe two mechanisms by which individuals may determine rank order: inference based on overall levels of aggression, or on subsets of the aggression network. Both pathways were predictive of individual decisions to aggress. Based on these results, we present a new theory, of a feedback loop between knowledge of rank and consequent behavior, that explains the transition to strategic aggression, and the formation and persistence of dominance hierarchies in groups capable of both social memory and social inference.
Risk analysis for container shipping: from a logistics perspective
Authors: Chang Chia-Hsun , Xu Jingjing , Song Dong-Ping 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse the risks in container shipping operations from a logistics perspective. In the paper, risks associated with the three flows in logistics − information, physical, and payment flow are identified and analysed.

Design/methodology/approach
– The use of case study method was first explained and justified. Second, risk identification was started with supporting references, several interviews were then conducted to identify and validate the potential risks in container shipping operations. A questionnaire was deployed to collect related data; and the impacts of the risks were then assessed and ranked using the method of risk mapping.

Findings
– The paper has identified a total of 35 risk factors and classified them into different categories. The paper has also revealed that the risks associated with physical flows have more serious risk impacts than the other types of risks; however, one of the risk factors associated with information flow (shippers hiding cargo information) is the most significant one among all the factors.

Originality/value
– Although many studies have been conducted on container shipping operational risks, no studies so far have approached this issue from a perspective that inclusively examines all the possible risks and comprehensively evaluates the relative importance of each of them. This study has identified the risks in container shipping operations, and analysed and ranked the level of these risks. The research further “refines” the findings of some previous studies by placing the risk factors addressed therein in a full “risk picture” which was developed systematically.
Service-dominant logic for managing the logistics-manufacturing interface
Authors: Lin Yong , Pekkarinen Saara , Ma Shihua 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the management of the logistics-manufacturing interface between the manufacturer and its logistics service provider from the perspective of the service-dominant (S-D) logic.

Design/methodology/approach
– The approach adopted is that of abductive reasoning through case study: data are primarily gleaned from semi-structured in-depth interviews. Field visits and secondary documentation are used to ensure data validity.

Findings
– The results show that the interface can be categorized into three levels: design interface between products and logistic services, process interface between manufacturing processes and service-offering processes, and information interface between manufacturing information systems and logistics information systems. The results also indicate that ten foundational premises of S-D logic, especially service-focussed, customer-oriented and rational views can be applied in defining and managing these interfaces.

Research limitations/implications
– This research contributes not only to the theory of S-D logic and managing interface, but also provides managers with guidelines of applying S-D logic to build a service-focussed, customer-oriented and relational logic to effectively manage the logistics-manufacturing interface. However, the research is limited to the context of automotive and logistics industries.

Originality/value
– Three levels of logistics-manufacturing interface, including design, process and information are identified, and S-D logic is applied to identify and manage the interface.
Ageing processes in laser sintered and injection moulded PA12 following hygienic reprocessing
Authors: Haerst Miriam Johanna , Wolf Romano , Schönberger Markus , Wintermantel Erich , Engelsing Kurt , Heidemeyer Peter , Bastian Martin 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to describe the ageing behaviour of polyamide 12 (PA12) after clinical use. The research is focused on the comparison of the processing methods injection moulding and laser sintering.Design/methodology/approach– Test specimens are subjected to a cyclic stress of defined bending, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization. The focus of interest in this research is the degradation and reduction of mechanical properties.Findings– Mechanical and optical changes of the materials after clinical use and hygienic reprocessing are evaluated and discussed.Research limitations/implications– This article is focused on PA12 and, therefore, enables a very specific statement for the clinical use of PA12. The processing methods could have different impacts depending on the polymer.Originality/value– With the increasing application of polymers in medical devices, the mechanical properties must be ensured even after long-term clinical use. A systematic research with a realistic and still-defined cyclic stress is shown in this paper. Especially the testing of laser sintered polymers compared to injection moulded material has an important message for future patient-specific products.
Diagnostic Performance of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Performed by Emergency Physicians for the Assessment of Ascending Aorta Dilation and Aneurysm
Authors: Nazerian Peiman , Vanni Simone , Morello Fulvio , Castelli Matteo , Ottaviani Maddalena , Casula Claudia , Petrioli Alessandra , Bartolucci Maurizio , Grifoni Stefano 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe diagnostic performance of transthoracic focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) performed by emergency physicians (EP) to estimate ascending aorta dimensions in the acute setting has not been prospectively studied. The diagnostic accuracy and the interobserver variability of EP‐performed FoCUS were investigated to estimate thoracic aortic dilation and aneurysm compared with the results of computed tomography angiography (CTA).MethodsThis was a prospective single‐center cohort study of a convenience sample of patients who underwent CTA in the emergency department for suspected aortic pathology. FoCUS was performed before CTA, and the maximum ascending aorta diameter evaluated in parasternal long‐axis view. Aorta diameter < 40 mm by visual estimation or by diameter measurement was considered normal. Measurements were recorded in all patients with aorta diameter ≥ 40 mm. Diagnostic accuracy of FoCUS for detection of aortic dilation (diameter ≥ 40 mm) and aneurysm (diameter ≥ 45 mm) were calculated considering the CTA result as reference standard. In a subgroup of patients, a second EP‐sonographer performed FoCUS to evaluate interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of ascending aorta dilation.ResultsA total of 140 patients were enrolled in the study. Ascending aorta dilation and aneurysm were detected with FoCUS in 50 (35.7%) and in 27 (17.8%) patients, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of FoCUS were 78.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 65.6% to 88.4%) and 92.9% (95% CI = 85.1% to 97.3%), respectively, for ascending aorta dilation and 64.7% (95% CI = 46.5% to 80.2%) and 95.3% (95% CI = 89.3% to 98.4%), respectively, for ascending aorta aneurysm. Interobserver agreement of FoCUS was k = 0.82.ConclusionsFoCUS performed by EP is specific for ascending aorta dilation and aneurysm when compared to CTA and appears a reproducible technique.