bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxymatrine Inhibits Influenza A Virus Replication and Inflammation via TLR4, p38 MAPK and NF-κB Pathways
Authors: Dai Jian-Ping , Wang Qian-Wen , Su Yun , Gu Li-Ming , Deng Hui-Xiong , Chen Xiao-Xuan , Li Wei-Zhong , Li Kang-Sheng
Published: March 2018

Oxymatrine (OMT) is a strong immunosuppressive agent that has been used in the clinic for many years. In the present study, by using plaque inhibition, luciferase reporter plasmids, qRT-PCR, western blotting, and ELISA assays, we have investigated the effect and mechanism of OMT on influenza A virus (IAV) replication and IAV-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that OMT had excellent anti-IAV activity on eight IAV strains in vitro. OMT could significantly decrease the promoter activity of TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, MyD88, and TRAF6 genes, inhibit IAV-induced activations of Akt, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB pathways, and suppress the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and MMP-2/-9. Activators of TLR4, p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways could significantly antagonize the anti-IAV activity of OMT in vitro, including IAV replication and IAV-induced cytopathogenic effect (CPE). Furthermore, OMT could reduce the loss of body weight, significantly increase the survival rate of IAV-infected mice, decrease the lung index, pulmonary inflammation and lung viral titter, and improve pulmonary histopathological changes. In conclusion, OMT possesses anti-IAV and anti-inflammatory activities, the mechanism of action may be linked to its ability to inhibit IAV-induced activations of TLR4, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB pathways.
St. John’s Wort Regulates Proliferation and Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells by Inhibiting AMPK/mTOR and Activating the Mitochondrial Pathway
Authors: You Mi-Kyoung , Kim Hwa-Jin , Kook Ji , Kim Hyeon-A
Published: March 2018

St. John’s Wort (SJW) has been used as an estrogen agonist in the systems affected by menopause. Also, hypericin, a bioactive compound of SJW, has been used as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy. In the present study, we investigate the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of SJW to demonstrate the chemo-preventive effect in human breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were cultured with DMSO or various concentrations of SJW ethanol extract (SJWE). Cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, the expression of proteins involved in cell growth and apoptosis, and caspase-3/7 activity were examined. SJWE dose-dependently suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. Mechanistically, SJWE enhanced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and decreased the expression of p-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and p-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). Also, SJWE inhibited the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and showed increases in the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bad with decreases in the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins including B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL), and p-Bcl-2-associated death promoter (p-Bad). SJWE at 50 μg/mL showed markedly enhanced caspase-7 activation. Taken together, our results provide evidence that SJWE shows anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects via inhibition of AMPK/mTOR and activation of a mitochondrial pathway. Therefore, SJWE can be used as a chemo-preventive agent without photo-activation.
Contribution of Remote Sensing on Crop Models: A Review
Authors: Kasampalis Dimitrios , Alexandridis Thomas , Deva Chetan , Challinor Andrew , Moshou Dimitrios , Zalidis Georgios
Published: March 2018

Crop growth models simulate the relationship between plants and the environment to predict the expected yield for applications such as crop management and agronomic decision making, as well as to study the potential impacts of climate change on food security. A major limitation of crop growth models is the lack of spatial information on the actual conditions of each field or region. Remote sensing can provide the missing spatial information required by crop models for improved yield prediction. This paper reviews the most recent information about remote sensing data and their contribution to crop growth models. It reviews the main types, applications, limitations and advantages of remote sensing data and crop models. It examines the main methods by which remote sensing data and crop growth models can be combined. As the spatial resolution of most remote sensing data varies from sub-meter to 1 km, the issue of selecting the appropriate scale is examined in conjunction with their temporal resolution. The expected future trends are discussed, considering the new and planned remote sensing platforms, emergent applications of crop models and their expected improvement to incorporate automatically the increasingly available remotely sensed products.
High-Dynamic-Range Spectral Imaging System for Omnidirectional Scene Capture
Authors: Hirai Keita , Osawa Naoto , Hori Motoki , Horiuchi Takahiko , Tominaga Shoji
Published: March 2018

Omnidirectional imaging technology has been widely used for scene archiving. It has been a crucial technology in many fields including computer vision, image analysis and virtual reality. It should be noted that the dynamic range of luminance values in a natural scene is quite large, and the scenes containing various objects and light sources consist of various spectral power distributions. Therefore, this paper proposes a system for acquiring high dynamic range (HDR) spectral images for capturing omnidirectional scenes. The system is constructed using two programmable high-speed video cameras with specific lenses and a programmable rotating table. Two different types of color filters are mounted on the two-color video cameras for six-band image acquisition. We present several algorithms for HDR image synthesis, lens distortion correction, image registration, and omnidirectional image synthesis. Spectral power distributions of illuminants (color signals) are recovered from the captured six-band images based on the Wiener estimation algorithm. In this paper, we present two types of applications based on our imaging system: time-lapse imaging and gigapixel imaging. The performance of the proposed system is discussed in detail in terms of the system configurations, acquisition time, artifacts, and spectral estimation accuracy. Experimental results in actual scenes demonstrate that the proposed system is feasible and powerful for acquiring HDR spectral scenes through time-lapse or gigapixel omnidirectional imaging approaches. Finally, we apply the captured omnidirectional images to time-lapse spectral Computer Graphics (CG) renderings and spectral-based relighting of an indoor gigapixel image.
Intellectual Brilliance and Presidential Performance: Why Pure Intelligence (or Openness) Doesn’t Suffice
Authors: Simonton Dean
Published: March 2018

In recent years it has become popular on the internet to debate the IQ of the incumbent president of the United States. Yet, these controversies (and hoaxes) presume that IQ has some relevance to understanding the president’s actual performance as the nation’s leader. This assumption is examined by reviewing the empirical research on the intelligence–performance association in political leadership, with a special focus on U.S. presidents. The review starts by discussing at-a-distance assessment techniques, a method that has yielded reliable and valid measures of IQ, Intellectual Brilliance, and Openness to Experience; three correlated even if separable concepts. The discussion then turns to the reliable and valid measurement of presidential performance—or “greatness”—via successive surveys of hundreds of experts. These two lines of research then converged on the emergence of a six-predictor equation, in which Intellectual Brilliance plays a major role, to the exclusion of both IQ and Openness. The greatest presidents are those who feature wide interests, and who are artistic, inventive, curious, intelligent, sophisticated, complicated, insightful, wise, and idealistic (but who are far from being either dull or commonplace). These are the personal traits we should look for in the person who occupies the nation’s highest office if we seek someone most likely to solve the urgent problems of today and tomorrow.
A Slipping Hold? Farm Dweller Precarity in South Africa’s Changing Agrarian Economy and Climate
Authors: Hornby Donna , Nel Adrian , Chademana Samuel , Khanyile Nompilo
Published: March 2018

The paper investigates whether farm dwellers in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa are subject to a “double exposure”: vulnerable both to the impacts of post-apartheid agrarian dynamics and to the risks of climate change. The evidence is drawn from a 2017 survey that was undertaken by the Association for Rural Advancement (AFRA), which is a land rights Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), of 843 farm dweller households. Data on the current living conditions and livelihoods was collected on 15.3% of the farm dweller population in the area. The paper demonstrates that farm dwellers are a fragmented, agricultural precariat subject to push and pull drivers of mobility that leave them with a precarious hold on rural farm dwellings. The key provocation is that we need to be attentive to whether the hold farm dwellers have over land and livelihoods is slipping further as a result of instability in the agrarian economy? This instability arises from agriculture’s arguably maladaptive response to the intersection of structural agrarian change and climate risk in post-apartheid South Africa. While the outcomes will only be apparent in time, the risks are real, and the paper concludes with a call for agrarian policy pathways that are both more adaptive and achieve social justice objectives.
Microstructure, Martensitic Transformation, and Inverse Magnetocaloric Effect in Ni48Mn39.5Sn12.5−xAlx Metamagnetic Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Czaja P. , Wróblewski R. , Grzonka J. , Przewoźnik J. , Maziarz W.
Published: March 2018

The effect of Al substitution on microstructure, martensitic transformation and magnetocaloric properties in Ni48Mn39.5Sn12.5−xAlx (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) alloys is reported. At room temperature, depending on Al concentration, the alloys have typical Heusler L21 austenite structure and/or orthorhombic martensite structure with Pmma space group. A secondary Ni-Mn-Al phase also appears already for low Al concentrations (x ≥ 1). On cooling, irrespective of Al substitution, all the samples show ferromagnetic type ordering below 303 K in the austenite phase. The martensitic transition temperature varies with Al content. All the alloys undergo magnetic field-induced reverse martensitic transformation giving rise to an inverse magnetocaloric effect. The largest magnetic entropy change (8.5 J·kg−1·K−1) is observed near 280 K for the Ni48Mn39.5Sn12.5 alloy.
Study on the Development of Neutrosophic Triplet Ring and Neutrosophic Triplet Field
Authors: Ali Mumtaz , Smarandache Florentin , Khan Mohsin
Published: March 2018

Rings and fields are significant algebraic structures in algebra and both of them are based on the group structure. In this paper, we attempt to extend the notion of a neutrosophic triplet group to a neutrosophic triplet ring and a neutrosophic triplet field. We introduce a neutrosophic triplet ring and study some of its basic properties. Further, we define the zero divisor, neutrosophic triplet subring, neutrosophic triplet ideal, nilpotent integral neutrosophic triplet domain, and neutrosophic triplet ring homomorphism. Finally, we introduce a neutrosophic triplet field.
Synthesis of Alkyl-Glycerolipids Standards for Gas Chromatography Analysis: Application for Chimera and Shark Liver Oils
Authors: Pinault Michelle , Guimaraes Cyrille , Couthon Hélène , Thibonnet Jérôme , Fontaine Delphine , Chantôme Aurélie , Chevalier Stephan , Besson Pierre , Jaffrès Paul-Alain , Vandier Christophe
Published: March 2018

Natural O-alkyl-glycerolipids, also known as alkyl-ether-lipids (AEL), feature a long fatty alkyl chain linked to the glycerol unit by an ether bond. AEL are ubiquitously found in different tissues but, are abundant in shark liver oil, breast milk, red blood cells, blood plasma, and bone marrow. Only a few AEL are commercially available, while many others with saturated or mono-unsaturated alkyl chains of variable length are not available. These compounds are, however, necessary as standards for analytical methods. Here, we investigated different reported procedures and we adapted some of them to prepare a series of 1-O-alkyl-glycerols featuring mainly saturated alkyl chains of various lengths (14:0, 16:0, 17:0, 19:0, 20:0, 22:0) and two monounsaturated chains (16:1, 18:1). All of these standards were fully characterized by NMR and GC-MS. Finally, we used these standards to identify the AEL subtypes in shark and chimera liver oils. The distribution of the identified AEL were: 14:0 (20–24%), 16:0 (42–54%) and 18:1 (6–16%) and, to a lesser extent, (0.2–2%) for each of the following: 16:1, 17:0, 18:0, and 20:0. These standards open the possibilities to identify AEL subtypes in tumours and compare their composition to those of non-tumour tissues.
Volatilization Behavior of β-Type Ti-Mo Alloy Manufactured by Electron Beam Melting
Authors: Yao Kai , Min Xiaohua , Shi Shuang , Tan Yi
Published: March 2018

The effects of electron beam melting parameters on the volatilization behavior of elements and the microstructures of ingots were investigated on a β-type Ti-Mo binary alloy. The microstructures of the ingots consisted of large and columnar grains at their bottom and top sections, respectively, and they were similar at different melting powers, from 10.5 kW to 15.0 kW, and the melting time ranging from 10 min to 40 min, without apparent metallurgical defects. Mass losses of ingots exhibited an increasing tendency, with increases of both melting power and melting time. Combined with a theoretical calculation and X-ray fluorescence results, Ti was identified as the main volatilization element due to its much higher vapor pressure than that of the Mo element. The considerable compensation method of the volatile Ti element was established in terms of theoretical and experimental results, which could provide a guidance for fabricating composition-controllable Ti-Mo binary alloys via electron beam melting technology.
Mechanical Property Testing of Hydrogenated Zirconium Irradiated with Electrons
Authors: Kudiiarov Viktor , Larionov Vitaliy , Tyurin Yuri
Published: March 2018

The mechanical properties of the hydrogenated zirconium alloy Zr-1Nb are studied under different conditions for hydrogen removal by an electron beam and thermal heating. The mechanical testing of zirconium samples is analyzed during hydrogenation and irradiation with a low energy electron beam. The plasticity of the samples is shown to be increased during the radiation stimulation of hydrogen removal from zirconium by even a weak electron beam. In this case, the tensile strength (ultimate strength) is practically not changed.
Matrix Effect Study and Immunoassay Detection Using Electrolyte-Gated Graphene Biosensor
Authors: Sun Jianbo , Liu Yuxin
Published: March 2018

Significant progress has been made on the development of electrolyte-gated graphene field effect transistor (EGGFET) biosensors over the last decade, yet they are still in the stage of proof-of-concept. In this work, we studied the electrolyte matrix effects, including its composition, pH and ionic strength, and demonstrate that variations in electrolyte matrices have a significant impact on the Fermi level of the graphene channel and the sensitivity of the EGGFET biosensors. This is attributed to the polarization-induced interaction between the electrolyte and the graphene at the interface which can lead to considerable modulation of the Fermi level of the graphene channel. As a result, the response of the EGGFET biosensors is susceptible to the matrix effect which might lead to high uncertainty or even false results. Then, an EGGFET immunoassay is presented which aims to allow good regulation of the matrix effect. The multichannel design allows in-situ calibration with negative control, as well as statistical validation of the measurement results. Its performance is demonstrated by the detection of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) from serum. The detection range is estimated to be around 2–50 nM with a coefficient of variation (CV) of less than 20% and the recovery rate for IgG detection is around 85–95%. Compared with traditional immunoassay techniques, the EGGFET immunoassay is label-free and ready to be integrated with microfluidics sensor platforms, suggesting its great prospect for point-of-care applications.
A Magnetic-Field-Assisted Milli-Scale Robotic Assembly Machine: An Approach to Parallel Robotic Automation Systems
Authors: Liu Yan , Ravindra Nuggehalli
Published: March 2018

Utilizing large numbers of microrobots to heterogeneously integrate small devices to build advanced structures has long been a goal in the field of manufacturing automation. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel milli-scale robotic assembly machine with highly parallel capabilities and assisted with a programmable magnetic field. The prototype machine consists of a 16 × 16 array of electromagnets. Using this machine, we have successfully demonstrated the manipulation of up to nine milli-scale robots simultaneously. Moreover, two microrobots have been operated to demonstrate the proof of concept of two simultaneous pick-and-place light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The design and modeling of the microrobots is discussed.
Understanding Cationic Polymer Adsorption on Mineral Surfaces: Kaolinite in Cement Aggregates
Authors: Jacquet Alain , Geatches Dawn , Clark Stewart , Greenwell H.
Published: March 2018

We present a joint experimental and theoretical investigation into the adsorption of polycationic quaternary ammonium polymers on the clay mineral kaolinite. Within the cement and concrete manufacturing industries such polymers are used to improve the final product by inerting the adsorption capacity of the clay minerals for more expensive additives. The adsorption of the presently used polymer (FL22) was compared with both a similar variant, but without a hydroxyl group (Fl22mod) and uncharged polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Experimental results show that adsorption of FL22 is higher than that of FL22mod at both pH 6 and at pH > 10 and that the adsorption of PVA is the highest. Theoretical density functional theory (DFT) results and simplified models consisting of the basal surfaces of kaolinite, with monomers of FL22, FL22mod and PVA gave monomer coverage per unit surface area of kaolinite, a comparison of the configurations of the relaxed models, formation energies and Mulliken charges. These results show that the polycationic polymers interact with the basal surfaces of kaolinite electrostatically, explaining the high affinity of these polymers for kaolinite surfaces in the experimental results. The hydroxyl groups of FL22 and PVA form hydrogen bonds with the basal surfaces of kaolinite in conditions of pH 6. The joint experimental and theoretical results suggest that, due to the presence of the hydroxyl group, the conformation of FL22 changes under pH, where at neutral pH it lies relatively flat to the kaolinite surfaces, but at higher pH, conformational changes of the polymer occur, thereby increasing the adsorbed quantity of FL22.
Synthesis, Optical, and Structural Studies of Iron Sulphide Nanoparticles and Iron Sulphide Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Nanocomposites from Bis-(Dithiocarbamato)Iron(II) Single-Source Precursors
Authors: Paca Athandwe , Ajibade Peter
Published: March 2018

In this study, Fe(II) complexes of phenyldithiocarbamate, dimethyldithiocarbamate and imidazolyldithiocarbamate were used as single-source precursors to prepare iron sulphide nanoparticles by thermolysis in oleic acid/octadecylamine (ODA) at 180 °C. The nanoparticles were dispersed into hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) to prepare iron sulphide/HEC nanocomposites. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis), Photoluminescence (PL), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the iron sulphide nanoparticles and corresponding HEC nanocomposites. The absorption spectra studies revealed that the nanoparticles were blue shifted due to quantum confinement and the optical band gaps of the nanoparticles are 4.85 eV for FeS1, 4.36 eV for FeS2, and 4.77 eV for FeS3. The emission maxima are red-shifted and broader for the nanoparticles prepared from phenyldithiocarbamate. Rod-like and spherically shaped iron sulphide particles were observed from the HRTEM images. The crystallite sizes from the HRTEM images are 23.90–38.89 nm for FeS1, 4.50–10.50 nm for FeS2, and 6.05–6.19 nm for FeS3 iron sulphide nanoparticles, respectively. pXRD diffraction patterns confirmed that FeS1 is in the pyrrhotite-4M crystalline phase, FeS2 is in the pyrrhotite phase, and FeS3 is in the troilite phase of iron sulphide. The phases of the iron sulphide nanoparticles indicate that the nature of the precursor complex affects the obtained crystalline phase. FTIR spectra studies confirmed the incorporation of the nanoparticles in the HEC matrix by the slight shift of the O–H and C–O bonds and the intense peaks on the nanoparticles. FESEM images of the iron sulphide nanoparticles showed flake-like or leaf-like morphologies with some hollow spheres. The EDS confirmed the formation of iron sulphide nanoparticles by showing the peaks of Fe and S.
Dietary Sialyllactose Does Not Influence Measures of Recognition Memory or Diurnal Activity in the Young Pig
Authors: Fleming Stephen , Chichlowski Maciej , Berg Brian , Donovan Sharon , Dilger Ryan
Published: March 2018

Sialic acid (SA) is an integral component of gangliosides and signaling molecules in the brain and its dietary intake may support cognitive development. We previously reported that feeding sialyllactose, a milk oligosaccharide that contains SA, alters SA content and diffusivity in the pig brain. The present research sought to expand upon such results and describe the effects of feeding sialyllactose on recognition memory and sleep/wake activity using a translational pig model. Pigs were provided ad libitum access to a customized milk replacer containing 0 g/L or 380 g/L of sialyllactose from postnatal day (PND) 2–22. Beginning on PND 15, pigs were fitted with accelerometers to track home-cage activity and testing on the novel object recognition task began at PND 17. There were no significant effects of diet on average daily body weight gain, average daily milk intake, or the gain-to-feed ratio during the study (all p ≥ 0.11). Pigs on both diets were able to display recognition memory on the novel object recognition task (p < 0.01), but performance and exploratory behavior did not differ between groups (all p ≥ 0.11). Total activity and percent time spent sleeping were equivalent between groups during both day and night cycles (all p ≥ 0.56). Dietary sialyllactose did not alter growth performance of young pigs, and there was no evidence that providing SA via sialyllactose benefits the development of recognition memory or gross sleep-related behaviors.
Strength of PLA Components Fabricated with Fused Deposition Technology Using a Desktop 3D Printer as a Function of Geometrical Parameters of the Process
Authors: Kuznetsov Vladimir , Solonin Alexey , Urzhumtsev Oleg , Schilling Richard , Tavitov Azamat
Published: March 2018

The current paper studies the influence of geometrical parameters of the fused deposition modeling (FDM)—fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing process on printed part strength for open source desktop 3D printers and the most popular material used for that purpose—i.e., polylactic acid (PLA). The study was conducted using a set of different nozzles (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mm) and a range of layer heights from the minimum to maximum physical limits of the machine. To assess print strength, a novel assessment method is proposed. A tubular sample is loaded in the weakest direction (across layers) in a three-point bending fixture. Mesostructure evaluation through scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) scans of the samples was used to explain the obtained results. We detected a significant influence of geometric process parameters on sample mesostructure, and consequently, on sample strength.
Phase Transition Effects on Mechanical Properties of NIPA Hydrogel
Authors: Zhang Ni , Zheng Shoujing , Pan Zhouzhou , Liu Zishun
Published: March 2018

Due to its excellent temperature sensitivity, the Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPA) hydrogel has attracted great interest for a wide variety of applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. NIPA hydrogel undergoes an abrupt volume phase transition at a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 30–35 °C. However, the mechanical behaviors of NIPA hydrogel induced by phase transition are still not well understood. In this study, phase transition effects on mechanical properties of NIPA hydrogel are quantitatively studied from experimental studies. The mechanical properties of NIPA hydrogel with the LSCT around 35 °C are systemically studied with varying temperatures (31–39 °C) under a tensile test. We find that the mechanical properties of NIPA hydrogel are greatly influenced by phase transition during the tension process. The maximum nominal stress and maximum stretch above the LCST are larger than those of below the LCST. The Young’s modulus of NIPA hydrogel is around 13 kPa at 31 °C and approximately 28 kPa at 39 °C. A dramatic increase of Young’s modulus values is observed as the temperature increases through the phase transition. The samples at a temperature around the LCST are easy to rupture, because of phase coexistent. Additionally, NIPA hydrogel displays toughening behavior under a cyclic load. Furthermore, the toughening characteristic is different between the swollen state and the collapsed state. This might originate from the internal fracture process and redistribution of polymer chains during the tension process.
Thermal, Structural, and Rheological Characterization of Waxy Starch as a Cryogel for Its Application in Food Processing
Authors: Coria-Hernández Jonathan , Méndez-Albores Abraham , Meléndez-Pérez Rosalía , Rosas-Mendoza Marta , Arjona-Román José
Published: March 2018

Starch is the major component of cereal, pulses, and root crops. Starch consists of two kinds of glucose polymers, amylose and amylopectin. Waxy starch—with 99–100% amylopectin—has distinctive properties, which define its functionality in many food applications. In this research, a novel material was prepared through the cryogelification of waxy starch (WS) using four cycles of freezing and thawing in indirect contact with liquid nitrogen at −150 °C. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as a reference. The cryogels were characterized using several validation methodologies: modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rheology, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with diffuse reflectance (DR). Based on the number of freeze–thaw cycles, significant changes were found (P < 0.05) showing important structural modifications as well as reorganization of the polymeric matrix. Two cryogelification cycles of the WS were enough to obtain the best structural and functional characteristics, similar to those of PVA, which has already been tested as a cryogel. From these results, it is concluded that WS has potential as a cryogel for application in food processing.
Structural Transformations of Amino-Acid-Based Polymers: Syntheses and Structural Characterization
Authors: Tseng Tien-Wen , Luo Tzuoo-Tsair , Chiu Hsiao-Shan , Wang Chih-Chieh , Lee Gene-Hsiang , Sheu Hwo-Shuenn , Lu Kuang-Lieh
Published: March 2018

A discrete complex [Zn(tpro)2(H2O)2] (1, Htpro = l-thioproline), and two structural isomers of coordination polymers, a 1D chain of [Zn(tpro)2]n (2) and a layered structure [Zn(tpro)2]n (3), were synthesized and characterized. The discrete complex 1 undergoes a temperature-driven structural transformation, leading to the formation of a 1D helical coordination polymer 2. Compound 3 is comprised of a 2D homochiral layer network with a (4,4) topology. These layers are mutually linked through hydrogen bonding interactions, resulting in the formation of a 3D network. When 1 is heated, it undergoes nearly complete conversion to the microcrystalline form, i.e., compound 2, which was confirmed by powder X-ray diffractions (PXRD). The carboxylate motifs could be activated after removing the coordinated water molecules by heating at temperatures of up to 150 °C, their orientations becoming distorted, after which, they attacked the activation sites of the Zn(II) centers, leading to the formation of a 1D helix. Moreover, a portion of the PXRD pattern of 1 was converted into the patterns corresponding to 2 and 3, and the ratio between 2 and 3 was precisely determined by the simulation study of in-situ synchrotron PXRD expriments. Consequently, such a 0D complex is capable of underdoing structural transformations and can be converted into 1D and/or 2D amino acid-based coordination polymers.
Electro-optical interfacial effects on a graphene/π-conjugated organic semiconductor hybrid system
Authors: Araujo Karolline A S , Cury Luiz A , Matos Matheus J S , Fernandes Thales F D , Cançado Luiz G , Neves Bernardo R A
Published: March 2018

The influence of graphene and retinoic acid (RA) – a π-conjugated organic semiconductor – interface on their hybrid system is investigated. The physical properties of the interface are assessed via scanning probe microscopy, optical spectroscopy (photoluminescence and Raman) and ab initio calculations. The graphene/RA interaction induces the formation of a well-organized π-conjugated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) at the interface. Such structural organization leads to the high optical emission efficiency of the RA SAM, even at room temperature. Additionally, photo-assisted electrical force microscopy, photo-assisted scanning Kelvin probe microscopy and Raman spectroscopy indicate a RA-induced graphene doping and photo-charge generation. Finally, the optical excitation of the RA monolayer generates surface potential changes on the hybrid system. In summary, interface-induced organized structures atop 2D materials may have an important impact on both design and operation of π-conjugated nanomaterial-based hybrid systems.
Young Surface of Pluto’s Sputnik Planitia Caused by Viscous Relaxation
Authors: Wei Qiang , Hu Yongyun , Liu Yonggang , Lin Douglas N. C. , Yang Jun , Showman Adam P.
Published: March 2018

One of the most prominent features of Pluto observed by the New Horizon mission is the absence of craters on Sputnik Planitia (SP). Vigorous thermal convection could renew the SP surface with sufficient depth at a timescale of ∼500,000 years. Here we present numerical simulations demonstrating that craters can be removed much more quickly across all of SP by viscous relaxation of nitrogen (N2) ice. The timescale of relaxation is in years if the N2 layer is 4 km thick and the viscosity is as determined in the lab, and will increase to 104 years if the viscosity is 104 times larger than the measured value. For such high viscosity, the thermal convection will have a timescale of greater than 106 years if it happens at all, so that the relaxation timescale is still more than 2 orders of magnitude shorter. The relaxation timescale decreases with increasing thickness and temperature of the ice layer. The existence of pits on SP can be explained by the surface enhancement of viscosity. Such enhancement does not have significant influence on the relaxation timescale of craters with diameters greater than a few kilometers. Therefore, although convection is required to explain the polygon shapes, it may have a lesser role in the absence of craters on SP. The viscous relaxation mechanism can readily explain the nondetection of both craters and polygon shapes on the southeast SP.
Energy Dissipation in the Upper Atmospheres of TRAPPIST-1 Planets
Authors: Cohen Ofer , Glocer Alex , Garraffo Cecilia , Drake Jeremy J. , Bell Jared M.
Published: March 2018

We present a method to quantify the upper limit of the energy transmitted from the intense stellar wind to the upper atmospheres of three of the TRAPPIST-1 planets (e, f, and g). We use a formalism that treats the system as two electromagnetic regions, where the efficiency of the energy transmission between one region (the stellar wind at the planetary orbits) to the other (the planetary ionospheres) depends on the relation between the conductances and impedances of the two regions. Since the energy flux of the stellar wind is very high at these planetary orbits, we find that for the case of high transmission efficiency (when the conductances and impedances are close in magnitude), the energy dissipation in the upper planetary atmospheres is also very large. On average, the Ohmic energy can reach 0.5–1 W m−2, about 1% of the stellar irradiance and 5–15 times the EUV irradiance. Here, using constant values for the ionospheric conductance, we demonstrate that the stellar wind energy could potentially drive large atmospheric heating in terrestrial planets, as well as in hot Jupiters. More detailed calculations are needed to assess the ionospheric conductance and to determine more accurately the amount of heating the stellar wind can drive in close-orbit planets.
Heliosphere Responds to a Large Solar Wind Intensification: Decisive Observations from IBEX
Authors: McComas D. J. , Dayeh M. A. , Funsten H. O. , Heerikhuisen J. , Janzen P. H. , Reisenfeld D. B. , Schwadron N. A. , Szalay J. R. , Zirnstein E. J.
Published: March 2018

Our heliosphere—the bubble in the local interstellar medium produced by the Sun’s outflowing solar wind—has finally responded to a large increase in solar wind output and pressure in the second half of 2014. NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission remotely monitors the outer heliosphere by observing energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) returning from the heliosheath, the region between the termination shock and heliopause. IBEX observed a significant enhancement in higher energy ENAs starting in late 2016. While IBEX observations over the previous decade reflected a general reduction of ENA intensities, indicative of a deflating heliosphere, new observations show that the large (∼50%), persistent increase in the solar wind dynamic pressure has modified the heliosheath, producing enhanced ENA emissions. The combination of these new observations with simulation results indicate that this pressure is re-expanding our heliosphere, with the termination shock and heliopause already driven outward in the locations closest to the Sun. The timing between the IBEX observations, a large transient pressure enhancement seen by Voyager 2, and the simulations indicates that the pressure increase propagated through the heliosheath, reflected off the heliopause, and the enhanced density of the solar wind filled the heliosheath behind it before generating significantly enhanced ENA emissions. The coming years should see significant changes in anomalous cosmic rays, galactic cosmic radiation, and the filtration of interstellar neutral atoms into the inner heliosphere.
« Ce peuple sans nom manifeste la vérité de l’homme ». ATD Quart Monde, une pensée sociale au service des hommes
Authors: Chapelle Albert
Published: March 2018

Ce texte se penche sur le projet de société porté par le Mouvement ATD Quart Monde en 1975, en réponse à l’analyse marxiste qu’en avait fait la revue Les Temps Modernes . Est en jeu la socialisation, qui trouve son principe en dehors d’elle-même, car elle suppose non la lutte mais la rencontre.
Using Ceramic-on-Ceramic Bearings in Total Hip Arthroplasty Necessitating 44- or 46-mm Metal Shells
Authors: Park Chan Ho , Ha Yong-Chan , Lee Young-Kyun , Koo Kyung-Hoi
Published: March 2018

Ceramic-on-ceramic articulation shows the lowest wear, with a low incidence of osteolysis. A small cup limits options regarding liner thickness and femoral implant size. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of a 4-mm–thick ceramic liner and the outcomes of cementless total hip arthroplasty using a 44- or 46-mm metal shell and a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing at mid- to long-term follow-up. Between May 2003 and June 2008, 80 patients (88 hips) who had hip osteoarthritis and a hypoplastic acetabulum underwent cementless total hip arthroplasty using a 44- or 46-mm metal shell and a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing. Sixty-eight of these patients (76 hips) were followed for an average of 8 years. The ceramic-related complications, clinical and radiological results, and Kaplan–Meier survivorship of these patients were evaluated. Mean Harris hip score had improved to 88 points (range, 49–100 points) at final follow-up. No ceramic fractures occurred during follow-up. All acetabular and femoral prostheses had bone ingrowth, and there was no measurable wear in any hip. In 1 patient, a radiolucent lesion occurred around the acetabular cup. Two hips underwent revision because of periprosthetic fractures. The survival rates of the acetabular cups and the femoral stems were 100% and 97.4%, respectively. The thin (4 mm) ceramic liner did not increase the risk of ceramic fracture and did not affect the mid- to long-term results and survival of cementless total hip arthroplasty using 44- or 46-mm metal shells. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(3):e354–e359.]
The Proximal and Distal Femoral Canal Geometry Influences Cementless Stem Anchorage and Revision Hip and Knee Implant Stability
Authors: Heinecke Markus , Rathje Fabian , Layher Frank , Matziolis Georg
Published: March 2018

Although cementless revision arthroplasty of the hip has become the gold standard, revision arthroplasty of the distal femur is controversial. This study evaluated the anchoring principles of different femoral revision stem designs in extended bone defect situations, taking into account the anatomical conditions of the proximal and distal femur, and the resulting primary stability. Cementless press-fit stems of 4 different designs were implanted in synthetic femurs. The specimens were analyzed by computed tomography and were tested considering axial/torsional stiffness and migration resistance. Different stem designs anchored in different femoral canal geometries achieved comparable primary stability. Despite considerably different anchorage lengths, no difference in migration behavior or stiffness was found. Both in the distal femur and in the proximal femur, the conical stems showed a combination of conical and 3-point anchorage. Regarding the cylindrical stem tested, a much shorter anchorage length was sufficient in the distal femur to achieve comparable primary stability. In the investigated osseous defect model, the stem design (conical vs cylindrical), not the geometry of the femoral canal (proximal vs distal), was decisive regarding the circumferential anchorage length. For the conical stems, it can be postulated that there are reserves available for achieving a conical-circular fixation as a result of the large contact length. For the cylindrical stems, only a small reserve for a stable anchorage can be assumed. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(3):e369–e375.]
Effect of Bisphosphonate Pretreatment on Fresh Osteochondral Allografts: Analysis of In Vitro Graft Structure and In Vivo Osseous Incorporation
Authors: Moore Drew D. , Baker Kevin C. , Baker Erin A. , Fleischer Mackenzie M. , Newton Michael D. , Barreras Nicholas , Vaupel Zachary M. , Fortin Paul T.
Published: March 2018

Fresh allograft transplantation of osteochondral defects restores functional articular cartilage and subchondral bone; however, rapid loss of chondrocyte viability during storage and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption at the graft–host interface after transplantation negatively impact outcomes. The authors present a pilot study evaluating the in vitro and in vivo impact of augmenting storage media with bisphosphonates. Forty cylindrical osteochondral cores were harvested from femoral condyles of human cadaveric specimens and immersed in either standard storage media or storage media supplemented with nitrogenated or non-nitrogenated bisphosphonates. Maintenance of graft structure and chondrocyte viability were assessed at 3 time points. A miniature swine trochlear defect model was used to evaluate the influence of bisphosphonate-augmented storage media on in vivo incorporation of fresh osteochondral tissue, which was quantified via μCT and decalcified histology. In the in vitro study, Safranin-O/Fast Green staining showed that both low- and high-dose nitrogenated-treated grafts retained chondrocyte viability and cartilage matrix for up to 43 days of storage. Allografts stored in nitrogenated-augmented storage media showed both μCT and histologic evidence of enhanced in vivo bony and cartilaginous incorporation in the miniature swine trochlear defect model. Several preclinical studies have shown the potential for enhanced storage of fresh osteochondral allografts via additions of relatively common drugs and biomolecules. This study showed that supplementing standard storage media with nitrogenated bisphosphonates may improve maintenance of chondrocyte viability and graft structure during cold storage as well as enhance in vivo osseous and cartilaginous incorporation of the graft. [Orthopedics: 2018; 41(3):e376–e382.]
El conjunto religioso de Bāb Dukkāla: Levantamiento y análisis
Authors: Almela Legorburu Iñigo
Published: March 2018

En el presente trabajo se aborda el estudio de la mezquita de Bāb Dukkāla de Marrakech, una de las manifestaciones arquitectónicas que conoció esta ciudad bajo la dinastía saadí en el siglo XVI. Además de realizar un levantamiento preciso del edificio mediante fotogrametría, se documentan los anexos que la acompañan. Esta labor de documentación y análisis global nos ha permitido reconocer que se trata de un conjunto religioso planificado según un modelo bien integrado en su contexto urbano. Además de este aspecto, se analiza de forma general el espacio, la construcción y la ornamentación del conjunto, lo que nos permite caracterizar con mayor precisión la arquitectura realizada en este periodo histórico.
Les sociétés locales rurales et le développement des gîtes dans la mégalopole de Shanghai
Authors: Véron Emmanuel
Published: March 2018

Cet article analyse les formes de gouvernance rurale de la mégalopole du delta du Yangzi au regard du tourisme dans l’espace rural. Nous étudions le rôle des communautés et leur insertion dans une nouvelle activité économique, celle de services touristiques. Ces activités ont conduit des communautés rurales à une réorganisation du travail, un enrichissement des foyers et à une transformation morphologique des villages. L’examen de deux villages au sein du delta du Yangzi permet d’illustrer un développement local par le tourisme et l’évolution des ruraux, devenus prestataires de services touristiques.
Tribunal spécial pour le Liban : une interprétation du droit en faveur de l’accusation ?
Authors: Nicolas-Gréciano Marie
Published: March 2018

Le 18 octobre 2017, la Chambre d’appel du Tribunal spécial pour le Liban (TSL) a rendu un important arrêt précisant non seulement le contenu et les contours du crime d’association de malfaiteurs, mais également les critères d’appréciation de l’acte d’accusation.
La Convenzione di Oviedo: l’idea di una coscienza comune europea in bioetica
Authors: Spagnolo Antonio G.
Published: March 2018

Non disponibile / Not available
Da Oviedo a Parigi: la vulnerabilità prima e dopo l’autonomia / From Oviedo to Paris: vulnerability before and after autonomy
Authors: Sartea Claudio
Published: March 2018

Il presente contributo riflette sulla Convenzione di Oviedo in prospettiva diacronica, analizzando l’evoluzione dei principi guida della bioetica e della biogiuridica nel passaggio di millennio. Vengono prese come pietre miliari la Convenzione medesima e la Dichiarazione UNESCO di Parigi del 2005 su Diritti Umani e Bioetica. L’emersione progressiva del principio di vulnerabilità viene interpretata come frutto dell’influsso del pensiero femminile nel dibattito e come lento ma consistente affermarsi di una concezione della giustizia meno liberal-individualistica e sempre più solidale e relazionale. ---------- This article thinks about the Oviedo Convention in a diachronic perspective, analyzing the evolution of the guiding principles of bioethics and biolaw in the millennium. The same convention and the 2005 Paris UNESCO Declaration on Human Rights and Bioethics are taken as milestones. The progressive emergence of the principle of vulnerability is interpreted as the result of the influence of women’s thinking in the debate and as slow but consistently affirming a less liberal-individualistic conception of justice and more and more relational conception.
Maternità surrogata o per altri e il mercato riproduttivo
Authors: Pessina Adriano
Published: March 2018

Non disponibile / Not available
Index theory for manifolds with Baas–Sullivan singularities
Authors: Deeley Robin J.
Published: March 2018

We study index theory for manifolds with Baas–Sullivan singularities using geometric

K

-homology with coefficients in a unital

C^*

-algebra. In particular, we define a natural analog of the Baum–Connes assembly map for a torsion-free discrete group in the context of these singular spaces. The cases of singularities modelled on

k

-points (i.e., $\mathbb Z/k\mathbb Z-manifolds) and the circle are discussed in detail. In the case of the former, the associated index theorem is related to the Freed–Melrose index theorem; in the case of the latter, the index theorem is related to work of Rosenberg.
Two problems from the Polishchuk and Positselski book on quadratic algebras
Authors: Iyudu Natalia , Shkarin Stanislav
Published: March 2018

In the book
Quadratic algebras
by Polishchuk and Positselski [23], algebras with a small number of generators

(n=2,3)

are considered. For some number

r

of relations possible Hilbert series are listed, and those appearing as series of Koszul algebras are specified. The first case, where it was not possible to do, namely the case of three generators

n=3

and six relations

r=6

is formulated as an open problem. We give here a complete answer to this question, namely for quadratic algebras with

\mathrm {dim} A_1=\mathrm {dim} A_2=3

, we list all possible Hilbert series, and find out which of them can come from Koszul algebras, and which can not.

As a consequence of this classification, we found an algebra, which serves as a counterexample to another problem from the same book [23, Chapter 7, Sec. 1, Conjecture 2], saying that Koszul algebra of finite global homological dimension

d

has

\mathrm {dim} A_1 \geq d

. Namely, the 3-generated algebra

A

given by relations

xx+yx=xz=zy=0

is Koszul and its Koszul dual algebra

A^!

has Hilbert series of degree 4:

H_{A^!}(t)= 1+3t+3t^2+2t^3+t^4

, hence

A

has global homological dimension 4.
О разрушении решений одного полного нелинейного уравнения ионно-звуковых волн в плазме с некоэрцитивными нелинейностями
Authors: Korpusov Maxim Olegovich , Lukyanenko Dmitry Vitalyevich , Panin Alexander Anatolyevich , Yushkov Egor Vladislavovich
Published: March 2018

Рассмотрена серия начально-краевых задач для уравнения ионно-звуковых волн в плазме. Для каждой из них доказана локальная (по времени) разрешимость и проведено аналитико-численное исследование разрушения решения. Методом пробных функций получены достаточные условия разрушения решения за конечное время и оценка сверху на время разрушения. В конкретных численных примерах эти оценки уточнены численно методом сгущения сеток. Таким образом, аналитическая и численная части исследования взаимно дополняют друг друга. Промежуток времени для численного счета выбирается согласно аналитически полученной оценке сверху на время разрушения решения. В свою очередь, численное моделирование уточняет момент и характер этого разрушения.
Библиография: 23 наименования.