bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voltaire contra el ateísmo y contra sí mismo
Authors: Ratto Gustavo Adrián
Published: June 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar que la polémica en torno al ateísmo que tuvo lugar en los años 60’ entre Voltaire y la coterie holbachique empujó al filósofo francés a suscribir ideas cuya relación con el resto de su obra y con el combate que en esos años libraba en favor de la tolerancia es  problemática.  Esto esclarece la llamativa posición adoptada por Voltaire frente a la disolución en 1764 de la Compañía de Jesús. Por otra parte, el trabajo arroja luces sobre el alcance de la revolución epistemológica que el filósofo pretendía generar en el campo de la historiografía.
Cuerpo y verdad en el joven Nietzsche: apuntes sobre la problemática gnoseológica en Sobre verdad y mentira en sentido extramoral
Authors: Lavernia Kilian
Published: June 2017

La investigación reconstruye dos momentos formativos del joven Nietzsche que ilustran la continuidad de sus preocupaciones gnoseológicas y que desembocan, reelaboradas creativamente, en el escrito Sobre verdad y mentira en sentido extramoral (1873). Por un lado, sus escritos de la época universitaria de Leipzig (1865-1869), en los que se articula ya una confrontación con las teorías del conocimiento de Schopenhauer y Kant; por el otro, sus trabajos y lecturas preparatorios de 1872/73. Lejos del estereotipo que hace de su obra de juventud una época romántica, nuestra propuesta hermenéutica defiende la imagen compleja y ambigua de una atípica formación filosófica, cuyo valor radica en reevaluar algunas líneas de fuerza que no sólo dan unidad y sentido a su obra juvenil, sino que enlacen directamente con preocupaciones centrales de su pensamiento de madurez, tales como la crítica a la metafísica occidental o las reflexiones sobre el cuerpo y la vida.
La objetividad del azar en la evolución de las especies
Authors: Carbajal Luis Rolleri
Published: June 2017

Se analizan las diferentes nociones de azar que podrían ser apropiadas para los procesos genéticos de replicación y recombinación así como para los procesos de selección natural.
Contra la arrogancia de Critias: ¿Parménides detrás del Cármides?
Authors: Bossi López Beatriz
Published: June 2017

Resumen:  En este trabajo me propongo mostrar que toda la argumentación del diálogo que Sócrates desarrolla tiene por objetivo refutar la definición de moderación de Critias como ‘ciencia de todas las ciencias y de sí misma’ a fin de minar su arrogancia para que comprenda que no puede enseñar lo que es la moderación a su discípulo Cármides, porque carece de ella. Así, como resultado del proceso, se pone de manifiesto que la moderación no consiste en otra cosa que en la consciencia de los propios límites. Al final del diálogo, los interlocutores de Sócrates acaban en aporía pero de algún modo son redimidos en cuanto alcanzan, siquiera intencionalmente, esta consciencia de sí mismos.
Una lectura de Madame Bovary (o la imposible satisfacción)
Authors: Gómez Sánchez Carlos
Published: June 2017

Tras contrastar Madame Bovary con el telón de fondo romántico, se considera la presentación de la vulgaridad y del espacio de lo mediocre en la novela, para analizar a continuación la personalidad de Emma Bovary. Ésta vendría definida, más que por la rebeldía frente a las limitaciones sociales del entorno, por la perpetua contraposición entre fantasía y realidad, que torna imposible cualquier satisfacción
La imposibilidad de españolizar a Carl Schmitt
Authors: García Alonso Marta
Published: June 2017

Resña sobre el libro de Miguel Saralegui, Carl Schmitt, pensador español, Madrid: Trotta (2016), 264 pp.
Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Personality and Psychological Well-being in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Crescentini Cristiano , Matiz Alessio , Cimenti Matteo , Pascoli Eric , Eleopra Roberto , Fabbro Franco
Published: June 2017

Background:

Varied evidence shows that mindfulness-oriented meditation improves individuals' mental health, positively influencing practitioners' personality profiles as well. A limited number of studies are beginning to show that this type of meditation may also be a helpful therapeutic option for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

We evaluated the effects of an 8-week mindfulness-oriented meditation training on the personality profiles, anxiety and depression symptoms, and mindfulness skills of a group of patients with MS. A control group of patients with MS not enrolled in any training was also tested.

Results:

After mindfulness-oriented meditation training, participants in this group (n = 15) showed an increase in character traits reflecting the maturity of the self at the intrapersonal (self-directedness) and interpersonal (cooperativeness) levels. Moreover, increased mindfulness and conscientiousness and decreased trait anxiety were observed in participants after the training.

Conclusions:

These data support the utility for patients with MS of therapeutic interventions based on mindfulness meditation that may lead to enhanced character and self-maturity.
Serine ADP-ribosylation reversal by the hydrolase ARH3
Authors: Fontana Pietro , Bonfiglio Juan José , Palazzo Luca , Bartlett Edward , Matic Ivan , Ahel Ivan
Published: June 2017

ADP-ribosylation (ADPr) is a posttranslational modification (PTM) of proteins that controls many cellular processes, including DNA repair, transcription, chromatin regulation and mitosis. A number of proteins catalyse the transfer and hydrolysis of ADPr, and also specify how and when the modification is conjugated to the targets. We recently discovered a new form of ADPr that is attached to serine residues in target proteins (Ser-ADPr) and showed that this PTM is specifically made by PARP1/HPF1 and PARP2/HPF1 complexes. In this work, we found by quantitative proteomics that histone Ser-ADPr is reversible in cells during response to DNA damage. By screening for the hydrolase that is responsible for the reversal of Ser-ADPr, we identified ARH3/ADPRHL2 as capable of efficiently and specifically removing Ser-ADPr of histones and other proteins. We further showed that Ser-ADPr is a major PTM in cells after DNA damage and that this signalling is dependent on ARH3.
Localización y tipología de hábitat en la política habitacional de Buenos Aires
Authors: Di Virgilio María Mercedes , Rodríguez María Carla , Raspall Tomas , Mejica Soledad Arqueros , Rodríguez Florencia , Vitale Pablo , Zapata Cecilia
Published: June 2017

Desde 2003 a Argentina ingressou em um processo de recuperação econômica gradual, com impactos positivos sobre os salários e os níveis de emprego. Na cidade de Buenos Aires, a construção civil estava entre as atividades mais dinâmicas, experimentando a construção residencial um crescimento sem precedentes. No entanto, a situação da habitação dos agregados familiares não melhorou. Este artigo descreve a concepção e implementação de políticas habitacionais desde 2003 com base na análise de intervenções na Cidade de Buenos Aires em diferentes bairros populares: Villa 31, Villa 19, o assentamento Rodrigo Bueno e os conjuntos habitacionais em Lugano e La Boca. Para tanto, caracterizam-se a dinâmica demográfica e a evolução do déficit habitacional na cidade, analisam-se as políticas implementadas sobre diferentes tipos de habitação popular e se discute seu impacto no território.Código JEL | O18; P16; R21.
HISTORY OF THE GALVESTON SEA WALL
Authors: Davis, Jr. Albert B.
Published: June 2017

Galveston Island, one of the long, narrow barrier beaches that fringe the Gulf Coast of Texas, is a low, sandy formation about 28 miles long and from -g to 3 miles wide. In its natural state the Gulf shore was bordered by an area of sand dunes rising to heights of 12 to 15 feet above the natural surface of the island. The availability of deep water along the bay side of the island led to the early development of the city of Galveston on the east end of the island. In its early days the city was protected from hurricane tides by the sand dunes along the Gulf front. The rapid development of the city in the latter part of the 19th century, especially its increasing importance as a summer resort, lead to the removal of the sand dunes along the beach front for fill and to permit easy access to the beach. Without the dunes the city was unprotected from the fury of the hurricanes. The danger to the city was realized by a number of persons, and several plans for storm protection had been developed; however, because of financing difficulties and general public apathy none of these plans was carried out. Figure one shows a map of Galveston Island with development as it was in 1900.
REDUCTIONS IN BERM HEIGHT AND FORESHORE SLOPE DUE TO FILTRATION FLOW ON GRAVEL BEACH
Authors: Ishikawa Toshinori , Uda Takaaki , Serizawa Masumi , Okamoto Mitsunaga , Noshi Yasuhito , Miyahara Shiho
Published: June 2017

The closure mechanism of the mouth of a floodway owing to the deposition of gravel by waves was investigated,

taking the Shin-nakagawa floodway flowing into the Fuji coast as an example. A movable bed experiment with a

model scale of 1/50 using a two-dimensional wave channel was carried out, while changing the discharge of the

floodway. It was found that the berm height and foreshore slope were reduced owing to the filtration flow on the

gravel beach. A model for predicting beach changes with filtration flow based on the contour-line-change model was

proposed. The effect of the filtration flow on the cross-shore sand transport was incorporated in the model, and the

calculation results were in good agreement with the experimental results.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF SEAWALL- BEACH PROFILE INTERACTION IN RUNUP ZONE
Authors: Ayat Aydogan Berna , Kobayashi Nobuhisa , YÃ¼ksel YalÃ§Ä±n , AydoÄŸan Burak
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to determine beach response in the presence of a vertical wall placed in the run-up zone. The responses of natural beach and the beach with a seawall with two different configurations were studied numerically. The capability and limitation of the cross-shore numerical model CSHORE in simulating the cross-shore transformation and the beach evolution in front of a seawall situated inside the surf zone was examined. Numerical model results were compared with small scale laboratory tests (YÃ¼ksel et. al, 2014). Offshore transport was observed in all three tests and the model was shown to predict the same trends in profile evolution. Scour depth in front of the vertical wall was correctly captured by the numerical model.
STORY OF A BERM TYPE REVETMENTORDU GIRESUN AIRPORTTHE FIRST SEA FILL AIRPORT OF TURKEY
Authors: Esen Mustafa , GÃ¼ler IÅŸÄ±khan , Cihan HÃ¼lya , SÃ¶ÄŸÃ¼t ErdinÃ§
Published: June 2017

Ordu Giresun Airport is the first airport of Turkey that is completely built on a sea fill area situated at the Black sea coast of Turkey and at equal distances to Ordu and Giresun cities. The reclamation covers 1.6 million m2 area that is surrounded with a total of 8.6 km revetment. The longest part of the revetment which is in parallel with the shoreline and at the offshore side of the reclamation area, is planned as a berm type revetment. In this sense, the preliminary cross section provided at the tender stage is checked, modifications are performed considering several criteria such as economics, performance, availability of rocks, etc. In addition to the design stages, several cross sections together with the suggested modifications are checked with laboratory tests. This paper covers the design stages where this criteria is taken into account, laboratory tests and the performance of the cross section during construction stages.
WAVE RUN-UP SIMULATIONS ON REAL DIKES
Authors: Steendam Gosse Jan , Van der Meer Jentsje Wouter , Van Hoven Andre , Labrujere Astrid
Published: June 2017

A new Wave Run-up Simulator has been designed, constructed, calibrated and used for testing of the seaward face of dikes. The upper part of dikes or levees often have a clay layer with a grass cover. The new device is able to test the strength of the grass cover under simulation of up-rushing waves for pre-defined storm conditions. The cumulative overload method has been developed to describe the strength of grass covers on the crest and landward side of dikes, for overtopping wave volumes. In essence there is not a lot of difference between the hydraulic load from an overtopping wave volume or from an up-rushing wave. Therefore the hypothesis has been evaluated that the cumulative overload method should also be applicable for up-rushing waves. Tests on a real dike have been used to validate this hypothesis. The main conclusions are that the new Wave Overtopping Simulator works really well, but that the results on testing till so far has not yet been sufficient for a full validation of the method. More research is required. Furthermore, a new technique has been developed to measure the strength of a grass sod on a dike: the grass pulling device. Tests with this device showed that it is possible to measure the critical velocity (= strength) of a grass cover, which is much easier than performing tests with a Wave Run-up or Overtopping Simulator.
Medium‐scale gravity wave activity in the bottomside F region in tropical regions
Authors: Liu Huixin , Pedatella Nicholas , Hocke Klemens
Published: June 2017

Thermospheric gravity waves (GWs) in the bottomside F region have been proposed to play a key role in the generation of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs). However, direct observations of such waves are scarce. This study provides a systematic survey of medium‐scale (<620 km) neutral atmosphere perturbations at this critical altitude in the tropics, using 4 years of in situ Gravity Field and Steady‐State Ocean Circulation Explorer satellite measurements of thermospheric density and zonal wind. The analysis reveals pronounced features on their global distribution and seasonal variability: (1) A prominent three‐peak longitudinal structure exists in all seasons, with stronger perturbations over continents than over oceans. (2) Their seasonal variation consists of a primary semiannual oscillations (SAO) and a secondary annual oscillation (AO). The SAO component maximizes around solstices and minimizes around equinoxes, while the AO component maximizes around June solstice. These GW features resemble those of EPBs in spatial distribution but show opposite trend in climatological variations. This may imply that stronger medium‐scale GW activity does not always lead to more EPBs. Possible origins of the bottomside GWs are discussed, among which tropical deep convection appears to be most plausible.
New AIM/CIPS global observations of gravity waves near 50–55 km
Authors: Randall C. E. , Carstens J. , France J. A. , Harvey V. L. , Hoffmann L. , Bailey S. M. , Alexander M. J. , Lumpe J. D. , Yue J. , Thurairajah B. , Siskind D. E. , Zhao Y. , Taylor M. J. , Russell J. M.
Published: June 2017

This paper describes a new data set from the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) Cloud Imaging and Particle Size (CIPS) instrument, from which gravity waves (GWs) at an altitude of 50–55 km can be inferred. CIPS is sensitive to GWs with horizontal wavelengths from ~15 to 600 km and vertical wavelengths longer than 15 km. Several examples of GWs in CIPS observations are shown, including waves associated with the Andes Mountains, island topography, convection, the polar night jet, and the tropospheric jet stream. GW signatures in the CIPS data are shown to agree well with near‐coincident but lower altitude measurements from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) in June of 2016. Results suggest the power of combining CIPS measurements with those from other instruments to investigate GW filtering and propagation. The CIPS data set opens new areas of inquiry, enabling comprehensive investigations of GWs in the middle atmosphere on a near‐global scale.
Highly Stable Colloidal “Giant” Quantum Dots Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Selopal Gurpreet S. , Zhao Haiguang , Tong Xin , Benetti Daniele , Navarro‐Pardo Fabiola , Zhou Yufeng , Barba David , Vidal François , Wang Zhiming M. , Rosei Federico
Published: June 2017

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are widely studied due to their promising optoelectronic properties. This study explores the application of specially designed and synthesized “giant” core/shell CdSe/(CdS)x QDs with variable CdS shell thickness, while keeping the core size at 1.65 nm, as a highly efficient and stable light harvester for QD sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). The comparative study demonstrates that the photovoltaic performance of QDSCs can be significantly enhanced by optimizing the CdS shell thickness. The highest photoconversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.01% is obtained at optimum CdS shell thickness ≈1.96 nm. To further improve the PCE and fully highlight the effect of core/shell QDs interface engineering, a CdSexS1−x interfacial alloyed layer is introduced between CdSe core and CdS shell. The resulting alloyed CdSe/(CdSexS1−x)5/(CdS)1 core/shell QD‐based QDSCs yield a maximum PCE of 6.86%, thanks to favorable stepwise electronic band alignment and improved electron transfer rate with the incorporation of CdSexS1−x interfacial layer with respect to CdSe/(CdS)6 core/shell. In addition, QDSCs based on “giant” core/CdS‐shell or alloyed core/shell QDs exhibit excellent long‐term stability with respect to bare CdSe‐based QDSCs. The giant core/shell QDs interface engineering methodology offers a new path to improve PCE and the long‐term stability of liquid junction QDSCs.
Controlling the Carrier Density of SrTiO3‐Based Heterostructures with Annealing
Authors: Christensen Dennis V. , von Soosten Merlin , Trier Felix , Jespersen Thomas S. , Smith Anders , Chen Yunzhong , Pryds Nini
Published: June 2017

The conducting interface between the insulating oxides LaAlO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) displays numerous physical phenomena that can be tuned by varying the carrier density, which is generally achieved by electrostatic gating or adjustment of growth parameters. Here, it is reported how annealing in oxygen at low temperatures (T < 300 °C) can be used as a simple route to control the carrier density by several orders of magnitude. The pathway to control the carrier density relies on donor oxidation and is thus applicable to material systems where oxygen vacancies are the dominant source of conductivity. Using STO capped with epitaxial γ‐Al2O3 (GAO) or amorphous LAO (a‐LAO), the pathways for changing the carrier density in the two STO‐based cases are identified where oxygen blocking (GAO) and oxygen permeable (a‐LAO) films create interface conductivity from oxygen vacancies located in STO near the interface. For a‐LAO/STO, the rate limiting step (Ea = 0.25 eV) for oxidizing oxygen vacancies is the transportation of oxygen from the atmosphere through the a‐LAO film, whereas GAO/STO is limited by oxygen migration inside STO (Ea = 0.5 eV). Finally, it is showed how the control of the carrier density enables writing of conducting nanostructures in γ‐Al2O3/STO by conducting atomic force microscopy.
N‐Bridged Annulated BODIPYs: Synthesis of Highly Fluorescent Blueshifted Dyes
Authors: Wu Yanping , Mack John , Xiao Xuqiong , Li Zhifang , Shen Zhen , Lu Hua
Published: June 2017

A series of novel BODIPY dyes has been prepared through the introduction of an N‐bridged annulated meso‐phenyl ring at one of the β‐positions of the BODIPY core. An unusual blueshift of the main spectral bands is observed, since the fusion of a meso‐substituent results in a marked relative destabilization of the LUMO. The greater rigidity of the ring‐fused structure leads to very high fluorescence quantum yields. The position of the main spectral bands can be fine‐tuned by introducing electron withdrawing and donating groups onto the meso‐phenyl ring.
Water and Carbon Dioxide: A Unique Solvent for the Catalytic Polymerization of Ethylene in Miniemulsion
Authors: Daigle Jean‐Christophe , Lucien Frank P. , Zetterlund Per B. , Claverie Jerome P.
Published: June 2017

The catalytic polymerization of ethylene is performed in water pressurized with CO2. The size of the initial monomer droplets and of the resulting polymer particles can be varied by simply changing the CO2 pressure. Furthermore, at identical ethylene partial pressure, the polymerizations performed in the presence of CO2 are significantly faster than in its absence. Thus, the combination of CO2 and water is a promising green solvent for catalytic emulsion polymerizations.
Association between metformin prescription and growth rates of abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Golledge J , Moxon J , Pinchbeck J , Anderson G , Rowbotham S , Jenkins J , Bourke M , Bourke B , Dear A , Buckenham T , Jones R , Norman P E
Published: June 2017

Background

It has been suggested that diabetes medications, such as metformin, may have effects that inhibit abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth. The aim of this study was to examine the association of diabetes treatments with AAA growth in three patient cohorts.

Methods

AAA growth was studied using ultrasound surveillance in cohort 1, repeated CT in cohort 2 and more detailed repeat CT in cohort 3. Growth was estimated by the mean annual increase in maximum AAA diameter.

Results

A total of 1697 patients with an AAA were studied, of whom 118, 39 and 16 patients were prescribed metformin for the treatment of diabetes in cohorts 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Prescription of metformin was associated with a reduced likelihood of median or greater AAA growth in all three cohorts (cohort 1: adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0·59, 95 per cent c.i. 0·39 to 0·87, P = 0·008; cohort 2: adjusted OR 0·38, 0·18 to 0·80, P = 0·011; cohort 3: adjusted OR 0·13, 0·03 to 0·61, P = 0·010). No other diabetes treatment was significantly associated with AAA growth in any cohort.

Conclusion

These findings suggest a potential role for metformin in limiting AAA growth.
The utilization of closed‐loop prediction for dynamic real‐time optimization
Authors: Jamaludin Mohammad Z. , Li Hao , Swartz Christopher L. E.
Published: June 2017

Real‐time optimization (RTO) is a layer within the hierarchical process automation architecture in which economically optimal set‐points are computed for the underlying plant control system. RTO calculations are traditionally based on steady‐state models, but an increasingly global and dynamic marketplace has led to the development of dynamic RTO (DRTO) strategies. Typical DRTO approaches optimize process input trajectories based on the open‐loop response dynamics of the process, with controller set‐point trajectories constructed from the resulting output response. This paper describes recent developments that utilize closed‐loop prediction in the DRTO calculations for MPC regulated processes. A rigorous closed‐loop DRTO problem is formulated as a multilevel dynamic optimization problem due to the inclusion of a sequence of MPC quadratic programming subproblems to generate the closed‐loop response dynamics. A simultaneous solution strategy is applied in which the MPC subproblems are replaced by their equivalent Karush‐Kuhn‐Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions, permitting reformulation of the original problem as a single‐level mathematical program with complementarity constraints (MPCC). Closed‐loop approximation techniques are proposed to reduce the dimension of the DRTO problem while maintaining good closed‐loop prediction accuracy. The performance of the proposed approaches is illustrated using case studies. Conclusions are drawn, and further research directions identified.
Mechanism of Microwave‐Assisted Pyrolysis of Glucose to Furfural Revealed by Isotopic Tracer and Quantum Chemical Calculations
Authors: Bao Liwei , Shi Lei , Luo Hu , Kong Lingzhao , Li Shenggang , Wei Wei , Sun Yuhan
Published: June 2017

Glucose labeled with 13C or 18O was used to investigate the mechanism of its conversion into furfural by microwaveassisted pyrolysis. The isotopic content and location in furfural were determined from GC–MS and 13C NMR spectroscopic measurements and data analysis. The results suggest that the carbon skeleton in furfural is mainly derived from C1 to C5 of glucose, whereas the C of the aldehyde group and the O of the furan ring in furfural primarily originate from C1 and O5 of glucose, respectively. For the first time, the source of O in the furan ring of furfural was elucidated directly by experiment, providing results that are consistent with predictions from recent quantum chemical calculations. Moreover, further theoretical calculations indicate substantially lower energy barriers than previous predictions by considering the potential catalytic effect of formic acid, which is one of the pyrolysis products. The catalytic role of formic acid is further confirmed by experimental evidence.
Associations between acylcarnitine to free carnitine ratio and adverse prognosis in heart failure patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Yoshihisa Akiomi , Watanabe Shunsuke , Yokokawa Tetsuro , Misaka Tomofumi , Sato Takamasa , Suzuki Satoshi , Oikawa Masayoshi , Kobayashi Atsushi , Takeishi Yasuchika
Published: June 2017

Aims

The failing heart is accompanied by disturbed energy metabolism with mitochondrial dysfunction. Carnitine transports fatty acids into mitochondria for β‐oxidation. Decreased myocardial carnitine levels accompanied by increased plasma carnitine levels in heart failure (HF) have been reported. The plasma acylcarnitine to free carnitine ratio (AC/FC) is recognized as a marker of carnitine deficiency. We aimed to investigate the impact of the AC/FC on HF prognosis, taking into consideration differences between HF patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and those with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods and results

Consecutive 168 HF patients were divided into three groups based on their AC/FC: first to third tertiles (n = 56, respectively). We followed up all patients for cardiac events including cardiac death and/or worsening HF. During the follow‐up period (1004 days), there were 23 cardiac deaths and 28 worsening HF. In the Kaplan–Meier analysis, the cardiac event rate of the third group was highest among the three groups (P = 0.022). In the Cox proportional hazard analysis, AC/FC was a predictor of cardiac events (P = 0.007). When HFpEF (n = 79) and HFrEF (n = 89) were analysed separately, the cardiac event rate of the third group was highest with regard to HFpEF (P = 0.008), but not HFrEF (P = 0.321). In the Cox proportional hazard analysis, AC/FC was a predictor of cardiac events with regard to HFpEF (P = 0.031), but not HFrEF (P = 0.095). Therefore, the impact of the AC/FC on cardiac events was different between HFpEF and HFrEF (P = 0.042 for interaction).

Conclusions

The AC/FC can identify high risk HF patients, especially in HFpEF.
GIS‐based multiregional potential evaluation and strategies selection framework for various renewable energy sources: a case study of eastern coastal regions of China
Authors: Sun Yanwei , Wang Run , Li Jialin , Liu Jian
Published: June 2017

Evaluation of available potential and suitable alternative options for various renewable energy sources (RES) requires the explicit consideration of inter‐regional disparities and site‐specific conditions (e.g., environmental, socio‐economic, and resources features) for a larger scale region or country. This paper presents a novel multiregional analytical framework considering inter‐regional suitability difference and inter‐RES competitiveness at a given location in order to support efficient and sustainable RES spatial planning strategies. A GIS‐based multicriteria evaluation technique was used to identify the geospatial potential/appropriate sites for various RES through combination of satellite‐derived information, reanalysis data, ground measurements, and statistical data. The composite index (CI) considering location suitability and sustainability of renewable energy technology was then used to compare different RES options, and as a selection criteria to define suitable strategies for each specific region. A real case study concerning the China's eastern coastal 10 provinces of RES planning issue demonstrates the applicability of the proposed approach. The present results illustrate how to coordinate the competing relationships between inter‐regions and inter‐RES for a given location in the eastern coastal regions of China. This could provide useful insight into plan the long‐term RES developing paths and facilitate the determination of optimal energy mix for the other same type area.
Food‐animal production and the spread of antibiotic resistance: the role of ecology
Authors: Koch Benjamin J , Hungate Bruce A , Price Lance B
Published: June 2017

Antibiotic‐resistant pathogens increasingly threaten human health. Widespread application of antibiotics to animal populations raised for food, including chickens, cattle, and pigs, selects for resistance and contributes to the evolution of those pathogens. Despite a half century of research establishing the mechanisms and pathways by which antibiotic‐resistant bacteria spread from food animals to people, scientists lack the appropriate data and models to estimate the public health burden of antibiotic‐resistant human infections attributable to antibiotic use in food‐animal production. Genomic technologies are enabling researchers to track the bidirectional transmissions of specific bacterial strains from livestock to people – and from people to livestock – that can amplify resistance traits. Concepts in ecology, which were developed to understand resource subsidies, metapopulations, and biological invasions, provide insight into the epidemiology of antibiotic resistance from genomic data. By applying ecological principles to highly resolved phylogenetic data, researchers can improve strategies for controlling antibiotic resistance.
Developing High Field MRI Contrast Agents by Tuning the Rotational Dynamics: Bisaqua GdAAZTA‐based Dendrimers
Authors: Tei Lorenzo , Gugliotta Giuseppe , Gambino Giuseppe , Fekete Marianna , Botta Mauro
Published: June 2017

Monomeric and dimeric AAZTA‐based bifunctional chelators (AAZTA=6‐amino‐6‐methylperhydro‐1,4‐diazepine tetraacetic acid) were attached to different generations (G0, G1 and G2) of ethylenediamine‐cored PAMAM dendrimers (PAMAM=polyamidoamine) to obtain a series of six dendrimeric systems with 4 to 32 chelates at the periphery. These GdIII‐loaded dendrimers have molecular weight ranging from 3.5 to 25 kDa, thus allowing a systematic investigation on the changes in relaxivity (r1) with the variation of the rotational dynamics following the increase in molecular size. Variable‐temperature 17O NMR (on the dimeric building block Gd2L2) and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion measurements at different temperatures indicate that the water exchange lifetime (τM∼90 ns) of the two inner sphere water molecules does not represent a limiting factor to the relaxivity of the systems. The r1 values at 1.5 T (60 MHz) and 298 K increases from 10.2 mM−1 s−1 for the monomer GdL1 to 31.4 mM−1 s−1 for the dendrimer Gd32G2‐32 (+308 %). However, the relaxivity (per Gd) does not show a linear dependence on the molecular mass, but rather the enhancement tends to attenuate markedly for larger systems. This effect has been attributed to the growing decrease in correlation between local rotational motions and global molecular tumbling.
Anal Sphincters Evaluation by Endoanal Ultrasound in Obstructed Defecation
Authors: Albuquerque Andreia , Macedo Guilherme
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To evaluate anal sphincter abnormalities detected by endoanal ultrasound in obstructed defecation due to rectocele and rectal intussusception.

Methods

The retrospective analysis includes 45 patients with obstructed defecation syndrome due to rectocele and/or rectal intussusception with or without fecal incontinence, and submitted to endoanal ultrasound.

Results

Ninety‐three percent (n = 42) were women (mean age of 63 ± 12 years), and 47% (n = 21) of the patients had fecal incontinence. In total, 29% (n = 13) had a previous anorectal surgery, and 93% (n = 39) of the women had a previous vaginal delivery. An isolated rectal intussusception was diagnosed in 20% (n = 9) of the patients, an isolated rectocele in 24% (n = 11), and rectal intussusception and rectocele in 56% (n = 25). Thirty‐six percent of patients had anal sphincter lacerations (n = 16): 12% (n = 2) had only internal laceration, 69% (n = 11) had only external laceration, and 19% (n = 3) had both. Two patients had a thinner internal anal sphincter with 0.9 and 1.2 mm, respectively. In total, 25% of the patients without fecal incontinence had an occult anal sphincter laceration, and all were women with an external sphincter laceration in the anterior quadrant and a previous vaginal delivery. In patients with obstructed defecation and fecal incontinence, 48% had sphincter lacerations. Previous anorectal surgery was a predictor of anal sphincter laceration (odds ratio [OR] 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.214–18.971; P = .025), but fecal incontinence (OR 2.7; 95% CI = 0.774–9.613; P = .119) and previous vaginal delivery (OR 1.250; 95% CI = 0.104–15.011; P = .860) were not.

Conclusions

Endoanal ultrasound should be considered in obstructed defecation with or without fecal incontinence, especially if surgical correction is planned.
Artificial light at night decreases biomass and alters community composition of benthic primary producers in a sub‐alpine stream
Authors: Grubisic Maja , Singer Gabriel , Bruno M. Cristina , van Grunsven Roy H. A. , Manfrin Alessandro , Monaghan Michael T. , Hölker Franz
Published: June 2017

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is recognized as a contributor to environmental change and a biodiversity threat on a global scale. Despite its widespread use and numerous potential ecological effects, few studies have investigated the impacts on aquatic ecosystems and primary producers. Light is a source of energy and information for benthic autotrophs that form the basis of food webs in clear, shallow waters. Artificial night‐time illumination may thus affect biomass and community composition of primary producers. We experimentally mimicked the light conditions of a light‐polluted area (approximately 20 lux, white LED) in streamside flumes on a sub‐alpine stream. We compared the biomass and community composition of periphyton grown under ALAN with periphyton grown under a natural light regime in two seasons using communities in early (up to 3 weeks) and later (4–6 weeks) developmental stages. In early periphyton, ALAN decreased the biomass of autotrophs in both spring (57% at 3 weeks) and autumn (43% at 2 weeks), decreased the proportion of cyanobacteria in spring (54%), and altered the proportion of diatoms in autumn (11% decrease at 2 weeks and 5% increase at 3 weeks). No effects of ALAN were observed for later periphyton. Further work is needed to test whether streams with frequent physical disturbances that reset the successional development of periphyton are more affected by ALAN than streams with more stable conditions. As periphyton is a fundamental component of stream ecosystems, the impact of ALAN might propagate to higher trophic levels and/or affect critical ecosystem functions.
Macroalgae may mitigate ocean acidification effects on mussel calcification by increasing pH and its fluctuations
Authors: Wahl M. , Schneider Covachã S. , Saderne V. , Hiebenthal C. , Müller J. D. , Pansch C. , Sawall Y.
Published: June 2017

Ocean acidification (OA) is generally assumed to negatively impact calcification rates of marine organisms. At a local scale however, biological activity of macrophytes may generate pH fluctuations with rates of change that are orders of magnitude larger than the long‐term trend predicted for the open ocean. These fluctuations may in turn impact benthic calcifiers in the vicinity. Combining laboratory, mesocosm and field studies, such interactions between OA, the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus, the sea grass Zostera marina and the blue mussel Mytilus edulis were investigated at spatial scales from decimetres to 100s of meters in the western Baltic. Macrophytes increased the overall mean pH of the habitat by up to 0.3 units relative to macrophyte‐free, but otherwise similar, habitats and imposed diurnal pH fluctuations with amplitudes ranging from 0.3 to more than 1 pH unit. These amplitudes and their impact on mussel calcification tended to increase with increasing macrophyte biomass to bulk water ratio. At the laboratory and mesocosm scales, biogenic pH fluctuations allowed mussels to maintain calcification even under acidified conditions by shifting most of their calcification activity into the daytime when biogenic fluctuations caused by macrophyte activity offered temporal refuge from OA stress. In natural habitats with a low biomass to water body ratio, the impact of biogenic pH fluctuations on mean calcification rates of M. edulis was less pronounced. Thus, in dense algae or seagrass habitats, macrophytes may mitigate OA impact on mussel calcification by raising mean pH and providing temporal refuge from acidification stress.
Liver transplantation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Sebayel Mohammed , Abaalkhail Faisal , Al Abbad Saleh , AlBahili Hamad , Elsiesy Hussien , Aleid Maha , Al‐Hamoudi Waleed
Published: June 2017

The first liver transplantation (LT) in Saudi Arabia was performed in 1991; however, it was not until 1994 that the first structured LT program was launched. Until 1997, all LTs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) were deceased donor liver transplantations. Programs performing LTs needed the authorization of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT), which provides the essential support for organ procurement and allocation as well as regulatory support for organ transplantation in the country. Currently, there are 4 LT centers in the KSA. Three centers are in Riyadh, the capital city of KSA, and 1 is in the city of Dammam in the Eastern province. Pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) began in 1997, while the adult LDLT program started 4 years later in 2001. Currently, more than 2000 LTs have been performed by the 4 centers in the KSA. Over 50% of those were performed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh. The outcomes of these transplants have been comparable with the international standards. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of LT in KSA. Liver Transplantation 23 1312–1317 2017 AASLD.
Disparities in Eurotransplant liver transplantation wait‐list outcome between patients with and without model for end‐stage liver disease exceptions
Authors: Umgelter Andreas , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Kopp Wouter , van Rosmalen Marieke , Rogiers Xavier , Guba Markus ,   for the Eurotransplant Liver Advisory Committee
Published: June 2017

The sickest‐first principle in donor‐liver allocation can be implemented by allocating organs to patients with cirrhosis with the highest Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. For patients with other risk factors, standard exceptions (SEs) and nonstandard exceptions (NSEs) have been developed. We investigated whether this system of matched MELD scores achieves similar outcomes on the liver transplant waiting list for various diagnostic groups in Eurotransplant (ET) countries with MELD‐based individual allocation (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany). A retrospective analysis of the ET wait‐list outflow from December 2006 until December 2015 was conducted to investigate the relation of the unified MELD‐based allocation to the risk of a negative wait‐list outcome (death on the waiting list or delisting as too sick) as opposed to a positive wait‐list outcome (transplantation or delisting as recovered). A total of 16,926 patients left the waiting list with a positive (11,580) or negative (5346) outcome; 3548 patients had a SE, and 330 had a NSE. A negative outcome was more common among patients without a SE or NSE (34.3%) than among patients with a SE (22.6%) or NSE (18.6%; P < 0.001). Analysis by model‐based recursive partitioning detected 5 risk groups with different relations of matched MELD to a negative outcome. In Germany, we found the following: (1) no SE or NSE, SE for biliary sepsis (BS); (2) SE for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), or portopulmonary hypertension (PPH); and (3) SE for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) or polycystic liver disease (PcLD). In Belgium and the Netherlands, we found the following: (4) SE or NSE, or SE for HPS or PPH; and (5) SE for BS, HCC, PcLD, or PSC. In conclusion, SEs and NSEs do not even out risks across different diagnostic groups. Patients with SEs or NSEs appear advantaged toward patients with cirrhosis without SEs or NSEs. Liver Transplantation 23 1256–1265 2017 AASLD.
MicroRNA‐196 Regulates HOX Gene Expression in Human Gluteal Adipose Tissue
Authors: Divoux Adeline , Xie Hui , Li Jian‐Liang , Karastergiou Kalypso , Perera Ranjan J. , Chang R. Jeffrey , Fried Susan K. , Smith Steven R.
Published: June 2017

Objective

Lower body fat is associated with diminishing cardiometabolic risk. Physiological differences between gluteofemoral and abdominal subcutaneous adipocyte functions are known, but the molecular basis for depot differences in adipocyte function is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to identify depot differences in microRNA (miRNA) expression in human abdominal and gluteofemoral subcutaneous adipose tissues and their implication in gene regulation.

Methods

Abdominal and gluteofemoral adipose tissue aspirates obtained from 18 participants (9 male and 9 female, age 30 ± 1.5 y, BMI 27.3 ± 1.23 kg/m2) were analyzed for miRNA expression profiles by next‐generation DNA sequencing. The raw reads were mapped to miRBase 17, and differentially expressed miRNAs were confirmed by qRT‐PCR. The hsa‐mimic‐miR196a was transfected into cultured abdominal preadipocytes isolated from five women with obesity. Target gene expression was evaluated by RT‐qPCR.

Results

Among the 640 miRNAs detected in adipose tissue, miR196a2, miR196a1, miR196b, and miR204 showed a higher expression in the gluteofemoral depot (fold change = 2.7, 2.3, 1.7, and 2.3, respectively) independent of sex. Bioinformatic analyses and human primary preadipocyte transfection with miR196 suggested that the differentially expressed miRNAs could directly or indirectly modulate homeobox (HOX) gene expression.

Conclusions

The miR196 gene family could play an important role in the regulation of HOX gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue and in fat distribution variation.
Thermally activated delayed fluorescence‐based tandem OLEDs with very high external quantum efficiency
Authors: Huang Chenchao , Xie Yuemin , Wu Shengfan , Li Sihua , Liang Jiaojiao , Fung Man‐Keung
Published: June 2017

We fabricated highly efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF)‐based tandem green‐ and white‐emitting organic light emitting devices (OLEDs). By using 4CzIPN as a green TADF emitter, mCP:TPBI as a co‐host, and BPhen:Li/HAT‐CN as a connecting unit, we demonstrated the first TADF‐based green‐emitting tandem OLED with a maximum current efficiency (CE) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 117.5 cd/A and 32.5%, respectively. This is by far the highest EQE achieved to date for TADF devices. We also explored the first hybrid tandem white‐emitting OLED using DMAC‐DPS and PO‐01 as blue TADF and orange phosphorescent emitters, respectively. The device exhibited a maximum CE and EQE of 78.5 cd/A and 28.5%, respectively, with CIE (x, y) of (0.33, 0.45) at a brightness of 1000 cd m−2. From these data, we suggest that blue TADF materials have a great potential to replace the conventional fluorescent blue emitters for highly efficient white OLEDs composed of hybrid tandem structures.
Spherical Microstructures of Lu2O3:Ln3+ (Ln=Tm, Dy, Tb, Eu): Rapid Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis, Energy Transfer, and Multicolor Emission
Authors: Wang Yuexin , Liu Wei , Song Yanhua , Li Yi , Zhou Xiuqing , Sheng Ye , Zheng Keyan , Zou Haifeng
Published: June 2017

Lu2O3:Ln3+ (Ln=Tm, Dy, Tb, Eu) microspheres have been synthesized via a rapid microwave route followed by annealing process. Diverse morphologies of samples can be easily realized by changing the volume ratio of H2O/EtOH. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Under the excitation of UV light, Lu2O3:Ln3+ exhibited the characteristic transitions of Ln3+, and green (Tb3+), blue (Tm3+), red (Eu3+), yellow (Dy3+) light can be obtained. Under 360 nm irradiation (1D2‐3F4 transition of Tm3+), both characteristic transitions of Tm3+ and Dy3+ can be observed in Lu2O3:1%Tm3+,x%Dy3+ samples. Furthermore, the critical distance between Tm3+ and Dy3+ was calculated, and the energy transfer process from Tm3+ to Dy3+ was dipole‐dipole interaction. This synthetic method may be useful for preparing other inorganic materials with multi‐color emitting.
Amino acid synthesis deficiencies
Authors: de Koning T. J.
Published: June 2017

In recent years the number of disorders known to affect amino acid synthesis has grown rapidly. Nor is it just the number of disorders that has increased: the associated clinical phenotypes have also expanded spectacularly, primarily due to the advances of next generation sequencing diagnostics. In contrast to the “classical” inborn errors of metabolism in catabolic pathways, in which elevated levels of metabolites are easily detected in body fluids, synthesis defects present with low values of metabolites or, confusingly, even completely normal levels of amino acids. This makes the biochemical diagnosis of this relatively new group of metabolic diseases challenging. Defects in the synthesis pathways of serine metabolism, glutamine, proline and, recently, asparagine have all been reported. Although these amino acid synthesis defects are in unrelated metabolic pathways, they do share many clinical features. In children the central nervous system is primarily affected, giving rise to (congenital) microcephaly, early onset seizures and varying degrees of mental disability. The brain abnormalities are accompanied by skin disorders such as cutis laxa in defects of proline synthesis, collodion‐like skin and ichthyosis in serine deficiency, and necrolytic erythema in glutamine deficiency. Hypomyelination with accompanying loss of brain volume and gyration defects can be observed on brain MRI in all synthesis disorders. In adults with defects in serine or proline synthesis, spastic paraplegia and several forms of polyneuropathy with or without intellectual disability appear to be the major symptoms in these late‐presenting forms of amino acid disorders. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the disorders in amino acid synthesis.
Grain Refinement and Improvement of Solidification Defects in Direct-Chill Cast Billets of A4032 Alloy by Melt Conditioning
Authors: Li Hu-Tian , Zhao Pizhi , Yang Rongdong , Patel Jayesh B. , Chen Xiangfu , Fan Zhongyun
Published: June 2017

Melt-conditioned, direct-chill (MC-DC) casting is an emerging technology to manipulate the solidification process by melt conditioning via intensive shearing in the sump during DC casting to tailor the solidification microstructure and defect formation. When using MC-DC casting technology in an industrial scale DC cast billet of an A4032 aluminum alloy, significant grain refinement and uniform microstructure can be achieved in the primary α-Al phase with fine secondary dendritic arm spacing (SDAS). Improved macrosegregation is quantitatively characterized and correlated with the suppression of channel segregation. The mechanisms for the prevention of channel segregation are attributed to the increased local cooling rate in the liquid–solid phase region in the sump and the formation of fine equiaxed dendritic grains under intensive melt shearing during MC-DC casting. A critical cooling rate has been identified to be around 0.5 to 1 K/s (°C/s) for the channel segregation to happen in the investigated alloy based on quantitative metallographic results of SDAS. Reduction and refinement of microporosity is attributed to the improved permeability in the liquid–solid phase region estimated by the Kozeny–Carman relationship. The potential improvement in the mechanical properties achievable in MC-DC cast billets is indicated by the finer and more uniform forging streamline in the forgings of MC-DC cast billet.