bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro comparison in the antimicrobial effect between Ciprofloxacin and Neem leaf extract (Azadirachta indica) on Escherichia coli Growth
Authors: Banna Quazi Rubyath , Umar Badar Uddin , Rahman S M Niazur , Alam Tanbira , Anwar Kazi Selim , Shirin Lubna
Published: August 2016

Objective: Medicinal plants remain in vogue to treat some diseases in lower socio-economic communities, despite the availability of antimicrobials, often. Majority of rural Bangladeshi and tribal people being grossly illiterate and ignorant, use various herbs to treat a wide range of diseases. Of several medicinal-plants, neem is reported to have enormous impact in treating inflammation and infections. We, therefore, compared the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic neem leave extract (ENLE) on Escherichia coli (E. coli), with that of Ciprofloxacin. Materials & Methods: This experimental study compared the in vitro antimicrobial activity between ENLE and Ciprofloxacin on E. coli carried out in Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of SS-Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Antimicrobial efficacy of ENLE and ciprofloxacin (5µg; Oxoid, UK) was determined against E. coli following minimum inhibitory concentration. By filtration and evaporation of Neem leaves ENLE was prepared. Antibiotic Sensitivity Test was performed on Muller-Hinton agar using a twofold serial dilution. Results: ENLE showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of E. coli at the concentration of 3.125 mg/ml. Antibacterial susceptibility of E. coli was performed on MHA and diameters of zone of inhibition by both ENLE and Ciprofloxacin were measured after overnight aerobic incubation at 37°C. Diameter of zone of inhibition against E. coli was 28 ± 0.16 mm with ENLE, 36 ± 0.07 mm with Ciprofloxacin (5µg/disk) (p<0.000). Conclusion: Findings of this preliminary in-vitro experiment though suggests that, ENLE against E. coli showed limited efficacy, better efficacy of Ciprofloxacin cannot be ruled out unless further in depth studies elucidates stronger evidences to support it.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(2) 2016 p.172-177
Pleural fluid smear AFB positivity: To search for underlying immunosuppression
Authors: Santra Avradip , Nandi Saumen , Kundu Soumya , Sen Arya
Published: August 2016

Tubercular pleural effusion may cause a diagnostic dilemma as mycobacterium could not be detected in most cases due to paucibacillary nature of effusion. Pleural fluid AFB smear is positive in less than ten percent cases except in patients with tubercular empyema. However, percentage of AFB positivity in smear increases significantly if there is underlying immunodeficiency disorder. We hereby report a case of unilateral pleural effusion which was diagnosed to be of tubercular origin based on biochemical and cytological parameters along with plenty of AFB in pleural fluid smear. The patient was subsequently evaluated for any associated immunosuppression and he was found to have non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(2) 2016 p.286-288
A 38-year demographic study of central and peripheral giant cell granulomas of the jaws
Authors: Saghafi Shadi , Zare-Mahmoodabadi Reza , Ghazi Narges , Zargari Mohammad
Published: August 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the demographic characteristics of patients with central giant cell granulomas (CGCGs) and peripheral giant cell granulomas (PGCGs) in Iranian population.Methods: The data were obtained from records of 1019 patients with CGCG and PGCG of the jaws referred to our department between 1972 and 2010. This 38-year retrospective study was based on existing data. Information regarding age distribution, gender, location of the lesion and clinical signs and symptoms was documented. Results: A total of 1019 patients were affected GCGLs including 435 CGCGs and 584 PGCGs during the study. The mean age was 28.91 ± 18.16. PGCGs and CGCGs had a peak of occurrence in the first and second decade of life respectively. A female predominance was shown in CGCG cases (57.70%), whereas PGCGs were more frequent in males (50.85%). Five hundred and ninety-eight cases of all giant cell lesions (58.7 %) occurred in the mandible. Posterior mandible was the most frequent site for both CGCG and PGCG cases. The second most common site for PGCG was posterior maxilla (21%), whereas anterior mandible was involved in CGCG (19.45%). The majority of patients were asymptomatic. Conclusions: In contrast to most of previous studies PGCGs occur more common in the first decade and also more frequently in male patients. Although the CGCGs share some histopathologic similarities with PGCGs, differences in demographic features may be observed in different populations which may help in the diagnosis and management of these lesions.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(2) 2016 p.220-223
Formulation and In vitro Evaluation of Eudragit RL 100 Loaded Fexofenadine HCl Microspheres
Authors: Arefin Paroma , Hasan Ikramul , Islam Md Shfiqul , Reza Md Selim
Published: August 2016

The present study deals with the formulation and evaluation of Fexofenadine hydrochloride (HCl) loaded sustained release microspheres by emulsion solvent evaporation method with Eudragit RL 100. The effects of percent drug loading on drug encapsulation efficiency, drug content and drug release rate were assessed. In vitro dissolution study was performed spectrophotometrically according to USP paddle method using phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) for 10 hours. The release rate of Fexofenadine HCl from the microspheres was significantly increased with the increase of drug loading. The drug release patterns were simulated in different kinetic orders such as zero order release kinetics, first order release kinetics, Higuchi release kinetics, Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics and Hixson-Crowell release kinetics to assess the release mechanism and Higuchi release kinetics was found to be the predominant release mechanism. Morphological changes due to different drug loading were assessed by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) technique. Differential scanning calorimetry and fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy was performed to evaluate compatibility of drug with the polymer. A statistically significant variation indrug encapsulation efficiency and release rate was observed for variation in drug loading.Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 19(1): 58-67, 2016
Bacteria in chicken rolls sold by fast food restaurant and their public health significance
Authors: Sultana S , Islam MA , Khatun MM
Published: August 2016

This study determined bacterial quality of chicken rolls sold in a fast food restaurant at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) campus. Fifteen chicken rolls (ten premicrowaved and five post-microwaved) were collected. Samples were inoculated into selective media, Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, Salmonella Shigella (SS) agar, Thiosulphate Citrate Bile Salts Sucrose (TCBS) agar and Mannitol Salt (MS) agar. The total viable count (TVC) and total Staphylococcal count (TSC) of pre-microwaved samples were 4.4 log CFU/g and 4.2 log CFU/g, respectively. In post-microwaved samples, the TVC and TSC were 2.7 log CFU/g and 2.6 log CFU/g, respectively. Microwave treatment significantly reduced the TVC and TSC in the chicken rolls (P<0.05). Bacteria were recovered only from samples inoculated onto MS agar. Colonies on MS agar were characteristics of Staphylococcus spp, confirmed by sugar fermentation, catalase and coagulase tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. This study recorded coagulase negative staphylococcus (CNS) resistant to three antibiotics, ampicillin, cephalexin and vancomycin. It is suggested that chicken rolls sold in the fast food restaurant contaminated with resistant CNS might pose a public health hazard.Bangl. vet. 2015. Vol. 32, No. 1, 13-18
On Multi-Scale Entropy Analysis of Order-Tracking Measurement for Bearing Fault Diagnosis under Variable Speed
Authors: Wu Tian-Yau , Yu Chang-Ling , Liu Da-Chun
Published: August 2016

The research objective in this paper is to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing envelope extraction combining the multi-scale entropy (MSE) analysis for identifying different roller bearing faults. The features were extracted from the angle-domain vibration signals that were measured through the hardware-implemented order-tracking technique, so that the characteristics of bearing defects are not affected by the rotating speed. The envelope analysis was employed to the vibration measurements as well as the selected intrinsic mode function (IMF) that was separated by the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method. By using the coarse-grain process, the entropy of the envelope signals in the different scales was calculated to form the MSE distributions that represent the complexity of the signals. The decision tree was used to distinguish the entropy-related features which reveal the different classes of bearing faults.
Characterizing the Effects of Washing by Different Detergents on the Wavelength-Scale Microstructures of Silk Samples Using Mueller Matrix Polarimetry
Authors: Dong Yang , He Honghui , He Chao , Zhou Jialing , Zeng Nan , Ma Hui
Published: August 2016

Silk fibers suffer from microstructural changes due to various external environmental conditions including daily washings. In this paper, we take the backscattering Mueller matrix images of silk samples for non-destructive and real-time quantitative characterization of the wavelength-scale microstructure and examination of the effects of washing by different detergents. The 2D images of the 16 Mueller matrix elements are reduced to the frequency distribution histograms (FDHs) whose central moments reveal the dominant structural features of the silk fibers. A group of new parameters are also proposed to characterize the wavelength-scale microstructural changes of the silk samples during the washing processes. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are carried out to better understand how the Mueller matrix parameters are related to the wavelength-scale microstructure of silk fibers. The good agreement between experiments and simulations indicates that the Mueller matrix polarimetry and FDH based parameters can be used to quantitatively detect the wavelength-scale microstructural features of silk fibers. Mueller matrix polarimetry may be used as a powerful tool for non-destructive and in situ characterization of the wavelength-scale microstructures of silk based materials.
An Amphiprotic Novel Chitosanase from Bacillus mycoides and Its Application in the Production of Chitooligomers with Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation
Authors: Liang Tzu-Wen , Chen Wei-Ting , Lin Zhi-Hu , Kuo Yao-Haur , Nguyen Anh , Pan Po-Shen , Wang San-Lang
Published: August 2016

The objectives of this investigation were to produce a novel chitosanase for application in industries and waste treatment. The transformation of chitinous biowaste into valuable bioactive chitooligomers (COS) is one of the most exciting applications of chitosanase. An amphiprotic novel chitosanase from Bacillus mycoides TKU038 using squid pen powder (SPP)-containing medium was retrieved from a Taiwan soil sample, which was purified by column chromatography, and characterized by biochemical protocol. Extracellular chitosanase (CS038) was purified to 130-fold with a 35% yield, and its molecular mass was roughly 48 kDa. CS038 was stable over a wide range of pH values (4–10) at 50 °C and exhibited an optimal temperature of 50 °C. Interestingly, the optimum pH values were estimated as 6 and 10, whereas CS038 exhibited chitosan-degrading activity (100% and 94%, respectively). CS038 had Km and Vmax values of 0.098 mg/mL and 1.336 U/min, separately, using different concentrations of water-soluble chitosan. A combination of the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer data revealed that the chitosan oligosaccharides obtained from the hydrolysis of chitosan by CS038 comprise oligomers with multiple degrees of polymerization (DP), varying from 3–9, as well as CS038 in an endolytic fashion. The TKU038 culture supernatant and COS mixture exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities. The COS activities were dose dependent and correlated to their DP. The COS with high DP exhibited enhanced DPPH radical scavenging capability compared with COS with low DP. Furthermore, the COS exhibited inhibitory behavior on nitric oxide (NO) production in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, which was induced by Escherichia coli O111 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The COS with low DP possesses a more potent anti-inflammatory capability to decrease NO production (IC50, 76.27 ± 1.49 µg/mL) than that of COS with high DP (IC50, 82.65 ± 1.18 µg/mL). Given its effectiveness in production and purification, acidophilic and alkalophilic properties, stability over ranges of pH values, ability to generate COS, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory, CS038 has potential applications in SPP waste treatment and industries for COS production as a medical prebiotic.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the Synonymous Codon Usage Patterns in Riemerella anatipestifer
Authors: Liu Jibin , Zhu Dekang , Ma Guangpeng , Liu Mafeng , Wang Mingshu , Jia Renyong , Chen Shun , Sun Kunfeng , Yang Qiao , Wu Ying , Chen Xiaoyue , Cheng Anchun
Published: August 2016

Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) belongs to the Flavobacteriaceae family and can cause a septicemia disease in poultry. The synonymous codon usage patterns of bacteria reflect a series of evolutionary changes that enable bacteria to improve tolerance of the various environments. We detailed the codon usage patterns of RA isolates from the available 12 sequenced genomes by multiple codon and statistical analysis. Nucleotide compositions and relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis revealed that A or U ending codons are predominant in RA. Neutrality analysis found no significant correlation between GC12 and GC3 (p > 0.05). Correspondence analysis and ENc-plot results showed that natural selection dominated over mutation in the codon usage bias. The tree of cluster analysis based on RSCU was concordant with dendrogram based on genomic BLAST by neighbor-joining method. By comparative analysis, about 50 highly expressed genes that were orthologs across all 12 strains were found in the top 5% of high CAI value. Based on these CAI values, we infer that RA contains a number of predicted highly expressed coding sequences, involved in transcriptional regulation and metabolism, reflecting their requirement for dealing with diverse environmental conditions. These results provide some useful information on the mechanisms that contribute to codon usage bias and evolution of RA.
Neuroimmunological Implications of AQP4 in Astrocytes
Authors: Ikeshima-Kataoka Hiroko
Published: August 2016

The brain has high-order functions and is composed of several kinds of cells, such as neurons and glial cells. It is becoming clear that many kinds of neurodegenerative diseases are more-or-less influenced by astrocytes, which are a type of glial cell. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), a membrane-bound protein that regulates water permeability is a member of the aquaporin family of water channel proteins that is expressed in the endfeet of astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, AQP4 has been shown to function, not only as a water channel protein, but also as an adhesion molecule that is involved in cell migration and neuroexcitation, synaptic plasticity, and learning/memory through mechanisms involved in long-term potentiation or long-term depression. The most extensively examined role of AQP4 is its ability to act as a neuroimmunological inducer. Previously, we showed that AQP4 plays an important role in neuroimmunological functions in injured mouse brain in concert with the proinflammatory inducer osteopontin (OPN). The aim of this review is to summarize the functional implication of AQP4, focusing especially on its neuroimmunological roles. This review is a good opportunity to compile recent knowledge and could contribute to the therapeutic treatment of autoimmune diseases through strategies targeting AQP4. Finally, the author would like to hypothesize on AQP4’s role in interaction between reactive astrocytes and reactive microglial cells, which might occur in neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, a therapeutic strategy for AQP4-related neurodegenerative diseases is proposed.
Serum and Glucocorticoid Regulated Kinase 1 in Sodium Homeostasis
Authors: Lou Yiyun , Zhang Fan , Luo Yuqin , Wang Liya , Huang Shisi , Jin Fan
Published: August 2016

The ubiquitously expressed serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) is tightly regulated by osmotic and hormonal signals, including glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Recently, SGK1 has been implicated as a signal hub for the regulation of sodium transport. SGK1 modulates the activities of multiple ion channels and carriers, such as epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav1.5), sodium hydrogen exchangers 1 and 3 (NHE1 and NHE3), sodium-chloride symporter (NCC), and sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter 2 (NKCC2); as well as the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+-ATPase) and type A natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-A). Accordingly, SGK1 is implicated in the physiology and pathophysiology of Na+ homeostasis. Here, we focus particularly on recent findings of SGK1’s involvement in Na+ transport in renal sodium reabsorption, hormone-stimulated salt appetite and fluid balance and discuss the abnormal SGK1-mediated Na+ reabsorption in hypertension, heart disease, edema with diabetes, and embryo implantation failure.
Assembly and Rearrangement of Particles Confined at a Surface of a Droplet, and Intruder Motion in Electro-Shaken Particle Films
Authors: Rozynek Zbigniew , Kaczmarek-Klinowska Milena , Magdziarz Agnieszka
Published: August 2016

Manipulation of particles at the surface of a droplet can lead to the formation of structures with heterogeneous surfaces, including patchy colloidal capsules or patchy particles. Here, we study the assembly and rearrangement of microparticles confined at the surface of oil droplets. These processes are driven by electric-field-induced hydrodynamic flows and by ‘electro-shaking’ the colloidal particles. We also investigate the motion of an intruder particle in the particle film and present the possibility of segregating the surface particles. The results are expected to be relevant for understanding the mechanism for particle segregation and, eventually, lead to the formation of new patchy structures.
Metals Recovery from Artificial Ore in Case of Printed Circuit Boards, Using Plasmatron Plasma Reactor
Authors: Szałatkiewicz Jakub
Published: August 2016

This paper presents the investigation of metals production form artificial ore, which consists of printed circuit board (PCB) waste, processed in plasmatron plasma reactor. A test setup was designed and built that enabled research of plasma processing of PCB waste of more than 700 kg/day scale. The designed plasma process is presented and discussed. The process in tests consumed 2 kWh/kg of processed waste. Investigation of the process products is presented with their elemental analyses of metals and slag. The average recovery of metals in presented experiments is 76%. Metals recovered include: Ag, Au, Pd, Cu, Sn, Pb, and others. The chosen process parameters are presented: energy consumption, throughput, process temperatures, and air consumption. Presented technology allows processing of variable and hard-to-process printed circuit board waste that can reach up to 100% of the input mass.
Self-Sensing Electromagnets for Robotic Tooling Systems: Combining Sensor and Actuator
Authors: Kamf Tobias , Abrahamsson Johan
Published: August 2016

A low-cost method, which integrates distance sensing functionality into a switched electromagnet by using a hybrid switching mode and current ripple measurements, is proposed. The electromagnet is controlled by a micro-controller via a MOSFET H bridge, utilizing a comparator-based current control. Additionally, a method for calculating the inductance of the electromagnet and approximating the magnetic contact between the electromagnet and its target is also presented. The resulting tool is attached to an industrial robot, and the system performance using this setup is evaluated. Distance sensing in the range of 0 mm to 5.2 mm is demonstrated. It is also shown that the relation between magnetic contact, coil current and calculated inductance can be reduced to a predictive look-up table, enabling the quality of the magnetic contact to be estimated using minimal computational effort.
A Smart Wearable Sensor System for Counter-Fighting Overweight in Teenagers
Authors: Standoli Carlo , Guarneri Maria , Perego Paolo , Mazzola Marco , Mazzola Alessandra , Andreoni Giuseppe
Published: August 2016

PEGASO is a FP7-funded project whose goal is to develop an ICT and mobile-based platform together with an appropriate strategy to tackle the diffusion of obesity and other lifestyle-related illnesses among teenagers. Indeed, the design of an engaging strategy, leveraging a complementary set of technologies, is the approach proposed by the project to promote the adoption of healthy habits such as active lifestyle and balanced nutrition and to effectively counter-fight the emergence of overweight and obesity in the younger population. A technological key element of such a strategy sees the adoption of wearable sensors to monitor teenagers’ activities, which is at the basis of developing awareness about the current lifestyle. This paper describes the experience carried out in the framework of the PEGASO project in developing and evaluating wearable monitoring systems addressed to adolescents. The paper describes the methodological approach based on the co-designing of such a wearable system and the main results that, in the first phase, involved a total of 407 adolescents across Europe in a series of focus groups conducted in three countries for the requirements definition phase. Moreover, it describes an evaluation process of signal reliability during the usage of the wearable system. The main results described here are: (a) a prototype of the standardized experimental protocol that has been developed and applied to test signal reliability in smart garments; (b) the requirements definition methodology through a co-design activity and approach to address user requirements and preferences and not only technological specifications. Such co-design approach is able to support a higher system acceptance and usability together with a sustained adoption of the solution with respect to the traditional technology push system development strategy.
The Quanta Image Sensor: Every Photon Counts
Authors: Fossum Eric , Ma Jiaju , Masoodian Saleh , Anzagira Leo , Zizza Rachel
Published: August 2016

The Quanta Image Sensor (QIS) was conceived when contemplating shrinking pixel sizes and storage capacities, and the steady increase in digital processing power. In the single-bit QIS, the output of each field is a binary bit plane, where each bit represents the presence or absence of at least one photoelectron in a photodetector. A series of bit planes is generated through high-speed readout, and a kernel or “cubicle” of bits (x, y, t) is used to create a single output image pixel. The size of the cubicle can be adjusted post-acquisition to optimize image quality. The specialized sub-diffraction-limit photodetectors in the QIS are referred to as “jots” and a QIS may have a gigajot or more, read out at 1000 fps, for a data rate exceeding 1 Tb/s. Basically, we are trying to count photons as they arrive at the sensor. This paper reviews the QIS concept and its imaging characteristics. Recent progress towards realizing the QIS for commercial and scientific purposes is discussed. This includes implementation of a pump-gate jot device in a 65 nm CIS BSI process yielding read noise as low as 0.22 e− r.m.s. and conversion gain as high as 420 µV/e−, power efficient readout electronics, currently as low as 0.4 pJ/b in the same process, creating high dynamic range images from jot data, and understanding the imaging characteristics of single-bit and multi-bit QIS devices. The QIS represents a possible major paradigm shift in image capture.
Real-Time Single Frequency Precise Point Positioning Using SBAS Corrections
Authors: Li Liang , Jia Chun , Zhao Lin , Cheng Jianhua , Liu Jianxu , Ding Jicheng
Published: August 2016

Real-time single frequency precise point positioning (PPP) is a promising technique for high-precision navigation with sub-meter or even centimeter-level accuracy because of its convenience and low cost. The navigation performance of single frequency PPP heavily depends on the real-time availability and quality of correction products for satellite orbits and satellite clocks. Satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) provides the correction products in real-time, but they are intended to be used for wide area differential positioning at 1 meter level precision. By imposing the constraints for ionosphere error, we have developed a real-time single frequency PPP method by sufficiently utilizing SBAS correction products. The proposed PPP method are tested with static and kinematic data, respectively. The static experimental results show that the position accuracy of the proposed PPP method can reach decimeter level, and achieve an improvement of at least 30% when compared with the traditional SBAS method. The positioning convergence of the proposed PPP method can be achieved in 636 epochs at most in static mode. In the kinematic experiment, the position accuracy of the proposed PPP method can be improved by at least 20 cm relative to the SBAS method. Furthermore, it has revealed that the proposed PPP method can achieve decimeter level convergence within 500 s in the kinematic mode.
Feature-Based Laser Scan Matching and Its Application for Indoor Mapping
Authors: Li Jiayuan , Zhong Ruofei , Hu Qingwu , Ai Mingyao
Published: August 2016

Scan matching, an approach to recover the relative position and orientation of two laser scans, is a very important technique for indoor positioning and indoor modeling. The iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm and its variants are the most well-known techniques for such a problem. However, ICP algorithms rely highly on the initial guess of the relative transformation, which will reduce its power for practical applications. In this paper, an initial-free 2D laser scan matching method based on point and line features is proposed. We carefully design a framework for the detection of point and line feature correspondences. First, distinct feature points are detected based on an extended 1D SIFT, and line features are extracted via a modified Split-and-Merge algorithm. In this stage, we also give an effective strategy for discarding unreliable features. The point and line features are then described by a distance histogram; the pairs achieving best matching scores are accepted as potential correct correspondences. The histogram cluster technique is adapted to filter outliers and provide an accurate initial value of the rigid transformation. We also proposed a new relative pose estimation method that is robust to outliers. We use the lq-norm (0 < q < 1) metric in this approach, in contrast to classic optimization methods whose cost function is based on the l2-norm of residuals. Extensive experiments on real data demonstrate that the proposed method is almost as accurate as ICPs and is initial free. We also show that our scan matching method can be integrated into a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) system for indoor mapping.
»Sanjski grad vsakega umetnika« – Japonski avantgardni center v 60. letih 20. stoletja
Authors: HRVATIN Klara
Published: August 2016

Članek predstavlja uvod v predstavitev umetniškega gibanja Sōgetsu (1958–1971), njegovega mesta v zgodovini japonske avantgardne scene, pomembnosti umetniškega centra Sōgetsu (Sōgetsu Art Center ali SAC), kjer se je gibanje odvijalo, in njegovega mecena Sōfuja Teshigahare. Ob pregledu prvih obstoječih dokumentov o SAC-u, prvega, ki je služil kot uvodni vodič Centra (objavljen 1. septembra 1958), in drugega, ki je bil ekskluzivno izdan ob njegovem odprtju (13. septembra 1958), bomo lahko natančneje razkrili SAC-ovo podobo in kapacitete ter opredelili cilje, ki si jih je postavil pred začetkom delovanja. Kaj je Center nudil, da je bil razglašen za »sanjski grad vsakega umetnika«?
C-GLORSv5: an improved multi-purpose global ocean eddy-permitting physical reanalysis
Authors: Storto Andrea , Masina Simona
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Global ocean reanalyses combine in-situ and satellite ocean observations with a general circulation ocean model to estimate the time-evolving state of the ocean, and they represent a valuable tool for a variety of applications, ranging from climate monitoring and process studies to downstream applications, initialization of long-range forecasts and regional studies. The purpose of this paper is to document the recent upgrade of C-GLORS (version 5), a state-of-the-art ocean reanalysis produced at the Centro Euro-Mediterraneo per i Cambiamenti Climatici that covers the meteorological satellite era (1980–present) and it is being updated in delayed time mode. The reanalysis is run at eddy-permitting resolution (1/4 degree horizontal resolution and 50 vertical levels) and consists of a three-dimensional variational data assimilation system, a surface nudging and a bias correction scheme. With respect to the previous version (v4), C-GLORSv5 contains a number of improvements. In particular, background- and observation- error covariances have been retuned, allowing a flow-dependent inflation in the globally averaged background-error variance. An additional constraint on the sea-ice thickness was introduced, leading to a realistic ice volume evolution. Finally, the bias correction scheme and the initialization strategy were retuned. Results document that the new reanalysis outperforms the previous version, especially in representing the variability of global heat content and associated steric sea level, the upper ocean temperature and the thermohaline circulation. The dataset is available in NetCDF format at doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.857995.
Seismic observations at the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory: history,
present, and the future
Authors: Kozlovskaya Elena , Narkilahti Janne , Nevalainen Jouni , Hurskainen Riitta , Silvennoinen Hanna
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Instrumental seismic observations in northern Finland started in the 1950s. They were originally initiated by the Institute of Seismology of the University of Helsinki (ISUH), but the staff of Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO) and later geophysicists of the University of Oulu (UO) were involved in the development of seismological observations and research in northern Finland from the very beginning. This close cooperation between seismologists and the technical staff of ISUH, UO, and SGO continued in many significant international projects and enabled a high level of seismological research in Finland. In our paper, we present history and current status of seismic observations and seismological research in northern Finland at the UO and SGO. These include both seismic observations at permanent seismic stations and temporary seismic experiments with portable seismic equipment. We describe the present seismic instrumentation and major research topics of the seismic group at SGO and discuss plans for future development of permanent seismological observations and portable seismic instrumentation at SGO as part of the European Plate Observing System (EPOS) research infrastructure. We also present the research topics of the recently organized Laboratory of Applied Seismology, and show examples of seismic observations performed by new seismic equipment located at this laboratory and selected results of time-lapse seismic body wave travel-time tomography using the data of microseismic monitoring in the Pyhäsalmi Mine (northern Finland).
Developments in large-scale coastal flood hazard mapping
Authors: Vousdoukas Michalis I. , Voukouvalas Evangelos , Mentaschi Lorenzo , Dottori Francesco , Giardino Alessio , Bouziotas Dimitrios , Bianchi Alessandra , Salamon Peter , Feyen Luc
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Coastal flooding related to marine extreme events has severe socioeconomic impacts, and even though the latter are projected to increase under the changing climate, there is a clear deficit of information and predictive capacity related to coastal flood mapping. The present contribution reports on efforts towards a new methodology for mapping coastal flood hazard at European scale, combining (i) the contribution of waves to the total water level; (ii) improved inundation modeling; and (iii) an open, physics-based framework which can be constantly upgraded, whenever new and more accurate data become available. Four inundation approaches of gradually increasing complexity and computational costs were evaluated in terms of their applicability to large-scale coastal flooding mapping: static inundation (SM); a semi-dynamic method, considering the water volume discharge over the dykes (VD); the flood intensity index approach (Iw); and the model LISFLOOD-FP (LFP). A validation test performed against observed flood extents during the Xynthia storm event showed that SM and VD can lead to an overestimation of flood extents by 232 and 209 %, while Iw and LFP showed satisfactory predictive skill. Application at pan-European scale for the present-day 100-year event confirmed that static approaches can overestimate flood extents by 56 % compared to LFP; however, Iw can deliver results of reasonable accuracy in cases when reduced computational costs are a priority. Moreover, omitting the wave contribution in the extreme total water level (TWL) can result in a  ∼  60 % underestimation of the flooded area. The present findings have implications for impact assessment studies, since combination of the estimated inundation maps with population exposure maps revealed differences in the estimated number of people affected within the 20–70 % range.
MABEL photon-counting laser altimetry data in Alaska for ICESat-2
simulations and development
Authors: Brunt Kelly M. , Neumann Thomas A. , Amundson Jason M. , Kavanaugh Jeffrey L. , Moussavi Mahsa S. , Walsh Kaitlin M. , Cook William B. , Markus Thorsten
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) is scheduled to launch in late 2017 and will carry the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS), which is a photon-counting laser altimeter and represents a new approach to satellite determination of surface elevation. Given the new technology of ATLAS, an airborne instrument, the Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar (MABEL), was developed to provide data needed for satellite-algorithm development and ICESat-2 error analysis. MABEL was deployed out of Fairbanks, Alaska, in July 2014 to provide a test dataset for algorithm development in summer conditions with water-saturated snow and ice surfaces. Here we compare MABEL lidar data to in situ observations in Southeast Alaska to assess instrument performance in summer conditions and in the presence of glacier surface melt ponds and a wet snowpack. Results indicate the following: (1) based on MABEL and in situ data comparisons, the ATLAS 90 m beam-spacing strategy will provide a valid assessment of across-track slope that is consistent with shallow slopes (< 1°) of an ice-sheet interior over 50 to 150 m length scales; (2) the dense along-track sampling strategy of photon counting systems can provide crevasse detail; and (3) MABEL 532 nm wavelength light may sample both the surface and subsurface of shallow (approximately 2 m deep) supraglacial melt ponds. The data associated with crevasses and melt ponds indicate the potential ICESat-2 will have for the study of mountain and other small glaciers.
Mémoire émotionnelle et activités électrocorticales en schizophrénie
Authors: Lavoie Marc E. , Champagne Julie , Glaser Emma , Mendrek Adrianna
Published: August 2016

Contexte L’altération des fonctions émotionnelles ainsi que de la mémoire des personnes atteintes de schizophrénie est connue depuis plus d’un siècle. Toutefois, les structures cérébrales touchées ainsi que les stades de traitement affectés restent encore mal compris.

Objectif Approfondir de quelles façons la valence et l’activation émotionnelle affectent la mémoire épisodique et l’activité cérébrale associée chez des patientes atteintes de schizophrénie.

Hypothèse L’activité des régions frontales associées à certains types de stimuli émotifs sera généralement affectée dans la population clinique, et ce, en réponse aux stimuli à fortes activations émotionnelles.

Participantes Seize patientes atteintes de schizophrénie dans une phase stable de leur maladie furent appariées à 17 participantes contrôles sur la base de l’âge, de la dominance manuelle et du statut socio-économique.

Instrument et mesures L’EEG a été enregistré à partir de 60 électrodes fixées dans un casque en lycra élastique. Ces signaux ont été moyennés pour obtenir les composantes N200, P300, ainsi que la LPC afin de cibler les processus mnésiques et émotionnels.

Résultats Pour la N200 et la P300 frontale, la magnitude de l’effet de mémoire observé chez les patientes schizophrènes est augmentée significativement dans l’hémisphère frontal droit en réponse aux stimuli à valences déplaisantes, alors que l’augmentation de cet effet s’effectue dans les deux hémisphères chez les participantes contrôles.

Conclusion Une altération électrocorticale précoce reflétant la familiarité et la mémoire aux stimuli déplaisants est présente chez les patientes, alors que les processus tardifs de récollection consciente (LPC pariétale) ne seraient pas atteints.
Pneumothorax and Subclavian Vein Thrombosis in Patients With Venous Access Device Implantation
Authors: Bestetti Valentina , Zeller Roman , Wenning Anna S. , Mouton Kim T. , Mouton Wolfgang G.
Published: August 2016

The primary aim is to assess the length of hospitalization due to iatrogenic pneumothorax as a main complication of totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) implantation. Secondary aim is to analyze the thrombogenic effects of different catheter diameters on the subclavian vein. Pneumothorax is a rare and may be underestimated, underdocumented, but serious complication in TIVAD of implantation using the subclavian vein puncture method. A total of 1155 consecutive patients with TIVAD implantation were assessed retrospectively over a 14-year time period. As primary outcome the length of hospitalization due to iatrogenic pneumothorax and as secondary outcome subclavian vein thrombosis (SVT) in relation to different TIVAD catheter sizes were analyzed. Pneumothoraces occurred 6 times (0.52%) and only when the subclavian vein was punctured. The median hospitalization for these patients was 8 days (5 of the 6 patients needed a chest drain). No pneumothoraces occurred when a peripheral vein was used for access (980 patients). SVTs were detected in 13 patients (1.1%) without any correlation to the diameter of the catheter. There was no significant correlation detected between the different tumor types and the complication rates. Iatrogenic pneumothorax may lead to hospitalization of 1 week or more. The costs then increase with additional chests x-rays, chest drain insertions, and hospitalization days. When making the choice for surgical venous cutdown or subclavian vein puncture to implant TIVAD, the consequences of iatrogenic pneumothorax should be considered as pneumothorax is a rare but serious complication of TIVAD implantation inherent to subclavian vein puncture.
Compressed sensing: Radar signal detection and parameter measurement for EW applications
Authors: Rao M. Sreenivasa , Naik K. Krishna , Reddy K. Maheshwara
Published: August 2016

State of the art system development is very much required for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and other airborne applications, where miniature, lightweight and low‐power specifications are essential. Currently, the airborne Electronic Warfare (EW) systems are developed with digital receiver technology using Nyquist sampling. The detection of radar signals and parameter measurement is a necessary requirement in EW digital receivers. The Random Modulator Pre‐Integrator (RMPI) can be used for matched detection of signals using smashed filter. RMPI hardware eliminates the high sampling rate analog to digital computer and reduces the number of samples using random sampling and detection of sparse orthonormal basis vectors. RMPI explore the structural and geometrical properties of the signal apart from traditional time and frequency domain analysis for improved detection. The concept has been proved with the help of MATLAB and LabVIEW simulations.
Spatial Bayesian hierarchical modeling of precipitation extremes over a large domain
Authors: Bracken C. , Rajagopalan B. , Cheng L. , Kleiber W. , Gangopadhyay S.
Published: August 2016

We propose a Bayesian hierarchical model for spatial extremes on a large domain. In the data layer a Gaussian elliptical copula having generalized extreme value (GEV) marginals is applied. Spatial dependence in the GEV parameters is captured with a latent spatial regression with spatially varying coefficients. Using a composite likelihood approach, we are able to efficiently incorporate a large precipitation data set, which includes stations with missing data. The model is demonstrated by application to fall precipitation extremes at approximately 2600 stations covering the western United States, −125°E to −100°E longitude and 30°N–50°N latitude. The hierarchical model provides GEV parameters on a 1/8° grid and, consequently, maps of return levels and associated uncertainty. The model results indicate that return levels and their associated uncertainty have a well‐defined spatial structure. Maps of return levels provide information about the spatial variations of the risk of extreme precipitation in the western US and is expected to be useful for infrastructure planning.
A fuzzy Bayesian approach to flood frequency estimation with imprecise historical information
Authors: Salinas José Luis , Kiss Andrea , Viglione Alberto , Viertl Reinhard , Blöschl Günter
Published: August 2016

This paper presents a novel framework that links imprecision (through a fuzzy approach) and stochastic uncertainty (through a Bayesian approach) in estimating flood probabilities from historical flood information and systematic flood discharge data. The method exploits the linguistic characteristics of historical source material to construct membership functions, which may be wider or narrower, depending on the vagueness of the statements. The membership functions are either included in the prior distribution or the likelihood function to obtain a fuzzy version of the flood frequency curve. The viability of the approach is demonstrated by three case studies that differ in terms of their hydromorphological conditions (from an Alpine river with bedrock profile to a flat lowland river with extensive flood plains) and historical source material (including narratives, town and county meeting protocols, flood marks and damage accounts). The case studies are presented in order of increasing fuzziness (the Rhine at Basel, Switzerland; the Werra at Meiningen, Germany; and the Tisza at Szeged, Hungary). Incorporating imprecise historical information is found to reduce the range between the 5% and 95% Bayesian credibility bounds of the 100 year floods by 45% and 61% for the Rhine and Werra case studies, respectively. The strengths and limitations of the framework are discussed relative to alternative (non‐fuzzy) methods. The fuzzy Bayesian inference framework provides a flexible methodology that fits the imprecise nature of linguistic information on historical floods as available in historical written documentation.
A Room‐Temperature Processable PDI‐Based Electron‐Transporting Layer for Enhanced Performance in PDI‐Based Non‐Fullerene Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Jiangsheng , Xi Yuyin , Chueh Chu‐Chen , Zhao Dongbing , Lin Francis , Pozzo Lilo D. , Tang Weihua , Jen Alex K.‐Y.
Published: August 2016

In this study, it is demonstrated that a facile room‐temperature processed amine functionalized perylene‐diimide (PDIN) can function as an efficient electron‐transporting layer (ETL) to enhance the photovoltaic performance of inverted PDI‐based non‐fullerene solar cells. It is showed that the PDIN ETL possesses respectable mobilities and interfacial doping capability to the PDI‐based acceptors to facilitate the charge transport and extraction in the devices. Moreover, it can modulate the morphological evolution of the bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) atop to result in a more crystalline, face‐on orientation because of its improved compatibility to PDI‐based acceptors. Consequently, the PDIN ETL enables the derived devices to have 10% higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than the reference device. In addition, the PDIN can also be used as a surface modifier on ZnO to result in a ≈14% enhanced PCE than that of the pristine ZnO‐based device. This study shows the feasibility of modulating the BHJ of non‐fullerene organic photovoltaics by rationally selected ETLs to facilitate exciton dissociation and collection of the devices.
Recent Progress in Photoswitchable Supramolecular Self‐Assembling Systems
Authors: Yao Xuyang , Li Teng , Wang Jie , Ma Xiang , Tian He
Published: August 2016

The rise of supramolecular chemistry has drawn great attention to the designed self‐assembly of synthetic molecules. Supramolecular self‐assembly has become an efficient strategy in constructing well‐ordered nanostructures using a bottom‐up way in material science and has also shown its great potential in biological applications. Photochromic compounds are small organic molecules which can undergo reversible photochemical reactions between two chemical species with distinct properties. They have been incorporated into various materials for applications including optical devices, data recording and storage, smart polymers, and so forth. Introducing photochromic compounds into supramolecular self‐assembling systems endows the supramolecular nanostructures or materials with intriguing responsive behavior to light, which can be conveniently orthogonal to other stimuli. From another perspective, the well‐ordered supramolecular structures or materials with complexity and stimuli‐responsive properties have the capability to “amplify” the light‐controlled isomerization by transforming it into other signals, thus producing more sophisticated functions. This review mainly highlights the recent advances and emerging fields in fabricating artificial supramolecular self‐assembling systems with photochromic compounds as light‐responsive units. Important design principles, mechanisms and concepts, as well as challenges and perspectives are illustrated and discussed.
Supported Gold Nanoparticles‐Catalyzed Microwave‐Assisted Hydration of Nitriles to Amides under Base‐Free Conditions
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Sharma Saurabh , Das Pralay
Published: August 2016

Polystyrene‐supported gold (Au@PS) nanoparticles were synthesized by the reduction deposition approach and well characterized by UV‐visible, XRD, TEM, SAED, EDX, and XPS studies. The Au@PS was applied as catalyst for the hydration of nitriles to amides in water under microwave irradiation. Several functionalized aromatic, heterocyclic and aliphatic nitriles were found to be active for synthesis of the corresponding amides where no activation of water by base, ligand and support is needed. Easy recovery, negligible leaching and recyclability for up to eight runs are added advantages of the catalyst under water‐mediated reaction conditions.

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