bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histopathological analysis of hysterectomy specimens: one year study
Authors: Baral R , Sherpa P , Gautam D
Published: March 2017

Backgound: The uterus is prone to develop several non-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions during the life time of a woman. The aim of this study is to study the histopathological features of varied uterine lesions, their profile and distribution of different lesions in relation of age.Materials and Methods: This is a histopathological database analysis of hysterectomy specimen of one year 2011/12 in Patan Hospital. The variables studied were age and histopathological diagnosis. SPSS version 16 was used as an analytical tool.Results: A total of 3576 histopathology samples were received in this period. There were 1173 gynaecology samples during this period out of which 22% (261 cases) were that of hysterectomy. Histopathology diagnosis showed Leiomyoma in 48.6% (127 cases), Adenomyosis was seen in 10.3% (27 cases), Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma was seen in 1.14% (3 cases).Conclusion: A large number of hysterectomy specimens had no significant findings. However, adenomyosis, leiomyomya and adenocarcinoma are also found which may be the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding.
Blood Lead Level among school children in an Industrial city of Nepal
Authors: Gautam K , Pradhan S , Thuppil V , Pyakurel D , Shrestha A
Published: March 2017

Background: Widespread use of lead has caused extensive environmental contamination and health problems in many parts of the world. Children are particularly vulnerable and even relatively low levels of exposure can cause serious health conditions. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of blood lead level in children in industrial city of Nepal, Birgunj.Materials and Methods: The cross sectional study was done on 50 school going student in Birgunj city, Nepal from November 2016 to January 2017. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Capillary blood was drawn and Blood Lead Level was measured immediately. SPSS ver. 22 was used to analyze the data.Results: The mean age of children in study was 12.5 ± 1.11 years.Among 50 children, 54% were male and 46% were female. The mean blood lead level was 20.33±9.36 μg/dl (male 21.08±8.87μg/dl, female 19.46±10.92 μg/dl). All the children in the study have elevated blood lead level and 84% of them have >10 μg/dl. About 26% of children have blood lead level between 15-20 μg/dl, 12% have level 20-25 μg/dl and 4% of them have more than 35 μg/dl.Conclusion: The prevalence of blood lead level in children from the industrial city of Nepal is alarmingly high. Children exposed with chipped paints have high level of blood lead level. However, further study in large population is required to address the current situation regarding the lead exposure to children.
Pleomorphic adenoma of nasal septum: A case report
Authors: Paudyal P , Pande K , Pradhan A , Shah R , Upadhyaya P , Thapa S
Published: March 2017

Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common benign tumor of the major salivary glands. Other rare sites for the occurrence of pleomorphic adenoma have been described in the larynx, pharynx, nasal cavity, lacrimal glands and trachea. We report here a case of intranasal pleomorphic adenoma arising from the nasal septum causing nasal obstruction which was clinically diagnosed as papilloma. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma.
Understanding the Utilization Characteristics of Bicycle-Sharing Systems in Underdeveloped Cities: A Case Study in Xuchang City, China
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Tiezhu , Zhang Tao , Yang Wanyu
Published: March 2017

In recent years, a growing number of cities in China have successively rolled out bicycle-sharing systems to facilitate bicycle use, including not only metropolises but also some underdeveloped cities with populations of less than 1 million. One of those underdeveloped cities, Xuchang, launched its bicycle-sharing system in 2014. This service provides a convenient way for members to cycle for some of their short trips. Interest in the bicycle-sharing systems of metropolises is growing rapidly; however, studies on underdeveloped cities are still limited. This study investigated the factors influencing the adoption of a bicycle-sharing system in Xuchang, by analyzing massive smart card data from July 2014 to mid-April 2015 and 500 intercept survey questionnaires in April 2015. Different questions were ready for members and nonmembers in the questionnaires and the statistical results show the characteristics of users of the Xuchang bicycle-sharing system, including demographic characteristics, travel habits, and degree of satisfaction. Moreover, the space–time distribution characteristics of the Xuchang bicycle-sharing system were analyzed by dividing a massive data set into three groups: weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Results showed that compared with the clearly defined role of “resolve the last-kilometer problem” in a metropolis, bicycle-sharing in underdeveloped cities acts as an alternative way of transportation rather than a transfer traffic mode. Results also showed that bicycle-sharing systems gained more popularity in underdeveloped cities than in metropolises because of the smaller extent of egression, resident travel habits, the traffic environment, and so on.
Rapid Synthesis of Ismine, a Bioactive Amaryllidaceae Alkaloid
Authors: Guo Jing-jing , Yang Bi-juan , Jing Chen-xu , Chen Duo-zhi , Hao Xiao-jiang
Published: March 2017

Ismine (6-[2-(methylamino)phenyl]-1,3-benzodioxole-5-methanol, 1), a biologically active alkaloid, has been synthesised by a rapid and simple four-step sequence. This synthesis involved a consecutive aryl–aryl and N–aryl coupling, leading to a phenanthridine derivative in a one-pot sequence, which employed a palladium catalyst and trifurylphosphine as the ligand. This synthesis gave an overall yield of 23%.
Development of a Compact Axial Active Magnetic Bearing with a Function of Two-Tilt-Motion Control
Authors: Ishino Yuji , Mizuno Takeshi , Takasaki Masaya , Hara Masayuki , Yamaguchi Daisuke
Published: March 2017

A compact axial active magnetic bearing with a function of two-tilt-motion control is fabricated which has a new configuration of magnetic poles. They consist of four cylindrical poles with coils and a single common pole whose opposite plane of the rotor has a permanent magnet to achieve multi-degree-of-freedom zero power control. Modal control is applied because local zero power control may make the whole system unstable when the number of control channels is larger than the number of freedoms of motion to be controlled. In the developed system, a disk-shape rotor is sandwiched between two axial magnetic bearing stators that are operated differentially. Such a configuration makes it possible to rotate the rotor without disturbing the axial motion. The characteristics of the fabricated magnetic bearing system including rotation are studied experimentally.
Guided Self-Accelerating Airy Beams—A Mini-Review
Authors: Zhang Yiqi , Zhong Hua , Belić Milivoj , Zhang Yanpeng
Published: March 2017

Owing to their nondiffracting, self-accelerating, and self-healing properties, Airy beams of different nature have become a subject of immense interest in the past decade. Their interesting properties have opened doors to many diverse applications. Consequently, the questions of how to properly design the spatial manipulation of Airy beams or how to implement them in different setups have become important and timely in the development of various optical devices. Here, based on our previous work, we present a short review on the spatial control of Airy beams, including the interactions of Airy beams in nonlinear media, beam propagation in harmonic potential, and the dynamics of abruptly autofocusing Airy beams in the presence of a dynamic linear potential. We demonstrate that, under the guidance of nonlinearity and an external potential, the trajectory, acceleration, structure, and even the basic properties of Airy beams can be adjusted to suit specific needs. We describe other fascinating phenomena observed with Airy beams, such as self-Fourier transformation, periodic inversion of Airy beams, and the appearance of spatial solitons in the presence of nonlinearity. These results have promoted the development of Airy beams, and have been utilized in various applications, including particle manipulation, self-trapping, and electronic matter waves.
Using Thermal Shock to Inhibit Biofilm Formation in the Treated Sewage Source Heat Pump Systems
Authors: Chang Siyuan , Chen Jinchun , Shi Lin
Published: March 2017

Treated sewage source heat pump systems can reuse the waste energy in the treated sewage. However, biofilms in the heat exchangers decrease the system efficiency. This work investigates the feasibility of thermal shock at accessible temperatures in heat exchangers for biofilm inhibition. Bacillus subtilis biofilms were formed on coupons and in a miniaturized plate heat exchanger. Thermal shocks at different temperatures (50–80 °C) for different exposure times (1–60 min) were used to treat the biofilms. The results showed that thermal shock had a significant bactericidal and biofilm inhibition effect, and the effect was enhanced as the temperature and the exposure time increased. Data fitting of the biomass showed that temperature had a more significant influence on the biofilm inhibition effect than exposure time. The results of the heat exchanging experiments showed that high temperature thermal shock could significantly mitigate the heat transfer deterioration caused by the biofilms, indicating that thermal shock could be used as a viable biofilm inhibition approach for heat exchangers.
Using Genetic Algorithms for Real Estate Appraisals
Authors: Del Giudice Vincenzo , De Paola Pierfrancesco , Forte Fabiana
Published: March 2017

The main aim of this paper is the interpretation of the existing relationship between real estate rental prices and geographical location of housing units in a central urban area of Naples (Santa Lucia and Riviera of Chiaia neighborhoods). Genetic algorithms (GA) are used for this purpose. Also, to verify the reliability of genetic algorithms for real estate appraisals and, at the same time, to show the forecasting potentialities of these techniques in the analysis of housing markets, a multiple regression analysis (MRA) was applied comparing results of GA and MRA.
Assessing the Feasibility of a National InSAR Ground Deformation Map of Great Britain with Sentinel-1
Authors: Novellino Alessandro , Cigna Francesca , Brahmi Mouna , Sowter Andrew , Bateson Luke , Marsh Stuart
Published: March 2017

This work assesses the feasibility of national ground deformation monitoring of Great Britain using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery acquired by Copernicus’ Sentinel-1 constellation and interferometric SAR (InSAR) analyses. As of December 2016, the assessment reveals that, since May 2015, more than 250 interferometric wide (IW) swath products have been acquired on average every month by the constellation at regular revisit cycles for the entirety of Great Britain. A simulation of radar distortions (layover, foreshortening, and shadow) confirms that topographic constraints have a limited effect on SAR visibility of the landmass and, despite the predominance of rural land cover types, there is potential for over 22,000,000 intermittent small baseline subset (ISBAS) monitoring targets for each acquisition geometry (ascending and descending) using a set of IW image frames covering the entire landmass. Finally, InSAR results derived through ISBAS processing of the Doncaster area with an increasing amount of Sentinel-1 IW scenes reveal a consistent decrease of standard deviation of InSAR velocities from 6 mm/year to ≤2 mm/year. Such results can be integrated with geological and geohazard susceptibility data and provide key information to inform the government, other institutions and the public on the stability of the landmass.
“And in That Moment I Leapt upon His Shoulder”: Non-Human Intradiegetic Narrators in The Wind on the Moon
Authors: Danielsson Karin Molander
Published: March 2017

Non-human narrators, by definition anthropomorphized, fill different functions in literature, and have different effects, not always positive for the species that is utilized, for example to voice a human political concern. However, many animal studies scholars agree that anthropomorphism, while inadequate, may be the best way we have to get to know another species. Animal characters who tell their own, autobiographical, stories are particularly interesting in this regard. Eric Linklater’s children’s novel The Wind on the Moon (1944), raises posthumanist questions about human–animal differences, similarities and language, especially through its engagement of several non-human intradiegetic narrators. In a novel with surprisingly few other forms of characterization of the non-human characters, their own detailed narratives become a highly significant means of access to their species characteristics, their consciousness, and their needs. In an analysis of these embedded narratives using Genette’s theory of narrative levels and functions, as well as intersections of speech act theory and cognitive narratology, this article exposes an otherwise inaccessible dimension of characterization in Linklater’s novel. It argues that the embedded narratives, in contrast to crude anthropomorphism, are in fact what enables both a verbalization of the character narrators’ otherness, and a connection and comprehension between species. In other words, these non-human narratives constitute what might be called (with Garrard) examples of critical anthropomorphism.
Validation of Spatial Prediction Models for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping by Considering Structural Similarity
Authors: Deng Xiaolong , Li Lihui , Tan Yufang
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we propose a methodology for validating landslide susceptibility results in the Pinggu district (Beijing, China). A landslide inventory including 169 landslides was prepared, and eight factors correlated to landslides (lithology, tectonic faults, topographic elevation, slope gradient, aspect, slope curvature, land use, and road network) were processed, integrating two techniques, namely the frequency ratio (FR) and the certainty factor (CF), in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. The area under the curve (success rate curve and prediction curve) analysis was used to evaluate model compatibility and predictability. Validation results indicated that the values of the area under the curve for the FR model and the CF model were 0.769 and 0.768, respectively. Considering spatial correlation, an alternative complementary method for validating landslide susceptibility maps was introduced. The spatially approximate maps could be discriminated from their matrices which carry structural information, and the structural similarity index (SSI) was then proposed to quantify the similarity. As a specific example, the SSI value of the FR (74.15%) scored higher than that of the CF model (69.36%), demonstrating its promise in validating different landslide susceptibility maps. These results show that the FR model outperforms the CF model in producing a landslide susceptibility map in the study area.
Identification of a Ribose-Phosphate Pyrophosphokinase that Can Interact In Vivo with the Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome
Authors: Yu Haiyang , Zhang Yu , Zhang Dong , Lu Yanxi , He Haixia , Zheng Fucong , Wang Meng
Published: March 2017

5-Phospho-d-ribosyl-1-diphosphate (PRPP) synthase (PRS) catalyzes the biosynthesis of PRPP, which is an important compound of metabolism in most organisms. However, no PRS genes have been cloned, let alone studied for their biological function in rubber tree. In this study, we identify a novel protein (PRS4) that interacts in vivo with rubber tree anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) subunit 10 (HbAPC10) by yeast two-hybrid assays. PRS4 has been cloned from rubber tree and named as HbPRS4. Blastp search in the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana showed that HbPRS4 shared the highest similarity with AtPRS4, with 80.71% identity. qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression of HbPRS4 in different tissues and under various treatments. HbPRS4 was preferentially expressed in the bark. Moreover, the expression level of HbPRS4 was significantly induced by the proteasome inhibitor MG132 treatment, suggesting it might be regulated by the ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway. The amount of HbPRS4 transcript was obviously decreased after mechanical wounding and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments, while a slight increase was observed at 24 h after ABA treatment. HbPRS4 transcript in the latex was significantly upregulated by ethephon (ET) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments. These results suggested that HbPRS4 may be a specific substrate of HbAPC10 indirectly regulating natural rubber biosynthesis in rubber tree.
A Novel Bio-Psychosocial-Behavioral Treatment Model in Schizophrenia
Authors: Kim Yong-Ku , Choi Joonho , Park Seon-Cheol
Published: March 2017

Despite the substantial burden of illness in schizophrenia, there has been a discrepancy between the beneficial effects of an increased use of antipsychotic medications and achieving limited recovery or remission. Because the focus of the most common antipsychotic medications is on dopamine, which is associated with positive symptoms, there is an unmet need for patients with negative symptoms. Since cognitive and negative symptoms rather than positive symptoms are more closely associated with psychosocial impairments in patients with schizophrenia, the non-dopaminergic systems including glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) of the prefrontal cortex should be of concern as well. The balance of excitation and inhibition has been associated with epigenetic modifications and thus can be analyzed in terms of a neurodevelopmental and neural circuitry perspective. Hence, a novel bio-psychosocial-behavioral model for the treatment of schizophrenia is needed to account for the non-dopaminergic systems involved in schizophrenia, rather than dopaminergic mechanisms. This model can be understood from the viewpoint of neurodevelopment and neural circuitry and should include the staging care, personalized care, preventive care, reducing the cognitive deficits, and reducing stigma. Thomas R. Insel proposed this as a goal for schizophrenia treatment to be achieved by 2030.
Observation of Distinct Two-Photon Transition Channels in CdTe Quantum Dots in a Regime of Very Strong Confinement
Authors: Gonçalves Vivas Marcelo , Leandro De Sousa José , De Boni Leonardo , Schiavon Marco , Mendonca Cleber
Published: March 2017

We report here on the direct observation of distinct two-photon transition channels in glutathione-capped (GSH) CdTe quantum dots (QDs) in a very strong confinement regime. CdTe-GSH QDs with different average diameters (2.5, 3.0, and 3.3 nm) were synthesized through the one-pot method and their two-photon absorption (2PA) spectrum determined by a femtosecond wavelength-tunable Z-scan. Our results show that the two lower-energy one-photon-allowed excitonic transitions, 1S3/2(h) → 1S(e) and 2S3/2(h) → 1S(e), are also accessed via 2PA. These results were ascribed to the relaxation of the parity selection rules due to the noncentrosymmetric structure of the CdTe QDs (zinc-blended structure), whose magnitude are determined by surface defects and structural irregularities present in CdTe-GSH QDs, in the strong confinement regime.
Wear Distribution Detection of Knee Joint Prostheses by Means of 3D Optical Scanners
Authors: Affatato Saverio , Valigi Maria , Logozzo Silvia
Published: March 2017

The objective of this study was to examine total knee polyethylene inserts from in vitro simulation to evaluate and display—using a 3D optical scanner—wear patterns and wear rates of inserts exposed to wear by means of simulators. Various sets of tibial inserts have been reconstructed by using optical scanners. With this in mind, the wear behavior of fixed and mobile bearing polyethylene knee configurations was investigated using a knee wear joint simulator. After the completion of the wear test, the polyethylene menisci were analyzed by an innovative 3D optical scanners in order to evaluate the 3D wear distribution on the prosthesis surface. This study implemented a new procedure for evaluating polyethylene bearings of joint prostheses obtained after in vitro wear tests and the proposed new approach allowed quantification of the contact zone on the geometry of total knee prostheses. The results of the present study showed that mobile TKPs (total knee prosthesis) have lower wear resistance with respect to fixed TKPs.
Sample Preparation Strategies for the Effective Quantitation of Hydrophilic Metabolites in Serum by Multi-Targeted HILIC-MS/MS
Authors: Tsakelidou Elisavet , Virgiliou Christina , Valianou Lemonia , Gika Helen , Raikos Nikolaos , Theodoridis Georgios
Published: March 2017

The effect of endogenous interferences of serum in multi-targeted metabolite profiling HILIC-MS/MS analysis was investigated by studying different sample preparation procedures. A modified QuEChERS dispersive SPE protocol, a HybridSPE protocol, and a combination of liquid extraction with protein precipitation were compared to a simple protein precipitation. Evaluation of extraction efficiency and sample clean-up was performed for all methods. SPE sorbent materials tested were found to retain hydrophilic analytes together with endogenous interferences, thus additional elution steps were needed. Liquid extraction was not shown to minimise matrix effects. In general, it was observed that a balance should be reached in terms of recovery, efficient clean-up, and sample treatment time when a wide range of metabolites are analysed. A quick step for removing phospholipids prior to the determination of hydrophilic endogenous metabolites is required, however, based on the results from the applied methods, further studies are needed to achieve high recoveries for all metabolites.
A Data-Driven Diagnostic Framework for Wind Turbine Structures: A Holistic Approach
Authors: Bogoevska Simona , Spiridonakos Minas , Chatzi Eleni , Dumova-Jovanoska Elena , Höffer Rudiger
Published: March 2017

The complex dynamics of operational wind turbine (WT) structures challenges the applicability of existing structural health monitoring (SHM) strategies for condition assessment. At the center of Europe’s renewable energy strategic planning, WT systems call for implementation of strategies that may describe the WT behavior in its complete operational spectrum. The framework proposed in this paper relies on the symbiotic treatment of acting environmental/operational variables and the monitored vibration response of the structure. The approach aims at accurate simulation of the temporal variability characterizing the WT dynamics, and subsequently at the tracking of the evolution of this variability in a longer-term horizon. The bi-component analysis tool is applied on long-term data, collected as part of continuous monitoring campaigns on two actual operating WT structures located in different sites in Germany. The obtained data-driven structural models verify the potential of the proposed strategy for development of an automated SHM diagnostic tool.
Preserving Source Location Privacy for Energy Harvesting WSNs
Authors: Huang Changqin , Ma Ming , Liu Yuxin , Liu Anfeng
Published: March 2017

Fog (From cOre to edGe) computing employs a huge number of wireless embedded devices to enable end users with anywhere-anytime-to-anything connectivity. Due to their operating nature, wireless sensor nodes often work unattended, and hence are exposed to a variety of attacks. Preserving source-location privacy plays a key role in some wireless sensor network (WSN) applications. In this paper, a redundancy branch convergence-based preserved source location privacy scheme (RBCPSLP) is proposed for energy harvesting sensor networks, with the following advantages: numerous routing branches are created in non-hotspot areas with abundant energy, and those routing branches can merge into a few routing paths before they reach the hotspot areas. The generation time, the duration of routing, and the number of routing branches are then decided independently based on the amount of energy obtained, so as to maximize network energy utilization, greatly enhance privacy protection, and provide long network lifetimes. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the RBCPSLP scheme allows a several-fold improvement of the network energy utilization as well as the source location privacy preservation, while maximizing network lifetimes.
Analysis of the Barriers to Widespread Adoption of Electric Vehicles in Shenzhen China
Authors: Wang Fa-Ping , Yu Jia-Li , Yang Peng , Miao Li-Xin , Ye Bin
Published: March 2017

China promoted the large-scale adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in its 13th five-year plan; however, this target faces many obstacles. This paper analyzes the main barriers to widespread adoption of EVs through a survey in Shenzhen, which has the biggest EVs market share out of China’s major cities. Based on previous research, this paper conducted a new study using 406 approved questionnaires among 500 participants. Our study proposed five hypotheses to examine the main barriers to widespread adoption of EVs. The analysis was conducted using statistical method that included two-way frequency tables, chi-square test, and factor analysis. The results indicated that perception of advantages of EVs and access to recharging EVs remained the main barriers in large-scale penetration. Furthermore, our study revealed that a drop in financial incentives would not cause a significant decline in the future adoption of EVs. The study provides suggestions to car manufacturers and government policy advisors based on our analysis and discussion.
The Role of Knowledge Intensive Business Services on Romania’s Economic Revival and Modernization at the Regional Level
Authors: Busu Cristian , Busu Mihail
Published: March 2017

Knowledge intensive business services have recently become one of the most important themes addressed by researchers in the field. Their interest in such a subject is due primarily to the impact they have in terms of growth rate, especially for the economies of emerging countries. The literature in the field brings a series of persuasive arguments about the role that these services have both at national and regional levels. In this paper, the authors make a radiography of the Romanian research system which is passing through a transition phase from the ruins of communism to the challenges of globalization. Moreover, the authors analyse the role of performance-based services in Romania’s regional development in correlation with the economic growth target at the national scale. Quantitative methods used during the present paper highlight the disparities between Romania’s geographic regions in terms of technological development and research. In addition, the econometric model developed in the study emphasizes the cohesion degree corresponding to the European Union Member States.
Revived Beauty: Research into Aesthetic Appreciation of Materials to Valorise Materials from Waste
Authors: , Marita Sauerwein , Karana Elvin , Rognoli Valentina
Published: March 2017

The use of materials derived from waste is one of the prominent ways to contribute to sustainable product design. However, there is a stark gap in literature concerning how people appraise such materials. In this paper, we present our initial attempts to understand the aesthetic appreciation of materials, in particular those derived from discarded raw materials, i.e., revived materials. Two studies were conducted for which we took the aesthetic principle unity-in-variety as the departure point. In the first study, we explored material appraisals by testing whether different visual and tactile qualities interrelate with each other in a similar or contradictory way. Based on these findings, two revived materials were modified and our main assumptions were further explored in Study 2. We outline our findings and show that the aesthetic appreciation of a material can be influenced by the (in)congruity between visual and tactile qualities of the material.
Patterns of Gene Expression in Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) Neonates, Challenged with Cry34Ab1, Cry35Ab1 and Cry34/35Ab1, Based on Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Wang Haichuan , Eyun Seong-il , Arora Kanika , Tan Sek , Gandra Premchand , Moriyama Etsuko , Khajuria Chitvan , Jurzenski Jessica , Li Huarong , Donahue Maia , Narva Ken , Siegfried Blair
Published: March 2017

With Next Generation Sequencing technologies, high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNAseq) was conducted to examine gene expression in neonates of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (LeConte) (Western Corn Rootworm, WCR) challenged with individual proteins of the binary Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins, Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1, and the combination of Cry34/Cry35Ab1, which together are active against rootworm larvae. Integrated results of three different statistical comparisons identified 114 and 1300 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) in the Cry34Ab1 and Cry34/35Ab1 treatment, respectively, as compared to the control. No DETs were identified in the Cry35Ab1 treatment. Putative Bt binding receptors previously identified in other insect species were not identified in DETs in this study. The majority of DETs (75% with Cry34Ab1 and 68.3% with Cry34/35Ab1 treatments) had no significant hits in the NCBI nr database. In addition, 92 DETs were shared between Cry34Ab1 and Cry34/35Ab1 treatments. Further analysis revealed that the most abundant DETs in both Cry34Ab1 and Cry34/35Ab1 treatments were associated with binding and catalytic activity. Results from this study confirmed the nature of these binary toxins against WCR larvae and provide a fundamental profile of expression pattern of genes in response to challenge of the Cry34/35Ab1 toxin, which may provide insight into potential resistance mechanisms.
Simultaneous Detection of Both RNA and DNA Viruses Infecting Dry Bean and Occurrence of Mixed Infections by BGYMV, BCMV and BCMNV in the Central-West Region of Mexico
Authors: Chiquito-Almanza Elizabeth , Acosta-Gallegos Jorge , García-Álvarez Nadia , Garrido-Ramírez Eduardo , Montero-Tavera Victor , Guevara-Olvera Lorenzo , Anaya-López José
Published: March 2017

A multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed to simultaneously detect bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrotic virus (BCMNV), and bean golden yellow mosaic virus (BGYMV) from common bean leaves dried with silica gel using a single total nucleic acid extraction cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method. A mixture of five specific primers was used to amplify three distinct fragments corresponding to 272 bp from the AC1 gene of BGYMV as well as 469 bp and 746 bp from the CP gene of BCMV and BCMNV, respectively. The three viruses were detected in a single plant or in a bulk of five plants. The multiplex RT-PCR was successfully applied to detect these three viruses from 187 field samples collected from 23 municipalities from the states of Guanajuato, Nayarit and Jalisco, Mexico. Rates of single infections were 14/187 (7.5%), 41/187 (21.9%), and 35/187 (18.7%), for BGYMV, BCMV, and BCMNV, respectively; 29/187 (15.5%) samples were co-infected with two of these viruses and 10/187 (5.3%) with the three viruses. This multiplex RT-PCR assay is a simple, rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective method for detecting these viruses in the common bean and can be used for routine molecular diagnosis and epidemiological studies.
Vie chrétienne et liens familiaux : la perspective d’Ignace de Loyola
Authors: Malulu-Lock Gauthier
Published: March 2017

Ignace de Loyola avait-il une doctrine sur la famille ? Cet article examine le point de vue du fondateur des jésuites sur la famille et la place qu’elle occupe dans la vie chrétienne. L’A. relit l’expérience qu’Ignace a acquise au sein de ses propres relations familiales, puis regarde comment le saint a appliqué ses idées sur la famille dans son gouvernement de la Compagnie de Jésus et dans son enseignement.
Bons baisers de Russie ? Soixante années d’expansion du concept de planification sportive de L.P. Matwejew
Authors: Krüger Arnd , Loudcher Jean-François
Published: March 2017

Le scientifique L.P. Matweyew s’est demandé pourquoi certains participants soviétiques aux Jeux olympiques d’été de 1952 et 1956 ont atteint leur meilleur niveau à ce moment-là et d’autres non. En analysant leur entraînement, il a développé le concept de développement temporel optimal, c’est-à-dire de périodisation. Le concept a été testé en premier chez les athlètes soviétiques, puis dans les pays du Bloc de l’Est lors des Jeux olympiques ainsi que dans d’autres championnats internationaux. L’entraînement des athlètes d’Allemagne de l’Est pour les Jeux olympiques de 1968 a aussi suivi cette notion de périodisation, puis les Allemands de l’Ouest ont suivi. La traduction en allemand de Matweyew a servi de base pour la version française alors que celle américaine a dérivé de l’adaptation roumaine par Bompa. Le développement de ce concept se prolonge encore actuellement avec la victoire des skieurs de fond norvégiens reposant sur les mêmes approches. Comme les théories de Matweyew sont basées sur Pavlov, elles ont été discutées, après la chute du mur de Berlin, par Platonov qui a développé une réflexion plus axée sur une version biologique individualisée. La discussion actuelle des blocs de périodisation est utilisée pour montrer que le concept est toujours vivant et développé plus en détail par Issurin et d’autres. Les différences culturelles qui ont conduit à accepter ou à refuser l’acceptation de ce concept comme système national seront discutées dans cette présentation.
Social Video Learning with a Blended Learning Framework in German Soccer Trainer Education
Authors: Vohle Frank
Published: March 2017

This Case Study describes a Blended Learning Pilot Scheme with focus on Social Video Learning (SVL) in the context of education for popular sports trainers in the German Football Association. The didactic design provides information on target groups, learning targets and the structuring of the learning environment. Finally, the first evaluation results under the framework of a design-based research study show the positive assessments by students and trainers together with the potential for improvement in the redesign of the next development cycle.
Tracing Knowledge Flow as Strategy towards Measuring Corporate Knowledge
Authors: Syed Mustapha S.M.F.D
Published: March 2017

Corporate knowledge is essential mainly to knowledge-intensive organizations. Its success is always associated with the performance of the organization through ROI (Return of Investment). While the scope of corporate knowledge is wide, we redefine in the context of computational environment and demonstrate how corporate knowledge can be modelled and subsequently enabled it to be measured. With this new ability, the knowledge flow within the learning activities can be traced and the individual performance can be measured based on the learning goal being set.
Temporal aspects of info-serendipity
Authors: Solomon Yosef
Published: March 2017

Time has been explored under many different angles and contexts in the natural and exact sciences, as well as in the social sciences and the humanities. Nevertheless, the study of time and temporal aspects in relation to information serendipity is still in its early stages and quite limited. This article presents the topic of serendipitous information acquisition – i.e., fortuitous and unexpected discovery of valuable information – and highlights its key temporal expressions through a hermeneutic review of the current literature in the field of information science. The article explores and provides novel insights into four fundamental temporal aspects of serendipity: (1) temporal continuity and bi-directionality in the process of serendipity in information; (2) time frames of background concerns that lie at the basis of chance information encounters; (3) the semi-temporal classification of individuals who experience serendipity in information; as well as (4) temporal aspects of the benefits arising from such serendipitous episodes. The author calls for further exploration of temporal aspects involved and consecutive to such opportunistic discoveries of valuable information, within both information and time disciplines.
Evaluation of Changes of Mechanical Properties of Selected Cr-Ni-Mo Steels for Heavy Forgings during Long Time Annealing
Authors: Horník Jakub , Zuna Petr , Málek Jaroslav
Published: March 2017

The effect of long dwell time at elevated temperatures on two types of steels used for production of heavy forgings was evaluated. Microstructural changes and mechanical properties were monitored in temperature interval of 200 - 700 °C in order to avoid the possibility of grain boundary embrittlement during long dwell time at the processing temperature. Samples of the evaluated steels 26NiCrMoV14-5 and 22CrNiMoWV8-8 were being austenitized for 2 hours at temperature of 1200 °C and oil quenched. Subsequently the annealing at selected temperatures for 100 hours was applied. Tensile test, hardness and impact energy measurements were used for the evaluation. The results of mechanical testing, structural and fracture surface analyses indicate that for steels 26NiCrMoV145 and 22CrMoNiWV8-8 there exist a temperature interval of 300 - 400 °C and 500 600 °C respectively showing the toughness decrease.
Aging Precipitation Behaviour of Cr-Mn-N Austenitic Stainless Steels
Authors: Dománková Mária , Bártová Katarína , Pastier Peter
Published: March 2017

This work is focused on the austenite decomposition in Cr-Mn-N austenitic stainless steels. The experimental steels was solution heat treated (1100°C/30 min. followed by water quenching) and then annealed in the temperature range from 650 to 900°C for holding time 5 min. to 100 hours for the study of precipitation. The precipitation behaviour during isothermal aging was investigated using light optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that the phase composition of the precipitates depends on the chemical composition of the experimental steel. The critical temperature of precipitation is 825°C with the corresponding time 100 s.
Precipitation of Secondary Phases in a Supermartensitic 13Cr6Ni2.5MoTi Steel during Heat Treatment
Authors: Rožnovská Gabriela , Vodárek Vlastimil , Kuboň Zdeněk
Published: March 2017

The balance between strength and toughness of supermartensitic steels can be controlled by heat treatment parameters. Quality heat treatment usually consists of quenching and single or double tempering above the Ac1 temperature. Such a treatment results in stabilization of reverted austenite in the tempered martensite. Tempering can also be accompanied by intensive precipitation processes, especially in high alloyed grades. A detailed TEM characterisation of precipitation processes in a 13Cr6Ni2.5MoTi supermartensitic steel proved that single tempering at temperatures of 600°C and 690°C was accompanied by precipitation of three minor phases: MX (TiX), M23C6 and Laves phase (Fe2Mo type). Precipitation processes were more intensive at 690°C. Volume fractions of MX and M23C6 phases were low. Laves phase precipitation was intensive and particles of this minor phase grew fast. However, thermodynamic calculations using the Thermocalc software suggest that Laves phase is not an equilibrium phase in the steel under consideration.
Effect of Tempering on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Laser Welded and Post-Weld Treated AHSS Specimens
Authors: Forouzan Farnoosh , Strandqvist Nanny , Vuorinen Esa , Navara Erik , Mücklich Frank
Published: March 2017

An advanced high strength steel (0.08 %C, 1.79 %Mn, 0.23 %Si) was subjected to different post-weld heat treatments by quenching & tempering treatments (Q&T) after laser welding to reduce the risk of martensite formation in a few seconds based on an idea of quench and partitioning (Q&P), mechanism. The thermal stability of retained austenite, microstructure development and mechanical properties have been studied at 2 tempering temperatures of 440°C (Ms) and 636°C (Bs), both for 15 minutes, by means of electron microscopy, dilatometry, hardness profile and tensile tests. Dilatometer study unveiled that redistribution of carbon atoms and precipitation of transition carbides occur around 150°C and austenite decomposition occur at 600°C. Tempering at 636°C resulted in notable effect on the mechanical properties, while no significant difference was detected at 440°C, except a slight hardness drop. The strength increased up to 12% for the different specimens without significant loss in ductility for all specimens tempered at 636°C, which may be caused by precipitation hardening and recrystallization of martensite lath boundaries during tempering around 600°C.
Effect of Microsecond Pulse Laser Modification on Electromagnetic Properties of Grain Oriented Silicon Steel
Authors: Puchý Viktor , Kováč František , Petryshynets Ivan , Falat Ladislav
Published: March 2017

A microsecond pulsed laser beam was used to local magnetic domain modification of electrical grain oriented silicon steel. It was carried out using three different laser pulse regimes: a single pulse laser regime, a multipulse laser regime and a multipulse laser regime with modulation of laser pulses. The laser processing variables were pulse energy and and number of pulses. The samples were tested for nanohardness and coercivity before and after laser treatment. Light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and magnetic force microscopy were used to observe the cross-sectional profile, surface of the samples, and magnetic domain visualization, respectively. The local laser treatment of grain oriented silicon steel surface has been studied in terms of its influence on the magnetic domains and coercivity. It was found that laser-modified samples showed coercivity improvement in comparison to the non-treated samples. The most significant improvement in coercivity was obtained in the modulated multipulse regime and negligible improvement in the single pulse laser regime. Three main effects responsible for the observed improvement were identified, namely: magnetic domain refinement, influence of number of laser pulses and shape of laser HAZ profile. The present work highlights on differences in the magnetic domain structure, microstructure of the laser modified material and basic electromagnetic and mechanical properties. In present study, the pulse laser surface processing was presented as a useful energy efficient alternative to other techniques e.g. mechanical scribing, electrical discharge scribing, plasma jet scribing, etc. The refined magnetic domains in electrosteels are responsible for the observed low coercivity, which indicates perspective application of the investigated laser modified steels in the power transformer cores with lower core losses.
Influence of the Direct Metal Laser Sintering Process on the Fatigue Behavior of the Ti6Al4V Alloy
Authors: Bača Adrián , Konečná Radomila , Nicoletto Gianni
Published: March 2017

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is additive manufacturing (AM) process that can produce near net shape parts from metal powders such as titanium alloys. DMLS is a layer by layer additive manufacturing technique based on high power fiber laser that creates solid layers from loose powder material and joins them in an additive manner. The specific DMLS process conditions, lead to a specific and complex microstructure and to mechanical properties that show a degree of directionality. It was found that microstructural characteristics are related to the building process parameters. The aim of this work is to evaluate the fatigue performance of the Ti6Al4V alloy depending on the process parameters, building orientations and post-process heat treatment.
The Change of the Structure and Mechanical Properties of the Austenitic Steels after Exposure at the Critical Temperature
Authors: Stejskalová Šárka , Kander Ladislav , Hermanová Šárka
Published: March 2017

The paper deals with the change of the structure and mechanical properties of the austenitic steels after the exposure at the critical temperature. The effects of the bend radius of tubes including effect of solution annealing on the mechanical properties and the structure were studied. The mechanical properties were studied using small punch test (SPT) and miniaturized tensile tests. From the results can be concluded that the mechanical properties and the structure have been influenced due to one year exposure at the working temperature significantly. Various amounts of σ-phase were found in the pulled part of the bend side of the tubes even after only thermal exposure without any loading. The effect of the heat treatment and the bend radius on the mechanical properties and the structure was also evident. Drop in fracture energy due to the presence of the σ-phase in the structure was clearly detected from force - displacement record of the small punch test.
Keywords: Austenitic steels, bends, σ-phase, small punch test
Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of 2618 Al-Alloy Processed by SLM Remelting Strategy
Authors: Pantělejev Libor , Koutný Daniel , Paloušek David , Kaiser Jozef
Published: March 2017

Paper deals with the comparison of mechanical properties and microstructure of aluminium alloy 2618 fabricated by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and material of the same grade manufactured by standard extrusion process. The SLM specimens were fabricated with different processing strategies (meander and remelting). Presence of cracks was found in both cases of used strategies, but in case of meander strategy, crack are of shorter character and distributed rather within individual welds. In case of remelting strategy, cracks are oriented mostly parallel to building direction and transcend fusion boundaries (FB) across several layers. It was found that defects present in microstructure of SLM material significantly affect its mechanical properties. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) for extruded material reached 392 MPa, while for SLM material produced with meander strategy UTS was 273 MPa and for remelting strategy it was 24 MPa only.
Improvement of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Secondary AlSi8Cu2Mn Cast Alloy by Strontium
Authors: Tillová Eva , Chalupová Mária , Kuchariková Lenka , Belan Juraj , Vaško Alan , Švecová Ivana
Published: March 2017

Present work is focused on study of the effect of Sr-modification (0 %; 0.03 % and 0.05 %) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of recycled AlSi8Cu2Mn cast alloy. For study and identification of intermetallic phases’ were utilized standard, colour and deep etching in order to reveal the three-dimensional morphology of the silicon particles and intermetallic phases. For element composition of the specimen was used X-ray analysis. Finally, the effect of modification on silicon morphology, mechanical properties (UTS, ductility, hardness and impact energy) was examined.The results show that the addition of Sr into AlSi8Cu2Mn cast alloy should act as a modifier, so it supposes to change the eutectic Si-morphology. However, its effect as a Si-modifier is not as significant as we have expected. Strontium refined and changed morphology of Si and thereby improves mechanical properties, first of all ductility and impact energy.