bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desempenho Energético dos Edifícios e a sua Regulamentação
Authors: Brandão Roque Filipe Mesquita
Published: September 2017

Em 16 de Dezembro de 2002 foi aprovada pelo Parlamento Europeu e pelo Conselho da União Europeia a Directiva 2002/91/CE, relativa ao desempenho energético dos edifícios.
Mineralization and metallogenic model of Daletingchagan Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic ore in Dong Ujimqin, Inner Mongolia
Authors: Wei Ma , Jing Hou , Yao Chen , Mingchen Pan , Hailong Sun
Published: September 2017

Daletingchagan Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic ore, located 70 km away to the Baogeda Mountain in Dong Ujimqin, Inner Mongolia, is a Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic orefield, found based on that Geological prospecting institute of Liaoning province carry out the synthesis method for prospecting project of Baogeda forest field. This mineral deposit could be divided into two ore block, genetic types of west ore block is contact metasomatic type, east ore block is shallow epithermal deposit related to volcanic agencies and the subvolcanic, this paper is mainly on comprehensive study of east ore block mineralization, aiming at providing a beneficial reference of further exploration for concession.
Research on the solidification of silt with cement and zeolite as additives
Authors: Cheng Feng , Baotian Wang , Shoude Li
Published: September 2017

Silt solidification is an important method of silt disposal,and itâ€™s proved to be quick effectiveness and time saving and large in capacity.In recent years,the industrial pollution has made the silt in the lake or the sea rich in harmful elements,such as heavy metal and organic matter,etc,which may strongly influence the solidification effect of silt and trigger secondary pollution.The author proposed a kind of choice,which could effectly decrease harmful elements leaching,based on engineering application.The performances of solidification with different ratio of cement and zeolite,such as unconfined compressive strength,compression coefficient,heavy metal fractions,heavy metal short-term stability and long-term stability are systematicly studied.The article confirmed that the addition of the cement and the zeolite increase the strength of the soil and effectly enhance its deformation resistant capability,Further more,they significantly decrease the activity of harmful elements and greatly reduce the threat to the environment,which finds an effective solution to the environment problem.
Quality of Clinical Notes: Lesson Learned from Elective Surgery Patients Admitted at University Teaching Hospital
Authors: Shah Jay Narayan , Maharjan Shantbir , Shah Shailendra
Published: September 2017

Background: Informative relevant documentation regarding course of treatment minimizes errors, provides data for evidence based practice and legality. However, the clinical notes are often inadequate. This study aims to analyse quality of structured clinical notes in surgical patients. Methods: This cross sectional study from Oct 1, 2015 in department of surgery included 100 clinical notes randomly selected by lottery. The entries in notes were predefined. There were 29 general entries (nine for identification, eleven for admission details, eight for treatment progress, and one for handwriting). Three additional entries were for discharge patients. The decision for entries was based on consensus meeting in surgery department. Microsoft excel was used for data entry and descriptive analysis. Results: There were 100 clinical notes analysed, 62 non-discharge and 38 discharge patients. Four (out of 62) non-discharge had all 29 entries documented. Two (out of 38) in discharge had all 32 entries documented. The “date of entries, clinician name and designation” were mentioned in 12%, 13% and 10%, respectively. The progress on diet was recorded in 53%, investigations in 72% and intervention details in 73%. Handwriting was difficult to read in 21%. In 13 (out of 100) the identification information was incomplete. Discharge lacked details of home advice in 11%.Conclusions: The quality of clinical note of elective surgery patients needs improvement on documentation in all domains of identification, admission, progress and discharge.
Surgical Site Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern
Authors: Chaudhary Raskin , Thapa Shrawan Kumar , Rana Jid Chani , Shah Pradeep Kumar
Published: September 2017

Background: Post-operative surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the leading cause of morbidity and increased medical expense. The aim of this study is to isolate identify and study antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of microorganism from surgical wound of admitted patients.Methods: This retrospective study was carried at the Microbiology Laboratory of Bharatpur hospital, Nepal, from May 2015 to October 2015. The pus samples were cultured and antibiotic susceptibility determined in vitro by Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method following clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2014 recommendation.Results: Of the total 250 samples, 194 (77.6%) showed bacterial growth. Staphylococcus aureus was 47.4% and Escherichia coli 20.60 %. Of 194 isolates 39.2% were multi drug resistant. Amikacin was sensitive in 93.1% of Gram positive isolates and 81.8% of gram negative isolates.Conclusions: Bacterial growth is common in surgical site. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were multidrug resistant. Grampositive and gram negative isolates were commonly sensitive to Amikacin.
Caesarean Section During Second Stage of Labor in a Tertiary Centre
Authors: Gurung Padma , Malla Sameer , Lama Sushma , Malla Anagha , Singh Alka
Published: September 2017

Background: There is an alarming rise in caesarean section leading to increased adverse outcomes for both the mother and fetus when compared with vaginal delivery. Within this increasing caesarean section rate, there is a concerning increase in the rate of second stage caesarean section. This study highlight the feto-maternal outcome of caesarean section in second stage of labour.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort review of all women with a singleton, cephalic fetus at term delivered by caesarean section in the second stage of labor between April 1, 2013 and March 30, 2017 at Patan Academy of Health Sciences. The main outcome measures were second stage caesarean section, indications and its maternal and fetal morbidity.Results: During the study period, there were 40,860 deliveries. A total of 18,011 (44%) babies were born by caesarean section, 10484 emergency and 7527 elective. Out of the emergency caesarean section, 200 (1.9 %) were performed in second stage of labor. In this study, the most common indication was cephalopelvic disproportion. (92.4%) were delivered without a trial of instrumental delivery. In terms of maternal complications, atonic post partum haemorrhage uterine incision extension 18 (12.5%), postoperative fever 27(18.8%), wound infection 7 (4.8%) were observed. In perinatal complications, meconium stained amniotic fluid 49(34.2%), neonatal hyperbilirubinemia 14(9.7%) and increased nursery admission 2(15.3%) and 2(1.3%) perinatal mortality were seen.Conclusions: Cesarean sections done in second stage of labor are associated with several intra-operative maternal complications and neonatal morbidity.
Pattern of Antimicrobial Susceptibility for Salmonella Typhi in Dhaka Medical College Hospital from 2013-2014
Authors: Nahar Sultana Shazeda , Rashid Aliya , Chowdhury Sagana Shahreen , Begum Ayesha , Akter Nadira , Khatun Khadeza , Shamsuzzaman SM
Published: September 2017

Multidrug resistant Salmonella spp has been emerged as a cause of concern. This study was done to evaluate recent status in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella typhi isolated from blood in Dhaka Medical college Hospital.Methods- The retrospective study was done over a two year period between January 2013 to December 2014 at Microbiology laboratory, Dhaka Medical College. A total of 203 isolates of Salmonella typhi obtained from blood cultures. Both the indoor and outdoor patients were enrolled in this study.Results- During the two year study period, total 203 cases were enrolled. Among them 66% were male with a male to female ratio 2:1. The bulk (55%) cases were in the age group of 15-30 years, 34% cases were in less than 15 years and 10% cases were between the ages of 31-45 years. Regarding antibiotic sensitivity pattern, 90.14% strains were sensitive to amikacin, 90.47% to gentamycin and amoxyclav. 89.16% to doxycycline, 83.75% to cotrimoxazole, 71.42% to azithromycin and 86.2% to ceftazidime. All the Salmonella were sensitive to ceftriaxone, 95.07% were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and 88% were nalidixic acid resistant Salmonella typhi (NARST).Conclusion- Ceftriaxone may be used to treat typhoid fever cases and quinolone has no longer efficacy to treat such cases. Azithromycin may be used as an alternative drug if it is found susceptible in culture and sensitivity testing.J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 25, No.2, October, 2016, Page 115-118
Penile Injuries in Immunocastrated and Entire Male Pigs of One Fattening Farm
Authors: Reiter Simon , Zöls Susanne , Ritzmann Mathias , Stefanski Volker , Weiler Ulrike
Published: September 2017

Penile injuries in boars have been discussed as a relevant welfare problem in pork production with entire males (EM). The incidence of penile injuries with immunocastrated boars has not been described so far. Thus, it was the aim of this study to systematically compare frequency and severity of penile injuries in EM and IC. Incidence and size of penile injuries (wounds, scars, hematomas) were evaluated in 192 IC and 215 EM from one farm after slaughter (120 kg live weight; four batches (BA) in at least weekly intervals over five weeks). 75.8% EM and 48.4% IC showed injuries at the pars libra of the penis. Scars were observed in 71.2% EM and 44.8% IC. Scars/animal were significantly influenced by treatment (IC vs. EM), B and treatment x B and increased with age in EM (BA1: 2.61 ± 3.05; BA4: 3.59 ± 3.47), but not in IC (BA1: 2.00 ± 3.02; BA4: 1.22 ± 1.91). Wounds were obvious in 17.2% EM and 8.3% IC. Wounds/animal were only influenced significantly by treatment and were lower in IC than in EM. Thus, it is concluded that immunocastration reduces the frequency and severity of penile injuries in IC when compared to EM of same age and weight.
Semantic Security with Practical Transmission Schemes over Fading Wiretap Channels
Authors: Senigagliesi Linda , Baldi Marco , Chiaraluce Franco
Published: September 2017

We propose and assess an on–off protocol for communication over wireless wiretap channels with security at the physical layer. By taking advantage of suitable cryptographic primitives, the protocol we propose allows two legitimate parties to exchange confidential messages with some chosen level of semantic security against passive eavesdroppers, and without needing either pre-shared secret keys or public keys. The proposed method leverages the noisy and fading nature of the channel and exploits coding and all-or-nothing transforms to achieve the desired level of semantic security. We show that the use of fake packets in place of skipped transmissions during low channel quality periods yields significant advantages in terms of time needed to complete transmission of a secret message. Numerical examples are provided considering coding and modulation schemes included in the WiMax standard, thus showing that the proposed approach is feasible even with existing practical devices.
Exergo-Economic Evaluation of the Cost for Solar Thermal Depuration of Water
Authors: Dainelli Nicola , Manfrida Giampaolo , Petela Karolina , Rossi Federico
Published: September 2017

A detailed assessment of the cumulative cost of clean water production by a natural circulation solar thermal system is presented. The system is designed and sized for sufficient residence time for pasteurisation, in a buoyancy-driven self-compensating circuit. Since it does not consume electricity, it is suitable for developing countries or emergency locations with safe drinking water issues. The principles for design and off-design simulations are explained and discussed. The simulations were performed for seven different locations, representing variable climate conditions in selected regions where there is an evident need for safe water. The results include an exergy and exergo-economic analysis. The production capacity reaches typically from 0.04 to 0.1 m3/day per m2 of solar collector depending on the location. The annual cost of water production ranges between 2.2 and 6.8 €/m3 making the proposed system fairly competitive; the energy- and price-performance of the system is compared to a reverse osmosis/photovoltaic system, representing a high-tech alternative for the purpose of water purification.
Stability of DC Distribution Systems: An Algebraic Derivation
Authors: Van der Blij Nils , Ramirez-Elizondo Laura , Spaan Matthijs , Bauer Pavol
Published: September 2017

Instability caused by low inertia and constant power loads is a major challenge of DC distribution grids. Previous research uses oversimplified models or does not provide general rules for stability. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to analyze the stability of DC distribution systems is desired. This paper presents a method to algebraically analyze the stability of any DC distribution system through the eigenvalues of its state-space matrices. Furthermore, using this method, requirements are found for the stability of three example systems. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis is performed, which considers the effect of several system parameters on the stability and disputes some overgeneralized conclusions of previous research. Moreover, various simulations are performed to illustrate the dynamic behavior of a stable and an unstable DC distribution system.
Electromagnetic Burst Measurement System Based on Low Cost UHF Dipole Antenna
Authors: Escalona Ismael , Avaria Gonzalo , Díaz Marcos , Ardila-Rey Jorge , Moreno José , Pavez Cristian , Soto Leopoldo
Published: September 2017

Non-linear high-power devices produce electromagnetic noise (EMN) sources of great intensity that can disrupt and damage the surrounding electrical equipment and devices. This radiative phenomenon is very common at facilities where pulsed power generators are required, particularly those that are needed to produce dense transient plasma experiments. These conditions are found at the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN), due to the presence of pulsed power generators that switch large currents (kA-MA) in short times (10–100 ns). In order to characterize and establish conditions to mitigate the effects of the EMN on nearby devices, a measurement system based on an ultra-high frequency (UHF) dipole antenna was developed. We evaluated the system measuring the EMN emanated from a plasma focus device, the PF-400J. Measurements at the place indicated broadband and intense electric fields that can couple to nearby cables and equipment (10–300 MHz bandwidth, up to 350 V/MHz spectral intensity, 100 V coupled voltage). Based on these measurements a compact and simple protection system was designed, built and tested, capable of effectively mitigating the high levels of EMN. The proper EMN impact mitigation indicates the correct operation of the suggested system. The developed system can be of interest to the energy community by facilitating EMN measurement produced by arc discharges.
Economic and Technical Efficiency of the Biomass Industry in China: A Network Data Envelopment Analysis Model Involving Externalities
Authors: Yan Qingyou , Wan Youwei , Yuan Jingye , Yin Jieting , Baležentis Tomas , Streimikiene Dalia
Published: September 2017

This paper proposes the network data envelopment analysis (DEA) model accounting for negative externalities and applies it for decomposition of profit inefficiency in the biomass-agriculture circular system (Bio-AG system). A circular structure of the Bio-AG system which is different from the previously applied network structures is assumed. Since the negative externalities (i.e., pollutant emissions from the biomass industry) occur in the Bio-AG system, the property rights are taken into consideration to model the externalities-adjusted profits. Therefore, the changes in profits due to changes in the property rights (assuming no property rights, allocating property rights to agricultural sector, and allocating property rights to biomass power generation sector) are quantified. Further, the decomposition shows that the biomass power generation sector is less affected by technical inefficiency if contrasted to allocative inefficiency in terms of the profit loss. The findings suggest that the biomass power generation technology influences the profits of the biomass industry. What is more, the inefficient allocation of resources is now the key factor undermining performance of the biomass industry. Therefore, the government should adopt measures to improve the allocation of resources and prevent excessive investments or development of less efficient technologies.
Perception of Radiation Risk as a Predictor of Mid-Term Mental Health after a Nuclear Disaster: The Fukushima Health Management Survey
Authors: Miura Itaru , Nagai Masato , Maeda Masaharu , Harigane Mayumi , Fujii Senta , Oe Misari , Yabe Hirooki , Suzuki Yuriko , Takahashi Hideto , Ohira Tetsuya , Yasumura Seiji , Abe Masafumi
Published: September 2017

Predictive factors including risk perception for mid-term mental health after a nuclear disaster remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between perceived radiation risk and other factors at baseline and mid-term mental health after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster of 2011 in Japan. A mail-based questionnaire survey was conducted in January 2012 and January 2013. Mental health status was assessed using the K6 scale. Psychological distress over the 2-year period was categorized into the following four groups: chronic, recovered, resistant, or worsened. Most participants (80.3%) were resistant to the disaster. A positive association was found between the radiation risk perception regarding immediate effects and the worsened group in women. Baseline post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a history of psychiatric disease predicted being in the chronic or worsened group in mid-term course. These results suggest that evacuees who believed that their health was substantially affected by the nuclear disaster were at an increased risk of having poor mid-term mental health in women. Careful assessment of risk perception after a nuclear disaster, including the presence of PTSD or a history of psychiatric disease, is needed for appropriate interventions.
Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction and the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Yamazaki Yu , Kanekiyo Takahisa
Published: September 2017

Brain capillary endothelial cells form the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is covered with basement membranes and is also surrounded by pericytes and astrocyte end-feet in the neurovascular unit. The BBB tightly regulates the molecular exchange between the blood flow and brain parenchyma, thereby regulating the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, dysfunction of the BBB is likely involved in the pathogenesis of several neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and neurofibrillary tangle formation in the brain are central pathological hallmarks in AD, cerebrovascular lesions and BBB alteration have also been shown to frequently coexist. Although further clinical studies should clarify whether BBB disruption is a specific feature of AD pathogenesis, increasing evidence indicates that each component of the neurovascular unit is significantly affected in the presence of AD-related pathologies in animal models and human patients. Conversely, since some portions of Aβ are eliminated along the neurovascular unit and across the BBB, disturbing the pathways may result in exacerbated Aβ accumulation in the brain. Thus, current evidence suggests that BBB dysfunction may causatively and consequently contribute to AD pathogenesis, forming a vicious cycle between brain Aβ accumulation and neurovascular unit impairments during disease progression.
SlBIR3 Negatively Regulates PAMP Responses and Cell Death in Tomato
Authors: Huang Shuhua , Nie Shuming , Wang Shufen , Liu Jianwei , Zhang Yanfeng , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: September 2017

Bri1-associated kinase 1 (BAK1)-interacting receptor-like kinase (BIR) proteins have been shown to play important roles in regulating growth and development, pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI) responses, and cell death in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. We identified four BIR family members in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), including SlBIR3, an ortholog of AtBIR3 from A. thaliana. SlBIR3 is predicted to encode a membrane localized non-arginine-aspartate (non-RD) kinase that, based on protein sequence, does not have autophosphorylation activity but that can be phosphorylated in vivo. We established that SlBIR3 interacts with SlBAK1 and AtBAK1 using yeast two-hybrid assays and co-immunoprecipitation and maltose-binding protein pull down assays. We observed that SlBIR3 overexpression in tomato (cv. micro-tom) and A. thaliana has weak effect on growth and development through brassinosteroid (BR) signaling. SlBIR3 overexpression in A. thaliana suppressed flg22-induced defense responses, but did not affect infection with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae (PstDC3000). This result was confirmed using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in tomato in conjunction with PstDC3000 infection. Overexpression of SlBIR3 in tomato (cv. micro-tom) and A. thaliana resulted in enhanced susceptibility to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. In addition, co-silencing SlBIR3 with SlSERK3A or SlSERK3B using VIGS and the tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-RNA2 vector containing fragments of both the SlSERK3 and SlBIR3 genes induced spontaneous cell death, indicating a cooperation between the two proteins in this process. In conclusion, our study revealed that SlBIR3 is the ortholog of AtBIR3 and that it participates in BR, PTI, and cell death signaling pathways.
Tumor Inhibitory Effect of IRCR201, a Novel Cross-Reactive c-Met Antibody Targeting the PSI Domain
Authors: Park Hyunkyu , Kim Donggeon , Kim Eunmi , Sa Jason , Lee Hee , Yu Suji , Oh Jiwon , Kim Seok-Hyung , Yoon Yeup , Nam Do-Hyun
Published: September 2017

Hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR, c-Met) is an essential member of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family that is often dysregulated during tumor progression, driving a malignant phenotypic state and modulating important cellular functions including tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis, providing a strong rationale for targeting HGF/c-Met signaling axis in cancer therapy. Based on its protumorigenic potentials, we developed IRCR201, a potent antagonistic antibody targeting the plexin-semaphorin-integrin (PSI) domain of c-Met, using synthetic human antibody phage libraries. We characterized and evaluated the biochemical properties and tumor inhibitory effect of IRCR201 in vitro and in vivo. IRCR201 is a novel fully-human bivalent therapeutic antibody that exhibits cross-reactivity against both human and mouse c-Met proteins with high affinity and specificity. IRCR201 displayed low agonist activity and rapidly depleted total c-Met protein via the lysosomal degradation pathway, inhibiting c-Met-dependent downstream activation and attenuating cellular proliferation in various c-Met-expressing cancer cells. In vivo tumor xenograft models also demonstrated the superior tumor inhibitory responsiveness of IRCR201. Taken together, IRCR201 provides a promising therapeutic agent for c-Met-positive cancer patients through suppressing the c-Met signaling pathway and tumor growth.
Triarylborane-Based Materials for OLED Applications
Authors: Turkoglu Gulsen , Cinar M. Emin , Ozturk Turan
Published: September 2017

Multidisciplinary research on organic fluorescent molecules has been attracting great interest owing to their potential applications in biomedical and material sciences. In recent years, electron deficient systems have been increasingly incorporated into fluorescent materials. Triarylboranes with the empty p orbital of their boron centres are electron deficient and can be used as strong electron acceptors in conjugated organic fluorescent materials. Moreover, their applications in optoelectronic devices, energy harvesting materials and anion sensing, due to their natural Lewis acidity and remarkable solid-state fluorescence properties, have also been investigated. Furthermore, fluorescent triarylborane-based materials have been commonly utilized as emitters and electron transporters in organic light emitting diode (OLED) applications. In this review, triarylborane-based small molecules and polymers will be surveyed, covering their structure-property relationships, intramolecular charge transfer properties and solid-state fluorescence quantum yields as functional emissive materials in OLEDs. Also, the importance of the boron atom in triarylborane compounds is emphasized to address the key issues of both fluorescent emitters and their host materials for the construction of high-performance OLEDs.
Development of Novel Nrf2/ARE Inducers Bearing Pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinolin Scaffold with Potent In Vitro Efficacy and Enhanced Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Dai Hongbin , Jiao Qiong , Liu Tian , You Qidong , Jiang Zhengyu
Published: September 2017

Pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinolin analogues were reported as potent activators of Nrf2/ARE signaling both in vitro and in vivo by our group. In this study, we simplified the ring system to investigate the functions of various parts of the pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinolin scaffold. We proved that the tetrahydroisoquinoline was not essential for activity and the pyrido[1,2-a]pyrazin analogues 3b and 3g retained the cellular Nrf2/ARE activation activity. Besides, this simplification significantly enhanced water solubility and membrane permeability, indicating that these compounds are more favourable for the further development of therapeutic agents around Nrf2 activation.
Why Disability Studies Needs to Take Religion Seriously
Authors: Imhoff Sarah
Published: September 2017

Religion and theology are central ways that many people make sense of the world and their own place in that world. But the insights of critical studies of religion, or what is sometimes positioned as religious studies as opposed to theology, are scarce in disability literature. This article suggests some of the costs of this oversight and some of the benefits of including religion. First, this article discusses how some past scholarly engagements of disability and religion have misrepresented and denigrated Judaism. Second, it argues that Judaism paints different disabilities in quite different ways, and that we cannot coherently talk about “disability in Judaism” as if it is a single thing. Third, it discusses the medical model and the social model, and shows how one Jewish woman’s writing on pain complicates how we might think about these models. In this way, the article shows how religious studies can both help remedy past mistakes and bring new insights to disability studies.
Magicians, Sorcerers and Witches: Considering Pretantric, Non-sectarian Sources of Tantric Practices
Authors: Davidson Ronald M.
Published: September 2017

Most models on the origins of tantrism have been either inattentive to or dismissive of non-literate, non-sectarian ritual systems. Groups of magicians, sorcerers or witches operated in India since before the advent of tantrism and continued to perform ritual, entertainment and curative functions down to the present. There is no evidence that they were tantric in any significant way, and it is not clear that they were concerned with any of the liberation ideologies that are a hallmark of the sectarian systems, even while they had their own separate identities and specific divinities. This paper provides evidence for the durability of these systems and their continuation as sources for some of the ritual and nomenclature of the sectarian tantric traditions, including the predisposition to ritual creativity and bricolage.
One-Step Facile Synthesis of Aptamer-Modified Graphene Oxide for Highly Specific Enrichment of Human A-Thrombin in Plasma
Authors: Xu Yuan , Tan Siyuan , Liang Qionglin , Ding Mingyu
Published: September 2017

The enrichment of low-abundance proteins in complex biological samples plays an important role in clinical diagnostics and biomedical research. This work reports a novel one-step method for the synthesis of aptamer-modified graphene oxide (GO/Apt) nanocomposites, without introducing the use of gold, for the rapid and specific separation and enrichment of human α-thrombin from buffer solutions with highly concentrated interferences. The obtained GO/Apt nanocomposites had remarkable aptamer immobilization, up to 44.8 nmol/mg. Furthermore, GO/Apt nanocomposites exhibited significant specific enrichment efficiency for human α-thrombin (>90%), even under the presence of 3000-fold interference proteins, which was better than the performance of other nanomaterials. Finally, the GO/Apt nanocomposites were applied in the specific capturing of human α-thrombin in highly concentrated human plasma solutions with negligible nonspecific binding of other proteins, which demonstrated their prospects in rare protein analysis and biosensing applications.
Response Characteristics and Experimental Study of Underground Magnetic Resonance Sounding Using a Small-Coil Sensor
Authors: Qin Shengwu , Ma Zhongjun , Jiang Chuandong , Lin Jun , Xue Yiguo , Shang Xinlei , Li Zhiqiang
Published: September 2017

Due to its unique sensitivity to hydrogen protons, magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) is the only geophysical method that directly detects water and can provide nondestructive information on subsurface aquifer properties. The relationship between the surface MRS signal and the location and characteristics of aquifers using large-coil (typically 50–150 m) sensors has been discussed based on forward modelling and experiments. However, few researchers have studied underground MRS using a small-coil sensor. In this paper, a parametric study and a large-scale physical model test were conducted to shed light on the critical response characteristics of underground MRS using a small-coil sensor. The effects of the size and number of turns of the transmitter coil and receiver coil, the geomagnetic declination, the geomagnetic inclination, and the position, thickness, and water content of a water-bearing structure on the performance of the underground MRS were studied based on numerical simulations. Furthermore, we derived the kernel function and underground MRS signal curves for a water-bearing structure model based on the simulations. Finally, a large-scale physical model test on underground MRS using a small-coil sensor was performed using a physical test system for geological prediction of tunnels at Shandong University. The results show that the inversion results of the physical model test were in good agreement with the physical prototype results. Using both numerical modeling and physical model tests, this study showed that underground MRS using a small-coil sensor can be used to predict water-bearing structures in underground engineering.
Elderly in the Digital Era. Theoretical Perspectives on Assistive Technologies
Authors: Iancu Ioana , Iancu Bogdan
Published: September 2017

The present paper presents a theoretical perspective on assistive technology for elderly people. In a context characterized by an aging population and an increased life expectancy, it is highly likely that we will become the spectators of a powerful pressure on the medical assistance process. An increasing life expectancy means an increasing need of assistance for longer periods of time, which might become an unfeasible and unrealistic policy due to limited medical resources. In this context, assistive technology might become the only solution. Starting from an international context, this paper aims to theoretically present the way technology can be used as a tool for the elderly’s needs.
Cell autonomous sanctions in legumes target ineffective rhizobia in nodules with mixed infections
Authors: Regus John U. , Quides Kenjiro W. , O'Neill Matthew R. , Suzuki Rina , Savory Elizabeth A. , Chang Jeff H. , Sachs Joel L.
Published: September 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

To maximize benefits from symbiosis, legumes must limit physiological inputs into ineffective rhizobia that nodulate hosts without fixing nitrogen. The capacity of legumes to decrease the relative fitness of ineffective rhizobia—known as sanctions—has been demonstrated in several legume species, but its mechanisms remain unclear. Sanctions are predicted to work at the whole‐nodule level. However, whole‐nodule sanctions would make the host vulnerable to mixed‐nodule infections, which have been demonstrated in the laboratory and observed in natural settings. Here, we present and test a cell‐autonomous model of legume sanctions that can resolve this dilemma.

METHODS:

We analyzed histological and ultrastructural evidence of sanctions in two legume species, Acmispon strigosus and Lotus japonicus. For the former, we inoculated seedlings with rhizobia that naturally vary in their abilities to fix nitrogen. In the latter, we inoculated seedlings with near‐isogenic strains that differ only in the ability to fix nitrogen.

KEY RESULTS:

In both hosts, plants inoculated with ineffective rhizobia exhibited evidence for a cell autonomous and accelerated program of senescence within nodules. In plants that received mixed inoculations, only the plant cells harboring ineffective rhizobia exhibited features consistent with programmed cell death, including collapsed vacuoles, ruptured symbiosomes, and bacteroids that are released into the cytosol. These features were consistently linked with ultrastructural evidence of reduced survival of ineffective rhizobia in planta.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data suggest an elegant cell autonomous mechanism by which legumes can detect and defend against ineffective rhizobia even when nodules harbor a mix of effective and ineffective rhizobial genotypes.
p-tert-Butylthiacalix[4]arenes functionalized by N-(4’-nitrophenyl)acetamide and N,N-diethylacetamide fragments: synthesis and binding of anionic guests
Authors: Vavilova Alena A , Stoikov Ivan I
Published: September 2017

New p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arenes, which are mono-, 1,2-di- and tetrasubstituted at the lower rim containing N-(4’-nitrophenyl)acetamide and N,N-diethylacetamide groups in cone and partial cone conformations have been synthesized. Their complexation ability towards a number of tetrabutylammonium salts n-Bu4NX (X = F−, Cl−, Br−, I−, CH3CO2−, H2PO4−, NO3−) was studied by UV spectroscopy. The effective receptor for the anions studied as well as selective receptors for F−, CH3CO2− and H2PO4− ions, which based on the synthesized thiacalix[4]arenes, have been obtained. It was shown that p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene tetrasubstituted at the lower rim by N-(4’-nitrophenyl)acetamide moieties bonded to the anions studied with association constants within the range of 3.55 × 103–7.94 × 105 M−1. Besides, the binding selectivity for F−, Cl−, CH3CO2−, and H2PO4− anions against other anions was in the range of 4.1–223.9. Substituting one or two fragments in the macrocycle with N,N-diethylacetamide groups significantly reduces the complexation ability of the receptor. In contrast to the 1,3-disubstituted macrocycle containing two N-(4’-nitrophenyl)acetamide moieties, the 1,2-disubstituted thiacalix[4]arene, which contains only one such fragment and a N,N-diethylacetamide moiety, selectively binds F− anions.
Résilience et développement : complément, substitut ou palliatif ?
Authors: Ancey Véronique , Pesche Denis , Daviron Benoît
Published: September 2017

Quelle fonction politique remplit le vocabulaire de la résilience, aujourd’hui omniprésent dans l’aide au développement ? Cet article analyse le discours de programmes et de projets d’aide, à la lumière de recherches conduites pendant une quinzaine d’années auprès des populations pastorales sahéliennes, aujourd’hui emblématiques de la résilience. Il montre en quoi la notion de résilience véhicule des traits compassionnels et sécuritaires, caractéristiques d’une idéologie néolibérale entraînant par ailleurs l’affaiblissement des politiques publiques. Au-delà d’une alternative entre rhétorique et innovation, l’usage de cette notion à propos de groupes sociaux perfectionne le cadrage idéologique tenant lieu d’orientation du développement depuis les années 1980. À l’échelle locale, l’article questionne l’originalité des projets se référant à la résilience et la pertinence de cette notion dans le champ social.
Urbanisation administrative, in situ et métropolitaine : les contradictions spatiales de la gouvernance territoriale au Vietnam
Authors: Fanchette Sylvie
Published: September 2017

Les différentes formes d’urbanisation dans le monde posent la question de sa mesure et de la validité de la comparaison des taux d’urbanisation entre pays et continents. Dans les régions très peuplées d’Asie ou d’Égypte, ceux-ci demeurent relativement faibles, voire moyens, au regard des foules qui y vivent. L’armature urbaine est composée de villes ayant des fonctions principalement administratives, sa hiérarchie est très régulière et ne prend pas en compte les bourgades. L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser la tension existant entre l’urbanisation administrative, celle in situ, qui émerge des campagnes très peuplées, et la métropolisation en œuvre sur les marges rurales. Il illustre le cas du Nord Vietnam post-communiste, en plein processus de rattrapage urbain. À travers plusieurs cas d’étude dans le delta du fleuve Rouge, l’auteure présente les contradictions spatiales et la dégradation environnementale liées au mode de gestion rurale d’agglomérations présentant des caractéristiques urbaines, mais non reconnues comme telles, car sans pouvoir territorial.
Une leçon de soft power : le rôle des coopérations états-uniennes avec la Chine dans l’exportation de l’enseignement de la gestion
Authors: Soulas Tupac
Published: September 2017

Cet article analyse le rôle des coopérations états-uniennes dans l’émergence et la structuration de l’enseignement de la gestion en Chine depuis le début du xxe siècle. Des coopérations successives menées par plusieurs acteurs états-uniens (évangélisation, puis endiguement du communisme, et enfin aide au développement économique) ont porté des projets visant à aider au développement de la Chine. Avec des objectifs et des approches différentes, ils ont utilisé l’enseignement de la gestion comme un outil de chacun de leurs projets. En dépit des décennies de communisme maoïste, ce processus a conduit à l’exportation d’un modèle états-unien d’enseignement de la gestion d’entreprise qui domine aujourd’hui en République populaire de Chine.
Le rôle des entreprises privées dans le développement local en Afrique subsaharienne
Authors: Bekelynck Anne
Published: September 2017

Au cours des années 2000, les entreprises privées se sont progressivement imposées comme des acteurs incontournables de la gouvernance mondiale de la santé et comme une réponse à l’épineuse question de l’efficacité de l’aide internationale. Cet article participe au débat sur le rôle et la légitimité des entreprises privées en tant qu’acteurs de développement local, à partir de l’analyse de leurs initiatives contre le VIH/sida en Côte d’Ivoire. Fondée sur une enquête de terrain approfondie auprès de trente entreprises privées, cette recherche met en exergue les ambivalences des entreprises privées en tant qu’acteurs de santé publique qui seraient équivalents aux autres, confrontant leur efficacité aux enjeux de légitimité, de protection des droits humains et d’équité dans l’accès à la santé.
Terson Syndrome Associated With Acute Macular Neuropathy Type 2
Authors: Vujosevic Stela , Testi Ilaria , Nacci Elisabetta , Midena Edoardo
Published: September 2017

Terson syndrome is defined as the incidence of intraocular hemorrhage in patients following a subarachnoid or intracranial bleed. A 38-year-old female with both intraretinal and subretinal hemorrhages secondary to Terson syndrome underwent repair of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. One month following resolution of the macular hemorrhages, a paracentral scotoma persisted. Multimodal imaging (morphological and functional) confirmed the presence of acute macular neuroretinopathy Type 2 associated with deep retinal capillary ischemia. Optical coherence tomography angiography illustrated the selective involvement of the deep retinal capillary plexus.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2017;48:764–767.]
Vivienda en Long Island
Authors: Schwartzman Daniel
Published: September 2017

El arquitecto ha construido su propia casa sobre un terreno de gran pendiente que desciende fuertemente hacia el mar. Así, pues, ciñéndose a la topografía, se ha conseguido una vivienda en tres alturas, todas ellas con una orientación fundamental noroeste, con grandes y diáfanas fachadas que permiten a la vista extenderse sobre la lámina azul, salpicada por las blancas velas de las embarcaciones deportivas y de recreo. El panorama que se divisa desde los volados balcones, se prolonga hasta la playa de Sands Point, y alcanza, a lo lejos, la línea costera del Condado de Westchester y de Connecticut.
Residencia en Birmingham, Michigan (U. S. A.)
Authors: Meathe - Kessler Asociados
Published: September 2017

El programa de esta vivienda ha sido fijado por sus propietarios, de acuerdo con sus normas de vida y tendiendo a un claro deseo de facilitarlas y mejorarlas. Estas necesidades básicas están expresadas en dos funciones simultáneas: grandes espacios abiertos de expansión y zonas privadas de recreo y solar. Los propietarios necesitaban también, para sus aficiones jardineras, espacios interiores y exteriores dedicados a plantas y flores. Aparte de esto, era necesario prever locales espaciosos y bien iluminados para exponer todas las obras de arte que los propietarios han ido acumulando en el transcurso de su vida.
Casa sobre una roca, Sperlonga (Italia)
Authors: Renzi Mario Renzi
Published: September 2017

Sperlonga es una bella franja de litoral limitada por Terracina y Gaeta, en la zona donde los Arunci descienden hacia el mar. El lugar, hasta hace poco casi desconocido, ha cobrado interés por sus bellezas naturales y el brillante y nítido color del cielo y el mar, hasta llegar a ser como la pequeña Capri del Lacio.
Cubiertas de plástico reforzado
Authors: Editorial Equipo
Published: September 2017

La casa Strutural Plastics Inc. de Fort Worth, Texas (EE. UU.), ha fabricado los materiales utilizados para cubrir una superficie de 700 m2 con un producto plástico, de fibra de vidrio reforzada.
Nuevo puente sobre el río Ganges
Authors: Sarwal S.
Published: September 2017

Recientemente se ha puesto en servicio un nuevo puente sobre el río Ganges, a unos cinco kilómetros aguas abajo de la estación ferroviaria de Mokameh Ghat, del Estado de Bihar, en la India. La obra consta de 14 tramos principales, de unos 120 m, aproximadamente, de luz cada uno, y 4 tramos, dos en cada extremidad, de 30 m de luz, que constituyen un total de 1.820 m de longitud. El puente tiene dos tableros: el superior, de 7,30 m de anchura, destinado a un paso de carretera, y el inferior, convenientemente separado, para el paso de un ferrocarril. Entre la parte inferior del puente y el nivel de aguas se ha dejado una altura libre de 10,50 m para el paso de la navegación fluvial.
Rompeolas de hormigón pretensado
Authors: Bruce Robert N.
Published: September 2017

Desde hace unos doce años, fecha en que se construyó en los Estados Unidos la primera estructura de hormigón pretensado, han sido más y distintas las aplicaciones posteriores que de esta técnica moderna se han venido realizando en dicho país. Todas las obras realizadas siguiendo estos procedimientos se han controlado estrechamente para conocer de cerca los resultados obtenidos en las múltiples y variadas aplicaciones, con objeto de adoptarlas en las distintas especialidades de la ingeniería civil, de entre las cuales, la parte marítima es la que más directamente se refiere a este trabajo.
Presa con revestimiento asfáltico
Authors: Proudfit D. P.
Published: September 2017

La presa denominada Montgomery se halla situada sobre el río South Platte River, a unos 8 km aguas arriba de la ciudad de Alma, del Estado de Colorado (EE. UU.), y en la ladera oriental de la cordillera Continental Divide. El cuerpo o dique de esta presa está constituido por piedra, revestida con una capa de hormigón asfáltico en el paramento de contacto con el agua.
Challenged by Respect
Authors: Watts Andrew
Published: September 2017

This chapter explores how service-learning programs offered by U.S. colleges and universities might partner with Native American communities on reservations. It reviews relevant scholarship on approaches to cross-cultural learning, such as the Authentic and Culturally Engaging (ACE). It provides background for the participating partners in a current service-learning program. It examines issues affecting cross-cultural service-learning on reservations in light of ongoing historical, social and cultural trauma. It addresses pedagogical issues unique to Humanities (Religion) service-learning programs. It provides a description of various strategies used in the program that implement service-learning and learning theories. Throughout the chapter Native American voices and scholars serving as community partners for this specific program offer critical perspectives on pedagogy and partnerships.
Gaining Perspective
Authors: Coffey Heather , Harden Susan B.
Published: September 2017

In this chapter, the authors discuss the outcomes of a program evaluation of a university-middle school service-learning partnership. The initial goal was to evaluate the extent to which three middle school teachers, our community partners, were satisfied with the volunteer experience their seventh grade students had with first-year university students. The evaluation came after a three-year partnership between undergraduates enrolled in a liberal studies course focused on citizenship and education and a team of middle school students and their teachers. Interviews revealed that this partnership enabled teachers to view their students through a different lens than they had prior to the partnership. Further, teachers suggested that the service-learning activities facilitated a deeper understanding of students' funds-of-knowledge and talents. This research supports the possibility that there are valuable unintended outcomes of service-learning partnerships between universities and public schools.
Partnering With LGBTQ+ Communities
Authors: Fondrie Suzanne
Published: September 2017

What issues and considerations are involved in developing and facilitating service-learning projects with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities? This chapter presents results of examining the limited scholarship on service-learning projects conducted with these communities. The author proposes possible reasons for the lack of scholarship and offers suggestions for pre-, during-, and post-project considerations. These suggestions include identifying and surveying potential collaborators, preparing students for engaging with the communities, facilitating reflection during the project, and debriefing students afterward, along with analyzing results in order to improve future collaboration efforts.
Advocacy in Early Childhood Teacher Preparation
Authors: DiCarlo Cynthia F. , Ota Carrie L.
Published: September 2017

Research suggests that teachers' definitions of advocacy are highly influenced by their academic preservice education, even more than their other experiences (Mevawalla & Hadley, 2012), leading to this being a critical focus for undergraduate pre-service teacher preparation (Snyder, 2012). Advocacy can be viewed by preservice teachers as a worthy, albeit intimidating, goal. This chapter describes a structured advocacy project in an undergraduate teacher preparation program. The project was broken down into component parts across the students' final semester and served as the capstone seminar for the teacher preparation program.