bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Integrated Fight Against Organised Crime in the Baltic Sea Region (BALTCOM) - Genesis, the Main Fields of Activity and Prospects for Development
Authors: Safjański Tomasz
Published: February 2017

Since the establishment of the Task Force many operations involving countries in the region have been performed. A multidisciplinary approach was introduced in terms of the operations in order to better utilise financial and personnel resources as well as to improve results of operations. Usually operations have provided useful information (for example on modus operandi). A few of the operations have been conducted specifically with the objective of gathering information – operation General Aviation is one example of this. Operation Early Bird, a bilateral operation between Poland and Germany, was a direct result of the information from operation General Aviation. The Task Force has the potential of making the operations unpredictable to the criminals as far as time, location and geographical area are concerned. However over the years it has not become clear if the Task-Force cooperation is valuable and efficient. In the beginning the mere fact of being able to carry out joint operations in the region, i.e. all countries doing the same thing at the same time, was a very good and important result in itself. The expectations and demands adressed to the co-operation have increased, and now external evaluations is needed. The presented issue is extremely complex due to the specific nature of the activities carried out on BALTCOM platform and its unique position in the international system of cooperation. Article draws the attention to possible benefits from such forms of international cooperation in combating crime.
Ways of increasing the level of safety and security at locations proposed for World Youth Day 2016
Authors: Babiński Aleksander , Lubiewski Paweł , Kołnierowicz Daniel
Published: February 2017

The organisation of religious ceremonies involving an above average number of participants is a challenge, not only for the church authorities, but also for the civic authorities. Such a ceremony is XXIX World Youth Day. Events are planned for many places, including at Kraków-Balice Airport, in Częstochowa in the area of the Jasna Góra monastery, in Brzegi and in Błonia Park, Kraków. The locations that have been selected to enable the announced participation of millions of the faithful in the ceremonies, and the contemporary threats existing, including even that of terrorism, mean that there is a challenge to ensure the safety and security of the participants. Coping with this means that the legal framework for the formations responsible for security in the country, and the organisers’ security staff and volunteers functioning in this particular situation, need to be defined. Such a regulation is primarily the Act of 18 March 2016 on the special solutions adopted for the organisation of the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis in the Republic of Poland and World Youth Day - Kraków 2016. The article analyses the existing legal solutions and formulates observations which, when taken into account, will result in increased safety and security during World Youth Day. They concern: the participation of security staff, stewards and volunteers, and their powers to ensure order; identification of unacceptable behaviour and items that threaten order and security; prevention of unlawful and intentional use of unmanned mobile platforms; the risk of a terrorist threat; likely locations for an attempted attack and the possible methods which might be used. The considerations that make up the content of the article lead to the formulation of recommendations, which are presented as a summary.
Generational Changes in Religious Communities Against the Background of Contemporary Threats to Security
Authors: Martusewicz-Pawlus Ewa
Published: February 2017

The rapid transformation of the modern world has a profound impact on the lives, attitudes and religiousness of youth. The spontaneous influx of refugees throughout Europe from Muslim countries raises fears of a further intensification in the wave of terrorist attacks and increased violence founded in Islamic ideology. In Germany, there is particular anxiety resulting from manifestations of Islamic fanaticism. An extreme case of this is the terrorist version of jihad occurring among Muslim youth. German scientists perceive the reasons for this phenomenon lie in the almost total failure of the policy of multiculturalism. The problem lies in the fact that - in light of empirical research - 25% of Muslims living in Germany reject all integration projects. This increases the gap between Muslims and the rest of society and the danger of further radicalisation, especially of Muslim youth.
Confirmation of this can be shown through a comparative analysis of "generation John Paul II (JP2)" and "generation jihad" because it shows the significant differences, among which the most expressive are the attitudes, behaviours and actions of the participants, of the social phenomena compared. Following the death of the Polish Pope, participants of generation JP2 regret that they did not listen to his teachings and did not pursue the values he proclaimed. After the death of Pope John Paul II many people declared a "revision of their own lives", although the results of scientific research do not confirm that they have become better Catholics and citizens. On the other hand, generation jihad - following absolutely the lifestyle defined by Islam - does not declare any changes in religious attitudes and thus does not seek to assimilate with the German community. In the end all this leads to acts of aggression, violence and sadistic practice by participants of generation jihad. On the basis of the terrorist attacks carried out in the years 2001-2016 it can be assumed that jihadism is a cult of death, of which the so-called Islamic State is a vivid, and at the same time tragic, example.
Effects of Quercetin and Omega-3 Combination on Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFκB) Expression Level in Pancreatic Tissue of Rats with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Asri Hendrawat  , Mujiyanto Winardi
Published: February 2017

Background: Hyperglycemia increases nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) expression and promotes cellular injury. Quercetin and omega-3 are expected to regulate NFκB expression. This study aims to measure the effect of combination therapy with quercetin and omega-3 in lowering the expression of NFκB in the pancreatic tissue of rats with type-2 DM as compared to those treated with monotherapy with either agent.
Methods: This experimental study involved the use of a paraffin block of pancreatic tissue from 24 male Wistar rats aged 3 months, weighing between 250 g and 350 g. All rats underwent induction of type-2 DM and were divided into 4 groups: K1 (treated daily with placebo), K2 (treated with quercetin at 20 mg·kgBW-1·d-1), K3 (treated with omega-3 at 100 mg·kgBW-1·d-1), and K4 (treated with quercetin at 20 mg·kgBW-1·d-1 and omega-3 at 100 mg·kgBW-1·d-1). Treatments were administered orally for four weeks. Once the treatment was completed, samples of pancreatic tissue were collected for the measurement of the percentage of NFκB expression using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining.
Results:The average level of NFκB expression in the pancreatic nuclei of DM rats treated with the combination of omega-3 and quercetin was significantly lower than that of those treated with placebo, quercetin only, or omega-3 only (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The combination of quercetin at 20 mg·kgBW-1·d-1 and omega-3 at 100 mg·kgBW-1·d-1 is significantly more effective in lowering the percentage of NFκB in pancreatic nuclei than monotherapy with either agent.
Preemptive Effects of Administration of Tualang Honey on Inflammatory Responses in Adult Male Rats
Authors: Che Aishah Nazariah Ismail  , Che Maraina Che Hussin  , Mahaneem Mohamed  , Che Badariah Abd Aziz
Published: February 2017

Background: Honey was reported to reduce pain and inflammation from burn wound. To date, no study has compared between the effects of Tualang honey and prednisolone on inflammatory responses in rats. This study has examined the effects of Tualang honey and prednisolone on inflammatory pain and its associated inflammatory responses secondary to formalin injection.Methods: Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomised into control, Tualang honey (1.2 g/kg) or prednisolone (10 mg/kg)groups. Formalin test was conducted and the rats were sacrificed at four-hours post-formalin injection. Serum was collected for measurement of leukocytecounts and interleukins level. All data were analysed using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Scheffe’s or Dunnet’s C test. Significance level was taken as less than 0.05.Results: Tualang honey and prednisolone groups had significantly reduced pain behaviour and paw edema compared to control group. Tualang honey group demonstrated a significant increase in blood neutrophil count while prednisolone group had significant reduction in blood lymphocyte and monocyte counts compared to control group. Only interleukin-6 level was significantly reduced in honey group. Both interleukin-6 and -8 levels were significantly reduced in prednisolone group.Conclusions: Tualang honey is comparable to prednisolone in modulating the inflammatory pain responses in rats; however, with regards to local and systemic inflammatory responses, it has differential effects compared to prednisolone.
Effect of Different Meltable Binders on the Disintegration and Dissolution Behavior of Zolmitriptan Oromucosal Fast Melt Tablets
Authors: Doaa Ahmed El-Setouhy  , Emad B. Basalious  , Nevine Shawky Abdelmalak
Published: February 2017

Objective: Fast melt tablets and sublingual route have been widely used for providing quick onset of action with the avoidance of first pass metabolism. The objective of this work was to compare the effect of different meltable binders namely; polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000, pluronic F127 and pluronic F68 on the performance of fast release tablets of the model drug zolmitriptan prepared using the melt granulation technique regarding disintegration time (DT) and dissolution rate (DR) as criteria for rapid absorption and hence quick onset of action. Zolmitriptan is a potent antimigraine drug. Current oral zolmitriptan tablets suffer from slow onset of action, poor bioavailability and large inter-subject variability.
Methods: 33 factorial design was adopted. The effect of binder type, binder concentration and croscarmellose sodium (disintegrant) concentration were studied on DT and DR.
Results: The three factors were found to significantly affect the DR and the inverse square root of DT and significant interactions were elucidated.
Conclusion: Although satisfactory results were obtained regarding DR, modifications using different excipients and or preparation methods should be considered to comply with pharmacopoeia requirement for DT.
ДВА ПИСМА БОСАНСКОГ КРАЉА ТВРТКА II ТВРТКОВИЋА ДУБРОВЧАНИМА
Authors: Фостиков Александра , Исаиловић Невен
Published: February 2017

Босански краљ Твртко II Твртковић издаје истога дана два акта Дубровачкој општини. (I) Првим, у основи трибутним писмом, потражује Светодмитарски (Српски) доходак и захтева да му исти буде исплаћен по његовом властелину Остоји Паштровићу. (II) Другим, веровним писмом, овлашћује истог Остоју да буде његов представник и гласноговорник.
ДВА ПИСМА КРАЉУ ТВРТКУ II ТВРТКОВИЋУ ПОВОДОМ ЗИМИШТА ВЛАХА КУЈАВИЋА
Authors: Драгичевић Павле
Published: February 2017

Садржај рада су два писма Дубровачке општине упућена босанском краљу Твртку II Твртковићу поводом зимишта његових влаха Кујавића. Обичај да проводе зиму у приморју у околини Дубровника дубровачка влада настојала је да прекине, јер је 1399. године дошла у посјед наведеног подручја. Опречни ставови двају страна били су узрок честим неспоразумима и проблемима од којих су неки поменути у писмима.
ИСПРАВА КРАЉА СТЕФАНА ТОМАША КОЈОМ ОВЛАШЋУЈЕ ЈАКОВА ТЕСТУ ДА ПОВРАТИ НОВАЦ ОПЉАЧКАН ПОД СИЊЕМ
Authors: Исаиловић Невен , Фостиков Александра
Published: February 2017

Краљ Стефан Томаш обавештава млетачког дужда и његове службенике, као и друге италијанске владаре, да су двојица браће (можда фратра?) опљачкали новац, положен у сакристију Цркве Св. Марије у сињском подграђу, који је био послао Петру Таловцу због неког заједничког посла. Краљ из тих разлога овлашћује свог човека и млетачког поданика, Јакова Тесту из Трогира, да изврши истрагу крађе и да, на сваки могући начин, поврати украдени новац. Уједно моли млетачке власти да, на њиховој територији, помогну Јакову у истрази, обећавајући да ће им се одужити за предусретљивост. Исправа је сачувана у оригиналу, а написана је на латинском језику. У начелу има формулар повеље, али према садржају и функцији припада писмима.
ДУБРОВАЧКО ПИСМО ЖУПАНУ РАДОСАВУ И ЉУБИШИ
Authors: Смиљанић Аранђел
Published: February 2017

Дубровчани су, 17. маја 1398, упутили писмо жупану Радосаву Главићу и Љубиши Богданчићу, као одговор на њихово писмо у коме су саопштили да извршавају наређења свог господара, кнеза Павла Раденовића. Власти Општине су их због тога похвалилe, истичући своје пријатељство са кнезом Павлом. Суштина писма односи се на требињског властелина Радоњу Куделиновића, који је дошао у сукоб са господаром Tребињске области кнезом Павлом Раденовићем. Дубровчани су Радоњу као свог грађанина примили у свој град, док су у исто вријеме писали кнезу Павлу и његовим људима, у жељи да задрже пријатељске односе. При томе су употребљавали свој добро познати дипломатски такт, изражен кроз лијепе ријечи и жеље да га невоље заобиђу, а да они који стварају проблеме буду кажњени у складу са тежином прекршаја. С друге стране, нису чинили ништа како би изручили Радоњу, али су годину дана касније промијенили став, одлучивши да Радоња више не може остати на њиховој територији.
ДВА ПУНОМОЋЈА ВОЈВОДЕ САНДАЉА ХРАНИЋА ЗА ПРИБИСАВА ПОХВАЛИЋА
Authors: Порчић Небојша
Published: February 2017

У оба своја сачувана пуномоћја, босански војвода Сандаљ Хранић овлашћује посланика Прибисава Похвалића да га представља пред дубровачким властима. Повезивањем датума када су документи примљени у Дубровнику са другим изворима може се закључити да се прво пуномоћје, састављено између 4. и 10. марта 1410. године, вероватно у граду Новом (данас Херцег Нови), тицало поверавања Дубровчанима на чување докумената о уређивању односа између војводе Сандаља и његове таште, банице Анке, а друго, написано 19. октобра 1413. године на Љубомиру, полагања депозита вредног преко 7.600 дуката. Пуномоћја су сачувана у оригиналу, што их чини драгоценим извором података за дипломатичка истраживања.
ДЕСЕТИ ДЕПОЗИТНИ ЛИСТ ВОЈВОДЕ САНДАЉА
Authors: Драгичевић Павле
Published: February 2017

У раду се анализира документ који садржи попис вриједности које је у Дубровнику у виду депозита привремено похранио босански војвода Сандаљ Хранић. Овај документ је десети по реду у серији од тринаест сличних докумената који су у периоду од 1413. до 1435. године регулисали правна питања оваквих Сандаљевих улагања.
Dicotomie identitarie: l’immaginario del Giappone nelle rappresentazioni turistiche occidentali
Authors: Paolo Barbaro
Published: February 2017

This paper focuses on the deconstruction of the Western tourist gaze on Japan, defining the tourist gaze not only as the set of expectations described by Urry, but also as exemplary of the construction of the Other’s identity. The analysis of tourist literature (guide-books, catalogues etc.) in different languages as well as the results of a field research show that, although clearly related to the more general definition of Japan(-ness) in the West, the tourists’ gaze also shows a relationship with domestic tourism and Nihonjinron myths. At the same time, although often repeating well known myths (e.g. the uniqueness of the Japanese soul), the tourist image of Japan is also constructed on a set of dichotomies, such as ultra-modern and archaic, familiar and impenetrable, East and West. Differently from when observed in other contexts (e.g. in the construction of national identity) these dichotomies are intentionally left unresolved, for marketing, evocative and other reasons, showing features that provide a striking parallel to Foucault’s definition of heterotopia and heterochrony.
Un paese senza avvocati? Stereotipi, fraintendimenti e riflessioni storico-comparative sulla professione legale in Giappone
Authors: Giorgio Fabio Colombo
Published: February 2017

Japan is often depicted as a country ‘without lawyers’. This would of course be a product of the legendary Japanese ‘weak legal consciousness’. From transactions based on personal relationships rather than contracts, to the legendary preference for conciliation rather than litigation, according to the cliché it seems that in Japan there is little room for law – and lawyers. Japan is indeed the industrialized country with fewer lawyers-per-capita. The Japanese legal profession, however, has recently gone through a major reorganization process: in 2006 it implemented a system broadly based on the U.S. Law School, with the specific purpose of having ‘more lawyers’. After ten years, the reform failed to accomplish its purpose: while the number of lawyers indeed increased, no significant benefits for the system as a whole may be seen. Moreover, the idea that now there are ‘too many lawyers’ has become more and more popular. How is it possible, then, that lawyers are not enough and too many at the same time? By using a historical and comparative approach, this paper intends to explore the Japanese legal profession(s), with a special focus to challenge the well-worn stereotype of ‘a country without lawyers’.
Prefazione. In principio furono i samurai …
Authors: Virginia Sica
Published: February 2017

On account of the collective fascination for it prevailing in the West, Japan is mostly seen in terms of a dichotomy between age-old aspects (the past, hence tradition) and technological excellence (the present, hence modernity). The first of these two cognitive macro-categories includes references to a people that is ‘genetically disciplined’ as only the descendants of the samurai can be, to a spontaneously understated aesthetics of everyday life bearing the distinctive mark of zen, to an innate inclination for contemplation, while the second cognitive macrocategory encompasses futuristic urban spaces, robotics experiments as well as a multifarious variety of fashionable trends and products. However, it would be naive to think that Japan may have been, and still be, the merely passive object of a ‘romantic’ need for consolatory exoticism. This introductory foreword to this special issue of LCM on the commonplaces of Japan provides an overview of some crucial historical stages in which Japan, finding itself in a position to conquer (or re-conquer) international consent (as an acknowledgement of its ethnic, political, economic dignity), deliberately made recourse to cultural tòpoi regarding its own distinctive way of being and thinking.
Uncertainties of soil moisture in historical simulations and future projections
Authors: Cheng Shanjun , Huang Jianping , Ji Fei , Lin Lei
Published: February 2017

Uncertainties of soil moisture in historical simulations (1920–2005) and future projections (2006–2080) were investigated by using the outputs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 and Community Earth System Model. The results showed that soil moisture climatology varies greatly among models despite the good agreement between the ensemble mean of simulated soil moisture and the Global Land Data Assimilation System data. The uncertainties of initial conditions and model structure showed similar spatial patterns and magnitudes, with high uncertainties in dry regions and low uncertainties in wet regions. In addition, the long‐term variability of model structure uncertainty rapidly decreased before 1980 and increased thereafter, but the uncertainty in initial conditions showed an upward trend over the entire time span. The model structure and initial conditions can cause uncertainties at all time scales. Despite these large uncertainties, almost all of the simulations showed significant decreasing linear trends in soil moisture for the 21st century, especially in the Mediterranean region, northeast and southwest South America, southern Africa, and southwestern USA.
Bisphosphonate‐Functionalized Imaging Agents, Anti‐Tumor Agents and Nanocarriers for Treatment of Bone Cancer
Authors: Nadar Robin A. , Margiotta Nicola , Iafisco Michele , van den Beucken Jeroen J. J. P. , Boerman Otto C. , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G.
Published: February 2017

Bone metastases result from the invasion of primary tumors to bone. Current treatment modalities include local treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy, while systemic treatments include chemotherapy and (palliative) treatment of skeletal metastases. Nevertheless, once bone metastases have been established they remain incurable leading to morbidity and mortality. Bisphosphonates are a well‐established class of drugs, which are increasingly applied in the treatment of bone cancers owing to their effective inhibition of tumor cells and suppression of bone metastases. The increased understanding of the mechanism of action of bisphosphonates on bone and tumor cells has prompted the development of novel bisphosphonate‐functionalized imaging and therapeutic agents. This review provides an update on the preclinical efficacy of bisphosphonate‐functionalized fluorophore, anti‐tumor agents and nanocarriers for the treatment of bone metastases. After an overview of the general characteristics of bisphosphonates and their mechanisms of action, an outline is provided on the various conjugation strategies that have become available to functionalize imaging agents, anti‐tumor agents and nanocarriers with bisphosphonates. Finally, the efficacy of these bisphosphonate‐modified agents and carriers in preclinical studies is evaluated by reviewing their potential to target tumors and inhibit tumor growth in clinically relevant animal models for the treatment of bone cancer.
Efficient Oxidative Coupling of Arenes via Electrochemical Regeneration of 2,3‐Dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) under Mild Reaction Conditions
Authors: Röse Philipp , Emge Steffen , König Christoph Alexander , Hilt Gerhard
Published: February 2017

The intramolecular dehydrogenative carbon‐carbon bond formation of aromatic rings in the presence of catalytic amounts of an oxidising agent is herein described. The oxidative coupling is realised under indirect anodic conditions, utilising 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) as an efficient redox mediator under acidic conditions. In comparison, for the stoichiometric oxidative coupling reaction of hexakis(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)benzene on a 1.0 gram scale, 1.56 g of DDQ were applied, whereas in the present indirect electrochemical version, only 15 mg of DDQ were needed, resulting in significantly easier purifications of the products. The reaction proceeds smoothly using a variety of polyaromatics including terphenyl, quaterphenyl and heptaphenyl derivatives to give polyphenylenes in excellent yields and current efficiencies. A detailed optimisation study, investigations on the electrochemical behaviour of the redox mediator and synthetic applications of the method are discussed.

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Annealing effect on crystalline structure and mechanical properties in long glass fiber reinforced polyamide 66
Authors: Meng Qingyu , Gu Yizhuo , Luo Liang , Wang Shaokai , Li Min , Zhang Zuoguang
Published: February 2017

Generally, annealing is one of the important post‐processing methods used to obtain injection molding products coupled with excellent comprehensive performance. Based on a series of experimental studies in this work, a systematic investigation was performed to research the annealing effect on crystalline structure and mechanical properties in long glass fiber reinforced polyamide 66 (LGF‐PA66) composite. The composite was prepared by injection molding, using LGF‐PA66 pellet with 50 wt % fiber content and 12 mm length. Composite samples were annealed in 120 °C to 200 °C range and then subjected to various tests at room temperature. Besides, the releasing strain during a specific temperature cycle was also investigated. Our results suggest that annealing treatment had a neglected impact on the crystallinity and crystal morphology of LGF‐PA66 composite. However, with the increasing of processing temperature, annealing could strikingly promote the phase transition from γ to α and the further growth of α2 crystal in (010)/(110). In addition, annealing of LGF‐PA66 composite resulted in a drastic increase in tensile and flexural properties and a reduction in impact strength, along with the transition of failure mode. The changes in mechanical properties were attributed to the crystal transition, strengthening of matrix performance, and the release of residual stress. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44832.
Preparation of a hydroxyethyl–titanium dioxide–carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel cage and its effect on the removal of methylene blue
Authors: Han Shuai , Wang Ting , Li Bin
Published: February 2017

A novel TiO2 hydrogel cage model was built for the removal of methylene blue (MB), an organic pollutant. This TiO2 hydrogel cage was prepared with the biomass materials of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and this hydrogel cage structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The contents of the encased TiO2 and its swelling properties with different CMC proportions of this hydrogel cage were studied to obtain a suitable crosslinking network structure and optimal synthesis conditions. Compared to an equivalent amount of pure TiO2, the much higher removal efficiency of MB with our prepared TiO2 hydrogel cage was attributed to the synergistic effect of the photocatalytic degradation for TiO2 and the adsorption enrichment for cellulose hydrogels. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetics of the intraparticle diffusion model were used to study the adsorption enrichment process of the TiO2 hydrogel cage. In addition, on the basis of the results of photocatalytic degradation and recycling experiments, excellent performances with respect to self‐cleaning, regenerative ability, and easy recovery, were shown for this HEC–TiO2–CMC cage material, which demonstrated ideal application potential for MB removal. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44925.
Efficient synthesis of organic carbonates and poly(1,4‐butylene carbonate‐co‐terephthalate)s
Authors: Kim Jin Gu , Jeon Jong Yeob , Chun Jiseul , Kim Chung Sol , Lee Pyung Cheon , Lee Bun Yeoul
Published: February 2017

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is an environmentally benign chemical currently produced using CO2. Using the conventional Dean–Stark apparatus, a method was developed for the effective and selective removal of the methanol generated in the transesterification of DMC with alcohol. Using this device, various diols (HO‐A‐OH; A = (CH2)4, (CH2)2O(CH2)2, CH2C6H10CH2, and CH2C6H4CH2) were converted to mixtures of the corresponding MeOC(O)[O‐A‐OC(O)]OMe and MeOC(O)[O‐A‐OC(O)]2OMe. Dialkyl carbonates such as dibutyl carbonate, dibenzyl carbonate, and diallyl carbonate were also efficiently prepared from the corresponding alcohols using this device. The compound prepared from 1,4‐butanediol, MeOC(O)[O(CH2)4OC(O)]1.5OMe, was subjected to polycondensation with HO(CH2)4[O2CC6H4CO2(CH2)4]1.5OH or HO(CH2)4[O2CC6H4CO2(CH2)4]1.8OH, which directly was prepared from terephthalic acid and 1,4‐butanediol. The polycondensation afforded high‐molecular‐weight poly(1,4‐butylene carbonate‐co‐terephthalate)s (PBCTs) with Mw of 80–270 kDa and 0.40–0.46 terephthalate mole fractions. PBCTs are attractive materials with potential biodegradability and LDPE‐like thermal properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44951.
Efficient Synthesis of 1,4‐Bis‐heteroatom‐substituted Tetraselanylbenzenes via 1,4‐Dilithiation of Hexaselanylbenzene and Investigation on Their Electronic Properties
Authors: Fujita Masahiro , Furukawa Shunsuke , Saito Masaichi
Published: February 2017

We successfully synthesized mono‐ and bis‐substituted polyselanylbenzenes 3 and 5 via mono‐ and dilithiation of hexakis(phenylselanyl)benzene (1), respectively. Introduction of various heteroatom functionalities into hexaselanylbenzene changed the electronic properties dependent on the σ‐symmetric circular orbitals that were formed by the interactions between neighboring heteroatoms. In the cyclic voltammetry and theoretical studies on bis‐heteroatom‐substituted benzenes 5, the extent of the interactions in the circular orbitals with σ‐symmetry affected the stability of the cationic species of 5. This study would give insight into the molecular design for new σ‐delocalized systems and inspire the development of tuning electronic properties of benzene derivatives by σ‐type orbital interactions derived from heteroatom functionalities.
Fractional Order PI‐PD Control of Liquid Level in Coupled Two Tank System and its Experimental Validation
Authors: Roy Prasanta , Kar Biprajeet , Roy Binoy Krishna
Published: February 2017

This paper presents a level control problem of a coupled two tank single input single output (SISO) system. A cascade control strategy is adopted having a fractional order proportional integral (FOPI) controller and fractional order proportional derivative (FOPD) controller in the outer and the inner loops, respectively. Cascaded integer order proportional integral (IOPI) and integer order proportional derivative (IOPD) controllers are also designed to compare the performances. A frequency domain approach is followed to design all the controllers. It is mathematically shown that the FOPI and FOPD controllers can achieve less steady state error and consume less energy than that of the IOPI and IOPD controllers while meeting the same phase margin and gain crossover frequency. All propositions are validated on an experimental setup.
Interpretation of the historic Yemeni reports of supernova SN 1006: Early discovery in mid‐April 1006?
Authors: Neuhäuser R. , Neuhäuser D. L. , Rada W. , Chapman J. , Luge D. , Kunitzsch P.
Published: February 2017

The recently published Yemeni observation report about SN 1006 from al‐Yamānī clearly gives AD 1006 April 17 ± 2 (mid‐Rajab 396h) as the first observation date. Since this is ∼1.5 weeks earlier than the otherwise earliest reports (April 28 or 30) as discussed so far, we were motivated to investigate an early sighting in more depth. We searched for additional evidences from other areas like East Asia and Europe. We found that the date given by al‐Yamānī is fully consistent with other evidence, including the following: (a) SN 1006 rose several times half an hour after sunset (al‐Yamānī), which is correct for the location of Ṣancā' in Yemen for the time around April 17, but it would not be correct for late April or early May. (b) The date (third year, third lunar month, 28th day wuzi, Ichidai Yoki) for an observation of a guest star in Japan is inconsistent (there is no day wuzi in that lunar month), but may be dated to April 16 by reading a wuwu date rather than a wuzi date. (c) There is observational evidence that SN 1006 was observed in East Asia in early or mid‐April; for the second half of April, a bad weather (early monsoon) period is not unlikely— there is a lack of night reports. (d) The observer in St. Gallen reported to have seen SN 1006 for 3 months, which must have ended at the very latest on AD 1006 July 10, given his northern location, so that his observations probably started in April. We conclude that the correctly reported details give quite high confidence in the fully self‐consistent report of al‐Yamānī, so that the early discovery date should be considered seriously.
An investigative graduate laboratory course for teaching modern DNA techniques
Authors: de Lencastre Alexandre , Thomas Torello A. , Keller Lani C.
Published: February 2017

This graduate‐level DNA methods laboratory course is designed to model a discovery‐based research project and engages students in both traditional DNA analysis methods and modern recombinant DNA cloning techniques. In the first part of the course, students clone the Drosophila ortholog of a human disease gene of their choosing using Gateway® cloning. In the second part of the course, students examine the expression of their gene of interest in human cell lines by reverse transcription PCR and learn how to analyze data from quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) experiments. The adaptability of the Gateway® cloning system is ideally suited for students to design and create different types of expression constructs to achieve a particular experimental goal (e.g., protein purification, expression in cell culture, and/or subcellular localization), and the genes chosen can be aligned to the research interests of the instructor and/or ongoing research in a department. Student evaluations indicate that the course fostered a genuine excitement for research and in depth knowledge of both the techniques performed and the theory behind them. Our long‐term goal is to incorporate this DNA methods laboratory as the foundation for an integrated laboratory sequence for the Master of Science degree program in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Quinnipiac University, where students use the reagents and concepts they developed in this course in subsequent laboratory courses, including a protein methods and cell culture laboratory. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(4):351–359, 2017.
An introduction to FE analysis with Excel‐VBA
Authors: Yanase Keiji
Published: February 2017

Aimed primarily for educational use, an effective platform for 2‐dimensional FE stress analysis was developed by making use of the Excel‐VBA program. With the undergraduate students as the target group, the educational emphasis was placed on the practical application of linear elasticity and the proper use of the FE method. As a part of the project, the students were requested to solve a stress concentration problem by conducting mesh convergence study using Excel‐VBA functionality. They generated the mesh manually by drawing the figures on the grid‐paper. This time consuming experience is usually sufficiently memorable to provide the student with the sense of the required mesh size for proper FE analysis. In addition, the use of tabular data in Excel allows the students to easily conduct the FE analysis. Further, the reports by students clearly manifest that the reliability of the FE method is highly dependent on the experience and the theoretical knowledge of the engineer. In sum, Excel‐VBA is a highly efficient tool for introducing the FE method and can motivate the students to study this subject further. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:311–319, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21799
Growth hormone modulates in vitro endothelial cell migration and formation of capillary‐like structures
Authors: Messias de Lima Cícero Fagner , dos Santos Reis Maria Danielma , da Silva Ramos Fernando Wagner , Ayres‐Martins Silvana , Smaniotto Salete
Published: February 2017

The generation of new blood vessels is a complex process mediated by a variety of growth factors, and the growth hormone (GH) has been shown to act as a proangiogenic factor. In fact, human GH deficiency or excess are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, mouse models have revealed the action of GH in both tissue repair and in the microvascular circulation of normal tissues. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of GH on endothelial cells. Using a murine endothelioma cell line (tEnd.1), we demonstrated that GH has a mitogenic effect. The hormone also affected the endothelial cellular morphology and augmented the deposition of the extracellular matrix molecules, laminin, and fibronectin, on tEnd.1 surface. GH could stimulate tEnd.1 cell fugetaxis, in transwell chambers migration assay, and increased the formation of capillary‐like structures in Matrigel®‐coated plates. Given the important role of angiogenesis during tissue injury, for example, at ischemic lesions, these findings shed light on therapeutic angiogenesis, particularly in pathologies where the cardiovascular system has been compromised.
Silo explosion from smoldering combustion: A case study
Authors: Russo Paola , De Rosa Armando , Mazzaro Michele
Published: February 2017

Smoldering combustion in power/dust deposits constitutes a significant problem in some process industries. Numerous bulk materials produce heat due to different biological and oxidation processes. Spontaneous heating occurs if the rate of heat generation by an exothermic process is fast relative to the rate of heat loss to the surroundings. Such phenomena are particularly dangerous in bulk materials storage equipment (e.g. silos, bins, hoppers, bunkers) where larger fire and dust explosions may be ignited by smoldering material.

The present case study concerns an explosion that occurred in a silo containing sawdust and wood chips. Firefighters were called to extinguish a fire in the silo. During their intervention an explosion occurred. Four firefighters were injured and one of them died some months later, as a result of the explosion; the explosion caused also significant damage to the silo and minor damage to the adjacent buildings. This paper describes the investigation into the cause of the silo explosion. The CFD code FLACS was used to evaluate the consequences associated with gas explosion of pyrolysis gases produced by smoldering combustion. Simulation results showed that the most probable scenario was the explosion of pyrolysis gases accumulated in the upper part of the silo where bag filters were present. The venting system was inefficient in mitigating the explosion, due to the corrosion of metal bolts connecting the silo walls. Another factor could have been the position of relief hatches, which were located in front of the filter elements, thus not meeting the required standards.
Coping strategies tailored to the management of fear of recurrence and adaptation for E‐health delivery: The FoRtitude intervention
Authors: Wagner Lynne I. , Duffecy Jenna , Penedo Frank , Mohr David C. , Cella David
Published: February 2017

Fear of recurrence has been well documented among cancer survivors, yet there have been few publications on strategies for coping with this fear. This report describes 3 coping strategies tailored to the management of fear of recurrence and the delivery of these coping strategies through FoRtitude, a targeted e‐health intervention designed to teach breast cancer survivors coping strategies targeted at fear of recurrence with a Web‐ and text messaging–based approach.
A novel flow cytometric application discriminates among the effects of chemical inhibitors on various phases of Babesia divergens intraerythrocytic cycle
Authors: Cursino‐Santos Jeny R. , Singh Manpreet , Pham Petra , Lobo Cheryl A.
Published: February 2017

Human babesiosis is a global emerging infectious disease caused by intraerythrocytic parasites of the genus Babesia. Its biology has remained largely unexplored due to a lack of critical tools and techniques required to define the various stages and phases of the parasite's cycle in its host RBC and the interplay between host and parasite. This article presents a powerful set of tools combining stage synchronization of the parasite with a platform that encompasses both a flow cytometric evaluation of the subpopulation structure of the parasite population together with a morphological assessment of the population parasites using light microscopy of conventional Giemsa stained smears. Together, these yield specific information on the effect of any drug/condition of interest and its targeted biological process, allowing the characterization of the adaptive response of parasites to a particular stressor agent. Three inhibitors were used in this study, each targeting a specific phase of the parasite's lifecycle, neuraminidase for host cell invasion, N‐acetyl‐L‐leucyl‐L‐leucyl‐L‐norleucinal for parasite development and EGTA for parasite egress from the host cell. Results presented prove the power of this combination platform in discriminating the specific targets among the life‐cycle processes of the parasite‐invasion, development/proliferation and egress. This will expand the range of queries that can now be successfully addressed in this parasite, opening avenues for the development of new methods to control babesiosis, either by chemicals (screening for new chemotherapy drugs or defining levels of parasite resistance) or physical methods (light irradiation or heat shock used in pathogen reduction/elimination methods). © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A Minimum Hamming Distance Search Associative Memory Using Neuron CMOS Inverters
Authors: HARADA YUJIRO , FUJIMOTO KUNIAKI , FUKUHARA MASAAKI , YOSHIDA MASAHIRO
Published: February 2017

Recently, high‐speed searching for the most similar reference data out of the database is needed for data compression, image recognition, network control, and others. However, it takes much time to search for data with software, or hardware using conventional memory. Associative memory has been developed as a high‐speed searching device. In this paper, we propose a minimum Hamming distance search associative memory using neuron CMOS inverters. The proposed associative memory is less affected by initial charge and a change of threshold voltage of neuron MOS transistors than conventional neuron CMOS circuits. The proposed circuit also makes searching speed higher by using fully parallel processing. We confirmed that the proposed circuit can be realized expected results by simulation, and experiment using test chip.
Photo‐Cross‐Linked Polydimethylacrylamide Hydrogels as Porogens for Mesoporous Alumina
Authors: Weinberger Christian , Chen Zimei , Birnbaum Wolfgang , Kuckling Dirk , Tiemann Michael
Published: February 2017

Dimethylacrylamide‐based hydrogels were utilized as porogenic matrices in the synthesis of mesoporous aluminum oxide (γ‐Al2O3) with specific BET surface areas up to 360 m2 g–1. Polymers with molecular mass in the range 12000–35000 g mol–1 were synthesized from dimethylacrylamide and various comonomers by free‐radical polymerization. Photo‐cross‐linking of the polymers and impregnation with aluminum nitrate [Al(NO3)3] was carried out in a single step, followed by formation of Al(OH)3/AlO(OH) and subsequent calcination. Calcination led to the formation of mesoporous Al2O3 and simultaneous combustion of the hydrogel. The structural properties of the products were characterized by powder XRD, N2 physisorption analysis, Hg intrusion porosimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis.
Reversal of Stereoselectivity in Cycloadditions of Five‐Membered Cyclic Nitrones Derived from Hexoses
Authors: Malatinský Tomáš , Spišáková Mária , Babjak Matej , Doháňošová Jana , Marek Jaromír , Moncol Ján , Fischer Róbert
Published: February 2017

Two five‐membered cyclic nitrones derived from hexoses, a newly synthesized d‐allo‐configured nitrone and an already known d‐talo‐configured nitrone, have been examined in 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions with vinyl acetate, allyl benzoate, methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, and vinylene carbonate. The reactions of the d‐allo‐configured nitrone proceeded preferentially through the expected exo‐anti transition state, but all the cycloadditions of the d‐talo‐configured nitrone surprisingly showed high exo‐syn selectivity. This reversal of stereoselectivity has been explained by 3D analysis of the preferred conformations of the nitrones, obtained from X‐ray data. The structures were further inspected using CONFLEX, PM5, and DFT calculations. All these methods revealed that the dioxolane substituents attached to C‐5 of both nitrones had opposite spatial locations.
Skin conductance as a pain assessment tool during chest tube removal: An observational study
Authors: Hansen J.O. , Storm H. , Boglino‐Hörlin A. , Le Guen M. , Gayat E. , Fischler M.
Published: February 2017

Background

Skin conductance variability to assess pain has shown varying results. Skin conductance responses per second (SCR) during a standardized painful stimulus in awake adults may give further understanding of the method's validity. The purpose of this study was to validate the SCR with the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain (P‐VAS) and anxiety (A‐VAS) during chest tube removal (CTR).

Methods

Ninety‐five patients receiving epidural or non‐epidural treatment, scheduled for CTR, were studied. Pain or anxiety was considered when VAS > 30 mm; the SCR cut‐off value reflecting pain was ≥0.2 SCR.

Results

SCR values could not be recorded in eight cases before CTR, six cases during CTR and seven cases after CTR. CTR induced increases in SCR, P‐VAS and A‐VAS (p < 0.001). Seventy‐seven percent of all pairs of P‐VAS and SCR values were well‐classified; P‐VAS ≤ 30 mm and SCR < 0.2 or P‐VAS > 30 mm and SCR ≥ 0.2. SCR obtained before CTR differentiates between patients with and without pain during CTR in all patients (p = 0.04) and in the subgroup of non‐anxious patients (p = 0.02), but not in the subgroup of anxious patients. SCR obtained during CTR had similar values in patients with and without pain in all patients and in the subgroup of anxious patients, but in the subgroup of non‐anxious patients SCR during CTR differentiates patients with and without pain (p = 0.009).

Conclusions

SCR increases during painful procedures. Preprocedural SCR may help predict reported pain in patients exposed to painful procedures. SCR during CTR differentiates between patients with and without pain only in non‐anxious patients.

Significance

Preprocedural SCR may help predict reported pain in patients exposed to painful procedures. Procedural SCR accuracy improves in a subgroup of non‐anxious patients. P‐VAS is influenced by anxiety different from SCR.
In vitro responses to known in vivo genotoxic agents in mouse germ cells
Authors: Habas Khaled , Brinkworth Martin H. , Anderson Diana
Published: February 2017

Genotoxic compounds have induced DNA damage in male germ cells and have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes including enhanced risks for maternal, paternal and offspring health. DNA strand breaks represent a great threat to the genomic integrity of germ cells. Such integrity is essential to maintain spermatogenesis and prevent reproduction failure. The Comet assay results revealed that the incubation of isolated germ cells with n‐ethyl‐n‐nitrosourea (ENU), 6‐mercaptopurine (6‐MP) and methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) led to increase in length of Olive tail moment and % tail DNA when compared with the untreated control cells and these effects were concentration‐dependent. All compounds were significantly genotoxic in cultured germ cells. Exposure of isolated germ cells to ENU produced the highest concentration‐related increase in both DNA damage and gene expression changes in spermatogonia. Spermatocytes were most sensitive to 6‐MP, with DNA damage and gene expression changes while spermatids were particularly susceptible to MMS. Real‐time PCR results showed that the mRNA level expression of p53 increased and bcl‐2 decreased significantly with the increasing ENU, 6‐MP and MMS concentrations in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids respectively for 24 hr. Both are gene targets for DNA damage response and apoptosis. These observations may help explain the cell alterations caused by ENU, 6‐MP and MMS in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. Taken together, ENU, 6‐MP and MMS induced DNA damage and decreased apoptosis associated gene expression in the germ cells in vitro. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:99–107, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.