bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rolling Thin Film Oven Test and Pressure Aging Vessel Conditioning Parameters: Effect on Viscoelastic Behavior and Binder Performance Grade
Authors: Hofko Bernhard , Hospodka Markus
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a sensitivity analysis of two parameters applied for the rolling thin film oven test (RTFOT) and pressure aging vessel (PAV) aging on the viscoelastic behavior and performance grade of asphalt binder PG 58-22. For the RTFOT, the temperature was varied from the default temperature of 163°C to 143°C and to 183°C. For the PAV, the binder film thickness was varied from the default 3.2 mm to 1.0 and 5.0 mm. Dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests were run with a temperature sweep from 46°C to 82°C at a frequency of 1.59 Hz on the virgin binder, as well as on the RTFOT and RTFOT+PAV-aged samples. Bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests were carried out at −12°C, −18°C and −24°C on the RTFOT+PAV-aged samples. The effect of the mentioned conditioning parameters on | G*| and δ—as well as on the upper and lower performance grade—was investigated. Results show that the effect of RTFOT temperature on the | G*| and δ is more distinct for lower DSR temperatures. In general, the effect of a change in the RTFOT temperature on the viscoelastic parameters can be considered as small. At 46°C DSR, a change of 1°C in the RTFOT temperature shifts | G*| by 2.2% and δ by 0.08°. The PAV binder film thickness has an exponential effect on | G*| and δ. A reduced RTFOT temperature leads to reduced long-term aging after PAV. Reduced short-term aging owing to reduced production temperatures results in significantly reduced long-term aging. The effect of RTFOT temperature and PAV binder film thickness on upper and lower performance grade was found to be insignificant.
Direct Tensile Test to Assess Healing in Asphalt
Authors: Leegwater Greet , Scarpas Tom , Erkens Sandra
Published: October 2016

Asphalt concrete has the advantageous ability to heal. During rest periods, damage present in the material is restored to a certain extent. Healing of the material can be observed in its regaining of strength and stiffness after rest periods. In this paper, a new test method is presented. It was developed to increase the understanding of the healing phenomenon. The test method focused on asphalt as it was assumed to be the driver of the healing performance. The test method assessed the healing performance of asphalt in stiffness and strength by testing the bond strength in tensile mode of two pieces of asphalt that were assembled under controlled temperature and stress conditions. With the test method, healing tests were performed on one type of binder; the load level during healing and the healing time were varied. The test results showed that after a short healing time of only 6 min, a significant amount of healing could be detected. That finding indicates the importance of adhesion between two crack surfaces when the healing capacity is assessed. It was also found that the maximum tensile stress reached a plateau value after 24 h of healing; the finding indicates that full healing can be realized in short time periods for pure, unaged, soft binders. It was also shown that the load level perpendicular to the damage during healing had a significant effect on the observed healing.
Registration of ‘Azov’ Meadow Fescue
Authors: Casler Michael D. , Brink Geoffrey E. , Cherney Jerome H.
Published: October 2016

‘Azov’ (Reg. No. CV‐101, PI676975) meadow fescue [Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.; syn. Festuca pratensis Huds.; syn. Lolium pratense (Huds.) Darbysh.] is a synthetic population originating from 1000 parental genotypes. The parents of Azov were selected from 10 Russian plant introductions, originating primarily from the area surrounding the Sea of Azov. Azov meadow fescue has forage yield approximately 7% lower than tall fescue [S. arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort; syn. F. arundinacea Schreb.; syn. L. arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) in USDA hardiness zones 5 and 6, but forage yield equal to these two species in hardiness zone 4. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility of Azov tends to be similar to or lower than that of other meadow fescue cultivars but is still approximately 5 to 7% higher than that of tall fescue and orchardgrass. Azov is adapted for forage production and grazing in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 6, with superior adaptation in the colder portions of this range.
Study of Mean Diameter of Superior Cerebellar Peduncles in Bangladeshi Cadavers
Authors: Haque AQM Ataul , Khalil Mohsin , Sultana Seheli Zannat , Chowdhury Dider Hossain , Banna Fakrul Amin Mohammad Hasanul
Published: October 2016

Background: The neuronal organisation of the cerebellum has been studied in details by many researchers. But most of these have been performed on animals and diameter of superior cerebellar peduncle in humans remains inadequately studied. It has been observed by various workers that dimensions of different organs in Bangladeshi population vary from those of Western population.Objective: Aim of the present work was to measure diameter of superior cerebellar peduncle to make a standard for Bangladeshi population.Materials and Methods: This observational study was done by using nonprobability sampling technique and performed by examining 63 cerebellum. Out of them 40 postmortem human cerebellums were collected from Bangladeshi cadavers of both sexes (male 25 and female 15) aged 5 to 60 years and 23 cerebellums from caesarian section of intrauterine death cases of both sexes (male 14 and female 9) aged 34 to 41 weeks of gestation. Specimens were collected from dead bodies autopsied on different dates from April to September 2009 at the autopsy laboratory of Department of Forensic Medicine and prenatal cases from Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department of Mymensingh Medical College & Hospital, Mymensingh. The collected specimens were grouped into three age groups - Group A (28 to 42 weeks of gestation), Group B (5 to 30 years) and Group C (31 to 60 years). The diameters of the superior cerebellar peduncles of both cerebellar hemispheres were measured by using slide calipers and expressed in millimeter (mm). The measurement was taken after fixation into 10% formol saline.Results: The mean (± SD) diameters of right superior cerebellar peduncle in Group A was 4.96 ± lAO, in Group B 6.83 ± 1046 and in Group C was 6.61 ± 1.34 mm. The mean (± SD) diameters of left superior cerebellar peduncle in GroupA was 4.87 ± 1.25, in Group B 6.79 ± 1045 and in Group C 6048 ± 1.37 mm.Conclusion: No significant difference was observed between mean diameters ofright and left superior cerebellar peduncles.J Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 148-151
Sulfasalazine-Induced Pancytopenia in Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Neki NS , Jain Ankur
Published: October 2016

Sulfasalazine is a well-established disease-modifying agent. It is commonly used in the treatment of rheumatic disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. The most frequently reported adverse effects are gastrointestinal effects, headache, dizziness and rash; myelosuppression can also occur. Patients treated with sulfasalazine can develop thrombocytopenia which is immune mediated. We report a case of ulcerative colitis that was on sulfasalazine subsequently developing thrombocytopenia.J Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 164-165
Bilateral Spontaneous Urinoma in a Patient with Primary Hypothyroidism
Authors: Ismail Mohd , Mustafa Syed Arshad , Jan Afroza , Zaffar Saquib
Published: October 2016

Urinomas are a rare entity involving collection of urine in the perinephric and adjacent spaces resulting from disruption of the urinary collecting system at any level from the calyx to the urethra. Among other causes, blunt trauma to the abdomen is one of the commonest causes. Literature regarding medical causes leading to urinomas is scarce. We report a case of a patient with spontaneous bilateral urinoma with co-incident hypothyroidism.J Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 166-168
Reviewers in this Issue 6(3)
Authors: Khan Md Aminul Haque
Published: October 2016

Abstract not availableJ Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 172
Performance Study of a Fluidic Hammer Controlled by an Output-Fed Bistable Fluidic Oscillator
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Peng Jianming , Ge Dong , Bo Kun , Yin Kun , Wu Dongyu
Published: October 2016

Using a no-moving-component output-fed bistable fluidic oscillator to control fluid flows into a parallel path has been recognized for a considerable time, but as yet it is not so widely adopted as its obvious benefits would deserve. This may be attributed to the encountered problems associated with its jet behavior, complicated by its loading characteristics. In order to investigate a typical case for the application of the output-fed fluidic oscillator, this paper elaborates on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation method for studying the performance of a fluidic hammer controlled by an output-fed bistable fluidic oscillator. Given that couple mechanism exists between the flow field in the fluidic oscillator and the impact body, dynamic mesh technique and a user-defined function written in C programming language were used to update the mesh in the simulations. In terms of the evaluation of performance, the focus is on the single-impact energy and output power of the fluidic hammer in this study, to investigate the effect of different parameters of the impact body on them. Experimental tests based on the noncontact measuring method were conducted to verify the simulation results, by which the accuracy and reliability of this CFD simulation method was proved.
Palladium Nanoparticles Tethered in Amine-Functionalized Hypercrosslinked Organic Tubes as an Efficient Catalyst for Suzuki Coupling in Water
Authors: Modak Arindam , Sun Jing , Qiu Wenjun , Liu Xiao
Published: October 2016

It is highly desirable to design functionalized supports in heterogeneous catalysis regarding the stabilization of active sites. Pd immobilization in porous polymers and henceforth its application is a rapidly growing field. In virtue of its’ scalable synthesis and high stability in reaction conditions, amorphous polymers are considered an excellent scaffold for metal mediated catalysis, but the majority of them are found as either agglomerated particles or composed of rough spheres. Owing to several important applications of hollow organic tubes in diverse research areas, we aimed to utilize them as support for the immobilization of Pd nanoparticles. Pd immobilization in nanoporous polymer tubes shows high activity in Suzuki cross coupling reactions between aryl halides and sodium phenyl trihydroxyborate in water, which deserves environmental merit.
Modification by SiO2 of Alumina Support for Light Alkane Dehydrogenation Catalysts
Authors: Bekmukhamedov Giyjaz , Mukhamed’yarova Alya , Egorova Svetlana , Lamberov Alexander
Published: October 2016

Due to the continuously rising demand for C3–C5 olefins it is important to improve the performance of catalysts for dehydrogenation of light alkanes. In this work the effect of modification by SiO2 on the properties of the alumina support and the chromia-alumina catalyst was studied. SiO2 was introduced by impregnation of the support with a silica sol. To characterize the supports and the catalysts the following techniques were used: low-temperature nitrogen adsorption; IR-spectroscopy; magic angle spinning 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance; temperature programmed desorption and reduction; UV-Vis-, Raman- and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-spectroscopy. It was shown that the modifier in amounts of 2.5–7.5 wt % distributed on the support surface in the form of SiOx-islands diminishes the interaction between the alumina support and the chromate ions (precursor of the active component). As a result, polychromates are the compounds predominantly stabilized on the surface of the modified support; under thermal activation of the catalyst and are reduced to the amorphous Cr2O3. This in turn leads to an increase in the activity of the catalyst in the dehydrogenation of isobutane.
ZnO Micro- and Nanostructures Obtained by Thermal Oxidation: Microstructure, Morphogenesis, Optical, and Photoluminescence Properties
Authors: Escobedo-Morales Alejandro , Aranda-García Rubén , Chigo-Anota Ernesto , Pérez-Centeno Armando , Méndez-Blas Antonio , Arana-Toro Carlos
Published: October 2016

ZnO micro- and nanostructures were obtained through thermal oxidation of Zn powders at high temperature under air atmosphere. A detailed study of the microstructure, morphology, optical, and photoluminescence properties of the generated products at different stages of thermal oxidation is presented. It was found that the exposure time has a strong influence on the resulting morphology. The morphogenesis of the different ZnO structures is discussed, and experimental parameters for fabricating ZnO tetrapods, hollow, core-shell, elongated, or rounded structures by thermal oxidation method are proposed on the basis on the obtained results. Notoriously, the crystal lattice of the ZnO structures has negligible residual strain, although, the density of point defects increases when the thermal treatment is extended; as consequence, their visible luminescence upon UV excitation enhances.
Probability Model Based Energy Efficient and Reliable Topology Control Algorithm
Authors: Li Ning , Martinez-Ortega Jose-Fernan , Lopez Santidrian Lourdes , Meneses Chaus Juan
Published: October 2016

Topology control is an effective method for improving the performance of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Many topology control algorithms can achieve high energy efficiency by dynamically changing the transmission range of nodes. However, these algorithms prefer to choose short multihop communication links rather than the long directly communication links which also energy efficient probabilistic. Note that these fact, in this paper, we propose a mathematic model to explore the probability that the long directly communication links are more energy efficient than the short links. We investigate the properties of this probability and find out the optimal transmission range which has highest probability of energy efficient. Based on this conclusion, we propose the energy efficient and reliable topology control algorithm (ERTC) to maintain the r-range for the nodes instead of the k-connection; moreover, ERTC can achieve energy efficient and network connection at the same time.
Cost Analysis Method for Estimating Dynamic Reserve Considering Uncertainties in Supply and Demand
Authors: Kwon Kyung-bin , Park Hyeongon , Lyu Jae-Kun , Park Jong-Keun
Published: October 2016

The use of appropriate hourly reserve margins can maintain power system security by balancing supply and demand in the presence of errors in the forecast demand, generation outages, or errors in the forecast of wind power generation. Because the cost of unit commitment increases with larger reserve margins, cost analysis to determine the most economical reserve margin is an important issue in power system operation. Here, we define the “short-term reliability of balance” and describe a method to determine the reserve margin based on the short-term reliability of balance. We describe a case study, in which we calculate the reserve margin using this method with various standards of short-term reliability of balance. A cost analysis is then performed to determine the most economic standard, and a comparison between our method and a conventional method is carried out. The results show that our method with an economic short-term reliability of balance enables more reliable and efficient operation of the power system. Moreover, with an hourly reserve margin, we show that an increase in wind power generation can result in a significant decrease in the operating cost, which makes wind power generation economically viable.
Millimeter VLBI of NGC 1052: Dynamics
Authors: Baczko Anne-Kathrin , Schulz Robert , Ros Eduardo , Kadler Matthias , Perucho Manel , Wilms Jörn
Published: October 2016

The LINER galaxy NGC 1052 is an ideal target to study the innermost regions of active galactic nuclei (AGN), given its close distance of about 20 Mpc. The source was observed at 29 epochs from 2005 to 2009 with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 43 GHz. Here, we present a kinematic study of its twin-jet system from a subset of 9 epochs at 43 GHz carried out in 2005 and 2006, finding a bright central feature as the dynamic center. The resulting mean velocities of β = v / c = 0 . 46 ± 0 . 08 and β = 0 . 69 ± 0 . 02 for the western and eastern jet, respectively, give hints towards higher velocities in the eastern jet.
Zinc Finger and X-Linked Factor (ZFX) Binds to Human SET Transcript 2 Promoter and Transactivates SET Expression
Authors: Xu Siliang , Duan Ping , Li Jinping , Senkowski Tristan , Guo Fengbiao , Chen Haibin , Romero Alberto , Cui Yugui , Liu Jiayin , Jiang Shi-Wen
Published: October 2016

SET (SE Translocation) protein carries out multiple functions including those for protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibition, histone modification, DNA repair, and gene regulation. SET overexpression has been detected in brain neurons of patients suffering Alzheimer’s disease, follicle theca cells of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients, and ovarian cancer cells, indicating that SET may play a pathological role for these disorders. SET transcript 2, produced by a specific promoter, represents a major transcript variant in different cell types. In this study, we characterized the transcriptional activation of human SET transcript 2 promoter in HeLa cells. Promoter deletion experiments and co-transfection assays indicated that ZFX, the Zinc finger and X-linked transcription factor, was able to transactivate the SET promoter. A proximal promoter region containing four ZFX-binding sites was found to be critical for the ZFX-mediated transactivation. Mutagenesis study indicated that the ZFX-binding site located the closest to the transcription start site accounted for most of the ZFX-mediated transactivity. Manipulation of ZFX levels by overexpression or siRNA knockdown confirmed the significance and specificity of the ZFX-mediated SET promoter activation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation results verified the binding of ZFX to its cognate sites in the SET promoter. These findings have led to identification of ZFX as an upstream factor regulating SET gene expression. More studies are required to define the in vivo significance of this mechanism, and specifically, its implication for several benign and malignant diseases related to SET dysregulation.
Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordv.) Induced—Oxidative Stress and Antioxidative Defenses of Asparagus officinalis L.
Authors: Borowiak-Sobkowiak Beata , Woźniak Agnieszka , Bednarski Waldemar , Formela Magda , Samardakiewicz Sławomir , Morkunas Iwona
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent oxidative stress is induced in leaves of one- and two-month-old plants of Asparagus officinalis L. cv. Argenteuil infested by Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko) at a varied population size. The pest B. asparagi has been described as the most damaging species feeding on asparagus. Analyses using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) demonstrated generally higher concentrations of semiquinone radicals with g-values of 2.0045 ± 0.0005 and 2.0026 ± 0.0005 in Asparagus officinalis (A. officinalis) leaves after Brachycorynella asparagi (B. asparagi) infestation than in the control. Observations of leaves under a confocal microscope showed a post-infestation enhanced generation of the superoxide anion radical (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in comparison to the control. Strong fluctuations in Mn2+ ion levels detected by EPR spectroscopy versus time were detected in leaves infested by aphids, which may indicate the involvement of these ions in the control of O2•− production. An enhanced superoxide dismutase activity is an important element in leaf defense against oxidative stress. Visible symptoms were found in aphid-infested A. officinalis. Damage to leaves of one- and two-month-old A. officinalis plants by the aphid B. asparagi was dependent on the intensity, duration of infestation and plant age.
Analogs of Natural 3-Deoxyanthocyanins: O-Glucosides of the 4′,7-Dihydroxyflavylium Ion and the Deep Influence of Glycosidation on Color
Authors: Basílio Nuno , Al Bittar Sheiraz , Mora Nathalie , Dangles Olivier , Pina Fernando
Published: October 2016

3-Deoxyanthocyanidins and their O-β-d-glucosides are natural pigments abundant in black sorghum. O-glycosidation can perturb the acid-base properties of the chromophore and lower its electron density with a large impact on the distribution of colored and colorless forms in aqueous solution. In this work, the influence of O-glycosidation on color is systematically studied from a series of 3-deoxyanthocyanin analogs. The pH- and light-dependent reversible reactions of 7-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy-4′-hydroxyflavylium (P3) and 4′-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy-7-hydroxyflavylium (P5) were completely characterized in mildly acidic solution and compared with the parent aglycone 4′,7-dihydroxyflavylium ion and the O-methylethers of P3 and P5. Except P5, the chalcone forms of the pigments exhibit a high cis-trans isomerization barrier that allows a pseudo-equilibrium involving all species except the trans-chalcone. At equilibrium, only the flavylium cation and trans-chalcone are observed. With all pigments, the colored flavylium ion can be generated by irradiation of the trans-chalcone (photochromism). Glycosidation of C7–OH accelerates hydration and strongly slows down cis-trans isomerization with the pH dependence of the apparent isomerization rate constant shifting from a bell-shaped curve to a sigmoid. The color of P5 is much more stable than that of its regioisomer P3 in near-neutral conditions.
MicroRNA-Mediated Down-Regulation of Apoptosis Signal-Regulating Kinase 1 (ASK1) Attenuates the Apoptosis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Transplanted into Infarcted Heart
Authors: Lee Chang , Shin Sunhye , Lee Jiyun , Seo Hyang-Hee , Lim Kyu , Kim Hyemin , Choi Jung-Won , Kim Sang , Lee Seahyung , Lim Soyeon , Hwang Ki-Chul
Published: October 2016

Stem cell therapy using adult stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has produced some promising results in treating the damaged heart. However, the low survival rate of MSCs after transplantation is still one of the crucial factors that limit the therapeutic effect of stem cells. In the damaged heart, oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production can cause the death of transplanted MSCs. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) has been implicated in the development of oxidative stress-related pathologic conditions. Thus, we hypothesized that down-regulation of ASK1 in human MSCs (hMSCs) might attenuate the post-transplantation death of MSCs. To test this hypothesis, we screened microRNAs (miRNAs) based on a miRNA-target prediction database and empirical data and investigated the anti-apoptotic effect of selected miRNAs on human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) and on rat myocardial infarction (MI) models. Our data indicated that miRNA-301a most significantly suppressed ASK1 expression in hASCs. Apoptosis-related genes were significantly down-regulated in miRNA-301a-enriched hASCs exposed to hypoxic conditions. Taken together, these data show that miRNA-mediated down-regulation of ASK1 protects MSCs during post-transplantation, leading to an increase in the efficacy of MSC-based cell therapy.
Different Culture Metabolites of the Red Sea Fungus Fusarium equiseti Optimize the Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus NS3/4A Protease (HCV PR)
Authors: Hawas Usama , Al-Farawati Radwan , Abou El-Kassem Lamia , Turki Adnan
Published: October 2016

The endophytic fungus Fusarium equiseti was isolated from the brown alga Padina pavonica, collected from the Red Sea. The fungus was identified by its morphology and 18S rDNA. Cultivation of this fungal strain in biomalt-peptone medium led to isolation of 12 known metabolites of diketopeprazines and anthraquinones. The organic extract and isolated compounds were screened for their inhibition of hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease (HCV PR). As a result, the fungal metabolites showed inhibition of HCV protease (IC50 from 19 to 77 μM), and the fungus was subjected to culture on Czapek’s (Cz) media, with a yield of nine metabolites with potent HCV protease inhibition ranging from IC50 10 to 37 μM. The Cz culture extract exhibited high-level inhibition of HCV protease (IC50 27.6 μg/mL) compared to the biomalt culture extract (IC50 56 μg/mL), and the most potent HCV PR isolated compound (Griseoxanthone C, IC50 19.8 μM) from the bio-malt culture extract showed less of an inhibitory effect compared to isolated ω-hydroxyemodin (IC50 10.7 μM) from the optimized Cz culture extract. Both HCV PR active inhibitors ω-hydroxyemodin and griseoxanthone C were considered as the lowest selective safe constituents against Trypsin inhibitory effect with IC50 48.5 and 51.3 μM, respectively.
Phase Equilibrium and Austenite Decomposition in Advanced High-Strength Medium-Mn Bainitic Steels
Authors: Grajcar Adam , Zalecki Władysław , Burian Wojciech , Kozłowska Aleksandra
Published: October 2016

The work addresses the phase equilibrium analysis and austenite decomposition of two Nb-microalloyed medium-Mn steels containing 3% and 5% Mn. The pseudobinary Fe-C diagrams of the steels were calculated using Thermo-Calc. Thermodynamic calculations of the volume fraction evolution of microstructural constituents vs. temperature were carried out. The study comprised the determination of the time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagrams and continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams of the investigated steels. The diagrams were used to determine continuous and isothermal cooling paths suitable for production of bainite-based steels. It was found that the various Mn content strongly influences the hardenability of the steels and hence the austenite decomposition during cooling. The knowledge of CCT diagrams and the analysis of experimental dilatometric curves enabled to produce bainite-austenite mixtures in the thermomechanical simulator. Light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to assess the effect of heat treatment on morphological details of produced multiphase microstructures.
Prediction, Detection, and Validation of Isotope Clusters in Mass Spectrometry Data
Authors: Treutler Hendrik , Neumann Steffen
Published: October 2016

Mass spectrometry is a key analytical platform for metabolomics. The precise quantification and identification of small molecules is a prerequisite for elucidating the metabolism and the detection, validation, and evaluation of isotope clusters in LC-MS data is important for this task. Here, we present an approach for the improved detection of isotope clusters using chemical prior knowledge and the validation of detected isotope clusters depending on the substance mass using database statistics. We find remarkable improvements regarding the number of detected isotope clusters and are able to predict the correct molecular formula in the top three ranks in 92 % of the cases. We make our methodology freely available as part of the Bioconductor packages xcms version 1.50.0 and CAMERA version 1.30.0.
Nutrient Intake Is Insufficient among Senegalese Urban School Children and Adolescents: Results from Two 24 h Recalls in State Primary Schools in Dakar
Authors: Fiorentino Marion , Landais Edwige , Bastard Guillaume , Carriquiry Alicia , Wieringa Frank , Berger Jacques
Published: October 2016

Due to rapid urbanization and high food prices and in the absence of nutrition programs, school children from urban areas in West Africa often have insufficient and inadequate diet leading to nutrient deficiencies that affect their health and schooling performance. Acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in children from primary state schools of Dakar (Senegal). The objectives of the present study were to assess the overall diet of these children, to report insufficient/excessive energy and nutrient intakes and to investigate association between insufficient nutrient intake and micronutrient deficiencies. Children attending urban state primary schools in the Dakar area were selected through a two-stage random cluster sampling (30 schools × 20 children). Dietary intake data were obtained from two 24 h recalls and blood samples were collected from 545 children (aged 5–17 years, 45% < 10 years, 53% girls) and adjusted for intra-individual variability to estimate nutrient usual intakes. Energy intake was insufficient and unbalanced with insufficient contribution of protein and excessive contribution of fat to global energy intake in one third of the children. Proportions of children with insufficient intake were: 100% for calcium, 100% for folic acid, 79% for vitamin A, 69% for zinc, 53% for vitamin C and 46% for iron. Insufficient iron and protein intake were risk factors for iron deficiency (odds ratio, OR 1.5, 2.2). Insufficient zinc intake and energy intake from protein were risk factors for zinc deficiency (OR 1.8, 3.0, 1.7, 2.9). Insufficient iron and vitamin C intake, and insufficient energy intake from protein were risk factors for marginal vitamin A status (OR 1.8, 1.8, 3.3). To address nutritional deficiencies associated with a diet deficient in energy, protein and micronutrients, nutrition education or school feeding programs are needed in urban primary schools of Senegal.
Arrhythmia Classification Based on Multi-Domain Feature Extraction for an ECG Recognition System
Authors: Li Hongqiang , Yuan Danyang , Wang Youxi , Cui Dianyin , Cao Lu
Published: October 2016

Automatic recognition of arrhythmias is particularly important in the diagnosis of heart diseases. This study presents an electrocardiogram (ECG) recognition system based on multi-domain feature extraction to classify ECG beats. An improved wavelet threshold method for ECG signal pre-processing is applied to remove noise interference. A novel multi-domain feature extraction method is proposed; this method employs kernel-independent component analysis in nonlinear feature extraction and uses discrete wavelet transform to extract frequency domain features. The proposed system utilises a support vector machine classifier optimized with a genetic algorithm to recognize different types of heartbeats. An ECG acquisition experimental platform, in which ECG beats are collected as ECG data for classification, is constructed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system in ECG beat classification. The presented system, when applied to the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database, achieves a high classification accuracy of 98.8%. Experimental results based on the ECG acquisition experimental platform show that the system obtains a satisfactory classification accuracy of 97.3% and is able to classify ECG beats efficiently for the automatic identification of cardiac arrhythmias.
Developing Benthic Class Specific, Chlorophyll-a Retrieving Algorithms for Optically-Shallow Water Using SeaWiFS
Authors: Blakey Tara , Melesse Assefa , Sukop Michael , Tachiev Georgio , Whitman Dean , Miralles-Wilhelm Fernando
Published: October 2016

This study evaluated the ability to improve Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) chl-a retrieval from optically shallow coastal waters by applying algorithms specific to the pixels’ benthic class. The form of the Ocean Color (OC) algorithm was assumed for this study. The operational atmospheric correction producing Level 2 SeaWiFS data was retained since the focus of this study was on establishing the benefit from the alternative specification of the bio-optical algorithm. Benthic class was determined through satellite image-based classification methods. Accuracy of the chl-a algorithms evaluated was determined through comparison with coincident in situ measurements of chl-a. The regionally-tuned models that were allowed to vary by benthic class produced more accurate estimates of chl-a than the single, unified regionally-tuned model. Mean absolute percent difference was approximately 70% for the regionally-tuned, benthic class-specific algorithms. Evaluation of the residuals indicated the potential for further improvement to chl-a estimation through finer characterization of benthic environments. Atmospheric correction procedures specialized to coastal environments were recognized as areas for future improvement as these procedures would improve both classification and algorithm tuning.
A Self-Synthesis Approach to Perceptual Learning for Multisensory Fusion in Robotics
Authors: Axenie Cristian , Richter Christoph , Conradt Jörg
Published: October 2016

Biological and technical systems operate in a rich multimodal environment. Due to the diversity of incoming sensory streams a system perceives and the variety of motor capabilities a system exhibits there is no single representation and no singular unambiguous interpretation of such a complex scene. In this work we propose a novel sensory processing architecture, inspired by the distributed macro-architecture of the mammalian cortex. The underlying computation is performed by a network of computational maps, each representing a different sensory quantity. All the different sensory streams enter the system through multiple parallel channels. The system autonomously associates and combines them into a coherent representation, given incoming observations. These processes are adaptive and involve learning. The proposed framework introduces mechanisms for self-creation and learning of the functional relations between the computational maps, encoding sensorimotor streams, directly from the data. Its intrinsic scalability, parallelisation, and automatic adaptation to unforeseen sensory perturbations make our approach a promising candidate for robust multisensory fusion in robotic systems. We demonstrate this by applying our model to a 3D motion estimation on a quadrotor.
Tumor-Derived Exosomes and Their Role in Tumor-Induced Immune Suppression
Authors: Whiteside Theresa
Published: October 2016

Tumor-derived exosomes (TEX) are emerging as critical components of an intercellular information network between the tumor and the host. The tumor escapes from the host immune system by using a variety of mechanisms designed to impair or eliminate anti-tumor immunity. TEX carrying a cargo of immunoinhibitory molecules and factors represent one such mechanism. TEX, which are present in all body fluids of cancer patients, deliver negative molecular or genetic signals to immune cells re-programming their functions. Although TEX can also stimulate immune activity, in the microenvironments dominated by the tumor, TEX tend to mediate immune suppression thus promoting tumor progression. The TEX content, in part resembling that of the parent cell, may serve as a source of cancer biomarkers. TEX also interfere with immune therapies. A better understanding of TEX and their contribution to cancer progression and cancer patients’ response to immune therapies represents a challenging new field of investigation.
Simulation method for determining traction power of ATN–PRT vehicle
Authors: Kozłowski Maciej
Published: October 2016

The construction of Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) vehicle made within the framework of Eco-Mobility project has been described in the present paper. Key features of the vehicles were identified – e.g. drive with three-phase linear motor with winding on the vehicle and fixed rotor in the road surface, contactless dynamic vehicle powering. Attention was paid to the difference in dynamic properties compared to rail vehicles, related to the lack of the so-called ‘centering mechanism’. A development of a nominal model for the analysis of vehicle drive properties was presented. Results of simulation studies were presented for a vehicle with running-drive system construction, planned for implementation in the city of Rzeszów (Poland). While discussing the problems of building a PRT system, there was a focus on the issue of determining power and traction of the vehicle. A methodology for determining the power and traction energy consumption of the vehicle was presented for assumed conditions of travel on road segments. Input values for the calculation of power are variables describing the curvature (or bends radii) of paths of movement between stops and the course of the current speed. Output values are total traction power or traction energy (where ‘traction’ refers to the power or mechanical work of drive forces). Three basic elements of traction power were isolated: the power of kinetic energy (for acceleration/delay of vehicle movement) basic (to offset the aerodynamic force of motion resistance at constant speed) and additional losses (to offset additional motion resistance forces operating in turns at constant speed). Due to the lack of vehicle prototypes with assumed structure, it was proposed that these components are determined via simulation. The presented results relate to the calculation of demand for power and energy for the planned test section. The scope of further work was indicated: determining the required traction characteristics of electric drive, selecting the best values for supercapacitor’s capacity in the drive system, determining the technical parameters of substation.
Se partager les affaires européennes : aux origines du système français de coordination
Authors: Mangenot Michel
Published: October 2016

Résumé Le mode français de coordination aux affaires européennes se caractérise par une forte centralisation et une stricte répartition des tâches entre « Paris » avec le SGCI, devenu en 2005 le SGAE, et « Bruxelles » avec la Représentation Permanente (RP) auprès de l’UE. Il est à l’origine le fruit d’une intense concurrence entre le ministère des finances et celui des affaires étrangères analysée comme un Yalta administratif. Cet article revient sur les conditions de création du SGCI en 1948 et de la RP en 1958 visant à contrôler les relations avec les institutions européennes puis sur « l’interministérialisation » de ces deux administrations d’état-major et la politisation inédite de la fonction de secrétaire général des affaires européennes.
Les nouveaux leviers de l’influence européenne du gouvernement français
Authors: Magnier Arnaud
Published: October 2016

Résumé En matière d’affaires européennes, la partie de l’influence française passe par l’action efficace du Secrétariat général des affaires européennes. Ce service du Premier ministre a significativement augmenté ses actions d’influence, en misant notamment sur le Parlement européen, le suivi de la présence française dans les institutions et la communication externe. D’importants progrès ont été réalisés et le niveau général de compétence de l’administration s’est sensiblement élevé, mais des marges de progrès existent. L’administration française aurait ainsi tout intérêt à établir plus de passerelles avec le monde économique afin de réaliser des synergies mutuellement profitables et à renforcer ses stratégies de communication institutionnelle.
« Paris-Bologne » : comment s’élabore la position française dans l’espace européen d’enseignement supérieur ?
Authors: Ravinet Pauline
Published: October 2016

Résumé Cet article s’intéresse à la définition de la position nationale française dans l’Espace européen d’enseignement supérieur (EEES), cas limite de « nouvelle gouvernance européenne » à la marge de l’UE. Observe-t-on un ajustement du circuit classique de définition de la position nationale ou la mise en place de mécanismes alternatifs ? Suivant une démarche qualitative inductive, cette étude identifie la constellation d’acteurs impliqués, recompose sa méthode de travail, et analyse les logiques de polarisation dans la définition de la position française entre le « sup’ communautaire » et le processus de Bologne.
Sécurite intérieure européenne et définition de l’intérêt national : le modèle français revisité
Authors: Dravigny Josselin , de Maillard Jacques , Smith Andy
Published: October 2016

Résumé Cet article propose d’analyser comment les administrations françaises impliquées en matière de coopération policière et judiciaire pénale ont modifié leurs organisations, savoirs, savoir-faire et croyances fondamentales en lien avec le processus d’intégration européenne. L’article met en évidence les adaptations organisationnelles ainsi que les nouveaux savoir-faire des administrations, qui ont renforcé la coordination nationale dans ce domaine. En revanche, passer de la coordination efficace à une posture d’influence européenne demeure un défi considérable pour l’État français dans un contexte de recompositions institutionnelles post-Lisbonne.
London Calling: Revisiting the National Coordination of EU policy in the UK
Authors: Kassim Hussein
Published: October 2016

Résumé – London calling  : reconsidérer la coordination nationale des affaires européennes au Royaume-Uni – La coordination britannique des affaires européennes a fait l’objet d’une attention considérable, mais un grand nombre d’enjeux restent en suspens. Cet article est construit en trois temps. Premièrement, malgré le rôle que les ministères sectoriels jouent dans le système, le Royaume-Uni reste encore très centralisé. Deuxièmement, derrière la revendication d’une forte continuité institutionnelle, le système de coordination britannique a connu beaucoup de changements significatifs de second ordre qui n’ont pas été sans conséquences sur son fonctionnement. Troisièmement, cet article présente de nouvelles analyses qui montrent que l’efficience administrative britannique s’est traduite en efficacité au niveau européen. Le Royaume-Uni obtient beaucoup de ce qu’elle souhaite à Bruxelles car elle y est influente et non marginalisée comme certains le prétendent.
Une banque centrale au-dessus des nations ? Faire peser les intérêts nationaux au sein de la Banque Centrale Européenne
Authors: Fontan Clément
Published: October 2016

Résumé Bien que la Banque centrale européenne (BCE) dispose d’un niveau élevé d’indépendance, les représentants étatiques ont gardé un moyen de contrôle sur la politique monétaire en nommant de manière autonome les six membres de son directoire. Cet article montre d’abord que ces nominations sont structurées par un jeu à double niveau où les dirigeants doivent prendre en compte les logiques du jeu politique domestique et de la négociation intergouvernementale. Puis, l’article revient sur l’écart existant entre les nouveaux enjeux générés par la réponse de la BCE à la crise et l’absence de leur prise en compte dans le processus de nomination du directoire.
“Da parente”: A Special Form of the Vienna Court Ceremony in the Mid-Eighteenth Century
Authors: Kulcsár Krisztina
Published: October 2016

This paper explores the way the strict Viennese court ceremony was altered and simplified in the 1750s and 1760s during the visits of Saxon-Polish princes, who were related to the imperial family but were landless and not crown princes. It depicts in detail this lesser-known type of visit, called “da parente” along with the changes in the audience, the “Re-Visite”, the problems related to the accommodation and catering for the visitors as well as their participation in court leisure events, using ceremonial protocols and ceremony records, envoys’ reports, and the correspondence and diaries of the princes, held in archives in Budapest, Dresden and Vienna. By comparing these sources and the published ceremony handbooks, this study highlights the differences between established court ceremony and this special kind of informal visit. It is demonstrable that the „da parente” type of visit was not applied as a standard or a norm in the court of Vienna, but invoked only in exceptional cases, with visitors who were related to the imperial family.
Numerical Derivation of Hydrodynamic Forces and Invention of a New Diving Technique for the Batoid Underwater Robot
Authors: Azarsina Farhood , Shahabadi Mohammad , Shadlaghani Arash
Published: October 2016

AbstractAs part of a design project for a batoid-inspired underwater robot, its dive to a predetermined depth is questioned here. Previously, the vehicle was designed with a streamlined hull shape that resembles a Dasyatis batoid fish, and the fish locomotion was imitated
using undulating fins at each side. We did not, however, provide a buoyancy engine or any fins to turn the vessel in the vertical plane and conduct diving maneuvers. We expect to leave the vessel on the water surface, and it dives to a desired depth and then maintains a constant pitch angle
and a constant forward speed. A new technique is invented here: the thrust forces of the two fins are shifted off the central top-bottom symmetry plane of the hull, therefore producing a pitching moment on the vessel. An initial trim is also introduced by shifting the center of mass forward
the center of buoyancy. Therefore, the vessel is initially bowed down and, by its out-of-plane thrust force, adjusts its pitch attitude. The question is whether a final balance between the thrust force and the hydrodynamic forces will be feasible. The hydrodynamic forces at such forward speeds
and attack angles were numerically derived using the computational fluid dynamics powerful software ANSYS-CFX.
ICOS-Ligand Triggering Impairs Osteoclast Differentiation and Function In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Gigliotti Casimiro L. , Boggio Elena , Clemente Nausicaa , Shivakumar Yogesh , Toth Erika , Sblattero Daniele , D’Amelio Patrizia , Isaia Giovanni C. , Dianzani Chiara , Yagi Junji , Rojo Josè M. , Chiocchetti Annalisa , Boldorini Renzo , Bosetti Michela , Dianzani Umberto
Published: October 2016

Osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts (OCs) are involved in the bone production and resorption, which are crucial in bone homeostasis. OC hyperactivation plays a role in the exaggerated bone resorption of diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteolytic tumor metastases. This work stems from the finding that OCs can express B7h (ICOS-Ligand), which is the ligand of the ICOS T cell costimulatory molecule. Because recent reports have shown that, in endothelial, dendritic, and tumor cells, B7h triggering modulates several activities of these cells, we analyzed the effect of B7h triggering by recombinant ICOS-Fc on OC differentiation and function. The results showed that ICOS-Fc inhibits RANKL-mediated differentiation of human monocyte-derived OC-like cells (MDOCs) by inhibiting the acquirement of the OC morphology, the CD14− cathepsin K+ phenotype, and the expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, OSCAR, NFATc1, and DC-STAMP. Moreover, ICOS-Fc induces a reversible decrease in the sizes of cells and nuclei and cathepsin K expression in mature MDOCs. Finally, ICOS-Fc inhibits the osteolytic activities of MDOCs in vitro and the development of bone loss in ovariectomized or soluble RANKL-treated mice. These findings open a novel field in the pharmacological use of agonists and antagonists of the ICOS–B7h system.