bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Musical Training on Speech Detection in the Presence of Informational and Energetic Masking
Authors: Morse-Fortier Charlotte , Parrish Mary M. , Baran Jane A. , Freyman Richard L.
Published: November 2017

Recent research has suggested that musicians have an advantage in some speech-in-noise paradigms, but not all. Whether musicians outperform nonmusicians on a given speech-in-noise task may well depend on the type of noise involved. To date, few groups have specifically studied the role that informational masking plays in the observation of a musician advantage. The current study investigated the effect of musicianship on listeners’ ability to overcome informational versus energetic masking of speech. Monosyllabic words were presented in four conditions that created similar energetic masking but either high or low informational masking. Two of these conditions used noise-vocoded target and masking stimuli to determine whether the absence of natural fine structure and spectral variations influenced any musician advantage. Forty young normal-hearing listeners (20 musicians and 20 nonmusicians) completed the study. There was a significant overall effect of participant group collapsing across the four conditions; however, planned comparisons showed musicians’ thresholds were only significantly better in the high informational masking natural speech condition, where the musician advantage was approximately 3 dB. These results add to the mounting evidence that informational masking plays a role in the presence and amount of musician benefit.
Encoding a Melody Using Only Temporal Information for Cochlear-Implant and Normal-Hearing Listeners
Authors: Todd Ann E. , Mertens Griet , Van de Heyning Paul , Landsberger David M.
Published: November 2017

One way to provide pitch information to cochlear implant users is through amplitude-modulation rate. It is currently unknown whether amplitude-modulation rate can provide cochlear implant users with pitch information adequate for perceiving melodic information. In the present study, the notes of a song were encoded via amplitude-modulation rate of pulse trains on single electrodes at the apex or middle of long electrode arrays. The melody of the song was either physically correct or modified by compression or expansion. Nine cochlear implant users rated the extent to which the song was out of tune in the different conditions. Cochlear implant users on average did not show sensitivity to melody compression or expansion regardless of place of stimulation. These results were found despite the fact that three of the cochlear implant users showed the expected sensitivity to melody compression and expansion with the same task using acoustic pure tones in a contralateral acoustic ear. Normal-hearing listeners showed an inconsistent and weak effect of melody compression and expansion when the notes of the song were encoded with acoustic pulse rate. The results suggest that amplitude-modulation rate provides insufficient access to melodic information for cochlear-implant and normal-hearing listeners.
Signaling pathways and immune evasion mechanisms in classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Liu W. Robert , Shipp Margaret A.
Published: November 2017

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is an unusual B-cell–derived malignancy in which rare malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells are surrounded by an extensive but ineffective inflammatory/immune cell infiltrate. This striking feature suggests that malignant HRS cells escape immunosurveillance and interact with immune cells in the cancer microenvironment for survival and growth. We previously found that cHLs have a genetic basis for immune evasion: near-uniform copy number alterations of chromosome 9p24.1 and the associated PD-1 ligand loci, CD274/PD-L1 and PDCD1LG2/PD-L2, and copy number–dependent increased expression of these ligands. HRS cells expressing PD-1 ligands are thought to engage PD-1 receptor–positive immune effectors in the tumor microenvironment and induce PD-1 signaling and associated immune evasion. The genetic bases of enhanced PD-1 signaling in cHL make these tumors uniquely sensitive to PD-1 blockade.
Blockade of CD7 expression in T cells for effective chimeric antigen receptor targeting of T-cell malignancies
Authors: Png Yi Tian , Vinanica Natasha , Kamiya Takahiro , Shimasaki Noriko , Coustan-Smith Elaine , Campana Dario
Published: November 2017

Key Points

Blockade of CD7 expression with a novel method, combined with a second-generation CAR, results in highly potent anti-CD7 CAR T cells. This practical strategy provides a new treatment option for patients with high-risk T-cell malignancies, including ETP-ALL.
Correction to: The impact of EU and non-EU immigration on British wages
Authors: Nickell Stephen , Saleheen Jumana
Published: November 2017

Correction to: IZA journal of development and migration (2017) 7:15 DOI: 10.1186/s40176-017-0096-0

In the original version of this article (Nickell & Saleheen, 2017), published on 11 October 2017, there is an error in the “Country of Birth” section in Appendix 1. In this Correction the incorrect and correct version of the affected sentence is shown. The error and corrected error are in bold.
Graduate Training at the Interface of Computational and Experimental Biology: An Outcome Report from a Partnership of Volunteers between a University and a National Laboratory
Authors: von Arnim Albrecht G. , Missra Anamika
Published: November 2017

Leading voices in the biological sciences have called for a transformation in graduate education leading to the PhD degree. One area commonly singled out for growth and innovation is cross-training in computational science. In 1998, the University of Tennessee (UT) founded an intercollegiate graduate program called the UT-ORNL Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology in partnership with the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Here, we report outcome data that attest to the program’s effectiveness in graduating computationally enabled biologists for diverse careers. Among 77 PhD graduates since 2003, the majority came with traditional degrees in the biological sciences, yet two-thirds moved into computational or hybrid (computational–experimental) positions. We describe the curriculum of the program and how it has changed. We also summarize how the program seeks to establish cohesion between computational and experimental biologists. This type of program can respond flexibly and dynamically to unmet training needs. In conclusion, this study from a flagship, state-supported university may serve as a reference point for creating a stable, degree-granting, interdepartmental graduate program in computational biology and allied areas.
Comparative genomics identifies male accessory gland proteins in five Glossina species
Authors: Abry Muna F. , Kimenyi Kelvin M. , Masiga Daniel K , Kulohoma Benard W.
Published: November 2017

Accessory gland proteins (ACPs) are important reproductive proteins produced by the male accessory glands (MAGs) of most insect species. These proteins are essential for male insect fertility, and are transferred alongside semen to females during copulation. ACPs are poorly characterized in Glossina species (tsetse fly), the principal vector of the parasite that causes life-threatening Human African Trypanosomiasis and Animal trypanosomiasis in endemic regions in Africa. The tsetse fly has a peculiar reproductive cycle because of the absence of oviposition. Females mate once and store sperm in a spermathecal, and produce a single fully developed larva at a time that pupates within minutes of exiting their uterus. This slow reproductive cycle, compared to other insects, significantly restricts reproduction to only 3 to 6 larvae per female lifespan. This unique reproductive cycle is an attractive vector control strategy entry point. We exploit comparative genomics approaches to explore the diversity of ACPs in the recently available whole genome sequence data from five tsetse fly species ( Glossina morsitans, G. austeni, G. brevipalpis, G. pallidipes and G. fuscipes). We used previously described ACPs in Drosophila melanogaster and Anopheles gambiae as reference sequences. We identified 36, 27, 31, 29 and 33 diverse ACP orthologous genes in G. austeni, G. brevipalpis, G. fuscipes, G. pallidipes and G. morsitans genomes respectively, which we classified into 21 functional classes. Our findings provide genetic evidence of MAG proteins in five recently sequenced Glossina genomes. It highlights new avenues for molecular studies that evaluate potential field control strategies of these important vectors of human and animal disease.
Przemiany społeczności ormiańskiej w Polsce pod wpływem unii ze Stolicą Apostolską
Authors: Król-Mazur Renata
Published: November 2017

Transformation of the Armenian Community in Poland under the Influence of the Union with the Holly See The article is an outline of the problem and the introduction to further research on the process of Latinization of the rites of Polish Armenians. So far researchers have primarily underlined the influence of the Catholic Church on Polonization of Armenians. They indicated that the union between Armenian and Catholic churches accelerated the process of Catholization of Armenian settlers. However questions on what the Catholization process actually looked like, its course, and symptoms have remained mostly unanswered. The way the unification process was accomplished in 1630 by bishop Mikołaj Torosowicz, himself a rather controversial personality, accompanying conflicts and divisions in the initial period contributed to deepening the existing differences. The author is trying to find answers to several important questions, among the others of how the activity of the Papal College in Lvov and the convent of Armenian Benedictine nuns contributed to the rapproachement of both rites. How was Latinization reflected in Armenian rites (new services, prayers, and songs that emerged)? What were the new places of religious cult taken over or adopted by Armenians from the Roman Catholic Church? What role did the Armenian Synod in Lvov in 1689 play in the history of Armenian Catholic Church? How was the adoption of the church union by Armenians reflected in culture and arts (among the others in music, architecture, painting, miniature, and language)? Such information will enable to formulate initial conclusions of the influence of the Latin Church on religious and social life of Polish Armenians in the course of the 17th and 18th centuries. They will also allow to answer the question whether the adoption of the church union by Armenians really contributed to their Polonization, as indicated by historiography (particularly the Ukrainian one) or was the process easier due to acculturation which occurred much earlier.
„Prowent” od śmierci. Udział duchowieństwa i bractw ormiańskich w praktykach związanych ze śmiercią we Lwowie w pierwszej połowie XVIII wieku
Authors: Winnyczenko Oksana
Published: November 2017

Profit from Death. Participation of the Armenian Clergy and Fraternities in the Practices Related to Death in Lviv in the First Half of the 18th Century

In early modern times Lviv’s Armenians according to legal regulation and a long tradition to bequeath large amounts of money to the Armenian upper and lower clergy, monastery and fraternities. The Armenian common law does not define the purpose of such records for the benefit of clergy in the testaments. However, in practice the acts of last will and other documents contained proofs that Armenians disposed of some funds by last will instead of performing concrete obligations. Usually, these responsibilities were related to participation in funeral rituals and praying for the soul at the funeral and after the death of a testator as well. The amounts of money granted for these ceremonial acts were similar in many wills, which may indicate the existence of more or less fixed charges for the services. In addition to the Armenian clergy, Lviv’s Armenians asked the monks from the Latin orders and congregations to participate in practices connected with death, which became common phenomenon after the Armenian Church in Ukraine had entered the Union with Rome.
Computational study on the effect of malalignment of the tibial component on the biomechanics of total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Suh D-S. , Kang K-T. , Son J. , Kwon O-R. , Baek C. , Koh Y-G.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Malalignment of the tibial component could influence the long-term survival of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The object of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effect of varus and valgus malalignment on the tibial component under stance-phase gait cycle loading conditions.

Methods

Validated finite element models for varus and valgus malalignment by 3° and 5° were developed to evaluate the effect of malalignment on the tibial component in TKA. Maximum contact stress and contact area on a polyethylene insert, maximum contact stress on patellar button and the collateral ligament force were investigated.

Results

There was greater total contact stress in the varus alignment than in the valgus, with more marked difference on the medial side. An increase in ligament force was clearly demonstrated, especially in the valgus alignment and force exerted on the medial collateral ligament also increased.

Conclusion

These results highlight the importance of accurate surgical reconstruction of the coronal tibial alignment of the knee joint. Varus and valgus alignments will influence wear and ligament stability, respectively in TKA. Cite this article: D-S. Suh, K-T. Kang, J. Son, O-R. Kwon, C. Baek, Y-G. Koh. Computational study on the effect of malalignment of the tibial component on the biomechanics of total knee arthroplasty: A Finite Element Analysis. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:623–630. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.611.BJR-2016-0088.R2.
Maintaining International Peace and Security by Regulating Military Use of Outer Space
Authors: Saadia Zahoor
Published: November 2017

Outer space is the new battle ground and states are investing heavily to achieve military supremacy in space. There is no provision in any space treaty that explains what constitutes space and whether the celestial bodies are included in space or not. It is widely accepted that the moon and other celestial bodies should be used for the collective benefit of mankind and that no state should exploit space and celestial bodies to derive benefit by putting at risk the peace and security of other states. Thus, while the treaty regime calls for ‘peaceful use’ of space only, there is a conflict of interpretation regarding the phrase which is often limited to ‘non-military use’ or ‘non-aggressive use’. In consequence of these lacunas in space-related treaty regimes – which should be removed to save it from subsequent weaponization – space has been used for military purposes for over fifty years by employing technology to locate and target enemies. The first step is to precisely define what constitutes space weapon, followed by adoption of non-binding code of conduct. However, ultimately, there is need for adoption of complete, equitable and verifiable ban on space weapons that are either already placed or will be placed in near future in space to attack humans and assets on space or earth, or are placed on earth to attack assets in space.
Evolución de la equidad del sistema sanitario brasileño desde las perspectivas del gasto y de la financiación: periodo de 1988 a 2000
Authors: Silva Marcia Das Merces , Cabiedes Miragaya Laura
Published: November 2017

Al inicio de los años 90, el Coeficiente de Gini situaba a Brasil entrelos países con peor distribución de la renta y de la riqueza. En 1988,la redemocratización del país culminó con una Constitución Federal que instituyó un sistema sanitario público nacional, de acceso universal. Este estudio ha analizado si el grado de equidad ha evolucionado desde la implantación del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) en 1988, hasta el año 2000, pues la desigualdad se mantuvo en niveles altos durante este período. Para ello, se ha analizado el grado de equidad del SUS desde la financiación hasta los indicadores del gasto por región. Si bien se han observado marcadas desigualdades en salud entre las regiones, la comparación de los indicadores sanitarios indica que han disminuido las inequidades en el período analizado.
Articulación interestatal en la gestión de residuos sólidos urbanos. El caso de los Municipios entrerrianos
Authors: Bach Mauricio
Published: November 2017

En este trabajo se intenta indagar sobre el diseño, la formulación y la implementación en los municipios de la Provincia de Entre Ríos del “Plan Provincial de Gestión Integral de Residuos Urbanos de Entre Ríos”. Para ello, en una primera instancia, se definen los objetivos e hipótesis a comprobar; se continúa con la revisión del estado del arte en la temática seleccionada, del material bibliográfico, de las entrevistas a informantes claves y la documentación relacionada con el objeto de esta investigación.Con posterioridad, se intentan verificar las hipótesis planteadas,  para lo cual se describe y analiza el diseño y la implementación de la política de gestión integral de residuos urbanos y, por último, se enuncian algunas conclusiones.
Los gerentes no familiares en las Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas familiares
Authors: Garavaglia Lucila Mariel , Del Bene Luca
Published: November 2017

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo profundizar el estudio de la relaciónexistente entre el/los gerentes no familiares y la familia propietaria en la pequeña y mediana empresa familiar. Se trata de un tema de profundo y creciente interés tanto en el mundo académico como empresarial.Mediante el desarrollo de una investigación cualitativa, se buscacomprender el motivo por el cual la empresa familiar decide incorporarlos, cuál es proceso de reclutamiento y selección que realizan, qué actividades desarrollan, y qué tipo de relación mantienen con la familia propietaria.El trabajo de campo se desarrolló en diez PyMEs familiares argentinas e italianas, mediante el desarrollo de entrevistas semi-estructuradas con los gerentes y/o directores de dichas empresas.Los principales resultados señalan una amplia variedad de causasque llevan a contratar gerentes no familiares, lo cual se relaciona a su vez con la gran amplitud de tareas que desarrollan. Además, se destaca un proceso de reclutamiento y selección bastante informal, con una participación activa del emprendedor familiar. Por último, los resultados demuestran la estricta relación laboral que mantienen las partes.
J. Minaya, Pedro Francisco Bonó : vida, obra y pensamiento crítico, Santo Domingo, Archivo General de Nación.
Authors: Guadarrama González Pablo
Published: November 2017

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Fire Insulation of Aluminum Glazed Partitions Depending on the Infill Solution of Framework Profiles
Authors: Sędłak Bartłomiej , Roszkowski Paweł , Sulik Paweł
Published: November 2017

This paper presents the main problems related to the fire resistance of aluminium glazed partitions. It discusses technical solutions used in partition systems with a specific fire resistance class, as well as a procedure and the general principles of classification of fire resistance for structures of this type. Moreover, the paper presents the comparison of fire resistance test results of glazed partition test specimens, depending on the volume of insulation inserts placed inside the aluminium structure profiles. To made the comparison the specimens with the same transom - mullion structure were tested with two filling solutions - with same profiles filled only in the middle part and fully filled.
The Interaction Features of the Multi-Level Retaining Walls with Soil Mass
Authors: Boyko Igor , Skochko Liudmyla , Zhuk Veronica
Published: November 2017

The interaction features of multi-level retaining walls with soil base were researched by changing their geometric parameters and locality at the plan. During excavation of deep foundation pits it is important to choose the type of constructions which influences on the horizontal displacements. The distance between the levels of retaining walls should be based on the results of numerical modelling. The objective of this paper is to present a comparison between the data of numerical simulations and the results of the in-situ lateral tests of couple piles. The problems have been solved by using the following soil models: Coulomb-Mohr model; model, which is based on the dilatation theory; elastic-plastic model with variable stiffness parameters.
Reisen und Vergleichen
Authors: Peters Christine
Published: November 2017

In their travelogues, both Humboldt and Krusenstern employ global comparisons as powerful and versatile epistemological devices. While these comparisons usually fall back upon Eurocentric ideas of art, politics, society, and beauty – thereby frequently establishing European superiority over the chosen objects of comparison – they also transform formerly unrelated pieces of information into coherent knowledge concerning the world as a whole. This contribution inquires how these practices of comparison generate explanations of both natural and cultural matters.
Dialogtitel im Stummfilm, Zwischentitel im Tonfilm
Authors: Krautkrämer Florian
Published: November 2017

In this essay, Florian Krautkrämer analyses intertitles with a focus on dialogue scenes in silent and sound films. He takes a closer look on dialogue titles and dialogue scenes without titles in silent movies to show a line of continuity between the format change. Normally it is taken for granted that there weren’t many titles after the advent of sound, but Krautkrämer also gives examples of contemporary films that are still using intertitles.
PAPR Reduction in MIMO-OFDM System Using SLM Without SI
Authors: Goel Ashish , Sidhu Komaldeep
Published: November 2017

MIMO-OFDM is a key technology being widely used these days for 4 G communication systems but its main drawback is high PAPR. Selected mapping is commonly used approach for PAPR reduction but in SLM there is requirement of side information (SI) to be sent along with the input data signal and leading to the loss in data rate and increased complexity. In this article, we have come up with a technique for PAPR reduction in which there is no requirement of transmission of side information and therefore preserves the data rate and also provides sufficient reduction in the PAPR. In this technique, SI embedding is performed in the form of subcarrier location (index) by increasing its power. The simulation results demonstrate that the scheme which has been proposed provides the favorable response in terms of bit error rate (BER), PAPR reduction and SI detection capability.
Restoration of a Chasuble Fragment from the Half of the 17th Century: New Methods for Spot Cleaning of Historic Textiles
Authors: Fagová Dana , Šulcová Veronika
Published: November 2017

The National Museum collections include a liturgical vestment in form of a fragment of a chasuble dating back to the mid-17th century. The fragment is a very interesting example of rustic embroidery. As the textile was in poor condition it needed to be restored, a process which included cleaning and stitching repairs. The state of the material meant that the chasuble could not be washed, but the nature of the stains enabled local cleaning methods to be used. This involved wet cleaning with amedical aspirator and water absorption cleaning using agar in the form of a solid gel. Finally, a suitable adjustment form was created for longtermstorage and for study or exhibition.
The Preparation of the Exhibition of Historical Clothing without Showcases and Including Subsequent Care for it with Focus on Monitoring of Dustiness
Authors: Šulcová Veronika
Published: November 2017

In terms of the preparation for the Major Exhibition entitled “Retro”, which opened in June 2016, we were faced with the problem of how to manage the installation of a large amount of clothing without using any showcases. The women’s and men’s clothing that was installed came not only from the collections of the Historical Museum and the Náprstek Museum, but also represented the contemporary creations of both domestic and foreign designers and apparel houses. The installation in open areas not only provides a more immediate experience for the visitor and proffers wider architectural options and represents a significantly lower financial burden, but at the same time it also poses risks for the precious garments. The biggest risks include dust nuisance, pests and also undisciplined visitors in the manner of damage from touch and also from theft and vandalism. We try to take into account all these risks and on the basis of surveying the possible solutions eliminate them. At the same time amethod of dust monitoring has been tested in the ongoing exhibition and its results are also discussed in the article.
The Analysis, Description and Archiving of Comprehensive Information concerning the Properties of Cultural Heritage Artifacts and the Usage of such Data during the Restoration, Conservation and Research Practice
Authors: Štefcová Petra , Valach Jaroslav , Zemánek Petr
Published: November 2017

The article is a brief description of the content and the objectives of a joint project that is entitled „The Analysis, Description and Archiving of Comprehensive Information concerning the properties of Cultural Heritage Artifacts and the Usage of such Data during Restoration, Conservation and Research“ that is carried out at various departments of the National Museum and of the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University within the Applied Research and Development of National and Cultural Identity Programme (NAKI) that is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. It also provides some examples of the results that were achieved during the first year of the project.
An Image of the Ľubovňa Museum in the 21st Century
Authors: Ondrej Jakub
Published: November 2017

The paper is devoted to the marketing activities of the Ľubovňa Museum, which are expressed via communication with the media of various kinds and forms and are used for building the image of the Museum. It provides information about this Museum’s communication with the public through modern forms of marketing and promotion, including the organising of social and cultural-educational events and by cooperating with other public life institutions. The Ľubovňa Museum - the Castle in Stará Ľubovňa - was visited by a total number of 186 thousand visitors in 2016.
Crystal structure of poly[(μ2-1,4-bis((2-ethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene-κ2
N:N′)-(μ2-4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoato-κ2
O:O′)zinc(II)], C40H34N4O6SZn
Authors: Xu Chunying , Li Jili , Li Minghui , Cui Lu
Published: November 2017

C40H34N4O6SZn, triclinic P1̅ (no. 2), a = 11.157(2) Å, b = 11.867(2) Å, c = 14.141(3) Å, α = 75.30(3)°, β = 86.09(3)°, γ = 84.91(3)°, V = 1801.8(6) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0419, ω
R
ref(F
2) = 0.1063, T = 293(2) K.
A trial of doramectin injection and ivermectin spot-on for treatment of rabbits artificially infested with the ear mite “Psoroptes cuniculi”
Authors: Elhawary N.M. , Sorour Sh. S.G.H. , El-Abasy M.A. , Bazh E.K. , Sultan K.
Published: November 2017

The ear mite “Psoroptes cuniculi” is the main cause of ear mange, a highly contagious parasitic skin disease in rabbits all over the world. In the current work, a preliminary therapeutic trial to study the effect of the broad use acaricides doramectin and ivermectin on P. cuniculi was performed on artificially infested rabbits. Twenty five adult New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. The rabbits were assigned randomly into five groups/ 5 rabbits in each group. Each rabbit was experimentally infested with 100 mites/ ear. The first group was designated the positive control group and was not treated. The second and third groups were treated with doramectin 200 and 400 μg/kg bw, respectively. Groups 4 and 5 were treated by dressing with ivermectin in one dose and 2 doses with a 1 week interval. After the therapy, all rabbits were examined microscopically on the 7th, 14th, and 28th day post treatment and the number of live mites (larvae, nymphs, and adults) on each rabbit was counted at the end of the experiment (28th day). The results showed that the rabbits treated subcutaneously with doramectin at a single dose of 200 μg /kg bw showed a very low effect, although there was significant improvement when the dose was doubled to 400 μg /kg bw, with the number of mites counted decreasing significantly. Rabbits treated topically with ivermectin spot-on, a single dose or 2 doses, showed great improvement of the lesion: the number of mites was reduced to zero. In conclusion, this work showed that ivermectin spot-on applied locally on infested ears proves to be more effective against P. cuniculi than doramectin injected subcutaneously. Further trials on ear mange therapeutics in rabbits are to be encouraged.
Evaluation of usefulness of a commercial agarose gel electrophoresis kit (QuickGel SP) for bovine serum protein electrophoresis
Authors: Okatsu Y. , Yamagishi N. , Hatate K. , Devkota B.
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to show the usefulness of a commercial agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) kit (QuickGel SP) for separating bovine serum protein fractions in comparison with conventional cellulose acetate electrophoresis (CAE). Serum protein bands were verified using five reference reagents corresponding to albumin and α1-, β1-, β2-, and γ-globulins. AGE clearly revealed six separated fractions of albumin and α1-, α2-, β1-, β2-, and γ-globulin fractions in 100% and 77.8% in serum samples of dairy cows from the healthy (n=27) and diseased groups (n=27), respectively. The α1- and α2-globulins were not separated by CAE in 14.8% and 96.3% of the samples from the healthy and diseased groups, respectively, whereas β2- and γ-globulin were not separated by CAE in 96.3% and 100% of the samples from the healthy and diseased groups, respectively. More than 94% of the points for the α-globulin fractions (α1- and α2-globulins), the β-γ-globulin fractions (β1-, β2-, and γ-globulins), and the albumin/globulin ratio between AGE and CAE were within agreement on the Bland-Altman plots. However, the mean biases were not near zero in the albumin and β-γ-globulin fractions. These results suggest that the high-resolution commercial AGE kit can be utilized to separate bovine serum protein fractions.
Medical significance of simultaneous application of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and neopterin as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in clinical practice
Authors: Zvetkova Elisaveta , Fuchs Dietmar
Published: November 2017

In our individual and collaborative studies, we have played a part in pioneering investigations on the usefulness of biomarkers – red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and neopterin. This mini review includes historical data on the topic and is related to the first contributions in this field, as well as to the possibilities for further improvement and simultaneous application of RDW and neopterin measurements in the prevention, prognosis and treatment of a great number of socially important disease conditions (arterial, cardiovascular, brain vascular, peripheral artery diseases, inflammations, autoimmune states, cancers and leukemias, addictions, etc.). When comparing the results obtained with the immunobiochemical biomarker neopterin with RDW, they are reported to be very similar as independent predictors of the same pathological states in the human body although their biomedical origins are very different. Both the parameters were until now successfully, but only separately used in medical practice. The combined use of these two biomarkers can shed some more light on their interrelationships and provide some clues as to how the interaction between immune system activation and red blood cells biology are intertwined.
Methoden der Temperaturbestimmung von elektrischen Entladungen bei Öffnungs-Kontaktvorgängen in
zündfähigen Gasen
Authors: Uber Carsten , Shekhar Rajiv , Essmann Stefan , Gerlach Udo , Augustin Silke , Fröhlich Thomas
Published: November 2017

Für elektrische Entladungen, die bei niedrigen Spannungen von
20–40 V und Strömen von 40–100 mA nach
der Öffnung eines elektrischen Kontaktes in explosiven
Atmosphären auftreten, wurden erste spektroskopische
Untersuchungen hinsichtlich der dabei entstehenden Temperatur
durchgeführt. Diese Metalldampf-Entladungen, die ähnlich dem
„kurzen Bogen“ (short arc) sind, werden im international
standardisierten Funkenprüfgerät gemäß IEC 60079-11
erzeugt, um die Eignung elektrischer Komponenten in
explosionsgeschützten Bereichen zu beurteilen.

Die Temperatur ist bei diesen komplexen Zündvorgängen, die im
Funkenprüfgerät auftreten, ein
Schlüsselparameter. Einerseits ist die Temperatur der
Kontaktmaterialien für die Beurteilung der zwingend erforderlichen
Vorprozesse vor der Hauptentladung relevant, andererseits kann die
Wirkung der Entladung durch die Elektronen-, Ionen und Gastemperatur
charakterisiert werden. Dieser Artikel beschreibt den aktuellen Stand
zur Temperaturmessung dieser elektrischen Entladungen,
einschließlich der Herausforderungen, die dem genaueren
Verständnis dieser Entladungsvorgänge und des thermochemischen
Zündprozesses dienen sollen. Für Entladungen mit
30 V und 100 mA unter den genannten
Rahmenbedingungen wurden Anregungstemperaturen im Bereich von 3500–5000 K gemessen und berechnet.
The Role of Cysteine String Protein α Phosphorylation at Serine 10 and 34 by Protein Kinase Cγ for Presynaptic Maintenance
Authors: Shirafuji Toshihiko , Ueyama Takehiko , Adachi Naoko , Yoshino Ken-Ichi , Sotomaru Yusuke , Uwada Junsuke , Kaneoka Azumi , Ueda Taro , Tanaka Shigeru , Hide Izumi , Saito Naoaki , Sakai Norio
Published: November 2017

Protein kinase Cγ (PKCγ) knock-out (KO) animals exhibit symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), including dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra. However, the PKCγ substrates responsible for the survival of dopaminergic neuronsin vivohave not yet been elucidated. Previously, we found 10 potent substrates in the striatum of PKCγ-KO mice. Here, we focused on cysteine string protein α (CSPα), a protein from the heat shock protein (HSP) 40 cochaperone families localized on synaptic vesicles. We found that in cultured cells, PKCγ phosphorylates CSPα at serine (Ser) 10 and Ser34. Additionally, apoptosis was found to have been enhanced by the overexpression of a phosphorylation-null mutant of CSPα, CSPα(S10A/S34A). Compared with wild-type (WT) CSPα, the CSPα(S10A/S34A) mutant had a weaker interaction with HSP70. However, in sharp contrast, a phosphomimetic CSPα(S10D/S34D) mutant, compared with WT CSPα, had a stronger interaction with HSP70. In addition, total levels of synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP) 25, a main downstream target of the HSC70/HSP70 chaperone complex, were found to have decreased by the CSPα(S10A/S34A) mutant through increased ubiquitination of SNAP25 in PC12 cells. In the striatum of 2-year-old male PKCγ-KO mice, decreased phosphorylation levels of CSPα and decreased SNAP25 protein levels were observed. These findings indicate the phosphorylation of CSPα by PKCγ may protect the presynaptic terminal from neurodegeneration. The PKCγ–CSPα–HSC70/HSP70–SNAP25 axis, because of its role in protecting the presynaptic terminal, may provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of PD.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCysteine string protein α (CSPα) is a protein belonging to the heat shock protein (HSP) 40 cochaperone families localized on synaptic vesicles, which maintain the presynaptic terminal. However, the function of CSPα phosphorylation by protein kinase C (PKC) for neuronal cell survival remains unclear. The experiments presented here demonstrate that PKCγ phosphorylates CSPα at serine (Ser) 10 and Ser34. CSPα phosphorylation at Ser10 and Ser34 by PKCγ protects the presynaptic terminal by promoting HSP70 chaperone activity. This report suggests that CSPα phosphorylation, because of its role in modulating HSP70 chaperone activity, may be a target for the treatment of neurodegeneration.
Inverted Encoding Models of Human Population Response Conflate Noise and Neural Tuning Width
Authors: Liu Taosheng , Cable Dylan , Gardner Justin L.
Published: November 2017

Channel-encoding models offer the ability to bridge different scales of neuronal measurement by interpreting population responses, typically measured with BOLD imaging in humans, as linear sums of groups of neurons (channels) tuned for visual stimulus properties. Inverting these models to form predicted channel responses from population measurements in humans seemingly offers the potential to infer neuronal tuning properties. Here, we test the ability to make inferences about neural tuning width from inverted encoding models. We examined contrast invariance of orientation selectivity in human V1 (both sexes) and found that inverting the encoding model resulted in channel response functions that became broader with lower contrast, thus apparently violating contrast invariance. Simulations showed that this broadening could be explained by contrast-invariant single-unit tuning with the measured decrease in response amplitude at lower contrast. The decrease in response lowers the signal-to-noise ratio of population responses that results in poorer population representation of orientation. Simulations further showed that increasing signal to noise makes channel response functions less sensitive to underlying neural tuning width, and in the limit of zero noise will reconstruct the channel function assumed by the model regardless of the bandwidth of single units. We conclude that our data are consistent with contrast-invariant orientation tuning in human V1. More generally, our results demonstrate that population selectivity measures obtained by encoding models can deviate substantially from the behavior of single units because they conflate neural tuning width and noise and are therefore better used to estimate the uncertainty of decoded stimulus properties.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIt is widely recognized that perceptual experience arises from large populations of neurons, rather than a few single units. Yet, much theory and experiment have examined links between single units and perception. Encoding models offer a way to bridge this gap by explicitly interpreting population activity as the aggregate response of many single neurons with known tuning properties. Here we use this approach to examine contrast-invariant orientation tuning of human V1. We show with experiment and modeling that due to lower signal to noise, contrast-invariant orientation tuning of single units manifests in population response functions that broaden at lower contrast, rather than remain contrast-invariant. These results highlight the need for explicit quantitative modeling when making a reverse inference from population response profiles to single-unit responses.
O problema da figuração do escravo em uma narrativa de Joaquim Manuel de Macedo1
Authors: Gil Fernando Cerisara
Published: November 2017

O debate sobre a escravidão foi um dos eixos centrais de preocupação dos intelectuais e dos homens de letras, no Brasil, ao longo do século XIX. O objetivo deste artigo é examinar o caráter contraditório da visão abolicionista na narrativa “Pai-Raiol, o feiticeiro”, de Joaquim Manuel de Macedo, a partir da figuração do escravo negro como personagem de ficção, bem como do sistema de valores que envolveria o mundo escravista, na perspectiva do escritor. Ao mesmo tempo, interessa identificar algumas articulações entre a representação do escravo no plano ficcional e certa concepção sobre o negro e o escravo negro corrente à época.
Todos ali eram bons homens
Authors: Wittmann Leonardo Josef Schifino
Published: November 2017

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A personagem e o espaço e o espaço da personagem: uma reflexão a partir de um corpus português
Authors: Girola Maristela Kirst de Lima
Published: November 2017

O estudo procura demonstrar que a progressiva complexificação da construção da personagem feminina relaciona-se direta e necessariamente à construção do espaço ficcional, tomando como objetos de análise as seguintes obras: A Sibila (1954), de Agustina Bessa-Luís; O Anjo Ancorado (1958), de José Cardoso Pires; Casas Pardas (1977), de Maria Velho da Costa e Não entres tão depressa nessa noite escura (2000), de António Lobo Antunes.
Do trágico ao obsceno: o Amphitruo de plauto
Authors: Tindo Marcos
Published: November 2017

Este breve texto analisa as ambiguidades presentes na peça Amphitruo, do autor romano Plauto, ao conceber um enredo apto a um tratamento cômico apesar de baseado do mito da concepção de Hércules, o qual já havia anteriormente sido recontada em tragédias. Abordam-se aqui as transformações que o mito sofre nas mãos do comediógrafo, as quais se concentram principalmente no nível da personagem. Com base na narrativa e nas falas das personagens, demonstra-se como o autor alcançou o objetivo de adaptar a fábula a um roteiro cômico por meio duma mudança na apresentação das personagens, especialmente duas das principais: nomeadamente, Júpiter e Alcmena, que foram degradadas dos seus lugares originários de figuras de respeito, por meio de reiteradas associações obscenas.
The Status of Historical Characters in Drama: Ontological, Aesthetic, and Verisimilar
Authors: Richardson Brian
Published: November 2017

Usando as representações de Niels Bohr e Werner Heisenberg em Frayn's Copenhagen como pedra de toque, o artigo explora o status ontológico de personagens históricos em drama. Ele argumenta que os personagens de ficção, baseados ou não em indivíduos históricos, habitam um reino de ficção e podem, por uma série de razões, divergir consideravelmente de seus homólogos do mundo real.
Character, an essence of the narrative
Authors: Brasil Luiz Antonio De Assis , Reis Carlos
Published: November 2017

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Olhar fracionado e face expressionista: a construção da personagem em Samuel Rawet
Authors: Pires Maria Isabel Edom
Published: November 2017

O artigo visa discutir a presença das artes plásticas e da fotografia na construção da personagem Ida do conto “A prece” de Samuel Rawet. Pergunta-se sobre o significado do emprego de diversos recursos de picturalidade, notadamente as alusões ao Cubismo e ao Expressionismo, para narrar a história da imigrante judia. Questiona-se o motivo pelo qual ela é vista e mostrada de forma seccionada e deformada. Com base nas teorias sobre translação e transposição entre artes (Moser, Clüver, Louvel), aponta-se para alguns sentidos pelos quais se passa de uma arte a outra, entendendo o tema da imigração como o catalizador de muitos deles.
Black box model-based self healing solution for stuck-at-faults in combinational circuits
Authors: Meyyappan S. , Alamelumangai V.
Published: November 2017

The paper unveils a black box model-based self healing strategy to suppress the ill effects of stuck-at-faults occurring in combinational circuits. The primary theory endeavours to attach a sense of reliability in the performance of digital systems and makes them insensitive to the negative impact of faults present in the system. The proposed methodology employs a dynamic fault tolerant approach to protect digital systems from the incursion of stuck-at-faults and enables the system to come up with fault free outputs. The simulation results affirm the authenticity of the proposed strategy to cancel out the influence of faults and facilitate the system to heal itself. The work utilizes the attributes of an FPGA to demonstrate the practical viability of the proposed approach. The performance analysis endorses the definite dominance of the proposed healing scheme over the traditional Triple Modular Redundancy [TMR] in terms of fault coverage and area overhead.
Three-dimensional artificial organism model developed upon a two-layer coarse-fine-grid network approach
Authors: Szász Cs.
Published: November 2017

In an attempt to devise a model which more closely imitates cellular biology a three-dimensional (3D) artificial organism model developed upon a two-layer coarse-fine-grid network model is proposed in this paper. The strength of this original approach is that it endeavors to capture the complexity of both the cellular networks as well as that of the biological cell itself, by implementing the internal biological phenomena of an organism into a 3D two different network topology hardware layer. In essence, this model not only keeps the full advantages of previously created 2D models that enable the implementation of similar self-replicating or selfrepairing abilities akin to those expressed by its cellular equivalents in nature, but there the inherent need of artificial cell structures to fulfill the entire role of a biological cell in the network is also expressed. Computer-aided simulation results prove that this kind of 3D coarse-fine-grid approach is well feasible physically therefore the model has been implemented into a computing platform made of custom reconfigurable Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processors.
A sustainable design for an off-grid passive container house
Authors: Bowley W. , Mukhopadhyaya P.
Published: November 2017

Buildings are the largest consumers of energy, accounting for nearly 40% of all energy used. Therefore, an effective method of reducing energy consumption is to create and design more efficient buildings. In this paper details of a sustainable and green building design for a small residential home are presented. This design is unique in that it is built to Passive house standards, and using shipping containers. The structure will use four 20 ft. (6.1 m) high and one 40 ft. (12.2 m) high cube containers, with the four 20 ft. (6.1 m) making up the main floor and the 40 ft. (12.2 m) forming the second floor. The size is a modest 820 sq. ft. (76.2 m2) designed for a family with one or two children.

The goal for the building is to be as self-sufficient as possible which makes it ideally suited to an ‘off-grid’ rural setting. However, it can be adapted to be ‘on-grid’ as well. Solar energy will provide all the electricity needs through a photovoltaic battery system, and warm water with a solar water heater. The site will be water neutral by utilising rainwater harvesting and on site waste water treatment. The results from energy modelling, using HOT2000, are presented, as well as an in-depth analysis on different insulation types and strategies. Finally, a cost estimate exercise is conducted and results compared to other passive houses and traditional code compliance buildings.
Bibliometric analysis of the development of nanoscience research in South Africa
Authors: Makhoba Xolani , Pouris Anastassios
Published: November 2017

Nanotechnology is a fast-growing scientific research area internationally and is classified as an important emerging research area. In response to this importance, South African researchers and institutions have also increased their efforts in this area. A bibliometric study of articles as indexed in the Web of Science considered the development in this field with respect to the growth in literature, collaboration profile and the research areas that are more within the country’s context. We also looked at public institutions that are more active in this arena, including government policy considerations as guided by the National Nanotechnology Strategy launched in 2005. We found that the number of nanotechnology publications have shown a remarkable growth ever since the launch of the strategy. Articles on nanotechnology have been published in numerous journals, with Electrochimica Acta publishing the most, followed by Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. These publications fall within the traditional domains of chemistry and physics. In terms of the institutional profile and based on publication outputs over the period reviewed, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is a leading producer of publications in nanotechnology, followed by the University of the Witwatersrand – institutions that are both based in the Gauteng Province. There is a high level of international collaboration with different countries within this field – the most productive collaboration is with India, followed by the USA and China, as measured through co-authorship.

Significance: 

Nanotechnology as a field of research is experiencing rapid growth and there is a need to understand progress from a South African perspective.