bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Landscapes and forest flora of al-Andalus: a reconstruction from textual historical documentation
Authors: Hernández Bermejo J. Esteban , Carabaza Bravo Julia Mª , García Sánchez Expiración , Herrera Molina Francisca
Published: February 2019

The translation and interpretation of works by Andalusi botanists and agronomists provide an increasingly sharp image of the species and forest landscapes in al-Andalus (Iberian area under Muslim rule in the Middle Ages). Regarding agriculture, it is known that domestication processes and the introduction of new species and singular forms of use were carried out, thus changing agricultural landscapes. Consequently, new life styles and consumption habits developed. A lot less is known about forestry management, especially when referring to forest landscapes and tree species in the Iberian Peninsula. The authors of this work have been studying agricultural and forest flora in al-Andalus for many years. In addition to numerous miscellaneous contributions, their first approximation on the trees and shrubs cultivated there was published in 2004, and the first volume of Flora Agrícola y Forestal de Al-Andalus covering 80 species of monocotyledons appeared in 2012. In anticipation of the volume devoted to woody dicotyledons to be published in 2019 (including over 150 species, 100 genera and 50 families), a synthesis of the forest landscapes and the most unique species in the Arabic texts is presented in this work. Among the taxa identified are Iberian endemics such as Flueggea tinctoria and Corema album, rare taxa or highly localized ones like Rhododendron ponticum subsp. baeticum, Tetraclinis articulata and Zizyphus lotus with species of peculiar forestry interest such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Taxus baccata, Buxus sempervirens, Ilex aquifolium, Laurus nobilis and Vitex agnus-castus, and archaeophytes like Celtis australis or Anagyris foetida.
The Role of Social Media in Maintaining Minority Languages: A Case Study of Chechen Language in Jordan
Authors: Abu-Irmies Amani Juma , Al-Khanji Rajai Rasheed
Published: February 2019

This study investigates factors motivating the Chechen people in Jordan to use their indigenous language in social media such as WhatsApp and Facebook. It also explores their attitudes towards using the Chechen language in social media. In order to achieve the aims of this study, the researchers have selected a sample that consists of 340 Chechen people who reside in the Jordanian cities and towns: Al-Suknah, Sweileh and Az zarqa. The instruments of the study were a sociolinguistic questionnaire and an open-ended interview. The findings reveal that Chechens use social media such as Facebook and WhatsApp to preserve the Chechen language and their culture. Also, Chechens of Jordan use their ethnic language to communicate with their friends who understand the Chechen language. Besides, the Chechen language has been used in whatsApp and Facebook to promote unity among family members. Moreover, many Chechen people use social media to communicate with other Chechen speakers regardless of familial ties. Results also indicate that Chechens of Jordan have a high positive attitude towards including the Chechen language in social media.
On the Priorities of Comparative Advantage of Agro-industry Commodities: the way towards Economic Transformation
Authors: Elryah Yagoub
Published: February 2019

Economic development in Sudan has been facing more challenges than ever before in 2011 after South Sudan gets independence, where Sudan lost 75% from oil revenues. As a result, Sudan underwent structural reform that favored the concentrating in non-oil sector. Considering that agriculture has been largely contributing to the GDP, it seems that the main drivers’ of economic growth. One of the most important questions regarding the New Structural Economics framework is (a) why industrialization becomes one the most determinants of country’s economic development, (b) has Sudan’s economic structure change over the years from 1980-2015, and (c) what the nature of that change? The purpose of this work is to identify the priorities of agro-industry commodities that Sudan has to focus on. It develops theoretical framework to investigate the sectoral composition trends of output and employment, and discusses these on the New Structural Economics framework. This study adopted two empirical models to analyze the collected data, which are obtained from different sources. Many of the hypotheses were supported. Major findings of this study are as follows. The analysis of RCA and PAM revealed that Sudan had lower costs in producing of agricultural and agro-industries commodities, except textiles manufacturing. The share of industrial sector in total employment and total output has declined during 2001 and 2015 period. Further analysis reveals that structural change has a negative impact on Sudan’s economy and growth of labor productivity, the share of service in output has steadily increased, reflecting reallocation of employment away from agriculture towards service and trade activities. This study finds evidence of negative structural change on Sudan’s economy and the share of value added manufacturing sector has decreased dramatically.
DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBO-TESTERS FOR PREDICTING METAL
CUTTING FRICTION
Authors: GRZESIK Wit , RECH Joel
Published: February 2019

This paper overviews some frequently used apparatus for determination of friction between the elements
of tribo-pairs which represent the cutting tool and the workpiece materials. The three methods which utilize different measuring techniques are outlined and some construction details of tribotesters are presented. The main advantages and disadvantages of the closed and open tribosystems along with their practical applications in machining are highlighted.
Acknowledging patient heterogeneity in colorectal cancer screening: An example from Norway
Authors: Vervaart Mathyn A.M. , Burger Emily A. , Aas Eline
Published: February 2019

Abstract: Different sources of patient heterogeneity or personal characteristics may contribute to differential cost-effectiveness profiles of national screening programs for colorectal cancer (CRC). To motivate the use of subgroup analyses when individual level data are unavailable, we provide a stylized example of the potential economic value of capturing patient heterogeneity in CRC screening. We developed a Markov model to capture the impacts of patient heterogeneity on the cost-effectiveness of CRC screening involving once-only sigmoidoscopy compared to no screening. We simulated cohorts of Norwegian men, women, and six comorbidity subgroups that differentially influenced the relative treatment effect, the risks of developing CRC, dying from CRC, dying from background mortality or screening-related adverse events and baseline quality of life. We calculated the discounted (4%) incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), defined as the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, and the net monetary benefit (NMB) gained by stratification, from a societal perspective. Screening in men was cost-effective at any threshold value, while screening in women only provides good value for money from threshold values of €50,000 per QALY gained and above. Comorbidities unrelated to CRC development yielded generally less attractive cost-effectiveness ratios (i.e., increased the ICER), while related comorbidities improved the cost-effectiveness profiles of screening for CRC. A stratified policy that accounts for different screening outcomes between men and women could potentially improve the value of screening by €5.8 million annually. Accounting for patient heterogeneity in CRC screening will likely improve the value of screening strategies, as a single screening approach for the entire population can result in inefficient use of resources.Published: Online December 2018.
The Nordic health care systems: Most similar comparative research?
Authors: Pedersen Kjeld Møller
Published: February 2019

TBA
Kartellrecht und Rechtsmissbrauch
Authors: Zenker Stefan
Published: February 2019

The unfairness of corporate market behaviour is a key criterion of German and EU competition law, which can also be enforced by means of private law. However, these prohibitions only address companies that are dominant or have relative market power. By contrast, the objection to abuse of rights based on § 242 of the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (Germany’s civil code) applies to all private law subjects, including companies, regardless of their market position. Both the prohibition of abusive practices under competition law and objecting to abuse of rights allow market participants who are affected by impedimental entrepreneurial practices to defend themselves against such practices by means of private law. In this book, the author therefore examines the question of whether the application of § 242 of the BGB in order to regulate corporate behaviour actually undermines the objective of the legislator in the sense that it renders impeding competitive behaviour below the specific thresholds of competition law harmless.
Dermatologic Urgencies and Emergencies: What Every Pathologist Should Know
Authors: Abate Mallory S. , Battle Laura R. , Emerson Ashley N. , Gardner Jerad M. , Shalin Sara C.
Published: February 2019

Context.—

Fatal dermatologic diseases and ones with high morbidity can occur in the inpatient setting. In such cases, prompt and accurate assessment of a bedside skin biopsy is required. This may be challenging for many pathologists who are not familiar with the complexity of skin pathology and skin terminology within the fields of dermatopathology and dermatology.

Objective.—

To provide the pathologist with a practical, up-to-date, and “must-know” reference guide on dermatologic urgencies and emergencies from a real-world perspective, highlighting diagnostic pearls, diagnostic pitfalls, and commonly encountered practice gaps. This review will focus on key diseases with which every pathologist should be familiar, including angioinvasive fungal infections, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, staph-scalded-skin syndrome, acute graft-versus-host disease, bullous pemphigoid, calciphylaxis, Sweet syndrome and its histiocytoid variant, pyoderma gangrenosum, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis, as well as those in their clinical and histopathologic differential.

Data Sources.—

This review is based on peer-reviewed literature and our personal experiences with these diseases at major academic institutions, including one where a large number of stem cell transplants are performed. This review is unique as it represents collaborative expert opinion from both a dermatopathology and a dermatology standpoint.

Conclusions.—

This review outlines the critical role that the pathologist plays in the outcomes of patients with dermatologic urgencies and emergencies. Improved patient care will result from prompt and accurate histopathologic diagnoses as well as an open line of communication with the dermatologist.
Hanging Around with Platonic Solids
Authors: Caglayan Günhan
Published: February 2019

The Platonic solids, also known as the five regular polyhedra, are the five solids whose faces are congruent regular polygons of the same type. Polyhedra is plural for polyhedron, derived from the Greek poly + hedros, meaning “multi-faces.” The five Platonic solids include the tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron. Photographs 1a-d show several regular polyhedra
Konstantinas Sirvydas’s ‘Promptuarium dictionum Polonicarum, Latinarum et Lituanicarum’ as the Reflection of the Linguistic Situation in Grand Duchy of Lithuania of the Seventeenth Century
Authors: Smetonienė Anželika
Published: February 2019

Konstantinas Sirvydas’s Promptuarium dictionum Polonicarum, Latinarum et Lituanicarum published in 1620 is a unique source because it reflects the Lithuanian lexis of the beginning of the seventeenth century. It is distinguished from other written Lithuanian sources by the abundance of loanwords, hybrids, and neologisms. A considerable number of Slavic loanwords and Slavic-root words are known only from Promptuarium: they are not attested in other written works of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Lithuania Minor, and are either not recorded in contemporary dialects or are represented there only very sparsely. The aim of this article is to identify which of the Slavic loanwords and hybrids in Promptuarium are occasional words and which were widely used in the Lithuanian language of that time but did not find their way into other Lithuanian written works of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. All the written works that appeared in the Duchy were exclusively of a religious character, which could have predetermined their limited lexis. Meanwhile, targeted at the students of Vilnius Academy, Promptuarium included the names of various tools, clothes, fabrics, and other realities for which Sirvydas had to find words in the Lithuanian language.
Exile Poetry Collection Benamiai: Ideological Links
Authors: Stepukonienė Inga
Published: February 2019

During the war and the post-war years, a crisis of humanism opened up in the world – both in the public and in the literary life – and formed the self-awareness of an individual at a turning point in history. In the literature of Siberian exiles, it raised the sensations of horror, despair, and the end of the world. This feeling and poetical thinking actualizing reflections on marginal experiences and losses clearly opposed the literature of the Independence period, one of the characteristic features of which was a harmonious, bright, and hopeful perception of life. Marked by the longing for the native land and home, and by the apotheosis of the former meaningful life of the nation, the work of exiles most widely and deeply entailed this crisis of humanism in the twentieth century, the path of humanity’s self-annihilation that were reflected in poetry by the binary oppositions of life and death, reflections of depressive reality and apocalyptic stagnation, and vivid visual light and dark contrasts. In 1955, Vaclovas Gudaitis, himself a prisoner at the Inta camp of exiles, brought writing deportees together and compiled a manuscript collection of lyrical poetry from their contributions, Benamiai (The Homeless). This anthology comprised poems by seventeen authors. In 1989, the collection was edited and published by Professor Leonas Gudaitis. The poetry of Benamiai reflects violations of personal and collective identity. It reflects the coercive path of exiles that took them from their native homes to Inta. The identification of this region is associated with the chthonic world: it is aptly characterized by the iron cold, the deep freeze of the ground, Vorkuta’s snowstorms, the wastelands of Karaganda. It is an alien and forbidding space of complete external stagnation, lifeless and threatening death, in which the only sound is human lament. The common reality of an individual’s life suddenly turns into everything that is terrible: unbearable cold, hunger, screeching prison doors, torture, cruel violence, bullying, and servile labour. The symbols of the chthonic world – the black night of pain – become a metaphor for collective suffering. Finally, the human as such, debilitated by torture and hardship, not only loses one’s uniqueness and spiritual individuality, but also vital power, and eventually resembles a horrible chthonic creature – an attribute of currently inhabited space. Thus, in the poetic consciousness of the deportees, Siberia appears as a chthonic space of darkness in which the human and the nation are depreciated.
Values of Lithuanian Women Deportees in Their Life Histories
Authors: Račiūnaitė-Paužuolienė Rasa , Matusevičienė Gerda
Published: February 2019

This article reviews the life histories told by Lithuanian women deportees from the middle of the twentieth to the twenty-first century. It analyzes the values of women deportees in ethnic, religious, and humanistic aspects. The work is based on life histories recorded during ethnographic fieldwork and represents the problem of displacement. The following tasks were undertaken: (1) to determine the values of women deportees in their youth, maturity, and old age; (2) to explore the continuity of humanistic, national, and religious values in the younger generation.
The study reveals that Lithuanian women deportees suffered physical, psychological, and spiritual traumas that laid the foundations for their values. The analysis of life histories reveals that experiences that the Lithuanian women gained in Siberia formed new human values: perseverance, purposefulness, and empathy. On the one hand, these features played a role in shaping the personalities of the mature women. In general terms, life in exile had negative consequences for the personalities of the deported women leaving them with the feeling of isolation and the inferiority complex.
Impact of Incident Cancer on Short-Term Coronary Artery Disease–Related Healthcare Expenditures Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Chopra Ishveen , Mattes Malcolm D. , Findley Patricia , Tan Xi , Dwibedi Nilanjana , Sambamoorthi Usha
Published: February 2019

Background: Healthcare spending for coronary artery disease (CAD)–related services is higher than for other chronic conditions. Diagnosis of incident cancer may impede management of CAD, thereby increasing the risk of CAD-related complications and associated healthcare expenditures. This study examined the relationship between incident cancer and CAD-related expenditures among elderly Medicare beneficiaries. Patients and Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted using the SEER-Medicare linked registries and a 5% noncancer random sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Elderly fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with preexisting CAD and with incident breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer (N=12,095) or no cancer (N=34,237) were included. CAD-related healthcare expenditures comprised Medicare payments for inpatient, home healthcare, and outpatient services. Expenditures were measured every 120 days during the 1-year preindex and 1-year postindex periods. Adjusted relationship between incident cancer and expenditures was analyzed using the generalized linear mixed models. Results: Overall, CAD-related mean healthcare expenditures in the preindex period accounted for approximately 32.6% to 39.5% of total expenditures among women and 41.5% to 46.8% among men. All incident cancer groups had significantly higher CAD-related expenditures compared with noncancer groups (P<.0001). Men and women with colorectal cancer (CRC) had 166% and 153% higher expenditures, respectively, compared with their noncancer counterparts. Furthermore, men and women with CRC had 57% and 55% higher expenditures compared with those with prostate or breast cancer, respectively. Conclusions: CAD-related expenditures were higher for elderly Medicare beneficiaries with incident cancer, specifically for those with CRC. This warrants the need for effective programs and policies to reduce CAD-related expenditures. Close monitoring of patients with a cancer diagnosis and preexisting CAD may prevent CAD-related events and expenditures.
Increasing PET Use in Small Cell Lung Cancer: Survival Improvement and Stage Migration in the VA Central Cancer Registry
Authors: Hong Julian C. , Boyer Matthew J. , Spiegel Daphna Y. , Williams Christina D. , Tong Betty C. , Shofer Scott L. , Moravan Michael J. , Kelley Michael J. , Salama Joseph K.
Published: February 2019

Background: Accurate staging for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is critical for determining appropriate therapy. The clinical impact of increasing PET adoption and stage migration is well described in non–small cell lung cancer but not in SCLC. The objective of this study was to evaluate temporal trends in PET staging and survival in the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry and the impact of PET on outcomes. Patients and Methods: Patients diagnosed with SCLC from 2001 to 2010 were identified. PET staging, overall survival (OS), and lung cancer–specific survival (LCSS) were assessed over time. The impact of PET staging on OS and LCSS was assessed for limited-stage (LS) and extensive-stage (ES) SCLC. Results: From 2001 to 2010, PET use in a total of 10,135 patients with SCLC increased from 1.1% to 39.2%. Median OS improved for all patients (from 6.2 to 7.9 months), those with LS-SCLC (from 10.9 to 13.2 months), and those with ES-SCLC (from 5.0 to 7.0 months). Among staged patients, the proportion of ES-SCLC increased from 63.9% to 65.7%. Among 1,536 patients with LS-SCLC treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, 397 were staged by PET. In these patients, PET was associated with longer OS (median, 19.8 vs 14.3 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68–0.90; P<.0001) and LCSS (median, 22.9 vs 16.7 months; HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.63–0.87; P<.0001) with multivariate adjustment and propensity-matching. In the 6,143 patients with ES-SCLC, PET was also associated with improved OS and LCSS. Conclusions: From 2001 to 2010, PET staging increased in this large cohort, with a corresponding relative increase in ES-SCLC. PET was associated with greater OS and LCSS for LS-SCLC and ES-SCLC, likely reflecting stage migration and stage-appropriate therapy. These findings emphasize the importance of PET in SCLC and support its routine use.
AIDS-Related Kaposi Sarcoma, Version 2.2019
Authors: Reid Erin , Suneja Gita , Ambinder Richard F. , Ard Kevin , Baiocchi Robert , Barta Stefan K. , Carchman Evie , Cohen Adam , Crysler Oxana V. , Gupta Neel , Gustafson Chelsea , Hall Allison , Johung Kimberly L. , Klopp Ann , LaCasce Ann S. , Lin Chi , Mehta Amitkumar , Menon Manoj P. , Morgan David , Nathwani Nitya , Noy Ariela , Ratner Lee , Rizza Stacey , Rudek Michelle A. , Sanchez Julian , Taylor Jeff , Tomlinson Benjamin , Wang Chia-Ching J. , Yendamuri Sai , Dwyer Mary A. ,   CGC, Freedman-Cass Deborah A.
Published: February 2019

As treatment of HIV has improved, people living with HIV (PLWH) have experienced a decreased risk of AIDS and AIDS-defining cancers (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma, and cervical cancer), but the risk of Kaposi sarcoma in PLWH is still elevated about 500-fold compared with the general population in the United States. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for AIDS-Related Kaposi Sarcoma provide diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance recommendations for PLWH who develop limited cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma and for those with advanced cutaneous, oral, visceral, or nodal disease.
SYNTHESIS OF SPATIALLY-HINDERED METHYLCYCLOALKYLPHENOLS AND SOME PECULIARITIES OF THEIR AMINOMETHYLATION REACTIONS BY AMINOETHYLNONYLIMIDAZOLINE
Authors: Aghamaliyev Zaur Z. , Abbasov Vagif M. , Rasulov Chingiz K. , Nazarov Igrar G. , Rzaeva Nigar S. , Naghiyeva Mehriban V.
Published: February 2019

The paper deals with the results of cycloalkylation of phenol with 1-methylcyclopentene, 1(3)-methylcyclohexene in the presence of aluminum phenolate catalyst and influence of various parameters on the yield of the target product. The reaction temperature was varied from 220 to 280 °C, the reaction time - from 1 to 7 h, molar ratio of phenol to cyclene – from 1:1 to 1:3 mol/mol, the catalyst amount – from 10 to 25%. Maximum yield of 2,6-di(1(3)-methylcycloalkyl)phenols is obtained under the following conditions: temperature - 260-280 °C, duration - 5-6 h, molar ratio of phenol to 1(3)-methylcycloalkene - 1:2 mol/mol and the catalyst amount is 20% based on taken phenol. Simultaneously, the yield of the target products - 2,6-di-(1(3)-methylcycloalkyl)phenols is 44.3-47.1% per taken phenol, the selectivity is 67.4 71.2% on the target product. As a result of the chromatographic studies of the products of phenol cycloalkylation with 1(3)-methylcycloalkenes in the presence of aluminum phenolate catalyst it became clear that the alkylate mainly contains 2,6-dicycloalkyl-substituted phenols (87.4-92.3%). After rectification of the alkylate at low pressure (20 mm Hg), the target products were obtained with a purity of 96.7-98.1% and their physico-chemical properties were determined. The resulting 2,6-di-(1(3)-methylcycloalkyl)phenols were aminomethylated by formaldehyde and aminoethylnonylimidazoline at the ratio of 1:2:2.From theoretical point of view, Mannich bases were obtained with yield of 65.7-71.7% by the interaction of 2,6-di-[1(3)-methylcycloalkyl]phenols with formaldehyde and aminoethylnonyl imidazoline. Physico-chemical properties of synthesized 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-(1(3)-methylcycloalkyl)benzylaminoethylnonylimidazolines were determined.
PLASMA PARAMETERS, DENSITIES OF ACTIVE SPECIES AND ETCHING KINETICS IN C4F8+Ar GAS MIXTURE
Authors: Efremov Alexander M. , Murin Dmitry B. , Kwon Kwang H.
Published: February 2019

In this work, we performed the combined (experimental and model-based) study of gas-phase plasma characteristics and etching kinetics for both Si and SiO2 in the C4F8 + Ar gas mixture. The experiments were carried out at constant total gas pressure (p = 6 mTorr), input power (W = 900 W) and bias power (Wdc = 200 W) while the C4F8/Ar mixing ratio was varied in the range of 0–75% Ar. The data on internal plasma parameters, plasma chemistry as well as the steady-state plasma composition were obtained by both Langmuir probe diagnostics and 0-dimensional plasma modeling. The etching mechanisms were investigated through the analysis of relationships between the measured etching rates and the model-predicted fluxes of active species (F atoms, polymerizing CFx radicals and positive ions). It was found that, under the given set of experimental conditions, the Si and SiO2 etching process 1) appears in the steady-state etching regime; 2) exhibits the features of the ion-assisted chemical reactions in the neutral-flux-limited mode; and 3) is influenced by the fluorocarbon polymer film thickness. It was shown that the influence of input process parameters on the effective probability of chemical reaction between Si, SiO2 and fluorine atoms may be adequately characterized by the fluorocarbon radicals/fluorine atoms and fluorocarbon radicals/ion energy flux ratios.
Heavy metals in the soils Euro-Arctic territories
Authors: Popova Lyudmila F. , Nikitina Maria V. , Andreeva Yulia I. , Trofimova Anna N. , Popov Sergey S.
Published: February 2019

The features of metal accumulation by the Arctic soils are analyzed. The data of a comparative analysis content of total and metals mobile forms in natural and anthropogenic soils in the Euro-Arctic region are presented. Such areas studied: Frans Joseph Land, Spitsbergen, Solovetsky, Novaya Zemlya, Kolguev Island, cape Kanin Nos, Varnek, Sosnovets Island. The chemical analysis was carried out with the use of modern instrumental methods and certified methods:  by X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption methods. The degree of soil contamination was assessed by the maximum permissible concentrations exceeding and biogeochemical coefficients. Analysis of the experimental data has shown that metals accumulation by different types of soils is ambiguous: zinc and lead predominate in the arctic and tundra bog soils, manganese and cobalt  in the non-gley and gley tundra soils, and cobalt and lead in the podzolic and alluvial meadow soils. Correlation analysis revealed the dependence of the metals accumulation with such physicochemical parameters as the content of physical clay, organic matter and the pH of the soil solution. According to the total pollution index (Zc), calculated related to clark, a dangerous level of contamination have the Arctic soils of Pyramid settlement, tundra non-gley soils of cape Belyy  Nose, alluvial meadow acidic soils of Dixon settlement and peat soils of Sosnowiec Island. Tundra gley soils in Cape Kanin Nos have a moderately dangerous level of pollution. At the same time, the soils have an acceptable level of contamination with metals mobile forms. Practically all of the examined elements are represented by non-mobile forms, which are confirmed by the high value of the protective soils coefficients.
Optimization of the mode parameters of the hydration block for the propylene glycol production
Authors: Safarova Aygun A. , Magerramova Tamella M. , Asadov Mirsalim M.
Published: February 2019

One of the important chemicals is propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is used in various sectors of the national economy, including the production of saturated polyester resins, in the preparation of pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations, in the manufacture of paints, in the food industry, etc. In this regard, the development of algorithms to ensure the technological process of production of propylene glycol in optimal regimes is an urgent problem for the development of the chemical and petrochemical industry. The aim of this work is to calculate the optimal working regime of the hydrator for technological process of propylene glycol production based on mathematical models, including the Lagrangian function. The process of obtaining propylene glycol is carried out in accordance with the given temperature and pressure in the hydrator. As for the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the production of propylene glycol, the necessary conditions are set. For example, the density of commercial propylene glycol produced should be 0.981–1.036 g/cm³. Quantity and quality of the propylene glycol obtained in the process depends on the predetermined amount of propylene oxide, temperature and pressure in the hydrator. When solving the problem of optimizing the static regime of the technological process, such parameters of propylene glycol quality as quantity and density were taken into account. These indicators were taken into account in accordance with coordinates of states and constraint conditions as nonlinear functions. Taking into account the above, problem of optimal control of the parameters in the hydrator was formulated taking into account the real limitations imposed on the input and control parameters in the technological scheme (propylene glycol consumption, propylene glycol density, pressure in the hydrator, temperature in the hydrator, amount of steam and propylene oxide supplied in the mixer). To solve this problem, an algorithm was developed based on a model including the Lagrangian function. The optimum operating regime for the hydrator of the process for the production of propylene glycol was calculated on the basis of nonlinear programming. To solve the optimization problem, the coordinates of the saddle point of the Lagrangian function were determined. The optimum values of temperature, pressure and water-oxypropylene ratio in the hydrator, consumption and density of propylene glycol are found. For the obtained optimal data, it is recommended to use the nonlinear programming method, taking into account the obtained coordinates of the saddle point of the Lagrangian function.
A method for determining the generalized energy grindability index of particulate solids
Authors: Zhukov Vladimir P. , Osipov Dmitriy А. , Mizonov Vadim E. , Urbaniak Dariusz
Published: February 2019

To calculate and evaluate the efficiency of the processes of fractionation of particulate solids, various industry methods have been developed that are widely and successfully used for the analysis of specific industrial technologies. Different indicators are used to measure the strength properties of particles of a bulk material in various industrial technologies. The disadvantage of the situation is the complexity, and often the impossibility of using these specific indices of strength of materials for calculating the grinding process in new equipment or a new range of particle sizes. Significant energy consumption for grinding at low efficiency of industrial mills causes the necessity of carrying out the studies aimed to increasing the efficiency of fractionation of particulate solids. In connection with this, the actual problem of scientific research to develop a generalized and universal energy indicator of grindability particulate solids and a method for its determination that can be used to describe the grinding process and to evaluate its efficiency in various industrial technologies for a wide range of materials arises.Calculation studies were carried out within the framework of the thermodynamic approach to model a grinding process. In order to carry out experimental studies, a special program for measuring and processing experimental data obtained at the laboratory impact mill was developed.In the course of computational and experimental studies, a technique has been proposed to determine the energy grindability index of particulate solids. The relation of this index with the energy necessary for breakdown of the intermolecular bonds in the material under study is established.The carried out researches allowed substantiating the method of determining the generalized energy grindability index of particulate solids. Computational analysis showed that the technique with acceptable accuracy for engineering calculations can be used in practice to assess the possibility of enrichment of heterogeneous components and to determine the optimal technological conditions for the separation of these components.
The molecular mechanisms associated with PIN7, a protein-protein interaction network of seven pleiotropic proteins
Authors: Nahálková Jarmila
Published: February 2019

The protein-protein interaction network of seven pleiotropic proteins (PIN7) contains proteins with multiple functions in the aging and age-related diseases (TPPII, CDK2, MYBBP1A, p53, SIRT6, SIRT7, and BSG). At the present work, the pathway enrichment, the gene function prediction and the protein node prioritization analysis were applied for the examination of main molecular mechanisms driving PIN7 and the extended network. Seven proteins of PIN7 were used as an input for the analysis by GeneMania, a Cytoscape application, which constructs the protein interaction network. The software also extends it using the interactions retrieved from databases of experimental and predicted protein-protein and genetic interactions. The analysis identified the p53 signaling pathway as the most dominant mediator of PIN7. The extended PIN7 was also analyzed by Cytohubba application, which showed that the top-ranked protein nodes belong to the group of histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases. These enzymes are involved in the reverse epigenetic regulation mechanisms linked to the regulation of PTK2, NFκB, and p53 signaling interaction subnetworks of the extended PIN7. The analysis emphasized the role of PTK2 signaling, which functions upstream of the p53 signaling pathway and its interaction network includes all members of the sirtuin family. Further, the analysis suggested the involvement of molecular mechanisms related to metastatic cancer (prostate cancer, small cell lung cancer), hemostasis, the regulation of the thyroid hormones and the cell cycle G1/S checkpoint. The additional data-mining analysis showed that the small protein interaction network MYBBP1A-p53-TPPII-SIRT6-CD147 controls Warburg effect and MYBBP1A-p53-TPPII-SIRT7-BSG influences mTOR signaling and autophagy. Further investigations of the detail mechanisms of these interaction networks would be beneficial for the development of novel treatments for aging and age-related diseases.
Programmed conversion of hypertrophic chondrocytes into osteoblasts and marrow adipocytes within zebrafish bones
Authors: Giovannone Dion , Paul Sandeep , Schindler Simone , Arata Claire , Farmer D'Juan T , Patel Punam , Smeeton Joanna , Crump J Gage
Published: February 2019

Much of the vertebrate skeleton develops from cartilage templates that are progressively remodeled into bone. Lineage tracing studies in mouse suggest that chondrocytes within these templates persist and become osteoblasts, yet the underlying mechanisms of this process and whether chondrocytes can generate other derivatives remain unclear. We find that zebrafish cartilages undergo extensive remodeling and vascularization during juvenile stages to generate fat-filled bones. Growth plate chondrocytes marked by sox10 and col2a1a contribute to osteoblasts, marrow adipocytes, and mesenchymal cells within adult bones. At the edge of the hypertrophic zone, chondrocytes re-enter the cell cycle and express leptin receptor (lepr), suggesting conversion into progenitors. Further, mutation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (mmp9) results in delayed growth plate remodeling and fewer marrow adipocytes. Our data support Mmp9-dependent growth plate remodeling and conversion of chondrocytes into osteoblasts and marrow adipocytes as conserved features of bony vertebrates.
Stepwise activation mechanism of the scramblase nhTMEM16 revealed by cryo-EM
Authors: Kalienkova Valeria , Clerico Mosina Vanessa , Bryner Laura , Oostergetel Gert T , Dutzler Raimund , Paulino Cristina
Published: February 2019

Scramblases catalyze the movement of lipids between both leaflets of a bilayer. Whereas the X-ray structure of the protein nhTMEM16 has previously revealed the architecture of a Ca2+-dependent lipid scramblase, its regulation mechanism has remained elusive. Here, we have used cryo-electron microscopy and functional assays to address this question. Ca2+-bound and Ca2+-free conformations of nhTMEM16 in detergent and lipid nanodiscs illustrate the interactions with its environment and they reveal the conformational changes underlying its activation. In this process, Ca2+ binding induces a stepwise transition of the catalytic subunit cavity, converting a closed cavity that is shielded from the membrane in the absence of ligand, into a polar furrow that becomes accessible to lipid headgroups in the Ca2+-bound state. Additionally, our structures demonstrate how nhTMEM16 distorts the membrane at both entrances of the subunit cavity, thereby decreasing the energy barrier for lipid movement.
Characterization of the complete chloroplast genomes of five Populus species from the western Sichuan plateau, southwest China: comparative and phylogenetic analyses
Authors: Zong Dan , Zhou Anpei , Zhang Yao , Zou Xinlian , Li Dan , Duan Anan , He Chengzhong
Published: February 2019

Species of the genus Populus, which is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere from subtropical to boreal forests, are among the most commercially exploited groups of forest trees. In this study, the complete chloroplast genomes of five Populus species (Populus cathayana, P. kangdingensis, P. pseudoglauca, P. schneideri, and P. xiangchengensis) were compared. The chloroplast genomes of the five Populus species are very similar. The total chloroplast genome sequence lengths for the five plastomes were 156,789, 156,523, 156,512, 156,513, and 156,465 bp, respectively. A total of 130 genes were identified in each genome, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and eight rRNA genes. Seven genes were duplicated in the protein-coding genes, whereas 11 genes were duplicated in the RNA genes. The GC content was 36.7% for all plastomes. We analyzed nucleotide substitutions, small inversions, simple sequence repeats and long repeats in the chloroplast genomes and found nine divergence hotspots (ccsA+ccsA-ndhD, ndhC-trnV, psbZ-trnfM, trnG-atpA, trnL-ndhJ, trnR-trnN, ycf4-cemA, ycf1, and trnR-trnN), which could be useful molecular genetic markers for future population genetic and phylogenetic studies. We also observed that two genes (rpoC2 and rbcL) were subject to positive selection. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole cp genomes showed that P. schneideri had a close relationship with P. kangdingensis and P. pseudoglauca, while P. xiangchengensis was a sister to P. cathayana.
Long non-coding RNAs as pan-cancer master gene regulators of associated protein-coding genes: a systems biology approach
Authors: Saleembhasha Asanigari , Mishra Seema
Published: February 2019

Despite years of research, we are still unraveling crucial stages of gene expression regulation in cancer. On the basis of major biological hallmarks, we hypothesized that there must be a uniform gene expression pattern and regulation across cancer types. Among non-coding genes, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key gene regulators playing powerful roles in cancer. Using TCGA RNAseq data, we analyzed coding (mRNA) and non-coding (lncRNA) gene expression across 15 and 9 common cancer types, respectively. 70 significantly differentially expressed genes common to all 15 cancer types were enlisted. Correlating with protein expression levels from Human Protein Atlas, we observed 34 positively correlated gene sets which are enriched in gene expression, transcription from RNA Pol-II, regulation of transcription and mitotic cell cycle biological processes. Further, 24 lncRNAs were among common significantly differentially expressed non-coding genes. Using guilt-by-association method, we predicted lncRNAs to be involved in same biological processes. Combining RNA-RNA interaction prediction and transcription regulatory networks, we identified E2F1, FOXM1 and PVT1 regulatory path as recurring pan-cancer regulatory entity. PVT1 is predicted to interact with SYNE1 at 3′-UTR; DNAJC9, RNPS1 at 5′-UTR and ATXN2L, ALAD, FOXM1 and IRAK1 at CDS sites. The key findings are that through E2F1, FOXM1 and PVT1 regulatory axis and possible interactions with different coding genes, PVT1 may be playing a prominent role in pan-cancer development and progression.
Yeasts producing zeatin
Authors: Streletskii Rostislav A. , Kachalkin Aleksey V. , Glushakova Anna M. , Yurkov Andrey M. , Demin Vladimir V.
Published: February 2019

The present paper describes the first screening study of the ability of natural yeast strains to synthesize in culture the plant-related cytokine hormone zeatin, which was carried out using HPLC-MS/MS. A collection of 76 wild strains of 36 yeast species (23 genera) isolated from a variety of natural substrates was tested for the production of zeatin using HPLC-MS/MS. Zeatin was detected in more than a half (55%) of studied strains and was more frequently observed among basidiomycetous than ascomycetous species. The amount of zeatin accumulated during the experiment varied among species and strains. Highest zeatin values were recorded for basidiomyceteSporobolomyces roseusand ascomyceteTaphrinasp. that produced up to 8,850.0 ng and 5,166.4 ng of zeatin per g of dry biomass, respectively. On average, the ability to produce zeatin was more pronounced among species isolated from the arctic-alpine zone than among strains from tropical and temperate climates. Our study also demonstrated that epiphytic strains and pigmented yeast species, typically for phyllosphere, are able to more often produce a plant hormone zeatin than other yeasts.
Domestic Investment and Economic Growth Nexus in Nigeria: A Post Recession View
Authors: Nwabuisi Onochie, Stanley , Elvis Ozegbe, Azuka , Emife Nwani, Stanley
Published: February 2019

This study investigates the impact of domestic investment on economic growth in Nigeria, using annual secondary time series data spanning 37 years from 1981 to 2017 extracted from the CBN statistical bulletin. Real GDP was used to proxy economic growth, while the key explanatory variable is domestic investment with other control variables as capital expenditure, oil export earnings, exchange rate and inflation rate. The study embarked on pre-estimation test such as unit root test and the bounds co-integration test which informed our methodological choice of Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). The short run and long run estimates show that domestic investment has positive but insignificant impact on economic growth in Nigeria. This finding departs from those of previous writers due to the improved analytical framework employed in this study. On the basis of our findings, the study recommends a compulsory individual and national savings to boost the level of domestic investment in the country so as to achieve the much desired economic growth and development.
Appendicular Schistosomiasis in a Nigerian Woman
Authors: Benjamin Abiodun, Afolabi , Osadolor Momoh, Martins , Deborah Abiodun, Adejoke
Published: February 2019

Aim: Schistosomiasis is a water-borne trematode infestation and is one of the most widespread parasitic diseases in the world. Schistosomiasis can affect any organ. This case report highlights the importance of awareness of unusual cause of common surgical presentations of schisto-somiasis in endemic areas and the need for appendectomy specimens to be sent for histological review so that patients can benefit from full investigations and specific antiparasitic treatment.

Case Presentation: In this paper, the authors present a case of appendicular schistosomiasis that was incidentally discovered in a 33-year-old female patient from Lagos, Nigeria who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Appendectomy specimens removed from the patient appeared macroscopically normal but histopathological analysis revealed schistosomal eggs confirming the diagnosis of appendicular schistosomiasis.

Discussion: Confirmation of appendicular schistosomiasis is a purely histological diagnosis, because there are no pathognomonic clinical or operative findings. Physicians practising in the endemic areas must be aware of the possibility of seeing atypical presentations of parasitic diseases.

Conclusion: The authors therefore strongly recommend that all appendectomy specimens should be sent for histological review so that patients can benefit from full investigations and specific anti-parasitic treatment.
No ‘Heathen's Corner’ here: the failed campaign to memorialize Herbert Spencer in Westminster Abbey
Authors: GAY HANNAH
Published: July 2002

Recently, while reading papers left by the chemist Raphael Meldola (1849–1915), I came across seventy-two letters that relate to a 1904 campaign, led by Meldola, to have a memorial tablet for Herbert Spencer placed in Westminster Abbey. A list of those who eventually signed Meldola's petition to the Dean of Westminster can be found in David Duncan's Life and Letters of Herbert Spencer. The Meldola Papers include letters from some, but not all, of the signatories, from people who refused to sign, and from one or two who agreed to sign, but whose names do not appear on the published list. The surviving correspondence is probably incomplete, as can be inferred from references in the existing letters and from the fact that the Meldola Papers appear to have been somewhat haphazardly collected. Together, the letters show how Spencer's work was viewed by some of Britain's leading intellectuals, shortly after his death in 1903. They reveal that the details of Spencer's work were largely forgotten and that Meldola's correspondents were divided on whether Spencer had been simply a controversialist or had done something worthwhile. Even those (the majority) who believed the latter were unable to articulate exactly what was worthwhile in Spencer's work.

This paper records some of the content of the letters as well as some details of the memorial campaign and of the people involved. My main purpose is to bring these interesting letters to light. James Moore has written of the successful effort to have Charles Darwin buried in Westminster Abbey and of the subsequent campaign for an Abbey memorial plaque, and for a statue to be placed in the Natural History Museum in South Kensington. The unsuccessful campaign on behalf of Spencer, twenty-two years later, provides an interesting comparison. It is not my purpose fully to explore the cultural implications. However, the letters suggest that this and one or two other avenues of inquiry might be worth pursuing.
Self-Organized Criticality: A New Theory of Political Behaviour and Some of Its Implications
Authors: BRUNK GREGORY G.
Published: July 2002

Adopting a particular non-linear perspective resolves numerous paradoxes about collective political behaviour. Self-organized criticality occurs if the sensitivity of individuals or groups to each other's actions increases with the passage of time, and, therefore, sudden changes may occur as cascades. In this way scandals, betrayals, miscalculations and other seemingly insignificant actions can sometimes cause cabinet dissolutions, strikes, riots, electoral landslides, wars and a multitude of other phenomena that, until now, have seemed to have had nothing in common.