bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Effect‐directed Enzyme Assays based on Thin‐layer Chromatography
Authors: Bräm Sarah , Wolfram Evelyn
Published: February 2017

Thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) together with its more modern form high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) is a rapid and cost effective analytical tool with a long tradition in quality control of medicinal plants, extracts and natural products. Separated compounds are fixed on the solid silica phase to form a compound library. Through direct coupling of visualisable enzyme reactions on the TLC plate, this compound library can also be used for activity screening. Such TLC‐based bioautographic enzyme and enzyme inhibition assays complement first stage development activity screening assays. They provide not only phytochemical results by chromatographic separation, but also additional information about the activity of constituents or fractions in multi‐compound mixtures, and thus can reveal and distinguish artefacts generated by certain compound classes. This review summarises recently introduced TLC bioautographic enzyme assays as well as advances in already existing procedures. Bioautographic enzyme and enzyme inhibitory assays offer a rapid, high‐throughput method for screening of secondary metabolite profiles for potential enzyme and enzyme inhibitory activities. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive and behavioural predictors of adolescents' communicative perspective‐taking and social relationships
Authors: Nilsen Elizabeth S. , Bacso Sarah A.
Published: February 2017

Given the pivotal role that social interactions play for adolescents' well‐being, understanding the factors that influence communication is key. The present study examined relations between adolescents' communicative perspective‐taking, executive function skills, and ADHD traits and explored the role communicative perspective‐taking plays in peer relations. Data was collected from a community sample of 15 to 19‐years‐olds (N = 46) in Waterloo, Canada. Two communicative perspective‐taking tasks required participants to infer speakers' communicative intentions. A battery of tasks assessed adolescents' working memory and inhibitory control. Elevated ADHD traits were associated with weaker working memory, inhibitory control, and communicative perspective‐taking. Working memory was the strongest predictor of communicative perspective‐taking. Highlighting the importance of communicative perspective‐taking for social interactions, adolescents with weaker skills in this area reported worse peer relations. Findings underscore the importance of communicative perspective‐taking for adolescents' social relations and have relevance for understanding the social difficulties faced by adolescents with elevated ADHD traits.
Dendritic cell MST1 inhibits Th17 differentiation
Authors: Li Chunxiao , Bi Yujing , Li Yan , Yang Hui , Yu Qing , Wang Jian , Wang Yu , Su Huilin , Jia Anna , Hu Ying , Han Linian , Zhang Jiangyuan , Li Simin , Tao Wufan , Liu Guangwei
Published: February 2017

Although the differentiation of CD4+T cells is widely studied, the mechanisms of antigen-presenting cell-dependent T-cell modulation are unclear. Here, we investigate the role of dendritic cell (DC)-dependent T-cell differentiation in autoimmune and antifungal inflammation and find that mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1) signalling from DCs negatively regulates IL-17 producing-CD4+T helper cell (Th17) differentiation. MST1 deficiency in DCs increases IL-17 production by CD4+T cells, whereas ectopic MST1 expression in DCs inhibits it. Notably, MST1-mediated DC-dependent Th17 differentiation regulates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and antifungal immunity. Mechanistically, MST1-deficient DCs promote IL-6 secretion and regulate the activation of IL-6 receptor α/β and STAT3 in CD4+T cells in the course of inducing Th17 differentiation. Activation of the p38 MAPK signal is responsible for IL-6 production in MST1-deficient DCs. Thus, our results define the DC MST1–p38MAPK signalling pathway in directing Th17 differentiation.
Sandwich fixation of electronic elements using free-standing elastomeric nanosheets for low-temperature device processes
Authors: Okamoto Marin , Kurotobi Mizuho , Takeoka Shinji , Sugano Junki , Iwase Eiji , Iwata Hiroyasu , Fujie Toshinori
Published: February 2017

We fabricated free-standing, flexible and physically adhesive ultra-thin elastomeric films (nanosheets) for application as electronic substrates and packaging films.
Phase-locking of multiple magnetic droplets by a microwave magnetic field
Authors: Wang Chengjie , Xiao Dun , Zhou Yan , Åkerman J. , Liu Yaowen
Published: February 2017

Manipulating dissipative magnetic droplet is of great interest for both the fundamental and technological reasons due to its potential applications in the high frequency spin-torque nano-oscillators. In this paper, a magnetic droplet pair localized in two identical or non-identical nano-contacts in a magnetic thin film with perpendicular anisotropy can phase-lock into a single resonance state by using an oscillating microwave magnetic field. This resonance state is a little away from the intrinsic precession frequency of the magnetic droplets. We found that the phase-locking frequency range increases with the increase of the microwave field strength. Furthermore, multiple droplets with a random initial phase can also be synchronized by a microwave field.
226Ra and 222Rn in Natural Waters in Two Typical Locations in Spain
Authors: Soto J. , Quindos L.S. , Diaz-Caneja N. , Gutierrez I. , Fernández P.L.
Published: February 2017

A preliminary study is presented, preliminary to a full-scale national survey on 226Ra and 222Rn levels in surface and underground waters in two regions of Spain of very different geological composition, which were selected as representative of the two main geological types existing in the Iberian peninsula. 222Rn concentrations in the different natural waters collected show values ranging from 0.8 to 75 Bq.l-1 in the first area and from 20 to 25,000 Bq.l-1 in the second. 226Ra concentrations in domestic water supplied were found to be over the detection limit for almost all the samples collected, with values reaching about 4 Bq.l-1 in some cases.
Phytoplankton growth rate modelling: can spectroscopic cell chemotyping be superior to physiological predictors?
Authors: Fanesi Andrea , Wagner Heiko , Wilhelm Christian
Published: February 2017

Climate change has a strong impact on phytoplankton communities and water quality. However, the development of robust techniques to assess phytoplankton growth is still in progress. In this study, the growth rate of phytoplankton cells grown at different temperatures was modelled based on conventional physiological traits (e.g. chlorophyll, carbon and photosynthetic parameters) using the partial least square regression (PLSR) algorithm and compared with a new approach combining Fourier transform infrared-spectroscopy and PLSR. In this second model, it is assumed that the macromolecular composition of phytoplankton cells represents an intracellular marker for growth. The models have comparable high predictive power (
R
2
> 0.8) and low error in predicting new observations. Interestingly, not all of the predictors present the same weight in the modelling of growth rate. A set of specific parameters, such as non-photochemical fluorescence quenching (NPQ) and the quantum yield of carbon production in the first model, and lipid, protein and carbohydrate contents for the second one, strongly covary with cell growth rate regardless of the taxonomic position of the phytoplankton species investigated. This reflects a set of specific physiological adjustments covarying with growth rate, conserved among taxonomically distant algal species that might be used as guidelines for the improvement of modern primary production models. The high predictive power of both sets of cellular traits for growth rate is of great importance for applied phycological studies. Our approach may find application as a quality control tool for the monitoring of phytoplankton populations in natural communities or in photobioreactors.
More than just sugar: allocation of nectar amino acids and fatty acids in a Lepidopteran
Authors: Levin Eran , McCue Marshall D. , Davidowitz Goggy
Published: February 2017

The ability to allocate resources, even when limited, is essential for survival and fitness. We examine how nutrients that occur in minute amounts are allocated among reproductive, somatic, and metabolic demands. In addition to sugar, flower nectars contain two macronutrients—amino acids and fatty acids. We created artificial nectars spiked with13C-labelled amino acids and fatty acids and fed these to adult moths (Manduca sexta:Sphingidae) to understand how they allocate these nutrients among competing sinks (reproduction, somatic tissue, and metabolic fuel). We found that both essential and non-essential amino acids were allocated to eggs and flight muscles and were still detectable in early-instar larvae. Parental-derived essential amino acids were more conserved in the early-instars than non-essential amino acids. All amino acids were used as metabolic fuel, but the non-essential amino acids were oxidized at higher rates than essential amino acids. Surprisingly, the nectar fatty acids were not vertically transferred to offspring, but were readily used as a metabolic fuel by the moth, minimizing losses of endogenous nutrient stores. We conclude that the non-carbohydrate components of nectar may play important roles in both reproductive success and survival of these nectar-feeding animals.
Covert deformed wing virus infections have long-term deleterious effects on honeybee foraging and survival
Authors: Benaets Kristof , Van Geystelen Anneleen , Cardoen Dries , De Smet Lina , de Graaf Dirk C. , Schoofs Liliane , Larmuseau Maarten H. D. , Brettell Laura E. , Martin Stephen J. , Wenseleers Tom
Published: February 2017

Several studies have suggested that covert stressors can contribute to bee colony declines. Here we provide a novel case study and show using radiofrequency identification tracking technology that covert deformed wing virus (DWV) infections in adult honeybee workers seriously impact long-term foraging and survival under natural foraging conditions. In particular, our experiments show that adult workers injected with low doses of DWV experienced increased mortality rates, that DWV caused workers to start foraging at a premature age, and that the virus reduced the workers' total activity span as foragers. Altogether, these results demonstrate that covert DWV infections have strongly deleterious effects on honeybee foraging and survival. These results are consistent with previous studies that suggested DWV to be an important contributor to the ongoing bee declines in Europe and the USA. Overall, our study underlines the strong impact that covert pathogen infections can have on individual and group-level performance in bees.
Evolutionary adaptation of the sensitivity of connexin26 hemichannels to CO
2
Authors: de Wolf Elizabeth , Cook Jonathan , Dale Nicholas
Published: February 2017

CO
2
readily combines with H
2
O to form

and H
+
. Because an increase of only 100 nM in the concentration of H
+
(a decrease of 0.1 unit of pH) in blood can prove fatal, the regulated excretion of CO
2
during breathing is an essential life-preserving process. In rodents and humans, this vital process is mediated in part via the direct sensing of CO
2
via connexin26 (Cx26). CO
2
binds to hemichannels of Cx26 causing them to open and allow release of the neurotransmitter ATP. If Cx26 were to be a universal and important CO
2
sensor across all homeothermic animals, then a simple hypothesis would posit that it should exhibit evolutionary adaptation in animals with different homeostatic set points for the regulation of partial pressure of arterial CO
2
(PaCO
2
). In humans and rats, PaCO
2
is regulated around a set point of 40 mmHg. By contrast, birds are able to maintain cerebral blood flow and breathing at much lower levels of PaCO
2
. Fossorial mammals, such as the mole rat, live exclusively underground in burrows that are both hypoxic and hypercapnic and can thrive under very hypercapnic conditions. We have therefore compared the CO
2
sensitivity of Cx26 from human, chicken, rat and mole rat (
Heterocephalus glaber
). We find that both the affinity and cooperativity of CO
2
binding to Cx26 have been subjected to evolutionary adaption in a manner consistent with the homeostatic requirements of these four species. This is analogous to the evolutionary adaptation of haemoglobin to the needs of O
2
transport across the animal kingdom and supports the hypothesis that Cx26 is an important and universal CO
2
sensor in homeotherms.
Combining X-ray and neutron crystallography with spectroscopy
Authors: Kwon Hanna , Smith Oliver , Raven Emma Lloyd , Moody Peter C. E.
Published: February 2017

X-ray protein crystallography has, through the determination of the three-dimensional structures of enzymes and their complexes, been essential to the understanding of biological chemistry. However, as X-rays are scattered by electrons, the technique has difficulty locating the presence and position of H atoms (and cannot locate H+ions), knowledge of which is often crucially important for the understanding of enzyme mechanism. Furthermore, X-ray irradiation, through photoelectronic effects, will perturb the redox state in the crystal. By using single-crystal spectrophotometry, reactions taking place in the crystal can be monitored, either to trap intermediates or follow photoreduction during X-ray data collection. By using neutron crystallography, the positions of H atoms can be located, as it is the nuclei rather than the electrons that scatter neutrons, and the scattering length is not determined by the atomic number. Combining the two techniques allows much greater insight into both reaction mechanism and X-ray-induced photoreduction.
Polder maps: improving OMIT maps by excluding bulk solvent
Authors: Liebschner Dorothee , Afonine Pavel V. , Moriarty Nigel W. , Poon Billy K. , Sobolev Oleg V. , Terwilliger Thomas C. , Adams Paul D.
Published: February 2017

The crystallographic maps that are routinely used during the structure-solution workflow are almost always model-biased because model information is used for their calculation. As these maps are also used to validate the atomic models that result from model building and refinement, this constitutes an immediate problem: anything added to the model will manifest itself in the map and thus hinder the validation. OMIT maps are a common tool to verify the presence of atoms in the model. The simplest way to compute an OMIT map is to exclude the atoms in question from the structure, update the corresponding structure factors and compute a residual map. It is then expected that if these atoms are present in the crystal structure, the electron density for the omitted atoms will be seen as positive features in this map. This, however, is complicated by the flat bulk-solvent model which is almost universally used in modern crystallographic refinement programs. This model postulates constant electron density at any voxel of the unit-cell volume that is not occupied by the atomic model. Consequently, if the density arising from the omitted atoms is weak then the bulk-solvent model may obscure it further. A possible solution to this problem is to prevent bulk solvent from entering the selected OMIT regions, which may improve the interpretative power of residual maps. This approach is called a polder (OMIT) map. Polder OMIT maps can be particularly useful for displaying weak densities of ligands, solvent molecules, side chains, alternative conformations and residues both in terminal regions and in loops. The tools described in this manuscript have been implemented and are available inPHENIX.
AceDRG: a stereochemical description generator for ligands
Authors: Long Fei , Nicholls Robert A. , Emsley Paul , Gražulis Saulius , Merkys Andrius , Vaitkus Antanas , Murshudov Garib N.
Published: February 2017

The programAceDRGis designed for the derivation of stereochemical information about small molecules. It uses local chemical and topological environment-based atom typing to derive and organize bond lengths and angles from a small-molecule database: the Crystallography Open Database (COD). Information about the hybridization states of atoms, whether they belong to small rings (up to seven-membered rings), ring aromaticity and nearest-neighbour information is encoded in the atom types. All atoms from the COD have been classified according to the generated atom types. All bonds and angles have also been classified according to the atom types and, in a certain sense, bond types. Derived data are tabulated in a machine-readable form that is freely available fromCCP4.AceDRGcan also generate stereochemical information, provided that the basic bonding pattern of a ligand is known. The basic bonding pattern is perceived from one of the computational chemistry file formats, including SMILES, mmCIF, SDF MOL and SYBYL MOL2 files. Using the bonding chemistry, atom types, and bond and angle tables generated from the COD,AceDRGderives the `ideal' bond lengths, angles, plane groups, aromatic rings and chirality information, and writes them to an mmCIF file that can be used by the refinement programREFMAC5 and the model-building programCoot. Other refinement and model-building programs such asPHENIXandBUSTERcan also use these files.AceDRGalso generates one or more coordinate sets corresponding to the most favourable conformation(s) of a given ligand.AceDRGemploysRDKitfor chemistry perception and for initial conformation generation, as well as for the interpretation of SMILES strings, SDF MOL and SYBYL MOL2 files.
Cellulose Nanocrystal Reinforced Chitosan Coatings for Improving the Storability of Postharvest Pears Under Both Ambient and Cold Storages
Authors: Deng Zilong , Jung Jooyeoun , Simonsen John , Wang Yan , Zhao Yanyun
Published: February 2017

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC, 0%, 5%, and 10% w/w, in chitosan, dry basis) reinforced 2% chitosan aqueous coatings were evaluated for delaying the ripening and quality deterioration of postharvest green D'Anjou (Pyrus communis L.) and Bartlett (Pyrus communis L.) pears during 3 wk of ambient storage (20 ± 2 °C and 30 ± 2% RH) or 5 mo of cold storage (–1.1 °C and 90% RH), respectively. Ethylene and CO2 production, color, firmness, and internal fruit quality were monitored during both storage conditions. Moisture and gas barrier, antibacterial activity, and surface morphology of the derived films were also evaluated to investigate the mechanisms of delayed fruit ripening and quality deterioration. In the ambient storage study, the 5% CNC reinforced chitosan coating significantly (P < 0.05) delayed green chlorophyll degradation of pear peels, prevented internal browning, reduced senescence scalding, and improved retained fruit firmness. During cold storage, the 5% CNC reinforced chitosan coating showed a competitive effect on delaying fruit postharvest quality deterioration compared to a commercial product (Semperfresh™, Pace International, Wapato, Wash., U.S.A.). The 5% CNC coating strongly adhered to the pear surface, provided a superior gas barrier and a more homogenous matrix in comparison with the other coatings tested. Hence, it was effective in delaying ripening and improving the storability of postharvest pears during both ambient and cold storage.
Patient‐reported postoperative pain, body image, and cosmetic satisfaction after transumbilical laparoendoscopic single‐site adrenalectomy
Authors: Nomura Takeo , Takei Kohei , Abe Satoki , Fukuda Yuko , Yamanaka Naoyuki , Sejiyama Shinya , Yamasaki Mutsushi , Shibuya Tadamasa , Ando Tadasuke , Mori Ken‐ichi , Sumino Yasuhiro , Sato Fuminori , Mimata Hiromitsu
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery is a recently innovated urologic surgical procedure. Transumbilical laparoendoscopic single‐site adrenalectomy (LESS‐A) is technically safe and feasible in patients with benign adrenal tumors. To improve patient counseling and informed consent, we evaluated patient‐reported postoperative pain, body image, and cosmetic satisfaction after transumbilical LESS‐A.

Methods

We reviewed 24 patients who underwent transumbilical LESS‐A and assessed their operative and esthetic outcomes and incisional pain. Incisional pain was evaluated using a 10‐point visual analog scale, and the body image and cosmetic satisfaction were measured using a questionnaire that included a body image scale (range, 5–20 points) and a cosmetic scale (range, 3–24 points).

Results

Pure LESS‐A was performed on 10 patients using a multichannel port; an additional 5‐mm trocar was used in two obese patients. Supplementary to the single‐incision approach, one or two 3‐mm ports were used in 12 patients. The mean operative time was 203 min; the mean blood loss was 41 mL. The mean pain visual analog scale scores on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 were 3.5, 2.2 (P = 0.012), and 1.5 points (P = 0.018), respectively. The mean body image scale and cosmetic scale scores indicating wound satisfaction 1 month after the surgery were 20 and 22 points, respectively. Although one patient had liver injury during surgery, the postoperative course during the 3‐month follow‐up was uneventful.

Conclusion

Transumbilical LESS‐A confers less postoperative pain and better cosmetic satisfaction than conventional laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Therefore, this procedure could potentially become a standard treatment option for benign adrenal tumors.
Good care matters
Authors: Horridge Karen
Published: February 2017

Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/oyK-gz0_tNo
Heart disease in East Timor: cross‐sectional analysis of 474 patients attending Timor‐Leste's first cardiology service
Authors: Paratz Elizabeth D. , Bayley Noel
Published: February 2017

Background

East Timor is a developing country and is a close neighbour of Australia. The prevalence of cardiac disease is unknown.

Aims

To describe the prevalence and patterns of cardiac disease in patients attending the first cardiology service of Timor‐Leste.

Methods

A cross‐sectional retrospective analysis was performed of demographic and clinical data of 474 unique patients referred to outpatient cardiology clinics conducted in East Timor from 2003 to 2016.

Results

Mean age was 29.9 ± 18.5 years, with females significantly younger than males (28.8 ± 16.9 vs 32.3 ± 20.6 years). Congenital cardiac disease patients were the youngest (15.5 ± 13.9 years) and cardiomyopathy patients the oldest (46.7 ± 17.8 years).

Of patients with rheumatic heart disease, the majority had mitral stenosis (59.4%) and multi‐valvular involvement (61.6%). Of note, 28.3% of patients with rheumatic heart disease presented with severe mitral stenosis. Amongst congenital heart disease patients, the most common diagnosis was atrial or ventricular septal defects (61% combined). A total of 19.2% of patients either required immediate referral for intervention or palliation for their cardiac disease. Patients referred to Australia for treatment were significantly younger (19.7 ± 11.7 years) than all other outcome groups.

Conclusion

Amongst young East Timorese, rheumatic heart disease and unrepaired congenital cardiac defects impose a significant burden. One‐fifth of patients present to clinics with severe disease requiring urgent referral for surgery or palliation.
The Type IVa Pilus Machinery Is Recruited to Sites of Future Cell Division
Authors: Carter Tyson , Buensuceso Ryan N. C. , Tammam Stephanie , Lamers Ryan P. , Harvey Hanjeong , Howell P. Lynne , Burrows Lori L.
Published: February 2017

Type IVa pili (T4aP) are ubiquitous microbial appendages used for adherence, twitching motility, DNA uptake, and electron transfer. Many of these functions depend on dynamic assembly and disassembly of the pilus by a megadalton-sized, cell envelope-spanning protein complex located at the poles of rod-shaped bacteria. How the T4aP assembly complex becomes integrated into the cell envelope in the absence of dedicated peptidoglycan (PG) hydrolases is unknown. After ruling out the potential involvement of housekeeping PG hydrolases in the installation of the T4aP machinery in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, we discovered that key components of inner (PilMNOP) and outer (PilQ) membrane subcomplexes are recruited to future sites of cell division. Midcell recruitment of a fluorescently tagged alignment subcomplex component, mCherry-PilO, depended on PilQ secretin monomers—specifically, their N-terminal PG-binding AMIN domains. PilP, which connects PilO to PilQ, was required for recruitment, while PilM, which is structurally similar to divisome component FtsA, was not. Recruitment preceded secretin oligomerization in the outer membrane, as loss of the PilQ pilotin PilF had no effect on localization. These results were confirmed in cells chemically blocked for cell division prior to outer membrane invagination. The hub protein FimV and a component of the polar organelle coordinator complex—PocA—were independently required for midcell recruitment of PilO and PilQ. Together, these data suggest an integrated, energy-efficient strategy for the targeting and preinstallation—rather than retrofitting—of the T4aP system into nascent poles, without the need for dedicated PG-remodeling enzymes.

IMPORTANCE
The peptidoglycan (PG) layer of bacterial cell envelopes has limited porosity, representing a physical barrier to the insertion of large protein complexes involved in secretion and motility. Many systems include dedicated PG hydrolase components that create space for their insertion, but the ubiquitous type IVa pilus (T4aP) system lacks such an enzyme. Instead, we found that components of the T4aP system are recruited to future sites of cell division, where they could be incorporated into the cell envelope during the formation of new poles, eliminating the need for PG hydrolases. Targeting depends on the presence of septal PG-binding motifs in specific components, as removal of those motifs causes delocalization. This preinstallation strategy for the T4aP assembly system would ensure that both daughter cells are poised to extrude pili from new poles as soon as they separate from one another.
Anisotropic power-law inflation in a two-scalar-field model with a mixed kinetic term
Authors: Do Tuan Q. , Nguyen Sonnet Hung Q.
Published: February 2017

We examine whether an extended scenario of a two-scalar-field model, in which a mixed kinetic term of canonical and phantom scalar fields is involved, admits the Bianchi type I metric, which is homogeneous but anisotropic spacetime, as its power-law solutions. Then, we analyze the stability of the anisotropic power-law solutions to see whether these solutions respect the cosmic no-hair conjecture or not during the inflationary phase. In addition, we will also investigate a special scenario, where the pure kinetic terms of canonical and phantom fields disappear altogether in field equations, to test again the validity of cosmic no-hair conjecture. As a result, the cosmic no-hair conjecture always holds in both these scenarios due to the instability of the corresponding anisotropic inflationary solutions.
Shelf solutions and dispersive shocks in a discrete NLS equation: Effects of nonlocality
Authors: Panayotaros Panayotis
Published: February 2017

We study shelf-like breathers and dispersive shock phenomena in a discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equation with a nonlocal nonlinearity. The system models laser light propagation in waveguide arrays made from a nematic liquid crystal substratum. Shelf-like breathers are studied in the regime of small linear intersite coupling, and we report some new theoretical existence and stability results. We also study numerically the evolution from nearby dam-break and more general jump initial conditions for stronger linear intersite coupling. In the defocusing case, we see rarefaction and shock wave profiles, superposed with oscillations. Some of the hyperbolic features of the observed profiles are described approximately by continuous NLS hydrodynamics. Nonlocality is seen to lead to some smoothing of the rapid oscillations seen in the local DNLS.
Lasing characteristics of 10 GHz signal spacing in a ring cavity multi-wavelength Brillouin fiber laser employing fiber Bragg grating
Authors: Zakiah Malek A. , Ahmad Hambali N. A. M. , Wahid M. H. A. , Shahimin M. M.
Published: February 2017

This paper experimentally demonstrated a ring cavity multi-wavelength Brillouin fiber laser employing fiber Bragg grating (FBG) that operated in the C-band region. The FBG plays a significant role to reflect signals and filter selected wavelengths. A number of generated Brillouin Stokes (BS) signals and tuning range ability were investigated. A 9[Formula: see text]km length of single mode fiber was utilized to provide a Brillouin gain medium for generating stimulated Brillouin scattering effect. In this work, at optimum output coupling ratio of 90% and Brillouin pump (BP) wavelength of 1550[Formula: see text]nm, up to a maximum of 26 BS signals were recorded by injecting 63.1[Formula: see text]mW of amplified BP powers. The BS signals were also tunable within the ranges of 1544–1556[Formula: see text]nm in accordance with the FBG properties at 3[Formula: see text]dBm bandwidth of 5[Formula: see text]nm.
SURVEY OF ARIEMERELLA ANATIPESTIFEROUTBREAK IN SOUTHERN TAIWAN DUCK FARMS
Authors: Phonvisay May , Liou Jhong-Jie , Cheng Li-Ting , Chen Yen-Ping , Wu Hsing-Chieh , Liu Chia-Hui , Lee Jai-Wei , Chu Chun-Yen
Published: February 2017

A septicemic outbreak in southern Taiwan duck farms in 2014 resulted in high mortality of ducklings. Samples from oral or cloacal sites of affected Muscovy and Pekin ducks were collected and the identity of the field isolates was confirmed using Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) 16S rRNA and outer membrane protein A (OmpA)-specific primers in polymerase chain reactions (PCR), with 15 isolates found positive for both 16S rRNA and OmpA. Detection of both the 16S rRNA and OmpA genes could be a rapid PCR test for RA. Serotyping of the isolates using gel-diffusion precipitin test identified serotypes 1, 4, 6, 17, and 19 while a number of isolates were unidentifiable. Sequence analysis of the OmpA gene found high identity (99.0–99.7%) among isolates in Taiwan. These results indicate that RA remains as a significant cause of duck septicemic disease in southern Taiwan.
Using file system counters in modelling parallel I/O architectures
Authors: El Sayed Salem , Bolten Matthias , Pleiter Dirk
Published: February 2017

Keeping compute and I/O performance balanced is a major challenge for future cost-efficient HPC systems. Several architectural concepts and new technologies allow to address this challenge, however at the price of higher complexity. As a result, the need emerges to simulate these architectural concepts and new technologies to predict their impact on the overall performance. In this paper we propose a particular approach to explore the design space using event simulation models that take I/O server-side performance counters as input. In this way large quantities of real-life data measured over a large number of applications can be used to explore architectural modifications. We apply our approach using data collected by a GPFS file system serving a petascale Blue Gene/P installation.
A Public Investment Stimulus in Surplus Countries and Its Spillovers in the EA
Authors: in't Veld Jan
Published: February 2017

The Euro Area recommendations endorsed by the European Council in 2016 called for a differentiation of the fiscal effort by individual Member States, taking into account spillovers across Euro Area countries. This article shows model-based simulations of an increase in public investment in Germany and the Netherlands and their spillovers to the rest of the Euro Area. While spillovers in a monetary union may be small when monetary policy reacts by raising interest rates, when rates are kept constant and the stimulus is accommodated, spillovers can be sizeable. An increase in (productive) spending in Germany and the Netherlands can boost GDP in these countries and also have significant positive spillovers on the rest of EA GDP, while the effects on current accounts are likely to be small. Effects can be even larger when investment is directed to the most productive projects. With low borrowing costs at present, the increase in government debt for surplus countries will be modest, while there could be an improvement in debt ratios in the rest of the Euro Area.
The Brain of History, Or, the Mentality of the Anthropocene
Authors: Malabou Catherine
Published: February 2017

How is it possible to account for the double dimension of the “anthropos” of the Anthropocene? At once both a responsible, historical subject and a neutral, nonconscious, and nonreflexive force? According to Dipesh Chakrabarty, the “anthropos” has to be considered a geological force; according to Daniel Lord Smail, it has to be considered an addicted brain. A subjectivity without being for the former, an emotional and dependent biological and symbolic entity for the latter. As an in-between solution, this essay proposes a rereading of the concept of “mentality” proposed by Fernand Braudel and his followers from the Annales School. The mental would be intermediarily located between the inorganic and the neural, thus helping to fill the gap between two opposed concepts of history that are both implied in the current redefinition of ecology.
Από τον Βοκκάκιο στον Χορτάτση: Συμβολή για τις πηγές της Ερωφίλης
Authors: Cappellaro Elena
Published: February 2017

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη.
H ανασύνταξη της Λογικής: Π. Νούτσος, Νεοελληνικός Διαφωτισμός. Τα όρια της διακινδύνευσης, Αθήνα, Ελληνικά Γράμματα, 2005, 539 σελ.
Authors: Πάτσιου Βίκυ
Published: February 2017

Δε διατίθεται περίληψη.
TO THE QUESTION OF HYDRAULIC COMPATIBILITY OF REPAIR MATERIALS IN FREE-FLOW PIPES IN TRENCHLESS RENOVATION
Authors: Косухин  , Kosukhin Mikhail , Константиневская  , Konstantinevskaya Liliya
Published: February 2017

Experimental studies were conducted in order to determine hydraulic compatibility of repair materials in trenchless renovation of free-flow water outlet pipelines, experimental unit for liquid flow regime investigation during free-flow motion for definition of flow hydraulic element were developed and introduced. It was shown that results of experimental studies allows to receive calculated values of coefficients of relative roughness for three types of polymeric pipes, which can be used as repair materials for pulling in old pipelines. It was observed that during pipelines renewal in such way, it is necessary backfilling of tube space, eliminating formation of polymeric pipelines waviness because of temperature drops and exclusive negative consequences of hydraulics and structural strength
ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FOR GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS
Authors: Авилова  , Avilova Irina , Крутилова  , Krutilova Mariya
Published: February 2017

Sustainable development of the construction industry of the country is focused on permanent growth of its energy and resource efficiency, and involves the introduction of the practice of design and economic analysis of the eco-oriented principles of assessment, monitoring and management. Reform in the field of construction pricing and revaluation of the key principles for determining the cost of construction products should be aimed at improving the existing arrangements for the assessment of energy costs and environmental damage in the construction, integration at the legislative level in developing resource method of determining the estimated cost of construction, the establishment of transparent and effective environmental auditing mechanism construction. The development of the construction industry market in the aspect of environmental conservation is one of the most urgent problems and suggests improvement and analysis of methods for pricing for construction products, the search for new solutions eco-oriented, which in turn implies a transition to green building.
PRACTICAL ISSUES OF USING THE ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS IN MULTI-CRITERIA ANALYSIS OF PORTFOLIO ALTERNATIVES
Authors: Наумов  , Naumov Andrey , Щенятская  , Shchenyatskaya Marina
Published: February 2017

Hierarchy analysis process is one of the most used methods of decision-making in investment analysis, which successfully combines formalization and transparency of the procedures with the reliability of the result. In the paper the key stages of the practical issues of using the analytic hierarchy process in multi-criteria analysis of portfolio alternatives are focused. The expediency of multilevel hierarchical decomposing of comparison criteria is presented, the procedures used for quantify the consistency of pairwise comparisons are shown, the critical analysis of the scale of relative importance was made. Some controversial aspects of practical use of the analytic hierarchy process, which met with a number of organizational and mathematical difficulties, such as the inconsistency determination in matrices of pairwise comparison and reasonable simplifying of the traditional scale of relative importance were discussed. Guidelines for effective solution of the issues above using approximate calculation of eigenvectors and rationalization of the scale shown on the basis of experience of foreign researchers and the author´s analysis. Main paper´s results allow better use of the applied analytic hierarchy process and more active implement it in management practice.
SISTEMOKVANTY LOGISTICS
Authors: Лебедев  , Lebedev Vladimir , Кряж  , Kryazh Aleksey
Published: February 2017

The systems of production and construction are examples of using sistemokvantov concept in the construction of an integrated logistics system.
To the 120th anniversary of A.L. Chizhevsky’s birth
Authors: Гульельми Анатолий , Guglielmi Anatol , Рубан Владимир , Ruban Vladimir
Published: February 2017

Alexander Leonidovich Chizhevsky (1897–1964) is the founder of heliobiology. This paper is presented as a scientific essay and is dedicated to the memory of Chizhevsky. We briefly discuss an unusual aspect of heliobiology. It is closely related to the question as to whether living organisms are macroscopic quantum objects. There is no scientifically grounded answer to the question, but many scientists are inclined to give a positive answer based on indirect evidence. The project of biophysical experiment using an original device for excitation of the field of vector potential is described in the hope that in future such types of experiments will make it possible to clarify the question.
Intra-articular corrective osteotomies combined with the Ilizarov technique for the treatment of deformities of the knee
Authors: Xu J. , Jia Y. , Kang Q. , Chai Y.
Published: February 2017

Aims

To present our experience of using a combination of intra-articular osteotomy and external fixation to treat different deformities of the knee.

Patients and Methods

A total of six patients with a mean age of 26.5 years (15 to 50) with an abnormal hemi-joint line convergence angle (HJLCA) and mechanical axis deviation (MAD) were included. Elevation of a tibial hemiplateau or femoral condylar advancement was performed and limb lengthening with correction of residual deformity using a circular or monolateral Ilizarov frame.

Results

At a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (1.5 to 4.1), the mean HJLCA improved from 15.6° (10° to 23°) pre-operatively to 0.4° (0° to 2°). The mean MAD improved from 70.0 mm (20.1 to 118.5) pre-operatively to 9.1 mm (3 to 15). The mean tibiofemoral angle improved from 31.0° (8° to 54°) pre-operatively to 4.9° (2° to 8°). The mean limb-length discrepancy decreased from 6.3 cm (2.9 to 13.6) pre-operatively to 1.1 cm (0 to 5). All osteotomies and distraction zones healed without complications.

Conclusion

The use of intra-articular corrective osteotomies combined with the Ilizarov technique allowed correction of deformities of the knee joint with satisfactory HJLCA and overall mechanical axis in six patients with a good functional and cosmetic outcome in the short term. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:204–10.
Aimed for the Better, Ended up with the Worst: Russia and International Order
Authors: Morozov Viatcheslav
Published: February 2017

The annexation of Crimea in March 2014 and the subsequent intervention in Ukraine created a shockwave in the European security system. It suddenly became apparent that certain key rules of international conduct in Europe could no longer be taken for granted. Opponents of Vladimir Putin’s Russia in the West, and especially in the Baltic states, immediately put the events in and around Ukraine in the context of previous developments, in particular the 2008 Russian-Georgian war. Their conclusion was that the intervention was part of a long-term plan of imperial expansion, which is going to continue in the nearest future.
Time and Space in Early Norwegian Radio
Authors: Vagle Wenche
Published: February 2017

The present article takes its points of departure in medium and modernity theory (Meyrowitz 1985), as well as in the research on the special meaning patterns in developed broadcasting referred to as “para-social interaction” (Horton & Wohl 1956) and “flow” (Williams 1974, Ellis 1982). The empirical focus is on the early years of radio broadcasting in Norway (1925-1940). Through a detailed analysis of the relation between radio’s production and distribution technologies, on the one hand, and the formation of the medium’s textuality and discursive roles and relationships, on the other, the article assesses which stage in the fostering of a new sense of time and place Norwegian broadcasting had reached when the 1930s ebbed out. It is shown that very little in the way of the “blurring” of traditional distinctions between here and there, live and mediated, personal and public had become realities in the Norwegian context of the 1930s.
Strategic Essentialism and Ethnification
Authors: Eide Elisabeth
Published: February 2017

The present article sets out to explore certain aspects of how individuals with an ethnic minority background experience the journalistic media. It is derived from a project based on in-depth interviews aimed at mapping the media experiences and strategies of individuals with a minority background. Many tell of their experiences of being ethnified or subject to culturalization by the reporters – and thereby ascribed a lesser Norwegian identity even if they happen to be born and raised in Norway. In several cases, the interviewees demonstrate how they have had to emphasize their ethnicity in order to gain better access to media with regard to issues and causes that have nothing to do with their minority background. These continuing intersecting processes may inspire (strategic) essentialism among minority groups as a necessary albeit disputed way of obtaining media attention and recognition. Anthropologists’ approaches to essentialism, ethnification and culturalization are discussed, and by way of conclusion, the article discusses Gayatri Spivak’s “strategic essentialism”, its advantages, pitfalls and limitations.1
Nice to Have – or Need to Have?
Authors: Kristensen Nete Nørgaard
Published: February 2017

The present article argues that despite the considerable development and expansion of strategic communication as both an academic field and professional practice during the 20thcentury, strategic communication continues to have an ambiguous status in academia as well as professionally. The article argues for two related explanations of this ambiguity: 1) a communication-internalperspective concerning the interdisciplinary, practice-based and semi-professional nature of strategic communication, and 2) a communication-externalperspective concerning the integration of and priority given to strategic communication in organizations. Both aspects constantly challenge the effectiveness, position and power of communication employees, making it necessary for them to continuously prove their worth – in relation to other professionals, in times of crisis, etc. Strategic communication in the Danish public sector is included as an empirical example, as communication practitioners, especially in this context, seem to be faced with professional challenges not least related to the organizational (external) setting, but also based on the (internal) nature of strategic communication.
Exploitation of cloud computing in management of construction projects in Slovakia
Authors: Mandičák Tomáš , Mesároš Peter , Kozlovská Mária
Published: February 2017

The issue of cloud computing is a highly topical issue. Cloud computing represents a new model for information technology (IT) services based on the exploitation of Web (it represents a cloud) and other application platforms, as well as software as a service. In general, the exploitation of cloud computing in construction project management has several advantages, as demonstrated by several research reports. Currently, research quantifying the exploitation of cloud computing in the Slovak construction industry has not yet been carried out. The article discusses the issue of exploitation of cloud computing in construction project management in Slovakia. The main objective of the research is to confirm whether factors such as size of construction enterprise, owner of construction enterprise and participant of construction project have any impact on the exploitation level of cloud computing in construction project management. It includes confirmation of differences in use between different participants of the construction project or between construction enterprises broken down by size and shareholders.
Application Protocol for the Consolidation of Calcareous Substrates by the Use of Nanolimes: From Laboratory Research to Practice
Authors: Borsoi Giovanni , Lubelli Barbara , van Hees Rob , Veiga Rosário , Santos Silva António
Published: February 2017

Calcareous materials such as limestone and lime-based mortars, widely used in the Built Heritage, are often subjected to degradation processes that can lead to loss of cohesion and material loss. Consolidation of these materials with liquid products via the surface is a common practice; however, the most used consolidation products (e. g. TEOS-based) show a poor physical-chemical compatibility with calcareous substrates. For application on calcareous materials, the so-called nanolimes, i. e. dispersions of lime nanoparticles in alcohols, are an alternative to TEOS-based products, thanks to their chemical compatibility with lime-based substrates. Nanolimes can help to recover a superficial loss of cohesion. However, their in-depth consolidation effect is not always satisfactory. Previous work has shown that a better deposition of lime nanoparticles in depth can be achieved by adapting the properties of the nanolime dispersion (kinetic stability and evaporation rate) to the moisture transport properties of the substrate, through optimization of the solvent. In this paper, freshly synthetized nanolimes were dispersed in pure ethanol and/or in binary mixture of ethanol (95 %) and water (5 %). These nanolimes were applied on Maastricht limestone and on a lime-based mortar by capillary absorption (method commonly used for laboratory tests) and by nebulization (method widely usedin situ). The aim of this research is to fill the gap between laboratory tests and on site application, providing an application protocol for restorers and professionals in the field. The research shows that results obtained by application by capillary absorption do not always correspond to those obtained by nebulization. This fact should be considered when deciding on the use of a consolidation surface treatment in practice.