bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Potential Impact of Satellite-Retrieved Cloud Parameters on Ground-Level PM2.5 Mass and Composition
Authors: Belle Jessica H. , Chang Howard H. , Wang Yujie , Hu Xuefei , Lyapustin Alexei , Liu Yang
Published: October 2017

Satellite-retrieved aerosol optical properties have been extensively used to estimate ground-level fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in support of air pollution health effects research and air quality assessment at the urban to global scales. However, a large proportion, ~70%, of satellite observations of aerosols are missing as a result of cloud-cover, surface brightness, and snow-cover. The resulting PM2.5 estimates could therefore be biased due to this non-random data missingness. Cloud-cover in particular has the potential to impact ground-level PM2.5 concentrations through complex chemical and physical processes. We developed a series of statistical models using the Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) aerosol product at 1 km resolution with information from the MODIS cloud product and meteorological information to investigate the extent to which cloud parameters and associated meteorological conditions impact ground-level aerosols at two urban sites in the US: Atlanta and San Francisco. We find that changes in temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, planetary boundary layer height, convective available potential energy, precipitation, cloud effective radius, cloud optical depth, and cloud emissivity are associated with changes in PM2.5 concentration and composition, and the changes differ by overpass time and cloud phase as well as between the San Francisco and Atlanta sites. A case-study at the San Francisco site confirmed that accounting for cloud-cover and associated meteorological conditions could substantially alter the spatial distribution of monthly ground-level PM2.5 concentrations.
Machine Learning Classification of Buildings for Map Generalization
Authors: Lee Jaeeun , Jang Hanme , Yang Jonghyeon , Yu Kiyun
Published: October 2017

A critical problem in mapping data is the frequent updating of large data sets. To solve this problem, the updating of small-scale data based on large-scale data is very effective. Various map generalization techniques, such as simplification, displacement, typification, elimination, and aggregation, must therefore be applied. In this study, we focused on the elimination and aggregation of the building layer, for which each building in a large scale was classified as “0-eliminated,” “1-retained,” or “2-aggregated.” Machine-learning classification algorithms were then used for classifying the buildings. The data of 1:1000 scale and 1:25,000 scale digital maps obtained from the National Geographic Information Institute were used. We applied to these data various machine-learning classification algorithms, including naive Bayes (NB), decision tree (DT), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), and support vector machine (SVM). The overall accuracies of each algorithm were satisfactory: DT, 88.96%; k-NN, 88.27%; SVM, 87.57%; and NB, 79.50%. Although elimination is a direct part of the proposed process, generalization operations, such as simplification and aggregation of polygons, must still be performed for buildings classified as retained and aggregated. Thus, these algorithms can be used for building classification and can serve as preparatory steps for building generalization.
Road Intersection Detection through Finding Common Sub-Tracks between Pairwise GNSS Traces
Authors: Xie Xingzhe , Philips Wilfried
Published: October 2017

This paper proposes a novel approach to detect road intersections from GNSS traces. Different from the existing methods of detecting intersections directly from the road users’ turning behaviors, the proposed method detects intersections indirectly from common sub-tracks shared by different traces. We first compute the local distance matrix for each pair of traces. Second, we apply image processing techniques to find all “sub-paths” in the matrix, which represents good alignment between local common sub-tracks. Lastly, we identify the intersections from the endpoints of the common sub-tracks through Kernel Density Estimation (KDE). Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the traditional turning point-based methods in terms of the F-score, and our previous connecting point-based method in terms of computational efficiency.
Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical and Ethnopharmacological Aspects of Four Medicinal Plants of Malvaceae Used in Indian Traditional Medicines: A Review
Authors: Abat Jasmeet Kaur , Kumar Sanjay , Mohanty Aparajita
Published: October 2017

The ethnomedicinal values of plants form the basis of the herbal drug industry. India has contributed its knowledge of traditional system medicines (Ayurveda and Siddha) to develop herbal medicines with negligible side effects. The World Health Organization has also recognized the benefits of drugs developed from natural products. Abutilon indicum, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Sida acuta and Sida rhombifolia are ethnomedicinal plants of Malvaceae, commonly used in Indian traditional system of medicines. Traditionally these plants were used in the form of extracts/powder/paste by tribal populations of India for treating common ailments like cough and cold, fever, stomach, kidney and liver disorders, pains, inflammations, wounds, etc. The present review is an overview of phytochemistry and ethnopharmacological studies that support many of the traditional ethnomedicinal uses of these plants. Many phytoconstituents have been isolated from the four ethnomedicinal plants and some of them have shown pharmacological activities that have been demonstrated by in vivo and/or in vitro experiments. Ethnomedicinal uses, supported by scientific evidences is essential for ensuring safe and effective utilization of herbal medicines.
Assessment of Hepatitis B Viral Infection as a Predictor of Hepatic Enzymes and Compounds Alteration among Antenatal Patients
Authors: Abulude Olatunji Ayodeji , Ahmed Ismai’la , Sadisu Farouk Umar
Published: October 2017

Worldwide, hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection continues to be a major public health issue. The study was aimed at assessing HBV infection as a predictor of hepatic enzymes and compounds alteration among antenatal patients in Kano State, Nigeria. Sera were screened for HBV markers using immunochromatograhy and ELISA. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), asphatate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin and bilirubin were also determined. Out of the 160 patients, 6.9% and 31.3% tested positive for HBsAg and HBcAb, respectively. None tested positive for HBeAg. These markers also appeared in other combinations. Of the HBsAg seropositives, 72.7% showed abnormal levels of both AST and ALP, 36.7% showed abnormal levels of both total and direct bilirubin, 9.1% showed abnormal levels of albumin, and none showed abnormal levels of ALT. HBsAg seropositivity shows significant association with ALP elevation (p = 0.02).The study revealed that few subjects (1.3%) that tested positive for HBsAg and HBeAb with normal ALT were in the inactive carrier phase of chronic hepatitisand6.9% that were seronegatives for all HBV markers equally had altered hepatic enzymes. The presence of HBeAg in the serum during HBV infection seems to cause a marked elevation of ALT level, while the reverse happens if HBeAg is absent. HBV infection can alter levels of hepatic enzymes and compounds and thus serve as one of its predictors, however; pregnancy can also lead to some of these alterations, which makes it difficult to establish the origin of these alterations among antenatal patients.
Carbides Evolution and Tensile Property of 4Cr5MoSiV1 Die Steel with Rare Earth Addition
Authors: Liu Hanghang , Fu Paixian , Liu Hongwei , Sun Chen , Gao Jinzhu , Li Dianzhong
Published: October 2017

Studies of 4Cr5MoSiV1 die steel suggest that under appropriate conditions, additions of rare earth (RE) can enhance tensile property. This improvement is apparently due to the more uniform distribution of carbides and the enhancement of precipitation strengthening after RE additions. In this present work, the effect of the RE addition on the carbides evolution and tensile property of 4Cr5MoSiV1 steel with various RE contents (0, 0.018, 0.048 and 0.15 wt %) were systematically investigated. The two-dimensional detection techniques such as optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate the carbides evolution of as-cast, annealed and tempered with RE addition. The results indicated that the carbides in 4Cr5MoSiV1 steels were modified by adding the suitable amount of RE. The eutectic structure and coarse eutectic carbides were all refining and the morphology of the annealed carbides initiated change from strip shape to ellipsoidal shape compared with the unmodified test steel (0RE). In addition, the amount of the tempered M8C7 carbides increased initially and then decreased with the alteration of RE addition from 0.018 to 0.15 wt %. Notably, the tensile test indicated that the average value of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation rate of 0.048RE steel increased slightly to 1474 MPa and 15%, higher than the 1452 MPa and 12% for the unmodified test steel (0RE), respectively. Such an addition of RE (0.048 wt %) would have a significant effect on the carbides evolution of as-cast, annealed and tempered and resulting in the tensile property of 4Cr5MoSiV1 die steel.
Effect of Compression Process of MWCNT-Reinforced Al6061 Powder on Densification Characteristics and Its Mechanical Properties
Authors: Seo Hyung , Jiang Long , Kang Chung , Jin Chul
Published: October 2017

In this paper, aluminium-based (Al6061) composites with 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 vol % of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are investigated. The composites are fabricated by high-energy ball milling, cold-compacting at room temperature under compacting pressures of 400–1600 MPa, and sintering at 620 °C in an argon gas atmosphere. Thereafter, the hardness and microstructure of MWCNTs/Al6061 composites are examined. Further, to improve the relative density and hardness level of the complex material, open-die forging is performed after cold-compacting under 1 GPa pressure at room temperature and sintering at 620 °C. The open-die forging parameters include 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 vol % MWCNTs/Al6061, and Al6061. The experimental results show that the mechanical properties of the composites are significantly superior to that of the Al6061 alloy after undergoing cold-compacting, sintering, and open-die forging.
Structure, Absolute Configuration, and Antiproliferative Activity of Abietane and Icetexane Diterpenoids from Salvia ballotiflora
Authors: Esquivel Baldomero , Bustos-Brito Celia , Sánchez-Castellanos Mariano , Nieto-Camacho Antonio , Ramírez-Apan Teresa , Joseph-Nathan Pedro , Quijano Leovigildo
Published: October 2017

From the aerial parts of Salvia ballotiflora, eleven diterpenoids were isolated; among them, four icetexanes and one abietane (1–5) are reported for the first time. Their structures were established by spectroscopic means, mainly 1H- and 13C-NMR, including 1D and 2D homo- and hetero-nuclear experiments. Most of the isolated diterpenoids were tested for their antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and radical scavenging activities using the sulforhodamine B assay on six cancer cell lines, the TPA-induced ear edema test in mice, and the reduction of the DPPH assay, respectively. Some diterpenoids showed anti-proliferative activity, these being icetexanes 6 and 3, which were the most active with IC50 (μM) = 0.27 ± 0.08 and 1.40 ± 0.03, respectively, for U251 (human glioblastoma) and IC50 (μM) = 0.0.46 ± 0.05 and 0.82 ± 0.06 for SKLU-1 (human lung adenocarcinoma), when compared with adriamycin (IC50 (μM) = 0.08 ± 0.003 and 0.05 ± 0.003, as the positive control), respectively. Compounds 3 and 10 showed significant reduction of the induced ear edema of 37.4 ± 2.8 and 25.4 ± 3.0% (at 1.0 μmol/ear), respectively. Compound 4 was the sole active diterpenoid in the antioxidant assay (IC50 = 98. 4 ± 3.3), using α-tocopherol as the positive control (IC50 (μM) = 31.7 ± 1.04). The diterpenoid profile found is of chemotaxonomic relevance and reinforces the evolutionary link of S. ballotiflora with other members of the section Tomentellae.
Genistein Binding to Copper(II)—Solvent Dependence and Effects on Radical Scavenging
Authors: Yang Jing , Xu Yi , Liu Hao-Yu , Han Rui-Min , Zhang Jian-Ping , Skibsted Leif
Published: October 2017

Genistein, but not daidzein, binds to copper(II) with a 1:2 stoichiometry in ethanol and with a 1:1 stoichiometry in methanol, indicating chelation by the 5-phenol and the 4-keto group of the isoflavonoid as demonstrated by the Jobs method and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. In ethanol, the stability constants had the value 1.12 × 1011 L2∙mol−2 for the 1:2 complex and in methanol 6.0 × 105 L∙mol−1 for the 1:1 complex at 25 °C. Binding was not detected in water, as confirmed by an upper limit for the 1:1 stability constant of K = 5 mol−1 L as calculated from the difference in solvation free energy of copper(II) between methanol and the more polar water. Solvent molecules compete with genistein as demonstrated in methanol where binding stoichiometry changes from 1:2 to 1:1 compared to ethanol and methanol/chloroform (7/3, v/v). Genistein binding to copper(II) increases the scavenging rate of the stable, neutral 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical by more than a factor of four, while only small effects were seen for the short-lived but more oxidizing β-carotene radical cation using laser flash photolysis. The increased efficiency of coordinated genistein is concluded to depend on kinetic rather than on thermodynamic factors, as confirmed by the small change in reduction potential of −0.016 V detected by cyclic voltammetry upon binding of genistein to copper(II) in methanol/chloroform solutions.
Novel Bioactive Paulomycin Derivatives Produced by Streptomyces albus J1074
Authors: Hoz Jorge Fernández-De la , Méndez Carmen , Salas José A. , Olano Carlos
Published: October 2017

Four novel paulomycin derivatives have been isolated from S. albus J1074 grown in MFE culture medium. These compounds are structural analogs of antibiotics 273a2α and 273a2β containing a thiazole moiety, probably originated through an intramolecular Michael addition. The novel, thiazole, moiety-containing paulomycins show a lower antibiotic activity than paulomycins A and B against Gram-positive bacteria. However, two of them show an improved activity against Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the four novel compounds are more stable in culture than paulomycins A and B. Thus, the presence of an N-acetyl-l-cysteine moiety linked to the carbon atom of the paulic acid isothiocyanate moiety, via a thioester bond, and the subsequent intramolecular cyclization of the paulic acid to generate a thiazole heterocycle confer to paulomycins a higher structural stability that otherwise will conduce to paulomycin degradation and into inactive paulomenols.
Citrulline Malate Does Not Improve Muscle Recovery after Resistance Exercise in Untrained Young Adult Men
Authors: Da Silva Douglas , Jacinto Jeferson , De Andrade Walquiria , Roveratti Mirela , Estoche José , Balvedi Mario , De Oliveira Douglas , Da Silva Rubens , Aguiar Andreo
Published: October 2017

The effects of citrulline malate (CM) on muscle recovery from resistance exercise remains unknown. We aimed to determine if citrulline malate supplementation improves muscle recovery after a single session of high-intensity resistance exercise (RE) in untrained young adult men. Nine young adult men (24.0 ± 3.3 years) participated in a double-blind crossover study in which they received 6 g of CM and placebo (PL) on two occasions, separated by a seven-day washout period. Each occasion consisted of a single session of high-intensity RE (0 h) and three subsequent fatigue tests sessions (at 24, 48, and 72 h) to assess the time course of muscle recovery. During the tests sessions, we assessed the following variables: number of maximum repetitions, electromyographic signal (i.e., root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF)), muscle soreness and perceived exertion, as well as blood levels of creatine kinase (CK), lactate, insulin, and testosterone:cortisol ratio. CK levels increased at 24 h post-exercise and remained elevate at 48 and 72 h, with no difference between CM and PL conditions. Muscle soreness increased at 24 h post-exercise, which progressively returned to baseline at 72 h in both conditions. Lactate levels increased immediately post-exercise and remained elevated at 24, 48, and 72 h in both conditions. No significant treatment × time interaction was found for all dependents variables (maximum repetitions, perceived exertion, CK, lactate, RMS, MF, and testosterone:cortisol ratio) during the recovery period. In conclusion, our data indicate that CM supplementation (single 6 g dose pre-workout) does not improve the muscle recovery process following a high-intensity RE session in untrained young adult men.
Modeling the Temperature Dependence of Dynamic Mechanical Properties and Visco-Elastic Behavior of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Kopal Ivan , Harničárová Marta , Valíček Jan , Kušnerová Milena
Published: October 2017

This paper presents one of the soft computing methods, specifically the artificial neural network technique, that has been used to model the temperature dependence of dynamic mechanical properties and visco-elastic behavior of widely exploited thermoplastic polyurethane over the wide range of temperatures. It is very complex and commonly a highly non-linear problem with no easy analytical methods to predict them directly and accurately in practice. Variations of the storage modulus, loss modulus, and the damping factor with temperature were obtained from the dynamic mechanical analysis tests across transition temperatures at constant single frequency of dynamic mechanical loading. Based on dynamic mechanical analysis experiments, temperature dependent values of both dynamic moduli and damping factor were calculated by three models of well-trained multi-layer feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural network. The excellent agreement between the modeled and experimental data has been found over the entire investigated temperature interval, including all of the observed relaxation transitions. The multi-layer feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural network has been confirmed to be a very effective artificial intelligence tool for the modeling of dynamic mechanical properties and for the prediction of visco-elastic behavior of tested thermoplastic polyurethane in the whole temperature range of its service life.
Minimizing the Effect of Substantial Perturbations in Military Water Systems for Increased Resilience and Efficiency
Authors: James Corey , Webber Michael , Edgar Thomas
Published: October 2017

A model predictive control (MPC) framework, exploiting both feedforward and feedback control loops, is employed to minimize large disturbances that occur in military water networks. Military installations’ need for resilient and efficient water supplies is often challenged by large disturbances like fires, terrorist activity, troop training rotations, and large scale leaks. This work applies the effectiveness of MPC to provide predictive capability and compensate for vast geographical differences and varying phenomena time scales using computational software and actual system dimensions and parameters. The results show that large disturbances are rapidly minimized while maintaining chlorine concentration within legal limits at the point of demand and overall water usage is minimized. The control framework also ensures pumping is minimized during peak electricity hours, so costs are kept lower than simple proportional control. Thecontrol structure implemented in this work is able to support resiliency and increased efficiency on military bases by minimizing tank holdup, effectively countering large disturbances, and efficiently managing pumping.
Risk Levels of Toxic Cyanobacteria in Portuguese Recreational Freshwaters
Authors: Menezes Carina , Churro Catarina , Dias Elsa
Published: October 2017

Portuguese freshwater reservoirs are important socio-economic resources, namely for recreational use. National legislation concerning bathing waters does not include mandatory levels or guidelines for cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. This is an issue of concern since cyanotoxin-based evidence is insufficient to change the law, and the collection of scientific evidence has been hampered by the lack of regulatory levels for cyanotoxins in bathing waters. In this work, we evaluate the profile of cyanobacteria and microcystins (MC) in eight freshwater reservoirs from the center of Portugal, used for bathing/recreation, in order to determine the risk levels concerning toxic cyanobacteria occurrence. Three of the reservoirs did not pose a risk of MC contamination. However, two reservoirs presented a high risk in 7% of the samples according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for MC in bathing waters (above 20 µg/L). In the remaining three reservoirs, the risk concerning microcystins occurrence was low. However, they exhibited recurrent blooms and persistent contamination with MC up to 4 µg/L. Thus, the risk of exposure to MC and potential acute and/or chronic health outcomes should not be disregarded in these reservoirs. These results contribute to characterize the cyanobacterial blooms profile and to map the risk of toxic cyanobacteria and microcystins occurrence in Portuguese inland waters.
Dark Energy and Inflation from Gravitational Waves
Authors: Marochnik Leonid
Published: October 2017

In this seven-part paper, we show that gravitational waves (classical and quantum) produce the accelerated de Sitter expansion at the start and at the end of the cosmological evolution of the Universe. In these periods, the Universe contains no matter fields but contains classical and quantum metric fluctuations, i.e., it is filled with classical and quantum gravitational waves. In such evolution of the Universe, dominated by gravitational waves, the de Sitter state is the exact solution to the self-consistent equations for classical and quantum gravitational waves and background geometry for the empty space-time with FLRW metric. In both classical and quantum cases, this solution is of the instanton origin since it is obtained in the Euclidean space of imaginary time with the subsequent analytic continuation to real time. The cosmological acceleration from gravitational waves provides a transparent physical explanation to the coincidence, threshold and “old cosmological constant” paradoxes of dark energy avoiding recourse to the anthropic principle. The cosmological acceleration from virtual gravitons at the start of the Universe evolution produces inflation, which is consistent with the observational data on CMB anisotropy. Section 1 is devoted to cosmological acceleration from classical gravitational waves. Section 2 is devoted to the theory of virtual gravitons in the Universe. Section 3 is devoted to cosmological acceleration from virtual gravitons. Section 4 discusses the consistency of the theory with observational data on dark energy and inflation. The discussion of mechanism of acceleration and cosmological scenario are contained in Sections 5 and 6. Appendix contains the theory of stochastic nonlinear gravitational waves of arbitrary wavelength and amplitude in an isotropic Universe.
The effect of milling frequency on a mechanochemical organic reaction monitored by in situ Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Julien Patrick A , Malvestiti Ivani , Friščić Tomislav
Published: October 2017

We provide the first in situ and real-time study of the effect of milling frequency on the course of a mechanochemical organic reaction conducted using a vibratory shaker (mixer) ball mill. The use of in situ Raman spectroscopy for real-time monitoring of the mechanochemical synthesis of a 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline derivative revealed a pronounced dependence of chemical reactivity on small variations in milling frequency. In particular, in situ measurements revealed the establishment of two different regimes of reaction kinetics at different frequencies, providing tentative insight into processes of mechanical activation in organic mechanochemical synthesis.
General Trends of Accident Rate in Vilnius City when Implementing Transport Humanization and Forming the Functionally Integrated Urbanistic Structures
Authors: Paliulis Grazvydas Mykolas , Valeika Vidualdas , Skrodenis Egidijus
Published: October 2017

The paper concerns the present situation of road safety in Vilnius City, the capital of Lithuania of road safety in Vilnius City, the capital of Lithuania. Vilnius has the largest number of vehicles and the largets level of car ownership in Lithuania. The detailed analysis and audit of accidents in Vilnius City enabled to determine general trends of accident rate and the black spots, to estimate the effect of measures implemented and their general trends, to identify street sections and intersections with the highest accident concentration. The number of fatal and injury accidents in Vilnius City has been considerably decreasing since 2007 (1029 accidents). In 2015, 596 accidents occurred where 18 road users were killed and 671 were injured. In 2015, compared to 2014, the number of fatal and injury accidents in Vilnius decreased by 7.17 %, the number of people killed – by 31.38 % and of people injured – by 5.36 %.
Analysis of the Variability of the Motorway Impact on Agricultural Land on Example of A1 Motorway Section
Authors: Bacior Stanisław , Prus Barbara , Dudzińska Małgorzata
Published: October 2017

The innovative method developed for estimating the motorway impact on agricultural land allows determining all the losses associated with the directions of this interaction. The basis for the determination of losses is the analysis of the variability of land use and quality classes and location of access roads to the land along the axis of the planned motorway. An adopted measure of the multi-direction motorway impact on agricultural land is a specified change in the value of land, at which determination only the diversity of the land suitability for agricultural production is taken into account. The developed method for determining the motorway impact on agricultural land is shown on the example of the planned motorway section. The construction of one kilometre of the motorway section will reduce the value of farmland amounting to an average of 1.350 cereal units. Taking over the land for the highway construction and its negative impact covers about 85% of the total loss of value of agricultural land. The remaining 15% loss of the land value is associated with an icrease in transport and deterioration of land configuration plots.
The Rotation and Other Properties of Comet 49P/Arend–Rigaux, 1984–2012
Authors: Eisner Nora , Knight Matthew M. , Schleicher David G.
Published: October 2017

We analyzed images of comet 49P/Arend–Rigaux on 33 nights between 2012 January and May and obtained R-band lightcurves of the nucleus. Through usual phasing of the data, we found a double-peaked lightcurve having a synodic rotation period of 13.450 ± 0.005 hr. Similarly, phase dispersion minimization and the Lomb–Scargle method both revealed rotation periods of 13.452 hr. Throughout the 2011/2012 apparition, the rotation period was found to increase by a small amount, consistent with a retrograde rotation of the nucleus. We also reanalyzed the publicly available data from the 1984/1985 apparition by applying the same techniques, finding a rotation period of 13.45 ± 0.01 hr. Based on these findings, we show that the change in rotation period is less than 14 s per apparition. Furthermore, the amplitudes of the lightcurves from the two apparitions are comparable, to within reasonable errors, even though the viewing geometries differ, implying that we are seeing the comet at a similar sub-Earth latitude. We detected the presence of a short-term jet-like feature in 2012 March, which appears to have been created by a short-duration burst of activity on March 15. Production rates obtained in 2004/2005, along with reanalysis of the previous results from 1984/1985, imply a strong seasonal effect and a very steep fall-off after perihelion. This, in turn, implies that a single source region, rather than leakage from the entire nucleus, dominates activity.
Resolving the Circumstellar Environment of the Galactic B[e] Supergiant Star MWC 137 from Large to Small Scales*
Authors: Kraus Michaela , Liimets Tiina , Cappa Cristina E. , Cidale Lydia S. , Nickeler Dieter H. , Duronea Nicolas U. , Arias Maria L. , Gunawan Diah S. , Oksala Mary E. , Fernandes Marcelo Borges , Maravelias Grigoris , Curé Michel , Santander-García Miguel
Published: October 2017

The Galactic object MWC 137 has been suggested to belong to the group of B[e] supergiants. However, with its large-scale optical bipolar ring nebula and high-velocity jet and knots, it is a rather atypical representative of this class. We performed multiwavelength observations spreading from the optical to the radio regimes. Based on optical imaging and long-slit spectroscopic data, we found that the northern parts of the large-scale nebula are predominantly blueshifted, while the southern regions appear mostly redshifted. We developed a geometrical model consisting of two double cones. Although various observational features can be approximated with such a scenario, the observed velocity pattern is more complex. Using near-infrared integral-field unit spectroscopy, we studied the hot molecular gas in the vicinity of the star. The emission from the hot CO gas arises in a small-scale disk revolving around the star on Keplerian orbits. Although the disk itself cannot be spatially resolved, its emission is reflected by the dust arranged in arc-like structures and the clumps surrounding MWC 137 on small scales. In the radio regime, we mapped the cold molecular gas in the outskirts of the optical nebula. We found that large amounts of cool molecular gas and warm dust embrace the optical nebula in the east, south, and west. No cold gas or dust was detected in the north and northwestern regions. Despite the new insights into the nebula kinematics gained from our studies, the real formation scenario of the large-scale nebula remains an open issue.
KELT-20b: A Giant Planet with a Period of P ∼ 3.5 days Transiting the V ∼ 7.6 Early A Star HD 185603
Authors: Lund Michael B. , Rodriguez Joseph E. , Zhou George , Gaudi B. Scott , Stassun Keivan G. , Johnson Marshall C. , Bieryla Allyson , Oelkers Ryan J. , Stevens Daniel J. , Collins Karen A. , Penev Kaloyan , Quinn Samuel N. , Latham David W. , Villanueva Steven , Eastman Jason D. , Kielkopf John F. , Oberst Thomas E. , Jensen Eric L. N. , Cohen David H. , Joner Michael D. , Stephens Denise C. , Relles Howard , Corfini Giorgio , Gregorio Joao , Zambelli Roberto , Esquerdo Gilbert A. , Calkins Michael L. , Berlind Perry , Ciardi David R. , Dressing Courtney , Patel Rahul , Gagnon Patrick , Gonzales Erica , Beatty Thomas G. , Siverd Robert J. , Labadie-Bartz Jonathan , Kuhn Rudolf B. , Colón Knicole D. , James David , Pepper Joshua , Fulton Benjamin J. , McLeod Kim K. , Stockdale Christopher , Calchi Novati Sebastiano , DePoy D. L. , Gould Andrew , Marshall Jennifer L. , Trueblood Mark , Trueblood Patricia , Johnson John A. , Wright Jason , McCrady Nate , Wittenmyer Robert A. , Johnson Samson A. , Sergi Anthony , Wilson Maurice , Sliski David H.
Published: October 2017

We report the discovery of KELT-20b, a hot Jupiter transiting a

early A star, HD 185603, with an orbital period of

days. Archival and follow-up photometry, Gaia parallax, radial velocities, Doppler tomography, and AO imaging were used to confirm the planetary nature of KELT-20b and characterize the system. From global modeling we infer that KELT-20 is a rapidly rotating (

) A2V star with an effective temperature of

K, mass of

, radius of

, surface gravity of

, and age of

. The planetary companion has a radius of

, a semimajor axis of

au, and a linear ephemeris of

. We place a

upper limit of

on the mass of the planet. Doppler tomographic measurements indicate that the planetary orbit normal is well aligned with the projected spin axis of the star (

). The inclination of the star is constrained to

, implying a three-dimensional spin–orbit alignment of

. KELT-20b receives an insolation flux of

, implying an equilibrium temperature of of ∼2250 K, assuming zero albedo and complete heat redistribution. Due to the high stellar

, KELT-20b also receives an ultraviolet (wavelength

nm) insolation flux of

, possibly indicating significant atmospheric ablation. Together with WASP-33, Kepler-13 A, HAT-P-57, KELT-17, and KELT-9, KELT-20 is the sixth A star host of a transiting giant planet, and the third-brightest host (in V) of a transiting planet.
Species conservation profiles of endemic spiders (Araneae) from Madeira and Selvagens archipelagos, Portugal
Authors: Cardoso Pedro , Crespo Luís , Silva Isamberto , Borges Paulo , Boieiro Mário
Published: October 2017

The North Atlantic archipelagos of Madeira and Selvagens present a unique biological diversity including, presently, 56 endemic spider species. Several recent projects provide valuable information on their distribution across most islands and habitats. To date, the only endemic spider assessed according to the IUCN Red List criteria is Hogna ingens. The objective of this paper is to assess all remaining endemic species and advise on possible future conservation actions critical for the survival of endangered species.

Seven species were found to have a continuing decline in either range or population size. Their decline can be mostly attributed to habitat destruction or degradation, invasive plant species that reduce quality of habitat, forest fires at high mountain regions and possible competition for resources from invasive congeners. The tetragnathid M. barreti is considered as possibly extinct due to the suspected impact of a competing species. Although most endemic spiders from the Madeira and Selvagens archipelagos have relatively low extinction risk due to the good condition and protection of the laurisilva forests where many live, there are a number of species requiring urgent attention and protection measures. These include all cave and mountain-restricted species as well as those threatened by competing congeners or invasive plants. Extending current protected areas, restoring original habitats of threatened species and the control of invasive taxa should remain a priority for species survival.
Regards croisés sur le terrorisme
Authors: Bannier Philippe
Published: October 2017

Cet article propose une comparaison des ouvrages de David Thomson (Les Revenants, Seuil, 2016) et d’Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt (L’homme qui voyait à travers les visages, 2016) avec en arrière-plan une interrogation sur les liens entre violence et religion. Croiser une investigation journalistique et une démarche littéraire permet de mettre en lumière, selon la logique propre de chacun de ces champs, la complexité des mécanismes qui conduisent à l’idéologie djihadiste.
Naître « sans-papiers », sans voie… ni voix ?
Authors: Haddad Chemla Jocelyne , Delanoë Daniel , Mansouri Malika
Published: October 2017

Une recherche sur les facteurs de risque spécifiques des troubles du langage chez les enfants de migrants nés en terre d’accueil, nous a mené à la mise en évidence d’une constellation de déterminants de vulnérabilité interagissant entre eux, susceptibles de créer des situations de traumatismes cumulatifs. La situation de naître « sans-papiers » est alors apparue comme ayant un impact notable dans le développement d’un trouble du langage chez nos sujets. Ces observations nous ont permis de réfléchir aux enjeux et conséquences relatifs à la situation de ces mères migrantes qui mettent au monde des enfants en terre « étrangère », et aux spécificités liées à l’acquisition du langage chez ces enfants. Notre travail révèle un enjeu de santé publique, ainsi que la nécessité de la mise en place d’actions préventives qui permettront d’offrir un cadre extérieur structurant à ces familles migrantes, et participeront à étayer le développement de leurs enfants, afin de prévenir ou de dépister au plus tôt les troubles susceptibles de se développer.
Laisser partir ou retenir les morts ?
Authors: Perichon Laura , Despret Vinciane , Duret Isabelle
Published: October 2017

Dans le monde moderne, bien que la pensée officielle considère que les morts n’ont d’autre existence que le néant, de nombreuses personnes entretiennent des relations avec leurs proches décédés en se laissant affecter par eux ou encore en posant des actes concrets qui leur sont destinés. A partir d’une définition du deuil comme étant la somme des actes posés par les vivants pour transformer le mort et la relation avec lui (Molinié 2006), nous observons sous l’angle de la transformation de la relation les témoignages de personnes, de chez nous et d’ailleurs, interagissant avec leurs proches décédés. Une question qui préoccupe régulièrement les personnes rencontrées est celle de « laisser partir » le mort ou de le « retenir ». Ces deux dynamiques relationnelles se traduisent par des actes et vécus spécifiques et mènent à des transformations et statuts différents des morts comme des vivants.
L’UE prend les frontières africaines pour les siennes
Authors: Charles Claudia , Chappart Pascaline
Published: October 2017

Incapables d’accueillir dignement les personnes en quête de protection internationale, les États membres de l’Union européenne rejettent leurs responsabilités sur des pays toujours plus lointains, sommés de bloquer les candidats à la migration à leurs frontières. Cette politique d’externalisation du contrôle des frontières extérieures de l’UE ne cesse de se déployer à coup de millions d’euros dont les sous-traitants les plus méritants sont les premiers bénéficiaires. Mais à quel prix ?
L’intestin de la grande ville
Authors: Zylberman Patrick
Published: October 2017

Des vapeurs empestées s’abattent sur Londres en 1858 et sur Paris en 1880 à la faveur de deux vagues de chaleur. Ces odeurs insupportables sont-elles dangereuses pour la santé ? Londres avait dû se rendre à l’avis de John Snow sur l’origine hydrique du choléra et rejeter la vieille idée des miasmes, et surtout revenir sur la stratégie folle consistant à déverser directement les excréments humains dans la Tamise afin de détruire les fosses d’aisance. La Grande Puanteur oblige les autorités londoniennes à mettre en chantier des égouts modernes coupant tout aller-retour entre la vidange et l’alimentation en eau potable de la ville. Paris suit le même chemin avec trente ans de retard. On retrace ici cette « crise au ralenti » que fut la bataille du tout-à-l’égout. Étendue sur plus de dix ans, la discussion orageuse n’a pas opposé partisans du miasmatisme et chevau-légers de la bactériologie, mais bien les caciques de la santé publique (miasmes et pastorisme mêlés) aux ingénieurs de la ville, émules des ingénieurs londoniens.
Rôle des soins et de la santé publique dans la prévention des atteintes à la santé et à la solidarité
Authors: Béraud Claude
Published: October 2017

Alors que la prévention est la pierre angulaire de la loi de modernisation de notre système de santé de 2016, il convient que l’État et l’assurance maladie promeuvent une prévention efficace des maladies chroniques. Cela nécessite la prise en compte de la dimension sociale de la santé, oubliée en France sous l’effet d’une médicalisation des problèmes de santé. De plus, la prévention permet à l’assurance maladie de faire des économies et de protéger la solidarité.
La folie, la sagesse et le cerveau. La postmodernité comme opportunité et comme avertissement
Authors: Sharkey Ronan
Published: October 2017

L’ambiguïté du terme de « postmoderne », à la fois description effrayée d’un état de société et manifeste en faveur de l’abandon des concepts de raison, de vérité et même de réalité, s’enracine dans l’incommensurabilité contemporaine de nos modes de pensée : tantôt nous croyons devoir nous soumettre à un rationalisme implacable et destructeur, tantôt nous nous réfugions dans un subjectivisme imperméable à toute raison et objectivité. Des recherches récentes et innovatrices qui situent l’étude du cerveau dans le contexte culturel de la modernité tardive font apparaître (à côté de la validité, limitée mais indispensable, de la rationalité instrumentale) le caractère profondément raisonné de l’intuition et de l’affect et par conséquent la complémentarité de nos capacités réflexives pour la résolution des défis auxquels nous sommes confrontés.
Quand la charité fabrique des hommes
Authors: Dubrulle Luc
Published: October 2017

Mgr Jean Rodhain (1900-1977), génial patron du Secours catholique, s’est employé à réhabiliter la charité. Si sa tentative théorique n’a pas franchement fonctionné, l’entreprise pédagogique qu’il met en place constitue une formidable matrice de structuration des sujets par l’action caritative. Rodhain la décompose dans les fameux 4 R : Regarder la misère, Révéler la charité, Réaliser contre la misère, Réunir les charitables. L’analyse de ces phases pédagogiques permet de mettre en évidence une reconstruction anthropologique par la pratique. Ainsi émerge la manière dont le corps ecclésial peut contribuer à la restructuration du corps social et politique dans l’horizon divin.
Henri Bissonnier : l’anthropologie redessinée à partir de la pratique catéchétique dans le monde du handicap
Authors: Fino Catherine , Molinario Joël
Published: October 2017

Dès la seconde moitié du xx e siècle, Henri Bissonnier propose un nouveau regard sur le handicap où le fondement de l’éducabilité est christologique, puisque les capacités du sujet sont reçues de la grâce, tout en prenant acte du caractère décisif du recours aux symboles et aux rites liturgiques, à la qualité des relations et à la médiation du corps pour accéder à la doctrine au moyen d’une rationalité non conceptuelle dont la validité est reconnue. Ainsi, sans renier son anthropologie préalable fondée sur la foi, Bissonnier formule à partir de sa pratique un modèle catéchétique autant kérygmatique qu’existentiel, appuyé sur des convictions anthropologiques inédites.
Foreword to the Themed Issue “Cyanobacteria”
Authors: Kaloudis Triantafyllos , Meriluoto Jussi , Blaha Ludek
Published: October 2017

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a pan-European intergovernmental framework. Its mission is to enable break-through scientific and technological developments leading to new concepts and products and thereby contribute to strengthening Europe’s research and innovation capacities. It allows researchers, engineers and scholars to jointly develop their own ideas and take new initiatives across all fields of science and technology, while promoting multi- and interdisciplinary approaches. COST aims at fostering a better integration of less research-intensive countries to the knowledge hubs of the European Research Area. The COST Association, an International Not-for-profit Association under Belgian Law, integrates all management, governing and administrative functions necessary for the operation of the framework. The COST Association has currently 36 Member Countries. www.cost.eu
Single plus one port robotic radical prostatectomy (SPORP); Initial experience
Authors: Tugcu Volkan , Simsek Abdulmuttalip , Evren Ismail , Seker Kamil Gokhan , Kocakaya Ramazan , Torer Bugra Dogukan , Atar Arda , Tasci Ali Ihsan
Published: October 2017

Objective: This article reports on patients with early stage prostate cancer treated with single plus one port robotic radical prostatectomy (SPORP). Materials and methods: Since January 2014, we performed SPORP in 8 patients with localized prostate cancer. Age of patients, clinical stage, operation time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, blood loss, histopathological evaluation, postoperative continence, serum level of PSA were evaluated. Results: Mean age of the 8 patients was 59.85 years. All operations were completed without conversion to standard robotic procedure or open surgery. No intra operative complications occurred. Mean operating time was 143 minutes; prostate excision 123 minutes and urethrovesical anastomosis 20 minutes. Mean blood loss was 45 ml. Preoperative Gleason scores were (3 + 4) in one patient and (3 + 3) in 7 patients. Postoperative Gleason scores were (3 + 4) in 2 patients, and (3 + 3) in 6 patients. All these 8 cases were in T1c clinical stage. Early postoperative complications were drain leakage (n = 1), atelectasis (n = 1), wound infection (n = 1) and fever (n = 1). There was no positive surgical margin. The serum level of PSA was less than 0.2 ng/ml and no other complications happened during the 4 to 12 months follow-up period. Postoperative continence and cosmetic results were excellent. Conclusions: It is relatively easy for urologists who are skilled in traditional laparoscopic and robotic surgeries to master SPORP. However long-term outcomes of this surgery need further investigations.
Effect of superoxide dismutase supplementation on sperm DNA fragmentation
Authors: Negri Luciano , Benaglia Renzo , Monti Emanuela , Morenghi Emanuela , Pizzocaro Alessandro , Levi Setti Paolo E.
Published: October 2017

Background: antioxidants supplementation improves sperm quality, but few trials have analyzed the effects on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). This study compares the effectiveness of SOD-based antioxidant supplementation plus hydroxytyrosol and carnosol in reducing SDF with other antioxidants without SOD, hydroxytyrosol, and carnosol. Materials and methods: men with high SDF at baseline were selected in our clinical database. The patients taken into account had a 2-month control. SDF was measured by Sperm Chromatin Dispersion test (SCD). Untreated men were used as a control group. The remaining subjects received some oral antioxidant supplements (12 different combinations of both hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants), with some of them receiving nutritional support with a SOD-based antioxidant supplementation plus hydroxytyrosol and carnosol. Results: 118 men were selected for a retrospective study. Mean age 39.3 ± 5.4 years. Fifteen had no treatment, 55 were treated with a SOD-based antioxidant supplementation plus hydroxytyrosol and carnosol, and 48 took some antioxidant supplements for 2 months. Clinically, variations of at least 10% in baseline values of classic semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were taken into consideration. Classic seminal parameters did not vary significantly in the three groups, with the exception of viability (p = 0.001). We assessed which of the active substances (no. 19) in different formulations were associated with variations in SDF. In the multivariable analysis of the 7 active substances that passed the univariable analysis, only the SOD molecule appeared to be linked to an improvement in SDF (< 0.0001). In detail, only one patient in the control group showed a spontaneous improvement in SDF (6%), compared to 16/48 (33%) of those taking various oral antioxidant supplements, and 31/55 (56%) of those taking a SOD-based antioxidant supplementation plus hydroxytyrosol and carnosol. Conclusions: SOD-based antioxidant supplementation plus hydroxytyrosol and carnosol seems to provide a better chance of improving sperm DNA integrity than other classical antioxidant molecules.