bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic endurance exercise antagonizes the cardiac UCP2 and UCP3 protein up-regulation induced by nandrolone decanoate
Authors: Bayat Gholamreza , Javan Mohammad , Khalili Azadeh , Safari Fatemeh , Shokri Saeed , Hajizadeh Sohrab
Published: September 2017

Background:

Several lines of evidence revealed that chronic treatment of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) is accompanied with some cardiovascular side effects and in addition they also negatively mask the beneficial effects of exercise training on cardiac performance.

Methods:

The present study examined whether the nandrolone decanoate (ND)-induced cardiac effects were mediated by changing the cardiac uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and 3 (UCP3) expression. Five groups of male wistar-albino rats including sedentary control (SC), sedentary vehicle (SV), sedentary nandrolone decanoate (SND), exercise control (EC), and exercise nandrolone decanoate (END) were used. ND was injected (10 mg/kg/week, intramuscular) to the animals in the SND and END groups and endurance exercise training was performed on a treadmill five times per week.

Results:

The protein expressions of cardiac UCP2 and UCP3 have significantly increased in both the SND and EC groups compared to the SC ones. In contrast to UCP3, no significant differences were found between UCP2 protein expressions of the END and SC groups. Compared with the SND group, the exercise training significantly decreased the UCP2 and UCP3 protein expressions in the END group.

Conclusions:

The study has indicated that endurance exercise in combination with ND can result in that the exercise effectively antagonizes the effects of ND treatment on UCP2 and UCP3 up-regulation.
Fiscal Decentralisation and Income Inequality: Empirical Evidence from OECD Countries
Authors: Stossberg Sibylle , Blöchliger Hansjörg
Published: September 2017

Fiscal decentralisation might be partially responsible for rising income inequality by exacerbating competition between sub-national governments and compromising national government’s ability to redistribute. This paper investigates the relationship between fiscal decentralisation and economy-wide disposable income inequality. Drawing on a dataset of up to 20 OECD countries and covering the period 1996 to 2011, the analysis links a set of income inequality indicators and a wide array of fiscal decentralisation indicators. Results indicate that decentralisation might actually reduce income inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, but the effect is rather small and unstable across specifications. Fine-graining the analysis by using income percentile ratios, in turn, produces more significant and stable results. As such, the effects of fiscal decentralisation are not the same along the income distribution. While decentralisation tends to be associated with a reduction in income inequality between high incomes and the median, it is linked to a divergence of low income groups from the median, notably via sub-central tax autonomy. Transfers between levels of government also tend to be associated with an increase in the gap between lower and middle incomes. Interpreting these effects jointly, it seems that mainly middle income earners benefit from fiscal decentralisation.
White light generation using photonic crystal fiber with sub-micron circular lattice
Authors: Saghaei Hamed , Ghanbari Ashkan
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we study a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with circular lattice and engineer linear and nonlinear parameters by varying the diameter of air-holes. It helps us obtain low and high zero dispersion wavelengths in the visible and nearinfrared regions. We numerically demonstrate that by launching 100 fs input pulses of 1, 2, and 5 kW peak powers with center wavelength of 532 nm from an unamplified Ti:sapphire laser into a 100 mm length of the engineered PCF, supercontinua as wide as 290, 440 and 830 nm can be obtained, respectively. The spectral broadening is due to the combined action of self-phase modulation, stimulated Raman scattering and parametric four-wave-mixing generation of the pump pulses. The third and the widest spectrum covers the entire visible range and a part of near infrared region making it a suitable source for both white light applications and optical coherence tomography to measure retinal oxygen metabolic response to systemic oxygenation.
Application of neural network for real-time measurement of electrical resistivity in cold crucible
Authors: Votava Pavel , Poznyak Igor
Published: September 2017

The article describes use of an Induction furnace with cold crucible as a tool for real-time measurement of a melted material electrical resistivity. The measurement is based on an inverse problem solution of a 2D mathematical model, possibly implementable in a microcontroller or a FPGA in a form of a neural network. The 2D mathematical model results has been provided as a training set for the neural network. At the end, the implementation results are discussed together with uncertainty of measurement, which is done by the neural network implementation itself.
Ranges of protons in biological targets
Authors: Pavlovič Márius , Hammerle Andreas
Published: September 2017

The paper introduces a simple fitting function for quick assessment of proton ranges in biological targets and human tissues. The function has been found by fitting an extensive data set of Monte Carlo proton ranges obtained with the aid of the SRIM-2013 code. The data has been collected for 28 different targets at 8 energies in the interval from 60 MeV to 220 MeV. The paper shows that at a given kinetic proton-beam energy, the Monte Carlo ranges can be satisfactorily fitted by a power function that depends solely on the target density. This is a great advantage for targets, for which the exact chemical composition is not known, or the mean ionizing potential is not reliably known. The satisfactory fit is meant as the fit that stays within the natural range straggling of the Monte Carlo ranges. In the second step, the energy-scaling yielding a universal fitting formula for proton ranges as a function of proton-beam energy and target density is introduced and discussed.
Model predictive control of room temperature with disturbance compensation
Authors: Kurilla Jozef , Hubinský Peter
Published: September 2017

This paper deals with temperature control of multivariable system of office building. The system is simplified to several single input-single output systems by decoupling their mutual linkages, which are separately controlled by regulator based on generalized model predictive control. Main part of this paper focuses on the accuracy of the office temperature with respect to occupancy profile and effect of disturbance. Shifting of desired temperature and changing of weighting coefficients are used to achieve the desired accuracy of regulation. The final structure of regulation joins advantages of distributed computing power and possibility to use network communication between individual controllers to consider the constraints. The advantage of using decoupled MPC controllers compared to conventional PID regulators is demonstrated in a simulation study.
Performance analysis of modified tent map interleaver in IDMA systems
Authors: Shukla Aasheesh , Deolia Vinay Kumar
Published: September 2017

In the last years, Interleave Division Multiple Access (IDMA) has been presented as a potential alternate of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system. In IDMA systems, the interleavers are used to separate the users of the system in multiple access environments. Random interleaver is popular and basic taxonomy, which scrambles information bits of craving users with different patterns. However the indispensable characteristics of a random interleaver such as bandwidth requirement, computational complexity, and memory restraint at both transmitter and receiver end is uttermost. Further, it has also been observed that the study of role of chaos in interleaver design is very limited in literature. Hence, in this paper, a low complexity chaos based interleaver named as modified Tent map interleaver is designed for further performance improvement of IDMA system and the characteristic parameters are compared with the random interleaver. The IDMA system model uses a BPSK modulation and repetition coder with a code rate of 1/2. The system is simulated in MATLAB and results show that the better BER performance without the need of extra memory resources.
Crystal structure of bis{5-methoxy-2-((E)-((4-((E)-1-(methoxyimino)ethyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)phenolato-κ2
N,O)}copper(II), C34H34CuN4O6
Authors: Zhao Ji-Xing , Zhao Li , Li Peng-Peng , Zhu Zhao-Bin
Published: September 2017

C34H34CuN4O6, Monoclinic, P21/c, a = 10.4018(4) Å, b = 6.1634(2) Å, c = 24.2227(15) Å, β = 101.820(5)°, Z = 2, V = 1520.01(13) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0565, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1455, T = 292 K.
N′-(5-ethoxycarbonyl-3,4-dimethyl-pyrrol-2-yl-methylidene)-4-hydroxybenzohydrazide monohydrate, C17H21N3O5
Authors: Mao Pan-Dong , Yan Ling-Ling , Wu Wei-Na , Cai Hong-Xin
Published: September 2017

C17H21N3O5, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.2278(16) Å, b = 15.093(3) Å, c = 12.698(2) Å, β = 105.195(12)°, V = 1706.7(5) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0553, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1662, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of 5,6-Dihydro-9,10-dimethoxybenzo[g]-1,3-benzodioxolo[5,6-a]chinolizinium 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-7-olate - methanol - water (1/1/1), C36H33NO10
Authors: Lou Benyong , Huang Yali , Zheng Guocai , Lin Qi
Published: September 2017

C36H33NO10, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 14.113(7) Å, b = 17.883(9) Å, c = 12.724(7) Å, β = 108.218(9)°, V = 3050(3) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0788, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1967, T = 293 K.
Study on Maritime Logistics Warehousing Center Model and Precision Marketing Strategy Optimization Based on Fuzzy Method and Neural Network Model
Authors: Xiao Kefeng , Hu Xiaolan
Published: September 2017

The bulk commodity, different with the retail goods, has a uniqueness in the location selection, the chosen of transportation program and the decision objectives. How to make optimal decisions in the facility location, requirement distribution, shipping methods and the route selection and establish an effective distribution system to reduce the cost has become a burning issue for the e-commerce logistics, which is worthy to be deeply and systematically solved. In this paper, Logistics warehousing center model and precision marketing strategy optimization based on fuzzy method and neural network model is proposed to solve this problem. In addition, we have designed principles of the fuzzy method and neural network model to solve the proposed model because of its complexity. Finally, we have solved numerous examples to compare the results of lingo and Matlab, we use Matlab and lingo just to check the result and to illustrate the numerical example, we can find from the result, the multi-objective model increases logistics costs and improves the efficiency of distribution time.
Investigation of Low-Sidelobe Beampattern Controlling Methods for Acoustic Transmitting Array of Underwater Vehicles
Authors: He Zhengyao , Shi Qiang , Wu Shaoxuan
Published: September 2017

In underwater unmanned vehicles, complex acoustic transducer arrays are always used to transmitting sound waves to detect and position underwater targets. Two methods of obtaining low-sidelobe transmitting beampatterns for acoustic transmitting arrays of underwater vehicles are investigated. The first method is the boundary element model optimization method which used the boundary element theory together with the optimization method to calculate the driving voltage weighting vector of the array. The second method is the measured receiving array manifold vector optimization method which used the measured receiving array manifold vectors and optimization method to calculate the weighting vector. Both methods can take into account the baffle effect and mutual interactions among elements of complex acoustic arrays. Computer simulation together with experiments are carried out for typical complex arrays. The results agree well and show that the two methods are both able to obtain a lower sidelobe transmitting beampattern than the conventional beamforming method, and the source level for each transmitting beam is maximized in constraint of the maximum driving voltage of array elements being constant. The effect of the second method performs even better than that of the first method, which is more suitable for practical application. The methods are very useful for the improvement of detecting and positioning capability of underwater unmanned vehicles.
AE Test of Calcareous Sands with Particle Rushing
Authors: Tan Fengyi , Wang Xinzhi , Hu Mingjian , Wang Ren , Zhu Changqi
Published: September 2017

The particle of calcareous sands was forced to crush, then the energy from the crushing was released by the form of sound waves. Therefore the AE technique was used to detect the calcareous sands AE signal when it crushed. by to study the AE characteristics, the mechanics of calcareous sands was studied. Study showed that: (1) there was the AE activities on the low confining pressure condition at the beginnig of test, (2) there was more and more AE activities with the continuing of test until to the end, (3) the calcareous sands’ AE activities was on the whole testing, (4) the calcareous sands’ particle crushing and mutual friction played different roles for its AE activities. Then the AE model based on the calcarous sands’ particle crushing was discussed.
Research on the Statistical Characteristics of Crosstalk in Naval Ships Wiring Harness Based on Polynomial Chaos Expansion Method
Authors: Chi Yaodan , Li Bin , Yang Xiaotian , Wang Tianhao , Yang Kaiyu , Gao Yinhan
Published: September 2017

Crosstalk in wiring harness has been studied extensively for its importance in the naval ships electromagnetic compatibility field. An effective and high-efficiency method is proposed in this paper for analyzing Statistical Characteristics of crosstalk in wiring harness with random variation of position based on Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE). A typical 14-cable wiring harness was simulated as the object of research. Distance among interfering cable, affected cable and GND is synthesized and analyzed in both frequency domain and time domain. The model of naval ships wiring harness distribution parameter was established by utilizing Legendre orthogonal polynomials as basis functions along with prediction model of statistical characters. Detailed mean value, mean square error, probability density function and reasonable varying range of crosstalk in naval ships wiring harness are described in both time domain and frequency domain. Numerical experiment proves that the method proposed in this paper, not only has good consistency with the MC method can be applied in the naval ships EMC research field to provide theoretical support for guaranteeing safety, but also has better time-efficiency than the MC method. Therefore, the Polynomial Chaos Expansion method.
Pilot Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Four Cleaning Solutions and Two Types of Mops in Delimited Areas of a Floor Contaminated with Cyclophosphamide
Authors: Roland Christel , Adé Apolline , Ouellette-Frève Johann-François , Gagné Sébastien , Caron Nicolas , Bussières Jean-François
Published: September 2017

Background

Hazardous drugs (HD) traces are measured in most hospitals that perform environmental surveillance. Uncertainties exist regarding the cleaning agents and procedures needed to completely remove HD contamination The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of four cleaning solutions and two types of mops in reducing contamination on a floor contaminated with a predetermined amount of cyclophosphamide (CP).

Methods

This pilot study was divided into three steps: 1) the voluntary contamination of a pre-delimited area on the floor (3600cm

Results

The average decontamination efficacy of the four cleaning products used was: 99.53%±0.41 % for the detergent, 99.74%±0.15 % for quaternary ammonium, 99.86%±0.11 % for sodium hypochlorite, 99.75%±0.15 %, for hydrogen peroxide. The average decontamination efficacy for disposable mops was 99.58%±0.28 % and 99.86%±0.09 % for non-disposable mops.

Conclusion

Sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium and a detergent applied with a disposable or a non-disposable mop were efficient to reduce the CP concentration on the floor contaminated with a predetermined quantity of CP. However, no cleaning scenarios was able to remove 100 % of CP after one cleaning session. Further studies are required to identify an optimal strategy.
Aufstieg und Fall der „McNamara-Linie“: Aktuelle Lehren aus dem Vietnamkrieg
Authors: Rühle Michael
Published: September 2017

Kurzfassung:

Der Artikel befasst sich mit den Plänen des früheren US-Verteidigungsministers Robert McNamara, den Vietnam-Krieg im Herbst 1967 durch eine elektronische Landbarriere südlich der entmilitarisierten Zone entscheidend zu beeinflussen. Diese Barriere sollte den Zustrom von Waffen, Kämpfern und Nachschub aus dem Norden Vietnams stoppen und dadurch die Möglichkeit eines Verhandlungsfriedens schaffen. Dieser Plan, der von einer Gruppe akademischer Berater entwickelt worden war, traf auf den Widerstand der militärischen Führung und erwies sich letztlich als undurchführbar. Die Erfahrungen, die man aus dem fehlgeschlagenen Experiment der McNamara-Linie ziehen kann, lassen sich verallgemeinern und sind auch heute noch anwendbar.
Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc(II)-Complexes with S-Alkyl Derivatives of Thiosalicylic Acid
Authors: Nikolic Milos V. , Mijajlovic Marina Z. , Tomovic Dusan Lj. , Bukonjic Andriana M. , Jevtic Verica V. , Ratkovic Zoran R. , Trifunovic Srecko R. , Radic Gordana P.
Published: September 2017

New zinc(II)-complexes with S-alkyl derivatives of thiosalicylic acid (alkyl = benzyl-(L1), methyl-(L2), ethyl-(L3), propyl-(L4), butyl-(L5)) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental microanalysis, IR spectroscopy, and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The S-alkyl derivatives of thiosalicylic acid were prepared by alkylation of thiosalicylic acid by adding alkyl halides to an alkaline water-ethanol solution, while the corresponding zinc(II)-complexes were obtained via the direct reaction of ZnCl2 with S-alkyl derivatives of thiosalicylic acid in water. Based on the microanalysis results and the IR and NMR spectra of the S-alkyl derivatives of thiosalicylic acid and the corresponding zinc(II)-complexes, we concluded that the ligands are bidentately coordinated to the zinc(II)-ion.
Normen der Selbst-Disziplinierung in YouTube-Videos
Authors: Geimer Alexander , Burghardt Daniel
Published: September 2017

Dieser Beitrag untersucht die Produktion und Rezeption eines Sub-Genres von YouTube-Lifestyle-Videos: Professionelle Life Hack- und Transformation-Videos von YouTube-Stars und entsprechende Amateur-Videos, die sich auf erstere beziehen. Damit verfolgen wir zwei Anliegen: Einerseits sollen mittels der Analysen von Videos zu Videos methodisch-methodologisch die Eigenheiten der Kommunikation auf der Video-Plattform berücksichtigt werden. Dabei soll andererseits der spezifisch normative Appellcharakter von professionellen Life Hack- und Transformation-Videos untersucht werden, indem nicht nur diese Videos selbst, sondern unterschiedliche Varianten der Nachahmung in Amateur-Videos in den Blick geraten. Es werden in dieser Hinsicht Normen der Selbst-Disziplinierung rekonstruiert und zwei Formen ihrer spielerischen und mimetischen Aneignung unterschieden und diskutiert.
Strain improvement of newly isolated Lactobacillus acidophilus MS1 for enhanced bacteriocin production
Authors: Salman Mahwish , Bukhari Shazia Anwer , Shahid Muhammad , Sahar Tanzila , Naheed Shazia
Published: September 2017

Background

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are considered as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and being used extensively as bio-preservatives. Bacteriocins, the metabolites of LAB, belong to a diverse family of naturally synthesized antimicrobial peptides.

Objective

Strain improvement for enhanced bacteriocin production by physical and chemical mutagenesis.

Methods

The bacterial strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis and improved by ultraviolet and ethidium bromide mutation. The resultant bacteriocin was biochemically characterized, purified and analyzed for mass determination.

Results

Among mutants of identified Lactobacillus acidophilus MS1, the UV6 (ultraviolet mutant) revealed 3400 AU bacteriocin activity with 42% survival rate and EB5 (ethidium bromide mutant) exhibited 4020 AU with 28% survival rate. Bacteriocin of 6.5 kDa was purified by cation exchange and gel exclusion chromatography. It was found to be thermally stable at 100°C for 30 min and maintained the stability up to 121°C. The activity was monitored in a wide range of pH (4–9).

Conclusion

Being resistant to several biochemical parameters, the bacteriocins have an effective incorporation in food, forage and pharmacy. There is a need to engage more efforts to explore novel bacteriocins and multifarious applications.
Attenuation of Infrared Radiation When Passing Through a Water Curtain
Authors: Balner Dalibor , Barčová Karla , Dostál Michal
Published: September 2017

This article focuses on the interaction of infrared (IR) radiation with water droplets. The main objective of the article is the production of water mist in order of evaluation the reduction in intensity of IR radiation. In the experiments described in this paper, a set of five different nozzles was used with various spray characteristics. The respective nozzles were gradually located between the IR radiation source and a detector and the attenuation of IR radiation was assessed. The reduction in IR radiation intensity was determined and IR radiation transmittance was calculated for the respective tested nozzles.
Experimental Verification of the Mechanical Resistance of Forensic Marking by Means Synthetic DNA
Authors: Ščurek Radomir , Hütter Marek , Los Ondřej
Published: September 2017

This article deals with experimental verification of resistance of forensic identification marks (microdots in combination with artificial DNA) to property. It is considered mechanical abrasion from potential offender to remove or damage readability of marking and following identification. The aim of this work is to test the hypothesis that forensic marking can be completely removed by the process of mechanical abrasion without causing damages to a protected object. To fulfill this purpose it was designed and built a test equipment, where experiments were carried out to confirm or refute the above mentioned hypothesis.
Use of a Laser Scanning System for Professional Preparation and Scene Assessment of Fire Rescue Units
Authors: Marek Zdeněk , Nejtková Miroslava
Published: September 2017

The paper presents results of a study focused on usability of a 3D laser scanning system by fire rescue units during emergencies, respectively during preparations for inspection and tactical exercises. The first part of the study focuses on an applicability of a 3D scanner in relation to an accurate evaluation of a fire scene through digitization and creation of virtual walk-through of the fire scene. The second part deals with detailed documentation of access road to the place of intervention, including a simulation of the fire vehicle arrival.
Stochastic Methods in Risk Analysis
Authors: Osadská Vladimíra
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we review basic stochastic methods which can be used to extend state-of-the-art deterministic analytical methods for risk analysis. We can conclude that the standard deterministic analytical methods highly depend on the practical experience and knowledge of the evaluator and therefore, the stochastic methods should be introduced. The new risk analysis methods should consider the uncertainties in input values. We present how large is the impact on the results of the analysis solving practical example of FMECA with uncertainties modelled using Monte Carlo sampling.
Phenotypic Diversities of Four Populations of Clarias Gariepinus (Siluriformes, Clariidae) Obtained from Ogun and Ondo State Waterbodies in South-Western Nigeria
Authors: Ola-Oladimeji F. A. , Oso J. A. , Oladimeji T. E. , Idowu E. O. , Adeleke K. , Urihe F. O.
Published: September 2017

The study determined the variation in the morphological and meristic features among four populations of Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822 obtained from Owena Dam and River Oluwa in Ondo State and Rivers Omo and Ogbere in Ogun State, both in Nigeria. A total of ninety five (95) and one hundred and twenty (120) fish specimens collected from Ondo and Ogun states respectively were measured using standard procedures and the results were analysed using Analysis of variance and multivariate analyses. The results obtained from the ANOVA and Principal Component Analyses of Clarias gariepinus from the four populations revealed heterogeneity for most of their characters. Therefore, the morphological differences between the wild African catfish found in Ondo and Ogun state populations could be linked to genetic differences or environmental factors or a combination of both factors. Hence, this study concluded that the populations are different which could imply high genetic diversity if molecular marker techniques are employed in further studies.
Linear Transect Surveys of Abundance and Density of Cetaceans in The Area Near the Dzharylgach Island in the North-Western Black Sea
Authors: Gladilina E. V. , Vishnyakova K. A. , Neprokin O. O. , Ivanchikova Yu. F. , Derkacheva T. A. , Kryukova A. A. , Savenko O. V. , Gol’din P. E.
Published: September 2017

The first assessment of cetacean density and abundance by linear transect survey was conducted in 2016 and 2017 in the shallowest coastal area of the Ukrainian sector of the north-western Black Sea, in the Dzharylgach Gulf and the northern Karkinit Gulf, total area up to 259 km2. Three cetacean species were found present in the area in summer, and the harbour porpoise was the most abundant species with the abundance of at least a few hundred animals (estimated as 175 individuals in the Dzharylgach Gulf), whereas the common dolphins (59) and bottlenose dolphins (31) were present in lesser numbers. Common and bottlenose dolphins showed the clearest patterns of habitat preferences, being restricted respectively to the Dzharylgach and the northern Karkinit Gulf; an unusual trait is the preference of the shallowest habitat by common dolphins. Recorded density of harbour porpoises in the Dzharylgach Gulf is among the highest in the whole Black Sea. Thus, the studied area may be an important summer habitat for cetaceans.
Invasive Land Snail Oxychilus Translucidus (Stylommatophora, Zonitidae) in the Catacombs of Odesa (Ukraine)
Authors: Kovtun O. A. , Vargovitsh R. S. , Son M. O. , Balashov I. A.
Published: September 2017

A finding of the subterranean population of the Caucasian invasive snail on the depth of 30 m below Odesa in Southern Ukraine is discussed.
Organic-inorganic hybrid materials from divalent metal cations and expanded N,N′-donor linkers
Authors: Zahedi Mansoureh , Shaabani Behrouz , Englert Ulli , van Leusen Jan
Published: September 2017

The rod-shaped linker (E,E)-N,N′-(3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-biphenyldiyl)bis[1-(3-pyridinyl)methanimine] (L) is exploited for the first time in the synthesis of extended structures. Four new coordination polymers of composition {[ZnL(OAc)2]·EtOH}n (1), {[CdL(OAc)2]·MeOH}n (2), {[Cu2L(OAc)4]·CH2Cl2}n (3) and [MnL(N3)2]n (4) have been structurally characterized. The metal cations and the anionic ancillary ligands play pivotal roles for the topology of these compounds. In the crystalline reaction products of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) acetate with the organic linker, the acetate anions connects two neighboring cations to dinuclear [M2(OAc)4] subunits. These secondary building units are further crosslinked by the N,N′-donor ligand, either perpendicular to the acetato bridges, leading to a ladder-like ribbon for 1 and 2, or in the direction of the metal···metal separation, resulting in a simple chain in the case of 3. Instead of dinuclear secondary building units, a different topology results from reaction of the N,N′ linker with Mn(ClO4)2 in the presence of azide anions: 1,3 bridging by the N3
− groups leads to infinite chains. These are crosslinked by L in perpendicular direction, and the layer structure 4 is obtained. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses revealed information on the basis of orbital interactions about the coordination environments of the metal ions. Thermogravimetric measurements indicate the highest thermal stability for 2. Strong antiferromagnetic coupling within the dinuclear subunits of 3 is observed as a consequence of superexchange via the acetato bridges.
The Homotopy Perturbation Method for Accurate Orbits of the Planets in the Solar System: The Elliptical Kepler Equation
Authors: Alshaery Aisha
Published: September 2017

Accurate trajectories for the orbits of the planets in our solar system depends on obtaining an accurate solution for the elliptical Kepler equation. This equation is solved in this article using the homotopy perturbation method. Several properties of the periodicity of the obtained approximate solutions are introduced through some lemmas. Numerically, our calculations demonstrated the applicability of the obtained approximate solutions for all the planets in the solar system and also in the whole domain of eccentricity and mean anomaly. In the whole domain of the mean anomaly, 0≤M≤2π, and by using the different approximate solutions, the residuals were less than 4×10−17 for e∈[0, 0.06], 4×10−9 for e∈[0.06, 0.25], 3×10−8 for e∈[0.25, 0.40], 3×10−7 for e∈[0.40, 0.50], and 10−6 for e∈[0.50, 1.0]. Also, the approximate solutions were compared with the Bessel–Fourier series solution in the literature. In addition, the approximate homotopy solutions for the eccentric anomaly are used to show the convergence and periodicity of the approximate radial distances of Mercury and Pluto for three and five periods, respectively, as confirmation for some given lemmas. It has also been shown that the present analysis can be successfully applied to the orbit of Halley’s comet with a significant eccentricity.
Antiproliferative activity of synthesized some new benzimidazole carboxamidines against MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells
Authors: Karaaslan Cigdem , Bakar Filiz , Goker Hakan
Published: September 2017

Breast cancer is the most endemic cause of cancer among women in both developed and developing countries. Benzimidazole derivatives exemplify one of the chemical classes that show strong cytotoxic activity especially against breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Aromatic amidine derivatives are known as a group of DNA interactive compounds that bind minor groove of the genome, especially A-T base pairs, and show significant in vitro and in vivo toxicity toward cancer cells. In light of these studies, some new mono/dicationic amidino benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity on cultured MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Some of these compounds have strongly inhibited MCF-7 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner compared with clinically used reference compounds, imatinib mesylate and docetaxel. Among them, 4-[(5(6)-bromo-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl)amino]benzene-1-carboxamidine (30) showed the best inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 4.6 nM.
Liquid-Metal Embrittlement Cracking in a Nickel-Based WeldOverlayed Boiler Tube
Authors: French Stephen M.
Published: September 2017

During a major overhaul at a supercritical boiler, a new alcove panel was installed in the front wall (Corner #3) that subsequently developed a leak on the cold side of the tube following restart. The tube in question is a 1¼ chromium and ½ molybdenum steel with a spiral weld overlay applied to the outside diameter (OD) surface of alloy 622. The leak was discovered on the cold-side of the tube after approximately 24 hours of operation, in an area where the tube’s surface appears to have been ground smooth. The failure is due to copper-induced liquid metal embrittlement, the result of a repair weld made to fill a local excavation of unknown origin. Traditionally, copper that is pulled into boiler tube welds comes from copper corrosion products transported into the boiler and deposited on the inner surface of the tube. However, copper is not present in the feedwater train in this unit. This particular tube was newly installed and the copper originated at the OD surface. The source of copper was investigated but could not be identified. Speculation is copper contamination from non-documented damage to the tube incurred during removal of a lifting lug. The removal was improperly weld-repaired with arcing from a Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) torch tip that transferred copper to the weld metal prior to solidification.
GD1a Overcomes Inhibition of Myelination by Fibronectin via Activation of Protein Kinase A: Implications for Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Qin Jing , Sikkema Arend H. , van der Bij Kristine , de Jonge Jenny C. , Klappe Karin , Nies Vera , Jonker Johan W. , Kok Jan Willem , Hoekstra Dick , Baron Wia
Published: September 2017

Remyelination failure by oligodendrocytes contributes to the functional impairment that characterizes the demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Since incomplete remyelination will irreversibly damage axonal connections, treatments effectively promoting remyelination are pivotal in halting disease progression. Our previous findings suggest that fibronectin aggregates, as an environmental factor, contribute to remyelination failure by perturbing oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) maturation. Here, we aim at elucidating whether exogenously added gangliosides (i.e., cell surface lipids with a potential to modulate signaling pathways) could counteract fibronectin-mediated inhibition of OPC maturation. Exclusive exposure of rat oligodendrocytes to GD1a, but not other gangliosides, overcomes aggregated fibronectin-induced inhibition of myelin membrane formation,in vitro, and OPC differentiation in fibronectin aggregate containing cuprizone-induced demyelinated lesions in male mice. GD1a exerts its effect on OPCs by inducing their proliferation and, at a late stage, by modulating OPC maturation. Kinase activity profiling revealed that GD1a activated a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent signaling pathway and increased phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein. Consistently, the effect of GD1a in restoring myelin membrane formation in the presence of fibronectin aggregates was abolished by the PKA inhibitor H89, whereas the effect of GD1a was mimicked by the PKA activator dibutyryl-cAMP. Together, GD1a overcomes the inhibiting effect of aggregated fibronectin on OPC maturation by activating a PKA-dependent signaling pathway. Given the persistent presence of fibronectin aggregates in MS lesions, ganglioside GD1a might act as a potential novel therapeutic tool to selectively modulate the detrimental signaling environment that precludes remyelination.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAs an environmental factor, aggregates of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin perturb the maturation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), thereby impeding remyelination, in the demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we demonstrate that exogenous addition of ganglioside GD1a overcomes the inhibiting effect of aggregated fibronectin on OPC maturation, bothin vitroandin vivo, by activating a PKA-dependent signaling pathway. We propose that targeted delivery of GD1a to MS lesions may act as a potential novel molecular tool to boost maturation of resident OPCs to overcome remyelination failure and halt disease progression.
Activity-Dependent Dysfunction in Visual and Olfactory Sensory Systems in Mouse Models of Down Syndrome
Authors: William Christopher M. , Saqran Lubna , Stern Matthew A. , Chiang Charles L. , Herrick Scott P. , Rangwala Aziz , Albers Mark W. , Frosch Matthew P. , Hyman Bradley T.
Published: September 2017

Activity-dependent synaptic plasticity plays a critical role in the refinement of circuitry during postnatal development and may be disrupted in conditions that cause intellectual disability, such as Down syndrome (DS). To test this hypothesis, visual cortical plasticity was assessed in Ts65Dn mice that harbor a chromosomal duplication syntenic to human chromosome 21q. We find that Ts65Dn mice demonstrate a defect in ocular dominance plasticity (ODP) following monocular deprivation. This phenotype is similar to that of transgenic mice that express amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is duplicated in DS and in Ts65DN mice; however, normalizingAPPgene copy number in Ts65Dn mice fails to rescue plasticity. Ts1Rhr mice harbor a duplication of the telomeric third of the Ts65Dn-duplicated sequence and demonstrate the same ODP defect, suggesting a gene or genes sufficient to drive the phenotype are located in that smaller duplication. In addition, we find that Ts65Dn mice demonstrate an abnormality in olfactory system connectivity, a defect in the refinement of connections to second-order neurons in the olfactory bulb. Ts1Rhr mice do not demonstrate a defect in glomerular refinement, suggesting that distinct genes or sets of genes underlie visual and olfactory system phenotypes. Importantly, these data suggest that developmental plasticity and connectivity are impaired in sensory systems in DS model mice, that such defects may contribute to functional impairment in DS, and that these phenotypes, present in male and female mice, provide novel means for examining the genetic and molecular bases for neurodevelopmental impairment in model micein vivo.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOur understanding of the basis for intellectual impairment in Down syndrome is hindered by the large number of genes duplicated in Trisomy 21 and a lack of understanding of the effect of disease pathology on the function of neural circuitsin vivo. This work describes early postnatal developmental abnormalities in visual and olfactory sensory systems in Down syndrome model mice, which provide insight into defects in the function of neural circuitsin vivoand provide an approach for exploring the genetic and molecular basis for impairment in the disease. In addition, these findings raise the possibility that basic dysfunction in primary sensory circuitry may illustrate mechanisms important for global learning and cognitive impairment in Down syndrome patients.
Astrocyte-Mediated Neuronal Synchronization Properties Revealed by False Gliotransmitter Release
Authors: Pirttimaki Tiina M. , Sims Robert E. , Saunders Gregory , Antonio Serena A. , Codadu Neela Krushna , Parri H. Rheinallt
Published: September 2017

Astrocytes spontaneously release glutamate (Glut) as a gliotransmitter (GT), resulting in the generation of extrasynaptic NMDAR-mediated slow inward currents (SICs) in neighboring neurons, which can increase local neuronal excitability. However, there is a deficit in our knowledge of the factors that control spontaneous astrocyte GT release and the extent of its influence. We found that, in rat brain slices, increasing the supply of the physiological transmitter Glut increased the frequency and signaling charge of SICs over an extended period. This phenomenon was replicated by exogenous preexposure to the amino acid D-aspartate (D-Asp). Using D-Asp as a “false” GT, we determined the extent of local neuron excitation by GT release in ventrobasal thalamus, CA1 hippocampus, and somatosensory cortex. By analyzing synchronized neuronal NMDAR-mediated excitation, we found that the properties of the excitation were conserved in different brain areas. In the three areas, astrocyte-derived GT release synchronized groups of neurons at distances of >;200 μm. Individual neurons participated in more than one synchronized population, indicating that individual neurons can be excited by more than one astrocyte and that individual astrocytes may determine a neuron's synchronized network. The results confirm that astrocytes can act as excitatory nodes that can influence neurons over a significant range in a number of brain regions. Our findings further suggest that chronic elevation of ambient Glut levels can lead to increased GT Glut release, which may be relevant in some pathological states.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAstrocytes spontaneously release glutamate (Glut) and other gliotransmitters (GTs) that can modify neuronal activity. Exposing brain slices to Glut and D-aspartate (D-Asp) before recording resulted in an increase in frequency of GT-mediated astrocyte–neuron signaling. Using D-Asp, it was possible to investigate the effects of specific GT release at neuronal NMDARs. Calcium imaging showed synchronized activity in groups of neurons in cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus. The size of these populations was similar in all areas and some neurons were involved in more than one synchronous group. The findings show that GT release is supply dependent and that the properties of the signaling and activated networks are largely conserved between different brain areas.
Los discursos de Nicolás Maduro: Marcos, relato y juegos de lenguaje
Authors: Von Bergen Granell Franz Manuel
Published: September 2017

La presente investigación se apoyó en herramientas de investigación cualitativa y cuantitativa para analizar el discurso del presidente Nicolás Maduro durante sus primeros cuatro años de gobierno. Siguiendo el paradigma del Análisis Crítico del Discurso, se hizo un estudio exploratorio y descriptivo que permitió concluir cuáles fueron los marcos más repetidos por el Jefe de Estado, así como el relato que buscó construir en base a esos marcos, las palabras en las que se apoyó y los juegos del lenguaje y argumentos que más utilizó. Se pudo concluir que Maduro presentó un discurso populista que se respaldó especialmente en argumentos y juegos del lenguaje ideológicos y emocionales para consolidar su relación de poder con la sociedad venezolana, lo que demuestra que se dirigió mayormente a un segmento específico de su audiencia.
LA CRISIS FINANCIERA INTERNACIONAL. ¿LLEGARÁ?
Authors: Chávez Ackermann Pascual
Published: September 2017

Desde los primeros días de junio, han ocurrido una serie de extraordinarios acontecimientos en los mercados financieros mundiales que, si se analizan cada uno de ellos por separado, no parecen tener mayor significado. Pero, si estos hechos se consideran como parte de un solo proceso global, entonces no podemos llegar sino a la conclusión de que ya ocurrió a principios de junio otro desastre financiero, parecido a la quiebra en setiembre de 1998 del fondo financiero de apuestas especulativas LTCM (Long Term Capital Management), y que se pusieron en marcha una serie de esfuerzos de alto nivel para ocultar la realidad o para administrar la crisis, todo ello para prevenir que cunda el pánico en los mercados financieros internacionales. En un discurso pronunciado ante la Casa Mansión en Londres el 10 de junio, el gobernador del Banco de Inglaterra, Eddie George, recalcó cuán cerca había llegado el mundo a la desintegración financiera en el otoño de 1998. "La última vez que estuvimos aquí para esta espléndida ocasión, yo sugerí que estábamos viviendo en un ambiente económico y financiero internacional peligroso. Estas fueron palabras fuertes para un banquero central -pero quizás no lo suficientemente fuerte-. Ese ambiente rápidamente empeoró en el transcurso del otoño, y para las fechas de la reunión anual del FMI (Fondo Monetario Internacional), en octubre, ya todo mundo hablaba de una desintegración financiera global y una próxima recesión mundial, lo que no era simplemente hipérbole periodística".
LA INFORMÁTICA Y LAS TELECOMUNICACIONES, SU UTILIDAD PARA LAS PYMES
Authors: Herrera García Beatriz
Published: September 2017

Hoy en día no parece necesario convencer a nadie de las ventajas que para una empresa de cualquier tamaño supone una informatización bien dimensionada y acorde a las necesidades de la misma. Hasta la aparición del ordenador personal en el año 1982, la informatización de las empresas estaba muy condicionada a su tamaño, ya que el coste de un supercomputador o incluso un miniordenador los hacían prohibitivos. Con la aparición del ya bien conocido Personal Computer, la informática se ha extendido a todos los entornos de nuestra sociedad, incluido el residencial, donde cada día es mayor el número de hogares que posee un ordenador. La fuerte evolución que se ha producido en las prestaciones de los ordenadores junto con el abaratamiento de los mismos han provocado la aparición de programas con mayores posibilidades, de muy fácil manejo, y adecuados para casi cualquier tipo de aplicación que podamos necesitar. Hoy día es difícil encontrar empresas en las que en un alto porcentaje de su desarrollo no se haya adaptado, configurado o utilizado u n producto ya disponible en el mercado, e.g., bases de datos, hojas de cálculo, control de procesos, etc. En la actualidad existe un fenómeno similar a la evolución descrita de la informática y con un impacto muy importante sobre ésta. Nos referimos a las telecomunicaciones. No hace mucho tiempo, la interconexión de ordenadores y terminales dentro de una empresa mediante redes de área local o mediante diversas soluciones de distintos centros de éstas (centros de procesos de datos, sucursales, etc.) estaba restringida a entidades de un tamaño importante. Este hecho también está evolucionando deforma rápida y la utilización de las telecomunicaciones en forma integrada con programas informáticos está dejando de ser un aspecto restringido a grandes empresas. Hoy se puede observar que existen soluciones de muy bajo coste y unas altas prestaciones. Desde un simple módem hasta las altas prestaciones y calidad que ofrece la red digital de servicios integrados (el RDSI es una red de comunicaciones digitalizada y totalmente desplegada, que proporciona unas prestaciones superiores a las que presenta la red de telefonía básica), son soluciones asequibles tanto para profesionales independientes como para empresas de cualquier tamaño. Estos acontecimientos han provocado una fuerte evolución en los programas informáticos. La integración de las telecomunicaciones en la informática corporativa hace unos años era escasa, existiendo aplicaciones informáticas dirigidas a la comunicación y otras únicamente orientadas al proceso de datos disponibles localmente. El término telemática era utilizado en ese momento para las técnicas de transferencia de datos que serían utilizados con posterioridad por aplicaciones informáticas.