bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lagrangian Analyses of Rainfall Structure and Evolution for Organized Thunderstorm Systems in the Urban Corridor of the Northeastern United States
Authors: Yeung June K. , Smith James A. , Baeck Mary Lynn , Villarini Gabriele
Published: March 2015

In this study, a climatology of the structure and evolution of rainfall for organized thunderstorm systems in the urban corridor of the northeastern United States is developed. These storm systems are major agents of flash flooding for urban regions of the northeastern United States and, more generally, for the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The analyses are motivated by problems that center on characterizing flash flood hazards. The authors focus on spatial heterogeneities of rainfall associated with urbanization in a region of complex landscape including mountainous terrain and land–water boundaries along the geometrically complex coastline of the New York City–New Jersey metropolitan region. The sample of storms selected for investigation consists of the 50 days from April to September 2001–09 with the largest cloud-to-ground lightning flash density derived from National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) observations over the study region. Storm-tracking analyses of 3D radar reflectivity fields are performed for the 50 storm days and used to develop a Lagrangian climatology of storm structure and evolution for the study region. Rainfall analyses for the 50 storm days are based on high-resolution (1 km, 15 min) bias-corrected radar rainfall fields developed from the Hydro-NEXRAD system. The analyses suggest that complex terrain and land–water boundaries have large impacts on Lagrangian storm properties. Areas of increased heavy rainfall and lightning flash density over New York City were identified. The authors found evidence for changing storm structure as thunderstorms pass over New York City, but little evidence that thunderstorms split as they approach New York City.
Bjerknes-like Compensation in the Wintertime North Pacific
Authors: Bishop Stuart P. , Bryan Frank O. , Small R. Justin
Published: March 2015

Observational and model evidence has been mounting that mesoscale eddies play an important role in air–sea interaction in the vicinity of western boundary currents and can affect the jet stream storm track. What is less clear is the interplay between oceanic and atmospheric meridional heat transport in the vicinity of western boundary currents. It is first shown that variability in the North Pacific, particularly in the Kuroshio Extension region, simulated by a high-resolution fully coupled version of the Community Earth System Model matches observations with similar mechanisms and phase relationships involved in the variability. The Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) is correlated with sea surface height anomalies generated in the central Pacific that propagate west preceding Kuroshio Extension variability with a ~3–4-yr lag. It is then shown that there is a near compensation of O(0.1) PW (PW ≡ 1015 W) between wintertime atmospheric and oceanic meridional heat transport on decadal time scales in the North Pacific. This compensation has characteristics of Bjerknes compensation and is tied to the mesoscale eddy activity in the Kuroshio Extension region.
‘What have the Romans ever done for us?’ Postcolonialism, mimicry and hidden transcripts in the book of Revelation
Authors: Low U-Wen
Published: March 2015

This article examines and discusses Stephen D. Moore’s suggestion that that the use of imperial themes and motifs in Revelation create a self-perpetuating cycle that lead to one imperial power being replaced by another. This article presents an alternative reading of the book of Revelation: first, acknowledging as significant the text’s status as apocalyptic literature, written as a device of inspiration and subversion against reigning powers. Such literature is shown to deliberately employ imperial themes and motifs in order to subvert imperial rule; it serves as fantasy, exposing the ‘hidden structures of false power’ and suggesting an alternative. This leads to a reading of the text using Scott’s theories of hidden transcripts. As a hidden transcript, the text serves as an anti-authoritarian device that reflects popular feelings toward an oppressor through symbolism and codes. It represents a community’s secret longing for a day of victory over their oppressors; ultimately, the inversions and mimicry of the text serve to equalize and level class structures rather than reverse them. In order to facilitate a reading that truly represents this and allows the text to speak for itself, the article suggests an understanding of the book of Revelation as a dramatic work grounded in the performance art of the Roman Empire. It engages as an example Revelation 5 in the manner of a recitatio of the early empire, highlighting the discontinuity between what is seen and heard, before further exploring the ramifications of such a reading. Though in its early stages, such a reading of Revelation returns an ambiguity and depth to the text that certain postcolonial methods are lacking, whilst acknowledging its impact as a complex literary work that seeks not to provide answers, but rather a vision of hope that stands as an alternative to the forces of empire surrounding it.
The metaphysical, epistemological, and theological background to Aquinas’ theory of education in the De Magistro
Authors: Mooney T. Brian , Nowacki Mark
Published: March 2015

This article explores the relation between Aquinas’ metaphysical, epistemological and theological ideas and his theory of education as presented in the De Magistro and other writings. Aquinas’ theory of education is based on a theological metaphysics of human nature and an account of human rationality that is grounded in human nature. In the first section after the introduction we provide a synopsis of Aquinas’ metaphysical narrative, but in a contemporary key that draws upon the resources of Analytical Thomism. However, this theologically inspired metaphysics leads to a somewhat neglected epistemology that is crucial to his understanding of teaching and learning in the De Magistro – the notion of connatural knowledge that we explore in the second section. Our exposition of the Thomistic ontology of the human person together with the notion of connatural knowledge, provide the context for understanding the De Magistro in the third section.
Effect of processing route on phase stability in equiatomic multicomponent Ti20Fe20Ni20Co20Cu20 high entropy alloy
Authors: Mohanty S. , Samal S. , Tazuddin A. , Tiwary C. S. , Gurao N. P. , Biswas K.
Published: March 2015

The evolution of microstructure and phase formation in equiatomic Ti20Fe20Ni20Co20Cu20 high entropy alloy synthesised by conventional arc melting followed with suction casting and ball milling with spark plasma sintering route is distinctly different. The cast microstructure exhibits one body centre cubic and two face centre cubic high entropy phases based on titanium, cobalt and copper respectively along with a eutectic containing Ti2Ni type Laves phase. On the contrary, spinodal decomposed microstructure consisting of cobalt and copper solid solution is obtained in the sintered sample. However, long term annealing of cast sample at 950°C reveals a eutectoid transformation with different phases than the cast sample. The aforementioned observations are discussed using CALPHAD thermodynamical approach and available literature.
Microstructure and aging behaviour of Al5Cr32Fe35Ni22Ti6 high entropy alloy
Authors: Lin C.-W. , Tsai M.-H. , Tsai C.-W. , Yeh J.-W. , Chen S.-K.
Published: March 2015

The Al5Cr32Fe35Ni22Ti6 high entropy alloy was designed, and its microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and aging behaviour were investigated. The as cast and as homogenised alloys were composed of three phases: body centred cubic, face centred cubic and Ni2AlTi Heusler phases. Aging at 700–900°C triggers the formation of various phases including sigma-CrFe, eta-Ni3Ti and Ni2AlTi Heusler phase and leads to significant age hardening and a maximum hardness of 900 HV. Additionally, the corrosion resistance of the Al5Cr32Fe35Ni22Ti6 alloy is found better than that of 316L stainless steel in 0.5M H2SO4 solution.
‘High entropy alloys’—‘semi-impossible’ regular solid solutions?
Authors: Tomilin I. A. , Kaloshkin S. D.
Published: March 2015

The article discusses the concept of high entropy alloys, introduced over the last decade and offering a methodology for development of new materials with enhanced properties, as well as the classification of such materials into a special category of multicomponent solutions. It is argued that the efficiency of this approach and applicability of the theory of regular solutions, on which the concept of high entropy alloys is based to materials science of multicomponent systems, are strongly exaggerated. The idea of random distribution of atoms in high entropy alloy structure is appropriate in fact only for ideal solid solutions, and there is no advantage in using it to understand the regularities of formation of complex alloys with special properties.
Effect of coculturing canine notochordal, nucleus pulposus and mesenchymal stromal cells for intervertebral disc regeneration
Authors: Arkesteijn Irene TM , Smolders Lucas A , Spillekom Sandra , Riemers Frank M , Potier Esther , Meij Björn P , Ito Keita , Tryfonidou Marianna A
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Early degenerative changes in the nucleus pulposus (NP) are observed after the disappearance of notochordal cells (NCs). Thus, it has been suggested that NCs play an important role in maintaining the NP and may have a regenerative potential on other cells of the NP. As the number of resident NP cells (NPCs) decreases in a degenerating disc, mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells (MSCs) may be used for cell supplementation. In this study, using cells of one species, the regenerative potential of canine NCs was assessed in long-term three-dimensional coculture with canine NPCs or MSCs.

Methods

Canine NCs and canine NPCs or MSCs were cocultured in alginate beads for 28 days under hypoxic and high-osmolarity conditions. Cell viability, cell morphology and DNA content, extracellular matrix production and expression of genes related to NC markers (Brachyury, KRT18) and NP matrix production (ACAN, COL2A1, COL1A1) were assessed after 1, 15 and 28 days of culture.

Results

NCs did not completely maintain their phenotype (morphology, matrix production, gene expression) during 28 days of culture. In cocultures of NPCs and NCs, both extracellular matrix content and anabolic gene expression remained unchanged compared with monoculture groups, whereas cocultures of MSCs and NCs showed increased glycosaminoglycan/DNA. However, the deposition of these proteoglycans was observed near the NCs and not the MSCs. Brachyury expression in the MSC and NC coculture group increased in time. The latter two findings indicate a trophic effect of MSCs on NCs rather than vice versa.

Conclusions

No regenerative potential of canine NCs on canine NPCs or MSCs was observed in this study. However, significant changes in NC phenotype in long-term culture may have resulted in a suboptimal regenerative potential of these NCs. In this respect, NC-conditioned medium may be better than coculture for future studies of the regenerative potential of NCs.
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin in hepatitis C virus-related cryoglobulinemic vasculitis: gene expression level and protein distribution
Authors: Sansonno Domenico , Russi Sabino , Sansonno Silvia , Pavone Fabio , Dammacco Franco
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can be detected in virtually all patients with cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV). Among its many effects, the virus is able to stimulate the production of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) by infected hepatocytes. In this study, we assessed the systemic levels and tissue distribution of TSLP in 60 chronically HCV-infected patients, 36 with and 24 without CV.

Methods

Serum TSLP levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. TSLP mRNA was assessed in patient samples by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TSLP protein in liver and skin biopsy samples was revealed by indirect immunofluorescence. All other methods were carried out according to standardized procedures.

Results

Serum TSLP levels were significantly higher in patients with than in those without CV and in healthy individuals. Higher TSLP levels paralleled specific mRNA expression and the up-regulation of TSLP protein in liver tissue. Compared with non-CV patients, higher TSLP levels in CV were accompanied by a higher frequency of circulating mono/oligoclonal B-cell expansions (8% vs. 92%, p < 0.0001) and a higher number of peripheral CD20+ B-cells (10.3% vs. 15.5% p = 0.04). In addition, TSLP mRNA expression in the liver of CV patients was lower than in their correspondent skin tissue and paralleled specific immune deposits of TSLP protein in keratinocytes.

Conclusion

Overall, this study shows that TSLP secreted by hepatocytes and keratinocytes of HCV-infected patients with CV is involved in the pathogenesis of vasculitis and may possibly support the therapeutic use of TSLP-targeted monoclonal antibodies.
Challenges in identifying the best source of stem cells for cardiac regeneration therapy
Authors: Dixit Parul , Katare Rajesh
Published: March 2015

The overall clinical cardiac regeneration experience suggests that stem cell therapy can be safely performed, but it also underlines the need for reproducible results for their effective use in a real-world scenario. One of the significant challenges is the identification and selection of the best suited stem cell type for regeneration therapy. Bone marrow mononuclear cells, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, resident or endogenous cardiac stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells and induced pluripotent stem cells are some of the stem cell types which have been extensively tested for their ability to regenerate the lost myocardium. While most of these cell types are being evaluated in clinical trials for their safety and efficacy, results show significant heterogeneity in terms of efficacy. The enthusiasm surrounding regenerative medicine in the heart has been dampened by the reports of poor survival, proliferation, engraftment, and differentiation of the transplanted cells. Therefore, the primary challenge is to create clearcut evidence on what actually drives the improvement of cardiac function after the administration of stem cells. In this review, we provide an overview of different types of stem cells currently being considered for cardiac regeneration and discuss why associated factors such as practicality and difficulty in cell collection should also be considered when selecting the stem cells for transplantation. Next, we discuss how the experimental variables (type of disease, marker-based selection and use of different isolation techniques) can influence the study outcome. Finally, we provide an outline of the molecular and genetic approaches to increase the functional ability of stem cells before and after transplantation.
Culture of human mesenchymal stem cells using a candidate pharmaceutical grade xeno-free cell culture supplement derived from industrial human plasma pools
Authors: Díez José M , Bauman Ewa , Gajardo Rodrigo , Jorquera Juan I
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is an animal product used as a medium supplement. The animal origin of FBS is a concern if cultured stem cells are to be utilized for human cell therapy. Therefore, a substitute for FBS is desirable. In this study, an industrial, xeno-free, pharmaceutical-grade supplement for cell culture (SCC) under development at Grifols was tested for growth of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), cell characterization, and differentiation capacity.

Methods

SCC is a freeze-dried product obtained through cold-ethanol fractionation of industrial human plasma pools from healthy donors. Bone marrow-derived hMSC cell lines were obtained from two commercial suppliers. Cell growth was evaluated by culturing hMSCs with commercial media or media supplemented with SCC or FBS. Cell viability and cell yield were assessed with an automated cell counter. Cell surface markers were studied by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Cells were cultured then differentiated into adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and neurons, as assessed by specific staining and microscopy observation.

Results

SCC supported the growth of commercial hMSCs. Starting from the same number of seeded cells in two consecutive passages of culture with medium supplemented with SCC, hMSC yield and cell population doubling time were equivalent to the values obtained with the commercial medium and was consistent among lots. The viability of hMSCs was higher than 90%, while maintaining the characteristic phenotype of undifferentiated hMSCs (positive for CD29, CD44, CD90, CD105, CD146, CD166 and Stro-1; negative for CD14 and CD19). Cultured hMSCs maintained the potential for differentiation into adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and neurons.

Conclusions

The tested human plasma-derived SCC sustains the adequate growth of hMSCs, while preserving their differentiation capacity. SCC can be a potential candidate for cell culture supplement in advanced cell therapies.
Petro-archaeometric characterization of potteries from a kiln in Adrano, Sicily
Authors: Aquilia Erica , Barone Germana , Mazzoleni Paolo , Raneri Simona , Lamagna Gioconda
Published: March 2015

Background

This work is part of a wide scientific project finalized to characterize the Sicilian pottery productions from Greek to Roman Age. In this prospective, local reference groups have been analysed in order to create a database of the circulation and production centres in Sicily during this period. In this framework, a set of 28 waste pottery fragments (III-II century B.C.) from a pit found during excavations at the fortification of Adrano (Sicily) have been studied.

Characterization of the samples has been obtained by macroscopic, petrographic (OM), mineralogical (XRD) and chemical (XRF) analyses.

Results

Macroscopic analysis of the studied potteries has allowed to distinguish four groups on the basis of grain size, porosity and clay paste color. Petrographic and mineralogical analysis, carried out on a selection of representative samples have allowed us to obtain useful information on the production technology of the studied samples. Moreover, information about raw materials and provenance of clay sediments has been obtained by comparing chemical data of the analysed samples with locally outcropping clay sediments reference data. Finally, chemical results on Adrano potteries have been compared with kiln wastes from Siracusa and Gela.

Conclusions

The aim of the present work is to obtain fabric characterizations and technological information on a local reference group of ceramic specimens manufactured in Adrano (Sicily). Petrographic and mineralogical results allow us to esteem high firing temperature suggesting a good technological level of local production; in addition, chemical data suggest a local provenance of raw materials used in the production of the studied samples. The comparison with local production from Siracusa and Gela highlights several differences in the use of raw material and in the technological levels achieved in the different sites, over time. Therefore, this work provides a valuable contribution in defining the local scenario of ceramic production in South-Eastern Sicily during the Hellenistic Age and in producing local reference groups in the petro-archaeometric studies of archaeological potteries.
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 (MAP3K8) Mediates the Signaling Pathway of Estradiol Stimulating Progesterone Production Through G Protein-Coupled Receptor 30 (GPR30) in Mouse Corpus Luteum
Authors: Liu Ying , Li Yueqin , Zhang Di , Liu Jiali , Gou Kemian , Cui Sheng
Published: March 2015

The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient endocrine gland developed from the ovulated follicles, and the most important function is to synthesize and secrete progesterone (P4), a key hormone to maintain normal pregnancy and estrous cycle in most mammals. It is known that estrogen has a vital role in stimulating P4 synthesis in CL, but it still remains unclear about the mechanism of estradiol (E2) regulating P4 production in CL. Our results here first show that all of the CL cells express MAPK 8 (MAP3K8), and the MAP3K8 level is much higher at the midstage than at the early and late stages during CL development. The further functional studies show that the forced inhibition of endogenous MAP3K8 by using MAP3K8 small interfering RNA and MAP3K8 signaling inhibitor (MAP3K8i) in the luteal cells significantly block the P4 synthesis and neutralize the enhancing effect of E2 on P4 production in the CL. In addition, our results here demonstrate that the stimulating effect of E2 on P4 synthesis relies on the estrogen no-classical protein-coupled receptor 30, and MAP3K8 is involved in mediating the protein-coupled receptor 30signaling of E2 affecting P4 synthesis via stimulating ERK phosphorylation. These novel findings are critical for our understanding the ovary physiology and pathological mechanism.
Synthesis of Common-sized Heterocyclic Compounds by Intramolecular Cyclization over Halide Cluster Catalysts
Authors: Nagashima Sayoko , Sasaki Tomoaki , Kamiguchi Satoshi , Chihara Teiji
Published: March 2015

Five- to seven-membered common-sized heterocyclic compounds containing an oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen were synthesized by the intramolecular condensation of α,ω-hydroxy, mercapto, or amino alkanes, respectively, over halide cluster complexes as a thermally stable molecular solid weak acid catalyst in the gas phase at temperatures ≥150 °C. From ω-mercapto and ω-amino alcohols, cyclic sulfides and amines were obtained, respectively. These unimolecular reactions are thermodynamically and kinetically favored.
Effect of Hydrogen on the Orientation of Cinchonidine Adsorbed on Platinum: An ATR-SEIRAS Study
Authors: Motobayashi Kenta , Tomioka Ryota , Uchida Taro , Osawa Masatoshi
Published: March 2015

The orientation of cinchonidine (CD) adsorbed on a Pt surface, a model system of enantioselective catalysis for hydrogenation reactions, is studied in 1,2-dichloroethane by in situ surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection configuration. The quinoline (QN) moiety of CD is shown to be reoriented from a π-bonded nearly parallel orientation to an N-bonded upright one by bubbling the solution with H2. The origin of the reorientation is ascribed to the repulsive interaction of a QN π-orbital and the negative surface charge induced by dissociative adsorption of H2 and hydrogenation of the vinyl moiety.
Spliceosome assembly in the absence of stable U4/U6 RNA pairing
Authors: Burke Jordan E. , Butcher Samuel E. , Brow David A.
Published: March 2015

The cycle of spliceosome assembly, intron excision, and spliceosome disassembly involves large-scale structural rearrangements of U6 snRNA that are functionally important. U6 enters the splicing pathway bound to the Prp24 protein, which chaperones annealing of U6 to U4 RNA to form a U4/U6 di-snRNP. During catalytic activation of the assembled spliceosome, U4 snRNP is released and U6 is paired to U2 snRNA. Here we show that point mutations in U4 and U6 that decrease U4/U6 base-pairing in vivo are lethal in combination. However, this synthetic phenotype is rescued by a mutation in U6 that alters a U6–Prp24 contact and stabilizes U2/U6. Remarkably, the resulting viable triple mutant strain lacks detectable U4/U6 base-pairing and U4/U6 di-snRNP. Instead, this strain accumulates free U4 snRNP, protein-free U6 RNA, and a novel complex containing U2/U6 di-snRNP. Further mutational analysis indicates that disruption of the U6–Prp24 interaction rather than stabilization of U2/U6 renders stable U4/U6 di-snRNP assembly nonessential. We propose that an essential function of U4/U6 pairing is to displace Prp24 from U6 RNA, and thus a destabilized U6–Prp24 complex renders stable U4/U6 pairing nonessential.
Reliability and reproducibility of spectral and time domain optical coherence tomography images before and after correction for patients with age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Sadiq Mohammad A. , Rashid Aymen , Channa Roomasa , Hatef Elham , Do Diana V , Nguyen Quan Dong , Sepah Yasir J
Published: March 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility and reliability of optical coherence tomography scans obtained using the time domain (TD-OCT) StratusTM OCT, and the Spectral Domain (SD-OCT) SpectralisTM and CirrusTM OCT devices before and after manual correction in eyes with either Neovascular (NV-AMD) or Non-Neovascular (NNV-AMD) age-related macular degeneration.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Methods:

Setting: University-based retina practice.

Patients: Thirty-six patients (50 eyes) with NV-AMD or NNV-AMD.

Procedure: OCT scans were taken simultaneously using one TD-OCT and two SD-OCT devices.

Main Outcome Measures: Macular thickness measurements were assessed before and after correction of the algorithm by constructing Bland-Altman plots for agreement and calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficients of repeatability (COR) to evaluate intraclass repeatability.

Results: Spectralis had the highest number of images needing manual correction.  All machines had high ICCs, with Spectralis having the highest.  Also, Bland-Altman plots indicated that there was low agreement between Cirrus™ and Stratus™, Spectralis™ and Stratus™, while there was good agreement between the Cirrus™ and Spectralis™.  The CORs were lowest for SpectralisTM and similar and higher for CirrusTM and StratusTM.  Agreement, CORs, and ICCs generally improved after manual correction, but only minimally. 

Conclusion: Agreement is low between devices, except between both SD-OCT machines.  Manual correction tends to improve results.
Prediction of multi-drug resistance transporters using a novel sequence analysis method
Authors: McDermott Jason E. , Bruillard Paul , Overall Christopher C. , Gosink Luke , Lindemann Stephen R.
Published: March 2015

There are many examples of groups of proteins that have similar function, but the determinants of functional specificity may be hidden by lack of sequence similarity, or by large groups of similar sequences with different functions. Transporters are one such protein group in that the general function, transport, can be easily inferred from the sequence, but the substrate specificity can be impossible to predict from sequence with current methods. In this paper we describe a linguistic-based approach to identify functional patterns from groups of unaligned protein sequences and its application to predict multi-drug resistance transporters (MDRs) from bacteria. We first show that our method can recreate known patterns from PROSITE for several motifs from unaligned sequences. We then show that the method, MDRpred, can predict MDRs with greater accuracy and positive predictive value than a collection of currently available family-based models from the Pfam database. Finally, we apply MDRpred to a large collection of protein sequences from an environmental microbiome study to make novel predictions about drug resistance in a potential environmental reservoir.
Legislative Support of Transparency of Public Authorities’ Activity
Authors: Dementeva Olga
Published: March 2015

The article analyzes problems of legislative enforcement of transparency of the public authorities’ activities. It also addresses such spheres of public activity that are important for the state and society, as budget and town planning. The article analyzes the dynamics of the provisions of the following legislations: budgetary legislation (procedures for the creation of the budgets’ operational and capital expenses, allocation of the special-purpose financial aid for capital expenses), and town-planning legislation (the order of drafting, discussion and adoption of documents for territorial planning and their amendments). The conclusion is drawn that in the past decade legal conditions for lesser transparency in preparation and decision-making by the public authorities were created at the federal level in the budgetary and town-planning sphere. To overcome these negative tendencies in the legislation it is necessary to establish not only clear transparent provisions regulating the order of decision-making, but also scientifically grounded substantive rules (such as, for example, minimum fiscal capacity standards, state minimum social standards in the public sector, state town-planning standards in the town-planning sphere). The presence in the legislation of the body of these rules will create legislative conditions for the public authority’s activities in the interests of the state and society, for the adoption of clear-cut and transparent decisions.
Legal Regulation of Relations of Exploitation of Choreographic Compositions
Authors: Smirnova Valeriya
Published: March 2015

The article describes the most common means of using the choreographic works-reproduction, distribution, public performance of the work. Although each of these means has a certain specificity, their legal regulation has the general rule that requires the permission of the owner to use the work. Almost all new means of using originally exist under the right of reproduction, and then becomes the independent right. The right of reproduction is not directly related the choreographic work to be available to the public; it is always involves the continuation of actions falling within the other copyrights, creates possibilities. The right of distribution is the right to be available to the public by providing the copies. Owner’s permission must be obtained, whether distribution is compensated or free of charge. Thus, the choreographer may refer the exclusive right of distribution on fixations, designs, sketches, drawings, have not received on the stage, to another person. Using the choreographic work connected with the mean of public performance, because the owner intention is to present the creative result to other persons by effort and forms of expression. According the legislation, public performance is not imply the immediate contact of the public with the work. Public performance also reproduce with the
technical means while the audience is expanding.
On the Decriminalization of Manufacturing and Sales of Edged Weapons
Authors: Zvyagin Vladimir
Published: March 2015

The article focuses on the issue of decriminalization of manufacturing and sales of edged weapons in the Russian criminal law. The social danger of such acts was analyzed. Law enforcement practice shows that in the process of crime execution edged weapons are rarely used. More frequently people use various items which objectively possess sufficient destructive ability but which are not edged weapons. The absence of statistics on the use of edged weapons as a crime instrument, as well as the lack of differences between edged weapons and items used as weapons in the classification of crimes is identified. The conclusion was drawn that the application or use of objects that are recognized as edged weapons, and items that are not recognized as such is of no legal significance for the qualification of the criminal action. The author justifies the need for exclusion of articles related to manufacturing and sales of the edged weapons from the criminal code. Conclusions are made on the basis of studying the materials of the Russian judicial practice and the results of surveys of investigators from internal affairs agencies and investigative committee in the Primorye Territory.
Criminal Responsibility of Legal Entities for Corruption-Related Crimes
Authors: Kashyepov Vladimir
Published: March 2015

The article examines certain peculiarities of economic crime as a specific manifestation of organized crime, the contents and manifestations of corporate crimes, and determines the grounds for and means of criminal prosecution of legal entities. The article analyses characteristic features of the objective and subjective aspects of the elements of crimes of corporate subjects, sources of the international legislation on legal combating the crimes by legal entities. The article looks into the problems of the doctrine on criminal responsibility of legal entities and conditions for formation of the mechanism of criminal and legal combating such area of crime in the sphere of economic activity, as corruption acts by legal entities, and justifies the need for the division of responsibilities between functionaries - natural persons and legal entities. The article investigates peculiarities of legal proceedings for legal entities’ prosecution, provision of procedural guarantees for the rights and legitimate interests of legal entities when applying measures of procedural compulsion, reasonability of the determined criminal-legal enforcement actions.
Public legal restrictions on the use of public lands
Authors: Ushakova Aleksandra
Published: March 2015

The legal regime for common use lands (the lands that can be used by any party for the purpose of lodgment and movement) implies the establishment of considerable restrictions for the use of such lands: their utilization strictly for the intended purpose and prohibition on privatization of the land plots that form part of such lands. Non-imageness of the legal regulation of jural relations related to the abovementioned restrictions is in many cases the cause of infringement of citizens’ rights and failure to observe the public regime for the lands. This article aims to offer interpretation of the law norms that permits to better reveal the essence of the law, including that in regard to certain most problematic cases. On the basis of the suggested interpretation and the analysis of the law enforcement problems, the focus areas of legislation improvement were suggested.
Stochastic Billiards for Sampling from the Boundary of a Convex Set
Authors: Dieker A. B. , Vempala Santosh S.
Published: March 2015

Stochastic billiards can be used for approximate sampling from the boundary of a bounded convex set through the Markov Chain Monte Carlo paradigm. This paper studies how many steps of the underlying Markov chain are required to get samples (approximately) from the uniform distribution on the boundary of the set, for sets with an upper bound on the curvature of the boundary. Our main theorem implies a polynomial-time algorithm for sampling from the boundary of such sets.
Entrepreneurial Decisions on Effort and Project with a Nonconcave Objective Function
Authors: Bensoussan Alain , Cadenillas Abel , Koo Hyeng Keun
Published: March 2015

We propose and solve a general entrepreneurial/managerial decision-making problem. Instead of employing concave objective functions, we use a broad class of nonconcave objective functions. We approach the problem by a martingale method. We show that the optimization problem with a nonconcave objective function has the same solution as the optimization problem when the objective function is replaced by its concave hull, and thus the problems are equivalent to each other. The value function is shown to be strictly concave and to satisfy the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation of dynamic programming. We also show that the final wealth cannot take values in the region where the objective function is not concave: the entrepreneur would like to avoid her or his wealth ending up in the nonconcave region. Because of this, the entrepreneur’s risk taking explodes as time nears maturity if her his wealth is equal to the right end point of the nonconcave region.
Epidemiology and risk factors for Barrett's oesophagus
Authors: Rameez Mohammed H , Mayberry John F
Published: March 2015

The highest incidence and prevalence of Barrett's oesophagus is in western countries. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and hiatus hernia, increasing age and use of oral bisphosphonates. This article discusses the significance of these findings.
A three-pronged strategy to improve teaching and learning
Authors: Nelson Amelia
Published: March 2015

The strategy to improve teaching and learning at Long Cross Primary School focused on three areas. Deputy headteacher Amelia Nelson explains
Avaliação da Condição de Alfabetização de Estudantes com Deficiência Intelectual no Contexto Inclusivo
Authors: Oliveira Anna Augusta Sampaio de
Published: March 2015

A questão da avaliação na área da deficiência intelectual, numa perspectiva inclusiva, ainda é tema pouco explorado na pesquisa e na prática educacional. Neste estudo apresentamos resultado de investigação sobre o desempenho na fase inicial de alfabetização. Foram avaliados 32 estudantes com deficiência intelectual, do 2º ano do ensino fundamental, de uma das regiões centrais do município de São Paulo. Os resultados apontam possibilidades de aprendizagem como também as dificuldades na área da leitura e escrita destes estudantes.
Public policies in a regulated entrepreneurial setting
Authors: Marcus Alfred A. , Cohen Susan K.
Published: March 2015

The existing literature in public policy has commented mostly on mature and established businesses, leaving the relationships between entrepreneurial businesses and public policies less explored. Relying on qualitative research methods and quantitative surveys, we examine how managers in an intensively regulated entrepreneurial setting assessed the desirability of public policies. We show that managers in the regulated energy efficiency and renewable (EERE) business sector in the 1990s tended to view public policies favorably only if they lacked control over the business environment. The less control they perceived they had over the business environment, the more favorably they tended to view public policies. Our findings suggest that managers in a regulated entrepreneurial setting tend to view public policies as substitutes for their efforts to control their business environment, not as complements, as studies of mature and established companies in regulated settings commonly find. However, we also find some evidence to suggest these perceptions may evolve, as a business experiences greater success attracting customers.
Capillary pore-size distribution and equilibrium moisture content of wood determined by means of pressure plate technique
Authors: Zauer Mario , Meissner Frank , Plagge Rudolf , Wagenführ André
Published: March 2015

This paper deals with the determination of the capillary pore-size distribution (CPSD) and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of untreated and thermally modified (TM) Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] by means of the pressure plate technique (PPT). Desorption experiments were conducted at very high values of relative humidity (RH) in the range between 99.2% and 100%. The thermal modification of spruce results in an alteration of the CPSD, owing to the formation of intercellular cracks in the middle lamella, as a result of cell-wall compression. The desorption curves for both untreated and TM spruce show an extremely upward bend at 99.97% RH. This step reflects an EMC of 38.1% for untreated spruce and 33.8% for TM spruce. None of the samples shrunk during the PPT measurements. Following desorption experiments at 97.4% RH, all samples shrunk. This step reflects an EMC of 27.9% for untreated spruce and 21.7% for TM spruce.
Electrochemical Studies on Cathodic Reduction of Titanium Dioxide in Molten Calcium Chloride
Authors: Mohanty Jayashree , Mishra Krushna Gopal , Paramguru Raja Kishore , Mishra Barada Kanta
Published: March 2015

The polarization studies have been performed on the electrochemical reduction of TiO
A Modified Johnson–Cook Model to Predict Stress-strain Curves of Boron Steel Sheets at Elevated and Cooling Temperatures
Authors: Duc-Toan Nguyen , Tien-Long Banh , Dong-Won Jung , Seung-Han Yang , Young-Suk Kim
Published: March 2015

In order to predict correctly stress-strain curve for tensile tests at elevated and cooling temperatures, a modification of a Johnson–Cook (J-C) model and a new method to determine (J-C) material parameters are proposed. A MATLAB tool is used to determine material parameters by fitting a curve to follow Ludwick and Voce's hardening law at various elevated temperatures. Those hardening law parameters are then utilized to determine modified (J-C) model material parameters. The modified (J-C) model shows the better prediction compared to the conventional one. An FEM tensile test simulation based on the isotropic hardening model for metal sheet at elevated temperatures was carried out via a user-material subroutine, using an explicit finite element code. The simulation results at elevated temperatures were firstly presented and then compared with the measurements. The temperature decrease of all elements due to the air cooling process was then calculated when considering the modified (J-C) model and coded to VUMAT subroutine for tensile test simulation. The modified (J-C) model showed the good comparability between the simulation results and the corresponding experiments.
Oxidation of Fe-Ni Alloys in Air at 700°C, 800°C and 950°C
Authors: Shi Zhongning , Shi Dong , Gao Bingliang , Xu Junli , Hu Xianwei , Wang Zhaowen
Published: March 2015

The oxidation behavior of Fe-Ni alloys containing 10, 20, 43, 50, 57 and 80 (mass%) nickel was studied over the range 700
Progressive alterations of perilesional brain tissue after Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery: a diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Speckter Herwin , Bido José , Hernandez Giancarlo , Rivera Diones , Suazo Luis , Valenzuela Santiago , Foerster Bernd , Perez-Then Eddy , Oviedo Jairo , Stoeter Peter
Published: March 2015

Introduction: To search for microstructural lesions of normal-appearing cerebral white matter surrounding a tumor or a vascular lesion, after single-fraction stereotactic Gamma Knife (GK) radiosurgery.

Methods: In 43 patients with different brain lesions, magnetic resonance including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed before and after GK radiosurgery and change of parameters was measured in areas surrounding the lesion.

Results: Outside the lesion, there was an increase in mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) between 2.1% and 3.4% in the 15–10 Gy and in the 10–5 Gy perilesional isodose volumes, which reached statistical significance (paired t-test) for the MD and RD values in both volumes (P≤0.05) and correlated to the delay from treatment (P<0.01 resp. P<0.05). The only significant change in the fractional anisotropy values was a decrease in the 10–5 Gy isodose volume (P≤0.01), which correlated to the radiation dose applied (P<0.05).

Conclusion: We report some minor, but nevertheless significant changes in DTI parameters in normal-appearing perilesional brain tissue after GK radiosurgery progressing with time, which partially may be induced by the radiation itself and partially may be due to indirect effects of lesion reactions to the radiation. Follow-up studies are necessary for further characterization of these changes and assessment of their time course.
New Methods for Specialized Lexicography: Brazilian Approach Examples [Neue Methoden der Fachlexikographie: Beispiele des brasilianischen Ansatzes / Nouvelles méthodes pour la lexicographie spécialisée: l’exemple de l’approche brésilienne]
Authors: Finatto Maria José Bocorny
Published: March 2015

This paper presents theoretical and methodological approaches to Terminology that are well known in Brazil, giving special attention to the production of dictionaries and similar reference work based on corpora. A collation of the many theoretical approaches and terminography practices is provided, inviting the reader to learn more about Special-Language Lexicography (SLL) in Brazil. In order to better illustrate Brazilian terminography production, a background on three different terminographic reference works recently developed in the Brazilian scenario using corpora is brought forth: a dictionary about ceramic tiles, a glossary of Oncomastology and an extensive dictionary of Dermatology. At the end of this paper, information about computational resources, such as ontologies and tools for representation of text-based content, is introduced, indicating new methodological approaches for new dictionaries.
Tris(hydroxydietylene)-2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate for rigid PUR-PIR foams
Authors: Liszkowska Joanna , Czupryński Bogusław , Paciorek-Sadowska Joanna
Published: March 2015

A new compound was synthesized from 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid (citric acid) and diethylene glycol (DEG). Compound, tris(hydroxydietylene)-2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate (THT) rated properties in terms of suitability for the rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (PUR-PIR). Rated properties of THT eg., acid number, density, pH, solubility. The resulting product was characterized by hydroxyl number 405.2 mg KOH/g and viscosity 4879.7 mPa·s. Compound used to foams in amounts of from 0.1 equivalents to 0.5 equivalents instead of Rokopol RF551. The results of rigid foams showed that the amount of THT in the foam significantly affects the compressive strength of foams. Its amount does not affect the apparent density of foam, retention and thermal conductivity. The foams are characterized by small values of fragility.
Large deviations for random evolutions with independent
increments in the scheme of Lévy approximation with split and double merging
Authors: Samoilenko Igor V.
Published: March 2015

Asymptotic analysis of the problem of large deviations for random
evolutions with independent increments in the circuit of Lévy
approximation with split and double merging is carried out. Large
deviations for random evolutions in the circuit of Lévy
approximation with split and double merging are determined by the
exponential generator for the jumping process with independent
increments.
Empresas de extranjeros oficialmente mexicanas en la frontera. Significado e implicaciones en torno a la cuenca internacional río Colorado
Authors: López Marco Antonio Samaniego
Published: March 2015

El artículo analiza la forma en que empresas tanto de México como de Estados Unidos se articularon para negociar con los gobiernos de ambos países y aprovechar las coyunturas legales para abrir tierras al cultivo en los valles de Imperial y Mexicali. En él, se afirma y se demuestra que es falso que la Colorado River Land Company fuera la empresa que dominara el valle de Mexicali y se ubica su participación en un contexto más amplio. También se explica la situación de la empresa del ferrocarril Southern Pacific en ambos lados de la frontera. Y, sobre todo, se analiza cómo, por qué y para qué se organizaron empresas mexicanas integradas por estadounidenses.

This article analyzes the way in which companies in both Mexico and the United States were assembled to negotiate with the governments of both countries and to take advantage of legal situations in order to open land for cultivation in the Imperial and Mexicali valleys. The article affirms and demonstrates that it is false that the Colorado River Land Company was the business that dominated the Mexicali Valley and its participation is placed in a broader context. Additionally, the article explains the situation of the Southern Pacific Railroad company on both sides of the border. Above all, it analyzes how, why, and for what purpose Mexican companies were organized and incorporated by U.S. companies.