bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hypothesis: Life Initiated from Two Genes, as Deduced from the RNA World Hypothesis and the Characteristics of Life-Like Systems
Authors: Kawamura Kunio
Published: August 2016

RNA played a central role in the emergence of the first life-like system on primitive Earth since RNA molecules contain both genetic information and catalytic activity. However, there are several drawbacks regarding the RNA world hypothesis. Here, I briefly discuss the feasibility of the RNA world hypothesis to deduce the RNA functions that are essential for forming a life-like system. At the same time, I have conducted a conceptual analysis of the characteristics of biosystems as a useful approach to deduce a realistic life-like system in relation to the definition of life. For instance, an RNA-based life-like system should possess enough stability to resist environmental perturbations, by developing a cell-like compartment, for instance. Here, a conceptual viewpoint is summarized to provide a realistic life-like system that is compatible with the primitive Earth environment and the capabilities of RNA molecules. According to the empirical and conceptual analysis, I propose the hypothesis that the first life-like system could have initiated from only two genes.
Microfabrication for Drug Delivery
Authors: Koch Brendan , Rubino Ilaria , Quan Fu-Shi , Yoo Bongyoung , Choi Hyo-Jick
Published: August 2016

This review is devoted to discussing the application of microfabrication technologies to target challenges encountered in life processes by the development of drug delivery systems. Recently, microfabrication has been largely applied to solve health and pharmaceutical science issues. In particular, fabrication methods along with compatible materials have been successfully designed to produce multifunctional, highly effective drug delivery systems. Microfabrication offers unique tools that can tackle problems in this field, such as ease of mass production with high quality control and low cost, complexity of architecture design and a broad range of materials. Presented is an overview of silicon- and polymer-based fabrication methods that are key in the production of microfabricated drug delivery systems. Moreover, the efforts focused on studying the biocompatibility of materials used in microfabrication are analyzed. Finally, this review discusses representative ways microfabrication has been employed to develop systems delivering drugs through the transdermal and oral route, and to improve drug eluting implants. Additionally, microfabricated vaccine delivery systems are presented due to the great impact they can have in obtaining a cold chain-free vaccine, with long-term stability. Microfabrication will continue to offer new, alternative solutions for the development of smart, advanced drug delivery systems.
Inkjet-Printed Organic Transistors Based on Organic Semiconductor/Insulating Polymer Blends
Authors: Kwon Yoon-Jung , Park Yeong , Lee Wi
Published: August 2016

Recent advances in inkjet-printed organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) based on organic semiconductor/insulating polymer blends are reviewed in this article. Organic semiconductor/insulating polymer blends are attractive ink candidates for enhancing the jetting properties, inducing uniform film morphologies, and/or controlling crystallization behaviors of organic semiconductors. Representative studies using soluble acene/insulating polymer blends as an inkjet-printed active layer in OFETs are introduced with special attention paid to the phase separation characteristics of such blended films. In addition, inkjet-printed semiconducting/insulating polymer blends for fabricating high performance printed OFETs are reviewed.
Topsensterols A–C, Cytotoxic Polyhydroxylated Sterol Derivatives from a Marine Sponge Topsentia sp.
Authors: Chen Min , Wu Xu-Dong , Zhao Qing , Wang Chang-Yun
Published: August 2016

Three new polyhydroxylated sterol derivatives topsensterols A–C (1–3) have been isolated from a marine sponge Topsentia sp. collected from the South China Sea. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of the spectroscopic data, especially the NOESY spectra. Topsensterols A–C (l–3) possess novel 2β,3α,4β,6α-tetrahydroxy-14α-methyl Δ9(11) steroidal nuclei with unusual side chains. Compound 2 exhibited cytotoxicity against human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901 with an IC50 value of 8.0 μM. Compound 3 displayed cytotoxicity against human erythroleukemia cell line K562 with an IC50 value of 6.0 μM.
Modeling of Geometric Change Influence on Blast-Wave Propagation in Underground Airways Using a 2D-Transient Euler Scheme
Authors: Wang Liang , Que Sisi , Tien Jerry , Aouad Nassib
Published: August 2016

The impact of methane explosions on mining operations can never be over-emphasized. The safety of miners could be threatened and local ventilation facilities are likely to be damaged by the flame and overpressure induced by a methane explosion event, making it essential to understand the destructiveness and influence range of a specific explosion. In this paper, the attenuation effect of geometric changes, most commonly bends, obstacles, and branches, present in the way of blast-wave propagation and the capability of the selected numerical model were studied. Although some relevant experimental research has been provided, quantitative analysis is insufficient. This paper investigates the attenuation factors of seven bends, three obstacles, and two T-branch scenarios to ascertain a better insight of this potentially devastating event quantitatively. The results suggest that (1) the numerical model used is capable of predicting four of the seven validated scenarios with a relative error less than 12%; (2) the maximum peak overpressure is obtained when the angle equals 50° for bend cases; and (3) the selected numerical scheme would overestimate the obstacle cases by around 15%.
Computational Approaches to Toll-Like Receptor 4 Modulation
Authors: Billod Jean-Marc , Lacetera Alessandra , Guzmán-Caldentey Joan , Martín-Santamaría Sonsoles
Published: August 2016

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), along with its accessory protein myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD-2), builds a heterodimeric complex that specifically recognizes lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are present on the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, activating the innate immune response. Some TLR4 modulators are undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluation for the treatment of sepsis, inflammatory diseases, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Since the relatively recent elucidation of the X-ray crystallographic structure of the extracellular domain of TLR4, research around this fascinating receptor has risen to a new level, and thus, new perspectives have been opened. In particular, diverse computational techniques have been applied to decipher some of the basis at the atomic level regarding the mechanism of functioning and the ligand recognition processes involving the TLR4/MD-2 system at the atomic level. This review summarizes the reported molecular modeling and computational studies that have recently provided insights into the mechanism regulating the activation/inactivation of the TLR4/MD-2 system receptor and the key interactions modulating the molecular recognition process by agonist and antagonist ligands. These studies have contributed to the design and the discovery of novel small molecules with promising activity as TLR4 modulators.
A General Catalytic Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation Reaction of β,β-Disubstituted Nitroalkenes Promoted by a Simple Organocatalyst
Authors: Bernardi Luca , Fochi Mariafrancesca
Published: August 2016

Given its synthetic relevance, the catalytic enantioselective reduction of β,β-disubstituted nitroalkenes has received a great deal of attention. Several bio-, metal-, and organo-catalytic methods have been developed, which however are usually applicable to single classes of nitroalkene substrates. In this paper, we present an account of our previous work on this transformation, which implemented with new disclosures and mechanistic insights results in a very general protocol for nitroalkene reductions. The proposed methodology is characterized by (i) a remarkably broad scope encompassing various nitroalkene classes; (ii) Hantzsch esters as convenient (on a preparative scale) hydrogen surrogates; (iii) a simple and commercially available thiourea as catalyst; (iv) user-friendly procedures. Overall, the proposed protocol gives a practical dimension to the catalytic enantioselective reduction of β,β-disubstituted nitroalkenes, offering a useful and general platform for the preparation of nitroalkanes bearing a stereogenic center at the β-position in a highly enantioenriched form. A transition state model derived from control kinetic experiments combined with literature data is proposed and discussed. This model accounts and justifies the observed experimental results.
Phenolic and Volatile Composition of a Dry Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) Extract
Authors: Cirlini Martina , Mena Pedro , Tassotti Michele , Herrlinger Kelli , Nieman Kristin , Dall’Asta Chiara , Del Rio Daniele
Published: August 2016

The present paper reports a complete mass spectrometric characterization of both the phenolic and volatile fractions of a dried spearmint extract. Phenolic compounds were analysed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MSn) and a total of 66 compounds were tentatively identified, being the widest phenolic characterisation of spearmint to date. The analysis suggests that the extract is composed of rosmarinic acid and its derivatives (230.5 ± 13.5 mg/g) with smaller amounts of salvianolic acids, caffeoylquinic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavones, and flavanones. Head space solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique, that was applied to characterize the volatile fraction of spearmint, identified molecules belonging to different chemical classes, such as p-cymene, isopiperitone, and piperitone, dihydroedulan II, menthone, p-cymen-8-ol, and β-linalool. This comprehensive phytochemical analysis can be useful to test the authenticity of this product rich in rosmarinic acid and other phenolics, and when assessing its biological properties. It may also be applied to other plant-derived food extracts and beverages containing a broad range of phytochemical compounds.
Effects on Nitric Oxide Production of Urolithins, Gut-Derived Ellagitannin Metabolites, in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells
Authors: Spigoni Valentina , Mena Pedro , Cito Monia , Fantuzzi Federica , Bonadonna Riccardo , Brighenti Furio , Dei Cas Alessandra , Del Rio Daniele
Published: August 2016

The consumption of foodstuffs yielding circulating compounds able to maintain endothelial function by improving nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability can be considered as an effective strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention. This work assessed the in vitro effects of urolithin A, urolithin B, and urolithin B-glucuronide, ellagitannin-derived metabolites of colonic origin, on NO release and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activation in primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Urolithins were tested both individually at 15 μM and as a mixture of 5 μM each, at different time points. The biotransformation of these molecules in cell media due to cell metabolism was also evaluated by UHPLC-MSn. The mix of urolithins at 5 μM significantly increased nitrite/nitrate levels following 24 h of incubation, while single urolithins at 15 μM did not modify NO bioavailability. Both the mix of urolithins at 5 μM and urolithin B-glucuronide at 15 μM activated eNOS expression. All urolithins underwent metabolic reactions, but these were limited to conjugation with sulfate moieties. This study represents a step forward in the understanding of cardiovascular health benefits of ellagitannin-rich foodstuffs and backs the idea that peripheral cells may contribute to urolithin metabolism.
Review of Recent Developments on Using an Off-Lattice Monte Carlo Approach to Predict the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Composite Systems with Complex Structures
Authors: Gong Feng , Duong Hai , Papavassiliou Dimitrios
Published: August 2016

Here, we present a review of recent developments for an off-lattice Monte Carlo approach used to investigate the thermal transport properties of multiphase composites with complex structure. The thermal energy was quantified by a large number of randomly moving thermal walkers. Different modes of heat conduction were modeled in appropriate ways. The diffusive heat conduction in the polymer matrix was modeled with random Brownian motion of thermal walkers within the polymer, and the ballistic heat transfer within the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was modeled by assigning infinite speed of thermal walkers in the CNTs. Three case studies were conducted to validate the developed approach, including three-phase single-walled CNTs/tungsten disulfide (WS2)/(poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) composites, single-walled CNT/WS2/PEEK composites with the CNTs clustered in bundles, and complex graphene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites. In all cases, resistance to heat transfer due to nanoscale phenomena was also modeled. By quantitatively studying the influencing factors on the thermal transport properties of the multiphase composites, it was found that the orientation, aggregation and morphology of fillers, as well as the interfacial thermal resistance at filler-matrix interfaces would limit the transfer of heat in the composites. These quantitative findings may be applied in the design and synthesis of multiphase composites with specific thermal transport properties.
Modulation of Human Airway Barrier Functions during Burkholderia thailandensis and Francisella tularensis Infection
Authors: Blume Cornelia , David Jonathan , Bell Rachel , Laver Jay , Read Robert , Clark Graeme , Davies Donna , Swindle Emily
Published: August 2016

The bronchial epithelium provides protection against pathogens from the inhaled environment through the formation of a highly-regulated barrier. In order to understand the pulmonary diseases melioidosis and tularemia caused by Burkholderia thailandensis and Fransicella tularensis, respectively, the barrier function of the human bronchial epithelium were analysed. Polarised 16HBE14o- or differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) were exposed to increasing multiplicities of infection (MOI) of B. thailandensis or F. tularensis Live Vaccine Strain and barrier responses monitored over 24–72 h. Challenge of polarized BECs with either bacterial species caused an MOI- and time-dependent increase in ionic permeability, disruption of tight junctions, and bacterial passage from the apical to the basolateral compartment. B. thailandensis was found to be more invasive than F. tularensis. Both bacterial species induced an MOI-dependent increase in TNF-α release. An increase in ionic permeability and TNF-α release was induced by B. thailandensis in differentiated BECs. Pretreatment of polarised BECs with the corticosteroid fluticasone propionate reduced bacterial-dependent increases in ionic permeability, bacterial passage, and TNF-α release. TNF blocking antibody Enbrel® reduced bacterial passage only. BEC barrier properties are disrupted during respiratory bacterial infections and targeting with corticosteroids or anti-TNF compounds may represent a therapeutic option.
Surface Immobilization of pH-Responsive Polymer Brushes on Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles by Enzyme Mimetic Catalytic ATRP for Controlled Cargo Release
Authors: Zhou Hang , Wang Xin , Tang Jun , Yang Ying-Wei
Published: August 2016

Peroxidase mimetic catalytic atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was first used to install tertiary amine-functionalized polymer brushes on the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) in a facile and highly efficient manner. Poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) brushes-grafted MSNs were fabricated by biocompatible deuterohemin-β-Ala-His-Thr-Val-Glu-Lys (DhHP-6)-catalyzed surface-initiated ATRP (SI-ATRP). The resulting organic–inorganic hybrid nanocarriers were fully characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, TEM, Elemental analysis, Zeta-potential, and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, which demonstrated the successful coating of pH-responsive polymers on the MSN surface. Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) dyes were further loaded within the mesopores of this nanocarrier, and the release of Rh6G out of MSNs in a controlled fashion was achieved upon lowing the solution pH. The electrostatic repulsion of positively-charged tertiary ammonium of PDMAEMAs in acidic environments induced the stretching out of polymer brushes on MSN surfaces, thus opening the gates to allow cargo diffusion out of the mesopores of MSNs.
Satellite-Based Run-Off Model for Monitoring Drought in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Hashim Mazlan , Reba Nadzri , Nadzri Muhammad , Pour Amin , Mahmud Mohd , Mohd Yusoff Abdull , Ali Mohamad , Jaw S. , Hossain Mohammad
Published: August 2016

Traditional in situ observation interpolation techniques that provide rainfall data from rain gauges have limitations because they are discrete point-based data records, which may not be sufficient to assess droughts from a spatiotemporal perspective. Considering this limitation, this study has developed a run-off model—a fully satellite-based method for monitoring drought in Peninsular Malaysia. The formulation of the run-off deficit uses a water balance equation based on satellite-based rainfall and evapotranspiration data extracted respectively from calibrated TRMM multi-satellites precipitation analysis data (TMPA) and moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer data (MODIS). The run-off deficit was calculated based on per pixel spatial scale and allowed to produce the continuous and regular run-off maps. The run-off model was tested and evaluated in a one drought year (2005) within a span of three years (2003–2005) over the Kelantan (3448 km2) and Hulu Perak (3672 km2) catchments of Peninsular Malaysia. The validation results show that (1) monthly TMPA rainfall and MODIS evapotranspiration data significantly improved after calibration; (2) satellite-based run-off data is not only strongly correlated with actual steam flow, but also with spatiotemporal variation of run-off in drought-affected forest catchments. The most severely drought-affected forest catchments that experienced the run-off deficits were Hulu Perak, Ulu Gading, Gunung Stong and Relai over Kelantan. The real time run-off change analysis shows that drought started in January and reached its peak in July of 2005. It was therefore demonstrated that this fully satellite-based run-off deficit model is as good as a conventional drought-monitoring indicator, and can provide not only drought distribution information, but it also can reflect the drought-induced impacts on stream flow, forest catchment and land-use.
Genetic Particle Swarm Optimization–Based Feature Selection for Very-High-Resolution Remotely Sensed Imagery Object Change Detection
Authors: Chen Qiang , Chen Yunhao , Jiang Weiguo
Published: August 2016

In the field of multiple features Object-Based Change Detection (OBCD) for very-high-resolution remotely sensed images, image objects have abundant features and feature selection affects the precision and efficiency of OBCD. Through object-based image analysis, this paper proposes a Genetic Particle Swarm Optimization (GPSO)-based feature selection algorithm to solve the optimization problem of feature selection in multiple features OBCD. We select the Ratio of Mean to Variance (RMV) as the fitness function of GPSO, and apply the proposed algorithm to the object-based hybrid multivariate alternative detection model. Two experiment cases on Worldview-2/3 images confirm that GPSO can significantly improve the speed of convergence, and effectively avoid the problem of premature convergence, relative to other feature selection algorithms. According to the accuracy evaluation of OBCD, GPSO is superior at overall accuracy (84.17% and 83.59%) and Kappa coefficient (0.6771 and 0.6314) than other algorithms. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis results show that the proposed algorithm is not easily influenced by the initial parameters, but the number of features to be selected and the size of the particle swarm would affect the algorithm. The comparison experiment results reveal that RMV is more suitable than other functions as the fitness function of GPSO-based feature selection algorithm.
Analysis on Node Position of Imperfect Resonators for Cylindrical Shell Gyroscopes
Authors: Wang Zidan , Wu Yulie , Xi Xiang , Zhang Yongmeng , Wu Xuezhong
Published: August 2016

For cylindrical shell gyroscopes, node position of their operating eigenmodes has an important influence on the gyroscopes’ performance. It is considered that the nodes are equally separated from each other by 90° when the resonator vibrates in the standing wave eigenmode. However, we found that, due to manufacturing errors and trimming, the nodes may not be equally distributed. This paper mainly analyzes the influences of unbalanced masses on the cylindrical resonators’ node position, by using FEM simulation and experimental measurement.
Economic Impacts of Climate Change on Cereal Production: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture in Northern Ghana
Authors: Bawayelaazaa Nyuor Anslem , Donkor Emmanuel , Aidoo Robert , Saaka Buah Samuel , Naab Jesse , Nutsugah Stephen , Bayala Jules , Zougmoré Robert
Published: August 2016

This paper investigates the economic impacts of climate change on cereal crop production in Northern Ghana using 240 households comprising maize and sorghum farmers. The Ricardian regression approach was used to examine the economic impacts of climate change based on data generated from a survey conducted in the 2013/2014 farming seasons. Forty-year time-series data of rainfall and temperature from 1974 to 2013, together with cross-sectional data, were used for the empirical analysis. The Ricardian regression estimates for both maize and sorghum showed varying degrees of climate change impacts on net revenues. The results indicated that early season precipitation was beneficial for sorghum, but harmful for maize. However, mid-season precipitation tended to promote maize production. Temperature levels for all seasons impacted negatively on net revenue for both crops, except during the mid-season, when temperature exerted a positive effect on net revenue for sorghum. Our findings suggest that appropriate adaptation strategies should be promoted to reduce the negative impacts of prevailing climate change on cereal crop production.
The Effects of Urban Sprawl on the Spatial Evolution of Rural Settlements: A Case Study in Changchun, China
Authors: Li Dongmei , Wang Dongyan , Li Hong , Zhang Shuwen , Zhang Xiaodong , Tao Ye
Published: August 2016

Detailed analysis of continuous time-series data from regions undergoing rapid urbanization can accurately reveal spatial variations on short time scales. This study used the city of Changchun in Jilin Province, China, as a case study to analyze total and annual changes in area—especially decreases in rural settlement area—as well as regional differences in these changes and driving forces of rural settlement evolution. Quantitative analytical techniques include a dynamic percentage of rural settlements, the distribution index of rural settlements, the regression correlation analysis, and other spatial analysis methods. Data were derived from a variety of sources, including land-use databases and social and economic statistics. The results show that the area of rural settlements decreased between 2009 and 2014, with the urban construction land expansion and decreases in cultivated lands. Rural settlements also became increasingly fragmented after 2009. Most of the rural settlements were located close to the urban construction land, and changes in rural settlement area were more pronounced with decreasing distance to the closest urban construction land, illustrating the effect of urban sprawl on rural settlement changes. The analysis also shows that the decreasing area of rural settlements between 2009 and 2014 is directly caused by urban sprawl. Regional development strategies and urban planning indirectly contribute to changes in the scale and spatial distribution of rural settlements by guiding urban development. The geographical environment and strict cultivated-land-protection policies also indirectly restrict changes in rural settlements by determining the restrictive area of urban expansion. No significant changes were found in the influence of population change on changing areas of rural settlements. In conclusion, the interaction of strategy for social-economic development, natural geography environments, and human demand jointly caused changes in rural settlements.
Innovative Application of the Public–Private Partnership Model to the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in China
Authors: Yang Tong , Long Ruyin , Li Wenbo , Rehman Saif
Published: August 2016

The electric vehicle charging infrastructure is in the initial development period in China, where there is an imbalanced supply and demand structure, an increasingly mature institutional environment, and an imperfect support system. The infrastructure is important for supplying energy to electric vehicles, and it needs to be provided in a reasonable manner with a moderately advanced layout. Due to large-scale investment, unclear financing rights and responsibilities, a single participant, interlinked risks, and other factors, “absence” and “dislocation” of the charging infrastructure coexist. The public–private partnership (PPP) model is an effective supply path for the infrastructure. Thus, introducing the PPP model into the charging infrastructure can leverage social capital, eases the burden on local finance, enhances the level of project management and profitability, and reduces construction and operation risks. For the participant level of PPP projects in the charging infrastructure, the present study elucidates the support mechanisms required by the government, social capital, and intermediaries in order to construct an effective charging infrastructure in China.
M&E-NetPay: A Micropayment System for Mobile and Electronic Commerce
Authors: Huang Xiaodi , Bao Jinsong , Dai Xiaoling , Singh Edwin , Huang Weidong , Huang Changqin
Published: August 2016

As an increasing number of people purchase goods and services online, micropayment systems are becoming particularly important for mobile and electronic commerce. We have designed and developed such a system called M&E-NetPay (Mobile and Electronic NetPay). With open interoperability and mobility, M&E-NetPay uses web services to connect brokers and vendors, providing secure, flexible and reliable credit services over the Internet. In particular, M&E-NetPay makes use of a secure, inexpensive and debit-based off-line protocol that allows vendors to interact only with customers, after validating coins. The design of the architecture and protocol of M&E-NetPay are presented, together with the implementation of its prototype in ringtone and wallpaper sites. To validate our system, we have conducted its evaluations on performance, usability and heuristics. Furthermore, we compare our system to the CORBA-based (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) off-line micro-payment systems. The results have demonstrated that M&E-NetPay outperforms the .NET-based M&E-NetPay system in terms of performance and user satisfaction.
Fuzzy System-Based Face Detection Robust to In-Plane Rotation Based on Symmetrical Characteristics of a Face
Authors: Hong Hyung , Lee Won , Kim Yeong , Kim Ki , Nguyen Dat , Park Kang
Published: August 2016

As face recognition technology has developed, it has become widely used in various applications such as door access control, intelligent surveillance, and mobile phone security. One of its applications is its adoption in TV environments to supply viewers with intelligent services and high convenience. In a TV environment, the in-plane rotation of a viewer’s face frequently occurs because he or she may decide to watch the TV from a lying position, which degrades the accuracy of the face recognition. Nevertheless, there has been little previous research to deal with this problem. Therefore, we propose a new fuzzy system–based face detection algorithm that is robust to in-plane rotation based on the symmetrical characteristics of a face. Experimental results on two databases with one open database show that our method outperforms previous methods.
Putative Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase and Cytochrome P450 Genes Responsible for Tentoxin Biosynthesis in Alternaria alternata ZJ33
Authors: Li You-Hai , Han Wen-Jin , Gui Xi-Wu , Wei Tao , Tang Shuang-Yan , Jin Jian-Ming
Published: August 2016

Tentoxin, a cyclic tetrapeptide produced by several Alternaria species, inhibits the F1-ATPase activity of chloroplasts, resulting in chlorosis in sensitive plants. In this study, we report two clustered genes, encoding a putative non-ribosome peptide synthetase (NRPS) TES and a cytochrome P450 protein TES1, that are required for tentoxin biosynthesis in Alternaria alternata strain ZJ33, which was isolated from blighted leaves of Eupatorium adenophorum. Using a pair of primers designed according to the consensus sequences of the adenylation domain of NRPSs, two fragments containing putative adenylation domains were amplified from A. alternata ZJ33, and subsequent PCR analyses demonstrated that these fragments belonged to the same NRPS coding sequence. With no introns, TES consists of a single 15,486 base pair open reading frame encoding a predicted 5161 amino acid protein. Meanwhile, the TES1 gene is predicted to contain five introns and encode a 506 amino acid protein. The TES protein is predicted to be comprised of four peptide synthase modules with two additional N-methylation domains, and the number and arrangement of the modules in TES were consistent with the number and arrangement of the amino acid residues of tentoxin, respectively. Notably, both TES and TES1 null mutants generated via homologous recombination failed to produce tentoxin. This study provides the first evidence concerning the biosynthesis of tentoxin in A. alternata.
ALMA OBSERVATIONS OF HCN AND ITS ISOTOPOLOGUES ON TITAN
Authors: Molter Edward M. , Nixon C. A. , Cordiner M. A. , Serigano J. , Irwin P. G. J. , Teanby N. A. , Charnley S. B. , Lindberg J. E.
Published: August 2016

We present sub-millimeter spectra of HCN isotopologues on Titan, derived from publicly available ALMA flux calibration observations of Titan taken in early 2014. We report the detection of a new HCN isotopologue on Titan, H13C15N, and confirm an earlier report of detection of DCN. We model high signal-to-noise observations of HCN, H13CN, HC15N, DCN, and H13C15N to derive abundances and infer the following isotopic ratios: 12C/13C = 89.8 ± 2.8, 14N/15N = 72.3 ± 2.2, D/H = (2.5 ± 0.2) × 10−4, and HCN/H13C15N = 5800 ± 270 (1σ errors). The carbon and nitrogen ratios are consistent with and improve on the precision of previous results, confirming a factor of ∼2.3 elevation in 14N/15N in HCN compared to N2 and a lack of fractionation in 12C/13C from the protosolar value. This is the first published measurement of D/H in a nitrile species on Titan, and we find evidence for a factor of ∼2 deuterium enrichment in hydrogen cyanide compared to methane. The isotopic ratios we derive may be used as constraints for future models to better understand the fractionation processes occurring in Titan’s atmosphere.
THE LAMOST SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY OF STAR CLUSTERS IN M31. II. METALLICITIES, AGES, AND MASSES
Authors: Chen Bingqiu , Liu Xiaowei , Xiang Maosheng , Yuan Haibo , Huang Yang , Shi Jianrong , Fan Zhou , Huo Zhiying , Wang Chun , Ren Juanjuan , Tian Zhijia , Zhang Huawei , Liu Gaochao , Cao Zihuang , Zhang Yong , Hou Yonghui , Wang Yuefei
Published: August 2016

We select from Paper I a sample of 306 massive star clusters observed with the Large Sky Area Multi–Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) in the vicinity fields of M31 and M33, and determine their metallicities, ages, and masses. Metallicities and ages are estimated by fitting the observed integrated spectra with stellar synthesis population (SSP) models with a pixel–to–pixel spectral fitting technique. Ages for most young clusters are also derived by fitting the multi–band photometric measurements with model spectral energy distributions (SEDs). The estimated cluster ages span a wide range, from several million years to the age of the universe. The numbers of clusters younger and older than 1 Gyr are, respectively, 46 and 260. With ages and metallicities determined, cluster masses are then estimated by comparing the multi–band photometric measurements with SSP model SEDs. The derived masses range from

to

M
⊙, peaking at

and

M
⊙ for young (

Gyr) and old (

Gyr) clusters, respectively. Our estimated metallicities, ages, and masses are in good agreement with available literature values. Old clusters richer than [Fe/H] ∼ −0.7 dex have a wide range of ages. Those poorer than [Fe/H] ∼ −0.7 dex seem to be composed of two groups, as previously found for Galactic globular clusters—one of the oldest ages with all values of metallicity down to

dex and another with metallicity increasing with decreasing age. The old clusters in the inner disk of M 31 (0–30 kpc) show a clear metallicity gradient measured at −0.038 ± 0.023 dex kpc−1.
HIGH-RESOLUTION OBSERVATIONS OF A LARGE FAN-SHAPED SURGE
Authors: Li Zhen , Fang Cheng , Guo Yang , Chen P. F. , Zou Peng , Cao Wenda
Published: August 2016

We present high-resolution observations of a large fan-shaped surge, which was observed on 2013 June 5 with the current largest solar telescope, the 1.6 m New Solar Telescope (NST), at the Big Bear Solar Observatory. The observations are made at TiO, Hα, and 10830 Å wavebands with a spatial resolution better than

0
.″
1

and a full-run cadence of ∼30 s. The fan-shaped surge consists of many small-scale threads with a typical width of 100 km and a length of up to 200 Mm at the maximum. The threads come from material ejections, which start with a velocity of several km s−1, and then accelerate up to 60–80 km s−1 over six to seven minutes with an acceleration of up to 0.2–0.3 km s−2. The threads can be observed in the Hα band and in SDO/AIA 171 Å images as absorbed objects, implying that they are cool material ejections. The surge is ejected along open magnetic field lines in the extrapolated non-linear force-free field, which might actually be a part of a large-scale magnetic loop stretching back to the solar surface. After 10–20 minutes, the ejections gradually decay and the surge eventually vanishes. The total lifetime is about 35 minutes. The Hα brightening at the root of the fan-shaped surge implies that there is heating in the chromosphere, which could be produced by low-atmosphere interchange magnetic reconnection. Our observation provides evidence of the reconnection model for the fan-shaped surges, which was proposed by Jiang et al.
THE FERMI–GBM THREE-YEAR X-RAY BURST CATALOG
Authors: Jenke P. A. , Linares M. , Connaughton V. , Beklen E. , Camero-Arranz A. , Finger M. H. , Wilson-Hodge C. A.
Published: August 2016

The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) is an all-sky gamma-ray monitor well known in the gamma-ray burst (GRB) community. Although GBM excels in detecting the hard, bright extragalactic GRBs, its sensitivity above 8 keV and its all-sky view make it an excellent instrument for the detection of rare, short-lived Galactic transients. In 2010 March, we initiated a systematic search for transients using GBM data. We conclude this phase of the search by presenting a three-year catalog of 1084 X-ray bursts. Using spectral analysis, location, and spatial distributions we classified the 1084 events into 752 thermonuclear X-ray bursts, 267 transient events from accretion flares and X-ray pulses, and 65 untriggered gamma-ray bursts. All thermonuclear bursts have peak blackbody temperatures broadly consistent with photospheric radius expansion (PRE) bursts. We find an average rate of 1.4 PRE bursts per day, integrated over all Galactic bursters within about 10 kpc. These include 33 and 10 bursts from the ultra-compact X-ray binaries 4U 0614+09 and 2S 0918-549, respectively. We discuss these recurrence times and estimate the total mass ejected by PRE bursts in our Galaxy.
La supervision individuelle des intervenants à domicile dans le programme CAPEDP de prévention en périnatalité : le point de vue des intervenantes supervisées sur les recommandations de bonnes pratiques de leurs superviseurs
Authors: Welniarz Bertrand , Saïas Thomas , Excoffon Emmanuelle , Purper-Ouakil Diane , Wendland Jaqueline , Tereno Susana , Dugravier Romain , Haddad Alain , Weatherstone Deborah , Guédeney Antoine , Greacen Tim
Published: August 2016

La supervision individuelle des intervenants à domicile est un élément-clé des programmes de prévention en périnatalité. Les études qui ont été menées de façon systématique pour identifier les bonnes pratiques de supervision d’intervenants à domicile dans des programmes de visite à domicile préventives en périnatalité ont toutes été réalisées dans un contexte nord-américain. Cet article décrit le processus de supervision individuelle développé dans le programme CAPEDP (Compétences parentales et Attachement dans la petite enfance : Diminution des risques liés aux troubles de santé mentale et Promotion de la résilience) qui est la première étude randomisée et contrôlée sur la prévention en périnatalité reposant sur un programme de visites à domicile en France. Deux ans après le début du projet, une étude a été menée auprès des superviseurs du programme pour identifier leur point de vue sur les indicateurs de bonne pratique de supervision dans un programme périnatal de promotion de la santé mentale (Greacen, et al. , 2016). Dans un deuxième temps, ces recommandations de bonne pratique identifiées par les superviseurs ont été présentées, en adaptant cette même méthode Delphi, aux intervenantes du projet pour connaître leur point de vue sur les recommandations de leurs superviseurs. Si les deux groupes sont d’accord sur une grande partie des recommandations, l’étude auprès des intervenantes fait apparaître que ces jeunes psychologues qui travaillent dans des contextes psychosociaux réunissant de nombreux facteurs de vulnérabilité, attendent aussi une guidance professionnelle pratique plutôt qu’une seule écoute empathique.
Le Soi et l’estime de soi chez l’enfant : une revue systématique de la littérature
Authors: Pinto Alexandra , Gatinho Ana , Tereno Susana , Veríssimo Manuela
Published: August 2016

Cette étude vise : a) à analyser les différentes méthodes utilisées pour l’étude du Soi et chez les enfants, en ce que concerne sa qualité et son potentiel et b) à synthétiser les résultats déjà obtenus en termes de Soi /d’estime de soi/d’autoconcept, pour les enfants en âge préscolaire. Après avoir établi des critères rigoureux d’inclusion et d’exclusion, 33 articles ont été sélectionnés, dans plusieurs bases de données, nationales et internationales. Les résultats indiquent que le Soi des petits enfants est susceptible d’être mesuré et analysé par des méthodes d’auto-évaluation, et ce, tant d’une manière multidimensionnelle que globale. En ce qui concerne la relation entre le Soi et l’attachement, on a trouvé des résultats qui montrent l’existence d’un lien positif entre les deux concepts. Enfin, bien qu’il soit possible d’analyser le Soi de façon multidimensionnelle ou globale, ces deux méthodes et leurs modèles explicatifs s’avèrent plutôt complémentaires.
Il y a quelqu’un ? Dépression du postpartum et attachement
Authors: Papiasvili Eva D. , Mayers Linda A.
Published: August 2016

Cet article présente une vue d’ensemble développemental et dynamique de nombreuses dimensions de processus liés à l’attachement activés dans les conditions de la dépression maternelle. La vignette clinique analytique reconstructive avec une patiente adulte illustre l’impact profond de la dépression maternelle sur une différenciation précoce entre les styles d’attachement de la mère dépressive et du soignant de substitut, à l’origine de premier « Counter-dépendant » autosuffisance. Grâce au travail d’interprétation, tout d’abord avec les « enactments » et puis les rêves, se rapportant aux événements des premiers balbutiements non rappelés, représentés ou symbolisés, la patiente est capable de faire une série de sauts symboliques développementaux transformateurs, de rétablir la capacité d’intimité, d’espoir, de confiance et de plaisir. Cela casse la transmission intergénérationnelle de la mère-fille de dépression post-partum et l’attachement problématique connexe.
Conséquences précoces de la privation maternelle au cours de la période préœdipienne
Authors: Markman Reubins Beatriz
Published: August 2016

Cet article cherche à montrer les conséquences précoces d’une privation maternelle au cours de la période préœdipienne et pour ce faire, questionne les premières théories ainsi que les techniques de la psychanalyse d’enfant. Ces théories diffèrent dans leur compréhension et leur conceptualisation de la psychopathologie infantile, néanmoins elles ont toutes un dénominateur commun : toutes soulignent l’importance des premières expériences du nourrisson ainsi que la nécessité d’une constance physique et émotionnelle de la dyade mère-enfant. Cet article passe en revue les différentes théories et présente trois vignettes cliniques. À travers le récit de la thérapie d’un petit garçon de quatre ans, nous découvrons comment les conflits et les symptômes évoluent et finissent par se résoudre au cours de cinq années de thérapie. Pour finir, le jeune garçon modifie son comportement et ses actes, ce qui permet de mettre fin au traitement. Grâce à l’analyse, il a pu dépasser une expérience de séparation traumatisante et développer des mécanismes de défense matures, ce qui lui a permis de mieux s’adapter à son environnement. Nous pouvons donc conclure qu’une interruption précoce des soins maternels peut entraîner des troubles importants dans le comportement d’un enfant ainsi que son organisation mentale. Si ces difficultés ne sont pas traitées suffisamment tôt, les symptômes n’en deviendront que plus sévères.
La relation entre les parents et le bébé prématuré
Authors: Mathelin Catherine
Published: August 2016

Devenir parents n’est jamais si facile. Nous savons qu’un important remaniement psychique doit pouvoir s’effectuer pour la mère et pour le père. Le couple doit lui aussi trouver de nouveaux repères. Mais lorsqu’il s’agit d’une naissance prématurée c’est certainement encore plus compliqué. Comment en effet devenir parents d’un minuscule bébé en danger ? La peur et la culpabilité prennent le devant de la scène. Le bébé qui vient de naître et dont on ne connaît pas encore le pronostic vital, fait véritablement effraction dans la vie des parents qui se retrouvent souvent empêchés de créer le lien avec lui. Le fantasme rejoint la réalité nous sommes là au cœur de la définition du trauma. Comment travailler avec ces parents en grande difficulté, et redonner au nourrisson une change de trouver sa place dans l’histoire familiale ?
Application des concepts psychanalytiques aux thérapies parents-nourrissons, travail d’interprétation et d’intervention directe auprès des bébés.
Authors: Anzieu-Premmereur Christine
Published: August 2016

Comment peut-on appliquer la métapsychologie freudienne au travail analytique avec des nourrissons et leurs parents ? Des concepts tels que défense, transfert, sexualité infantile, Moi corporel, et surmoi peuvent-ils s’appliquer dès le début de la vie ? Le cas d’un nouveau né qui fuit le regard de sa mère qui ne peut éprouver d’amour pour un enfant né d’un don d’ovocyte est interprété avec le concept winnicottien de Surmoi précoce et de trouble dans la relation libidinale, associés à la notion de défense contre l’angoisse primitive et du rôle des projections maternelles inconscientes.
L’identification chez l’enfant autiste : parcours et extension du concept dans la théorie post- kleinienne
Authors: Franco e Silva Velano Marília
Published: August 2016

La description du mécanisme de l’identification projective chez Melanie Klein a permis d’importantes avancées sur le plan théorique et clinique dans le domaine de la psychose. Néanmoins, face aux phénomènes de l’écholalie et l’échopraxie chez les enfants autistes, les post-kleiniens ont dû mettre en question certains de ces postulats comme, par exemple, la notion du Moi précoce comme donnée d’emblée. Cet article examine 1’extension du concept de l’identification chez les post-kleiniens – de l’identification projective à l’identification adhésive – et ses implications théoriques et cliniques autour de la question de l’autisme.
La violence du silence. Une mère sans voix
Authors: Moulin Géraldine
Published: August 2016

À partir d’une rencontre en maternité avec une femme mutique et son bébé, nous interrogerons dans cet article la fonction de porte-parole de la mère . La mère, en interprétant le cri du bébé comme une demande « préforme à jamais ce qui sera demandé ». Mais lorsque la mère ne répond pas au cri du bébé, qu’elle ne l’entend pas comme un appel, que se passe-t-il ? Quelle place occupe alors la voix du psychanalyste dans cette rencontre ? Peut-il aider le bébé à se faire entendre ?
Assessment of Financial Capabilities of Local Governments in EU Countries for the Development of Local Public Services
Authors: Halásková Martina , Halásková Renata
Published: August 2016

Local financing in advanced countries enables local governments to assess real local priorities as well as limitations. The present paper deals with financial capabilities of local governments for the development of public services, local government expenditure and fiscal expenditure decentralization in the EU28. By use of cluster analysis, local public expenditures are assessed by selected COFOG functions, as % of total local government expenditures in years 2010-2013. The results proved the largest differences in the set of countries in local government expenditures on social protection and the smallest differences in local expenditures on recreation and cultures, housing and community amenities.
Fiscal Decentralisation and Local Government Financing in Montenegro from 2002 to 2015
Authors: Kmezić Sanja , Kaluđerović Jadranka , Jocović Mijat , Đulić Katarina
Published: August 2016

This article examines the fiscal decentralisation process and local government financing in Montenegro from 2002 to 2015 by focusing on the key legislative changes that occurred during the period under observation, as well as on the fiscal impact these changes and the economic crisis have had on municipal budgets. The analysis identifies two distinct phases of municipal financing in Montenegro. In the first phase (2003-2008), the Republic adopted legislation that strengthened the role and fiscal autonomy of local governments. During the second phase (2008-2015), several of the national government’s centralistic policies came into force. Together with the effects of the economic crisis, they deteriorated both local public finance and macroeconomic stability and hindered local economic development.