bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin (EDN/RNase 2) and the Mouse Eosinophil-Associated RNases (mEars): Expanding Roles in Promoting Host Defense
Authors: Rosenberg Helene
Published: July 2015

The eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN/RNase2) and its divergent orthologs, the mouse eosinophil-associated RNases (mEars), are prominent secretory proteins of eosinophilic leukocytes and are all members of the larger family of RNase A-type ribonucleases. While EDN has broad antiviral activity, targeting RNA viruses via mechanisms that may require enzymatic activity, more recent studies have elucidated how these RNases may generate host defense via roles in promoting leukocyte activation, maturation, and chemotaxis. This review provides an update on recent discoveries, and highlights the versatility of this family in promoting innate immunity.
Activity and Stability of the Tetramanganese Polyanion [Mn4(H2O)2(PW9O34)2]10— during Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Goberna-Ferrón Sara , Soriano-López Joaquín , Galán-Mascarós José
Published: July 2015

In natural photosynthesis, the oxygen evolving center is a tetranuclear manganese cluster stabilized by amino acids, water molecules and counter ions. However, manganese complexes are rarely exhibiting catalytic activity in water oxidation conditions. This is also true for the family of water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) obtained from POM chemistry. We have studied the activity of the tetranuclear manganese POM [Mn4(H2O)2(PW9O34)2]10—(Mn4), the manganese analog of the well-studied [Co4(H2O)2(PW9O34)2]10— (Co4), one of the fastest and most interesting WOC candidates discovered up to date. Our electrocatalytic experiments indicate that Mn4 is indeed an active water oxidation catalysts, although unstable. It rapidly decomposes in water oxidation conditions. Bulk water electrocatalysis shows initial activities comparable to those of the cobalt counterpart, but in this case current density decreases very rapidly to become negligible just after 30 min, with the appearance of an inactive manganese oxide layer on the electrode.
Endurance of Damping Properties of Foam-Filled Tubes
Authors: Strano Matteo , Marra Alessandro , Mussi Valerio , Goletti Massimo , Bocher Philippe
Published: July 2015

The favorable energy-absorption properties of metal foams have been frequently proposed for damping or anti-crash applications. The aim of this paper is to investigate the endurance of these properties for composite structures, made by a metal or a hybrid metal-polymeric foam used as the core filling of a tubular metal case. The results of experimental tests are shown, run with two types of structures: 1) square steel tubes filled with aluminum or with hybrid aluminum-polymer foams; 2) round titanium tubes filled with aluminum foams. The paper shows that the damping properties of a foam-filled tube change (improve) with the number of cycles, while all other dynamic properties are nearly constant. This result is very important for several potential applications where damping is crucial, e.g., for machine tools.
Comparison and Analysis on Mechanical Property and Machinability about Polyetheretherketone and Carbon-Fibers Reinforced Polyetheretherketone
Authors: Ji Shijun , Sun Changrui , Zhao Ji , Liang Fusheng
Published: July 2015

The aim of this paper is to compare the mechanical property and machinability of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and 30 wt% carbon-fibers reinforced Polyetheretherketone (PEEK CF 30). The method of nano-indentation is used to investigate the microscopic mechanical property. The evolution of load with displacement, Young’s modulus curves and hardness curves are analyzed. The results illustrate that the load-displacement curves of PEEK present better uniformity, and the variation of Young’s modulus and hardness of PEEK both change smaller at the experimental depth. The machinability between PEEK and PEEK CF 30 are also compared by the method of single-point diamond turning (SPDT), and the peak-to-valley value (PV) and surface roughness (Ra) are obtained to evaluate machinability of the materials after machining. The machining results show that PEEK has smaller PV and Ra, which means PEEK has superior machinability.
Functional and Structural Characterization of FAU Gene/Protein from Marine Sponge Suberites domuncula
Authors: Perina Dragutin , Korolija Marina , Hadžija Marijana , Grbeša Ivana , Belužić Robert , Imešek Mirna , Morrow Christine , Marjanović Melanija , Bakran-Petricioli Tatjana , Mikoč Andreja , Ćetković Helena
Published: July 2015

Finkel-Biskis-Reilly murine sarcoma virus (FBR-MuSV) ubiquitously expressed (FAU) gene is down-regulated in human prostate, breast and ovarian cancers. Moreover, its dysregulation is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Sponges (Porifera) are animals without tissues which branched off first from the common ancestor of all metazoans. A large majority of genes implicated in human cancers have their homologues in the sponge genome. Our study suggests that FAU gene from the sponge Suberites domuncula reflects characteristics of the FAU gene from the metazoan ancestor, which have changed only slightly during the course of animal evolution. We found pro-apoptotic activity of sponge FAU protein. The same as its human homologue, sponge FAU increases apoptosis in human HEK293T cells. This indicates that the biological functions of FAU, usually associated with “higher” metazoans, particularly in cancer etiology, possess a biochemical background established early in metazoan evolution. The ancestor of all animals possibly possessed FAU protein with the structure and function similar to evolutionarily more recent versions of the protein, even before the appearance of true tissues and the origin of tumors and metastasis. It provides an opportunity to use pre-bilaterian animals as a simpler model for studying complex interactions in human cancerogenesis.
Mimicking the Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitory Activity of Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx4) by Using Fatty Acid Conjugates of a Water-Soluble Selenolane
Authors: Iwaoka Michio , Katakura Arisa , Mishima Jun , Ishihara Yoshimi , Kunwar Amit , Priyadarsini Kavirayani
Published: July 2015

A series of fatty acid conjugates of trans-3,4-dihydroxy-1-selenolane (DHS) were synthesized by reacting DHS with appropriate acid chlorides. The obtained monoesters were evaluated for their antioxidant capacities by the lipid peroxidation assay using a lecithin/cholesterol liposome as a model system. The observed antioxidant capacities against accumulation of the lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) increased with increasing the alkyl chain length and became saturated for dodecanoic acid (C12) or higher fatty acid monoesters, for which the capacities were much greater than those of DHS, its tridecanoic acid (C13) diester, and PhSeSePh. On the other hand, the bacteriostatic activity of myristic acid (C14) monoester, evaluated through the colony formation assay using Bacillus subtilis, indicated that it has higher affinity to bacterial cell membranes than parent DHS. Since DHS-fatty acid conjugates would inhibit lipid peroxidation through glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like 2e− mechanism, higher fatty acid monoesters of DHS can mimic the function of GPx4, which interacts with LOOH to reduce it to harmless alcohol (LOH). Importance of the balance between hydrophilicity and lipophilicity for the design of effective GPx4 mimics was suggested.
Molecular Clusters Size of Puerariae thomsonii Radix Aqueous Decoction and Relevance to Oral Absorption
Authors: Wang Gong , Yang Caimei , Zhang Kuan , Hu Juan , Pang Wensheng
Published: July 2015

The multi-component system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is very complicated. The clusters are dynamic aggregates whose molecules are held together by hydrogen-bonded, Van der Waals forces or the opposite charges of particles attract each other. In this paper, field emission scanning electron microscopy proved that molecules form clusters in Pueraria thomsonii Benth (Fenge) water decoction. Four kinds of Fenge water decoction, 0.07 g∙mL−1 (F-1), 0.1 g∙mL−1 (F-2), 0.17 g∙mL−1 (F-3), 0.35 g∙mL−1 (F-4); F-1, average diameter of molecular was about 120 nm; F-2, 195 nm; F-3, 256 nm; and F-4, 480 nm. The molecular size was shown to depend on concentration. Rabbits were given equal does of 2.8 g∙kg−1, to perfuse F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4 in volume of 80 mL, 56 mL, 33 mL, 17 mL, respectively. At 0–180 min to collect 2 mL blood from the rabbit ears middle arteries for metabolism fingerprints, the results show the particle size of molecular is smaller, the absorption of drugs is better instead. The acute blood stasis model rats were treatment with Fenge decoction of 1.5 g∙kg−1 for 14 days, the concentrations of Ang II in plasma were significantly lower in F-1 and F-2 groups than those in model group (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05), but there were no significantly difference in F-3 and F-4 groups than those in model group (p > 0.05). Despite the molecular aggregation is a common physical phenomenon, it influence on the kind and amount of molecule per unit volume. Molecules morphology influence on the absorption behavior of drugs in vivo therefore is to have an impact on pharmacological function.
The Influence of the Terminal Phosphorothioate Diester Bond on the DNA Oxidation Process. An Experimental and Theoretical Approach
Authors: Karwowski Boleslaw
Published: July 2015

In this study, the influence of the terminal phosphorothioate (PT) internucleotide bond in ds-DNA on the oxidation process was taken into consideration. The interaction of UV with the targeted oligonucleotide leads to an electron ejection and radical cation “hole” migration through the ds-DNA until it is trapped irreversibly in a suitable place. Phosphorothiate internucleotide bonds were detected in the bacterial genome; however, their role is still unclear. In this study a PAGE analysis of irradiated ds-DNA showed that the degradation rea ction was slowed down by the presence PT next to the anthraquinone moiety. Further, theoretical study shows that [RP] AQ-PS-dG can adopt a slightly lower ionisation potential energy and triplet excited state with a subsequent slightly higher adiabatic electron affinity value in comparison with [SP] AQ-PS-dG and AQ-PO-dG. Moreover, the energy gap between HOMO and LUMO, indicated the radical stabilisation properties of [RP] AQ-PS-dG, which can hinder the charge transfer through ds-DNA.
In Vitro Studies of Chromone-Tetrazoles against Pathogenic Protozoa, Bacteria, and Fungi
Authors: Cano Pedro , Islas-Jácome Alejandro , Rangel-Serrano Ángeles , Anaya-Velázquez Fernando , Padilla-Vaca Felipe , Trujillo-Esquivel Elías , Ponce-Noyola Patricia , Martínez-Richa Antonio , Gámez-Montaño Rocío
Published: July 2015

In vitro studies to fourteen previously synthesized chromone-tetrazoles and four novel fluorine-containing analogs were conducted against pathogenic protozoan (Entamoeba histolytica), pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus), and human fungal pathogens (Sporothrix schenckii, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis), which have become in a serious health problem, mainly in tropical countries.
Potential Mechanism of Action of 3′-Demethoxy-6-O-demethyl-isoguaiacin on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Favela-Hernández Juan , Clemente-Soto Aldo , Balderas-Rentería Isaías , Garza-González Elvira , Camacho-Corona María
Published: July 2015

Bacterial infections represent one of the main threats to global public health. One of the major causative agents associated with high morbidity and mortality infections in hospitals worldwide is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, there is a need to develop new antibacterial agents to treat these infections, and natural products are a rich source of them. In previous studies, we reported that lignan 3′-demethoxy-6-O-demethylisoguaiacin, isolated and characterized from Larrea tridentate, showed the best activity towards methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the potential molecular mechanism of the antibacterial activity of 3′-demethoxy-6-O-demethylisoguaiacin against methicillin-resistant S. aureus using microarray technology. Results of microarray genome expression were validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The genetic profile expression results showed that lignan 3′-demethoxy-6-O-demethylisoguaiacin had activity on cell membrane affecting proteins of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport system causing bacteria death. This molecular mechanism is not present in any antibacterial commercial drug and could be a new target for the development of novel antibacterial agents.
Anti-Diabetic and Hepato-Renal Protective Effects of Ziyuglycoside II Methyl Ester in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Son Dong , Hwang Seock , Kim Myung-Hyun , Park Un , Kim Byoung
Published: July 2015

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, and closely associated with abnormal lipid metabolism and hepato-renal dysfunction. This study investigated the anti-diabetic and hepato-renal protective properties of ziyuglycoside I (ZG01) derivative on type 2 diabetes. ZG01 was isolated from roots of Sanguisorba officinalis and chemically modified by deglycosylation and esterification to obtained ziyuglycoside II methyl ester (ZG02-ME). Here, we showed that ZG02-ME has stronger anti-diabetic activity than the original compound (ZG01) through decreasing blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin levels in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes (db/db mice). We further found that ZG02-ME treatment effectively ameliorated serum insulin, leptin and C-peptide levels, which are key metabolic hormones, in db/db mice. In addition, we showed that elevated basal blood lipid levels were decreased by ZG02-ME treatment in db/db mice. Furthermore, treatment of ZG02-ME significantly decreased serum AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, and liver lipid peroxidation in db/db mice. These results demonstrated that compared to ZG01, chemically modified ZG02-ME possess improved anti-diabetic properties, and has hepato-renal protective activities in type 2 diabetes.
Senescence, Stress, and Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Jajic Ivan , Sarna Tadeusz , Strzalka Kazimierz
Published: July 2015

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the earliest responses of plant cells to various biotic and abiotic stresses. ROS are capable of inducing cellular damage by oxidation of proteins, inactivation of enzymes, alterations in the gene expression, and decomposition of biomembranes. On the other hand, they also have a signaling role and changes in production of ROS can act as signals that change the transcription of genes that favor the acclimation of plants to abiotic stresses. Among the ROS, it is believed that H2O2 causes the largest changes in the levels of gene expression in plants. A wide range of plant responses has been found to be triggered by H2O2 such as acclimation to drought, photooxidative stress, and induction of senescence. Our knowledge on signaling roles of singlet oxygen (1O2) has been limited by its short lifetime, but recent experiments with a flu mutant demonstrated that singlet oxygen does not act primarily as a toxin but rather as a signal that activates several stress-response pathways. In this review we summarize the latest progress on the signaling roles of ROS during senescence and abiotic stresses and we give a short overview of the methods that can be used for their assessment.
PARAFAC Decomposition for Ultrasonic Wave Sensing of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors: Procedure and Evaluation
Authors: Zheng Rencheng , Nakano Kimihiko , Ohashi Rui , Okabe Yoji , Shimazaki Mamoru , Nakamura Hiroki , Wu Qi
Published: July 2015

Ultrasonic wave-sensing technology has been applied for the health monitoring of composite structures, using normal fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors with a high-speed wavelength interrogation system of arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) filters; however, researchers are required to average thousands of repeated measurements to distinguish significant signals. To resolve this bottleneck problem, this study established a signal-processing strategy that improves the signal-to-noise ratio for the one-time measured signal of ultrasonic waves, by application of parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) technology that produces unique multiway decomposition without additional orthogonal or independent constraints. Through bandpass processing of the AWG filter and complex wavelet transforms, ultrasonic wave signals are preprocessed as time, phase, and frequency profiles, and then decomposed into a series of conceptual three-way atoms by PARAFAC. While an ultrasonic wave results in a Bragg wavelength shift, antiphase fluctuations can be observed at two adjacent AWG ports. Thereby, concentrating on antiphase features among the three-way atoms, a fitting atom can be chosen and then restored to three-way profiles as a final result. An experimental study has revealed that the final result is consistent with the conventional 1024-data averaging signal, and relative error evaluation has indicated that the signal-to-noise ratio of ultrasonic waves can be significantly improved.
An Inertial and Optical Sensor Fusion Approach for Six Degree-of-Freedom Pose Estimation
Authors: He Changyu , Kazanzides Peter , Sen Hasan , Kim Sungmin , Liu Yue
Published: July 2015

Optical tracking provides relatively high accuracy over a large workspace but requires line-of-sight between the camera and the markers, which may be difficult to maintain in actual applications. In contrast, inertial sensing does not require line-of-sight but is subject to drift, which may cause large cumulative errors, especially during the measurement of position. To handle cases where some or all of the markers are occluded, this paper proposes an inertial and optical sensor fusion approach in which the bias of the inertial sensors is estimated when the optical tracker provides full six degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) pose information. As long as the position of at least one marker can be tracked by the optical system, the 3-DOF position can be combined with the orientation estimated from the inertial measurements to recover the full 6-DOF pose information. When all the markers are occluded, the position tracking relies on the inertial sensors that are bias-corrected by the optical tracking system. Experiments are performed with an augmented reality head-mounted display (ARHMD) that integrates an optical tracking system (OTS) and inertial measurement unit (IMU). Experimental results show that under partial occlusion conditions, the root mean square errors (RMSE) of orientation and position are 0.04° and 0.134 mm, and under total occlusion conditions for 1 s, the orientation and position RMSE are 0.022° and 0.22 mm, respectively. Thus, the proposed sensor fusion approach can provide reliable 6-DOF pose under long-term partial occlusion and short-term total occlusion conditions.
Application of 3D Printing Technology in Increasing the Diagnostic Performance of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for Infectious Diseases
Authors: Singh Harpal , Shimojima Masayuki , Shiratori Tomomi , Van An Le , Sugamata Masami , Yang Ming
Published: July 2015

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)-based diagnosis is the mainstay for measuring antibody response in infectious diseases and to support pathogen identification of potential use in infectious disease outbreaks and clinical care of individual patients. The development of laboratory diagnostics using readily available 3D printing technologies provides a timely opportunity for further expansion of this technology into immunodetection systems. Utilizing available 3D printing platforms, a ‘3D well’ was designed and developed to have an increased surface area compared to those of 96-well plates. The ease and rapidity of the development of the 3D well prototype provided an opportunity for its rapid validation through the diagnostic performance of ELISA in infectious disease without modifying current laboratory practices for ELISA. The improved sensitivity of the 3D well of up to 2.25-fold higher compared to the 96-well ELISA provides a potential for the expansion of this technology towards miniaturization and Lab-On-a-Chip platforms to reduce time, volume of reagents and samples needed for such assays in the laboratory diagnosis of infectious and other diseases including applications in other disciplines.
Real-Time Impact Visualization Inspection of Aerospace Composite Structures with Distributed Sensors
Authors: Si Liang , Baier Horst
Published: July 2015

For the future design of smart aerospace structures, the development and application of a reliable, real-time and automatic monitoring and diagnostic technique is essential. Thus, with distributed sensor networks, a real-time automatic structural health monitoring (SHM) technique is designed and investigated to monitor and predict the locations and force magnitudes of unforeseen foreign impacts on composite structures and to estimate in real time mode the structural state when impacts occur. The proposed smart impact visualization inspection (IVI) technique mainly consists of five functional modules, which are the signal data preprocessing (SDP), the forward model generator (FMG), the impact positioning calculator (IPC), the inverse model operator (IMO) and structural state estimator (SSE). With regard to the verification of the practicality of the proposed IVI technique, various structure configurations are considered, which are a normal CFRP panel and another CFRP panel with “orange peel” surfaces and a cutout hole. Additionally, since robustness against several background disturbances is also an essential criterion for practical engineering demands, investigations and experimental tests are carried out under random vibration interfering noise (RVIN) conditions. The accuracy of the predictions for unknown impact events on composite structures using the IVI technique is validated under various structure configurations and under changing environmental conditions. The evaluated errors all fall well within a satisfactory limit range. Furthermore, it is concluded that the IVI technique is applicable for impact monitoring, diagnosis and assessment of aerospace composite structures in complex practical engineering environments.
Analysis of Photovoltaic Applications in Zero Energy Building Cases of IEA SHC/EBC Task 40/Annex 52
Authors: Kim Jin-Hee , Kim Ha-Ryeon , Kim Jun-Tae
Published: July 2015

A Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) considerably reduces the building energy load through high efficiency equipment and passive elements such as building orientation, high insulation, natural daylighting, and ventilation in order to achieve zero energy balance with on-site energy production from renewable energy systems applied to the building. For a Zero Energy Building (ZEB), the heating energy demand can be significantly reduced with high insulation and air tightness, while the cooling energy demand can be curtailed by applying shading device, cross ventilation, etc. As such, the electrical energy demand for a ZEB is relatively higher than its heat energy demand. Therefore, the application of a Renewable Energy System (RES) to produce electricity is necessary for a ZEB. In particular, Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems that generate electricity can play an important role for achieving zero energy balance in buildings; BIPVs are multi-functional and there are many ways to apply them into buildings. This study comprehensively analyzes photovoltaic (PV) applications in ZEB cases through the International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC)/Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme (EBC) Task 40/Annex 52 activities, which include PV installation methods, PV cell type, and electricity generation. The most widely applied RES is the PV system, corresponding to 29 out of a total of 30 cases. Among the roof type PV systems, 71% were non-integrated. In addition, 14 of the 27 cases in which PV systems were applied, satisfied over 100% of the electricity energy demand from the PV system and were found to generate surplus electrical power.
From Environmental Connectedness to Sustainable Futures: Topophilia and Human Affiliation with Nature
Authors: Beery Thomas , Jönsson K. , Elmberg Johan
Published: July 2015

Human affiliation with nonhuman nature is an important dimension of environmental concern and support for pro-environmental attitudes. A significant theory of human connectedness with nature, the Biophilia Hypothesis, suggests that there exists a genetically based inclination for human affiliation with the biological world. Both support and challenge to the Biophilia Hypothesis are abundant in the literature of environmental psychology. One response that both challenges and builds upon the Biophilia Hypothesis is the Topophilia Hypothesis. The Topophilia Hypothesis has extended the ideas of biophilia to incorporate a broader conception of nonhuman nature and a co-evolutionary theory of genetic response and cultural learning. While the Topophilia Hypothesis is a new idea, it is built upon long-standing scholarship from humanistic geography and theories in human evolution. The Topophilia Hypothesis expands previous theory and provides a multidisciplinary consideration of how biological selection and cultural learning may have interacted during human evolution to promote adaptive mechanisms for human affiliation with nonhuman nature via specific place attachment. Support for this possible co-evolutionary foundation for place-based human affiliation with nonhuman nature is explored from multiple vantage points. We raise the question of whether this affiliation may have implications for multifunctional landscape management. Ultimately, we propose that nurturing potential topophilic tendencies may be a useful method to promote sustainable efforts at the local level with implications for the global.
Minor Millets as a Central Element for Sustainably Enhanced Incomes, Empowerment, and Nutrition in Rural India
Authors: Padulosi Stefano , Mal Bhag , King Oliver , Gotor Elisabetta
Published: July 2015

Minor millets comprise a group of cereal species that are genetically diverse and adapted to a range of marginal growing conditions where major cereals such as wheat, rice, and maize are relatively unsuccessful. Millets require few inputs and withstand severe biotic and abiotic stresses. They are also more nutritious than major cereals. Despite these advantages, neglect in several arenas has resulted in a steady decline in the cultivation of minor millets in India over the past few decades. As part of a United Nations global project on underutilized species, we undertook action research intended to stem the decline in cultivation and enhance the conservation and use of minor millets in 753 households spread across 34 villages in four states of India. Our aim was to improve incomes, nutritional status, and empowerment, especially for women. Overall, our holistic approach to mainstreaming species such as finger millet, little millet, foxtail millet, and barnyard millet indicates that these neglected and underutilized species can play a strategic role in improving many dimensions of livelihoods.
Resistance to Rhabdoviridae Infection and Subversion of Antiviral Responses
Authors: Blondel Danielle , Maarifi Ghizlane , Nisole Sébastien , Chelbi-Alix Mounira
Published: July 2015

Interferon (IFN) treatment induces the expression of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). However, only a selection of their products have been demonstrated to be responsible for the inhibition of rhabdovirus replication in cultured cells; and only a few have been shown to play a role in mediating the antiviral response in vivo using gene knockout mouse models. IFNs inhibit rhabdovirus replication at different stages via the induction of a variety of ISGs. This review will discuss how individual ISG products confer resistance to rhabdoviruses by blocking viral entry, degrading single stranded viral RNA, inhibiting viral translation or preventing release of virions from the cell. Furthermore, this review will highlight how these viruses counteract the host IFN system.
Modeling the Projected Changes of River Flow in Central Vietnam under Different Climate Change Scenarios
Authors: Le Tuan , Sharif Hatim
Published: July 2015

Recent studies by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicate that Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by climate change. The variability of climate in this region, characterized by large fluctuations in precipitation and temperature, has caused significant changes in surface water resources. This study aims to project the impact of climate change on the seasonal availability of surface water of the Huong River in Central Vietnam in the twenty-first century through hydrologic simulations driven by climate model projections. To calibrate and validate the hydrologic model, the model was forced by the rain gage-based gridded Asian Precipitation–Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation of water resources (APHRODITE) V1003R1 Monsoon Asia precipitation data along with observed temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation data from local weather stations. The simulated discharge was compared to observations for the period from 1951 until present. Three Global Climate Models (GCMs) ECHAM5-OM, HadCM3 and GFDL-CM2.1 integrated into Long Ashton Research Station-Weather Generator (LARS-WG) stochastic weather generator were run for three IPCC–Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (IPCC-SRES) emissions scenarios A1B, A2, and B1 to simulate future climate conditions. The hydrologic model simulated the Huong River discharge for each IPCC-SRES scenario. Simulation results under the three GCMs generally indicate an increase in summer and fall river discharge during the twenty-first century in A2 and B1 scenarios. For A1B scenario, HadCM3 and GFDL-CM2.1 models project a decrease in river discharge from present to the 2051–2080 period and then increase until the 2071–2100 period while ECHAM5-OM model produces opposite projection that discharge will increase until the 2051–2080 period and then decrease for the rest of the century. Water management impacts, such as irrigation or dam regulation, were not considered in this study. However, the results provide local policy makers with quantitative data to consider possible adjustment of future dam capacities for development of flood control policies.
Evaluation of a Modified Monod Model for Predicting Algal Dynamics in Lake Tai
Authors: Huang Jian , Xu Qiujin , Wang Xixi , Xi Beidou , Jia Keli , Huo Shouliang , Liu Hongliang , Li Changyou , Xu Bingbing
Published: July 2015

Several modified versions of the Monod model have been proposed to simulate algal dynamics in lakes by keeping the parent model’s advantages of simplicity and low data requirement. This study evaluated the performance of a widely-used modified Monod model in predicting algal dynamics at various time scales in Lake Tai, a typical shallow lake in east China, using multiple time series. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration was used as a surrogate for algal (CyanoHABs: cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms) growth and the independent variables were total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and either water temperature or air temperature. The evaluation indicated that the model parameters could have distinctly different values, depending on whether or not constraints are imposed, time scales, and types of nutrients. The model performance varied in terms of time scales as well as magnitudes and fluctuations of Chl-a and TN or TP concentrations, achieving a relative better performance for the monthly rather than three-day time scale and for the central part rather than bays of the study lake. The model with TP as the independent variable had a better performance than the model with TN as the independent variable, regardless of the time scale used. The temperature-nutrient interactions were important for algal growth when the temporal fluctuations of these two factors were large but the interactions could become minimal otherwise.
The Effect of Fluid Overload on Clinical Outcome in Southern Chinese Patients Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Guo Qunying , Lin Jianxiong , Li Jianying , Yi Chunyan , Mao Haiping , Yang Xiao , Yu Xueqing
Published: July 2015

Background

Fluid overload is frequently present in dialysis patients and one of the important predictors of patient outcome. This study aimed to investigate the influence of fluid overload on all-cause mortality and technique failure in Southern Chinese continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.

Methods

This was a post hoc study from a cross-sectional survey originally designed to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of fluid overload defined by bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in CAPD patients from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2009. All 307 CAPD patients completing the original study were followed up until December 31, 2012.

Results

With a median follow-up period of 38.4 (19.2 - 47.9) months, 52 patients died. Patients with fluid overload (defined by extracellular water/total body water [ECW/TBW] ≥ 0.40) had a significantly higher peritonitis rate (0.016 vs 0.011 events/month exposure, p = 0.018) and cerebrovascular event rate (3.9 vs 1.1 events/100 patient years, p = 0.024) than the normal hydrated patients. Moreover, the results showed a significant rising of all-cause mortality (log-rank test = 5.59, p = 0.018), and a trend of increasing cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality (log-rank test = 2.90, p = 0.089) and technique failure (log-rank test = 3.78, p = 0.052) in the patients with fluid overload. Fluid overload independently predicted all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 12.98, 95%, confidence interval [CI] = 1.06 - 168.23, p = 0.042) and technique failure (HR = 13.56, 95% CI = 2.53 - 78.69, p = 0.007) in CAPD patients after adjustment for confounders.

Conclusions

Fluid overload defined by BIA was an independent predictor for all-cause mortality and technique failure in CAPD patients. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with fluid overload had a higher peritonitis rate, cardiovascular event rate, and poorer clinical outcome than those patients with normal hydration.
The Association of Effluent CA125 with Peritoneal Dialysis Technique Failure
Authors: Barreto Deirisa Lopes , Hoekstra Tiny , Halbesma Nynke , Leegte Martijn , Boeschoten Elisabeth W. , Dekker Friedo W. , Krediet Raymond T.
Published: July 2015

Background and objectives

Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) reflects the mesothelial cell mass lining the peritoneal membrane in individual patients. A decline or absence of mesothelial cells can be observed with duration of peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy. Technique failure due to peritoneal membrane malfunction becomes of greater importance after 2 years of PD therapy in comparison to the initial period. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between effluent CA125 and technique survival in incident PD patients with a PD therapy period of at least 2 years.

Methods

Within the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis (NECOSAD), a Dutch multicenter cohort including 2,000 incident dialysis patients, we identified all PD patients who developed technique failure after 2 years of PD therapy and randomly selected a number of them as cases in a nested case-control study. Controls were PD patients matched on follow-up time without technique failure. Cases and controls were included if they had a dialysate specimen available within 24 ± 6 months of PD therapy for retrospective CA125 determinations. Odds ratios for technique failure related to CA125 were estimated. We used a prospective cohort with incident PD patients from the Academic Medical Center–University of Amsterdam (AMC) for replication of effect estimates. In these patients, absolute risk of technique failure was estimated and related to effluent CA125 levels.

Results

A total of 38 PD patients were selected from the NECOSAD cohort. From the AMC cohort as replication cohort, 91 PD patients were included. Incidence rates of PD technique failure per 100 patient-years were 16.3 in the NECOSAD cohort and 12.9 in the AMC cohort. In both study populations CA125 levels below 12 – 14 kU/L were associated with an increased risk for technique failure. Technique survival rates in the AMC were 87% in patients with levels of CA125 above 12.1 kU/L and 65% for those with CA125 levels below this threshold after a maximum 5-year follow-up.

Conclusions

Patients with high CA125 levels after at least 2 years of PD therapy tend to have better technique survival than patients with low CA125 levels. These results support the importance of effluent CA125 as a risk factor for dropout in long-term PD therapy.
New tris- and pentakis-fused donors containing extended tetrathiafulvalenes: New positive electrode materials for rechargeable batteries
Authors: Iwamoto Shintaro , Inatomi Yuu , Ogi Daisuke , Shibayama Satoshi , Murakami Yukiko , Kato Minami , Takahashi Kazuyuki , Tanaka Kazuyoshi , Hojo Nobuhiko , Misaki Yohji
Published: July 2015

Derivatives of tris-fused TTF extended with two ethanediylidenes (5), tris- and pentakis-fused TTFs extended with two thiophene-2,5-diylidenes (6–9) were successfully synthesized. Cyclic voltammograms of the tetrakis(n-hexylthio) derivative of 5 and 7 (5d, 7d) consisted of two pairs of two-electron redox waves and two pairs of one-electron redox waves. On the other hand, four pairs of two-electron redox waves and two pairs of one-electron redox waves were observed for the tetrakis(n-hexylthio) derivative of 9 (9d). Coin-type cells using the bis(ethylenedithio) derivatives of 5 (5b), 6 (6b) and the tetrakis(methylthio) derivatives of 5 (5c) and 8 (8c) as positive electrode materials showed initial discharge capacities of 157–190 mAh g−1 and initial energy densities of 535–680 mAh g−1. The discharge capacities after 40 cycles were 64–86% of the initial discharge capacities.
BENCHMARKING AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: PALIULIS Narimantas Kazimieras , LABANAUSKIS Rimvydas
Published: July 2015

Conditioned by globalisation and constant change, higher education institutions (HEIs) are forced to pursue new instruments for quality assurance in higher education. States seem to pursue this aim by attempting to create an efficiently operating system of higher education that satisfies needs of diverse societal groups. Quality dimension is the most important element of efficient and effective higher education. From the perspective of a state, assessment and monitoring of quality are instruments for the management of processes of higher education. The article substantiates these statements using the evolution of the dimension of quality in the European and Lithuanian higher education in the course of the Bologna Process. The article also presents a benchmarking method and discusses its development and application tendencies in business organisations. Also, it looks at possibilities to apply this method in higher education. The main aim of this article is to explore benchmarking as an effective instrument for the improvement of performance quality in HEIs and complement the already implemented quality management systems. Another aim is to suggest this method to national agencies for quality assurance in higher education for monitoring and analysis of qualitative changes on the systematic level. The object of the article is the improvement of performance quality in HEIs. Benchmarking is proposed for the use in higher education on the institutional level as an instrument that complements presently introduced quality management systems in Lithuanian HEIs. This way, it will contribute to the formation of the culture of quality in higher education.
THE FUTURE OF EVALUATION OF LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ MANAGEMENT
Authors: CHODAKOWSKA Ewa
Published: July 2015

Efficiency of educational institutions is a significant issue worldwide. However, there is no commonly accepted way to measure the quality of management of education services. Mainly because it too much depends on the national factors: political, economic or legal. Moreover, it has been proved that the efficiency of the school’s teaching is affected directly by the environmental factor represented by selected characteristics of students. Therefore, taking into account value-added students’ knowledge rather than absolute exam results changes evaluation of the schools’ efficiency. The article contribute in international discussions about future of evaluation the quality of management in educational sector. In the article the model of evaluation Polish lower secondary schools’ management taking into account local and environmental context is proposed. On the basis of Bialystok’s schools, author shows that the implementation of DEA could be useful and provides additional knowledge about the efficiency of management in educational institutions.
A MODEL FOR ASSESSING THE GENDER ASPECT IN ECONOMIC POLICY
Authors: RAKAUSKIENĖ Ona Gražina , KRINICKIENĖ Eglė
Published: July 2015

The purpose of research is to develop a conceptual model for assessing the impact of the gender aspect on economic policy at macro– and microeconomic levels. The research methodology is based on analysing scientific approaches to the gender aspect in economics and gender–responsive budgeting as well as determining the impact of the gender aspect on GDP, foreign trade, the state budget and the labour market. First, the major findings encompass the main idea of a conceptual model proposing that a socio–economic picture of society can be accepted as completed only when, alongside public and private sectors, includes the care/reproductive sector that is dominated by women and creating added value in the form of educated human resources; second, macroeconomics is not neutral in terms of gender equality. Gender asymmetry is manifested not only at the level of microeconomics (labour market and business) but also at the level of macroeconomics (GDP, the state budget and foreign trade), which has a negative impact on economic growth and state budget revenues. In this regard, economic decisions, according to the principles of gender equality and in order to achieve gender equality in economics, must be made, as the gender aspect has to be also implemented at the macroeconomic level.
Transnational needs of sustainable spatial development in the Alps: results from an analysis of policy documents
Authors: Marzelli Stefan , Lintzmeyer Florian
Published: July 2015

Spatial planning documents referring to the Alps address the needs of transnational spatial development. This article presents selected results from an analysis of thirty-two spatial planning strategies, plans, and reports carried out within the European Transnational Cooperation and Alpine Space Programme’s WIKIAlps project (2007–2013). The results include a quantitative analysis of the dimension of transnational needs, added value, and obstacles as perceived in these framework documents on spatial development. The documents were also analyzed with regard to references to stakeholder groups relevant for addressing these transnational needs. The analysis emphasizes that more transnational coordination is desirable in many policy fields, from strategy development and governance processes, to more coordinated management of natural resources, to building an appropriate knowledge base for transnational decision-making.
Opportunities for developing mountain biking in the Municipality of Bohinj
Authors: Polajnar Horvat Katarina , Drofenik Urška
Published: July 2015

Due to the relatively short travel distances between places, a wide variety of natural and cultural sites in the area, the well-preserved environment, and a large number of forest roads, skid trails, field trails, and hiking trails through the mountains, the Municipality of Bohinj, much of which lies in Slovenia’s largest protected area, Triglav National Park, has great potential for the development of mountain biking. In order to outline the guidelines for effective environmental protection and provide a basis for harmonizing the needs of various users, this article evaluates the prudence of and the need for establishing an appropriate mountain biking management system in the Bohinj Valley, one of the most popular tourism areas in Upper Carniola. A tentative system of trails suitable for this leisure activity is proposed based on an overview of the relevant literature, a survey, and cooperation with various individuals involved with mountain biking. It would also make sense to include these trails in the municipal development plan.
Did the 2008 global economic crisis affect large firms in Europe?
Authors: Raźniak Piotr , Winiarczyk-Raźniak Anna
Published: July 2015

The paper analyses the spatial distribution of the largest global corporations found on the Forbes Global 2000 list and with headquarters in Europe. The analysis includes the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis on changes in corporate financial performance. Research has shown that London has the largest economic potential in Europe, while companies in Central and Eastern European cities exhibit high rates of growth. The crisis triggered a decentralisation of corporate headquarters’ location resulting in more cities with corporate headquarters.
European capital of culture: residents' perception of social benefits and costs – Maribor 2012 case study
Authors: Dragićević Vanja , Bole David , Bučić Anđela , Prodanović Aleksandra
Published: July 2015

This study assessed Maribor residents’ attitudes towards social impacts of the European capital of culture, using FSIAS scale. The results showed that residents perceived more social benefits than social costs of the event. They agreed that the event had positive impacts primary on the promotion of Slovenia, as well as on community cultural life and image in general, which is also consistent with the purpose and the aims of the event. In residents’ opinion the event did not cause any negative impacts. The results provide residents, event organizers, and local authorities with important community perceptions pertaining to the event.
Structural dynamics of tertiary activities in industrial parks in Bucharest, Romania
Authors: Cercleux Andreea-Loreta , Peptenatu Daniel , Merciu Florentina-Cristina
Published: July 2015

The study is an analysis of tertiarization in Bucharest, a process that tends to become dominant inside an economic system that has faced the hardships of transition and reorganization. The study deals with tertiarization inside the industrial parks in the capital city, in close connection with deindustrialization and industrial delocalization. The study highlights the forms tertiarization has taken inside those areas, former industrial platforms of the utmost importance for the industry of the Communist era. The trends in the evolution of tertiarization are analyzed in comparison as well as from the perspective of the evolution of the companies inside the three industrial parks; in addition, two scenarios for the future course of tertiarization are included.
Macroseismic investigations of the geological site effects on intensities of selected earthquakes in greater Ljubljana area
Authors: Jerše Anita , Živčić Mladen , Gosar Andrej
Published: July 2015

Ljubljana is one of three regions with the highest seismic hazard in Slovenia. In addition soft sediments in the Ljubljana basin have a strong influence on seismic ground motion. We used macroseismic data to investigate the influence of local geological structure on earthquake intensities in greater Ljubljana area. We determined intensities for eleven earthquakes according to ground classification based on Eurocode 8 standard (EC8). The results showed a systematic increase in observed seismic intensities, determined according to European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98), as the seismogeological characteristics of the ground deteriorated. Only one ground type (D) showed slightly lower intensities than expected. This may be due to some unrevealed geological and other factors, or because of very limited macroseismic data available for this particular ground type.