bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dependence of neutron rate production with accelerator beam profile and energy range in an ADS-TRIGA RC1 reactor
Authors: Firoozabadi M. M. , Karimi J. , Zangian M.
Published: December 2016

Lead, mercury, tantalum and tungsten were used as target material for calculation of spallation processes in an ADS-TRIGA RC1 reactor. The results show that tungsten has the highest neutron production rate. Therefore it was selected as target material for further calculations. The sensitivity of neutron parameters of the ADS reactor core relative to a change of beam profile and proton energy was determined. The core assembly and parameters of the TRIGA RC1 demonstration facility were used for the calculation model. By changing the proton energy from 115 to 1 400 MeV by using the intra-nuclear cascade model of Bertini (INC-Bertini), the quantity of the relative difference in % for energy gain (G) and spallation neutron yield (Yn/p), increases to 289.99 % and 5199.15 % respectively. These changes also reduce the amount of relative difference for the proton beam current (Ip) and accelerator power (Pacc), 99.81 % and 81.28 % respectively. In addition, the use of a Gaussian distribution instead of a uniform distribution in the accelerator beam profile increases the quantity of relative difference for energy gain (G), net neutron multiplication (M) and spallation neutron yield (Yn/p), up to 4.93 %, 4.9 % and 5.55 % respectively.
Polynomial approach method to solve the neutron point kinetics equations with use of the analytic continuation
Authors: Tumelero F. , Petersen C. Z. , Gonçalves G. A. , Schramm M.
Published: December 2016

In this work, we report a solution to solve the Neutron Point Kinetics Equations applying the Polynomial Approach Method. The main idea is to expand the neutron density and delayed neutron precursors as a power series considering the reactivity as an arbitrary function of the time in a relatively short time interval around an ordinary point. In the first interval one applies the initial conditions and the analytical continuation is used to determine the solutions of the next intervals. A genuine error control is developed based on an analogy with the Rest Theorem. For illustration, we also report simulations for different approaches types (linear, quadratic and cubic). The results obtained by numerical simulations for linear approximation are compared with results in the literature.
Multisensory Modalities and Modernist Translation
Authors: Brzostowska-Tereszkiewicz Tamara
Published: December 2016

Multisensory and cross-modal perception have been recognised as crucial for shaping modernist epistemology, aesthetics, and art. Illustrative examples of how it might be possible to test equivalences (or mutual translatability) between different sensual modalities can be found in theoretical pronouncements on the arts and in artistic production of both the avant-garde and high modernism. While encouraging multisensory, cross-modal, and multimodal artistic experiments, twentieth-century artists set forth a new language of sensory integration. This article addresses the problem of the literary representation of multisensory and cross-modal experience as a particular challenge for translation, which is not only a linguistic and cross-cultural operation but also cross-sensual, involving the gap between different culture-specific perceptual realities. The problem of sensory perception remains a vast underexplored terrain of modernist translation history and theory, and yet it is one with potentially far-reaching ramifications for both a cultural anthropology of translation and modernism's sensory anthropology. The framework of this study is informed by Douglas Robinson's somatics of translation and Clive Scott's perceptive phenomenology of translation, which help to put forth the notion of sensory equivalence as a pragmatic correspondence between the source and target texts, appealing to a range of somato-sensory (audial, visual, haptic, gestural, articulatory kinaesthetic, proprioceptive) modalities of reader response.
A Differentiated Anonymity Algorithm for Social Network Privacy Preservation
Authors: Xie Yuqin , Zheng Mingchun
Published: December 2016

Devising methods to publish social network data in a form that affords utility without compromising privacy remains a longstanding challenge, while many existing methods based on k-anonymity algorithms on social networks may result in nontrivial utility loss without analyzing the social network topological structure and without considering the attributes of sparse distribution. Toward this objective, we explore the impact of the attributes of sparse distribution on data utility. Firstly, we propose a new utility metric that emphasizes network structure distortion and attribute value loss. Furthermore, we design and implement a differentiated k-anonymity l-diversity social network anonymity algorithm, which seeks to protect users’ privacy in social networks and increase the usability of the published anonymized data. Its key idea is that it divides a node into two child nodes and only anonymizes sensitive values to satisfy anonymity requirements. The evaluation results show that our method can effectively improve the data utility as compared to generalized anonymizing algorithms.
History as an Instrument in the Development of Historical Danish Villages
Authors: Jørgensen Morten
Published: December 2016

A central contemporary societal discussion in Denmark concerns settlements that have poor connectivity and are geographically distant to main towns and cities. These settlements are called “outskirts.” Historically significant villages in these outskirts are being transformed in order to counteract a general destitution of decrepit houses and public spaces. This research article explains the relationship between spatial alterations and the inherent historical structures these villages contain. The article analyses three student projects and examines how they relate to and gain from history in the development plans for a concrete exemplary case village in Denmark. The projects represent various ways in which the past is conceived and applied to the suggested concepts. The different approaches to history found in the student projects call for an open-minded position towards the assessment of historical structures worthy of preservation when operating in a generic context such as the Danish villages. Further, the students’ prioritisation of preservation of historical structures and phenomena alters from the analysis phase to the project development phase. This observation questions the traditional practice of developing plans based on a predefined analysis of heritage and suggests that heritage assessment be separated from project development.
Molecular Structures and Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of Ionic Organic Crystal Materials
Authors: Liu Xiu , Yang Zhou , Wang Dong , Cao Hui
Published: December 2016

In recent years, there has been extensive research and continuous development on second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal materials due to their potential applications in telecommunications, THz imaging and spectroscopy, optical information processing, and optical data storage. Recent progress in second-order NLO ionic organic crystal materials is reviewed in this article. Research has shown that the second-order nonlinear optical properties of organic crystal materials are closely related to their molecular structures. The basic structures of ionic organic conjugated molecules with excellent nonlinear optical properties are summarized. The effects of molecular structure, for example, conjugated π electron systems, electronic properties of donor-acceptor groups, and different counter-anion effects on second order NLO properties and crystal packing are studied.
Serum Wisteria Floribunda Agglutinin-Positive Mac-2 Binding Protein Could Not Always Predict Early Cirrhosis in Non-Viral Liver Diseases
Authors: Haga Yuki , Kanda Tatsuo , Sasaki Reina , Nakamura Masato , Takahashi Koji , Wu Shuang , Yasui Shin , Arai Makoto , Nakamoto Shingo , Yokosuka Osamu
Published: December 2016

Background: Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2-binding protein (WFA(+)-M2BP) is a novel non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis. The goal of the study was to investigate whether the novel serum biomarker WFA(+)-M2BP or other non-invasive markers are useful for the prediction of liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Methods: We examined a significant correlation between serum WFA(+)-M2BP levels and histological staging of fibrosis in several chronic liver diseases, such as NASH, AIH, and PBC. Results: WFA(+)-M2BP could not predict hepatic fibrosis in these patients. We also showed that the level of platelet counts is a useful predictor of hepatic fibrosis progression in patients with NASH, AIH, and PBC. There was a significant correlation between staging of fibrosis and grading of activity in the liver in all groups except for AIH patients. Conclusion: Platelet counts can predict hepatic fibrosis in patients with NASH, AIH, or PBC. Clinicians should pay attention to the grading of liver activity in the use of WFA(+)-M2BP.
Energetic Stabilities, Structural and Electronic Properties of Monolayer Graphene Doped with Boron and Nitrogen Atoms
Authors: Varghese Seba , Swaminathan Sundaram , Singh Krishna , Mittal Vikas
Published: December 2016

The structural, energetic, and electronic properties of single-layer graphene doped with boron and nitrogen atoms with varying doping concentrations and configurations have been investigated here via first-principles density functional theory calculations. It was found that the band gap increases with an increase in doping concentration, whereas the energetic stability of the doped systems decreases with an increase in doping concentration. It was observed that both the band gaps and the cohesive energies also depend on the atomic configurations considered for the substitutional dopants. Stability was found to be higher in N-doped graphene systems as compared to B-doped graphene systems. The electronic structures of B- and N-doped graphene systems were also found to be strongly influenced by the positioning of the dopant atoms in the graphene lattice. The systems with dopant atoms at alternate sublattices have been found to have the lowest cohesive energies and therefore form the most stable structures. These results indicate an ability to adjust the band gap as required using B and N atoms according to the choice of the supercell, i.e., the doping density and substitutional dopant sites, which could be useful in the design of graphene-based electronic and optical devices.
Profitability Variations of a Solar System with an Evacuated Tube Collector According to Schedules and Frequency of Hot Water Demand
Authors: Porras-Prieto Carlos , Benedicto-Schönemann Susana , Mazarrón Fernando , Benavente Rosa
Published: December 2016

The use of solar water heating systems with evacuated tube collectors has been experiencing a rapid growth in recent years. Times when there is demand for hot water, the days of use and the volumes demanded may determine the profitability of these systems, even within the same city. Therefore, this paper characterizes the behavior of a solar system with active circulation with the objective of determining the profitability variations according to the timing and schedule of demand. Through a simplified methodology based on regression equations, calculated for each hour of the day based on data from an experimental facility, the useful energy is estimated from the time and frequency of the demand for hot water at 60 °C. The analysis of the potential profitability of the system in more than 1000 scenarios analyzed shows huge differences depending on the number of days when the water is demanded, the time when demand occurs, the irradiation and the average price of energy. In cities with high irradiation and high energy prices, the system could be profitable even in homes where it is used only on weekends. The study of profitability in a building of 10 homes shows that by applying an average European household’s profile for hot water demand, levels close to full potential would be reached; for this, it is necessary to optimize the collection surface.
Membrane Permeability Rates of Vanadium Ions and Their Effects on Temperature Variation in Vanadium Redox Batteries
Authors: Cao Liuyue , Kronander Anders , Tang Ao , Wang Da-Wei , Skyllas-Kazacos Maria
Published: December 2016

The inevitable diffusion of vanadium ions across the membrane can cause considerable capacity loss and temperature increase in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) over long term operation. Reliable experimental data of the permeability rates of vanadium ions are needed for membrane selection and for use in mathematical models to predict long-term behavior. In this paper a number of ion exchange membranes were selected for detailed evaluation using a modified approach to obtain more accurate permeation rates of V2+, V3+, VO2+ and VO2+ ions. Three commercial ion exchange membranes—FAP450, VB2 and F930—are investigated. The obtained diffusion coefficients are then employed in dynamic models to predict the thermal behavior under specific operating conditions. The simulation results prove that smaller and more balanced permeability rates of V2+ and VO2+ ions are more important to avoid large temperature increases in the cell stack during stand-by periods at high states-of-charge with pumps off.
Hispanic and Immigrant Paradoxes in U.S. Breast Cancer Mortality: Impact of Neighborhood Poverty and Hispanic Density
Authors: Pruitt Sandi , Tiro Jasmin , Xuan Lei , Lee Simon
Published: December 2016

To test the Hispanic and Immigrant Paradoxes—i.e., survival advantages despite a worse risk factor profile—and the modifying role of neighborhood context, we examined associations between patient ethnicity, birthplace, neighborhood Hispanic density and neighborhood poverty among 166,254 female breast cancer patients diagnosed 1995–2009 in Texas, U.S. Of all, 79.9% were non-Hispanic White, 15.8% Hispanic U.S.-born, and 4.2% Hispanic foreign-born. We imputed birthplace for the 60.7% of Hispanics missing birthplace data using multiple imputation. Shared frailty Cox proportional hazard models (patients nested within census tracts) adjusted for age, diagnosis year, stage, grade, histology, urban/rural residence, and local mammography capacity. Whites (vs. U.S.-born Hispanics) had increased all-cause and breast cancer mortality. Foreign-born (vs. U.S.-born) Hispanics had increased all-cause and breast cancer mortality. Living in higher Hispanic density neighborhoods was generally associated with increased mortality, although associations differed slightly in magnitude and significance by ethnicity, birthplace, and neighborhood poverty. We found no evidence of an Immigrant Paradox and some evidence of a Hispanic Paradox where protective effects were limited to U.S.-born Hispanics. Contrary to prior studies, foreign birthplace and residence in higher Hispanic density neighborhoods were associated with increased mortality. More research on intersections between ethnicity, birthplace and neighborhood context are needed.
Cre Fused with RVG Peptide Mediates Targeted Genome Editing in Mouse Brain Cells In Vivo
Authors: Zou Zhiyuan , Sun Zhaolin , Li Pan , Feng Tao , Wu Sen
Published: December 2016

Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short peptides that can pass through cell membranes. CPPs can facilitate the cellular entry of proteins, macromolecules, nanoparticles and drugs. RVG peptide (RVG hereinafter) is a 29-amino-acid CPP derived from a rabies virus glycoprotein that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and enter brain cells. However, whether RVG can be used for genome editing in the brain has not been reported. In this work, we combined RVG with Cre recombinase for bacterial expression. The purified RVG-Cre protein cut plasmids in vitro and traversed cell membranes in cultured Neuro2a cells. By tail vein-injecting RVG-Cre into Cre reporter mouse lines mTmG and Rosa26lacZ, we demonstrated that RVG-Cre could target brain cells and achieve targeted somatic genome editing in adult mice. This direct delivery of the gene-editing enzyme protein into mouse brains with RVG is much safer than plasmid- or viral-based methods, holding promise for further applications in the treatment of various brain diseases.
Data Analysis in Chemistry and Bio-Medical Sciences
Authors: Todeschini Roberto , Pazos Alejandro , Arrasate Sonia , González-Díaz Humberto
Published: December 2016

There is an increasing necessity for multidisciplinary collaborations in molecular science between experimentalists and theoretical scientists, as well as among theoretical scientists from different fields.[...]
Special Issue: Novel Antifungal Drug Discovery
Authors: Del Poeta Maurizio
Published: December 2016

This Special Issue is designed to highlight the latest research and development on new antifungal compounds with mechanisms of action different from the ones of polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins. The papers presented here highlight new pathways and targets that could be exploited for the future development of new antifungal agents to be used alone or in combination with existing antifungals. A computational model for better predicting antifungal drug resistance is also presented.
Influence of Bovine Whey Protein Concentrate and Hydrolysate Preparation Methods on Motility in the Isolated Rat Distal Colon
Authors: Dalziel Julie , Anderson Rachel , Bassett Shalome , Lloyd-West Catherine , Haggarty Neill , Roy Nicole
Published: December 2016

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) and hydrolysate (WPH) are protein ingredients used in sports, medical and pediatric formulations. Concentration and hydrolysis methods vary for whey sourced from cheese and casein co-products. The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of whey processing methods on in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) health indicators for colonic motility, epithelial barrier integrity and immune modulation. WPCs from casein or cheese processing and WPH (11% or 19% degree of hydrolysis, DH) were compared for their effects on motility in a 1 cm section of isolated rat distal colon in an oxygenated tissue bath. Results showed that WPC decreased motility irrespective of whether it was a by-product of lactic acid or mineral acid casein production, or from cheese production. This indicated that regardless of the preparation methodology, the whey protein contained components that modulate aspects of motility within the distal colon. WPH (11% DH) increased contractile frequency by 27% in a delayed manner and WPH (19% DH) had an immediate effect on contractile properties, increasing tension by 65% and frequency by 131%. Increased motility was associated with increased hydrolysis that may be attributed to the abundance of bioactive peptides. Increased frequency of contractions by WPH (19% DH) was inhibited (by 44%) by naloxone, implicating a potential involvement of opioid receptors in modulation of motility. Trans-epithelial electrical resistance and cytokine expression assays revealed that the WPC proteins studied did not alter intestinal barrier integrity or elicit any discernible immune response.
TRP Channels in Skin Biology and Pathophysiology
Authors: Caterina Michael , Pang Zixuan
Published: December 2016

Ion channels of the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family mediate the influx of monovalent and/or divalent cations into cells in response to a host of chemical or physical stimuli. In the skin, TRP channels are expressed in many cell types, including keratinocytes, sensory neurons, melanocytes, and immune/inflammatory cells. Within these diverse cell types, TRP channels participate in physiological processes ranging from sensation to skin homeostasis. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence implicating abnormal TRP channel function, as a product of excessive or deficient channel activity, in pathological skin conditions such as chronic pain and itch, dermatitis, vitiligo, alopecia, wound healing, skin carcinogenesis, and skin barrier compromise. These diverse functions, coupled with the fact that many TRP channels possess pharmacologically accessible sites, make this family of proteins appealing therapeutic targets for skin disorders.
Performance Prediction of a MongoDB-Based Traceability System in Smart Factory Supply Chains
Authors: Kang Yong-Shin , Park Il-Ha , Youm Sekyoung
Published: December 2016

In the future, with the advent of the smart factory era, manufacturing and logistics processes will become more complex, and the complexity and criticality of traceability will further increase. This research aims at developing a performance assessment method to verify scalability when implementing traceability systems based on key technologies for smart factories, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and BigData. To this end, based on existing research, we analyzed traceability requirements and an event schema for storing traceability data in MongoDB, a document-based Not Only SQL (NoSQL) database. Next, we analyzed the algorithm of the most representative traceability query and defined a query-level performance model, which is composed of response times for the components of the traceability query algorithm. Next, this performance model was solidified as a linear regression model because the response times increase linearly by a benchmark test. Finally, for a case analysis, we applied the performance model to a virtual automobile parts logistics. As a result of the case study, we verified the scalability of a MongoDB-based traceability system and predicted the point when data node servers should be expanded in this case. The traceability system performance assessment method proposed in this research can be used as a decision-making tool for hardware capacity planning during the initial stage of construction of traceability systems and during their operational phase.
A Three-Dimensional Sustainability Evaluation of Jatropha Plantations in Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Sacramento Rivero Julio , Eastmond-Spencer Amarella , Becerril García Javier , Navarro-Pineda Freddy
Published: December 2016

This paper presents a unique sustainability analysis of one of the first attempts to establish a biodiesel industry in Mexico. From 2008, several companies established medium to large-sized Jatropha curcas plantations in Yucatan, hiring local peasants to carry out the agricultural work. After five years, the plantations were abandoned due to poor seed yields and a lack of key knowledge for large-scale cultivation. Based on a multidisciplinary approach, we performed a three-dimensional sustainability evaluation of the potential biodiesel production chain, which included household interviews, a socioeconomic survey, and a life-cycle assessment (LCA). We identified both negative and positive effects in the three dimensions analyzed. Socially and culturally, the local peasant families understood sustainability as their ability to preserve their traditional lifestyle, and associated environmental services with their sense of identity. They therefore considered the jatropha plantations to be positive for sustainability, since they brought income, even though some perceived damage to the natural resources of the surrounding areas. Economically, peasants’ annual household income increased by approximately $1080 USD due to the increased salaries paid by the jatropha companies. The LCA predicted large savings of greenhouse gas emissions (>50% compared to fossil diesel), but also potential negative impacts in some categories (human/ecological toxicity and eutrophication potentials) associated with the use of mineral fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides applied during the cultivation stage. Biodiesel production would be potentially energetically self-sufficient, in addition to producing a 40% energy surplus. Finally, even though the sustainability indicators suggested a positive overall assessment, the reality was that the jatropha projects failed because they were predicated on unrealistically optimistic projections and poor agronomic knowledge of the plant.
Optimizing Bus Passenger Complaint Service through Big Data Analysis: Systematized Analysis for Improved Public Sector Management
Authors: Liu Weng-Kun , Yen Chia-Chun
Published: December 2016

With the advances in industry and commerce, passengers have become more accepting of environmental sustainability issues; thus, more people now choose to travel by bus. Government administration constitutes an important part of bus transportation services as the government gives the right-of-way to transportation companies allowing them to provide services. When these services are of poor quality, passengers may lodge complaints. The increase in consumer awareness and developments in wireless communication technologies have made it possible for passengers to easily and immediately submit complaints about transportation companies to government institutions, which has brought drastic changes to the supply–demand chain comprised of the public sector, transportation companies, and passengers. This study proposed the use of big data analysis technology including systematized case assignment and data visualization to improve management processes in the public sector and optimize customer complaint services. Taichung City, Taiwan, was selected as the research area. There, the customer complaint management process in public sector was improved, effectively solving such issues as station-skipping, allowing the public sector to fully grasp the service level of transportation companies, improving the sustainability of bus operations, and supporting the sustainable development of the public sector–transportation company–passenger supply chain.
A Modification on the Hesitant Fuzzy Set Lexicographical Ranking Method
Authors: Liu Xiaodi , Wang Zengwen , Zhang Shitao
Published: December 2016

Recently, a novel hesitant fuzzy set (HFS) ranking technique based on the idea of lexicographical ordering is proposed and an example is presented to demonstrate that the proposed ranking method is invariant with multiple occurrences of any element of a hesitant fuzzy element (HFE). In this paper, we show by examples that the HFS lexicographical ordering method is sometimes invalid, and a modified ranking method is presented. In comparison with the HFS lexicographical ordering method, the modified ranking method is more reasonable in more general cases.
Sur deux os de Jubarte (Mammalia, Mysticeti)
Authors: Guérin Claude , Rage Jean-Claude
Published: December 2016

L'omoplate et la vertèbre d'un grand Cétacé actuel ont été trouvées fortuitement grâce à un article de la presse locale. Leur étude détaillée montre qu'elles appartiennent à un Mégaptère, mysticète dont l'ostéologie est peu connue et qui est très rare dans les collections. Elles indiquent un individu de taille exceptionnelle.
Quelques observations sur le micropeuplement des limons des grottes arctiques
Authors: Gounot Anne-monique
Published: December 2016

L'analyse microbiologique des limons de deux grottes de Laponie a mis en évidence la présence d'un peuplement bactérien aussi abondant et actif que dans la plupart des grottes des régions tempérées. Les propriétés physiologiques des diverses formes de bactéries isolées de ces limons sont étudiées. On constate une très forte proportion de germes psychrophiles, remarquablement adaptés aux conditions de basse température de ces milieux. Ce micropeuplement présente beaucoup d'analogies avec celui de biotopes froids superficiels,
Clonal integration increases relative competitive ability in an invasive aquatic plant
Authors: Wang Pu , Alpert Peter , Yu Fei‐Hai
Published: December 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Physiological integration between connected ramets is well known to increase performance of clonal plant species. However, no direct evidence appears to exist that integration can increase the ability of clonal species to compete with other species within mixed communities. We tested this hypothesis using two floating, invasive, aquatic species in which fragmentation—and thus extent of integration—is likely to vary between habitats and times.

METHODS:

Individual ramets of Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes were grown in monoculture or in mixture, and new stolons bearing new offspring were severed or left intact. After 6 wk, the numbers of offspring and second‐generation (2°) offspring produced by each original ramet, or parent, were counted; and the final dry mass of each parent, its stolons, its offspring, and its 2° offspring were measured.

KEY RESULTS:

Fragmentation decreased the relative competitive ability of Pistia, but not that of Eichhornia. This was mainly because Pistia accumulated ∼30% less dry mass of offspring when fragmented and grown with Eichhornia than in other treatments. Offspring of Pistia were smaller than those of Eichhornia in all treatments.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results show that clonal integration can increase competitive ability in some clonal species. In this case, integration appeared to enable the small offspring of Pistia to compete more effectively with the large offspring of Eichhornia. Lower rates of fragmentation may select for production of more numerous, smaller vegetative offspring in clonal species.
THE AFTERGLOW AND EARLY-TYPE HOST GALAXY OF THE SHORT GRB 150101B AT z = 0.1343
Authors: Fong W. , Margutti R. , Chornock R. , Berger E. , Shappee B. J. , Levan A. J. , Tanvir N. R. , Smith N. , Milne P. A. , Laskar T. , Fox D. B. , Lunnan R. , Blanchard P. K. , Hjorth J. , Wiersema K. , van der Horst A. J. , Zaritsky D.
Published: December 2016

We present the discovery of the X-ray and optical afterglows of the short-duration GRB 150101B, pinpointing the event to an early-type host galaxy at z = 0.1343 ± 0.0030. This makes GRB 150101B the most nearby short gamma-ray burst (GRB) with an early-type host galaxy discovered to date. Fitting the spectral energy distribution of the host galaxy results in an inferred stellar mass of

, stellar population age of ≈2–2.5 Gyr, and star formation rate of ≲0.4 M
⊙ yr−1. The host of GRB 150101B is one of the largest and most luminous short GRB host galaxies, with a B-band luminosity of

and half-light radius of ≈8 kpc. GRB 150101B is located at a projected distance of 7.35 ± 0.07 kpc from its host center and lies on a faint region of its host rest-frame optical light. Its location, combined with the lack of associated supernova, is consistent with an NS–NS/NS–BH merger progenitor. From modeling the evolution of the broadband afterglow, we calculate isotropic-equivalent gamma-ray and kinetic energies of

erg and

erg, respectively, a circumburst density of

cm−3, and a jet opening angle of ≳9°. Using observations extending to ≈30 days, we place upper limits of

erg s−1 on associated kilonova emission. We compare searches following previous short GRBs to existing kilonova models and demonstrate the difficulty of performing effective kilonova searches from cosmological short GRBs using current ground-based facilities. We show that at the Advanced LIGO/VIRGO horizon distance of 200 Mpc, searches reaching depths of ≈23–24 AB mag are necessary to probe a meaningful range of kilonova models.
ELECTRON ACCELERATION IN PULSAR-WIND TERMINATION SHOCKS: AN APPLICATION TO THE CRAB NEBULA GAMMA-RAY FLARES
Authors: Kroon John J. , Becker Peter A. , Finke Justin D. , Dermer Charles D.
Published: December 2016

The γ-ray flares from the Crab Nebula observed by AGILE and Fermi-LAT reaching GeV energies and lasting several days challenge the standard models for particle acceleration in pulsar-wind nebulae because the radiating electrons have energies exceeding the classical radiation-reaction limit for synchrotron. Previous modeling has suggested that the synchrotron limit can be exceeded if the electrons experience electrostatic acceleration, but the resulting spectra do not agree very well with the data. As a result, there are still some important unanswered questions about the detailed particle acceleration and emission processes occurring during the flares. We revisit the problem using a new analytical approach based on an electron transport equation that includes terms describing electrostatic acceleration, stochastic wave-particle acceleration, shock acceleration, synchrotron losses, and particle escape. An exact solution is obtained for the electron distribution, which is used to compute the associated γ-ray synchrotron spectrum. We find that in our model the γ-ray flares are mainly powered by electrostatic acceleration, but the contributions from stochastic and shock acceleration play an important role in producing the observed spectral shapes. Our model can reproduce the spectra of all the Fermi-LAT and AGILE flares from the Crab Nebula, using magnetic field strengths in agreement with the multi-wavelength observational constraints. We also compute the spectrum and duration of the synchrotron afterglow created by the accelerated electrons, after they escape into the region on the downstream side of the pulsar-wind termination shock. The afterglow is expected to fade over a maximum period of about three weeks after the γ-ray flare.
ON THE UNIVERSAL LATE X-RAY EMISSION OF BINARY-DRIVEN HYPERNOVAE AND ITS POSSIBLE COLLIMATION
Authors: Pisani G. B. , Ruffini R. , Aimuratov Y. , Bianco C. L. , Kovacevic M. , Moradi R. , Muccino M. , Penacchioni A. V. , Rueda J. A. , Shakeri S. , Wang Y.
Published: December 2016

It has previously been discovered that there is a universal power-law behavior exhibited by the late X-ray emission (LXRE) of a “golden sample” of six long energetic GRBs, when observed in the rest frame of the source. This remarkable feature, independent of the different isotropic energy (E
iso) of each GRB, has been used to estimate the cosmological redshift of some long GRBs. This analysis is extended here to a new class of 161 long GRBs, all with

erg. These GRBs are indicated as binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe) in view of their progenitors: a tight binary system composed of a carbon–oxygen core (COcore) and a neutron star undergoing an induced gravitational collapse (IGC) to a black hole triggered by the COcore explosion as a supernova (SN). We confirm the universal behavior of the LXRE for the “enlarged sample” (ES) of 161 BdHNe observed up to the end of 2015, assuming a double-cone emitting region. We obtain a distribution of half-opening angles peaking at

, with a mean value of 

, and a standard deviation of 

. This, in turn, leads to the possible establishment of a new cosmological candle. Within the IGC model, such universal LXRE behavior is only indirectly related to the GRB and originates from the SN ejecta, of a standard constant mass, being shocked by the GRB emission. The fulfillment of the universal relation in the LXRE and its independence of the prompt emission, further confirmed in this article, establishes a crucial test for any viable GRB model.
The Ketogenic Diet: A Practical Guide for Pediatricians
Authors: Luat Aimee F. , Coyle Leigh , Kamat Deepak
Published: December 2016

The ketogenic diet is an effective treatment for drug-resistant epilepsies in children. In addition, it is the first-line treatment for some metabolic disorders, such as glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome. This article discusses the proposed mechanisms of a ketogenic diet's antiseizure action, its clinical indications, and its contraindications. The steps involved in ketogenic diet initiation, monitoring, and management of its side effects are also discussed. This review provides general pediatricians with the necessary skills to provide comprehensive care of children using the ketogenic diet and counsel their families and caregivers.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2016;45(12):e446–e450.]
Laparocerus Schoenherr, 1834 nuevos de Canarias y claves de las especies de la isla de Tenerife (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae)
Authors: Machado Antonio
Published: December 2016

En esta contribución al conocimiento del género Laparocerus Schoenherr, 1834 se describen diez especies y seis subespecies nuevas como paso previo a la próxima presentación del filograma del clado canario-africano en el que están incluidas. Los nuevos taxones son: Laparocerus auarita n. sp. de La Palma; L. gerodes n. sp., L. crotchi n. sp. y L. sanchezi arures n. ssp. de La Gomera; L. soniae n. sp. de Gran Canaria, y L. abona n. sp., L. tauce n. sp., L. sanctaecrucis n. sp., L. tafadensis n. sp., L. punctiger n. sp., L. canescens n. sp., L. obscurus daute n. ssp., L. dissimilis infernalis n. ssp., L. dissimilis alticola n. ssp., L. tinguaro tabornoi n. ssp. y L. tenuepunctatus oppositus n. spp. de Tenerife. Para poder fundamentar algunas diagnosis comparativas, se redescriben Laparocerus tessellatus (Brull., 1839) y L. obscurus Wollaston, 1864, y para completar la fauna de Tenerife, se citan por primera vez para esta isla L. tanausu Machado, 2007 y L. magnificus Machado, 2011. También se propone Laparocerus excavatus lugubris Wollaston, 1864 como sinonimia de la forma nominal. El resultado de taxones conocidos de Tenerife es de 62 (entre especies y subespecies) y se aporta una clave en español e inglés para su separación. También se incluyen ilustraciones de las genitalias de los nuevos taxones y fotografías de los holotipos.
Documentary evidence and the production of power in medieval Nubia
Authors: Ruffini Giovanni R.
Published: December 2016

Documents from Qasr Ibrim in northern Nubia reveal the administrative and legal practices of medieval Africa. The land sales provide direct glimpses into the activity of the eparch of Nobadia, the region’s highest political official, who was active in the region’s private land market. The accounts suggest the existence in northern Nubia of a cash economy and a gold-to-silver exchange rate identical to that of Muslim Egypt. The personal correspondence hints at power struggles between Nubia’s center and its periphery. This evidence is not an accident or a side-effect. It is a deliberate feature of the texts themselves. Nubian correspondence includes suggestions of insubordination and shows high officials attempting to re-establish their power at a distance. Some documents include explicit challenges to other texts, or defensive measures protecting a text against accusations of falsehood. In this way, the texts become weapons in an ongoing struggle. In short, documentary production in medieval Nubia was neither economically nor politically neutral. Nubia’s elite needed its documentary evidence to construct its power.
Land documents in Dār Fūr sultanate (Sudan, 1785–1875): Between memory and archives
Authors: Rue George Michael La
Published: December 2016

From some Sub-Saharan societies, scholars have found early land documents pertaining to old land-tenure systems. For the study of the ḥākūra system in the Dār Fūr sultanate (Sudan), a rare combination of 18th- and 19th-century land documents in Arabic and the memories of oral informants provided a good look into the past. While the documents include sultanic land grants, court cases, and administrative letters, oral informants could provide a fuller social context by identifying the people mentioned, placing them within lineage and political networks, and showing that documents recorded not undisputed facts but the outcomes of multi-generational power struggles over the land. During site visits, oral informants also indicated key features of the land in question. With this broader set of information, the texts could be placed in the contexts of sultanic strategies, ethnic conflicts, personal agency, commercial development, and climatic variation as evidence of and tools in much larger struggles over land. Land documents from other Sub-Saharan societies undoubtedly had similar contextual information, once available from oral sources.
Les métropoles créent-elles plus d’emplois ?
Authors: Baude John
Published: December 2016

Les métropoles ont bénéficié d'une plus forte croissance de l'emploi que les autres grandes aires urbaines durant les années 80 puis 2000. Plusieurs facteurs explicatifs sont testés, dont la taille. Mais elle n’a contribué à ce dynamisme que durant la première moitié de la décennie 2000. Selon les périodes, la spécialisation par fonctions de leur économie a pu favoriser l’emploi, n’être d’aucun effet, voire se révéler préjudiciable. L’effet d’hystérésis est en revanche un facteur de plus en plus prégnant, qui creuse les inégalités territoriales. L’arc Atlantique-Méditerranée et Rhône-Alpes recouvrent des territoires porteurs d’une dynamique qui dépasse le cadre des seules métropoles.
L’Alaska Railroad Corporation : un modèle ferroviaire original aux confins des États-Unis entre diversification commerciale et stratégie touristique intégrée
Authors: Schorung Matthieu
Published: December 2016

L’Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) constitue un modèle ferroviaire unique aux États-Unis : compagnie publique détenue par l’État de l’Alaska, unité des services de fret et de passagers, stratégie financière diversifiée. Le chemin de fer a permis l’ouverture au peuplement et à l’exploitation de l’Alaska. Ce mode de transport est aujourd’hui un acteur majeur de son système de transport. Par ailleurs, sa stratégie touristique fait de l’ARRC un acteur à part entière de la mise en tourisme et de la valorisation de l’Alaska. Il s’agit, à travers cet article, d’analyser les caractéristiques propres à cette compagnie et les fondements de sa réussite, et de considérer la stratégie de l’ARRC comme un facteur structurant des dynamiques économiques et territoriales actuelles de l’Alaska.
Awareness and practice of self breast examination among female nurses at the Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria
Authors: Gabriel Olusegun Emmanuel , Ajetunmobi Oluwaserimi Adewumi , Shabi Olabode Muftau , Elegbede Olaide Toyin , Okere Raymond Akujuobi , Busari Olusegun Adesola , Dada Ayokunle Samuel
Published: December 2016

Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy linked with high levels of morbidity and mortality in developing countries due to delayed diagnosis. This research assessed the knowledge of signs and risk factors of breast cancer and practice of self breast examination (SBE) among female nurses in a rural tertiary Hospital. Eighty-five nurses ages 20 to 60 years were sampled by simple randomization over a period of eight weeks through a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. The analysis was done using statistical package for social science version 17. Sixteen (15.3%) nurses had adequate knowledge of breast cancer, having a relative with breast cancer (51.8%) and a woman of any age (56.5%) were recognized by majority as risk factors for breast cancer. Majority (68.2%) were not practicing monthly SBE and not confident on how to do it. This study pointed out the gaps in the knowledge and awareness of breast cancer and practice of SBE among the nurses. Opportunity should therefore be sought in various health facilities to educate nurses who are supposed to be closer to the patients.
Ebola viral disease in West Africa: a threat to global health, economy and political stability
Authors: Omoleke Semeeh Akinwale , Mohammed Ibrahim , Saidu Yauba
Published: December 2016

The West African sub-continent is currently experiencing its first, and ironically, the largest and longest Ebola viral diseases (EVD) outbreak ever documented in modern medical history. The current outbreak is significant in several ways, including longevity, magnitude of morbidity and mortality, occurrence outside the traditional niches, rapid spread and potential of becoming a global health tragedy. The authors provided explicit insights into the current and historical background, drivers of the epidemic, societal impacts, status of vaccines and drugs development and proffered recommendations to halt and prevent future occurrences. The authors reviewed mainly five databases and a hand search of key relevant literature. We reviewed 51 articles that were relevant up until the 18th of August 2014. The authors supplemented the search with reference list of relevant articles and grey literature as well as relevant Internet websites. Article searches were limited to those published either in English or French. There are strong indications that the EVD may have been triggered by increased human activities and encroachment into the forest ecosystem spurred by increasing population and povertydriven forest-dependent local economy. Containment efforts are being hampered by weak and fragile health systems, including public health surveillance and weak governance, certain socio-anthropological factors, fast travels (improved transport systems) and globalization. The societal impacts of the EBV outbreak are grave, including economic shutdown, weakening of socio-political systems, psychological distress, and unprecedented consumption of scarce health resources. The research and development (R&D) pipeline for product against EBV seems grossly insufficient. The outbreak of Ebola and the seeming difficulty to contain the epidemic is simply a reflection of the weak health system, poor surveillance and emergency preparedness/ response, poverty and disconnect between the government and the people in many West African countries. Although interventions by the United Nations and other international development agencies could ultimately halt the epidemic, local communities must be engaged to build trust and create demand for the public health interventions being implemented in the Ebola-ravaged populations. In the intermediate and long term, post-Ebola rehabilitation should focus on strengthening of health systems, improving awareness about zoonosis and health behaviors, alleviating poverty and mitigating the impact of triggering factors. Finally, national governments and international development partners should mobilize huge resources and investments to spur or facilitate R&D of disease control tools for emerging and pernicious infectious diseases (not limited to EVD).
Assessment of malaria reporting and epidemic preparedness systems in health facilities in Eldoret West District, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
Authors: Kirinyet Ruth C. , Ng’etich Arthur S. , Juma Ahmad
Published: December 2016

The most important factor in reducing the impact of an epidemic is a timely response with implementation of effective control measures at the point of detection. This study sought to assess the malaria reporting and epidemic preparedness systems of health facilities in Eldoret West District, Kenya. A crosssectional study design was adapted. A census technique was used to select all the forty five health facilities in the district comprising of government, mission and non-governmental facilities. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection and analysis done using Stata. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and corresponding percentages. The overall reporting rate was 91.7% for all the health facilities. Only 15 health facilities (33%) plotted malaria trend lines for number of cases of malaria. Malaria epidemics were reported within 24 hours in 22 health facilities but they lacked the appropriate supplies to respond to confirmed cases or epidemics. The overall malaria reporting completeness rate was above 90% implying that the malaria surveillance system was generally good. Concerted efforts by concerned stakeholders should ensure improvement of malaria epidemic preparedness system in all health facilities and provision of information to health personnel on malaria outbreak response strategies.