bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acerca de las raíces onomatopéyicas "casc-", "cosc-", "coc-" Y "croc-"
Authors: Krüger Fritz
Published: September 2017

En este número no se incluyeron resúmenes ni palabras clave.
Sobre los textos poéticos en Juan Vásquez, Mudarra y Narváez
Authors: Frenk Margit
Published: September 2017

En este número no se incluyeron resúmenes ni palabras clave.
Rafael Lapesa, La trayectoria poética de Garcilaso. Revista de Occidente, Madrid, [1948]. 241 págs.
Authors: Bohigas Pedro
Published: September 2017

Se reseñó el libro: La trayectoria poética de Garcilaso.
Filología, Buenos Aires, vol. III, 1951.
Authors: Boyd-Bowman Peter
Published: September 2017

Se reseñó: Filología: vol. III, 1951.
Boletín del Instituto Caro y Cuervo, Bogotá, vol. VII, 1951.
Authors: Boyd-Bowman Peter
Published: September 2017

Se reseñó: Boletín del Instituto Caro y Cuervo: vol. VII, 1951.
Alonso Zamora Vicente, Las "Sonatas" de Ramón del Valle Inclán. Contribución al estudio de la prosa modernista. Buenos Aires, 1951. 272 págs. (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Filología Románica, Colección de Estudios Estilísticos, vol. IV).
Authors: Speratti Piñero Emma Susana
Published: September 2017

Se reseñó el libro: Las "Sonatas" de Ramón del Valle Inclán. Contribución al estudio de la prosa modernista.
Charles A. Hilton, El concepto de civilización y barbarie en la literatura sudamericana. México, 1952. 122 págs.
Authors: Acosta Tomás
Published: September 2017

Se reseñó el libro: El concepto de civilización y barbarie en la literatura sudamericana.
La familia léxica "lazerar", laz(d)rar", "lazeria". Estudios de paleontología lingüística
Authors: Malkiel Yakov
Published: September 2017

En este número no se incluyeron resúmenes ni palabras clave.
Aptitud cardiorrespiratoria y adiposidad frente al nivel de actividad física
Authors: Ramos Parrací Carlos Alberto , Palomino Devia Elvia Constanza , Rodríguez Arias Nelson
Published: September 2017

Con el objetivo de determinar el comportamiento de la Aptitud Cardiorrespiratoria y la adiposidad frente al nivel de actividad física de la población adulta de la ciudad de Neiva, se evaluaron 972 sujetos entre 18 a 75 años de edad. Estudio Descriptivo Correlacional. Los datos se analizaron en SPSS-23 e InfoStat/Profesional 1,2. La metodología partió de la descripción de variables, posteriormente el grado de asociación entre ellas (coeficiente de correlación de Pearson), los grupos conformados se compararon (Prueba ANOVA y comparación multiple LSD Fisher); por último, se estableció el grado de agrupamiento entre las variables (Prueba Average Linkage). Los resultados evidenciaron diferencias significativas en índice de masa corporal (IMC), Frecuencia Cardiaca Reposo (FCR) y Consumo Máximo de Oxigeno (VO2máx.), entre activos e inactivos; asociación del 5%, entre el IMC con FCR y VO2máx, índice cintura–cadera (ICC) y porcentaje grasa corporal (%GC); del ICC con %GC, VO2máx, Tensión Arterial Sistólica (TAS) y Diastólica (TAD); del %GC con FCR, TAD y VO2máx; la FCR con VO2máx; la TAS con TAD y VO2máx rechazando la hipótesis de independencia. Concluyendo que los indicadores de adiposidad y aptitud cardiorrespiratoria evidencian la combinación de factores de riesgo de enfermedades de índole hipocinético en la población.
Jogos Escolares do Paraná: análise da competição no Município de Curitiba
Authors: Costa Isabelle Plociniak , Hercules Emilia Devantel , Caregnato André Felipe , Da Silva Camile Luciane , Cavichiolli Fernando Renato
Published: September 2017

Este estudo procura estabelecer a participação dos estudantes da cidade de Curitiba nos Jogos Escolares do Paraná, com o objetivo de discutir a efetividade da competição enquanto política pública ou apenas uma política de governo. A pesquisa caracteriza-se por ser documental exploratória e descritiva e tem por base os dados e informações, disponibilizados pelo Núcleo Regional de Educação de Curitiba, entre os anos de 2004 a 2013, com exceção dos anos 2010 e 2012 nas modalidades coletivas. Observa-se a predominância dos esportes futsal e voleibol, com destaque no futsal que é a preferência dos estudantes. Assim, é importante compreender que os Jogos Escolares não realiza uma política pública efetiva, devido à diferença dos seus objetivos propostos com o que acontece na prática.
Danza folklórica ecuatoriana: estudio comparativo para mejorar su enseñanza
Authors: Aguilar Chasipanta Walter , Bayas Cano Ana , Balarezo Mendoza Edith , Galarza Carlos
Published: September 2017

El objetivo de la presente investigación es realizar un estudio comparativo del gesto motriz-artístico entre 10 bailarines experimentados y otros 10 novatos del Grupo Folclórico de Danza Tradicional “Tungurahua”. Se registraron diferentes medidas corporales: edad, talla, peso; también se tomó como referencia los años de permanencia en el grupo, años con el mismo coreógrafo y tiempo semanal de repasos. Se realizaron mediciones de: distancia propulsiva, distancia de vuelo, altura de impulso vertical, elevación de las piernas en plie, ángulo de cadera con relación al salto y ángulo de rodilla con relación al salto, en el paso básico de Sanjuanito “Chicha Agria”. El análisis puso de manifiesto que, mientras más años se encuentran dentro de la actividad van perfeccionado los gestos, pero van perdiendo agilidad en cuanto a ángulos y elevaciones, mostrando por otro lado que los novatos por el mismo hecho de tener menor edad y menos años en el grupo, tienen mayor agilidad pero en contraste manifiestan una técnica errónea con ángulos y elevaciones defectuosas en el gesto motriz-artístico. Con este estudio diferenciado se logró detectar deficiencias, lo que permitirá diseñar mecanismo que orienten a una mejor enseñanza de ejecución de movimientos motrices-artísticos, en los jóvenes que incursionan en esta actividad artística.
Signifikansi tembikar tera-tali dari situs Ceruk Landai (Merangin, Jambi) dalam rekonstruksi ekspansi neolitik di bagian barat Indonesia
Authors: Fauzi Mohammad Ruly
Published: September 2017

AbstrakEkskavasi situs Ceruk Landai (Kabupaten Merangin, Jambi) berhasil mengungkap adanya dua fase hunian neolitik yang berbeda melalui kajian artefaktual dan kontekstual pada temuan-temuannya. Data menarik diperoleh dari analisis ragam hias tera-tali atau cord-marked, jala, dan belah ketupat yang dihasilkan oleh alat tatap (paddle) yang digunakan (i.e. teknik paddle impressed). Tembikar bermotif hias cord-marked pada lapisan US c di Ceruk Landai membuktikan adanya hubungan antara masyarakat neolitik di Sumatra dengan kompleks tembikar Bau-Malay di Asia Tenggara Daratan. Hal tersebut menjadi bukti adanya kemungkinan ekspansi budaya neolitik dari arah barat melalui Semenanjung Malaya yang kemudian masuk ke Sumatra setidaknya sejak 3000 tahun yang lalu.Kata kunci: tera-tali, tembikar, ragam-hias, neolitikAbstractArchaeological excavation at Landai Rockshelter (Merangin District, Jambi) successfully unearthed two different phases of neolithic habitation through artifactual and contextual analysis on its remains. Interesting result came from the analysis on cord-marked, nets, and rhombus motif appeared on pottery fragments which are made by paddle-impressed technique. Cord-marked pottery from US c layer in Landai Rockshelter established a possible link between neolithic pottery traditions in Sumatra with the Bau-Malay pottery complex in the mainland of Southeast Asia. It became the evidence of a possible expansion of neolithic culture from the west through the Malay Peninsula then move southward into Sumatra at least 3000 years ago.Keywords: cord-marked, pottery, decoration, neolithic
Binding Modes of Ligands Using Enhanced Sampling (BLUES): Rapid Decorrelation of Ligand Binding Modes Using Nonequilibrium Candidate Monte Carlo
Authors: Gill Samuel , Lim Nathan M. , Grinaway Patrick , Rustenburg Ariën S. , Fass Josh , Ross Gregory , Chodera John D. , Mobley David
Published: September 2017

Accurately predicting protein-ligand binding is a major goal in computational chemistry, but even the prediction of ligand binding modes in proteins poses major challenges. Here, we focus on solving the binding mode prediction problem for rigid fragments. That is, we focus on computing the dominant placement, conformation, and orientations of a relatively rigid, fragment-like ligand in a receptor, and the populations of the multiple binding modes which may be relevant. This problem is important in its own right, but is even more timely given the recent success of alchemical free energy calculations. Alchemical calculations are increasingly used to predict binding free energies of ligands to receptors. However, the accuracy of these calculations is dependent on proper sampling of the relevant ligand binding modes. Unfortunately, ligand binding modes may often be uncertain, hard to predict, and/or slow to interconvert on simulation timescales, so proper sampling with current techniques can require prohibitively long simulations. We need new methods which dramatically improve sampling of ligand binding modes. Here, we develop and apply a nonequilibrium candidate Monte Carlo (NCMC) method to improve sampling of ligand binding modes.

In this technique the ligand is rotated and subsequently allowed to relax in its new position through alchemical perturbation before accepting or rejecting the rotation and relaxation as a nonequilibrium Monte Carlo move. When applied to a T4 lysozyme model binding system, this NCMC method shows over two orders of magnitude improvement in binding mode sampling efficiency compared to a brute force molecular dynamics simulation. This is a first step towards applying this methodology to pharmaceutically relevant binding of fragments and, eventually, drug-like molecules. We are making this approach available via our new Binding Modes of Ligands using Enhanced Sampling (BLUES) package which is freely available on GitHub.
Photochemical Synthesis of 1-Aminonorbornanes via Strain-Driven, Formal [3+2] Cycloadditions
Authors: Staveness Daryl , Sodano Taylor , Stephenson Corey
Published: September 2017

This report describes a new route toward 1‑aminonorbornanes via strain-driven, visible light-mediated formal [3+2] cycloadditions with aminocyclopropanes. Lewis acidic salts (LiBF4, ZnCl2) were found to facilitate the oxidation of a variety of amine-containing heterocycles, and consequently, these additives led to improved conversion and isolated yields. This operationally-simple method tolerates a variety of functional handles (e.g. alcohols, protected amines), can generate optically-pure products through diastereoselective variations, and affords entry to unique chemical space through the diversity of accessible substitution patterns. Providing flexible access to 1-aminonorbornanes is expected to benefit modern drug design and development efforts seeking to incorporate more sp3-rich motifs into lead scaffods. Further, gram-scale operation proceeds smoothly in continuous flow, suggesting that this chemistry can be readily translated beyond the academic- or discovery-scales.
Bewertung der Logistikkosten und-leistung von Fabrikstrukturvarianten
Authors: Bussemer Felix , Hübner Marco , Herberger David , Nyhuis Peter
Published: September 2017

Kurzfassung

Die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit produzierender Unternehmen wird maßgeblich durch die erzielte Logistikleistung sowie auch durch die verursachten Logistikkosten bestimmt. Die Positionierung des Kundenauftragsentkopplungspunktes – als wesentliche Aufgabe der Konzeptplanung – stellt eine Möglichkeit dar, beide Zielgrößen signifikant zu beeinflussen. Hierzu wird in dem vorliegenden Beitrag anhand eines Anwendungsbeispiels eine Bewertung von Fabrikstrukturvarianten hinsichtlich der Logistikkosten und -leistung mittels logistischer Modelle vorgestellt.
Energieorientierte Produktionsplanung und -steuerung
Authors: Heutmann Timo , Schmitt Robert
Published: September 2017

Kurzfassung

Im Forschungsprojekt eMES wurde ein Manufacturing Execution System (MES) energieorientiert gestaltet und durch ein Modul zur energieorientierten Planung, Überwachung und Steuerung der Produktion umgesetzt, das Energietarife in die Kalkulation der Produktionskosten einbezieht und auf diese Weise Energiekosten senken kann. Die Kostenreduktion erfolgt durch die Nutzung von Schwachlastzeiten, Umsetzung von Lastverschiebungen sowie Möglichkeiten zum kurzfristigen Lastabwurf.
Arbeitsplatzgestaltung 4.0 – Einsatz von Virtual Reality
Authors: Pokorni Bastian , Ohlhausen Peter , Palm Daniel , Egeler Markus , Haase Yannik , Kuhn Daniel , Matzka Janine , Mühling Maximilian , Steinbeck Jan , Weber Christian
Published: September 2017

Kurzfassung

Zukünftige Montagearbeitsplätze müssen veränderten Herausforderungen, wie z. B. der zunehmenden Anzahl von Mensch-Roboter-Kollaborationen, gerecht werden. Die Virtual Reality (VR)-Technik bietet im Rahmen der Arbeitsplatzgestaltung neue Möglichkeiten, diesen veränderten Planungsherausforderungen gerecht zu werden. Die Ausarbeitung stellt eine Methode zur Bewertung des sinnvollen Einsatzes der VR-Technik für einen spezifischen Arbeitsplatz vor. Außerdem wird aufgezeigt, wie die VR-Technik in den Prozess der Arbeitsplatzgestaltung integriert werden kann.
Automatisierte Herstellung von gewickelten Formspulen
Authors: Bickel Benjamin , Haas Raphael , Franke Jörg
Published: September 2017

Kurzfassung

Die adaptive Formspulenwicklung bietet das Potenzial, dem wachsenden Bedarf an elektrischen Tranktionsantrieben mit höchster Leis-tungsdichte und Effizienz gerecht zu werden. Für die Herstellung der Spulen wurde eine Wickelanlage zur flexiblen und automatisierten Wicklung von Doppelspulen aufgebaut, Maßnahmen und Parameter zur Reduzierung von Drahtzugkraftschwankungen und Fehlwicklungen untersucht sowie ein Konzept einer Wickelschablone zur vollautomatischen Serienherstellung von Formspulen erarbeitet.
Supply-Chain-Strategien im Zeitalter von VUCA
Authors: Böhnke Nils-Christian , Pointner Alexander , Ramsauer Christian
Published: September 2017

Kurzfassung

Industrieunternehmerischer Erfolg wird heutzutage maßgeblich durch Faktoren der Organisationsumgebung beeinflusst. Das durch Volatilität, Unsicherheit, Komplexität und Ambivalenzen (VUCA) charakterisierte Umfeld erfordert ein strategisches Management der Supply Chain, um die Wertschöpfungskette gesamthaft für den Umgang mit internen und externen Risiken zu befähigen. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die Strategien der Agilität und Robustheit am Beispiel aktueller Herausforderung in der Beschaffung der Automobilindustrie.
Ergonomiebewertung 4.0
Authors: Bellmann Vivian K. , Brede Sebastian , Nyhuis Peter
Published: September 2017

Kurzfassung

Arbeitsbedingte Erkrankungen und ihre Folgen können für Unternehmen zu einem Produktivitätsverlust und damit zu einer Abnahme ihrer Wettbewerbsfähigkeit führen. Eine ergonomische Arbeitsplatzgestaltung kann dazu beitragen, einige Ursachen dieser Erkrankungen zu beseitigen. Häufig fehlt es den Unternehmen jedoch am dem erforderlichen Know-how zur Umsetzung. In diesem Beitrag werden Anforderungen an ein zu entwickelndes System beschrieben, das Unternehmen bei der ergonomischen Arbeitsplatzgestaltung unterstützen soll.
Evaluating Agricultural Management Effects on Alachlor Availability: Tillage, Green Manure, and Biochar
Authors: Mendes Kassio , Hall Kathleen , Spokas Kurt , Koskinen William , Tornisielo Valdemar
Published: September 2017

Agricultural and soil management practices have been reported to affect alachlor sorption–desorption and degradation rates. Though alachlor has been banned in the E.U. since 2006, it is still used in U.S. corn and soybean production. The objectives of this study were to: (a) assess differences in alachlor sorption due to tillage treatments (chisel plow and ridge tillage) on soils from three midwestern U.S. locations; and (b) determine the effect of various soil amendments on the sorption–desorption and mineralization of alachlor. Soils were amended at a rate of 10% (w/w) with biochars derived from soybean stover, sugarcane bagasse, and wood chips, as well as the uncharred feedstock materials. Sorption–desorption studies were performed using the batch equilibration method, and alachlor mineralization was evaluated in a 30-day incubation. Tillage management did not affect alachlor sorption to soil across the three sites, despite the fact that the tillage operations were imposed for 4 years (p > 0.05). While the sorption coefficient (Kd) values for alachlor were relatively low in the three unamended soils (Kd = 1.76, 1.73, and 1.15 L·kg−1 for IL, MN, and PA soils, respectively), biochar amendments increased alachlor sorption between 4× and 33× compared to the unamended soil. The amendments also affected alachlor mineralization such that degradation was slower in both biochar- and raw feedstock-amended soils. Based on these results, biochar additions are expected to affect the availability of alachlor for transport and degradation. Furthermore, this study highlights the larger impact of biochar addition than tillage practices on altering immediate alachlor sorption capacities.
Analysis of the Aging Processes of Writing Ink: Raman Spectroscopy versus Gas Chromatography Aspects
Authors: Grechukha Nikolai , Gorshkova Kseniya , Panov Maxim , Tumkin Ilya , Kirillova Elizaveta , Lukianov Vladimir , Kirillova Natalia , Kochemirovsky Vladimir
Published: September 2017

This work is devoted to the extremely popular but poorly developed scientific and forensic problem of the estimation of the actual dates of inscriptions placed on paper and made by ballpoint pens. It is shown that the degradation of writing inks with time may be controlled via Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography. The time intervals for the implementation of each of these methods were determined using the ratios of the Raman peak intensities as degradation characteristics rather than their absolute values. In turn, this eliminates the effect of the concentration of a dye. The mutual influence of the volatile components and dyes of writing inks was also investigated and the time interval within which such influence is critical was found. According to the obtained results, a new methodological scheme for determining the age of documents, which were created at least 40 months ago, was proposed.
Classification of Architectural Heritage Images Using Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Llamas Jose , M. Lerones Pedro , Medina Roberto , Zalama Eduardo , Gómez-García-Bermejo Jaime
Published: September 2017

The classification of the images taken during the measurement of an architectural asset is an essential task within the digital documentation of cultural heritage. A large number of images are usually handled, so their classification is a tedious task (and therefore prone to errors) and habitually consumes a lot of time. The availability of automatic techniques to facilitate these sorting tasks would improve an important part of the digital documentation process. In addition, a correct classification of the available images allows better management and more efficient searches through specific terms, thus helping in the tasks of studying and interpreting the heritage asset in question. The main objective of this article is the application of techniques based on deep learning for the classification of images of architectural heritage, specifically through the use of convolutional neural networks. For this, the utility of training these networks from scratch or only fine tuning pre-trained networks is evaluated. All this has been applied to classifying elements of interest in images of buildings with architectural heritage value. As no datasets of this type, suitable for network training, have been located, a new dataset has been created and made available to the public. Promising results have been obtained in terms of accuracy and it is considered that the application of these techniques can contribute significantly to the digital documentation of architectural heritage.
Effect of Turbulence on Line Shapes in Astrophysical and Fusion Plasmas
Authors: Hannachi Ibtissem , Meireni Mutia , Génésio Paul , Rosato Joël , Stamm Roland , Marandet Yannick
Published: September 2017

We look at the effect of wave collapse turbulence on a hydrogen line shape in plasma. An atom immersed in plasma affected by strong Langmuir turbulence may be perturbed by a sequence of wave packets with a maximum electric field magnitude that is larger than the Holtsmark field. For such conditions, we propose to calculate the shape of the hydrogen Lyman α Lyman β and Balmer α lines with a numerical integration of the Schrödinger equation coupled to a simulation of a sequence of electric fields modeling the effects of the Langmuir wave. We present and discuss several line profiles of Lyman and Balmer lines.
Cell Performance Comparison between C14- and C15-Predomiated AB2 Metal Hydride Alloys
Authors: Young Kwo-Hsiung , Koch John , Wan Chubin , Denys Roman , Yartys Volodymyr
Published: September 2017

The performance of cylindrical cells made from negative electrode active materials of two selected AB2 metal hydride chemistries with different dominating Laves phases (C14 vs. C15) were compared. Cells made from Alloy C15 showed a higher high-rate performance and peak power with a corresponding sacrifice in capacity, low-temperature performance, charge retention, and cycle life when compared with the C14 counterpart (Alloy C14). Annealing of the Alloy C15 eliminated the ZrNi secondary phase and further improved the high-rate and peak power performance. This treatment on Alloy C15 showed the best low-temperature performance, but also contributed to a less-desirable high-temperature voltage stand and an inferior cycle stability. While the main failure mode for Alloy C14 in the sealed cell is the formation of a thick oxide layer that prevents gas recombination during overcharge and consequent venting of the cell, the failure mode for Alloy C15 is dominated by continuous pulverization related to the volumetric changes during hydride formation and hysteresis in the pressure-composition-temperature isotherm. The leached-out Mn from Alloy C15 formed a high density of oxide deposits in the separator, leading to a deterioration in charge retention performance. Large amounts of Zr were found in the positive electrode of the cycled cell containing Alloy C15, but did not appear to harm cell performance. Suggestions for further composition and process optimization for Alloy C15 are also provided.
Encapsulation of Antifouling Organic Biocides in Poly(lactic acid) Nanoparticles
Authors: Kamtsikakis Aristotelis , Kavetsou Eleni , Chronaki Konstantina , Kiosidou Evangelia , Pavlatou Evangelia , Karana Alexandra , Papaspyrides Constantine , Detsi Anastasia , Karantonis Antonis , Vouyiouka Stamatina
Published: September 2017

The scope of the current research was to assess the feasibility of encapsulating three commercial antifouling compounds, Irgarol 1051, Econea and Zinc pyrithione, in biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles. The emulsification–solvent evaporation technique was herein utilized to manufacture nanoparticles with a biocide:polymer ratio of 40%. The loaded nanoparticles were analyzed for their size and size distribution, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and thermal properties, while the relevant physicochemical characteristics were correlated to biocide–polymer system. In addition, the encapsulation process was scaled up and the prepared nanoparticles were dispersed in a water-based antifouling paint in order to examine the viability of incorporating nanoparticles in such coatings. Metallic specimens were coated with the nanoparticles-containing paint and examined regarding surface morphology.
In Vivo Effects of Lipopolysaccharide on Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Expression in Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (Sparus Aurata)
Authors: Antonopoulou Efthimia , Kaitetzidou Elisavet , Castellana Barbara , Panteli Nikolas , Kyriakis Dimitrios , Vraskou Yoryia , Planas Josep
Published: September 2017

Fish are constantly exposed to microorganisms in the aquatic environment, many of which are bacterial pathogens. Bacterial pathogens activate the innate immune response in fish involving the production of pro-inflammatory molecules that, in addition to their immune-related role, can affect non-immune tissues. In the present study, we aimed at investigating how inflammatory responses can affect metabolic homeostasis in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), a teleost of considerable economic importance in Southern European countries. Specifically, we mimicked a bacterial infection by in vivo administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 6 mg/kg body weight) and measured metabolic parameters in the blood and, importantly, the mRNA expression levels of the three isotypes of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARα, β, and γ) in metabolically-relevant tissues in seabream. PPARs are nuclear receptors that are important for lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in mammals and that act as biological sensors of altered lipid metabolism. We show here that LPS-induced inflammatory responses result in the modulation of triglyceride plasma levels that are accompanied most notably by a decrease in the hepatic mRNA expression levels of PPARα, β, and γ and by the up-regulation of PPARγ expression only in adipose tissue and the anterior intestine. In addition, LPS-induced inflammation results in an increase in the hepatic mRNA expression and protein activity levels of members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, known in mammals to regulate the transcription and activity of PPARs. Our results provide evidence for the involvement of PPARs in the metabolic response to inflammatory stimuli in seabream and offer insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the redirection of metabolic activities under inflammatory conditions in vertebrates.
Wood-Rotting Fungal Pigments as Colorant Coatings on Oil-Based Textile Dyes
Authors: Palomino Agurto Mardonio , Vega Gutierrez Sarath , Chen Hsiou-Lien , Robinson Seri
Published: September 2017

Opportunities for alternatives to synthetic textile dyes are of increasing importance as the world looks to minimize its ecological footprint. Fungal pigments within a unique class of wood-rotting (“spalting”) fungi have been under investigation for several years as a possible solution, and have been shown to be ideally suited as textile dye coatings. Unfortunately, the solvent currently in use for these colorants is dichloromethane (DCM), which is an environmental problem as well as a potential human carcinogen. Recently, researchers found that the pigments from Chlorociboria species, Scytalidium cuboideum, and Scytalidium ganodermophthorum could be carried in some natural oils, which opened up a potential method of delivering pigments onto a host of substrates without utilizing DCM. Although the pigments can be carried in oil, no testing has thus far been conducted as to how oil affects the binding properties of the pigments onto textiles, or how the oil might affect the pigments directly. In this paper, the pigments produced by three well-known wood-rotting fungi were carried in raw linseed oil and applied to cotton, polyester, and nylon. Only the red pigment produced visible color change on the textiles. Cotton and polyester showed the greatest color change when the pigments were dripped onto the fabric, while polyester showed the most color when the textile was submerged into the pigment solution. Unfortunately, the colors faded significantly for all the tests except the saturation test. This indicates that while natural oils may be excellent, nontoxic alternative carriers for DCM, the pigments are not stable within them except at very high concentrations, and therefore natural oils—including raw linseed oil—are not ideal for use in conjunction with these pigments.
Rising Rates of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Leading to Liver Transplantation in Baby Boomer Generation with Chronic Hepatitis C, Alcohol Liver Disease, and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis-Related Liver Disease
Authors: Cholankeril George , Yoo Eric , Perumpail Ryan , Liu Andy , Sandhu Jeevin , Nair Satheesh , Hu Menghan , Ahmed Aijaz
Published: September 2017

We aim to study the impact of the baby boomer (BB) generation, a birth-specific cohort (born 1945–1965) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related liver transplantation (LT) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We performed a retrospective analysis using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)/Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) database from 2003 to 2014 to compare HCC-related liver transplant surgery trends between two cohorts—the BB and non-BB—with a secondary diagnosis of HCV, ALD, or NASH. From 2003–2014, there were a total of 8313 liver transplant recipients for the indication of HCC secondary to HCV, ALD, or NASH. Of the total, 6658 (80.1%) HCC-related liver transplant recipients were BB. The number of liver transplant surgeries for the indication of HCC increased significantly in NASH (+1327%), HCV (+382%), and ALD (+286%) during the study period. The proportion of BB who underwent LT for HCC was the highest in HCV (84.7%), followed by NASH (70.3%) and ALD (64.7%). The recommendations for birth-cohort specific HCV screening stemmed from a greater understanding of the high prevalence of chronic HCV and HCV-related HCC within BB. The rising number of HCC-related LT among BB with ALD and NASH suggests the need for increased awareness and improved preventative screening/surveillance measures within NASH and ALD cohorts as well.
An Entropy Based Low-Cycle Fatigue Life Prediction Model for Solder Materials
Authors: Wang Jundong , Yao Yao
Published: September 2017

Fatigue damage is an irreversible progression which can be represented by the entropy increase, and it is well known that the second law of thermodynamics can describe an irreversible process. Based on the concept of entropy, the second law of thermodynamics can provide the changing direction of system. In the current study, a new entropy increment model is developed based on the frame work of continuum damage mechanics. The proposed model is applied to determine the entropy increment during the fatigue damage process. Based on the relationship between entropy and fatigue life, a new fatigue life prediction model is proposed with clear physical meaning. To verify the proposed model, eight groups of experiments were performed with different aging and experimental conditions. The theoretical predictions show good agreement with the experimental data. It is noted that with higher aging temperatures, the value of ε th / ε cr becomes larger and the residual fatigue life reduces. The value of ε th / ε cr goes larger and the residual fatigue life becomes shorter with higher strain amplitude.
Participation Ratio for Constraint-Driven Condensation with Superextensive Mass
Authors: Gradenigo Giacomo , Bertin Eric
Published: September 2017

Broadly distributed random variables with a power-law distribution f ( m ) ∼ m - ( 1 + α ) are known to generate condensation effects. This means that, when the exponent α lies in a certain interval, the largest variable in a sum of N (independent and identically distributed) terms is for large N of the same order as the sum itself. In particular, when the distribution has infinite mean ( 0 < α < 1 ) one finds unconstrained condensation, whereas for α > 1 constrained condensation takes places fixing the total mass to a large enough value M = ∑ i = 1 N m i > M c . In both cases, a standard indicator of the condensation phenomenon is the participation ratio Y k = 〈 ∑ i m i k / ( ∑ i m i ) k 〉 ( k > 1 ), which takes a finite value for N → ∞ when condensation occurs. To better understand the connection between constrained and unconstrained condensation, we study here the situation when the total mass is fixed to a superextensive value M ∼ N 1 + δ ( δ > 0 ), hence interpolating between the unconstrained condensation case (where the typical value of the total mass scales as M ∼ N 1 / α for α < 1 ) and the extensive constrained mass. In particular we show that for exponents α < 1 a condensate phase for values δ > δ c = 1 / α - 1 is separated from a homogeneous phase at δ < δ c from a transition line, δ = δ c , where a weak condensation phenomenon takes place. We focus on the evaluation of the participation ratio as a generic indicator of condensation, also recalling or presenting results in the standard cases of unconstrained mass and of fixed extensive mass.
Dependence of Total Production Costs on Production and Infrastructure Parameters in the Polish Hard Coal Mining Industry
Authors: Jonek-Kowalska Izabela , Turek Marian
Published: September 2017

European hard coalmining is a declining industry, despite the use of hard coal for energy in several countries. Industry restructuring and public subsidies have failed to stop this industry’s decline. The largest hard coalmining sector, the Polish sector, has faced an obstacle to its survival: How to reduce production costs to compete with less expensive imported hard coal? This article aims to identify and analyze the dependence of the total production costs representing production and infrastructure parameters of the Polish hard coalmining industry. The parameters are divided into three groups: (1) the cost of employees and the production volume; (2) the number of longwalls, the length of a longwall, the daily longwall advance and the preparatory work advance; and (3) the number of levels in exploitation, the number of layers in exploitation and the number of shafts. The findings indicate that, even in well-functioning coalmines, there are many economically irrational relationships, especially regarding employment and infrastructure size. This study shows that employment, which is a significant cost component of the production and infrastructure parameters of the examined Polish hard coalmines, is not economically rational in terms of its proportion to the total production costs. As a result, even a considerable reduction in employment or infrastructure does not influence the unit costs of mining production, which could only be partially explained by the high level of fixed costs. There are also no appropriate relationships between infrastructure parameters and the total production cost. Under these irrational conditions, a reduction in the production costs of hard coalmining enterprises is difficult, but unproductive costly activities could prevent an improvement in production efficiency. Only restoring the proper relationship between economic and infrastructure parameters and the total production costs can ensure a return to price competitiveness. Those actions are crucial for the Polish hard coalmining industry, because the research focused on successful hard coalmines that were not declining indicate it should be able to implement cost improvements.
Textile Hemp vs. Salinity: Insights from a Targeted Gene Expression Analysis
Authors: Guerriero Gea , Behr Marc , Hausman Jean-Francois , Legay Sylvain
Published: September 2017

Soil salinity is a serious threat to agriculture, because it compromises biomass production and plant productivity, by negatively affecting the vegetative growth and development of plants. Fiber crops like textile hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) are important natural resources that provide, sustainably, both cellulosic and woody fibers for industry. In this work, the response to salinity (200 mM NaCl) of a fiber variety of hemp (Santhica 27) was studied using quantitative real-time PCR. The responses of plantlets aged 15 days were analyzed by microscopy and by measuring the changes in expression of cell wall-related genes, as well as in the general response to exogenous constraints. The results presented here show that a different response is present in the hemp hypocotyls and leaves. In the leaves, genes coding for heat shock proteins were significantly upregulated, together with a phytohormone-related transcript (ethylene-responsive factor 1 ERF1) and genes involved in secondary cell wall biosynthesis (cellulose synthase CesA4, fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins FLA10 and FLA8). Moreover, a tendency towards upregulation was also observed in the leaves for genes involved in lignification (4CL, CAD, PAL); a finding that suggests growth arrest. In the hypocotyl, the genes involved in lignification did not show changes in expression, while a gene related to expansion (expansin EXPA8), as well as transcripts coding for calcium-dependent lipid-binding family proteins (CALB), were upregulated. Microscopic analyses on the hypocotyl cross sections revealed changes in the vascular tissues of salt-exposed plantlets, where the lumen of xylem vessels was reduced. The gene expression results show that a different response is present in the hemp hypocotyls and leaves. The data presented contribute to our understanding of the regulatory gene network in response to salinity in different tissues of an important fiber crop.
Analysis of Groundwater Nitrate Contamination in the Central Valley: Comparison of the Geodetector Method, Principal Component Analysis and Geographically Weighted Regression
Authors: Shrestha Anil , Luo Wei
Published: September 2017

Groundwater nitrate contamination in the Central Valley (CV) aquifer of California is a ubiquitous groundwater problem found in various parts of the valley. Heavy irrigation and application of fertilizer over the last several decades have caused groundwater nitrate contamination in several domestic, public and monitoring wells in the CV above EPA’s Maximum Contamination level of 10 mg/L. Source variables, aquifer susceptibility and geochemical variables could affect the contamination rate and groundwater quality in the aquifer. A comparative study was conducted using Geodetector (GED), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) to observe which method is most effective at revealing environmental variables that control groundwater nitrate concentration. The GED method detected precipitation, fertilizer, elevation, manure and clay as statistically significant variables. Watersheds with percent of wells above 5 mg/L of nitrate were higher in San Joaquin and Tulare Basin compared to Sacramento Valley. PCA grouped cropland, fertilizer, manure and precipitation as a first principal component, suggesting similar construct of these variables and existence of data redundancy. The GWR model performed better than the OLS model, with lower corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) values, and captured the spatial heterogeneity of fertilizer, precipitation and elevation for the percent of wells above 5 mg/L in the CV. Overall, the GED method was more effective than the PCA and GWR methods in determining the influence of explanatory variables on groundwater nitrate contamination.
Current Development Status of MEK Inhibitors
Authors: Cheng Ying , Tian Hongqi
Published: September 2017

The current development status of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors, including the preclinical data and clinical study progress, has been summarized in this review. Different MEK inhibitors, possessing specific physicochemical properties and bioactivity characteristics, may provide different options for patients seeking treatment for cancer. Moreover, the combination of the MEK inhibitors with other therapies—such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy—may be a promising approach for clinical use.
Molecular Dynamic Simulation of Space and Earth-Grown Crystal Structures of Thermostable T1 Lipase Geobacillus zalihae Revealed a Better Structure
Authors: Ishak Siti , Aris Sayangku , Halim Khairul , Ali Mohd , Leow Thean , Kamarudin Nor , Masomian Malihe , Rahman Raja
Published: September 2017

Less sedimentation and convection in a microgravity environment has become a well-suited condition for growing high quality protein crystals. Thermostable T1 lipase derived from bacterium Geobacillus zalihae has been crystallized using the counter diffusion method under space and earth conditions. Preliminary study using YASARA molecular modeling structure program for both structures showed differences in number of hydrogen bond, ionic interaction, and conformation. The space-grown crystal structure contains more hydrogen bonds as compared with the earth-grown crystal structure. A molecular dynamics simulation study was used to provide insight on the fluctuations and conformational changes of both T1 lipase structures. The analysis of root mean square deviation (RMSD), radius of gyration, and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) showed that space-grown structure is more stable than the earth-grown structure. Space-structure also showed more hydrogen bonds and ion interactions compared to the earth-grown structure. Further analysis also revealed that the space-grown structure has long-lived interactions, hence it is considered as the more stable structure. This study provides the conformational dynamics of T1 lipase crystal structure grown in space and earth condition.
Diverse Phytochemicals and Bioactivities in the Ancient Fruit and Modern Functional Food Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Authors: Wu Sheng , Tian Li
Published: September 2017

Having served as a symbolic fruit since ancient times, pomegranate (Punica granatum) has also gained considerable recognition as a functional food in the modern era. A large body of literature has linked pomegranate polyphenols, particularly anthocyanins (ATs) and hydrolyzable tannins (HTs), to the health-promoting activities of pomegranate juice and fruit extracts. However, it remains unclear as to how, and to what extent, the numerous phytochemicals in pomegranate may interact and exert cooperative activities in humans. In this review, we examine the structural and analytical information of the diverse phytochemicals that have been identified in different pomegranate tissues, to establish a knowledge base for characterization of metabolite profiles, discovery of novel phytochemicals, and investigation of phytochemical interactions in pomegranate. We also assess recent findings on the function and molecular mechanism of ATs as well as urolithins, the intestinal microbial derivatives of pomegranate HTs, on human nutrition and health. A better understanding of the structural diversity of pomegranate phytochemicals as well as their bioconversions and bioactivities in humans will facilitate the interrogation of their synergistic/antagonistic interactions and accelerate their applications in dietary-based cancer chemoprevention and treatment in the future.
Acyclic Triterpenoids from Alpinia katsumadai Inhibit IL-6-Induced STAT3 Activation
Authors: Jang Hyun-Jae , Lee Seung-Jae , Lee Soyoung , Jung Kyungsook , Lee Seung , Rho Mun-Chual
Published: September 2017

The seeds of Alpinia katsumadai yielded two new acyclic triterpenoids, 2,3,6,22,23-pentahydroxy-2,6,11,15,19,23-hexamethyl-tetracosa-7,10,14,18-tetraene (3) and 2,3,6,22,23-pentahydroxy-2,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-7-methylenetetracosa-10,14,18-triene (4), as well as two known compounds, 2,3,22,23-tertrahydroxy-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-tetracosa-6,10,14,18-tetraene (1) and 2,3,5,22,23-pentahydroxy-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-tetracosa-6,10,14,18-tetraene (2). The absolute configurations of 2 and 3, which were determined by means of a modified Mosher’s method, are suggested as (3R; 5S; 22R) and (3R; 22R), respectively. Compounds 1–4 inhibited IL-6-induced JAK2/STAT3 activity in a dose-dependent fashion, with IC50 values of 0.67, 0.71, 2.18, and 2.99 μM. Moreover, IL-6-stimulated phosphorylation of STAT3 was significantly suppressed in U266 cells by the administration of A. katsumadai EtOH extract and Compounds 1 and 2. These results suggest that major phytochemicals, Compounds 1 and 2, obtained from A. katsumadai may be useful candidates for designing new IL-6 inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents.
Performative Framing: Dza Patrul Rinpoche’s Performative Pedagogy
Authors: Schapiro Joshua
Published: September 2017

This essay explores the pedagogy of Dza Patrul Rinpoche (1808–1887), a well-respected Buddhist teacher from Eastern Tibet, by considering examples where Patrul frames his teachings as oratorical performances. Patrul operates under the guiding pedagogical principle that self-promoting performance is good teaching. The term “performance” describes the competitive exchanges that appear in certain of Patrul’s writings, where the quality of the sermons in question is at issue. Patrul habitually directs focus to his teachings’ delivery, including instances where his lessons emerge out of conversations between invented characters. Patrul puts the oratorical capacity of his protagonists under a microscope and accentuates the artistry of their teachings. In so doing, he draws attention back to his own mastery, prolixity, cunning, and wordplay. His style allows him to communicate content while demonstrating competence and creativity. By telegraphing these qualities, he interests students in aspiring to similar expertise and provides them with opportunities to generate devotion towards him. According to Patrul, devotion is a crucial mechanism for learning, as it transforms and empowers each step of students’ progress along the path to awakening.
Autonomous Microsystems for Downhole Applications: Design Challenges, Current State, and Initial Test Results
Authors: Choi Myungjoon , Sui Yu , Lee In , Meredith Ryan , Ma Yushu , Kim Gyouho , Blaauw David , Gianchandani Yogesh , Li Tao
Published: September 2017

This paper describes two platforms for autonomous sensing microsystems that are intended for deployment in chemically corrosive environments at elevated temperatures and pressures. Following the deployment period, the microsystems are retrieved, recharged, and interrogated wirelessly at close proximity. The first platform is the Michigan Micro Mote for High Temperature (M3HT), a chip stack 2.9 × 1.1 × 1.5 mm3 in size. It uses RF communications to support pre-deployment and post-retrieval functions, and it uses customized electronics to achieve ultralow power consumption, permitting the use of a chip-scale battery. The second platform is the Environmental Logging Microsystem (ELM). This system, which is 6.5 × 6.3 × 4.5 mm3 in size, uses the smallest suitable off-the-shelf electronic and battery components that are compatible with assembly on a flexible printed circuit board. Data are stored in non-volatile memory, permitting retrieval even after total power loss. Pre-deployment and post-retrieval functions are supported by optical communication. Two types of encapsulation methods are used to withstand high pressure and corrosive environments: an epoxy filled volume is used for the M3HT, and a hollow stainless-steel shell with a sapphire lid is used for both the M3HT and ELM. The encapsulated systems were successfully tested at temperature and pressure reaching 150 °C and 10,000 psi, in environments of concentrated brine, oil, and cement slurry. At elevated temperatures, the limited lifetimes of available batteries constrain the active deployment period to several hours.