bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brivaracetam: a novel antiepileptic drug for focal-onset seizures
Authors: Stephen Linda J. , Brodie Martin J.
Published: November 2017

Brivaracetam (BRV), the n-propyl analogue of levetiracetam (LEV), is the latest antiepileptic drug (AED) to be licensed in Europe and the USA for the adjunctive treatment of focal-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in patients aged 16 years or older. Like LEV, BRV binds to synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A), but BRV has more selective binding and a 15- to 30-fold higher binding affinity than LEV. BRV is more effective than LEV in slowing synaptic vesicle mobilization and the two AEDs may act at different binding sites or interact with different conformational states of the SV2A protein. In animal models, BRV provides protection against focal and secondary generalized seizures and has significant anticonvulsant effects in genetic models of epilepsy. The drug undergoes first-order pharmacokinetics with an elimination half-life of 7–8 h. Although BRV is metabolized extensively, the main circulating compound is unchanged BRV. Around 95% of metabolites undergo renal elimination. No dose reduction is required in renal impairment, but it is recommended that the daily dose is reduced by one-third in hepatic dysfunction that may prolong half-life. BRV has a low potential for drug interactions. The efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive BRV in adults with focal-onset seizures have been explored in six randomized, placebo-controlled studies. These showed significant efficacy outcomes for doses of 50–200 mg/day. The most common adverse events reported were headache, somnolence, dizziness, fatigue and nausea. Patients who develop psychiatric symptoms with LEV appear to be at risk of similar side effects with BRV, although preliminary data suggest that these issues are likely to be less frequent and perhaps less severe. As with all AEDs, a low starting dose and slow titration schedule help to minimize side effects and optimize seizure control and thereby quality of life.
What future for the post office network?
Authors: Jaag Christian , Finger Matthias
Published: November 2017

Incumbent postal operators (POs) are particularly challenged with rapid technological developments and especially with digitalization which substitutes their letter mail, yet generally boosts parcel volumes. As a consequence, they have to rethink their strategy, especially for their post office network. The article presents potential strategies and discusses the main trends in postal network evolution among incumbent POs, focusing in particular on the examples of Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United States, and assesses these strategies against a set of key performance and development indicators.
Associations of Thalassemia Major and satisfaction with quality of life: The mediating effect of social support
Authors: Platania Silvia , Gruttadauria Stefania , Citelli Giulia , Giambrone Loris , Di Nuovo Santo
Published: November 2017

The present research analyzed the elements of thalassemia which affect the patient’s perceived quality of life. Three hundred patients with Thalassemia Major (males = 165, 55%; females = 135, 45%; Mage = 36.13, standard deviation = 8.54) were the sample. Analysis of multiple mediations revealed a direct effect of self-efficacy on the Satisfaction with Life Scale that is mediated only by social support.The findings suggest a need to accentuate help and support to patients with Thalassemia Major.
The effects of political and legal constraints on expropriation in natural resource and manufacturing sectors
Authors: Biglaiser Glen , Lee Hoon , Staats Joseph L
Published: November 2017

Using panel data for up to 86 developing countries from 1960–2006, this paper investigates the effects of political and legal constraints on the tendency of host governments to expropriate in the natural resource and manufacturing sectors. Consistent with existing research, we find that host governments are more inclined to expropriate in the natural resource sector than they are in the manufacturing sector and that leftist governments are more apt to expropriate than rightist governments. However, we also find that political and legal constraints on host governments lessen the risk of expropriation, but do so with greater force as to the natural resource sector than for the manufacturing sector, and with larger effect as to leftist governments than rightist governments. The results suggest that leftist governments are especially inclined to expropriate in the resource sector unless constrained by political and legal factors from doing so and, because of lower initial capital requirements and increased mobility of assets, all governments, left and right, have less reason to expropriate in the manufacturing sector and therefore are more likely to resist expropriating even in the absence of political and legal constraints.
Πολιτική και «σύγκρουση των πολιτισμών». Το επιχείρημα τον S. Huntington για τη μοναδικότητα του δυτικού πολιτισμού και την απίσχνανση του οικουμενικού χαρακτήρα της νεωτερικότητας
Authors: Δημητρίου Στέφανος
Published: November 2017

Το άρθρο επιχειρεί μία κριτική ανακατασκευή του επιχειρήματος του S. Huntington. Ο Huntington θεωρεί ότι ο δυτικός πολιτισμός βρίσκεται εν κινδΰνω απειλούμενος από αλλότριους και εχθρικούς προς αυτόν πολιτισμούς. Στο παρόν άρθρο ασκείται κριτική στον τρόπο εννοιολογικής και μεθοδολογικής συγκρότησης αυτού του επιχειρήματος, ώστε να καταδειχθούν οι λόγοι για τους οποίους ο Huntington αντιπαραθέτει το οικουμενικό περιεχόμενο και το αξιακό σύστημα του νεωτερικού πολιτισμού προς τη μοναδικότητα του δυτικού πολιτισμού. Έτσι, οι αξίες της ανοχής και της συνύπαρξης υποκαθίστανται από την ανάγκη διαφύλαξης των αμιγών χαρακτηριστικών του δυτικού πολιτισμού, ο οποίος απειλείται από διαφορετικά πολιτισμικά υποδείγματα έναντι των οποίων οφείλει να κατισχύσει, εάν θέλει να διατηρήσει την κυριαρχία του.
Ο ρόλος του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου στα πλαίσια της Κοινής Εξωτερικής Πολιτικής και Πολιτικής Ασφάλειας (ΚΕΠΠΑ) της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης
Authors: Μαμμωνάς Δημοσθένης Ν.
Published: November 2017

Από τη στιγμή που δεν επιτεύχθηκε η «κοινοτικοποίηση» της ΚΕΠΠΑ, η Συνθήκη του Maastricht ήταν αναμενόμενο να επιφυλάξει έναν περιορισμένο ρόλο για το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο. Τα κράτη-μέλη φάνηκαν διατακτικά στην παραχώρηση αρμοδιοτήτων σε έναν τομέα που αγγίζει τον σκληρό πυρήνα της εθνικής τους κυριαρχίας. Ωστόσο, το Κοινοβούλιο προσπάθησε να αξιοποιήσει κάθε αρμοδιότητα που του παρέχεται από τις Συνθήκες, προχωρώντας ταυτόχρονα και στις αναγκαίες εσωτερικές μεταρρυθμίσεις. Μέσα από διαδοχικές αποφάσεις του, ζήτησε την ουσιαστική ανάπτυξη και εφαρμογής μιας πραγματικής κεππα και την περαιτέρω ενίσχυσή του στον τομέα αυτό. Τα μελλοντικά σενάρια για το μέλλον του Κοινοβουλίου στον τομέα της κεππα, αφού λαμβάνουν υπόψη τα πορίσματα τριών από τις θεωρητικές προσεγγίσεις της ευρωπαϊκής ολοκλήρωσης (ρεαλιστική, νεολειτουργική και θεωρία της συγχώνευσης), καταλήγουν στο συμπέρασμα ότι η θέση του θα εξαρτηθεί άμεσα από την πρόοδο της διαδικασίας ενοποίησης: όσο περισσότερο προχωρά η πολιτική ένωση και άρα η «κοινοτικοποίηση» της κεππα τόσο πιο ουσιαστικός θα είναι και ο ρόλος του Κοινοβουλίου.
Χρήστος Λυριντζής, Σύγκριση και Ερμηνεία. Η πορεία και οι προοπτικές στη σύγχρονη πολιτική ανάλυση, Νήσος, Αθήνα 2001, 304 σελ.
Authors: Δεμερτζής Νίκος
Published: November 2017

[Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη / no abstract available]
Νέο εργατικό κόμμα και ηθική: Μελέτη πάνω στην ιδεολογική αλλαγή των Βρετανών σοσιαλιστών
Authors: Καρβούνης Αντώνης
Published: November 2017

Το ζήτημα της ιδεολογίας προσεγγίζεται κοινώς με τη διάκριση που επιχειρείται μεταξύ «λειτουργικών» πολιτικών και των ηθικών θεμελίων τους. Ο ηθικός πυρήνας τους θεωρείται σταθερός καθώς οι πολιτικές που προορίζονται να υλοποιήσουν το εννοιολογικό του περιεχόμενο υπόκεινται στις μεταβολές του εξωτερικού περιβάλλοντος. Το παρόν άρθρο, επικεντρώνοντας το ερευνητικό του ενδιαφέρον στην περίπτωση του βρετανικού Νέου Εργατικού Κόμματος, υποθέτει ότι οι αλλαγές σε επίπεδο πολιτικών επιφέρουν μεταβολές και στο επίπεδο των ηθικών αρχών - η σχέση μεταξύ των δύο είναι αμοιβαία, και όχι ιεραρχική. Η αντίδραση του Νέου Εργατικού Κόμματος σε τρία πολιτικά προβλήματα -πληθωρισμό, φτώχεια, και νέες προσδοκίες της εργατικής τάξης- οδήγησε σε αλλαγή στη σοσιαλιστική ηθική του, και, πιο συγκεκριμένα, στις έννοιες της κοινωνικής δικαιοσύνης, της κοινότητας και της ιδιότητας του πολίτη.
Περί δικομματισμού και χρήσης της ιδεολογικής πόλωσης στη μελέτη του κομματικού συστήματος
Authors: Παππάς Τάκης Σ.
Published: November 2017

[Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη / no abstract available]
Γ. Παπαδημητρίου, Υπερεθνικές και πολιτειακές αρχές στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Προς αναζήτηση μιας νέας θεσμικής ταυτότητας - Δ. Τσάτσος, Επίμαχες έννοιες της ευρωπαϊκής ενωσιακής τάξης. Μεθοδολογική ερμηνεία των ευρωπαϊκών ενωσιακών θεσμών
Authors: Δούση Εμμανουέλα
Published: November 2017

[Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη / no abstract available]
Analysis of the experiences of nurses who return to nursing after cancer
Authors: Edward Karen-leigh , Giandinoto Jo-Ann , McFarland Judelle
Published: November 2017

Background:

understanding the impact of role ambiguity (both professional and patient) can be a factor in deepening the understanding of the ongoing personal, professional and organisational requirements of nurses who are cancer survivors.

Purpose:

the aim of this qualitative study was to elucidate an in-depth description of nurses' experiences of surviving cancer.

Method:

an exploratory qualitative research design was used (n=8), with participants recruited between September 2014 and December 2016.

Discussion:

data analysis led to the emergence of six themes: being practical about the diagnosis and treatment, empathy and compassion, a ‘new normal’ and the role of organisational support, medical knowledge and treatment experiences, coping in silence and denial, and being resilient.

Conclusion:

nurses as cancer survivors who return to work offer a richness of experience related to enhanced empathetic responses to patients in their care and have the potential to be great practice role-models for other staff.
Development and evaluation of an educational training package to promote health and wellbeing
Authors: Gartshore Emily , Briggs Lydia , Blake Holly
Published: November 2017

Background:

supporting the health and wellbeing of healthcare employees is a national priority in the UK.

Aims:

to design, deliver and evaluate an educational package to promote health and wellbeing for nurses and midwives.

Methods:

an online training package was developed and administered in two ways: online (HAWN-online) or in a face-to-face workshop (HAWN-contact). A mixed methods evaluation was used to assess usability and acceptability of HAWN training.

Findings:

316 nurses, midwives and students completed the online training package and 16 participants attended the workshop. HAWN-online significantly increased knowledge in core areas of workplace health and wellbeing. Nurses and midwives valued online and face-to-face delivery but found there were barriers to attendance at workshops. Participants advocated that training in workplace health should be mandatory for all frontline staff.

Conclusions:

employers should take steps to promote staff wellbeing through HAWN training, and address barriers to accessing workplace health training or supportive services.
Using an electronic assessment system for nursing students on placements
Authors: Smith Julie , Cambers Walter
Published: November 2017

Electronic assessment is gaining popularity in clinically based elements of pre-registration nurse education. In this study, the authors explored student nurse and mentor experiences during transition from a paper to an electronic system. Mixed research methods used included survey questionnaires and focus groups. Student nurses and their mentors (both n=5) discussed and rated their confidence and skills in information technology and their experience of an electronic assessment document before and after two successive clinical placements. Students' self-reported confidence increased after both placements; mentors' confidence fell after the first placement. Students reported the fewest needs for additional support, while mentors expressed anxieties about system navigation and time required. The main barrier was lack of access to computers connected to the internet in the practice environment. Nevertheless, students and mentors were receptive to the change. Training and support was seen as essential. Serious challenges in up-scaling this system for complete student cohorts lie in wait if computer availability is not addressed.
The effect of distal femoral extension osteotomy on muscle lengths after surgery
Authors: Lenhart R. L. , Smith C. R. , Schwartz M. H. , Novacheck T. F. , Thelen D. G.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The distal femoral extension osteotomy (DFEO) is often used in the treatment of crouch gait to help compensate for knee flexion contractures. The effects of DFEO on skeletal and muscle lengths are incompletely understood, but are important to consider in planning concomitant surgeries such as patellar tendon advancement (PTA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the changes in femur, quadriceps, and hamstring lengths with DFEO, and to determine the sensitivity to surgical factors such as wedge location and magnitude.

Methods

A musculoskeletal model with six degrees of freedom tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints was used for analysis. A wedge was removed from the distal femur and the remaining bone segments were plated together to simulate the DFEO. After simulating the knee's post-operative equilibrium, the surgically-induced changes in muscle and bone lengths were analysed.

Results

Relative to the pre-operative state, DFEO stretches the hamstrings while shortening the femur and quadriceps. A more posterior wedge apex location (i.e. creation of a cuneiform wedge) diminished the stretch of the hamstrings, but induced greater shortening of the femur and quadriceps. More proximal wedge locations necessitated greater translation of the distal fragment to maintain the knee joint axis.

Conclusion

Reduced quadriceps length after DFEO shown in this study is consistent with the need for simultaneous PTA. The induced hamstring stretch also may represent a potential mechanism for post-operative nerve palsies. Overall, the numerical results provide a firmer basis for planning the specifics of DFEO such that desired muscle lengths and joint alignment are achieved.
Molecular Simulation Study on the Interaction of Nanoparticles with Clay Minerals: C60 on Surfaces of Pyrophyllite and Kaolinite
Authors: Zhou Huijun , Chen Meng , Zhu Lifang , Li Lin , Zhu Runliang , He Hongping
Published: November 2017

Buckminsterfullerene (C60) is one of the most important carbon-based nanoparticles (CNPs). Industrial-scale production of C60 has reached the level of tons; release to the environment has been confirmed (Tremblay, 2002; Qiao et al., 2007). The present study was devoted to study of the effect of clay minerals on the migration process of C60. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to study the interaction of CNPS with clay minerals through study of the adsorption of C60 on various surfaces of kaolinite and pyrophyllite in vacuum and aqueous environments. Two kinds of surfaces, hydrophobic siloxane surfaces and hydrophilic hydroxyl surfaces, were investigated. C60 is mainly adsorbed onto the vacancy of the six-membered ring, composed of SiO4 tetrahedra or AlO6 octahedra, on clay-mineral surfaces. A single adsorption layer consisting of C60 molecules with an ordered hexagonal arrangement is presented for all surfaces in vacuum. In aqueous environments, however, the monolayer appears on the siloxane surfaces only, while a cluster of C60 molecules is formed on the hydroxyl surfaces. Free energies prove that the attachment of two C60 molecules is stronger than the adsorption of C60 onto the hydroxyl surface in water, which is the reason for unfavorable formation of C60 monolayer. On the other hand, the adsorption free energy is more negative on the hydrophobic siloxane surface, explaining the monolayer formation. The existence of water, which forms hydration layers on the surfaces of clay minerals, produces energy barriers, and reduces the adsorption affinity to some extent. Because clay minerals act as geosorbents in the environment, the present study is significant in terms of understanding the migration and fate of CNPS in nature.
The ‘cultural’ open method of coordination: Is it up to the job?
Authors: Psychogiopoulou Evangelia
Published: November 2017

The article focuses on the use of the open method of coordination (OMC) in the field of culture. Its aim is to explore the adequacy of the cultural OMC in achieving its specific goals. The article examines the configuration and functioning of the cultural OMC through two distinct cycles (2008−10 and 2011−14), investigating the capacity of the process to structure Member States’ cultural cooperation, to foster exchanges of best practice and to feed national and European Union (EU) cultural policies through the formulation of policy recommendations. The analysis draws on desk research and interviews carried out with the European institutions, Member States’ cultural authorities and OMC participants in the cultural field. The article demonstrates that overall the cultural OMC is well-equipped to fulfil its mission and suggests that targeted changes to its format and operation could further strengthen its potential to do so.
Marcadores Discursivos e(m) Tradução
Authors: Loureiro Ana Paula , Carapinha Conceição , Plag Cornelia
Published: November 2017

Este volume reúne, entre outros, os trabalhos apresentados no 1.º e no 2.º Colóquios MarDisT (MarDisT e MarDisT 2), que tiveram lugar na Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Coimbra em 2015 e 2016, com a participação de especialistas internacionais na área. Os trabalhos aqui compilados abarcam diferentes línguas, diferentes perspetivas teóricas, diferentes géneros textuais, problemas de tradução, e problemas de aprendizagem de L2/LE, tendo como denominador comum os marcadores discursivos. Esperamos que a diversidade de reflexões venha a suscitar o interesse na área e a incentivar novas pesquisas.
Data-Mining-based filtering to support Solar Forecasting Methodologies
Authors: Pinto Tiago , Marques Luis , Sousa Tiago M , Praça Isabel , Vale Zita , Abreu Samuel L
Published: November 2017

This paper proposes an hybrid approach for short term solar intensity forecasting, which combines different forecasting methodologies with a clustering algorithm, which plays the role of data filter, in order to support the selection of the best data for training. A set of methodologies based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM), used for short term solar irradiance forecast, is implemented and compared in order to facilitate the selection of the most appropriate methods and respective parameters according to the available information and needs. Data from the Brazilian city of Florianópolis, in the state of Santa Catarina, has been used to illustrate the methods applicability and conclusions. The dataset comprises the years of 1990 to 1999 and includes four solar irradiance components as well as other meteorological variables, such as temperature, wind speed and humidity. Conclusions about the irradiance components, parameters and the proposed clustering mechanism are presented. The results are studied and analysed considering both efficiency and effectiveness of the results. The experimental findings show that the hybrid model, combining a SVM approach with a clustering mechanism, to filter the data used for training, achieved promising results, outperforming the approaches without clustering.
Análise das relações entre resistividade elétrica, condutividade hidráulica e parâmetros físico-químicos para o Aquífero Livre da Região de Corumbataí (SP)
Authors: Rosa Fernanda Teles , Moreira Cesar Augusto , Carrara Alan , Dos Santos Shaiely Fernandes
Published: November 2017

O Brasil é um país privilegiado em relação aos seus recursos naturais, mas enfrenta problemas de diagnóstico da situação das águas superficiais e subterrâneas, devido à qualidade e a quantidade deste recurso. Questões quanto aos parâmetros físico-químicos como elevada salinidade ou baixa condutividade hidráulica podem prejudicar o uso deste recurso hídrico subterrâneo. O estudo de procedimentos para diagnóstico direto e indireto de salinidade em aquíferos pode auxiliar na seleção de locais adequados para que ocorra a captação da água. Neste sentido, este estudo descreve uma análise comparativa entre dados geoquímicos e ensaios geofísicos em um aquífero livre, com salinidade elevada, numa tentativa de estabelecimento de correlações entre dados diretos e indiretos, além de possibilitar uma análise das limitações de uso do método geofísico da eletrorresistividade como ferramenta indicadora de graus de salinidade. O contexto geológico local é representado por solos argilosos assentados sobre siltitos e argilitos da Formação Corumbataí, unidade geológica pertencente à Bacia Sedimentar do Paraná. Esta unidade representa um aquiclude regional, com o nível aquífero livre no contato solo/rocha, caracterizado por salinidade variável e bastante utilizado como fonte de abastecimento em propriedades rurais. Os parâmetros físico-químicos medidos em amostras coletadas em poços foram: sólidos totais dissolvidos (STD), condutividade elétrica (CE), além de medidas de condutividade hidráulica (k). Os dados de STD e CE foram amplamente variáveis, mas resultaram numa correlação direta satisfatória. A comparação entre dados de resistividade elétrica com STD e com k não resultaram em correlações com resposta tão satisfatória, devido à complexidade geológica e salinidade amplamente variável, fatores que controlam a resistividade elétrica no ambiente geológico.
EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: what is new in 2017 and its applicability in our local setting
Authors: Mok Chi Chiu
Published: November 2017

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common rheumatic disease being managed by the rheumatologists. With the emergence of the biologic and targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs), the prognosis of RA has improved substantially. However, these novel agents are associated with high cost and untoward effects. International consensus statements for the drug management of RA have been published to guide the practice of rheumatologists. In this article, updates from the 2016 EULAR management recommendations for RA are reviewed and discussed within the context of our local situation in Hong Kong.
Human adenovirus-36 seropositivity and obesity among Midwestern US adolescents
Authors: Tosh Aneesh K. , Wasserman Mollie G. , McLeay II Matthew T. , Tepe Sara K.
Published: November 2017

Objective

Human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) infection has been implicated as a risk factor for obesity. This study aims to measure Ad-36 antibody prevalence among obese and healthy-weight Midwestern US adolescents.

Methods

Obese and healthy-weight subjects 10–18 years of age attending an adolescent clinic in Missouri, USA, were tested for Ad-36 antibodies via ELISA assay. All subjects were measured for height and weight to determine body mass index (BMI). χ2 analysis was used to compare Ad-36 antibody prevalence between the two groups.

Results

Ad-36 antibodies were tested on 41 obese and 37 control subjects. The subjects’ mean age at the time of sample collection was 15.6 years (SD 2.0). Ad-36 antibody prevalence was 43.9% among the obese group and 21.6% among the control group (p = 0.038).

Discussion

The findings show that statistically more obese Missouri adolescents test positive for Ad-36 antibodies than their healthy-weight peers, consistent with previous findings suggesting a correlation between Ad-36 infection and obesity.
Experience of violence amongst female medical and nursing students and their perception regarding violence against women in Delhi, India
Authors: Gautam Nitika , Anand Tanu , Kishore Jugal , Grover Shekhar
Published: November 2017

Background

Health care providers are often the first point of contact for the victims of violence against women (VAW). Therefore, it is important to understand their perception about VAW.

Objective

To assess the proportion of female medical students who experienced violence, and elicit their perception regarding the same.

Methods

It was a cross-sectional study undertaken among 50 medical and 50 nursing students of a medical college in Central Delhi. A self-administered, questionnaire was used for data collection.

Results

Of the total, 18% had experienced molestation while 77% had experienced eve-teasing during their lifetime. But, only 2% reported the incident to police. Perception regarding the victim’s role and self-determination was favorable amongst the female students. However, only 39% knew some basic self-defense techniques.

Conclusion

The proportion of students who experienced eve-teasing in their lifetime was high. The study highlighted the need to make the female students more pro-active and competent in terms of tackling violence.
Microcontroller Control/Synchronization of the Dynamics of Van der Pol Oscillators Submitted to Disturbances
Authors: Siewe R. Thepi , Domguia U. Simo , Woafo P.
Published: November 2017

In this article, we present a microcontroller implementation of the synchronization of two Van der Pol oscillators submitted to disturbances of the pulse-like type. Three coupling schemes are used: the classical linear proportional coupling, a power order coupling and an adaptive coupling. After obtaining the coupling coefficients for synchronization through numerical simulation, the microcontroller implementation is carried out using simulation based on Euler algorithm. Agreement is found between both simulation strategies.
Canopy structure and topography effects on snow distribution at a catchment scale: Application of multivariate approaches
Authors: Jenicek Michal , Pevna Hana , Matejka Ondrej
Published: November 2017

The knowledge of snowpack distribution at a catchment scale is important to predict the snowmelt runoff. The objective of this study is to select and quantify the most important factors governing the snowpack distribution, with special interest in the role of different canopy structure. We applied a simple distributed sampling design with measurement of snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) at a catchment scale. We selected eleven predictors related to character of specific localities (such as elevation, slope orientation and leaf area index) and to winter meteorological conditions (such as irradiance, sum of positive air temperature and sum of new snow depth). The forest canopy structure was described using parameters calculated from hemispherical photographs. A degree-day approach was used to calculate melt factors. Principal component analysis, cluster analysis and Spearman rank correlation were applied to reduce the number of predictors and to analyze measured data. The SWE in forest sites was by 40% lower than in open areas, but this value depended on the canopy structure. The snow ablation in large openings was on average almost two times faster compared to forest sites. The snow ablation in the forest was by 18% faster after forest defoliation (due to the bark beetle). The results from multivariate analyses showed that the leaf area index was a better predictor to explain the SWE distribution during accumulation period, while irradiance was better predictor during snowmelt period. Despite some uncertainty, parameters derived from hemispherical photographs may replace measured incoming solar radiation if this meteorological variable is not available.
Use of conventional flow resistance equations and a model for the Nikuradse roughness in vegetated flows at high submergence
Authors: Gualtieri Paola , Felice Sergio De , Pasquino Vittorio , Doria Guelfo Pulci
Published: November 2017

This study examines the problem of flow resistance due to rigid vegetation in open channel flow. The reliability of the conventional flow resistance equations (i.e. Keulegan, Manning and Chézy-Bazin) for vegetated flows at high submergence, i.e. h/k >5, (where h = flow depth and k = vegetation height) is assessed. Several modern flow resistance equations based on a two-layer approach are examined, showing that they transform into the conventional equations at high submergences. To compare the conventional flow resistance equations at high submergences, an experimental methodology is proposed and applied to the experimental data reported in the literature and collected for this study. The results demonstrate the reliability of the Keulegan equation in predicting the flow resistance. Based on the obtained results, a model to evaluate the Nikuradse equivalent sand-grain roughness, kN, starting from the vegetation height and density, is proposed and tested.
Detection of changes in flow regime of rivers in Poland
Authors: Wrzesiński Dariusz , Sobkowiak Leszek
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study is to detect changes in flow regime of rivers in Poland. On the basis of daily discharges recorded in 1951-2010 at 159 gauging stations located on 94 rivers regularities in the variability of the river flow characteristics in the multi-year period and in the annual cycle were identified and also their spatial uniformity was examined. In order to identify changes in the characteristics of river regime, similarities of empirical distribution functions of the 5-day sets (pentads) of discharges were analyzed and the percent shares of similar and dissimilar distributions of the 5-day discharge frequencies in the successive 20-year sub-periods were compared with the average values of discharges recorded in 1951-2010. Three alternative methods of river classification were employed and in the classification procedure use was made of the Ward’s hierarchical clustering method. This resulted in identification of groups of rivers different in terms of the degree of transformation of their hydrological regimes in the multi-year and annual patterns.
Dynamic Air Gap Change of Low-Speed Generator Considering Thermal Expansion, Centrifugal Force and Magnetic Force Effects
Authors: Cerpinska M. , Elmanis-Helmanis R.
Published: November 2017

The paper provides the data collected over a three-year period to illustrate the dynamic air gap change depending on generation modes of four hydropower generators with similar design. The tests were performed on hydropower units at the rated apparent power of 105 MVA and the air gap of 20 mm. The results obtained showed that the average air gap change in different modes could reach up to 2.1 mm. Around 90 % of air gap change results from thermal expansion and 10 % were determined by centrifugal and magnetic forces. In coasting mode when the power was switched off and the speed of the generator decreased, the air gap increased up to 0.7 mm. Attraction forces resulting from magnetic phenomena accounted for 0.1-0.6 mm decrease in the air gap.
Synaptische Transmission im Immunsystem
Authors: Rettig Jens , Stevens David R.
Published: November 2017

Die Freisetzung von Neurotransmittern an Synapsen gehört zu den wichtigsten Mechanismen im zentralen Nervensystem. In den zurückliegenden Jahrzehnten konnten viele Erkenntnisse über die molekularen Mechanismen, die diesem Prozess zugrunde liegen, gesammelt werden. Die hochregulierte Exozytose, die auf dem SNARE-Komplex („soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor“) und seinen regulatorischen Molekülen basiert, ist das Merkmal des Nervensystems sowohl in Neuronen als auch in neuroendokrinen Zellen. Zellen des Immunsystems benutzen einen ähnlichen Mechanismus, um zytotoxische Substanzen aus sekretorischen Granulen freizusetzen. Diese Sekretion findet an Kontaktzonen mit Zelle statt, die mit Viren oder Bakterien infiziert sind sowie Krebszellen, um diese Bedrohung zu beseitigen. Diese Kontaktzonen werden als immunologische Synapsen bezeichnet im Hinblick auf die hochspezifische, zielgerichtete Exozytose von Effektormolekülen. Aktuelle Studien haben gezeigt, dass Mutationen in den SNARE oder SNARE-interagierenden Proteinen die Grundlage für zahlreiche schwerwiegende immunologische Erkrankungen sind. Obwohl SNARE-Komplexe ubiquitär vorkommen und eine große Vielfalt an Fusionsereignissen an der Membran vermitteln, ist es überraschend, dass in vielen Fällen die gleichen SNARE – Proteine an der immunologischen Synapse beteiligt sind, die die Regulation der Exozytose von Transmittern und Homonen in Neuronen und neuroendokrinen Zellen vermitteln. Diese Ähnlichkeiten zeigen die Möglichkeit auf, dass Erkenntnisse, die von immunologischen Synapsen erhalten wurden, auch auf neuronale Synapsen zutreffen, insbesondere im Bereich der präsynaptischen Funktion. Da immunologische Synapsen (IS) innerhalb von etwa 30 Minuten gebildet und wieder abgebaut werden, ermöglicht die Verwendung von Immunzellen, die aus humanem Blut gewonnen wurden, nicht nur die Untersuchung der molekularen Mechanismen der synaptischen Transmission in menschlichen Zelle, sondern auch Untersuchungen der Bildung und des Abbaus dieser „Synapsen“ mittels bildgebender Verfahren. In diesem Übersichtartikel vergleichen wir die Ähnlichkeit der Synapsen des Nerven- und Immunsystems und gehen dabei auf unsere Erkenntnisse der Arbeiten der letzten Jahre ein.
Synaptic Transmission in the Immune System
Authors: Rettig Jens , Stevens David R.
Published: November 2017

The release of neurotransmitters at synapses belongs to the most important processes in the central nervous system. In the last decades much has been learned about the molecular mechanisms which form the basis for this fundamental process. Highly regulated exocytosis, based on the SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive attachment protein receptor) complex and its regulatory molecules is the signature specialization of the nervous system and is shared by neurons and neuroendocrine cells. Cells of the immune system use a similar mechanism to release cytotoxic materials from secretory granules at contacts with virally or bacterially infected cells or cancer cells, in order to remove these threats. These contact zones have been termed immunological synapses in reference to the highly specific targeted exocytosis of effector molecules. Recent findings indicate that mutations in SNARE or SNARE-interacting proteins are the basis of a number of devastating immunological diseases. While SNARE complexes are ubiquitous and mediate a wide variety of membrane fusion events it is surprising that in many cases the SNARE proteins involved in immunological synapses are the same molecules which mediate regulated exocytosis of transmitters and hormones in neurons and neuroendocrine cells. These similarities raise the possibility that results obtained at immunological synapses may be applicable, in particular in the area of presynaptic function, to neuronal synapses. Since immunological synapses (IS) are assembled and disassembled in about a half an hour, the use of immune cells isolated from human blood allows not only the study of the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission in human cells, but is particularly suited to the examination of the assembly and disassembly of these “synapses” via live imaging. In this overview we discuss areas of similarity between synapses of the nervous and immune systems and in the process will refer to results of our experiments of the last few years.
Veränderung von Membranlipiden schützt vor neuronaler Insulinresistenz in Alzheimer-Modellen
Authors: Nordström Viola , Herzer Silke
Published: November 2017

Morbus Alzheimer ist eine degenerative Erkrankung des zentralen Nervensystems, welche durch ein progressives Absterben von Nervenzellen und Synapsen zu schweren Gedächtnis- und Orientierungsstörungen führt. Lösliche β-Amyloid-Oligomere sind eine hoch neurotoxische Vorstufe der bei Alzheimer gebildeten β-Amyloid-Fibrillen. Die Bindung dieser β-Amyloid-Oligomere an synaptische Insulinrezeptoren führt zu einer neuronalen Insulinresistenz und trägt entscheidend zur Verschlechterung der kognitiven Leistung bei.

Insulinrezeptoren befinden sich in der Zellmembran. Diese besteht aus einer Lipiddoppelschicht und weist eine hohe Konzentration von glykosylierten Lipiden, sogenannten Gangliosiden, auf. Ganglioside steuern die Aktivität von Insulinrezeptoren durch dynamische molekulare Interaktionen und begünstigen die durch β-Amyloid-Oligomere ausgelöste Insulinresistenz. Somit kann eine Hemmung der Gangliosidbiosynthese Nervenzellen vor den schädlichen Wirkungen der β-Amyloid-Oligomere schützen.
Neue Ansätze zur Analyse von Axon-Oligodendrozyten Kommunikation
in vivo
Authors: Czopka Tim , Auer Franziska
Published: November 2017

Für das Verständnis von Struktur und Funktion unseres Nervensystems ist es wichtig zu verstehen, wie sich dessen Zellen koordinieren, um ein funktionelles Organ zu bilden und aufrechtzuerhalten. Neurone und Oligodendrozyten stellen im Zentralnervensystem ein besonderes Duo dar – Oligodendrozyten myelinisieren Axone, indem sie diese eng umwickeln. Diese Interaktion reguliert Reizleitungsgeschwindigkeiten zwischen Neuronen und unterstützt axonales Überleben. Trotz dieser Bedeutung gibt es große Lücken in unserem Verständnis von Bildung, Remodellierung und Regeneration myelinisierter Axone. Zebrafische sind wegen ihrer Eignung für Lebendzellmikroskopie und genetische Manipulationen ein zunehmend populärer Modellorganismus. Hier geben wir eine Übersicht über dieses Forschungsfeld, zeigen, wie mit Zebrafischen Mechanismen der Myelinisierung erforscht wurden, und wie offene Fragen zur Kontrolle von Axon-Oligodendrozyten Interaktionen für Nervensystemfunktion in Zukunft untersucht werden können.
Neue pharmakologische Strategien zur Augmentation von Extinktionslernen in der Angsttherapie
Authors: Sartori Simone B. , Singewald Nicolas
Published: November 2017

Trotz Fortschritten in der Behandlung von Angst-, Trauma- und belastungsbezogenen Störungen ist der langfristige therapeutische Erfolg bei einem beträchtlichen Teil der Patienten noch immer unzureichend. Eine Option zur Therapieweiterentwicklung besteht in der pharmakologischen Optimierung der expositionsbasierten Verhaltenstherapie. Ziel ist die Augmentation der Furchtextinktion, dem zentralen Mechanismus der Expositionstherapie, mittels Neuroenhancer und anderen Substanzen. Aufbauend auf Erkenntnissen aus Tier- und Humanstudien über die an erfolgreicher Furchtextinktion beteiligten neuronalen Schaltkreise und neurobiologischen Mechanismen konnten verschiedene pharmakologische Angriffspunkte identifiziert werden, über die Extinktion verbessert und auch gestörte Furchtextinktionsprozesse normalisiert werden können. Wir präsentieren anhand ausgewählter Beispiele u. a. translationale Evidenz, furchtinhibitorisches Extinktionslernen durch L-DOPA und D-Cycloserin zu verstärken, und diskutieren das Potenzial von HDAC-Inhibitoren und microRNAs als Modulatoren mit epigenetischen Angriffspunkten, sowie von Neuropeptid S als Modellsubstanz mit kombinierten akut anxiolytischen und extinktionsfördernden Eigenschaften. Die hier präsentierten Mechanismen stellen vielversprechende neue Ansätze zur Verbesserung der Effizienz und Akzeptanz von Expositionstherapien dar mit dem Ziel, pathologische Angstsymptomatik langfristig kontrollierbar zu machen. Sie stehen stellvertretend für weitere entdeckte, vom Konzept her ähnliche Substanzen jedoch mit anderen pharmakologischen Angriffspunkten.
Modification of membrane lipids protects neurons against insulin resistance in models of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Nordström Viola , Herzer Silke
Published: November 2017

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, which leads to severe deficits in memory and orientation by a progressive loss of neurons and synapses. Soluble β-amyloid oligomers are highly neurotoxic precursors of β-amyloid fibrils that accumulate in Alzheimer’s disease. Binding of β-amyloid oligomers to synaptic insulin receptors leads to neuronal insulin resistance, which significantly contributes to cognitive impairments.

Insulin receptors are located in the cell membrane, which consists of a lipid bilayer and contains high amounts of glycosylated lipids, the so-called gangliosides. Gangliosides regulate insulin receptor activity via dynamic molecular interactions and facilitate the β-amyloid oligomer-induced insulin resistance. Thus, inhibiting ganglioside biosynthesis can protect neurons from the detrimental effects of β-amyloid oligomers.
Summary of the Port Shoreline Resource Evaluation Based on Triangular Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Jiang Liupeng , Tao Tao , Zhang Cheng , Jiang He , Wang Jiaojiao
Published: November 2017

Port shoreline resources are the basis of port and shipping development, and its assessment method has become one of the hot issues in port research. On the basis of constructing a reasonable index evaluation system, this paper constructs the fuzzy evaluation matrix based on the triangular fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and constructs the fuzzy evaluation matrix by using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, and obtains the maximum membership degree of the port shoreline resources. Compared with the traditional port shoreline Resource evaluation methods, the new one got more advantages in objective and quantitative. Finally, Combined with the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River as a case for verification, the results show that the model can accurately solve the problem of resource evaluation of port shoreline.
Towards the Building Information Modeling-Based Capital Project Lifecycle Management in the Luxury Yacht Industry
Authors: Liu Fuyong , Chen Chaohe , Wu Wei
Published: November 2017

It will be a new approach that BIM’s capital project lifecycle management (CPLM) applied to the yacht industry. This paper explored the feasibility of applying the principles and rationales of BIM for capital project lifecycle management in luxury yacht design, engineering, fabrication, construction and operation. The paper examined the premises and backbone technology of BIM. It then evaluated leading naval engineering and shipbuilding software applications and their development trends from the functional lens of BIM. To systematically investigate a BIM-based approach for capital project lifecycle management (CPLM) in the luxury yacht industry, the paper proposed and outlined an implementation framework. A case study and a student competition use case were discussed to delineate the core constituents and processes of the proposed framework. The case of BIM was reviewed. Through the domestic custom luxury yacht design and prototyping student competition, the application of this framework in educational research is demonstrated and the initial quantitative assessment of the framework is carried out. Conclusions: a BIM-based CPLM implementation framework can help the luxury yacht industry capitalize on the global transformation to an information-centric and data-driven new business paradigm in shipbuilding with integrated design, manufacturing and production.
Nonlinear PTO Effect on Performance of Vertical Axisymmetric Wave Energy Converter Using Semi-Analytical Method
Authors: Liu Ming , Liu Hengxu , Zheng Xiongbo , Chen Hailong , Wang Liquan , Zhang Liang
Published: November 2017

The wave energy, as a clean and non-pollution renewable energy sources, has become a hot research topic at home and abroad and is likely to become a new industry in the future. In this article, to effectively extract and maximize the energy from ocean waves, a vertical axisymmetric wave energy converter (WEC) was presented according to investigating of the advantages and disadvantages of the current WEC. The linear and quadratic equations in frequency-domain for the reactive controlled single-point converter property under regular waves condition are proposed for an efficient power take-off (PTO). A method of damping coefficients, theoretical added mass and exciting force are calculated with the analytical method which is in use of the series expansion of eigen functions. The loads of optimal reactive and resistive, the amplitudes of corresponding oscillation, and the width ratios of energy capture are determined approximately and discussed in numerical results.
Evolution of Hierarchical Structure and Spatial Pattern of Coastal Cities in China – Based on the Data of Distribution of Marine-Related Enterprises
Authors: Wang Lili , Xiao Wenwen , Wang Chengwei
Published: November 2017

In this paper, a comprehensive research of the evolution of the hierarchical structure and spatial pattern of coastal cities in China was conducted based on the data of distribution of the headquarters and subsidiaries of marine-related enterprises in 1995, 2005 and 2015 using the city network research method proposed by Taylor. The results of the empirical research showed: China’s coastal city network had an obvious hierarchical characteristics of “national coastal cityregional coastal city-sub-regional coastal city-local coastal city”, in the 20 years of development process, the hierarchies of coastal cities in China showed a hierarchical progressive evolution; in past 20 years, the spatial pattern and network structure of coastal cities in China tended to be complete, and the city network was more uniform, forming a “three tiers and three urban agglomerations” network structure; the strength of connection among the cities was obviously strengthened, and the efficiency of urban spatial connection was improved overall.
Dry Ports-Seaports Sustainable Logistics Network Optimization: Considering the Environment Constraints and the Concession Cooperation Relationships
Authors: Wei Hairui , Sheng Zhaohan
Published: November 2017

In China dry ports enter into a rapid development period now, however for many Chinese dry ports, the operation faces difficulties duo to inefficient logistics networks and cooperation relationship between dry ports and seaports. Focusing on the concession cooperation mechanism of seaports and dry ports, and the environmental constraints (carbon emissions and congestion cost), a bi-objective location-allocation MILP model for the sustainable hinterland-dry ports-seaports logistics network optimization is formulated, aiming at the system logistics costs and carbon emissions to be minimized. Moreover, for the cooperation mechanism of seaports to dry ports, a parameter called cooperation cost concession coefficient is proposed for the optimization model, and a new evaluation method based on the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator is used to evaluate it. Then a location-allocation decision-making framework for the hinterland-dry port-seaport logistics network is proposed. The innovative aspect of the model is that it can proposes a effective and environment friendly dry ports location strategic and also give insights into the connective cooperation relationships, and cargo flows of the network. A case study involving configuration of dry ports in Henan Province is conducted, and the model is successfully applied.
Time-varying correlations and Sharpe ratios during quantitative easing
Authors: Jones Paul M. , O’Steen Haley
Published: November 2017

Using an econometric methodology from [Cappiello, Lorenzo, Robert F. Engle, and Kevin Sheppard. 2006. “Asymmetric Dynamics in the Correlations of Global Equity and Bond Returns.” Journal of Financial Econometrics 4 (4): 537–572.], we evaluate time-varying correlations between multiple asset classes using an asymmetric-DCC GARCH model. Specifically, we focus on the changes in these correlations during quantitative easing. We then use these conditional correlations, along with conditional means and variances to find optimal investment portfolios using Markowitz mean-variance minimization. Lastly, we compute time-varying Sharpe ratios. Our results show increasing Sharpe ratios during the period of quantitative easing which suggests that the Federal Reserve’s programs were successful in increasing returns and minimizing risk – i.e. volatility – across several asset classes during the financial crisis.