bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation Products and the Multi-Sensory Interactive Periodic Table
Authors: Bartling Brian , Psarakis Catherine
Published: June 2017

The Multi-Sensory Interactive Periodic Table (MSIPT) is described as a simulation product for the perceptualization of electron configurations, atomic radii, orbital structures, and chemical bonds of the elements comprising the periodic table. A simulation product is defined as an interactive output representation from a data-centric sonification model, and is used to illustrate the form and structure of various elements through sound synthesis. First, a brief overview of the frameworks and possibilities inherent within this approach is addressed, which is then followed by a discussion of MSIPT. It is concluded that a simulation product provides a robust and self-contained method for communicating multi-faceted structures through sound.
How Do People Think They Remember Melodies and Timbres? Phenomenological Reports of Memory for Nonverbal Sounds
Authors: Nees Michael A. , Harris Joanna , Leong Peri
Published: June 2017

Memory for nonverbal sounds such as those used in sonifications has been recognized as a priority for cognitive-perceptual research in the field of auditory display. Yet memory processes for nonverbal sounds are not well understood, and existing theory and research have not provided a consensus on a mechanism of memory for nonverbal sounds. We report a new analysis of a qualitative question that asked participants to report the strategy they used to retain nonverbal sounds—both melodies and sounds discriminable primarily by timbre. The question was originally posed as part of the debriefing procedure for three separate memory experiments whose primary findings are reported elsewhere. Results of this new analysis suggested that auditory memory strategies — remembering acoustic properties of sounds — were common across both types of sounds but were more commonly reported for remembering melodies. Motor strategies were also more frequently reported for remembering melodies. Both verbal labeling of sounds and associative strategies — linking the sounds to existing information in memory — were more commonly reported as strategies for remembering sounds discriminable primarily by timbre. Implications for theory and future research are discussed.
An Immersive Virtual Environment for Congruent Audio-Visual Spatialized Data Sonifications
Authors: Chabot Samuel , Braasch Jonas
Published: June 2017

The use of spatialization techniques in data sonification provides system designers with an additional tool for conveying information to users. Oftentimes, spatialized data sets are meant to be experienced by a single or few users at a time. Projects at Rensselaer's Collaborative-Research Augmented Immersive Virtual Environment Laboratory allow even large groups of collaborators to work within a shared virtual environment system. The lab provides an equal emphasis on the visual and audio system, with a nearly 360 degree panoramic display and 128-loudspeaker array housed behind the acoustically-transparent screen. The space allows for dynamic switching between immersions in recreations of physical scenes and presentations of abstract or symbolic data. Content creation for the space is not a complex process - the entire display is essentially a single desktop and straight-forward tools such as the Virtual Microphone Control allow for dynamic real-time spatialization. With the ability to target individual channels in the array, audio-visual congruency is achieved. The loudspeaker array creates a high-spatial density soundfield within which users are able to freely explore due to the virtual elimination of a so-called “sweet-spot.”
La preservacion de documentos vitales: aproximación a la situación actual en el Distrito Capital
Authors: Zapata Carlos Alberto
Published: June 2017

Desde 1986, la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación la Ciencia y la Cultura – UNESCO, a través de los estudios RAMP (Records and Archives Management Programe) incorporó como uno de los elementos del Programa de Gestión de Documentos el Subprograma de Gestión de Documentos Vitales (o Esenciales), cuyo objetivo es garantizar la protección de la información y los documentos en casos de desastres de forma que se asegurara la continuidad de las funciones administrativas; el presente estudio, ofrece un panorama general acerca del estado de la implementación de dicho programa en la administración distrital de Bogotá, a partir del análisis de la participación de los archivos y archivistas del Distrito en los planes de continuidad del negocio de sus entidades, a partir de la aplicación del Modelo Estándar de Control Interno.
Formarnos y autoformarnos en alfabetización informacional. Un programa de mentorización en bibliotecas universitarias-CRAI
Authors: Pinto Molina Maria , Uribe Tirado Alejandro
Published: June 2017

La Alfabetización Informacional (ALFIN) es un requisito de formación que desde los servicios académicos y especialmente de las bibliotecas-CRAI de las universidades, se debe ofertar a todos sus miembros en distintas modalidades y niveles. Para lograr buenos resultados es necesario que los responsables de los programas de ALFIN, además de tener buenos conocimientos sobre esta temática (modelos, normas, buenas prácticas), ofrezcan adecuadas habilidades-actitudes comunicativas, tecnológicas, documentales y didácticas. La “mentorización” (mentoring) es una de las estrategias organizacionales que dichas instancias universitarias pueden asumir considerando su fortaleza como medio de formación y autoformación. El personal bibliotecario y el docente que aspire a ser formado (tutelado) por los formadores ya experimentados (mentores) y las personas a cargo de la formación organizacional (coordinadores) pueden crecer en dichas competencias, y así lograr mejores procesos y resultados de enseñanza-aprendizaje en los programas universitarios de ALFIN
Los orígenes de la Biblioteca Pública de Buenos Aires: antecedentes, prácticas, gestión y pensamiento bibliotecario durante la Revolución de Mayo (1810-1826)
Authors: García Aguilar Idalia
Published: June 2017

Los orígenes de la Biblioteca Pública de Buenos Aires: antecedentes, prácticas, gestión y pensamiento bibliotecario durante la Revolución de Mayo (1810-1826)
Las tesis doctorales como instrumento para conocer la evolución de la producción en biblioteconomía y documentación: el caso del Departamento de Biblioteconomía y Documentación de la Universidad Carlos III
Authors: Ortiz Sánchez Sarivette , Martín-Moreno Carmen
Published: June 2017

Los estudios doctorales son los que conducen al grado académico más alto y dada su importancia son regulados por diferentes normativas. Por ello es importante conocer la evolución de la producción investigadora de los departamentos que otorgan dicho grado. En este estudio se analiza el caso del Departamento de Biblioteconomía y Documentación (ByD) de la Universidad Carlos  III de Madrid  (UC3M) a través de las 46 tesis doctorales defendidas durante los cursos 1996-1997 y 2005-2006. Su objetivo es conocer la evolución de la producción de tesis, la colaboración del Departamento con otras instituciones, el perfil actual de los autores, así como las fuentes y autores más citados en las tesis. Para ello se ha utilizado una metodología basada en técnicas bibliométricas, a fin de estudiar las 16,208 referencias utilizadas en las tesis. Se ha distribuido un cuestionario a los autores de las tesis para conocer su perfil actual. Entre los resultados se observa una media de 352 referencias por tesis, con preferencia a revistas y sobre temas relacionados con bibliometría y estudios de usuarios. En cuanto a la actividad actual de los autores de las tesis, cabe señalar que principalmente se encuentran en ambientes académicos y continúan investigando en su tema de tesis. Con respecto al consumo de información actual, se encontró similitud con la utilizada en las tesis.
Series documentales para la investigación en historia de las universidades
Authors: Vivas Moreno Agustín , Pérez Ortiz Guadalupe
Published: June 2017

El presente trabajo tiene por objeto estudiar y clasificarlas series documentales de utilidad para la investigaciónen historia de las universidades. Para ello partimosdel análisis de la institución universitaria paraposteriormente examinar la evolución de la archivísticauniversitaria. En tercer lugar proponemos una clasificacióndocumental para la documentación históricade las universidades basada en la metodología institucional,y por último realizamos un análisis exhaustivode las series documentales del Estudio Salmantino, deaplicación en la inmensa mayoría de las universidadeshispanas. Cuatro conclusiones, relativas a cada una delas partes expuestas, ponen fin a nuestra investigación.
La reutilización de la información pública en la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid
Authors: Cobo Serrano Silvia , Sala Jiménez Andrea , Ramos Simón L. Fernando
Published: June 2017

La reutilización de información fue introducida por la directiva europea 2003/98/CE y apoyada por la ley española 37/2007 para dar un enfoque uniforme a los aspectos relativos a la reutilización de datos del sector público. Se pretende caracterizar la información y analizar diversos aspectos de la reutilización de la información en la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. Se presenta el Portal de datos públicos como resultado de la investigación, y se recomienda la creación de productos de información, normalización, control, comunicación y difusión para potenciar la reutilización de la información madrileña.
La información en las Comunidades Indígenas ¿recurso minimizado?
Authors: Ramírez Velázquez César Augusto
Published: June 2017

Es de todos conocido que los grupos indígenas a través del tiempo han sufrido de altibajos en cuanto al modo de ser percibidos y tomados en cuenta por la sociedad que los rodea,lo que depende de la ubicación geográfica, la época, los sucesos históricos, el clima, los hechos políticos y económicos...
Válaszúton – rendiség, abszolutizmus, polgárosodás? Hatalomgyakorlási modellek Jean Bodin Az államról című könyvében
Authors: Szentgáli-Tóth Boldizsár
Published: June 2017

The article approaches Bodin's philosophy from historical aspect outlining the characters of age of reformation. The paper emphasizes, Bodin's work came into existence in a transitional time, wherein holy and profane views coexisted, often interspersed. The conception of Bodin reflects a relatively rational way of thinking introducing the state phenomena as parts of political power structure. The writing analyses the functions of state and their institutions and operation. The article introduces Bodin's ideas about the professional state control and its relations with our modern public administration.
Távoltartás osztrák mintára?
Authors: Tóth Andrea Noémi
Published: June 2017

De temps en temps, on entend de tristes nouvelles à propos de la violence familiale. Onvoulait appliquer un moyen efficace contre ces faits; un moyen à empêcher l’auteur du crimede retourner à la victime ou de la contacter à son lieu de travail ou à n’importe quel endroitprécisé par la décision du tribunal. Ce moyen est l’injonction d’éloignement qui existe dans laprocédure pénale hongroise depuis 2006. Le législateur hongrois avait un modèle : le systèmeautrichien qui existe et fonctionne très bien depuis 1997 déjà. C'est pour cela qu'on doit leconnaître mieux et que j'ai décidé de le présenter. Étant réglé par plusieurs lois et décrets, il atrois piliers: expulsion et interdiction d’entrée par la police (Wegweisung undBetretungsverbot); une ordonnance de référé par le tribunal (Einstweilige Verfügung); et lescentres de refuge qui aident les victimes à atteindre à une assistance juridique.La réglementation hongroise voulait suivre précisement celle en Autriche, mais on trouveplusieurs différences, qui diminuent l’efficacité de la mesure et on peut dire qu’elle nefonctionne pas parfaitement. En même temps, on peut établir un parallèle entre lesréglementations hongroises et autrichiennes, parce qu’on a la possibilité d’appliquerl‘injonction d’éloignement par la police et par le tribunal aussi dans les deux états.Il est important de montrer les divergences aussi, ainsi, on doit remarquer qu’il n’y aucunsystème des institutions en Hongrie, qui pourrait être équivivale des centres de refugeautrichiens. Ensuite, on ne trouve pas du tout des règles détaillées par exemple en domain del’exécution et le contrôle de la mesure. Il manque un système des institutions, qui sechargerait un rôle si marquant en domain de l‘exécution de la mesure et de la défense desvictimes.Enfin, on peut souligner que le législateur hongrois adoptait l’injonction d’éloignement dansle système juridique hongrois comme une mesure coercitive dans la procédure pénale, mais enAutriche, on ne le trouve pas parmi les mesures coercitives pendant la procédure pénale. C’est un problèm fondamental, qui détermine les règles et diminue l’efficacité de la marche. Il y ades insuffisances bases en Hongrie, en face du système en Autriche, où la mesure fonctionnebien et on voit l’efforts pour perfectionner les règes.
A menekültügyi őrizet elrendelésének anyagi jogi feltételei az uniós jog tükrében
Authors: Kiss Árpád
Published: June 2017

Hungary lies in the route of the stream of refugees coming from the Balkan. It is a transit country, so the refugees do not typically intend to stay here, they rather wish to travel torwards to West- and North Europe. Particular sections of Hungary's border also mean the external borders of the European Union, the area of freedom, security and justice, which has a common asylum system. Significant part of illegal immigrants presents asylum claim only to avoid the aliens procedures.

From the 1st of January 2013, the legislature terminated the aliens detention against asylum applicants. From 1st of July 2013 the Hungarian legislature reintroduced the possibility of detention of applicants. The new regulation has been placed in Act LXXX of 2007 on the Right of Asylum, Sections 31/A-31/H by Act XCIII of 2013 on the Amendment of Particular Laws Concerning Law Enforcement. The introduction of asylum-seeker detention and the practice of its application have raised dust. In my essay I am introducing the connections between the reasons of ordering asylum-seeker detention in the Act on Asylum and its backgroud in the EU Directive. I am not dealing with the question of compatibility of asylum detention and human rights and with problematic procedural issues, because I consider it more important to review the substantive conditions of asylum-seeker detention and the certain practical questions of its application therefore I am focusing on this segment of jurisdiction.
A szindikátusi szerződés
Authors: Nagy Barna Krisztina
Published: June 2017

Before the new codex of civil law the law of business associations was cogent, that is why the syndicate agreement became a popular contract again. Yes, I would like to emphasize again, because in the past decade, after the commercial law became valid, this type of agreement and cooperation, what was regulated by the syndicate agreement was well known in the Hungarian civil law. Namely this commercial law had a provision, which said, that every occasional associations i.e. civil association or consortiums, are actually civil associations not business associations. The bottom line is, they are contractual collaborations, with one purpose, to make profit. If someone comes to make this kind of cooperation/collaboration, it has to be regulated by a syndicate agreement.

After the WWII, the syndicate agreement was not popular. By the time when the first law of business association entered into force, this type of cooperation reached high popularity, because of the cogent rules, in respect of the private limited company. This is the reason why the syndicateswith vote became so popular,and they will be after a dispositive civil codex.

First I would like to present syndicate agreement of company law, second I would like to give a brief overview about the syndicate agreement of public law.
Investigation of Pre- and Post-Swelling Behavior of Elastomeric Material
Authors: Akhtar M , Velden Md , Al-Houqani SSA
Published: June 2017

In the last ten years, a new type of modern polymer, known as swelling elastomer, has been used extensively as a sealing element in the oil and gas industry. These elastomers have been instrumental in various new applications such as water shut off, zonal isolation, and sidetracking. Though swell packers can significantly reduce costs and increase productivity, their failure can lead to serious losses. The integrity and reliability of swelling elastomer seals under different field conditions is a major concern. The investigation of changes in material behavior over a specified swelling period is a necessary first step for performance evaluation of elastomer seals. The current study is based on experimental analysis of changes in geometric and mechanical behavior (hardness, tensile, compressive, bulk) of an elastomeric material due to swelling. Tests were carried out before and after various stages of swelling. Specimens were placed in saline water (0.6% and 12% concentrations) at a temperature of 50°C, with the total swelling period being one month. Swelling, hardness, compression, and bulk tests were conducted using disc samples, while ring samples were used for tensile experiments. A small test rig was designed and constructed for determination of bulk modulus. Stress-strain curves under tension and compression, and pressure volumetric-strain curves were obtained for specimens subjected to different swelling periods. Due to the fast-swell nature of the elastomer, there were sharp changes in mechanical properties within the first few days of swelling for both salinities. Elastic modulus derived from tensile and compressive tests showed a 90% decrease in the first few days. Bulk modulus showed fluctuation in its variation with an increasing swelling period. There was a small effect of salinity only during the first 5 or 6 days.
Stress Concentration Factor of Expanded Aluminum Tubes Using Finite Element Modeling
Authors: Mhamdi L , Seibi AC , Karrech A , El-Borgi S , Barsoum I
Published: June 2017

This paper discusses the development of semi-empirical relations for the maximum stress concentration factor (SCF) around circular holes embedded in aluminum tubes under various expansion ratios and mandrel angles. Finite element models were developed to study the expansion of a typical aluminum tube with embedded holes of various sizes. An elastic perfectly-plastic material behaviour was used to describe the structural response of the tubes under expansion. Various hole-diameter-to-tubewall- thickness ratios, tube expansion ratios, and mandrel angles were considered to determine the stress state around the hole at zero and 90 degree locations from which the maximum SCF was determined. Semi-empirical relations for the maximum SCF using the Lagrange interpolation formulation were developed. The developed relations were found to predict the SCFs accurately.
Effect of Cryogenic Treatment on Microstructure and Micro Hardness of Aluminium (LM25) - SiC Metal Matrix Composite
Authors: Elango G , Raghunath BK , Thamizhmaran K
Published: June 2017

The basic aim of this paper is to increase awareness amongst the researchers and to draw their attention towards the present approach to deal with the cryogenic treatment for the nonferrous metals. Cryogenic treated nonferrous metals will exhibit longer wear and more durability. During metal making process, when solidification takes place, some molecules get caught in a random pattern. The molecules do move about at subzero and deep cryogenic treatment slowly. In this experimental study, the effect of cryogenic treatment on microstructure changes and the hardness properties varies for LM25 alloy and LM25-SiC metal matrix composite at -196°C. It is analyzed for different durations. The execution of cryogenic treatment on both alloy and MMCs changed the distribution of
Variation in Methane Concentration Produced from Anaerobically Digested Vegetables
Authors: Mousa H. , Silwadi M.
Published: June 2017

Anaerobic fermentation is a highly promising technology for converting biomass waste into methane, which then may directly be used as an energy source. Attempts have been made to optimize various parameters in order to determine the most favorable recipe for maximum biogas production from fermented vegetable waste. The biogas production from many types of vegetable waste such as zucchini, orange peel, tomato, potato, and rice was studied in batch digesters. The effect of adding chicken dung and sludge to vegetable waste on the concentration of methane in the produced biogas was investigated. The experiments were conducted at room temperature (20°C) and at 35°C. The results revealed that methane concentration goes through maximum value with time. This maximum value is obtained faster when the rate of digestion is faster. The concentrations of methane in the biogas produced are ranked as follows: potato>rice>tomato>zucchini>orange peels. The concentrations of methane gas increased as chicken dung and sludge were mixed with the vegetables. The maximum value of methane concentration is reached faster in a mixture of chicken dung and sludge. For both chicken dung and sludge, the maximum value is reached at the same time.
Simulation of Solar Radiation Incident on Horizontal and Inclined Surfaces
Authors: Basunia MA , Yoshio H , Abe T
Published: June 2017

A computer model was developed to simulate the hourly, daily and monthly average of daily solar radiation on horizontal and inclined surfaces. The measured hourly and daily solar radiation was compared with simulated radiation, and favourable agreement was observed for the measured and predicted values on clear days. The measured and simulated monthly averages of total (diffuse and beam) daily solar radiation were compared and a reasonable agreement was observed for a number of stations in Japan. The simulation showed that during the rice harvesting season, September to October, there is a daily average of 14.7 MJ/m2 of solar irradiation on a horizontal surface in Matsuyama, Japan. There is a similar amount of solar radiation on a horizontal surface during the major rice harvesting season, November to December, in Bangladesh. This radiation can be effectively utilized for drying rough rice and other farm crops.
El Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) como herramienta analítica. Dos aplicaciones para el análisis de entrevistas.
Authors: Rosati German , Chazarreta Adriana
Published: June 2017

El objetivo del presente artículo es presentar una técnica que aborda de manera consistente y sistemática la etapa analítica de datos cualitativos: el llamado Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) o Análisis Comparativo Cualitativo. En la primera parte se presentan los conceptos básicos vinculados a las herramientas lógicas (álgebra booleana) que son el fundamento del QCA. En la segunda, se ejemplifica la aplicación del QCA a partir de la información producida en dos investigaciones: un estudio sobre los trabajadores de la cosecha de algodón en Chaco y una investigación sobre las empresas vitivinícolas en la provincia de Mendoza.
A TEORIA DO DOMÍNIO DO FATO E O CÓDIGO PENAL BRASILEIRO
Authors: (Universidade Federal do Paraná) Paulo César Busato , (FAE Centro Universitário/ PR) Rodrigo Cavagnari
Published: June 2017

O presente trabalho debate a legitimidade de aplicação da teoria do domínio do fato no conjunto de regras assistemático do Código Penal brasileiro – referente ao título do concurso de pessoas – analisando-a à margem do sectarismo dos sistemas unitário e diferenciador.
Belajardisini : The E-learning Framework Based on Gamification Concept
Authors: Pramukantoro Eko Sakti , Yahya Widhi
Published: June 2017

Abstract. The lack of motivation and student engagement in the learning process are the Challenges in education today. E-learning is one of the methods used to resolve these issues.The E-learning, the digital based learning media, enable students to study every where and every time. Basically the e-learning is only used for repository of teaching materials and for evaluation. This kind of e-learning cannot motivate  the learning process. The development of e-learning must be done in order to increase the motivation to learn. The proposed solution extends the e-learning application with the Gamification approach. Gamification is adopted mechanism of the game in non game context. Typically, gamification is used in the business world. The Leaderboard, Challenges, and reward are components that are used to stimulate products sales by marketing. The reward will be given to the top rank salesman on the Leaderboard. This interesting concept can be applied to e-learning to stimulate the learning motivation
Optimizing SVR using Local Best PSO for Software Effort Estimation
Authors: Novitasari Dinda , Cholissodin Imam , Mahmudy Wayan Firdaus
Published: June 2017

Abstract. In the software industry world, it’s known to fulfill the tremendous demand. Therefore, estimating effort is needed to optimize the accuracy of the results, because it has the weakness in the personal analysis of experts who tend to be less objective. SVR is one of clever algorithm as machine learning methods that can be used. There are two problems when applying it; select features and find optimal parameter value. This paper proposed local best PSO-SVR to solve the problem. The result of experiment showed that the proposed model outperforms PSO-SVR and T-SVR in accuracy. Keywords: Optimization, SVR, Optimal Parameter, Feature Selection, Local Best PSO, Software Effort Estimation
Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Simulated Annealing for Function Optimization
Authors: Fatyanosa Tirana Noor , Sihananto Andreas Nugroho , Alfarisy Gusti Ahmad Fanshuri , Burhan M Shochibul , Mahmudy Wayan Firdaus
Published: June 2017

The optimization problems on real-world usually have non-linear characteristics. Solving non-linear problems is time-consuming, thus heuristic approaches usually are being used to speed up the solution’s searching. Among of the heuristic-based algorithms, Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Simulated Annealing (SA) are two among most popular. The GA is powerful to get a nearly optimal solution on the broad searching area while SA is useful to looking for a solution in the narrow searching area. This study is comparing performance between GA, SA, and three types of Hybrid GA-SA to solve some non-linear optimization cases. The study shows that Hybrid GA-SA can enhance GA and SA to provide a better result
Transit Access Measure: Incorporating Walk and Drive Access
Authors: Gillespie William , Fahrenwald Peter
Published: June 2017

The purpose of the transit system is to connect groups of people to work, school, fresh food, recreation, childcare, and other opportunities. Quantifying transit access to opportunities provides a powerful way to understand the utility of the transit system in meeting the needs of the regional population. The most widespread use of access to opportunities measurement is one that quantifies the number of jobs accessible from residential zones within a given time threshold. Wishing to better understand access to opportunities in the six-county service area of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in Chicago, Illinois, RTA developed a method to measure access at given time thresholds that, compared with existing methods, refines the geographies that have walk access to transit and incorporates multimodal access to transit by automobile. RTA also developed a transit access score, which highlights the relative access to opportunities from an origin on a scale of 0 to 100. This score weighs the value of opportunities by the time it takes to access them. The transit access score can be used in public engagement, project evaluation, performance measurement, and other applications to provide a meaningful measurement of access without specifying exactly what quantity of opportunities is enough or which travel time threshold is most appropriate.
Impacts of Model Resolution on Transportation Network Criticality Rankings
Authors: Dowds Jonathan , Sentoff Karen , Sullivan James L. , Aultman-Hall Lisa
Published: June 2017

Objective rankings of the criticality of transportation network infrastructure are essential for efficiently allocating limited adaptation resources and must account for network connectivity and travel demand. Road link criticality can be quantified by the total travel delay caused when the capacity of a road segment or link is disrupted or removed. These methods can use standard travel demand models, but the exclusion of lower-volume roads and the aggregate nature of traffic analysis zones may distort resulting criticality rankings. To test the impact of link exclusion and demand aggregation, the authors applied the network robustness index, a well-established link criticality measure, to a hypothetical network with varying levels of network resolution and demand aggregation. The results show a statistically significant change in criticality rankings when demand is aggregated and especially when links are excluded from the network, suggesting that criticality rankings may be distorted when estimated with typical demand models. Application to a road network in Vermont supports the finding on the impact of network resolution on criticality rankings.
Drought Stress-Related Physiological Changes and Histone Modifications in Barley Primary Leaves at HSP17 Gene
Authors: Temel Aslihan , Janack Bianka , Humbeck Klaus
Published: June 2017

Stress-inducible genes undergo epigenetic modifications under stress conditions. To investigate if HSP17, of which transcripts accumulate in plant cells under stress, is regulated through epigenetic mechanisms under drought stress, 5-day-old barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Carina) plants were subjected to progressive drought through water withholding for 22 days. Changes in physiological status and expression of HSP17 gene were monitored in primary leaves of control and drought-treated plants every two days. Twelve days after drought started, control and drought-treated plants were analyzed by chromatin-immunoprecipitation using antibodies against three histone modifications (H3K4me3, H3K9ac, and H3K9me2) and H3 itself. Already after four days of drought treatment, stomatal conductance was severely decreased. Thereafter, maximum and quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), regulated and non-regulated energy dissipation in PSII, and later also chlorophyll content, were affected by drought, indicating the stress-induced onset of senescence. At the 12th day of drought, before leaf water content declined, expression of HSP17 gene was increased two-fold in drought-treated plants compared to the controls. Twelve days of drought caused an increase in H3 and a loss in H3K9me2 not only at HSP17, but also at constitutively transcribed reference genes ACTIN, PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2A (pp2A), and at silent regions BM9, CEREBA. In contrast, H3K4me3 showed a specific increase at HSP17 gene at the beginning and the middle part of the coding region, indicating that this mark is critical for the drought-responsive transcription status of a gene.
CCN Activity, Variability and Influence on Droplet Formation during the HygrA-Cd Campaign in Athens
Authors: Bougiatioti Aikaterini , Argyrouli Athina , Solomos Stavros , Vratolis Stergios , Eleftheriadis Konstantinos , Papayannis Alexandros , Nenes Athanasios
Published: June 2017

Measurements of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations (cm−3) at five levels of supersaturation between 0.2–1%, together with remote sensing profiling and aerosol size distributions, were performed at an urban background site of Athens during the Hygroscopic Aerosols to Cloud Droplets (HygrA-CD) campaign. The site is affected by local emissions and long-range transport, as portrayed by the aerosol size, hygroscopicity and mixing state. Application of a state-of-the-art droplet parameterization is used to link the observed size distribution measurements, bulk composition, and modeled boundary layer dynamics with potential supersaturation, droplet number, and sensitivity of these parameters for clouds forming above the site. The sensitivity is then used to understand the source of potential droplet number variability. We find that the importance of aerosol particle concentration levels associated with the background increases as vertical velocities increase. The updraft velocity variability was found to contribute 58–90% (68.6% on average) to the variance of the cloud droplet number, followed by the variance in aerosol number (6–32%, average 23.2%). Therefore, although local sources may strongly modulate CCN concentrations, their impact on droplet number is limited by the atmospheric dynamics expressed by the updraft velocity regime.
The Association between Pediatric NAFLD and Common Genetic Variants
Authors: Umano Giuseppina , Martino Mariangela , Santoro Nicola
Published: June 2017

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of obesity. Several studies have shown that genetic predisposition probably plays an important role in its pathogenesis. In fact, in the last few years a large number of genetic studies have provided compelling evidence that some gene variants, especially those in genes encoding proteins regulating lipid metabolism, are associated with intra-hepatic fat accumulation. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the gene variants that have affected the natural history of the disease.
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Cobaloxime-Terpyridine Compound
Authors: Pizarro Sebastián , Astudillo Priscila , Gajardo Francisco , Brito Iván , Delgadillo Alvaro
Published: June 2017

A new cobaloxime was synthesized by the reaction of cobalt chloride and diphenylglyoxime in methanol, followed by the addition of 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, pytpy. This complex was characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In cyclic voltammetry experiments an irreversible reduction wave assigned to Co(III)/Co(II) at Ecp = −0.31 V vs. Ag/AgCl and a quasi-reversible process assigned to the Co(II)/Co(I) reduction at −0.72 V vs. Ag/AgCl were observed. The crystal of the complex belongs to the triclinic space group P1 with a = 12.4698(6) Å, b = 14.1285(8) Å, c = 15.5801(8) Å, α = 109.681(4)°, β = 112.975(4)°, γ = 81.67(96.414(4)°3)°, V = 2284.0(2) Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.408 mg·m−3, μ = 0.66 mm−1, F(000) = 996, and final R1 = 0.0564, ωR2 = 0.1502.
Association of Education and Smoking Status on Risk of Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kim Jin-Hyeong , Noh Juhwan , Choi Jae-Woo , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: June 2017

Background: Exposure to smoke, including environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is a well-known risk factor for diabetes. Low socioeconomic status, especially lack of education, is also a risk factor for diabetes. Therefore, we assessed the association of demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and behavior risk factor-related variables and smoking status, including ETS exposure, with the prevalence of diabetes. Methods: Data were from the 2007–2013 Korea National Health and Nutritional Evaluation Survey (KNHANES). Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between various lifestyle and health factors and the prevalence of diabetes while controlling for potential confounding variables. Subgroup analysis was performed according to smoking status to determine factors associated with diabetes. Results: Of 19,303 individuals analyzed, 1325 (11.4%) had diabetes. Greater average age, male sex, lower educational level, unemployment, and coexisting health problems were significantly associated with diabetes. Individuals with only elementary, middle, or high school level education had significantly greater odds ratios (p < 0.05) compared to college graduates; smokers and nonsmokers exposed to ETS had significantly greater OR (p < 0.05) than nonsmokers unexposed to ETS. Subgroup analysis of diabetics according to smoking status revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) for diabetic nonsmokers exposed to ETS with female sex, single status, elementary level education, urban residence, National Health Insurance (NHI), hypertension, a lack of alcohol intake, and a lack of moderate physical activity. For diabetic smokers, there were significant associations (p < 0.05) with elementary education, urban residence, a lack of moderate physical activity, a lack of alcohol intake, and NHI. Conclusions: The results suggested that smoking status, as well as ETS exposure, was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, especially in populations with less education. Thus, we should direct efforts for controlling diabetes toward individuals with lower levels of education and those who are smokers and nonsmokers exposed to ETS.
Paternal Risk Factors for Oral Clefts in Northern Africans, Southeast Asians, and Central Americans
Authors: Ly Stephanie , Burg Madeleine , Ihenacho Ugonna , Brindopke Frederick , Auslander Allyn , Magee Kathleen , Sanchez-Lara Pedro , Nguyen Thi-Hai-Duc , Nguyen Viet , Tangco Maria , Hernandez Angela , Giron Melissa , Mahmoudi Fouzia , DeClerck Yves , III William , Figueiredo Jane
Published: June 2017

While several studies have investigated maternal exposures as risk factors for oral clefts, few have examined paternal factors. We conducted an international multi-centered case–control study to better understand paternal risk exposures for oral clefts (cases = 392 and controls = 234). Participants were recruited from local hospitals and oral cleft repair surgical missions in Vietnam, the Philippines, Honduras, and Morocco. Questionnaires were administered to fathers and mothers separately to elicit risk factor and family history data. Associations between paternal exposures and risk of clefts were assessed using logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders. A father’s personal/family history of clefts was associated with significantly increased risk (adjusted OR: 4.77; 95% CI: 2.41–9.45). No other significant associations were identified for other suspected risk factors, including education (none/primary school v. university adjusted OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.74–2.24), advanced paternal age (5-year adjusted OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.84–1.16), or pre-pregnancy tobacco use (adjusted OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.67–1.37). Although sample size was limited, significantly decreased risks were observed for fathers with selected occupations. Further research is needed to investigate paternal environmental exposures as cleft risk factors.
Level of Sedentary Behavior and Its Associated Factors among Saudi Women Working in Office-Based Jobs in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Albawardi Nada M. , Jradi Hoda , Almalki Abdulla A. , Al-Hazzaa Hazzaa M.
Published: June 2017

Research in Saudi Arabia has revealed a shocking level of insufficiently physically active adults, particularly women. The risk of sedentary behavior will likely increase as the number of women with office-based jobs increases. The aim of this study is to determine the level of sedentary behavior, and its associated factors, among Saudi women working office-based jobs in the city of Riyadh. A cross-sectional study of 420 Saudi female employees at 8 office-based worksites were measured to determine body mass index and were given a self-administered survey to evaluate their level of physical activity and sedentary behavior. Median sitting time on work days was 690 min per day (interquartile range, IQR 541–870), with nearly half accumulated during work hours, and 575 min per day (IQR 360–780) on non-work days. Predictors of work day sitting time were level of education, number of children, and working in the private sector. Number of children, whether they were single, and whether they lived in a small home were found to predict non-work day sitting time. This study identifies Saudi women in office-based jobs as a high-risk group for sedentary behavior. There is a need to promote physical activity at worksites and reduce prolonged sitting.
Proteomic High Affinity Zn2+ Trafficking: Where Does Metallothionein Fit in?
Authors: Petering David , Mahim Afsana
Published: June 2017

The cellular constitution of Zn-proteins and Zn-dependent signaling depend on the capacity of Zn2+ to find specific binding sites in the face of a plethora of other high affinity ligands. The most prominent of these is metallothionein (MT). It serves as a storage site for Zn2+ under various conditions, and has chemical properties that support a dynamic role for MT in zinc trafficking. Consistent with these characteristics, changing the availability of zinc for cells and tissues causes rapid alteration of zinc bound to MT. Nevertheless, zinc trafficking occurs in metallothionein-null animals and cells, hypothetically making use of proteomic binding sites to mediate the intracellular movements of zinc. Like metallothionein, the proteome contains a large concentration of proteins that strongly coordinate zinc. In this environment, free Zn2+ may be of little significance. Instead, this review sets forth the basis for the hypothesis that components of the proteome and MT jointly provide the platform for zinc trafficking.
Differentiated Thyroid Cancer—Treatment: State of the Art
Authors: Schmidbauer Benedikt , Menhart Karin , Hellwig Dirk , Grosse Jirka
Published: June 2017

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is a rare malignant disease, although its incidence has increased over the last few decades. It derives from follicular thyroid cells. Generally speaking, the prognosis is excellent. If treatment according to the current guidelines is given, cases of recurrence or persistence are rare. DTC requires special expertise by the treating physician. In recent years, new therapeutic options for these patients have become available. For this article we performed a systematic literature review with special focus on the guidelines of the American Thyroid Association, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, and the German Society of Nuclear Medicine. For DTC, surgery and radioiodine therapy followed by levothyroxine substitution remain the established therapeutic procedures. Even metastasized tumors can be cured this way. However, in rare cases of radioiodine-refractory tumors, additional options are to be discussed. These include strict suppression of thyroid-stimulating hormone (also known as thyrotropin, TSH) and external local radiotherapy. Systemic cytostatic chemotherapy does not play a significant role. Recently, multikinase or tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of radioiodine-refractory DTC. Although a benefit for overall survival has not been shown yet, these new drugs can slow down tumor progression. However, they are frequently associated with severe side effects and should be reserved for patients with threatening symptoms only.
Age-Related Changes in Immunological and Physiological Responses Following Pulmonary Challenge
Authors: Miller Edmund J. , Linge Helena M.
Published: June 2017

This review examines the current status of knowledge of sepsis and pneumonia in the elderly population and how the dynamics of the pulmonary challenge affects outcome and consequences. Led by an unprecedented shift in demographics, where a larger proportion of the population will reach an older age, clinical and experimental research shows that aging is associated with certain pulmonary changes, but it is during infectious insult of the lungs, as in the case of pneumonia, that the age-related differences in responsiveness and endurance become obvious and lead to a worse outcome than in the younger population. This review points to the neutrophil, and the endothelium as important players in understanding age-associated changes in responsiveness to infectious challenge of the lung. It also addresses how the immunological set-point influences injury-repair phases, remote organ damage and how intake of drugs may alter the state of responsiveness in the users. Further, it points out the importance of considering age as a factor in inclusion criteria in clinical trials, in vitro/ex vivo experimental designs and overall interpretation of results.
Epidermal Growth Factor Enhances Cellular Uptake of Polystyrene Nanoparticles by Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis
Authors: Phuc Le , Taniguchi Akiyoshi
Published: June 2017

The interaction between nanoparticles and cells has been studied extensively, but most research has focused on the effect of various nanoparticle characteristics, such as size, morphology, and surface charge, on the cellular uptake of nanoparticles. In contrast, there have been very few studies to assess the influence of cellular factors, such as growth factor responses, on the cellular uptake efficiency of nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the uptake efficiency of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) by A431 cells, a human carcinoma epithelial cell line. The results showed that EGF enhanced the uptake efficiency of A431 cells for PS NPs. In addition, inhibition and localization studies of PS NPs and EGF receptors (EGFRs) indicated that cellular uptake of PS NPs is related to the binding of EGF–EGFR complex and PS NPs. Different pathways are used to enter the cells depending on the presence or absence of EGF. In the presence of EGF, cellular uptake of PS NPs is via clathrin-mediated endocytosis, whereas, in the absence of EGF, uptake of PS NPs does not involve clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Our findings indicate that EGF enhances cellular uptake of PS NPs by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. This result could be important for developing safe nanoparticles and their safe use in medical applications.
Serum Biomarkers for Discrimination between Hepatitis C-Related Arthropathy and Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Siloşi Isabela , Boldeanu Lidia , Biciuşcă Viorel , Bogdan Maria , Avramescu Carmen , Taisescu Citto , Padureanu Vlad , Boldeanu Mihail , Dricu Anica , Siloşi Cristian
Published: June 2017

In the present study, we aimed to estimate the concentrations of cytokines (interleukin 6, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF-α) and auto-antibodies (rheumatoid factor IgM isotype, IgM-RF, antinuclear auto-antibodies, ANA, anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies IgG isotype, IgG anti-CCP3.1, anti-cardiolipin IgG isotype, IgG anti-aCL) in serum of patients with eRA (early rheumatoid arthritis) and HCVrA (hepatitis C virus-related arthropathy) and to assess the utility of IL-6, TNF-α together with IgG anti-CCP and IgM-RF in distinguishing between patients with true eRA and HCVrA, in the idea of using them as differential immunomarkers. Serum samples were collected from 54 patients (30 diagnosed with eRA-subgroup 1 and 24 with HCVrA-subgroup 2) and from 28 healthy control persons. For the evaluation of serum concentrations of studied cytokines and auto-antibodies, we used immunoenzimatique techniques. The serum concentrations of both proinflammatory cytokines were statistically significantly higher in patients of subgroup 1 and subgroup 2, compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). Our study showed statistically significant differences of the mean concentrations only for ANA and IgG anti-CCP between subgroup 1 and subgroup 2. We also observed that IL-6 and TNF-α better correlated with auto-antibodies in subgroup 1 than in subgroup 2. In both subgroups of patients, ROC curves indicated that IL-6 and TNF-α have a higher diagnostic utility as markers of disease. In conclusion, we can say that, due to high sensitivity for diagnostic accuracy, determination of serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α, possibly in combination with auto-antibodies, could be useful in the diagnosis and distinguishing between patients with true eRA and HCV patients with articular manifestation and may prove useful in the monitoring of the disease course.