bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen removal and functional bacteria distribution of ANAMMOX at ambient temperature
Authors: Zeng Taotao , Li Dong , Liao Wei , Qiu Wenxin , Zhang Jie
Published: January 2016

In this study, an up-flow anaerobic biofilter (AF) was operated to investigate the efficiency of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) in treating low strength ammonia (46.5 mg/L) at ambient temperatures (20.3–23.2 °C). Microbial compositions and functional populations of the upper (140–190 cm), middle (40–140 cm), and lower (0–40 cm) parts of the biofilter were monitored using scanning electron microscopy, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), clone and sequence. The results show that stable biofilter performance was achieved with an average nitrogen removal rate of 2.26 kg/(m3·d) and a total nitrogen removal efficiency of 75.9%. Approximately 67% of the ammonia and nitrite disappeared in the middle part of the biofilter. The spherical bacteria, similar to ANAMMOX bacteria, dominated the middle part of the biofilter. There were eight bacterial DGGE bands; clone and sequence results showed that they included Oxalicibacterium sp., Ignavibacterium album, Bacterium rJ15, Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis, Hippea maritima, Thioprofundum lithotrophica, and Rhodopseudomonas palustris. The genus of ANAMMOX bacterium remaining at constant levels in different parts of the biofilter was identified as Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis. The AF bioreactor maintained high activity due to the ANAMMOX bacteria's ability to adapt to ambient temperature and low matrix influent conditions.
Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis
Authors: Larson Derek , Anwar Siddiq , Vachharajani Tushar J. , Hafenrichter Daniel
Published: January 2016

Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) developed in an African American male who had been on Peritoneal Dialysis for nine years. During his hospitalization for peritonitis, he continued to clinically deteriorate with refractory abdominal pain, vomiting, and anorexia requiring Total Parenteral Nutrition. This case demonstrates the importance of prompt EPS diagnosis and the technical challenges associated with surgical treatment.
Respiratory diphtheria in an asylum seeker from Afghanistan arriving to Finland via Sweden, December 2015
Authors: Sane Jussi , Sorvari Tiina , Widerström* Micael , Kauma Heikki , Kaukoniemi Ulla , Tarkka Eveliina , Puumalainen Taneli , Kuusi Markku , Salminen Mika , Lyytikäinen Outi
Published: January 2016

In December 2015, an asylum seeker originating from Afghanistan was diagnosed with respiratory diphtheria in Finland. He arrived in Finland from Sweden where he had already been clinically suspected and tested for diphtheria. Corynebacterium diphtheriae was confirmed in Sweden and shown to be genotypically and phenotypically toxigenic. The event highlights the importance of early case detection, rapid communication within the country and internationally as well as preparedness plans of diphtheria antitoxin availability.
In-season and out-of-season variation of rotavirus genotype distribution and age of infection across 12 European countries before the introduction of routine vaccination, 2007/08 to 2012/13
Authors: Hungerford Daniel , Vivancos Roberto ,   EuroRotaNet network members
Published: January 2016

The EuroRotaNet surveillance network has conducted rotavirus genotype surveillance since 2007 in 16 European countries. Using epidemiological and microbiological data from 39,786 genotyped rotavirus-positive specimens collected between September 2007 and August 2013, we assessed genotype distribution and age distribution of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) cases in and out of peak season in 12 countries which were yet to implement routine rotavirus vaccination. In multinomial multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for year, country and age, the odds of infection caused by genotype-constellation 2 DS-1-like stains (adjusted multinomial odds ratio (aM-OR) = 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–1.37; p < 0.001), mixed or untypable genotypes (aM-OR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.40–1.72; p < 0.001) and less common genotypes (aM-OR = 2.11; 95% CI:1.78–2.51; p < 0.001) increased out of season relative to G1P[8]. Age varied significantly between seasons; the proportion of RVGE cases younger than 12 months in the United Kingdom increased from 34% in season to 39% out of season (aM-OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.20–2.30), and the proportion five years and older increased from 9% in season to 17% out of season (aM-OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.67–3.82). This study provides further understanding of the rotavirus ecology before vaccine introduction, which will help interpret epidemiological changes in countries introducing or expanding rotavirus vaccination programmes.
Editorial Vol.3(1)
Authors: Chapagain Narayan P.
Published: January 2016

No Abstract.

Journal of Nepal Physical Society Vol.3(1) 2015
Effect of Temperature on the I-V Characteristics of a Polycrystalline Solar Cell
Authors: Karki Indra Bahadur
Published: January 2016

The present paper reports the temperature dependencies of full-spectrum photovoltaic parameters for poly-crystalline PV module. The measurements were performed under outdoor environment conditions. The most interesting feature that was observed for these devices was that above a cell temperature of 20°C the positive temperature coefficient observed for the short-circuit current exceeds in magnitude the negative temperature coefficient that was found for the open-circuit voltage. This means that, unlike the situation for conventional PV devices, these cells actually exhibit decrease in efficiency with increasing temperature (reaching a value of 0.05 % at 60°C).

Journal of Nepal Physical Society Vol.3(1) 2015: 35-40
Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Double Perovskites Nd2MgIrO6
Authors: Ghimire Madhav Prasad , Kaphle Gopi Chandra , Thapa R.K.
Published: January 2016

We have studied the electronic and magnetic properties of double perovskites Nd2MgIrO6 by means of full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method based on density-functional theory (DFT). For the exchange-correlation potential, generalized gradient approximation (GGA) has been used. Based on our DFT calculations, Nd2MgIrO6 is found to have an antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state. The material shows Mott-Hubbard type insulator, which is observed to occur due to strong correlation in Nd-4f and Ir-5d states in addition to large crystal distortion, observed in the system. Strong hybridization between O-2p, Ir-5d and Nd-4f electrons are observed from the density of states findings. Our results shows that the 5d electrons of Ir hybridize strongly with O-2p states close to the Fermi level giving rise to the insulating state with a Mott-gap of ~0.9 eV in Nd2MgIrO6. Our study suggests that the total magnetic moment reduces to 5.0 μB per formula unit as a result of itinerant super-exchange rather than the exchange interaction involving individual ions of Nd and Ir atoms.

Journal of Nepal Physical Society Vol.3(1) 2015: 50-54
Experimental Facility at A2 Collaboration (MAINZ) for Photoproduction reaction
Authors: Bantawa Kabi Raj
Published: January 2016

Since 20 years, a very successful experimental program with real photons has been achieved at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI) facility. The A2 Collaboration at MAINZ is a unique place for the experimental facility of photoproduction reaction. The combination of highly sensitive photo spectrometers Crystal Ball and TAPS as forward wall detector along with particle identification detector and Multiwire proportional chambers as inner wall detectors provide the high precision of the measurement. MAMI-C, which consists of there Race Track Microtrons (RTMs) with the Harmonic Double -Sided Microtron (HDSM) is an intense, stable and continuous-wave accelerator to accelerate electron to 1.5 GeV. This electron beam is responsible to produce real photons via bremsstrahlung process at Glasgow Photon Tagger. A major part of the ongoing and future programme at MAMI will exploit polarised nucleon targets.

Journal of Nepal Physical Society Vol.3(1) 2015: 73-81
World Family Portrait: A celebration of humanity's place in the world
Authors:   RISC Consortium
Published: January 2016

In 2014, the Regional Integration and Social Cohesion (RISC) Consortium launched an ongoing interactive initiative entitled A World Family Portrait. This call for contributions invites scholars, practitioners, journalists, photographers, and so forth, to submit written and photographic contributions
in English, French or Spanish that provoke a contemporary reflection on the human condition through the presentation and analysis of life challenges and opportunities. The goal of these publications is not simply to document world events/social conditions but also to engage readers through photography and prose in a dialogue focusing on the evolution of our world and humanity’s place in it.
Synthesis of 5-acetyl-2-arylamino-4-methylthiazole Thiosemicarbazones under Microwave Irradiation and their in Vitro Anticancer Activity
Authors: Shi Hai-Bo , Hu Wei-Xiao , Zhang Wei-Mao , Wu Yan-Fei
Published: January 2016

A series of 21 new tri- and tetra-cyclic thiosemicarbazone derivatives were prepared via the condensation of morpholine, piperazine or N-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazine with seven methyl hydrazine-carbodithioate derivatives of 5-acetyl-2-arylamino-4-methylthiazoles under microwave irradiation. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity in vitro against human gastric, lung and breast cancer cell lines. The results showed that some of the compounds displayed moderate anticancer activity. The most potent compound, a morpholino-substituted analogue, exhibited significant activity against human breast cancer cells.
A Binuclear Copper(II) Complex with Diphenoxido-bridges: Synthesis, Characterisation, Crystal Structure and Predicting the Magnetic Coupling Constant
Authors: Mashhun Asmar , Zarei Seyed Amir , Piltan Mohammad , Chevreux Sylviane , Guillon Emmanuel
Published: January 2016

Reaction of copper(II) acetate with 1,1′-[(2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl)bis(nitrilomethylidyne)]-di-2-naphthol (H2L) gave the diphenoxido-bridged binuclear copper(II) complex [Cu2L2]. Its crystal structure shows a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry around both of the copper(II) ions. In the symmetric Cu2O2 core, each of the phenoxido bridges occupies an equatorial position around one of the copper(II) centres. A broken symmetry (BS) computation based on density functional theory (DFT) evaluated the magnetic interaction in the complex using the (U)B3LYP level of theory in association with the basis sets LANL2DZ for the copper atoms and 6-31G** for the other atoms. The calculations showed ferromagnetic interaction between the two magnetic copper(II) centres with a magnetic coupling constant (J) of 1.16 cm−1.
Governing Strategies and Education Policy: the SNP in Government, 2007–2016
Authors: Arnott Margaret
Published: January 2016

This article considers education policy under the SNP Governments from 2007–2016. It deals with aspects from primary, secondary and tertiary education. The main approach of the article is to examine the role of education policy within the broad context of SNP governing strategy. Education is treated as a key element of strategy throughout the policy period. The SNP's long-term strategic aim is independence for Scotland. The article examines ways in which governing strategy, and education policy in particular, were used by the SNP within the constraints of devolution during the period 2007–2016. The political background to that strategy changed significantly during the period. The article discusses the opportunities and challenges presented to the SNP in the context of diverging views on education and other elements of economic and social policy within the UK, particularly in the period after the 2015 General Election.
Safer and Stronger? The Decline of Managerial Competence and Liberal Welfarism in Justice Policy
Authors: MacLennan Stuart
Published: January 2016

Since the SNP came to power in 2007, they have sought to pursue two objectives with respect to matters of justice: to demonstrate managerial competence; and to ‘re-tartanise’ Scottish justice policy. While the headline figures present a generally positive figure of the SNP's nine years in government, belying these figures is an increasing tendency towards illiberal and authoritarian justice policies, as well as mismanagement on the part of ministers. This article considers the SNP's approach to and management of justice policy, and whether or not they have been successful in the pursuit of their twin objectives. It considers the degradation of ministers’ once-strong relationship with the legal professions, the management of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the establishment of Police Scotland, and the Scottish Ministers’ increasing deference to the police on ‘operational matters’. It further considers the continuation of the ‘ned-bashing’ agenda of the Scottish Government and concludes that, while ministers might rhetorically seek to appear liberal and welfarist, in contrast to England and Wales, the reality has been the pursuit of punitive policies that are arguably even less liberal, and less welfarist, than that of their predecessors, or their counterparts in England and Wales.
Ireland, Rent, and the Theologies of Real Estate
Authors: Hargaden Kevin
Published: January 2016

In this paper, taking the Irish economic crash of 2008 as the starting point, a theological response to real estate speculation is considered. By analysing the ways in which property development was a key factor in the collapse of the Irish economy, the flaws of such markets in crisis are exposed. Yet ethical concerns persist even when real estate markets are stable. Drawing on the Christian tradition around usury, an argument is made that an appropriate ecclesial reaction to the problems created by economies largely driven by real estate speculation involves developing alternative modes of conceiving land and economy. By drawing on the Vineyard song of Isaiah 5, a claim is made that faithful Christian practice demands a response of economic experimentation around property driven by a telos other than profit.
From the Editors (German)
Authors: Namli Elena
Published: January 2016

Not Available.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Antibiotics in 2015
Authors:   Antibiotics Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Antibiotics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Detection of On-Chip Generated Weak Microwave Radiation Using Superconducting Normal-Metal SET
Authors: Jalali-Jafari Behdad , Lotkhov Sergey , Zorin Alexander
Published: January 2016

The present work addresses quantum interaction phenomena of microwave radiation with a single-electron tunneling system. For this study, an integrated circuit is implemented, combining on the same chip a Josephson junction (Al/AlO x /Al) oscillator and a single-electron transistor (SET) with the superconducting island (Al) and normal-conducting leads (AuPd). The transistor is demonstrated to operate as a very sensitive photon detector, sensing down to a few tens of photons per second in the microwave frequency range around f ∼ 100 GHz. On the other hand, the Josephson oscillator, realized as a two-junction SQUID and coupled to the detector via a coplanar transmission line (Al), is shown to provide a tunable source of microwave radiation: controllable variations in power or in frequency were accompanied by significant changes in the detector output, when applying magnetic flux or adjusting the voltage across the SQUID, respectively. It was also shown that the effect of substrate-mediated phonons, generated by our microwave source, on the detector output was negligibly small.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Cells in 2015
Authors:   Cells Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Cells would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Non-Extensive Entropic Distance Based on Diffusion: Restrictions on Parameters in Entropy Formulae
Authors: Biró Tamás , Schram Zsolt
Published: January 2016

Based on a diffusion-like master equation we propose a formula using the Bregman divergence for measuring entropic distance in terms of different non-extensive entropy expressions. We obtain the non-extensivity parameter range for a universal approach to the stationary distribution by simple diffusive dynamics for the Tsallis and the Kaniadakis entropies, for the Hanel–Thurner generalization, and finally for a recently suggested log-log type entropy formula which belongs to diverging variance in the inverse temperature superstatistics.
Natural Convection and Entropy Generation in Nanofluid Filled Entrapped Trapezoidal Cavities under the Influence of Magnetic Field
Authors: Selimefendigil Fatih , Öztop Hakan , Abu-Hamdeh Nidal
Published: January 2016

In this article, entropy generation due to natural convection in entrapped trapezoidal cavities filled with nanofluid under the influence of magnetic field was numerically investigated. The upper (lower) enclosure is filled with CuO-water (Al2O3-water) nanofluid. The top and bottom horizontal walls of the trapezoidal enclosures are maintained at constant hot temperature while other inclined walls of the enclosures are at constant cold temperature. Different combinations of Hartmann numbers are imposed on the upper and lower trapezoidal cavities. Numerical simulations are conducted for different values of Rayleigh numbers, Hartmann number and solid volume fraction of the nanofluid by using the finite element method. In the upper and lower trapezoidal cavities magnetic fields with different combinations of Hartmann numbers are imposed. It is observed that the averaged heat transfer reduction with magnetic field is more pronounced at the highest value of the Rayleigh number. When there is no magnetic field in the lower cavity, the averaged Nusselt number enhances as the value of the Hartmann number of the upper cavity increases. The heat transfer enhancement rates with nanofluids which are in the range of 10% and 12% are not affected by the presence of the magnetic field. Second law analysis of the system for various values of Hartmann number and nanoparticle volume fractions of upper and lower trapezoidal domains is performed.
A Sectoral Micro-Economic Approach to Scenario Selection and Development: The Case of the Greek Power Sector
Authors: Flamos Alexandros
Published: January 2016

Generating policy-relevant scenarios is instrumental for understanding and developing policy measures. These are especially relevant to the power sector. Practitioners have been working on policy-relevant scenarios for the ex-ante assessment of policy measures in a meaningful way for end-users related to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. This paper presents a method for generating such policy relevant scenarios by focusing on the actor-contingent elements of the scenarios, i.e., the developments that are within the control of system actors to change or bring about. Several scenario techniques focusing on systematic-formalized or quantitative approaches have been published on this front over the past few years. Here, we introduce a methodology that is best suited for the assessment of the expected effect of different policy measures on the involved stakeholders’ behavior as well as for the analysis of the interactions between different policy measures as reflected on their impact on the strength and direction of the provided incentives. The applicability of our methodology is demonstrated for the case of the Greek power market. It was further evaluated in view of the challenges related to the issues of generation capacity adequacy and increased fiscal deficit. The strategic implications of the proposed approach concern the demonstration of the benefits from adopting a policy assessment methodology that focus on stakeholder expectations and interactions.
Systematic Study of Separators in Air-Breathing Flat-Plate Microbial Fuel Cells—Part 2: Numerical Modeling
Authors: Kazemi Sona , Barazandegan Melissa , Mohseni Madjid , Fatih Khalid
Published: January 2016

The separator plays a key role on the performance of passive air-breathing flat-plate MFCs (FPMFC) as it isolates the anaerobic anode from the air-breathing cathode. The goal of the present work was to study the separator characteristics and its effect on the performance of passive air-breathing FPMFCs. This was performed partially through characterization of structure, properties, and performance correlations of eight separators presented in Part 1. Current work (Part 2) presents a numerical model developed based on the mixed potential theory to investigate the sensitivity of the electrode potentials and the power output to the separator characteristics. According to this numerical model, the decreased peak power results from an increase in the mass transfer coefficients of oxygen and ethanol, but mainly increasing mixed potentials at the anode by oxygen crossover. The model also indicates that the peak power is affected by the proton transport number of the separator, which affects the cathode pH. Anode pH, on the other hand, remains constant due to application of phosphate buffer solution as the electrolyte. Also according to this model, the peak power is not sensitive to the resistivity of the separator because of the overshadowing effect of the oxygen crossover.
Multi-Objective Demand Response Model Considering the Probabilistic Characteristic of Price Elastic Load
Authors: Yang Shengchun , Zeng Dan , Ding Hongfa , Yao Jianguo , Wang Ke , Li Yaping
Published: January 2016

Demand response (DR) programs provide an effective approach for dealing with the challenge of wind power output fluctuations. Given that uncertain DR, such as price elastic load (PEL), plays an important role, the uncertainty of demand response behavior must be studied. In this paper, a multi-objective stochastic optimization problem of PEL is proposed on the basis of the analysis of the relationship between price elasticity and probabilistic characteristic, which is about stochastic demand models for consumer loads. The analysis aims to improve the capability of accommodating wind output uncertainty. In our approach, the relationship between the amount of demand response and interaction efficiency is developed by actively participating in power grid interaction. The probabilistic representation and uncertainty range of the PEL demand response amount are formulated differently compared with those of previous research. Based on the aforementioned findings, a stochastic optimization model with the combined uncertainties from the wind power output and the demand response scenario is proposed. The proposed model analyzes the demand response behavior of PEL by maximizing the electricity consumption satisfaction and interaction benefit satisfaction of PEL. Finally, a case simulation on the provincial power grid with a 151-bus system verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed mechanism and models.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Fibers in 2015
Authors:   Fibers Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Fibers would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization and Expression Analysis of the Chalcone Synthase Family in Maize
Authors: Han Yahui , Ding Ting , Su Bo , Jiang Haiyang
Published: January 2016

Members of the chalcone synthase (CHS) family participate in the synthesis of a series of secondary metabolites in plants, fungi and bacteria. The metabolites play important roles in protecting land plants against various environmental stresses during the evolutionary process. Our research was conducted on comprehensive investigation of CHS genes in maize (Zea mays L.), including their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal locations and expression analysis. Fourteen CHS genes (ZmCHS01–14) were identified in the genome of maize, representing one of the largest numbers of CHS family members identified in one organism to date. The gene family was classified into four major classes (classes I–IV) based on their phylogenetic relationships. Most of them contained two exons and one intron. The 14 genes were unevenly located on six chromosomes. Two segmental duplication events were identified, which might contribute to the expansion of the maize CHS gene family to some extent. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR and microarray data analyses suggested that ZmCHS genes exhibited various expression patterns, indicating functional diversification of the ZmCHS genes. Our results will contribute to future studies of the complexity of the CHS gene family in maize and provide valuable information for the systematic analysis of the functions of the CHS gene family.
A Common Variant of PROK1 (V67I) Acts as a Genetic Modifier in Early Human Pregnancy through Down-Regulation of Gene Expression
Authors: Su Mei-Tsz , Huang Jyun-Yuan , Tsai Hui-Ling , Chen Yi-Chi , Kuo Pao-Lin
Published: January 2016

PROK1-V67I has been shown to play a role as a modifier gene in the PROK1-PROKR system of human early pregnancy. To explore the related modifier mechanism of PROK1-V67I, we carried out a comparison study at the gene expression level and the cell function alternation of V67I, and its wild-type (WT), in transiently-transfected cells. We, respectively, performed quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA assays to evaluate the protein and/or transcript level of V67I and WT in HTR-8/SV neo, JAR, Ishikawa, and HEK293 cells. Transiently V67I- or WT-transfected HTR-8/SV neo and HEK293 cells were used to investigate cell function alternations. The transcript and protein expressions were down-regulated in all cell lines, ranging from 20% to 70%, compared with WT. There were no significant differences in the ligand activities of V67I and WT with regard to cell proliferation, cell invasion, calcium influx, and tubal formation. Both PROK1 alleles promoted cell invasion and intracellular calcium mobilization, whereas they had no significant effects on cell proliferation and tubal formation. In conclusion, the biological effects of PROK1-V67I on cell functions are similar to those of WT, and the common variant of V67I may act as a modifier in the PROK1-PROKR system through down-regulation of PROK1 expression. This study may provide a general mechanism that the common variant of V67I, modifying the disease severity of PROK1-related pathophysiologies.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Journal of Personalized Medicine in 2015
Authors:   Journal of Personalized Medicine Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Journal of Personalized Medicine would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Lubricants in 2015
Authors:   Lubricants Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Lubricants would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Metallurgical Parameters Controlling the Eutectic Silicon Charateristics in Be-Treated Al-Si-Mg Alloys
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed , Elgallad Emad , Valtierra Salvador , Doty Herbert , Samuel Fawzy
Published: January 2016

The present work was carried out on Al-7%Si-0.4%Mg-X alloy (where X = Mg, Fe, Sr or Be), where the effect of solidification rate on the eutectic silicon characteristics was investigated. Two solidification rates corresponding to dendrite arm spacings (DAS) of 24 and 65 μm were employed. Samples with 24 μm DAS were solution heat-treated at 540 °C for 5 and 12 h prior to quenching in warm water at 65 °C. Eutectic Si particle charateristics were measured using an image analyzer. The results show that the addition of 0.05% Be leads to partial modification of the Si particles. Full modification was only obtained when Sr was added in an amount of 150–200 ppm, depending on the applied solidification rate. Increasing the amount of Mg to 0.8% in Sr-modified alloys leads to a reduction in the effectiveness of Sr as the main modifier. Similar observations were made when the Fe content was increased in Be-treated alloys due to the Be-Fe interaction. Over-modification results in the precipitation of hard Sr-rich particles, mainly Al4SrSi2, whereas overheating causes incipient melting of the Al-Cu eutectic and hence the surrounding matrix. Both factors lead to a deterioration in the alloy mechanical properties. Furthermore, the presence of long, acicular Si particles accelerates the occurrence of fracture and, as a result, yields poor ductility. In low iron (less than 0.1 wt%) Al-Si-Mg alloys, the mechanical properties in the as cast, as well as heat treated conditions, are mainly controlled by the eutectic Si charatersitics. Increasing the iron content and, hence, the volume fraction of Fe-based intermetallics leads to a complex fracture mode.
Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Chinese Herbal Compounds against Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hu Bing , An Hong-Mei , Wang Shuang-Shuang , Chen Jin-Jun , Xu Ling
Published: January 2016

Traditional Chinese Medicines, unique biomedical and pharmaceutical resources, have been widely used for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prevention and treatment. Accumulated Chinese herb-derived compounds with significant anti-cancer effects against HCC have been identified. Chinese herbal compounds are effective in preventing carcinogenesis, inhibiting cell proliferation, arresting cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, autophagy, cell senescence and anoikis, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis and angiogenesis, regulating immune function, reversing drug resistance and enhancing the effects of chemotherapy in HCC. This paper comprehensively reviews these compounds and their effects on HCC. Finally, the perspectives and rational application of herbal compounds for HCC management are discussed.
An Update on the Synthesis of Pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines
Authors: Varvounis George
Published: January 2016

Pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines are tricyclic compounds that are considered “privileged structures” since they possess a wide range of biological activities. The first encounter with these molecules was the isolation of anthramycin from cultures of Streptomyces, followed by determination of the X-ray crystal structure of the molecule and a study of its interaction with DNA. This opened up an intensive synthetic and biological study of the pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines that has culminated in the development of the dimer SJG-136, at present in Phase II clinical trials. The synthetic efforts have brought to light some new synthetic methodology, while the contemporary work is focused on building trimeric pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines linked together by various heterocyclic and aliphatic chains. It is the broad spectrum of biological activities of pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepines that has maintained the interest of researchers to date whereas several derivatives of the even less studied pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepines were found to be potent non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The present review is an update on the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines since the last major review of 2011, while the overview of the synthesis of the other two tricyclic isomers is comprehensive.
Correction: Rzepecka-Stojko, A., et al. Polyphenols from Bee Pollen: Structure, Absorption, Metabolism and Biological Activity. Molecules 2015, 20, 21732–21749
Authors: Rzepecka-Stojko Anna , Stojko Jerzy , Kurek-Górecka Anna , Górecki Michał , Kabała-Dzik Agata , Kubina Robert , Moździerz Aleksandra , Buszman Ewa
Published: January 2016

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper: [...]
Naphthalenones and Depsidones from a Sponge-Derived Strain of the Fungus Corynespora cassiicola
Authors: Zhao Dong-Lin , Shao Chang-Lun , Wang Chao-Yi , Wang Mei , Yang Lu-Jia , Wang Chang-Yun
Published: January 2016

Two new naphthalenones, corynenones A and B (1 and 2), and one new depsidone, corynesidone E (3), together with one known depsidone, corynesidone A (4) and two known diphenyl ethers, corynethers A (5) and B (6), were isolated from the sponge-derived fungus Corynespora cassiicola XS-20090I7. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compounds 4 and 5 showed cytotoxicity against human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell lines.
New C4D Sensor with a Simulated Inductor
Authors: Lyu Yingchao , Ji Haifeng , Yang Shijie , Huang Zhiyao , Wang Baoliang , Li Haiqing
Published: January 2016

A new capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) sensor with an improved simulated inductor is developed in this work. The improved simulated inductor is designed on the basis of the Riordan-type floating simulated inductor. With the improved simulated inductor, the negative influence of the coupling capacitances is overcome and the conductivity measurement is implemented by the series resonance principle. The conductivity measurement experiments are carried out in three pipes with different inner diameters of 3.0 mm, 4.6 mm and 6.4 mm, respectively. The experimental results show that the designs of the new C4D sensor and the improved simulated inductor are successful. The maximum relative error of the conductivity measurement is less than 5%. Compared with the C4D sensors using practical inductors, the measurement accuracy of the new C4D sensor is comparable. The research results also indicate that the adjustability of a simulated inductor can reduce the requirement for the AC source and guarantee the interchangeableness. Meanwhile, it is recommended that making the potential of one terminal of a simulated inductor stable is beneficial to the running stability. Furthermore, this work indirectly verifies the possibility and feasibility of the miniaturization of the C4D sensor by using the simulated inductor technique and lays a good foundation for future research work.
Implicit Block ACK Scheme for IEEE 802.11 WLANs
Authors: Sthapit Pranesh , Pyun Jae-Young
Published: January 2016

The throughput of IEEE 802.11 standard is significantly bounded by the associated Medium Access Control (MAC) overhead. Because of the overhead, an upper limit exists for throughput, which is bounded, including situations where data rates are extremely high. Therefore, an overhead reduction is necessary to achieve higher throughput. The IEEE 802.11e amendment introduced the block ACK mechanism, to reduce the number of control messages in MAC. Although the block ACK scheme greatly reduces overhead, further improvements are possible. In this letter, we propose an implicit block ACK method that further reduces the overhead associated with IEEE 802.11e’s block ACK scheme. The mathematical analysis results are presented for both the original protocol and the proposed scheme. A performance improvement of greater than 10% was achieved with the proposed implementation.
A Novel RFID-Based Sensing Method for Low-Cost Bolt Loosening Monitoring
Authors: Wu Jian , Cui Xingmei , Xu Yunpeng
Published: January 2016

In coal mines, bolt loosening in the cage guide is affected by the harsh environmental factors and cage hoist vibration, leading to significant threats to work safety. It is crucial, to this effect, to successfully detect the status of multipoint bolts of guide structures. This paper proposes a system to monitor bolt status in harsh environments established based on the RFID technique. A proof-of-concept model was demonstrated consisting of a bolt gearing system, passive UHF RFID tags, a reader, and monitoring software. A tinfoil metal film is fixed on the retaining plate and an RFID tag bonded to a large gear, with the bolt to be detected fixed in the center of a smaller gear. The radio-frequency signal cannot be received by the reader if the tag is completely obscured by the tinfoil, and if the bolt is loose, the tag’s antenna is exposed when the gear revolves. A radio-frequency signal that carries corresponding bolt’s information is transmitted by the RFID tag to the RFID reader due to coil coupling, identifying loose bolt location and reporting them in the software. Confirmatory test results revealed that the system indeed successfully detects bolt loosening and comparative test results (based on a reed switch multipoint bolt loosening monitor system) provided valuable information regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed system.
A Comparison of Wind Energy Investment Alternatives Using Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Benefit/Cost Analysis
Authors: Kahraman Cengiz , Cevik Onar Sezi , Oztaysi Basar
Published: January 2016

One of the tools for maintaining environmental sustainability is transformation from fossil-based energy sources to renewable energy sources in energy consumption. Among renewable energy alternatives, wind energy is the most prominent and reliable energy source for fulfilling energy demand. Traditional investment evaluation techniques based on discounted cash flows are not capable of capturing the uncertainty and vagueness in the data related to the wind energy investment parameters. Fuzzy capital budgeting techniques can capture this vagueness and model the imprecise estimations of parameter values. In this paper, we develop interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy benefit-cost analysis for the evaluation of wind energy technology investments. The fuzzy benefit-cost analyses are based on both present worth and annual worth analyses. The developed analyses can handle the assessments of multiple experts through aggregation operators. In the proposed economic model, the components of each wind energy investment parameter are incorporated into the equations in detail. A real case study is also presented in this paper.
Single Atoms Preparation Using Light-Assisted Collisions
Authors: Fung Yin , Sompet Pimonpan , Andersen Mikkel
Published: January 2016

The detailed control achieved over single optically trapped neutral atoms makes them candidates for applications in quantum metrology and quantum information processing. The last few decades have seen different methods developed to optimize the preparation efficiency of single atoms in optical traps. Here we review the near-deterministic preparation of single atoms based on light-assisted collisions and describe how this method can be implemented in different trap regimes. The simplicity and versatility of the method makes it feasible to be employed in future quantum technologies such as a quantum logic device.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Veterinary Sciences in 2015
Authors:   Veterinary Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Veterinary Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
La végétation dans le géosystème. Phytogéographie des montagnes cantabriques centrales (Espagne)
Authors: Bertrand Claude , Bertrand Georges
Published: January 2016

En appréhendant la végétation comme élément du géosystème, on donne une nouvelle impulsion et un nouveau contenu à la phytogéographie. Cette problématique a été dégagée à partir de l'étude intégrée des milieux montagnards cantabriques et d'une cartographie spécifique de la végétation à l'échelle de 1/200 000e. L'élaboration de plusieurs modèles cartographiques spatiotemporels a permis de replacer les formations végétales dans les complexes géographiques.
L'oiseau dans le géosystème. Essai de cartographie de l'avifaune dans le massif de Grésigne (Tarn)
Authors: Alet Bernard
Published: January 2016

Las aves dentro del geosistema. Cartografía de la avifauna en el macizo de Grésigne (Tarn). El método geosistémico aplicado a la ornitología permite situar las poblaciones de aves en el espacio y en el tiempo así como conocer sus estrategias de aprovechamiento del medio ambiente, contribuyendo así a una cartografía integrada de geografía ornitológica. La principal dificultad es la de integrar las aves en determinados medios a causa de su movilidad y de sus exigencias espaciales muy variables según la estación. Por eso el mapa de las poblaciones sólo toma en cuenta las aves anidadoras. Después se compara este mapa de aves con el de los geosistemas. Resulta que no hay una, sino diversas avifaunas que coinciden esquemáticamente con los cuatro complejos geográficos puestos en evidencia por el mapa de los geosistemas. A la cuatro avifaunas principales se añaden otras locales que corresponden a habitats de poca extendidos o marginales. Cada población de aves es estudiada dentro de la avifauna a la que pertenece. Con el análisis geosistémico también se puede entender el impacto de la acción antrópica en la evolución de los geosistemas y de sus avifaunas. Las aves dan fe de esta evolución porque son sensibles a las modificaciones de su entorno vital. Cualquier geofaciés es un estado intermedio y provisional que explica el carácter efímero de las poblaciones de aves y también su carácter repetitivo en la Historia. De allí la necesidad de una permanente reactualización de la cartografía ornitogeográfica.
L'abeille dans le géosystème : essai de cartographie des ressources mellifères
Authors: Briane Gérard , Cabrol Jean-Luc
Published: January 2016

Un inventaire des plantes apicoles a été réalisé en corrélation avec l'étude des formations végétales dans un rayon de 3 km autour d'un rucher de la moyenne montagne pyrénéenne. Cela a contribué à mettre en évidence la distribution spatio-temporelle des ressources mellifères et d'associer celle-ci au comportement des abeilles sur une année. Ces résultats couplés aux analyses mellisso-palynologiques pratiquées à différentes époques prouvent que les abeilles adoptent une stratégie variable face à leur environnement végétal, dans l'espace et dans le temps. Cette étude localisée montre la possibilité d'une cartographie de la phénologie des potentialités mellifères, à partir de l'analyse géosystémique, permettant de valoriser les secteurs apicoles et leur dynamique dans un milieu végétal souvent délaissé par l'agriculture.
Forges à la catalane et grandes essences forestières : éléments pour une histoire des forêts de l'Ariège
Authors: Bonhote Jérôme
Published: January 2016

Catalan forges and forestry development : historical factors of the Ariège pyrenean forests. The cast results of a study of the impact of forges, in the Ariège forests show, through two examples, a change in the composition and structure since the XVIIth century, with important changes in the distribution of the main species : pine, beech and sessile oak.
Pratiques pastorales et stratégies foncières en vallée d'Oô (Pyrénées centrales)
Authors: Balent G. , Barrué-Pastor Monique
Published: January 2016

Pastoreo y estrategia de propiedad : claves del proceso de decadencia de la ganadería de montaña. Durante el pasado siglo, las actividades agrícolas de montaña experimentaron un notable retroceso. En el Pirineo Central, las reglamentaciones comunitarias muy estrictas que tendían a regular el aprovechamiento de los pastizales perdieron eficacia. La diversificación social de los agricultores, el inmovilismo del mercado de la tierra, la disminución global de la cabana así como el desarrollo de un pastoreo individual acarrearon una disminución de la calidad de los recorridos y de la fertilidad de los suelos, planteando la cuestión de la reposición de los recursos en pastos. Análisis del proceso actual de abandono con sus condicionantes agro-ecológicos y sociales. Perspectivas de mejora de la gestión de los pastizales y de conservación de sus .ecursos dentro del marco de una reactivación de la agricultura de montaña.
Le Tafilalt d'aujourd'hui. Régression écologique et sociale d'une palmeraie sud marocaine
Authors: Boubekraoui Mohamed , Carcenac Claude
Published: January 2016

A geosystemic analysis of the actual crisis of south moroccan palm groves. The Tafilalt palm groves, a particularly fragile social and economic construction, are to any menaced by destruction. The approximate equilibrium which assured their resistance to the environmental constraints of the desert seems to be increasingly compromised, as much by ecological as socio-economic evolution. An agro-ecological map shows recent evolution of the Tafilalt and sums up the analysis of the déstructuration and progressive removal of the traditional local agricultural system, based on water control, and the mechanisms of palm groves decay and shattering.
Les réseaux d'information : le groupement scientifique ISARD
Authors: Cassé Marie-Claude
Published: January 2016

FRE: Valorisation de la recherche scientifique, transfert de la recherche scientifique, documentation, banque de données, réseau documentaire interface homme/machine, animation culturelle et scientifique, aménagement, régionalisation, vie locale, relations internationales, Pyrénées franco-espagnoles, Midi toulousain, relations Midi-Pyrénées-Espagne
Estimation du débit maximum probable dans le torrent del Paller (Pyrénées catalanes)
Authors: Montserrat Jardi F.
Published: January 2016

Estimació del probable cabal maxim en el « torrent del Paller » (Pirineu axial). La fí del present treball és la de calcular el cabal d'avinguda degut a unes précipiterions extraordinàries i per un période de retorn conegut. S'han utilitzat dos mètodes : un prèn com a dades de partida la quantitat d'aigua precipitada sobre la conca i l'altre es recolza en la geometría hidráulica. El Torrent del Paller que s'ha escollit per fer l'estudi té l'origen en el Puigllançada i desguassa a un tributari del Llobregat. Pel primer mètode s'han utilitzat les dades pluviomètriques de La Molina treballant amb un période de retorn de 50 anys. Es convenient la utilització de la intensitat de la precipitació caiguda en 10 minuts, o com a màxim, en un temps igual al temps de concentrado (de 30 minuts en el nostre cas). Utilitzant l'ajust de Gumbel s'ha obtingut una intensitat de pluja de 86,6 mm/h per un période de retorn de 50 anys. Calculant el cabal pel mètode racional hem obtingut un valor de 23 m3/s. Mitjançant la geometría hidráulica hem contrôlât 18 seccions del curs, en un recorregut de 1012,70 mm, assolint un cabal màxim de 6,56 m3/s, éssent el mitjà de 3 m3/s i a de 1,5 m3/s.
Recoupement de méandre à Sorde-l'Abbaye (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Authors: Gazelle Francois
Published: January 2016

Separación de un meandro en los Pyrenees Atlantique. Una crecida de mediana intensidad ha separado el pedúnculo de un meandro del valle aluvial del Gave d'Oloron.
Les migrations des Hauts-Pyrénéens : apports de l'étude des patronymes et des recherches par Minitel
Authors: Sarramea Jean
Published: January 2016

Research on emigration from the Hautes-Pyrénées district. The author experiments a method using the facilities of the French computerized telephone directory (Minitel) to trace the distribution of some family names out of their birth place.
Les prémices de la politique de restauration des terrains en montagne
Authors: Ogé Frédéric
Published: January 2016

L'auteur rappelle les premières étapes de la constitution d'une doctrine et d'une politique de restauration des terrains en montagne en France en montrant qu'elles relèvent de la contradiction historique entre l'État et les collectivités locales usagères de la forêt et des pâturages : promulgation du Code forestier, études de Surell sur la torrentialité, premiers rapports sur le reboisement, premiers travaux dans les Alpes et les Pyrénées, etc., montrent comment l'État reprend les moyens de contrôle qu'il avait perdus en 1791.
L'histoire de la RTM : quelques réflexions d'un praticien
Authors: Crécy Louis de
Published: January 2016

Reconstitution et analyse du déroulement historique de l'entreprise de reboisement et de la restauration des terrains en montagne depuis le XIXe siècle : lois de 1860 sur le reboisement, de 1864 sur le gazonnement, de 1882 sur la RTM. Au cours de la période de l'entre-deux-guerres, l'activité s'est progressivement amenuisée, mais plus de 1 000 torrents avaient été désormais maîtrisés dans les Alpes et les Pyrénées. Depuis les années 1960, la nouvelle demande de sécurité, liée au tourisme hivernal, a ouvert un vaste champ d'action au service RTM. Son rôle est devenu central dans l'animation des dispositifs régionaux auxquels participent les collectivités locales depuis la décentralisation.