bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An On-Site, Ultra-Sensitive, Quantitative Sensing Method for the Determination of Total Aflatoxin in Peanut and Rice Based on Quantum Dot Nanobeads Strip
Authors: Ouyang Suiyan , Zhang Zhaowei , He Ting , Li Peiwu , Zhang Qi , Chen Xiaomei , Wang Du , Li Hui , Tang Xiaoqian , Zhang Wen
Published: April 2017

An on-site, ultra-sensitive, and quantitative sensing method was developed based on quantum dot nanobeads (QDNBs) and a test strip for the determination of total aflatoxins (AFTs) in rice and peanuts. The monoclonal antibody against AFT (mAbAFT) was homemade and labeled with QDNB. After the pre-coating of the AFT antigen on the test line (T line), the competitive immunoreactions were conducted between AFT and AFT antigen on the T line with QDNBs-mAbAFT. Under optimal conditions, this approach allowed a rapid response towards AFT with a considerable sensitivity of 1.4 pg/mL and 2.9 pg/mL in rice and peanut matrices, respectively. The put-in and put-out durations were within 10 min. The recoveries for AFT in rice and peanut sample matrices were recorded from 86.25% to 118.0%, with relative deviations (RSD) below 12%. The assay was further validated via the comparison between this QDNB strip and the conventional HPLC method using spiked samples. Thus, the design provided a potential alternative for on-site, ultra-sensitive, and quantitative sensing of AFT that could also be expanded to other chemical contaminants for food safety.
The Transmembrane Morphogenesis Protein gp1 of Filamentous Phages Contains Walker A and Walker B Motifs Essential for Phage Assembly
Authors: Loh Belinda , Haase Maximilian , Mueller Lukas , Kuhn Andreas , Leptihn Sebastian
Published: April 2017

In contrast to lytic phages, filamentous phages are assembled in the inner membrane and secreted across the bacterial envelope without killing the host. For assembly and extrusion of the phage across the host cell wall, filamentous phages code for membrane-embedded morphogenesis proteins. In the outer membrane of Escherichia coli, the protein gp4 forms a pore-like structure, while gp1 and gp11 form a complex in the inner membrane of the host. By comparing sequences with other filamentous phages, we identified putative Walker A and B motifs in gp1 with a conserved lysine in the Walker A motif (K14), and a glutamic and aspartic acid in the Walker B motif (D88, E89). In this work we demonstrate that both, Walker A and Walker B, are essential for phage production. The crucial role of these key residues suggests that gp1 might be a molecular motor driving phage assembly. We further identified essential residues for the function of the assembly complex. Mutations in three out of six cysteine residues abolish phage production. Similarly, two out of six conserved glycine residues are crucial for gp1 function. We hypothesise that the residues represent molecular hinges allowing domain movement for nucleotide binding and phage assembly.
Climate Change and Its Influence on the Karst Groundwater Recharge in the Jinci Spring Region, Northern China
Authors: Jia Zhenxing , Zang Hongfei , Zheng Xiuqing , Xu Yongxin
Published: April 2017

Due to climate change and human activities over the last fifty years, the spring flow volume of karst groundwater has sharply diminished in China. Climate change is one of the critical factors that initiates a series of karst hydrogeologic and water ecological environmental problems, because the precipitation shows a decreasing trend while the temperature shows an increasing trend. The Jinci Spring is one of the largest, most famous springs in northern China. This study employed data from the Taiyuan Meteorological Station and ten precipitation stations in and around the Jinci Spring region as well as the runoff data gathered from two hydrological monitoring stations during 1960–2012. The sliding average method and the Mann-Kendall test were used to analyze the variation tendency of precipitation, temperature, and land evaporation in this area. Finally, the following were calculated: the varying pattern of the karst groundwater recharge amount and the response of the recharge amount to precipitation, land evaporation, and river runoff by quantitative analysis. The results indicated that the precipitation and land evaporation amount decreased at first and then subsequently increased. Likewise, the variation trend of the karst groundwater recharge amount in the spring region was roughly consistent with the precipitation variation pattern. In contrast, the temperature displayed an increasing trend. The climate change resulted in a reduction of the karst groundwater recharge amount, and it had the greatest influence in the 1990s, which caused the karst groundwater recharge amount to decrease 26.75 mm as compared to that of the 1960s (about 39.68% lower than that of the 1960s). The Jinci Spring had zero flow during this period. The reduction in precipitation was one of main factors that caused the cutoff of the Jinci Spring.
Sorption Dynamics of Uranium onto Anion Exchangers
Authors: Riegel Marcel , Schlitt Volker
Published: April 2017

Uranium can occur naturally in groundwater which is used for drinking water production. Depending on its concentration levels, uranium elimination might become necessary. In German waterworks, anion exchange technology represents the state of the art for selective uranium removal. Operation times usually vary between one and two years until the exchanger is exhausted. In order to study uranium removal by anion exchange on a scientific base, column experiments at the pilot scale were performed in several waterworks. The resin with the highest capacity for uranium showed operation times between 120,000 and >300,000 bed volumes until breakthrough occurred, strongly depending on the water composition. To forecast uranium breakthrough on a theoretical base, a computer program was established using the model of combined film and surface diffusion. Both equilibrium data and kinetic parameters necessary for applying the model had been determined in previous research work. Modelled breakthrough curves were compared to experimental data from lab scale column experiments. As a rule, the time-dependency of the column effluent concentration can be well predicted by the theoretical model. By modelling the sorption dynamics, diffusion through the liquid film was identified as the rate controlling transport step. By increasing the filter velocity, the thickness of the liquid film decreases and the diffusion in the liquid accelerates. As a consequence for treatment plants in waterworks, the filter velocity can be increased by optimising the filter geometry. A smaller filter diameter is more appropriate for efficient uranium adsorption and longer times of operation might be achieved.
De nominibus eruditorum Aetatis renatae in universitate Carolina Pragensi discentum
Authors: Beránek Carolus
Published: April 2017

Etude du nom et du surnom des étudiants de Prague entre 1560 et 1582, précédé d'un court historique sur la composition et les tribulations de cette Université. Les noms, presque tous grecs ou latins, sont souvent des caritatifs, d'usage obligé en tchèque parlé. On considère l'origine, la nature et la forme des surnoms, comme leur fréquence. La latinisation, parfois la grécisation des surnoms offre un certain flottement. L'inscription d'un étudiant répond le plus souvent, parfois de façon incomplète, à un type précis : noms, gentilé, génitif du nom du père, la condition de celui-ci.
Quo modo locorum et personarum nominibus Bohemorum et Venedorum, Lusatiae incolarum, propinquitas convincatur
Authors: Davídek Venceslaus
Published: April 2017

L'auteur démontre la similitude de formation de noms de lieux situés les uns en Bohême, les autres en Lusace (parties des actuelles Tchécoslovaquie et Allemagne). Des deux provinces, l'auteur a joint une liste de noms issus de mêmes étymons et une autre liste de noms formés sur le suffixe -ojce.
Überlieferungs-und Identifizierungsprobleme in den lothringischen Urkunden des Klosters Weißenburg/Wissembourg (Bas-Rhin)
Authors: Haubrichs Wolfgang
Published: April 2017

Le "Codex traditionum" wissembourgeois nous offre un certain nombre de documents qui sont d'un grand intérêt pour l'histoire de l'époque mérovingienne et carolingienne. Plus de 80 d'entre eux datent du temps précédant l'avènement au trône du roi Pépin. Ces documents nous transmettent de nombreux NL ainsi que NP qui représentent des témoins de haute importance pour l'histoire linguistique dans ses débuts dans l'Est de la Lorraine et de l'"Alsace bossue".

Ce qui rend difficile l'exploitation scientifique de ces documents c'est le fait que quelques scribes des documents originaux - qui d'ailleurs n'ont pas été conservés - ainsi qu'un des copistes travaillant vers 860 étaient bilingues ou même de langue romane. Il est donc quelquefois assez malaisé de distinguer entre des romanismes linguistiques originaires et des romanismes causés par l'appartenance linguistique du copiste.

L'article essaie de mettre au point une méthode par laquelle ce problème devrait être résolu par la comparaison des documents qui nous ont été transmis en double exemplaire.

L'auteur discute ensuite des identifications déjà proposées dans la littérature scientifique, ou propose et explique de nouvelles identifications.
El hidrónimo Runa
Authors: Santano Moreno Julián
Published: April 2017

L'article porte sur l'existence d'un hydronyme méconnu : RUNA. On essaye, d'abord, d'établir la racine indoeuropéenne dont il procède § 1 et, ensuite, son évolution dans des familles continuant le sens hydronymique §§ 2-12, et ainsi déterminer le groupe linguistique qui est à l'origine de cet hydronyme §§ 13-14. Dans ce groupe le mot n'est plus usité, et pourtant il a survécu dans d'autres aires linguistiques, soit comme toponyme §§ 15-17, soit comme appellatif §§ 18-19.
Onomástica de los judíos navarros (siglo XIV)
Authors: Cierbide Martinena Ricardo
Published: April 2017

Les communautés juives en Navarre étaient situées surtout à Tudela, dans la vallée de l'Ebro, dont la population représentait 27,34% sur l'ensemble de la ville, le long du Chemin de Saint-Jacques, comme Pampelune, Sangûessa, Estella et Viana et aussi dans les petites villes au centre du Royaume.

Quant à l'onomastique de la société juive navarraise au Moyen Âge, on constate un triple système, l'hébreu, le roman et le basque, dont les deux premiers sont majoritaires par rapport à l'autochtone. Les prénoms masculins sont presque tous hébreux, contrairement à ceux des femmes, romans. Le maintien du système hébreu répond, sans doute, au caractère hébraïque de la communauté.
De onomástica Onubense
Authors: Mendoza Abreu Josefa M.
Published: April 2017

L'article étudie les prénoms dans deux localités importantes de la province de Huelva (Espagne ) : Lepe etisia Cristina, L'auteur montre le changement qui s'est produit tout au long des années dans le choix du prénom. Le système anthroponymique a subi une transformation profonde en cinquante ans qui touche principalement le type de nom choisi et son caractère, simple ou composé.
Omne d'Espaynna
Authors: Santano Moreno Julián
Published: April 2017

L'article porte sur l'expression omne d'Espaynna qui se trouve dans quelques textes écrits en occitan dans le Nord de l'Espagne. D'une part omne d'Espaynna aux ХIe-ХIIe siècles désigne l'habitant, chrétien ou musulman, de la nouvelle terre conquise aux Arabes ; d'autre part elle peut désigner au XIIT siècle l'habitant du royaume de Castille. L'origine de cette expression doit être cherchée dans les fors et fueros des deux versants des Pyrénées.
Nombres del terreno en documentos occitanos de Navarra y Aragón
Authors: Santano Moreno Julián
Published: April 2017

Cet article porte sur les noms du terrain qui se trouvent dans les documents en occitan du Nord de l'Espagne (XIIIe -XVe siècles). Cet occitan parlé et écrit en Navarre et Aragon a conservé des structures linguistiques et lexicales des XIe -XIIe siècles, époque de colonisation des bourgs espagnols. L'étude d'une partie de ce vocabulaire occitan navarrais et aragonais permet de mieux comprendre son importance pour l'histoire du lexique occitan et hispanique.
Escalona y Ascalón, una relación toponímica muy plausible
Authors: García Sánchez Jairo Javier
Published: April 2017

On prétend démontrer que le toponyme espagnol Escalona, correspondant à une ville près de Tolède, trouve son origine du nom de la vieille ville palestinienne Ascalon. Pour arriver à ce point on est parti d'une histoire traditionelle qui identifiait les deux noms. La légende, par elle-même, n 'apporte que peu de chose, mais moyennant la révision de la documentation des formes anciennes du toponyme Escalona et des formes tardives du toponyme Ascalon, et en employant des critères linguistiques, comme le passage de a-initial à e-ou la formation de noms de lieu avec le suffixe -ona, on conclut de façon assurée que les deux toponymes sont identiques.
Oficios en documentos occitanos de Navarra y Aragón
Authors: Santano Moreno Julián
Published: April 2017

L 'article porte sur les noms des métiers qui se trouvent dans les documents en occitan du Nord de l 'Espagne (XIIIe-XIVe siècles). La culture urbaine et bourgeoise des colons (burgenses), provenant pour la plupart du Midi, avait introduit parmi les habitants (cives) des villes ecclésiastiques de nombreux métiers nouveaux et ceux-ci, en même temps, ont modifié leurs habitudes onomastiques.
La esfinge sarda : la cuestión del paleosardo y sus parientes
Authors: Santano Moreno Julián
Published: April 2017

Les études sur le paléosarde, c'est-à-dire la langue indigène parlée en Sardaigne avant l'arrivée des Romains, ont établi des rapports de parenté avec des langues très différentes. Terracini, Wagner, Hubschmid et d'autres ont construit leurs hypothèses d'après les vestiges que l'on peut trouver dans la toponymie et le vocabulaire sarde. L'article pose la question de la validité de la méthode comparative utilisée et de ses résultats.
Descendientes de IE *(s)kerb(h)-"torcer" y *kar-"duro" en las lenguas romances y el vasco
Authors: Santano Moreno Julián
Published: April 2017

L'article porte sur deux racines d'origine indoeuropéenne, *(s)kerb(h)-"tordre" et *kar-"dur", et leurs dérivés dans les langues romanes et le basque, leur géographie et leur sémantique. On fait une approche des deux méthodologies : celle de l'étymologie indoeuropéenne et celle de l'étymologie romane.
La familia del IE *teu-"hincharse" en las lenguas romances y en vasco. El sustrato indoeuropeo en la etimologia romance
Authors: Santano Moreno Julián
Published: April 2017

L 'article porte sur la famille de la racine indoeuropéenne *teu-"gonfler" et ses dérivés dans les langues romanes et le basque, sa géographie et sa sémantique. On cherche à établir l'importance du substrat indoeuropéen dans l'étude des mots d'origine préromane des langues néolatines.
Al-andalus : una reinterpretación histórica sobre la etimología del término
Authors: Sabio González Rafael
Published: April 2017

Dans le présent article on se pose la question d'une nouvelle interprétation de l'étymologie de al-Andalus. Le point de départ est la supposition historique que, au début du VIIIe siècle, la hiérarchie wisigothe n'avait pas été supplantée par le nouveau gouvernement musulman d'une façon aussi destructive que l'historiographie l'avait supposé. La division administrative de la Péninsule Ibérique sous les autorités Omeyyades a été fondée, en fait, dans la précédente division administrative wisigothe, en maintenant les noms des antiques territoria dans les coras qui les remplaçaient. C'est de cette manière qu 'on est arrivé à la conclusion, dans le présent article, que le terme al-Andalus procède d'un vocable d'origine gothique land (terre) qui, avec le sens de "nation", aurait été initialement appliqué par la hiérarchie wisigothe à ses territoires péninsulaires. Quand les musulmans étaient dans la Péninsule, ils prenaient à l'élite gouvernementale précédente le vocable pour désigner le territoire nouvellement conquis.
Fondamenti di una onomastica letteraria inmediata
Authors: Brendler Andrea
Published: April 2017

Au cours de la deuxième moitié du vingtième siècle, l'onomastique littéraire a vécu un grand essor. Les nombreux articles publiés, les monographies et les encyclopédies ont en majorité une chose en commun : ils étudient la dénomination littéraire dans les textes littéraires d'une manière indirecte. Seuls quelques travaia essaient de percer les secrets de la dénomination littéraire par l 'interrogation directe des auteurs. C'est la méthode mentionnée en dernier qui pourrait apporter -en plus de l'analyse traditionnelle indirecte des textes littéraires - un nouvel éclairage à la recherche dans le domaine de la dénomination littéraire.

Le projet présenté s 'est voué à la méthode directe en interrogeant des écrivains italiens sur leur manière de procéder dans le choix des noms, la dénomination et l'utilisation des noms dans leurs œuvres.

Dans cette contribution, les stratégies les plus importantes de ce projet sont présentées.
Ie. *keu-"torcer" en las lenguas romances y en vasco
Authors: Santano Moreno Julián
Published: April 2017

L'article porte sur la famille de la racine ie. *keu-«tordre ». L'étude continue la série de travaux sur les racines d'origine indoeuropéenne. On cherche à reconstruire une étymologie cohérente d'un point de vue phonétique et sémantique à partir de toutes les formes attestées dans toutes les aires linguistiques concernées. La recherche d'une étymologie d'origine indoeuropéenne doit considérer un type linguistique dit «modulaire », celui représenté par l'indoeuropéen reconstruit, différent du type linguistique lexicalisé, fixe, représenté par le latin et ses descendants romans. L'approche méthodologique adoptée est donc basée sur l'analyse de la racine indoeuropéenne et de ses «modules », c'est-à-dire les suffixes et les élargissements qui s'attachent à la racine. On établit ainsi des bases comme *keuk(/)-, *keup-, *keut(j)-, *keumb(h)~ pour les dérivés de *keu-dans les langues romanes et en basque.
Repetitive and Prolonged Omega-3 Fatty Acid Treatment after Traumatic Brain Injury Enhances Long-Term Tissue Restoration and Cognitive Recovery
Authors: Pu Hongjian , Jiang Xiaoyan , Wei Zhishuo , Hong Dandan , Hassan Sulaiman , Zhang Wenting , Liu Jialin , Meng Hengxing , Shi Yejie , Chen Ling , Chen Jun
Published: April 2017

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most disabling clinical conditions that could lead to neurocognitive disorders in survivors. Our group and others previously reported that prophylactic enrichment of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) markedly ameliorate cognitive deficits after TBI. However, it remains unclear whether a clinically relevant therapeutic regimen with n-3 PUFAs administered after TBI would still offer significant improvement of long-term cognitive recovery. In the present study, we employed the decline of spatial cognitive function as a main outcome after TBI to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of post-TBI n-3 PUFA treatment and the underlying mechanisms. Mice were subjected to sham operation or controlled cortical impact, followed by random assignment to receive the following four treatments: (1) vehicle control; (2) daily intraperitoneal injections of n-3 PUFAs for 2 weeks, beginning 2 h after TBI; (3) fish oil dietary supplementation throughout the study, beginning 1 day after TBI; or (4) combination of treatments (2) and (3). Spatial cognitive deficits and chronic brain tissue loss, as well as endogenous brain repair processes such as neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and oligodendrogenesis, were evaluated up to 35 days after TBI. The results revealed prominent spatial cognitive deficits and massive tissue loss caused by TBI. Among all mice receiving post-TBI n-3 PUFA treatments, the combined treatment of fish oil dietary supplement and n-3 PUFA injections demonstrated a reproducible beneficial effect in attenuating cognitive deficits although without reducing gross tissue loss. Mechanistically, the combined treatment promoted post-TBI restorative processes in the brain, including generation of immature neurons, microvessels, and oligodendrocytes, each of which was significantly correlated with the improved cognitive recovery. These results indicated that repetitive and prolonged n-3 PUFA treatments after TBI are capable of enhancing brain remodeling and could be developed as a potential therapy to treat TBI victims in the clinic.
Brilliant Blue G, but not Fenofibrate, Treatment Reverts Hemiparkinsonian Behavior and Restores Dopamine Levels in an Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Ferrazoli Enéas G. , De Souza Héllio D.N. , Nascimento Isis C. , Oliveira-Giacomelli Ágatha , Schwindt Telma T. , Britto Luiz R. , Ulrich Henning
Published: April 2017

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and their projections to the striatum. Several processes have been described as potential inducers of the dopaminergic neuron death, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the death of dopaminergic neurons seems to be multifactorial, and its cause remains unclear. ATP-activating purinergic receptors influence various physiological functions in the CNS, including neurotransmission. Purinergic signaling is also involved in pathological scenarios, where ATP is extensively released and promotes sustained purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) activation and consequent induction of cell death. This effect occurs, among other factors, by oxidative stress and during the inflammatory response. On the other hand, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) is involved in energy metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. Expression and activity upregulation of this protein has been related with reduction of oxidative stress and neuroprotection. Therefore, P2X7R and PGC-1α are potential targets in the treatment of PD. Here hemiparkinsonism was induced by unilateral stereotactic injection of 6-OHDA in a rat model. After 7 days, the establishment of PD was confirmed and followed by treatment with the P2X7R antagonist Brilliant Blue G (BBG) or PGC-1α agonist fenofibrate. BBG, but not fenofibrate, reverted hemiparkinsonian behavior accompanied by an increase in tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra. Our results suggest that the P2X7R may be a therapeutic target in Parkinson's disease.
A Quantitative Methodology for Assessing Sustainable Tourism Potentials
Authors: Kursah Matthew Biniyam
Published: April 2017

Sustainable tourism potential is the measure of the ability and opportunity of material and nonmaterial elements to attract tourists to a destination that takes full account of its current and future socioeconomic and environmental impacts, while addressing the needs of visitors, the
industry, the environment, and the host communities. Thus, an effective way to developing sustainable tourism is a better identification of tourism potentials of different areas for accurate planning. Using a quantitative approach, this study identified the pull and push factors
in assessing tourism potentials in Ghana, normalized the factors using scaled-item model and weight system assigned by tourists. It also acquired availability scores for each factor in five Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) in Ghana and used this to show the application of the model.
The final output is the tourism potential index (TPI), which could be used for assessing sustainable tourism development at the micro and the macrolevels. The article concludes with a ranking of the selected MDAs according to their tourism potentials and substantiation of the scaled-item model
to be implemented to ensure a sustainable tourism development of the MDAs. For the pull factors, the Effutu municipality with an index of 4.44 is ranked highest, followed in that order by Gomoa West district (4.26), Agona West municipality (4.00), Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam district (3.98), and
Gomoa East district (3.9). For the TPI, which included the pull and the push factors, the Effutu municipality is still ranked highest with an index of 3.20. This is followed, in that order, by Gomoa West district (2.99), Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam (2.63), Gomoa East (2.59), and Agona West municipality
(2.02), which lost the third position for the least position. Effutu municipality (3.20) with the highest TPI is 1.18 higher than the Agona West municipality (2.02) with the least TPI. It is suggested that examining the tourism potentials of areas based on the pull factors or attraction sites/facilities
alone is inadequate as the tourism industry involves other sectors and push factors such as security and safety, socioeconomic, environment, and natural resources.
Selection of coal transportation mode from the open pit mine to the thermic power plant using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Özfirat Pinar Mizrak , Özfirat Muharrem Kemal , Malli Tahir
Published: April 2017

Coal produced in open pit mines should be moved to thermic power plants for production of power. Thermic power plants require very large amounts of coal. In transportation process of this coal, both costs and technical parameters should be considered. Common alternative transportation modes in this process are belt conveyors, truck types, suspension rail conveying systems, pipelines and railways. Selection of one of these modes is influenced by transportation distance, inclination of the haulage road, amount of coal reserve, investment costs, production capacity and unit production cost of the open pit mine. In this study, advantages and disadvantages of alternative transportation modes are analysed using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP). The results revealed, belt conveyors and trucks transportation by are superior to others.
The influence of a quay crane sea transportation on its further exploitation
Authors: Starykov Maksym , Hoorn Frank Van
Published: April 2017

For the last decades, fully erected container cranes have been delivered to a customer site by ships. On one hand, using this method of transportation is very attractive due to its cost and time savings. However, on the other hand, being exposed to cycling loads from the ship motions during the sea voyage, the crane structure accumulates fatigue damage. Using the accumulated fatigue damage parameter, the crane transportation could be associated with the amount of the working cycles the crane could have worked out during its normal operating at the customer site. In the presenting paper the research for the real case of a new crane voyage from China to Ukraine has been done.
Active Cryovolcanism on Europa?
Authors: Sparks W. B. , Schmidt B. E. , McGrath M. A. , Hand K. P. , Spencer J. R. , Cracraft M. , Deustua S. E
Published: April 2017

Evidence for plumes of water on Europa has previously been found using the Hubble Space Telescope using two different observing techniques. Roth et al. found line emission from the dissociation products of water. Sparks et al. found evidence for off-limb continuum absorption as Europa transited Jupiter. Here, we present a new transit observation of Europa that shows a second event at the same location as a previous plume candidate from Sparks et al., raising the possibility of a consistently active source of erupting material on Europa. This conclusion is bolstered by comparison with a nighttime thermal image from the Galileo Photopolarimeter-Radiometer that shows a thermal anomaly at the same location, within the uncertainties. The anomaly has the highest observed brightness temperature on the Europa nightside. If heat flow from a subsurface liquid water reservoir causes the thermal anomaly, its depth is ≈1.8–2 km, under simple modeling assumptions, consistent with scenarios in which a liquid water reservoir has formed within a thick ice shell. Models that favor thin regions within the ice shell that connect directly to the ocean, however, cannot be excluded, nor modifications to surface thermal inertia by subsurface activity. Alternatively, vapor deposition surrounding an active vent could increase the thermal inertia of the surface and cause the thermal anomaly. This candidate plume region may offer a promising location for an initial characterization of Europa’s internal water and ice and for seeking evidence of Europa’s habitability.
Worlds without Moons: Exomoon Constraints for Compact Planetary Systems
Authors: Kane Stephen R.
Published: April 2017

One of the primary surprises of exoplanet detections has been the discovery of compact planetary systems, whereby numerous planets reside within ∼0.5 au of the host star. Many of these kinds of systems have been discovered in recent years, indicating that they are a fairly common orbital architecture. Of particular interest are those systems for which the host star is low mass, thus potentially enabling one or more of the planets to lie within the habitable zone of the host star. One of the contributors to the habitability of the Earth is the presence of a substantial moon whose tidal effects can stabilize axial tilt variations and increase the rate of tidal pool formation. Here, we explore the constraints on the presence of moons for planets in compact systems based on Hill radii and Roche limit considerations. We apply these constraints to the TRAPPIST-1 system and demonstrate that most of the planets are very likely to be worlds without moons.
Identifying the challenges of code/theory translation: report from the Code/Theory 2017 workshop
Authors: Jay Caroline , Haines Robert , Vigo Markel , Matentzoglu Nicolas , Stevens Robert , Boyle Jonathan , Davies Alan , Del Vescovo Chiara , Gruel Nicolas , Le Blanc Anja , Mawdsley David , Mellor Dale , Mikroyannidi Eleni , Rollins Richard , Rowley Andrew , Vega Julio
Published: April 2017

The Code/Theory workshop explored the process of translating between theory and code, from the perspective of those who do this work on a day to day basis. This report contains individual contributions from participants reflecting on their own experiences, along with summaries of their lightning talks and outputs from the discussion sessions. We conclude that translating between theory and code successfully requires a diversity of roles, all of which are central to the process of research.
Consumption of apple-boysenberry beverage decreases salivary Actinomyces naeslundii and their adhesion in a multi-species biofilm model
Authors: Parkar S.G. , Eady S. , Cabecinha M. , Skinner M.A.
Published: April 2017

We hypothesised that consumption of beverage rich in both fibre and polyphenols, rather than each bioactive alone, will modulate populations of selected salivary bacteria, and their adhesion characteristics and that some of these effects may be due to the anti-microbial activity of the beverage bioactives. We investigated the effect of 4 weeks’ consumption of beverages, rich in apple fibre, boysenberry polyphenols, or both on salivary bacteria in healthy subjects. In this placebo-controlled crossover study, saliva samples were collected at the beginning and end of each treatment period, and used for qPCR quantitation of Lactobacillus spp., Actinomyces naeslundii and Streptococcus mutans. The counts of salivary A. naeslundii decreased after the consumption of the apple-boysenberry beverage (P<0.05, Student’s t-test). We also examined the effect of the subjects’ saliva on bacterial adhesion using a mixed species biofilm model. The salivary pellicles prepared before and after each treatment were inoculated with laboratory strains of A. naeslundii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and S. mutans and tested for biofilm formation. The post appleboysenberry beverage salivary pellicle significantly decreased the adhesion of A. naeslundii at the end of both 3 and 24 h, in the in vitro biofilm. A 1/16 dilution of the apple-boysenberry beverage itself decreased the proliferation of test strains of A. naeslundii and S. mutans by 51 and 55%, respectively (P<0.005), indicating the antimicrobial activity of its bioactives. This study demonstrated that consumption of apple-boysenberry beverage, rather than apple or the boysenberry beverage alone or the placebo, decreased salivary A. naeslundii and their adhesion under laboratory conditions. These changes are factors that influence oral microecology and potentially oral health.
Living with Parkinson's Disease: Staying Determined
Authors: Sorrell Jeanne M.
Published: April 2017

Parkinson's disease is one of the most common chronically disabling disorders of the nervous system. The disorder affects predominately older adults; only 4% of individuals are diagnosed before age 50. Receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease can be overwhelming for someone who is active and feels healthy, but new research shows that patients who take charge of their illness by adopting healthful habits of mind and body can slow the development of the disease and have a better quality of life. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55
(4), 15–18.]
Consumers of Mental Health Services: Their Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices About High Energy Drinks and Drugs
Authors: Smoyak Shirley A. , Swarbrick Margaret A. , Nowik Katerina , Ancheta April , Lombardo Anthony
Published: April 2017

To date, whether individuals with mental illness use high energy drinks (HED) to offset their symptoms, or whether their use began after diagnosis or psychoactive drugs were prescribed is unknown. Their degree of knowledge regarding their symptoms, diagnosis, or what strategies they have used to feel better is also undetermined. A search of the literature yielded no studies about these areas or domains. The current article provides background information on caffeine and HED, with or without alcohol, and the use patterns of consumers of mental health services, as well as their attitudes and knowledge. Participants in the Network for Psychiatric Nursing Researchers, who were consumers, influenced the current study group to expand their thinking about how to address the unknown areas. Their related work and publication are described. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55
(4), 37–43.]
Comparison of Corneal Epithelial Remodeling After Femtosecond Laser–Assisted LASIK and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)
Authors: Ryu Ik-Hee , Kim Bong Jun , Lee Jong-Hyuck , Kim Sun Woong
Published: April 2017

PURPOSE:

To comparatively investigate changes in epithelial thickness between myopic femtosecond laser–assisted LASIK (FS-LASIK) and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

METHODS:

This study compared the topographic epithelial thickness changes in 175 myopic eyes undergoing FS-LASIK (62 eyes) or SMILE (113 eyes). Epithelial thickness was obtained using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography before surgery and 1 and 3 months after surgery. Topographic epithelial thickness obtained by automatic algorithm and thickness variability (standard deviation over 17 imaged areas) was compared between two groups. Postoperative epithelial thickness changes were correlated with treatment parameters.

RESULTS:

For FS-LASIK, the mean epithelial thickness of the center zone (2 mm in diameter), paracenter (2 to 5 mm), and mid-periphery (5 to 6 mm) increased by 3.4, 4.3, and 2.1
µ
m, respectively, at 1 month and by 4.4, 5.1, and 2.9
µ
m, respectively, at 3 months. There was an increase of 2.5, 3.9, and 4.5
µ
m, respectively, at 1 month and 3.0, 4.2, and 4.9
µ
m, respectively, at 3 months following SMILE. The epithelial thickness did not change between 1 and 3 months postoperatively following SMILE, whereas it increased further after FS-LASIK. A larger increase of epithelial thickness was observed in the central zone at 3 months following FS-LASIK than SMILE, whereas the opposite was observed in the mid-periphery. The topographic thickness variability was greater after FS-LASIK than SMILE. Corneal epithelial thickening was proportional to the amount of myopia correction after both procedures.

CONCLUSIONS:

Topographic epithelial remodeling patterns differ following FS-LASIK or SMILE. Epithelial remodeling appears to stabilize more rapidly following SMILE than FS-LASIK.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(4):250–256.]
Cold tolerance of the spring-feeding larvae of the eyespotted bud moth,Spilonota ocellana(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Swain J.A. , Judd G.J.R. , Cory J.S.
Published: April 2017

In this study, we explore the low-temperature thresholds of a pest of apple (Malus pumilaMiller; Rosaceae), the eyespotted bud moth,Spilonota ocellanaDenis and Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in the context of spring frost.Spilonota ocellanaoverwinters as a larva, resuming activity and feeding early in the growing season when it could be vulnerable to unexpected freezing temperatures. We determined that the mean supercooling point of spring instars did not differ for larvae within or outside leaf shelters and ranged from −9.1±0.2 °C for fourth instars, to −7.9±0.2 °C for sixth instars. Larval weight increased with instar and was positively related to the supercooling point. As some insects are freeze tolerant and able to recover from freezing, we also exposed larvae to brief freeze events between −4.5 °C and −9.5 °C and found that the median lower lethal temperature, was −7.3±0.4 °C across all instars; indicating thatS. ocellanaspring instars are susceptible to freezing temperatures above their supercooling point. These low-temperature thresholds suggest that in the spring, S. ocellanalarvae are chill susceptible, and a hard frost (<−7 °C) would be necessary to cause significant larval mortality.
Antibody Distance from the Cell Membrane Regulates Antibody Effector Mechanisms
Authors: Cleary Kirstie L. S. , Chan H. T. Claude , James Sonja , Glennie Martin J. , Cragg Mark S.
Published: April 2017

Immunotherapy using mAbs, such as rituximab, is an established means of treating hematological malignancies. Abs can elicit a number of mechanisms to delete target cells, including complement-dependent cytotoxicity, Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis. The inherent properties of the target molecule help to define which of these mechanisms are more important for efficacy. However, it is often unclear why mAb binding to different epitopes within the same target elicits different levels of therapeutic activity. To specifically address whether distance from the target cell membrane influences the aforementioned effector mechanisms, a panel of fusion proteins consisting of a CD20 or CD52 epitope attached to various CD137 scaffold molecules was generated. The CD137 scaffold was modified through the removal or addition of cysteine-rich extracellular domains to produce a panel of chimeric molecules that held the target epitope at different distances along the protein. It was shown that complement-dependent cytotoxicity and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity favored a membrane-proximal epitope, whereas Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis favored an epitope positioned further away. These findings were confirmed using reagents targeting the membrane-proximal or -distal domains of CD137 itself before investigating these properties in vivo, where a clear difference in the splenic clearance of transfected tumor cells was observed. Together, this work demonstrates how altering the position of the Ab epitope is able to change the effector mechanisms engaged and facilitates the selection of mAbs designed to delete target cells through specific effector mechanisms and provide more effective therapeutic agents.
Economic benefits and treatment progress as determinants of the sustainability of Vietnamese voluntary co-located patients clusters
Authors: Vuong Quan-Hoang
Published: April 2017

Background. Over the past 15 years or so, in Vietnam, a phenomenon has steadily grown more and more widespread: the forming of co-located patients communities. Poor patients choose to live together, seeking/lending supports from/to one another. Despite the undeniable existence of these communities, little is researched or known about how co-located patients perceive the value of what they receive as cluster members, or how they assess their future connection to the communities they are living in.
Materials and Methods. The study employs multiple logistic regressions method to investigate relationships between factors such as perceived satisfaction from community-provided financial means, reported health improvements, along with patients’ shortand longer-term commitments to these communities.
Results. The results suggest meaningful empirical relationships: 1) between, on one hand, gender, perceived values and sustainability of patients communities, financial stress faced by patients and the financial benefits they received from the community, and, on the other hand, their propensity to stay connected to it; and 2) between economic conditions, length of stay with a community, general level of satisfaction, health improvements on one hand and long-term commitment to these communities on the other hand.
Conclusions. Patients who choose to stick to co-location clusters do so for an economic reason: finding means to fight their financial hardship. This may suggest a degree of complication higher than one would have thought in dealing with poor patients from a social point of view. Concretely, the majority of the public only focuses on charity programs and in-king donations, while ignoring the more sustainable – and, at the same time, more complicated – alternative which is to create suitable income-generating jobs for patient. In addition, patients are not only those who seek to ask for supports but can potentially be the donors contributing to the sustainability of those voluntary communities.
Bertiera sinoensis Jongkind (Rubiaceae), a new forest liana from Liberia
Authors: Jongkind Carel
Published: April 2017

Background: Fieldwork in Liberia in recent years has improved our knowledge of the local endemic species.Objectives: To describe a new species in Bertiera to accommodate material from the south-east of Liberia that cannot be included in any known species.Methods: Existing herbarium collections were studied, the new species was studied in the field and the relevant published literature was consulted.Results: The new species Bertiera sinoensis is described and illustrated here based on six specimens.Conclusions: The new species adds one more species to the botanical hotspot in south-east Liberia. It is assigned a preliminary conservation status of ‘Endangered’ (IUCN).
Sociocultural factors and perceptions associated with voluntary and permanent relocation of flood victims: A case study of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in Ghana
Authors: Addo Isaac Y. , Danso Samuel Y.
Published: April 2017

Flooding is a major problem in many developing urban centres in Ghana, including the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STM). Residents who are living close to the Anankwari, Kansawura and Whin rivers in the metropolis often experience flooding when the rivers overflow their banks, resulting in lives being lost, people being displaced and properties being destroyed. One durable solution to the flooding problem is voluntary and permanent relocation of ‘vulnerable’ residents; but this form of solution cannot be achieved without a clear understanding of the sociocultural factors that influence the decision-making process. This study uniquely investigated the sociocultural and economic factors affecting voluntary and permanent relocation of flood victims, using Eshiem, Kansawurodo and Whindo communities as a case study. Employing a mixed cross-sectional design method, 207 heads of households were selected to fill in questionnaires; interviews were conducted with nine representatives of the traditional councils, and areas affected by flooding were photographed. The findings show that voluntary and permanent relocation was overlooked by most flood victims due to perceived inability to rent new places owing to low incomes, fear of losing income-generating ventures that serve as sources of livelihoods, hope of gaining income from the oil production within the region and the need for restitution from government before evacuation. From a sociocultural viewpoint, they felt uncomfortable with losing ancestral lands and landed properties as well as breaking long-standing ties with their community folks and other networks. Flood victims’ willingness to stay in the flood-prone communities was also influenced by duration of stay in the communities and ownership of landed assets. When considering voluntary and permanent relocation of flood victims as a durable solution in the future, these sociocultural and economic factors need to be carefully considered.
Evaluating the components of social and economic resilience: After two large earthquake disasters Rudbar 1990 and Bam 2003
Authors: Bastaminia Amir , Rezaei Mohammad R. , Saraei Mohammad H.
Published: April 2017

Extensive damages of natural disasters have made resilience a focus of disaster management plans in order to limit damages. The aim of this study was a comparative evaluation of social and economic resilience in Bam and Rudbar. This applied research attempted to quantify and compare different dimensions of social and economic resilience in Bam and Rudbar with a descriptive-analytical method. Cochran’s formula determined the sample size as 330 households from both cities (a total of 660 households). The indicators of social and economic resilience were identified from the literature, and then data were collected through a field study using questionnaires. Data were analysed using multiple linear regression and feedforward multilayer perceptron artificial neural network. Results denoted that several resilientrelated socio-economic features were significantly different for Bam and Rudbar cities, such as the number of earthquakes experienced, length of stay in current neighbourhood and mean individual and household income. Mean social and economic resilience scores were significantly higher for Rudbar (216.3 ± 33.4 and 30.6 ± 7.3) compared to Bam (193 ± 26.5 and 29.4 ± 7.07) ( p < 0.05). In addition, linear regression indicated that an increase in education level of the household head, length of stay in current neighbourhood and household income could result in an increase in social and economic resilience of the households under study. Neural network analysis revealed that social capital and employment recovery are the most and least effective factors, respectively, in both cities. In the population under study, social component, namely, social capital, was the most important determinant of resilience.
Toxicity assessment of silica nanoparticles on Allium cepa
Authors: Silva Gabriela Helena Da , Monteiro Regina Teresa Rosim
Published: April 2017

Nanotechnology is rapidly expanding, and several new nanoparticle products with improved performance have been developed. The environmental fate and toxicity of nanoparticles (NP) is poorly understood and should be studied to enable the safe use of this technology. This study aims to investigate genotoxic and phytotoxic impacts of silica nanoparticles (SiNP) using root tip cells of Allium cepa as an indicator system. A. cepa root tip cells were exposed to different concentrations (1.82 to 0.54 g L-1; dilution factor of 1.5x) of three engineered dispersions of SiNP (TM40 – 22 nm; HS30 – 12 nm; SM30 – 7 nm). The following endpoints were measured: mitotic index, different types of chromosomal aberrations, germination index and root length. A decrease in the mitotic index was observed with increasing NP concentration, and significant decreases in the MI for all tested NP were found. For all NP cytological effects including chromosomal aberrations were observed in treated cells. Phytotoxic effects were also observed as germination rate and root growth were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Plants are an essential component of ecosystems and these findings suggest that they should be included when evaluating the toxicological impact of NP on the environment.