bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yeast as a system for modeling mitochondrial disease mechanisms and discovering therapies
Authors: Lasserre Jean-Paul , Dautant Alain , Aiyar Raeka S. , Kucharczyk Roza , Glatigny Annie , Tribouillard-Tanvier Déborah , Rytka Joanna , Blondel Marc , Skoczen Natalia , Reynier Pascal , Pitayu Laras , Rötig Agnès , Delahodde Agnès , Steinmetz Lars M. , Dujardin Geneviève , Procaccio Vincent , di Rago Jean-Paul
Published: June 2015

Mitochondrial diseases are severe and largely untreatable. Owing to the many essential processes carried out by mitochondria and the complex cellular systems that support these processes, these diseases are diverse, pleiotropic, and challenging to study. Much of our current understanding of mitochondrial function and dysfunction comes from studies in the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Because of its good fermenting capacity, S. cerevisiae can survive mutations that inactivate oxidative phosphorylation, has the ability to tolerate the complete loss of mitochondrial DNA (a property referred to as ‘petite-positivity’), and is amenable to mitochondrial and nuclear genome manipulation. These attributes make it an excellent model system for studying and resolving the molecular basis of numerous mitochondrial diseases. Here, we review the invaluable insights this model organism has yielded about diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, which ranges from primary defects in oxidative phosphorylation to metabolic disorders, as well as dysfunctions in maintaining the genome or in the dynamics of mitochondria. Owing to the high level of functional conservation between yeast and human mitochondrial genes, several yeast species have been instrumental in revealing the molecular mechanisms of pathogenic human mitochondrial gene mutations. Importantly, such insights have pointed to potential therapeutic targets, as have genetic and chemical screens using yeast.
Minor contributions of the maxillary sinus to the air-conditioning performance in macaque monkeys
Authors: Mori Futoshi , Hanida Sho , Kumahata Kiyoshi , Miyabe-Nishiwaki Takako , Suzuki Juri , Matsuzawa Teruo , Nishimura Takeshi D.
Published: June 2015

The nasal passages mainly adjust the temperature and humidity of inhaled air to reach the alveolar condition required in the lungs. By contrast to most other nonhuman primates, macaque monkeys are distributed widely among tropical, temperate and subarctic regions, and thus some species need to condition the inhaled air in cool and dry ambient atmospheric areas. The internal nasal anatomy is believed to have undergone adaptive modifications to improve the air-conditioning performance. Furthermore, the maxillary sinus (MS), an accessory hollow communicating with the nasal cavity, is found in macaques, whereas it is absent in most other extant Old World monkeys, including savanna monkeys. In this study, we used computational fluid dynamics simulations to simulate the airflow and heat and water exchanges over the mucosal surface in the nasal passage. Using the topology models of the nasal cavity with and without the MS, we demonstrated that the MS makes little contribution to the airflow pattern and the air-conditioning performance within the nasal cavity in macaques. Instead, the inhaled air is conditioned well in the anterior portion of the nasal cavity before reaching the MS in both macaques and savanna monkeys. These findings suggest that the evolutionary modifications and coetaneous variations in the nasal anatomy are rather independent of transitions and variations in the climate and atmospheric environment found in the habitats of macaques.
The serum magnesium concentration as a potential state marker in patients with unipolar affective disorder
Authors: Styczeń Krzysztof , Siwek Marcin , Sowa-Kućma Magdalena , Dudek Dominika , Reczyński Witold , Szewczyk Bernadeta , Misztak Paulina , Topór-Mądry Roman , Opoka Włodzimierz , Nowak Gabriel
Published: June 2015

Cel

Rosnąca liczba danych sugeruje, że stężenie magnezu może pełnić rolę markera dużej depresji (ang. major depressive disorder – MDD), jednak wnioski płynące z badań klinicznych pozostają niejednoznaczne. Celem prezentowanego badania było przeprowadzenie oceny stężeń magnezu w surowicy krwi pacjentów z MDD (w aktywnej fazie choroby lub w remisji) oraz analiza roli poziomu magnezu jako potencjalnego markera tego schorzenia.

Metoda

Badanie kliniczno-kontrolne, w ramach którego przebadano 69 pacjentów w trakcie epizodu depresyjnego, 45 w remisji objawowej oraz 50 zdrowych ochotników. Pomiaru stężenia magnezu dokonano metodą płomieniowej atomowej spektrometrii absorpcyjnej (FAAS).

Wyniki

Średnie stężenie magnezu w surowicy krwi pacjentów, w fazie depresyjnej było statystycznie wyższe w odniesieniu do grupy kontrolnej. Poziom magnezu u pacjentów w fazie remisji nie różnił się istotnie od stężenia notowanego u zdrowych ochotników. Ponadto wykazano dodatnią korelację pomiędzy stężeniem magnezu a nasileniem depresji mierzonym Skalą Depresji Hamiltona oraz skalą Montgomery-Asberg.

Wnioski

Uzyskane wyniki mogą sugerować rolę magnezu jako markera stanu, odzwierciedlającego patofizjologiczne zmiany leżące u podłoża MDD i towarzyszące ciężkim epizodom depresyjnym.
O badaniu wirtualności semantycznej w perspektywie interpretacyjnej
Authors: Wołowska Katarzyna
Published: June 2015

On studying semantic virtuality in the interpretative perspective

The goal of the paper is to present semantic virtuality as a linguistic problem, and to outline a proposition of a theoretical-methodological approach to the phenomenon. Based on the devices of French interpretative semantics (which uses the method of element analysis), I put forward a definition of virtual sense as a relevant absence of certain minial elements of content, which are made perceptible by their relation to units of the actual sense. I briefly present a typology of virtual semantic features which includes, on the one hand, definitional elements of content which undergo contextual visualization during the interpretation (neutralized semes), and on the other, interpretationally relevant alternatives of semes actualized in context (potential features).
O frazie nominalnej liczebnikowej w pozycji podmiotu po raz kolejny
Authors: Świdziński Marek
Published: June 2015

Again on numeral-nominal phrases in subject position

The paper presents a formal account of sentences with a numeral-nominal subject and an adjectival complement, such as Tych pięciu facetów zostało zabitych ‘These five guys were killed’. The agreements in such sentences are highly idiosyncratic. To cope with them in the framework of a certain formal grammar of Polish, a number of extra means are proposed: special “numeral” realization of the nominal phrase in subject position, special “plural” adjectival complement, special rules that introduce the adjectival phrase in genitive, special valence frames for such strange phrases, and, finally, a special mechanism of interphrasal gender-number agreements. The paper argues for individual treatment of idiosyncrasies, instead of an artificial account in terms of general principles.
Pragmatyka słowotwórczego działania (Kontynuacja myśli Marii Honowskiej o technikach stawania się form słowotwórczych)
Authors: Waszakowa Krystyna
Published: June 2015

Pragmatics of word-formative action. (A continuation of M. Honowska’s thought on word-formative techniques of becoming.)

The author refers to selected syntheses and detailed analyses from among the many achievements of word-formation studies in the last fifty years, to briefly discuss the ways in which textual derivatives (belonging to parole) have been described. Particular attention is paid to M. Honowska’s views on the pragmatics of word-formative action. The timeliness of her thought is evident in the perspective of current research, and I believe that it is not so much thanks to Honowska’s intuition, as it is to the accuracy of her opinions, forecasting the paths of word-formative interests and research, and of future development of word-formative methodology. Such description serves as a background for considerations on modern interpretations of textual word-formative expressions. Appreciating the importance of word-formative advertising mechanisms presented in E. Rogowska- Cybulska’s book, the main part of this paper outlines the horizon of research that would need to be accepted in order to fully realize the functioning and the role of word formation in advertising. Textual derivatives are discussed from the perspective of the phenomenon of linguistic usage, i.e. in their relation to a specific speech act, directing their interpretation in such a way as to highlight the activity of both participants of the particular speech act in which they feature.
The lexeme верх: its phonetic and semantic features, and derivative resources in south-western dialects of Ukrainian
Authors: Yastrems’ka Tetyana
Published: June 2015

The lexeme верх: its phonetic and semantic features, and derivative resources in south-western dialects of Ukrainian

The paper is an attempt to analyse the word верх ‘top’, and to construct a derivational nest for the root -верх-. The source material was excerpted from linguistic atlases, dialectal dictionaries, dialectal recordings, and other specialist studies. The focus lies primarily on the phonetic, semantic, and wordformative aspect. The analysed words display phonetic features that are typical for south-western dialects of Ukrainian, as well as their semantic and derivational variation. The resulting derivational nest is a complicated system of cognate words that cover four different levels of word formation (the first level is the base word верх). Dialectal data are provided in tables. The examples show that an analysis of the system of derivatives is able to: identify the most complete phonetic variants of words, find semantic variants of each derivative, compare UD derivatives of the root -верх- (-wierzch-) with PD, describe specific dialectal word-formative patterns which are not characteristic of the standard language, and to record an ancient phenomenon.
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF WATER QUALITY ON COPPER TOXICITY INHYALELLA AZTECA
Authors: Richards Laura , Walsh Stephanie , Shultz Carmen , Stuart Marilyne
Published: June 2015

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that when standard artificial media 5-salt culture water (SAM-5S) is used to test sediment toxicity of much lower ionic-strength aquatic ecosystems, the resulting toxicity estimates are lower than if the tests had been conducted in water of comparable ionic strength. Results showed that this concern was unfounded for testing of copper toxicity to Hyalella azteca (H. azteca) in Ottawa River water. Sediment testing is often conducted using a standard water that is prepared in the laboratory. However, this water may have an ionic strength that is different than local water bodies. It follows that laboratory results using the standard water may be unrepresentative. A study was undertaken to assess the copper tolerance of 2 strains of H. azteca in SAM-5S, diluted SAM-5S (similar in electrical conductivity to Ottawa River water), and Ottawa River water. Acute (96 h) copper toxicity tests were conducted with 9–16 day-old H. azteca. For a given water type, the 2 strains of H. azteca yielded comparable responses to copper. The highest copper tolerance was found in Ottawa River water (closely followed by SAM-5S), whereas the lowest copper tolerance was found in diluted SAM-5S. Our results suggest that sediment toxicity is not lowered by the higher ionic strength of SAM-5S and that sediment toxicity tests of Ottawa River sediments, conducted with SAM-5S, can be used to estimate the in situ toxicity of the sediments.
ADA at 25 and People With Cognitive Disabilities: From Voice to Action
Authors: Blanck Peter
Published: June 2015

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, are effecting dramatic changes in the perception of cognitive and other disabilities, from primarily viewing disability as a medical state to be cured and pitied toward acceptance of disability as an element of human experience and self-identity. The ADA's modern understanding of disability is as much shaped by diversity in biology, local culture, and self-identity over the life course, as it is by the barriers to inclusion we build and maintain in society. This view reflects the paradigm shift from the prior and dominating medical model to a social and environmental approach to disability civil and human rights. This two-part special issue of the journal Inclusion examines the ADA at its 25th anniversary. The articles reflect on the past 25 years, examine the present, and anticipate the future to ensure continued progress towards the civil and human rights of individuals with cognitive and other disabilities.
Transatlantic Learning: From Washington to London and Beyond
Authors: Giannoumis G. Anthony
Published: June 2015

Previous research refers to the influence of ideas and values on policy design as policy learning. For 25 years, the values and ideas of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) have influenced disability law and policy globally and, as several authors have emphasized, have served as inspiration in European antidiscrimination legislation. This article explores the influence of the ADA on disability policy learning in Europe and the European policy traditions that have defined policies regulating the accessibility of information and communication technologies (ICT) for persons with cognitive disabilities. It attempts to demonstrate that ADA policy values have influenced antidiscrimination legislation in the United Kingdom and Norway and that European policy traditions have shaped the extension of antidiscrimination legislation to ICT accessibility for persons with cognitive disabilities. Finally, this article seeks to provide a useful basis for further informing the implementation of the ADA.
Climate-Induced Resettlement: Environmental Change and the Planned Relocation of Communities
Authors: Ferris Elizabeth
Published: May 2015

The 2010 meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recognized mobility as a form of adaptation to climate change in the form of migration, displacement, and planned relocations. While considerable work has been done on both migration and displacement, much less is known about how planned relocations will be used to adapt to the effects of climate change. This article examines some of the existing literature on relocations carried out in other contexts, such as development projects and disasters, and stresses the need for clarity of concepts and terminology. For example, it is presently unclear whether the term “relocation” applies only to the physical movement of people or also includes “resettlement” in the form of assistance to secure housing, restore livelihoods, and ensure access to services. Are evacuations in the aftermath of disasters a form of relocation? The article then illustrates some of the lessons learned from past experiences with relocations and concludes by highlighting present efforts to provide guidance for those who will be faced with planning relocations due to future climate effects.
International Military Cooperation and Water Security in the Sahel: A New Approach to Old Problems
Authors: Stinson Callie
Published: May 2015

By 2030, nearly half of the world’s population will be water stressed, with many people residing in conflict-affected and fragile states. Against a backdrop of environmental degradation, population growth, increased temperature variability, migration, conflict, and radicalization, governments in the Sahel are increasingly concerned with addressing the complex and interrelated threats tied to water security. This evolving landscape demands innovative approaches to water management that leverage skills and expertise from a wealth of disciplines to achieve shared security and development objectives. Military forces in the Sahel are important but seemingly overlooked stakeholders in this effort. This paper explores how national governments in the Niger Basin can adjust their security budgets to create and deploy military units capable of enhancing basic water infrastructure. Through long-term cross-sector partnerships, African militaries can develop domestic capacity to execute projects that align with a comprehensive, integrated water sector policy framework. Combined with resource modeling and alignment of development resources, this approach can promote specific courses of action that alleviate stress factors and optimize international investment.
Little Red Riding Hood: Victimage in Folktales and Cinema—A Case Study
Authors: Antonelli Emanuele
Published: June 2015

In this paper we attempt to interpret Little Red Riding Hood’s most famous variants in light of its recent film adaptations. With reference to René Girard’s theory of sacrifice, we will argue that the latest one of these, Catherine Hardwicke’s 2011 adaptation offers the chance to see in Perrault’s “Little Red Riding Hood” the result of a diachronical evolution in four steps of the misrecognizing narration of a collective lynching, a full-fledged scapegoating of an anonymous villager accused and persecuted as werewolf. We will find further support in Vladimir Propp’s and Alan Dundes’s contributions.
Selection of forecast model for consumption (four sectors) and transmission (two Piplines) of natural gas in Punjab (Pakistan) based on ARIMA model
Authors: Butt Maliha
Published: May 2015

The main purpose of this study is to select an appropriate forecast model for Natural Gas Consumption and Transmission System. For ARIMA model, Box-Jenkins Approach (1976) has been adopted i.e. Stationarity of the series has been checked for each data set, correlogram has been estimated for identification of order of ARIMA model and a class of models has been estimated. Then, most adequate and appropriate model is selected by analyzing diagnostics checks. Later on, by comparing values of Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Schwarz Information Criterion (SIC), and Standard Error (S.E.) of Regression, Root Mean Square Error (RMSC) and Theil Inequality Coefficient (TIC) for each model, forecast model has been finalized. In the end, forecasts have been made using models and compared these forecast values with the actual values for 2010 in order to check the accuracy of the model.
Authoring, deploying, and managing dynamic Virtual Patients in Virtual Clinical Environments
Authors: Heinrichs LeRoy , Dev Parvati , Davies Dick
Published: June 2015

Following their introduction at the beginning of the 21st century, interactive or dynamic Virtual Patients are beginning to be used more widely in clinical education. They can be seen as being at the end of a continuum of simulation technical complexity, having been earlier developed on a wide range of “media”: human actors, paper, video, physical mannequins, etc. This paper focuses on the current emergent more complex Virtual Patients in three-dimensional (3D) immersive clinical environments. In these environments, in silico 3D patient avatars interact directly in response to virtual clinical interventions undertaken by avatars, each of which is controlled by one or more users. The paper explores the issues of authoring, deploying, and managing these real-time, dynamic Virtual Patients using as an example the immersive clinical environment CliniSpace. As clinician-accessible Virtual Patient authoring is now becoming available in immersive clinical environments, so these wider clinical and managerial non-technical issues are coming rapidly to the fore.
International Factor Mobility, Production Cost Components, and Wage Inequality
Authors: Pi Jiancai , Zhou Yu
Published: June 2015

The present paper establishes a two-sector monopolistic competition model to investigate how international factor mobility influences the skilled–unskilled wage inequality when the monopolistically competitive sector producing final goods is characterized by various types of production cost functions. We discuss three types of production cost functions of the monopolistically competitive sector. Different types of production cost functions have different production factor components of variable and fixed costs. We find that differences in production cost components of the monopolistically competitive sector matter for the impacts of international factor mobility on the skilled–unskilled wage inequality.
The diagnostic value of serum fucosylated fetuin A in hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases
Authors: Li Li , Gu Xing , Fang Meng , Ji Jun , Yi Changhong , Gao Chunfang
Published: June 2015

Some changes of glycoproteins have been identified in the serum of patients with different liver diseases, which provided potential glycan biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of disease progression.

We established a lectin-antibody sandwich ELISA method to detect fucosylated fetuin A (fuc-fetuin A) level in serum, in which biotinylated

Serum fetuin A level decreased in LC patients as compared to HCC patients or healthy controls, while it decreased further according to the increasing Child-Pugh grades. The fuc-fetuin A level was in a decreasing order in LC, HCC, LF, HBV-carriers and healthy controls. For distinguishing LC and HCC patients from LF, HBV-carriers and healthy controls, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is 0.871, with a sensitivity of 0.818 and specificity of 0.819. The survival analysis revealed that higher fuc-fetuin A level was significantly associated with worse recurrence-free survival in HCC patients (p=0.018).

The results indicated that the serum fuc-fetuin A might serve as a potential glycan biomarker for distinguishing LC and HCC from LF, HBV-carriers and healthy controls. Furthermore, the preoperative fuc-fetuin A level could be a useful prognostic biomarker for HCC patients.
Antioxidative properties of Sambacus nigra extracts
Authors: Topoľská Dominika , Valachová Katarína , Rapta Peter , Šilhár Stanislav , Panghyová Elena , Horváth Anton , Šoltés Ladislav
Published: June 2015

Potential protective effects of elderberry (Sambucus nigra) extracts against oxidative degradation of hyaluronan (HA) were detected in vitro. To induce free-radical-mediated HA degradation, Weissberger’s biogenic oxidative system, which mimics the situation of acute inflammation, was applied. Time- and dose-dependent changes of dynamic viscosity of the HA solutions in the presence and absence of two elderberry extracts produced in 2006 and 2012 were recorded by rotational viscometry (RV). Radical scavenging capacity of both extracts was investigated by the spectrocolorimetric ABTS [2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] assay and the “inverted” ABTS assay. Oxygen consumption of the system oxidizing HA either in the absence or presence of the elderberry extracts was determined. The results of RV revealed that an addition of the newer extract (2012) promoted the inhibition of HA degradation more markedly compared to the older extract (2006). The same effect of both extracts on ABTS
Social threat appeals in commercial advertising: The moderating impact of perceived level of self-efficacy and self-esteem on advertising effectiveness
Authors: Faseur Tine , Cauberghe Verolien , Hudders Liselot
Published: June 2015

This study investigates the impact of the level of fear evoked by an advertisement (for deodorant) framing a threatening social situation. Where the effectiveness of threat appeals has been investigated extensively in health communication, this study focuses on the impact of social threat appeals in a commercial setting. The study investigates the moderating impact of self-esteem on the interaction effect between the level of fear (evoked by a social threat ad) and perceived level of self-efficacy on brand attitude and purchase intention. Results show that for high self-esteem individuals fear evoked by a social threat is effective only when perceived self-efficacy is increased (in line with the EPPM). However, for low self-esteem individuals, high versus low perceived self-efficacy does not influence brand attitude and purchase intention in case of a social threat appeal, but perceived self-efficacy does increase the effectiveness of appeals in which a positive social situation is shown.
TV drama as a social experience: An empirical investigation of the social dimensions of watching TV drama in the age of non-linear television
Authors: Simons Nele
Published: June 2015

As time-shifting technologies and digital convergence are facilitating and encouraging increasingly individualized and personalized television viewing practices, the social role and function of traditional linear television might be changing as well. Through empirical audience research, using TV diaries and interviews, this article investigates the social dimensions of engaged viewers’ reception of TV drama and explores how audiences themselves experience contemporary television as a social medium. The qualitative analysis reveals three social dimensions in viewers’ engagement with TV drama and indicates that television is generally still perceived as a social medium. Time-shifting technologies do not only fracture audiences, they also create new opportunities for social connections with peer viewers.
On high-temperature oxidation and protection of 2:17-type SmCo-based magnets
Authors: Peng Xiao , Zhao Hongbo , Wang Xiaolan , Guo Zhaohui , Li Wei , Wang Fuhui
Published: June 2015

Sm2(Co,Cu,Fe,Zr)17 are the best high-temperature permanent magnets because of their high Curie temperature (800°C–850°C). However, irreversible and unacceptable coercivity losses retard their use in applications at temperatures over 550°C. The coercivity loss has been correlated with poor oxidation resistance at high temperatures. The current research progress on the effect of oxidation and its prevention, for 2:17-type magnets, is reviewed. Oxidation in air at 500°C–700°C causes the magnets to form three regions: (1) an external oxide scale mainly consisting of (CoxFe1-x)3O4, (2) a thicker internal oxidation zone where the typical cellular precipitation (2:17R cell and 1:5H cell boundary) structure has been completely collapsed due to the Sm oxidation into Sm2O3, and (3) an oxidation-free zone where the cellular precipitates remain unchanged in lattice structure. No unacceptable coercivity loss is seen in the oxidation-free zone. Its thickness can be impressively increased within the magnets at high temperature, when they are covered with surface diffusion barriers for oxygen from the atmosphere, such as thin films of Cr2O3, Al2O3, and the metals with the ability to thermally grow these oxides.
Nanosafety forum for young scientists: a meeting report
Authors: Pietroiusti Antonio , Tran Lang , Campagnolo Luisa
Published: June 2015

In October of 2014, a meeting jointly organized by the EU Nanosafety Cluster and the COST Action TD 1204, was held on the beautiful island of Ortygia in Syracuse (Sicily). The meeting was specifically conceived to give the opportunity to young researchers in the field of nanotoxicology to present and discuss the results of their research. Presentations were divided into eight sessions over 2 days, reflecting the eight working groups of the Nanosafety Cluster. This report gives a description of the meeting activities and a summary of the data presented there.
Paradoxical rise of hemolytic complement in the blood of mice during zymosan- and liposome-induced CARPA: a pilot study
Authors: Mészáros Tamás , Szénási Gábor , Rosivall László , Szebeni János , Dézsi László
Published: June 2015

The complement (C) activating effect of zymosan and liposomal drugs (AmBisome, Caelyx) leads to significant C consumption in rats, dogs, pigs and other species in vivo, as reflected by a fall in hemolytic complement activity (HCA) of their plasma. However, the acute C activating effect of zymosan and liposomal drugs is unclear in the mouse. Therefore, using sheep red blood cells, we assayed the HCA of plasma obtained from apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE) as well as from background C57BL/6 (BL6) mice. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of C activators led to a significant rise (up to 40%) in HCA of the plasma. The HCA steadily rose up to 30 min in ApoE mice, while it peaked at 3 min in BL6 mice, returning to baseline thereafter. The elevated HCA after IV injection of C activators is “paradoxical” in mice, since it implies an increase rather than a decrease in C levels in the blood. One possible explanation of the phenomenon is hemoconcentration due to anaphylatoxin-induced capillary leakage, resulting in an apparent rise of HCA. In conclusion, these preliminary observations highlight, for the first time, a species-dependent opposing impact of C activation and the resulting anaphylatoxin actions on hemolytic complement activity.
One-pot synthesis of 4-alkyl-2-amino-4H-chromene derivatives
Authors: Bardasov Ivan N. , Alekseeva Anastasiya U. , Ershov Oleg V. , Grishanov Dmitry A.
Published: June 2015

A one-pot synthesis of 4-alkyl-2-amino-4H-chromene derivatives by base-initiated reactions of aliphatic aldehydes, malononitrile, and resorcinol in water is described.
Acid hydrolysis of O-acetyl-galactoglucomannan in a continuous tube reactor: a new approach to sugar monomer production
Authors: Nebreda Andrea Pérez , Grénman Henrik , Mäki-Arvela Päivi , Eränen Kari , Hemming Jarl , Willför Stefan , Murzin Dmitry Yu. , Salmi Tapio
Published: June 2015

Hemicellulose O-acetyl-galactoglucomannan (GGM) is the main noncellulosic water-soluble polysaccharide in the coniferous softwood Norway spruce, consisting of anhydro-galactose, -glucose, and -mannose. Acid hydrolysis of GGM has been studied in a continuous tube reactor to obtain these sugars under industrially relevant conditions. The reaction was performed under atmospheric pressure at 90°C and 95°C, and hydrochloric acid (HCl) served as catalyst. The influence of the reaction parameters, such as acid concentration (pH), temperature, concentration of the substrate, as well as catalyst and reactant flow rates, has been studied on the conversion efficiency and product distribution. Continuous production of monomeric sugars was achieved without formation of low-molecular by-products. The GGM conversion was high with HCl as catalyst, at 95°C, and a pH of 0.3. The main hydrolysis products were mannose, glucose, and galactose monomers. Minor amounts of sugar dimers were detected among the products. The experimental results are described with a laminar flow model for the continuous reactor.
Comparison of Supervised-learning Models for Infant Cry Classification / Vergleich von Klassifikationsmodellen zur Säuglingsschreianalyse
Authors: Fuhr Tanja , Reetz Henning , Wegener Carla
Published: June 2015

Cries of infants can be seen as an indicator for several developmental diseases. Different types of classification algorithms have been used in the past to classify infant cries of healthy infants and those with developmental diseases. To determine the ability of classification models to discriminate between healthy infant cries and various cries of infants suffering from several diseases, a literature search for infant cry classification models was performed; 9 classification models were identified that have been used for infant cry classification in the past. These classification models, as well as 3 new approaches were applied to a reference dataset containing cries of healthy infants and cries of infants suffering from laryngomalacia, cleft lip and palate, hearing impairment, asphyxia and brain damage. Classification models were evaluated according to a rating schema, considering the aspects accuracy, degree of overfitting and conformability. Results indicate that many models have issues with accuracy and conformability. However, some of the models, like C5.0 decision trees and J48 classification trees provide promising results in infant cry classification for diagnostic purpose.
Odonymic changes in Central Pretoria: Representation, identity and textual construction of place
Authors: A. Kasanga Luanga
Published: June 2015

Place renaming constitutes a linguistic and highly symbolic change in the Linguistic Landscape (LL) in post-apartheid South Africa. While for opponents toponymic changes hasten the erasure of their heritage and constitute a form of reverse discrimination, for supporters they consolidate transformative processes in a “new” South Africa. In this article, I examine both sides of the argument, taking as a case in point the street renaming in a small area of Pretoria, the administrative seat of the national government. Drawing insights from existing literature in the LL, geosemiotics and geography, notably Scollon and Scollon’s (
Failure to launch: matching language policy with literacy accomplishment in South African schools
Authors: Pretorius Elizabeth
Published: June 2015

This article argues that the education crisis in South Africa stems largely from a literacy problem. The prediction that use of the primary language is beneficial in formal schooling is not unambiguously met in the South African context when examining evidence from large-scale literacy assessments. Understanding the reasons for this is critical for improving the use of African languages in early schooling. This article examines the Zulu and English reading literacy skills of a Grade 4 cohort of learners after three years of schooling in their home language. The research reveals low reading levels in both languages, suggesting a mismatch between language policy and literacy accomplishment. It is suggested that one of the primary reasons for the poor results in schools that have African languages as initial LoLT lies in the oral orientation to classroom practices in these schools. A more fully specified language in education model is proposed where an emphasis on
The social dimension of reading literacy development in South Africa: Bridging inequalities among the various language groups
Authors: Boakye Naomi
Published: June 2015

It is widely acknowledged that different communities, such as language groups and socio-economic status (SES) families, practice literacy in different ways. Certain language communities of low SES observe literacy interactions differently from the traditional “schooled literacy”, which may influence learners’ reading literacy. However, the link between language communities, SES and reading literacy has not been extensively researched, especially in the South African context where there are 11 official languages and wide socio-economic disparities. This article examines students’ social literacy in relation to their reading literacy levels, and reveals that the literacy gap between indigenous South African language (ISAL) speakers, a number of whom are from low SES families, and speakers of English and Afrikaans is further widened at the tertiary level due to the mismatch between the social literacy practices of the different language groups and the education system that operates in the country. Recommendations are made on how educators could employ strategies such as social relevance and culturally sensitive teaching to bridge the academic literacy gap among the language groups.
Controllability of mixed Volterra–Fredholm type integrodifferential third order dispersion equations
Authors: Kumar Mohit , Sukavanam Nagarajan
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we establish a result concerning the
controllability of a mixed Volterra–Fredholm type
integrodifferential third order dispersion equation. The result is
obtained by using the theory of strongly continuous semigroups and
the Banach fixed point theorem.
Inhibition of metalloproteinase and proteasome activities in colon cancer cells by citrus peel extracts
Authors: Ademosun Ayokunle O. , Oboh Ganiyu , Passamonti Sabina , Tramer Federica , Ziberna Lovro , Boligon Aline Augusti , Athayde Margareth Linde
Published: June 2015

Background: Citrus peels are consumed in the form of infusions, candy or wine, based on their well-documented nutritional and medicinal properties. This study sought to investigate the effect of some citrus peels’ [grapefruit (Citrus paradisii), orange (Citrus sinensis) and shaddock (Citrus maxima)] extracts on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and proteasome activities in primary human colonic tumor (Caco-2) and the metastatic cell lines (LoVo and LoVo/ADR) in a bid to explain the possible mechanism by which the peels could manage/prevent colon cancer.

Methods: The inhibition of MMP and proteasome activities in the cells by the peel extracts, as well as the identification of phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD), was determined.

Results: Orange peel extracts had the strongest inhibition of MMP in Caco-2 and LoVo cells, while shaddock had the least. Shaddock peel extracts also had the least MMP inhibition in LoVo/ADR lysates. Grapefruit had the least proteasome inhibition in Caco-2 and LoVo lysates, while there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the proteasome inhibition of the peel extracts in LoVo/ADR lysates. The extracts inhibited proteasome activity in extract-treated cells, and HPLC fingerprinting of the extracts revealed the presence of some phenolic compounds such as quercetin, caffeic acid, kaempferol, catechin and naringin.

Conclusions: The inhibition of MMP and proteasome activities in colon cancer cell lines suggests the potential use of citrus peels as functional food in the management and/or prevention of colon cancer.
Can school health check-ups serve as screening tool for growth anomalies and obesity in children?
Authors: Stoupa Athanasia , Goischke Alexandra , Garcin Camille , Elie Caroline , Viaud Magali , Théry Anne , Richard Geneviève , Polak Michel
Published: June 2015

To evaluate the prevalence of growth disorders and obesity in schoolchildren and determine whether school health check-ups are effective in their screening.

Analysis of anonymized growth and body mass index (BMI) data from 2887 children attending the 3rd grade from 2008 to 2009 after selection of 75 elementary schools in Paris.

Linear growth velocity was abnormal in 198 children. Height and weight were above the French reference values (+0.9±1.2 SD and +1±1.7 SD, respectively). BMI was higher, compared to reference values (+0.4±1.4 SD). At their last check-up, 20.9% of children had a BMI>+2 SD.

School health check-ups constitute a good screening tool for growth and obesity. However, further work is needed to determine the most effective modality. The reference values currently used in France are no longer suitable and new reference charts need to be established. The high prevalence of obesity in schoolchildren remains a public health challenge.
Response of vitamin D binding protein and free vitamin D concentrations to vitamin D supplementation in hospitalized premature infants
Authors: Hanson Corrine , Lyden Elizabeth , Nelson Amy , Thoene Melissa , Wagner Julie , Wu Amy , Rennard Stephen , Anderson-Berry Ann
Published: June 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between 25(OH)D, Vitamin D Binding Protein (DBP), and free vitamin D in premature infants.

Thirty-two infants <32 weeks’ gestation were randomized to two different levels of vitamin D3 supplementation (400 vs. 800 IU/day). 25(OH)D levels were measured by LC-MS/MS; DBP was measured by validated ELISA. Free vitamin D was calculated using molar ratios of 25(OH)D and DBP. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare DBP, free D and 25(OH)D levels; Spearman’s correlation coefficients were used to assess correlations.

The mean gestational age at birth was 30.5 weeks; mean birth weight was 1405 g. Mean 25(OH)D levels at birth were 17.3 ng/mL; DBP levels were 297 mg/L, and estimated free vitamin D levels were 18.9. There was a statistically significant change in 25(OH)D levels after 8 weeks (24.6 vs. 39.1 ng/mL in the 400 vs. 800 group, respectively, p=0.02). DBP levels from birth to 8 weeks showed a statistically significant decrease (267 vs. 208, p=0.04). Estimated free 25(OH)D concentrations increased over the study period, from 18.9 at birth to 64.7 at 8 weeks of age (p=0.0001). Free vitamin D levels at birth were associated with global DEXA bone mineral content at discharge from the NICU (r=0.58, p=0.05).

Supplementation with vitamin D3 increased the free portion of the vitamin D metabolite, providing increased bioavailable substrate. Improved free vitamin D levels may improve measurable outcomes such as bone mineral content and deserve further evaluation.
Does ethnicity have an effect on fetal behavior? A comparison of Asian and Caucasian populations
Authors: Hanaoka Uiko , Hata Toshiyuki , Kanenishi Kenji , Mostafa AboEllail Mohamed Ahmed , Uematsu Rina , Konishi Yukihiko , Kusaka Takashi , Noguchi Junko , Marumo Genzo , Vasilj Oliver , Kurjak Asim
Published: June 2015

This study aimed to evaluate the ethnic difference in fetal behavior between Asian and Caucasian populations.

Fetal behavior was assesed by Kurjak’s antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) using four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound between 28 and 38 weeks of gestation. Eighty-nine Japanese (representative of Asians) and seventy-eight Croatian (representative of Caucasians) pregnant women were studied. The total value of KANET score and values of each parameter (eight parameters) were compared.

The total KANET score was normal in both populations, but there was a significant difference in total KANET scores between Japanese (median, 14; range, 10–16) and Croatian fetuses (median, 12; range, 10–15) (P<0.0001). When individual KANET parameters were compared, we found significant differences in four fetal movements (isolated head anteflexion, isolated eye blinking, facial alteration or mouth opening, and isolated leg movement). No significant differences were noted in the four other parameters (cranial suture and head circumference, isolated hand movement or hand to face movements, fingers movements, and gestalt of general movements).

Our results suggest that ethnicity should be considered when evaluating fetal behavior, especially during assessment of fetal facial expressions. Although there was a difference in the total KANET score between Japanese and Croatian populations, all the scores in both groups were within normal range. Our results indicate that ethnical differences in fetal behaviour do not affect the total KANET score, but close follow-up should be continued in some borderline cases.
Infinite dimension of solutions
of the Dirichlet problem
Authors: Ryazanov Vladimir
Published: June 2015

It is proved that the space of solutions of the Dirichlet problem for the harmonic functions in the unit disk
with nontangential boundary limits 0 a.e. has the infinite dimension.
Bayes factors based on robust TDT-type tests for family trio design
Authors: Yuan Min , Pan Xiaoqing , Yang Yaning
Published: June 2015

Adaptive transmission disequilibrium test (aTDT) and MAX3 test are two robust-efficient association tests for case-parent family trio data. Both tests incorporate information of common genetic models including recessive, additive and dominant models and are efficient in power and robust to genetic model specifications. The aTDT uses information of departure from Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium to identify the potential genetic model underlying the data and then applies the corresponding TDT-type test, and the MAX3 test is defined as the maximum of the absolute value of three TDT-type tests under the three common genetic models. In this article, we propose three robust Bayes procedures, the aTDT based Bayes factor, MAX3 based Bayes factor and Bayes model averaging (BMA), for association analysis with case-parent trio design. The asymptotic distributions of aTDT under the null and alternative hypothesis are derived in order to calculate its Bayes factor. Extensive simulations show that the Bayes factors and the
Weighted Kolmogorov Smirnov testing: an alternative for Gene Set Enrichment Analysis
Authors: Charmpi Konstantina , Ycart Bernard
Published: June 2015

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) is a basic tool for genomic data treatment. Its test statistic is based on a cumulated weight function, and its distribution under the null hypothesis is evaluated by Monte-Carlo simulation. Here, it is proposed to subtract to the cumulated weight function its asymptotic expectation, then scale it. Under the null hypothesis, the convergence in distribution of the new test statistic is proved, using the theory of empirical processes. The limiting distribution needs to be computed only once, and can then be used for many different gene sets. This results in large savings in computing time. The test defined in this way has been called Weighted Kolmogorov Smirnov (WKS) test. Using expression data from the GEO repository, tested against the MSig Database C2, a comparison between the classical GSEA test and the new procedure has been conducted. Our conclusion is that, beyond its mathematical and algorithmic advantages, the WKS test could be more informative in many cases, than the classical GSEA test.
Traduire le mouvement du sens: Germen et Gestalten en sémantique textuelle des formes
Authors: Dupuis France
Published: June 2015

Cette étude a pour but de convaincre les professionnels de la traduction qu‘avant même de commencer à traduire, il faut se familiariser avec une théorie du sens. C‘est seulement alors qu‘il devient possible d‘obtenir une lecture et une interprétation sémantique efficiente du texte-source. Nous proposons une sémantique textuelle élaborée à partir de travaux initiés en sémantique lexicale ainsi qu‘une analyse des problématiques de la signification développées en philosophie des formes symboliques, en phénoménologie et dans d‘autres travaux, notamment ceux de E. Coseriu. Afin d‘illustrer nos propos théoriques nous traitons un exemple d‘analyse sémantique à partir du poème Chanson noire de L. Aragon.
Per una traduzione italiana delle Medidas del romano di Diego de Sagredo (1526)
Authors: Lepri Nicoletta
Published: June 2015

Le Medidas del romano, ‗Misure dell'edificio romano‘, sono un manuale per riprodurre proporzioni, ordini, modanature degli edifici antichi: il primo trattato architettonico scritto e pubblicato fuori d'Italia, nel 1526, da Diego de Sagredo (Burgos, 1490-Toledo, 1528 ca.). Basate sul Vitruvio latino di Giocondo da Verona, sulla volgarizzazione del Ciseriano, sul De re aedificatoria di Alberti, propongono il classicismo rinascimentale italiano come risorsa decorativa, non concettuale. Fra tante traduzioni, nessuna comparve in Italia, dove si rifuggí tale atteggiamento culturale, presto generalizzato in Europa, reintrodotto di fatto in Italia dagli artisti stranieri e valutabile oggi come effettivo fenomeno storico di ―globalizzazione.
On the Fermi–Walker Derivative for Inextensible Flows
Authors: Körpinar Talat
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we explicitly determine some curves corresponding to the their flows on the three-dimensional space. We construct a new characterisation for inextensible flows of curves by using the Fermi–Walker derivative and the Fermi–Walker parallelism in space. Using the Frenet frame of the given curve, we present partial differential equations. Finally, we construct the Fermi–Walker derivative in the motion of a charged particle under the action of electric and magnetic fields.