bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymerizable Ionic Liquid Crystals Comprising Polyoxometalate Clusters toward Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Solid Electrolytes
Authors: Ito Takeru , Otobe Saki , Oda Tatsuma , Kojima Tatsuhiro , Ono Seiji , Watanabe Masayuki , Kiyota Yoshiki , Misawa Toshiyuki , Koguchi Shinichi , Higuchi Masashi , Kawano Masaki , Nagase Yu
Published: July 2017

Solid electrolytes are crucial materials for lithium-ion or fuel-cell battery technology due to their structural stability and easiness for handling. Emergence of high conductivity in solid electrolytes requires precise control of the composition and structure. A promising strategy toward highly-conductive solid electrolytes is employing a thermally-stable inorganic component and a structurally-flexible organic moiety to construct inorganic-organic hybrid materials. Ionic liquids as the organic component will be advantageous for the emergence of high conductivity, and polyoxometalate, such as heteropolyacids, are well-known as inorganic proton conductors. Here, newly-designed ionic liquid imidazolium cations, having a polymerizable methacryl group (denoted as MAImC1), were successfully hybridized with heteropolyanions of [PW12O40]3− (PW12) to form inorganic-organic hybrid monomers of MAImC1-PW12. The synthetic procedure of MAImC1-PW12 was a simple ion-exchange reaction, being generally applicable to several polyoxometalates, in principle. MAImC1-PW12 was obtained as single crystals, and its molecular and crystal structures were clearly revealed. Additionally, the hybrid monomer of MAImC1-PW12 was polymerized by a radical polymerization using AIBN as an initiator. Some of the resulting inorganic-organic hybrid polymers exhibited conductivity of 10−4 S·cm−1 order under humidified conditions at 313 K.
Valuation of Non-Life Liabilities from Claims Triangles
Authors: Lindholm Mathias , Lindskog Filip , Wahl Felix
Published: July 2017

This paper provides a complete program for the valuation of aggregate non-life insurance liability cash flows based on claims triangle data. The valuation is fully consistent with the principle of valuation by considering the costs associated with a transfer of the liability to a so-called reference undertaking subject to capital requirements throughout the runoff of the liability cash flow. The valuation program includes complete details on parameter estimation, bias correction and conservative estimation of the value of the liability under partial information. The latter is based on a new approach to the estimation of mean squared error of claims reserve prediction.
Aerosol Optical Properties and Associated Direct Radiative Forcing over the Yangtze River Basin during 2001–2015
Authors: He Lijie , Wang Lunche , Lin Aiwen , Zhang Ming , Bilal Muhammad , Tao Minghui
Published: July 2017

The spatiotemporal variation of aerosol optical depth at 550 nm (AOD550), Ångström exponent at 470–660 nm (AE470–660), water vapor content (WVC), and shortwave (SW) instantaneous aerosol direct radiative effects (IADRE) at the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) in clear skies obtained from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) are quantitatively analyzed over the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) in China during 2001–2015. The annual and seasonal frequency distributions of AE470–660 and AOD550 reveal the dominance of fine aerosol particles over YRB. The regional average AOD550 is 0.49 ± 0.31, with high value in spring (0.58 ± 0.35) and low value in winter (0.42 ± 0.29). The higher AOD550 (≥0.6) is observed in midstream and downstream regions of YRB and Sichuan Basin due to local anthropogenic emissions and long-distance transport of dust particles, while lower AOD550 (≤0.3) is in high mountains of upstream regions. The IADRE is estimated using a linear relationship between SW upward flux and coincident AOD550 from CERES and MODIS at the satellite passing time. The regional average IADRE is −35.60 ± 6.71 Wm−2, with high value (−40.71 ± 6.86 Wm−2) in summer and low value (−29.19 ± 7.04 Wm−2) in winter, suggesting a significant cooling effect at TOA. The IADRE at TOA is lower over Yangtze River Delta (YRD) (≤−30 Wm−2) and higher in midstream region of YRB, Sichuan Basin and the source area of YRB (≥−45 Wm−2). The correlation coefficient between the 15-year monthly IADRE and AOD550 values is 0.63, which confirms the consistent spatiotemporal variation patterns over most of the YRB. However, a good agreement between IADRE and AOD is not observed in YRD and the source area of YRB, which is probably due to the combined effects of aerosol and surface properties.
Criteria Comparison for Classifying Peatland Vegetation Types Using In Situ Hyperspectral Measurements
Authors: Erudel Thierry , Fabre Sophie , Houet Thomas , Mazier Florence , Briottet Xavier
Published: July 2017

This study aims to evaluate three classes of methods to discriminate between 13 peatland vegetation types using reflectance data. These vegetation types were empirically defined according to their composition, strata and biodiversity richness. On one hand, it is assumed that the same vegetation type spectral signatures have similarities. Consequently, they can be compared to a reference spectral database. To catch those similarities, several similarities criteria (related to distances (Euclidean distance, Manhattan distance, Canberra distance) or spectral shapes (Spectral Angle Mapper) or probabilistic behaviour (Spectral Information Divergence)) and several mathematical transformations of spectral signatures enhancing absorption features (such as the first derivative or the second derivative, the normalized spectral signature, the continuum removal, the continuum removal derivative reflectance, the log transformation) were investigated. Furthermore, those similarity measures were applied on spectral ranges which characterize specific biophysical properties. On the other hand, we suppose that specific biophysical properties/components may help to discriminate between vegetation types applying supervised classification such as Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Regularized Logistic Regression (RLR), Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). Biophysical components can be used in a local way considering vegetation spectral indices or in a global way considering spectral ranges and transformed spectral signatures, as explained above. RLR classifier applied on spectral vegetation indices (training size = 25%) was able to achieve 77.21% overall accuracy in discriminating peatland vegetation types. It was also able to discriminate between 83.95% vegetation types considering specific spectral range [[range-phrase = –]3501350 n m ], first derivative of spectral signatures and training size = 25%. Conversely, similarity criterion was able to achieve 81.70% overall accuracy using the Canberra distance computed on the full spectral range [[range-phrase = –]3502500 n m ]. The results of this study suggest that RLR classifier and similarity criteria are promising to map the different vegetation types with high ecological values despite vegetation heterogeneity and mixture.
Radial Distance Estimation with Tapered Whisker Sensors
Authors: Ahn Sejoon , Kim DaeEun
Published: July 2017

Rats use their whiskers as tactile sensors to sense their environment. Active whisking, moving whiskers back and forth continuously, is one of prominent features observed in rodents. They can discriminate different textures or extract features of a nearby object such as size, shape and distance through active whisking. There have been studies to localize objects with artificial whiskers inspired by rat whiskers. The linear whisker model based on beam theory has been used to estimate the radial distance, that is, the distance between the base of the whisker and a target object. In this paper, we investigate deflection angle measurements instead of forces or moments, based on a linear tapered whisker model to see the role of tapered whiskers found in real animals. We analyze how accurately this model estimates the radial distance, and quantify the estimation errors and noise sensitivity. We also compare the linear model simulation and nonlinear numerical solutions. It is shown that the radial distance can be estimated using deflection angles at two different positions on the tapered whisker. We argue that the tapered whisker has an advantage of estimating the radial distance better, as compared to an untapered whisker, and active sensing allows that estimation without the whisker’s material property and thickness or the moment at base. In addition, we investigate the potential of passive sensing for tactile localization.
Amperometric Microsensors Monitoring Glutamate-Evoked In Situ Responses of Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide from Live Human Neuroblastoma Cells
Authors: Ha Yejin , Heo Chaejeong , Woo Juhyun , Ryu Hyunwoo , Lee Youngmi , Suh and Minah
Published: July 2017

In the brain, nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) are important signaling gases which have multifaceted roles, such as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and vasodilators. Even though it is difficult to measure NO and CO in a living system due to their high diffusibility and extremely low release levels, electrochemical sensors are promising tools to measure in vivo and in vitro NO and CO gases. In this paper, using amperometric dual and septuple NO/CO microsensors, real-time NO and CO changes evoked by glutamate were monitored simultaneously for human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. In cultures, the cells were differentiated and matured into functional neurons by retinoic acid and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. When glutamate was administrated to the cells, both NO and CO increases and subsequent decreases returning to the basal levels were observed with a dual NO/CO microsensor. In order to facilitate sensor’s measurement, a flower-type septuple NO/CO microsensor was newly developed and confirmed in terms of the sensitivity and selectivity. The septuple microsensor was employed for the measurements of NO and CO changes as a function of distances from the position of glutamate injection. Our sensor measurements revealed that only functionally differentiated cells responded to glutamate and released NO and CO.
Dynamic Hierarchical Energy-Efficient Method Based on Combinatorial Optimization for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Chang Yuchao , Tang Hongying , Cheng Yongbo , Zhao Qin , Yuan Baoqing
Published: July 2017

Routing protocols based on topology control are significantly important for improving network longevity in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Traditionally, some WSN routing protocols distribute uneven network traffic load to sensor nodes, which is not optimal for improving network longevity. Differently to conventional WSN routing protocols, we propose a dynamic hierarchical protocol based on combinatorial optimization (DHCO) to balance energy consumption of sensor nodes and to improve WSN longevity. For each sensor node, the DHCO algorithm obtains the optimal route by establishing a feasible routing set instead of selecting the cluster head or the next hop node. The process of obtaining the optimal route can be formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem. Specifically, the DHCO algorithm is carried out by the following procedures. It employs a hierarchy-based connection mechanism to construct a hierarchical network structure in which each sensor node is assigned to a special hierarchical subset; it utilizes the combinatorial optimization theory to establish the feasible routing set for each sensor node, and takes advantage of the maximum–minimum criterion to obtain their optimal routes to the base station. Various results of simulation experiments show effectiveness and superiority of the DHCO algorithm in comparison with state-of-the-art WSN routing algorithms, including low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH), hybrid energy-efficient distributed clustering (HEED), genetic protocol-based self-organizing network clustering (GASONeC), and double cost function-based routing (DCFR) algorithms.
Dual-Source Linear Energy Prediction (LINE-P) Model in the Context of WSNs
Authors: Ahmed Faisal , Tamberg Gert , Le Moullec Yannick , Annus Paul
Published: July 2017

Energy harvesting technologies such as miniature power solar panels and micro wind turbines are increasingly used to help power wireless sensor network nodes. However, a major drawback of energy harvesting is its varying and intermittent characteristic, which can negatively affect the quality of service. This calls for careful design and operation of the nodes, possibly by means of, e.g., dynamic duty cycling and/or dynamic frequency and voltage scaling. In this context, various energy prediction models have been proposed in the literature; however, they are typically compute-intensive or only suitable for a single type of energy source. In this paper, we propose Linear Energy Prediction “LINE-P”, a lightweight, yet relatively accurate model based on approximation and sampling theory; LINE-P is suitable for dual-source energy harvesting. Simulations and comparisons against existing similar models have been conducted with low and medium resolutions (i.e., 60 and 22 min intervals/24 h) for the solar energy source (low variations) and with high resolutions (15 min intervals/24 h) for the wind energy source. The results show that the accuracy of the solar-based and wind-based predictions is up to approximately 98% and 96%, respectively, while requiring a lower complexity and memory than the other models. For the cases where LINE-P’s accuracy is lower than that of other approaches, it still has the advantage of lower computing requirements, making it more suitable for embedded implementation, e.g., in wireless sensor network coordinator nodes or gateways.
Control Measurements of Crane Rails Performed by Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Authors: Kregar Klemen , Možina Jan , Ambrožič Tomaž , Kogoj Dušan , Marjetič Aleš , Štebe Gašper , Savšek Simona
Published: July 2017

This article presents a method for measuring the geometry of crane rails with terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). Two sets of crane rails were divided into segments, their planes were adjusted, and the characteristic rail lines were defined. We used their profiles to define the positional and altitude deviations of the rails, the span and height difference between the two rails, and we also verified that they complied with the Eurocode 3 standard. We tested the method on crane rails at the hydroelectric power plant in Krško and the thermal power plant in Brestanica. We used two scanning techniques: “pure” TLS (Riegel VZ-400) and “hybrid” TLS (Leica MS50) scanning. This article’s original contribution lies in the detailed presentation of the computations used to define the characteristic lines of the rails without using the numeric procedures from existing software packages. We also analysed the influence of segment length and point density on the rail geometry results, and compared the two laser scanning techniques. We also compared the results obtained by terrestrial laser scanning with the results obtained from the classic polar method, which served as a reference point for its precision.
Reversed-Phase UHPLC Enantiomeric Separation of Rasagiline Salts Using a Chiralpak® AGP Column
Authors: Balaji Nagarajan , Sultana Sayeeda
Published: July 2017

We report the first rapid ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) enantiomeric reversed-phase separation of rasagiline mesylate and its tartrate salts using a Chiralpak® AGP column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 5 μm) as a stationary phase. This method was developed as an alternative to the usage of previously reported normal-phase chiral LC columns for isomer separation. Our method is based on an isocratic approach using a mixture of ammonium acetate and isopropyl alcohol (90:10, v/v) as the mobile phase (0.6 mL/min flow rate). The detection limit (at a detection wavelength of 210 nm) and quantification limit for the rasagiline enantiomers were 0.06 and 0.2 μg/mL, respectively. This method is compatible with the UHPLC-MS technique. The successful separation of rasagiline and its enantiomer was confirmed by determining the corresponding specific optical rotation values. Our method will be applicable for detecting rasagiline enantiomers during the control of manufacturing processes, and for use in rapid analysis for quality control in pharmaceutical industry to obtain optically pure pharmaceutical substances. This method was validated in terms of its precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification, linearity, accuracy, robustness, ruggedness, specificity, forced degradation, and solution stability, according to International Council on Harmonization Validation Guidelines Q2 (R1).
Predicting Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions of Excavators in Earthwork Operations: An Artificial Neural Network Model
Authors: Jassim Hassanean , Lu Weizhuo , Olofsson Thomas
Published: July 2017

Excavators are one of the most energy-intensive elements of earthwork operations. Predicting the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of excavators is therefore critical in order to mitigate the environmental impact of earthwork operations. However, there is a lack of method for estimating such energy consumption and CO2 emissions, especially during the early planning stages of these activities. This research proposes a model using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict an excavator’s hourly energy consumption and CO2 emissions under different site conditions. The proposed ANN model includes five input parameters: digging depth, cycle time, bucket payload, engine horsepower, and load factor. The Caterpillar handbook’s data, that included operational characteristics of twenty-five models of excavators, were used to develop the training and testing sets for the ANN model. The proposed ANN models were also designed to identify which factors from all the input parameters have the greatest impact on energy and emissions, based on partitioning weight analysis. The results showed that the proposed ANN models can provide an accurate estimating tool for the early planning stage to predict the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of excavators. Analyses have revealed that, within all the input parameters, cycle time has the greatest impact on energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The findings from the research enable the control of crucial factors which significantly impact on energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Spatial Variations and Determinants of Per Capita Household CO2 Emissions (PHCEs) in China
Authors: Liu Lina , Qu Jiansheng , Clarke-Sather Afton , Maraseni Tek , Pang Jiaxing
Published: July 2017

In China, household CO2 emissions (HCEs) are increasing due to economic development and accelerated urbanization. This paper details the spatial variations of per capita household CO2 emissions (PHCEs) in China and the factors impacting PHCEs using spatial statistical analysis and a spatial panel data model for the period from 1997 to 2014. Our results indicate that (1) there has been high provincial variation in rates of change across China, with some provinces’ PHCEs increasing by an order of magnitude from 1997 to 2014; (2) the Global Moran’s I of PHCEs are above 0, and the spatial differences between PHCEs are caused by the High-High cluster and Low-Low cluster in China; (3) a 1% increase of per capita income, education level, and urbanization will result in increases in PHCEs of 0.6990%, 0.0149%, and 0.0044%, respectively, whilst a 1% increase in household size will result in a 0.0496% decrease in PHCEs. There are a large number of factors impacting CO2 emissions, while there is little specific guidance on the spatial variations and provincial characteristics of CO2 emissions from the perspective of household consumption.
Long Term Quantification of Climate and Land Cover Change Impacts on Streamflow in an Alpine River Catchment, Northwestern China
Authors: Yin Zhenliang , Feng Qi , Yang Linshan , Wen Xiaohu , Si Jianhua , Zou Songbing
Published: July 2017

Quantifying the long term impacts of climate and land cover change on streamflow is of great important for sustainable water resources management in inland river basins. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was employed to simulate the streamflow in the upper reaches of Heihe River Basin, northwestern China, over the last half century. The Sequential Uncertainty Fitting algorithm (SUFI-2) was selected to calibrate and validate the SWAT model. The results showed that both Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and determination coefficient (R2) were over 0.93 for calibration and validation periods, the percent bias (PBIAS) of the two periods were—3.47% and 1.81%, respectively. The precipitation, average, maximum, and minimum air temperature were all showing increasing trends, with 14.87 mm/10 years, 0.30 °C/10 years, 0.27 °C/10 year, and 0.37 °C/10 years, respectively. Runoff coefficient has increased from 0.36 (averaged during 1964 to 1988) to 0.39 (averaged during 1989 to 2013). Based on the SWAT simulation, we quantified the contribution of climate and land cover change to streamflow change, indicated that the land cover change had a positive impact on river discharge by increasing 7.12% of the streamflow during 1964 to 1988, and climate change contributed 14.08% for the streamflow increasing over last 50 years. Meanwhile, the climate change impact was intensive after 2000s. The increasing of streamflow contributed to the increasing of total streamflow by 64.1% for cold season (November to following March) and 35.9% for warm season (April to October). The results provide some references for dealing with climate and land cover change in an inland river basin for water resource management and planning.
Expressions of Rock Joint Roughness Coefficient Using Neutrosophic Interval Statistical Numbers
Authors: Chen Jiqian , Ye Jun , Du Shigui , Yong Rui
Published: July 2017

In nature, the mechanical properties of geological bodies are very complex, and their various mechanical parameters are vague, incomplete, imprecise, and indeterminate. However, we cannot express them by the crisp values in classical probability and statistics. In geotechnical engineering, we need to try our best to approximate exact values in indeterminate environments because determining the joint roughness coefficient (JRC) effectively is a key parameter in the shear strength between rock joint surfaces. In this original study, we first propose neutrosophic interval probability (NIP) and define the confidence degree based on the cosine measure between NIP and the ideal NIP. Then, we propose a new neutrosophic interval statistical number (NISN) by combining the neutrosophic number with the confidence degree to express indeterminate statistical information. Finally, we apply NISNs to express JRC under indeterminate (imprecise, incomplete, and uncertain, etc.) environments. By an actual case, the results demonstrate that NISNs are suitable and effective for JRC expressions and have the objective advantage.
Perturbation of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Particle Morphology by Differential Gag Co-Packaging
Authors: Maldonado José , Angert Isaac , Cao Sheng , Berk Serkan , Zhang Wei , Mueller Joachim , Mansky Louis
Published: July 2017

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is an important cancer-causing human retrovirus that has infected approximately 15 million individuals worldwide. Many aspects of HTLV-1 replication, including virus particle structure and assembly, are poorly understood. Group-specific antigen (Gag) proteins labeled at the carboxy terminus with a fluorophore protein have been used extensively as a surrogate for fluorescence studies of retroviral assembly. How these tags affect Gag stoichiometry and particle morphology has not been reported in detail. In this study, we used an HTLV-1 Gag expression construct with the yellow fluorescence protein (YFP) fused to the carboxy-terminus as a surrogate for the HTLV-1 Gag-Pol to assess the effects of co-packaging of Gag and a Gag-YFP on virus-like particle (VLP) morphology and analyzed particles by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy (FFS) were also used to determine the Gag stoichiometry. We found that ratios of 3:1 (Gag:Gag-YFP) or greater resulted in a particle morphology indistinguishable from that of VLPs produced with the untagged HTLV-1 Gag, i.e., a mean diameter of ~113 nm and a mass of 220 MDa as determined by cryo-TEM and STEM, respectively. Furthermore, FFS analysis indicated that HTLV-1 Gag-YFP was incorporated into VLPs in a predictable manner at the 3:1 Gag:Gag-YFP ratio. Both STEM and FFS analyses found that the Gag copy number in VLPs produced with a 3:1 ratio of Gag:Gag-YFP was is in the range of 1500–2000 molecules per VLP. The observations made in this study indicate that biologically relevant Gag–Gag interactions occur between Gag and Gag-YFP at ratios of 3:1 or higher and create a Gag lattice structure in VLPs that is morphologically indistinguishable from that of VLPs produced with just untagged Gag. This information is useful for the quantitative analysis of Gag–Gag interactions that occur during virus particle assembly and in released immature particles.
A Hybrid Model for Forecasting Groundwater Levels Based on Fuzzy C-Mean Clustering and Singular Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Polomčić Dušan , Gligorić Zoran , Bajić Dragoljub , Cvijović Čedomir
Published: July 2017

Having the ability to forecast groundwater levels is very significant because of their vital role in basic functions related to efficiency and the sustainability of water supplies. The uncertainty which dominates our understanding of the functioning of water supply systems is of great significance and arises as a consequence of the time-unbalanced water consumption rate and the deterioration of the recharge conditions of captured aquifers. The aim of this paper is to present a hybrid model based on fuzzy C-mean clustering and singular spectrum analysis to forecast the weekly values of the groundwater level of a groundwater source. This hybrid model demonstrates how the fuzzy C-mean can be used to transform the sequence of the observed data into a sequence of fuzzy states, serving as a basis for the forecasting of future states by singular spectrum analysis. In this way, the forecasting efficiency is improved, because we predict the interval rather than the crisp value where the level will be. It gives much more flexibility to the engineers when managing and planning sustainable water supplies. A model is tested by using the observed weekly time series of the groundwater source, located near the town of Čačak in south-western Serbia.
A Case of "Disneyization"? The Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Hiu Yan
Published: July 2017

The Bun Festival is an important cultural event on Cheung Chau, an outlying island in Hong Kong, best known for its "bun snatching" competition, in which competitors scramble up bamboo towers covered with steamed buns, vying to retrieve the greatest number of buns within a time limit.
Originating as a traditional Taoist ritual, the Festival has recently emerged as a popular tourism event. This article explores the evolutionary process of the Festival from a local folk religious practice into a themed event. The researchers discuss the perceptions of visitors and residents
towards the changing Festival, and their concerns about development. Applying Bryman's four trends of "Disneyization," it is observed that the contemporary Bun Festival has parallels with the development and marketing of the various Disney parks. In addition to socioeconomic problems associated
with the huge influx of tourists on this normally tranquil island, the article proposes that transformation into a tourism spectacle has caused the loss of the event's uniqueness and threatens its cultural authenticity.
Evidence for environment‐dependent introgression of adaptive genes between two red oak species with different drought adaptations
Authors: Khodwekar Sudhir , Gailing Oliver
Published: July 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Introgression of adaptive alleles between hybridizing species is likely an important mechanism to generate new genetic variation for adaptation to rapidly changing environmental conditions. Oaks provide a model for the study of adaptive gene introgression because environmental selection maintains high interspecific differentiation at a few outlier loci and species‐specific adaptations despite recurrent interspecific gene flow. Previously, we identified a CONSTANS‐like gene under strong divergent selection between drought‐tolerant Quercus ellipsoidalis and drought‐averse Quercus rubra. Neighboring (parapatric) populations of both species were fixed for alternate alleles, Q. ellipsoidalis for allele 138 and Q. rubra for allele 141.

METHODS:

In this study, we analyzed introgression of these outlier alleles in sympatric and in parapatric Q. rubra/Q. ellipsoidalis populations.

KEY RESULTS:

We found evidence that environmental selection affected the level and direction of outlier allele introgression. Thus, in the face of symmetric interspecific gene flow, outlier allele introgression was asymmetric and introgression of allele 138 into Q. rubra was consistently higher than introgression of allele 141 into Q. ellipsoidalis in sympatric populations, but the opposite pattern was found in parapatric populations. Furthermore, the rate of introgression of outlier alleles between species in sympatric stands was related to soil quality (i.e., soil water holding capacity, nutrient availability).

CONCLUSIONS:

This pattern suggests that introgression of adaptive genes between these two red oak species is strongly affected by environmental selection and is an important mechanism for species’ adaptation to changing environmental conditions in a changing climate.
Serologic evidence and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in animals and humans
Authors: Elhariri Mahmoud , Elhelw Rehab , Hamza Dalia , El-Mahallawy Heba Sayed
Published: July 2017

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common bacterial infections among humans worldwide. Although many records imply its interfamilial acquisition, the role of animals remains poorly understood. This study was undertaken to investigate the seroprevalence of H. pylori in animals and their human contacts in Cairo and Giza governorates, Egypt.

Methodology: Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect IgG antibodies to H. pylori in dogs, cattle, and humans.

Results: Seropositive dogs (35/94; 37.2%), cattle (24/80; 30%) and humans (40/90; 44.4%) were found. Seroprevalence in animals significantly varied in different areas of sample collection, but there was no association with sex or age. Human seropositivity rates were associated with increasing age; moreover, seropositive dog owners (51.7%; 15/29), had seropositive dogs. However, infection was not associated with subject's sex, occupation, or history of animal contact.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate H. pylori is widely distributed in cattle and dogs and their human contacts in Cairo and Giza, Egypt. Further studies to determine infection in other occupational groups are needed. This study provides baseline information on the seroprevalence of H. pylori, which may be required to begin prevention control programs in our area.
The Relationship Between Synovial Pathobiology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Humby Frances , Mahto Arti , Ahmed Muaaze , Barr Andrew , Kelly Stephen , Buch Maya , Pitzalis Costantino , Conaghan Philip G.
Published: July 2017

Objective.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been increasingly recognized as a critical tool for the assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is able to reliably identify synovitis, bone marrow edema, bone erosion, and joint space narrowing (JSN)/cartilage loss. Understanding the exact relationship between each MRI feature and local synovial pathobiology is critical to dissect disease pathogenesis as well as develop future predictive models.

Methods.

A systematic review was performed of the current published literature examining the relationship between MRI abnormalities and synovial pathobiology in patients with RA.

Results.

Eighteen studies were identified; most focused on validation of MRI as a tool to detect and quantify synovitis, with a significant relationship demonstrated. Additionally, from the limited data available, a critical role seems likely for synovial pathways, at least in driving joint damage. However, there was a lack of data examining the relationship between synovial pathobiology and bone marrow abnormalities and JSN.

Conclusion.

Although understanding the interrelationship of these disease biomarkers offers the potential to enhance the predictive validity of modern imaging with concomitant synovial pathobiological analysis, further studies integrating MRI with synovial tissue analysis in well-controlled cohorts at distinct disease stages before and after therapeutic intervention are required to achieve this.
La vaisselle en bronze d’époque romaine trouvée à Bavay
Authors: Nicolas Delphine
Published: July 2017

Le site de Bavay a livré 137 récipients en alliages cuivreux, dont 80 ont pu être localisés. Leur étude révèle les modes de consommation des élites, grâce à la confrontation avec les données issues d’autres villes (Reims, Trèves, Avenches, Pompéi) et d’autres matériaux (verre et céramique notamment). Bavay dispose ainsi d’un ensemble majoritairement issu de la période allant du ii e s. jusqu’au milieu du iii e s. ; ce qui la rapproche de villes comme Reims, tout en mettant en évidence de fortes différences avec Trèves ou encore Avenches, dont la vaisselle en bronze date surtout du i er s. Les récipients nerviens appartiennent aussi en grande majorité à la vaisselle de table. Cet usage ostentatoire de la vaisselle en bronze se retrouve ailleurs en Gaule (Reims, Trèves, Avenches) mais visiblement pas en Italie (Pompéi), où ces récipients sont majoritairement employés à des fins utilitaires.
Du camp napoléonien d’Étaples à Pompéi. Discussion sur la place de la vaisselle en métal dans les maisonnées romaines
Authors: Deru Xavier , Lemaire Frédéric , Nicolas Delphine
Published: July 2017

La fouille du camp napoléonien d’Étaples a inspiré la définition d’un modèle sur le rapport entre la vaisselle en métal et celle en céramique ; la forte proportion de couvercles en terre témoignerait d’une part importante de récipients en métal. Transposé aux contextes romains, on constate que la proportion de céramique à feu diminue au fil d’une descente du nord de la Gaule en Italie et à l’inverse une augmentation des couvercles. La batterie de cuisine ne serait pas composée de récipients en métal dans le nord, alors qu’à Pompéi, comme cela est prouvé, elle en comporterait de nombreuses pièces.
Aperçu de la céramique domestique en usage à Hazebrouck (Nord) pendant l’époque moderne
Authors: Herbin Patrice , Pilard Virginie , Louvion Christine , Oueslati Tarek
Published: July 2017

Un diagnostic réalisé en centre ville d’Hazebrouck a révélé quelques fosses et fossés ; le mobilier céramique date ceux-ci de l’époque moderne. Si les structures ont été fortement perturbées par des aménagements contemporains, le lot de céramique, relativement homogène, fournit un aperçu du répertoire domestique en usage à Hazebrouck pendant le xvii e s. Par ailleurs, le lot de matériel a livré quelques pièces plus atypiques comme des pochonnés estampillés et un lissoir à étoffe en terre cuite glaçurée.
Éléments de culture matérielle du début du XX e s. à Villeneuve-d’Ascq « La Haute Borne »
Authors: Gomes Manuel , Deflorenne Carole , Delmont Estelle , Maréchal Denis
Published: July 2017

La fouille d’un habitat contemporain situé au lieu-dit « La Haute Borne » à Villeneuve-d’Ascq a permis la mise au jour d’un ensemble exceptionnel d’artefacts, daté des alentours de 1900. L’examen de cet assemblage permet d’alimenter les recherches archéologiques et historiques régionales à plusieurs titres. Catégories et types d’objets sont caractérisés et quantifiés. L’ensemble des inscriptions fournit les arguments de datation de l’assemblage ; l’inventaire quantifié des marques de faïenceries autorise pour sa part des conclusions touchant à l’économie. Il renvoie l’image d’un bassin transfrontalier de production industrielle orienté est-ouest, appuyé par un réseau fluvial navigable et des charbonnages. Les productions céramiques peuvent provenir massivement d’usines éloignées de la région lilloise, comme celles de Maastricht. L’assemblage est très majoritairement composé de récipients en céramique et en verre. La vaisselle témoigne de pratiques culinaires qui montrent une prépondérance de la cuisson à l’eau. Le déficit quantitatif constaté pour la vaisselle à feu pointe l’usage de récipients métalliques pour la cuisson. Le reste du répertoire est principalement consacré à l’hygiène et à la santé. Les emballages sont les témoins matériels des débuts de la société de consommation, et permettent ici d’interroger les relations sociales qu’entretiennent les ruraux avec la ville.
Le castrum et le forum de Lille au xi e s. : nouvelle synthèse des données historiques et archéologiques
Authors: Dessaux Nicolas
Published: July 2017

L’examen des découvertes archéologiques et la relecture des sources historiques concernant l’histoire de Lille au xi e s., lors des premières mentions manuscrites de la ville, permet de proposer une nouvelle hypothèse concernant ses éléments structurants. Les indices concernant le castrum permettent de restituer une forme quasi-circulaire, qui évoque les enceintes carolingiennes de la côte flamande. Le forum , traditionnellement identifié à la Grand-Place, pourrait se réduire à un triangle plus resserré, adossé au castrum . La motte Madame serait un réduit défensif associé au castrum , sans doute postérieur. D’autres éléments, tels que l’atelier monétaire ou l’ Aula comtale, sont également discutés.
Le Tribunal révolutionnaire : justice et injustices sous la Révolution
Authors: Halpérin Jean-Louis
Published: July 2017

L’époque révolutionnaire a été traversée de contradictions dans la justice, marquées par la coexistence entre les formes judiciaires et les injustices envers les innocents. Les réformes judiciaires de la Constituante avaient refusé d’établir des juridictions d’exception et avaient institué le Tribunal de cassation pour contrôler la légalité de la plupart des décisions rendues en dernier ressort. Pourtant, la constitution de 1791 établira une Haute Cour de justice pour juger des crimes contre la sûreté de l’État. La loi, « palladium de la liberté » deviendra, dans un contexte de guerre et de terreur pour maintenir la République, un instrument de répression politique pour éliminer les ennemis. De 1793 à 1795, le Tribunal révolutionnaire est bien « le crime et l’erreur de la Révolution ».
Le procès Fieschi : un procès politique ?
Authors: Jugnot Gérard
Published: July 2017

Le 28 juillet 1835, Louis-Philippe et ses trois fils sont victimes d’un attentat commis par cinq protagonistes et qui fit de nombreuses victimes. Fieschi, blessé lui-même par la machine infernale qu’il avait construite, n’avait pas de vrais mobiles politiques à présenter. Il était juste aigri par le manque de reconnaissance de son entourage pour ses actes lorsqu’il servait l’armée de Napoléon. C’est pourtant la Cour des pairs, inscrite dans la Charte de 1830, qui le condamnera comme parricide et retiendra la qualification de conspiration politique en raison des liens de ses complices avec la société des droits de l’homme qui contestait la légitimité du régime en place.
Justice et politique en Italie : les procès de mafia ( xix e - xx e siècle)
Authors: de Saint-Victor Jacques
Published: July 2017

Reconnues depuis 1982 associations criminelles, les mafias, dès leur origine au début du xix e siècle, ont tiré leur puissance des dimensions relationnelles avec la sphère institutionnelle et sociale, clans criminels et élites bourgeoises se mélangeant dans cette « bourgeoisie mafieuse » . Ce phénomène criminel hors du commun a longtemps bénéficié d’impunité. L’affaiblissement de la mafia résulte d’une offensive législative et judiciaire exercée dans le respect de l’équilibre entre les exigences de sécurité et le respect des libertés.
Témoigner contre la terreur (1935-1953)
Authors: Salas Denis
Published: July 2017

Les deux séquences de procès politiques étudiées dans ce texte sont les procès de Moscou (1935-1938) et les procès de Prague (1949-1952) vus par ceux qui en ont fait le récit. L’intérêt de l’affaire Kravtchenko (1949) est de lever pour la première fois un coin du voile sur les purges staliniennes. Ainsi la justice fut tour à tour le moyen de la violence totalitaire et celui de son dévoilement. Si le procès pénal était perverti à Moscou comme à Prague, en démocratie, d’autres procès loyaux et équitables mettront en lumière cette perversion.
Les messes rouges. Le Zéro et l’Infini d’Arthur Koestler et les procès staliniens
Authors: Laval Michel
Published: July 2017

La scène historique où se noue l’intrigue du Zéro et l’Infini , son décor sanglant, c’est la Grande Terreur qui, dans la deuxième moitié des années trente, emporta l’Union soviétique dans les flots ténébreux d’un gigantesque crime de masse comme l’histoire n’en connaissait pas de précédent. Quatre années d’une épuration systématique où la révolution soviétique atteignit son zénith crépusculaire et parvint au stade ultime de sa logique criminelle. Une tragédie effroyable qui marqua le point d’achèvement d’un processus où la révolution de 1917 et l’édification du socialisme débouchèrent sur l’avènement d’une bureaucratie totalitaire et le pouvoir sans partage. Pour Koestler, c’est le plus étrange régime de terreur qu’ait connu l’histoire de l’humanité.
Sur la notion de défense de rupture : Willard, Vergès, et après ?
Authors: Danet Jean
Published: July 2017

Le rapprochement entre la notion de « défense de rupture » et celle de « procès politique » pose la question de leur articulation. À partir d’un exemple de cette défense de rupture, l’affaire Dimitrov, deux avocats Marcel Willard et Jacques Vergès, l’un auteur d’un ouvrage, La défense accuse , l’autre à partir d’une pratique de défense élaborée lors des procès politiques en Algérie, nous font comprendre l’ambiguïté d’un tel fonctionnement à la fois lors d’un procès dit « de rupture » mais aussi lors d’un procès dit « de connivence ». S’agit-il alors d’une intelligence stratégique, d’une manipulation, d’une instrumentalisation ? La question d’une telle pratique judiciaire est-elle au cœur de l’histoire des procès politiques ou liés à la conjoncture des guerres de décolonisation ?
François-Denis Tronchet et le Tribunal de cassation sous la Constitution de l’an VIII
Authors: Tessier Philippe
Published: July 2017

François-Denis Tronchet (1726-1806), fut avocat au Parlement de Paris pendant plus de quarante ans. Après avoir défendu le roi Louis XVI à son procès, il fut élu président de la commission de rédaction du Code civil de 1804. Tronchet fut le premier président du Tribunal de cassation nommé sous la Constitution de l’an VIII. Pendant moins d’une année (21 avril 1800- 24 février 1801), il y fut très actif : réorganisation de l’institution, rapporteur de deux jugements, rendus en matière civile par le Tribunal de cassation, qui illustrent à la fois la créativité de Tronchet, sa passion du droit et son attachement aux traditions juridiques.
Human milk oligosaccharide categories define the microbiota composition in human colostrum
Authors: Aakko J. , Kumar H. , Rautava S. , Wise A. , Autran C. , Bode L. , Isolauri E. , Salminen S.
Published: July 2017

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are structurally diverse unconjugated glycans with a composition unique to each lactating mother. While HMOs have been shown to have an impact on the development of infant gut microbiota, it is not well known if HMOs also already affect milk microbial composition. To address this question, we analysed eleven colostrum samples for HMO content by high-pressure liquid chromatography and microbiota composition by quantitative PCR. Higher total HMO concentration was associated with higher counts of Bifidobacterium spp. (ρ=0.63, P=0.036). A distinctive effect was seen when comparing different HMO groups: positive correlations were observed between sialylated HMOs and Bifidobacterium breve (ρ=0.84, P=0.001), and non-fucosylated/non-sialylated HMOs and Bifidobacterium longum group (ρ=0.65, P=0.030). In addition to associations between HMOs and bifidobacteria, positive correlations were observed between fucosylated HMOs and Akkermansia muciniphila (ρ=0.70, P=0.017), and between fucosylated/sialylated HMOs and Staphylococcus aureus (ρ=0.75, P=0.007). Our results suggest that the characterised HMOs have an effect on specific microbial groups in human milk. Both oligosaccharides and microbes provide a concise inoculum for the compositional development of the infant gut microbiota.
Early Focal Laser Photocoagulation in Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A Prospective, Randomized Study
Authors: Ambiya Vikas , Khodani Mitali , Goud Abhilash , Narayanan Raja , Tyagi Mudit , Rani Padmaja Kumari , Chhablani Jay
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the role of early focal laser photocoagulation in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A total of 58 eyes with acute naïve CSC (less than 2 months' duration) with focal leak on fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were randomized into either a laser or a sham laser group. Eyes with chronic CSC and subfoveal leak were excluded. Visual acuity assessment, microperimetry, optical coherence tomography, and FFA were done at baseline, 1 month (minus FFA), 3 months, and 6 months after treatment.

RESULTS:

There was a significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity, low-contrast visual acuity, retinal sensitivity, and central macular thickness at all visits in both groups (
P
< .001); however, there was no significant difference between the groups regarding time of resolution. Four eyes in the sham laser group needed rescue laser compared with one eye in early laser group (
P
= .16).

CONCLUSION:

Early laser photocoagulation is not superior to sham laser for acute CSC; therefore, observation appears to the safest and most effective strategy.

[

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2017;48:564–571.

]
Novel Presenting Phenotype in a Child With Autosomal Dominant Best's Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy
Authors: Abdalla Yasmine F. , De Salvo Gabriella , Elsahn Ahmad , Self James E.
Published: July 2017

Best's macular dystrophy (BMD) usually manifests with visual failure in the first or second decade of life; however, there is a large variability in expressivity of the disease, and some patients have no manifestation other than a pathological electro-oculogram (EOG). Autosomal dominant Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy (AD-BVMD) has a very specific phenotype that varies with the stage of the disease. In recent years, the authors have seen description of another clinical entity known as autosomal recessive BMD. Herein, the authors describe a 5-year-old girl referred from a peripheral hospital for investigation with a positive family history of BMD. Clinical findings included best-corrected visual acuity of 0.325 and 0.300 in the right and left eyes, respectively, by Sonksen logMar test, full color vision, normal orthoptic examination, and a small degree of hyperopia consistent with age. Macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed intraretinal fluid cysts and EOG showed reduced Arden ratio. Genetic testing was done for the proband and her father, who were found to be heterozygous for c.37C>T p. (Arg13Cys). The proband's younger sister will be reviewed and followed up once of age. The authors identified a new phenotype of AD-BVMD; although this is a single patient, more young children with BMD can now be scanned with the availability of hand-held OCT with better knowledge of the phenotype.

[

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2017;48:580–585.

]