bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Talent Management in Multinational Companies in Tunisia
Authors: Tamzini Khaled , Ayed Tahar Lazhar
Published: March 2017

This study aims to take stock of the practices and draw up the prospects for a relatively new approach in which companies begin to measure efficiency. This approach is none other than talent management. This study is based on a survey conducted among a panel of multinational subsidiaries operating in Tunisia, all sectors combined, respondents on the basis of a self-administered online questionnaire. This survey is considered as the first and the major survey of talent management in the subsidiaries of multinationals operating in Tunisia.
Liquid-Phase Exfoliation of Few-Layer Graphene and Effect of Sonication Time on Concentration of Produced Few Layer Graphene
Authors: Shah Syed Sajid Ali , Nasir Habib
Published: March 2017

Although graphene has been produced by various methods at lab scale, however, its cost effective mass production method is still a challenge. Graphene has been produced by liquid phase exfoliation, which is the most probable method for commercial production of graphene for various industrial applications.This paper reports high concentration production of few-layer graphene in DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) as solvent through liquid phase exfoliation assisted with sonication. The temperature was kept below 30oC. SEM, AFM, and XRD were used to characterize the produced graphene. SEM results confirm the production of few-layer graphene. EDX analysis shows that the graphene surface is free from oxides and impurities. AFM results also confirm the production of few-layer graphene. The UV-visible spectrophotometer was used to determine the concentration of the produced graphene, and the investigations demonstrate that the graphene production was increased by increasing the sonication time. There exist a linear relationship between the amount of produced graphene and sonication time for supplying energy during sonication.
Interactions between PA6 Ratio and Tensile Properties in PVA/PA6 Hybrid Nanofiber Yarns
Authors: Fakhrali Aref , Ebadi Seyed Vahid , Gharehaghaji Ali Akbar , Latifi Masoud , Moghassem Abdolrasool
Published: March 2017

In this study, we fabricated poly vinyl alcohol/polyamide 6 (PVA/PA6) hybrid nanofiber yarns and examined the influence of PA6 content on tensile properties of hybrid nanofiber yarns. The surface morphology of nanofiber yarns was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The average diameters of nanofibers in pure PA6 and pure PVA nanofibers yarns were 83±12 nm and 187±21 nm, respectively. The results showed that the strength of hybrid yarns was descending for PA6 contents below 16.5 % and ascending for higher contents. Also, by increasing the PA6 ratio in the hybrid yarn, the elongation at break was decreased. Three various models including: Hamburger, simple rule of mixtures (ROM) and hybrid models were applied to predict the tensile behavior of hybrid yarns. This study showed that neither ROM nor Hamburger’s models were capable of predicting the tensile properties of hybrid yarns. Whiles, hybrid model can predict properties with the lowest error (6.44 % error in strength values and 13.06 % error in elongation values prediction). Moreover, this model was modified further for higher performance. Our results demonstrate that the hybrid model can be applied in engineered tensile properties of nanofibrous yarns.
Synthesis of ZnS QDs with Different Values of pH and White Light Generation from Fabrication of TPD: PMMA/ZnS Hybrid Devices
Authors: Saleh Wasan R. , Kadim Akeel M.
Published: March 2017

Quantum dots (QDs) of zinc sulfide (ZnS) was prepared by chemical reaction with different potential of hydrogen (pH) and used to fabricate organic quantum dot hybrid junction device. The optical properties of QDs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis.) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer. The results show that the prepared QDs were nanocrystalline with defects formation. The energy gap (Eg)calculated from PL were 3.64, 3.53 and 3.35 eV for pH=8, 10 and 12 respectively. This decreasing of energy gaps is results of the effect the pH solution increases, which in turn leads to the shifted of the PL spectrum toward red shifted, which makes the energy bands at surface states are shallow bands. Fabrication of EL-device from ZnS QDs with different pH value was effective in efficient white light generation and can be the color of emerged light with different intensities.
La interactividad en el periodismo digital latinoamericano. Un análisis de los principales cibermedios de Colombia, México y Ecuador (2016)
Authors: Barredo-Ibáñez Daniel , Díaz-Cerveró Elba
Published: March 2017

América Latina, a grandes rasgos, es un continente con varios niveles contextuales, dependientes de las características históricas, económicas, políticas y sociales. Con todo, hay aspectos que –como la brecha tecnológica- se reproducen en mayor o menor medida en los distintos países. Dicha brecha promueve unas sociedades parcialmente desconectadas –y, por tanto, invisibilizadas- y tiende a aminorar las posibilidades de innovación y desarrollo del periodismo digital. Metodología: En este estudio, y a partir de un análisis de contenido, hemos analizado la gestión de la interactividad en 87 cibermedios de Colombia, México y Ecuador durante 2016. Resultados y conclusiones: Los resultados muestran una baja implementación general de las opciones de interactividad en los ecosistemas digitales de estos tres países latinoamericanos.
Immunity to Radiated Electromagnetic Fields-Bulk Current Injection (Bci) Method
Authors:   Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standards
Published: March 2017

This SAE Recommended Practice defines a method for evaluating the immunity of automotive electrical/electronic devices to radiated electromagnetic fields coupled to the vehicle wiring harness. The method, called Bulk Current Injection (BCI), uses a current probe to inject RF current from 1 to 400 MHz into the wiring harness of automotive devices. BCI is one of a number of test methods that can be used to simulate the electromagnetic field. For a list of others, see SAE J1113/1.
SAE Passenger Compartment Air Filter Test Code-Test Method for Gas Removing Filters
Authors:   Air Cleaner Test Code Standards Committee
Published: March 2017

This laboratory test method applies to air filters that improve air quality by reducing concentrations of gaseous, odorous, or hazardous components from ambient and/or re-circulated air in vehicle cabins. The test method provides information on pressure drop, as well as gas and/or vapor removal characteristics.

The purpose of the test method is to describe and establish test criteria to enable comparisons of filters and filter components that remove or reduce the levels of containment gases or vapors from air streams under specified laboratory conditions.
Network Management
Authors:   Truck Bus Control and Communications Network Committee
Published: March 2017

These SAE Recommended Practices are intended for light- and heavy-duty vehicles used on or off road as well as appropriate stationary applications which use vehicle derived components (e.g., generator sets). Vehicles of interest include, but are not limited to: on and off highway trucks and their trailers, construction equipment, and agricultural equipment and implements. The purpose of these documents is to provide an open interconnect system for electronic systems. It is the intention of these documents to allow Electronic Control Units to communicate with each other by providing a standard architecture. Network management in the SAE J1939 network is concerned with the management of source addresses and the association of those addresses with an actual function and with the detection and reporting of network related errors. Due to the nature of management of source addresses, network management also specifies initialization processes, requirements for reaction to brief power outages, and minimum requirements for ECUs on the network.
Force and Moment Test Method
Authors:   Highway Tire Committee
Published: March 2017

This SAE Recommended Practice describes the determination of passenger car and light truck tire force and moment properties on a belt-type flat surface test machine. It is suitable for accurately determining five tire forces and moments in steady-state under free-rolling conditions as a function of slip angle and normal force which are incrementally changed in a given sequence.
MANUAL CONTROLS FOR MATURE DRIVERS
Authors:   Mature Driver Standards Committee
Published: March 2017

Since little data exists to provide appropriate values for control parameters that would be appropriate for mature drivers, the following recommendations are of a general nature. However, they are based upon the current understanding of the aging processes that characterize mature drivers.

Notwithstanding the lack of an extensive amount of data in this field, the dissemination of this SAE Information Report is considered to be appropriate and timely in light of the large increase in the number of mature drivers on the public roads, and because of the need to at least initiate efforts toward developing an information report covering this issue.

It is realized that there may be cases where specific recommendations may conflict with vehicle packaging and/or operational requirements. Deviation from the recommendations may be necessary and permissible to achieve the best overall system performance.

A "mature" driver is defined as one who is over the age of 50 since visual changes become noticeable at about this age. Degenerative cognitive and skeletal changes visually become more apparent at a later age (Reference 1).
Connections for Fluid Power and General Use Ports and Stud Ends with ISO 261 Metric Threads and O-Ring Sealing, Part 3: Light-Duty (L Series) Stud Ends Dimensions, Design, Test Methods, and Requirements
Authors:   Hydraulic Tube Fittings Committee
Published: March 2017

This part of SAE J2244 specifies dimensions, performance
requirements, and test procedures for metric adjustable and
nonadjustable light-duty (L series) stud ends and O-rings.

Stud ends in accordance with this part of SAE J2244 may be used
at working pressures up to 40 MPa for nonadjustable stud ends and
31.5 MPa for adjustable stud ends. The permissible working pressure
depends upon materials, design, working conditions, applications,
etc.

For threaded ports and stud ends for use in new designs in
hydraulic fluid power applications, only SAE J2244 shall be used.
Threaded ports and stud ends in accordance with ISO 1179, ISO 9974,
and SAE J1926 (ISO 11926) shall not be used in new designs in
hydraulic fluid power applications.

Conformance to the dimensional information in this SAE Standard
does not guarantee rated performance. Each manufacturer shall
perform testing according to the specification contained in this
document to ensure that components made to this document comply
with the performance ratings.
CATEGORIZATION AND PROPERTIES OF LOW-CARBON AUTOMOTIVE SHEET STEELS
Authors:   Sheet and Strip Steel Committee
Published: March 2017

This SAE Recommended Practice establishes mechanical property ranges for low-carbon automotive hot-rolled sheet, cold-rolled sheet, and metallic-coated sheet steels. It also contains information that explains the different nomenclature used with these steels.
Performance Engine Building Recommended Practices
Authors:   Motor Vehicle Council
Published: March 2017

This SAE Recommended Practice applies to the function of building reciprocating spark-ignition engines which are used in conjunction with standard and high-performance ancillary components in applications intended to achieve a minimum of 1 hp/in3.

This document does not apply to rebuilt engines which may only be partially repaired with little or no machining, nor does it apply to second-hand or used engines.
Separação dos poderes e Estado de Direito: considerações a partir da teoria de Jeremy Waldron
Authors: Consani Cristina Foroni
Published: March 2017

Este artigo tem por objetivo revisitar a tradição teórica da separação dos poderes a partir de uma discussão proposta por Jeremy Waldron. O autor considera haver uma grande confusão conceitual entre três princípios, a saber: a separação dos poderes, a divisão dos poderes, e os freios e contrapesos. Em um artigo recente, ele se propõe a isolar e elucidar o conceito de separação dos poderes, defendendo a relevância desse princípio para a teoria e prática política e constitucional hodierna. Ao fazer isso, contudo, Waldron se afasta das teorias anteriores ao defender que a separação dos poderes não se destina necessariamente a limitar ou restringir a ação política, mas sim a canalizá-la, valorizando e promovendo ao mesmo tempo as práticas democráticas e o Estado de Direito.
Direito Civil e Pobreza: um diálogo com os juristas portugueses mais lidos no Brasil Imperial
Authors: Roberto Giordano Bruno Soares
Published: March 2017

O trabalho visa descobrir como a questão da pobreza foi tratada pelos civilistas portugueses mais lidos no Brasil Imperial, começando com o fornecimento de dados gerais, passando pela indicação de semelhanças e diferenças, e concluindo com a tentativa de contribuir para a compreensão das mudanças produzidas no intervalo em análise. Serão analisados textos de Melo Freire, Lobão, Borges Carneiro, Liz Teixeira, Corrêa Telles e Coelho da Rocha, produzidos entre a segunda metade do século XVIII e a primeira metade do século XIX.
Viver e morrer com dignidade: no que diferem e no que se assemelham a sucessão do cônjuge e a do companheiro à luz da doutrina e dos pronunciamentos dos tribunais?
Authors: Hironaka Giselda
Published: March 2017

Desde a promulgação e vigência do Código Civil de 2002, vigente para nós brasileiros, um dos mais polêmicos assuntos reiteradamente enfrentados pela doutrina e pelos tribunais é, certamente, a sucessão do cônjuge e do companheiro sobrevivo, estampada nos artigos 1.829 (combinado com o 1.832) e 1.790, respectivamente. Não poderia ter sido mais infeliz o legislador, ao registrar, em diferentes lócus as regras sobre um e outro caso, tratando desigualmente situações que já se encontravam constitucionalmente equalizadas no que diz respeito à tutela dos direitos decorrentes das relações advindas do casamento e da união estável. Este texto busca examinar criticamente essas divergências, apontando a urgente e imprescindível necessidade de reformas e/ou de exclusões legislativas que afastem as distorções inaceitáveis, alocando a sucessão do companheiro no mesmo patamar de direitos que se defere ao cônjuge, isto é, no espaço da sucessão legítima e com regras equalizadas.
Figuras do direito na Fenomenologia do Espírito a fenomenologia como doutrina do espírito objetivo?
Authors: Kervégan Jean-François , Calvet de Magalhães Theresa , A. Cattoni de Oliveira Marcelo
Published: March 2017

A Fenomenologia do Espírito ocupa um lugar à parte na obra de Hegel. Isso se comprova muito simplesmente quando se interroga sobre a posição que ela poderia ter, no sistema hegeliano, em sua organização definitiva, aquela que a Enciclopédia das Ciências Filosóficas apresenta, de modo muito condensado. É manifesto que o que se intitula aqui (nas 2ª e 3ª edições) “Fenomenologia do Espírito”, a saber, o momento mediano da doutrina do espírito subjetivo que trata da consciência, só corresponde a uma parte, estreitamente circunscrita, do propósito da obra de 1807: os cinco primeiros capítulos, reagrupados eles mesmos em três seções que correspondem às três primeiras subdivisões da “Fenomenologia do Espírito” da Enciclopédia – “A consciência como tal” (em 1807: “Consciência”); “A consciência de si” ou “A autoconsciência” (em 1807: idem); e “A razão” (em 1807: idem). Podemos compreender, então, que reputados comentaristas tenham sido tentados a concluir que há um recobrimento global do plano da “Filosofia do Espírito” da Enciclopédia e do plano da Fenomenologia – o capítulo VI desta torna-se, então, um primeiro esboço da doutrina do espírito objetivo; e os capítulos VII e VIII, uma antecipação da doutrina sistemática do espírito

absoluto.
Discurso constitucional colonial: um olhar para a decolonialidade e para o “novo” Constitucionalismo Latino-Americano
Authors: Sparemberger Raquel Fabiana , Damazio Eloize Peter
Published: March 2017

Este artigo trata do conceito de constitucionalismo por meio de uma lógica colonialista, exploradora e genocida, que se justificou e se consolidou a partir de categorias “universais”, como Constituição e Estado. Trata-se de ideias localizadas que são impostas como sendo o melhor para todos. O constitucionalismo, nesse contexto, assume historicamente um caráter moderno/colonial que resulta na subalternização de todo e qualquer saber não enquadrado no modelo pretensamente universal de Constituição. Aborda, nesse sentido, uma possível ruptura de tal perspectiva epistêmica moderno/colonial e subalternizadora, a partir do “novo constitucionalismo latino-americano”. Visa, sobretudo, questionar os marcos teóricos e epistêmicos do constitucionalismo moderno/colonial e uma ressignificação deste a partir de sujeitos e saberes tradicionalmente subalternizados. Trata-se de um processo descolonial do constitucionalismo que pode representar uma mudança de época com diferentes forças atuantes a partir de diferentes formas de pensamento que não almejam se estabelecer como universais.
Possibilities of developing novel potent antitumor agents from the leaves of Cryptomaria japonica
Authors: Basu Laxmi Rani , De Amiyangshu , Sarkar Pradipta , Karak Prithviraj , Dastidar Sujata G
Published: March 2017

During past few decades cancer has remained as the largest cause of mortality worldwide and number of patients suffering from cancer has been increasing at a fast rate. Hence medical research during the last few decades has been concentrating on identification and characterization of new synthetic pharmacological compounds to overcome this enormous problem. Leaf extracts of coniferous plant Cryptomeria japonica being known for their strong antibacterial and antifungal functions were selected to determine their antitumor/anticancer potentialities.

Methanolic extract of leaves were tested to determine its antitumor action in standard murine model of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC). Graded doses of the extract were given intraperitoneally to batches of mice, who received EAC challenge after 3hr. Treatment with same amounts of extract was continued for 9 consecutive days. Protective capacity of the leaf extract was evaluated in animals.

Statistically significant protection was observed  with respect to different parameters including  tumor volume , tumor cell count , viable tumor cell count, non- viable tumor cell count , mean survival time and increase in life span. Simultaneously hematological parameters were restored in treated mice vis-à-vis untreated control animals. Furthermore, the extract revealed distinct cytotoxic property, which may be the relevant reason of its anticancer/antitumor function.
This study shows efficacy of methanolic extract of leaves of Cryptomeria japonica as a probable antitumor/anticancer agent. Phytochemical analysis of the extract showed presence of flavonoids, which are known to possess significant anticancer activity. Thus there is a definite possibility of developing novel anticancer drugs from such plant products
HPLC-UV profile of Genista ulicina Spach. (Fabaceae) extracts and in vitro antioxidant activity
Authors: Chebbah Kaoutar , Marchioni Eric , Sarri Djamel , Menad Ahmed , Mekkiou Ratiba , Seghiri Ramdane , Boumaza Ouahiba , Benayache Samir , Benayache Fadila
Published: March 2017

To perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phenolic and flavonoid contents and evaluate the antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (n-BuOH) extracts of the aerial parts of Genista ulicina Spach. from Algeria. The qualitative analysis of plant extracts was carried out by RP-HPLC using UV detector, whereas the quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid contents was completed according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and aluminium chloride colorimetric method respectively. To evaluate the extract's antioxidant activity, Two in vitro antioxidant tests were employed: DPPH and β-carotene bleaching assay. The HPLC/DAD chromatogram showed several peaks indicating the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and isoflavonoids in both extracts. The total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 62.56 and 50.45 mgGAE/g extract, while the total flavonoids content varied between 53.1 and 48.4 mgQE/g extract for EtOAC and n-BuOH respectively. EtOAc extract showed a maximum inhibition value (78.15%) at 150µg/mL using DPPH test and highest antioxidative power (82.42%) using β-carotene bleaching assay comparing with standards. The HPLC-UV analysis showed the richeness of both extracts in phenolic and flavonoid contents. The EtOAc extract exhibited good antioxidant activities comparing to the n-BuOH extract. Thus Genista ulicina could be indicated as a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance.
Effects of lycium and lycium-composed formula on the peripheral coldness induced by local cooling in mice
Authors: Zhou Jian-Rong , Ishikawa Bunka , Nakashima Mihoko , Yokomizo Kazumi
Published: March 2017

Recently people appealing for peripheral coldness increase. Lycium fruits have a long tradition of use in nutrition and traditional medicine in East Asia, while its effect on peripheral coldness is not yet investigated. We study the effects of lycium and lycium-rich formula (Ligustrum lucidum ait, LLA) on the peripheral coldness induced by local cooling in mice.

7-week old male ddY mice were administered either water (control) or lycium or LLA for 2 weeks. After an aesthesia, the mouse body except for head was immersed into 10 ℃ water for 10 min. Then the skin surface and rectal temperature of mouse were measured with a thermocamera and a thermocouple thermometer, respectively. And two laser Doppler flow probes were set to measure the skin blood flow of plantar and tail, respectively.

In the case of 1-week administration on mice, 10% lycium- and 10% LLA-treatments showed good recovery of whole body surface temperature measured by a thermocamera. After 2-week administration on mice, there were not significant differences in the recovery rates of rectal temperature compared with those of the control group. And the 30 min- and 50 min-recovery rates of dorsal skin surface temperature by 1% and 10% lycium-treatment were significantly higher than those of the respective control. Further, the 30 min- and 50 min-plantar skin blood flow by 10% LLA-treatment were significantly higher than those of the respective control. The 50 min-tail skin blood flow by 10% LLA-treatment and 60 min-tail skin blood flow by 1% LLA-treatment were significantly higher than those of the control, respectively.
It can be concluded that the administration of lycium or LLA on mouse led to an increase of peripheral blood blow, and thus a recovery of skin surface temperature.
In silico investigations revealed four potential colon cancer drugs from phytochemicals in Zingiber officinale
Authors: Ezebuo Fortunatus Chidolue , Lukong Colin B , Uzochukwu Ikemefuna C , Okafor Irene N
Published: March 2017

Cancer is a difficult disease to treat, and few effective drugs are available. Hence, it is of great importance to develop effective anti-cancer therapeutic agents with well-defined pharmacokinetic properties. Although, ginger (Zingiber officinale) has a number of proven pharmacological activities, its effect on colon cancer has not received much attention.  This study therefore investigated the potential colon cancer drug of compounds found in ginger. Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase was modeled using comparative homology modeling and virtual screening was performed locally on a Linux platform using AutoDock Vina®. The results showed that human dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase is a homolog of pig dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase. The leads of potential colon cancer drugs were beta-sitosterol, 6-Shogoal, Alloaromadedrene, and Zingiberol. They had similar binding site with levamisole for tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 6 with His 148 and Tyr 192 common at their binding site whereas they had  different binding sites from 5-fluorouracil for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase. The leads had better bioactivities compared with reference drugs (5-flourouracil and Levamisole) approved clinically for the treatment of colon cancer. In vitro, ex vivo and/or in vivo validations of the leads against colon cancer are recommended. 
Identification of natural products and their derivatives as promising inhibitors of protein glycation with non-toxic nature against mouse fibroblast 3T3 cells
Authors: Abbas Ghulam , Al-Harrasi Ahmed Suliman , Hussain Hidayat , Sattar Samina Abdul , Choudhary M. Iqbal
Published: March 2017

This study was performed to identify new inhibitors of protein glycation in vitro. Protein glycation is one of the major causes of late diabetic complications. In this study, terpenoids and alkaloids, isolated from different medicinal plants, along with their derivatives, were evaluated for their antiglycation activity in vitro, while MTT assay on mouse fibroblast 3T3 cells was used to assess their potential cytotoxicity. Among the tested compounds, gossypol (2,2′-bis-(formyl-1,6,7-trihydroxy-5-isopropyl-3-methylnaphthalene) (1), isolated from Gossypium herbaceum, and its derivatives, gossypol acetic acid (2), gossypolidene- 4-aminoantipyrine (4), and gazolidone (6), showed a potent antiglycation activity (IC50 < 16 µM), while gossypolidene-4-aminoantipyrine (5) showed a significant antiglycation activity with IC50 value 82.934±2.924 µM, in BSA-fluorescence assay. Alkaloid, noscapine (3S)-6,7-Dimethoxy-3-[(5R)-4-methoxy-6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahy-dro-1,3-dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinolin-5-yl] isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (7), isolated from Papaver somniferum, N-nitrosoaphyllinic acid (9), a derivative of alkaloid aphylline, and 2H-quinolizine, octahydro salt (11), a salt of alkaloid lupinine, exhibited significant inhibition activity with IC50 values 152.662±5.432, 393.758 ±4.001 µM and 110.203±4.816µM, respectively. Similarly, compounds gossypolidene thiocarbamide (3), deoxypeganine hydrochloride (8), lupinine (10) and cytisine (12) showed moderate inhibition with IC50 values of 401.865 ±18.450, 863.322 ±6.415, 712.176±7.745, and 728.462±2.331 µM, respectively. The results were compared with the standard antiglycation agent, rutin (13) (IC50 =98.012±2.030 µM).
Cellular cytotoxicity assay showed only gossypol acetic acid (2) and gossypolidene thiocarbamide (3) as somewhat toxic to 3T3 (mouse fibroblast) cells with IC50 values 2.07 ±0.61 and 5.00 ±1.89 µM, respectively. Cycloheximide was used as a standard in this assay with IC50 value 0.3 ± 0.089 μM
Preclinical safety assessment and mutagenicity of the hydroethanolic extract of Syzygium campanulatum leaves.
Authors: Farsi Elham , Esmailli Kameh , Shafaei Armaghan , Ahamed Mohamed B Khadeer , Abdul Majid Aman Shah , Abdul Sattar Munavvar Zubaid , Abdul Majid Amin Malik Shah
Published: March 2017

Syzygium campanulatum (Myrtaceae) is a species indigenous to Southeast Asia, a widely consumed medicinal herb and rich in phytochemical content and notable antiangiogenic and anti-colon cancer. Safety reports of administration of S. campanulatum are however lacking.

In this study, we investigated the quality of dried leaves, chemical composition analyzed by FTIR and HPLC, phytochemicals content and repeated doses toxicity and mutagenicity effect of the hydroethanolic extract of S.

campanulatum leaves (HESCL). The rats were divided into experimental and control groups and fed with 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg/day of the hydroethanolic extract of S. campanulatum leaves for 28 and 90 days and with a single dose of 5000 mg/kg in acute study.

The obtained results showed the dry leaves of S. campanulatum were devoid of any heavy metal and microbial contamination. The major components of HESCL were, respectively betulinic acid (60.43 mg/g.), total glycol saponins, total phenolics, total proteins, total tannins, and total flavonoids. No mutagenicity was detected in S. typhimurium auxotroph and no signs of clinical toxicity and mortality were observed in the experimental groups after 28 and 90-day experiment. However, significant (p < 0.05) statistical deviations were observed in hematological, and biochemical parameters but they were within the normal clinical range for rat, therefore not considered treatment-related.

Based on these findings the fifty percent lethal dose was > 5000 mg/kg and the NOAEL was up to 2000 mg/kg for 90 days, as such HESCL is a relatively safe herb.
Brominated VSLS and their influence on ozone under a changing
climate
Authors: Falk Stefanie , Sinnhuber Björn-Martin , Krysztofiak Gisèle , Jöckel Patrick , Graf Phoebe , Lennartz Sinikka T.
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Very short-lived source gases (VSLS) contribute significantly to the tropospheric and stratospheric bromine loading. At present, an estimated 25 % of stratospheric bromine is of oceanic origin. In this study, we investigate how climate change may impact the ocean-atmosphere flux of brominated VSLS, their atmospheric transport, chemical transformations, and evaluate how these changes will affect stratospheric ozone over the 21st century. Under the assumption of fixed ocean water concentrations and RCP6.0 scenario, we find an increase of the ocean-atmosphere flux of brominated VSLS of about 8–10 % by the end of the 21st century compared to present day. A decrease in the tropospheric mixing ratios of VSLS and an increase in the lower stratosphere are attributed to changes in atmospheric chemistry and transport. Our model simulations reveal that, in line with the reduction in the troposphere, the total amount of bromine from VSLS in the stratosphere will decrease during the 21st century. Part of the apparent increase of VSLS in the tropical lower stratosphere results from an increase in the corresponding tropopause height. As the depletion of stratospheric ozone due to bromine depends also on the availability of chlorine, we find the impact of bromine on stratospheric ozone at the end of the 21st century reduced compared to present day. Thus, these studies highlight the different factors influencing the role of brominated VSLS in a future climate.
Technical note: On the intercalibration of HIRS channel 12 brightness temperatures following the transition from HIRS 2 to HIRS 3/4 for ice saturation studies
Authors: Gierens Klaus , Eleftheratos Kostas
Published: March 2017

Abstract. In the present study we explore the capability of the intercalibrated HIRS brightness temperature data at channel 12 (the HIRS water vapour channel; T12) to reproduce ice supersaturation in the upper troposphere during the period 1979–2014. Focus is given on the transition from the HIRS 2 to the HIRS 3 instrument in the year 1999, which involved a shift of the central wavelength in channel 12 from 6.7 to 6.5 µm. It is shown that this shift produced a discontinuity in the time series of low T12 values ( < 235 K) and associated cases of high upper-tropospheric humidity with respect to ice (UTHi  > 70 %) in the year 1999 which prevented us from maintaining a continuous, long-term time series of ice saturation throughout the whole record (1979–2014). We show that additional corrections are required to the low T12 values in order to bring HIRS 3 levels down to HIRS 2 levels. The new corrections are based on the cumulative distribution functions of T12 from NOAA 14 and 15 satellites (that is, when the transition from HIRS 2 to HIRS 3 occurred). By applying these corrections to the low T12 values we show that the discontinuity in the time series caused by the transition of HIRS 2 to HIRS 3 is not apparent anymore when it comes to calculating extreme UTHi cases. We come up with a new time series for values found at the low tail of the T12 distribution, which can be further exploited for analyses of ice saturation and supersaturation cases. The validity of the new method with respect to typical intercalibration methods such as regression-based methods is presented and discussed.
Evaluation of machine learning algorithms for classification of primary biological aerosol using a new UV-LIF spectrometer
Authors: Ruske Simon , Topping David O. , Foot Virginia E. , Kaye Paul H. , Stanley Warren R. , Crawford Ian , Morse Andrew P. , Gallagher Martin W.
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Characterisation of bioaerosols has important implications within environment and public health sectors. Recent developments in ultraviolet light-induced fluorescence (UV-LIF) detectors such as the Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Spectrometer (WIBS) and the newly introduced Multiparameter Bioaerosol Spectrometer (MBS) have allowed for the real-time collection of fluorescence, size and morphology measurements for the purpose of discriminating between bacteria, fungal spores and pollen.This new generation of instruments has enabled ever larger data sets to be compiled with the aim of studying more complex environments. In real world data sets, particularly those from an urban environment, the population may be dominated by non-biological fluorescent interferents, bringing into question the accuracy of measurements of quantities such as concentrations. It is therefore imperative that we validate the performance of different algorithms which can be used for the task of classification.For unsupervised learning we tested hierarchical agglomerative clustering with various different linkages. For supervised learning, 11 methods were tested, including decision trees, ensemble methods (random forests, gradient boosting and AdaBoost), two implementations for support vector machines (libsvm and liblinear) and Gaussian methods (Gaussian naïve Bayesian, quadratic and linear discriminant analysis, the k-nearest neighbours algorithm and artificial neural networks).The methods were applied to two different data sets produced using the new MBS, which provides multichannel UV-LIF fluorescence signatures for single airborne biological particles. The first data set contained mixed PSLs and the second contained a variety of laboratory-generated aerosol.Clustering in general performs slightly worse than the supervised learning methods, correctly classifying, at best, only 67. 6 and 91. 1 % for the two data sets respectively. For supervised learning the gradient boosting algorithm was found to be the most effective, on average correctly classifying 82. 8 and 98. 27 % of the testing data, respectively, across the two data sets.A possible alternative to gradient boosting is neural networks. We do however note that this method requires much more user input than the other methods, and we suggest that further research should be conducted using this method, especially using parallelised hardware such as the GPU, which would allow for larger networks to be trained, which could possibly yield better results.We also saw that some methods, such as clustering, failed to utilise the additional shape information provided by the instrument, whilst for others, such as the decision trees, ensemble methods and neural networks, improved performance could be attained with the inclusion of such information.
Replacing the AMOR by the miniDOAS in the ammonia monitoring network in the Netherlands
Authors: Berkhout A. J. C. Stijn , Swart Daan P. J. , Volten Hester , Gast Lou F. L. , Haaima Marty , Verboom Hans , Stefess Guus , Hafkenscheid Theo , Hoogerbrugge Ronald
Published: March 2017

Abstract. In this paper we present the continued development of the miniDOAS, an active differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) instrument to measure ammonia concentrations in ambient air. The miniDOAS has been adapted for use in the Dutch National Air Quality Monitoring Network. The miniDOAS replaces the life-expired continuous-flow denuder ammonia monitor (AMOR). From September 2014 to December 2015, both instruments measured in parallel before the change from AMOR to miniDOAS was made. The instruments were deployed on six monitoring stations throughout the Netherlands. We report on the results of this intercomparison. Both instruments show a good uptime of ca. 90 %, adequate for an automatic monitoring network. Although both instruments produce minute values of ammonia concentrations, a direct comparison on short timescales such as minutes or hours does not give meaningful results, because the AMOR response to changing ammonia concentrations is slow. Comparisons between daily and monthly values show a good agreement. For monthly averages, we find a small average offset of 0.65 ± 0.28 µg m−3 and a slope of 1.034 ± 0.028, with the miniDOAS measuring slightly higher than the AMOR. The fast time resolution of the miniDOAS makes the instrument not only suitable for monitoring but also for process studies.
Quantification of multiple simultaneously occurring nitrogen flows in the euphotic ocean
Authors: Xu Min Nina , Wu Yanhua , Zheng Li Wei , Zheng Zhenzhen , Zhao Huade , Laws Edward A. , Kao Shuh-Ji
Published: March 2017

Abstract. The general features of the N cycle in the sunlit region of the ocean are well known, but methodological difficulties have previously confounded simultaneous quantification of transformation rates among the many different forms of N, e.g., ammonium (NH4+), nitrite (NO2−), nitrate (NO3−), and particulate/dissolved organic nitrogen (PN/DON). However, recent advances in analytical methodology have made it possible to employ a convenient isotope labeling technique to quantify in situ fluxes among oft-measured nitrogen species within the euphotic zone. Addition of a single 15N-labeled NH4+ tracer and monitoring of the changes in the concentrations and isotopic compositions of the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), PN, NH4+, NO2−, and NO3− pools allowed us to quantify the 15N and 14N fluxes simultaneously. Constraints expressing the balance of 15N and 14N fluxes between the different N pools were expressed in the form of simultaneous equations, the unique solution of which via matrix inversion yielded the relevant N fluxes, including rates of NH4+, NO2−, and NO3− uptake; ammonia oxidation; nitrite oxidation; DON release; and NH4+ uptake by bacteria. The matrix inversion methodology that we used was designed specifically to analyze the results of incubations under simulated in situ conditions in the euphotic zone. By taking into consideration simultaneous fluxes among multiple N pools, we minimized potential artifacts caused by non-targeted processes in traditional source–product methods. The proposed isotope matrix method facilitates post hoc analysis of data from on-deck incubation experiments and can be used to probe effects of environmental factors (e.g., pH, temperature, and light) on multiple processes under controlled conditions.
The use of bed sediments in water quality studies and monitoring programs
Authors: Horowitz Arthur J. , Elrick Kent A.
Published: March 2017

Abstract. In most water quality monitoring programs, either filtered water (dissolved) or suspended sediment (either whole water or separated suspended sediment) are the traditional sample media of choice. This results both from regulatory requirements and a desire to maintain consistency with long-standing data collection procedures. Despite the fact that both bed sediments and/or flood plain deposits have been used to identify substantial water quality issues, they rarely are used in traditional water quality monitoring programs. The usual rationale is that bed sediment chemistry does not provide the temporal immediacy that can be obtained using more traditional sample media (e.g., suspended sediment, water). However, despite the issue of temporal immediacy, bed sediments can be used to address/identify certain types of water quality problems and could be employed more frequently for that purpose. Examples where bed sediments could be used include: (1) identifying potential long-term monitoring sites/water quality hot spots, (2) establishing a water quality/geochemical history for a particular site/area, and (3) as a surrogate for establishing mean/median chemical values for suspended sediment.
Las retóricas del palimpsesto y la Edad Media en la poesía de Pere Gimferrer
Authors: Mérida Jiménez Rafael M.
Published: March 2017

Pere Gimferrer es uno de los creadores más prestigiosos del panorama literario español de las últimas cinco décadas, tanto en lengua española como catalana. En este artículo son analizadas las diversidades modalidades de apropiación de las letras hispánicas medievales (occitanas, catalanas y castellanas) en dos de sus obras más recientes (Alma Venus y El castell de la puresa) con el objetivo de valorar hasta qué punto este legado se ha convertido en núcleo central de su poética reciente.
Sobre el topónimo altoaragonés Engotituero (no Ongotituero) y su etimología
Authors: Vázquez Obrador Jesús
Published: March 2017

En este trabajo se revisa y replantea tanto la existencia del significante Ongotituero para un topónimo de Linás de Broto (Huesca), como la etimología (FONTE *GUTTATŌRIU) propuesta para él por el filólogo británico W. D. Elcock, aspectos ambos que otros estudiosos han aceptado. A raíz del testimonio de un significante distinto, Engotituero, que es el reconocido hoy por los habitantes de la localidad como correcto, se puede establecer otro origen lingüístico que no presenta tantos inconvenientes para su aceptación. Así, este segundo vocablo se puede explicar como un derivado en -tuero (< -TŌRIU), sufijo hoy improductivo en aragonés, formado sobre el verbo arcaico y no documentado *engotir, correspondiente del castellano antiguo engollir ‘engullir’, cuya /t/ es producto de la evolución final de la geminada -LL- presente en la base originaria del verbo.
Metaplastic Ossification of the Temporal Artery with Osteoclast-Like Giant Cells: A Mimicker of Giant Cell (Temporal) Arteritis
Authors: Sekulic Miroslav , Truskinovsky Alexander M.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To describe a patient presenting with suspected giant cell (temporal) arteritis (GCA) in whom subsequent temporal artery biopsy showed luminal narrowing by medial calcification, metaplastic ossification, and fibrointimal proliferation, consistent with calciphylaxis.

Methods

A 55-year-old man with end-stage renal disease presented with unilateral loss of vision and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and was initially treated as though he had GCA; however, a subsequent temporal artery biopsy showed marked luminal narrowing by medial calcification, metaplastic ossification, and fibrointimal proliferation, consistent with calciphylaxis. In addition, the tunica media of the affected artery contained multinucleate giant cells, but these represented osteoclasts and foreign body giant cells reacting to calcium, rather than a part of GCA.

Results

This is a rare report of metaplastic ossification and the finding of non-GCA-related giant cells in the tunica media of the temporal artery, thus representing a clinical and histopathologic mimicker of GCA.

Conclusions

The clinical differential diagnosis of GCA includes other etiologies that can present similarly; however, temporal artery biopsy can discern the underlying pathology. Importantly, the identification of giant cells is not required for the diagnosis of GCA, and likewise, as our case shows, the finding of giant cells in the wall of a temporal artery does not always imply a diagnosis of GCA.
Rose’s Gift: Slavery, Kinship, and the Fabric of Memory
Authors: Auslander Mark
Published: March 2017

One of the most evocative objects in the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is an embroidered cloth bag that has come to be known as “Ashley’s Sack”. Stitch-work on the bag, signed “Ruth Middleton”, recounts the bag’s painful history, as a gift presented by an enslaved woman, Rose, to her daughter Ashley, when Ashley was sold at age nine in South Carolina. This paper explores ‘Ashley’s sack’ as an object of history, memory, ritual action, and aesthetic creativity.
A Radical Shift to a Profound and Rigorous Investigation in Political Discourse: An Integrated Approach
Authors: Kazemian Bahram , Hashemi Somayyeh
Published: March 2017

Drawing on overarching methodological frameworks of Hallidayan grammatical metaphor, Fairclough’s perspective on critical discourse analysis and rhetoric, this study attempts to posit a novel, integrated and practical approach to political, the media, advertisement and other discourses. To this end and based on the proposed approach, it aims to critically and eclectically exemplify and dissect three speeches delivered by Mr. Barack Obama, former president of the US, to first manifest the integrated approach practicality and adeptness through analysis; then by virtue of analysis to unveil how language is manipulated and distorted by orators in order to convey seamlessly intended messages and political creeds to the audience. Surveying recent annals of literature, to date no one has conducted an integrated study applying these disciplines in an individual paper and this study as a trial one can be useful for upcoming research. The analysis depicts practicality and efficiency of the integrated approach and displays that the speeches abound with nominalizations, modal verbs, parallelisms and antitheses. Furthermore, there are some three-part listing, the use of passivization, quotations and modality metaphors. Therefore, a tendency to utilize more nominalizations, parallelism and other devices by the speaker can be a fundamental reason for making his political language more powerful, impressive, persuasive and ambiguous as well.
A Sociolinguistic Study on the Diminishing Features of the Punjabi Lexicon
Authors: Din Muhammad , Ghani Mamuna
Published: March 2017

This sociolinguistic study strives to bring to light the linguistic changes that seem to have occurred over a few decades in the Punjabi lexicon in Pakistan. The researchers have adopted two research strategies for underlining the assumed changes. This study has tried to get insight into the diminishing features of Punjabi lexicon by juxtaposing the current Punjabi lexicon with the lexicon used in the old Punjabi movies and songs. This has involved gleaning lexical items which are no longer used in the current public discourses from the old and famous Punjabi movies (Heer & MirzaSahiba) and their songs. To further substantiate the findings of the study, the researchers got a questionnaire filled by 110 educated Punjabi speakers who aged 40-50. In the questionnaire, the respondents were asked about their opinion regarding the perceived changes in Punjabi lexicon of public discourses that have occurred over the past few decades. The findings of the study reveal that there have occurred noticeable changes due to social, educational, industrial and technological advancement, and particularly the spread of electronic media in the Punjabi community in Pakistan.
Caracterización de las concepciones de complejidad de un grupo de investigadores de la educación ambiental.
Authors: Calafell Subirà Genina , Banqué Martinez Neus
Published: March 2017

La investigación presenta la caracterización de las concepciones de complejidad de un grupo de investigadores de educación ambiental (EA). El artículo parte de la hipótesis de que la EA como disciplina evoluciona e incorpora la complejidad. El referente teórico son las aportaciones de la complejidad a la educación ambiental (perspectiva epistemológica y ontológica). La metodología es de carácter descriptivo e interpretativo con un análisis de datos mixto (cualitativo y cuantitativo). Los resultados aportan (1) ámbitos, categorías y subcategorías que orientan el análisis de las concepciones de la complejidad y (2) aportaciones y reflexiones sobre cómo se incorpora la complejidad en el campo de la EA y perspectivas futuras.