bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Changes of Zn(II)bleomycin Complexes When Bound to DNA Hairpins Containing the 5′-GT-3′ and 5′-GC-3′ Binding Sites, Studied through NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Follett Shelby , Murray Sally , Ingersoll Azure , Reilly Teresa , Lehmann Teresa
Published: December 2017

We have previously investigated the diverse levels of disruption caused by Zn(II)BLMs with different C-termini to DNA hairpins containing 5′-GC-3′ and 5′-GT-3′ binding sites. The results of this investigation indicated that both the DNA-binding site and the bleomycin C-termini have an impact on the final conformation of the aforementioned hairpins in the drug-target complexes, as suggested by the different sets of intramolecular NOEs displayed by both oligonucleotides when bound to each Zn(II)BLM. The NMR signals elicited by 1H nuclei in the oligonucleotide bases and sugar moieties were also affected differently (shifted upfield or downfield in various patterns) depending on the BLM C-termini and the binding site in the oligonucleotides. The overall conclusion derived from the precedent research is that the spatial conformation of target DNA segments in DNA-Zn(II)BLM complexes could be forged by interactions between drug and DNA that are guided by the DNA binding site and the BLM C-termini. The present study focuses on the structural alterations exhibited by Zn(II)bleomycin-A2, -B2, -A5 and Zn(II)peplomycin molecules upon binding to the previously studied hairpins. Our main goal is to determine if different spatial conformations of the drugs in their DNA-bound forms are found in drug-DNA complexes that differ in the oligonucleotide binding site and BLM C-termini. Evidence that suggest that each Zn(II)bleomycin is structurally affected depending these two factors, as indicated by different sets of intramolecular NOE connectivities between drug protons and diverse patterns of shifting of their 1H-NMR signals, is provided.
A Unified Physical Model for Creep and Hot Working of Al-Mg Solid Solution Alloys
Authors: Spigarelli Stefano , Paoletti Chiara
Published: December 2017

The description of the dependence of steady-state creep rate on applied stress and temperature is almost invariably based on the Norton equation or on derived power-law relationships. In hot working, the Norton equation does not work, and is therefore usually replaced with the Garofalo (sinh) equation. Both of these equations are phenomenological in nature and can be seldom unambiguously related to microstructural parameters, such as dislocation density, although early efforts in this sense led to the introduction of the “natural power law” with exponent 3. In an attempt to overcome this deficiency, a recent model with sound physical basis has been successfully used to describe the creep response of fcc metals, such as copper. The main advantage of this model is that it does not require any data fitting to predict the strain rate dependence on applied stress and temperature, which is a particularly attractive peculiarity when studying the hot workability of metals. Thus, the model, properly modified to take into account solid solution strengthening effects, has been here applied to the study of the creep and hot-working of simple Al-Mg single phase alloys. The model demonstrated an excellent accuracy in describing both creep and hot working regimes, still maintaining its most important feature, that is, it does not require any fitting of the experimental data.
Design, Synthesis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Novel Chalcone Derivatives Bearing Triazolo[4,3-a]-quinoxaline Moieties as Potent Anticancer Agents with Dual EGFR Kinase and Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitory Effects
Authors: Alswah Mohamed , Bayoumi Ashraf , Elgamal Kamal , Elmorsy Ahmed , Ihmaid Saleh , Ahmed Hany
Published: December 2017

A series of hybrid of triazoloquinoxaline-chalcone derivatives 7a–k were designed, synthesized, fully characterized, and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three target cell lines: human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human colon carcinoma (HCT-116), and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HEPG-2). The preliminary results showed that some of these chalcones like 7b–c, and 7e–g exhibited significant antiproliferative effects against most of the cell lines, with selective or non-selective behavior, indicated by IC50 values in the 1.65 to 34.28 µM range. In order to investigate the mechanistic aspects of these active compounds, EGFR TK and tubulin inhibitory activities were measured as further biological assays. The EGFR TK assay results revealed that the derivatives 7a–c, 7e, and 7g could inhibit the EGFR TK in the submicromolar range (0.093 to 0.661 µM). Moreover, an antitubulin polymerization effect was noted for the active derivatives compared to the reference drug colchicine, with compounds 7e and 7g displaying 14.7 and 8.4 micromolar activity, respectively. Furthermore, a molecular docking study was carried out to explain the observed effects and the binding modes of these chalcones with the EGFR TK and tubulin targets.
Secondary Metabolite Profiling of Species of the Genus Usnea by UHPLC-ESI-OT-MS-MS
Authors: Salgado Francisco , Albornoz Laura , Cortéz Carmen , Stashenko Elena , Urrea-Vallejo Kelly , Nagles Edgar , Galicia-Virviescas Cesar , Cornejo Alberto , Ardiles Alejandro , Simirgiotis Mario , García-Beltrán Olimpo , Areche Carlos
Published: December 2017

Lichens are symbiotic associations of fungi with microalgae and/or cyanobacteria, which are considered among the slowest growing organisms, with strong tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. There are about 400 genera and 1600 species of lichens and those belonging to the Usnea genus comprise about 360 of these species. Usnea lichens have been used since ancient times as dyes, cosmetics, preservatives, deodorants and folk medicines. The phytochemistry of the Usnea genus includes more than 60 compounds which belong to the following classes: depsides, depsidones, depsones, lactones, quinones, phenolics, polysaccharides, fatty acids and dibenzofurans. Due to scarce knowledge of metabolomic profiles of Usnea species (U. barbata, U. antarctica, U. rubicunda and U. subfloridana), a study based on UHPLC-ESI-OT-MS-MS was performed for a comprehensive characterization of their secondary metabolites. From the methanolic extracts of these species a total of 73 metabolites were identified for the first time using this hyphenated technique, including 34 compounds in U. barbata, 21 in U. antarctica, 38 in U. rubicunda and 37 in U. subfloridana. Besides, a total of 13 metabolites were not identified and reported so far, and could be new according to our data analysis. This study showed that this hyphenated technique is rapid, effective and accurate for phytochemical identification of lichen metabolites and the data collected could be useful for chemotaxonomic studies.
Cytotoxic Terpenoids from the Roots of Dracocephalum taliense
Authors: Deng Yanyan , Hua Juan , Wang Wenjia , Zhan Zhonglang , Wang Anqi , Luo Shihong
Published: December 2017

A chemical investigation of methanol extract from the roots of Dracocephalum taliense led to the isolation of a new aromatic abietane diterpenoid, 12-methoxy-18-hydroxy-sugiol (1), and one highly-oxygenated ursane triterpenoid, 2α,3α-dihydroxy-11α,12α-epoxy-urs-28,13β-olide (2), together with 15 known natural products (3–17). Among these, compounds 1–13 and 15–17 were detected for the first time in the genus of Dracocephalum. The structures of all of these isolates were determined by extensively spectroscopic analyses. In the anti-inflammatory assay, compounds 1 and 2 had no obvious inhibitory activity on the release of cytokine IL-2 in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. However, compound 2 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against cell lines HepG2 (IC50 = 6.58 ± 0.14 μM) and NCI-H1975 (IC50 = 7.17 ± 0.26 μM).
The Occurrence of Flavonoids and Related Compounds in Cedrus brevifolia A. Henry ex Elwes & A. Henry Needles. Inhibitory Potencies on Lipoxygenase, Linoleic Acid Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Douros Andreas , Hadjipavlou-Litina Dimitra , Nikolaou Konstantinos , Skaltsa Helen
Published: December 2017

The phytochemical analysis of the polar extracts of Cedrus brevifolia needles yielded 20 compounds, namely from the methanol extract we isolated three flavonoids (1–3), one hydrolysable tannin (4), eleven phenolic derivatives (5–15) and one apocarotenoid (16), while from the methanol: water (5:1) extract we isolated four flavonoids (17–20). Chemical structures of all isolated compounds were determined by 1D, 2D-NMR (1 Dimension, 2 Dimensions Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and UV-Vis (Ultraviolet-Visible) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the antioxidant potentials and the anti-inflammatory activities of both crude extracts and isolates were evaluated through DPPH radical scavenging capability, linoleic acid lipid peroxidation inhibition, and soybean LOX inhibition assays. This is the first report on the chemical profile of C. brevifolia needles. Catechin was the main compound derived from the methanol extract. According to our results, 4-O-β-d-glucopyranyl trans-p-coumaric acid and taxifolin were the most active ingredients.
A New Method for Automatically Tracing Englacial Layers from MCoRDS Data in NW Greenland
Authors: Xiong Siting , Muller Jan-Peter , Carretero Raquel
Published: December 2017

Englacial layering reflects ice dynamics within the ice bodies, which improves understanding of ice flow variation, past accumulation rates and vertical flows transferring between the surface and the underlying bedrock. The internal layers can be observed by using Radar Echo Sounding (RES), such as the Multi-channel Coherent Radar Depth Sounder (MCoRDS) used in NASA’s Operation IceBridge (OIB) mission. Since the 1960s, the accumulation of the RES data has prompted the development of automated methods to extract the englacial layers. In this study, we propose a new automated method that combines peak detection methods, namely the CWT-based peak detection or the Automatic Phase Picker (APP), with a Hough Transform (HT) to trace boundaries of englacial layers. For CWT-based peak detection, we test it using two different wavelets. The proposed method is tested with twelve MCoRDS radio echograms, which are acquired south of the Northern Greenland Eemian (NEEM) ice drilling site, where the folding of ice layers was observed. The method is evaluated in comparison to the isochrones that were extracted in an independent study. In comparison, the proposed new automated method can restore more than 70% of the englacial layers. This new automated layer-tracing method is publicly available on github.
Ex Vivo Evaluation of Cementless Acetabular Cup Stability Using Impact Analyses with a Hammer Instrumented with Strain Sensors
Authors: Tijou Antoine , Rosi Giuseppe , Hernigou Philippe , Flouzat-Lachaniette Charles-Henri , Haïat Guillaume
Published: December 2017

The acetabular cup (AC) implant stability is determinant for the success of cementless hip arthroplasty. A method based on the analysis of the impact force applied during the press-fit insertion of the AC implant using a hammer instrumented with a force sensor was developed to assess the AC implant stability. The aim of the present study was to investigate the performance of a method using a hammer equipped with strain sensors to retrieve the AC implant stability. Different AC implants were inserted in five bovine samples with different stability conditions leading to 57 configurations. The AC implant was impacted 16 times by the two hammers consecutively. For each impact; an indicator IS (respectively IF) determined by analyzing the time variation of the signal corresponding to the averaged strain (respectively force) obtained with the stress (respectively strain) hammer was calculated. The pull-out force F was measured for each configuration. F was significantly correlated with IS (R2 = 0.79) and IF (R2 = 0.80). The present method has the advantage of not modifying the shape of the hammer that can be sterilized easily. This study opens new paths towards the development of a decision support system to assess the AC implant stability.
A New Zenith Tropospheric Delay Grid Product for Real-Time PPP Applications over China
Authors: Lou Yidong , Huang Jinfang , Zhang Weixing , Liang Hong , Zheng Fu , Liu Jingnan
Published: December 2017

Tropospheric delay is one of the major factors affecting the accuracy of electromagnetic distance measurements. To provide wide-area real-time high precision zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD), the temporal and spatial variations of ZTD with altitude were analyzed on the bases of the latest meteorological reanalysis product (ERA-Interim) provided by the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). An inverse scale height model at given locations taking latitude, longitude and day of year as inputs was then developed and used to convert real-time ZTD at GPS stations in Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) from station height to mean sea level (MSL). The real-time ZTD grid product (RtZTD) over China was then generated with a time interval of 5 min. Compared with ZTD estimated in post-processing mode, the bias and error RMS of ZTD at test GPS stations derived from RtZTD are 0.39 and 1.56 cm, which is significantly more accurate than commonly used empirical models. In addition, simulated real-time kinematic Precise Point Positioning (PPP) tests show that using RtZTD could accelerate the BDS-PPP convergence time by up to 32% and 65% in the horizontal and vertical components (set coordinate error thresholds to 0.4 m), respectively. For GPS-PPP, the convergence time using RtZTD can be accelerated by up to 29% in the vertical component (0.2 m).
Variation Trend Analysis of Runoff and Sediment Time Series Based on the R/S Analysis of Simulated Loess Tilled Slopes in the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Zhang Ju , Hu Qingwu , Wang Shaohua , Ai Mingyao
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study was to illustrate the temporal variation of runoff and sediment of loess tilled slopes under successive rainfall conditions. Loess tilled slopes with four microtopography types (straight cultivated slope, artificial backhoe, artificial digging, and contour tillage) under five slope gradients (5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°) were simulated and a rainfall intensity of 60 mm/h was adopted. The temporal trends of runoff and sediment yield were predicted based on the Rescaled Range (R/S) analysis method. The results indicate that the Hurst indices of runoff time series and sediment time series are higher than 0.5, and a long-term positive correlation exists between the future and the past. This means that runoff and sediment of loess tilled slopes in the future will have the same trends as in the past. The results obtained by the classical R/S analysis method were the same as those of the modified R/S analysis method. The rationality and reliability of the R/S analysis method were further identified and the method can be used for predicting the trend of runoff and sediment yield. The correlation between the microtopography and the Hurst indices of the runoff and sediment yield time series, as well as between the slopes and the Hurst indices, were tested, and the result was that there was no significant correlation between them. The microtopography and slopes cannot affect the correlation and continuity of runoff and sediment yield time series. This study provides an effective method for predicting variations in the trends of runoff and sediment yield on loess tilled slopes.
Exploratory Orientation, Business Model Innovation and New Venture Growth
Authors: Zhang Hao , Sun Xinbo , Lyu Chan
Published: December 2017

Why are some start-ups more successful than other companies? In view of this question, this paper deconstructs the growth mechanism of the present new Chinese ventures from the perspective of Internet entrepreneurship and points out that exploratory orientation and business model innovation play an important role in the new ventures growth process. Based on this, through the investigation of 210 start-ups in China, the research found that: (1) exploratory orientation is in a positive relationship with the growth of new ventures; (2) business model innovation plays a mediated role between exploratory orientation and new business growth; (3) Internet embeddedness is found as a moderator in the relationship between exploratory orientation and the growth of new ventures. This finding will not only help further deepen the new research in the new venture growth process but also help to further expand exploratory orientation, business model innovation and the important role of the Internet embeddedness in the growth of new ventures.
Multiple Criteria Decision Making and General Regression for Determining Influential Factors on S&P 500 Index Futures
Authors: Hu John , Hu Yi-Chung , Tsai Amber
Published: December 2017

We employ the DEMATEL-based analytic network process (D-ANP) to evaluate the weight of various factors on S&P 500 index futures. The general regression method is employed to prove the result. We then employed grey relational analysis (GRA) to examine predictive power of determinants suggested by 13 experts for fluctuations in S&P 500 index futures. This study yields a number of empirical results. (1) The explanatory power of macroeconomic factors for S&P 500 index futures outperforms that of technical indicators, as found in most of previous research papers; (2) The D-ANP revealed that five core factors (US dollar index, ISM manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI), interest rate, volatility index, and unemployment rate) affect fluctuations in S&P 500 index futures, of which the US dollar index is the most important; (3) A casual diagram shows that the US dollar index and interest rate have mutual effects, and the US dollar index unilaterally affects ISM manufacturing PMI, unemployment rate, and the volatility index; (4) Granger causality test results confirmed some similar results obtained via the D-ANP that the US dollar index, interest rate, and the PMI have major impacts on the S&P 500 index futures; (5) The general regression results confirmed that four of five factors selected via the D-ANP (US dollar index, interest rate, volatility index, and unemployment rate) have strong explanatory power in forecasting the rate of return on S&P 500 index futures; (6) The GRA revealed that the explanatory power of various factors selected via the D-ANP was better for S&P 500 than for Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and Nasdaq 100 index futures; (7) The explanatory power is better for S&P 500 Industrial than for S&P 500 transportation, utility, and financial index futures.
Fuzzy Techniques for Decision Making
Authors: Carlos R. Alcantud José
Published: December 2017

This book contains the successful invited submissions [1–21] to a Special Issue of Symmetry on the subject area of “Fuzzy Techniques for Decision Making”.[...]
Stability of Spline-Type Systems in the Abelian Case
Authors: Onchis Darian , Zappalà Simone
Published: December 2017

In this paper, the stability of translation-invariant spaces of distributions over locally compact groups is stated as boundedness of synthesis and projection operators. At first, a characterization of the stability of spline-type spaces is given, in the standard sense of the stability for shift-invariant spaces, that is, linear independence characterizes lower boundedness of the synthesis operator in Banach spaces of distributions. The constructive nature of the proof for Theorem 2 enabled us to constructively realize the biorthogonal system of a given one. Then, inspired by the multiresolution analysis and the Lax equivalence for general discretization schemes, we approached the stability of a sequence of spline-type spaces as uniform boundedness of projection operators. Through Theorem 3, we characterize stable sequences of stable spline-type spaces.
Modulation of Intestinal Epithelial Permeability in Differentiated Caco-2 Cells Exposed to Aflatoxin M1 and Ochratoxin A Individually or Collectively
Authors: Gao Yanan , Li Songli , Wang Jiaqi , Luo Chaochao , Zhao Shengguo , Zheng Nan
Published: December 2017

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are mycotoxins commonly found in milk; however, their effects on intestinal epithelial cells have not been reported. In the present study, we show that AFM1 (0.12 and 12 μM) and OTA (0.2 and 20 μM) individually or collectively increased the paracellular flux of lucifer yellow and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextrans (4 and 40 kDa) and decreased transepithelial electrical resistance values in differentiated Caco-2 cells after 48 h of exposure, indicating increased epithelial permeability. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescent analysis revealed that AFM1, OTA, and their combination decreased the expression levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins and disrupted their structures, namely, claudin-3, claudin-4, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) partially involved in the mycotoxins-induced disruption of intestinal barrier. The effects of a combination of AFM1 and OTA on intestinal barrier function were more significant (p < 0.05) than those of AFM1 and OTA alone, yielding additive or synergistic effects. The additive or synergistic effects of AFM1 and OTA on intestinal barrier function might affect human health, especially in children, and toxin risks should be considered.
Human Scalp Hair as an Indicator of Exposure to the Environmental Toxin β-N-Methylamino-l-alanine
Authors: Downing Simoné , Scott Laura , Zguna Nadezda , Downing Timothy
Published: December 2017

Dietary or aerosol exposure to the environmental neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) is a putative risk factor for the development of sporadic neurodegenerative disease. There are many potential sources of BMAA in the environment, but BMAA presence and quantities are highly variable. It has been suggested that BMAA in human hair may serve as an indicator of exposure. We sought to evaluate the use of the BMAA content of human scalp hair as an indicator of exposure, as well as the correlation between specific lifestyle or dietary habits, reported as hypothesised exposure risk factors, and BMAA in hair. Scalp hair samples and questionnaires were collected from participants in a small residential village surrounding a freshwater impoundment renowned for toxic cyanobacterial blooms. Data suggested a positive correlation between hair BMAA content and consumption of shellfish, and possibly pork. No statistically significant correlations were observed between hair BMAA content and residential proximity to the water or any other variable. Hair BMAA content was highly variable, and in terms of exposure, probably reflects primarily dietary exposure. However, the BMAA content of human hair may be affected to a great extent by several other factors, and as such, should be used with caution when evaluating human BMAA exposure, or correlating exposure to neurodegenerative disease incidence.
Pain-Causing Venom Peptides: Insights into Sensory Neuron Pharmacology
Authors: Jami Sina , Erickson Andelain , Brierley Stuart , Vetter Irina
Published: December 2017

Venoms are produced by a wide variety of species including spiders, scorpions, reptiles, cnidarians, and fish for the purpose of harming or incapacitating predators or prey. While some venoms are of relatively simple composition, many contain hundreds to thousands of individual components with distinct pharmacological activity. Pain-inducing or “algesic” venom compounds have proven invaluable to our understanding of how physiological nociceptive neural networks operate. In this review, we present an overview of some of the diverse nociceptive pathways that can be modulated by specific venom components to evoke pain.
β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) Toxicity Is Gender and Exposure-Age Dependent in Rats
Authors: Scott Laura , Downing Timothy
Published: December 2017

Cyanobacterial β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has been suggested as a causative or contributory factor in the development of several neurodegenerative diseases. However, no BMAA animal model has adequately shown clinical or behavioral symptoms that correspond to those seen in either Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Parkinson’s Disease (PD). We present here the first data that show that when neonatal rats were exposed to BMAA on postnatal days 3, 4 and 5, but not on gestational day 14 or postnatally on days 7 or 10, several AD and/or PD-related behavioral, locomotor and cognitive deficits developed. Male rats exhibited severe unilateral hindlimb splay while whole body tremors could be observed in exposed female rats. BMAA-exposed rats failed to identify and discriminate a learned odor, an early non-motor symptom of PD, and exhibited decreased locomotor activity, decreased exploration and increased anxiety in the open field test. Alterations were also observed in the rats’ natural passive defense mechanism, and potential memory deficits and changes to the rat’s natural height avoidance behavior could be observed as early as PND 30. Spatial learning, short-term working, reference and long-term memory were also impaired in 90-day-old rats that had been exposed to a single dose of BMAA on PND 3–7. These data suggest that BMAA is a developmental neurotoxin, with specific target areas in the brain and spinal cord.
Studying Operation Rules of Cascade Reservoirs Based on Multi-Dimensional Dynamics Programming
Authors: Jiang Zhiqiang , Qin Hui , Wu Wenjie , Qiao Yaqi
Published: December 2017

Although many optimization models and methods are applied to the optimization of reservoir operation at present, the optimal operation decision that is made through these models and methods is just a retrospective review. Due to the limitation of hydrological prediction accuracy, it is practical and feasible to obtain the suboptimal or satisfactory solution by the established operation rules in the actual reservoir operation, especially for the mid- and long-term operation. In order to obtain the optimized sample data with global optimality; and make the extracted operation rules more reasonable and reliable, this paper presents the multi-dimensional dynamic programming model of the optimal joint operation of cascade reservoirs and provides the corresponding recursive equation and the specific solving steps. Taking Li Xianjiang cascade reservoirs as a case study, seven uncertain problems in the whole operation period of the cascade reservoirs are summarized after a detailed analysis to the obtained optimal sample data, and two sub-models are put forward to solve these uncertain problems. Finally, by dividing the whole operation period into four characteristic sections, this paper extracts the operation rules of each reservoir for each section respectively. When compared the simulation results of the extracted operation rules with the conventional joint operation method; the result indicates that the power generation of the obtained rules has a certain degree of improvement both in inspection years and typical years (i.e., wet year; normal year and dry year). So, the rationality and effectiveness of the extracted operation rules are verified by the comparative analysis.
Thermo- and electro-optical properties of photonic liquid crystal fibers doped with gold nanoparticles
Authors: Siarkowska Agata , Chychłowski Miłosz , Budaszewski Daniel , Jankiewicz Bartłomiej , Bartosewicz Bartosz , Woliński Tomasz R
Published: December 2017

Thermo- and electro-optical properties of a photonic liquid crystal fiber (PLCF) enhanced by the use of dopants have been investigated. A 6CHBT nematic liquid crystal was doped with four different concentrations of gold nanoparticles (NPs), 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 wt %, for direct comparison of the influence of the dopant on the properties of the PLCF. The thermo-optical effects of the liquid crystal doped with gold NPs were compared in three setups, an LC cell, a microcapillary and within the PLCF, to determine if the observed responses to external factors are caused by the properties of the infiltration material or due to the setup configuration. The results obtained indicated that with increasing NP doping a significant reduction of the rise time under an external electric field occurs with a simultaneous decrease in the nematic–isotropic phase transition temperature, thus improving the thermo- and electro-optical properties of the PLCF.
The synthesis of the 2,3-difluorobutan-1,4-diol diastereomers
Authors: Szpera Robert , Kovalenko Nadia , Natarajan Kalaiselvi , Paillard Nina , Linclau Bruno
Published: December 2017

The diastereoselective synthesis of fluorinated building blocks that contain chiral fluorine substituents is of interest. Here we describe optimisation efforts in the synthesis of anti-2,3-difluorobutane-1,4-diol, as well as the synthesis of the corresponding syn-diastereomer. Both targets were synthesised using an epoxide opening strategy.
THE EFFECT OF SPATIAL CONFIGURATION IN THE THERMAL AREA OF FORT ORANJE PUBLIC SPACE IN TERNATE CITY
Authors: MUHAMMAD Asri A. , MARASABESSY Firdawaty , KUSUMAWANTO Arif , NARESWARI Ardhya
Published: December 2017

Crowded city will be impact to the temperature of urban areas. This condition is commonly known as the urban heat island effect. It’s impact to the activity that happened in the urban space. Recently, Fort Oranje (urban space/square) that has history value has been revitalized as an urban public space that is crowd visited by Ternate’s people. Therefore, the thermal comfort becomes an important thing and that is available to the users. The research is aim to know the influence of space configuration change to the aspect of thermal comfort in the urban public space. The method that is used in this research is empirical measurement and simulation method using Envi-MET software. This method is used to simulate the condition of thermal area in Fort Oranje. The result of this research showed that space configuration that change before and after the development of Ternate waterfront city impact to the thermal conditions in Fort Oranje public space.
TRANSFORMATION OF FORM IN THE GROWTH OF MODERN JAVANESE HOUSE IN LAWEYAN SURAKARTA
Authors: CAHYONO Untung Joko , SETIOKO Bambang , MURTINI Titin Woro
Published: December 2017

Javanese house tradition grows and develops along time. In the modern era, the development of materials technology, both from the Javanese community and from the European experts, has influenced the way to build a house among the Javanese community. Visible changes are so radical in the use of materials and structural system of the building that they influence the look and shape of the house. The purpose of this research is to study the form transformation in the growth of modern Javanese houses at Kampung Batik Laweyan Surakarta. Laweyan is the traditional Javanese kampung already existing in the Kingdom Pajang long before the birth of Surakarta. Morphological analysis was used to understand deformation of modern Javanese homes developed by the generations of batik entrepreneurs in the 20th century. Indicators of ‘the Javanese origin’ in modern Javanese houses are seen from the consistency of the traditional house configuration, indicated by spatial structure of pendopo, dalem, and gandok. The conclusion is that some Javanese principles still remain in developing modern houses in Laweyan, namely: (1) a house should always be developed creatively to give comfort and protection; and (2) a house should always give benefit and wealth to the owner.
LIFESTYLE TRENDS AND HOUSING TYPOLOGIES IN EMERGING MULTICULTURAL CITIES
Authors: SALAMA Ashraf M. , WIEDMANN Florian , IBRAHIM Hatem G.
Published: December 2017

The introduction of new housing typologies in emerging cities is rooted in dynamics including infrastructural investments, urban growth rates and new development policies. In accommodating new lifestyles, demand-driven patterns by tenants and property owners are the main factors consolidating development trends in future. This paper explores the relationship between new lifestyle patterns and housing typologies in emerging cities. Within the context of Gulf cities, namely Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama, this paper investigates demographic structures and housing trends where a rapid phase of urban growth has transformed local urbanism. Current social structures were analysed by following a new ‘lifestyle framework’ resulting in the characterization of four main lifestyle trends. This is coupled with the assessment of 240 cases of new residences from the Gulf cities under study. The juxtaposition of both studies offers an outlook relevant to the importance of a transition from supply-driven to demand-driven housing dynamics to accommodate emerging multicultural societies. The paper thus contributes to a better understanding and identification of the social groups that are currently lacking suitable housing.
Untwisting Jets Related to Magnetic Flux Cancellation
Authors: Liu Jiajia , Erdélyi Robert , Wang Yuming , Liu Rui
Published: December 2017

The rotational motion of solar jets is believed to be a signature of the untwisting process resulting from magnetic reconnection, which takes place between twisted closed magnetic loops (i.e., magnetic flux ropes) and open magnetic field lines. The identification of the pre-existing flux rope, and the relationship between the twist contained in the rope and the number of turns the jet experiences, are then vital in understanding the jet-triggering mechanism. In this paper, we will perform a detailed analysis of imaging, spectral, and magnetic field observations of four homologous jets, among which the fourth one releases a twist angle of 2.6π. Nonlinear force-free field extrapolation of the photospheric vector magnetic field before the jet eruption presents a magnetic configuration with a null point between twisted and open fields—a configuration highly in favor of the eruption of solar jets. The fact that the jet rotates in the opposite sense of handness to the twist contained in the pre-eruption photospheric magnetic field confirms the unwinding of the twist by the jet’s rotational motion. The temporal relationship between jets’ occurrence and the total negative flux at their source region, together with the enhanced magnetic submergence term of the photospheric Poynting flux, shows that these jets are highly associated with local magnetic flux cancellation.
Does the Compact Radio Jet in PG 1700+518 Drive a Molecular Outflow?
Authors: Runnoe Jessie C. , Gültekin Kayhan , Rupke David S. N.
Published: December 2017

Radio jets play an important role in quasar feedback, but direct observations showing how the jets interact with the multi-phase interstellar medium of galaxy disks are few and far between. In this work, we provide new millimeter interferometric observations of PG 1700+518 in order to investigate the effect of its radio jet on the surrounding molecular gas. PG 1700 is a radio-quiet, low-ionization broad absorption line quasar whose host galaxy has a nearby interacting companion. On subkiloparsec scales, the ionized gas is driven to high velocities by a compact radio jet that is identified by radio interferometry. We present observations from the NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) interferometer with a 3.″8 (16 kpc) synthesized beam where we detect the

emission line at

significance with a total flux of 3.12 ± 0.02 Jy  km s−1 and a typical velocity dispersion of 125 ± 5 km s−1. Despite the outflow in ionized gas, we find no concrete evidence that the CO gas is being affected by the radio jet on size scales of a kiloparsec or more. However, a ∼1″ drift in the spatial centroid of the CO emission as a function of velocity across the emission line and the compact nature of the jet hint that higher spatial resolution observations may reveal a signal of interaction between the jet and molecular gas.
The Formation Rate of Short Gamma-Ray Bursts and Gravitational Waves
Authors: Zhang G. Q. , Wang F. Y.
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we study the luminosity function and formation rate of short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs). First, we derive the

E

p

–

L

p

correlation using 16 sGRBs with redshift measurements and determine the pseudo redshifts of 284 Fermi sGRBs. Then, we use the Lynden-Bell c− method to study the luminosity function and formation rate of sGRBs without any assumptions. A strong evolution of luminosity

L

(
z
)
∝
(
1
+
z
)

4.47

is found. After removing this evolution, the luminosity function is

Ψ
(
L
)
∝

L

0

−
0.29
±
0.01

for dim sGRBs and

ψ
(
L
)
∝

L

0

−
1.07
±
0.01

for bright sGRBs, with the break point

8.26
×

10

50

erg s−1. We also find that the formation rate decreases rapidly at

z
<
1.0

, which is different from previous works. The local formation rate of sGRBs is 7.53 events Gpc−3 yr−1. Considering the beaming effect, the local formation rate of sGRBs including off-axis sGRBs is

203.31

−
135.54

+
1152.09

events Gpc−3 yr−1. We also estimate that the event rate of sGRBs detected by the advanced LIGO and Virgo is

0.85

−
0.56

+
4.82

events yr−1 for an NS–NS binary.
Thirty-fold: Extreme Gravitational Lensing of a Quiescent Galaxy at z = 1.6
Authors: Ebeling H. , Stockmann M. , Richard J. , Zabl J. , Brammer G. , Toft S. , Man A.
Published: December 2017

We report the discovery of eMACSJ1341-QG-1, a quiescent galaxy at z = 1.594 located behind the massive galaxy cluster eMACSJ1341.9–2442 (z = 0.835). The system was identified as a gravitationally lensed triple image in Hubble Space Telescope images obtained as part of a snapshot survey of the most X-ray luminous galaxy clusters at z > 0.5 and spectroscopically confirmed in ground-based follow-up observations with the ESO/X-Shooter spectrograph. From the constraints provided by the triple image, we derive a first, crude model of the mass distribution of the cluster lens, which predicts a gravitational amplification of a factor of ∼30 for the primary image and a factor of ∼6 for the remaining two images of the source, making eMACSJ1341-QG-1 by far the most strongly amplified quiescent galaxy discovered to date. Our discovery underlines the power of SNAPshot observations of massive, X-ray selected galaxy clusters for lensing-assisted studies of faint background populations.
Carbocysteine in the Management of Stable COPD: Are Its Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties Clinically Relevant?
Authors: Minov Jordan , Karadzinska-Bislimovska Jovanka , Petrova Tatjana , Vasilevska Kristin , Stoleski Saso , Mijakoski Dragan , Atanasovska Aneta
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND: The recent epidemiological and experimental evidence suggest possible antioxidant effect of carbocysteine in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).AIM: To assess efficacy and tolerability of carbocysteine in the management of stable COPD.METHODS: We performed an observational, non-randomized, open study (a real life study) including 87 patients with stable COPD (group B and D by combined COPD assessment) divided in two groups, examined group (EG) and control group (CG). All participants were treated with the regular treatment of the stable disease, but in the participants of the EG carbocysteine 1,500 mg daily was added to their regular treatment during the period of two months. The study protocol included completion of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and spirometric measurements at initial visit and at the end of the mentioned period.RESULTS: We found significantly lower mean value of the overall CAT score in the EG at the end of the study as compared to its mean value registered at initial visit (26.9 vs. 24.3; P = 0.007). In regard to certain CAT items, we found significantly lower values of the mean scores related to cough phlegm and sleep disturbances as compared to their mean scores at initial visit. In addition, the mean values of the overall CAT scores at initial visit and at the end of the study in controls were similar. In EG we found significantly higher mean value of the MEF 25-75 at the end of the study as compared to its mean value registered at initial visit (59.3% vs. 67.2%; P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in the mean values of other spirometric parameters at the end of the study as compared to their mean values at initial visit. In controls we registered similar values of all measured spirometric parameters at the end of the study as compared to their values registered at initial visit. Mild gastrointestinal manifestations were registered in 13.3% of the participants of the EG during the examined period.CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate positive effects of carbocysteine regarding the symptoms and lung function, as well as its good tolerability in the patients with stable COPD.
Où va la Chine de Xi Jinping ?
Authors: Holzman Marie
Published: December 2017

Le XIX e Congrès marque une forme de régression vers l’ère maoïste. La situation des droits de l’hommes en Chine ne s’améliore pas. Les avocats peinent à défendre les victimes du système chinois. Le nationalisme, attisé par le régime, se renforce. Le mouvement pour l’abolition de la peine de mort est moribond. Le régime monopolise le discours marxiste et coupe ainsi l’herbe sous le pied de ceux qui voudraient qui pourraient être tentés d’utiliser Marx contre l’élite du parti et de l’économie.
XIX e Congrès du PCC : les dangers du rêve chinois de Xi Jinping
Authors: Delalande Philippe
Published: December 2017

Dès 2012 Xi Jinping est sévère sur le délitement du Parti, fondement de l’Etat. Il fustige les défauts des cadres : formalisme procédurier, goût du luxe, perte du sens de l’intérêt général, arrogance, corruption. Sa priorité fut de reprendre en mains et d’assainir le Parti souvent avec violence. Il continuera au cours du second mandat. Il répète que « le plus grand danger pour un parti communiste au pouvoir est de se couper de sa population ». Sa seconde priorité fut de donner un sens à l’action collective. C’est l’objet du « rêve chinois » de développement économique et d’affirmation de la puissance chinoise. Maintenir une croissance forte est nécessaire pour financer ce rêve. Réformer l’armée est nécessaire pour monter en puissance. Cette réforme, mise en œuvre par Xi Jinping doit être achevée en 2020. Sous l’autorité d’un dirigeant déterminé, sans opposition, une Chine qui se veut et se sait puissante devient dangereuse. Ne sera-t-elle pas tentée d’abuser de sa puissance ?
La « nouvelle ère du socialisme aux couleurs de la Chine » et ses objectifs économiques
Authors: Tchang Jean-Paul
Published: December 2017

Xi Jinping veut résolument poursuivre les réformes. Il s’en prend aux « groupes d’intérêt à l’intérieur du parti » qui entrave les mouvements de modernisation de l’économie chinoise. Il affiche un volontarisme qui s’appuie à la fois sur une vision à long terme et une volonté de mettre des œuvres des mesures en accord avec les principes du marché. Lassé d’attendre les compliments des Occidentaux, il s’en fait beaucoup à lui-même.
Le XIX e Congrès du Parti communiste : comment la Chine contribue à améliorer la gouvernance globale
Authors: Song Luzheng
Published: December 2017

Alors que le système politique occidental est en crise profonde, la Chine innove et propose un autre système politique, plus stable et plus efficace. Ce contraste est manifeste dans le contexte du Brexit et de l ’élection de Donald Trump d’une part, et de la parfaite tenue du XIX e congrès du parti communiste chinois de l ’autre.
Panorama critique de la République populaire de Chine (et de ses complices) dans le dernier opus d’Arif Dirlik
Authors: Bartel David
Published: December 2017

Au moment où le « Rêve de Chine » du Président de la RPC semble s’orienter irrémédiablement vers l’idée totalitaire d’un « peuple-Un », il est temps de réarticuler une critique qui se tienne à distance tant du China Bashing que d’une tolérance suspecte pour la différence culturelle. Arif Dirlik nous propose – dans un dernier ouvrage récemment publié – une critique articulée dense et sophistiquée de différents aspects du développement chinois dont les conséquences politiques, sociales, économiques, environnementales, culturelles, viennent modifier définitivement la configuration du monde que nous avons connu, pas toujours pour le meilleur. Cet article en offre un aperçu.
Formation of an Effective Multi-Functional Model of the Research Competence of Students
Authors: Belyanina Lubov A.
Published: December 2017

At the present stage, education in Russia is undergoing multiple changes, affecting both organizational and content aspects. Particular attention is paid to the formation and development of research competence among students. The chapter considers the construction of a multifunctional model of research competence of students. The developed model is an open and dynamic system that includes a number of interrelated and interdependent components consisting of a set of tasks, content, elements of the activity of subjects of the educational process, effective methods and methodological techniques, diagnostics and results. A methodology for developing research competence through a three-level program is proposed.
Improving the Mechanisms of Formation of MS Students' Research Competencies in Russian Core Universities
Authors: Vasin Sergey Mikhailovich , Surovitskaya Galina Vladimirovna , Gamidullaeva Leyla Ayvarovna , Vardan Mkrttchian
Published: December 2017

The present study aimed at finding ways of combining the concept of the triple helix of innovation development “university - business - government” on the basis of a competence-based approach of university management theory, with increased attention to the mechanisms of formation of intangible assets of regional universities, modernization mechanisms of their innovation activity at the higher levels. The results can be incorporated into management practices to improve and enhance the competitiveness of the innovation system of the Russian Federation regions, in particular in support of individual regional universities. The rapid deployment of innovative processes in the region has led to the emergence of new business models of universities, in particular the “triple helix” model, combining universities, business and government with the semi-autonomous centers that interact with the environment.
Project-Based Learning as an Instrument for the Formation and Development of Research Skills of Biology Students
Authors: Dyatlova Ksenia Dmitrievna , Shvets Irina Mikchailovna , Orlova Elena Sergeevna , Sinitsyna Yulia Vitalievna , Struchkova Irina Valerievna
Published: December 2017

In response to the demands upon the academic community to improve the quality of university teaching, the authors have been developing project-based methodology in terms of biological science. This Chapter mainly focuses on deriving principles and practice in conducting project courses covering a range of major disciplines. Increased emphasis is placed on a distinguishing feature of the study which implies consistent scientific sophistication of project methodology beginning in the first year of tuition and continuing later in degrees. The general project design proposed interrelates with meeting students' future research activity.
Research Competence for Teaching Students With Disabilities Act (IDEA) in Russian General Education
Authors: Aleshina Ekaterina Yuryevna , Lubov Belyanina , Tankov Nikolai , Simakova Olga , Sedrakyan Sedrak , Ahtyan Anna , Akhtian Ema
Published: December 2017

Research Competence for Teaching Students with Disabilities Act (IDEA) in Russian General Education needs of students with disabilities are caused by patterns of impaired development: difficulties of interaction with environment (first of all, with surrounding people), problems of individual development; the smaller speed of reception and processing of sensory information; the smaller volume of the information remaining in memory; problems of verbal expression (for example, difficulties in development of verbal generalizations and in nomination of objects); problems of development of any movements (slowness, difficulties of coordination); the slow rate of mental development as a whole; increased fatigability. Taking into account special educational requirements, special educational conditions are created for children with disabilities. Difficulties in interactions with social environment are also caused by special features of development of students with disabilities.