bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Os planos de historicidade na interpretação do Brasil de Sérgio Buarque de Holanda
Authors: Nicodemo Thiago Lima
Published: March 2015

Este artigo tem como objetivo a identificação dos mecanismos temporais fundamentais subjacentes à interpretação do Brasil na obra de Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, concentrando-se em seus textos publicados ao longo de uma década – da segunda edição de Raízes do Brasil (1948) a Visão do Paraíso (1958), incluindo Caminhos e Fronteiras (1957) e o manuscrito póstumo, produzido na primeira metade da década de 1950, Capítulos de Literatura Colonial. Procuro mostrar a relação entre o processo de especialização e profissionalização do autor como historiador, ocorrido em fase posterior à publicação de Raízes do Brasil (1936), e o desenvolvimento de um mecanismo de rearticulação do tempo histórico. Este mecanismo não é apenas relacionado com a articulação em protenção e retenção de passado e futuro, mas é disposto em um esquema de natureza analógica ou figural. O resultado disto é uma combinação entre um horizonte técnico historiográfico e um horizonte político que dá contornos peculiares à interpretação do Brasil de Sérgio Buarque de Holanda.
Ponte della Musica: a landmark bridge in Rome
Authors: Liaghat Davood
Published: March 2015

Ponte della Musica is a shallow arch bridge for pedestrians/cyclists, and designed for future tram use, crossing the River Tiber in Rome in a single span. The project was instigated by an international design competition in 2000 and was opened to the public in May 2011. The bridge is almost 190 m long, and at 20 m wide is one of the widest pedestrian bridges ever built. It is an elegant structure using the highest quality of materials, all of which are typical of Rome and have been sourced locally. Its innovative design uses the springing points of the arch to provide stairs for public access from below the bridge. At a cost of €10⋅5 million it provided excellent value for money for a publicly funded bridge. The low cost was achieved by an efficient design concept, as well as value engineering to reduce the quantity of steel. This paper presents the extraordinary story of this landmark bridge from the competition stage to construction and addresses the creative design process, European collaboration, planning and conceptual design in an urban environment, and discusses the many technical challenges including dynamic analysis, lateral torsional buckling of the long spanning arches and unique foundation solutions.
Eficácia luteolítica dos produtos Preloban® ou Croniben® em novilhas holandesas
Authors: Melo Alfredo José Ferreira , Poncio Vinicius Antônio Pelissari , Mucci Fernanda Lucci , Peres Afonso Aurélio Carvalho , Oliveira Claudio Alvarenga de , Alvarez Rafael Herrera
Published: March 2015

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação intramuscular de dois diferentes produtos comerciais à base de d-cloprostenol sódico (Preloban® ou Croniprest®) na regressão luteínica de novilhas Holandesas. Em dia aleatório do ciclo estral, 36 novilhas foram sincronizados com tratamento de estradiol-progestágeno-PG-estradiol. Doze dias após a retirada do progestágeno, as novilhas foram divididas aleatoriamente em 3 grupos de 12 animais. Os grupos 1 e 2 receberam o equivalente a 150 µg de d-cloprostenol dos produtos Croniben® ou Preloban®, enquanto o grupo 3 recebeu 2 mL de solução salina. Nos cinco dias seguintes, o cio foi detectado com auxilio de um dispositivo marcador (Estrotec®) e as novilhas que manifestaram cio foram inseminadas. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas nos períodos de 0, 24, 48 e 72 horas após a injeção do d-cloprostenol para dosagem da progesterona plasmática realizada pela técnica de radioimunoensaio. O diagnóstico de prenhez foi realizado por ultrassonografia 40 dias após a inseminação. O intervalo entre a injeção de Croniben® ou Preloban® e a manifestação do cio foi de 68,4 ±4,4 e 63,3 ± 4,6 horas, respectivamente (P>0,05). A distribuição do cio no período de 36 a 108 horas. Com exceção de duas novilhas, todos os animais apresentaram luteólise completa. A taxa de concepção foi de 50,0% e 54,5% para os tratamentos Preloban® e Croniben®, respectivamente (P>0,05). Conclui-se que os produtos Preloban® e Croniben® possuem eficiência semelhante para induzir luteólise e cio fértil em novilhas Holandesas, podendo o produtor optar por qualquer um deles, sem risco de comprometer o desempenho reprodutivo.
Sericicultura no estado de São Paulo
Authors: Porto Antonio José
Published: March 2015

A trajetória da sericicultura no estado de São Paulo, desde o final do século XIX até os tempos atuais, foi descrita e analisada neste trabalho, enfocando os principais aspectos políticos, econômicos, sociais e geográficos que determinaram sua ascensão e queda como atividade produtiva. Os avanços no campo da pesquisa e tecnologia também foram apresentados, assim como as instituições responsáveis e os nomes dos principais envolvidos e suas contribuições. Por último, avaliou-se a situação atual da atividade sericícola no estado e as perspectivas futuras frente às novas oportunidades que ainda não foram exploradas envolvendo o bicho-da-seda e a amoreira.
Different nutritional recommendations for broilers: performance and economic analysis
Authors: Caniatto Amanda Raquel de Miranda , Gameiro Augusto Hauber , Pacheco Bruna Helena Carvalho , Natori Mariane Miyoko , Caetano Vinicius Camargo , Faria Douglas Emygdio de
Published: March 2015

The objective of this research was to compare the effect of different nutritional recommendations on the performance and economics of the production of broiler chickens. A total of 1,200 Cobb-500 line male broilers were placed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and 10 replicates, with 30 animals each. The diets in each treatment were as follows: 1. COBB-VANTRESS (2009); 2. Commercial feed; 3. Rostagno et al. (2005); and 4. Rostagno et al. (2011). The following performance traits were evaluated: feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), body weight (BW), feed conversion (FC) and productive efficiency index (PEI). The experiment ran while chickens were 1 to 21 and 1 to 42 days old. For the economic analysis, the diet cost and live weight price were considered when calculating the average cost of the diet (ADC) and the gross trading margin (TM). Analysis of variance was used to evaluate ADC and TM performance traits; diets means were compared with Tukey€™s test. In the 1 to 21 day period, there was a higher FI and less efficient FC with diet 1 and more efficient PEI with diet 4. During the 1 to 42 day period, diets 1, 3 and 4 had the highest BW, WG and PEI. TM and ADC show similar results, i.e., commercial feed being less attractive to producers. For the entire experimental period, the nutritional recommendations of COBB-VANTRESS (2009), Rostagno et al. (2005) and Rostagno et al. (2011) had the highest productive and economic performance for broiler production.
Correlações entre medidas corporais e caracteristicas das carcaças de tourinhos Nelore terminados em confinamento
Authors: Rosa Bruna Laurindo , Sampaio Alexandre Amstalden Moraes , Oliveira Emanuel Almeida de , Henrique Wignez , Pivaro Thiago Martins , Andrade Antônio Tadeu de , Fernandes Alexandre Rodrigo Mendes , Mota Diego Azevedo
Published: March 2015

Neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar correlações de Pearson entre medidas corporais, características produtivas e das carcaças de 35 tourinhos da raça Nelore, confinados por 96 dias, com 402±14,90 kg e 18 meses de idade. Foram efetuadas pesagens, tomadas de imagens ultrassônicas e 14 mensurações no início de cada período experimental e antes do abate, totalizando quatro avaliações de peso, de imagens ultrassônicas e de medições por animal. Para a avaliação das medidas corporais e das imagens ultrassônicas com as características de carcaça foram considerados os valores da última medição. As imagens foram feitas juntamente com a pesagem dos animais e as medidas obtidas com fita métrica e bengala zoométrica, sendo essas correlacionadas entre si e com as características produtivas e da carcaça. Nas medições de área de olho de lombo com ultrassom, foram encontradas associações positivas com comprimento de corpo (0,32), de garupa (0,36) e de coxa (0,20); altura da cernelha (0,20) e contorno pelviano (0,38) (P<0,05). As variáveis alturas da garupa e do tórax, larguras de peito e de ísquios, e perímetro torácico apresentaram correlações positivas com duas ou mais características produtivas de interesse econômico, como peso ao abate, peso de carcaça quente e rendimento de carcaça (P<0,05). Correlações significativas foram encontradas para grande parte das variáveis estudadas. Medidas corporais lineares, como as de comprimento e altura surgem como uma ferramenta que pode vir a auxiliar na formação de lotes mais homogêneos e na predição do ponto de abate, juntamente com o peso dos animais.
Mycorrhizal co‐invasion and novel interactions depend on neighborhood context
Authors: Moeller Holly V. , Dickie Ian A. , Peltzer Duane A. , Fukami Tadashi
Published: March 2015

Biological invasions are a rapidly increasing driver of global change, yet fundamental gaps remain in our understanding of the factors determining the success or extent of invasions. For example, although most woody plant species depend on belowground mutualists such as mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen‐fixing bacteria, the relative importance of these mutualisms in conferring invasion success is unresolved. Here, we describe how neighborhood context (identity of nearby tree species) affects the formation of belowground ectomycorrhizal partnerships between fungi and seedlings of a widespread invasive tree species, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas‐fir), in New Zealand. We found that the formation of mycorrhizal partnerships, the composition of the fungal species involved in these partnerships, and the origin of the fungi (co‐invading or native to New Zealand) all depend on neighborhood context. Our data suggest that nearby ectomycorrhizal host trees act as both a reservoir of fungal inoculum and a carbon source for late‐successional and native fungi. By facilitating mycorrhization of P. menziesii seedlings, adult trees may alleviate mycorrhizal limitation at the P. menziesii invasion front. These results highlight the importance of studying biological invasions across multiple ecological settings to understand establishment success and invasion speed.
Experimental investigation of heat transfer in three phase fluidized bed cooling column
Authors: Arsenijevic Zorana , Kaludjerovic-Radoicic Tatjana , Djuris Mihal , Grbavcic Zeljko
Published: March 2015

In this study, a three-phase (gas-liquid-solid) fluidized bed was used to
study the heat transfer characteristics of the system. The system consisted
of low density (290 kg/m3) spherical particles of the diameter of 2 cm in
0.25 m cylindrical column with the countercurrent flow of water and air. The
experimental investigation and mathematical modeling of heat transfer between
the hot air and the cooling water was carried out. The experiments were
conducted for the variety of different fluid flow rates and inlet air
temperatures, while the air flow rate was kept constant. Based on the
obtained experimental results a new correlation for heat transfer in
three-phase fluidized system was proposed. The mean percentage error between
the experimental and the correlated values of the jHp obtained was 1.69%. The
hydrodynamic parameters of the system were also calculated according to the
available literature correlations.
Quality of fermented whey beverage with milk
Authors: Rakin Marica , Bulatovic Maja , Zaric Danica , Stamenkovic-Djokovic Marijana , Krunic Tanja , Boric Milka , Vukasinovic-Sekulic Maja
Published: March 2015

One of the most economical ways of whey processing is the production of
beverages, that represents a single process that exploits all the potential
of whey as a raw material. Functional and sensory characteristics of whey
based beverages are a criterion that is crucial to the marketing of products
and win over consumers. The aim of this study was to determine nutritional
and functional characteristics of fermented whey beverage with milk and
commercial ABY-6 culture. The results showed that the applied starter culture
can be used for the production of fermented whey based beverage with
satisfactory nutritional properties. Addition of milk was important not only
in the nutritional quality of the resulting product, but also improved the
taste, the homogeneity and stability. Analysis of the chemical composition of
fermented whey based beverage and nutritional information about it indicates
that the product is a good source of protein and calcium. Fermented beverage
contained 8.07 log (CFU/mL), showed antioxidant activity of at least 38.1%
and the titratable acidity of 28.2?SH corresponding to the acidity of the
product in this category.
Hydrophobic silica nanoparticles as reinforcing filler for poly (lactic acid) polymer matrix
Authors: Pilic Branka , Radusin Tanja , Ristic Ivan , Silvestre Clara , Lazic Vera , Balos Sebastian , Duraccio Donatella
Published: March 2015

Properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and its nanocomposites, with silica
nanoparticles (SiO2), as filler were investigated. Neat PLA films and PLA
films with different percentage of hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles
(0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 wt. %) were prepared by solution casting method.
Several tools were used to characterize the influence of different silica
content on crystalline behavior, and thermal, mechanical and barrier
properties of PLA/SiO2 nanocomposites. Results from scanning electron
microscope (SEM) showed that the nanocomposite preparation and selection of
specific hydrophobic spherical nano filler provide a good dispersion of the
silica nanoparticles in the PLA matrix. Addition of silica nanoparticles
improved mechanical properties, the most significant improvement being
observed for lowest silica content (0.2wt.%). Barrier properties were
improved for all measured gases at all loadings of silica nanoparticles. The
degree of crystallinity for PLA slightly increased by adding 0.2 and 0.5 wt.
% of nano filler.
Influence of activation protocol on perceived pain during rapid maxillary expansion
Authors: Baldini Alberto , Nota Alessandro , Santariello Claudia , Assi Valentina , Ballanti Fabiana , Cozza Paola
Published: March 2015

Objective: 

To investigate the influence of two different activation protocols on the timing and intensity of pain during rapid maxillary expansion (RME).

Materials and Methods: 

A total of 112 prepubertal patients (54 males and 58 females, mean age 11.00 ± 1.80 years) with constricted maxillary arches underwent RME with two different activation protocols (group 1: one activation/day; group 2: two activations/day). Patients were provided with a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Faces Pain Scale (FPS) to correctly assess their daily pain.

Results: 

Subjects treated with RME at two activations/day reported statistically significantly greater amounts of pain than subjects treated with RME at one activation/day. Differences related to gender and skeletal maturity were found.

Conclusion: 

The choice of activation protocol influences the perceived pain during RME, and less daily expansion is correlated to less pain. Pain reported during RME could be influenced by skeletal maturity and gender of the subjects under treatment.
Inhibition of PAI-1 Via PAI-039 Improves Dermal Wound Closure in Diabetes
Authors: Rebalka Irena A. , Raleigh Matthew J. , D’Souza Donna M. , Coleman Samantha K. , Rebalka Alexandra N. , Hawke Thomas J.
Published: March 2015

Diabetes impairs the ability to heal cutaneous wounds, leading to hospitalization, amputations, and death. Patients with diabetes experience elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), regardless of their glycemic control. It has been demonstrated that PAI-1–deficient mice exhibit improved cutaneous wound healing, and that PAI-1 inhibition improves skeletal muscle repair in mice with type 1 diabetes mellitus, leading us to hypothesize that pharmacologically mediated reductions in PAI-1 using PAI-039 would normalize cutaneous wound healing in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic (STZ-diabetic) mice. To simulate the human condition of variations in wound care, wounds were aggravated or minimally handled postinjury. Following cutaneous injury, PAI-039 was orally administered twice daily for 10 days. Compared with nondiabetic mice, wounds in STZ-diabetic mice healed more slowly. Wound site aggravation exacerbated this deficit. PAI-1 inhibition had no effect on dermal collagen levels or wound bed size. PAI-039 treatment failed to improve angiogenesis in the wounds of STZ-diabetic mice and blunted angiogenesis in the wounds of nondiabetic mice. Importantly, PAI-039 treatment significantly improved epidermal cellular migration and wound re-epithelialization compared with vehicle-treated STZ-diabetic mice. These findings support the use of PAI-039 as a novel therapeutic agent to improve diabetic wound closure and demonstrate the primary mechanism of its action to be related to epidermal closure.
On the climate–geometry imbalance, response time and volume–area scaling of an alpine glacier: insights from a 3-D flow model applied to Vadret da Morteratsch, Switzerland
Authors: Zekollari H. , Huybrechts P.
Published: March 2015

A two-dimensional surface mass-balance model is coupled to a three-dimensional higher-order ice flow model to assess the imbalance between climate and glacier geometry for the Morteratsch (Engadine, Switzerland) glacier complex. The climate–geometry imbalance has never been larger than at present, indicating that the temperature increase is faster than the geometry is able to adapt to. We derive response times from transient and steady-state geometries and find that the volume response time is correlated to the magnitude of the mass-balance forcing. It varies between 22 and 43 years, while the length response time is between 47 and 55 years. Subsequently, the modelled response times are compared with different analytical methods from the literature. The effect of a climatic perturbation on the response time, which produces a spatially distributed mass-balance forcing, is also examined. We investigate the effect of glacier size on the response time and project that the response time will decrease in the future due to a surface steepening. Finally, volume–area scaling methods with different parameters are tested and an alternative method is proposed that takes into account the surface slope. The effect of a transient state on the method is also evaluated.
Röthlisberger channels with finite ice depth and open channel flow
Authors: Evatt Geoffrey W.
Published: March 2015

The theoretical basis of subglacial channel dynamics can be traced back to the work of Röthlisberger (1972) and Nye (1953). Röthlisberger (1972) considered the channels’ behaviour to be governed by a mix between water friction melting back the channel walls and the viscous closure of the surrounding ice; Nye (1953) derived a viscous closure rate for the ice. While their modelling is evidently well constructed, two aspects of their work have gone undeveloped. The first is the consideration of a finite glacier depth within the viscous closure law, instead of the assumption of an infinite glacier depth. The second is the allowance of a region of open channel flow, so that a channel’s water may transition from a region of closed channel flow to one where the water is exposed to the atmosphere. This paper helps close these two gaps, showing how Nye’s equation for the rate of ice closure can be modified, and how the point of transition between closed and open channel flow may be determined.
Harry R. Moody and Jennifer R. Sasser (2012). Aging: Concepts and Controversies (7th edition). Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington, DC: Sage Publications, 576 pp. ISBN 978 1 4522 0309 6 (paperback)
Authors: Klimczuk Andrzej
Published: March 2015

This book is an unconventional introduction to basic gerontological issues. It is authored by Harry R. Moody and Jennifer R. Sasser, who are developing a theory of critical gerontology. Moody is well known for, among other things, his work with older adult education. He also recently retired as Vice President and Director of Academic Affairs for AARP in Washington, DC. In the seventh edition of Aging: Concepts and Controversies, he extended opportunity to work on the book as a co-author to Sasser, who works as a Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Human Sciences at Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon.
Comparing Security Notions of Secret Sharing Schemes
Authors: Dai Songsong , Guo Donghui
Published: March 2015

Different security notions of secret sharing schemes have been proposed by different information measures. Entropies, such as Shannon entropy and min entropy, are frequently used in the setting security notions for secret sharing schemes. Different to the entropies, Kolmogorov complexity was also defined and used in study the security of individual instances for secret sharing schemes. This paper is concerned with these security notions for secret sharing schemes defined by the variational measures, including Shannon entropy, guessing probability, min entropy and Kolmogorov complexity.
MiR-25 Protects Cardiomyocytes against Oxidative Damage by Targeting the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter
Authors: Pan Lei , Huang Bi-Jun , Ma Xiu-E , Wang Shi-Yi , Feng Jing , Lv Fei , Liu Yuan , Liu Yi , Li Chang-Ming , Liang Dan-Dan , Li Jun , Xu Liang , Chen Yi-Han
Published: March 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs, whose expression levels vary in different cell types and tissues. Emerging evidence indicates that tissue-specific and -enriched miRNAs are closely associated with cellular development and stress responses in their tissues. MiR-25 has been documented to be abundant in cardiomyocytes, but its function in the heart remains unknown. Here, we report that miR-25 can protect cardiomyocytes against oxidative damage by down-regulating mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). MiR-25 was markedly elevated in response to oxidative stimulation in cardiomyocytes. Further overexpression of miR-25 protected cardiomyocytes against oxidative damage by inactivating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. MCU was identified as a potential target of miR-25 by bioinformatical analysis. MCU mRNA level was reversely correlated with miR-25 under the exposure of H2O2, and MCU protein level was largely decreased by miR-25 overexpression. The luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-25 bound directly to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of MCU mRNA. MiR-25 significantly decreased H2O2-induced elevation of mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration, which is likely to be the result of decreased activity of MCU. We conclude that miR-25 targets MCU to protect cardiomyocytes against oxidative damages. This finding provides novel insights into the involvement of miRNAs in oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes.
Exploring the Secrets of Long Noncoding RNAs
Authors: Quan Mingyang , Chen Jinhui , Zhang Deqiang
Published: March 2015

High-throughput sequencing has revealed that the majority of RNAs have no capacity to encode protein. Among these non-coding transcripts, recent work has focused on the roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) of >200 nucleotides. Although many of their attributes, such as patterns of expression, remain largely unknown, lncRNAs have key functions in transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic gene regulation; Also, new work indicates their functions in scaffolding ribonuclear protein complexes. In plants, genome-wide identification of lncRNAs has been conducted in several species, including Zea mays, and recent research showed that lncRNAs regulate flowering time in the photoperiod pathway, and function in nodulation. In this review, we discuss the basic mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate key cellular processes, using the large body of knowledge on animal and yeast lncRNAs to illustrate the significance of emerging work on lncRNAs in plants.
Mapping Vegetation Morphology Types in Southern Africa Savanna Using MODIS Time-Series Metrics: A Case Study of Central Kalahari, Botswana
Authors: Mishra Niti , Crews Kelley , Miller Jennifer , Meyer Thoralf
Published: March 2015

Savanna ecosystems are geographically extensive and both ecologically and economically important; they therefore require monitoring over large spatial extents. There are, in particular, large areas within southern Africa savanna ecosystems that lack consistent geospatial data on vegetation morphological properties, which is a prerequisite for biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of ecological resources. Given the challenges involved in distinguishing and mapping savanna vegetation assemblages using remote sensing, the objective of this study was to develop a vegetation morphology map for the largest protected area in Africa, the central Kalahari. Six vegetation morphology classes were developed and sample training/validation pixels were selected for each class by analyzing extensive in situ data on vegetation structural and functional properties, in combination with existing ancillary data and coarse scale land cover products. The classification feature set consisted of annual and intra annual matrices derived from 14 years of satellite-derived vegetation indices images, and final classification was achieved using an ensemble tree based classifier. All vegetation morphology classes were mapped with high accuracy and the overall classification accuracy was 91.9%. Besides filling the geospatial data gap for the central Kalahari area, this vegetation morphology map is expected to serve as a critical input to ecological studies focusing on habitat use by wildlife and the efficacy of game fencing, as well as contributing to sustainable ecosystem management in the central Kalahari.
Polypropylene Biocomposites with Boron Nitride and Nanohydroxyapatite Reinforcements
Authors: Chan Kai , Wong Hoi , Yeung Kelvin , Tjong Sie
Published: March 2015

In this study, we develop binary polypropylene (PP) composites with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoplatelets and ternary hybrids reinforced with hBN and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA). Filler hybridization is a sound approach to make novel nanocomposites with useful biological and mechanical properties. Tensile test, osteoblastic cell culture and dimethyl thiazolyl diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay were employed to investigate the mechanical performance, bioactivity and biocompatibility of binary PP/hBN and ternary PP/hBN-nHA composites. The purpose is to prepare biocomposite nanomaterials with good mechanical properties and biocompatibility for replacing conventional polymer composites reinforced with large hydroxyapatite microparticles at a high loading of 40 vol%. Tensile test reveals that the elastic modulus of PP composites increases, while tensile elongation decreases with increasing hBN content. Hybridization of hBN with nHA further enhances elastic modulus of PP. The cell culture and MTT assay show that osteoblastic cells attach and proliferate on binary PP/hBN and ternary PP/hBN-20%nHA nanocomposites.
The Road not Taken: Less Traveled Roads from the TGN to the Plasma Membrane
Authors: Spang Anne
Published: March 2015

The trans-Golgi network functions in the distribution of cargo into different transport vesicles that are destined to endosomes, lysosomes and the plasma membrane. Over the years, it has become clear that more than one transport pathway promotes plasma membrane localization of proteins. In spite of the importance of temporal and spatial control of protein localization at the plasma membrane, the regulation of sorting into and the formation of different transport containers are still poorly understood. In this review different transport pathways, with a special emphasis on exomer-dependent transport, and concepts of regulation and sorting at the TGN are discussed.
In Silico Determination of Gas Permeabilities by Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics: CO2 and He through PIM-1
Authors: Frentrup Hendrik , Hart Kyle , Colina Coray , Müller Erich
Published: March 2015

We study the permeation dynamics of helium and carbon dioxide through an atomistically detailed model of a polymer of intrinsic microporosity, PIM-1, via non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations. This work presents the first explicit molecular modeling of gas permeation through a high free-volume polymer sample, and it demonstrates how permeability and solubility can be obtained coherently from a single simulation. Solubilities in particular can be obtained to a very high degree of confidence and within experimental inaccuracies. Furthermore, the simulations make it possible to obtain very specific information on the diffusion dynamics of penetrant molecules and yield detailed maps of gas occupancy, which are akin to a digital tomographic scan of the polymer network. In addition to determining permeability and solubility directly from NEMD simulations, the results shed light on the permeation mechanism of the penetrant gases, suggesting that the relative openness of the microporous topology promotes the anomalous diffusion of penetrant gases, which entails a deviation from the pore hopping mechanism usually observed in gas diffusion in polymers.
Wetting by Liquid Metals—Application in Materials Processing: The Contribution of the Grenoble Group
Authors: Eustathopoulos Nicolas
Published: March 2015

The wettability of ceramics by liquid metals is discussed from both the fundamental point of view and the point of view of applications. The role of interfacial reactions (simple dissolution of the solid in the liquid or formation of a layer of a new compound) is illustrated and analysed. Several results are presented in order to illustrate the role of wettability in materials processing, namely infiltration processing, joining dissimilar materials by brazing and selecting crucibles for crystallising liquid metals and semiconductors. The review includes results obtained during the last 15 years mainly, but not only, by the Grenoble group.
Letter to Veugelers, P.J. and Ekwaru, J.P., A Statistical Error in the Estimation of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for Vitamin D. Nutrients 2014, 6, 4472–4475; doi:10.3390/nu6104472
Authors: Heaney Robert , Garland Cedric , Baggerly Carole , French Christine , Gorham Edward
Published: March 2015

Recently Veugelers and Ekwaru published data [1] indicating that, in its dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) had made a serious calculation error [2]. Using the same data set as had the IOM panel, these investigators showed that the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D had been underestimated by an order of magnitude. Veugelers and Ekwaru, using the IOM’s data, calculated an RDA of 8895 IU per day. They noted that there was some uncertainty in that estimate, inasmuch as this value required an extrapolation from the available data, which did not include individuals receiving daily vitamin D inputs above 2400 IU/day.[...]
Vitamin A Intake, Serum Vitamin D and Bone Mineral Density: Analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008–2011)
Authors: Joo Nam-Seok , Yang Sung-Won , Song Byeng , Yeum Kyung-Jin
Published: March 2015

The association of high vitamin A intake and low bone mineral density (BMD) is still controversial. To determine the association of dietary vitamin A intake and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration with BMD, a total of 6481 subjects (2907 men and 3574 women) aged ≥50 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2011) were divided into groups according to dietary vitamin A intake (tertiles) and serum 25(OH)D (<50, 50–75, >75 nmol/L), and evaluated for BMD after adjusting for relevant variables. Mean dietary vitamin A intakes were 737 and 600 μg RE (Retinol Equivalents) in men and women, respectively. Total hip and femoral neck BMD in men and lumbar spine BMD in women were both positively correlated with dietary vitamin A intake in subjects with serum 25(OH)D >75 nmol/L. Among men with serum 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L, both the top (mean 1353 μg RE) and bottom (mean 218 μg RE) tertiles of dietary vitamin A intake had lower BMD than the middle group (mean 577 μg RE). In this population, BMD was the highest among men and women with serum 25(OH)D = 50–75 nmol/L and that there were no differences in BMD by vitamin A intake in these vitamin D adequate groups. This cross-sectional study indicates that vitamin A intake does not affect bone mineral density as long as the serum 25(OH)D concentration is maintained in the moderate level of 50–75 nmol/L.
An Application of Screw Theory to the Jerk Analysis of a Two-Degrees-of-Freedom Parallel Wrist
Authors: Gallardo-Alvarado Jaime , Rodríguez-Castro Ramón , Caudillo-Ramírez Martín , Pérez-González Luciano
Published: March 2015

In this work the velocity, acceleration, and jerk analyses of a two-degrees-of-freedom parallel wrist are approached by means of the theory of screws. For the sake of completeness, the finite kinematics of the manipulator is also investigated. As far as the authors are aware, the equation of jerk in screw form of the robot at hand is introduced by the first time in this contribution. In order to exemplify the method, a case study is included. The numerical example is verified with the aid of commercially available software.
Gradient-Based Assessment of Habitat Quality for Spectral Ecosystem Monitoring
Authors: Neumann Carsten , Weiss Gabriele , Schmidtlein Sebastian , Itzerott Sibylle , Lausch Angela , Doktor Daniel , Brell Maximilian
Published: March 2015

The monitoring of ecosystems alterations has become a crucial task in order to develop valuable habitats for rare and threatened species. The information extracted from hyperspectral remote sensing data enables the generation of highly spatially resolved analyses of such species’ habitats. In our study we combine information from a species ordination with hyperspectral reflectance signatures to predict occurrence probabilities for Natura 2000 habitat types and their conservation status. We examine how accurate habitat types and habitat threat, expressed by pressure indicators, can be described in an ordination space using spatial correlation functions from the geostatistic approach. We modeled habitat quality assessment parameters using floristic gradients derived by non-metric multidimensional scaling on the basis of 58 field plots. In the resulting ordination space, the variance structure of habitat types and pressure indicators could be explained by 69% up to 95% with fitted variogram models with a correlation to terrestrial mapping of >0.8. Models could be used to predict habitat type probability, habitat transition, and pressure indicators continuously over the whole ordination space. Finally, partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to relate spectral information from AISA DUAL imagery to floristic pattern and related habitat quality. In general, spectral transferability is supported by strong correlation to ordination axes scores (R2 = 0.79–0.85), whereas second axis of dry heaths (R2 = 0.13) and first axis for pioneer grasslands (R2 = 0.49) are more difficult to describe.
DCPVP: Distributed Clustering Protocol Using Voting and Priority for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Hematkhah Hooman , Kavian Yousef
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a new clustering protocol for designing energy-efficient hierarchical wireless sensor networks (WSNs) by dividing the distributed sensor network into virtual sensor groups to satisfy the scalability and prolong the network lifetime in large-scale applications. The proposed approach is a distributed clustering protocol called DCPVP, which is based on voting and priority ideas. In the DCPVP protocol, the size of clusters is based on the distance of nodes from the data link such as base station (BS) and the local node density. The cluster heads are elected based on the mean distance from neighbors, remaining energy and the times of being elected as cluster head. The performance of the DCPVP protocol is compared with some well-known clustering protocols in literature such as the LEACH, HEED, WCA, GCMRA and TCAC protocols. The simulation results confirm that the prioritizing- and voting-based election ideas decrease the construction time and the energy consumption of clustering progress in sensor networks and consequently improve the lifetime of networks with limited resources and battery powered nodes in harsh and inaccessible environments.
Tightly Coupled Integration of Ionosphere-Constrained Precise Point Positioning and Inertial Navigation Systems
Authors: Gao Zhouzheng , Zhang Hongping , Ge Maorong , Niu Xiaoji , Shen Wenbin , Wickert Jens , Schuh Harald
Published: March 2015

The continuity and reliability of precise GNSS positioning can be seriously limited by severe user observation environments. The Inertial Navigation System (INS) can overcome such drawbacks, but its performance is clearly restricted by INS sensor errors over time. Accordingly, the tightly coupled integration of GPS and INS can overcome the disadvantages of each individual system and together form a new navigation system with a higher accuracy, reliability and availability. Recently, ionosphere-constrained (IC) precise point positioning (PPP) utilizing raw GPS observations was proven able to improve both the convergence and positioning accuracy of the conventional PPP using ionosphere-free combined observations (LC-PPP). In this paper, a new mode of tightly coupled integration, in which the IC-PPP instead of LC-PPP is employed, is implemented to further improve the performance of the coupled system. We present the detailed mathematical model and the related algorithm of the new integration of IC-PPP and INS. To evaluate the performance of the new tightly coupled integration, data of both airborne and vehicle experiments with a geodetic GPS receiver and tactical grade inertial measurement unit are processed and the results are analyzed. The statistics show that the new approach can further improve the positioning accuracy compared with both IC-PPP and the tightly coupled integration of the conventional PPP and INS.
Study of the Interaction of Trastuzumab and SKOV3 Epithelial Cancer Cells Using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensor
Authors: Elmlund Louise , Käck Camilla , Aastrup Teodor , Nicholls Ian
Published: March 2015

Analytical methods founded upon whole cell-based assays are of importance in early stage drug development and in fundamental studies of biomolecular recognition. Here we have studied the binding of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) on human ovary adenocarcinoma epithelial cancer cells (SKOV3) using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technology. An optimized procedure for immobilizing the cells on the chip surface was established with respect to fixation procedure and seeding density. Trastuzumab binding to the cell decorated sensor surface was studied, revealing a mean dissociation constant, KD, value of 7 ± 1 nM (standard error of the mean). This study provides a new perspective on the affinity of the antibody-receptor complex presented a more natural context compared to purified receptors. These results demonstrate the potential for using whole cell-based QCM assay in drug development, the screening of HER2 selective antibody-based drug candidates, and for the study of biomolecular recognition. This real time, label free approach for studying interactions with target receptors present in their natural environment afforded sensitive and detailed kinetic information about the binding of the analyte to the target.
An Evaluation of Skylight Polarization Patterns for Navigation
Authors: Ma Tao , Hu Xiaoping , Zhang Lilian , Lian Junxiang , He Xiaofeng , Wang Yujie , Xian Zhiwen
Published: March 2015

Skylight polarization provides a significant navigation cue for certain polarization-sensitive animals. However, the precision of the angle of polarization (AOP) of skylight for vehicle orientation is not clear. An evaluation of AOP must be performed before it is utilized. This paper reports an evaluation of AOP of skylight by measuring the skylight polarization patterns of clear and cloudy skies using a full-sky imaging polarimetry system. AOP measurements of skylight are compared with the pattern calculated by the single-scattering Rayleigh model and these differences are quantified. The relationship between the degree of polarization (DOP) and the deviation of AOP of skylight is thoroughly studied. Based on these, a solar meridian extracted method is presented. The results of experiments reveal that the DOP is a key parameter to indicate the accuracy of AOP measurements, and all the output solar meridian orientations extracted by our method in both clear and cloudy skies can achieve a high accuracy for vehicle orientation.
The Effect of Cyanobacterial Biomass Enrichment by Centrifugation and GF/C Filtration on Subsequent Microcystin Measurement
Authors: Rogers Shelley , Puddick Jonathan , Wood Susanna , Dietrich Daniel , Hamilton David , Prinsep Michele
Published: March 2015

Microcystins are cyclic peptides produced by multiple cyanobacterial genera. After accumulation in the liver of animals they inhibit eukaryotic serine/threonine protein phosphatases, causing liver disease or death. Accurate detection/quantification of microcystins is essential to ensure safe water resources and to enable research on this toxin. Previous methodological comparisons have focused on detection and extraction techniques, but have not investigated the commonly used biomass enrichment steps. These enrichment steps could modulate toxin production as recent studies have demonstrated that high cyanobacterial cell densities cause increased microcystin levels. In this study, three microcystin-producing strains were processed using no cell enrichment steps (by direct freezing at three temperatures) and with biomass enrichment (by centrifugation or GF/C filtration). After extraction, microcystins were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. All processing methods tested, except GF/C filtration, resulted in comparable microcystin quotas for all strains. The low yields observed for the filtration samples were caused by adsorption of arginine-containing microcystins to the GF/C filters. Whilst biomass enrichment did not affect microcystin metabolism over the time-frame of normal sample processing, problems associated with GF/C filtration were identified. The most widely applicable processing method was direct freezing of samples as it could be utilized in both field and laboratory environments.
The Origin of the Variola Virus
Authors: Babkin Igor , Babkina Irina
Published: March 2015

The question of the origin of smallpox, one of the major menaces to humankind, is a constant concern for the scientific community. Smallpox is caused by the agent referred to as the variola virus (VARV), which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus. In the last century, smallpox was declared eradicated from the human community; however, the mechanisms responsible for the emergence of new dangerous pathogens have yet to be unraveled. Evolutionary analyses of the molecular biological genomic data of various orthopoxviruses, involving a wide range of epidemiological and historical information about smallpox, have made it possible to date the emergence of VARV. Comparisons of the VARV genome to the genomes of the most closely related orthopoxviruses and the examination of the distribution their natural hosts’ ranges suggest that VARV emerged 3000 to 4000 years ago in the east of the African continent. The VARV evolution rate has been estimated to be approximately 2 × 10−6 substitutions/site/year for the central conserved genomic region and 4 × 10−6 substitutions/site/year for the synonymous substitutions in the genome. Presumably, the introduction of camels to Africa and the concurrent changes to the climate were the particular factors that triggered the divergent evolution of a cowpox-like ancestral virus and thereby led to the emergence of VARV.
Profiling of Measles-Specific Humoral Immunity in Individuals Following Two Doses of MMR Vaccine Using Proteome Microarrays
Authors: Haralambieva Iana , Simon Whitney , Kennedy Richard , Ovsyannikova Inna , Warner Nathaniel , Grill Diane , Poland Gregory
Published: March 2015

Introduction: Comprehensive evaluation of measles-specific humoral immunity after vaccination is important for determining new and/or additional correlates of vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy. Methods: We used a novel proteome microarray technology and statistical modeling to identify factors and models associated with measles-specific functional protective immunity in 150 measles vaccine recipients representing the extremes of neutralizing antibody response after two vaccine doses. Results: Our findings demonstrate a high seroprevalence of antibodies directed to the measles virus (MV) phosphoprotein (P), nucleoprotein (N), as well as antibodies to the large polymerase (L) protein (fragment 1234 to 1900 AA). Antibodies to these proteins, in addition to anti-F antibodies (and, to a lesser extent, anti-H antibodies), were correlated with neutralizing antibody titer and/or were associated with and predictive of neutralizing antibody response. Conclusion: Our results identify antibodies to specific measles virus proteins and statistical models for monitoring and assessment of measles-specific functional protective immunity in vaccinated individuals.
Probabilistic-Multiobjective Comparison of User-Defined Operating Rules. Case Study: Hydropower Dam in Spain
Authors: Bianucci Paola , Sordo-Ward Álvaro , Moralo Javier , Garrote Luis
Published: March 2015

A useful tool is proposed in this paper to assist dam managers in comparing and selecting suitable operating rules. This procedure is based on well-known multiobjective and probabilistic methodologies, which were jointly applied here to assess and compare flood control strategies in hydropower reservoirs. The procedure consisted of evaluating the operating rules’ performance using a simulation fed by a representative and sufficiently large flood event series. These flood events were obtained from a synthetic rainfall series stochastically generated by using the RainSimV3 model coupled with a deterministic hydrological model. The performance of the assessed strategies was characterized using probabilistic variables. Finally, evaluation and comparison were conducted by analyzing objective functions which synthesize different aspects of the rules’ performance. These objectives were probabilistically defined in terms of risk and expected values. To assess the applicability and flexibility of the tool, it was implemented in a hydropower dam located in Galicia (Northern Spain). This procedure allowed alternative operating rule to be derived which provided a reasonable trade-off between dam safety, flood control, operability and energy production.
Le marché immobilier et foncier narbonnais en 1789 : atonie d'une ville, difficultés de la noblesse
Authors: Larguier Gilbert
Published: March 2015

In 1789, transfers of land and real estate reached an all-time high in the Narbonne region. The nobility and to a general extent the city suffered heavy losses. The study is based on an exhaustive analysis of land transfer tax registers for Narbonne between 1721 and 1790. It shows that this phenomenon was not simply one of circomstances tied to the pre-Revolutionary economic and social crisis but that it was the high point of a long process at least three-quarters of a century old.
Stratégies foncières dans les campagnes toulousaines aux XIXe et XXe siècles : Saint-Rome en Lauragais ou la « seigneurie » recréée
Authors: Thébault Vincent
Published: March 2015

Die Konstituierung des Besitzes von Saint-Rome en Lauragais zwischen 1837 und 1935, zu einer Zeit, wo man weitgehend der übereinstimmenden Ansicht ist, die Epoche der Grossgrundbesitze sei vorüber, zeugt von der Langlebigkeit strategischer Besitzkonzentrationen zu mehr sozialen als wirtschaf tlichen Zwecken. Handelt es sich hier um eine Ausnahme oder um eine allgemeinere, jedoch weing bekannte Erscheinung ? Letztere Hypothese könnte das herkömmliche Erklärungsschema für die Entwicklung des Südens in der Gegend Toulouse zu Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts und in der ersten Hälfte des 20. in Frage stellen.