bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thomas More and Charles V Part II / III: A good servant of the Queen
Authors: Olivares Merino Eugenio M.
Published: February 2017

By 1527 Henry VIII was convinced that his marriage with Catherine of Aragon was not valid. In the complex net of political relations between Western European monarchies, this was not to remain a private issue; rather on the contrary, it would condition English foreign policy during the late 1520’s and the 1530’s. In March 1531, the Emperor Charles V wrote a brief letter to the Chancellor of England, Sir Thomas More, as a proof of his Majesty’s gratitude to More for being, in Chapuys’ words, a good servant of the Queen Catherine in the “King’s Great Matter”. However, the English Chancellor refused to receive the letter (or even meet the ambassador). A year later, More resigned as Henry declared himself Supreme Head of the Church of England.

In this continuation of a previous paper (Moreana 50.191-192), I will draw a parallel narration of the lives of More and the Emperor – from 1527 to 1532 (the year of Sir Thomas’ resignation) –, since both were framed (in different degrees) by three major issues: the King’s Matter – and his attitude towards Catherine; the war against the Turks; and the spread of Lutheranism. Chapuys is a central character in my approach, since he was a determinant key in bringing More and Charles closer to each other.
Shakespeare’s Portrayal of a Tyrant
Authors: Milward Peter
Published: February 2017

The theme of tyranny, so central (as we have seen in two recent issues of Moreana) to the writings and the experience of Thomas More, is hardly less central to the plays and the memory of William Shakespeare. This centrality appears not so much in the plays of his Elizabethan period as in those of the subsequent Jacobean period, especially in the final romances by way of warming up to his presentation of the historical romance of Henry VIII. There, however, the tyranny of the king, though notably emphasized by Sir Walter Raleigh in his contemporaneous History of the World, is strangely muted, as also is his un-Shakespearian character, but it comes out strongly in the two preceding romances of The Winter’s Tale and Cymbeline, once we read them, as they require us to read them, as “topical allegories”. Then, to the characters of the jealous Leontes and the wrathful Cymbeline, we may add the threatening personality of Antiochus at the beginning of Pericles, as yet another figure (based on a widespread rumour) of the quintessential tyranny of Henry VIII. At the same time, this figure of the victimizer calls to be qualified by the complementary figure of the victim, the heroine in these romances, not only Hermione and Perdita, Thaisa and Marina, and Imogen, but even or especially in Desdemona as victimized by her jealous husband Othello. Then, in the above mentioned “topical allegory” of these Jacobean plays, she stands as well for the ideal of the Virgin Mary as for the memory of Catholic England at the heart of the dramatist.
Chancellor Jean le Sauvage / Ioannes Sylvagius: Erasmus’ princeps christianus and a prince of Utopia for Thomas More
Authors: Vermeir Maarten
Published: February 2017

This biographical article is probably the first full-scale study on Chancellor Jean le Sauvage or Ioannes Sylvagius (1455-1518). Sauvage was honored by Erasmus in the main dedication of his Institutio Principis Christiani and considered by Thomas More as a worthy prince for the Utopian state. This article intends to fill a historiographical lacuna and lift once and for all the darkening condemnatio memoriae which Sauvage posthumously fell victim to under the Spanish-Habsburg rulers.
Recognition Algorithm Based on Improved FCM and Rough Sets for Meibomian Gland Morphology
Authors: Liang Fengmei , Xu Yajun , Li Weixin , Ning Xiaoling , Liu Xueou , Liu Ajian
Published: February 2017

To overcome the limitation of artificial judgment of meibomian gland morphology, we proposed a solution based on an improved fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm and rough sets theory. The rough sets reduced the redundant attributes while ensuring classification accuracy, and greatly reduced the amount of computation to achieve information dimension compression and knowledge system simplification. However, before this reduction, data must be discretized, and this process causes some degree of information loss. Therefore, to maintain the integrity of the information, we used the improved FCM to make attributes fuzzy instead of discrete before continuing with attribute reduction, and thus, the implicit knowledge and decision rules were more accurate. Our algorithm overcame the defects of the traditional FCM algorithm, which is sensitive to outliers and easily falls into local optima. Our experimental results show that the proposed method improved recognition efficiency without degrading recognition accuracy, which was as high as 97.5%. Furthermore, the meibomian gland morphology was diagnosed efficiently, and thus this method can provide practical application values for the recognition of meibomian gland morphology.
Alcohol, Adipose Tissue and Lipid Dysregulation
Authors: Steiner Jennifer , Lang Charles
Published: February 2017

Chronic alcohol consumption perturbs lipid metabolism as it increases adipose tissue lipolysis and leads to ectopic fat deposition within the liver and the development of alcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition to the recognition of the role of adipose tissue derived fatty acids in liver steatosis, alcohol also impacts other functions of adipose tissue and lipid metabolism. Lipid balance in response to long‐term alcohol intake favors adipose tissue loss and fatty acid efflux as lipolysis is upregulated and lipogenesis is either slightly decreased or unchanged. Study of the lipolytic and lipogenic pathways has identified several regulatory proteins modulated by alcohol that contribute to these effects. Glucose tolerance of adipose tissue is also impaired by chronic alcohol due to decreased glucose transporter‐4 availability at the membrane. As an endocrine organ, white adipose tissue (WAT) releases several adipokines that are negatively modulated following chronic alcohol consumption including adiponectin, leptin, and resistin. When these effects are combined with the enhanced expression of inflammatory mediators that are induced by chronic alcohol, a proinflammatory state develops within WAT, contributing to the observed lipodystrophy. Lastly, while chronic alcohol intake may enhance thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT), definitive mechanistic evidence is currently lacking. Overall, both WAT and BAT depots are impacted by chronic alcohol intake and the resulting lipodystrophy contributes to fat accumulation in peripheral organs, thereby enhancing the pathological state accompanying chronic alcohol use disorder.
Aluminum Alkyl Complexes Bearing Salicylaldiminato Ligands: Versatile Initiators in the Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Esters
Authors: Fuoco Tiziana , Pappalardo Daniela
Published: February 2017

Linear aliphatic polyesters are degradable thermoplastic polymers, which can be obtained by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters through a coordination-insertion mechanism. Aluminum based organometallic complexes have a leading position as efficient catalysts for this polymerization process. Aluminumalkyl complexes bearing salicylaldiminato ligands, although less explored, have been shown to be efficient and versatile catalysts for the ROP of various cyclic esters. These species have the potential to function as active catalysts in the ROP because of their less coordinatively saturated nature with respect to analogous SALEN-type complexes. They have been used as efficient catalysts in the ROP of commercially available cyclic esters, such as ε-caprolactone, l-lactide, rac-lactide, and glycolide. Moreover, they resulted in efficient catalysts for the ROP of cyclic esters with large ring-size and for the ROP of functionalized lactide. Furthermore, they have been used in the co- and ter-polymerization of various cyclic esters affording well controlled polymerization and a plethora of microstructural architectures, ranging from random to block to multiblock.
A Recyclable Fluorous Hydrazine‐1,2Bis(Carbothioate) Organocatalyst for the Synthesis of ꞵ‐Chloroethers with N‐Chlorosuccinimide
Authors: Zhu Yi‐Wei , Shi Yi‐Xin , Yin Yu‐Qi
Published: February 2017

A novel fluorous hydrazine‐1,2‐bis(carbothioate) was prepared. It showed good catalytic activity in the synthesis of ꞵ‐chloroethers with N‐chlorosuccinimide under mild reaction conditions. This fluorous organocatalyst could be recovered and recycled several times with good purity.
Erratum: Morrison, H., et al. Open Access Article Processing Charges (OA APC) Longitudinal Study 2015 Preliminary Dataset
Authors: Morrison Heather , Mondésir Guinsly , Salhab Jihane , Villamizar César , Calvé-Genest Alexis , Desautels Lisa
Published: February 2017

The authors wish to make the following corrections to their paper [...]
Classification of Normal and Pre-Ictal EEG Signals Using Permutation Entropies and a Generalized Linear Model as a Classifier
Authors: Redelico Francisco , Traversaro Francisco , García María , Silva Walter , Rosso Osvaldo , Risk Marcelo
Published: February 2017

In this contribution, a comparison between different permutation entropies as classifiers of electroencephalogram (EEG) records corresponding to normal and pre-ictal states is made. A discrete probability distribution function derived from symbolization techniques applied to the EEG signal is used to calculate the Tsallis entropy, Shannon Entropy, Renyi Entropy, and Min Entropy, and they are used separately as the only independent variable in a logistic regression model in order to evaluate its capacity as a classification variable in a inferential manner. The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, along with the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity are used to compare the models. All the permutation entropies are excellent classifiers, with an accuracy greater than 94.5% in every case, and a sensitivity greater than 97%. Accounting for the amplitude in the symbolization technique retains more information of the signal than its counterparts, and it could be a good candidate for automatic classification of EEG signals.
Identifying Critical States through the Relevance Index
Authors: Roli Andrea , Villani Marco , Caprari Riccardo , Serra Roberto
Published: February 2017

The identification of critical states is a major task in complex systems, and the availability of measures to detect such conditions is of utmost importance. In general, criticality refers to the existence of two qualitatively different behaviors that the same system can exhibit, depending on the values of some parameters. In this paper, we show that the relevance index may be effectively used to identify critical states in complex systems. The relevance index was originally developed to identify relevant sets of variables in dynamical systems, but in this paper, we show that it is also able to capture features of criticality. The index is applied to two prominent examples showing slightly different meanings of criticality, namely the Ising model and random Boolean networks. Results show that this index is maximized at critical states and is robust with respect to system size and sampling effort. It can therefore be used to detect criticality.
Computational Model of a Biomass Driven Absorption Refrigeration System
Authors: Mbikan Munyeowaji , Al-Shemmeri Tarik
Published: February 2017

The impact of vapour compression refrigeration is the main push for scientists to find an alternative sustainable technology. Vapour absorption is an ideal technology which makes use of waste heat or renewable heat, such as biomass, to drive absorption chillers from medium to large applications. In this paper, the aim was to investigate the feasibility of a biomass driven aqua-ammonia absorption system. An estimation of the solid biomass fuel quantity required to provide heat for the operation of a vapour absorption refrigeration cycle (VARC) is presented; the quantity of biomass required depends on the fuel density and the efficiency of the combustion and heat transfer systems. A single-stage aqua-ammonia refrigeration system analysis routine was developed to evaluate the system performance and ascertain the rate of energy transfer required to operate the system, and hence, the biomass quantity needed. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the results of the performance of a computational model of an aqua-ammonia system under a range of parameters. The model showed good agreement with published experimental data.
Interdependent Defense Games with Applications to Internet Security at the Level of Autonomous Systems
Authors: Chan Hau , Ceyko Michael , Ortiz Luis
Published: February 2017

We propose interdependent defense (IDD) games, a computational game-theoretic framework to study aspects of the interdependence of risk and security in multi-agent systems under deliberate external attacks. Our model builds upon interdependent security (IDS) games, a model by Heal and Kunreuther that considers the source of the risk to be the result of a fixed randomized-strategy. We adapt IDS games to model the attacker’s deliberate behavior. We define the attacker’s pure-strategy space and utility function and derive appropriate cost functions for the defenders. We provide a complete characterization of mixed-strategy Nash equilibria (MSNE), and design a simple polynomial-time algorithm for computing all of them for an important subclass of IDD games. We also show that an efficient algorithm to determine whether some attacker’s strategy can be a part of an MSNE in an instance of IDD games is unlikely to exist. Yet, we provide a dynamic programming (DP) algorithm to compute an approximate MSNE when the graph/network structure of the game is a directed tree with a single source. We also show that the DP algorithm is a fully polynomial-time approximation scheme. In addition, we propose a generator of random instances of IDD games based on the real-world Internet-derived graph at the level of autonomous systems (≈27 K nodes and ≈100 K edges as measured in March 2010 by the DIMES project). We call such games Internet games. We introduce and empirically evaluate two heuristics from the literature on learning-in-games, best-response gradient dynamics (BRGD) and smooth best-response dynamics (SBRD), to compute an approximate MSNE in IDD games with arbitrary graph structures, such as randomly-generated instances of Internet games. In general, preliminary experiments applying our proposed heuristics are promising. Our experiments show that, while BRGD is a useful technique for the case of Internet games up to certain approximation level, SBRD is more efficient and provides better approximations than BRGD. Finally, we discuss several extensions, future work, and open problems.
Evaluating Global Reanalysis Datasets as Input for Hydrological Modelling in the Sudano-Sahel Region
Authors: Nkiaka Elias , Nawaz N. , Lovett Jon
Published: February 2017

This paper investigates the potential of using global reanalysis datasets as input for hydrological modelling in the data-scarce Sudano-Sahel region. To achieve this, we used two global atmospheric reanalyses (Climate Forecasting System Reanalysis and European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-Interim) datasets and one global meteorological forcing dataset WATCH Forcing Data methodology applied to ERA-Interim (WFDEI). These datasets were used to drive the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in the Logone catchment in the Lake Chad basin. Model performance indicators after calibration showed that, at daily and monthly time steps, only WFDEI produced Nash Sutcliff Efficiency (NSE) and Coefficient of Determination (R2) values above 0.50. Despite a general underperformance compared to WFDEI, CFSR performed better than the ERA-Interim. Model uncertainty analysis after calibration showed that more than 60% of all daily and monthly observed streamflow values at all hydrometric stations were bracketed within the 95 percent prediction uncertainty (95PPU) range for all datasets. Results from this study also show significant differences in simulated actual evapotranspiration estimates from the datasets. Overall results showed that biased corrected WFDEI outperformed the two reanalysis datasets; meanwhile CFSR performed better than the ERA-Interim. We conclude that, in the absence of gauged hydro-meteorological data, WFDEI and CFSR could be used for hydrological modelling in data-scarce areas such as the Sudano-Sahel region.
Developmental Programming of Adult Disease: Reprogramming by Melatonin?
Authors: Tain You-Lin , Huang Li-Tung , Hsu Chien-Ning
Published: February 2017

Adult-onset chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) can originate from early life through so-called the “developmental origins of health and disease” (DOHaD) or “developmental programming”. The DOHaD concept offers the “reprogramming” strategy to shift the treatment from adulthood to early life, before clinical disease is apparent. Melatonin, an endogenous indoleamine produced by the pineal gland, has pleiotropic bioactivities those are beneficial in a variety of human diseases. Emerging evidence support that melatonin is closely inter-related to other proposed mechanisms contributing to the developmental programming of a variety of chronic NCDs. Recent animal studies have begun to unravel the multifunctional roles of melatonin in many experimental models of developmental programming. Even though some progress has been made in research on melatonin as a reprogramming strategy to prevent DOHaD-related NCDs, future human studies should aim at filling the translational gap between animal models and clinical trials. Here, we review several key themes on the reprogramming effects of melatonin in DOHaD research. We have particularly focused on the following areas: mechanisms of developmental programming; the interrelationship between melatonin and mechanisms underlying developmental programming; pathophysiological roles of melatonin in pregnancy and fetal development; and insight provided by animal models to support melatonin as a reprogramming therapy. Rates of NCDs are increasing faster than anticipated all over the world. Hence, there is an urgent need to understand reprogramming mechanisms of melatonin and to translate experimental research into clinical practice for halting a growing list of DOHaD-related NCDs.
Analysis of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Related Gene Expression Changes in a Cellular and Animal Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Kim In-Su , Koppula Sushruta , Park Shin-Young , Choi Dong-Kug
Published: February 2017

We employed transcriptome analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor related gene expression changes in cellular and animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We used a well-known Parkinsonian toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) to induce neuronal apoptosis in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. The MPP+-treatment of SH-SY5Y cells was capable of inducing neuro-apoptosis, but it remains unclear what kinds of transcriptional genes are affected by MPP+ toxicity. Therefore the pathways that were significantly perturbed in MPP+ treated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were identified based on genome-wide gene expression data at two time points (24 and 48 h). We found that the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) pathway-related genes showed significantly differential expression at all time points. The EGFR pathway has been linked to diverse cellular events such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Further, to evaluate the functional significance of the altered EGFR related gene expression observed in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells, the EGFR related GJB2 (Cx26) gene expression was analyzed in an MPP+-intoxicated animal PD model. Our findings identify that the EGFR signaling pathway and its related genes, such as Cx26, might play a significant role in dopaminergic (DAergic) neuronal cell death during the process of neuro-apoptosis and therefore can be focused on as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Based Bio-Ink Improves Cell Viability and Homogeneity during Drop-On-Demand Printing
Authors: Ng Wei , Yeong Wai , Naing May
Published: February 2017

Drop-on-demand (DOD) bioprinting has attracted huge attention for numerous biological applications due to its precise control over material volume and deposition pattern in a contactless printing approach. 3D bioprinting is still an emerging field and more work is required to improve the viability and homogeneity of printed cells during the printing process. Here, a general purpose bio-ink was developed using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) macromolecules. Different PVP-based bio-inks (0%–3% w/v) were prepared and evaluated for their printability; the short-term and long-term viability of the printed cells were first investigated. The Z value of a bio-ink determines its printability; it is the inverse of the Ohnesorge number (Oh), which is the ratio between the Reynolds number and a square root of the Weber number, and is independent of the bio-ink velocity. The viability of printed cells is dependent on the Z values of the bio-inks; the results indicated that the cells can be printed without any significant impairment using a bio-ink with a threshold Z value of ≤9.30 (2% and 2.5% w/v). Next, the cell output was evaluated over a period of 30 min. The results indicated that PVP molecules mitigate the cell adhesion and sedimentation during the printing process; the 2.5% w/v PVP bio-ink demonstrated the most consistent cell output over a period of 30 min. Hence, PVP macromolecules can play a critical role in improving the cell viability and homogeneity during the bioprinting process.
Enzyme-Assisted Discovery of Antioxidant Peptides from Edible Marine Invertebrates: A Review
Authors: Chai Tsun-Thai , Law Yew-Chye , Wong Fai-Chu , Kim Se-Kwon
Published: February 2017

Marine invertebrates, such as oysters, mussels, clams, scallop, jellyfishes, squids, prawns, sea cucumbers and sea squirts, are consumed as foods. These edible marine invertebrates are sources of potent bioactive peptides. The last two decades have seen a surge of interest in the discovery of antioxidant peptides from edible marine invertebrates. Enzymatic hydrolysis is an efficient strategy commonly used for releasing antioxidant peptides from food proteins. A growing number of antioxidant peptide sequences have been identified from the enzymatic hydrolysates of edible marine invertebrates. Antioxidant peptides have potential applications in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. In this review, we first give a brief overview of the current state of progress of antioxidant peptide research, with special attention to marine antioxidant peptides. We then focus on 22 investigations which identified 32 antioxidant peptides from enzymatic hydrolysates of edible marine invertebrates. Strategies adopted by various research groups in the purification and identification of the antioxidant peptides will be summarized. Structural characteristic of the peptide sequences in relation to their antioxidant activities will be reviewed. Potential applications of the peptide sequences and future research prospects will also be discussed.
Optical Flow Cell for Measuring Size, Velocity and Composition of Flowing Droplets
Authors: Hassan Sammer-ul , Nightingale Adrian , Niu Xize
Published: February 2017

Here an optical flow cell with two light paths is reported that can accurately quantify the size and velocity of droplets flowing through a microchannel. The flow cell can measure the time taken for droplets to pass between and through two conjoined light paths, and thereby is capable of measuring the velocities (0.2–5.45 mm/s) and sizes of droplets (length > 0.8 mm). The composition of the droplet can also be accurately quantified via optical absorption measurements. The device has a small footprint and uses low-powered, low-cost components, which make it ideally suited for use in field-deployable and portable analytical devices.
The Association of Knowledge and Behaviours Related to Salt with 24-h Urinary Salt Excretion in a Population from North and South India
Authors: Johnson Claire , Mohan Sailesh , Rogers Kris , Shivashankar Roopa , Thout Sudhir , Gupta Priti , He Feng , MacGregor Graham , Webster Jacqui , Krishnan Anand , Maulik Pallab , Reddy K. , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Neal Bruce
Published: February 2017

Consumer knowledge is understood to play a role in managing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and may be influenced by level of education. The association between population knowledge, behaviours and actual salt consumption was explored overall, and for more-educated compared to less-educated individuals. A cross-sectional survey was done in an age-and sex-stratified random sample of 1395 participants from urban and rural areas of North and South India. A single 24-h urine sample, participants’ physical measurements and questionnaire data were collected. The mean age of participants was 40 years, 47% were women and mean 24-h urinary salt excretion was 9.27 (8.87–9.69) g/day. Many participants reported favourable knowledge and behaviours to minimise risks related to salt. Several of these behaviours were associated with reduced salt intake—less use of salt while cooking, avoidance of snacks, namkeens, and avoidance of pickles (all p < 0.003). Mean salt intake was comparable in more-educated (9.21, 8.55–9.87 g/day) versus less-educated (9.34, 8.57–10.12 g/day) individuals (p = 0.82). There was no substantively different pattern of knowledge and behaviours between more-versus less-educated groups and no clear evidence that level of education influenced salt intake. Several consumer behaviours related to use of salt during food preparation and consumption of salty products were related to actual salt consumption and therefore appear to offer an opportunity for intervention. These would be a reasonable focus for a government-led education campaign targeting salt.
Characterization of Responsive Hydrogel Nanoparticles upon Polyelectrolyte Complexation
Authors: Lee Su-Kyoung , Hwang Gyuri , Woo Jihyun , Park Joseph , Kim Jongseong
Published: February 2017

Characterization of responsive hydrogels and their interaction with other molecules have significantly expanded our understanding of the functional materials. We here report on the response of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (pNIPAm-co-AAc) nanogels to the addition of the poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) in aqueous dispersions. We find that the hydrodynamic radius and stability of nanogels are dependent on the PAH/nanogel stoichiometry. If the nanogel solution is titrated with very small aliquots of PAH, the nanogels decrease in radius until the equivalence point, followed by aggregation at suprastoichiometric PAH additions. Conversely, when titrated with large aliquots, the nanogel charge switches rapidly from anionic to cationic, and no aggregation is observed. This behavior correlates well with electrophoretic mobility measurements, which shows the nanogel charge transitioning from negative to positive upon PAH addition. The volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of the nanogels is also measured to discover the effect of polyelectrolyte complexation on the deswelling thermodynamics. These data show that charge neutralization upon PAH addition decreases the VPTT of the nanogel at pH 6.5. However, if an excess amount of PAH is added to the nanogel solution, the VPTT shifts back to higher temperatures due to the formation of a net positive charge in the nanogel network.
Polymers in Carbon Dots: A Review
Authors: Zhou Yiqun , Sharma Shiv , Peng Zhili , Leblanc Roger
Published: February 2017

Carbon dots (CDs) have been widely studied since their discovery in 2004 as a green substitute of the traditional quantum dots due to their excellent photoluminescence (PL) and high biocompatibility. Meanwhile, polymers have increasingly become an important component for both synthesis and modification of CDs to provide polymeric matrix and enhance their PL property. Furthermore, critical analysis of composites of CDs and polymers has not been available. Herein, in this review, we summarized the use of polymers in the synthesis and functionalization of CDs, and the applications of these CDs in various fields.
Low-Transition Temperature Mixtures (LTTMs) Made of Bioorganic Molecules: Enhanced Extraction of Antioxidant Phenolics from Industrial Cereal Solid Wastes
Authors: Kottaras Panagiotis , Koulianos Michael , Makris Dimitris
Published: February 2017

Several low-transition temperature mixtures (LTTMs), based on l-lactic acid and amino acids but also choline chloride, were synthesized and screened for their effectiveness in extracting antioxidant phenolics from industrial cereal solid wastes. In most cases, highly efficient LTTMs were those composed of l-lactic acid and choline chloride, but LTTMs composed of l-lactic acid and glycine or alanine also exhibited comparable extraction capacity. The extract from barley bran was shown to express powerful antioxidant activity, which was significantly higher than all the other extracts examined. This fact was attributed to the particularly high content in total flavanols. The data suggested that the most effective solvents, as revealed herein, merit further investigation as very promising means of extracting valuable chemicals from industrial agri-food residues. Additionally, barley bran should be more thoroughly examined for its prospect as a waste source of effective antioxidants, which could be used as nutritional supplements and active cosmetic ingredients.
Cathode Ray Tube Recycling in South Africa
Authors: Ledwaba Pontsho , Sosibo Ndabenhle
Published: February 2017

Households and businesses produce high levels of electrical and electronic waste (ewaste), fueled by modernization and rapid obsolescence. While the challenges imposed by e-waste are similar everywhere in the world, disparities in progress to deal with it exist, with developing nations lagging. The increase in e-waste generation highlights the need to develop ways to manage it. This paper reviews global and South African e-waste management practices with a specific case study on Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) waste. CRTs present the biggest problem for recyclers and policy makers because they contain lead and antimony. Common disposal practices have been either landfilling or incineration. Research into South African CRT waste management practices showed there is still more to do to manage this waste stream effectively. However, recent developments have placed e-waste into a priority waste stream, which should lead to intensified efforts in dealing with it. Overall, these efforts aim to increase diversion from landfill and create value-adding opportunities, leading to social and environmental benefits.
Detection of Atmospheric Methyl Mercaptan Using Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy with Multicomponent Spectral Fitting
Authors: Du Zhenhui , Wan Jiaxin , Li Jinyi , Luo Gang , Gao Hong , Ma Yiwen
Published: February 2017

Detection of methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) is essential for environmental atmosphere assessment and exhaled-breath analysis. This paper presents a sensitive CH3SH sensor based on wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) with a mid-infrared distributed feedback interband cascade laser (DFB-ICL). Multicomponent spectral fitting was used not only to enhance the sensitivity of the sensor but also to determine the concentration of interferents (atmospheric water and methane). The results showed that the uncertainties in the measurement of CH3SH, H2O, and CH4 were less than 1.2%, 1.7% and 2.0%, respectively, with an integration time of 10 s. The CH3SH detection limit was as low as 7.1 ppb with an integration time of 295 s. Overall, the reported sensor, boasting the merits of high sensitivity, can be used for atmospheric methyl mercaptan detection, as well as multiple components detection of methyl mercaptan, water, and methane, simultaneously.
Electrochemical Oxidation of l-selenomethionine and Se-methylseleno-l-cysteine at a Thiol-Compound-Modified Gold Electrode: Its Application in a Flow-Through Voltammetric Sensor
Authors: Wang Lai-Hao , Zhang Yu-Han
Published: February 2017

A flow-electrolytic cell that consists of a bare gold wire or of different thiol-compound-modified gold electrodes (such as 2,4-thiazolidinedione, 2-mercapto-5-thiazoline, 2-mercaptothiazoline, l-cysteine, thioglycolic acid) was designed to be used in a voltammetric detector to identify l-selenomethionine and Se-methylseleno-l-cysteine using high-performance liquid chromatography. Both l-selenomethionine and Se-methylseleno-l-cysteine are more efficiently electrochemically oxidized on a thiol/gold than on a bare gold electrode. For the DC mode, and for measurements with suitable experimental parameters, a linear concentration from 10 to 1600 ng·mL−1 was found. The limits of quantification for l-selenomethionine and Se-methylseleno-l-cysteine were below 10 ng·mL−1. The method can be applied to the quantitative determination of l-selenomethionine and Se-methylseleno-l-cysteine in commercial selenium-containing supplement products. Findings using high-performance liquid chromatography with a flow-through voltammetric detector and ultraviolet detector are comparable.
A Validated Stability-Indicating HPLC Method for Simultaneous Determination of Amoxicillin and Enrofloxacin Combination in an Injectable Suspension
Authors: Batrawi Nidal , Wahdan Shorouq , Al-Rimawi Fuad
Published: February 2017

The combination of amoxicillin and enrofloxacin is a well-known mixture of veterinary drugs; it is used for the treatment of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In the scientific literature, there is no high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV method for the simultaneous determination of this combination. The objective of this work is to develop and validate an HPLC method for the determination of this combination. In this regard, a new, simple and efficient reversed-phase HPLC method for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative determination of amoxicillin and enrofloxacin, in an injectable preparation with a mixture of inactive excipients, has been developed and validated. The HPLC separation method was performed using a reversed-phase (RP)-C18e (250 mm × 4.0 mm, 5 μm) column at room temperature, with a gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile and phosphate buffer containing methanol at pH 5.0, a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and ultraviolet detection at 267 nm. This method was validated in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines and showed excellent linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, robustness, ruggedness, and system suitability results within the acceptance criteria. A stability-indicating study was also carried out and indicated that this method can also be used for purity and degradation evaluation of these formulations.
The Cardiovascular and Neurotoxic Effects of the Venoms of Six Bony and Cartilaginous Fish Species
Authors: Han Han , Baumann Kate , Casewell Nicholas , Ali Syed , Dobson James , Koludarov Ivan , Debono Jordan , Cutmore Scott , Rajapakse Niwanthi , Jackson Timothy , Jones Rob , Hodgson Wayne , Fry Bryan , Kuruppu Sanjaya
Published: February 2017

Fish venoms are often poorly studied, in part due to the difficulty in obtaining, extracting, and storing them. In this study, we characterize the cardiovascular and neurotoxic effects of the venoms from the following six species of fish: the cartilaginous stingrays Neotrygon kuhlii and Himantura toshi, and the bony fish Platycephalus fucus, Girella tricuspidata, Mugil cephalus, and Dentex tumifrons. All venoms (10–100 μg/kg, i.v.), except G. tricuspidata and P. fuscus, induced a biphasic response on mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the anesthetised rat. P. fucus venom exhibited a hypotensive response, while venom from G. tricuspidata displayed a single depressor response. All venoms induced cardiovascular collapse at 200 μg/kg, i.v. The in vitro neurotoxic effects of venom were examined using the chick biventer cervicis nerve‐muscle (CBCNM) preparation. N. kuhlii, H. toshi, and P. fucus venoms caused concentration‐dependent inhibition of indirect twitches in the CBCNM preparation. These three venoms also inhibited responses to exogenous acetylcholine (ACh) and carbachol (CCh), but not potassium chloride (KCl), indicating a post‐synaptic mode of action. Venom from G. tricuspidata, M. cephalus, and D. tumifrons had no significant effect on indirect twitches or agonist responses in the CBCNM. Our results demonstrate that envenoming by these species of fish may result in moderate cardiovascular and/or neurotoxic effects. Future studies aimed at identifying the molecules responsible for these effects could uncover potentially novel lead compounds for future pharmaceuticals, in addition to generating new knowledge about the evolutionary relationships between venomous animals.
Valuing Multiple Benefits, and the Public Perception of SUDS Ponds
Authors: Jarvie Joy , Arthur Scott , Beevers Lindsay
Published: February 2017

Understanding how the public perceive and value ponds is fundamental to appreciate the synergy between Sustainable urban Drainage (SUDS) ponds and the multiple benefits they provide. This paper investigates this, through the application of a structured postal and online survey, for a case study area of Edinburgh, in the UK. It compares man-made ponds (including SUDS), and ponds with natural origins. The results from Whole Life Cost show that the benefits (based on Contingent Valuation) exceed the CAPEX and OPEX costs for three of five artificial ponds studied. Benefits from natural (reference) ponds exceed the replacement costs for a pond with the same surface area/catchment. This paper highlights the importance of monetising the multiple benefits from ponds.
Bricks in Ancient China and the Question of Early Cross-Asian Interaction
Authors: Nickel Lukas
Published: February 2017

Although ceramic building materials had been known in East Asia from about 3000, it was only from the late 3rd century BCE onwards that Chinese builders began using fired bricks for building walls and ceilings. Mass-produced fired bricks were introduced during the construction of the tomb of the First Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, and craftsmen discovered the technologies necessary to erect bonded walls, barrel vaults and domes over the following centuries. This text traces the emergence and development of brick architecture in China between the 3rd century BCE and the 2nd century CE, and places the development in the wider Asian context. It suggests that even if bricks and brick building technologies had been known in other parts of Eurasia earlier than in China, Chinese craftsmen discovered the material and the technologies independently.
Prévision à court terme de la croissance du PIB français à l’aide de modèles à facteurs dynamiques
Authors: Bessec Marie , Doz Catherine
Published: February 2017

Les banques centrales et les organismes internationaux recourent de plus en plus aux modèles à facteurs pour prévoir les grands agrégats macroéconomiques. Nous étudions l’apport de ces modèles à la prévision conjoncturelle du taux de croissance trimestriel du PIB français. Les facteurs sont extraits d’une base constituée d’une centaine de variables comprenant des soldes d’enquêtes et des variables réelles, monétaires, financières et internationales. Une évaluation hors échantillon en quasi temps réel sur la dernière décennie montre que les performances prédictives des modèles à facteurs surpassent celles des modèles de référence usuels. Toutefois, les prévisions effectuées avant le début du trimestre à prévoir restent fragiles. Nous montrons également que l’utilisation de variables internationales et financières permet d’améliorer les prévisions aux horizons les plus lointains.
Mythes et cultes locaux sur les monnaies péloponnésiennes sous les Sévères
Authors: Kremydi-Sicilianou Sophia
Published: February 2017

The Peloponnesian issues under the Severans display a rich iconography which offers valuable insights into the religious life of the local communities. In this article, some characteristic examples illustrate the use of numismatic types as markers of civic and religious identity and as testimony to the relations among neighbouring cities. The contribution of literary sources proves essential for the interpretation of the often enigmatic numismatic types.
Pourquoi le « distatère en or au portrait d’Alexandre » est très probablement un faux moderne
Authors: de Callataÿ François
Published: February 2017

La récente publication des actes du colloque organisé en 2007 à propos de l’unique «distatère » en or au portrait d’Alexandre le Grand (Holt, Bopearachchi 2011), comprenant notamment la publication attendue des analyses métallographiques, et la parution toute récente d’un compte-rendu critique de cet ouvrage (Bracey 2011) invitent à reprendre le dossier en y ajoutant de nouveaux arguments et en les ordonnant en fonction de leur pouvoir de conviction. Sur les 17 arguments présentés, 2 créent selon nous une impossibilité et 9 autres une faible possibilité que cette pièce soit authentique. Au passage, on donne les raisons pour lesquelles le statère en or de Sophytès doit sûrement être écarté.
Données numismatiques pour l’histoire politique de la Sogdiane (IVe-IIe siècles avant notre ère)
Authors: Atakhodjaev Anvar Kh.
Published: February 2017

Apport de données numismatiques pour l’étude de l’histoire politique de la Sogdiane

de la fin du IVe au IIe siècle avant notre ère. Cette étude inclut un groupe de nouvelles trouvailles monétaires de cette région, majoritairement retrouvées sur le site d’Afrasiab (Marakanda-Samarcande) au cours de la dernière décennie. Révision de données précédemment publiées, relatives aux trouvailles monétaires antérieures. Présentation de monnaies proto-séleucides et séleucides inédites. Contribution à la chronologie de l’entrée de la Sogdiane dans la sphère d’influence de l’empire Séleucide et du royaume gréco-bactrien.
La circulation de monnaie carolingienne dans la péninsule ibérique. À propos d’un denier de l’atelier de Roda
Authors: Doménech Belda Carolina
Published: February 2017

Les trouvailles de monnaies carolingiennes dans la péninsule ibérique sont peu abondantes, surtout pour les pièces frappées dans la Marche d’Espagne. Cet article présente l’état des connaissances sur cette question à propos d’un fragment de denier carolingien trouvé dans les fouilles archéologiques du site d’El Tolmo de Minateda (Hellín, Albacete, Espagne). Il s’agit d’une émission de Charlemagne de l’atelier de Roda, situé dans la Marche d’Espagne, atelier dont on ne connaissait jusqu’à maintenant qu’une seule pièce pour ce souverain franc. Le contexte stratigraphique de ce denier apporte une donnée intéressante sur le moment de son utilisation et en fait un des plus anciens exemples de la circulation de monnaies carolingiennes dans la Péninsule ibérique.
La Monnaie de Saint-Lô et la circulation des espèces en Basse Normandie à la fin du Moyen âge (2nde moitié du XVe siècle)
Authors: Jambu Jérôme
Published: February 2017

Dans la seconde moitié du XVe siècle, la Normandie est en reconstruction après avoir été saignée par la guerre de Cent Ans, avant d’entamer le «beau XVIe siècle » (Le Roy Ladurie). Dans sa partie occidentale, que l’on appellera bientôt Basse Normandie, un atelier monétaire est ouvert, celui de Saint-Lô, dirigé par une famille, les Basire. Il frappe assez régulièrement la plupart des monnayages d’or et de billon – hélas pas toujours de bonne qualité – décidés par les autorités, et ce malgré les aléas de la politique financière de la monarchie et des difficultés de fonctionnement comme l’absence récurrente de graveurs. En cette période de «phase de l’or » , avant la

«grande inondation du métal blanc » (Spooner), les frappes royales ne suffisent cependant pas à satisfaire des besoins d’une région dont la démographie et l’économie se redressent rapidement. Y circulent donc des monnaies étrangères et, face à la rareté du numéraire, parfois à plus haut prix, tandis que les nombreux changeurs déployés sur le territoire tentent de nettoyer au mieux la circulation monétaire des pièces viles, fausses et prohibées.
The Relativistic Jet-accretion Flow–wind Connection in Mrk 231
Authors: Reynolds Cormac , Punsly Brian , Miniutti Giovanni , O’Dea Christopher P. , Hurley-Walker Natasha
Published: February 2017

Long-term radio monitoring of the broad absorption line (BAL) quasar Mrk 231 at 17.6 GHz detected a strong flare in 2015. This triggered four epochs of Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations from 8.4 to 43 GHz as well as three epochs of X-ray observations with NuSTAR and two with XMM over a 15 week period. Two ejected components were detected by the VLBA observations. A conservative lower bound on the apparent speed of the first ejection is attained by assuming that it was ejected when the flare began,

. Serendipitous far-UV Hubble Space Telescope observations combined with our long-term radio monitoring seem to indicate that episodes of relativistic ejections suppress flux that is emitted at wavelengths shortward of the peak of the far-UV spectral energy distribution, similar to what has been observed in radio-loud quasars. Episodes of strong jet production also seem to suppress the high-ionization BAL wind seen in weak jet states. We found a statistically significant increase (

) of the 3–12 keV flux during the radio flare relative to a quiescent radio state. This is explained by an ultra-fast (∼0.06c) X-ray-absorbing photoionized wind that is significantly detected only in the low-radio state (similar to Galactic black holes). Mrk 231 is becoming more radio loud. We found that the putative parsec-scale radio lobe doubled in brightness in nine years. Furthermore, large flares are more frequent, with three major flares occurring at ∼2 year intervals.
A Cross-sectional Analysis of Radiographic Ankle Osteoarthritis Frequency and Associated Factors: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project
Authors: Lateef Shahmeer , Golightly Yvonne M. , Renner Jordan B. , Jordan Joanne M. , Nelson Amanda E.
Published: February 2017

Objective.

Because there are no epidemiologic data regarding the frequency of ankle osteoarthritis (OA) in a general population, we sought to analyze this disabling condition in a large, well-characterized, community-based cohort of older individuals.

Methods.

Cross-sectional data, including ankle radiographs, were from the most recent data collection (2013–2015) of the Johnston County OA Project. Radiographic ankle OA (rAOA) was defined as a Kellgren-Lawrence arthritis grading scale of ≥ 2 on weight-bearing lateral and mortise radiographs. The presence of pain, aching, or stiffness in the ankles as well as history of ankle injury (limiting ability to walk for at least 2 days) were assessed. Chi-square statistics (categorical variables) and Student t tests (continuous variables) were used to compare all participant characteristics by rAOA status. Joint-based logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations of rAOA and covariates of interest [age, body mass index (BMI), sex, race, ankle symptoms, and injury history].

Results.

Of 864 participants with available data, 68% were women, 34% were African American, with a mean age of 72 years and BMI of 31 kg/m2. Nearly 7% of this sample had rAOA. Increasing age, high BMI, history of ankle injury, and presence of ankle symptoms were all independently associated with greater odds of having rAOA; no significant differences were seen by sex or race.

Conclusion.

The frequency of rAOA was higher than estimates generally quoted in the literature. While injury was an important contributor, other factors such as age, BMI, and symptoms were also significantly associated with rAOA.