bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative Contributions of Arterial Stiffness and Hypertension to Cardiovascular Disease: The Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Niiranen Teemu J. , Kalesan Bindu , Hamburg Naomi M. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Mitchell Gary F. , Vasan Ramachandran S.
Published: October 2016

Background

The presence and implications of abnormal arterial stiffness, a potential independent predictor of outcomes, in community‐dwelling treated hypertensives is unknown. Furthermore, limited data exist regarding the risk of cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) associated with arterial stiffness across the entire range of blood pressure.

Methods and Results

We measured carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (
PWV
) and classical
CVD
risk factors in 2127 community‐dwelling participants (mean age 60 years, 57% women) of The Framingham Offspring Cohort. The participants were divided into 4 groups according to hypertension (yes/no, defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive treatment) and
PWV
status (high/low based on age‐ and sex‐specific median values) and followed up for
CVD
events (
CVD
death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, heart failure, and stroke). Sixty percent (233 of 390) of controlled and 90% (232 of 258) of uncontrolled treated hypertensives had high
PWV
. The multivariable‐adjusted risk for
CVD
events (n=248, median follow‐up 12.6 years) rose from normotension with low
PWV
(reference) to normotension with high
PWV
(hazard ratio 1.29, 95%
CI
0.83–2.00) and from hypertension with low
PWV
(hazard ratio 1.54, 95%
CI
1.01–2.36) to hypertension with high
PWV
(hazard ratio 2.25, 95%
CI
1.54–3.29).

Conclusions

A substantial proportion of treated hypertensives have high arterial stiffness, a finding that may explain some of the notable residual
CVD
risk associated with even well‐controlled hypertension. High
PWV
is associated with a trend towards increasing
CVD
risk in both nonhypertensives and hypertensives, a finding that may support the use of arterial stiffness measurements in both populations.
On Yugoslav Poststructuralism: Introduction to “Art,
Society/Text”
Authors: Dedić Nikola
Published: October 2016

“Umetnost, družba/tekst” was an editorial published in the Slovenian journal Problemi-Razprave (Problems-Debates) in 1975. The journal was the central outlet of the so-called Slovenian Lacanian school and as such the most important place for the reception of French anti-humanist philosophy in the former Yugoslavia. The concept of the journal was based on interpreting French post-structuralism in the spirit of the Tel Quel magazine, anti-humanist Marxism in the spirit of Louis Althusser, theoretical psychoanalysis in the spirit of Jacques Lacan and his followers, as well as on a special blend of Lacanian psychoanalysis and Althusserian ideology critique, which characterised the French journal Cahiers pour l'Analyse. One might also find theoretical and conceptual similarities between Problemi and other French post-structuralist periodicals, such as Peinture, cahiers théoriques and Cahiers du cinéma. The editorial presented here is thus a unique example of introducing structuralism, post-structuralism, and Lacanian psychoanalysis into debates about society, culture, ideology, and art in Yugoslavia in that time.
Art, Society/Text: A Few Remarks on the Current Relations of the
Class Struggle in the Fields of Literary Production and Literary
Ideologies
Authors:   Anonymous (Authorized by the Editors of Problemi-Razprave
Published: October 2016

“Umetnost, družba/tekst” was an editorial published in the Slovenian journal Problemi-Razprave (Problems-Debates) in 1975. The journal was the central outlet of the so-called Slovenian Lacanian school and as such the most important place for the reception of French anti-humanist philosophy in the former Yugoslavia. The concept of the journal was based on interpreting French post-structuralism in the spirit of the Tel Quel magazine, anti-humanist Marxism in the spirit of Louis Althusser, theoretical psychoanalysis in the spirit of Jacques Lacan and his followers, as well as on a special blend of Lacanian psychoanalysis and Althusserian ideology critique, which characterised the French journal Cahiers pour l'Analyse. One might also find theoretical and conceptual similarities between Problemi and other French post-structuralist periodicals, such as Peinture, cahiers théoriques and Cahiers du cinéma. The editorial presented here is thus a unique example of introducing structuralism, post-structuralism, and Lacanian psychoanalysis into debates about society, culture, ideology, and art in Yugoslavia in that time.
Notes for the Next un Secretary-General
Authors: Adams Simon
Published: October 2016

The United Nations faces an existential crisis. The norms that bind and ‘safeguard humanity’ are currently under threat. The deliberate bombing of hospitals and the indiscriminate killing of civilians has become almost routine in Syria and several other conflicts. Numerous governments and murderous non-state actors (like isis or Boko Haram) are defying international humanitarian and human rights law. This article argues that the solution to the current global exigency and a central challenge facing the next Secretary-General is to achieve an equilibrium shift away from crisis response and towards conflict prevention. This is especially true with regard to preventing mass atrocity crimes (genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing). Historically, no single issue has done more to tarnish the reputation of the un than the failure to halt atrocities. Under a committed Secretary-General, the un has unique capacity to prevent these crimes.
An r2p Framework for North Korea
Authors: Cohen Roberta
Published: October 2016

North Korea has long been considered a country where r2p’s application would not be a practical option. Its major abuses are largely hidden from view and its reclusive nature has made it appear impervious to outside influence. But with the publication of the un Commission of Inquiry report and the response of the dprk, opportunities have arisen. Building on these, this article proposes an r2p framework for North Korea with the strong involvement of the Secretary-General and the entire un system. It argues that despite the challenges, there are persuasive reasons for the new Secretary-General to promote r2p for North Korea.
Hypoxis atlantica (Hypoxidaceae): a rare new species endemic to coastal eastern Brazil
Authors: FUNEZ LUÍS ADRIANO , HASSEMER GUSTAVO , FERREIRA JOÃO PAULO RAMOS
Published: October 2016

This work presents and describes Hypoxis atlantica, a new species only known from two disjunct coastal areas in eastern Brazil. Despite our best efforts to collect this species in other areas, we had to assess its conservation status as data deficient. We include here a complete description, photographs, a distribution map and an updated identification key to the species of Hypoxis in South America.
A new name in Sagina, Sagina alexandrae (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: IAMONICO DUILIO
Published: October 2016

As part of the ongoing studies on the taxonomy and nomenclature of genera belonging to Caryophyllaceae Juss., contributing to the new edition of the Flora of Italy (see e.g., Iamonico 2013, 2014, 2016, Iamonico & Domina 2014, Iamonico & Sánchez Del Pino 2016, Vallariello et al. 2016), I here present a short note concerning a European species of Sagina Linnaeus (1753: 128) which is currently known as Sagina subulata (Swartz 1789: 45‒46) Presl (1826: 158).
A new species of Vernonia (Asteraceae, Vernonieae) from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: REDONDA-MARTÍNEZ ROSARIO , VILLASEÑOR JOSÉ LUIS , CAMPOS-VILLANUEVA ALVARO
Published: October 2016

A new species of Vernonia (Asteraceae, Vernonieae) is described from mountain cloud forest, Pinus forest and Pinus–Quercus forest in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. Typical characters of this species are the lax corymbiform inflorescences, formed by 3–10 heads on peduncles > 4.5 cm long, and the lanceolate or elliptic-ovate shape of leaves. A key to the Mexican species of Vernonia is included.
Application of the Land–Atmosphere Coupling Paradigm to the Operational Coupled Forecast System, Version 2 (CFSv2)
Authors: Dirmeyer Paul A. , Halder Subhadeep
Published: October 2016

Retrospective forecasts from CFSv2 are evaluated in terms of three elements of land–atmosphere coupling at subseasonal to seasonal time scales: sensitivity of the atmosphere to variations in land surface states, the magnitude of variability of land states and fluxes, and the memory or persistence of land surface anomalies. The Northern Hemisphere spring and summer seasons are considered for the period 1982–2009. Ensembles are constructed from all available pairings of initial land and atmosphere/ocean states taken from the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis at the start of April, May, and June among the 28 years, so that the effect of initial land states on the evolving forecasts can be assessed. Finally, improvement and continuance of forecast skill derived from accurate land surface initialization is related to the three coupling elements. It is found that soil moisture memory is the most broadly important element for significant improvement of realistic land initialization on forecast skill. However, coupling strength manifested through the elements of sensitivity and variability are necessary to realize the potential predictability provided by memory of initial land surface anomalies. Even though there is clear responsiveness of surface heat fluxes, near-surface temperature, humidity, and daytime boundary layer development to variations in soil moisture over much of the globe, precipitation in CFSv2 is unresponsive. Failure to realize potential predictability from land surface states could be due to unfavorable atmospheric stability or circulation states; poor quality of what is considered realistic soil moisture analyses; and errors in the land surface model, atmospheric model, or their coupled interaction.
Multiple Methods to Partition Evapotranspiration in a Maize Field
Authors: Wu Youjie , Du Taisheng , Ding Risheng , Tong Ling , Li Sien , Wang Lixin
Published: October 2016

Partitioning evapotranspiration (ET) into soil evaporation E and plant transpiration T is important, but it is still a theoretical and technical challenge. The isotopic technique is considered to be an effective method, but it is difficult to quantify the isotopic composition of transpiration δT and evaporation δE directly and continuously; few previous studies determined δT successfully under a non-steady state (NSS). Here, multiple methods were used to partition ET in a maize field and a new flow-through chamber system was refined to provide direct and continuous measurement of δT and δE. An eddy covariance and lysimeter (EC-L)-based method and two isotope-based methods [isotope combined with the Craig–Gordon model (Iso-CG) and isotope using chamber measurement (Iso-M)] were applied to partition ET. Results showed the transpiration fraction FT in Iso-CG was consistent with EC-L at both diurnal and growing season time scales, but FT calculated by Iso-M was less than Iso-CG and EC-L. The chamber system method presented here to determine δT under NSS and isotope steady state (ISS) was robust, but there could be some deviation in measuring δE. The FT varied from 52% to 91%, with a mean of 78% during the entire growing season, and it was well described by a function of LAI, with a nonlinear relationship of FT = 0.71LAI0.14. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the isotope-based chamber system to partition ET. This technique and its further development may enable field ET partitioning accurately and continuously and improve understanding of water cycling through the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum.
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for Designing Cluster-Randomized Trials in Sub-Saharan Africa Education
Authors: Kelcey Ben , Shen Zuchao , Spybrook Jessaca
Published: October 2016

Objective:

Over the past two decades, the lack of reliable empirical evidence concerning the effectiveness of educational interventions has motivated a new wave of research in education in sub-Saharan Africa (and across most of the world) that focuses on impact evaluation through rigorous research designs such as experiments. Often these experiments draw on the random assignment of entire clusters, such as schools, to accommodate the multilevel structure of schooling and the theory of action underlying many school-based interventions. Planning effective and efficient school randomized studies, however, requires plausible values of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the variance explained by covariates during the design stage. The purpose of this study was to improve the planning of two-level school-randomized studies in sub-Saharan Africa by providing empirical estimates of the ICC and the variance explained by covariates for education outcomes in 15 countries.

Method:

Our investigation drew on large-scale representative samples of sixth-grade students in 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and includes over 60,000 students across 2,500 schools. We examined two core education outcomes: standardized achievement in reading and mathematics. We estimated a series of two-level hierarchical linear models with students nested within schools to inform the design of two-level school-randomized trials.

Results:

The analyses suggested that outcomes were substantially clustered within schools but that the magnitude of the clustering varied considerably across countries. Similarly, the results indicated that covariance adjustment generally reduced clustering but that the prognostic value of such adjustment varied across countries.
Effects on vessel measurement accuracy and subsequent occlusion after calcium channel blocker infusion during treatment of cerebral aneurysms with the Pipeline embolization device
Authors: Alexander MD , Nicholson AD , Darflinger RJ , Settecase F , Cooke DL , Dowd CF , Amans MR , Higashida RT , Hetts SW , Halbach VV
Published: October 2016

Introduction/Purpose

To achieve aneurysm occlusion, flow diverters (FDs) must be accurately sized to maximize coverage over the neck and induce thrombosis. Catheterization for diagnostic angiography can cause vasospasm that may affect vessel measurements. This study evaluates impacts of intra-arterial infusion of a calcium channel blocker (CCB) on angiographic measurements in patients treated with FDs to determine effects on final diameter of the FD and subsequent occlusion.

Materials and methods

Pre-treatment measurements were recorded for diameter of the distal and proximal landing zones and maximum and minimum diameters between these segments. Post-treatment measurements of the stent following deployment were recorded at these locations. When CCB was infused, post-infusion pre-treatment measurements were recorded. Rates of occlusion were noted for all patients. T-tests were performed to assess for differences in pre- and post-treatment measurements and rates of occlusion between groups with and without CCB infusion.

Results

Twenty-eight FDs were deployed to treat 25 aneurysms in 24 patients. CCB infusion was performed prior to deployment of 12 (42.9%) devices. No significant difference was noted between groups for pre- and post-treatment measurement changes. Confirmed aneurysm occlusion was more likely to occur in the CCB infusion group (88.9% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Optimization of device sizing is important to increase FD density over the aneurysm neck and promote thrombosis. To improve measurement accuracy, CCB infusion can reduce effects of mild vasospasm. Subsequent aneurysm occlusion was more likely to occur following FD treatment when device size selection was based on measurements performed following CCB infusion.
Between documentality and imagination: Five theses on curating the violent past
Authors: Bell Vikki
Published: October 2016

This article considers the notion that to document or inscribe our lives not only leaves a trace of our creaturely presence, but may also become a form of juris-writing, a writing that concerns and aims at Justice. Employing an expanded notion of Justice that takes it beyond the institutions of law, therefore, it asks about forms of documentality (Ferraris) that put us ‘before memory’ in Derrida’s sense. How is it possible to think curation in relation to a violent past in such a way that neither attempts to deny the lacunae nor surrenders in the face of the difficulties of such attempts? How should we consider the relation between the delimited encounter with an ‘invitation to imagine’ (Didi-Huberman) and processes of institutionalisation that build a society? What about those things that it is not possible to show, including relations of power, that arise analytically? Reflecting on current memory spaces, especially within ex-clandestine centres for detention, torture and extermination (ex-ccdtyes) in Argentina, the article offers five theses in order to consider what is at stake in the encounters staged at these sites.
Late Second Trimester Diagnosis of Sirenomelia
Authors: Harry M. Margaret
Published: October 2016

Sirenomelia is an uncommon complex congenital anomaly associated with fusion of the lower limbs and abnormalities of the urinary and gastrointestinal tract. Most cases of sirenomelia are not diagnosed in utero due to the complexity of the anomalies coupled with anhydramnios. With a male predominance of approximately 3:1, amniocentesis or noninvasive prenatal screening is the only way to confirm the chromosomes and gender of fetuses diagnosed with sirenomelia in utero. Few cases have been reported surviving past the neonatal period and a majority die in utero.
The Benefits of Peer Review and a Multisemester Capstone Writing Series on Inquiry and Analysis Skills in an Undergraduate Thesis
Authors: Weaver K. F. , Morales V. , Nelson M. , Weaver P. F. , Toledo A. , Godde K.
Published: October 2016

This study examines the relationship between the introduction of a four-course writing-intensive capstone series and improvement in inquiry and analysis skills of biology senior undergraduates. To measure the impact of the multicourse write-to-learn and peer-review pedagogy on student performance, we used a modified Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education rubric for Inquiry and Analysis and Written Communication to score senior research theses from 2006 to 2008 (pretreatment) and 2009 to 2013 (intervention). A Fisher-Freeman-Halton test and a two-sample Student’s t test were used to evaluate individual rubric dimensions and composite rubric scores, respectively, and a randomized complete block design analysis of variance was carried out on composite scores to examine the impact of the intervention across ethnicity, legacy (e.g., first-generation status), and research laboratory. The results show an increase in student performance in rubric scoring categories most closely associated with science literacy and critical-thinking skills, in addition to gains in students’ writing abilities.
Queues with Time-Varying Arrivals and Inspections with Applications to Hospital Discharge Policies
Authors: Chan Carri W. , Dong Jing , Green Linda V.
Published: October 2016

In order for a patient to be discharged from a hospital unit, a physician must first perform a physical examination and review the pertinent medical information to determine that the patient is stable enough to be transferred to a lower level of care or be discharged home. Requiring an inspection of a patient’s “readiness for discharge” introduces an interesting dynamic where patients may occupy a bed longer than medically necessary. Motivated by this phenomenon, we introduce a queueing system with time-varying arrival rates in which servers who have completed service cannot be released until an inspection occurs. We examine how such a dynamic impacts common system measures such as stability, expected number of customers in the system, probability of waiting, and expected waiting time. Leveraging insights from an infinite-server model, we’re able to optimize the timing of inspections and find via theoretical and numerical analysis that (1) optimizing a single inspection time could lead to significant improvements in system performance when the amplitude of the arrival rate function is large, (2) multiple inspections should be uniformly distributed throughout the day, and (3) the marginal improvements of adding additional inspection times is decreasing.
The impact of salicylic acid on some physiological responses of Artemisia aucheri Boiss. under in vitro drought stress
Authors: ABBASPOUR Jalil , EHSANPOUR Aliakbar
Published: October 2016

Salicylic acid (SA) is an important plant regulator which is involved in growth, development, and response to stress. This study was aimed to evaluate some physiological and biochemical responses of Artemisia aucheri Boiss. under drought stress after exogenous SA treatment. Experiment was performed in vitro. Polyethylene glycol (PEG/6000) with 0, 2 and 4 % (w/v) was used in MS medium to simulate drought stress and different concentrations of SA (0, 0.01 and 0.1mM) were added. After four weeks, SA alleviated the negative effects of PEG on dry and fresh mass as well as chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Under drought stress, application of SA decreased storage polysaccharides and increased soluble carbohydrates respectively. Although PEG had no significant effect on flavonoid content, it increased significantly anthocyanin and total phenol content, total antioxidant capacity, PAL (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) and TAL (tyrosine ammonia-lyase) activity and SA treatment improved these parameters significantly. According to the current data, it was concluded that SA increased drought tolerance of Artemisia aucheri by increasing biosynthesis of phenolic compounds, improvement of TAL and PAL activity as well as also by increased content of soluble carbohydrates.
Insecticidal effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles and Beauveria bassiana TS11 on Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood, 1856) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: KHOOSHE-BAST Zahra , Sahebzadeh Najmeh , GHAFFARI-MOGHADDAM Mansour , MIRSHEKAR Ali
Published: October 2016

Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum is a major pest of horticultural and ornamental plants and is usually controlled with insecticides or biological control agents. In the current study, we examined the effects of synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and Beauveria bassiana TS11 on T. vaporariorum adults. ZnO NPs were synthesized by precipitation method. Field emission scanning electron microscope images indicated that ZnO NPs were non-compacted uniformly. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO NPs. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed an intense absorption peak at a range of 434-555 cm-1 related to Zn-O bond. In bioassays, adults were exposed to different concentrations of ZnO NPs (3, 5, 10, 15, 20 mg l-1) and fungi (104, 105, 106, 107, 108 spores ml-1). LC50 values for ZnO NPs and fungi were 7.35 mg l-1and 3.28×105 spores ml-1, respectively. Mortality rates obtained with ZnO NPs and fungi at the highest concentration were 91.6 % and 88.8 %, respectively. The results indicate a positive effect of ZnO NPs and B. bassiana TS11on adults. The current study was conducted under laboratory conditions, therefore, more studies are needed in field.
Agronomic quantitative assessment of substrates based on spents of Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus
Authors: Picornell Buendía Mª Raquel , Pardo Giménez Arturo , De Juan Valero† José Arturo
Published: October 2016

In this work the agronomic viability of substrates based on spents of Agaricus bisporus (J.E.Lange) Imbach) (SAS) and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. (SPS) was studied. In addition to the commercial substrate used as reference, six different treatments were considered. In this experiment, SPS and SAS were mixed in different ratios (from 6,000 g and 0 g, respectively, up to 3,000 g and 3,000 g, respectively). SAS was subjected to a heat treatment in a growing room ("cook out") and then to a maturation treatment which consisted of a controlled recomposting process in growing rooms. SPS was subjected to a pasteurizing heat treatment (60 °C - 65 °C, 8 h) and progressive decrease for at least 15 h to a "spawning" temperature (25 °C).SPS (5,400 g) + SAS (600 g) and SPS (4,800 g) + SAS (1,200 g) were prepared substrates with biological efficiencies (BE) of 35.98 % and 39.68 % respectively, lower than the control (46.18 %) and acceptable yields. The average unit mass of fruiting body harvested was low.
The comparison of organic and inorganic fertilizers influence on selected indicators of turf growth-production process
Authors: Hric Peter , JANČOVIČ Ján , VOZÁR Ľuboš
Published: October 2016

The aim of this experiment was to compare the influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers on selected indicators of turf growth-production process under non–irrigated conditions. The experiment was carried out in warm and dry conditions in the area of Nitra (Slovak Republic). In the experiment were included 5 treatments: 1.Without fertilization, 2. Turf NPK fertilizer 15–3–8 (+3 MgO +0.8 Fe +18 S), 3. Slow release NPK fertilizer 14–5–14 (+4 CaO +4 MgO +7 S), 4. Organic NPK fertilizer 5-1-1 and 5. Organic NPK fertilizer 3-2-1. Determination of the average height of turf, total height of turf and the annual average daily gain of height showed that best treatment was application of slow release fertilizer. Turf fertilized by Organic NPK fertilizer 5-1-1 reached the highest values of the average height of turf, total height of turf and the annual average daily gain of height, the same as treatment without fertilization. These finding were statistically significant. Treatment without fertilization reached the lowest values in evaluated growth-production parameters.
Assessment of morphological and molecular variation in local olive (Olea europaea L.) in the Northern part of Iran
Authors: Nezamivand Chegini Mahnaz , Samizade Lahiji Habibo allah , Ramezani Malekroudi Mohammad , Mohsenzadeh Golfazani Mohammad , Seighalani Ramin
Published: October 2016

Iran is known as one of the origins of olive in the world with many different olive cultivars, mainly in the north. Eighty eight accessions belong to 4 main olive cultivars were investigated by 21 morphological characters and 11 ISSR markers. Analyses of morphological characters revealed the existence of high genetic variability among cultivars. Based on both morphological and ISSR cluster analyses, 88 accessions were grouped in five distinct clusters. The ISSR primers produced 77 polymorphic bands. AMOVA showed significant difference in both between and within olive cultivars. The highest and lowest coefficient of Nei’s genetic distance was observed in ‘Mari’ and ‘Shengeh’ (0.105) and ‘Zard’ and ‘Rowghani’ (0.061), respectively. In both morphological and ISSR data analyses, ‘Mari’ showed the highest homogeneity. The olive cultivars were not clustered based on their geographical origin.
Bioefficacy of some biorational insecticides for the control of Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877, (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on greenhouse grown cucumber
Authors: Emami Mohammad Saeed
Published: October 2016

Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 is a serious pest of cucumber in greenhouse plantings. Biorational insecticides are an alternative of broad spectrum insecticides for aphid suppression in greenhouse. In this regards, the efficiency of some biorational insecticides including soap based on coconut oil, surfactant based on sodium sulfosuccinate and antifeeding based on potassium nicotinate were assayed on A. gossypii in the cucumber greenhouse. The trials were set up in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Samplings were carried out one day before spraying and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after spraying. The data were submitted to ANOVA and the means comparison was performed using Duncan’s test. The results indicated that the highest mortality in insecticidal soap, surfactant and antifeeding treatments occurred after 3 days, with 78.47 %, 67.16 % and 60.48 % mortality, respectively. The results of the trials are discussed in terms of improving management of the populations of A. gossypii.
Presence of nanotechnology in agriculture: bibliometric approach
Authors: Stopar Karmen
Published: October 2016

Increasing number of scientific publications points to quick developments in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Nanotechnology offers potentials of unimaginable proportions. Innovative possibilities present themselves in many areas of human activity, including agriculture, for example in precision farming, reduction of pollution and increasing crop yields. We bibliometrically assessed interactions between nanotechnology and agriculture. With co-word analysis in particular, we examined aspects of agro-nano applications related to plant protection. In order to analyze and map the structure of knowledge, we employed selected terms from a general citation database Web of Science (WOS) as well as specialized bibliographic database CAB Abstracts which covers life sciences with a special emphasis on agriculture. Our thematic maps (visualization) present some principal themes and relations among them. Pesticides, biosensors and detection are the main keywords in the network of words from article titles and network of the KeyWords+. Analysis of controlled terms (descriptors, classification codes) from CAB Abstracts in connection with pesticides shows two important directions of research: pollution and environmental topics, and topics related to human health, experimental animals and related.
EVOLUTIONARY AND ADAPTIVE ROLE OF TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL PLANTS
Authors: Marin Žana , Štajner Nataša
Published: October 2016

Transposable elements (TE) are stretches of DNA that represent the greatest fraction of genomes, especially in plants. Because of their high copy numbers and ability to mobilize through genome, they are able to influence the phenotypic traits and evolution of plants and also plant adaptation to environmental stress. By genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, they change the gene structure, influence gene expression and create new regulatory networks. The fraction of genome that they represent and the influence they have is variable among species; however they were detected in practically every plant genome researched up to date. Deleterious mutations may be caused by their activity which is also another reason why their expression is tightly regulated by the host organism. Gaining knowledge of TE's mechanisms and research development in the future will allow us to use them, for example for crop improvement purposes, resistance development against diseases and pathogens and suppression of invasive species.
The delayed strengthening of synaptic connectivity in the amygdala depends on NMDA receptor activation during acute stress
Authors: Yasmin Farhana , Saxena Kapil , McEwen Bruce S. , Chattarji Sumantra
Published: October 2016

There is growing evidence that stress leads to contrasting patterns of structural plasticity in the hippocampus and amygdala, two brain areas implicated in the cognitive and affective symptoms of stress‐related psychiatric disorders. Acute stress has been shown to trigger a delayed increase in the density of dendritic spines in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of rodents. However, the physiological correlates of this delayed spinogenesis in the BLA remain unexplored. Furthermore, NMDA receptors (NMDARs) have been known to underlie chronic stress‐induced structural plasticity in the hippocampus, but nothing is known about the role of these receptors in the delayed spinogenesis, and its physiological consequences, in the BLA following acute stress. Here, using whole‐cell recordings in rat brain slices, we find that a single exposure to 2‐h immobilization stress enhances the frequency, but not amplitude, of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) recorded from principal neurons in the BLA 10 days later. This was also accompanied by faster use‐dependent block of NMDA receptor currents during repeated stimulation of thalamic inputs to the BLA, which is indicative of higher presynaptic release probability at these inputs 10 days later. Furthermore, targeted in vivo infusion of the NMDAR‐antagonist APV into the BLA during the acute stress prevents the increase in mEPSC frequency and spine density 10 days later. Together, these results identify a role for NMDARs during acute stress in both the physiological and morphological strengthening of synaptic connectivity in the BLA in a delayed fashion. These findings also raise the possibility that activation of NMDA receptors during stress may serve as a common molecular mechanism despite the divergent patterns of plasticity that eventually emerge after stress in the amygdala and hippocampus.
Genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp. in environmental water in Turkey
Authors: Koloren Zeynep , Ayaz Emine
Published: October 2016

This research was undertaken to study the molecular detection and characterization of
Fasciola hepatica infection in humans: overcoming problems for the diagnosis
Authors: Carnevale Silvana , Malandrini Jorge Bruno , Pantano María Laura , Sawicki Mirna , Soria Claudia Cecilia , Kuo Lein Hung , Kamenetzky Laura , Astudillo Osvaldo Germán , Velásquez Jorge Néstor
Published: October 2016

Fascioliasis is a zoonosis actually considered as a foodborne trematode disease priority by the World Health Organization. Our study presents three cases of
Redescription of Rhabdochona papuanensis (Nematoda: Thelazioidea), a parasite of rainbow fishes (Melanotaenia spp.); the first record of the species of Rhabdochona in Australia
Authors: Moravec František , Adlard Robert
Published: October 2016

Numerous specimens of the parasitic nematode
Why Should We Prevent a Global Anglo-American Life-World? A Democratic-Deliberative Answer
Authors: Morales-Gálvez Sergi
Published: October 2016

Should English be promoted as a worldwide lingua franca for justice-related reasons? Philippe Van Parijs answers affirmatively in order to promote global distributive justice. In contrast, I argue that a rapid expansion of English could lead to one undesirable consequence that ought to be prevented: the globalization of an Anglo-American life-world that impoverishes democratic-deliberative debates. Inspired by John Stuart Mill, I will defend the idea that the more dominant the Anglo-American life-world is, the less diversity of life-worlds and, therefore, the less diversity of substantial voices in the global democratic-deliberative process there will be. It might be that more voices could be heard (because of the lingua franca), but with less substantial diversity of opinions. In that sense, the life-worlds (and language as an access key to them) have an instrumental value that enables plurality and better deliberative discussion. For that reason, I contend that there is a pro tanto reason to prevent the expansion of English as a lingua franca.
Linguistic Justice Requires an Artificial Language: a Comment on van Parijs
Authors: Maat Jaap
Published: October 2016

In advocating the use of a global auxiliary language, Van Parijs forms part of a tradition that stretches back to the seventeenth century. However, he differs from this tradition in promoting the use of English rather than an artificial language of some sort. This paper examines the theoretical situation that van Parijs proposes as the most fair, in which English functions worldwide as the preferred auxiliary language and in which certain measures have been taken to counterbalance injustices of three types. I draw attention to injustices of each of these types done to speakers of English in that situation. This leads to the conclusion that proposals to use an artificial language as a global lingua franca that were made in the seventeenth and later centuries have a stronger case than van Parijs has argued.
Linguistic Justice and English as a Lingua Franca from a Minority Perspective
Authors: Csata Zsombor
Published: October 2016

The article is a brief evaluation of the regulatory environment of language use in Transylvania, Romania based on Van Parijs’ conceptual toolkit presented in his 2011 book Linguistic Justice for Europe and for the World. This linguistic regime is a coercive hybrid regulation containing elements stemming from both the categorical regime (personality principle) and territoriality. In municipalities or counties where the official use of minority languages is permitted, it is typically present in a conjunctive manner, but its enforcement is weak and inconsistent. The principle of territorially coercive linguistic subdivision – proposed by Van Parijs as an optimal solution for a greater linguistic justice – is not accommodated in any of the fields of official communication and under present political circumstances it has no further plausibility. A hypothetical alternative for the territorially coercive regime would be the introduction of English as a lingua franca in interethnic communication. We argued that this latter option would be fair only if English could entirely replace the official languages currently in use or it would receive a fully equivalent status at least in those regions where a considerable number of linguistic minorities live.
Natural Gas Consumption Reducing in Aluminum Melting Furnaces by Heat Recovery of Flue
Authors: Bratu Vasile , Gaba Aurel , Stoian Elena Valentina , Anghelina Florina Violeta
Published: October 2016

This article presents different solutions to reduce natural gas consumptions of the aluminum melting furnaces, through recovery of the heat from flue gases. In order to be able to analyze the recovery solutions, a mathematical model for energy balance of these furnaces was adapted. This mathematical model allows drawing up energy balances together with the main working technique and economical parameters of these types of furnaces, in actual conditions, and the same, under optimizing conditions, by applying recovery solutions.

The mathematical model which can elaborate energy balances for aluminum melting furnaces, was transposed in M. Excel based software, where the quantification of different solutions for natural gas consumption saving is possible. One of the applications of this computer software for an aluminum melting furnace, either for actual working conditions or per upgraded furnace by use an air pre-heater, materials pre-heater, or a regenerative burner system, is presented in this article.
Vapour Pressure of Ethanol and 1-Propanol Binary Mixtures
Authors: Talibov Misirkhan , Safarov Javid
Published: October 2016

The vapour pressure of binary mixtures containing ethanol and 1-propanol were investigated at temperatures ranging from 274.15 to 443.15 K using two different setups with static methods. The measured values were fitted to a Clausius-Clapeyron type relationship. The heat of evaporation of mixtures was determined from the vapour-liquid equilibria data.
Group Contribution Method-based Multi-objective Evolutionary Molecular Design
Authors: Dörgő Gyula , Abonyi János
Published: October 2016

The search for compounds exhibiting desired physical and chemical properties is an essential, yet complex problem in the chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries. During the formulation of this optimization-based design problem two tasks must be taken into consideration: the automated generation of feasible molecular structures and the estimation of macroscopic properties based on the resultant structures. For this structural characteristic-based property prediction task numerous methods are available. However, the inverse problem, the design of a chemical compound exhibiting a set of desired properties from a given set of fragments is not so well studied. Since in general design problems molecular structures exhibiting several and sometimes conflicting properties should be optimized, we proposed a methodology based on the modification of the multi-objective Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II). The originally huge chemical search space is conveniently described by the Joback estimation method. The efficiency of the algorithm was enhanced by soft and hard structural constraints, which expedite the search for feasible molecules. These constraints are related to the number of available groups (fragments), the octet rule and the validity of the branches in the molecule. These constraints are also used to introduce a special genetic operator that improves the individuals of the populations to ensure the estimation of the properties is based on only reliable structures. The applicability of the proposed method is tested on several benchmark problems.
Plastic Deformations of Measured Object Surface in Contact with Undeformable Surface of Measuring Tool
Authors: Kowalik Marek , Rucki Mirosław , Paszta Piotr , Gołębski Rafał
Published: October 2016

Measuring errors caused by deformation (flattening) of a measured object appear under the influence of pressure force and weight of the measured object. Plastic strain, arising at the contact of a measured object and an undeformable contact tip of a measuring device, can be calculated by applying the Hertz plastic solution and the hypothesis of plastic strain. In a small area of contact between two bodies pressing against one another with force F, there appears the so-called contact stress. It can sometime reach very high values, exceeding the yield point, even when the contact pressure is relatively small. In the present work, the authors describe a theoretical solution to the problem of plastic strain between two bodies. The derived relationships enable to calculate force F during measurements of a deformable object by means of an instrument with an undeformable, spherical measuring tip. By applying the τmax
hypothesis, a solution was obtained for the force F in an inexplicit form. The theoretical solution was verified with the digital simulation and experimental measurement. With the FEM method, the limit length gage was modeled in interaction with the measured shaft of a diameter d larger than the nominal one of Δl value.
Automatic Parameter Extraction Technique for MOS Structures by C-V Characterization Including the Effects of Interface States
Authors: Ryazantsev D. V. , Grudtsov V. P.
Published: October 2016

An automatic MOS structure parameter extraction algorithm accounting for quantum effects has been developed and applied in the semiconductor device analyzer Agilent B1500A. Parameter extraction is based on matching the experimental C-V data with numerical modeling results. The algorithm is used to extract the parameters of test MOS structures with ultrathin gate dielectrics. The applicability of the algorithm for the determination of distribution function of DOS and finding the donor defect level in silicon is shown.
Energy composition of high-energy neutral beams on the COMPASS tokamak
Authors: Mitosinkova Klara , Stöckel Jan , Varju Jozef , Weinzettl Vladimir
Published: October 2016

The COMPASS tokamak is equipped with two identical neutral beam injectors (NBI) for additional plasma heating. They provide a beam of deuterium atoms with a power of up to ~(2 × 300) kW. We show that the neutral beam is not monoenergetic but contains several energy components. An accurate knowledge of the neutral beam power in each individual energy component is essential for a detailed description of the beam- -plasma interaction and better understanding of the NBI heating processes in the COMPASS tokamak. This paper describes the determination of individual energy components in the neutral beam from intensities of the Doppler-shifted Dα lines, which are measured by a high-resolution spectrometer viewing the neutral beam-line at the exit of NBI. Furthermore, the divergence of beamlets escaping single aperture of the last accelerating grid is deduced from the width of the Doppler-shifted lines. Recently, one of the NBI systems was modified by the removal of the Faraday copper shield from the ion source. The comparison of the beam composition and the beamlet divergence before and after this modification is also presented.
Diagnostics of the plasma parameters based on the K X-ray line positions for various 4d and 4f metals
Authors: Szymańska Ewa , Syrocki Łukasz , Słabkowska Katarzyna , Polasik Marek
Published: October 2016

This paper shows the theoretical predictions of the outer-shell ionization effect on the positions of Kα1,2, Kβ1,3, and K β2 X-ray lines for some 4d-transition metals (molybdenum and palladium) and 4f rare-earth elements (dysprosium and ytterbium). The ionization energy shifts have been evaluated using the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock method, containing Breit interaction and quantum electrodynamic (QED) corrections. The presented results are important for obtaining the information about some parameters of plasma generated by different sources, especially by pulsed power machine and short-pulse lasers.
Modelling of the electric field distribution in the brain during tDCS
Authors: Ashikhmin Alexander V. , Aliev Rubin R.
Published: October 2016

We simulated the electric current distribution in the brain during transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using an anatomically accurate human head model. We estimated an effect of common electrode montages on spatial distribution of the electric field during tDCS procedure and analyzed a sensitivity of the technique to variations of electrode size and orientation. We concluded that the used electrode montages are stable with respect to minor changes in electrode size and position, while an assumption of homogeneity and isotropy of the head model results in crucial changes of the electric field distribution. We determined the electrode montages suited to deliver strong effect on hippocampus and cerebellum.
From chaos to order. Difference equations in one ecological problem
Authors: Kamenev Georgy K. , Lyulyakin Oleg P. , Sarancha Dmitry A. , Lysenko Nikolai A. , Polyanovsky Valery O.
Published: October 2016

In this paper we consider properties of the difference equations (discrete mappings) obtained in the study of the population dynamics of lemmings. A bifurcation scenario is proposed for obtained equations. Certain stability zones appear under this scenario with periods varying in order of natural series and also zones with more complicated modes. The study of transitional zones (‘ordering of the chaos’) is performed with the use of analytic calculations and computational experiments. Numerical analysis of mappings uses the methods of approximation of implicitly specified sets allowing us to construct and visualize sets of ‘resonance’ parameters including the front of the so-called singularity of ‘blue sky’.
Study of solutions of a continuous-discrete model of HIV infection spread
Authors: Pertsev Nikolay V.
Published: October 2016

Equations of a continuous-discrete mathematical model describing the propagation of HIV infection among the population of several regions are presented. The model equations take into account the reproduction and migration of the population, the risk of infection of individuals from different social groups, an impulse change in the number of individuals at discrete time moments under the action of various factors. The results of the study of the model solutions are also presented. We obtain conditions for the model parameters and initial data that provide the existence of solutions interpreted as full eradication of HIV infection in all considered regions or maintenance of sizes of groups of infected individuals at some acceptable level. The solutions analysis uses the monotone operators method and properties of nonsingular M-matrices.