bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bottling Up Discontent
Authors: Rajagopalan Kavitha
Published: June 2016

World Policy Institute fellow and author Kavitha Rajagopalan investigates the informal water economy of Chennai, a city in southern India. She finds that the government’s failure to dependably distribute clean water has made black-market dealings a necessity. But in such a poorly regulated environment, “clean” water is often dirty, putting millions at risk of falling ill. She puts forward a number of possible plans, including pani panchayats, or citizen-led water councils inspired by institutions in rural India.
Soccs and the City
Authors: Kaul Urvashi
Published: June 2016

Urvashi Kaul explores the use of Social Capital Credits, a tool used to reinforce and create grass-roots community networks in cities across the world. She writes about her experiences in Kumasi, Ghana, implementing a program where people perform socially beneficial activities to earn credits that can be redeemed for goods and services. The concept is simple, but Kaul argues Social Capital Credits can help bring about “a redefinition of wealth that takes into account the power of community.”
Honor Killings
Authors: Zakaria Rafia
Published: June 2016

Author and columnist Rafia Zakaria critiques the coverage of honor crimes in the West. If the project of honor-crime storytelling is to bring about a moral shift in communities, then the naming-and-shaming model of journalism has failed. Instead, stories need to be directed toward deeper, more contextualized narratives that unlock the how and why of these crimes.
Justice Delayed
Authors: Michaelson Ruth
Published: June 2016

Since Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi took power in 2013, the list of Egyptians forcibly disappeared, unjustly detained, or held in pre-trial detention has grown. Journalist Ruth Michaelson explores Egypt’s pliant justice system and the geopolitics that enable the state to lock away alleged opposition members without ever seeing a judge.
Attention: Deficit Disorder!
Authors: Fogarty Edward A. , Park Gene
Published: June 2016

Political scientists Edward A. Fogarty and Gene Park argue that the world’s response to the 2008 economic crisis demonstrates that, when the next global economic disaster hits, members of the G-20 will work together. Outside of crisis, the G-20 can only be expected to take baby steps toward greater coordination and fiscal transparency.
Flaws in Botswana’s Diamond Industry
Authors: Sharife Khadija
Published: June 2016

Botswana owns a 15 percent share in De Beers, an unprecedented entangling of a sovereign country with a private company. Investigative reporter Khadija Sharife reveals a mutual dependence between the diamond giant, Botswana, and the country’s leading party that has perverted democracy and created an opaque revenue system that costs the southern African nation millions of dollars every year.
Congo’s “Mr. X”
Authors: Fahey Daniel
Published: June 2016

When Daniel Fahey visited eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as coordinator of the U.N.’s Group of Experts, he found a charismatic charlatan known as “Mr. X” under the protection of the U.N. A star witness in a murder trial, Mr. X had convinced the U.N. of his tall tales. Fahey shows how Mr. X’s story sheds light on the emerging role of intelligence in peacekeeping operations and the unpredictable effects of its failures.
Rapid proteomic responses to a near-lethal heat stress in the salt marsh musselGeukensia demissa
Authors: Fields Peter A. , Burmester Elizabeth M. , Cox Kelly M. , Karch Kelly R.
Published: June 2016

Acute heat stress perturbs cellular function on a variety of levels, leading to protein dysfunction and aggregation, oxidative stress, and loss of metabolic homeostasis. If these challenges are not overcome quickly, the stressed organism can die. To better understand the earliest tissue-level responses to heat stress, we examined the proteomic response of gill from Geukensia demissa, an extremely eurythermal mussel from the temperate intertidal zone of eastern North America. We exposed 15°C-acclimated individuals to an acute near-lethal heat stress (45°C) for 1 hour, and collected gill samples from 0 to 24 hours of recovery. The changes in protein expression we found reveal a coordinated physiological response to acute heat stress: Proteins associated with apoptotic processes were increased in abundance during the stress itself (i.e., at 0 h of recovery), while protein chaperones and foldases increased in abundance soon after (3 h). The greatest number of proteins changed abundance at 6 h; these included oxidative stress proteins and enzymes of energy metabolism. Proteins associated with the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix also changed in abundance starting at 6 h, providing evidence of cell proliferation, migration, and tissue remodeling. By 12 h the response to acute heat stress was diminishing, with fewer stress and structural proteins changing in abundance. Finally, the proteins with altered abundances identified at 24 h suggest a return to the pre-stress anabolic state.
Host miRNA degradation by Herpesvirus saimiri small nuclear RNA requires an unstructured interacting region
Authors: Pawlica Paulina , Moss Walter N. , Steitz Joan A.
Published: June 2016

Herpesvirus saimiri, an oncogenic herpesvirus, during latency produces seven small nuclear RNAs, called the Herpesvirus saimiriURNAs (HSUR1–7). HSUR1 mediates degradation of the host microRNA, miR-27, via a process that requires imperfect base-pairing. The decreased levels of miR-27 lead to prolonged T-cell activation and likely contribute to oncogenesis. To gain insight into HSUR1-mediated degradation of miR-27, we probed the in vivo secondary structure of HSUR1 and coupled this with bioinformatic structural analyses. The results suggest that HSUR1 adopts a conformation different than previously believed and that the region complementary to miR-27 lacks stable structure. To determine whether HSUR1 structural flexibility is important for its ability to mediate miR-27 degradation, we performed structurally informative mutagenic analyses of HSUR1. HSUR1 mutants in which the miR-27 binding site sequence is preserved, but sequestered in predicted helices, lose their ability to decrease miR-27 levels. These results indicate that the HSUR1 miR27-binding region must be available in a conformationally flexible segment for noncoding RNA function.
Οι αδελφοί Παναγιώτης και Γεώργιος Ιωαννίδη. Συμβολή στην προσωπογραφία του νεοελληνικού Διαφωτισμού
Authors: Αργυροπούλου–Λουγγή Ρωξάνη
Published: June 2016

No abstract
Ελληνική Βιβλιογραφία 1800-1863. Προσθήκες – Συμπληρώσεις
Authors: Κατσιαρδή Όλγα
Published: June 2016

No abstract
Lovastatin lactone may improve irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) by inhibiting enzymes in the archaeal methanogenesis pathway
Authors: Muskal Steven M. , Sliman Joe , Kokai-Kun John , Pimentel Mark , Wacher Vince , Gottlieb Klaus
Published: June 2016

Methane produced by the methanoarchaeonMethanobrevibacter smithii(M. smithii) has been linked to constipation, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), and obesity. Lovastatin, which demonstrates a cholesterol-lowering effect by the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, may also have an anti-methanogenesis effect through direct inhibition of enzymes in the archaeal methanogenesis pathway. We conducted protein-ligand docking experiments to evaluate this possibility. Results are consistent with recent clinical findings.

METHODS: F420-dependent methylenetetrahydromethanopterin dehydrogenase (mtd), a key methanogenesis enzyme was modeled for two different methanogenic archaea:M. smithiiandMethanopyrus kandleri. Once protein models were developed, ligand-binding sites were identified. Multiple ligands and their respective protonation, isomeric and tautomeric representations were docked into each site, including F420-coenzyme (natural ligand), lactone and β-hydroxyacid forms of lovastatin and simvastatin, and other co-complexed ligands found in related crystal structures.

RESULTS: 1) Generally, for each modeled site the lactone form of the statins had more favorable site interactions compared to F420; 2) The statin lactone forms generally had the most favorable docking scores, even relative to the native template PDB ligands; and 3) The statin β-hydroxyacid forms had less favorable docking scores, typically scoring in the middle with some of the F420 tautomeric forms. Consistent with these computational results were those from a recent phase II clinical trial (NCT02495623) with a proprietary, modified-release lovastatin-lactone (SYN-010) in patients with IBS-C, which showed a reduction in symptoms and breath methane levels, compared to placebo.

CONCLUSION: The lactone form of lovastatin exhibits preferential binding over the native-F420 coenzyme ligandin silicoand thus could inhibit the activity of the keyM. smithiimethanogenesis enzymemtdin vivo. Statin lactones may thus exert a methane-reducing effect that is distinct from cholesterol lowering activity, which requires HMGR inhibition by statin β-hydroxyacid forms.
Wide right Morita contexts in lax-unital bicategories
Authors: Reimaa Ülo
Published: June 2016

The classical result in the theory of unital rings that the maps of a Morita context are isomorphisms when they are epimorphisms can be proven in the general setting of wide right Morita contexts in bicategories. There exists a similar result for non-unital rings, but bicategories are not general enough to handle that case. In this paper, we use the more general lax-unital bicategories to prove a version of the result and study some related questions.
Association of the body types and disease-related values of knee osteoarthritic patients
Authors: Übner Monika , Õun Kandela
Published: June 2016

Different spa therapy courses are offered for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) in Estonian medical spas. They contain approximately six daily sessions of three different treatments: massages, thermotherapies, kinesitherapies etc. There are some disease related risk factors including weight and sex. All subjects in the current study were divided into five height-weight classes and they were evaluated before and after the spa therapy course and the follow-up after 10 weeks and six months. To assess the clinical status different questionnaires (HAQ-DI, VAS, Lequesne Index) were used. The results showed that the subjects who participated in the study were mainly females and overweight. In the female group, there were more big type persons, but males were more leptomorphic. Females reported greater knee pain values, but males felt much better after six months. Also, leptomorphs had significantly better changes in the follow-up study. Higher pain diminishing was found in overweight persons but not obese subjects. The subject’s functional ability to do usual activities was mild or moderate. Only leptomorphs had significant decrease in the follow-up study. The Lequesne Index related to the function of the knee and score stabilized after 10 weeks in the small and leptomorph group.
Servant Leadership: Teaching the Helping Professional
Authors: Fields Joyce W. , Thompson Karen C. , Hawkins Julie R.
Published: June 2016

Robert Greenleaf’s principles of servant leadership are relevant to the helping professions, including empowerment and development of others, service to others, and open and participatory leadership. The study of servant leadership was infused into an undergraduate senior capstone experience (an internship) for emerging helping professionals (social work and child and family studies majors). Students read and discussed Greenleaf’s work and applied it to their internship experiences through weekly written reflections. Analysis of student reflections revealed an internalization of servant leadership principles and an understanding of their application within a professional context. Field supervisor evaluations of students indicated professional development consistent with servant leadership ideals. Analysis of servant leadership self-evaluations by students recorded at the beginning and end of the capstone experience revealed increases in empowering and developing others and serving others. These findings support the value of servant leadership education in the training of future leaders within the helping professions.
Peer-led Learning Communities: Exploring Integrative High-Impact Educational Practicesfor Leadership Education
Authors: Priest Kerry L. , Paula Ana Luiza de Campos
Published: June 2016

The use of high-impact practices is well documented in higher education literature. This brief describes the integrative practice of undergraduate peer-led leadership learning communities as a model of delivery within a large introductory leadership education course for first-year students. Utilizing open-ended questions embedded within end-of-semester teaching evaluation surveys, we analyzed students’ perceptions of the learning community experience and the peer leader’s role. Our findings illustrate how peer leaders play a critical role in fostering a vibrant leadership learning community, which contributes to students’ positive perceptions of their own leadership learning and development.
Supplier Competition and Cost Improvement
Authors: Li Cuihong , Wan Zhixi
Published: June 2016

Buyers have two levers to enhance their supply base performance: fostering supplier competition and inducing suppliers to improve. The competition–improvement relation between the two levers has important implications for supply base design. We study a buyer facing two potential suppliers that can exert cost-reduction efforts, examining the interplay of supplier competition and supplier cost improvement under various information structures (i.e., the supplier effort is observable or unobservable) and commitment capabilities (i.e., the buyer may not commit, or may commit to a full or partial procurement mechanism, before suppliers exert efforts). We find that the two identical suppliers may choose unequal efforts, resulting in an asymmetric equilibrium outcome that enhances the performance of dual sourcing. Moreover, the competition–improvement relation depends on the effort observability. Whereas supplier competition always leads to lower improvement effort when the effort is unobservable, it may induce higher effort when the effort is observable. Thus, a trade-off between supplier competition and supplier effort is not always necessary in supply base design. Comparing the observable- and unobservable-effort cases, we demonstrate a detrimental effect of supplier effort observability on the buyer profits. Finally, we show that more commitment expands the presence of asymmetric equilibria, enhancing dual sourcing, and the partial commitment strengthens the positive effect of competition on observable efforts while maintaining the detrimental effect of effort observability.

This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
ECG of the month
Authors: Regan Martin
Published: June 2016

Martin Regan presents an ECG for you to analyse
Sweet enough already: a review of dietary guidelines on sugars and health
Authors: Parker Tracy , Taylor Victoria
Published: June 2016

New evidence based guidance has recently been published in the UK recommending a significant reduction in free sugars intake to provide no more than 5% of dietary energy. This is based on the benefits to dental health, as well as in relation to obesity. High-sugar diets are associated with high energy intake. Intakes of free sugars in the UK have been consistently in excess of recommendations for a number of years, with the main sources in our diet coming from sugar sweetened beverages, table sugar, preserves, chocolate, sweets and sugars added to baked goods such a biscuits and cakes. Simple swaps to replace these products with low sugar or sugar free alternatives are recommended. However, policy measures will be necessary to encourage and enable individuals to make these choices. The Government has recently announced a levy on sugar sweetened beverages, which is welcome. However, this is just one of several interventions that are needed to make a meaningful and sustainable change to improve diets in the UK and help to reduce the burden of obesity and conditions associated with this such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. A childhood obesity strategy is anticipated this summer and it is hoped that this will build on this and offer an evidence based and sustainable approach to this issue.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Jane Palmer Sarah
Published: June 2016

This section presents a concise overview of the conditions, treatments and clinical procedures in the field of cardiovascular care. This ‘back-to-basics’ article aims to refresh nurses' knowledge on correct theory and practice, as well as introduce students and junior nurses to aspects of practice
Chinese teachers’ perceptions of the ‘good citizen’: Implications for implementing China’s civic education curriculum
Authors: Li Hui , Kennedy Kerry J. , Tan Chuang Bao
Published: June 2016

Conceptions of ‘good citizen’ have implications for defining the goals of civic education and formulating civic education programmes. In Mainland China, the concept of ‘good citizen’ is clearly defined by the authorities in official curriculum guidelines. Teachers’ perceptions of ‘good citizen’, however, may differ from any official definition and these perceptions may actually influence teachers’ approaches to the implementation of civic education in schools. The study reported here employs qualitative methods to compare how ‘good citizen’ is defined in the China’s official civics curriculum and junior high school teachers’ perceptions of ‘good citizen’. The purpose of the study is to investigate the extent of congruence between these two levels and to identify strategies for designing an effective civic education curriculum in China. This article argues that an effective civic education curriculum must consider teachers’ conceptions of ‘good citizen’ and teachers’ awareness of citizenship alongside ‘official’ statements.
FORMALIZATION OF REVERSE LOGISTICS PROGRAMS: A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: Han Hui , Cueto Eva Ponce
Published: June 2016

Formalization would enable firms to profitably handle their reverse logistics operations, especially when returns involve a number of uncertainties such as increasing volume of returns, the unstable time, and different types/conditions of returned products. The main goal of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework that helps firms to implement a formalization program to manage their returns. The framework proposed covers all the stages in reverse logistics process, from return collection to sorting and treatment processes. This research work proposes the theoretical framework that provides instructions for firms formalization, with written rules and standard procedures, to better control their reverse logistics process. Companies can effectively structure their reverse logistics activities with own formalization system based on the theoretical framework proposed in this paper.
A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING INTENTIONAL FOOD CONTAMINATION BASED ON RISK ANALYSIS
Authors: Navarrete Ramón , Lario Esteban Francisco Cruz
Published: June 2016

In today’s globalized world the number of risks in supply chains are increasing and the threats are becoming more complex. All the risks and threats can have a severely negative impact on markets. Some of these threats are terrorism, piracy and theft. Within the food industry, Food Terrorism has gained relevance due to the extreme consequences it may have on both public health and the market. Food Terrorism refers to the intentional contamination of food in any link of the supply chain, which covers everything from production to consumption. The Food Defense refers to the analysis, control and improvement of prevention mechanisms of those attacks; that is, the Food Defense involves a Risks Management. In general terms, this paper focuses on a proposal formulation based on a risk analysis that allows establishing a management system for preventing intentional food contamination and the improvement of the security of the supply chain. Given the recent events in Paris, on November 13, 2015, consideration has also been given to the present situation and the importance of the issue of preventing terrorism.This initial study covers only the theoretical methodological proposal and focusses only on the companies of the alimentary sector of Guanajuato State in Mexico. However, it may extend into a research plan security of food supply chain.
RENEWABLE ENERGIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: EVIDENCES OF STUDY IN PANEL
Authors: Lameira Valdir , Alcântara Fabiana , Chiappori Dino , Pereira Roberto
Published: June 2016

The concerns with sustainability in environmental and social realm led to an expressive increase in generation of energy of renewable sources in last years. This paper addresses an investigation on possible associations between the increase of renewable energies generation and the economic and financial performance indicators of countries. The multiple linear regressions method is applied to a data panel of the period from 2005 to 2008, in 54 countries. The outcomes point to an association between higher generation of renewable energies and lower GDP growths, higher per capita income and higher investments in gross fixed capital formation, besides other interesting associations.
Limiting the risk of injury through safety guidelines in a physical education setting
Authors: Fitzgerald Andrew , Deutsch Joe
Published: June 2016

Physical activity involves risk and thus the physical education classroom requires safety standards to be established and maintained to ensure safety. The number of physical education related injuries in elementary, middle school, and high school increased 150% from 1997 to 2007 and they have continued to rise in the last decade as well. The classroom teacher must employ the highest level of organization and management in order to limit their risk. Working together with administration to establish policy and review safety standards ensures that multiple entities are involved in ensuring safety. Having safety guidelines within a physical education setting could potentially help protect the students from unnecessary injuries and may prevent the school district from legal action in the case of an injury.
Analysis of end-winding proximity losses in a high-speed PM machine
Authors: Mlot Adrian , Lukaniszyn Marian , Korkosz Mariusz
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a finite element investigation into the proximity losses in a high-speed permanent magnet (PM) machine for traction applications. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) is employed to evaluate and identify the endwinding contribution into the overall winding power loss generated. The study is focused on the end-winding effects that have not been widely reported in the literature. The calculated results confirm that the end-winding copper loss can significantly affect the eddycurrent loss within copper and it should be taken into account to provide reasonable prediction of total losses. Several structures of the end-winding are analyzed and compared in respect to the loss and AC resistance. The results clearly demonstrate that the size of the end-winding has a significant impact on the power loss. The calculated results are validated experimentally on the high-speed permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) prototype for selected various winding arrangements.
Genetic algorithm as a tool for multi-objective optimization of permanent magnet disc motor
Authors: Cvetkovski Goga , Petkovska Lidija
Published: June 2016

The analysed permanent magnet disc motor (PMDM) is used for direct wheel drive in an electric vehicle. Therefore there are several objectives that could be tackled in the design procedure, such as an increased efficiency, reduced iron weight, reduced copper weight or reduced weight of the permanent magnets (reduced rotor weight). In this paper the optimal design of PMDM using a multi-objective genetic algorithm optimisation procedure is performed. A comparative analysis of the optimal motor solution and its parameters in relation to the prototype is presented.
A new approach to hull consistency
Authors: Kolev Lubomir
Published: June 2016

Hull consistency is a known technique to improve the efficiency of iterative interval methods for solving nonlinear systems describing steady-states in various circuits. Presently, hull consistency is checked in a scalar manner, i.e. successively for each equation of the nonlinear system with respect to a single variable. In the present poster, a new more general approach to implementing hull consistency is suggested which consists in treating simultaneously several equations with respect to the same number of variables.
Modeling and simulation aspects of AC machines
Authors: Popp Michael , Laza Patrick , Mathis Wolfgang
Published: June 2016

In the field of power and drive systems, electrical AC machines are mostly modeled using a set of explicit ordinary differential equations in a state space representation. It is shown, that by using other equation types for simulation, algebraic constraints arising from aggregating several machines to a more complex system can directly be considered. The effects of different model variants on numerical ODE/DAE solvers are investigated in the focus of this work in order perform efficient simulations of larger systems possessing electrical AC machines.
Recent simulation results of the magnetic induction tomography forward problem
Authors: Stawicki Krzysztof , Szuflitowska Beata , Ziolkowski Marcin
Published: June 2016

In this paper we present the results of simulations of the Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT) forward problem. Two complementary calculation techniques have been implemented and coupled, namely: the finite element method (applied in commercial software Comsol Multiphysics) and the second, algebraic manipulations on basic relationships of electromagnetism in Matlab. The developed combination saves a lot of time and makes a better use of the available computer resources.
Genetic algorithm coupled with Bézier curves applied to the magnetic field on a solenoid axis synthesis
Authors: Ziolkowski Marcin , Gratkowski Stanislaw
Published: June 2016

Electromagnetic arrangements which create a magnetic field of required distribution and magnitude are widely used in electrical engineering. Development of new accurate designing methods is still a valid topic of technical investigations. From the theoretical point of view the problem belongs to magnetic fields synthesis theory. This paper discusses a problem of designing a shape of a solenoid which produces a uniform magnetic field on its axis. The method of finding an optimal shape is based on a genetic algorithm (GA) coupled with Bézier curves.
European Union’s strategy on endocrine disrupting chemicals and the current position of Slovenia
Authors: Perharič Lucija , Fatur Tanja , Drofenik Jernej
Published: June 2016

In view of the European Union regulations 1107/2009 and 528/2012, which say that basic substances in plant protection and biocidal products marketed in the European Union (EU) should not have an inherent capacity to cause endocrine disruption, an initiative was started to define scientific criteria for the identification of endocrine disruptors (EDs). The objectives of the EU strategy on EDs are to protect human health and the environment, to assure the functioning of the market, and to provide clear and coherent criteria for the identification of EDs that could have broad application in the EU legislation. Policy issues were to be addressed by the Ad-hoc group of Commission Services, EU Agencies and Member States established in 2010, whereas the scientific issues were to be addressed by the Endocrine Disruptors Expert Advisory Group (ED EAG), established in 2011. The ED EAG adopted the 2002 World Health Organization (WHO) definition of endocrine disruptor and agreed that for its identification it is necessary to produce convincing evidence of a biologically plausible causal link between an adverse effect and endocrine disrupting mode of action. In 2014, the European Commission proposed four ED identification criteria options and three regulatory options, which are now being assessed for socio-economic, environmental, and health impact. Slovenia supports the establishing of identification criteria and favours option 4, according to which ED identification should be based on the WHO definition with the addition of potency as an element of hazard characterisation. As for regulatory options, Slovenia favours the risk-based rather than hazard-based regulation.
Induction of the Secretion of LH and GH by Orexin A and Ghrelin is Controlled in Vivo by Leptin and Photoperiod in Sheep
Authors: Kirsz Katarzyna , Szczęsna Małgorzata , Molik Edyta , Misztal Tomasz , Zięba Dorota A.
Published: June 2016

The influence of leptin on orexin A and the interaction of leptin with ghrelin in regulating the gonadotropic and somatotropic axes in seasonally polyestrous animals are not well understood. This study examined the effects of these factors as well as the mediating roles of specific ovine leptin antagonist (SOLA; mutant D23L/L39A/D40A/F41A) and photoperiod on luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH) secretion. Twenty-four ovariectomized, estradiol-implanted ewes were used in a replicated switchback design. The ewes were assigned randomly to 1 of 6 treatments (infused into the third ventricle 3 times at 0 (dusk), 1, and 2 h) as follows: control, Ringer-Locke buffer; leptin, 0.5 μg/kg b.w.; orexin A, 0.3 μg/kg b.w.; ghrelin, 2.5 μg/kg b.w.; SOLA, 50 μg/kg b.w. + orexin A, 0.3 μg/kg b.w.; and SOLA, 50 μg/kg b.w. + ghrelin, 2.5 μg/kg b.w. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected at 15-min intervals for 4 h. SOLA + orexin A resulted in an increase (P<0.01) in the LH plasma concentration during short-day (SD) and long-day (LD) photoperiods. However, ghrelin and SOLA + ghrelin had the opposite effect. SOLA + orexin A resulted in an increase (P<0.001) in the GH concentration compared with leptin or orexin A during the LD season. Ghrelin and SOLA + ghrelin increased the GH concentration (P<0.01) regardless of the season. In summary, LH and GH secretion are seasonally dependent on relationships that are subject to photoperiodic regulation, and leptin is an important regulator of the effects of ghrelin and orexin A on the activities of the gonadotropic and somatotropic axes in sheep.
Optimization of nitrogen source for Bifidobacterium bifidum using response surface methodology
Authors: Chen He , Kou Jianbo , Hu Man , Shu Guowei
Published: June 2016

In order to improve the viable counts of Bifidobacterium bifidum BB01 in the liquid medium, the Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to optimize the nitrogen source in the medium of B. bifidum BB01. The results showed that the nitrogen source composition of B. bifidum BB01 was: peptone 0.9%, yeast extracts 0.3%, beef paste 0.7%. Under the optimal conditions, the viable counts of B. bifidum BB01 reached (2.49±0.06)×109CFU/mL after cultured at 18h, which was 42.97% higher than MRS (lactose), and 12.85% higher than the optimized MRS medium (carbon source and prebiotics were optimized). Therefore, the CCD used in this study is workable for promoting the growth of B. bifidum BB01.
Analysis on effect of separation and purification of glycoprotein extracted from Camellia seeds and its functional activity as basis for the economic development of Camellia oleifera industry
Authors: Feng Aiguo , Liu Gang
Published: June 2016

Taking Camellia oleifera seeds as raw materials, this study explored extraction and purification of glycoprotein separated from Camellia seeds as well as its antitumor activity, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the economic development of Camellia oleifera industry. Key impact factors of Camellia seed glycoprotein were extracted using buffer solution method and water extraction method and a regression model was set up. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium was used to evaluate the in vitro antitumor activity of glycoprotein extracted from Camellia seeds and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure its denaturation enthalpy value. Results indicated that protein and sugar yields were 8.96% and 17.05% respectively under optimal conditions when water extraction method was used. Crude glycoprotein extracted from Camellia oleifera had a certain inhibitory effect on human hepatoma cell HepG2, gastric cancer cell MGC-803 and breast cancer cell MCF-7 and crude glycoprotein extracted from Camellia oleifera by water-extraction and alcohol-precipitation method had a strong antitumor effect. Crude glycoprotein obtained in the two different ways was capable of scavenging DPPH, •OH and O2g- free radicals and also showed good reducing capacity. DSC measurement results revealed that specific rotation of

COGP
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was - 32.5. Antitumor experiment in vitro showed that glycoprotein extracted from Camellia seeds in the two different ways had a certain inhibitory effect on HepG2, MGC-803 and MCF-7, which has important theoretical and realistic significances to promoting utilization value of camellia resources, strengthening Camellia oleifera’s comprehensive development and utilization of high added value as well as enriching types and functions of active glycoprotein.
Influence of Soil Traits on Polyphenols Level in Moltkia petraea (Tratt.) Griseb. (Boraginaceae)
Authors: Kremer Dario , Grubešić Renata Jurišić , Ballian Dalibor , Stešević Danijela , Kosalec Ivan , Rodríguez Jadranka Vuković , Vukobratović Marija , Srečec Siniša
Published: June 2016

The Illyric–Balkan endemic species Moltkia petraea (Tratt.) Griseb. is very interesting as a potential horticultural and medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to investigate soil conditions of M. petraea habitats, the phenolic content in plant parts, and the influence of soil properties on the phenolic contents. The results were evaluated using Spearman rank order correlations. Analyzed soil samples contained very low to intermediate levels of physiologically active phosphorus, but were very rich in potash. Organic matter content of soil was high. Phenolic compound content was higher in leaves than in flowers or stems. The analyses showed that M. petraea possesses considerable quantities of phenolic compounds and has no specific demands for particular soil conditions. A negative correlation was found between soil phosphorus content and total phenols content in leaves and stems, and with the total phenolic acids content in flowers. Organic matter in soil also found to have a negative influence on total tannins content in stems. Among the tested geographical locations, the Mljet population showed a higher degree of separation from the remaining locations.
Multiple output CMOS current amplifier
Authors: Pankiewicz B.
Published: June 2016

In this paper the multiple output current amplifier basic cell is proposed. The triple output current mirror and current follower circuit are described in detail. The cell consists of a split nMOS differential pair and accompanying biasing current sources. It is suitable for low voltage operation and exhibits highly linear DC response. Through cell devices scaling, not only unity, but also any current gains are achievable. As examples, a current amplifier and bandpass biquad section designed in CMOS TSMC 90nm technology are presented. The current amplifier is powered from a 1.2V supply. MOS transistors scaling was chosen to obtain output gains equal to -2, 1 and 2. Simulated real gains are -1.941, 0.966 and 1.932 respectively. The 3dB passband obtained is above 20MHz, while current consumption is independent of input and output currents and is only 7.77μA. The bandpass biquad section utilises the previously presented amplifier, two capacitors and one resistor, and has a Q factor equal to 4 and pole frequency equal to 100 kHz.
Methods of reconstructing complex multi-structural anatomical objects with RP techniques
Authors: Kudasik T. , Miechowicz S.
Published: June 2016

This article presents reconstruction methods applied to a (geometrically and physically) complex structural object with the use of RP and RT techniques. The methods are innovative due to their hybrid - multi-model and multi-material - approach to reconstruction, as well as the application of multiple technologies. An experimental analysis was conducted to verify the feasibility of rapid prototyping (RP) techniques in the reconstruction of complex internal structures using materials of diverse properties. Some RP techniques offer the possibility of discriminating between diverse objects through the use of different colours. Such models are well-suited for diagnostic purposes, for better visualisation of complex clinical problems, pathological alterations, etc. Nevertheless, they fail to fully reflect physical and mechanical properties of objects, which renders them useful in experimental analysis only to a limited extent. Their basic drawback is that they merely reflect geometrical features of the examined object. The methods discussed in the present article enable modelling multi-object structures in a single process based on the PolyJet Matrix technology and materials of different physical properties by means of a hybrid method. The article also describes the process of modelling complex anatomical structures of soft tissues and bones using models of the maxilla and the mandible as examples. The study is based on data acquired through standard computed tomography (CT). In addition, the article addresses selected aspects of CT acquisition, generation of numerical models composed of several anatomical structures (objects) and fabricating physical multi-object models.
Discrete-continuous project scheduling with preemptable activities
Authors: Różycki R. , Waligóra G. , Węglarz J.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, discrete-continuous project scheduling problems with preemptable activities are considered. In these problems, activities of a project simultaneously require discrete and continuous resources for their execution. The activities are preemptable, and the processing rate of each activity is a continuous, increasing function of the amount of a single continuous resource allotted to the activity at a time. The problem is to find a precedence- and discrete resource-feasible schedule and, simultaneously, continuous resource allocation that would minimize the project duration. Convex and concave processing rate functions are considered separately. We show that for convex functions the problem is simple, whereas for concave functions a special methodology has to be developed. We discuss the methodology for three cases of the problem: no discrete resource constraints, one discrete resource being a set of parallel, identical machines, and an arbitrary number of discrete resources. In each case we analyze separately independent and precedence-related activities. Some conclusions and directions for future research are given.
Drazin inverse matrix method for fractional descriptor discrete-time linear systems
Authors: Kaczorek T.
Published: June 2016

The Drazin inverse of matrices is applied in order to find the solutions of the state equations of fractional descriptor discrete-time linear systems. The solution of the state equation is derived and the set of consistent initial conditions for a given set of admissible inputs is established. The proposed method is illustrated by a numerical example.
Hand Vein Image Enhancement Based on Multi-Scale Top-Hat Transform
Authors: Wang Guoqing , Wang Jun , Li Ming , Zheng Yaguang , Wang Kai
Published: June 2016

Traditional image contrast enhancement methods originally cannot improve the quality of vein images and may also import some unknown noise resulting in low recognition rate. To overcome the abovementioned disadvantages, the paper proposes an enhancement method based on the morphological filtering theory including three main procedures. Firstly, the algorithm extract the vein Region Of Interest (ROI), and then adopting the improved White Top-Hat transform (WTH) and Black Top-Hat transform (BTH) methods to get the features of vein in detail in both white and black pattern (vein information and background information); Secondly, to construct the filtering function with the self-designed controlling operator, representing the gradient changes of the vein edges, which well reflects the importance of local detail in multi-scale pattern; Finally, traditional nonlinear gray-level transformation function is imported with modality to the parameters to realize the gray normalization. We perform rigorous experiments with the proposed method and other state-of-the-art enhancement methods on the self-built dorsal vein image databases, and the experimental results illustrate that the multiscale top-hat theory-based enhancement methods improve the contrast of hand vein images with restrictions on the possibility of enhancement on existing noise information.
An Indirected Recommendation Model for Chinese Microblog
Authors: Duan Jianyong , Dong Zheng , Zhang Mei
Published: June 2016

Microblog is a browser-based platform for web user’s information sharing and communication. With the rapidly increasing of microblog population, its recommendation function becomes necessary. This paper proposes the recommendation by the Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic model, which combines the user interests into the model to meet their needs. We also conduct a comparative analysis between indirect and direct recommendation algorithms. The experimental results show that the indirect recommendation is more effective for the micro-blog recommendation.
Strategic Planning For The Development Of Ukrainian Agriculture In The Face Of Climate Change
Authors: Ostapenko Anna
Published: June 2016

The essence of the “strategic planning” is explored and the peculiarities of strategic planning in the agricultural sector are defined. Global climate change as a factor stimulating the formation of new approaches to strategic planning of agricultural development is considered, and the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector of Ukraine is evaluated. A predictive model of changes in the parameters of agricultural production under expected climate change conditions is constructed, and organizational, socio-economical and environmental components of the strategy of agricultural development are outlined and the conceptual bases for improvement of strategic planning for the development of the agricultural sector in the face of climate change are substantiated.
Critical Infrastructure Protection beyond Compliance. An Analysis of National Variations in the Implementation of Directive 114/08/EC
Authors: Lazari Alessandro , Simoncini Marta
Published: June 2016

The Directive 114/08 on the protection of European critical infrastructures (ECIs) aimed to identify a common approach to the protection of those assets which destruction or disruption might have a significant impact across (mostly, neighbouring) Member States. All the Member States have implemented this Directive, but outcomes are strongly uneven and harmonisation of protection is far from being reached. The commitment of Member States to the substantive implementation of the Directive varied widely across Europe. By comparing and contrasting paradigmatic national experiences, this article aims to address the main issues emerging from such a fragmented regulatory framework and to assess its critical hurdles. The article focuses on three national experiences: United Kingdom (UK) and Italy as paradigmatic examples of countries with consolidated national experience in critical infrastructure protection (CIP), but with weak commitment to the European regulatory framework; and Romania as a case of a new accession country with strong commitment to the European policies and a proactive approach to the Europeanisation of CIP.
The Effect of Multi-inclined Holes on the Creep Properties of Nickel-Based Superalloy
Authors: Li Dongfan , Wen Zhixun , Wang Shaofei , Liu Chenyu , Yue Zhufeng
Published: June 2016

The creep properties of GH3536 nickel-based superalloy plate specimens without/with multi-inclined holes were studied under applied stress 80/90/100 MPa at 850 ℃, respectively. Interesting finding is focused on the inflection point, that is, both the fraction elongation and creep strain achieve the maximum value under 90 MPa. Further study is carried out by two methods: the finite element analysis (FEA) calculation and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The FEA results show that the dangerous areas appear in the regions near the end of ellipse axis along the inclined angle orientation, which is similar to the actual fracture appearances. What is more, the tiny holes and dimples are the main characters of creep fracture for multi-inclined hole specimens, whereas the creep fracture of specimens without holes is the result of growth and coalescence of voids. In addition, based on creep performance, laser drilling is better than that of the electric spark drilling, which provides a proof that the creep performance of specimens with multi-inclined holes will be better with the improvement of the drilling process.
Effects of Laser Shock Processing on Fatigue Performance of Ti-17 Titanium Alloy
Authors: Huang Shuai , Zhu Ying , Guo Wei , Qiao Hongchao , Diao Xungang
Published: June 2016

Ti-17 titanium alloy was treated by laser shock processing (LSP) and the high-frequency fatigue properties were evaluated. The fatigue fracture and the microstructures were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The result shows that the average fatigue life of the LSP sample increases 2.62 times at maximum stress 300 MPa under stress ratio is 0.1. The micro-hardness of the samples subjected to LSP increases 20 % compared with the basic material. The proliferation and tangles of dislocations of Ti-17 occurs and the density of dislocation increases after LSP treatment. The high dislocation density of LSP impacts changes the initiation of crack from corner to subsurface, and hinders the crack extension, thus increases the fatigue performance of the Ti-17.
Word learning in Italian preschool children with cochlear implants
Authors: Majorano Marinella , Guerzoni Letizia , Murri Alessandra , Guidotti Laura , Morelli Marika , Cuda Domenico
Published: June 2016

The aim of this study was to assess word learning in Italian preschool children with cochlear implants (CIs). Fifteen children with CIs (CI-group) and two groups of typically developing (TD) children, one age-matched group (CATD-group) and one of the same hearing age (HATD-group), participated in the study. A word-learning task was assigned to each child in which the numbers of correct, incorrect and absent responses were considered, both for comprehension and production. The learning procedure comprised eight nonwords and the children were tested immediately (fast mapping) and after 2 h (retention). In the word-learning task, the children with CIs displayed lower scores than the CATD-group and higher scores than the HATD-group both for comprehension and production and for fast mapping and retention. Fast mapping (comprehension and production) is significantly related to the children’s age at CI activation, while in the retention phase the correlation is significant only for comprehension. Although children with CI display slight limitations in word learning relative to age-matched children, the limitation is less severe with earlier CI activation.
Disability Discrimination: Obesity and the Court of Justice of the European Union’s decision in Karsten Kaltoft v Billund Kommune Case C-354/13 ECJ
Authors: Singh Charanjit
Published: June 2016

and
Crystal structure of (E)-1-(4-(((E)-3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenyl)ethan-1-one O-methyl oxime, C17H16Br2N2O2
Authors: Zhao Li , Zhao Ji-Xing , An Qin-Qin , Wang Fei
Published: June 2016

C17H16Br2N2O2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 9.2648(14) Å, b = 13.3034(16) Å, c = 14.510(2) Å, β = 105.261(15)°, V = 1725.4(4) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt
(F) = 0.0679, wR
ref
(F
2) = 0.1657, T = 293(2) K.