bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Resveratrol on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Wang Xiao-Li , Li Ting , Li Ji-Hong , Miao Shu-Ying , Xiao Xian-Zhong
Published: September 2017

Oxidative stress and inflammation are hypothesized to contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The study aimed to investigate the effects of resveratrol in a rat model with COPD on the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation via the activation of Sirtuin1 (SIRTl) and proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, COPD group and resveratrol intervention group. The COPD model was established by instilling with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and challenging with cigarette smoke (CS). The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in serum were measured. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. The expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the lung tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry as well as real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) and western blotting analysis. After the treatment with resveratrol (50 mg/kg), compared with the COPD group, alleviation of inflammation and reconstruction in the small airways of the lungs were seen. Resveratrol might be correlated not only with the lower level of MDA and the higher activity of SOD, but also with the upregulation of SIRT1 and PGC-1α expression. Resveratrol treatment decreased serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8. Our findings indicate that resveratrol had a therapeutic effect in our rat COPD model, which is related to the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory response. The mechanism may be related to the activation and upgrading of the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathways. Thus resveratrol might be a therapeutic modality in COPD.
Effects of Oral Administration of Silymarin in a Juvenile Murine Model of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Marin Veronica , Gazzin Silvia , Gambaro Sabrina , Dal Ben Matteo , Calligaris Sonia , Anese Monica , Raseni Alan , Avellini Claudio , Giraudi Pablo , Tiribelli Claudio , Rosso Natalia
Published: September 2017

The increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents is challenging the global care system. No therapeutic strategies have been defined so far, and changes in the lifestyle remain the only alternative. In this study, we assessed the protective effects of silymarin in a juvenile non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model and the in vitro effects on fat-laden human hepatocytes. C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to HFHC diet immediately after weaning. After eight weeks, animals showed histological signs of NASH. Silymarin was added to the HFHC diet, the treatment continued for additional 12 weeks and the effects on BMI, hepatomegaly, visceral fat, lipid profile, transaminases, HOMA-IR, steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were determined. The switch from HFHC to control diet was used to mimic life style changes. In vitro experiments were performed in parallel in human hepatocytes. HFHC diet supplemented with silymarin showed a significant improvement in glycemia, visceral fat, lipid profile, and liver fibrosis. Moreover, it reduced (both in vitro and in vivo) ALT, hepatic inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Lifestyle changes restored the control group parameters. The data presented show the beneficial effects of the oral administration of silymarin in the absence of changes in the dietary habits in a juvenile model of NASH.
Influence of the Molar Mass on Long-Chain Branching of Polypropylene
Authors: Kamleitner Florian , Duscher Bernadette , Koch Thomas , Knaus Simone , Schmid Klaus , Archodoulaki Vasiliki-Maria
Published: September 2017

Long-chain branching (LCB) with peroxydicarbonates (PODIC) is known as a suitable post-reactor process to introduce strain-hardening behaviour and an increase of melt strength to a linear polypropylene (PP). This opens up new possibilities for processing and therefore application. Especially in the case of adding value to PP post-consumer waste, LCB is a promising approach. LCB takes place by a combination of chain scission and recombination after radical activation of the PP macromolecule. However, chemical modification of post-consumer waste is challenging because of the inhomogeneous composition and the manifold number of PP grades. The influence of the molar mass of the linear PP precursor on this reaction was studied with different PP grades ranging from extrusion grade to injection moulding grade. To exclude side effects, all PP grades had similar polydispersity indices. A PP with higher molar mass undergoes significant chain scission during the LCB process compared to a PP with low molar mass for injection moulding. Therefore, the two grades differ significantly in their branching number, which influences their behaviour in elongational flow.
Circum-Arctic Changes in the Flow of Glaciers and Ice Caps from Satellite SAR Data between the 1990s and 2017
Authors: Strozzi Tazio , Paul Frank , Wiesmann Andreas , Schellenberger Thomas , Kääb Andreas
Published: September 2017

We computed circum-Arctic surface velocity maps of glaciers and ice caps over the Canadian Arctic, Svalbard and the Russian Arctic for at least two times between the 1990s and 2017 using satellite SAR data. Our analyses are mainly performed with offset-tracking of ALOS-1 PALSAR-1 (2007–2011) and Sentinel-1 (2015–2017) data. In certain cases JERS-1 SAR (1994–1998), TerraSAR-X (2008–2012), Radarsat-2 (2009–2016) and ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 (2015–2016) data were used to fill-in spatial or temporal gaps. Validation of the latest Sentinel-1 results was accomplished by means of SAR data at higher spatial resolution (Radarsat-2 Wide Ultra Fine) and ground-based measurements. In general, we observe a deceleration of flow velocities for the major tidewater glaciers in the Canadian Arctic and an increase in frontal velocity along with a retreat of frontal positions over Svalbard and the Russian Arctic. However, all regions have strong accelerations for selected glaciers. The latter developments can be well traced based on the very high temporal sampling of Sentinel-1 acquisitions since 2015, revealing new insights in glacier dynamics. For example, surges on Spitsbergen (e.g., Negribreen, Nathorsbreen, Penckbreen and Strongbreen) have a different characteristic and timing than those over Eastern Austfonna and Edgeoya (e.g., Basin 3, Basin 2 and Stonebreen). Events similar to those ongoing on Eastern Austofonna were also observed over the Vavilov Ice Cap on Severnaya Zemlya and possibly Simony Glacier on Franz-Josef Land. Collectively, there seems to be a recently increasing number of glaciers with frontal destabilization over Eastern Svalbard and the Russian Arctic compared to the 1990s.
Millimeter Scale Track Irregularity Surveying Based on ZUPT-Aided INS with Sub-Decimeter Scale Landmarks
Authors: Jiang Qingan , Wu Wenqi , Li Yun , Jiang Mingming
Published: September 2017

Railway track irregularity surveying is important for the construction and the maintenance of railway lines. With the development of inertial devices, systems based on Inertial Navigation System (INS) have become feasible and popular approaches in track surveying applications. In order to overcome the requirement of high precision control points, this paper proposes a railway track irregularity measurement approach using the INS combined with the Zero Velocity Updates (ZUPT) technique and sub-decimeter scale landmarks. The equations for calculating track irregularity parameters from absolute position errors are deduced. Based on covariance analysis, the analytical relationships among the track irregularity measurements with the drifts of inertial sensors, the initial attitude errors and the observations of velocity and position are established. Simulations and experimental results show that the relative accuracy for 30 m chord of the proposed approach for track irregularity surveying can reach approximately 1 mm (1σ) with gyro bias instability of 0.01°/h, random walk noise of 0.005 ° / h , and accelerometer bias instability of 50 μ g , random noise of 10 μ g / Hz , while velocity observations are provided by the ZUPT technique at about every 60 m intervals. This accuracy can meet the most stringent requirements of millimeter scale medium wavelength track irregularity surveying for railway lines. Furthermore, this approach reduces the requirement of high precision landmarks which can lighten the maintenance burden of control points and improve the work efficiency of railway track irregularity measurements.
What about Sustainability? An Empirical Analysis of Consumers’ Purchasing Behavior in Fashion Context
Authors: Ciasullo Maria , Maione Gennaro , Torre Carlo , Troisi Orlando
Published: September 2017

In recent times, the concept of sustainability has gradually taken on a leading role, particularly because of its potential ability to influence consumers’ view and, consequently, their buying choices. Based on this consideration, the work, by means of an empirical analysis, pursues two research questions: (i) is it possible to imagine a theoretical model in the fashion world able to show whether “importance”, “expectations” and “social influence” effectively affect consumers’ willingness to reward a sustainable fashion brand via their purchasing behavior? and (ii) how much are consumers willing to pay to get a sustainable item of clothing? In order to answer these two research questions, a Multiple Linear Regression Model is tested, which offers an interesting result: consumers attach little relevance to the importance accorded to a brand’s sustainability, since they orient themselves on the basis of their expectations and their own group’s thoughts. Another finding is that consumers state that they are willing to pay a price not higher than 20% to get a sustainable item of clothing. However, the paper presents two limitations, which are linked to the use of the questionnaire for the understanding of the respondents’ opinions and to the small reference sample, composed of 271 people with a high level of education.
Evaluating the Drivers of Seasonal Streamflow in the U.S. Midwest
Authors: Slater Louise , Villarini Gabriele
Published: September 2017

Streamflows have increased notably across the U.S. Midwest over the past century, fueling a debate on the relative influences of changes in precipitation and land cover on the flow distribution. Here, we propose a simple modeling framework to evaluate the main drivers of streamflow rates. Streamflow records from 290 long-term USGS stream gauges were modeled using five predictors: precipitation, antecedent wetness, temperature, agriculture, and population density. We evaluated which predictor combinations performed best for every site, season and streamflow quantile. The goodness-of-fit of our models is generally high and varies by season (higher in the spring and summer than in the fall and winter), by streamflow quantile (best for high flows in the spring and winter, best for low flows in the fall, and good for all flow quantiles in summer), and by region (better in the southeastern Midwest than in the northwestern Midwest). In terms of predictors, we find that precipitation variability is key for modeling high flows, while antecedent wetness is a crucial secondary driver for low and median flows. Temperature improves model fits considerably in areas and seasons with notable snowmelt or evapotranspiration. Finally, in agricultural and urban basins, harvested acreage and population density are important predictors of changing streamflow, and their influence varies seasonally. Thus, any projected changes in these drivers are likely to have notable effects on future streamflow distributions, with potential implications for basin water management, agriculture, and flood risk management.
Requirement for cystatin C testing in chronic kidney disease: a retrospective population-based study
Authors: Lasserson Daniel S , Shine Brian , O’Callaghan Christopher A , James Tim
Published: September 2017

Background

Creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) determines chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage, but underestimates renal function. The 2014 updated guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that GPs reduce overdiagnosis of CKD stage 3a (eGFR 45–60 ml/min/1.73 m2) by using the renal biomarker cystatin C.

Aim

To determine the population requirement for cystatin C testing, compared with current national availability of the assay.

Design and setting

Retrospective study of primary care laboratory requests in Oxfordshire, England.

Method

The first creatinine results from tests ordered in primary care over a 6-year period (2008–2014) in a population of 600 000 in Oxfordshire were analysed and the number of patients with CKD stage 3a without proteinuria (who, in accordance with NICE guidance, required cystatin C) was determined. A conservative estimate of the national need was provided by scaling the population of Oxfordshire to the national population (CKD prevalence in the county is below the national average). Cystatin C assay availability was determined using national databases of laboratory assay provision.

Results

From a population of 600 000, there were 22 240 individuals with stable stage 3a CKD and no proteinuria. As the population of Oxfordshire equates to 1% of the UK population, there is an initial requirement for at least 2 million people to have their CKD status determined with cystatin C testing. Eight laboratories (2.1% of UK laboratories) reported cystatin C assay provision.

Conclusion

There is a substantial gap between cystatin C assay requirements in primary care and national assay provision. This is a major barrier to implementing NICE guidance.
[ARTICLE WITHDRAWN] Overexpression of MicroRNA-34a-5p Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis of Human Cervical Cancer Cells by Downregulation of Bcl-2
Authors: Wang Xiufen , Xie Yucui , Wang Jing
Published: September 2017

THIS ARTICLE WAS WITHDRAWN BY THE PUBLISHERS IN OCTOBER 2020.
Knockdown of Gab1 Inhibits Cellular Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion in Human Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Xu Luyong , Li Jie , Kuang Zheng , Kuang Yan , Wu Hong
Published: September 2017

Grb2-associated binder 1 (Gab1) is often aberrant in cancerous cells and tissues, whose alteration is responsible for aggressive phenotypes. In this study, we examined the Gab1 expression in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues and investigated the cellular and molecular effect of Gab1 on migration, invasion, and cell growth of the OSCC cell lines SCC15 and SCC25. We found that Gab1 was overexpressed in OSCC tissues and cells, which is related to the protein levels of various molecules associated with cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion. Functional assays identified that Gab1 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells and inhibited cell apoptosis in the SCC15 and SCC25 cell lines. On the other hand, Gab1 silencing affected the proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells and induced cell apoptosis. Western blot assay identified that Gab1 overexpression suppressed the expression of Cdc20 homolog 1 (Cdh1) and then promoted cell invasion in OSCC cells. Furthermore, Gab1-mediated Cdh1 downregulation was significantly reversed when the cells were subjected to an inhibitor of p-Akt. In conclusion, these results suggested that Gab1 induced malignant progression of OSCC cells probably via activation of the Akt/Cdh1 signaling pathway. Thus, Gab1 may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of OSCC patients.
Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion: Mechanisms of Tissue Injury, Repair, and Regeneration
Authors: Konishi Takanori , Lentsch Alex B.
Published: September 2017

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major complication of liver surgery, including liver resection, liver transplantation, and trauma surgery. Much has been learned about the inflammatory injury response induced by I/R, including the cascade of proinflammatory mediators and recruitment of activated leukocytes. In this review, we discuss the complex network of events that culminate in liver injury after I/R, including cellular, protein, and molecular mechanisms. In addition, we address the known endogenous regulatory mediators that function to maintain homeostasis and resolve injury. Finally, we cover more recent insights into how the liver repairs and regenerates after I/R injury, a setting in which physical mass remains unchanged, but functional liver mass is greatly reduced. In this regard, we focus on recent work highlighting a novel role of CXC chemokines as important regulators of hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration after I/R injury.
Enhancement of mechanical and electrical properties of continuous-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites with stacked graphene
Authors: Naveh Naum , Shepelev Olga , Kenig Samuel
Published: September 2017

Impregnation of expandable graphite (EG) after thermal treatment with an epoxy resin containing surface-active agents (SAAs) enhanced the intercalation of epoxy monomer between EG layers and led to further exfoliation of the graphite, resulting in stacks of few graphene layers, so-called “stacked” graphene (SG). This process enabled electrical conductivity of cured epoxy/SG composites at lower percolation thresholds, and improved thermo-mechanical properties were measured with either Kevlar, carbon or glass-fiber-reinforced composites. Several compositions with SAA-modified SG led to higher dynamic moduli especially at high temperatures, reflecting the better wetting ability of the modified nanoparticles. The hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of the SAA dictates the surface energy balance. More hydrophilic SAAs promoted localization of the SG at the Kevlar/epoxy interface, and morphology seems to be driven by thermodynamics, rather than the kinetic effect of viscosity. This effect was less obvious with carbon or glass fibers, due to the lower surface energy of the carbon fibers or some incompatibility with the glass-fiber sizing. Proper choice of the surfactant and fine-tuning of the crosslink density at the interphase may provide further enhancements in thermo-mechanical behavior.
The Carbon and Nitrogen Abundance Ratio in the Broad Line Region of Tidal Disruption Events
Authors: Yang Chenwei , Wang Tinggui , Ferland Gary J. , Dou Liming , Zhou Hongyan , Jiang Ning , Sheng Zhenfeng
Published: September 2017

The rest-frame UV spectra of three recent tidal disruption events (TDEs), ASASSN-14li, PTF15af, and iPTF16fnl, display strong nitrogen emission lines but weak or undetectable carbon lines. In these three objects, the upper limits of the C iii]

/N iii]

ratio are about two orders of magnitude lower than those of quasars, suggesting a high abundance ratio of [N/C]. With detailed photoionization simulations, we demonstrate that

and

are formed in the same zone, so the Ciii]/N iii] ratio depends only moderately on the physical conditions in the gas and weakly on the shape of the ionizing continuum. There are smaller than 0.5 dex variations in the line ratio over wide ranges of gas densities and ionization parameters at a given metallicity. This allows a robust estimate of the relative abundance ratio of nitrogen to carbon. We derive a relative abundance ratio of [N/C] > 1.5 for ASASSN-14li, and an even higher one for PTF15af and iPTF16fnl. This suggests that the broad line region in those TDE sources is made of nitrogen-enhanced core material that falls back at later times. Based on stellar evolution models, the lower limit of the disrupted star should be larger than

. The chemical abundance of the line-emitting gas provides convincing evidence that the flares originate from stellar tidal disruptions. The coincidence of the weakness of the X-ray emission with the strong broad absorption lines in PTF15af and iPTF16fnl, and the strong X-ray emission without such lines in ASASSN-li14, are analogous to quasars with and without broad absorption lines.
Production of Sulfur Allotropes in Electron Irradiated Jupiter Trojans Ice Analogs
Authors: Mahjoub Ahmed , Poston Michael J. , Blacksberg Jordana , Eiler John M. , Brown Michael E. , Ehlmann Bethany L. , Hodyss Robert , Hand Kevin P. , Carlson Robert , Choukroun Mathieu
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we investigate sulfur chemistry in laboratory analogs of Jupiter Trojans and Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs). Electron irradiation experiments of CH3OH–NH3–H2O and H2S–CH3OH–NH3–H2O ices were conducted to better understand the chemical differences between primordial planetesimals inside and outside the sublimation line of H2S. The main goal of this work is to test the chemical plausibility of the hypothesis correlating the color bimodality in Jupiter Trojans with sulfur chemistry in the incipient solar system. Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of the irradiated mixtures allows the detection of small sulfur allotropes (S3 and S4) after the irradiation of H2S containing ice mixtures. These small, red polymers are metastable and could polymerize further under thermal processing and irradiation, producing larger sulfur polymers (mainly S8) that are spectroscopically neutral at wavelengths above 500 nm. This transformation may affect the spectral reflectance of Jupiter Trojans in a different way compared to KBOs, thereby providing a useful framework for possibly differentiating and determining the formation and history of small bodies. Along with allotropes, we report the production of organo-sulfur molecules. Sulfur molecules produced in our experiment have been recently detected by Rosetta in the coma of 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. The very weak absorption of sulfur polymers in the infrared range hampers their identification on Trojans and KBOs, but these allotropes strongly absorb light at UV and Visible wavelengths. This suggests that high signal-to-noise ratio UV–Vis spectra of these objects could provide new constraints on their presence.
The Pseudosynchronization of Binary Stars Undergoing Strong Tidal Interactions
Authors: Zimmerman Mara K. , Thompson Susan E. , Mullally Fergal , Fuller Jim , Shporer Avi , Hambleton Kelly
Published: September 2017

Eccentric binaries known as heartbeat stars experience strong dynamical tides as the stars pass through periastron, providing a laboratory to study tidal interactions. We measure the rotation periods of 24 heartbeat systems, using the Kepler light curves to identify rotation peaks in the Fourier transform. Where possible, we compare the rotation period to the pseudosynchronization period derived by Hut. Few of our heartbeat stars are pseudosynchronized with the orbital period. For four systems, we were able to identify two sets of rotation peaks, which we interpret as the rotation from both stars in the binary. Most stars in our sample have rotation rates larger than the pseudosynchronization period while a single target rotates much faster than this rate. The majority of the systems have a rotation period that is approximately

times the pseudosynchronization period, suggesting that other physical mechanisms strongly influence the star’s evolution.
PHAT. XIX. The Ancient Star Formation History of the M31 Disk
Authors: Williams Benjamin F. , Dolphin Andrew E. , Dalcanton Julianne J. , Weisz Daniel R. , Bell Eric F. , Lewis Alexia R. , Rosenfield Philip , Choi Yumi , Skillman Evan , Monachesi Antonela
Published: September 2017

We map the star formation history across M31 by fitting stellar evolution models to color–magnitude diagrams of each 83″ × 83″ (0.3 × 1.4 kpc, deprojected) region of the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury (PHAT) survey outside of the innermost

portion. We find that most of the star formation occurred prior to ∼8 Gyr ago, followed by a relatively quiescent period until ∼4 Gyr ago, a subsequent star formation episode about 2 Gyr ago, and a return to relative quiescence. There appears to be little, if any, structure visible for populations with ages older than 2 Gyr, suggesting significant mixing since that epoch. Finally, assuming a Kroupa initial mass function from 0.1 to 100 M
⊙, we find that the total amount of star formation over the past 14 Gyr in the area over which we have fit models is 5 × 1010 M
⊙. Fitting the radial distribution of this star formation and assuming azimuthal symmetry, (1.5 ± 0.2) × 1011 M
⊙ of stars has formed in the M31 disk as a whole, (9 ± 2) × 1010 M
⊙ of which has likely survived to the present after accounting for evolutionary effects. This mass is about one-fifth of the total dynamical mass of M31.
The Green Bank Ammonia Survey: Dense Cores under Pressure in Orion A
Authors: Kirk Helen , Friesen Rachel K. , Pineda Jaime E. , Rosolowsky Erik , Offner Stella S. R. , Matzner Christopher D. , Myers Philip C. , Di Francesco James , Caselli Paola , Alves Felipe O. , Chacón-Tanarro Ana , Chen How-Huan , Chen Michael Chun-Yuan , Keown Jared , Punanova Anna , Seo Young Min , Shirley Yancy , Ginsburg Adam , Hall Christine , Singh Ayushi , Arce Héctor G. , Goodman Alyssa A. , Martin Peter , Redaelli Elena
Published: September 2017

We use data on gas temperature and velocity dispersion from the Green Bank Ammonia Survey and core masses and sizes from the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope Gould Belt Survey to estimate the virial states of dense cores within the Orion A molecular cloud. Surprisingly, we find that almost none of the dense cores are sufficiently massive to be bound when considering only the balance between self-gravity and the thermal and non-thermal motions present in the dense gas. Including the additional pressure binding imposed by the weight of the ambient molecular cloud material and additional smaller pressure terms, however, suggests that most of the dense cores are pressure-confined.
R-process Element Cosmic Rays from Neutron Star Mergers
Authors: Komiya Yutaka , Shigeyama Toshikazu
Published: September 2017

Neutron star mergers (NSMs) are one of the most plausible sources of r-process elements in the universe. Therefore, NSMs can also be a major source of ultra-heavy elements in cosmic rays. In this paper, we first estimate the contribution of r-process elements synthesized in NSMs to the ultra-heavy element cosmic rays (UHCRs) by calculating transport equations that take into account energy loss processes and spallations. We show that the flux of UHCRs accelerated by the NSMs themselves fluctuates by many orders of magnitude on a timescale of several million years and can overwhelm UHCRs accelerated by supernova remnants (SNRs) after an NSM takes place within a few kiloparsec from the solar system. Experiments with very long exposure times using meteorites as UHCR detectors can detect this fluctuation. As a consequence, we show that if NSMs are the primary source of UHCRs, future experiments using meteorites may be able to reveal the event history of NSMs in the solar vicinity. We also describe a possible difference in the abundance pattern and energy spectrum of UHCRs between NSM and SNR accelerations.
Bimodal Long-lasting Components in Short Gamma-Ray Bursts: Promising Electromagnetic Counterparts to Neutron Star Binary Mergers
Authors: Kisaka Shota , Ioka Kunihito , Sakamoto Takanori
Published: September 2017

Long-lasting emission of short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is crucial to reveal the physical origin of the central engine as well as to detect electromagnetic (EM) counterparts to gravitational waves (GWs) from neutron star binary mergers. We investigate 65 X-ray light curves of short GRBs, which is six times more than previous studies, by combining both Swift/BAT and XRT data. The light curves are found to consist of two distinct components at >5σ with bimodal distributions of luminosity and duration, i.e., extended (with a timescale of ≲103 s) and plateau emission (with a timescale of ≳103 s), which are likely the central engine activities, but not afterglows. The extended emission has an isotropic energy comparable to the prompt emission, while the plateau emission has ∼0.01–1 times this energy. Half (50%) of our sample has both components, while the other half is consistent with having both components. This leads us to conjecture that almost all short GRBs have both the extended and plateau emission. The long-lasting emission can be explained by the jets from black holes with fallback ejecta, and could power macronovae (or kilonovae) like GRB 130603B and GRB 160821B. Based on the observed properties, we quantify the detectability of EM counterparts to GWs, including the plateau emission scattered to the off-axis angle, with CALET/HXM, INTEGRAL/SPI-ACS, Fermi/GBM, MAXI/GSC, Swift/BAT, XRT, the future ISS-Lobster/WFI, Einstein Probe/WXT, and eROSITA.
Project AMIGA: A Minimal Covering Factor for Optically Thick Circumgalactic Gas around the Andromeda Galaxy
Authors: Howk J. Christopher , Wotta Christopher B. , Berg Michelle A. , Lehner Nicolas , Lockman Felix J. , Hafen Zachary , Pisano D. J. , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André , Wakker Bart P. , Prochaska J. Xavier , Wolfe Spencer A. , Ribaudo Joseph , Barger Kathleen A. , Corlies Lauren , Fox Andrew J. , Guhathakurta Puragra , Jenkins Edward B. , Kalirai Jason , O’Meara John M. , Peeples Molly S. , Stewart Kyle R. , Strader Jay
Published: September 2017

We present a deep search for

21 cm emission from the gaseous halo of Messier 31 as part of Project AMIGA, a large Hubble Space Telescope program to study the circumgalactic medium of the Andromeda galaxy. Our observations with the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope target sight lines to 48 background AGNs, more than half of which have been observed in the ultraviolet with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, with impact parameters

(

). We do not detect any 21 cm emission toward these AGNs to limits of

cm−2 (

per 2 kpc-diameter beam). This column density corresponds to an optical depth of ∼2.5 at the Lyman limit; thus, our observations overlap with absorption line studies of Lyman limit systems at higher redshift. Our non-detections place a limit on the covering factor of such optically thick gas around M31 to

(at 90% confidence) for

. Although individual clouds have previously been found in the region between M31 and M33, the covering factor of strongly optically thick gas is quite small. Our upper limits on the covering factor are consistent with expectations from recent cosmological “zoom” simulations. Recent COS-Halos ultraviolet measurements of

absorption about an ensemble of galaxies at

show significantly higher covering factors within

at the same

, although the metal ion-to-

ratios appear to be consistent with those seen in M31.
Effects of the
and ϕ Mesons on the Properties of Massive Protoneutron Stars
Authors: Mu Xueling , Jia Huanyu , Zhou Xia , Wang Hui
Published: September 2017

The properties of massive neutron stars and protoneutron stars are studied in this work in the framework of relativistic mean-field theory. For certain choices of coupling parameters, a two-solar mass cold neutron star is obtained in the presence of hyperons, taking into account the influence of

and ϕ mesons. The model for the coupling parameters is then extrapolated to study the effects of

and ϕ mesons on the properties of massive protoneutron stars in different evolutionary stages. The coupling constants are determined by two different methods, and their corresponding influence on the equation of state, mass, radius, and temperature is studied. The effect of the strange mesons is different at different evolution stages of the neutron star. The properties of a protoneutron star corresponding to the mass of PSR J0348+0432 are also presented.
Quelles valeurs pour quelle politique de santé ?
Authors: Degos Laurent
Published: September 2017

Proposer une politique de santé optimale soulève de multiples questions que Laurent Degos analyse en s’appuyant sur une riche expérience professionnelle et sur les responsabilités assumées dans des instances françaises et étrangères. Son propos riche et documenté argumente bien l’une de ses conclusions : « Le rapport entre le résultat clinique et la dépense correspondante est la seule valeur à prendre en compte en santé. »
Co-création de valeur et technologie digitale : quel design pour ces plateformes d’engagement ? Le cas du Photomaton 2.0
Authors: Abbes Intissar , Troudy Yossra
Published: September 2017

Cette recherche traite du rôle des plateformes technologiques pour engager le client dans un processus de co-création de valeur avec l’entreprise. Le cas du Photomaton digital (Sharingbox) est étudié. Des entretiens semi-directifs menés auprès de clients participants à trois événements de marques mais aussi auprès de managers et de responsables de l’entreprise Sharingbox révèlent le rôle de cette technologie à engager les participants dans un acte de co-création en ligne avec la marque, acte qui peut se révéler engageant dans le temps. Cependant, l’efficacité de ces plateformes d’engagement semble contingente aux valeurs perçues de l’expérience de la technologie, à l’image de la marque et au profil de ses clients.
Processus transactionnels et doctorat par la validation des acquis de l’expérience. Enseignements d’une démarche expérimentale dans le champ de l’architecture
Authors: Lafont Pascal , Pariat Marcel
Published: September 2017

La VAE ouvre la possibilité de certifier des résultats d’apprentissage acquis dans des périmètres non formels d’éducation et de formation par l’obtention de certifications. Dans le cadre du doctorat par VAE, lorsque les institutions d’enseignement supérieur se positionnent en faveur du développement de ce dispositif, elles sont soumises à l’application d’un double cadre juridique qui relève des décrets d’application de la loi de modernisation sociale de 2002 et de la réglementation relative à la formation doctorale. Des compromis pratiques qui permettent la coopération apparaissent au fil des négociations et des prises de décisions institutionnelles. Une lecture analytique permet de mettre en exergue les représentations et les clivages entre les acteurs concernés, tout autant que de démontrer l’hypothèse selon laquelle si les processus transactionnels constituent un vecteur de développement du dispositif VAE au niveau doctoral c’est parce qu’ils permettent de surmonter les obstacles issus des tensions conflictuelles entre acteurs.
Le risque bancaire en zone euro
Authors: Blot Christophe , Hubert Paul
Published: September 2017

Cet article analyse les cycles du crédit et de l’activité bancaire dans la zone euro. La politique monétaire accommodante de la BCE soulève des interrogations concernant les risques induits d’instabilité bancaire. Les résultats ne suggèrent ni boom de crédit ni contraction excessive sur la période récente. Si la dynamique du crédit est orientée plus favorablement par rapport à sa tendance en France et en Allemagne, le cycle ne témoigne pas d’une hausse excessive. L’Espagne constitue un cas particulier puisqu’elle se distingue par la faiblesse du crédit rapporté au PIB, alors que l’encours de crédit rapporté aux capitaux et réserves du système bancaire se situe à un niveau historiquement élevé, suggérant une prise de risque excessive.
Les comportements de consommation des ménages ont-ils été affectés par la crise de 2008 ?
Authors: Antonin Céline , Plane Mathieu , Sampognaro Raul
Published: September 2017

Nous cherchons à expliquer l’évolution de la consommation dans cinq grands pays industrialisés (Allemagne, France, Espagne, Royaume-Uni et États-Unis) entre 1990 et 2015 à partir de ses déterminants traditionnels. Alors que la littérature sur les effets de richesse porte essentiellement sur la période antérieure à la crise de 2008, nous intégrons les années post-crise, distinguons des effets de richesse financière et immobilière par pays et utilisons une mesure de la richesse agrégée et désagrégée pour comparer l’ampleur des effets entre pays. Nous montrons que depuis la crise financière de 2008, les méthodes classiques d’estimation par pays échouent à prévoir la consommation des ménages. Nous proposons donc une méthode d’estimation en panel, qui permet de mieux tenir compte des chocs communs, d’obtenir des équations valides et de mesurer les effets richesse y compris après la crise. Conformément à la théorie et à une partie de la littérature empirique, nous n’observons pas d’effet de richesse significatif sur l’immobilier. En revanche, l’effet de richesse financière brute est significatif dans tous les pays (à l’exception de l’Allemagne). Il est élevé en Espagne où il y a eu un éclatement de la bulle immobilière et financière en 2007, avec une élasticité de la consommation à la richesse financière brute de 0,19. Suivent les États-Unis, où le marché financier est plus développé qu’en Europe continentale (élasticité de 0,14), puis enfin la France et le Royaume-Uni qui affichent des effets similaires (élasticité de 0,09).
Métaphysique du mariage d’après Thomas d’Aquin
Authors: Oliva Adriano
Published: September 2017

Pour répondre aux critiques d’Henry Donneaud, nous développons ici notre précédente étude à propos de la fin propre du mariage selon saint Thomas, en nous appuyant sur un plus grand nombre de textes. Nous montrons, d’une part, l’exactitude de notre exégèse de ces textes et la cohérence de notre étude avec l’enseignement métaphysique de l’Aquinate ; d’autre part, nous prouvons que, selon saint Thomas, la procréation ne peut pas être la fin propre du mariage, mais que c’est à l’essence même de celui-ci, l’amitié des conjoints, union indivisible de leurs esprits et de leurs cœurs, que ce rôle revient.
Heterotopía y capitalismo en arquitectura. La función ideológica de las heterotopías como discurso propio de la disciplina arquitectónica en la era de la gobernanza biopolítica
Authors: León Casero Jorge , Urabayen Julia
Published: September 2017

La práctica totalidad de los estudios sobre heterotopías producidos en la disciplina arquitectónica están orientados a la identificación o desarrollo de ciertos espacios como counter-sites capaces de generar resistencia frente a las técnicas disciplinares de un poder administrativo que normaliza y controla a los individuos. Por el contrario, este artículo sostiene que una vez que la concepción disciplinar del poder ha dado paso a la biopolítica y se ha completado el proceso de subsunción real de la sociedad en el capital, las heterotopías han comenzado a funcionar unívocamente, optimizando las relaciones de gobernanza y producción neoliberales, perdiendo el potencial emancipatorio que aún se les adjudica en favor de un funcionamiento ideológico y mistificante del poder que dicen resistir. Gracias al concepto de heterotopía, arquitectos, urbanistas y geógrafos funcionan todavía como técnicos al servicio directo del capital, mientras creen sinceramente en el potencial liberador de su trabajo.
Precedentes de la Arqueología de la Arquitectura en la historiografía artística: las investigaciones de Francisco M.ª Tubino en el Alcázar de Sevilla (1885)
Authors: De-Tena-Ramírez Carmen
Published: September 2017

Con este artículo pretendemos contribuir a la conciliación entre los estudios de Historia del Arte y de Arqueología de la Arquitectura, disciplinas que frecuentemente se han visto enfrentadas debido, fundamentalmente, a desavenencias entre sus métodos de trabajo. Para ello, presentamos y estudiamos un caso concreto, el de los estudios arqueológicos y artísticos llevados a cabo por Francisco M.ª Tubino en el Alcázar de Sevilla durante 1885. Estos trabajos fueron los primeros en realizarse en el conjunto monumental con un método de investigación analítico y sistemático, constituyendo un punto de inflexión en la historiografía artístico-arqueológica del siglo XIX. Consideramos que son fiel reflejo de una época en la cual los perfiles de historiador del arte y de arqueólogo no estaban tan definidos como en la actualidad, y que bien pueden ilustrarnos acerca de las ventajas que trae consigo la vinculación y coordinación entre los métodos arqueológicos y los histórico-artísticos.
El “antropoceno” al desnudo
Authors: Rull V.
Published: September 2017

El “Antropoceno”, definido como una nueva época geológica caracterizada por la huella humana global sobre el Sistema Tierra, se ha convertido en un término muy usado en una gran variedad de disciplinas. Sin embargo, todavía hay una serie de ideas equivocadas sobre el origen y la validez científica de este término. Un error muy común es pensar que el término y el concepto de “Antropoceno” se originaron a principios de este siglo, pero la verdad es que este concepto ya estaba plenamente desarrollado hace más de 140 años. Otra equivocación frecuente es considerar que el “Antropoceno” ya es un término geológico formal, cuando la realidad es que el proceso de su formalización como una nueva época de la Escala del Tiempo Geológico ni siquiera ha empezado. Otro aspecto muy poco tratado es la importancia del futuro cultural y evolutivo de nuestra especie en la eventual definición de una nueva época geológica como el “Antropoceno”. En este ensayo se discuten estos aspectos para una audiencia no especializada. Las posibles consecuencias de la presión humana incontrolada sobre el Sistema Tierra y la necesidad de reconsiderar nuestra relación con el planeta no se discuten aquí. El ensayo está centrado, únicamente, en la utilización de este argumento para proponer que hemos entrado en una nueva época de la Escala del Tiempo Geológico.
New plant distribution records for southern Namibia
Authors: Burke Antje
Published: September 2017

Background: A biodiversity zonation in the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape and delineation of environmentally sensitive areas along the Orange River was required for two conservation projects in the Ai-Ais–Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.Objectives: This required filling gaps in plant distribution data.Method: Field surveys of plants were undertaken during the period 2011–2013.Results: These field surveys generated two cross-border range extensions, which represented new records for Namibia (Ornithogalum decus-montium G.Will. and Salvia dentata Aiton). Five recently described or still undescribed plant species were collected (Chlorophytum boomense Kativu, Moraea thermarum Goldbl. Mann. and three Oxalis species) and several range extensions within Namibia were recorded (Euclea asperrima Holzh., Euryops lateriflorus (L.f.) DC and Othonna cyclophylla Merxm.).Conclusion: These findings highlighted the biodiversity importance of this area at the junction of three major biomes (Succulent Karoo, Desert and Nama Karoo) in the Gariep Centre of Endemism. More stringent reviews of environmental impact assessments are required and associated environmental management guidelines need to be implemented to ensure these newly discovered and rare plants are adequately protected.
Changes in ozone and precursors during two aged wildfire smoke events in the Colorado Front Range in summer 2015
Authors: Lindaas Jakob , Farmer Delphine K. , Pollack Ilana B. , Abeleira Andrew , Flocke Frank , Roscioli Rob , Herndon Scott , Fischer Emily V.
Published: September 2017

Abstract. The relative importance of wildfire smoke for air quality over the western US is expected to increase as the climate warms and anthropogenic emissions decline. We report on in situ measurements of ozone (O3), a suite of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and reactive oxidized nitrogen species collected during summer 2015 at the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory (BAO) in Erie, CO. Aged wildfire smoke impacted BAO during two distinct time periods during summer 2015: 6–10 July and 16–30 August. The smoke was transported from the Pacific Northwest and Canada across much of the continental US. Carbon monoxide and particulate matter increased during the smoke-impacted periods, along with peroxyacyl nitrates and several VOCs that have atmospheric lifetimes longer than the transport timescale of the smoke. During the August smoke-impacted period, nitrogen dioxide was also elevated during the morning and evening compared to the smoke-free periods. There were nine empirically defined high-O3 days during our study period at BAO, and two of these days were smoke impacted. We examined the relationship between O3 and temperature at BAO and found that for a given temperature, O3 mixing ratios were greater (∼ 10 ppbv) during the smoke-impacted periods. Enhancements in O3 during the August smoke-impacted period were also observed at two long-term monitoring sites in Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park and the Arapahoe National Wildlife Refuge near Walden, CO. Our data provide a new case study of how aged wildfire smoke can influence atmospheric composition at an urban site, and how smoke can contribute to increased O3 abundances across an urban–rural gradient.
Sectorial and regional uncertainty analysis of the contribution of anthropogenic emissions to regional and global PM2.5 health impacts
Authors: Crippa Monica , Janssens-Maenhout Greet , Guizzardi Diego , Van Dingenen Rita , Dentener Frank
Published: September 2017

Abstract. In this work we couple the HTAPv2.2 global air pollutant emission inventory with the global source receptor model TM5-FASST to evaluate the relative contribution of the major anthropogenic emission sources (power generation, industry, ground transport, residential, agriculture and international shipping) to air quality and human health in 2010. We focus on particulate matter (PM) concentrations because of the relative importance of PM2.5 emissions in populated areas and the proven cumulative negative effects on human health. We estimate that in 2010 regional annual averaged anthropogenic PM2.5 concentrations varied between ca. 1 and 40 μg/m3 depending on the region, with the highest concentrations observed in China and India, and lower concentrations in Europe and North America. The relative contribution of anthropogenic emission source sectors to PM2.5 concentrations varies between the regions. European PM pollution is mainly influenced by the agricultural and residential sectors, while the major contributing sectors to PM pollution in Asia and the emerging economies are the power generation, industrial and residential sectors. We also evaluate the emission sectors and emission regions in which pollution reduction measures would lead to the largest improvement on the overall air quality. We show that in order to improve air quality, regional policies should be implemented (e.g. in Europe) due to the transboundary features of PM pollution. In addition, we investigate emission inventory uncertainties and their propagation to PM2.5 concentrations, in order to identify the most effective strategies to be implemented at sector and regional level to improve emission inventories knowledge and air quality. We show that the uncertainty of PM concentrations depends not only on the uncertainty of local emission inventories but also on that of the surrounding regions. Finally, we propagate emission inventories uncertainty to PM concentrations and health impacts.