bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital terrestrial television licensing in Greece: Curiouser and curiouser
Authors: Katsirea Irini
Published: July 2017

Since their launching 25 years ago, private television stations in Greece operated under ‘temporary’ licences on the basis of legal provisions that had been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Administrative Court of Greece. A law, which was passed by the Greek Parliament on 24 October 2015, promised to put an end to this state of disorder by finally regulating the licencing of digital terrestrial television (DTT) providers. However, the new legislation proved extremely controversial, dividing government and opposition parties. The general outcry against the new licensing framework did not deter the government from granting only four ten-year licences through an auction procedure held by the Secretariat General of Information and Communication. The main criticisms voiced against this arrangement were the following: first, that it bypassed the independent regulatory authority Ethniko Symvoulio Radiotileorasis (ESR), and second, that the arbitrary limitation of the number of licenses placed commercial television under the tutelage of the state and reduced pluralism. The Greek government, on the other hand, contended that it was solely competent to regulate DTT licensing, that the Greek audio-visual market could not sustain more channels, and that the new regime would put an end to corruption in the sector. This article proposes to examine the validity of these arguments, and to discuss the impact of the new legislation on media freedom in Greece.
Making public service under social media logics
Authors: Hokka Jenni
Published: July 2017

The scale and form of social media services provided by public service companies have been under heated discussion for the last decade. In this article I approach this issue from the perspective of creative labour. How do workers perceive public service values and their applicability to social media? How are workers adapting their practices from broadcasting to narrowcasting? The article builds on José van Dijk and Thomas Poell’s idea of social media logics. This analytical prism is used to analyse a specific case study, a Finnish multiplatform serial Uusi Päivä (2010- ). The analysis shows that social media logic modifies the conditions of public service media. Reaching the users as well as producing spreadable content is a significant challenge for public service companies, as their main operating principles still mostly date back to the time of mass media logics. Yet, the workers also see great possibilities in creating new kinds of public service through social media.
The death of B92: How it survived Milosevic’s authoritarianism but didn’t survive democracy
Authors: Stavljanin Dragan , Veljanovski Rade
Published: July 2017

This article examines how broadcaster B92, once the top-billed independent media in Serbia that resisted Milosevic’s authoritarianism, could not survive democracy. Although it withstood the crackdown and censorship of the war regime, it was eventually sunk by what could be considered ‘market censorship’. B92 was forced into privatization because the international donors, who assisted it during the Milosevic regime, tapered their support on the assumption that in a democratic and marketbased environment, all media outlets should have an equal chance to grow and to become self-sustainable. The story of B92 illustrates how the rapid liberalization that occurred lead not to an ideal ‘marketplace of ideas’ furthering democracy, but to commercialization and the drastic loss of space on the airwaves for alternative voices and critical investigative journalism.
Dilemmas of purpose in higher popular music education: A critical portrait of an academic field
Authors: Parkinson Tom
Published: July 2017

Since the first degree programme in popular music opened in 1990, the academic field of higher popular music education (HPME) has grown exponentially in the United Kingdom. The current provision includes 128 programmes offered by 47 institutions including Russell Group universities, specialist conservatoires and private providers. The majority of programmes, however, are found within ‘post-92’ institutions, reflecting the political and cultural conditions from which the field has emerged. This article critically appraises the field’s emergence within the frames of higher education policy, discourses of employability and widening participation, the high/low culture dichotomy and the dialectic of commerce and art, which has been identified as a perennial issue at the crux of popular music as a cultural phenomenon. It proposes that the field is characterized by dilemmas concerning its nature and purpose, and that the narrative of HPME’s emergence might serve as a valuable case study against which other young fields or subject areas might be compared and appraised.
Becoming a rock band: The challenges of group identity
Authors: Malm Tobias
Published: July 2017

Rock bands feature increasingly in music education. They are essential parts of popular culture and are increasingly highlighted as entrepreneurial organizations in a global music industry. However, to develop and stay together as a band is a difficult task. This study aims to develop an understanding of the challenges of becoming a rock band, shedding new light on previously underexplored complexities of band life by considering the impact of group identities. The methodology entails storytelling and identity work, inspired by a biographical approach. Six explorative interviews with band members were conducted. The results suggest that productive activities form several kinds of work group identities, whereas low-activity periods threaten group identification. The article discusses how diversity of group identities promotes development while uniformity promotes stability. To cope with this paradox, this article suggests that band members ought to learn to develop multiple group identities and flexible ways of relating to one another.
ADHESION OF BIOCOMPATIBLE TiNb COATING
Authors: Kolegar Tomas , Matousek Martin , Vilemova Monika , Stary Vladimir
Published: July 2017

Preparation of a coating with a high quality requires good adhesion of the film to the substrate. The paper deals with the adhesion of biocompatible TiNb coating with different base materials. Several materials such as titanium CP grade 2, titanium alloys Ti6Al4V and stainless steel AISI 316L were measured. Testing samples were made in the shape of small discs. Those samples were coated with a TiNb layer by using the PVD method (magnetron sputtering). Onto the measured layer of TiNb an assistant cylinder was stuck using a high strength epoxy adhesive E1100S. The sample with the assistant cylinder was fixed into a special fixture and the whole assembly underwent pull-off testing for adhesion. The main result of this experiment was determining the strength needed to peel the layer and morphology and size of the breakaway. As a result, we will be able to determine the best base material and conditions where the coating will be remain intact with the base material.
FUNCTIONALIZATION OF 3D FIBROUS SCAFFOLDS PREPARED USING CENTRIFUGAL SPINNING WITH LIPOSOMES AS A SIMPLE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM
Authors: Rampichová Michala , Buzgo Matej , Lukášová Věra , Míčková Andrea , Vocetková Karolína , Sovková Věra , Rustichelli Franco , Amler Evžen
Published: July 2017

3D materials supporting cell adhesion, infiltration and proliferation are crucial for bone tissue engineering. In the current study we combined PCL fibers prepared using centrifugal spinning with adhered liposomes filled with platelet lysate as a natural source of growth factors. The scaffold was seeded with MG-63 cells and tested in vitro as a potential drug delivery system for bone tissue engineering.
Subharmonic solutions of Hamiltonian systems displaying some kind of sublinear growth
Authors: Fonda Alessandro , Toader Rodica
Published: July 2017

We prove the existence and multiplicity of subharmonic solutions for Hamiltonian systems obtained as perturbations ofNplanar uncoupled systems which, e.g., model some type of asymmetric oscillators. The nonlinearities are assumed to satisfy Landesman–Lazer conditions at the zero eigenvalue, and to have some kind of sublinear behavior at infinity. The proof is carried out by the use of a generalized version of the Poincaré–Birkhoff Theorem. Different situations, including Lotka–Volterra systems, or systems with singularities, are also illustrated.
On capital allocation for stochastic arrangement increasing actuarial risks
Authors: Pan Xiaoqing , Li Xiaohu
Published: July 2017

This paper studies the increasing convex ordering of the optimal discounted capital allocations for stochastic arrangement increasing risks with stochastic arrangement decreasing occurrence times. The application to optimal allocation of policy limits is presented as an illustration as well.
Was ist orthodoxe Kritische Theorie?
Authors: Freyenhagen Fabian
Published: July 2017

Lukács’ famously asked: “What is orthodox Marxism?” His answer was that a certain method was quintessential. What if we ask the orthodox question about Critical Theory? The answer in this case, I propose, is not a particular method. Moreover, what’s critical about Critical Theory is also not – contrary to prevailing opinions in the literature – a program of justification. In fact, only without such a program can Critical Theory be adequately and appropriately critical. The position I advocate returns to insights from Horkheimer’s writings of the 1930s (and Adorno’s work). Indeed, it is also orthodox in another sense: taking the conviction of a partisan interest – the interest in abolishing social injustice, misery and unfreedom – as the only general criterion for Critical Theory. Its task is to contribute to the struggle against the aforementioned negative elements through conceptual work, self-reflection, and a critical appropriation of the genuine insights of traditional theorising. I conclude by outlining briefly the implications of this position for the mode of approaching social philosophy (and specifically the idea of social pathology).
Preparation and characterization of flame retardant epoxy resins based on phosphorus-containing biphenyl-type phenolic resin
Authors: Ding Jiapei , Tao Zhiqiang , Fan Lin , Yang Shiyong
Published: July 2017

A phosphorus-containing biphenyl-type phenolic resin (PBP) was prepared by dehydration polycondensation of the DOPO-disubstituted 4,4’- biphenyldimethanol compound (BDCA-2DOPO) with phenol in the presence of strong Lewis acid , in which BDCA-2DOPO was prepared by the reaction of DOPO with 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxaldehyde. The PBP resin has been evaluated as the curing agent of o-cresol epoxy resins. Experimental results indicated that the PBPcured epoxy resins exhibited good thermal stability, high char yields at 700 oC and outstanding flame retardant properties. UL 94 V-0 classifications could be obtained when the phosphorus loading in the epoxy resin is higher than 1.8 wt%.
Effect of cure cycle on temperature/degree of cure field and hardness for epoxy resin
Authors: Zhang Jing , Xu Yachen , Huang Pei
Published: July 2017

A 3-dimensional finite element model is developed to simulate and analyze the temperature and degree of cure field of epoxy casting part during cure process. The present model based on general finite element software ABAQUS is verified by literature example and experimental data. The numerical results show good agreement with literature example and measured data, and are even more accurate than the simulation of literature. After modeling successfully, the influences of heat convection coefficients and temperature cure cycle ramps have on the temperature and degree of cure gradient are investigated. Moreover, the effect of non-uniform temperature and degree of cure field within epoxy casting part on mechanical properties is demonstrated. The present model provides an accurate and novel method that allows further insight into the process of cure for epoxy resin.
Thermoresponsive aggregation behavior of NiPAAm/glyco monomer block copolymers studied by dynamic light scattering
Authors: Özyürek Zeynep , Voit Brigitte , Krahl Franziska , Arndt Karl-Friedrich
Published: July 2017

Block and random copolymers containing N-isopropylacrylamide and (α- D-glucofuranosyl)-6-methacrylamido units were analyzed according to their temperature dependent aggregation behavior. Whereas a 45:55 random copolymer does not exhibit any LCST behavior below 100 °C due to the incorporation of the hydrophilic glyco monomer units, the phase transition could be retained in the physiological range in block copolymers even at a glyco monomer content above 55 mol%. DSL studies revealed that the aggregates of about 50 nm are stabilized above the transition temperature when the glyco monomer block dominates, whereas a glyco block molar ratio of 45% is not sufficient to prevent precipitation of the polymers as evidenced by turbidity measurements. Temperature dependent DLS studies revealed further that below the phase transition temperature an equilibrium between single macromolecules and aggregates is formed.
Comparison of cation effects on phase transitions of kappa and iota carrageenan
Authors: Tarı Özlem , Pekcan Önder
Published: July 2017

Phase transitions of kappa and iota carrageenan in KCl, NaCl, and CaCl, solutions were separately studied during heating and cooling processes by using fluorescence technique. Scattered light, Isc and fluorescence intensity, I was monitored against temperature to determine the critical transition temperatures and exponents. Kappa and iota carrageenans with monovalent (KCl, NaCl) salt system presented only coil to double helix (c-h) and double helix to coil (h-c) transitions upon cooling and heating processes, respectively. Two transition regions were observed in both heating and cooling of the iota carrageenan in CaCl2 solution while in kappa carrageenan only (c-h) and (h-c) transitions was detected. During heating, dimers decompose into double helices by making (d-h) transition. At the high temperature region (h-c) transition takes place. During cooling, back transitions repeat themselves. A hysteresis was observed between (h-c) and (c-h) for the kappa and iota carrageenan salt system (except CaCl2), respectively. Dimer to double helix (d-h) and double helix to dimer (h-d) transitions were observed for iota carrageenan in CaCl2 salt. The gel fraction exponent b was measured and found to be in accord with the classical Flory-Stockmayer Model for both kappa and iota carrageenan salt systems
Application of Direct Resistance Heating in Hot Forging and Analysis of Processing Parameters based on Thermo-electro-mechanical Coupling FEM
Authors: Zhengxing Men , Menghan Wang , Yaxin Ma , Taiwen Yue , Ruilin Liu
Published: July 2017

A series of experiments were designed in order to directly heat the billet of 42CrMo4 to the forming temperature in the dies prior to forming and continue to heat the billet during the forming process. Processing parameters during heating and forming were investigated by experimental method and thermo-electro-mechanical coupling FEM. The experimental results show that prior to forming the billet could be rapidly heated to forming temperature under relatively low initial contact pressure, and the heating temperature was proportional to the square of the current intensity. When the heating current remained constant, the heating temperature could not increase with heating time. During the forming process, the billet cooling rate slowed down and the forming time was extended due to the continuous resistance heating during forming. Finally, an incrementally coupled thermo-electro-mechanical model has been developed to analyze the hot-forging process by direct resistance heating. To obtain the transient temperature field prior to forming, a simple model of contact resistance was used in the thermal-electrical simulation, in which the electrical conductance of the contact resistance was proportional to the heating temperature. Contrasted the experimental results and the simulation results, it was found that they coincided well.
Does EAP writing instruction reduce L2 errors? Evidence from a longitudinal corpus of L2 EAP essays and reports
Authors: Crosthwaite Peter
Published: July 2017

Despite the efforts exerted on error correction by teachers and students during English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses, the literature is split about whether such instruction succeeds in reducing grammatical and lexical errors in student writing. In this study, a longitudinal corpus of essays and reports collected at three key data points along a tertiary EAP course (pre-course, immediate post-course and final assessment) totalling 205,682 words was annotated for 12,996 errors across 10 grammatical and lexical error types. The results, including a mixed-effects linear model, showed a general significant decline in the number of errors produced over the duration of the course. However, closer examination revealed that the frequencies of the majority of individual lexical and grammatical error categories remained unchanged over time, despite specific out-of-class instruction on these errors as well as numerous occasions where teachers provided written corrective feedback. The overall usefulness of the error correction feedback and instruction resulting from the EAP course in question therefore remains inconclusive, although students and other stakeholders may still call for the inclusion of such feedback and instruction on EAP curricula.
Generalized Correlation Coefficient for Non-Parametric Analysis of Microarray Time-Course Data
Authors: Tan Qihua , Thomassen Mads , Burton Mark , Mose Kristian Fredløv , Andersen Klaus Ejner , Hjelmborg Jacob , Kruse Torben
Published: July 2017

Modeling complex time-course patterns is a challenging issue in microarray study due to complex gene expression patterns in response to the time-course experiment. We introduce the generalized correlation coefficient and propose a combinatory approach for detecting, testing and clustering the heterogeneous time-course gene expression patterns. Application of the method identified nonlinear time-course patterns in high agreement with parametric analysis. We conclude that the non-parametric nature in the generalized correlation analysis could be an useful and efficient tool for analyzing microarray time-course data and for exploring the complex relationships in the omics data for studying their association with disease and health.
Health-related quality of life among children with Turner syndrome: controlled cross-sectional study
Authors: Amedro Pascal , Tahhan Nabil , Bertet Helena , Jeandel Claire , Guillaumont Sophie , Mura Thibault , Picot Marie-Christine
Published: July 2017

Background:

The aim of the study was to assess health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in children with Turner syndrome in comparison with controls.

Methods:

We prospectively recruited 16 female girls with Turner syndrome (mean age 15.2±2.6 years) and 78 female controls (mean age 12.7±2.8 years) in randomly selected schools. We used the PedsQL, a generic HR-QoL questionnaire (self and parents’ versions).

Results:

Global HR-QoL scores in Turner syndrome were lower than controls for self-reports (respectively, 74.3±3.0 vs. 82.8±1.3, p=0.01) and parents’ reports (62.7±3.8 vs. 80.1±1.7, p<0.0001). In Turner syndrome, self-reported HR-QoL was impaired in school functioning (70.6±4.0 vs. 80.71±1.7, p=0.02), social functioning (78.2±4.0 vs. 90.4±1.8, p<0.01) and physical functioning (78.5±3.2 vs. 87.1±1.4, p=0.02), but not in emotional functioning. Parents’ reported HR-QoL was impaired in all four dimensions.

Conclusions:

HR-QoL was impaired in this cohort of young females with Turner syndrome, as in previously reported adult studies. In addition to medical treatment and routine clinical follow-up, female girls and teenagers with Turner syndrome should also be supported psychologically by social, educational and psychotherapeutic interventions that aim to address their self-esteem and emotional difficulties.
Impact of Repatriate’s Knowledge Transfer on Enterprise Performance: The Mediating Effect of Ambidexterity Innovation
Authors: Wang Juanru , Li Baolin
Published: July 2017

This paper proposes that repatriate’s knowledge transfer is composed of two dimensions: Explicit knowledge transfer and tacit knowledge transfer. The influencing of repatriate’s knowledge transfer on enterprise performance is discussed, and the mediating role of ambidexterity innovation in the above relationships is analyzed. Then, relative assumptions are put forward, and theoretical model is established. Lastly, 156 multinational corporations are selected as study object, and data are collected, bias analysis, descriptive statistic analysis and hierarchical regression analysis are made. The conclusions are got, which are explicit knowledge transfer and tacit knowledge transfer have significant positive effect on exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation, respectively; and explicit knowledge transfer has more effect on exploitative innovation, while tacit knowledge transfer has more effect on exploratory innovation. The findings also indicate that exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation play partial mediation effect on the relationship between explicit knowledge transfer, tacit knowledge transfer and enterprise performance.
Czech Armed Forces and Some Aspects of Helicopters Acquisition
Authors: Novotný Antonín , Procházka Dalibor
Published: July 2017

After several years of discussion and decision-making approaches Army of the Czech Republic to implement the purchase of multipurpose helicopters to replace the previously used, morally and physically obsolete attack helicopters Mi-24 / 34. The process of acquisition consists of many stages; it is not a simple matter and has its pitfalls. It is also a big, expensive and long-term acquisition in which the poor implementation can cause problems that are likely to affect the Army of the Czech Republic and its Air Force for many years. One of the decision-making process inputs is an estimate of Life Cycle Cost (LCC). For the estimation, many methods can be used. The paper deals with application of system dynamics to LCC estimation process. Partial models of utilization and support Life Cycle phases are presented, which can be further developed according to consecutive data availability. An influence of different helicopter operating modes on a Life Cycle Cost is demonstrated by means of simulation in Vensim application. The models, after verification and validation, can be used to support the acquisition process.
Design of experiments in liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of pharmaceuticals: analytics, applications, implications and future prospects
Authors: Ganorkar Saurabh B. , Shirkhedkar Atul A.
Published: July 2017

This review presents the essential brief annals, crucial analytics, precise applications and noteworthy implications of design of experiments which enrouted to liquid chromatography (LC) in the midst of utmost focus on high-performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC) and broadened its impressions on allied techniques in pharmaceutical analysis. Being most widely applied statistical methodologies for such purpose, its use was started in 1970 and heightened after Fischer’s precious input in 1981. The persistent use of statistical approaches one after another led to the efficient attention of pharmaceutical analysts. Hence, in order to fine-tune the trail impressed by the cumulative trends, the use of statistical designs in HPLC analysis has been reviewed and efforts were made to recognize its relative impact and corresponding future prospects. Applications of precise methodologies have been reassessed with respect to the need established by recent regulatory perspectives with a fanatical and the consequent stance on prominent historical advancements and concrete purposes. An effort was also made to state an arbitrary classification of diverse design types and succinct line of application in LC and associated analyses.
„Ich spreche, also bin ich“
Authors: Novotný Pavel
Published: July 2017

The subject of this paper is to deal with the specifics of Ladislav Novák’s sound poetry succinctly, thus to create some important starting points for further possible literary or interdisciplinary research. Firstly, completely unknown, privately recorded compositions of Novák are investigated, secondly his professionally created audiotape-works that are relatively well known, however with little attention from the literary science, will be discussed.
Mechanical and Durability Properties of Fly Ash Based Concrete Exposed to Marine Environment
Authors: Kagadgar Sarfaraz Ahmed , Saha Suman , Rajasekaran C.
Published: July 2017

Efforts over the past few years for improving the performance of concrete suggest that cement replacement with mineral admixtures can enhance the strength and durability of concrete. Feasibility of producing good quality concrete by using alccofine and fly ash replacements is investigated and also the potential benefits from their incorporation were looked into. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the performance of concrete in severe marine conditions exposed upto a period of 150 days. This work investigates the influence of alccofine and fly ash as partial replacement of cement in various percentages (Alccofine - 5% replacement to cement content) and (fly ash - 0%, 15%, 30%, 50% & 60% to total cementitious content) on mechanical and durability properties (Permit ion permeability test and corrosion current density) of concrete. Usage of alccofine and high quantity of fly ash as additional cementitious materials in concrete has resulted in higher workability of concrete. Inclusion of alccofine shows an early strength gaining property whereas fly ash results in gaining strength at later stage. Concrete mixes containing 5% alccofine with 15% fly ash replacement reported greater compressive strength than the other concrete mixes cured in both curing conditions. Durability test conducted at 56 and 150 days indicated that concrete containing higher percentages of fly ash resulted in lower permeability as well lesser corrosion density.
Estimating Traffic Accidents in Turkey Using Differential Evolution Algorithm
Authors: Akgüngör Ali Payıdar , Korkmaz Ersin
Published: July 2017

Estimating traffic accidents play a vital role to apply road safety procedures. This study proposes Differential Evolution Algorithm (DEA) models to estimate the number of accidents in Turkey. In the model development, population (P) and the number of vehicles (N) are selected as model parameters. Three model forms, linear, exponential and semi-quadratic models, are developed using DEA with the data covering from 2000 to 2014. Developed models are statistically compared to select the best fit model. The results of the DE models show that the linear model form is suitable to estimate the number of accidents. The statistics of this form is better than other forms in terms of performance criteria which are the Mean Absolute Percentage Errors (MAPE) and the Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE). To investigate the performance of linear DE model for future estimations, a ten-year period from 2015 to 2024 is considered. The results obtained from future estimations reveal the suitability of DE method for road safety applications.
Evaluation of the Low Temperature Properties of Asphalt Mixtures Using a Digital Image Correlation Approach
Authors: Hill B. , Buttlar W. G.
Published: July 2017

Asphalt concrete performance hinges on its cracking resistance. Numerous test methods have been used to consider fracture of asphalt concrete at intermediate and low temperatures. All focus on global mixture measurements of load and displacement at a discrete location on the test specimen. Digital image correlation (DIC) measurements provide a means to evaluate the full-field response of asphalt concrete undergoing fracture. In particular, several studies have employed DIC to quantify the size of strain localization as a potential definition of the fracture process zone (FPZ). The current study evaluated the low temperature fracture properties of asphalt concrete using the disk-shaped compact tension (DC(T)) test (ASTM D7313-13) and in-plane DIC-measured FPZ size. Tests were completed to compare the sizes of the FPZ with respect to the test specimen thickness, aging of neat and polymer-modified asphalt mixtures, maximum aggregate size, and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) content. Results in the current study found that DIC measurements differentiated the size of the FPZ in terms of polymer modification, aging, and RAP content.
Cysteamine prevents vascular leakage through inhibiting transglutaminase in diabetic retina
Authors: Lee Yeon-Ju , Jung Se-Hui , Hwang JongYun , Jeon Sohee , Han Eun-Taek , Park Won Sun , Hong Seok-Ho , Kim Young-Myeong , Ha Kwon-Soo
Published: July 2017

Cysteamine (an aminothiol), which is derived from coenzyme A degradation and metabolized into taurine, has beneficial effects against cystinosis and neurodegenerative diseases; however, its role in diabetic complications is unknown. Thus, we sought to determine the preventive effect of cysteamine against hyperglycemia-induced vascular leakage in the retinas of diabetic mice. Cysteamine and ethanolamine, the sulfhydryl group-free cysteamine analogue, inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced stress fiber formation and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin disruption in endothelial cells, which play a critical role in modulating endothelial permeability. Intravitreal injection of the amine compounds prevented hyperglycemia-induced vascular leakage in the retinas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. We then investigated the potential roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and transglutaminase (TGase) in the cysteamine prevention of VEGF-induced vascular leakage. Cysteamine, but not ethanolamine, inhibited VEGF-induced ROS generation in endothelial cells and diabetic retinas. In contrast, VEGF-induced TGase activation was prevented by both cysteamine and ethanolamine. Our findings suggest that cysteamine protects against vascular leakage through inhibiting VEGF-induced TGase activation rather than ROS generation in diabetic retinas.
Ankyrin-1 Gene Exhibits Allelic Heterogeneity in Conferring Protection Against Malaria
Authors: Huang Hong Ming , Bauer Denis C , Lelliott Patrick M , Dixon Matthew W A , Tilley Leann , McMorran Brendan J , Foote Simon J , Burgio Gaetan
Published: July 2017

Allelic heterogeneity is a common phenomenon where a gene exhibits a different phenotype depending on the nature of its genetic mutations. In the context of genes affecting malaria susceptibility, it allowed us to explore and understand the intricate host–parasite interactions during malaria infections. In this study, we described a gene encoding erythrocytic ankyrin-1 (Ank-1) which exhibits allelic-dependent heterogeneous phenotypes during malaria infections. We conducted an ENU mutagenesis screen on mice and identified two Ank-1 mutations, one resulting in an amino acid substitution (MRI95845), and the other a truncated Ank-1 protein (MRI96570). Both mutations caused hereditary spherocytosis-like phenotypes and confer differing protection against Plasmodium chabaudi infections. Upon further examination, the Ank-1(MRI96570) mutation was found to inhibit intraerythrocytic parasite maturation, whereas Ank-1(MRI95845) caused increased bystander erythrocyte clearance during infection. This is the first description of allelic heterogeneity in ankyrin-1 from the direct comparison between two Ank-1 mutations. Despite the lack of direct evidence from population studies, this data further supported the protective roles of ankyrin-1 mutations in conferring malaria protection. This study also emphasized the importance of such phenomena in achieving a better understanding of host–parasite interactions, which could be the basis of future studies.
TheCaenorhabditis elegansFemale-Like State: Decoupling the Transcriptomic Effects of Aging and Sperm Status
Authors: Angeles-Albores David , Leighton Daniel H W , Tsou Tiffany , Khaw Tiffany H , Antoshechkin Igor , Sternberg Paul W
Published: July 2017

Understanding genome and gene function in a whole organism requires us to fully comprehend the life cycle and the physiology of the organism in question. Caenorhabditis elegans XX animals are hermaphrodites that exhaust their sperm after 3 d of egg-laying. Even though C. elegans can live for many days after cessation of egg-laying, the molecular physiology of this state has not been as intensely studied as other parts of the life cycle, despite documented changes in behavior and metabolism. To study the effects of sperm depletion and aging of C. elegans during the first 6 d of adulthood, we measured the transcriptomes of first-day adult hermaphrodites and sixth-day sperm-depleted adults, and, at the same time points, mutant fog-2(lf) worms that have a feminized germline phenotype. We found that we could separate the effects of biological aging from sperm depletion. For a large subset of genes, young adult fog-2(lf) animals had the same gene expression changes as sperm-depleted sixth-day wild-type hermaphrodites, and these genes did not change expression when fog-2(lf) females reached the sixth day of adulthood. Taken together, this indicates that changing sperm status causes a change in the internal state of the worm, which we call the female-like state. Our data provide a high-quality picture of the changes that happen in global gene expression throughout the period of early aging in the worm.
Analysis of Large-Scale Mutagenesis Data To Assess the Impact of Single Amino Acid Substitutions
Authors: Gray Vanessa E , Hause Ronald J , Fowler Douglas M
Published: July 2017

Mutagenesis is a widely used method for identifying protein positions that are important for function or ligand binding. Advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing and mutagenesis techniques have enabled measurement of the effects of nearly all possible amino acid substitutions in many proteins. The resulting large-scale mutagenesis data sets offer a unique opportunity to draw general conclusions about the effects of different amino acid substitutions. Thus, we analyzed 34,373 mutations in 14 proteins whose effects were measured using large-scale mutagenesis approaches. Methionine was the most tolerated substitution, while proline was the least tolerated. We found that several substitutions, including histidine and asparagine, best recapitulated the effects of other substitutions, even when the identity of the wild-type amino acid was considered. The effects of histidine and asparagine substitutions also correlated best with the effects of other substitutions in different structural contexts. Furthermore, highly disruptive substitutions like aspartic and glutamic acid had the most discriminatory power for detecting ligand interface positions. Our work highlights the utility of large-scale mutagenesis data, and our conclusions can help guide future single substitution mutational scans.
Konkurencyjność polskiego eksportu artykułów przemysłowych do krajów Grupy Wyszehradzkiej a spójność ekonomiczna ugrupowania
Authors: Szymanik Ewa
Published: July 2017

The article examines the competitiveness of the export of Polish industrial goods to the countries of the Visegrad Group. Competitiveness was analysed using the main indicators RCA, IIT and export shares. Given the possibility for expanded trade within the group, this issue is important. The research was done to show the opportunity which the coherence of export presents. The conclusions confirm that there are indeed opportunities, but infrastructural barriers must be overcome and an effort must be made to exchange experience gained from improving competitiveness. These measures could boost competitiveness for all because every member of the Group had the same initial terms, but their different approaches to development have yielded different economic results.
Dzietność a aktywność zawodowa kobiet w Polsce i innych krajach Unii Europejskiej w latach 2004–2014
Authors: Rękas Magdalena
Published: July 2017

The “new demography of Europe” is characterised by consolidation of the recovery process of generations below the generational replacement level (a pronounced decline in fertility rates to low levels), a longer human life span and increased professional activity among women. The new demography has been affected to a great extent by the current economic policies of EU countries, as well as the problems they have had providing for future growth and economic development. The aim of this article is to present and analyse the relationship between fertility and women’s professional participation in Poland and other EU countries in the period 2004–2014. The article contains a review of theories addressing the impact of having a child on the professional activity of women and an analysis of data from Eurostat statistics using simple statistical methods and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The results of the report Bilans kapitału ludzkiego w Polsce (The Study of Human Capital in Poland, 2015) show the influence of the number of children on the economic activity of women. As a result of the study, it is indicated that in the vast majority of EU countries, the employment rate for women is strongly linked to fertility levels. In Poland’s case, moreover, the number of children a woman has is a key factor in her economic activity – the higher the number of children, the lower her economic activity will be.
Using discussing forums as a strategy to improve the students’ interest in Physiology
Authors: Gonçalves Rithiele , Lara Marcus Vinícius Soares de , Altermann Caroline Dalla Colleta , Mello-Carpes Pâmela Billig
Published: July 2017

A fisiologia é um componente chave para currículo dos cursos de graduação da área da saúde. Vários autores citam o mau desempenho dos alunos em disciplinas que envolvem as ciências biológicas, como a fisiologia. Assim, as inovações que facilitam o processo de ensino e aprendizagem são cada vez mais necessárias. Neste sentido, o uso de tecnologias que facilitam a construção do conhecimento pelos alunos e incentivam o aluno a ser uma parte ativa nesta construção é importante. Nossa proposta procurou incentivar os alunos a participar de fóruns de discussão em torno de tópicos de interesse geral, relacionados á fisiologia, criados no ambiente virtual Moodle, a fim de encorajá-los a correlacionar o conhecimento de fisiologia trabalhado em sala de aula com suas vidas diárias, e torná-los uma parte ativa na construção de seus conhecimentos. Verificamos a partir das percepções dos alunos que a proposta foi eficaz, provendo oportunidades aos estudantes para que eles estabelecessem uma relação entre o conteúdo e a sua vida diária, e incentivando o pensamento crítico.
Another Look at Residual Seasonality in GDP
Authors: Lengermann Paul , Morin Norman , Paciorek Andrew , Pinto Eugenio , Sahm Claudia
Published: July 2017

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real GDP rose at an annual rate of 1.2 percent in the first quarter of this year, a step down from the 2.3 percent pace in the second half of last year. However, we argue in this note that residual seasonality is unlikely to be the primary reason for the slowdown in first-quarter growth this year.
Does Automation Drive the Labor Market?
Authors: Caines Colin , Hoffmann Florian , Kambourov Gueorgui
Published: July 2017

In this note we question the emerging view that automation is a primary driver of wage and employment outcomes in labor markets.
Student Loans and Homeownership
Authors: Sherlund Shane M. , Sommer Kamila , Mezza Alvaro A. , Ringo Daniel R.
Published: July 2017

We estimate the effect of student loan debt on subsequent homeownership in a uniquely constructed administrative dataset for a nationally representative cohort. We instrument for the amount of individual student debt using changes to the in-state tuition rate at public 4-year colleges in the student's home state. A $1,000 increase in student loan debt lowers the homeownership rate by about 1.5 percentage points for public 4-year college-goers during their mid 20s, equivalent to an average delay of 2.5 months in attaining homeownership. Validity tests suggest that the results are not confounded by local economic conditions or changes in educational outcomes.
Characterisation of rigid polyurethane foam-reinforced ballast through cyclic loading box tests
Authors: du Plooy R , Gräbe P
Published: July 2017

As train speeds and heavy haul axle loads constantly increase due to market demands, so do the stresses and strains experienced by track structures. This is especially true for track transitions that generate high dynamic forces on both the track and vehicles because of poor vertical track geometry and/or differing track stiffness values on either side of the track transition. Reducing differential settlement between the two track structures at a track transition is one method of improving the life of the track, and increasing maintenance intervals. In this study, rigid polyurethane foam was used to reinforce ballast. Tests were conducted using a dynamic hydraulic load frame and a single sleeper in a large ballast box subjected to heavy haul axle loads. Unreinforced, reinforced and 50% reinforced ballast layers of 300 mm depth were tested to approximately 5 000 000 load cycles. The results showed that rigid polyurethane foam-reinforced ballast exhibited in the order of 60% less settlement for a fully reinforced layer, and 42% less settlement for a half reinforced layer. The use of rigid polyurethane foam (RPF) to reinforce ballast has a number of benefits that could result in better track geometry and longer maintenance cycles, in turn resulting in lower life cycle costs.
Touch transfer assay for the evaluation of antimicrobial surfaces v2
Authors: K.-M. Knobloch Johannes , Tofern Sabrina , Kunz Wladimir , Schütze Sara , Riecke Michael , Solbach Werner , Wuske Thomas
Published: July 2017

Transmission of bacteria from inanimate surfaces in healthcare associated environments is an important source of hospital acquired infections. A number of commercially available medical devices promise to fulfill antibacterial activity to reduce environmental contamination. Under usual ambient air conditions of hospital rooms no condensation of humidity is expected on inanimate surfaces. In contrast, current standardized methods for the analysis of antibacterial activity of solid surfaces in general use mostly planktonic bacterial cells which are kept in thin liquid or agarose layers on tested surfaces. Therefore, we developed a touch transfer assay modeling fingerprint transmission to investigate the antibacterial activity of surfaces in a dry state. We suggest the newly developed touch transfer assay as a new additional tool for the assessment of potential antimicrobial surfaces prior utilization in hospital environments.
Confronting the socio-psychological environment: Feminist/political art protest in contemporary Russia from Pussy Riot to ‘Spiritual Combat’ exhibition
Authors: Epstein Alek D.
Published: July 2017

Issues related to psychological and environmental conditions are crucial for the analysis of contemporary activist art’s political impact. Russia is a patriarchal society, and the Orthodox Church is particularly powerful because of its close relations with the state. The paper provides detailed examples of the repression and censorship of feminism and political art. Due to the fact that there were — and still are — very few radical feminist political leaders, relatively young members of a punk rock protest art group Pussy Riot, established in 2011, and some of their supporters within the artistic field (such as Evgenia Maltceva, whose case is discussed in detail in this paper) have become the most thought-provoking (and undoubtedly, the most famous, especially in the West) feminist leaders in Russia. However, the socio-psychological environment is not supportive, mainly for historical and psychological reasons: my argument is that they are charismatic but disconnected leaders without followers, and therefore their impact on trends within Russian politics and society is quite limited.
Impact of climate change on the hydrologic cycle and implications for society
Authors: C. Dagbegnon , Djebou Sohoulande , Singh Vijay P.
Published: July 2017

Should we attribute all natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, extreme rainfall, extreme snowfall, glacial melting, changes in space-time distribution of rainfall, changes in ecosystems, earthquakes, fire hazards, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, heat waves, extreme cold weather, wind storms and health epidemics, to climate change? This question often comes up when we review the burgeoning literature on climate change and its impacts. Although climate change is still being debated in certain political, social and economic quarters, there is overwhelming and undeniable scientific evidence supporting climate change. Climate change impacts virtually every facet of society — scientific, technological, environmental, ecological, social, cultural, economic, and political. As a result, strategies for mitigating the impacts and adapting to climate change must be broad and integrated. Some of the impacts stem from the chain reactions in the earth system. Therefore, the socio-economic dimension should be an integral part of climate change discussion. Current literature on climate change is less than balanced among domains of scientific and human thought. This would probably change in the future, since the adaptation strategies are becoming an increasing concern in the scientific community. This article examines the impacts caused by climate change on the hydrologic cycle and discusses their repercussions for the society. It also provides suggestions that may be relevant for redefining policies aiming to improve water security at local and global levels.
Post-disaster social reconstruction and social development
Authors: Pawar Manohar
Published: July 2017

The Asia-Pacific region has experienced major disasters, both natural and man-made, in the recent past. Hundreds of families and communities, and several governments, non-government organisations, international organisations and aid agencies have been engaged in relief, rebuilding and rehabilitation activities with varying degrees of effectiveness and success. This article aims to reflect on some of these post-disaster reconstruction experiences; exploring how a social development approach can be employed for the post-disaster social reconstruction; and suggest regional social policies and strategies for multi-stakeholder cooperation to effectively address post-disaster issues at the local level. Although efforts made by several agencies in very challenging contexts are commendable, there are few examples to show the application of the social development approach. By discussing the social development approach, the paper argues that the conscious use of such an approach facilitates a better planning and preparation for anticipated disasters, rehabilitation processes and the comprehensive development of disaster affected areas, including environmental and psycho-social issues. Towards this end, it underscores the role of regional social policies and multi-stake-holder cooperation. The discussion has implications for local and international communities, which are engaged in pre-planning and preparation for disasters and post-disaster reconstruction.