bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA Trans-Splicing Modulation via Antisense Molecule Interference
Authors: Liemberger Bernadette , Piñón Hofbauer Josefina , Wally Verena , Arzt Claudia , Hainzl Stefan , Kocher Thomas , Murauer Eva , Bauer Johann , Reichelt Julia , Koller Ulrich
Published: March 2018

In recent years, RNA trans-splicing has emerged as a suitable RNA editing tool for the specific replacement of mutated gene regions at the pre-mRNA level. Although the technology has been successfully applied for the restoration of protein function in various genetic diseases, a higher trans-splicing efficiency is still desired to facilitate its clinical application. Here, we describe a modified, easily applicable, fluorescence-based screening system for the generation and analysis of antisense molecules specifically capable of improving the RNA reprogramming efficiency of a selected KRT14-specific RNA trans-splicing molecule. Using this screening procedure, we identified several antisense RNAs and short rationally designed oligonucleotides, which are able to increase the trans-splicing efficiency. Thus, we assume that besides the RNA trans-splicing molecule, short antisense molecules can act as splicing modulators, thereby increasing the trans-splicing efficiency to a level that may be sufficient to overcome the effects of certain genetic predispositions, particularly those associated with dominantly inherited diseases.
Hierarchical Transmuted Log-Logistic Model: A Subjective Bayesian Analysis
Authors: Dos Santos Carlos , Granzotto Daniele , Tomazella Vera , Louzada Francisco
Published: March 2018

In this study, we propose to apply the transmuted log-logistic (TLL) model which is a generalization of log-logistic model, in a Bayesian context. The log-logistic model has been used it is simple and has a unimodal hazard rate, important characteristic in survival analysis. Also, the TLL model was formulated by using the quadratic transmutation map, that is a simple way of derivating new distributions, and it adds a new parameter λ , which one introduces a skewness in the new distribution and preserves the moments of the baseline model. The Bayesian model was formulated by using the half-Cauchy prior which is an alternative prior to a inverse Gamma distribution. In order to fit the model, a real data set, which consist of the time up to first calving of polled Tabapua race, was used. Finally, after the model was fitted, an influential analysis was made and excluding only 0.1 % of observations (influential points), the reestimated model can fit the data better.
Investigation on Selective Laser Melting AlSi10Mg Cellular Lattice Strut: Molten Pool Morphology, Surface Roughness and Dimensional Accuracy
Authors: Han Xuesong , Zhu Haihong , Nie Xiaojia , Wang Guoqing , Zeng Xiaoyan
Published: March 2018

AlSi10Mg inclined struts with angle of 45° were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) using different scanning speed and hatch spacing to gain insight into the evolution of the molten pool morphology, surface roughness, and dimensional accuracy. The results show that the average width and depth of the molten pool, the lower surface roughness and dimensional deviation decrease with the increase of scanning speed and hatch spacing. The upper surface roughness is found to be almost constant under different processing parameters. The width and depth of the molten pool on powder-supported zone are larger than that of the molten pool on the solid-supported zone, while the width changes more significantly than that of depth. However, if the scanning speed is high enough, the width and depth of the molten pool and the lower surface roughness almost keep constant as the density is still high. Therefore, high dimensional accuracy and density as well as good surface quality can be achieved simultaneously by using high scanning speed during SLMed cellular lattice strut.
Fixed Point Theorems for Almost Z-Contractions with an Application
Authors: Isik Huseyin , Gungor Nurcan , Park Choonkil , Jang Sun
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we investigate the existence and uniqueness of a fixed point of almost contractions via simulation functions in metric spaces. Moreover, some examples and an application to integral equations are given to support availability of the obtained results.
Advanced Expected Tail Loss Measurement and Quantification for the Moroccan All Shares Index Portfolio
Authors: Airouss Marouane , Tahiri Mohamed , Lahlou Amale , Hassouni Abdelhak
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we have analyzed and tested the Expected Tail Loss (ETL) approach for the Value at Risk (VaR) on the Moroccan stock market portfolio. We have compared the results with the general approaches for the standard VaR, which has been the most suitable method for Moroccan stock investors up to now. These methods calculate the maximum loss that a portfolio is likely to experience over a given time span. Our work advances those modeling methods with supplementation by inputs from the ETL approach for application to the Moroccan stock market portfolio—the Moroccan All Shares Index (MASI). We calculate these indicators using several methods, according to an easy and fast implementation with a high-level probability and with accommodation for extreme risks; this is in order to numerically simulate and study their behavior to better understand investment opportunities and, thus, form a clear view of the Moroccan financial landscape.
Impact Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Parking on Solving Security-Constrained Unit Commitment Problem
Authors: Hosseini Imani Mahmood , Jabbari Ghadi Mojtaba , Shamshirband Shahaboddin , Balas Marius M.
Published: March 2018

In this paper, the employment of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system in the security-constrained unit commitment (SCUC) problem is considered. SCUC has gained remarkable attention from researchers in the field of electric power systems, aiming to determine the generation schedule in which the system operator maximizes the system security and minimizes the generation costs, while satisfying the system and units’ constraints. Tremendous technological advances in recent years have attracted the attention of system operators to utilize novel sources of electricity, accompanied with thermal units. To this end, V2G technology recently drew remarkable consideration as a new energy resource. V2G reduces the dependence of electricity production procedures on small-scale and costly thermal units, and subsequently has a strong impact on the operation costs and ameliorates the management of load vacillations. This paper presents the use of V2G in scheduling and operating power systems. A successful technique for investigating the impacts of V2G on a real power system is running SCUC on power systems in which electric vehicle parking is installed on different buses. In order to assess its applicability, the proposed method has been applied in two case studies: the IEEE 6-bus system and the extended IEEE 30-bus system. This study presents two simulation scenarios: the SCUC problem was first evaluated separately, and then in the presence of some electrical vehicles connected to the grid. The results demonstrate the reduction of the total operation cost. In addition, by using the proposed method, the operator can specify the optimal number of vehicles needed in the parking each hour. The results can help the system operators and designers in designing, planning, and operating such power systems.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Poloxamer Micelles Containing Ceragenin CSA-131 on Ciliated Tissues
Authors: Hashemi Marjan , Holden Brett , Taylor Maddison , Wilson John , Coburn Jordan , Hilton Brian , Nance Tania , Gubler Shawn , Genberg Carl , Deng Shenglou , Savage Paul
Published: March 2018

Ceragenins were designed as non-peptide mimics of endogenous antimicrobial peptides, and they display broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities, including the ability to eradicate established biofilms. These features of ceragenins make them attractive potential therapeutics for persistent infections in the lung, including those associated with cystic fibrosis. A characteristic of an optimal therapeutic for use in the lungs and trachea is the exertion of potent antimicrobial activities without damaging the cilia that play a critical role in these tissues. In previous work, potent antimicrobial activities of ceragenin CSA-131 have been reported; however, we found in ex vivo studies that this ceragenin, at concentrations necessary to eradicate established biofilms, also causes loss of cilia function. By formulating CSA-131 in poloxamer micelles, cilia damage was eliminated and antimicrobial activity was unaffected. The ability of CSA-131, formulated with a poloxamer, to reduce the populations of fungal pathogens in tracheal and lung tissue was also observed in ex vivo studies. These findings suggest that CSA-131, formulated in micelles, may act as a potential therapeutic for polymicrobial and biofilm-related infections in the lung and trachea.
The Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Two Lancea Species with Comparative Analysis
Authors: Chi Xiaofeng , Wang Jiuli , Gao Qingbo , Zhang Faqi , Chen Shilong
Published: March 2018

The genus Lancea is native to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and consists of two species, Lancea tibetica Hook. f. et Thoms. and Lancea hirsuta Bonati. Here, we report the complete sequences of the chloroplast genomes of L. tibetica and L. hirsuta, which were 153,665 and 154,045 bp in length, respectively, and each included a pair of inverted repeated regions (25,624 and 25,838 bp in length, respectively) that were separated by a large single copy region (84,401 and 84,588 bp in length, respectively) and a smaller single copy region (18,016 and 17,781 bp in length, respectively). A total of 106 genes in L. tibetica and 105 in L. hirsuta comprised 79 protein-coding genes, and 4 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, as well as 23 and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes in L. tibetica and L. hirsuta, respectively. The gene order, content, and orientation of the two Lancea chloroplast genomes exhibited high similarity. A large number of informative repetitive sequences, including SSRs, were observed in both genomes. Comparisons of the genomes with those of three other Lamiales species revealed 12 highly divergent regions in the intergenic spacers and in the matK, rpoA, rps19, ndhF, ccsA, ndhD, and ycf1 coding regions. A phylogenomic analysis suggested that Lancea forms a monophyletic group that is closely related to the clade composed of the families Phrymaceae, Paulowniaceae, and Rehmanniaceae.
Imaging Study of Pseudotumoral Chronic Sialadenitis with Cystic-Like Pattern in a Sjögren Syndrome Patient
Authors: Dinescu Stefan-Cristian , Musetescu Anca , Ciurea Paulina , Girnita Diana , Firulescu Sineta , Bumbea Ana-Maria
Published: March 2018

Ultrasonography has become a valuable tool for the assessment of salivary gland involvement in Sjögren syndrome. Diagnostic pitfalls can be encountered in late stages of the disease, in which morphologic changes may overlap with other pathologies of the salivary glands. We present the case of a female Sjögren syndrome patient with lack of significant sicca symptoms and unilateral occurrence of parotidomegaly, which prompted the suspicion of a parotid gland tumor. Due to the atypical clinical profile, diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome was delayed, at which point, severe sialadenitis produced a cystic transformation of the parotid gland parenchyma.
Underwater Turbulence Detection Using Gated Wavefront Sensing Technique
Authors: Bi Ying , Xu Xiping , Chua Sing , Chow Eddy , Wang Xin
Published: March 2018

Laser sensing has been applied in various underwater applications, ranging from underwater detection to laser underwater communications. However, there are several great challenges when profiling underwater turbulence effects. Underwater detection is greatly affected by the turbulence effect, where the acquired image suffers excessive noise, blurring, and deformation. In this paper, we propose a novel underwater turbulence detection method based on a gated wavefront sensing technique. First, we elaborate on the operating principle of gated wavefront sensing and wavefront reconstruction. We then setup an experimental system in order to validate the feasibility of our proposed method. The effect of underwater turbulence on detection is examined at different distances, and under different turbulence levels. The experimental results obtained from our gated wavefront sensing system indicate that underwater turbulence can be detected and analyzed. The proposed gated wavefront sensing system has the advantage of a simple structure and high detection efficiency for underwater environments.
Electrochemical Sensor for Bilirubin Detection Using Screen Printed Electrodes Functionalized with Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene
Authors: Thangamuthu Madasamy , Gabriel Willimann , Santschi Christian , Martin Olivier
Published: March 2018

Practice oriented point-of-care diagnostics require easy-to-handle, miniaturized, and low-cost analytical tools. In a novel approach, screen printed carbon electrodes (SPEs), which were functionalized with nanomaterials, are employed for selective measurements of bilirubin, which is an important biomarker for jaundice. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene separately deposited on SPEs provide the core of an electrochemical sensor for bilirubin. The electrocatalytic activity towards bilirubin oxidation (bilirubin to biliverdin) was observed at +0.25 V. In addition, a further peak corresponding to the electrochemical conversion of biliverdin into purpurin appeared at +0.48 V. When compared to MWCNT, the graphene type shows a 3-fold lower detection limit (0.3 ± 0.022 nM and 0.1 ± 0.018 nM, respectively), moreover, the graphene type exhibits a larger linear range (0.1–600 µM) than MWCNT (0.5–500 µM) with a two-fold better sensitivity, i.e., 30 nA µM−1 cm−2, and 15 nA µM−1 cm−2, respectively. The viability is validated through measurements of bilirubin in blood serum samples and the selectivity is ensured by inhibiting common interfering biological substrates using an ionic nafion membrane. The presented approach enables the design and implementation of low cost and miniaturized electrochemical sensors.
Smart Sound Processing for Defect Sizing in Pipelines Using EMAT Actuator Based Multi-Frequency Lamb Waves
Authors: García-Gómez Joaquín , Gil-Pita Roberto , Rosa-Zurera Manuel , Romero-Camacho Antonio , Jiménez-Garrido Jesús , García-Benavides Víctor
Published: March 2018

Pipeline inspection is a topic of particular interest to the companies. Especially important is the defect sizing, which allows them to avoid subsequent costly repairs in their equipment. A solution for this issue is using ultrasonic waves sensed through Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) actuators. The main advantage of this technology is the absence of the need to have direct contact with the surface of the material under investigation, which must be a conductive one. Specifically interesting is the meander-line-coil based Lamb wave generation, since the directivity of the waves allows a study based in the circumferential wrap-around received signal. However, the variety of defect sizes changes the behavior of the signal when it passes through the pipeline. Because of that, it is necessary to apply advanced techniques based on Smart Sound Processing (SSP). These methods involve extracting useful information from the signals sensed with EMAT at different frequencies to obtain nonlinear estimations of the depth of the defect, and to select the features that better estimate the profile of the pipeline. The proposed technique has been tested using both simulated and real signals in steel pipelines, obtaining good results in terms of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE).
Smart Winery: A Real-Time Monitoring System for Structural Health and Ullage in Fino Style Wine Casks
Authors: Cañete Eduardo , Chen Jaime , Martín Cristian , Rubio Bartolomé
Published: March 2018

The rapid development in low-cost sensor and wireless communication technology has made it possible for a large number of devices to coexist and exchange information autonomously. It has been predicted that a substantial number of devices will be able to exchange and provide information about an environment with the goal of improving our lives, under the well-known paradigm of the Internet of Things (IoT). One of the main applications of these kinds of devices is the monitoring of scenarios. In order to improve the current wine elaboration process, this paper presents a real-time monitoring system to supervise the status of wine casks. We have focused on a special kind of white wine, called Fino, principally produced in Andalusia (Southern Spain). The process by which this kind of wind is monitored is completely different from that of red wine, as the casks are not completely full and, due to the fact that they are not renewed very often, are more prone to breakage. A smart cork prototype monitors the structural health, the ullage, and the level of light inside the cask and the room temperature. The advantage of this smart cork is that it allows winemakers to monitor, in real time, the status of each wine cask so that, if an issue is detected (e.g., a crack appears in the cask), they can act immediately to resolve it. Moreover, abnormal parameters or incorrect environmental conditions can be detected in time before the wine loses its desired qualities. The system has been tested in “Bodegas San Acacio,” a winery based in Montemayor, a town in the north of Andalusia. Results show that the use of such a system can provide a solution that tracks the evolution and assesses the suitability of the delicate wine elaboration process in real time, which is especially important for the kind of wine considered in this paper.
Electrode Coverage Optimization for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from Tip Excitation
Authors: Fu Hailing , Chen Guangzhu , Bai Nan
Published: March 2018

Piezoelectric energy harvesting using cantilever-type structures has been extensively investigated due to its potential application in providing power supplies for wireless sensor networks, but the low output power has been a bottleneck for its further commercialization. To improve the power conversion capability, a piezoelectric beam with different electrode coverage ratios is studied theoretically and experimentally in this paper. A distributed-parameter theoretical model is established for a bimorph piezoelectric beam with the consideration of the electrode coverage area. The impact of the electrode coverage on the capacitance, the output power and the optimal load resistance are analyzed, showing that the piezoelectric beam has the best performance with an electrode coverage of 66.1%. An experimental study was then carried out to validate the theoretical results using a piezoelectric beam fabricated with segmented electrodes. The experimental results fit well with the theoretical model. A 12% improvement on the Root-Mean-Square (RMS) output power was achieved with the optimized electrode converge ratio (66.1%). This work provides a simple approach to utilizing piezoelectric beams in a more efficient way.
Optimization and Analysis of a U-Shaped Linear Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Motor Using Longitudinal Transducers
Authors: Yu Hongpeng , Quan Qiquan , Tian Xinqi , Li He
Published: March 2018

A novel U-shaped piezoelectric ultrasonic motor that mainly focused on miniaturization and high power density was proposed, fabricated, and tested in this work. The longitudinal vibrations of the transducers were excited to form the elliptical movements on the driving feet. Finite element method (FEM) was used for design and analysis. The resonance frequencies of the selected vibration modes were tuned to be very close to each other with modal analysis and the movement trajectories of the driving feet were gained with transient simulation. The vibration modes and the mechanical output abilities were tested to evaluate the proposed motor further by a prototype. The maximum output speed was tested to be 416 mm/s, the maximum thrust force was 21 N, and the maximum output power was 5.453 W under frequency of 29.52 kHz and voltage of 100 Vrms. The maximum output power density of the prototype reached 7.59 W/kg, which was even greater than a previous similar motor under the exciting voltage of 200 Vrms. The proposed motor showed great potential for linear driving of large thrust force and high power density.
miR-126 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor by Targeting SRPK1 in Human Gastric Cancer
Authors: Li Qiaorong , Wang Geng , Wang Hong
Published: March 2018

The expression of miR-126 and serine‐arginine protein kinase 1 (SRPK1) are linked to tumor development; nevertheless, its role in the tumor growth and invasion of gastric cancer (GC) and the underlying mechanism have not been clarified. Here the expression and role of miR-126
and SRPK1 were investigated in GC tissues and cells by in vitro assay, and then targets of miR-126 were identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. In this study, miR-126 expression was downregulated and associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis as well as SRPK1 expression.
In vitro assay revealed that miR-126 obviously inhibited the proliferative and invasive capabilities of GC cells. The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-126 targets the 3′-UTR of SRPK1 and downregulates its expression. SRPK1 overexpression promoted cell migration and invasion.
In conclusion, the reduced expression of miR-126 is suggestive of the risk of GC recurrence and metastasis, and miR-126 functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting SRPK1 expression in the development of GC.
lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 Is Associated With Prognosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma and Promotes Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion
Authors: Liu Zhenjun , Zhao Pei , Han Yuping , Lu Song
Published: March 2018

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play important roles in tumorigenesis. In the present study, we demonstrated that lncRNA forebrain embryonic zinc finger protein 1 (FEZF1) antisense RNA1 (FEZF1-AS1) is markedly upregulated in human lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) tissues
and cell lines and is associated with poor prognosis. Loss of function revealed that deletion of FEZF1-AS1 expression significantly inhibited the LAD cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Further studies revealed that downregulation of FEZF1-AS1 reduced mRNA and protein expression of
its sense-cognate gene FEZF1 in LAD cells, and vice versa. Correlation analysis indicated that there was a positive correlation between FEZF1-AS1 and FEZF1 expression in LAD tissues. Additionally, rescue assay confirmed that the function of FEZF1-AS1 in LAD was mediated by FEZF1. Our findings
suggested that dysregulation of FEZF1-AS1 contributed to the progression of LAD, which might be a potential target for LAD therapy.
Noble metal-modified titania with visible-light activity for the decomposition of microorganisms
Authors: Endo Maya , Wei Zhishun , Wang Kunlei , Karabiyik Baris , Yoshiiri Kenta , Rokicka Paulina , Ohtani Bunsho , Markowska-Szczupak Agata , Kowalska Ewa
Published: March 2018

Commercial titania photocatalysts were modified with silver and gold by photodeposition, and characterized by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). It was found that silver co-existed in zero valent (core) and oxidized (shell) forms, whereas gold was mainly zero valent. The obtained noble metal-modified samples were examined with regard to antibacterial (Escherichia coli (E. coli)) and antifungal (Aspergillus niger (A. niger), Aspergillus melleus (A. melleus), Penicillium chrysogenum (P. chrysogenum), Candida albicans (C. albicans)) activity under visible-light irradiation and in the dark using disk diffusion, suspension, colony growth (“poisoned food”) and sporulation methods. It was found that silver-modified titania, besides remarkably high antibacterial activity (inhibition of bacterial proliferation), could also decompose bacterial cells under visible-light irradiation, possibly due to an enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species and the intrinsic properties of silver. Gold-modified samples were almost inactive against bacteria in the dark, whereas significant bactericidal effect under visible-light irradiation suggested that the mechanism of bacteria inactivation was initiated by plasmonic excitation of titania by localized surface plasmon resonance of gold. The antifungal activity tests showed efficient suppression of mycelium growth by bare titania, and suppression of mycotoxin generation and sporulation by gold-modified titania. Although, the growth of fungi was hardly inhibited through disc diffusion (inhibition zones around discs), it indicates that gold does not penetrate into the media, and thus, a good stability of plasmonic photocatalysts has been confirmed. In summary, it was found that silver-modified titania showed superior antibacterial activity, whereas gold-modified samples were very active against fungi, suggesting that bimetallic photocatalysts containing both gold and silver should exhibit excellent antimicrobial properties.
The distribution of φ-probes in the inflectional structure
Authors: Pietraszko Asia
Published: March 2018

Subject-verb agreement in φ-features has been treated as a relation between the subject and some functional category in the clausal spine (Infl, Agr, T). I argue that such severing of the Phi-probe from the verb is problematic for agreement patterns in Bantu languages and argue for a tighter connection between them. The crucial argument is the lack of consistent association of functional heads with agreement features, observed e.g. in compound tenses and aspectual-verb constructions in Bantu languages. The number and positions of Phi-probes in clausal structure are derived from the number and size of head-chains containing a verb.
Gravitational Instability of a Dust Layer Composed of Porous Silicate Dust Aggregates in a Protoplanetary Disk
Authors: Tatsuuma Misako , Michikoshi Shugo , Kokubo Eiichiro
Published: March 2018

Planetesimal formation is one of the most important unsolved problems in planet formation theory. In particular, rocky planetesimal formation is difficult because silicate dust grains are easily broken when they collide. It has recently been proposed that they can grow as porous aggregates when their monomer radius is smaller than ∼10 nm, which can also avoid the radial drift toward the central star. However, the stability of a layer composed of such porous silicate dust aggregates has not been investigated. Therefore, we investigate the gravitational instability (GI) of this dust layer. To evaluate the disk stability, we calculate Toomre’s stability parameter Q, for which we need to evaluate the equilibrium random velocity of dust aggregates. We calculate the equilibrium random velocity considering gravitational scattering and collisions between dust aggregates, drag by mean flow of gas, stirring by gas turbulence, and gravitational scattering by gas density fluctuation due to turbulence. We derive the condition of the GI using the disk mass, dust-to-gas ratio, turbulent strength, orbital radius, and dust monomer radius. We find that, for the minimum mass solar nebula model at 1 au, the dust layer becomes gravitationally unstable when the turbulent strength α ≲ 10−5. If the dust-to-gas ratio is increased twice, the GI occurs for α ≲ 10−4. We also find that the dust layer is more unstable in disks with larger mass, higher dust-to-gas ratio, and weaker turbulent strength, at larger orbital radius, and with a larger monomer radius.
Resolved Millimeter Observations of the HR 8799 Debris Disk
Authors: Wilner David J. , MacGregor Meredith A. , Andrews Sean M. , Hughes A. Meredith , Matthews Brenda , Su Kate
Published: March 2018

We present 1.3 mm observations of the debris disk surrounding the HR 8799 multi-planet system from the Submillimeter Array to complement archival ALMA observations that spatially filtered away the bulk of the emission. The image morphology at 3.″8 (150 au) resolution indicates an optically thin circumstellar belt, which we associate with a population of dust-producing planetesimals within the debris disk. The interferometric visibilities are fit well by an axisymmetric radial power-law model characterized by a broad width, ΔR/R ≳ 1. The belt inclination and orientation parameters are consistent with the planet orbital parameters within the mutual uncertainties. The models constrain the radial location of the inner edge of the belt to

au. In a simple scenario where the chaotic zone of the outermost planet b truncates the planetesimal distribution, this inner edge location translates into a constraint on the planet b mass of

M
Jup. This mass estimate is consistent with infrared observations of the planet luminosity and standard hot-start evolutionary models, with the uncertainties allowing for a range of initial conditions. We also present new 9 mm observations of the debris disk from the Very Large Array and determine a millimeter spectral index of 2.41 ± 0.17. This value is typical of debris disks and indicates a power-law index of the grain size distribution q = 3.27 ± 0.10, close to predictions for a classical collisional cascade.
On the Occurrence of Thermal Nonequilibrium in Coronal Loops
Authors: Froment C. , Auchère F. , Mikić Z. , Aulanier G. , Bocchialini K. , Buchlin E. , Solomon J. , Soubrié E.
Published: March 2018

Long-period EUV pulsations, recently discovered to be common in active regions, are understood to be the coronal manifestation of thermal nonequilibrium (TNE). The active regions previously studied with EIT/Solar and Heliospheric Observatory and AIA/SDO indicated that long-period intensity pulsations are localized in only one or two loop bundles. The basic idea of this study is to understand why. For this purpose, we tested the response of different loop systems, using different magnetic configurations, to different stratifications and strengths of the heating. We present an extensive parameter-space study using 1D hydrodynamic simulations (1020 in total) and conclude that the occurrence of TNE requires specific combinations of parameters. Our study shows that the TNE cycles are confined to specific ranges in parameter space. This naturally explains why only some loops undergo constant periodic pulsations over several days: since the loop geometry and the heating properties generally vary from one loop to another in an active region, only the ones in which these parameters are compatible exhibit TNE cycles. Furthermore, these parameters (heating and geometry) are likely to vary significantly over the duration of a cycle, which potentially limits the possibilities of periodic behavior. This study also confirms that long-period intensity pulsations and coronal rain are two aspects of the same phenomenon: both phenomena can occur for similar heating conditions and can appear simultaneously in the simulations.
Implosive Collapse about Magnetic Null Points: A Quantitative Comparison between 2D and 3D Nulls
Authors: Thurgood Jonathan O. , Pontin David I. , McLaughlin James A.
Published: March 2018

Null collapse is an implosive process whereby MHD waves focus their energy in the vicinity of a null point, forming a current sheet and initiating magnetic reconnection. We consider, for the first time, the case of collapsing 3D magnetic null points in nonlinear, resistive MHD using numerical simulation, exploring key physical aspects of the system as well as performing a detailed parameter study. We find that within a particular plane containing the 3D null, the plasma and current density enhancements resulting from the collapse are quantitatively and qualitatively as per the 2D case in both the linear and nonlinear collapse regimes. However, the scaling with resistivity of the 3D reconnection rate—which is a global quantity—is found to be less favorable when the magnetic null point is more rotationally symmetric, due to the action of increased magnetic back-pressure. Furthermore, we find that, with increasing ambient plasma pressure, the collapse can be throttled, as is the case for 2D nulls. We discuss this pressure-limiting in the context of fast reconnection in the solar atmosphere and suggest mechanisms by which it may be overcome. We also discuss the implications of the results in the context of null collapse as a trigger mechanism of Oscillatory Reconnection, a time-dependent reconnection mechanism, and also within the wider subject of wave–null point interactions. We conclude that, in general, increasingly rotationally asymmetric nulls will be more favorable in terms of magnetic energy release via null collapse than their more symmetric counterparts.
How Black Holes Shape Globular Clusters: Modeling NGC 3201
Authors: Kremer Kyle , Ye Claire S. , Chatterjee Sourav , Rodriguez Carl L. , Rasio Frederic A.
Published: March 2018

Numerical simulations have shown that black holes (BHs) can strongly influence the evolution and present-day observational properties of globular clusters (GCs). Using a Monte Carlo code, we construct GC models that match the Milky Way cluster NGC 3201, the first cluster in which a stellar-mass BH was identified through radial velocity measurements. We predict that NGC 3201 contains ≳200 stellar-mass BHs. Furthermore, we explore the dynamical formation of main-sequence–BH binaries and demonstrate that systems similar to the observed BH binary in NGC 3201 are produced naturally. Additionally, our models predict the existence of bright blue straggler–BH binaries that are unique to core-collapsed clusters, which otherwise retain few BHs.
First record of subterranean rissoidean gastropod assemblages in Southeast Asia (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pomatiopsidae)
Authors: Grego Jozef
Published: March 2018

In February 2017 we investigated several caves and karstic springs in Laos for the presence of underground freshwater gastropod species. We report previously unrecorded freshwater gastropod assemblages in the largest cave in Laos, Tham Khon Dôn, and in the third largest cave, Pha Soung, in Khammouane Province, with single finds in Na Li Cave (Khammouane Province), an unnamed cave near Vieng Thong (Bolikhamsay Province) and a small karst spring near Phonsavan (Xianghouan Province). All 15 species recorded and described herein are new to science. Four species are assigned to the new genusPseudoiglica:P. pseudoiglicasp. n.,P. olsavskyisp. n.,P. kameniarisp. n., andP. phonsavanicasp. n.Three species are assigned to the new genusThamkhondonia:T. mouretisp. n.,T. vacquieisp. n., andT. smidaisp. n.Eight species are assigned to the genusTriculaBenson, 1843:T. valenasisp. n.,T. davisisp. n.,T. spelaeasp. n.,T. lenahanisp. n.,T. reischuetzorumsp. n.,T. phasoungensissp. n.,T. bannaensissp. n., andT. viengthongensissp. n.
Lithobius (Ezembius) tetraspinus, a new species of centipede from northwest China (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae)
Authors: Pei Sujian , Lu Yanmin , Liu Haipeng , Hou Xiaojie , Ma Huiqin
Published: March 2018

Lithobius (Ezembius) tetraspinussp. n.(Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae), recently discovered from Hami City, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, NW China, is described. Morphologically this species resembles L. (E.) sibiricus, Gersfeldt, 1858, but is distinguishable by a different coxal pore formula, absence of accessory spurs on leg 15, morphology of the second article of the female gonopod, and legs 14 plectrotaxy. A table of the main morphological characters of Chinese Lithobius (Ezembius) species is presented.
A checklist of the millipedes of Georgia, Caucasus (Diplopoda)
Authors: Kokhia Mzia S. , Golovatch Sergei I.
Published: March 2018

The diplopod fauna of Georgia, Transcaucasia, is very rich given the country’s relatively small territory, presently comprising 95 species from 42 genera, 12 families, and seven orders. Most of the Diplopoda known from Georgia are subendemics (39 species, or 38%), shared with one or more neighbouring countries, but another 33 species (33%) are strict endemics, nearly all highly localized, including 12 presumed troglobites. Several genera are likewise endemic to Georgia, including a few troglobionts. Within Georgia, the fauna of the western part (= Colchis) is particularly rich and diverse, the faunas of the central and eastern parts of the country growing increasingly depauperate inland and apparently following a rather gradual climatic aridisation gradient from west (the Black Sea coast) to east (Armenia and Azerbaijan). Much more work to include alpine and cave environments is required in order to reveal and refine the real diversity of Georgia’s Diplopoda.
Penser l’intrapreneuriat social à l’aune du contrat psychologique : un défi de la RSE ?
Authors: Gatignon-Turnau Anne-Laure , Puech Lucie , Fabre Catherine
Published: March 2018

Cet article vise à éclairer la relation d’emploi de l’intrapreneur social, figure centrale de la mise en œuvre des dispositifs RSE de type ascendant ou « bottom up ». Dans le cadre de ces pratiques, l’organisation encourage en effet ses salariés à porter des initiatives citoyennes en son nom. Afin de mieux comprendre la relation entre l’intrapreneur social et son organisation, nous adoptons une démarche méthodologique exploratoire, qualitative et assise sur un codage théorique issu de la théorie du contrat psychologique développée par Rousseau (1995). Nous l’appliquons au cas d’une mutuelle d’assurance française qui a explicitement fait le choix de lancer un projet citoyen reposant sur l’intrapreneuriat social. Ce projet, que nous avons suivi pendant deux ans, nous permet d’analyser la dynamique relationnelle qui se noue entre l’organisation et les collaborateurs, devenus des « intrapreneurs sociaux ». Nous montrons que le contrat psychologique de l’intrapreneur étend celui du salarié à de nouvelles obligations réciproques sociales et organisationnelles, auxquelles les salariés donnent principalement une signification idéologique. De plus, lorsque ces nouvelles obligations ne sont pas respectées, le contrat psychologique apparait fragilisé, ce qui remet en cause la pérennité de l’engagement des intrapreneurs sociaux dans l’organisation. Ces résultats nous permettent d’enrichir la littérature sur la GRH des intrapreneurs, et de formuler des recommandations à destination des managers en charge de la mise en œuvre de démarches de RSE ascendantes.
Les débats contemporains sur « la fin des États »
Authors: Ramel Frédéric
Published: March 2018

La thématique de « la fin des États » a suscité de vigoureux débats dans les cercles universitaires dans les années 1970 et à la fin de la guerre froide. Ils ont connu de nouveaux développements après le 11 septembre 2001, la crise économique de 2008, le Brexit et la victoire de Donald Trump. Si l’on examine ces débats à travers un triple prisme – stratégique, économique et morphologique –, on s’aperçoit que l’opposition entre disparition et résistance des États est largement stérile.
L’Égypte du général Sissi, entre réaction et aspirations révolutionnaires
Authors: Berger Chloé
Published: March 2018

L’élection présidentielle égyptienne du printemps 2018 aboutira selon toute vraisemblance au maintien au pouvoir d’Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi, l’opposition étant contrôlée de près. Pourtant, le bilan du chef de l’État est loin d’être bon. La situation sécuritaire de l’Égypte s’est dégradée, la pauvreté progresse et les libertés individuelles reculent. Les espoirs suscités par la révolution du 25 janvier 2011 ont cédé la place à de l’amertume, de la frustration et de la colère.
Écosse : nationalisme, immigration et retour des frontières
Authors: Jeannier Fabien
Published: March 2018

Le débat sur l’indépendance de l’Écosse s’est installé comme une problématique majeure dans le paysage politique britannique depuis une cinquantaine d’années. Le Brexit a relancé une question qui semblait réglée depuis l’échec du référendum du 18 septembre 2014. L’Écosse semble hésiter entre davantage d’autonomie et l’indépendance, hésitation alimentée par les incertitudes sur les négociations entre le Royaume-Uni et l’Union européenne, où les questions d’immigration figurent en bonne place.
La crise en Catalogne, une fracture décisive
Authors: Pellistrandi Benoît
Published: March 2018

Le 1 er  octobre 2017, un référendum d’indépendance – déclaré illégal par le Tribunal constitutionnel espagnol – s’est tenu en Catalogne. 90 % des votants ont choisi l’indépendance. Après la proclamation de la « République de Catalogne », le chef du gouvernement espagnol a dissous le Parlement régional et convoqué des élections anticipées. Si les indépendantistes ont remporté ce scrutin, aucun camp ne sort vainqueur de la crise catalane. L’Espagne a désormais besoin d’une thérapie profonde.
Comment réduire la durée des interventions militaires ? Le concept de bridging operation
Authors: Hémez Rémy
Published: March 2018

Au cours des deux dernières décennies, les armées françaises sont intervenues à de multiples reprises pour tenter de rétablir la stabilité dans des pays en crise. Certaines de ces opérations de stabilisation ont duré plus de dix ans. Le concept de bridging operation a émergé pour tenter de réduire la durée et le coût de telles interventions. L’objectif est de créer rapidement les conditions permettant de transmettre le relais à une force multinationale.
Panorama régional de la contribution du genre aux inégalités dans la fonction publique ,
Authors: Chantreuil Frédéric , Fourrey Kévin , Lebon Isabelle
Published: March 2018

Les différences observées entre les régions françaises quant au manque à gagner moyen des femmes par rapport aux hommes en termes de salaire dans le secteur privé conduit à s’interroger également sur la situation du secteur public. L’identification et la mesure de la contribution du genre aux inégalités de rémunération au sein de la fonction publique révèlent effectivement l’existence d’un biais systématique en défaveur des femmes, et ce dans toutes les régions françaises. Pour aller au-delà de ce simple constat, la comparaison des résultats obtenus dans les différentes régions suppose de proposer un indice d’intensité des inégalités de genre susceptible de les ramener à une même échelle. Les intensités déterminées dans chaque catégorie et dans chaque versant désignent les régions du sud et de l’est de la France métropolitaine comme celles où les femmes de la fonction publique supportent les inégalités de rémunération les plus élevées. A l’inverse les DOM ou le Limousin sont peu touchés par ces inégalités. La mise en parallèle de ces résultats et des estimations faites sur le secteur privé révèle une concordance géographique très importante entre les uns et les autres.
Esophageal cancer research today and tomorrow: Lessons from algae and other perspectives
Authors: Tiasto Vladlena , Mikhailova Valeriia , Gulaia Valeriia , Vikhareva Valeriia , Zorin Boris , Kalitnik Alexandra , Kagansky Alexander
Published: March 2018

Esophageal cancer is an increasing concern due to poor prognosis, aggressive disease modalities, and a lack of efficient therapeutics. The two types of esophageal cancer: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are responsible for an estimated 450,000 annual deaths, with over 457,000 new patients diagnosed in 2015, making it the eighth most prevalent and the 10th most fatal cancer worldwide. As esophageal cancer prevalence continues to increase, and so does the pressing need for the development of new and effective strategies for the early diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of this cancer, as well for building the innovative research tools to understand the affected molecular mechanisms.

This short review summarizes the current statistics and recent research of the problems and solutions related to the esophageal cancer, and offer a brief overview of its epidemiology, molecular alterations, and existing biomedical tools. We will discuss currently available research tools and discuss selected approaches we deem relevant to find new model systems and therapies for the future with the special focus on novel opportunities presented by the unique molecules found in algae, namely carbohydrates and lipids. Their remarkable chemical variability is connected to their striking structural and functional properties, which combined with the relative novelty of these compounds to cancer biology, warrants interest of the wide biomedical community to these molecules, especially in the esophageal cancer theory and practice.
Du visible à l’invisible
Authors: Salazar Ina
Published: March 2018

« Du visible à l’invisible : L’écriture de la lumière dans l’œuvre poétique de Blanca Varela » se propose d’étudier la tension et les passages entre la sphère du visible et de l’invisible à travers les valeurs de la lumière. Il s’agira d’une exploration de ce motif pictural et métaphysique majeur de la poésie de la Péruvienne et la manière dont il apparaît comme un signifiant plurivalent. En effet, renvoyant aussi bien aux apparences trompeuses du monde, à une réalité moderne signée par le désenchantement et le vide, qu’à l’activité lucide du moi et à une conscience éveillée, la lumière est aussi ce qui permet d’exprimer, de dévoiler une soif de l’immatériel, de l’idéal et du rêve, elle permet le passage du visible à l’invisible, elle est en soi passage et, dans ce faire, elle transcende sa simple valeur de motif à travers une écriture qui épouse le langage visuel, pictural.
Le visible saturé du Tratado llamado leche de la fe del príncipe christiano de Luis de Maluenda (1545)
Authors: Quero Fabrice
Published: March 2018

Le Tratado llamado leche de la fe del príncipe christiano (1545) du franciscain Luis de Maluenda est un centon d’Écritures saintes et d’écrits théologiques et spirituels. Le texte dans son ensemble, et son très long prologue en particulier, regorge d’images verbales selon une tradition qui remonte aux Écritures. Leur rôle déborde celui d’illustration mentale d’une vérité invisible par un objet visible ou visualisable. Elles offrent, en premier lieu, un indispensable agrément pour la lecture. Il s’agit toujours, par ailleurs, de métaphores mortes, autrement dit de métaphores non originales que le discours de Maluenda s’ingénie à décoder jusqu’à arriver, sous les yeux du lecteur, à l’épuisement de tous les ressorts de l’analogie. Les images perdent ainsi toute capacité à stimuler son imagination et deviennent un instrument de contrôle de sa méditation. Associées à une étouffante promotion du magistère ecclésiastique, elles ont tout d’un remède à des hérésies qui, en ces années, font de la liberté et de l’autonomie du chrétien la condition de son épanouissement spirituel.
Lo invisible en los relatos mayas del lago Atitlán (Guatemala)
Authors: Petrich Perla
Published: March 2018

La tradition orale subsiste à côté de l’éducation formelle des Mayas du lac Atitlán au Guatemala. Cela implique des cosmovisions différentes. L’espace, par exemple, est appréhendé par la cartographie mais aussi par ce que racontent les récits écoutés en famille ou pendant les fêtes communautaires. Au monde sensible et visible s’ajoutent des espaces imaginaires qui sont régis par d’autres principes et d’autres lois. Il s’agit d’un double invisible de la réalité visible. Nous nous consacrerons ici seulement à l’imaginaire spatial nocturne et nous essaierons de démontrer que finalement l’organisation sociale est fondée sur des principes établis dans l’univers de l’invisible. La transmission orale assure la permanence de la coutume et du pouvoir à ceux qui ont la parole et peuvent parler de cet invisible. Un invisible qui exerce un contrôle permanent sur le comportement et les actes des individus.