bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the Balanced Scorecard to Measure the Performance of Small and Medium- Sized Garment Enterprises in Vietnam
Authors: Vu Thi Kim Anh , Vu Thuy Duong , Hoang Khanh Van
Published: August 2018

Improving performance is always a strategic issue for any business operating in the market economy, as it is an important basis for the survival and development of the business. In order to evaluate the performance of enterprises, it is necessary to use financial and non-financial indicators. In models of appreciation of performance, the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is one of the best model. Thus, this research sought to determine the application of BSC to measure the performance suitable for small and medium-sized (SMEs) garment enterprises in Vietnam. The research design was a survey conducted on a target population of the garment companies in Vietnam with a sample size of 238 garment SMEs. The study used questionnaires in data collection. In order to analyze the data, the research tested the reliability of the observation variable and performed exploratory factor analysis to examine the convergence of the observed variables in appling BSC to set up a rating system for garment SMEs. The study found that the indicators in the financial perspective for garment SMEs only include the traditional financial criteria taken from accounting books. On the other hand, in terms of internal processes, the research also adds the following criteria: Supplier-to-Supplier ratio, Supplier-to-Supplier Timeliness, Supplier Percentage Regularly supplied to the enterprise. These indicators are highly appreciated by managers of garment SMEs and in line with the production characteristics of garment SMEs in Vietnam.
Comparison of Crash Severity Risk Factors at Signalized and Stop-Controlled Intersections in Urban and Rural Areas in Alabama
Authors: Kesavareddy Sumalatha , Haleem Kirolos , Doustmohammadi Mehrnaz , Anderson Michael
Published: August 2018

Understanding the factors that affect crash severity at intersections is essential to develop strategies to alleviate safety deficiencies. This paper identifies and compares the significant factors affecting crash severity at signalized and stop-controlled intersections in urban and rural areas in Alabama using recent five-year crashes. A random forest model was used to rank variable significance and a binary logit model was applied to identify the significant factors at both intersection types in urban and rural areas. Four separate models (urban signalized, urban stop-controlled, rural signalized, and rural stop-controlled) were developed. New variables that were not previously explored were used in this study, such as the roadway type (one-way vs. two-way) and traffic control functioning (yes or no). It was found that one-way roadways were associated with a reduction in crash severity at urban signalized intersections. In all four models, rear-end crashes showed lesser severity than side impacts. Head-on crashes, higher speed limits, and curved sections showed higher severity in urban signalized and stop-controlled intersections. In rural stop-controlled intersections, right-turning maneuvers had a severity reduction. Female drivers showed 15% and 45% higher severity likelihood (compared to males) at urban and rural signalized intersections, respectively. Strategies to alleviate crash severity are proposed.
Testing Simultaneous Marginal Homogeneity for Clustered Matched-Pair Multinomial Data
Authors: Deng Bo , Carriere Keumhee Chough
Published: August 2018

For matched-pair data with a polychotomous outcome, the Stuart-Maxwell test (1955) and the Bhapkar test(1966) are commonly used to test marginal homogeneity. When the outcome is ordinal, the test proposed by Agresti (1983) can be used to test the marginal homogeneity against stochastic order. In practice, we often face the need to consider multiple categorical outcomes simultaneously to insure Type I error protection. In this paper, we propose three statistics to test simultaneous marginal homogeneity for multiple multinomial outcomes in two dependent samples. Furthermore, when the outcome is ordinal, we also propose a transformed version of the three statistics for testing simultaneous marginal homogeneity against stochastic order in two dependent samples. We then prove their asymptotic properties. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to evaluate their performance in small samples with respect to empirical size and power.
Perinatal care and psychomotor development of prematurely born infants
Authors: Walowska Jagoda
Published: August 2018

The knowledge and medical technology have developed a number of principles which constitute
a basic standard of evaluation and improvement. A newborn is assessed according to the
Virginia Apgar scaler. A care of the newborn child is very important too. The care of the infant,
especially a newborn, is based on several principles. Physiotherapists use standardized tests and
scales of development for the assessment of psychomotor functioning . Proper analysis of the
quality patterns of posture and movement is a direct basis for further determination of the targets
in the treatment of a child.
Logotherapy for mothers threatened with in-validus condition of their child .
Authors: Białas Marcin
Published: August 2018

The birth of a child with a disability is often related to as a traumatic event experienced by
the parents. It causes disorders in functioning of the family as a system, and also has influence
on health of the parents. Chronic stress which is experienced by the parents leaves an imprint,
especially on the health of the mother. The mother being overwhelmed by responsibilities resulting
from care and rehabilitation of her disabled child, burdened by an unjustified feeling of guilt
for the child’s condition, and living in a constant fear, exhibits symptoms which reveal the status
of her health condition. In-validus of a child, in this case, emerges as a constant stressor which
causes a high level of permanent and chronic stress experienced by the mother. In such situations,
an adequate support offered to the mother of a child with disability, must not be limited only to
medical and psychological care. If the problems also affect the spiritual sphere, an additional
therapeutic aspect should be taken into account. This fact justifies applying logotherapy treatment,
main aim of which is to help the mother to distance herself from the problems, make changes
in value system, neutralize medication, control the stress, set new goals, and to find the sense
of her own existence. In this meaning, logotherapy treatment as a complement of medical and
psychological care, seems to be justified because it broadens the spectrum of support dedicated to
the mother by taking care of a spiritual aspect of the treatment, which constitutes a foundation for
an adequate and efficient therapy and its success.
Dyslexia – a learning disability or an educational trend? People with reading and writing disorders in the light of worldwide regulations and the legislative acts applied in Poland and Great Britain as well as in the social perception
Authors: Chodyna-Santus Monika
Published: August 2018

Dyslexia – a term appearing in various aspects, for some – a disorder of reading and writing,
for others – a social construct, in some areas regarded as a disability, in others as an excuse,
perceived as a disease or a mystery disorder. The term used in scientific fields, educational units,
in the educational reports and acts, as well as in the media and common discourse. Among arising
doubts concerning the disorder, the rights of people with dyslexia bring on the controversy and
emotions. The article points to the worldwide regulations, with emphasis on legislative acts applied
in Poland and the UK, shows the situation of people with dyslexia in schools and the workplace. It
also shows that the regulations constitute both the basis of due rights as well as cause disputes in
the context of their appropriateness and necessity. The article is an insight into the aspects of legal
regulations concerning the disorders and the social tensions or doubts concerning them.
Využití gymnastiky v suché přípravě hokejistů
Authors: Krištofič Jaroslav
Published: August 2018

Ice hockey and gymnastics are two different sports with the specific content and specific motor abilitiesclaims. In spite of these differences can be gymnastic preparation a good complement to the drypreparation carried out-off ice rink. Gymnastic exercises are based on joint stimulation of fitness functionsand coordination functions with a positive impact on the performance and control folder. Theydevelop the capacity to coordinate the movement of body segments in space, kinestetic sensitivityand differentiation. In addition, the gymnastic preparations brings a compensatory effect againstunilateral load with a positive impact in the area of health prevention. The results of a questionnairesurvey among the coaches ice hockey of youth category (11–17 years) reported strong support of theinclusion gymnastic activities in dry preparation. From the polled coaches 74 % said that gymnasticpreparations are a regular part of sports training their teams and 25 % indicated posibility “irregularly”.When asked if they consider this kind of dry preparation for efficient and support of them (regardless ifthey do it) 81 % responded definitely Yes, 19 % rather Yes, and noone of the polled respondents reportedNo, or rather No.
Evaluation and influence of composts and their organic matter on the growth of spring barley
Authors: Višniauskė Indrė , Bakšienė Eugenija , Mažeika Romas
Published: August 2018

Pot trial experiments were conducted with the aim of determining organic matter composition and the influence on the growth of spring barley of different types of composts. The plants were grown in 6 l vegetative pots on the experimental site of the LRCAF Agrochemical Research Laboratory. Compost with soil were mixed by the following volume – 10, 20, 30 and 40%. Spring barley was grown for two years – in 2015 and 2016. This experiment investigated green waste and food waste, sewage sludge and biogas production waste.
The largest amounts of organic matter, organic and total carbon, and total nitrogen were found in the biogas production waste compost. The minimum contents of organic matter and other nutrients were estimated in the green waste compost.
The following biometric measurements on spring barley were taken: plant height, 1 000 grain weight and grain yield. The best growth of barley was in the substrate with biogas production waste in 2015 – plant height 43.7–53.7 cm, 1 000 grain weight 45.6–49.2 g, grain yield per pot 19.1–23.0 g, and the minimum contents were in the green waste substrate. In 2016, the best results were obtained in the substrates with green and food waste compost. The nitrogen content was determined in spring barley grain and straw. In 2015, the total nitrogen content in plant grains and straw was increased by the substrate of biogas production waste, and in 2016 it was increased by the substrate of food waste, sewage sludge and biogas production waste.
Hermeneutica, une expérience numérique de l’interprétation
:
Hermeneutica. Computer-assisted interpretation in the humanities, de Geoffrey Rockwell et Stéfan Sinclair
Authors: Mayer Ariane
Published: August 2018

Avec Hermeneutica. Computer-assisted interpretation in the humanities (MIT Press,
2016), Geoffrey Rockwell et Stéfan Sinclair s’interrogent sur les transformations de
l’interprétation de textes dans le milieu numérique. En particulier, au travers d’une
méthodologie hybride faisant dialoguer réflexions et exemples, théorie et pratique de
l’interprétation, ils réfléchissent à ce que les outils d’analyse textuelle assistée par
ordinateur révèlent et infléchissent dans l’activité herméneutique. Au cœur de l’essai se
trouve l’outil Voyant, espace numérique de quantification et de visualisation textuelle
développé par les coauteurs, qui leur sert de matériau pour aborder les mutations
contemporaines de la lecture dans les sciences humaines.
Les structures spatiales de l’éditorialisation
Authors: Agostini-Marchese Enrico
Published: August 2018

Comment penser l’espace à l’ère du numérique ? En nous inscrivant dans le sillage du « tournant spatial », nous nous proposons de conjuguer la théorie de l’éditorialisation et la réflexion sur l’espace à l’aide d’une confrontation avec l’ouvrage Terre et mer du théoricien de la géopolitique Carl Schmitt.
Vers une meilleure compréhension de la résistance au changement des directeurs d'école
Authors: Loi Zedda Maude , Thibodeau Stéphane , Forget Pascal
Published: August 2018

Cet article présente la problématique, le cadre théorique et la méthodologie d’un projet de thèse en cours. Ce projet s’intéresse à certaines caractéristiques personnelles (leadership, sentiment d’autoefficacité et solitude professionnelle) du directeur d’école québécois et à leur influence sur la résistance au changement. Les théories de la résistance au changement de Oreg (2003), du leadership de Bass (1990), du sentiment d’autoefficacité de Bandura (2007) et de la solitude de Peplau et Perlman (1982) sont les assises choisies pour identifier les relations entre le leadership, le sentiment d’autoefficacité, la solitude professionnelle des directeurs d’école et leur résistance au changement.
Corps en captivité
Authors: Feyereisen Justine
Published: August 2018

C’est à travers l’analyse textuelle de trois récits contemporains que cette contribution entend explorer la manière dont leurs auteurs livrent des « poéthiques » (Pinson) du corps captif, témoin ou victime du joug colonial : La Quarantaine (1995) de J.M.G. Le Clézio, Guyane : Traces-mémoires du bagne de Patrick Chamoiseau (1994 ; photographies de Rodolphe Hammadi) et Un dimanche au cachot (2007) du même écrivain. Cachot de Maîtres-békés, île Plate en quarantaine, bagne guyanais, que racontent de tels univers concentrationnaires à ces « chiffonniers » (Benjamin) de l’Histoire ? Se peut-il qu’à leur contact, les traces contingentes au passé colonial soient non plus « chosifiées » (Ricœur), mais émotionnelles et synesthésiques ? Aussi oppressant que soit le lieu, pourrait-il s’avérer libérateur d’une conscience de soi et d’un esprit de communauté ? Quelles questions d’ordre esthétique et éthique la perception et la figuration du corps palimpsestique soulèvent-elles sur l’indescriptible de la condition humaine enchaînée ?
La pyramide algorithmique
Authors: Lévy Pierre
Published: August 2018

Le medium algorithmique est une infrastructure de communication qui augmente les pouvoirs des médias antérieurs en y ajoutant la mécanisation des opérations symboliques. Son émergence au milieu du vingtième siècle résulte d’une longue histoire scientifique et technique que je résume au début de l’article. Je rappelle ensuite les grandes étapes de son développement (ordinateurs centraux, internet et PC, Web social, Cloud augmenté par l’intelligence artificielle et la chaîne de blocs) ainsi que leurs conséquences sociocognitives. J’évoque pour finir les développements futurs de ce médium dans la perspective d’une intelligence collective réflexive basée sur une nouvelle forme de calcul sémantique.
L’ontologie du numérique
Authors: Monjour Servanne , Vitali-Rosati Marcello , Treleani Matteo
Published: August 2018

Ce dossier se conçoit comme un champ d'exploration des problématiques ontologiques du
numérique, dans une perspective résolument interdisciplinaire, accueillant tout autant la
philosophie, l’esthétique, les études littéraires, la sémiologie, la sociologie ou les
sciences de l’information et de la communication. Des arts numériques à la littérature
hypermédiatique, en passant par les webdocumentaires et les jeux vidéo, de nombreux domaines
permettent en effet d’étudier ces dichotomies apparemment périlleuses entre représentation
et réalité, réel et imaginaire, fiction et documentaire…
Des téléspectateurs géolocalisés
Authors: Boni Marta
Published: August 2018

La géolocalisation est un geste de plus en plus présent dans les pratiques des fans de séries télé. Les cartes nous donnent à voir un ensemble de données sur la réception de séries, mais sont aussi des éléments qui contribuent à complexifier la notion d’espace. Dans cette contribution, il sera question d’analyser le rôle des cartes numériques dans le cadre de l’étude du phénomène culturel Twin Peaks.
Epistémologie du modèle
Authors: Sauret Nicolas
Published: August 2018

Les Humanités n'ont eu de cesse de produire des modèles pour penser et interpréter le monde. Malgré cette constante, l'informatisation de leurs pratiques, de leurs méthodologies, voire de leurs concepts introduit une nouvelle forme de modélisation qui ne peut se passer d'une analyse épistémologique. L'introduction du calcul formel sur des objets d'étude échappant apparemment à toute formalisation impose en effet de questionner la pertinence des approches quantitatives telles qu'adoptées par les Humanités numériques. Ce texte est une exploration du modèle et de son rôle de médiation entre le monde et le chercheur. Le modèle est alors prétexte à réitèrer la dichotomie du calculable et du non calculable, du syntaxique et du sémantique, et finalement du statut ontologique de la connaissance.
Ecological Self from an Aesthetic Point of View
Authors: Hess Gérald
Published: August 2018

The present article develops an aesthetic signification for the idea of an ecological self proposed by Arne Næss and for its underlying relationship of identification. It is based on a discussion of a model of environmental aesthetics – the mystery model – by Stan Godlovitch. Godlovitch has presented his model as an alternative to the cognitive paradigm developed by Allen Carlson. While showing the value of this acentric aesthetic, I am proposing a different version of this model founded on a phenomenological approach – by French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty. This perspective provides a better understanding of a subject's attitude of insignificance and aesthetic aloofness inherent in an acentric aesthetic experience of nature. It also shows what brings together and separates this experience, first from death, and secondly from mysticism. In so doing, it helps establish the legitimacy of the concept of the ecological self by looking at it in a new way.
Walking With Elephants: A Case for Trans-Species Ethnography
Authors: Erickson Jonathan
Published: August 2018

This paper argues for the development of new methodologies for studying animals and human-animal relationships that take qualitative and hermeneutic considerations into account. Drawing on the traditions of anthropology, depth psychology, and somatic studies, the paper advocates for the use of a trans-species ethnography that situates the researcher as a participant-observer in the field, in relationship with the subjects of study. This theoretical framework is illustrated by case study in the form of the author’s fieldwork on human-elephant communication at an elephant sanctuary in Cambodia.
Chemical modulation of apoptosis in molluscan cell cultures
Authors: Boroda Andrey Victorovich , Kipryushina Yulia Olegovna , Odintsova Nelly Adolphovna
Published: August 2018

This study focused on the alterations that occur in larval molluscan cells during the induction or inhibition of apoptosis both in standard culture conditions and in response to cold injury during the induction of different death pathways. This is the first report on the modulation of apoptosis in molluscan cells using apoptotic inducers and inhibitors known to mammalian cells, which has been assessed by flow cytometry. The activity of mitochondria, general caspase activation, and the membrane integrity of intact molluscan cells were compared to those of cells frozen-thawed both prior to treatment and after incubation with apoptotic inducers or inhibitors, and to those of primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human colon tumor cells (HCT 116 cell line) treated with the same compounds. We tested three apoptotic inducers (staurosporine, camptothecin, and mitomycin C, routinely used for the chemical induction of apoptosis in different mammalian cells) and found that only staurosporine resulted in an evident increase of apoptosis in molluscan cells (6.6% in comparison with 2.9% in control unfrozen cells, and 9.1% in comparison with 5.6% in control frozen-thawed cells). Camptothecin did not significantly induce apoptosis of molluscan cells but did slightly increase the number of active cells after thawing. Mitomycin C showed similar results, but its effect was less pronounced. We suggest that some apoptotic inducers have hereto unknown effects on molluscan cells. In addition, we hypothesize that the use of the apoptotic inhibitors could reduce apoptosis, which is significant after cryopreservation in molluscan cells. Development of this direction is important for understanding the mechanisms of cold susceptibility of marine organisms.
A Tournaisian (earliest Carboniferous) conglomerate-preserved non-marine faunal assemblage and its environmental and sedimentological context
Authors: Clack Jennifer A , Bennett Carys E , Davies Sarah J , Scott Andrew C , Sherwin Janet , Smithson Timothy R
Published: August 2018

A conglomerate bed from the Tournaisian Ballagan Formation of Scotland preserves a rich array of vertebrate and other non-marine fossils providing an insight into the wider ecosystem and palaeoenvironment that existed during this pivotal stage of Earth history. It challenges hypotheses of a long-lasting post-extinction trough following the end-Devonian extinction event. The fauna recovered includes a wide size range of tetrapods, rhizodonts and dipnoans, from tiny juveniles or small-bodied taxa up to large adults, and more than one taxon of each group is likely. Some fauna, such as actinopterygians and chondrichthyans, are rare as macrofauna but are better represented in the microfossil assemblage. The fauna provides evidence of the largest Carboniferous lungfish ever found. The specimens are preserved in a localised, poorly-sorted conglomerate which was deposited in the deepest part of a river channel, the youngest of a group of channels. In addition to the fossils (micro- and macro-), the conglomerate includes locally-derived clasts of palaeosols and other distinctive elements of the surrounding floodplains. Charcoal fragments represent stem and possible trunk tissue from arborescent pteridosperms. Preservation of the fossils indicates some aerial exposure prior to transport, with abrasion from rolling. The findings presented here contrast with other published trends in vertebrate size that are used to interpret a reduction in maximum sizes during the Tournaisian. The richness of the fauna runs counter to the assumption of a depauperate non-marine fauna following the end-Devonian Hangenberg event, and charcoal content highlights the occurrence of fire, with the requisite levels of atmospheric oxygen during that stage.
Factors affecting the distribution and abundance of autumn vagrant warblers in northwestern California and southern Oregon
Authors: Ralph C. John , Wolfe Jared
Published: August 2018

Birds found outside their typical range, or vagrants, have fascinated naturalists for decades. Despite broad interest in vagrancy, few attempts have been made to statistically examine the explanatory variables potentially responsible for the phenomenon. In this study, we used multiple linear regression to model the occurrence of 28 rare warbler species (family Parulidae) in autumn in northern California and southern Oregon as a function of migration distance, continental population size, distance, and bearing to both closest breeding population and breeding population center. In addition to our predictive model, we used capture data from the California coast to 300 km inland to examine relationships between the presence of vagrant warblers, regional warbler species richness and age class distribution. Our study yielded three important results: (1) vagrancy is strongly correlated with larger North American population size and secondarily by longer migration distance; (2) vagrants are more common at some coastal sites; and (3) where young birds are over-represented, vagrants tend to occur – such as on the coast and at far inland sites. Of the many explanations of rare and vagrant individuals, we feel that the most likely is that these birds represent the ends of the distributions of a normal curve of migration direction, bringing some few migrants to locations out of their normal migratory range as vagrants. We also examine the underrepresented species that, according to our model, are overdue for being recorded in our study area.
A transient cortical state with sleep-like sensory responses precedes emergence from general anesthesia in humans
Authors: Lewis Laura D , Piantoni Giovanni , Peterfreund Robert A , Eskandar Emad N , Harrell Priscilla Grace , Akeju Oluwaseun , Aglio Linda S , Cash Sydney S , Brown Emery N , Mukamel Eran A , Purdon Patrick L
Published: August 2018

During awake consciousness, the brain intrinsically maintains a dynamical state in which it can coordinate complex responses to sensory input. How the brain reaches this state spontaneously is not known. General anesthesia provides a unique opportunity to examine how the human brain recovers its functional capabilities after profound unconsciousness. We used intracranial electrocorticography and scalp EEG in humans to track neural dynamics during emergence from propofol general anesthesia. We identify a distinct transient brain state that occurs immediately prior to recovery of behavioral responsiveness. This state is characterized by large, spatially distributed, slow sensory-evoked potentials that resemble the K-complexes that are hallmarks of stage two sleep. However, the ongoing spontaneous dynamics in this transitional state differ from sleep. These results identify an asymmetry in the neurophysiology of induction and emergence, as the emerging brain can enter a state with a sleep-like sensory blockade before regaining responsivity to arousing stimuli.
Efficient analysis of mammalian polysomes in cells and tissues using Ribo Mega-SEC
Authors: Yoshikawa Harunori , Larance Mark , Harney Dylan J , Sundaramoorthy Ramasubramanian , Ly Tony , Owen-Hughes Tom , Lamond Angus I
Published: August 2018

We describe Ribo Mega-SEC, a powerful approach for the separation and biochemical analysis of mammalian polysomes and ribosomal subunits using Size Exclusion Chromatography and uHPLC. Using extracts from either cells, or tissues, polysomes can be separated within 15 min from sample injection to fraction collection. Ribo Mega-SEC shows translating ribosomes exist predominantly in polysome complexes in human cell lines and mouse liver tissue. Changes in polysomes are easily quantified between treatments, such as the cellular response to amino acid starvation. Ribo Mega-SEC is shown to provide an efficient, convenient and highly reproducible method for studying functional translation complexes. We show that Ribo Mega-SEC is readily combined with high-throughput MS-based proteomics to characterize proteins associated with polysomes and ribosomal subunits. It also facilitates isolation of complexes for electron microscopy and structural studies.
VivosX, a disulfide crosslinking method to capture site-specific, protein-protein interactions in yeast and human cells
Authors: Mohan Chitra , Kim Lisa M , Hollar Nicole , Li Tailai , Paulissen Eric , Leung Cheuk T , Luk Ed
Published: August 2018

VivosX is an in vivo disulfide crosslinking approach that utilizes a pair of strategically positioned cysteines on two proteins to probe physical interactions within cells. Histone H2A.Z, which often replaces one or both copies of H2A in nucleosomes downstream of promoters, was used to validate VivosX. Disulfide crosslinks between cysteine-modified H2A.Z and/or H2A histones within nucleosomes were induced using a membrane-permeable oxidant. VivosX detected different combinations of H2A.Z and H2A within nucleosomes in yeast cells. This assay correctly reported the change in global H2A.Z occupancy previously observed when the deposition and eviction pathways of H2A.Z were perturbed. Homotypic H2A.Z/H2A.Z (ZZ) nucleosomes accumulated when assembly of the transcription preinitiation complex was blocked, revealing that the transcription machinery preferentially disassembles ZZ nucleosomes. VivosX works in human cells and distinguishes ZZ nucleosomes with one or two ubiquitin moieties, demonstrating that it can be used to detect protein-protein interactions inside cells from different species.
A discriminator code–based DTD surveillance ensures faithful glycine delivery for protein biosynthesis in bacteria
Authors: Kuncha Santosh Kumar , Suma Katta , Pawar Komal Ishwar , Gogoi Jotin , Routh Satya Brata , Pottabathini Sambhavi , Kruparani Shobha P , Sankaranarayanan Rajan
Published: August 2018

D-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase (DTD) acts on achiral glycine, in addition to D-amino acids, attached to tRNA. We have recently shown that this activity enables DTD to clear non-cognate Gly-tRNAAla with 1000-fold higher efficiency than its activity on Gly-tRNAGly, indicating tRNA-based modulation of DTD (Pawar et al., 2017). Here, we show that tRNA’s discriminator base predominantly accounts for this activity difference and is the key to selection by DTD. Accordingly, the uracil discriminator base, serving as a negative determinant, prevents Gly-tRNAGly misediting by DTD and this protection is augmented by EF-Tu. Intriguingly, eukaryotic DTD has inverted discriminator base specificity and uses only G3•U70 for tRNAGly/Ala discrimination. Moreover, DTD prevents alanine-to-glycine misincorporation in proteins rather than only recycling mischarged tRNAAla. Overall, the study reveals the unique co-evolution of DTD and discriminator base, and suggests DTD’s strong selection pressure on bacterial tRNAGlys to retain a pyrimidine discriminator code.
An expanded toolkit for gene tagging based on MiMIC and scarless CRISPR tagging in Drosophila
Authors: Li-Kroeger David , Kanca Oguz , Lee Pei-Tseng , Cowan Sierra , Lee Michael T , Jaiswal Manish , Salazar Jose Luis , He Yuchun , Zuo Zhongyuan , Bellen Hugo J
Published: August 2018

We generated two new genetic tools to efficiently tag genes in Drosophila. The first, Double Header (DH) utilizes intronic MiMIC/CRIMIC insertions to generate artificial exons for GFP mediated protein trapping or T2A-GAL4 gene trapping in vivo based on Cre recombinase to avoid embryo injections. DH significantly increases integration efficiency compared to previous strategies and faithfully reports the expression pattern of genes and proteins. The second technique targets genes lacking coding introns using a two-step cassette exchange. First, we replace the endogenous gene with an excisable compact dominant marker using CRISPR making a null allele. Second, the insertion is replaced with a protein::tag cassette. This sequential manipulation allows the generation of numerous tagged alleles or insertion of other DNA fragments that facilitates multiple downstream applications. Both techniques allow precise gene manipulation and facilitate detection of gene expression, protein localization and assessment of protein function, as well as numerous other applications.
Relative telomere length and oxidative DNA damage in hypertrophic ligamentum flavum of lumbar spinal stenosis
Authors: Dechsupa Sinsuda , Yingsakmongkol Wicharn , Limthongkul Worawat , Singhatanadgige Weerasak , Honsawek Sittisak
Published: August 2018

Background

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common cause of low back pain with degenerative spinal change in older adults. Telomeres are repetitive nucleoprotein DNA sequences of TTAGGG at the ends of chromosomes. Oxidative stress originates from an imbalance in pro-oxidant and antioxidant homeostasis that results in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The purpose of this study was to investigate relative telomere length (RTL) and oxidative DNA damage in ligamentum flavum (LF) tissue from LSS patients.

Methods

Forty-eight patients with LSS participated in this study. Genomic DNA from non-hypertrophic and hypertrophic LF tissue were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for relative telomere length (RTL). 8-hydroxy 2′-deoxygaunosine (8-OHdG) levels were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We cultivated LF fibroblast cells from patients in different ages (61, 66, and 77 years). After each cultivation cycle, we examined RTL and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) expression.

Results

The hypertrophic LF had significantly lower RTL than non-hypertrophic LF (P = 0.04). The levels of 8-OHdG were significantly higher in hypertrophic LF compared to non-hypertrophic LF (P = 0.02). With advancing cell culture passage, the number of cells in each passage was significantly lower in hypertrophic LF fibroblast cells than non-hypertrophic LF fibroblast cells. When evaluated with SA-β-gal staining, all senescent LF fibroblast cells were observed at earlier passages in hypertrophic LF compared with non-hypertrophic LF fibroblast cells.

Discussion

Our results showed that patients with LSS displayed an accelerated RTL shortening and high oxidative stress in hypertrophic LF. These findings implied that telomere shortening and oxidative stress may play roles in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic LF in lumbar spinal stenosis.
Deformation of the median nerve at different finger postures and wrist angles
Authors: Loh Ping Yeap , Yeoh Wen Liang , Nakashima Hiroki , Muraki Satoshi
Published: August 2018

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes of the median nerve cross-sectional area (MNCSA) and diameters of the median nerve at different finger postures and wrist angles.

Methods

Twenty-five healthy male participants were recruited in this study. The median nerve at wrist crease was examined at six finger postures, and repeated with the wrist in 30° flexion, neutral (0°), and 30° extension. The six finger postures are relaxed, straight finger, hook, full fist, tabletop, and straight fist.

Results

The main effects of both finger postures and wrist angles are significant (p < 0.05) on changes of the MNCSA. Different finger tendon gliding postures cause a change in the MNCSA. Furthermore, wrist flexion and extension cause higher deformation of the MNCSA at different finger postures.

Discussion

The median nerve parameters such as MNCSA and diameter were altered by a change in wrist angle and finger posture. The results may help to understand the direct biomechanical stresses on the median nerve by different wrist-finger activities.
­Reproductive strategies of two common sympatric Mediterranean sponges:Dysidea avara(Dictyoceratida) andPhorbas tenacior(Poecilosclerida)
Authors: de Caralt Sonia , González Janina , Turon Xavier , Uriz María J.
Published: August 2018

Despite their abundance in benthic ecosystems, life cycles and reproductive features of most sponge species remain unknown. We have studied the main reproductive features of two demosponges,Dysidea avaraandPhorbas tenacior,belonging to phylogenetically distant groups: Orders Dictyoceratida and Poecilosclerida, respectively. Both sponges are abundant and share habitat in the Mediterranean rocky sublittoral. They brood parenchymella larvae with different morphology and behaviour. Sampling was conducted monthly over a two-year period in a locality where both species coexist. The two species reproduced in spring-summer, and presented species-specific reproductive features despite being subject to the same environmental conditions.D. avarahas a shorter reproductive period thanP. tenacior, ending before the peak of temperature in summer, while the reproductive period ofP. tenaciorlasts until beginning of autumn. Brooding larvae were present in June-July inD. avara, and in August-October inP. tenacior. Larval size, reproductive effort and number of larvae produced (measured the month with the maximum production) were significantly higher inD. avarathan inP. tenacior. A higher reproductive effort and larval traits point to a more opportunistic life strategy inD. avarathan inP. tenacior.A lack of overlap in the timing of larval release, as well as different reproductive traits, may reduce competition and facilitate the coexistence of these two sympatric and abundant sponges.
МАТРИЧНЫЙ СИНТЕЗ ГРАФЕНА НА ПОВЕРХНОСТИ АЛМАЗА И ЕГО МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ, "Журнал физической химии"
Authors: Алексеев Н.И.
Published: August 2018

Проведено квантово-химическое моделирование трансформации верхнего подслоя атомов углерода в решетке монокристаллического алмаза в плоскую решетку графена, стимулированной атомами расплавленной медной пленки на поверхности алмаза. Установлено, что устойчивая конфигурация системы отвечает термически активированному перемещению атомов углерода в нижнем подслое интерфейсного слоя алмаза в положение “графен”, то есть вровень с атомами верхнего подслоя. Выигрыш в энергии по сравнению с невзаимодействующими подсистемами атомов меди и алмаза составляет примерно 0.7 эВ в расчете на один атом нижнего подслоя. Проведена оценка максимального размера сформировавшейся графеновой пленки и рассмотрен возможный механизм ее разрыва.
ВЛИЯНИЕ СТРОЕНИЯ МОЛЕКУЛ ПРОИЗВОДНЫХ 1,2,4-ТРИАЗОЛА И 1,2,4-ТРИАЗИНА НА ХРОМАТОГРАФИЧЕСКОЕ УДЕРЖИВАНИЕ В УСЛОВИЯХ ОБРАЩЕННО-ФАЗОВОЙ ВЭЖХ, "Журнал физической химии"
Authors: Карасева И. Н. , Карасев М.О. , Нечаева О.Н. , Курбатова С.В.
Published: August 2018

Исследована зависимость хроматографического удерживания производных 1,2,4-триазина и 1,2,4-триазола из водно-ацетонитрильных растворов на октадецилсиликагеле от строения молекул сорбатов. Проанализировано влияние физико-химических параметров молекул гетероциклов и их топологии на характеристики удерживания в условиях ОФ ВЭЖХ.
МАСС-СПЕКТРОМЕТРИЧЕСКОЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ТЕРМОДИНАМИЧЕСКИХ СВОЙСТВ ТВЕРДЫХ РАСТВОРОВ ШПИНЕЛИ, "Журнал физической химии"
Authors: Шорников С.И.
Published: August 2018

На основании данных, полученных масс-спектрометрическим эффузионным методом Кнудсена, определены значения парциальных давлений компонентов газовой фазы над твердыми растворами шпинели и уточнена граница твердых растворов шпинели в области “MgAl2O4 (твердый раствор) + + Al2O3” в диапазоне температур 2000-2200 K.?Полученная термодинамическая информация сопоставлена с имеющейся в литературе. Найденные значения активностей оксидов, энергии Гиббса, энтальпии и энтропии образования твердых растворов из оксидов свидетельствуют о незначительных отрицательных отклонениях от идеальности.
ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ТОПОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ СТРУКТУРЫ МАКРОМОЛЕКУЛ ЛИГНИНА БАМБУКА BAMBUSA SP., "Высокомолекулярные соединения. Серия А"
Authors: Карманов А. П. , Кочева Л. С.
Published: August 2018

Рассмотрены результаты изучения топологической структуры макромолекул лигнина Пеппера из стеб- лей бамбука. Методами скоростной седиментации, поступательной диффузии и вискозиметрии исследованы молекулярные свойства разбавленных растворов лигнина в диметилформамиде. Определены молекулярная масса фракций, скейлинговые коэффициенты уравнения Марка-Куна-Хаувинка и значение гидродинамического инварианта Цветкова-Кленина. Впервые показано, что лигнин из стеблей бамбука относится к универсальному классу хаотически разветвленных полимеров, и проведена оценка степени разветвленности макромолекул.
РЕОЛОГИЯ РАСПЛАВА СОПОЛИМЕРА АКРИЛОНИТРИЛА СО СТИРОЛОМ, МОДИФИЦИРОВАННОГО МОНТМОРИЛЛОНИТОМ, "Высокомолекулярные соединения. Серия А"
Authors: Павлючкова' Е. А. , Малкин А.Я. , Котомин С.В. , Френкин Э.И. , Симонов-Емельянов И.Д.
Published: August 2018

Исследованы реологические свойства сополимера акрилонитрила со стиролом, модифицированного гидрофобизованным монтмориллонитом Cloisite 30B, и композиций в широком диапазоне скоростей сдвига и частот деформирования при температуре 230 °С. Установлено, что наполнитель не оказывает заметного влияния на вязкоупругие свойства композиций, но вязкость расплавов композитов в области низких скоростей сдвига существенно и монотонно возрастает с увеличением концентрации, тогда как в области высоких скоростей сдвига наблюдается значительное падение эффективной вязкости в области концентраций порядка 0.3 об.%.
Effects of leakage delay on global asymptotic stability of complex‐valued neural networks with interval time‐varying delays via new complex‐valued Jensen's inequality
Authors: Samidurai R. , Sriraman R. , Cao Jinde , Tu Zhengwen
Published: August 2018

This paper investigates the global asymptotic stability analysis for a class of complex‐valued neural networks with leakage delay and interval time‐varying delays. Different from previous literature, some sufficient information on a complex‐valued neuron activation function and interval time‐varying delays has been considered into the record. A suitable Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional with some delay‐dependent terms is constructed. By applying modern integral inequalities, several sufficient conditions are obtained to guarantee the global asymptotic stability of the addressed system model. All the proposed criteria are formulated in the structure of a complex‐valued linear matrix inequalities technique, which can be checked effortlessly by applying the YALMIP toolbox in MATLAB linear matrix inequality. Finally, two numerical examples with simulation results have been provided to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Adaptive and optimal synchronization control of networked positive real infinite dimensional systems with virtual leader
Authors: Demetriou Michael A.
Published: August 2018

This paper considers the design of synchronization controllers for a class of networked infinite dimensional positive real systems, which include partial differential equations with boundary or in‐domain actuation and sensing. The proposed distributed controllers have one component addressing a tracking objective based on static output feedback and another component addressing a synchronization objective. One method of selecting the synchronization gains is to consider the aggregate form of the networked systems and minimize an associated energy function of the resulting closed‐loop system parameterized by the synchronization gains. Thus, the optimal synchronization gains are found as the ones that minimize the trace of the solution to a parameterized operator Lyapunov equation. The adaptation of the synchronization gains constitutes an alternative method for their selection and uses a Lyapunov redesign approach to derive the update laws, which depend on local decentralized strategies. An extension dealing with restricted virtual leader information necessitating modifications to the proposed control laws is also considered and presented. Numerical studies for selecting the synchronization gains via an optimization of an associated performance metric as well as via time‐variation through adaptation are presented for one‐dimensional diffusion partial differential equations.
Asymmetric prescribed performance‐barrier Lyapunov function for the adaptive dynamic surface control of unknown pure‐feedback nonlinear switched systems with output constraints
Authors: Chen Longsheng
Published: August 2018

An adaptive dynamic surface control scheme for a class of pure‐feedback nonlinear switched systems possessing completely unknown nonlinearities and output constraints is proposed in this paper. By enabling the barriers to vary with prescribed performance functions in time, an asymmetric prescribed performance‐barrier Lyapunov function (APP‐BLF) is developed to guarantee the prescribed tracking performance simultaneously with constraint satisfaction under arbitrary switching, while the initial conditional requirements are relaxed. To handle the nonaffine problem, an affine variable is constructed to transform pure‐feedback systems into a strict‐feedback form with the nonaffine and switching properties existing in time‐varying bounded parameters by utilizing the mean value theorem at each step of the backstepping design procedure. Next, by incorporating the supremum norm theory, dynamic surface control, and the Nussbaum gain technique, a novel adaptive approach is presented to overcome unknown nonlinearities, unknown control coefficients, and the explosion of complexity. At last, by using the common Lyapunov function approach in combination with the decoupled backstepping method, a common approximation‐free adaptive controller is constructed to guarantee that all the signals in the closed‐loop system are semiglobally uniformly bounded. Moreover, the proposed controller alleviates the problems of overparameterization and the computational burden. Two simulation studies are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness, robustness, and applicability of the proposed approach.
Substructure Development and Deformation Twinning Stimulation through Regulating the Processing Path during Multi‐Axial Forging of Twinning Induced Plasticity Steel
Authors: Akbarian Shima , Zarei‐Hanzaki Abbas , Abedi Hamid Reza , Unnikrishnan Rahul , Moat Richard
Published: August 2018

Multi‐axial forging (MAF) at room temperature is employed to investigate the effects of deformation processing path and the amount of imposed strain on the deformation mechanisms of a twinning‐induced plasticity (TWIP) steel. The results indicate that the twin frequency is decreased by applying the 2nd compression (∑ɛ = 0.8), however, an unexpected increase is realized at the end of first MAF pass (∑ɛ = 1.2). This is attributed to the change in strain path and orientation dependence of deformation twinning. The latter is phenomenal considering the previous researches reporting the suppression of twinning at the early stage of deformation (ɛ < 0.4). The same sequence is followed during the second pass of MAF process. Interestingly, the progressive and continues substructure development along with dynamic Hall–Petch effect results from deformation twinning leads to an appreciable grain refinement. The latter is accompanied by the sharp drop of hardening rate in corresponding flow curves. The microtexture analysis indicates the strengthened texture of the 1 pass‐processed specimens which is weaken at the end of 2 pass due to the recrystallization and increasing the number of texture component. The current work also explores the room temperature mechanical properties of the multi axial forged workpiece through elaborating the miniaturized tensile testing method.
Al–7Si–5Cu/Al2O3–ZrO2 Laminated Composites with Excellent and Anisotropic Wear Resistance
Authors: Guo Rui‐Fen , Shen Ping , Guo Ning , Yang Li‐Kai , Jiang Qi‐Chuan
Published: August 2018

The authors prepare nacre‐mimetic Al−7Si−5Cu/Al2O3−ZrO2 composites with alternately arranged soft‐hard phases and different ceramic compositions using freeze casting and gas‐pressure infiltration techniques and investigate their dry abrasive wear resistance. These composites exhibit excellent and anisotropic wear resistance when worn along different directions. The wear rates of the composite with Al2O3:ZrO2 = 1:9 against 400‐grit, 240‐grit, and 100‐grit SiC sandpapers are approx. 1/78, 1/37, and 1/27 of those of the Al−7Si−5Cu alloy. The underlying mechanisms for the excellent wear resistance of these nacre‐mimetic composites are ascribed to the “self‐sharpen” effect in the early running‐in period and the formation of friction films in the later wear period. Moreover, the anisotropic wear resistance is interpreted by the different stress states that the interface is subjected to.