bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Heat Stress on Metabolite Accumulation and Composition, and Nutritional Properties of Durum Wheat Grain
Authors: De Leonardis Anna , Fragasso Mariagiovanna , Beleggia Romina , Ficco Donatella , De Vita Pasquale , Mastrangelo Anna
Published: December 2015

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum (L.) subsp. turgidum (L.) convar. durum (Desf.)) is momentous for human nutrition, and environmental stresses can strongly limit the expression of yield potential and affect the qualitative characteristics of the grain. The aim of this study was to determine how heat stress (five days at 37 °C) applied five days after flowering affects the nutritional composition, antioxidant capacity and metabolic profile of the grain of two durum wheat genotypes: “Primadur”, an elite cultivar with high yellow index, and “T1303”, an anthocyanin-rich purple cultivar. Qualitative traits and metabolite evaluation (by gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometry) were carried out on immature (14 days after flowering) and mature seeds. The effects of heat stress were genotype-dependent. Although some metabolites (e.g., sucrose, glycerol) increased in response to heat stress in both genotypes, clear differences were observed. Following the heat stress, there was a general increase in most of the analyzed metabolites in “Primadur”, with a general decrease in “T1303”. Heat shock applied early during seed development produced changes that were observed in immature seeds and also long-term effects that changed the qualitative and quantitative parameters of the mature grain. Therefore, short heat-stress treatments can affect the nutritional value of grain of different genotypes of durum wheat in different ways.
Fabrication, Properties and Applications of Dense Hydroxyapatite: A Review
Authors: Prakasam Mythili , Locs Janis , Salma-Ancane Kristine , Loca Dagnija , Largeteau Alain , Berzina-Cimdina Liga
Published: December 2015

In the last five decades, there have been vast advances in the field of biomaterials, including ceramics, glasses, glass-ceramics and metal alloys. Dense and porous ceramics have been widely used for various biomedical applications. Current applications of bioceramics include bone grafts, spinal fusion, bone repairs, bone fillers, maxillofacial reconstruction, etc. Amongst the various calcium phosphate compositions, hydroxyapatite, which has a composition similar to human bone, has attracted wide interest. Much emphasis is given to tissue engineering, both in porous and dense ceramic forms. The current review focusses on the various applications of dense hydroxyapatite and other dense biomaterials on the aspects of transparency and the mechanical and electrical behavior. Prospective future applications, established along the aforesaid applications of hydroxyapatite, appear to be promising regarding bone bonding, advanced medical treatment methods, improvement of the mechanical strength of artificial bone grafts and better in vitro/in vivo methodologies to afford more particular outcomes.
Efficiency Enhancement of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells’ Performance with ZnO Nanorods Grown by Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Reaction
Authors: Lai Fang-I , Yang Jui-Fu , Kuo Shou-Yi
Published: December 2015

In this study, aligned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) with various lengths (1.5–5 µm) were deposited on ZnO:Al (AZO)-coated glass substrates by using a solution phase deposition method; these NRs were prepared for application as working electrodes to increase the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of solar cells. The results were observed in detail by using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, incident photo-to-current conversion efficiency, and solar simulation. The results indicated that when the lengths of the ZnO NRs increased, the adsorption of D-719 dyes through the ZnO NRs increased along with enhancing the short-circuit photocurrent and open-circuit voltage of the cell. An optimal power conversion efficiency of 0.64% was obtained in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) containing the ZnO NR with a length of 5 µm. The objective of this study was to facilitate the development of a ZnO-based DSSC.
Protective Effect of Chitin Urocanate Nanofibers against Ultraviolet Radiation
Authors: Ito Ikuko , Yoneda Toshikazu , Omura Yoshihiko , Osaki Tomohiro , Ifuku Shinsuke , Saimoto Hiroyuki , Azuma Kazuo , Imagawa Tomohiro , Tsuka Takeshi , Murahata Yusuke , Ito Norihiko , Okamoto Yoshiharu , Minami Saburo
Published: December 2015

Urocanic acid is a major ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing chromophore. Chitins are highly crystalline structures that are found predominantly in crustacean shells. Alpha-chitin consists of microfibers that contain nanofibrils embedded in a protein matrix. Acid hydrolysis is a common method used to prepare chitin nanofibrils (NFs). We typically obtain NFs by hydrolyzing chitin with acetic acid. However, in the present study, we used urocanic acid to prepare urocanic acid chitin NFs (UNFs) and examined its protective effect against UVB radiation. Hos: HR-1 mice coated with UNFs were UVB irradiated (302 nm, 150 mJ/cm2), and these mice showed markedly lower UVB radiation-induced cutaneous erythema than the control. Additionally, sunburn cells were rarely detected in the epidermis of UNFs-coated mice after UVB irradiation. Although the difference was not as significant as UNFs, the number of sunburn cells in mice treated with acetic acid chitin nanofibrils (ANFs) tended to be lower than in control mice. These results demonstrate that ANFs have a protective effect against UVB and suggest that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of NFs influence the protective effect of ANFs against UVB radiation. The combination of NFs with other substances that possess UV-protective effects, such as urocanic acid, may provide an enhanced protective effect against UVB radiation.
Hot Ductility Loss in a Fe-Ni-Based Superalloy
Authors: Li Chen-Wei , Yeh An-Chou , Chen Chi-San , Wang Woei-Ren
Published: December 2015

High temperature tensile tests have been conducted on samples of a Fe-Ni based superalloy, Incoloy A-286, and significant ductility loss has been observed at 1220 °C. Titanium-rich, thin-film-like phase has been found on the inter-granular facets of fracture surfaces. It appears that sulfur content of Ti-rich phase was higher than that of the matrix. At 1220 °C, liquation of Ti-rich phases has resulted in thin-film-like morphology along the grain boundary and caused the ductility loss during tensile deformation.
Flux Balance Analysis Inspired Bioprocess Upgrading for Lycopene Production by a Metabolically Engineered Strain of Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Nambou Komi , Jian Xingxing , Zhang Xinkai , Wei Liujing , Lou Jiajia , Madzak Catherine , Hua Qiang
Published: December 2015

Genome-scale metabolic models embody a significant advantage of systems biology since their applications as metabolic flux simulation models enable predictions for the production of industrially-interesting metabolites. The biotechnological production of lycopene from Yarrowia lipolytica is an emerging scope that has not been fully scrutinized, especially for what concerns cultivation conditions of newly generated engineered strains. In this study, by combining flux balance analysis (FBA) and Plackett-Burman design, we screened chemicals for lycopene production from a metabolically engineered strain of Y. lipolytica. Lycopene concentrations of 126 and 242 mg/L were achieved correspondingly from the FBA-independent and the FBA-assisted designed media in fed-batch cultivation mode. Transcriptional studies revealed upregulations of heterologous genes in media designed according to FBA, thus implying the efficiency of model predictions. Our study will potentially support upgraded lycopene and other terpenoids production from existing or prospect bioengineered strains of Y. lipolytica and/or closely related yeast species.
Ellagitannins and Flavan-3-ols from Raspberry Pomace Modulate Caecal Fermentation Processes and Plasma Lipid Parameters in Rats
Authors: Fotschki Bartosz , Juśkiewicz Jerzy , Sójka Michał , Jurgoński Adam , Zduńczyk Zenon
Published: December 2015

Raspberry pomace is a source of polyphenols, which nutritional and health promoting properties are not sufficiently known. The aim of this 8-weeks study was to scrutinize if raspberry extracts (REs) with different ellagitannins to flavan-3-ols ratios might favorably affect the caecal fermentation processes and blood lipid profile in rats. Forty male Wistar rats were fed with a standard diet or its modification with two types of REs (E1 and E2) characterized by different ratios of ellagitannins to flavan-3-ols (7.7 and 3.1 for E1 and E2, respectively) and added to a diet at two dosages of polyphenolic compounds (0.15 and 0.30% of a diet; L and H treatments, respectively). Irrespective of polyphenols dietary level, both REs reduced the activity of bacterial β-glucuronidase, increased production of butyric acid in the caecum and reduced triacylglycerols in blood plasma. The E1 treatment at both dosages caused more effective reduction in the concentration of ammonia and elevated acetate level in the caecal digesta than E2. On the other hand, only the E2 treatment lowered value of the atherogenic index when compared with control group. When comparing dosages of REs, a higher one was more potent to reduce the activity of bacterial β-glucosidase, β-, α-galactosidase and lowered value of the HDL profile in plasma. To conclude, REs may favorably modulate the activity of the caecal microbiota and blood lipid profile in rats; however, the intensity of these effects may be related to the dosages of dietary polyphenols and to their profile, e.g., ellagitannins to flavan-3-ols ratio.
Studies on Chromatographic Fingerprint and Fingerprinting Profile-Efficacy Relationship of Saxifraga stolonifera Meerb.
Authors: Wu Xing-Dong , Chen Hua-Guo , Zhou Xin , Huang Ya , Hu En-Ming , Jiang Zheng-Meng , Zhao Chao , Gong Xiao-Jian , Deng Qing-Fang
Published: December 2015

This work investigated the spectrum-effect relationships between high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints and the anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activities of aqueous extracts from Saxifraga stolonifera. The fingerprints of S. stolonifera from various sources were established by HPLC and evaluated by similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Nine samples were obtained from these 24 batches of different origins, according to the results of SA, HCA and the common chromatographic peaks area. A testosterone-induced mouse model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was used to establish the anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activities of these nine S. stolonifera samples. The model was evaluated by analyzing prostatic index (PI), serum acid phosphatase (ACP) activity, concentrations of serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT), prostatic acid phosphatase (PACP) and type II 5α-reductase (SRD5A2). The spectrum-effect relationships between HPLC fingerprints and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activities were investigated using Grey Correlation Analysis (GRA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR). The results showed that a close correlation existed between the fingerprints and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activities, and peak 14 (chlorogenic acid), peak 17 (quercetin 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside) and peak 18 (quercetin 3-O-β-l-rhamno-pyranoside) in the HPLC fingerprints might be the main active components against anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia. This work provides a general model for the study of spectrum-effect relationships of S. stolonifera by combing HPLC fingerprints with a testosterone-induced mouse model of BPH, which can be employed to discover the principle components of anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia bioactivity.
Properties and Applications of Polyvinyl Alcohol, Halloysite Nanotubes and Their Nanocomposites
Authors: Gaaz Tayser , Sulong Abu , Akhtar Majid , Kadhum Abdul , Mohamad Abu , Al-Amiery Ahmed
Published: December 2015

The aim of this review was to analyze/investigate the synthesis, properties, and applications of polyvinyl alcohol–halloysite nanotubes (PVA–HNT), and their nanocomposites. Different polymers with versatile properties are attractive because of their introduction and potential uses in many fields. Synthetic polymers, such as PVA, natural polymers like alginate, starch, chitosan, or any material with these components have prominent status as important and degradable materials with biocompatibility properties. These materials have been developed in the 1980s and are remarkable because of their recyclability and consideration of the natural continuation of their physical and chemical properties. The fabrication of PVA–HNT nanocomposites can be a potential way to address some of PVA’s limitations. Such nanocomposites have excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability. PVA–HNT nanocomposites have been reported earlier, but without proper HNT individualization and PVA modifications. The properties of PVA–HNT for medicinal and biomedical use are attracting an increasing amount of attention for medical applications, such as wound dressings, drug delivery, targeted-tissue transportation systems, and soft biomaterial implants. The demand for alternative polymeric medical devices has also increased substantially around the world. This paper reviews individualized HNT addition along with crosslinking of PVA for various biomedical applications that have been previously reported in literature, thereby showing the attainability, modification of characteristics, and goals underlying the blending process with PVA.
Cross-Coupling Synthesis of Methylallyl Alkenes: Scope Extension and Mechanistic Study
Authors: Tabélé Clémence , Curti Christophe , Kabri Youssef , Primas Nicolas , Vanelle Patrice
Published: December 2015

Cross-coupling reactions between 2-methyl-2-propen-1-ol and various boronic acids are used to obtain aromatic-(2-methylallyl) derivatives. However, deboronation or isomerization side reactions may occur for several boronic acids. We describe herein the synthesis of original alkenes with good yields under mild reaction conditions that decrease these side reactions. The scope of this environmentally benign reaction is thereby extended to a wide variety of boronic acids. A mechanistic study was conducted and suggested a plausible catalytic cycle mechanism, pointing to the importance of the Lewis acidity of the boronic acid used.
Toward High Altitude Airship Ground-Based Boresight Calibration of Hyperspectral Pushbroom Imaging Sensors
Authors: Zhang Aiwu , Hu Shaoxing , Meng Xiangang , Yang Lingbo , Li Hanlun
Published: December 2015

The complexity of the single linear hyperspectral pushbroom imaging based on a high altitude airship (HAA) without a three-axis stabilized platform is much more than that based on the spaceborne and airborne. Due to the effects of air pressure, temperature and airflow, the large pitch and roll angles tend to appear frequently that create pushbroom images highly characterized with severe geometric distortions. Thus, the in-flight calibration procedure is not appropriate to apply to the single linear pushbroom sensors on HAA having no three-axis stabilized platform. In order to address this problem, a new ground-based boresight calibration method is proposed. Firstly, a coordinate’s transformation model is developed for direct georeferencing (DG) of the linear imaging sensor, and then the linear error equation is derived from it by using the Taylor expansion formula. Secondly, the boresight misalignments are worked out by using iterative least squares method with few ground control points (GCPs) and ground-based side-scanning experiments. The proposed method is demonstrated by three sets of experiments: (i) the stability and reliability of the method is verified through simulation-based experiments; (ii) the boresight calibration is performed using ground-based experiments; and (iii) the validation is done by applying on the orthorectification of the real hyperspectral pushbroom images from a HAA Earth observation payload system developed by our research team—“LanTianHao”. The test results show that the proposed boresight calibration approach significantly improves the quality of georeferencing by reducing the geometric distortions caused by boresight misalignments to the minimum level.
A TSR Visual Servoing System Based on a Novel Dynamic Template Matching Method
Authors: Cai Jia , Huang Panfeng , Zhang Bin , Wang Dongke
Published: December 2015

The so-called Tethered Space Robot (TSR) is a novel active space debris removal system. To solve its problem of non-cooperative target recognition during short-distance rendezvous events, this paper presents a framework for a real-time visual servoing system using non-calibrated monocular-CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). When a small template is used for matching with a large scene, it always leads to mismatches, so a novel template matching algorithm to solve the problem is presented. Firstly, the novel matching algorithm uses a hollow annulus structure according to a FAST (Features from Accelerated Segment) algorithm and makes the method be rotation-invariant. Furthermore, the accumulative deviation can be decreased by the hollow structure. The matching function is composed of grey and gradient differences between template and object image, which help it reduce the effects of illumination and noises. Then, a dynamic template update strategy is designed to avoid tracking failures brought about by wrong matching or occlusion. Finally, the system synthesizes the least square integrated predictor, realizing tracking online in complex circumstances. The results of ground experiments show that the proposed algorithm can decrease the need for sophisticated computation and improves matching accuracy.
Cloud-Based Automated Design and Additive Manufacturing: A Usage Data-Enabled Paradigm Shift
Authors: Lehmhus Dirk , Wuest Thorsten , Wellsandt Stefan , Bosse Stefan , Kaihara Toshiya , Thoben Klaus-Dieter , Busse Matthias
Published: December 2015

Integration of sensors into various kinds of products and machines provides access to in-depth usage information as basis for product optimization. Presently, this large potential for more user-friendly and efficient products is not being realized because (a) sensor integration and thus usage information is not available on a large scale and (b) product optimization requires considerable efforts in terms of manpower and adaptation of production equipment. However, with the advent of cloud-based services and highly flexible additive manufacturing techniques, these obstacles are currently crumbling away at rapid pace. The present study explores the state of the art in gathering and evaluating product usage and life cycle data, additive manufacturing and sensor integration, automated design and cloud-based services in manufacturing. By joining and extrapolating development trends in these areas, it delimits the foundations of a manufacturing concept that will allow continuous and economically viable product optimization on a general, user group or individual user level. This projection is checked against three different application scenarios, each of which stresses different aspects of the underlying holistic concept. The following discussion identifies critical issues and research needs by adopting the relevant stakeholder perspectives.
Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW)-Based Biosensing for Quantification of Cell Growth in 2D and 3D Cultures
Authors: Wang Tao , Green Ryan , Nair Rajesh , Howell Mark , Mohapatra Subhra , Guldiken Rasim , Mohapatra Shyam
Published: December 2015

Detection and quantification of cell viability and growth in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures commonly involve harvesting of cells and therefore requires a parallel set-up of several replicates for time-lapse or dose–response studies. Thus, developing a non-invasive and touch-free detection of cell growth in longitudinal studies of 3D tumor spheroid cultures or of stem cell regeneration remains a major unmet need. Since surface acoustic waves (SAWs) permit mass loading-based biosensing and have been touted due to their many advantages including low cost, small size and ease of assembly, we examined the potential of SAW-biosensing to detect and quantify cell growth. Herein, we demonstrate that a shear horizontal-surface acoustic waves (SH-SAW) device comprising two pairs of resonators consisting of interdigital transducers and reflecting fingers can be used to quantify mass loading by the cells in suspension as well as within a 3D cell culture platform. A 3D COMSOL model was built to simulate the mass loading response of increasing concentrations of cells in suspension in the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) well in order to predict the characteristics and optimize the design of the SH-SAW biosensor. The simulated relative frequency shift from the two oscillatory circuit systems (one of which functions as control) were found to be concordant to experimental data generated with RAW264.7 macrophage and A549 cancer cells. In addition, results showed that SAW measurements per se did not affect viability of cells. Further, SH-SAW biosensing was applied to A549 cells cultured on a 3D electrospun nanofiber scaffold that generate tumor spheroids (tumoroids) and the results showed the device's ability to detect changes in tumor spheroid growth over the course of eight days. Taken together, these results demonstrate the use of SH-SAW device for detection and quantification of cell growth changes over time in 2D suspension cultures and in 3D cell culture models, which may have potential applications in both longitudinal 3D cell cultures in cancer biology and in regenerative medicine.
Fatigue Crack Length Sizing Using a Novel Flexible Eddy Current Sensor Array
Authors: Xie Ruifang , Chen Dixiang , Pan Mengchun , Tian Wugang , Wu Xuezhong , Zhou Weihong , Tang Ying
Published: December 2015

The eddy current probe, which is flexible, array typed, highly sensitive and capable of quantitative inspection is one practical requirement in nondestructive testing and also a research hotspot. A novel flexible planar eddy current sensor array for the inspection of microcrack presentation in critical parts of airplanes is developed in this paper. Both exciting and sensing coils are etched on polyimide films using a flexible printed circuit board technique, thus conforming the sensor to complex geometric structures. In order to serve the needs of condition-based maintenance (CBM), the proposed sensor array is comprised of 64 elements. Its spatial resolution is only 0.8 mm, and it is not only sensitive to shallow microcracks, but also capable of sizing the length of fatigue cracks. The details and advantages of our sensor design are introduced. The working principal and the crack responses are analyzed by finite element simulation, with which a crack length sizing algorithm is proposed. Experiments based on standard specimens are implemented to verify the validity of our simulation and the efficiency of the crack length sizing algorithm. Experimental results show that the sensor array is sensitive to microcracks, and is capable of crack length sizing with an accuracy within ±0.2 mm.
Biogas Power Plants in Poland—Structure, Capacity, and Spatial Distribution
Authors: Szymańska Daniela , Lewandowska Aleksandra
Published: December 2015

This paper presents the analysis and evaluation of biogas power plant capacity in Poland based on the generic structure and energy production. These issues are also presented from the point of view of the obtained energy and biogas energy production in Poland against selected European Union countries. The paper also indicates a significant diversity in the spatial distribution of biogas plants in Poland. It also discusses the importance of biogas plants as one of the elements of bottom-up development of the second tier administrative units. There are 231 biogas power plants in Poland (as of 2013), which are based on biogas from landfill sites, biogas from wastewater treatment plants, and agricultural biogas. The generic structure of biogas power plants in Poland is dominated by power plants based on biogas from landfill. Despite the fact that Poland has large resources of agricultural substrate, there are very few biogas power plants based on agricultural biogas. There are no biogas power plants in almost 60% of poviats in Poland, despite the fact that every poviat in Poland has enough of this substrate at its disposal. This article contributes innovative elements to existing knowledge on biogas power plants in Poland, thanks to its comprehensive treatment of the problem of biogas power plants in Poland and because it urges local authorities and local communities to behave more ecologically, as well as promoting endogenous factors of the economic development of a given region.
Eco-Innovation for Sustainability: Evidence from 49 Countries in Asia and Europe
Authors: Jo Jang-Hwan , Roh Tae , Kim Seonghoon , Youn Yeo-Chang , Park Mi , Han Ki , Jang Eun
Published: December 2015

Following the trend on focusing on a nation’s economic-growth, side effects such as resource exhaustion, environmental pollution, and social injustice have begun to appear. As a solution, eco-innovation has received a great amount of attention from European countries and as a result, many efforts to analyze the development of eco-innovation quantitatively have been made. This study aims to evaluate the validity of an eco-innovation index developed to support the sustainable development goal. For this purpose, four factors of eco-innovation—capacity, supportive environment, activity, and performance—were applied to three categories of the Triple-Bottom-Line (TBL) concept in sustainability to compare the eco-innovation development level of 49 Asia-Europe Meeting countries. Factors for eco-innovation and TBL at the country level were organized in quartile and compared to see strength and weaknesses for each nation. In order to test if eco-innovation factors of a nation adequately reflect its sustainability, we used various comparisons of ANOVA. The results of this study are as follows: First, the one-way ANOVA tests present the scores for capacity, supportive environment, and performance as grouped into four quartiles in the same pattern as their economic, social, and environmental scores. The three-way ANOVA tests showed significance for the economic category. Scores for capacity, supportive environment, activity and performance were significant at a nation’s economic level. Lastly, the MANOVA test revealed that TBL significantly explains four eco-innovation factors. In addition, the eco-innovation performance level of European nations and Asian nations were compared. The possibility that many nations still have room to be competitive in their eco-innovation efforts was identified. Nations with unbalanced eco-innovation growth are urged to implement new strategies to balance their growth. Therefore, this research contributes to extending research on eco-innovation.
Petrie Duality and the Anstee–Robertson Graph
Authors: Jones Gareth , Ziv-Av Matan
Published: December 2015

We define the operation of Petrie duality for maps, describing its general properties both geometrically and algebraically. We give a number of examples and applications, including the construction of a pair of regular maps, one orientable of genus 17, the other non-orientable of genus 52, which embed the 40-vertex cage of valency 6 and girth 5 discovered independently by Robertson and Anstee. We prove that this map (discovered by Evans) and its Petrie dual are the only regular embeddings of this graph, together with a similar result for a graph of order 40, valency 6 and girth 3 with the same automorphism group.
Synthesis and photophysical characteristics of polyfluorene polyrotaxanes
Authors: Farcas Aurica , Tregnago Giulia , Resmerita Ana-Maria , Aubert Pierre-Henri , Cacialli Franco
Published: December 2015

Two alternating polyfluorene polyrotaxanes (3·TM-βCD and 3·TM-γCD) have been synthesized by the coupling of 2,7-dibromofluorene encapsulated into 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β- or γ-cyclodextrin (TM-βCD, TM-γCD) cavities with 9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diboronic acid bis(1,3-propanediol) ester. Their optical, electrochemical and morphological properties have been evaluated and compared to those of the non-rotaxane counterpart 3. The influence of TM-βCD or TM-γCD encapsulation on the thermal stability, solubility in common organic solvents, film forming ability was also investigated. Polyrotaxane 3·TM-βCD exhibits a hypsochromic shift, while 3·TM-γCD displays a bathochromic with respect to the non-rotaxane 3 counterpart. For the diluted CHCl3 solutions the fluorescence lifetimes of all compounds follow a mono-exponential decay with a time constant of ≈0.6 ns. At higher concentration the fluorescence decay remains mono-exponential for 3·TM-βCD and polymers 3, with a lifetime τ = 0.7 ns and 0.8 ns, whereas the 3·TM-γCD polyrotaxane shows a bi-exponential decay consisting of a main component (with a weight of 98% of the total luminescence) with a relatively short decay constant of τ1 = 0.7 ns and a minor component with a longer lifetime of τ2 = 5.4 ns (2%). The electrochemical band gap (ΔEg) of 3·TM-βCD polyrotaxane is smaller than that of 3·TM-γCD and 3, respectively. The lower ΔEg value for 3·TM-βCD suggests that the encapsulation has a greater effect on the reduction process, which affects the LUMO energy level value. Based on AFM analysis, 3·TM-βCD and 3·TM-γCD polyrotaxane compounds exhibit a granular morphology with lower dispersity and smaller roughness exponent of the film surfaces in comparison with those of the neat copolymer 3.
Sukepusios keramikos iš Dysnos radimvietės molio ir liesinančių priedų savybių tyrimai
Authors: Pranckevičienė Jolanta , Balkevičius Valdas
Published: December 2015

Perdirbti mineralinės vatos centrifugavimo atliekas yra esminga problema. Darbe pateikti tyrimo rezultatai rodo, kad sukepusi keramika iš lengvai lydaus ilitinio molio ir mineralinės vatos centrifugavimo atliekų yra perspektyvus būdas mineralinės vatos atliekų naudojimo klausimui spręsti. Tiriamosios sistemos savybių tyrimai parodė, kad į lengvai lydųjį molį pridėjus 20 % šių atliekų, gauta sukepusi keramika. Nustatyta, kad išdegus bandinius esant 1040 ºC temperatūrai, tokios keramikos įmirkio vertė yra 2,02 %, tankis – 2169 kg/m3. Dilatometrinių tyrimų rezultatai parodė, kad į Dysnos radimvietės molį pridėjus liesinančio priedo – 20 % mineralinės vatos centrifugavimo atliekų, ilgio pokytis, esant 1070 ºC temperatūrai, sumažėjo nuo 2,8 % iki 1,4 %.
Plieno pluoštu armuotų gelžbetoninių elementų pleišėtumo analizė
Authors: Ulbinas Darius , Kaklauskas Gintaris
Published: December 2015

Straipsnyje aptariamas gelžbetoninių elementų armavimo plieno pluoštu efektyvumas, lyginant juos su paprastąja armatūra armuotais elementais. Apžvelgiamos dispersiniam armavimui naudotinos plieno pluošto formos, nusakomi jų privalumai ir trūkumai. Pateikiamas gelžbetoninių elementų betone atsiveriančių plyšių pločių skaičiavimo algoritmas, remiantis EC2 bei (Rilem) metodikomis. Atliekamas skaitinis eksperimentas, analizuojant plieno pluoštu armuotų lenkiamųjų gelžbetoninių elementų pleišėtumą ir lyginant skaičiuotines plyšių pločių reikšmes su eksperimentinėmis reikšmėmis. Nustatomos santykinės skaičiuotinių ir eksperimentinių plyšių pločių reikšmių paklaidos.
Lietuvos architektūros paveldo apskaita šiandien
Authors: Šulskaitė Živilė
Published: December 2015

Apžvelgiama Lietuvos kultūros paminklų apskaitos raida, teisės aktai, kultūros paminklo vertės suvokimo kaita. Nagrinėjama nekilnojamojo kultūros paveldo apskaita, įtraukimo į nekilnojamojo kultūros paveldo registrą sąlygos. Aptariami nekilnojamųjų kultūros vertybių vertinimo proceso kriterijai – amžiaus cenzas ir autentiškumo požymiai, reikšmingumas bei jo lygmuo (nacionalinis, regioninis ar vietinis). Taip pat apžvelgiami Didžiosios Britanijos, UNESCO paveldo sąrašo vertinimo kriterijai, Pasaulio kultūros ir gamtos paveldo apsaugos konvencija, NARA autentiškumo dokumentas.
Giliųjų pamatų modeliavimas taikant Mohr-Coulomb modelį tankiuose smėliuose, esant dilatacijai
Authors: Macijauskas Darius , Amšiejus Jonas
Published: December 2015

Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas giliųjų pamatų (standžių gręžtinių ir gręžtinių polių) apkrovos pasiskirstymas tarp pamato pado ir šonų, kai jie yra tankiuose vienalyčiuose smėliuose. Naudojant programinį paketą Plakis 3D Foundation v2, modeliuojama keičiant dilatacijos kampą ir vertinamas Mohr-Coulomb modelio tinkamumas giliųjų pamatų pagrindams modeliuoti. Skirtinguose kampuose yra nevienodas apkrovos pasiskirstymas tarp pado ir šonų, taip pat, didėjant kampui, didėja ir šoninė trintis. Tačiau Mohr-Coulomb grunto modelyje drenuojant grunto tūris didėja tol, kol vyksta skersinės deformacijos. Realiems gruntams tai nėra būdinga, nes dėl tam tikrų įtempių dilatacija nebevyksta. Paklaida mažėja, kai mažėja santykinis giliojo pamato ilgis L/D ir dilatacijos kampas ψ.
Daugiabučių namų kvartalų modernizavimo strategijų analizė
Authors: Ramanauskaitė Jurgita
Published: December 2015

Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas daugiabučių gyvenamųjų namų kvartalo modernizavimas. Didelę visų pastatų dalį sudaro daugiabučiai, todėl jų atnaujinimas yra aktuali problema visose šalyse. Vokietija turi nemažą gyvenamųjų namų modernizavimo patirtį, kurią galima pritaikyti ir Lietuvoje. Kad modernizavimas būtų kuo efektyvesnis, daugiabučius reikia atnaujinti ne po vieną, bet kompleksiškai modernizuoti visą kvartalą. Šiame straipsnyje analizuojamos Vokietijoje, Berlyne, esančio Hellersdorf rajono modernizavimo strategijos: ilgalaikė renovacija ir pastatų valdymas; butų pasiūlos diferenciacija siekiant stabilizuoti mišrią socialinę struktūrą; miesto centro kaip funkcionalios miesto dalies stambiaplokščių namų rajone sukūrimas; gyvenimo standartų ir kokybės pagerinimas; gyvenamųjų namų integravimas į natūralią vietovę; demokratinis planavimo procesas; partnerių pasirinkimas.
HUBBLE AND KECK TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS OF ACTIVE ASTEROID 288P/300163 (2006 VW139)
Authors: Agarwal Jessica , Jewitt David , Weaver Harold , Mutchler Max , Larson Stephen
Published: December 2015

We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Keck 10 m telescope observations of active asteroid 288P/300163 (2006 VW139) taken to examine ejected dust. The nucleus is a C-type object with absolute magnitude H

V
= 17.0 ± 0.1 and estimated diameter ∼2.6 km (for assumed visual geometric albedo p

V
= 0.04). Variations in the brightness of the nucleus at the 10%–15% level are significant in both 2011 December and 2012 October but we possess too few data to distinguish variations caused by activity from those caused by rotation. The dust scattering cross-section in 2011 December is ∼40 km2, corresponding to a dust mass ∼9 × 106 kg (88 μm mean particle radius assumed). The FWHM of the debris sheet varies from ∼100 km near the nucleus to ∼1000 km 30″ (40,000 km) east of it. Dust dynamical models indicate ejection speeds between 0.06 and 0.3 m s−1, particle sizes between 10 and 300 μm and an inverse square-root relation between particle size and velocity. Overall, the data are most simply explained by prolonged, low velocity ejection of dust, starting in or before 2011 July and continuing until at least 2011 October. These properties are consistent with the sublimation of near-surface ice aided by centrifugal forces. The high spatial resolution of our HST images (52 km pixel−1) reveals details that remained hidden in previous ground-based observations, such as the extraordinarily small vertical extent of the dust sheet, ejection speeds well below the nucleus escape speed, and the possibility of a binary nucleus.
THE PARKER INSTABILITY IN DISK GALAXIES
Authors: Rodrigues L. F. S. , Sarson G. R. , Shukurov A. , Bushby P. J. , Fletcher A.
Published: December 2015

We examine the evolution of the Parker instability in galactic disks using 3D numerical simulations. We consider a local Cartesian box section of a galactic disk, where gas, magnetic fields, and cosmic rays are all initially in a magnetohydrostatic equilibrium. This is done for different choices of initial cosmic-ray density and magnetic field. The growth rates and characteristic scales obtained from the models, as well as their dependences on the density of cosmic rays and magnetic fields, are in broad agreement with previous (linearized, ideal) analytical work. However, this nonideal instability develops a multimodal 3D structure, which cannot be quantitatively predicted from the earlier linearized studies. This 3D signature of the instability will be of importance in interpreting observations. As a preliminary step toward such interpretations, we calculate synthetic polarized intensity and Faraday rotation measure (RM) maps, and the associated structure functions of the latter, from our simulations; these suggest that the correlation scales inferred from RM maps are a possible probe for the cosmic-ray content of a given galaxy. Our calculations highlight the importance of cosmic rays in these measures, making them an essential ingredient of realistic models of the interstellar medium.
CHONDRULE FORMATION VIA IMPACT JETTING TRIGGERED BY PLANETARY ACCRETION
Authors: Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Wakita Shigeru , Matsumoto Yuji , Oshino Shoichi
Published: December 2015

Chondrules are one of the most primitive elements that can serve as a fundamental clue to the origin of our solar system. We investigate a formation scenario of chondrules that involves planetesimal collisions and the resultant impact jetting. Planetesimal collisions are the main agent to regulate planetary accretion that leads to the formation of terrestrial planets and cores of gas giants. The key component of this scenario is that ejected materials can melt when the impact velocity between colliding planetesimals exceeds about 2.5 km s−1. Previous simulations have shown that the process is efficient enough to reproduce the primordial abundance of chondrules. We examine this scenario carefully by performing semi-analytical calculations that are developed based on the results of direct N-body simulations. As found in the previous work, we confirm that planetesimal collisions that occur during planetary accretion can play an important role in forming chondrules. This arises because protoplanet–planetesimal collisions can achieve an impact velocity of about 2.5 km s−1 or higher, as protoplanets approach the isolation mass (M

p,iso). Assuming that the ejected mass is a fraction (F
ch) of the colliding planetesimals’ mass, we show that the resultant abundance of chondrules is expressed well by F
ch
M

p,iso, as long as the formation of protoplanets is completed within a given disk lifetime. We perform a parameter study and examine how the abundance of chondrules and the timing of their formation change. We find that the impact jetting scenario generally works reasonably well for a certain range of parameters, while more dedicated work would be needed to include other physical processes that are neglected in this work and to examine their effects on chondrule formation.
Interaction of mouse splenocytes and macrophages with bacterial strains in vitro: the effect of age in the immune response
Authors: Van Beek A.A. , Hoogerland J.A. , Belzer C. , De Vos P. , De Vos W.M. , Savelkoul H.F.J. , Leenen P.J.M.
Published: December 2015

Probiotics influence the immune system, both at the local and systemic level. Recent findings suggest the relation between microbiota and the immune system alters with age. Our objective was to address direct effects of six bacterial strains on immune cells from young and aged mice: Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1, Lactobacillus casei BL23, Lactococcus lactis MG1363, Bifidobacterium breve ATCC15700, Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC15697, and Akkermansia muciniphila ATCC BAA-835. We used splenocytes and naïve or interferon-γ-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) as responder populations. All tested bacterial strains induced phenotypic and cytokine responses in splenocytes and BMDM. Based on magnitude of the cellular inflammatory response and cytokine profiles, two subgroups of bacteria were identified, i.e. L. plantarum and L. casei versus B. breve, B. infantis, and A. muciniphila. The latter group of bacteria induced high levels of cytokines produced under inflammatory conditions, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. Responses to L. lactis showed features of both subgroups. In addition, we compared responses by splenocytes and BMDM derived from young mice to those of aged mice, and found that splenocytes and BMDM derived from aged mice had an increased IL-10 production and dysregulated IL-6 and TNF production compared to young immune cells. Overall, our study shows differential inflammatory responses to distinct bacterial strains, and profound age-dependent effects. These findings, moreover, support the view that immune environment importantly influences bacterial immune effects.
Fermented milk containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota prevents the onset of physical symptoms in medical students under academic examination stress
Authors: Kato-Kataoka A. , Nishida K. , Takada M. , Suda K. , Kawai M. , Shimizu K. , Kushiro A. , Hoshi R. , Watanabe O. , Igarashi T. , Miyazaki K. , Kuwano Y. , Rokutan K.
Published: December 2015

This pilot study investigated the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) on psychological, physiological, and physical stress responses in medical students undertaking an authorised nationwide examination for promotion. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 24 and 23 healthy medical students consumed a fermented milk containing LcS and a placebo milk, respectively, once a day for 8 weeks until the day before the examination. Psychophysical state, salivary cortisol, faecal serotonin, and plasma L-tryptophan were analysed on 5 different sampling days (8 weeks before, 2 weeks before, 1 day before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after the examination). Physical symptoms were also recorded in a diary by subjects during the intervention period for 8 weeks. In association with a significant elevation of anxiety at 1 day before the examination, salivary cortisol and plasma L-tryptophan levels were significantly increased in only the placebo group (P<0.05). Two weeks after the examination, the LcS group had significantly higher faecal serotonin levels (P<0.05) than the placebo group. Moreover, the rate of subjects experiencing common abdominal and cold symptoms and total number of days experiencing these physical symptoms per subject were significantly lower in the LcS group than in the placebo group during the pre-examination period at 5-6 weeks (each P<0.05) and 7-8 weeks (each P<0.01) during the intervention period. Our results suggest that the daily consumption of fermented milk containing LcS may exert beneficial effects preventing the onset of physical symptoms in healthy subjects exposed to stressful situations.
CYTOKINE RESPONSE ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS CLEARANCE IN HIV COINFECTED PATIENTS INITIATING PEG INTERFERON- BASED THERAPY.
Authors: Nguyen Truong Tam , Niloofar Reihani , Rubbo Pierre-Alain , Nils Kuster , Bollore Karine , Ducos Jacques , Pageaux Georges-Philippe , Reynes Jacques , Van de Perre Philippe , Tuaillon Edouard
Published: December 2015

Background: Treatment against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection based on peginterferon-a (pegIFNa) and ribavirin induces important changes on cytokine release and T cell activation.Objective: Immune response to pegIFNa-ribavirin therapy was explored in patients coinfected by HCV and HIV.Methods: Concentrations of 25 cytokines and CD8+ T cell activation were monitored in HCV/HIV coinfected patients classified as sustained virological responders (SVR, n=19) and non-responders (NR, n=11). Results: High pretreatment concentrations of IP-10 (CXCL-10) and MCP-1 (CCL-2) were associated with poor anti-HCV response. PegIFNa-ribavirin therapy increased CD8+ T cell activation and induced significant changes in levels of eleven cytokines related to both Th1 and Th2 responses in SVR (IL-1b, IL-1RA, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12p40/70, IL-13, IP-10, eotaxin, MCP-1) but only six cytokines in NR (IL-1b, IL-2, IL-5, IL-12p40/70, IL-13, eotaxin). Highest rise in MIP-1b and MCP-1 levels was observed four weeks after anti-HCV treatment initiation in SVR compared to NR (p=0.002 and p=0.03, respectively), whereas a decrease of IL-8 concentration was associated with treatment failure (p= 0.052).Conclusions: Higher and broader cytokine responses to pegIFNa-ribavirin therapy were observed in SVR patients compared to NR. Changes in IL-8, MIP-1b and MCP-1 serum concentrations may be associated with efficacy of pegIFNa- and ribavirin-based therapies in patients coinfected by HCV and HIV.
FEATURES OF ADOLESCENTS TUBERCULOSIS AT A REFERRAL TB'S HOSPITAL IN TEHRAN, IRAN
Authors: Lotfian Ferial , Bolursaz Mohammad Reza , Khalilzadeh Soheila , Baghaie Noshin , Hassanzad Maryam , Velayati Aliakbar
Published: December 2015

AbstractOBJECTIVE: To identify the pattern of the clinical, radiological, diagnostic procedures and loss to follow -up of the diagnosed cases of active tuberculosis (TB) adolescents.METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 143 adolescents aged 10 to 18 years with tuberculosis who were admitted TB wards of National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (NRITLD) in Tehran, Iran, between March 2006 and March2011. RESULTS: Of the 143 patients identified, 62.9% were females. Median age of the patients was 16 years. The contact source was identified in 47.5%.The most common presenting symptom was cough (86%).Isolated pulmonary TB (PTB) was detected in 113 patients (79%), 21 patients (14.7%) had extrapulmonary TB(EPTB), and 9 patients (6.3%) had PTB and EP TB .The most common site of  EPTB was pleural (14%) .The most common radiographic finding was infiltration (61%).Positive acid fast smears were seen in 67.8%.Positive cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M. TB) were seen in 31.6%. Positive PCR results were seen in 60%.The adolescents aged 15 to 18 years were more likely to lose weight (p=0.001), smear positive (p=0.002)and have positive PCR results (p=0.009). The type of TB (p=0.017) was a significant factor influencing loss to follow-up.CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with the high rate of positive sputum smear results and the high treatment default rate are more likely to increase risk for TB transmission to the community. The TB control programs should pay more attention to prevention and treatment of TB in adolescents.  Key words: adolescents, tuberculosis, Lost to follow-up, prevention