bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Structure and Spatial Variation of Indonesian Throughflow in Makassar Strait Under Ewin 2013 (Struktur Arus dan Variasi Spasial Arlindo di Selat Makassar dari Ewin 2013)
Authors: Horhoruw Selfrida Missmar , Atmadipoera Agus Saleh , Purba Mulia , Purwandana Adi
Published: January 2016

Selat Makassar (SM) merupakan pintu masuk utama Arus Lintas Indonesia (Arlindo) membawa transport Arlindo sekitar 75% dari total 15 Sv.  Pengukuran mooring arus di Kanal Labani telah dilakukan sejak tahun 1996, namun pengukuran hidrografi yang mencakup seluruh kawasan SM jarang dilakukan. Kontur selat yang berupa kanal dengan keragaman batimetri sangat mempengaruhi karakteristik massa air yang bergerak di dalamnya sehingga diperlukan penelitian mencakup seluruh kawasan SM. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengkaji variasi spasial dan struktur arus dan massa air Arlindo di kawasan SM dari hasil ekspedisi EWIN Juni 2013. Data hidrografi yang digunakan terdiri dari 29 casts CTD yang tersebar di kawasan SM dan data arus di kedalaman 0-125 m dari shipboard ADCP sepanjang lintasan survei. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan Arlindo Makassar dicirikan arus jet kuat intensif di kedalaman termoklin (75-125 m), dimana pola alirannya mengarah ke selatan sampai barat daya di pintu masuk utara SM. Arus ini berlanjut sampai mendekati lintang 2°LS, yang selanjutnya arah alirannya berubah ke tenggara menyusuri lereng dangkalan Kalimantan yang mengarah ke Kanal Labani.  Arus jet berubah ke arah selatan sampai tenggara di kanal ini dan menjadi lebih kuat. Sirkulasi di sisi tepi barat laut SM terbentuk pusaran arus searah jarum jam. Stratifikasi massa air Arlindo Makassar didominasi massa air Pasifik Utara, yaitu North Pacific Subtropical Water (NPSW) di kedalaman termoklin dan North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) di bawah termoklin. Terdapat variasi spasial massa air NPSW dan NPIW, dimana semakin kearah selatan nilai salinitas maksimum (minimum) NPSW (NPIW) semakin berkurang sekitar 0.03 psu. Ketebalan lapisan termoklin sisi timur selat lebih besar sehingga distribusi vertikal massa air Pasifik Utara tersebut cenderung lebih kuat di sisi timur sehingga ditemukan intensifikasi Arlindo ke arah barat Selat Makassar.
Anethum graveolens L. In Vitro Cultures – a Potential Source of Bioactive Metabolites, Phenolic Acids and Furanocoumarins
Authors: Szopa Agnieszka , Ekiert Halina
Published: January 2016

In vitro cultures of Anethum graveolens (dill) were maintained on the Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) medium – three variants, and the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium – seven variants, which contained different amounts of plant growth regulators, cytokinin (BAP) and auxin (NAA) (from 0.1 mg l−1 to 3.0 mg l−1). Methanolic extracts from in vitro grown biomass were analyzed by HPLC for free phenolic acids and furanocoumarins. The total amounts of free phenolic acids on the LS medium variants were similar (35.23–38.65 mg 100 g−1 DW), but higher on the MS variants, ranging from about 66 mg 100 g−1 DW to 100 mg 100 g−1 DW. The main metabolites were: p-hydroxybenzoic acid (max. 24.41 mg 100 g−1 DW) on the LS−based media, and salicylic acid (max. 57.88 mg 100 g−1 DW) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (max. 36.27 mg 100 g−1 DW) on the MS−based media. The total amounts of furanocoumarins were lower, as they did not exceed 8.5 mg 100 g−1 DW on the LS media and 25 mg 100 g−1 DW on the MS media. The main compounds in this group were bergapten (max. 15.01 mg 100 g−1 DW) and marmesin (max. 8.12 mg 100 g−1 DW). The MS variant containing 0.5 mg l−1 BAP and 2.0 mg l−1 NAA was proposed as the best production medium for both groups of metabolites. The maximum total amounts of free phenolic acids obtained in the in vitro grown biomass were slightly higher than their amounts in the fruits of the mother plant analyzed for comparison (99.66 mg 100 g−1 DW and 93.34 mg 100 g−1 DW, respectively); the maximum total amounts of furanocoumarins were approximately 1.8 times higher than in the fruits (24.26 mg 100 g−1 DW and 13.67 mg 100 g−1 DW, respectively).
Selenite is More Efficient than Selenate in Alleviation of Salt Stress in Lettuce Plants
Authors: Hawrylak-Nowak Barbara
Published: January 2016

There is increasing evidence showing that low selenium (Se) concentrations may increase tolerance of crop plants to several environmental stresses. The aim of this study was to compare the influence of two chemical forms of Se (selenite or selenate) at different concentrations (2 or 6 μM) on the resistance of butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata) cv. Justyna to NaCl-induced stress (40 mM NaCl). Plant growth was negatively affected by salinity, but the level of photosynthetic pigments was not reduced. Se application at a concentration of 2 μM significantly improved the growth of salt-stressed plants, but selenite was much more effective than selenate in enhancing salt-tolerance of lettuce. The growth-promoting effect of Se was also noted at 6 μM of selenite, but did not appear at 6 μM of selenate. The beneficial effect of Se in salt-stressed lettuce could be due to antioxidative activity of Se, root system growth stimulation, and/or increase in photosynthetic pigment concentration after Se supplementation; however, it was not related to either increase in proline accumulation or reduction in foliar Na+ or Cl− concentration. These results imply that Se application, especially in the form of selenite, can enhance antioxidant defense of lettuce under salt stress, and Se supplementation may be recommended for areas of lettuce cultivation with excessive salt accumulation.
Spring migration of waterbirds and raptors at Medvedce reservoir (Dravsko polje, NE Slovenia)/ Spomladanska selitev vodnih ptic in ujed na zadrževalniku Medvedce (Dravsko polje, SV Slovenija)
Authors: Bordjan Dejan
Published: January 2016

Spring migration of birds, particularly waterbirds and raptors, was monitored from dawn till dusk from an observation point located on the levee on the northern side of the Medvedce reservoir (Dravsko polje, NE Slovenia) in three separate years (1-17 Mar 2009; 25 Mar-10 Apr 2011; 28 Feb-12 Apr 2012). In all three years, 42,045 individuals of 89 species (66 waterbirds, 23 raptors) migrated over the site. 38,238 of these were waterbirds. The most numerous species was Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (11,813 individuals), followed by Blackheaded Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (10,515 individuals). In total, 3807 migratory storks, raptors and Cranes Grus grus were counted. Harriers (2303 individuals) were by far the most numerous group. The prevailing direction of migration was SW-NE. Half of all migrating birds were observed in the altitudinal belt between 10 and 100 m above ground level. Harriers were mostly observed up to 100 m above ground level, whereas storks, other raptors and Cranes were observed most often in the altitudinal belt between 100 and 500 m above ground level. The highest numbers of waterbirds were observed between 10 and 100 m above ground level. In the first five hours after sunrise, 61.3% of all waterbirds, 44.0% of all storks and raptors and only 20.5% of Cranes were observed. Although other parts of Dravsko polje have never been studied in such detail, it is possible that a significant portion of migrating birds from a larger area gathers at this site. This study confirms the importance of the area for migrating and staging birds, especially for Great Egret Ardea alba, Marsh Circus aeruginosus and Hen Harriers C. cyaneus, Osprey Pandion haliaetus, Crane, Ruff Calidris pugnax and Black-headed Gull that all reached at least 0.1% of their respective biogeographic populations. Internationally significant are particularly the numbers of migrating Marsh (1079 individuals in 2012) and Hen Harriers (408 individuals in 2012), as there are only few sites where these species migrate in such high numbers in spring.
Effect of Nanofiller Dispersion on Morphology, Mechanical and Conducting Properties of Electroactive Shape Memory Poly(Urethane-Urea)/Functional Nanodiamond Composite
Authors: Kausar A.
Published: January 2016

In this attempt, segmented poly(urethane urea) was prepared from polycaprolactone triol (soft segment), 1,3- bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane (hard segment) and 4,5-diaminophthalonitrile (chain extender). Acidfunctionalized nano-diamond was used as nano-filler. The nanocomposites were processed using solution casting and melt blending. Unique morphology was observed by SEM due to generation of crosslinked polyurethane and ND network. The s-PUU/ND 10 depicted 6 % increase in tensile strength compared with m-PUU/ND 10. 10 wt. % ND loading via solution route increased conductivity to 0.089 Scm-1 relative to m-PUU/ND 10 (0.057 Scm-1). Electrical conductivity of nanocomposites was enough to show electroactive shape recovery of 95 % (40 V).
The Influence of Nanoadditives on the Biological Properties and Chemical Composition of Process Fluids
Authors: Borůvková K. , Bakalova T. , Voleský L. , Louda P.
Published: January 2016

In this study process fluids were tested after the addition of nanoparticles. Cooling and lubricating process fluids are used in machining to reduce wear on tools, to increase machine performance and to improve product quality. The use of process fluids leads to their pollution and contamination. Nanoparticles were added to the process fluids in order to increase their antibacterial activity. The selected nanoparticles were nanoparticles of metallic silver. The process fluids were modified by the addition of silver nitrate and ascorbic acid. Reduction of silver nanoparticles in the volume of the fluid was achieved using UV. The modified fluids were tested for their cytotoxicity and changes in chemical composition. The cytotoxicity of process fluids was tested for the purpose of verifying whether the process fluids, which are in direct contact with the skin of the operator, affect the health of the operator. The cytotoxicity of the process fluids was tested on human fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts are the basic cells of fibrous tissue. The cytotoxicity was tested by measuring the cell viability and using XTT. Analysis of chemical composition was performed for the purpose of determining the individual substances in the process fluids and their chemical stability. Qualitative analysis of the process fluids was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC - MS).
Presence of Senecio sylvaticus L. (Asteraceae) in Turkey
Authors: Tunçkol Bilge , Yaşayacak Hasan , Aksoy Necmi
Published: January 2016

The annual plant Senecio sylvaticus L. (Asteraceae) is regarded as a doubtfully recorded in Turkey. It has not been collected in the country since the first report of its occurrence in the north eastern Black Sea Region in 1875. This paper reconfirms the occurrence of Senecio sylvaticus in Turkey. New specimens were collected from the Ereğli and Alaplı regions (Zonguldak province, NW Turkey) in 2014. The species description, distribution maps and photographs are given.
Anthropophytes in the flora of different spatial units within old rural settlements of the Lubuskie Lakeland, western Poland
Authors: Jasińska Katarzyna , Brzeg Andrzej , Wojterska Maria
Published: January 2016

Studies of the ﬂora of villages in a connection with the surrounding landscape are rare and mostly limited to the built-up area and its general location in a geographical region. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the diversity patterns of flora against the background of local landscape units in the rural areas and to analyse them in the context of village transformation. The study comprised 30 villages of medieval origin representing the oval-shape type, with differently preserved structure of built-up area and cultivated fields, located in the Lubuskie Lakeland. The terrain within a buffer zone of 200 m in width, located outside of the built-up area, was divided into spatial complexes. In each of these complexes, floristic lists were compiled. The structure of surrounding landscape within the buffer zone of 1 km in width, measuring from the village centroid, was analysed using ArcGIS.

The recorded flora comprised 767 taxa of spontaneously occurring vascular plants. Extremely rare and common species were the most numerous. Native species distinctly prevailed over alien in all types of spatial complexes and the majority of them occurred in the habitats transformed by man. There were noted altogether 244 species of anthropophytes.

The index of anthropophytization of flora (WAnt) showed that both types of built-up areas (transformed and non-transformed) reached the highest values, slightly higher than fields and central green. Index of flora modernization (WM) showed the same pattern. Only water bodies were strikingly different from other complexes in respect to both indices (WAnt - significantly lower values, while WM - much higher). Differences in the floristic composition of transformed and non-transformed villages were not significant at the level of whole village. The villages were still harbouring rare species from the group of relics of former cultivation and archaeophytes, but observations conducted since 2007 confirmed that they have been decreasing in number. The percentage of groups of species with different affinity toward urban areas have shown that in the studied rural areas, the share of urbanophilic species is still very low as compared to the dominant group of urbanoneutral and moderately urbanophobic species.
The occurrence of alien species in the settlement areas of the Kampinos National Park and its vicinity (Central Poland)
Authors: Kirpluk Izabella , Bomanowska Anna
Published: January 2016

Studies aimed at the identification of the range and method of spread of alien plant species in settlement areas in Kampinos National Park (KNP) and its immediate vicinity were carried out in years 2012-2014. Special emphasis was put on surveying the sites of invasive alien species (IAS), and diagnosing potential threats posed to the natural and semi-natural vegetation of the national park by the IAS present in rural areas. We found 53 alien vascular plant species, including 40 invasive taxa which may potentially pose a threat to the ecosystems of KNP. Species encroaching from settlement areas to semi-natural and natural communities included: Bidens frondosa, Echinocystis lobata, Impatiens glandulifera, I. parviflora, Juncus tenuis, Lupinus polyphyllus, Reunoutria japonica and Solidago gigantea. Most of them were species from the highest invasiveness (IV and III) classes in Poland. Similarity analysis carried out for all investigated localities with regard to all alien species, and only for invasive ones showed a clear division into separate groups: villages within the boundaries of the national park and villages outside the park.
Prevalence of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Infertile Couples in Romania
Authors: Mierla Dana , Malageanu M. , Tulin R. , Albu D.
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to establish a correlation between the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one of the partners and infertility. This retrospective study was performed at the Department of Reproductive Medicine, Life Memorial Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, between August 2007 to December 2011. Two thousand, one hundred and ninety-five patients with reproductive problems were investigated, and the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities was calculated. The control group consisting of 87 fertile persons who had two or more children, was investigated in this retrospective study. All the patients of this study were investigated by cytogenetic techniques and the results of the two groups were compared by a two-tailed Fisher’s exact test. In this study, 94.99% patients had a normal karyotype and 5.01% had chromosomal abnormalities (numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities). In the study group, numerical chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 1.14% of infertile men and 0.62% of infertile women, and structural chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 1.38% of infertile men and 1.87% of infertile women, respectively. The correlation between the incidence of chromosomal anomalies in the two sexes in couple with reproductive problems was not statistically significant. Recently, a possible association between infertility and chromosomal abnormalities with a significant statistical association has been reported. Our study shows that there is no association between chromosomal abnormalities and infertility, but this study needs to be confirmed with further investigations and a larger control group to establish the role of chromosomal abnormalities in the etiology of infertility.
Three Novel Mutations of CHD7 Gene in Two Turkish Patients with Charge Syndrome; A Double Point Mutation and an Insertion
Authors: Giray Bozkaya Ozlem , Ataman E. , Randa C. , Onur Cura D. , Gürsoy S. , Aksel O. , Ulgenalp A.
Published: January 2016

The CHARGE (coloboma, heart defects, atresia, retardation, genital, ear) syndrome is a genetic disease characterized by ocular coloboma, choanal atresia or stenosis and semicircular canal abnormalities. Most of the patients clinically diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome have mutations in chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7 (CHD7) gene. The CHD7 gene is located on chromosome 8q12.1, and up to now, there are more than 500 pathogenic mutations identified in the literature. We report two patients diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome with two novel mutations in the CHD7 gene: the first patient has double consecutive novel mutations in three adjacent codons, and the other has a novel insertion.
Hyperammonemia, an under-recognized complication and adverse prognostic marker in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Chojecki Aleksander L. , Gharibo Mecide , Styler Michael J.
Published: January 2016

Hyperammonemia, a well-known complication of liver failure causing encephalopathy, has rarely been reported as a complication of multiple myeloma. We report four additional cases of hyperammonemia in patients with treatment refractory multiple myeloma. In these cases, we found that hyperammonemia remains a morbid complication of resistant disease without directed myeloma therapy. Our brief review has reaffirmed that hyperammonemia is a poor prognostic marker in myeloma with an undetermined mechanism. This complication’s poor response to traditional therapies, including rifaximin and lactulose, prompts our discussion urging early recognition and myeloma directed therapy. Clinical observations may support that proteasome inhibitors may be most effective in the treatment of these patients.
On the distribution of Jacobi sums
Authors: Lu Qing , Zheng Weizhe , Zheng Zhiyong
Published: January 2016

Let

𝐅
q

\mathbf{F}_{q}

be a finite field of q elements. For multiplicative
characters

χ
1

,
…
,

χ
m

\chi_{1},\ldots,\chi_{m}

of

𝐅
q
×

\mathbf{F}_{q}^{\times}

, we let

J
⁢

(

χ
1

,
…
,

χ
m

)

J(\chi_{1},\ldots,\chi_{m})

denote the Jacobi sum. Nicholas Katz and Zhiyong
Zheng showed that for

m
=
2

m=2

, the normalized Jacobi sum

q

-

1
/
2

⁢
J
⁢

(

χ
1

,

χ
2

)

q^{-1/2}J(\chi_{1},\chi_{2})

(

χ
1

⁢

χ
2

\chi_{1}\chi_{2}

nontrivial) is asymptotically
equidistributed on the unit circle as

q
→
∞

q\to\infty

, when

χ
1

\chi_{1}

and

χ
2

\chi_{2}

run through all nontrivial multiplicative characters of

𝐅
q
×

\mathbf{F}_{q}^{\times}

. In this paper, we show a similar property for

m
≥
2

m\geq 2

.
More generally, we show that the normalized Jacobi sum

q

-

(

m
-
1

)

/
2

⁢
J
⁢

(

χ
1

,
…
,

χ
m

)

q^{-(m-1)/2}J(\chi_{1},\ldots,\chi_{m})

(

χ
1

⁢
⋯
⁢

χ
m

\chi_{1}\cdots\chi_{m}

nontrivial) is
asymptotically equidistributed on the unit circle, when

χ
1

,
…
,

χ
m

\chi_{1},\ldots,\chi_{m}

run through arbitrary sets of nontrivial multiplicative characters
of

𝐅
q
×

\mathbf{F}_{q}^{\times}

with two of the sets being sufficiently large. The case

m
=
2

m=2

answers a question of Shparlinski.
Passive Radar Parallel Processing Using General-Purpose Computing on Graphics Processing Units
Authors: Szczepankiewicz Karolina , Malanowski Mateusz , Szczepankiewicz Michał
Published: January 2016

In the paper an implementation of signal processing chain for a passive radar is presented. The passive radar which was developed at the Warsaw University of Technology, uses FM radio and DVB-T television transmitters as ”illuminators of opportunity”. As the computational load associated with passive radar processing is very high, NVIDIA CUDA technology has been employed for effective implementation using parallel processing. The paper contains the description of the algorithms implementation and the performance results analysis.
Eu Agrarian Policy Legal Framework as a Part of the Eu Development Practice / Právny Rámec Agrárnej Politiky Eú Ako Súčasť Eú Rozvojovej Praxe
Authors: Malatinec Tomáš
Published: January 2016

EU agrarian policy is one of the most extensive policies of the EU. The aim of this paper is to analyse the EU agrarian policy legal framework from the point of view of law & development concept. Final remarks are based on an analysis of three topics: (1st) law & development concept, (2nd) agrarian policies and development, and (3rd) EU concept of development. Results show position of the EU agrarian policy legal framework in the EU development practice. The EU agrarian policy legal framework might be labelled as “law in development”. Several instruments have been implemented, but their impact on development is not unequivocal. There is no doubt about role of law in development as well as that the EU agricultural policy is core policy for development of the EU regions. Based on interconnections and justification we can argue that the EU agrarian policy legal framework is a substantial part of internal EU development concept and practice.
Extended Continuous Block Backward Differentiation Formula for Stiff Systems
Authors: Akinfenwa O. A. , Jator S. N.
Published: January 2016

We present an Extended Continuous Block Backward Differentiation Formula (ECBBDF) of order k+1 for the numerical solution of stiff ordinary differential equations. This is achieved by constructing an Extended Continuous Backward Differentiation formula (ECBDF) together with the additional methods from its first derivative and are combined to form a single block of methods that simultaneously provide the approximate solutions for the stiff Initial Value Problems (IVPs). The error constant and stability property of the (ECBBDF) is discussed. We use the specific cases k = 4 and k = 5 to illustrate the process. The performance of the method is demonstrated on some numerical examples to show the accuracy and efficiency advantages of the method.
Ideologies of Supreme Court Justices: Quantitative Thematic Analysis of Multiple Opinions of “Bush v. Gore 2000”
Authors: Chen Ruina , Liu Haitao
Published: January 2016

Judicial ideology is a latent trait that cannot be directly observed; its measurement must rely upon inferences drawn from observable traits or properties. In this paper, we assume that judicial ideologies of Supreme Court Justices may be inferred from the contents or themes of their authorial opinion texts, which embody their jurisprudential interpretation and reasoning on particular disputes of hard cases. The contents or themes of six opinion texts of “Bush v. Gore 2000” are analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, with the latter as the focus. An indicator is borrowed from quantitative linguistics (QL) to quantify individual thematic words which contribute to the contents or themes of the text, that is, “thematic concentration” (TC). Our research yields the following results: First, both the highest and lowest TC value are found in the dissenting opinions, which may indicate the dynamism of thematic concentration of this type of opinion; Second, the common “thematic words” distilled from six opinions help to lexically profile the key “content domain” of this case; Third, the only thematic word “state” which appears in almost all opinion texts can be regarded as representing the most fundamental characteristic of the genre of appellate court opinions; Fourth, there exists a significant difference of TC in texts between the majority opinion and the dissenting opinion but not within the majority opinion, indicating that TC can reflect in a correct direction of the ideological stances of Supreme Court Justices; Fifth, TC in texts of three opinions get together, and qualitative analysis of these three opinions also shows that they concentrate on similar themes. The application of TC still have some challenges, but at least it offers an alternative path to measure ideologies of Supreme Court Justices, which contributes to the progress and development of forensic linguistics.
Dydrogesterone and the immunology of pregnancy
Authors: Raghupathy Raj , Szekeres-Bartho Julia
Published: January 2016

Progesterone is indispensable for the maintenance of pregnancy, both via its endocrine effects and its role in creating a favorable immunological environment for the fetus. This review focuses on the immunological effects of progesterone. Progestogens have been shown to have very interesting effects on cytokine production and decidual natural killer (NK) cell activity. The orally-administered progestogen, dydrogesterone, has the ability to modulate cytokine production patterns in a manner that could be conducive to successful pregnancy. The adverse effects of progesterone deficiency and the beneficial effects of progesterone supplementation in pregnancy pathologies will be discussed.
Defining Political Extremism in the Balkans. The Case of Serbia
Authors: Babić Marko
Published: January 2016

Political extremism (and particularly right wing political extremism) remains relatively insufficiently explored due to the fact that the phenomenon is controversial and hard to define. Its ambiguity and variability depending on time and spatial point of view further complicates its definition. Its structure is amorphous and eclectic as it often includes elements from different ideologies and connects incompatible ideas. A multidimensional conceptualization and an interdisciplinary approach - sociological, social, psychological and historical, are the Author’s tools in explaining the phenomenon of political extremism in Serbia, hopefully contributing to its clarification and laying a foundation for its further explanatory theoretical studies.
New Imaging Methods of Coronary Arteries in Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Hlinomaz Ota , Groch Ladislav , Sitar Jan , Rezek Michal , Seménka Jiří , Novák Martin , Penkov Nikolay
Published: January 2016

Coronary angiography is still the most widely used method for the assessment of lumen of coronary arteries and for diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease. New imaging modalities of coronary arteries play an increasing role in interventional cardiology. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is the oldest technology, however due to its high tissue penetration remains very important for imaging of left main coronary artery and saphenous vein grafts. IVUS was used in many clinical trials and clinical experience with it is huge. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new, very fast developing method. It has ten times higher axial resolution than IVUS. It gives us the opportunity to assess the inner structures of coronary artery wall, to evaluate the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques, quality of stent implantation and its healing. It helps us to find the culprit lesion of acute coronary syndrome in some cases, to diagnose the cause of stent thrombosis, and to evaluate stent apposition which has a direct relation to prognosis. We use it to perform complex percutaneous coronary interventions and after heart transplantation to diagnose the vascular graft disease. We strongly believe that OCT is important for the assessment of plaque instability and patient´s prognosis. Near infrared spectroscopy combined with IVUS can distinguish fibrous from lipid core plaques. Lipid core burden index is in relation to a risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction and to prognosis. It is the only method which can sufficiently detect the amount of lipids in coronary wall.
Factors Associated with In-hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Barcan Andreea , Kovacs Istvan , Blendea Ciprian , Orzan Marius , Chitu Monica
Published: January 2016

Introduction: The recent development of large networks dedicated to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) led to a significant increase in the number of primary percutaneous interventions (p-PCI) parallel with mortality reduction in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). The number of non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is increasing and the highest mortality rates are encountered in patients with cardiogenic shock and/or out of hospital cardiac arrest associated to ACS. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with a higher mortality rate in a global population with acute coronary syndromes presented in the emergency department of a county clinical hospital which serves as a regional center for a STEMI network.

Material and method: This is a retrospective study including 684 patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted in the Clinic of Cardiology from the County Clinical Emergency Hospital Tîrgu Mureș in 2014. In all the cases, the factors that correlated with in hospital mortality were identified and analyzed.

Results: The incidence of arterial hypertension was significantly higher in patients admitted with unstable angina (75.0%) and STEMI cases with less than 12 hours onset of symptomatology (68.1%), while impaired renal function correlated with the presence of NSTEMI (66.6%). The presence of a multivessel disease was significantly correlated with cardiogenic shock. The localisation of the culprit lesion in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) significantly correlated with the development of cardiogenic shock, LAD culprit lesions being present in 44.4% of CS cases as compared with 21.7% of noCS cases in STEMI patients. In NSTEMI patients, the localisation of the culprit lesion in the left main artery (LM) significantly correlated with the development of cardiogenic shock, culprit lesions in the left main being present in 47.0% of CS cases as compared with 28.5% of noCS cases in STEMI patients.

Conclusion: Patients presenting with out-of-hospital resuscitated cardiac arrest due to Acute Myocardial Infarction associate higher in-hospital mortality rates. In-hospital mortality seems to be highly correlated with the female gender, STEMI myocardial infarction and the presence of multivascular lesions.
Method to Extend Operationability of Web-Gis Based Marine Services Using SSE Platform
Authors: Drypczewski K. , Stepnowski A. , Bruniecki K.
Published: January 2016

Earth Observation (EO) products are widely used by geospatial society. Over the last years a number of new applications of satellite imagery were proposed. This led to an increased interest in EO products, not only from researchers but also from companies and individuals. The authors constitute the essential part of the team that created the marine, web-GIS system - SafeCity GIS - for dissemination of data obtained from a 1.5 metre HRPT-MetOp satellite ground receiving station. To increase the operationability of the system the authors successfully attempted to broaden the offered functionality by integration with Service Support Environment (SSE). Due to this, EO products for the Pomeranian Region are served as web-services; amongst them there are True Color imagery, meteorological, algae monitoring and fire-detection services. The authors present the created solution for web service support for GIS system based on Service Support Environment and discuss its advantages and disadvantages.
A Model of Thermal Energy Storage According to the Convention of Bond Graphs (Bg) and State Equations (Se)
Authors: Cichy Marian , Kropiwnicki Jacek , Kneba Zbigniew
Published: January 2016

The main advantage of the use of the Bond Graphs method and State Equations for modeling energy systems with a complex structure (marine power plants, hybrid vehicles, etc.) is the ability to model the system components of different physical nature using identical theoretical basis. The paper presents a method of modeling thermal energy storage, which is in line with basic BG theory. Critical comments have been put forward concerning multiport energy storage introduced by other authors or the so-called C-field. In suggested approach, the decision not to use pseudo Bond Graphs has been justified as not being in line with basic BG theory. On the basis of molecular physics it was considered that the state variable, in physical and mathematical sense, should be temperature rather than entropy. Examples of the application of the proposed approach to thermodynamic processes and heat exchange have been presented. The application of a single graph as a model for thermal energy storage has been illustrated by a way of numerical simulation examples.
Thermographic Method Based Accelerated Fatigue Limit Calculation for Steel X5CrNi18-10 Subjected to Rotating Bending
Authors: Lipski Adam
Published: January 2016

The article presents an accelerated method for fatigue limit calculation which makes use of constant temperature increase rate observed in the middle time interval of specimen fatigue loading. The examination was performed on specimens prepared from drawn rods made of corrosion resistant austenitic steel X5CrNi18-10 (1.4301) subjected to rotating bending. For comparison purposes, the fatigue limit was also calculated with the aid of the Staircase method, using 30 specimens and assuming the base number of cycles equal to 10·106. Three specimens were used for accelerated examination during which their temperature was measured with the aid of the thermographic camera CEDIP Silver 420M (FLIR SC 5200). The applied loads were gradually increased until specimen damage took place. Based on the analysis of temperature changes during specimen loading, the average rate of temperature increase at successive loading stages was assessed. The obtained results were then approximated using the 2-nd order curve and its minimal value was assumed as corresponding to the fatigue limit. The performed statistic test has revealed that the fatigue limit calculated in the above way does not differ substantially from that determined using the Staircase method.
Nonlinear Vibration Signal Tracking of Large Offshore Bridge Stayed Cable Based on Particle Filter
Authors: Ye Qingwei , Feng Zhimin , Yuan Debin
Published: January 2016

The stayed cables are key stress components of large offshore bridge. The fault detection of stayed cable is very important for safe of large offshore bridge. A particle filter model and algorithm of nonlinear vibration signal are used in this paper. Firstly, the particle filter model of stayed cable of large offshore bridge is created. Nonlinear dynamic model of the stayed-cable and beam coupling system is dispersed in temporal dimension by using the finite difference method. The discrete nonlinear vibration equations of any cable element are worked out. Secondly, a state equation of particle filter is fitted by least square algorithm from the discrete nonlinear vibration equations. So the particle filter algorithm can use the accurate state equations. Finally, the particle filter algorithm is used to filter the vibration signal of bridge stayed cable. According to the particle filter, the de-noised vibration signal can be tracked and be predicted for a short time accurately. Many experiments are done at some actual bridges. The simulation experiments and the actual experiments on the bridge stayed cables are all indicating that the particle filter algorithm in this paper has good performance and works stably.
(Do Not) Track Me Sometimes: Users’ Contextual Preferences for Web Tracking
Authors: Melicher William , Sharif Mahmood , Tan Joshua , Bauer Lujo , Christodorescu Mihai , Leon Pedro Giovanni
Published: January 2016

Online trackers compile profiles on users for targeting ads, customizing websites, and selling users’ information. In this paper, we report on the first detailed study of the perceived benefits and risks of tracking-and the reasons behind them-conducted in the context of users’ own browsing histories. Prior work has studied this in the abstract; in contrast, we collected browsing histories from and interviewed 35 people about the perceived benefits and risks of online tracking in the context of their own browsing behavior. We find that many users want more control over tracking and think that controlled tracking has benefits, but are unwilling to put in the effort to control tracking or distrust current tools. We confirm previous findings that users’ general attitudes about tracking are often at odds with their comfort in specific situations. We also identify specific situational factors that contribute to users’ preferences about online tracking and explore how and why. Finally, we examine a sample of popular tools for controlling tracking and show that they only partially address the situational factors driving users’ preferences.We suggest opportunities to improve such tools, and explore the use of a classifier to automatically determine whether a user would be comfortable with tracking on a particular page visit; our results suggest this is a promising direction for future work.
Effectiveness of electrochemotherapy after IFN-α adjuvant therapy of melanoma patients
Authors: Hribernik Andrejc , Cemazar Maja , Sersa Gregor , Bosnjak Maša , Snoj Marko
Published: January 2016

Background

The combination of electrochemotherapy with immuno-modulatory treatments has already been explored and proven effective. However, the role of interferon alpha (IFN-α) adjuvant therapy of melanoma patients and implication on electrochemotherapy effectiveness has not been explored yet. Therefore, the aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electrochemotherapy after the previous adjuvant treatment with IFN-α in melanoma patients.

Patients and methods

The study was a retrospective single-center observational analysis of the patients with advanced melanoma, treated with electrochemotherapy after previous IFN-α adjuvant therapy. Five patients, treated between January 2008 and December 2014, were included into the study, regardless of the time point of IFN-α adjuvant therapy.

Results

Electrochemotherapy of recurrent melanoma after the IFN-α adjuvant therapy proved to be a safe and effective treatment. Patients with one or two metastases responded completely. Among patients with multiple metastases, there was a variable response rate. In one patient all 23 metastases responded completely, in second patient more than 85% of all together 80 metastases responded completely and in third patient all 5 metastases had partial response. Taking into account all metastases from all patients together there was an 85% complete response rate.

Conclusions

The study showed that electrochemotherapy of recurrent melanoma after the IFN-α adjuvant therapy is a safe and effective treatment modality, which results in a high complete response rate, not only in single metastasis, but also in multiple metastases. The high complete response rate might be due to an IFN-α immune-editing effect, however, further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to support this presumption.
Optimal Marginal Deterrence and Incentives for Precaution
Authors: Thomas Lionel
Published: January 2016

This paper studies marginal deterrence in the presence of a basic and an aggravated harm when the occurrence of the latter may be reduced by criminals exerting costly precaution. We determine the optimal probability of fines when the enforcement authority provides incentives such that, if criminals commit offenses, they exert precaution. We show that marginal deterrence is fully optimal, even for severe basic harms. That is, the fine associated with the basic harm is not equal to the maximal sanction, the criminal’s wealth. Moreover, implementing marginal deterrence leads to the use of fines and the probability of being caught and sanctioned in a different way compared to Becker’s well-known result.
Structural identification of the novel 3 way-junction motif
Authors: Jedrzejczyk Dominika , Chworos Arkadiusz
Published: January 2016

A novel RNA motif was identified based on its sequence by computational structure modeling. The RNA molecule was reported to be a substrate for the structurally specific endoribonuclease, Dicer, which cleaves doublestranded RNA and cuts out 20−25 nucleotide fragments. This enzymatic property was essential for the potential utilization of the motif in the nanoparticle design of further biological experiments. Herein, the protocol for the prediction of the structure of this motif in-silico is presented, starting from its primary sequence and proceeding through secondary and tertiary structure predictions. Applying RNA architectonics, this novel structural motif, 3wj-nRA, was used for rational RNA nanoparticle design. The molecules, which are based on this three-way junction fold, may assemble into more complex, triangular shaped nano-objects. This trimeric nanoparticle containing 3wj-nRA motif can be further utilized for functionalization and application.
Hidden meanings of the words “religion” and “religious” in legal discourse
Authors: Lo Giacco Maria Luisa
Published: January 2016

The words “religion” and “religious” are deeply influenced by cultural and social context. The word “religion” could mean to the ears of a North American a social phenomenon that a South American doesn’t consider such. The same thing can happen in a dialogue between an Asian and an European. In fact, in contemporary society, the word “religion” has many meanings, not always understandable, sometimes hidden. The same goes for the adjective “religious.” What do I mean when I define a place, a behavior, a building, a person with the adjective “Religious”? Can I really be sure that what for me is “religious” is so for the man talking to me as well? Do my culture, education, and family traditions lead me to consider as “Religious” something that for other people is not so? Such questions are particularly relevant if we think about the value that many legal systems attribute to “Religion” and “Religious.” The words “religion” and “religious” have hidden meanings that only knowledge of a given culture and tradition may help to unravel. These hidden meanings are often important in legal discourse, especially in case law; which is why it is necessary to reveal them.
Effectiveness of Balance Acupuncture for the Pain in Neck-Shoulder-Low back-Legs: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Hou-Lian , Guo An-Lin , Ge Jun-Yun , Liu Mai-Lan , Chang Xiao-Rong
Published: January 2016

Objective: To systematically review the effectiveness of Balance Acupuncture for the Pain in Neck, Shoulder, Low-back and Legs (PNSLL).

Methods: Web-based search on databases such as PubMed（2008.1.～2014.11）、Web of Science（2008.1.～ 2014.11）、Wan Fang Data（2008.1.～2014.11）、CNKI（2008.1.～2014.11）to collect literature of randomized controlled trials (RCT) on Balance Acupuncture for PNSLL. Literature selection, data extraction and methodological quality assessment of the included studies were conducted by two reviewers independently. The meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.2 software.

Results: A total of 6 studies involving 816 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that Balance Acupuncture treatment of the PNSLL is superior to traditional Acupuncture, with significant differences (OR=0.12, 95%CI=[0.08,0.15], Z=5.83, P<0.00001).

Conclusion: Balance Acupuncture is an effective and safe way for treating PNSLL, though it may need further demonstration by more large-scale and well-designed RCT due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies.
Effect of Electro-acupuncture on Ultrastructure in Diabetic Gastroparesis Model Rats
Authors: He Feng-E , Wan Quan-Quan , Peng Yan , Lin Ya-Ping , Shen Jing
Published: January 2016

Objective: To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on ultrastructure of gastric antrum smooth muscle cells (GASMCs) in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) model rats, and to explore the possible mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of EA.

Methods: Sixty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: blank control (group A), DGP model (group B), EA point (group C), EA non-point (group D), Metoclopramide control (group E). DGP rat model was established by 2% STZ intraperitoneal injection at once, and then being fed with high-sugar-high-fat (HSHF) for 8wks. Phenol red lavage method was employed to measure gastric emptying rate (GER) and intestinal migration rate (IMR). The ultrastructure of GASMCs was observed under the electronic microscope.

Results: Compared with the blank control group, the GER and IMR in model group were decreased significantly (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Compared with the model group, the GER and IMR in EA point group were increased significantly(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Electro-acupuncture on “Zu San Li”(ST36) point, etc. has been observed improving the ultrastructure of GASMCs, as well as increasing the number of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs).

Conclusion: Electro-acupuncture can improve the GI motility promisingly, based on a potential underlying mechanism that the electro-acupuncture can improve the ultrastructure of gastric smooth muscle, and increase the number of ICCs.
Representing the Ideal American Family
Authors: Prescott Cynthia Culver
Published: January 2016

Communities throughout the U.S. West erected monuments to white pioneer mothers in the late 1920s. While other western sculptors’ interest in frontier women soon faded, Avard Fairbanks continued to produce prominent public monuments to pioneer women and families for the next fifty years. Fairbanks’s pioneer monuments provide a valuable case study for examining the ways in which changing social norms influenced public monuments over the course of the twentieth century. Focusing on Avard Fairbanks’s fifty years of pioneer-themed monuments highlights the sculptor’s role in transforming idealized images of settler families from objects of purely regional memory into a national American family ideal.
The interdependence of transcript and protein abundance: new data–new complexities
Authors: Liu Yansheng , Aebersold Ruedi
Published: January 2016

The relative contribution of transcriptional and translational regulation in gene expression control has been intensely debated and remains a challenging question. Recent reports have suggested that protein abundance in mammalian cells is primarily controlled at the transcript‐level. In their recent work, Cheng et al () determined the proteomic and transcriptomic changes in cells responding to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Their analyses indicate that the ER stress response is significantly controlled at both the transcript and protein levels.
Formation and function of the manchette and flagellum during spermatogenesis
Authors: Lehti M S , Sironen A
Published: January 2016

The last phase of spermatogenesis involves spermatid elongation (spermiogenesis), where the nucleus is remodeled by chromatin condensation, the excess cytoplasm is removed and the acrosome and sperm tail are formed. Protein transport during spermatid elongation is required for correct formation of the sperm tail and acrosome and shaping of the head. Two microtubular-based protein delivery platforms transport proteins to the developing head and tail: the manchette and the sperm tail axoneme. The manchette is a transient skirt-like structure surrounding the elongating spermatid head and is only present during spermatid elongation. In this review, we consider current understanding of the assembly, disassembly and function of the manchette and the roles of these processes in spermatid head shaping and sperm tail formation. Recent studies have shown that at least some of the structural proteins of the sperm tail are transported through the intra-manchette transport to the basal body at the base of the developing sperm tail and through the intra-flagellar transport to the construction site in the flagellum. This review focuses on the microtubule-based mechanisms involved and the consequences of their disruption in spermatid elongation.