bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual nature of pseudouridylation in U2 snRNA: Pus1p-dependent and Pus1p-independent activities in yeasts and higher eukaryotes
Authors: Deryusheva Svetlana , Gall Joseph G.
Published: April 2017

The pseudouridine at position 43 in vertebrate U2 snRNA is one of the most conserved post-transcriptional modifications of spliceosomal snRNAs; the equivalent position is pseudouridylated in U2 snRNAs in different phyla including fungi, insects, and worms. Pseudouridine synthase Pus1p acts alone on U2 snRNA to form this pseudouridine in yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand mouse. Furthermore, inS. cerevisiae, Pus1p is the only pseudouridine synthase for this position. Using an in vivo yeast cell system, we tested enzymatic activity of Pus1p from the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe, the wormCaenorhabditis elegans, the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster, and the frogXenopus tropicalis. We demonstrated that Pus1p fromC. eleganshas no enzymatic activity on U2 snRNA when expressed in yeast cells, whereas in similar experiments, position 44 in yeast U2 snRNA (equivalent to position 43 in vertebrates) is a genuine substrate for Pus1p fromS. cerevisiae,S. pombe,Drosophila,Xenopus, and mouse. However, when we analyzed U2 snRNAs fromPus1knockout mice and thepus1Δ S. pombestrain, we could not detect any changes in their modification patterns when compared to wild-type U2 snRNAs. InS. pombe, we found a novel box H/ACA RNA encoded downstream from theRPC10gene and experimentally verified its guide RNA activity for positioning Ψ43 and Ψ44 in U2 snRNA. In vertebrates, we showed that SCARNA8 (also known as U92 scaRNA) is a guide for U2-Ψ43 in addition to its previously established targets U2-Ψ34/Ψ44.
Imaging of Complications After Limb Prostheses
Implantation in Children with Bone Tumors
Authors: Iwanowska Beata , Brągoszewska Hanna , Mądzik Jarosław , Szkudlińska-Pawlak Sylwia , Kopyś-Wiszniewska Izabela , Jastrzębska Małgorzata , Kowalska Barbara , Uliasz Maria , Bekiesińska-Figatowska Monika
Published: April 2017

Background: Tumors of the developmental age are an important problem in clinical practice. Primary bone tumors constitute 1–1.5% of all tumors, and 7% of all tumors diagnosed in the developmental age. The aim of the study was to assess the capabilities of imaging methods in diagnosing complications of limb endoprostheses in children with osteoarticular tumors.

Material/Methods: We included 155 patients with limb endoprostheses, aged 7–26 years. There were 113 patients with knee prostheses, 1 patient with bilateral knee prostheses, 16 patients with shoulder prostheses, 14 patients with hip prostheses, 11 patients with hip and knee prostheses, and 1 patient with a femoral prosthesis. All patients underwent plain radiography and an ultrasound study.

Results: Complications were found in 50 patients (32% of all patients). The following complications were seen – inflammatory changes in soft tissues and bones (12 patients, 7.7%), stump fractures (11 patients, 7%), lack of elongation effect or shortening of the prosthesis (7 patients, 4.5%), prosthesis fractures (4 patients, 2.5%), crural fractures (4 patients, 2.5%), loosening of the prosthesis (3 patients, 1.9%), joint dislocation (2 patients, 1.3%), stump and prosthesis fracture (1 patient, 0.6%) and local recurrence (6 patients, 3.9%). Prostheses were exchanged for the following reasons – fractures (5 patients, 3.2%), inflammation (2 patients with 3 exchanges, 1.9%). Local recurrence and inflammation were confirmed by a biopsy.

Conclusions: Radiography and ultrasonography are of crucial importance in monitoring patients after implantation of limb endoprostheses. The findings did not require confirmation in additional studies: CT and MRI. Suspicion of local recurrence and inflammation required a biopsy confirmation.
The dynamic upper limit of human lifespan
Authors: Newman Saul , Easteal Simon
Published: April 2017

We respond to claims by Dong et al. that human lifespan is limited below 125 years. Using the log-linear increase in mortality rates with age to predict the upper limits of human survival we find, in contrast to Dong et al., that the limit to human lifespan is historically flexible and increasing. This discrepancy can be explained by Dong et al.’s use of data with variable sample sizes, age-biased rounding errors, and log(0) instead of log(1) values in linear regressions. Addressing these issues eliminates the proposed 125-year upper limit to human lifespan.
The Role of Publicly Funded Family Planning Sites In Health Insurance Enrollment
Authors: Yarger Jennifer , Daniel Sara , Biggs M. Antonia , Malvin Jan , Brindis Claire D.
Published: April 2017

CONTEXT

Publicly funded family planning providers are well positioned to help uninsured individuals learn about health insurance coverage options and effectively navigate the enrollment process. Understanding how these providers are engaged in enrollment assistance and the challenges they face in providing assistance is important for maximizing their role in health insurance outreach and enrollment.

METHODS

In 2014, some 684 sites participating in California's family planning program were surveyed about their involvement in helping clients enroll in health insurance. Weighted univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine enrollment activities and perceived barriers to facilitating enrollment by site characteristics.

RESULTS

Most family planning program sites provided eligibility screening (68%), enrollment education (77%), on‐site enrollment assistance (55%) and referrals for off‐site enrollment support (91%). The proportion of sites offering each type of assistance was highest among community clinics (83–96%), primary care and multispecialty sites (65–95%), Title X–funded sites (72–98%), sites with contracts to provide primary care services (64–93%) and sites using only electronic health records (66–94%). Commonly identified barriers to providing assistance were lack of staff time (reported by 52% of sites), lack of funding (47%), lack of physical space (34%) and lack of staff knowledge (33%); only 20% of sites received funding to support enrollment activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there were significant variations among them, publicly funded family planning providers in California are actively engaged in health insurance enrollment. Supporting their vital role in enrollment could help in the achievement of universal health insurance coverage.
Preliminary assessment of the bending strength of mid-nineteenth century oak timber
Authors: Bakalarz M. , Kossakowski P. G.
Published: April 2017

This paper deals with results of preliminary analysis to determine the bending strength of approximately 150 year old oak timber obtained from structural elements used in construction. The test procedures were those specified in the PN-EN 408 standard. The experiments involved subjecting specimens to four-point static loading using three different loading rates: 5, 7 and 10 mm/min. The specimens were sampled from full-size timber beams. The experimental data revealed that after such a long period of use the structural oak timber elements had retained high strength. The failure mode and the behaviour of the beams during tests were dependent on the location of wood defects as well as the rate of deflection gain in time.
Accuracy of Positioning Autonomous Biomimetic Underwater Vehicle Using Additional Measurement of Distances
Authors: Naus Krzysztof , Szymak Piotr
Published: April 2017

The article describes a study of problem of estimating the position coordinates of Autonomous Biomimetic Underwater Vehicle (ABUV) using two methods: dead reckoning (DR) and extended Kalman filter (EKF). In the first part of the paper, navigation system of ABUV is described and scientific problem with underwater positioning is formulated. The main part describes a way of estimating the position coordinates using DR and EKF and a numerical experiment involving motion of ABUV along the predetermined test distance. The final part of the paper contains a comparative statistical analysis of the results, carried out for assessing the accuracy of estimation of the position coordinates using DR and EKF methods. It presents the generalized conclusions from the research and the problems relating to the proper placement of the components of the system measuring distances.
Object Georeferencing in UAV-Based SAR Terrain Images
Authors: Łabowski Michał , Kaniewski Piotr , Serafin Piotr , Wajszczyk Bronisław
Published: April 2017

Synthetic aperture radars (SAR) allow to obtain high resolution terrain images comparable with the resolution of optical methods. Radar imaging is independent on the weather conditions and the daylight. The process of analysis of the SAR images consists primarily of identifying of interesting objects. The ability to determine their geographical coordinates can increase usability of the solution from a user point of view. The paper presents a georeferencing method of the radar terrain images. The presented images were obtained from the SAR system installed on board an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The system was developed within a project under acronym WATSAR realized by the Military University of Technology and WB Electronics S.A. The source of the navigation data was an INS/GNSS system integrated by the Kalman filter with a feed-backward correction loop. The paper presents the terrain images obtained during flight tests and results of selected objects georeferencing with an assessment of the accuracy of the method.
The Time Window for Vessels Without Ice Strengthening On the Northern Sea Route
Authors: Pastusiak Tadeusz
Published: April 2017

The work discusses possibility to make transit voyages of vessels without ice strengthening on the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Exist many uncertainties for it. They are related to hydro-meteorological conditions, mostly to ice cover on the Russian Arctic. Ice conditions are under dynamic changes in time and space. Is hard to precisely predict ice conditions now, in the time range of one month and so on. Statistical historical data of daily changes same like yearly changes show a considerable scatter of the data. The author analyzed number of ice-free days of particular seas of the NSR in the latest eight years. The results of this work may be used for estimation of time frame (time window) for transport of cargo on the NSR by means of vessels without ice strengthening. The statistical presentation of ice-free days data was used in the work to develop decision supporting method related to planning vessel voyage including ice-free time frame on particular seas of the Northern Sea Route.
Methods of Thrust Allocation in a DP Simulation System of Maritime University of Szczecin
Authors: Zalewski Paweł
Published: April 2017

Vessels conducting dynamic positioning (DP) operations are usually equipped with thruster configurations that enable generation of resultant force and moment in any direction. These configurations are deliberately redundant in order to reduce the consequences of thruster failures and increase the safety. On such vessels a thrust allocation system must be used to distribute the control actions determined by the DP controller among the thrusters. The optimal allocation of thrusters′ settings in DP systems is a problem that can be solved by several convex optimization methods depending on criteria and constraints used. The paper presents linear programming (LP) and quadratic programming (QP) methods adopted in DP control model which is being developed in Maritime University of Szczecin for ship simulation purposes.
Considerations Regarding The Quality Of Rehabilitation And Physical Medicine Services From Patients Perspective
Authors: Oprea Carmen , Armean P. , Calota Nicoleta , Almasan Elena Roxana , Ionescu Elena Valentina , Iliescu Madalina Gabriela
Published: April 2017

The research study aims to assess the quality of physical medicine and rehabilitation (MFR) services offered to the population by specialized sanatoriums and hospitals in Dobrogea, in order to identify some appropriate measures to improve the quality of such services.

The target group (593 respondents) consisted of 6 independent batches, different in number, selected from 6 medical units. The patients responded to a specific questionnaire regarding the quality of MFR services and the collected data were analyzed statistically.

According to the patients′ answers, the medical staff meets their expectations in terms of the information provided at the time of admission, promptitude, kindness, availability, which reflects just one segment of the quality of medical rehabilitation services.

As regards the entity recommending the medical rehabilitation physician, of the total answers, the lowest ratio in the study is held by the answer “family doctor / another doctor”. It thus highlights the poor knowledge of family doctors or other doctors on the therapy benefits specific to medical rehabilitation and therefore the access to such services is not facilitated, a disservice to the patients′ life quality. There is a dependence relation between the level of education and the reason of admission. We see that is not prevention taking the first position, but the pain, which reflects a deficient education for health in all social levels.

Assessing the patient’s satisfaction regarding the mobility facilities in the sanatorium / hospital a percentage of 6.6% patient responded that they are not satisfied. It results that all the 6 partner institutions in the study must evolve to provide decent conditions ensuring the mobility independence to the patients.
Drug Hepatitis At AINS
Authors: Craciun R. L. , Stavar Angelica Nela , Iliescu Madalina
Published: April 2017

Hepatic lesions induced by drugs include extremely diverse various clinical, biological and histological manifestations that can determine acute or chronic hepatobiliary disease. The term of hepatitis is recommended to be used when there is a histological confirmation. In the last decades a 11 time increase of the hepatic lesions induced by drugs is reported, due both to the increase of the number of used drugs but also by their more frequent recognition.

We carried out a combined retrospective study and longitudinally prospective study that included patients with drug hepatitis. In our study there were 83 cases of drug hepatitis at AINS, which represents 33.46 % of the total number of 248 patients with drug hepatitis. In our study the highest drug hepatitis at AINS were Nimesulid (24 cases), followed by Diclofenac (21 cases), and the fewest at Piroxicam (9 cases). All the cases from the study were symptomatic, showing the increase of the cytolysis enzymes and sometimes cholestasis enzymes (mainly GGT).

The average age at diagnosis was 60.1 years for the 248 patients, being lower for the male gender (57.47 years), compared to the female gender (61.26 years). Women were affected in the highest degree, 69.35% being women and 30.64% men. In our study drug hepatitis by hepatic cytolysis was dominant, more frequent than the cholestatic ones.
Unusual Presentation Of Sarcoidosis: Case Report
Authors: Adam Tatiana , Mazilu Laura , Craciun L. , Anton Adelina , Iliescu Dan , Tofolean Doina
Published: April 2017

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease with polymorphic manifestations, of unknown etiology, that can affect any organ in the body, but most commonly the lungs [1,2,3]. Extrapulmonary involvement is common, can occur in association with or in the absence of intrathoracic disease, and all organs can be involved, but it is rare to find an isolated extrapulmonary disease (less than 10% of patients) [3,4]. On occasion, the presentation of sarcoidosis may be atypical.

We report a case of systemic sarcoidosis, with particular clinical data: extrathoracic onset with subdiaphragmatic lymph nodes, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.
Clostridium Difficile Infection Complicated By Toxic Megacolon In Immunocompetent Patient
Authors: Draganescu Miruna , Baroiu Liliana , Iancu Alina , Arbune Manuela , Dumitru Irina Magdalena , Rugina S.
Published: April 2017

Toxic megacolon can be a form of severe clinical course of the infection with Clostridium difficile (ICD), life-threatening, requiring a particular course of treatment. Infection with Clostridium difficile in the Galati Infectious Disease Hospital presents rising number of cases, namely 172 cases in 2014, 271 cases in 2015 and 301 cases in 2016 with clinical evolutions with different severity degrees, including toxic megacolon and death. Among 744 patients with ICD in our clinic, since 1st January 2014 to 31 December 2016. The frequency of toxic megacolon (TM) was 0,537%, so: 3 toxic megacolon cases with favorable evolution with treatment with vancomycin and metronidazole and just one case whose evolution was aggravated under this therapy and evolved favorably under treatment with tigecycline. The work presents this last case of ICD occurred in a 69 years old, immunocompetent man with unknown concomitant chronic diseases which undergoes surgery for bilateral inguinal hernia and receives antibiotherapy with cephalosporin IIIrd generation during surgery and after 7 days develops medium degree ICD with score Atlas 3 and receives therapy with oral vancomycin. He presents clinical aggravation during this therapy with the occurrence of colon dilatation, ascites and right pleurisy at ultrasound and therapy associated with metronidazole is decided. Clinical aggravation continues in this combined therapy with defining the clinical, colonoscopy and tomography criteria for TM and is decided surgical monitoring and replacing antibiotherapy with tigecycline. Evolution is favorable with tigecycline without surgical intervention.
A simplified mathematical theory of MHD power generators
Authors: Carabineanu Adrian
Published: April 2017

We present a simplified version of the Faraday magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) generators theory. The effect of the Loretz force against the fluid ow is neglected, whence it follows the uniform ow of the plasma. We use Lazăr Dragoș’s analytic solution for the electric potential and perform some numerical calculations in order to obtain the useful output power of a generator connected to an external resistive circuit.
Propagation of inhomogeneous plane waves in isotropic solid crystals
Authors: Harabagiu Livia , Simionescu-Panait Olivian
Published: April 2017

In this paper we study the impact of initial mechanical deformation and electric fields applied to linear elastic isotropic solid, on the propagation of inhomogeneous plane waves in such media. We derive the decomposition of the propagation condition for particular isotropic directional bivectors and we show that the specific coefficients are similar to the case of guided waves propagation in isotropic solids subject to a bias.
Study of the behaviour of proliferating cells in leukemia modelled by a system of delay differential equations
Authors: Ion Anca Veronica
Published: April 2017

For the model of periodic chronic myelogenous leukemia considered by Pujo-Menjouet, Mackey et al., model consisting of two delay differential equations, the equation for the density of so-called “resting cells” was studied from numerical and qualitative point of view in several works. In this paper we focus on the equation for the density of proliferating cells and study it from a qualitative point of view.
Randomized Sparse Block Kaczmarz as Randomized Dual Block-Coordinate Descent
Authors: Petra Stefania
Published: April 2017

We show that the Sparse Kaczmarz method is a particular instance of the coordinate gradient method applied to an unconstrained dual problem corresponding to a regularized ℓ1-minimization problem subject to linear constraints. Based on this observation and recent theoretical work concerning the convergence analysis and corresponding convergence rates for the randomized block coordinate gradient descent method, we derive block versions and consider randomized ordering of blocks of equations. Convergence in expectation is thus obtained as a byproduct. By smoothing the ℓ1-objective we obtain a strongly convex dual which opens the way to various acceleration schemes.
A Computational Approach to Log-Concave Density Estimation
Authors: Rathke Fabian , Schnörr Christoph
Published: April 2017

Non-parametric density estimation with shape restrictions has witnessed a great deal of attention recently. We consider the maximum-likelihood problem of estimating a log-concave density from a given finite set of empirical data and present a computational approach to the resulting optimization problem. Our approach targets the ability to trade-off computational costs against estimation accuracy in order to alleviate the curse of dimensionality of density estimation in higher dimensions.
Consistency issues in PDF methods
Authors: Suciu N. , Schüler L. , Attinger S. , Vamoș C. , Knabner P.
Published: April 2017

Concentrations of chemical species transported in random environments need to be statistically characterized by probability density functions (PDF). Solutions to evolution equations for the one-point one-time PDF are usually based on systems of computational particles described by Itô equations. We establish consistency conditions relating the concentration statistics to that of the Itô process and the solution of its associated Fokker-Planck equation to that of the PDF equation. In this frame, we use a recently proposed numerical method which approximates PDFs by particle densities obtained with a global random walk (GRW) algorithm. The GRW-PDF approach is illustrated for a problem of contaminant transport in groundwater.
Thermal Absorptivity Model of Knitted Rib Fabric and its Experimental Verification
Authors: Mangat Asif Elahi , Hes Lubos , Bajzik Vladimir , Mazari Adnan
Published: April 2017

Thermal absorptivity is an indicator of warm and cool feeling of textile materials. An equation based on thermal absorptivity of polyester in solid form, porosity of a fabric, and relative contact area of human skin and fabric surface has been developed to characterize thermal absorptivity of fabric. For verification of suggested model, 15 knitted rib fabrics were produced using 100% polyester yarn and having different surface profile. ALAMBETA semiautomatic non-destructive instrument has been used for measuring the effective thermal absorptivity of knitted rib fabric. It was found that the suggested simple theoretical model exhibits significant agreement with the measured thermal absorptivity values of knitted rib fabric, which endorsed the approach applied.
Production of biogas: relationship between methanogenic and sulfate-reducing microorganisms
Authors: Kushkevych Ivan , Vítězová Monika , Vítěz Tomáš , Bartoš Milan
Published: April 2017

The production of high-quality methane depends on many factors, including temperature, pH, substrate, composition and relationship of the microorganisms. The qualitative and quantitative composition of methanogenic and sulfate-reducing microorganisms and their relationship in the experimental bioreactors has never been studied. The aim of this research was to characterize, for the first time, the diversity of the methanogenic microorganisms and sulfate-reducing bacteria, and study their relationship and biogas production in experimental bioreactors. Amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragments was carried out. Purified amplicons were paired-end sequenced on an Illumina Mi-Seq platform. The dominant morphotypes of these microorganisms in the bioreactor were homologous (99%) by the sequences of 16S rRNA gene to theMethanosarcina,Thermogymnomonas,Methanoculleusgenera andArchaeondeposited in GenBank. Three dominant genera of sulfate-reducing bacteria,Desulfomicrobium,DesulfobulbusandDesulfovibrio, were detected in the bioreactor. The phylogenetic trees showing their genetic relationship were constructed. The diversity and number of the genera, production of methane, hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen in the bioreactor was investigated. This research is important for understanding the relationship between methanogenic microbial populations and other bacterial physiological groups, their substrate competition and, in turn, can be helpful for controlling methanogenesis in bioreactors.
Comparison of pneumatic tube system with manual transport for routine chemistry, hematology, coagulation and blood gas tests
Authors: Pupek Alex , Matthewson Beverly , Whitman Erin , Fullarton Rachel , Chen Yu
Published: April 2017

Background:

The pneumatic tube system (PTS) is commonly used in modern clinical laboratories to provide quick specimen delivery. However, its impact on sample integrity and laboratory testing results are still debatable. In addition, each PTS installation and configuration is unique to its institution. We sought to validate our Swisslog PTS by comparing routine chemistry, hematology, coagulation and blood gas test results and sample integrity indices between duplicate samples transported either manually or by PTS.

Methods:

Duplicate samples were delivered to the core laboratory manually by human courier or via the Swisslog PTS. Head-to-head comparisons of 48 routine chemistry, hematology, coagulation and blood gas laboratory tests, and three sample integrity indices were conducted on 41 healthy volunteers and 61 adult patients.

Results:

The PTS showed no impact on sample hemolysis, lipemia, or icterus indices (all p<0.05). Although alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and hemoglobin reached statistical significance (p=0.009, 0.027 and 0.012, respectively), all had very low average bias which ranged from 0.01% to 2%. Potassium, total hemoglobin and percent deoxyhemoglobin were statistically significant for the neonatal capillary tube study (p=0.011, 0.033 and 0.041, respectively) but no biases greater than ±4% were identified for these parameters. All observed differences of these 48 laboratory tests were not clinically significant.

Conclusions:

The modern PTS investigated in this study is acceptable for reliable sample delivery for routine chemistry, hematology, coagulation and blood gas (in syringe and capillary tube) laboratory tests.
Determination of free and bounded phenolic acids in the rhizomes and herb of Sanguisorba officinalis L.
Authors: Biernasiuk Anna , Wozniak Michal , Bogucka-Kocka Anna
Published: April 2017

An analysis of the fractions of free acids and phenolic acids liberated by way of hydrolysis in the rhizomes and herbaceous tissues of Sanguisorba officinalis L. was conducted through utilizing the 2D-TLC method. Fifteen phenolic acids were identified. Our work showed that ellagic, protocatechuic, gentisic, p-hydroxybenzoic, syringic, vannilic and ferulic acids were common in all tested fractions, and gallic and protocatechuic acids were dominant in fractions obtained from the rhizomes, while caffeic, p-coumaric, syringic, vannilic and ferulic acids were abundant in the herbaceous tissues. However, α and β - resorcylic acids were detected only in rhizome phenolic acid fractions liberated from their conjunction with sugars and alcohols. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid was present only in a free form in the herbaceous tissues, while p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid was liberated from conjunction from a herbaceous extract.
Credit Intermediation under the 2014 European Mortgage Credit Directive: a Call for Targeted Rules on Intermediary Remuneration
Authors: De Muynck Michiel , Bruloot Diederik
Published: April 2017

In February 2014 the European legislator adopted a directive on credit agreements for consumers relating to residential immovable property, which had to be implemented by the member states by March 2016. This paper starts with some fundamentals on the policy objectives underlying this so-called „Mortgage Credit Directive” (MCD) and further provides an overview of the specific regulatory framework that has been developed for credit intermediaries. This serves as the starting point for an assessment of the level of consumer protection that has been established while regulating the activities of credit intermediaries. Particular risks for credit intermediaries’ clients stem from incentives caused by the way in which they are traditionally remunerated by consumers and/or creditors. Whereas information disclosure obligations included in the MCD are an insufficient means to mitigate some potentially harmful consequences of intermediary compensation, the authors argue for the introduction of targeted remuneration regulation.
Upgrading of commercial pulps to high-purity dissolving pulps by an ionic liquid-based extraction method
Authors: Wollboldt Petra , Strach Michael , Russler Axel , Jankova Stepanka , Sixta Herbert
Published: April 2017

In the course of the Ioncell-P process, hemicelluloses are extracted from wood pulps by a mild treatment with an ionic liquid (IL) water mixture, and the result is a high-purity dissolving pulp. The aim of the present work is to study the influence of pulp origin concerning different wood species and pulping processes on the resulting pulp purity and yield after extraction with IL/water, while the IL is 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([emim][OAc]). The raw materials were chosen from commercial alkaline kraft and acid sulfite paper and dissolving pulps prepared from both hardwood (HW) and softwood (SW). The extraction was followed by a filtration step to separate the cellulose and the hemicellulose fractions. The hemicelluloses were precipitated from the IL/water filtrate. In general, the Ioncell-P process proved to be more selective toward the removal of xylan as compared to glucomannan indicating that HW pulps are easier to purify than those of SW. It was possible to reach high alpha pulp qualities by the extraction process.
Aeromonas sobria serine protease (ASP): a subtilisin family endopeptidase with multiple virulence activities
Authors: Imamura Takahisa , Murakami Yoji , Nitta Hidetoshi
Published: April 2017

Aeromonas sobriaserine protease (ASP) is secreted fromAeromonas sobria, a pathogen causing gastroenteritis and sepsis. ASP resemblesSaccharomyces cerevisiaeKex2, a member of the subtilisin family, and preferentially cleaves peptide bonds at the C-terminal side of paired basic amino acid residues; also accepting unpaired arginine at the P1site. Unlike Kex2, however, ASP lacks an intramolecular chaperone N-terminal propeptide, instead utilizes the external chaperone ORF2 for proper folding, therefore, ASP and its homologues constitute a new subfamily in the subtilisin family. Through activation of the kallikrein/kinin system, ASP induces vascular leakage, and presumably causes edema and septic shock. ASP accelerates plasma clotting by α-thrombin generation from prothrombin, whereas it impairs plasma clottability by fibrinogen degradation, together bringing about blood coagulation disorder that occurs in disseminated intravascular coagulation, a major complication of sepsis. From complement C5 ASP liberates C5a that induces neutrophil recruitment and superoxide release, and mast cell degranulation, which are associated with pus formation, tissue injury and diarrhea, respectively. Nicked two-chain ASP also secreted fromA. sobriais more resistant to inactivation by α2-macroglobulin than single-chain ASP, thereby raising virulence activities. Thus, ASP is a potent virulence factor and may participate in the pathogenesis ofA. sobriainfection.
A rapid and multi-element method for the analysis of major nutrients in grass (Lolium perenne) using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Daly K. , Fenelon A.
Published: April 2017

Elemental analysis of grass (Lolium perenne) is essential in agriculture to ensure grass quality and animal health. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy is a rapid, multi-element alternative to current methods using acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Percentage phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), determined from grass samples using EDXRF, were within 0.035, 0.319, 0.025 and 0.061, respectively, of ICP-OES values. Concordance correlation coefficients computed using agreement statistics ranged from 0.4379 to 0.9669 (values close to one indicate excellent agreement); however, the level of agreement for each element depended on the calibrations used in EDXRF. Empirical calibrations gave excellent agreement for percentage P, K and Ca, but moderate agreement for percentage Mg due to a weaker correlation between standards and intensities. Standardless calibration using the fundamental parameters (FP) approach exhibited bias, with consistently lower values reported for percentage P and Mg, when compared with ICP-OES methods. The relationship between the methods was plotted as scatter plots with the line of equality included, and although correlation coefficients indicated strong relationships, these statistics masked the effects of consistent bias in the data for percentage P and Mg. These results highlight the importance of distinguishing agreement from correlation when using statistical methods to compare methods of analysis. Agreement estimates improved when a matching library of grass samples was added to the FP method. EDXRF is a comparable alternative to conventional methods for grass analysis when samples of similar matrix type are used as empirical standards or as a matching library.
Elemental Mercury Removal from Flue Gas by Diperiodatoargentate(III) Solution
Authors: Zhao Yi , Qi Meng , Hao Runlong
Published: April 2017

A series of experiments were conducted in a bubble column reactor to investigate the effects of key influencing factors such as the diperiodatoargentate (III) concentration, the reaction temperature, the solution pH, O2 concentration, SO2 concentration and NO concentration on the Hg0 removal. The results indicated that the average removal efficiency of 77.5 % was reached under the optimal conditions in which the DPA concentration was 1.03mmol/L, the reaction temperature was 40 °C and the solution pH was 8.5; SO2 inhibited Hg0 oxidation due to its competition for the limited oxidant; when NO was in a low concentration, it was found to be a promotion for Hg0 oxidation. The spent solution was analyzed by the CVAFS, The results illustrated that Hg0 was oxidized into Hg2+ by DPA then DPA was converted into Ag+, from which, the reaction mechanism was speculated accordingly.
The Micromorphic Approach to Generalized Heat Equations
Authors: Liu Weijie , Saanouni Khemais , Forest Samuel , Hu Ping
Published: April 2017

In this paper, the micromorphic approach, previously developed in the mechanical context is applied to heat transfer and shown to deliver new generalized heat equations as well as the nonlocal effects. The latter are compared to existing formulations: the classical Fourier heat conduction, the hyperbolic type with relaxation time, the gradient of temperature or entropy theories, the double temperature model, the micro-temperature model or micro-entropy models. A new pair of thermodynamically-consistent micromorphic heat equations are derived from appropriate Helmholtz-free energy potentials depending on an additional micromorphic temperature and its first gradient. The additional micromorphic temperature associated with the classical local temperature is introduced as an independent degree of freedom, based on the generalized principle of virtual power. This leads to a new thermal balance equation taking into account the nonlocal thermal effects and involving an internal length scale which represents the characteristic size of the system. Several existing extended generalized heat equations could be retrieved from constrained micromorphic heat equations with suitable selections of the Helmholtz-free energy and heat flux expressions. As an example the propagation of plane thermal waves is investigated according to the various generalized heat equations. Possible applications to fast surface processes, nanostructured media and nanosystems are also discussed.
Is like like like?: Evaluating the same variant across multiple variables
Authors: Maddeaux Ruth , Dinkin Aaron
Published: April 2017

We explore the linguistic variant – as opposed to the variable – as the object of sociolinguistic perception. The sociolinguistic principle of accountability, in centering the variable as a choice between variants, implicitly models variation from the perspective of the speaker, who makes that choice. But is it a good model for the perception of sociolinguistic meaning on the part of the listener? This paper reports the results of a matched-guise study designed to test eight distinct functions of the form like – as a verb, approximate adverb, discourse particle, etc. – in an attempt to determine whether listeners attach the same social meaning to this variant regardless of the variable it represents, and if so, whether this could be a partial explanation for why the use of like is increasing in apparent time in several variables at once. We do not find evidence to support the hypothesis that listeners evaluate the different functions of like in the same way. However, our results do offer empirical support for the division of like into sociolinguistically salient “vernacular” and non-salient “grammatical” categories. Moreover, we find a consistent pattern in which the more recently a function of like entered the speech community, the more salient it is to listeners.
Nanospheres caped Pt(II) and Pt (IV): synthesis and evaluation as antimicrobial and Antifungal Agent
Authors: Öğütçü Hatice , Yetim Nurdan K. , Özkan Elvan H. , Eren Orçun , Kaya Gamze , Sarı Nurşen , Dişli Ali
Published: April 2017

Antimicrobial and antifungal polymers are gaining the attention of pharmaceutical makers and industrial design. Nanospheres-Polymers attached Platinum(II) / (IV) complexes have been synthesized to investigate antimicrobial activities. Firstly, nanospheres involving Schiff bases were synthesized from (aminomethyl) polystyrene and four substitute salicylaldehyde (2-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 5-fluoro-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 5-kloro-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 5-bromo-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde). Secondly, polymers attached Platinum(II) / (IV) complexes have been prepared by means of template method. The IR spectra show that the ligands act in a monovalent bidentate fashion all nanospheres involving Schiff bases. Square-planar and octahedral structures are proposed for Pt(II) and Pt(IV), respectively. All these substances have been examined for antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains, and antifungal activity. In particular, Pt(IV) complexes were more potent bactericides than all of the synthesized substances.
Sonochemical-assisted magnesium borate synthesis from different boron sources
Authors: Yildirim Meral , Kipcak Azmi Seyhun , Derun Emek Moroydor
Published: April 2017

In this study, sonochemical-assisted magnesium borate synthesis is studied from different boron sources. Various reaction parameters are successfully applied by a simple and green method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies are used to characterize the synthesized magnesium borates on the other hand surface morphologies are investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The XRD analyses showed that the products were admontite [MgO(B2O3)3· 7(H2O)] with JCPDS (Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards) no. of 01-076-0540 and mcallisterite [Mg2(B6O7(OH)6)2· 9(H2O)] with JCPDS no. of 01-070-1902. The results that found in the spectroscopic studies were in a good agreement with characteristic magnesium borate bands in both regions of infra-red and visible. According to SEM results, obtained borates were in micro and sub-micro scales. By the use of ultrasonication, reaction yields were found between 84.2 and 97.9%. As a result, it is concluded that the sonochemical approach is a practicable synthesis method to get high efficiency and high crystallinity in the synthesis magnesium borate compounds.
Preparation of micro-encapsulated strawberry fragrance and its application in the aromatic wallpaper
Authors: Xiao Zuobing , Zhang Yu , Zhu Guangyong , Niu Yunwei , Xu Ziqi , Zhu Jiancai
Published: April 2017

Micro-encapsulated strawberry fragrance was successfully prepared with wall materials including maltodextrin, sodium octenylsuccinate and gum Arabic. The micro-capsule was added to wallpaper and aromatic wallpaper with strawberry characteristics was obtained. The particle distribution, surface morphology, chemical structure, thermal property and controlled release performance of micro-encapsulated fragrance and aromatic wallpaper were investigated using laser particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-TR), thermal gravity analysis (TGA) and chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The results showed that the average diameter of micro-capsule was 2 μm and the particles mainly distributed in the tissues of wallpaper. The result of TGA showed that the micro-capsule had a good stability. Meanwhile, the aromatic wallpaper had strawberry aroma more than 3 months and took on excellent controlled release performance.
Impact of paint matrix composition and thickness of paint layer on the activity of photocatalytic paints
Authors: Homa Piotr , Tryba Beata , Gęsikiewicz-Puchalska Andżelika
Published: April 2017

Silicate, acrylic and latex photocatalytic paints were analyzed in regards to impact of paint matrix composition and paint layer’s thickness on performance in two photocatalytic tests. These included performances in photocatalytic decomposition of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and assessment of photocatalytic activity through use of smart ink test. Silicate photocatalytic paints displayed lower photocatalytic activity in comparison to acrylic and latex photocatalytic paints in both tests, despite the similar content of nanocrystalline TiO2. Measurements of depth of UV light penetration through the paints layer were performed and it appeared, that more porous structure of coating resulted in deeper penetration of UV light. In the case of acrylic paint, the thickness of the photocatalytic layer was around 9 μm, but for silicate paint DR this thickness was higher, around 21 μm.
Synthesis and antifungal activity of new salicylic acid derivatives
Authors: Wodnicka Alicja , Huzar Elżbieta , Krawczyk Maria , Kwiecień Halina
Published: April 2017

A simple one-step procedure for synthesis of 1-methoxy-1-oxoalkan-2-yl salicylates and 1-methoxy-1-oxoalkan-2-yl 2-[(1-methoxy-1-oxoalkan-2-yl)oxy]benzoates by reaction of salicylic acid with several methyl 2-bromoalkanoates was developed. The reactions were carried out in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. Conditions for regioselective synthesis of target compounds were established. The developed procedure could be easily applied in the industrial production process. The new salicylic acid derivatives were obtained with satisfactory yields and were characterized by MS and 1H NMR spectra. The fungicidal activity of the prepared compounds was tested in vitro against seven species of plant pathogenic fungi. The best results were observed for 1-methoxy-1-oxoalkan-2-yl salicylates which showed moderate or good activity against Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia solani.
The Lessons Learned Process in the Czech Armed Forces
Authors: Kosecová Janka , Grasseová-Motyčková Monika
Published: April 2017

The Lessons Learned Process was introduced in the Czech Armed Forces in 2004. Since then the LL process has become a standard part of the command and control process as well as one of the tools generating input to abilities development of units, formations, and staffs at all levels. The LL process allows to learn from both own and others’ mistakes; it also allows to use the best general procedures in all functional areas of development and deployment of armed forces. Not only does the article describe achievements, it also focuses on barriers which impede the efficient development of the system and the LL process. The focus of the article lies in the LL process current state analysis; here the authors come to the conclusion that one of the main problems is that commanders misunderstand the LL process. Another obstacle is the way the identified LL are analysed at the strategic level of command. In the conclusion, recommendations describing the way the identified barriers can be overcome and thus ensure further process optimization are presented.
Possibility for Improving the Planning of the Needs of Food from Bulgarian Army Units when Participating in Humanitarian Operations
Authors: Nichev Nikolay
Published: April 2017

The extended range of possible tasks before the Bulgarian Army units requires disclosure and enforcement of specific approaches and techniques with which available military resources to be used to assist the civilians, seeking help and protection. This paper is an attempt to define the norms of food for civilians in need of humanitarian assistance. The object of study is planning the Bulgarian army units involved in humanitarian operations. The theme of the study is the definition of food to help civilians seeking help and protection, based on available defense products. To achieve the objective there have been used norms of the armed forces of the Bulgarian army, medical recommendations for food consumption per capita in Bulgaria and the lessons learned with the participation of armed forces in humanitarian operations. For the purpose of the definition of food is necessary to express the need in kilograms. To achieve this task, the analysis is oriented towards the implementation of two subtasks: determination of daily energy needs of an individual, and second - conversion of the necessary calories into food.
Sports Training – Optimizing Mode of Improving the Motric Capacity in Preparation Military Students
Authors: Stănciulescu Robert
Published: April 2017

Specialized studies show how a fighter should physically be, not just any fighter, but the one who possesses the qualities and features of the ideal model, i.e. those elements that define the near-perfect fighter. The demands of the modern battlefield impose a high quality human potential that provides a good basis for the selection and training of fighters. Resistance to physical, climate, season and weather condition demands, to the prolonged efforts fighting requires is one of the important conditions of success. The paper presents information with particular impact in optimizing exercise capacity for future officers of the land forces, emphasizing once again the idea that a high level of motric ability is an essential objective.
The Role of Communication in Enhancing Work Effectiveness of an Organization
Authors: Bucăţa George , Rizescu Alexandru Marius
Published: April 2017

Communication is one of the most important levers of management that a company can implement for the formation of teams and achieving valuable performance. Communication and management are complementary disciplines and strong business elements for success. Management skills are essential in a business, but all equally important are those relating to the rules for the communication and the way in which a manager knows how to interact with his staff. Being manager not only means to rein in business, but mostly means knowing to coordinate a team, leadership skills and most of all, communicate.
Conceptual Specifications Regarding the Primacy of System Auditing Over Other Types of Auditing within the Ministry of Defense
Authors: Floştoiu Sebastian , Milandru Marius
Published: April 2017

At present, continuous effort is being made, in the field of internal public auditing, at the level of the Internal Auditing Board, to shift from compliance auditing, that verifies the accordance of the performed activities to the law, to system auditing which aims to monitor both the aspect of compliance and that of assessing the achievement of objectives within the frame of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Consequently, we can state that system auditing is a result of the two types of auditing (compliance and operational) and that its promotion is of utmost necessity, due its superior quality. Within this general context, this study approaches system auditing in a logical manner, presenting a positive attitude and vision by setting forth opinions regarding the role of system auditing within missions of protection. Our purpose is to identify ways and solutions towards improving internal public system auditing within the MoD.