bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trabecular bone score as one of the new methods of non-invasive evaluation of bone microarchitecture in patients with Cushing’s syndrome
Authors: Dragunova N V , Belaya Z E , Sasonova N I , Sopodovnikov A G , Tsoriev T T , Rozhinskaya L Ya , Hans D , Melnichenko G A , Dedov I I
Published: December 2015

Objective - to evaluate the value of trabecular bone score and risk factors of fractures in patients with Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Material and methods. One hundred eighty two patients with laboratory-confirmed Cushing’s syndrome were enrolled. All patients underwent measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (LI-LIV), femoral neck and total hip using DXA Prodigy (GEHC Lunar, Madison, WI, USA). Trabecular bone score (TBS) was assessed retrospectively on the basis of already existing DXA images using software TBS iNsight software v2.1 (Medimaps, Merignac, France). Each patient was interviewed for the presence of low-traumatic fractures during the active stage of the disease. A lateral X-ray of the thoracic and lumbar spine ThIV-LV was performed to estimate vertebral fractures. Twenty-four hours urinary free cortisol (24hUFC) was measured by imunochemiluminescence assay VITROS ECi with the preliminary extraction with diethyl ether (reference values 60-413 nmol/24 h). Results. Among 182 patients with CS (149 women, 33 men), Cushing’s disease was confirmed in 151 cases, 9 patients diagnosed with benign adrenal tumor and 22 - ACTH-ectopic syndrome. The median of age - 35 (Q25-Q75 27-49) years, body mass index - 29 (26-33) kg/m2, 24hUFC - 1760 (985-2971) nmol/24h. Fractures were confirmed in 80 (44%) cases, 70 patients suffered from vertebral fractures, which were multiple in 53 cases; 23 patients had non-vertebral fractures. Median of trabecular bone score was 1.205 (1.102-1.307), which is much lower than expected in healthy volunteers (>1.350), while the decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) did not correspond to the severity and prevalence of osteoporosis fractures: LI-LIV Z-score - 1.7 (2.5-0.73); femoral neck Z-score - 1 (-1.6- -0.4). However, when using binary logistic regression analysis (adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, bone mineral density, trabecular bone score and 24hUFC) revealed that the most significant predictor of fracture is high levels of 24hUFC (p=0.001) . The high prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients with CS most likely influenced the results of trabecular bone score and its ability to predict fractures. Conclusion. Patients with active CS have low trabecular bone score, rather than bone mineral density, which reflects deterioration in bone microarchitecture. The low-traumatic fracture occurrence depends on the severity of CS reflected in 24hUFC levels.
Searching for an English self through writing
Authors: Karlsson Leena
Published: December 2015

Most Finnish university students, just like the other new global elites (Kramsch,2013), use English without problems. Some students, however, struggle withEnglish to the extent that their studies suffer. One could say that they have adeeply “wounded” English self (Karlsson, 2013). My context of research andpractice is the Autonomous Learning Modules (ALMS) at Helsinki UniversityLanguage Centre. In my work as a language counsellor and practitioner-researcher,pedagogical concerns are always primary, and there is a need to appreciatediversity yet notice every student’s unique experiences. The broadbackground of my recent work is English as part of the identity of young academicFinns. In particular, I have been interested in how students with a“wounded” English self can develop new identity positions, and in how a languagecounsellor can help them in this process. In this paper, my focus is on thesubtle practical interconnections between learner autonomy, learner diversity,and learner identity as they emerge in a diary written by a student of Englishwith dyslexia and language (classroom) anxiety. A narrative case study of Mariiaillustrates how the counsellor’s appreciation and her own recognition of thecomplex ecological realities (Casanave, 2012) surrounding and interacting withher learning encourage and empower her. Mariia uses her freedom to controlher own learning (Huang & Benson, 2013) and makes choices from the manylifewide experiential learning opportunities in her life (Karlsson & Kjisik, 2011).Reflective writing in the learning diary helps her to construct a realistic vision ofherself as a learner and user of English, and she leaves the identity position ofa failure in the classroom and claims a new, more successful one (Norton, 2014).
Biotransformation of acetophenone to R-1-phenylethanol with immobilized Pichia capsulata in batch reactor
Authors: Illeová Viera , Ačai Pavel , Féher Jakub , Polakovič Milan
Published: December 2015

Biotransformation of acetophenone to R-1-phenylethanol with Pichia capsulata immobilized in Caalginate gel beads was studied. Experiments were carried out in a batch reactor stirred on an orbital shaker (300 rpm) at 25 ℃. Based on experimental data, uncoupled parameters of reaction kinetics (measurements with free cells) and diffusion coefficients (sorption method) were estimated. The model expressing the conversion of acetophenone with immobilized cells in the batch reactor consisted of mass balance equations of acetophenone and R-1-phenylethanol in the liquid and solid phases. A satisfactory agreement between the experimental and predicted values of acetophenone and R-1-phenylethanol concentrations was achieved
Theoretical study of the first step of SPLET mechanism: O–H bond cleavage in the mono-substituted benzoic acids
Authors: Michalík Martin , Škorňa Peter , Lukeš Vladimír
Published: December 2015

The first step of SPLET mechanism in solution phase for 15 benzoic acid derivatives was studied from the thermodynamic point of view. For this purpose, proton affinities (PAs) of corresponding carboxylate or phenoxide anions were computed by means of DFT method employing B3LYP and M062X functionals with 6-311++G** basis set and SMD or IEF-PCM solvent model. The substituent effect on PAs was analyzed in terms of Hammett constants, σp. Found dependences exhibit satisfactory linearity and enable quick estimation of solution phase PAs from the Hammett constants.
Investigation of plant sources of hydroperoxide lyase for 2(E)-hexenal production
Authors: Činčala Ľubomír , Illeová Viera , Antošová Monika , Štefuca Vladimír , Polakovič Milan
Published: December 2015

2(E)-hexenal is a green note flavour molecule that is widely used in various compositions of aromas, flavours and perfumery. As there is considerable demand for naturally produced aromas this article deals with some aspects of this C6-volatile production with regard to the selection of plant source material and reaction conditions. The following plants were tested for this purpose: runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), three (Capsicum annuum) bell pepper varieties, garden cress (Lepidium sativum), green slicing cucumber (Cucumis sativa), mung beans (Vigna mungo) and brown lentils (Lens culinaris). Selection of source material was considered on the basis of 2(E)-hexenal yield and productivity. The common bean leafs were able to produce up to 35 mg of 2(E)-hexenal/kg fresh leaves.
Disc-shaped LIM for levitation and traction force control powered by the source using the component synchronous with the motor speed
Authors: Morizane Toshimitsu , Tsuruya Keisuke , Kimura Noriyuki , Omori Hideki
Published: December 2015

It has been proposed that a novel maglev transport system uses both of the attractive force and thrust force of the Linear Induction Motor (LIM). In our proposal, these two forces will be controlled by two different frequency components. One of the frequency components is synchronous with the motor speed (fm). Another frequency component is drive frequency (fd). Our proposed system enables the independent and simultaneous control of the attractive and thrust force of LIM. Each value of the attractive and the thrust force generated by fm and fd must be identified in order to design that LIM control system. For these purpose, a disc-shaped LIM has been developed as an experimental equipment. The force profiles, especially around zero slip, have been analyzed under experimental conditions.
Analysis and measure of novel stereo-garage driven by linear induction motor
Authors: Lu Qinfen , Ye Yunyue , Shen Jianxin
Published: December 2015

The car access time is a key parameter, especially in a huge stereo-garage, where this one should be decreased as much as possible. This paper proposes a novel stereo-garage. Adopting the linear induction motors (LIMs), the system has a simple structure and rapid response capability. In the stereo-garage, several LIMs are installed below the crossbeam on a lifting platform, and several LIMs are fixed on the top of a moving frame. During the operation of LIMs, the moving frame moves forward and backward to reach the required parking place, whereas the crossbeam moves horizontally in order to take or store the vehicle rapidly. All these LIMs are the same and should be designed at a low frequency. The influences of key structure parameters and dynamic performances are investigated, based on FEM. The predicted results are validated by a prototype. Finally, the designed LIMs are successfully applied in two 8-layer stereo-garages.
Considerations on a Scientist’s Academic Mission and Roles in a Higher Education School
Authors: Žydžiūnaitė Vilma , Tandžegolskienė Ilona , Rutkienė Ausra
Published: December 2015

Analysis of the scientific literature has shown that the mission of a scientist is inherent to an individual and is oriented towards institution and activity or performance being implemented in higher education. Every higher education school defines its mission and vision, thus the aim of a scientist is to act according to the provided institutional mission. Academic staff at higher education schools, according to the attributed roles, performs various activities which are associated with teaching and research, administration and human resources management, work in labour services. According to the roles and activities being distinguished and described, diverging concepts exist for handling the academic staff roles. The aim of conceptual research refers to consideration and description of a scientist’s missions and roles in higher education generally and a higher education school specifically. The answers to the following research questions are provided in the article: What are the levels of a scientist missions in higher education? How the roles of a scientist could be defined in higher education referring to autonomy or interdependence? What competencies are attributed to the roles of a scientist in higher education? The research concludes that the mission of a scientist is related to the multi-layered concept covering the roles, context, organizational structure and values in a higher education institution. It is essential for a scientist to perceive and define their own mission(s), role(s), responsibilities and obligations to a higher education school, students, science, and society. The mission of a scientist in a higher education school rests in certain combination of diverse competencies being applied on both organizational and individual levels. In summary, academic staff roles are entwined and contrasting with each other. However, the roles of a researcher and a teacher are linked in general as the role of a teacher requires accomplishing academic staff activities such as planning learning activities, devoting time to consultations, meetings and discussions with students.
Fields of Impact of Social Media on Youth – Methodological Implications
Authors: Juszczyk Stanisław
Published: December 2015

Using social media Web sites is among the most common activities of today’s children and adolescents. Such sites offer today’s youth a portal for entertainment and communication, and have grown exponentially in recent years. Parents and teachers become aware of the nature of social media sites, thus they do not know that not all of them are healthy environments for children and adolescents. This field is important because pedagogists, psychologists and pediatrics need to understand how youth lives in a new, massive, and complex virtual universe, even as they carry on their lives in the real world. In the article I have presented a discussion of a few empirical research carried out by different authors to show various aspects of child and adolescent development in this virtual universe and to present the methodological implications of such types of studies.
Euroskepticism, Income Inequality and Financial Expectations
Authors: Ritzen Jo , Wehner Caroline , Zimmermann Klaus F.
Published: December 2015

Before the Great Recession, the rising income inequality within the “old” European Union has been suggested as an important driver of the increase in Euroskepticism. We revisit this finding for the 27 EU member states from 2006 to 2011, introducing individual negative financial expectations as a further driving factor. We also distinguish between Western and Eastern European countries. In the period of Eastern EU enlargement after 2005, Euroskepticism increased by one third while income inequality on average remained stable. Negative financial expectations are positively related to Euroskepticism in the West and non-significantly negatively related in the East. This suggests that Westerners interpret European integration as a threat, while Easterners view it as a chance. In addition, income inequality lost its role in “old” Europe. An increase of one Gini point decreases the probability of Euroskepticism by half a percentage point in the West, while it has no impact in the East.
Tallinn Film Cluster: Realities, Expectations and Alternatives
Authors: Ibrus Indrek , Tafel-Viia Külliki , Lassur Silja , Viia Andres
Published: December 2015

The article takes a close look at the entrepreneurial practices of the Estonian film industry and at how these particular practices may be understood to influence the evolution of the film production cluster in Tallinn. It asks how these processes of institutional evolution of the local film industry may be understood to influence the specific nature of audiovisual culture in contemporary Estonia. The article is based on a study that was conducted in mid 2012. The study consisted of interviews with the representatives of the local film industry, including respondents from production companies (“studios”), post-production companies and distributors. The second phase of the study was a confirmative roundtable with the select group that included the previously interviewed filmmakers and a few additional industry insiders. The key research questions were: (1) what are the existing co-operation practices between companies like and (2) considering the further evolution of the industry cluster in Tallinn, what are the companies’ specific expectations and needs. The current status of the cluster’s competitiveness was evaluated by using Michael Porter’s model for analyzing conditions of competition (Porter’s diamond). Also, development perspectives of the cluster were evaluated, considering the needs and expectations of entrepreneurs. Key results of the research were divided into two basic categories: (1) current state of clustering of AV enterprises and (2) perspectives and alternatives of further development of the AV cluster.
Politics of Imperceptibility: Philosophy, Post-Feminism and New Media Arts
Authors: Žukauskaite Audrone
Published: December 2015

The essay discusses Deleuze and Guattari’s notion of becoming-imperceptible and raises the question to what extent it can be interpreted in terms of feminist politics and seen as a specific strategy for new media arts. Although the notion of becoming-imperceptible was condemned by second wave feminists, recent post-feminists representing the third wave argue not for politics of visibility but for politics of invisibility. Examining the practices of Lithuanian feminist media artists, the essay argues that becoming-imperceptible in new media arts means not an escape from visibility or a drive toward annihilation but a new conceptual strategy: becoming-imperceptible creates the potential for social and political change. This new conceptual strategy can be related to the new quality of the image: in this regard there is a close affinity between Deleuze and Guattari’s notion of becoming-imperceptible and the notion of the crystalline image which appears in Deleuze’s film theory: both notions engender duration, temporality and qualitative change. Therefore the essay claims that the crystalline image does not represent the world but recreates this world through multiple, changing and virtual images.
How Movies Influence Our Dietary Behaviour?
Authors: Rannamets Harro
Published: December 2015

Movies include a shockingly high number of products - it is almost impossible to have a movie with no brand exposure at all. As entertainment fills a large part of our lives, product placements have invaded our social sphere more than we can imagine. Just as for the tobacco industry, until something is done to reduce and eliminate the images of unhealthy dietary behaviour on film, movies will remain one of the most powerful forces in the world promoting unhealthy sugary diets and serving the industry’s financial interests. The unhealthy lifestyle that is portrayed on the screens through extensive consumption of food items especially high in sugars, and how this can influence people’s dietary behaviour, is the main concern and discussion for this article. Thus, this article tries to give an overview of the current situation and how exactly it is possible for movies to influence the things we eat. Just as the tobacco industry has had a long history of working to influence Hollywood, the sugar industry will most probably face the same future. And this is not what films should be about.
What Happened to Andres Lapeteus? An Upper-Class Homo Sovieticus Caught in the Gears of Soviet Modernity
Authors: Kaljula Liisa
Published: December 2015

This article looks at What Happened to Andres Lapeteus? (Mis juhtus Andres Lapeteusega, Estonia, 1966), a film that marked the directing debut of Russian-Estonian theatre and film director Grigori Kromanov, as a cinematographic narrative that follows the development of a homo sovieticus. The concept of homo sovieticus, initially simply an ironic reference to the “New Soviet Man” promoted in the official Soviet vocabulary, was elaborated in the 1980s and 1990s by several thinkers and writers from Eastern Europe into a concept allowing for a more analytical description of the bureaucratic human type that developed under the Soviet regime. The German- American philosopher Hannah Arendt in her renowned The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951) found that the juridical, the moral, and the individual in a man could most effectively be killed in concentration camps. The Russian philosopher Aleksandr Zinoviev and the Polish philosopher Józef Tischner, however, have seen the homo sovieticus syndrome as resulting from spiritual rather than physical imprisonment. Predisposed by the planned Soviet economy, which did not motivate Soviet people to make any creative, intellectual, or moral efforts, homo sovieticus soon started to represent a certain official ritualistic behaviour that maintained the symbolic legitimacy of power.

What Happened to Andres Lapeteus? tells the story of an ambitious young Estonian official during Stalinist and post-Stalinist years, but does it in a novel way for its time, tackling the popular criticism of the cult of personality in the Thaw era from the viewpoint of individual responsibility. Offering a charismatic black-and-white version of the novel The Case of Andres Lapeteus (Andres Lapeteuse juhtum, 1963) by the Estonian writer Paul Kuusberg, Kromanov’s new wave film still makes us ponder the often avoided and delicate issue of the Sovietisation of the Baltic states from the inside.
Post-Soviet Trauma in the Nordic Imagination: Occupation and Sex Trafficking in Purge and Lilya 4-Ever
Authors: Roos Liina-Ly
Published: December 2015

The traumas of the twentieth century affected the development of trauma narrative in literature and cinema. Much of the trauma theory in different disciplines developed largely from the Holocaust literature as well as from gender-based violence. The criticism of many examples in contemporary trauma theory has been that they are applicable only to Western countries and do not take into account the difficult transitions between the non-Western and Western world. The countries that had gone through a brutal occupation of the Soviet Union also experienced the trauma of transformation, as whole societies turned into post-Soviet nations next to the developed Nordic/ Western states. This article will examine the representations of trauma in Sofi Oksanen’s fictional narrative Purge (Puhdistus, 2008) and Lukas Moodysson’s cinematic narrative Lilya 4-Ever (Lilja 4-ever, Sweden/Denmark, 2002) and off er an analysis of the trauma of transitions in the borderland between the post-Soviet and Nordic countries. Both Oksanen and Moodysson, as observers from the Nordic countries (Finland and Sweden respectively), have chosen to depict the post-Soviet trauma through a female body which is trapped in forced prostitution in Western Europe or Scandinavia and her emotions and reactions to her trauma. This article will argue that both authors contribute to the post-Cold War discourse that discusses the cultural borders between “East” and “West”, presenting a trauma of globalisation, drawing attention to unspoken subjects, but also contributing to the existing views of post- Soviet spaces as ruined and traumatising.
Substrate-zymography: a still worthwhile method for gelatinases analysis in biological samples
Authors: Ricci Serena , D’Esposito Vittoria , Oriente Francesco , Formisano Pietro , Di Carlo Angelina
Published: December 2015

Matrix metallo-proteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases, capable of degrading all the molecular components of extracellular matrix. A class of MMPs is gelatinases which includes gelatinase A or MMP-2 (72 kDa) and gelatinase B or MMP-9 (92 kDa), which have been shown to play critical roles in pathophysiology of many human disease and, in particular, cancer progression. For these reasons they obtained a great interest as potential non-invasive biomarker in providing useful clinical information in cancer diagnosis and therapy. A sensitive and unexpensive method for analysis of gelatinases is the gelatine zymography, which allows to measure the relative amounts of active and inactive enzymes in body fluids and tissue extracts. The procedure involves the electrophoretic separation of proteins under denaturing but non reducing conditions through a polyacrylamide gel containing a synthetic substrate (gelatin). The aim of this mini-review has been to describe the general principles of gelatine zymography technique, underling the main advantages and disadvantages. Even though an improvement of this method is necessary for a better applicability in laboratory medicine, gelatine zymography represents the most convenient method to detect the activity of the different gelatinases from a wide range of biological samples.
Investigation of phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of selected Eucalyptus species using conventional extraction
Authors: Bhuyan Deep Jyoti , Vuong Quan V. , Chalmers Anita C. , Altena Ian A. van , Bowyer Michael C. , Scarlett Christopher J.
Published: December 2015

Eucalyptus species have found their place in traditional medicine and pharmacological research and they have also been shown to possess a large number of phenolic compounds and antioxidants. The present study sought to implement conventional extraction to yield maximal total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), proanthocyanidins, antioxidants, and saponins from E. robusta using different solvents. The most suitable extraction solvent was further employed for extracting phytochemicals from E. saligna, E. microcorys, and E. globulus to select the Eucalyptus species with the greatest bioactive compound content. The results emphasised the efficiency of water in extracting TPC ((150.60 ± 2.47) mg of gallic acid equivalents per g), TFC ((38.83 ± 0.23) mg of rutin equivalents per g), proanthocyanidins ((5.14 ± 0.77) mg of catechin equivalents per g), and antioxidants ABTS ((525.67 ± 1.99) mg of trolox equivalents (TE) per g), DPPH ((378.61 ± 4.72) mg of TE per g); CUPRAC ((607.43 ± 6.69) mg of TE per g) from E. robusta. Moreover, the aqueous extract of E. robusta had the highest TPC, TFC and antioxidant values among the other Eucalyptus species tested. These findings highlighted the efficiency of conventional extraction in extracting natural bioactive compounds from Eucalyptus species for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
Sociolinguistic variation in morphological productivity in eighteenth-century English
Authors: Säily Tanja
Published: December 2015

This paper presents ongoing work on Säily and Suomela’s (
About text frequencies in historical linguistics: Disentangling environmental and grammatical change
Authors: Szmrecsanyi Benedikt
Published: December 2015

This paper is concerned with the limitations of inferring grammar change from variable text frequencies in historical corpus data. We argue that fluctuating frequencies of grammatical variants in real time are a function not only of changing grammars but are also conditioned by what we call ‘environmental’ changes (for example, content changes) that affect the textual habitat. As a case study, we explore the English genitive alternation in the Late Modern English period and demonstrate that the English
Rheological investigation of creep recovery for UHMWPE or carbon nanotubes in isotactic polypropylene matrix
Authors: Xu Zhaohua , Li Heng , Sun Ning
Published: December 2015

Isotactic polypropylene/ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene blends (iPP/UHMWPE) and iPP/carbon nanotubes composites (iPP/CNTs) were prepared by a coagulation method followed by compression molding. The percolation thresholds for melts of iPP/UHMWPE blends and iPP/CNTs composites determined by rheometer, were beyond 5.0 wt% and close to 4.0 wt%, respectively. The creep and creep-recovery behavior of iPP/UHMWPE and iPP/CNTs melts were systematically investigated by rheological measurements. The results indicated that UHMWPE and CNTs played similar roles in the material’s elastic recovery, the addition of 2.0 wt% UHMWPE or 0.2 wt% CNTs increased the elastic recovery about 10 fold in comparison with neat iPP.
Signaling pathways regulating Homer1a expression: implications for antidepressant therapy
Authors: Serchov Tsvetan , Heumann Rolf , van Calker Dietrich , Biber Knut
Published: December 2015

Homer1a is upregulated by several different antidepressant measures, including non-pharmacological treatments, like sleep deprivation (SD) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and antidepressant drugs, such as imipramine, fluoxetine and ketamine. Homer1a induction might thus be a crucial joint mechanism for antidepressant therapy in general. However, the upstream signaling pathways that regulate or induce Homer1a expression are still not well understood. The main focus of the present review is to offer an overview of the current knowledge about the potential role of Homer1a in depression and the signaling pathways responsible for Homer1a regulation. It is suggested here that a detailed characterization of the signaling mechanisms leading to Homer1a expression might provide novel therapeutic targets for antidepressant drug development.
Preparing for Death: Aspects of Continuity and Change in Swedish Late Medieval and Reformation Traditions
Authors: Sundmark Stina Fallberg
Published: December 2015

When a person in the parish was in bed seriously ill or was hovering between life and death, the priest would be called to him or her and it was part of the priest’s duty in the medieval and Reformation traditions to make his way to the sick or the dying whatever the weather or the state of the roads, a journey that could be both long and arduous. When the priest arrived at the sickbed, he could listen to confession and give communion and extreme unction. This article gives an overview over the ways in which the pastoral visits to the sick and the preparation for death should or could be carried out liturgically according to Swedish medieval and Reformation sources. Some central conceptions of dying are pointed out in the relevant liturgical parts, as well as their theological and pious explanations.
Parallel Multi-Class Contour Preserving Classification
Authors: Fuangkhon Piyabute
Published: December 2015

Serial multi-class contour preserving classification can improve the representation of the contour of the data to improve the levels of classification accuracy for feed-forward neural network (FFNN). The algorithm synthesizes fundamental multi-class outpost vector (FMCOV) and additional multi-class outpost vector (AMCOV) at the decision boundary between consecutive classes of data to narrow the space of data. Both FMCOVs and AMCOVs will assist the FFNN to place the hyper-planes in such a way that can classify the data more accurately. However, the technique was designed to utilize only one processor. As a result, the execution time of the algorithm is significantly long. This article presents an improved version of the serial multi-class contour preserving classification that overcomes its time deficiency by utilizing thread-level parallelism to support parallel computing on multi-processor or multi-core system. The parallel algorithm distributes the data set and the processing of the FMCOV and AMCOV generators to be operated on available threads to increase the CPU utilization and the speedup factors of the FMCOV and AMCOV generators. The technique has been carefully designed to avoid data dependency issue. The experiments were conducted on both synthetic and real-world data sets. The experimental results confirm that the parallel multi-class contour preserving classification clearly outperforms the serial multi-class contour preserving classification in terms of CPU utilization and speedup factor.
Strengthening of Al and Al-Mg alloy wires by melt inoculation with Al/MgB2 nanocomposite
Authors: Florián-Algarín David , Marrero Raúl , Padilla Alexandra , Suárez Oscar Marcelo
Published: December 2015

This study hinges on the feasibility of strengthening Al and Al-Mg wires by adding Al nanocomposite pellets containing MgB2nanoparticles into the melt upon fabrication. These MgB2nanoparticles were obtained by fragmentation using a high-energy ball mill, and were, afterward, mechanically alloyed with pure aluminum. The resulting MgB2/Al nanocomposite pellets were sintered at 260°C to be subsequently added into molten aluminum and an Al-Mg alloy melt. Cold rolling intercalated with stepwise annealing allowed the fabrication of 1 mm diameter wires with a final area reduction of 96%. Mechanical and physical properties of the treated wire specimens were compared to those of similarly processed pure aluminum wire. The ultimate tensile strength of the treated wires increased approximately double fold with respect to untreated wires at the expense of some loss in electrical conductivity.
A variational material model for transformation-induced plasticity in polycrystalline steels
Authors: Waimann Johanna , Junker Philipp , Hackl Klaus
Published: December 2015

This work presents a variational material model for transformation-induced plasticity in steels. We will use the principle of the minimum of the dissipation potential to develop a coupled material model for plastic deformations and phase transformations that simultaneously accounts for the hardening effects that play an important role. We will use a polycrystalline approach and introduce a combined Voigt/Reuß bound and a coupled ansatz for the dissipation functional to model the simultaneous effects of plastic deformations and phase transformations. Finally, we will present the first numerical results for a tension/compression test.
Crystal structure of sodium poly[(μ4-2,2′,2′′-nitrilotriacetato-κ4O,O′,O′′,N)magnesium(II)] monohydrate
Authors: Ma Shu-Qi , Zhao Dan , Li Fei-Fei
Published: December 2015

(C6H8MgNNaO7)n, orthorhombic, P212121 (No. 19), a = 7.9547(8) Å, b = 9.7491(10) Å, c = 12.2115(13) Å, V = 947.02(17) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0462, wRref(F2) = 0.0772, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of (S)-2-(2,2′-diethoxy-[1,1′-binaphthalen]-6-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetra-methyl-2-imidazoline-1-oxyle, C31H33N2O3
Authors: Jing Lin-Lin , Ma Hui-Ping , Sun Xiao-Li , Wang Hai-Bo
Published: December 2015

C31H33N2O3, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 7.8122(11) Å, b = 12.2682(18) Å, c = 28.837(4) Å, V = 2763.8(7) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0574, wRref(F2) = 0.1189, T = 273 K.
Effect of filler type and composition on the mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties of PS/SBR vulcanizate
Authors: Anjum Hirra , Ahmad Syed Waqas , Sharif Rabia , Tausif Muhammad
Published: December 2015

Dynamic vulcanization is an eminent industrial process to enhance the physical, thermal, and rheological properties of polymer composites. The present experimental study comprised the formation of polystyrene (PS) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites using three different types of fillers, namely, kaolin, talc, and rice husk powder (RHP), whereas dicumylperoxide was added as a cross-linking agent. Further, the filler loading was varied from 0 to 20 parts per hundred of resin (phr) for all types (i.e. RHP). The mechanical (i.e. tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength), thermal (i.e. melting point and softening point index), and dynamic mechanical properties of each composite were measured and compared with each other. The results indicate that kaolin-based vulcanizate showed better mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties compared to that of talc and RHP vulcanizate. Furthermore, it can be observed that the mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties of PS/SBR vulcanizates are the function of filler loadings for all three types of fillers (i.e. kaolin, talc, and RHP). In addition, high-temperature storage properties (i.e. loss modulus and storage modulus) were also investigated for better design and material optimization. The study may be helpful to the tribological applications in material selection and design.
Effects of nucleation and stereocomplex formation of poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Srithep Yottha , Pholharn Dutchanee , Turng Lih-Sheng , Veang-in Onpreeya , Morris John
Published: December 2015

The effects of poly(d-lactide) (PDLA), nanoclay, talc, and stereocomplex formation were investigated in blends where these materials were added as a minor phase in a major phase of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA). Blends containing 2% PDLA, nanoclay, or talc as nucleants were prepared via melt blending and showed a strong increase in the crystallization rate as revealed by isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization measurements. The blending of 2% PDLA with PLLA led to the highest crystallization rate. Moreover, a stereocomplex formation was observed in a PLLA/PDLA blend (50:50). Wide-angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry verified that complete stereocomplex crystallites that do not form homocrystallites can be achieved. Compared with pure PLLA, the stereocomplex had a higher melting temperature and a higher crystallization temperature, by more than 50°C and 25°C, respectively.
An Empirical Bayes risk prediction model using multiple traits for sequencing data
Authors: Li Gengxin , Cui Yuehua , Zhao Hongyu
Published: December 2015

The rapidly developing sequencing technologies have led to improved disease risk prediction through identifying many novel genes. Many prediction methods have been proposed to use rich genomic information to predict binary disease outcomes. It is intuitive that these methods can be further improved by making efficient use of the rich information in measured quantitative traits that are correlated with binary outcomes. In this article, we propose a novel Empirical Bayes prediction model that uses information from both quantitative traits and binary disease status to improve risk prediction. Our method is built on a new statistic that better infers the gene effect on multiple traits, and it also enjoys the good theoretical properties. We then consider using sequencing data by combining information from multiple rare variants in individual genes to strengthen the signals of causal genetic effects. In simulation study, we find that our proposed Empirical Bayes approach is superior to other existing methods in terms of feature selection and risk prediction. We further evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed method through its application to the sequencing data provided by the Genetic Analysis Workshop 18.
Structural and IR-spectroscopic characterization of magnesium acesulfamate
Authors: Piro Oscar E. , Echeverría Gustavo A. , Parajón-Costa Beatriz S. , Baran Enrique J.
Published: December 2015

Magnesium acesulfamate, Mg(C4H4NO4S)2·6H2O, was prepared by the reaction of acesulfamic acid and magnesium carbonate in aqueous solution, and characterized by elemental analysis. Its crystal structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The substance crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1̅ with one molecule per unit cell. The FTIR spectrum of the compound was also recorded and is briefly discussed. Some comparisons with other simple acesulfamate and saccharinate salts are also made.
More than just pretty pictures: red-figure pottery production beyond Athens
Authors: Herring Edward
Published: December 2015

Red-figure pottery first achieved prominence in the modern world through antiquarianism and the collection of souvenirs on the Grand Tour. This fundamentally shaped the scholarship of this class of pottery. Vases were valued for their completeness, their iconography—scenes depicting Greek myth and literature being particularly prized—and their aesthetic qualities. Famous private collections were formed, many of which subsequently entered the world's great museums. Less value was placed upon the vessels as archaeological objects. The contexts in which they were found, their associations with other objects and their roles in ancient society were given little consideration. The pursuit of intact vases led to a focus on cemeteries, and many discoveries were, and indeed continue to be, the result of looting. Thus, most museum collections are dominated by vessels without proper provenance. Moreover, collections are skewed towards funerary and, to a lesser extent, sanctuary evidence, and away from material used in domestic contexts. The importance of iconography and aesthetics means that museums tend to display the most varied and beautiful vessels, ignoring much of the output of ancient workshops.
The fortification of Angkor Wat
Authors: Brotherson David
Published: December 2015

Famous for its role as a Vishnuite temple during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Angkor Wat's subsequent fate has attracted less interest. Traces of modifications to the outer walls of the complex may, however, hold the key to understanding its role during its later phases. Here, holes in the masonry and structural changes to the substantial walls are investigated to demonstrate how wooden structures with a defensive role were built to protect the site sometime between the late thirteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The results reveal how Angkor Wat may have made its last attempt at defence.
Maya: revelation and re-evaluation
Authors: Hammond Norman
Published: December 2015

Maya archaeology is flourishing; across three millennia, four countries and an impressive range of intellectual and practical approaches, the eight books under review here make that point well. One is the ninth edition of a deservedly successful book for a general readership, one the catalogue of the first Maya exhibition to be held in Britain in nearly half a century. A further volume deals with sites in the northern Maya lowlands of the Yucatan Peninsula, another with those in the eastern lowlands, the former British colony of Belize. Two are site-specific: the major city of El Perú-Waka’ in the southern lowland Maya heartland of El Petén, Guatemala, and the idiosyncratic élite centre of Cacaxtla in central highland Mexico where Maya influence on the famous murals is both striking and puzzling. Finally, two have a scientific bent: collections of papers on bioarchaeology/population studies and archaeoastronomy respectively. All draw their evidence, and their illustrations, largely from the Classic Period (AD 250–900), although there are forays into both the Preclassic (1200 BC–AD 250) and Postclassic (AD 900–1500+).
The landscape of Angkor Wat redefined
Authors: Evans Damian , Fletcher Roland
Published: December 2015

For over a century, the landscape of Angkor Wat and its surrounding area have been the focus of archaeological study. These studies have been constrained substantially, however, by a lack of chronological resolution in the features of the landscape and the difficulty of dating elements of the cultural assemblage. Recently obtained LiDAR data have transformed understanding of the Angkor Wat complex, enabling archaeologists to map terrain usually obscured by dense and protected vegetation. The results have informed targeted ground-based research, demonstrated previously unknown relationships between elements of the site, shown that the complex is much more extensive than previously thought and revealed a massive, unique and unknown structure.
The future of archaeological theory
Authors: Thomas Julian
Published: December 2015

In this latest contribution to our ‘Archaeological Futures’ series, Julian Thomas reflects on the current state of Western archaeological theory and how it is probably going to develop over the next few years. Archaeological theory has not ossified in the period since the processual/post-processual exchanges. The closer integration of archaeological thought with philosophical debate in the human sciences has gradually given rise to a theoretical landscape that would have been unrecognisable 30 years ago, wherein ‘new materialisms’ figure significantly.
Regulation of human subcutaneous adipocyte differentiation by EID1
Authors: Vargas Diana , Shimokawa Noriaki , Kaneko Ryosuke , Rosales Wendy , Parra Adriana , Castellanos Ángela , Koibuchi Noriyuki , Lizcano Fernando
Published: December 2015

Increasing thermogenesis in white adipose tissues can be used to treat individuals at high risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to determine the function of EP300-interacting inhibitor of differentiation (EID1), an inhibitor of muscle differentiation, in the induction of beige adipocytes from adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained from healthy women undergoing abdominoplasty. ADMSCs were isolated in vitro, grown, and transfected with EID1 or EID1 siRNA, and differentiation was induced after 48 h by administering rosiglitazone. The effects of EID1 expression under the control of the aP2 promoter (aP2-EID1) were also evaluated in mature adipocytes that were differentiated from ADMSCs. Transfection of EID1 into ADMSCs reduced triglyceride accumulation while increasing levels of thermogenic proteins, such as PGC1α, TFAM, and mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), all of which are markers of energy expenditure and mitochondrial activity. Furthermore, increased expression of the beige phenotype markers CITED1 and CD137 was observed. Transfection of aP2-EID1 transfection induced the conversion of mature white adipocytes to beige adipocytes, as evidenced by increased expression of PGC1α, UCP1, TFAM, and CITED1. These results indicate that EID1 can modulate ADMSCs, inducing a brown/beige lineage. EID1 may also activate beiging in white adipocytes obtained from subcutaneous human adipose tissue.
Transcatheter Treatment of Large Aortopulmonary Window: A Case Report
Authors: Chen Zuoyuan , Zhang Jidong , Wang Xiaxia , Xing Quansheng , Xin Hui , Lian Zhexun , Sun Pin , Wu Qin , Zhou Daxin
Published: December 2015

Introduction: Aortopulmonary window (APW), a large aortopulmonary septal defect (APSD), is a serious and rare defect within congenital heart diseases.
Case report: In this study, we reported an APW case with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. This patient was successfully treated by transcatheter closure with a muscular ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluder.
Conclusion: We had a successful experience with transcatheter closure of a large APW using a muscular VSD occluder. There was no residual shunt or complications during the 6-month follow-up.
Renal Calculi: An Unusual Presentation of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Daly Gemma F. , Barnard Edward B.G. , Thoreson Lynn
Published: December 2015

Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome is a rare initial presentation of hematologic malignancy in children that typically presents with complications of electrolyte derangement, specifically hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperuricemia. We report a case of a 5-year-old boy who presented to the emergency department with gross hematuria, abdominal pain, and vomiting and was ultimately diagnosed with uric acid nephrolithiasis and acute renal failure secondary to spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome in the setting of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Tumor lysis syndrome is considered an oncologic emergency, and in this case, the child required urgent treatment with potassium-binding agents, rasburicase, and hemodialysis. This case demonstrates that occult hematologic malignancy should be suspected in cases of nephrolithiasis and acute renal failure when found in conjunction with hyperuricemia despite a normal complete blood count at the time of presentation.
Early Volume Expansion and Outcomes of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Ardissino Gianluigi , Tel Francesca , Possenti Ilaria , Testa Sara , Consonni Dario , Paglialonga Fabio , Salardi Stefania , Borsa-Ghiringhelli Nicolò , Salice Patrizia , Tedeschi Silvana , Castorina Pierangela , Colombo Rosaria Maria , Arghittu Milena , Daprai Laura , Monzani Alice , Tozzoli Rosangela , Brigotti Maurizio , Torresani Erminio
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND:

Hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC-HUS) is a severe acute illness without specific treatment except supportive care; fluid management is concentrated on preventing fluid overload for patients, who are often oligoanuric. Hemoconcentration at onset is associated with more severe disease, but the benefits of volume expansion after hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) onset have not been explored.

METHODS:

All the children with STEC-HUS referred to our center between 2012 and 2014 received intravenous infusion targeted at inducing an early volume expansion (+10% of working weight) to restore circulating volume and reduce ischemic or hypoxic tissue damage. The short- and long-term outcomes of these patients were compared with those of 38 historical patients referred to our center during the years immediately before, when fluid intake was routinely restricted.

RESULTS:

Patients undergoing fluid infusion soon after diagnosis showed a mean increase in body weight of 12.5% (vs 0%), had significantly better short-term outcomes with a lower rate of central nervous system involvement (7.9% vs 23.7%, P = .06), had less need for renal replacement therapy (26.3% vs 57.9%, P = .01) or intensive care support (2.0 vs. 8.5 days, P = .02), and needed fewer days of hospitalization (9.0 vs 12.0 days, P = .03). Long-term outcomes were also significantly better in terms of renal and extrarenal sequelae (13.2% vs 39.5%, P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with STEC-HUS had great benefit from early volume expansion. It is speculated that early and generous fluid infusions can reduce thrombus formation and ischemic organ damage, thus having positive effects on both short- and long-term disease outcomes.