bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Septic Arthritis of the Temporomandibular Joint Secondary to Acute Otitis Media in an Adult: A Rare Case with Achromobacter xylosoxidans
Authors: Cheong Ryan Chin Taw , Harding Laura
Published: March 2017

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (SATMJ) is a rare complication of acute otitis media (AOM) with only four reported cases in the English and Japanese literature. Based on the unusual nature of this clinical condition, we discuss the first documented case due to Achromobacter xylosoxidans and the utility of myringotomy with long-term intravenous antibiotics via a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). We describe the case of a 76-year-old male patient that was brought in by ambulance to the accident and emergency (A&E) department due to severe right-sided otalgia with increased hearing impairment. A clinical diagnosis of acute otitis media with sepsis was made and the patient was commenced on the sepsis protocol. He then developed symptoms of septic arthritis of the TMJ which was confirmed on radiological imaging. After a multidisciplinary team discussion, the patient was treated with a myringotomy and intravenous ceftriaxone for 8 weeks in the community via a PICC rather than TMJ arthrocentesis with positive outcomes at 3 months’ follow-up.
Role of Protein Kinase C and Nox2‐Derived Reactive Oxygen Species Formation in the Activation and Maturation of Dendritic Cells by Phorbol Ester and Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Stein Judith , Steven Sebastian , Bros Matthias , Sudowe Stephan , Hausding Michael , Oelze Matthias , Münzel Thomas , Grabbe Stephan , Reske-Kunz Angelika , Daiber Andreas
Published: March 2017

Aims. Activation/maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) plays a central role in adaptive immune responses by antigen processing and (cross‐) activation of T cells. There is ongoing discussion on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these processes and with the present study we investigated this enigmatic pathway. Methods and Results. DCs were cultured from precursors in the bone marrow of mice (BM‐DCs) and analyzed for ROS formation, maturation, and T cell stimulatory capacity upon stimulation with phorbol ester (PDBu) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS stimulation of BM‐DCs caused maturation with moderate intracellular ROS formation, whereas PDBu treatment resulted in maturation with significant ROS formation. The NADPH oxidase inhibitors apocynin/VAS2870 and genetic gp91phox deletion both decreased the ROS signal in PDBu‐stimulated BM‐DCs without affecting maturation and T cell stimulatory capacity of BM‐DCs. In contrast, the protein kinase C inhibitors chelerythrine/Gö6983 decreased PDBu‐stimulated ROS formation in BM‐DCs as well as maturation. Conclusion. Obviously Nox2‐dependent ROS formation in BM‐DCs is not always required for their maturation or T cell stimulatory potential. PDBu/LPS‐triggered BM‐DC maturation rather relies on phosphorylation cascades. Our results question the role of oxidative stress as an essential “danger signal” for BM‐DC activation, although we cannot exclude contribution by other ROS sources.
A Comparison of Different Training Methods in the Successful Learning of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Authors: Zhang Wen Chao , Chen Wei , Zhou Jian Ping , Lerner Andrew D. , Ni Lei , Shen Ji Min , Yan Tian Li , Zhou Min , Shi Guo Chao , Xiang Yi
Published: March 2017

Background: Standardized training of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS- TBNA) is available only in highly developed countries. Objective: To compare the skill differences in the performance of EBUS-TBNA by pulmonologists trained under different learning methods. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 145 EBUS-TBNA cases. We set up 3 comparative training groups: a standardized training group, a teaching group, and a self-study group. The main clinical outcomes were sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA. Cumulative sum analysis was used to track EBUS-TBNA proficiency of the 3 groups. Results: The sensitivities of EBUS-TBNA in the different groups were 90, 88, and 67%, respectively. The accuracies of the different groups were 91, 90, and 71%, respectively. With respect to the sensitivity and accuracy, there was no significant difference between the standardized training group and teaching group. However, the self-study group was inferior to the other 2 groups. By comparing the learning curve among the groups, we found that the minimum number of operations needed to reach a 90% accuracy for the standardized training group, the teaching group and the self-study group was 17, 32 and 40 cases, respectively. Conclusion: Compared with the teaching and self-study groups, the standardized training group resulted in practitioners achieving high skill levels following the performance of a lower number of cases. Pulmonologists trained in the teaching group achieved a similar level of skills, but required more experience to reach this level. Practitioners in the self-study group did not achieve a satisfactory level of skills, despite performing a high number of cases.
Decidual Bleeding as a Cause of Spontaneous Hemoperitoneum in Pregnancy and Risk of Preterm Birth
Authors: Lier Marit C.I. , Brosens Ivo A. , Mijatovic Velja , Habiba Marwan , Benagiano Giuseppe
Published: March 2017

Background: Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy (SHiP) is a rare, life-threatening event, particularly relevant to women with endometriosis or deciduosis. Methods: To determine the type of lesions leading to SHiP, a literature search was conducted among all published SHiP cases. From a total of 1,339 publications, information on pathological findings at the bleeding site with histological data was found in 24 case reports (16 pregnant, 8 postpartum). Results: Among pregnant women (81% primigravida), 75% had a diagnosis of endometriosis and 25% of deciduosis. Among postpartum women (38% primiparous), 63% had a diagnosis of deciduosis and 25% of endometriosis. In all cases except one, decidual cells, with or without glandular structures, were present at the bleeding site. Decidual vessels were described in 7 cases and all exhibited vascular changes, including distension of the lumen, medial disorganization, or loss of vascular integrity. These vessels were significantly different from arteries seen in the secretory endometrium, showing that structural modifications take place during the initial stage of the remodelling of placental bed spiral arteries. Conclusions: During pregnancy, a link seems to exist between ectopic decidualization, particularly that occurring in endometriotic foci, and occurrence of SHiP. In addition, subclinical decidual bleeding may be a potential risk factor for preterm labour.
Framing QA as Building and Ranking Intersentence Answer Justifications
Authors: Jansen Peter , Sharp Rebecca , Surdeanu Mihai , Clark Peter
Published: March 2017

We propose a question answering (QA) approach for standardized science exams that both identifies correct answers and produces compelling human-readable justifications for why those answers are correct. Our method first identifies the actual information needed in a question using psycholinguistic concreteness norms, then uses this information need to construct answer justifications by aggregating multiple sentences from different knowledge bases using syntactic and lexical information. We then jointly rank answers and their justifications using a reranking perceptron that treats justification quality as a latent variable. We evaluate our method on 1,000 multiple-choice questions from elementary school science exams, and empirically demonstrate that it performs better than several strong baselines, including neural network approaches. Our best configuration answers 44% of the questions correctly, where the top justifications for 57% of these correct answers contain a compelling human-readable justification that explains the inference required to arrive at the correct answer. We include a detailed characterization of the justification quality for both our method and a strong baseline, and show that information aggregation is key to addressing the information need in complex questions.
Chimonocalamus elegans, a new temperate woody bamboo species (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) from Doi Phu Kha National Park, Thailand
Authors: TEERAWATANANON ATCHARA , MAROD DOKRAK , HODKINSON TREVOR R. , SUNGKAEW SARAWOOD
Published: March 2017

Chimonocalamus elegans, a tentatively endemic new species of temperate woody bamboos from Northern Thailand is described and illustrated. The new species differs from other members of Chimonocalamus by its glabrous nodes, culm leaf sheaths with narrow apex (3−4 mm) and 4−7 mm long ligules.
Change of the Global Ocean Vertical Heat Transport over 1993–2010
Authors: Liang Xinfeng , Piecuch Christopher G. , Ponte Rui M. , Forget Gael , Wunsch Carl , Heimbach Patrick
Published: March 2017

A dynamically and data-consistent ocean state estimate during 1993–2010 is analyzed for bidecadal changes in the mechanisms of heat exchange between the upper and lower oceans. Many patterns of change are consistent with prior studies. However, at various levels above 1800 m the global integral of the change in ocean vertical heat flux involves the summation of positive and negative regional contributions and is not statistically significant. The nonsignificance of change in the global ocean vertical heat transport from an ocean state estimate that provides global coverage and regular sampling, spatially and temporally, raises the question of whether an adequate observational database exists to assess changes in the upper ocean heat content over the past few decades. Also, whereas the advective term largely determines the spatial pattern of the change in ocean vertical heat flux, its global integral is not significantly different from zero. In contrast, the diffusive term, although regionally weak except in high-latitude oceans, produces a statistically significant extra downward heat flux during the 2000s. This result suggests that besides ocean advection, ocean mixing processes, including isopycnal and diapycnal as well as convective mixing, are important for the decadal variation of the heat exchange between upper and deep oceans as well. Furthermore, the analyses herein indicate that focusing on any particular region in explaining changes of the global ocean heat content is misleading.
A Statistical Investigation of the Dependence of Tropical Cyclone Intensity Change on the Surrounding Environment
Authors: Lin Ning , Jing Renzhi , Wang Yuyan , Yonekura Emmi , Fan Jianqing , Xue Lingzhou
Published: March 2017

A progression of advanced statistical methods is applied to investigate the dependence of the 6-h tropical cyclone (TC) intensity change on various environmental variables, including the recently developed ventilation index (VI). The North Atlantic (NA) and western North Pacific (WNP) observations from 1979 to 2014 are used. As a first step, a model of the intensity change is developed as a linear function of 13 variables used in operational models, obtaining statistical R2values of 0.26 for NA and 0.3 for WNP. Statistical variable selection techniques are then applied to significantly reduce the number of predictors (to 5–11), while keeping similar R2values with linear or nonlinear models. Further reduction of the number of predictors (to 5–7) and significant improvement of R2(0.41–0.53) are obtained with mixture modeling, indicating that the dependence of TC intensification on the environment is nonhomogeneous. Applying VI as the environmental predictor in the mixture modeling gives R2results (0.41–0.74) similar to or better than those with more environmental variables, confirming that VI is a dominant environmental variable, although its effect on TC intensification is quite heterogeneous. However, the overall predictive R2results of the mixture models are relatively low (<0.3), as the considered environmental variables have limited predictability for the occurrence of extreme/rapid intensification. Finally, nonparametric regression with six predictors [current intensity, previous intensity change, the three components of VI (maximum potential intensity, shear, and entropy deficit), and 200-hPa zonal wind] performs relatively well with predictive R2values of 0.37 for NA and 0.36 for WNP. The predictability of these statistical models may be further improved by adding oceanic and inner-core process predictors.
Lessons learned deploying an oyster farm monitoring auto-sustainable wireless sensor network and trial of a temperature and relative humidity–based transmission power control scheme
Authors: Ortega-Corral César , Esqueda Elizondo José Jaime , Acosta Del Campo Oscar Ricardo , Palafox Luis E , Aguilar Leocundo , Guerra-Frausto Ricardo , López Cruz Florencio , Reyes Roberto A , López-Montoya Jesús Enrique , Chávez Carlos
Published: March 2017

We present challenges faced deploying a solar-powered wireless sensor network base station and nodes, at a remote oyster farm. It involved installing the base station system and a data server at the shore of a shallow bay, where there is no electrical power available. To solve the problem, we set up a photovoltaic array with an energy monitoring node, from which performance metrics were recorded and plotted. At the water, we deployed two wireless sensor nodes on a raft, a kilometre away from the base station. One node was configured for sea water pH and water temperature ( Tw) measurements. The other node was configured for salinity and Tw measurements. Furthermore, both nodes measured air temperature and relative humidity, for a more complete characterization. At the salinity node, temperature and relative humidity knowledge was crucial to determine a gain factor for doing a trial of a transmission power control scheme, using a novel temperature and relative humidity algorithm. To enable a fair comparison, the pH nodes transmitter was configured with a fixed power level. The nodes performances were measured locally at the base station, recording metrics such as received signal strength indicator and packet received rates.
Variable-dimension swarm meta-heuristic for the optimal placement of relay nodes in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Xu Yi-Han , Jiao Wan-Guo , Wu Yin , Song Jun
Published: March 2017

A wireless sensor network is a network consisting of wireless sensor nodes. There are usually requirements that need to be met when deploying a wireless sensor network, one being the placement of nodes. Due to placement requirements and limited node transmission range, a network might be partitioned initially. Therefore, additional relay nodes are added to the network to form an interconnected network. In this article, the minimum relay nodes placement problem in wireless sensor networks is addressed. This problem addresses the placement of relay nodes: the minimum number needed and where the nodes should be placed. The problem is formulated as a Steiner tree problem with minimum Steiner points and a bounded edge length problem, which is NP-hard. In this article, we present a variable-dimension meta-heuristic based on particle swarm optimization called multi-space particle swarm optimization to address the problem. We tested multi-space particle swarm optimization using randomly generated instances of the Steiner tree problem with minimum Steiner points and a bounded edge length problem of varying sizes and found that multi-space particle swarm optimization is effective in addressing the Steiner tree problem with minimum Steiner points and a bounded edge length problem.
Reproductive Patterns Among Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Survivors in Sweden: A Population-Based Matched-Cohort Study
Authors: Armuand Gabriela , Skoog-Svanberg Agneta , Bladh Marie , Sydsjö Gunilla
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To compare the probability of a first live birth, age at time of birth, and time between diagnosis/referent date and birth between childhood and adolescent cancer survivors and an age-matched comparison group.

Materials and Methods

A total of 1,206 survivors was included in the study, together with 2,412 age-matched individuals from the general population. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate first live birth after diagnosis/referent date. Data were stratified by sex, age at diagnosis, and diagnostic era (ie, diagnosis before 1988 v in 1988 or later).

Results

Overall, the probability of having a first live birth (hazard ratio [HR]) was significantly lower; men had lower HRs than women (HR, 0.65 v 0.79). There were no significant differences in the probability of having a first live birth among women diagnosed during adolescence (HR, 0.89), but the HR was lower among women with childhood cancers (HR, 0.47). Among male survivors, the situation was the opposite; men diagnosed during adolescence had lower HRs than survivors of childhood cancer (HR, 0.56 v 0.70). Examination of the data from the two diagnostic eras (before 1988 and 1988 or later) shows that the HR increased among female survivors after 1988 (HR, 0.71 v 0.90) and decreased among male survivors (HR, 0.72 v 0.59). A shorter time had elapsed between diagnosis/referent date and the birth of a first child among both male and female survivors compared with controls. In addition, female survivors were younger at time of birth.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates reduced probability of having a first live birth among cancer survivors diagnosed during childhood or adolescence; men were particularly vulnerable.
Case Report: Diagnosis of hypogeusia after oral exposure to commercial cleaning agent and considerations for clinical taste testing
Authors: Jetté Marie , Anderson Catherine , Ramakrishnan Vijay
Published: March 2017

Few reports in the literature document acute taste disturbance following exposure to toxic chemicals. We describe the case of a 54-year-old man who presented with primary complaint of tongue numbness and persistent problems with taste 1.5 years following oral exposure to a commercial cleaning agent. A test of olfaction revealed normosmia for age and gender. Lingual tactile two-point discrimination testing showed reduced somatosensation. Taste threshold testing using a 3-drop method demonstrated severe hypogeusia, though the patient was able to discriminate tastants at lower concentrations with a whole mouth swish and spit test. We conclude that clinical evaluation of dysgeusia can be performed using a number of previously published testing methods, however, determining causative factors may be confounded by duration since exposure, lack of knowledge of baseline taste function, and medications. Although many testing options exist, basic taste testing can be performed with minimal expertise or specialized equipment, depending on the patient history and goals of evaluation.
Pet travel: the lesser known threats to UK pets
Authors: Stokes Laura , Wright Ian
Published: March 2017

Increased pet travel, human migration and climate change are leading to the rapid spread of parasitic diseases and their vectors. This, in turn, increases the risk of pets and their owners encountering these agents while abroad and bringing them back to the UK. In addition, legal and illegal imports of dogs from continental Europe are also increasing the likelihood of novel parasites being introduced. Some of these, such as Leishmania infantum, are unlikely to establish as the UK neither possesses their vectors nor has ideal conditions for their establishment. Mosquitoes, fruit flies and ticks, however, are already common across the British Isles and can transmit a number of parasites with veterinary and zoonotic significance. The fluid nature of parasite distributions means that an increasing range of parasites need to be considered and general principals in control and biosecurity implemented. Veterinary nurses are key players in the fight to keep exotic diseases out of the UK. This article considers some of the control measures required to protect the UK and its pets as well as some of the more novel parasites that have entered the UK in travelled and imported pets.
Intra-articular implantation of collagen scaffold carriers is safe in both native and arthrofibrotic rabbit knee joints
Authors: Walker J. A. , Ewald T. J. , Lewallen E. , Van Wijnen A. , Hanssen A. D. , Morrey B. F. , Morrey M. E. , Abdel M. P. , Sanchez-Sotelo J.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Sustained intra-articular delivery of pharmacological agents is an attractive modality but requires use of a safe carrier that would not induce cartilage damage or fibrosis. Collagen scaffolds are widely available and could be used intra-articularly, but no investigation has looked at the safety of collagen scaffolds within synovial joints. The aim of this study was to determine the safety of collagen scaffold implantation in a validated in vivo animal model of knee arthrofibrosis.

Materials and Methods

A total of 96 rabbits were randomly and equally assigned to four different groups: arthrotomy alone; arthrotomy and collagen scaffold placement; contracture surgery; and contracture surgery and collagen scaffold placement. Animals were killed in equal numbers at 72 hours, two weeks, eight weeks, and 24 weeks. Joint contracture was measured, and cartilage and synovial samples underwent histological analysis.

Results

Animals that underwent arthrotomy had equivalent joint contractures regardless of scaffold implantation (-13.9° versus -10.9°, equivalence limit 15°). Animals that underwent surgery to induce contracture did not demonstrate equivalent joint contractures with (41.8°) or without (53.9°) collagen scaffold implantation. Chondral damage occurred in similar rates with (11 of 48) and without (nine of 48) scaffold implantation. No significant difference in synovitis was noted between groups. Absorption of the collagen scaffold occurred within eight weeks in all animals

Conclusion

Our data suggest that intra-articular implantation of a collagen sponge does not induce synovitis or cartilage damage. Implantation in a native joint does not seem to induce contracture. Implantation of the collagen sponge in a rabbit knee model of contracture may decrease the severity of the contracture. Cite this article: J. A. Walker, T. J. Ewald, E. Lewallen, A. Van Wijnen, A. D. Hanssen, B. F. Morrey, M. E. Morrey, M. P. Abdel, J. Sanchez-Sotelo. Intra-articular implantation of collagen scaffold carriers is safe in both native and arthrofibrotic rabbit knee joints. Bone Joint Res 2016;6:162–171. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.63.BJR-2016-0193.
»Odin rules«
Authors: Heinen Serina
Published: March 2017

Religion findet sich nicht nur in Kirchen und Moscheen, sondern auch an profanen Orten wie Heavy Metal-Konzerten. Mittels der Analyse von Konzerten, Liedtexten, CD-Covern und Interviews mit bekannten Musikern im Bereich des Pagan Metal diskutiert Serina Heinen das Verhältnis von Religion und Populärkultur. Dabei tritt ein wichtiger Aspekt von moderner Religion zutage, der in religionssoziologischen Debatten kaum Beachtung findet: Religion im populärkulturellen Kontext ist vieldeutig. Pagan Metal ist voller explizit religionsbezogener Symbolik, doch verstehen die Musiker ihre künstlerische Auseinandersetzung mit Religion nicht zwingend als religiöses Bekenntnis.
Squatting in Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Wittger Bea
Published: March 2017

The Brazilian Constitution provides a remarkable set of social rights, including the right to housing. Despite this fact, struggles for decent living conditions have become key issues in the daily urban lives of many people in Brazil. Contesting the differentiated access to housing, social movements occupy empty buildings in the cities to challenge historically-rooted and excluding urban politics. Exploring the occupants' agency, Bea Wittger draws attention to the important role of female actors within the buildings. Through oral histories of participants of two squats in Rio de Janeiro, the book delivers a deep insight "from below" into their own perspectives on citizenship and gender.
Unified Islamic Calendar in the Perspective of Islamic Legal Philosophy
Authors: Anwar Syamsul
Published: March 2017

This paper discusses the principles of unified Islamic calendar in the perspective of Uṣūl al-Fiqh. It answers questions about the possibility of applying the theory of maqāṣid al-syarīʻah in unifying the Islamic calendar and whether ru’yat al-hilāl is the purpose of the shariah since it is legally stated by the Prophet. Since the unification of the Islamic calendar necessities al-hisāb al-falaky, is it allowed to not performing ru’yat al-hilāl? The author also discusses some concepts on unifying Islamic calendar as well as compares between Turkey and Morocco calendars.[Makalah ini membahas prinsip penyatuan kalender Islam dalam perspektif Uṣūl al-Fiqh. Pertanyaan yang akan dijawab antara lain tentang kemungkinan menerapkan teori maqāṣid al-syarīʻah dalam upaya penyatuan kalender Islam. Pertanyaan lainnya adalah apakah rukyat secara langsung merupakan tujuan dari syariat, padahal penyatuan kalender Islam meniscayakan metode hisab sebagai pedoman. Lantas, bolehkah meninggalkan rukyat dan mempedomani hisab? Penulis juga mendiskusikan beberapa konsep tawaran penyatuan kalender Islam serta membandingkan antara kalender Turki dan Maroko.]
Wpływ religii i tradycji na konflikt na Molukach w latach 1999-2002
Authors: Sienkiewicz Simona
Published: March 2017

Niniejszy artykuł dotyczy wpływu religii i tradycji na konflikt, który miał miejsce na indonezyjskich Molukach w latach 1999-2002. Silne wpływy Holendrów w okresie kolonialnym sprawiły, że na wyspach utrzymała się chrześcijańska większość, co stanowiło wyjątek w zdominowanym przez muzułmanów państwie. Moluki wydawały się idealnym przykładem obszaru, gdzie panuje tolerancja i dialog między różnymi wyznaniami, aż do wybuchu konfliktu etnoreligijnego na przełomie XX i XXI wieku. W artykule zostanie omówiona geneza starć między muzułmanami a chrześcijanami oraz wykorzystanie zapomnianego prawa zwyczajowego i religii do procesu pokojowego.
Odrodzenie naukowej współpracy polsko-indonezyjskiej po normalizacji stosunków dwustronnych pomiędzy Polską a Indonezją
Authors: Gumilar Teija , Zozula Daria
Published: March 2017

Praca opisuje jak wyglądały kontakty dydaktyczno-naukowe polsko-indonezyjskie w ujęciu diachronicznym oraz współczesnym. Metodą badawczą zastosowaną podczas prac nad niniejszą publikacją były głównie wywiady z byłymi i obecnymi stypendystami obu rządów oraz badania bibliograficzne. Po normalizacji stosunków dwustronnych w 1992r .liczba Indonezyjczyków studiujących w Polsce wzrasta z roku na rok, czego dowodem jest również utworzenie polskiego oddziału Stowarzyszenia Studentów Indonezyjskich (Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia Polandia). Polacy to z kolei obecnie jedna z najliczniejszych grup uczestniczących w indonezyjskim programie stypendialnym Darmasiswa. Niestety brak jest wiarygodnych danych liczbowych na temat współpracy naukowej polsko-indonezyjskiej przed rokiem 1992 dlatego zagadnienie wymaga dalszych badań z uwzględnieniem szerszego spektrum źródeł indonezyjskich.
Tax Avoidance through Controlled Foreign Companies under European Union Law with Specific Reference to Poland
Authors: Kuźniacki Błażej
Published: March 2017

This article demonstrates that tax avoidance via controlled foreign companies (CFCs) established in the most favourable tax environments among EU Member States such as Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Cyprus, remains a considerable problem. Not only does it affect taxpaying residents in the Member States but, indirectly, all taxpayers regardless of their EU affiliation, US multinational enterprises (MNEs), for example. Focusing on the use Polish taxpayers make of CFCs, this study undertakes a detailed legal analysis of the problem of tax avoidance under EU law by examining empirical data and EU law on tax avoidance. The choice of this topic is largely justified by the exponential rise in tax avoidance schemes through CFCs involving Polish taxpayers since the country’s accession to the EU. The legal analysis brings to light a series of weaknesses in the current EU law that make it possible for both EU and non-EU taxpayers to avoid taxation. As a solution to this problem, the author suggests that CFC rules should be designed so as to tax only “tax avoidance income” from CFCs. This would ensure their compliance with EU law as well as an effective prevention of tax avoidance via CFCs within the framework of EU law. Interestingly, the solution follows from the author’s interpretation of the concept of “wholly artificial arrangements” in favour of the internal market rather than from Action 3 of Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project or Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive as adopted by the Council on 12 July 2016.
On the Optical Spectrum of 89 Her
Authors: Kipper Tõnu
Published: March 2017

The high resolution spectra of a post-AGB candidate, binary system 89 Her, were analysed for the chemical composition. The star was found to be metal deficient with [Fe/H] = -0.50±0.20. No enhancement of s-process elements was found. The refractory elements are depleted but this is not the reason of metal deficiency. More than 320 narrow and weak emission lines from low levels of neutral metals were identified. Radial velocities of these lines coincide with the systemic velocity. We propose that the circum-binary dusty disk is observed face-on.
Star Classification Possibilities with the Gaia Spectrophotometers. III. The Classification Accuracy with Decontaminated BP/RP Spectra
Authors: Straižys V. , Lazauskaitė R.
Published: March 2017

A medium-band 12-color photometric system, based on the decontaminated Gaia BP/RP spectra, has been proposed in our Paper II. Here we analyze a possibility to apply some versions of this system for the determination of temperatures and gravities of stars both in the absence and the presence of interstellar reddening. The possibility to supplement this system with the broad BP and RP passbands is verified. We conclude that the system gives an acceptable accuracy of temperatures and luminosities if the accuracy of color indices is 0.02 mag or better and if the parallaxes of stars are known.
Some Pages of History of the Specula Dorpatensis, the Elder Sister of Pulkovo Observatory
Authors: Abalakin Victor K.
Published: March 2017

This paper gives an overview of the history of Tartu (Dorpat) Observatory.
Extinction of Radiation in the Universe: from F. G. W. Struve Up to Now
Authors: Nugis T. , Annuk K.
Published: March 2017

We briefly overview the most important studies that led to the understanding of the vital role of extinction of radiation in the Universe. We also point to the existing uncertainties in the determination of extinction corrections for stars and galaxies.
Galaxy Superclusters Detected in the Modified PF-Catalog Using the FOF Method
Authors: Panko E.
Published: March 2017

The Modified Catalog of Galaxy Clusters and Groups (Panko & Flin 2006, PF), covering an area of 5000 square degrees in the southern sky, was used as the input for the search of galaxy superclusters. Only the estimated redshifts could be used, since the PF catalog is a 2D catalog, with the calibration correlating the redshift of galaxy clusters with the magnitude of the tenth brightest cluster galaxy. Only galaxy clusters containing more than 50 galaxies were considered, and the FoF method was applied. The nearest neighbour distances for 1711 input clusters were calculated and analyzed, and 20 isolated clusters were found with the nearest neighbour at a distance greater than 68 h-1Mpc. A distance of 24 h-1 Mpc between clusters was selected for the supercluster search, and 49 superclusters containing from 4 to 9 galaxy clusters were detected. Calculations for each supercluster include: its inferred center, RA, Dec, zest, the maximum distance between supercluster members and the estimated supercluster shapes. A typical size of superclusters identified here is about 55 h-1 Mpc, and they appear mainly as elongated pancakes, with a weak correlation between the axes c/a and b/a, without a strong dependence on multiplicity.
A New Dynamical Parameter for the Study of Sticky Orbits in a 3D Galactic Model
Authors: Zotos Euaggelos E.
Published: March 2017

A 3D dynamical model is used to study the motion in the central parts of an elliptical galaxy, hosting a massive and dense nucleus. Our aim is to investigate the regular or chaotic character of the motion, with emphasis in the different chaotic components, as well as the sticky regions of the dynamical system. In order to define the character of the motion in the 2D system, we use the classical method of the Poincaré x − p
Accretion Disk Structure and Kinematics of the Broad Line Regions in Selected AGN
Authors: Kollatschny W. , Zetzl M.
Published: March 2017

Broad emission line regions in AGN are connected with the outer layers of accretion disks. This has been shown by means of line variability studies of individual AGN as well as line profile studies of AGN samples. We could model the broad-line profiles in AGN in a simple way only through rotational broadening of Lorentzian profiles. To individual emission lines belongs one typical Lorentz profile only with a fixed turbulence velocity: e.g., 500 km/s for Hβ, 3000 km/s for CIV λ1550. The rotation velocities in the broad line regions of the AGN range from 1000 to 7000 km/s.
The Case for Two Quasar Populations
Authors: Sulentic Jack , Marziani Paola , Zamfir Sebastian
Published: March 2017

We present evidence for two populations of quasars showing distinctly different broad line structure and kinematics. The first evidence for quasar dichotomy involve differences between radio-quiet and radio-loud sources. We proposed an alternate population A-B dichotomy based on optical, UV and X-ray spectroscopic properties. One of these populations (Pop. A: FWHM Hβ <4000 kms
Observations of the Galaxy NGC 3077 in the Narrow-Band [S II] and Hα Filters
Authors: Andjelić M. , Stavrev K. , Arbutina B. , Ilić D. , Urošević D.
Published: March 2017

We present observations of the H I tidal arm near a dwarf galaxy NGC 3077 (member of the M81 galaxy group) in the narrow-band [S II] and Hα filters. Observations were carried out in 2011 March with the 2 m RCC telescope at the NAO Rozhen, Bulgaria. Our search for possible supernova remnant candidates (identified as sources with enhanced [S II] emission relative to their Hα emission) in this region yielded no sources of this kind. Nevertheless, we found a number of objects with significant Hα emission that probably represent uncatalogued, low brightness H II regions.
Stochastic Processes Applied to Line Shapes
Authors: Stamm R. , Boland D. , Hammami R. , Capes H. , Catoire F. , Koubiti M. , Mekkaoui A. , Marandet Y. , Rosato J. , Godbert-Mouret L. , Christova M.
Published: March 2017

We present approaches using stochastic processes for the calculation of line broadening in plasmas. The derivation of model microfield methods (MMM) based on analytic formulations is recalled, as well as an approach using a simulation of the stochastic process. We discuss the possibility of an improvement of the stochastic process by comparing our first results to ab initio particle simulations coupled to a numerical integration of the emitters Schrödinger equation.
The Influence of Chemi-Ionization and Recombination Processes on Spectral Line Shapes in Stellar Atmospheres
Authors: Mihajlov Anatolij A. , Ignjatović Ljubinko M. , Srécković Vladimir A. , Dimitrijević Milan S.
Published: March 2017

The chemi-ionization processes in atom - Rydberg atom collisions, as well as the corresponding chemi-recombination processes, are considered as factors of influence on the atom exited-state populations in weakly ionized layers of stellar atmospheres. The presented results are related to the photospheres of the Sun and some M red dwarfs, as well as weakly ionized layers of DB white dwarf atmospheres. It has been found that the mentioned chemi-ionization and recombination processes dominate over the concurrent electron-atom and electron-ion ionization and recombination processes in all parts of the considered stellar atmospheres. The obtained results demonstrate the fact that the considered processes must have significant influence on the optical properties of stellar atmospheres. It is shown that these processes and their importance for non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) modeling of the solar atmospheres should be investigated further.
Cross Sections for Electron Impact Excitation of O VI Lines
Authors: Elabidi Haykel , Sahal-Bréchot Sylvie , Nessib Nébil Ben
Published: March 2017

Radiative atomic data and electron impact excitation cross sections for the 2s-2p transitions in O VI for transitions among the fine structure levels belonging to the 1s2nl (2 ≤ n ≤ 5) configurations have been calculated. We have extended the calculations of fine structure collision strengths up to 140 Ry and have compared our results at energies below 63 Ry to the R-matrix ones.
Stark Broadening of In III Lines in Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasma
Authors: Simić Z. , Dimitrijević M. S. , Kovačević A. , Sahal-Bréchot S.
Published: March 2017

In the deeper layers of hot stellar photospheres the Stark widths of spectral lines can be comparable and even larger than the thermal Doppler widths. Using the semiclassical perturbation method, we investigate the influence of the collisions with charged particles for the In III lines. We determine a number of Stark broadening parameters important in the atmospheres of A-type stars and white dwarfs. Also, the obtained results are compared with the available experimental data. The results will be included in the STARK-B database, the Virtual Atomic and Molecular Data Center and the Serbian Virtual Observatory.
The Asiago Astrophysical Observatory and the Recently Refurbished 1.22 m Galileo telescope
Authors: Rafanelli Piero , Siviero Alessandro
Published: March 2017

A history of the 1.22 m Galileo telescope of the Asiago Astrophysical Observatory is described.
The Search for Symbiotic Stars in the IPHAS Survey
Authors: Corradi R. L. M.
Published: March 2017

We have started a project to search for symbiotic stars using the data from IPHAS, the Hα survey of the Northern Galactic plane. Candidates are selected from the IPHAS photometric catalogue based on their colors, combined with the information in the near-infrared from 2MASS. So far, follow-up spectroscopy allowed us to discover 14 new symbiotic stars, compared to the 10 systems previously known in the IPHAS survey area. Their general characteristics and the most notable cases are briefly presented. the spectroscopic campaign also allowed us to refine the selection criteria for symbiotic stars in IPHAS. Perspectives, which include the extension of the survey in the Southern Galactic plane and a portion of the bulge (VPHAS+), are discussed.
The X-Ray Evolution of the Symbiotic Star V407 Cyg During its 2010 Outburst
Authors: Mukai K. , Nelson T. , Chomiuk L. , Donato D. , Sokoloski J.
Published: March 2017

We present a summary of Swift and Suzaku X-ray observations of the 2010 nova outburst of the symbiotic star, V407 Cyg. the Suzaku spectrum obtained on day 30 indicates the presence of the supersoft component from the white dwarf surface, as well as optically thin component from the shock between the nova ejecta and the Mira wind. the Swift observations then allow us to track the evolution of both components from day 4 to day 150. Most notable is the sudden brightening of the optically thin component around day 20. We identify this as the time when the blast wave reached the immediate vicinity of the photosphere of the Mira. We have developed a simpe model of the blast wave - wind interaction that can reproduce the gross features of the X-ray evolution of V407 Cyg. If the model is correct, the binary separation is likely to be larger than previously suggested and the mass-loss rate of the Mira is likely to be relatively low.
Abell-35 Phenomena in Symbiotic Stars: Discovery of 1.2 and 6.4 Day Periods in VV8 (V471 Per)
Authors: Munari U. , Siviero A. , Tamajo E. , Fiaschi M. , Dallaporta S. , Cherini G. , Frigo A. , Castellani F. , Graziani M. , Moretti S. , Tomaselli S.
Published: March 2017

We have collected high precision optical photometry of VV8, so far 782 individual observing runs uniformly distributed over the period 2005 - 2011. This dataset allows us to refine the known long periodicity of VV8 to P = 16.8 yr, with peak-to-valley amplitudes of ΔB = 0.18 and ΔV = 0.14 mag. In addition, we have discovered two new periodicities: 6.431 d (total amplitude ΔB = ΔV = ΔI = 0.05 mag) and 1.185 d (ΔB = 0.022, ΔV = 0.018, ΔI = 0.014 mag). These two short periods are reminiscent of the Abell-35 phenomena displayed by binary nuclei of planetary nebulae that have gone through a common envelope phase. Twice the 6.431 d period would nicely correspond to the double-peaked light-curve that the G5 III star in VV8 would display if its Roche lobe would be ellipsoidally distorted.
A Study of Long-Term Solar Activity at 37 GHz
Authors: Kallunki J. , Lavonen N. , Järvelä E. , Uunila M.
Published: March 2017

In this paper we investigate the solar activity at the radio frequency (37 GHz) using an extensive data series (solar radio maps) from the Metsähovi Radio Observatory. This paper aims to present this unique solar radio map collection to the public knowledge. The data set covers the years from 1978 to 2011 (solar cycles 21–24). We investigate the long-term solar activity on the ground of the distribution of solar radio brightenings and the differential rotation of the Sun.
L3 Dynamics and Poincaré Maps in the Restricted Full Three Body Problem
Authors: Pihajoki Pauli , Herrera-Sucarrat Elisabet , Palmer Phil , Roberts Mark
Published: March 2017

Poincaré maps are a basic dynamical systems tool yielding information about the geometric structure of the phase space of the system. Poincaré maps are however time consuming to compute. In this paper we have analysed and compared two different schemes to compute Poincaré maps in the context of accuracy versus computation time: a Runge-Kutta method of 7th and 8th order and a time transformed geometric method of 6th order. The dynamical system used is the Restricted Full Three Body Problem, with the primaries, an elongated body and a sphere, in a short axis relative equilibrium configuration. Using these Poincar´e maps we have studied the dynamics near the collinear Lagrange point L3, located on the outer side of the elongated body. We present evidence that the L3 point in this system can have saddle-center, stable or complex unstable behaviour depending on system parameters. We further show that when a low accuracy regime that still captures the correct structure of the Poincaré map is considered, the geometric method clearly outperforms the Runge-Kutta method being up to 4 times faster to compute and free from accumulating local errors that smear the structure of the Poincaré maps.
The Use of Multiwavelength Archival Observational Data for Scientific Discoveries: a Case of the Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A
Authors: Docenko Dmitrijs
Published: March 2017

Most of the high-quality astronomical data after a proprietary period of typically one year are provided to open access, allowing researchers to complement their observations with the archival data in other wavelength bands, thus improving quality of the data analysis. This paper presents one example of such a use - studies of the reverse shock front passing through an oxygen-rich material in the young supernova remnant Cassiopeia A. The paper is based on the contribution to the “Baltic Applied Astroinformatics and Space Data Processing” conference, held on 2012 May 7-8 in Ventspils, Latvia.
Kinematic Modeling of Distant Galaxies
Authors: Kipper Rain , Tempel Elmo , Tamm Antti
Published: March 2017

Evolution of galaxies is one of the most actual topics in astrophysics. Among the most important factors determining the evolution are two galactic components which are difficult or even impossible to detect optically: the gaseous disks and the dark matter halo. We use deep Hubble Space Telescope images to construct a two-component (bulge + disk) model for stellar matter distribution of galaxies. Properties of the galactic components are derived using a three-dimensional galaxy modeling software, which also estimates disk thickness and inclination angle. We add a gas disk and a dark matter halo and use hydrodynamical equations to calculate gas rotation and dispersion profiles in the resultant gravitational potential. We compare the kinematic profiles with the Team Keck Redshift Survey observations. In this pilot study, two galaxies are analyzed deriving parameters for their stellar components; both galaxies are found to be disk-dominated. Using the kinematical model, the gas mass and stellar mass ratio in the disk are estimated.
Optimization of Pistachio Nut Drying in a Fluidized Bed Dryer with Microwave Pretreatment Applying Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Amiri Chayjan Reza , Kaveh Mohammad , Dibagar Nesa , Zarrin Nejad Moein
Published: March 2017

Thin-layer drying kinetics of pistachio nuts were examined experimentally as a function of drying conditions in a fluidized bed dryer with microwave pretreatment. Four drying specifications of diffusivity, shrinkage, specific energy consumption and total color change were calculated and the effects of parameters were studied. Numerous experimentations were conducted at three levels of air temperature (40, 55, 70 °C), air velocity (1.2, 2.93, 4.01 m/s), and microwave power (270, 450, 630 W). The variation ranges of diffusivity, shrinkage, energy consumption and color change were recorded from 5.01×10–10 to 5.07×10–9 m2/s, from 26.95 % to 13.13 %, from 1.04 to 9.23 kWh and from 10.44 to 17.17, respectively. According to response surface methodology, optimum condition of drying process occurred at microwave power of 630, air temperature of 70 ˚C, and air velocity of 1.2 m/s. In this optimum point, the values of diffusivity, shrinkage, specific energy consumption and total color change were 4.865×10–9, 14.22 %, 2.164 kWh and 12.312, respectively.
A new facile way for the preparation of 3-formylcoumarins
Authors: Bochkov Andrei Y. , Akchurin Igor O. , Traven Valerii F.
Published: March 2017

3-Formylcoumarins 2 are formed as single products in high yields upon reduction of 3-cyanocoumarins 1 with Raney nickel in formic acid. The starting materials 1 are easily accessible by Knoevenagel condensation of commercially available salicylaldehydes.