bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
China – Japan – Russia relations for the influence of the northeast Asian region under the new situation
Authors: Yin Yong
Published: June 2017

China, Japan, Russia, the three countries play an important role in northeast Asia. China – Japan – Russia relations are one of the important influence to the northeast Asian region. The relations among China, Japan and Russia are very special relationships in the world, with Russia's political and economic center in Europe, so it does not directly affect the relationships between the world powers. The author can only say that this belongs to the regional relations, but it has an influence across regions. At the same time, the relations are not simple relationships in a specific field, but a complex, multiple collection. The United States and Japan have increasingly tense relationships because of Ukraine problem between Russia and Europe. Russia issued a statement that attaches great importance to the economic and political ties with Asia. This paper has the analysis of the new situation of China – Japan – Russia relations, the analysis of Russia's strategy of «east» of increasingly complex forms in northeast Asia, which has a great significance to the formation of the northeast Asia economic integration.
ZAŁOŻENIA FORMALNE MODELI WERYFIKOWANYCH ZA POMOCĄ UKŁADÓW RÓWNAŃ STRUKTURALNYCH
Authors: SZYMAŃSKA AGNIESZKA
Published: June 2017

Celem artykułu jest opisanie założeń formalnych dotyczących wykorzystywania metody równań strukturalnych (Structural Equation Model – SEM). Układy równań strukturalnych służą do weryfikowania teorii i jej założeń.W artykule zostało opisanych pięć założeń budowy każdego modelu pomiarowego, którego stworzenie poprzedza weryfikację założeń teoretycznych za pomocą układu równań strukturalnych. Głównym celem budowy modelu pomiarowego jest sprawdzenie budowy zmiennych latentnych, w tym: a) sprawdzenie rzetelności zmiennych latentnych, b) obliczenie wariacji zmiennych latentnych, c) sprawdzenie trafności różnicowej zmiennych latentnych, d) sprawdzenie wysokości ładunków czynnikowych (lambd λ) oraz e) sprawdzenie statystyk dopasowania modelu.Kolejno omówione zostały założenia modelu weryfikowanego za pomocą jednopoziomowego układu równań strukturalnych SEM: a) sposoby wyłączania ścieżek w modelu, b) sprawdzenie dopasowania modelu teoretycznego do danych empirycznych.W celu przybliżenia omawianych treści zostały przedstawione grafy prezentujące model pomiarowy, a także model SEM.
Épületszerkezetek és Struktúrák. II. rész. Struktúraváltások Az épületek tartószerkezeti vázában
Authors: Lámer Géza
Published: June 2017

A tanulmány II. részében az épületszerkezetek körében értelmezett tartószerkezeti struktúrák változásával foglalkozunk. A struktúra váltását elsősorban az új anyagok alkalmazásához, illetve új szemléletmódhoz kötjük. Két területtel foglalkozunk. Az egyik a boltozat kialakulása-változása, a másik az épület tartószerkezeti vázának változása új, részben hajlítási, részben csak húzó igénybevétel felvételére alkalmas anyagok alkalmazása esetén
Estimate of Geopressures using Conformal Mapping in Eccentrical Wellbores
Authors: Silva Uyara Ferreira , Lemos Santiago , De Queiroz Júnior Manoel Ivany , Calixto Wesley Pacheco , Segatti Nikholas , Furriel Geovanne Pereira , Silva Alan Henrique Ferreira
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this work is to calculate Surge and Swab pressure in oil wells with eccentricity between drill string and wellbore or casing string. Analysis of this phenomenon, in which the fluid is confined between two eccentric cylinders, are made. The conformal mapping is used to lead the eccentric domain into the concentric domain, since the usual models correspond to concentric geometries. The results of this study, using the proposed methodology, are presented and discussed.
Influência da cor do pelame nos parâmetros fisiológicos e comportamentais de ovelhas da raça Santa Inês ao sol e à sombra
Authors: Lima Lorena , Lima Roberta de Moura Assis , Castro Ana Luisa Aguiar de , Dias Fernando José dos Santos , Dias Marcia
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this literature review was to describe the physiological and behavioral parameters of Santa Inês breed sheep of different coat colorings, created in environments with or without shading. The authors observed physiological parameters such as rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, behavioral activities, as well as the coloring of the furriery. There was consensus among the various authors as to the effect of the period of the day, on rectal temperature and heart rate of the animals, which were significantly higher in the afternoon than in the morning. The afternoon shift presented high caloric stress conditions, with these animals in a situation of danger, in relation to the thermal comfort index. With respect to the peltry animals coloring of dark furriery presented a higher respiratory rate than those of Bush, of course, and may mean that these animals were not able to dissipate all the heat required to keep your body temperature within the basal medium 39.1° C limit. Animals kept in the Sun devoted less time to feed daily, performing activities that require less drive, as rumination and idleness, in respect of animals kept in shaded environment, where most of the time was for grazing activities, which reached weight gain with greater ease in the same time period. In this way, the artificial or natural shading provides the thermal comfort, bringing the production performance, and showing the potential animal fitness, keeping the body temperature, rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate to normal levels, not spending effort to it.
Voltammetric determination of dopamine using modified glassy carbon electrode by electrografting of catechol
Authors: Pourghobadi Zeinab , Neamatollahi Davood
Published: June 2017

By means of cyclic voltammetry as a diagnostic technique, the present study tried to describe the behaviour of dopamine (DP) at the bare and catechol electrografted glassy carbon electrode (CA/GCE). The results indicated that the CA/GCE exhibits high electrocatalytic activity toward DP. The DP cycling of the CA/GCE in DP showed two linear calibration ranges between 5.0?100 and 100?750 ?M with a detection limit of 0.86 ?M. For 6 DP replicate measurements (50 ?M); the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 2.7 %. This method was successfully used for the determination of DP in serum samples.
Bernardo Atxaga y su defensa de la autonomía de la literatura
Authors: Sarasola Santamaria Beñat
Published: June 2017

Este artículo analiza la forma en que Bernardo Atxaga defendió la autonomía del arte (en concreto de la literatura) en el campo cultural vasco a lo largo de los años 70 y 80 del siglo pasado. Primeramente, se rastrea el problema de la autonomía a través de la crítica estética de la Escuela de Frankfurt (especialmente Theodor Adorno) y la crítica sociológica de la línea de Pierre Bordieu, que dan luz para entender la complejidad con la que trató el problema Atxaga. Además, se realiza el análisis de la genealogía de las ideas de Atxaga, desde los primeros textos de Anaitasuna y Ustela, hasta los debates con Joxe Azurmendi y Txillardegi. El estudio de todo el corpus textual de Atxaga sobre el tema permite evaluar con más certeza el problema de la autonomía, y matizar algunas de las ideas comunes de la crítica vasca.
Myopia correction in children: a meta-analysis
Authors: Cui Yanhui , Li Li , Wu Qian , Zhao Junyang , Chu Huihui , Yu Gang , Wei Wenbin
Published: June 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis comparing rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP) with soft contact lenses (SCL), spectacles and orthokeratology (OK) lenses for myopia control with respect to axial length elongation, spherical equivalent and measures of corneal curvature.

Methods: Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched to September 29, 2015 using the following keywords: rigid gas permeable contact lens; refractive error; and refractive abnormalities. Randomized controlled trials, two-arm prospective studies and retrospective studies of children with myopia treated with RGP lenses compared with spectacles, SCL, and OK lenses were included. Outcome measures were changes of axial length, spherical equivalent, flatter meridian, steeper meridian and corneal apical radius.

Results: Five studies were included. Three studies reported axial length change after 2-3 years of treatment with RGP lenses and SCL/spectacles and no difference between the groups was noted (pooled mean difference = -0.077, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.120 to 0.097, p = 0.840). Two studies reported a change of spherical equivalent after 2-3 years of treatment with RGP lenses and SCL/spectacles, and no difference between the groups was noted (pooled mean difference = 0.275, 95% CI: -0.390 to 0.941, p = 0.417). Two studies compared corneal curvature measures between RGP and OK lenses after 3-6 months of treatment and no differences in any measures of corneal curvature were seen.

Conclusions: The effect of RGP lenses and SCL/spectacles on axial length elongation and spherical equivalent and of RGP and OK lenses on corneal curvature in children with myopia was similar.
Maternal and neonatal morbidity: repeat Cesarean versus a trial of labour after previous Cesarean delivery
Authors: Yang Yue-Zhou , Ye Xu-Ping , Sun Xiao-Xi
Published: June 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis comparing the rates of uterine rupture, and other maternal and neonatal complications, between women who undergo a trial of labour (TOL) after a prior Cesarean delivery and those to undergo elective repeat Cesarean delivery (ERCD).

Source: Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched until May 6, 2015 using the keywords/phrases: trial of labour, Cesarean section, elective, repeat, pregnancy and vaginal birth. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), two-arm prospective studies, one-arm studies and retrospective studies were included. The primary outcome was uterine rupture.

Principal findings: Sixteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. TOL after prior Cesarean delivery was associated with higher odds of uterine rupture as compared with ERCD (Peto odds ratio [OR] = 4.685, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.077 to 7.133, p < 0.001). TOL was associated with a higher rate of endometritis, a lower rate of hysterectomy, and a lower rate of respiratory problems in newborns. There were no differences between the groups with respect to neonatal intensive care unit admissions, postpartum hemorrhage, thromboembolic disease, sepsis and neonatal mortality.

Conclusions: TOL may be associated with a higher risk of uterine rupture and endometritis, but lower risk of hysterectomy and neonatal respiratory problems than ERCD.
Head-to-head comparisons of bisphosphonates and teriparatide
in osteoporosis: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Chun-Lin , Lee Han-Chung , Chen Chun-Chung , Cho Der-Yang
Published: June 2017

Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of teriparatide vs. bisphosphonates in the management of osteoporosis.

Methods: A total of 1,967 patients from eight randomized controlled trials were analyzed; outcomes included bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck, total hip and lumbar spine, vertebral and nonvertebral fractures and any adverse event. A subgroup analysis of treatment effectiveness was performed according to the etiology of osteoporosis; i.e., glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) vs. post-menopausal osteoporosis (PO).

Results: Teriparatide increased the BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip to a greater extent than bisphosphonates. Patients treated with teriparatide also had a lower risk of vertebral fractures compared with bisphosphonates; however, no difference in risk of nonvertebral fractures (or adverse events) was found. GIO subgroups showed larger increases in BMD of the lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck in patients treated with teriparatide compared with bisphosphonates. The PO subgroup showed larger increases in BMD of the lumbar spine in patients treated with teriparatide compared with bisphosphonates. Patients in the GIO subgroup (but not the PO subgroup) were less likely to suffer a vertebral fracture on teriparatide as compared with bisphosphonates. In contrast, no significant difference in the percentage of nonvertebral fractures was noted between the two types of treatment for either subgroup.

Conclusion: Teriparatide significantly increased the BMD of lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck, particularly in GIO-induced osteoporosis. Teriparatide did not lower the risk of nonvertebral fractures when compared with bisphosphonates.
Estimation of Sedimentary Basin Depth Using the Hybrid Technique for Gravity Data
Authors: Luan Pham Thanh , Thanh Do Duc
Published: June 2017

Abstract: In this paper we present the rapid method for determining the depth distribution of a sedimentary basin by combining the FFT-based and space domain techniques in gravity data interpretation. The method is tested on two 3D synthetic models which density contrast is constant and exponential variation with depth. Then, the method is applied to determine the depth distribution of Nam Con Son sedimentary basin in Vietnam. The obtained results coincide well with theoretical models and seismic data. The computation speed of the method is much faster than that of space domain technique.
The Mobilities of Carriers Confined in a Single-side Doped Square Quantum Wells Dependence on Temperature
Authors: Hai Tran Thi
Published: June 2017

A theory is given of the mobility of a two-dimensional electron gas at high temperature in single-side square quantum wells. Within the variational approach, we obtain analytic expressions for the carrier distribution, and autocorrelation functions for various scattering mechanisms. We examine the dependence of the mobilities of carriers on the temperature. Our theory is able to well reproduce the recent experimental data on transport in 1S-doped square QWs, e.g., acoustic-phonon partial mobility dependence on temperature for single-side modulation doped square quantum wells.
Aproximaciones a Gabriel García Márques. Una presentación
Authors: Jitrik Noé
Published: June 2017

Gabriel García Márquez es uno de los autores más influyentes de América y su obra ha sido pieza fundamental en la concepción del término “latinoamericanidad”. Junto a Borges y Carrasquilla, entre otros, han desplegado visos esclarecedores no sólo para definir este movimiento, incluso lo caracterizan y estructuran. García Márquez incorporó propósitos de escritura que la cultura occidental no esperaba encontrar en la literatura del nuevo continente: Innovación en estructuras narrativas, consideración de la escritura como acto de reflexión constante y abandono de retóricas acartonadas; hechos que concedieron fuerza y libertad al espíritu descriptivo del escritor latinoamericano para nutrir un punto de vista literario de frente con la sociedad y el mundo que los circunda.
Aquella encrucijada del lenguaje: Un homenaje a Óscar Collazos (1942–2015)
Authors: López Alejandro José
Published: June 2017

Reseña del libro Literatura en la revolución y revolución en la literatura, 
Collazos, O., Cortázar, J. y Vargas Llosa, M. (1970). México: Editorial Siglo XXI.
Entrevista con el maestro Fernando Cruz Kronfly
Authors: Martinez Fabio
Published: June 2017

Conocí a Fernando Cruz Kronfly en los claustros de la Universidad Santiago de Cali, que estaba situada en aquella casona del centro de Cali, símbolo emblemático de la cultura caleña. Cruz Kronfly hacía parte de un grupo de intelectuales que fueron llamados a la academia por Álvaro Pío Valencia y Estanislao Zuleta, quienes dirigían los destinos del alma mater. Era un grupo exquisito por donde pasaron: Enrique Buenaventura, Anthony Sampsom, Alcibíades Paredes, Tomás Quintero, Marco Fidel Chávez, Norman Alhach, Evelio Espínola, Luz Helena Giraldo, Mario Díaz, Gladys Conde, Sebastián Solari,  Eduardo Serrano y Javier y Rodrigo Navarro, ente otros. Eran los años setenta. Una década donde nadie pensaba en la guerra, en la cultura del crimen y el narcotráfico, y en la debacle del país, que durante cuarenta años iba a arrojar seis millones de víctimas. Ante el miedo que imperó durante estas cuatro décadas, Cruz Kronfly se refugió en la formación de los jóvenes y en el  mundo de los libros. Cuarenta años después, y con la ilusión de un acuerdo de paz, que está por cocinarse en el país, hablé con mi maestro y amigo Fernando Cruz Kronfly, en la Librería Nacional del Oeste.
Discurso del Nobel 2014 Patrick Modiano
Authors: Moñino Yves
Published: June 2017

Traducción de Ives Moñino del Discurso del novelista francés Patrick Modiano, leído al recibir el Premio Nobel de literatura el 7 de diciembre de 2014. «Patrick Modiano - Conférence Nobel». Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2014. Web. 8 Dec 2014. 
El crimen en la novela negra latinoamericana. "Entre la fascinación y la memoria"
Authors: Valderrama Rengifo James
Published: June 2017

En el presente artículo académico se realiza un acercamiento a la novela negra Latinoamérica desde dos perspectivas: la fascinación y la memoria. El artículo establece una secuencia crítica que da cuenta de la evolución del género: sus regularidades y sus cambios  literarios desde Edgar Allan Poe y Arthur Conan Doyle hasta los más destacados representantes del género negro en Latinoamérica, marcando la condición contemporánea de esta apropiación y desarrollo de este tipo de novelas. Posteriormente se postulan las claves de su análisis  tomando referencias obras como Abril rojo del peruano Santiago Roncangliolo, Scorpio City del colombiano Mario Mendoza y Plata quemada de Ricardo Piglia, de Argentina. Estas obras finalmente se proponen como un ejercicio de memoria donde ocurre un choque de ficciones en el que los hechos pasados adquieren un orden distinto porque aparecen otras voces, otros informes, testimonios, otros crímenes, otras víctimas, otros asesinos, otros detectives, etc. En este orden distinto, las marcas previas de la memoria chocan con las marcas nuevas que propone el relato. El centelleo resultante de ese choque de ficciones permite el acceso a otro conocimiento sobre el pasado y sus deudas con el presente y el futuro.
El Espía
Authors: Kremer Harold
Published: June 2017

Cuento
Inquilinos
Authors: López Valencia Orlando
Published: June 2017

Cuento
Cerebral Hemodynamics in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review
Authors: Beishon Lucy , Haunton Victoria J. , Panerai Ronney B. , Robinson Thompson G.
Published: June 2017

Background: The incidence of dementia is projected to rise over the coming decades, but with no sensitive diagnostic tests available. Vascular pathology precedes the deposition of amyloid and is an attractive early target.

Objective: The aim of this review was to investigate the use of cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation as a novel biomarker for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), focusing on transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

Methods: 2,698 articles were identified from Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, and Web of Science databases. 306 articles were screened and quality assessed independently by two reviewers; 26 met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed for each marker with two or more studies and limited heterogeneity.

Results: Eleven studies were TCD, 8 NIRS, 5 magnetic resonance imaging, and 2 positron/single photon emission tomography. Meta-analyses showed reduced tissue oxygenation index, cerebral blood flow and velocity, with higher pulsatility index, phase and cerebrovascular resistance in MCI compared to controls. The majority of studies found reduced CO2 reactivity in MCI, with mixed findings in neuroactivation studies.

Conclusion: Despite small sample sizes and heterogeneity, meta-analyses demonstrate clear abnormalities in cerebral hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters, even at an early stage of cognitive decline. Further work is required to investigate the use of cerebral hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters as a sensitive biomarker for dementia.
Central Olfactory Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Functional MRI Study
Authors: Vasavada Megha M. , Martinez Brittany , Wang Jianli , Eslinger Paul J. , Gill David J. , Sun Xiaoyu , Karunanayaka Prasanna , Yang Qing X.
Published: June 2017

Background: Olfactory deficits are present in early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitively impaired (MCI) patients. However, whether these deficits are due to dysfunction of the central or peripheral olfactory nervous system remains uncertain. This question is fundamentally important for developing imaging biomarkers for AD using olfactory testing.

Objective: This study sought to use olfactory functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to further demonstrate the involvement of the central olfactory system in olfactory deficits in MCI and AD.

Methods: We investigated the central olfactory system in 27 cognitively normal controls (CN), 21 MCI, and 15 AD subjects using olfactory fMRI with an odor-visual association paradigm during which a visual cue was paired with lavender odorant (odor condition) or odorless air (no-odor condition).

Results: The CN subjects had significantly greater activated volume in the primary olfactory cortex during both the odor and no-odor conditions compared to either the MCI or AD groups ( p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the odor and no-odor conditions within each group. No-odor condition activation in AD and MCI correlated with the cognitive and olfactory assessments.

Conclusion: The no-odor condition, allowing investigation of activation patterns when the peripheral olfactory system was not directly involved, elicited the same functional response as the odor condition for each of the three groups. Thus, the olfactory activation deficits present in AD and MCI patients are most likely caused by degeneration of the central olfactory nervous system.
Thermal dehydration kinetics and characterization of pandermite
Authors: Senberber Fatma Tugce
Published: June 2017

Pandermite (Ca4B10O19 7H2O) can be defined as a type of calcium borate hydrate which generally founds in Turkey and USA. It has been identified by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) during dehydration process. Thermal gravimetry and differential thermal gravimetry (TG/DTG) methods have been applied to investigate the thermal dehydration kinetic of pandermite. The results showed that it lost its crystal water via three-step process approximately between 280°C and 550°C temperatures. Activation energies (Ea . ) were found as 98.83, 136.86 and 391.24 kJ using Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) model; 89.82, 133.16 and 399.01 kJ using Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) model; and 140.78, 131.01 and 486.22 kJ using Kissinger non-isothermal kinetic model for steps 1, 2 and 3, respectively. At the end of the dehydration process, Pandermite lost its water content and it decomposed to CaB2O4 (powder diffraction file number: 00-009-0247) and B2O3 (powder diffraction file number: 01-072-0626) occurred.
A green sonochemical synthesis of zinc borates from Zn5(CO3)2·(OH)6
Authors: Vardar Duygu Sena , Senberber Fatma Tugce , Kipcak Azmi Seyhun , Tugrul Nurcan
Published: June 2017

In this study by using the precursors of Zn5(CO3)2·(OH)6 and H3BO3, Zn3B6O12·3.5H2O type of a zinc borate compound is synthesised. A green sonochemical method of ultrasonic irradiation is used with several parameters such as; reaction temperature and reaction time. Synthesized zinc borate compounds are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy techniques. Then the surface morphologies are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). From the XRD results, the minimum reaction conditions to successfully synthesize Zn3B6O12·3.5H2O were found as 80°C – 50 min, 85°C – 40 min, 90°C – 40 min. The FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies showed that the synthesized products characteristic bands were in good agreement with the bands of boron compounds. SEM morphological analyses showed that synthesized compounds were in particularly thorn like and tubular with the particle sizes between 77– 296 nm. Also the reaction yields were calculated between 90.34– 97.12%.
Impact of Potentially Contaminated River Water on Agricultural Irrigated Soils in an Equatorial Climate
Authors: Trujillo-González Juan , Mahecha-Pulido Juan , Torres-Mora Marco , Brevik Eric , Keesstra Saskia , Jiménez-Ballesta Raimundo
Published: June 2017

Globally, it is estimated that 20 million hectares of arable land are irrigated with water that contains residual contributions from domestic liquids. This potentially poses risks to public health and ecosystems, especially due to heavy metals, which are considered dangerous because of their potential toxicity and persistence in the environment. The Villavicencio region (Colombia) is an equatorial area where rainfall (near 3000 mm/year) and temperature (average 25.6 °C) are high. Soil processes in tropical conditions are fast and react quickly to changing conditions. Soil properties from agricultural fields irrigated with river water polluted by a variety of sources were analysed and compared to non-irrigated control soils. In this study, no physico-chemical alterations were found that gave evidence of a change due to the constant use of river water that contained wastes. This fact may be associated with the climatic factors (temperature and precipitation), which contribute to fast degradation of organic matter and nutrient and contaminants (such as heavy metals) leaching, or to dilution of wastes by the river.
Yield Stability in Winter Wheat Production: A Survey on German Farmers’ and Advisors’ Views
Authors: Macholdt Janna , Honermeier Bernd
Published: June 2017

Most of the available research studies have focused on the production of high grain yields of wheat and have neglected yield stability. However, yield stability is a relevant factor in agronomic practice and, therefore, is the focus of this comprehensive survey. The aim was to first describe the importance of yield stability as well as currently used practical management strategies that ensure yield stability in wheat production and secondly, to obtain potential research areas supporting yield stability in the complex system of agronomy. The target groups were German farmers with experience in wheat production and advisors with expertise in the field of wheat cultivation or research. A sample size of 615 completed questionnaires formed the data basis of this study. The study itself provides evidence that the yield stability of winter wheat is even more important than the amount of yield for a large proportion of farmers (48%) and advisors (47%). Furthermore, in the view of the majority of the surveyed farmers and advisors, yield stability is gaining importance in climate change. Data analysis showed that site adapted cultivar choice, favorable crop rotations and integrated plant protection are ranked as three of the most important agronomic management practices to achieve high yield stability of wheat. Soil tillage and fertilization occupied a middle position, whereas sowing date and sowing density were estimated with lower importance. However, yield stability is affected by many environmental, genetic and agronomic factors, which subsequently makes it a complex matter. Hence, yield stability in farming practice must be analyzed and improved in a systems approach.
Vitamin E and Alzheimer’s Disease—Is It Time for Personalized Medicine?
Authors: Cervantes Breana , Ulatowski Lynn
Published: June 2017

For the last two decades, it has been hotly debated whether vitamin E—the major lipid-soluble antioxidant, which functions to maintain neurological integrity—is efficacious as a therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. Several factors key to the debate, include (1) which of the eight naturally-occurring vitamin E forms should be used; (2) how combination treatments affect vitamin E efficacy; and (3) safety concerns that most-recently resurfaced after the results of the Selenium and vitamin E Cancer prevention trial SELECT prostate cancer trial. However, with the advent of new genetic technologies and identifications of vitamin E-modulating single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we propose that clinical trials addressing the question “Is vitamin E an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease” should consider a more focused and personalized medicine approach to designing experiments. An individual’s naturally-occurring SNP variants may indeed influence vitamin E’s therapeutic effect on Alzheimer’s disease.
Higher‐Order Interactions in Quantum Optomechanics: Revisiting Theoretical Foundations
Authors: Khorasani Sina
Published: June 2017

The theory of quantum optomechanics is reconstructed from first principles by finding a Lagrangian from light’s equation of motion and then proceeding to the Hamiltonian. The nonlinear terms, including the quadratic and higher‐order interactions, do not vanish under any possible choice of canonical parameters, and lead to coupling of momentum and field. The existence of quadratic mechanical parametric interaction is then demonstrated rigorously, which has been so far assumed phenomenologically in previous studies. Corrections to the quadratic terms are particularly significant when the mechanical frequency is of the same order or larger than the electromagnetic frequency. Further discussions on the squeezing as well as relativistic corrections are presented.
Applications of Functional Amyloids from Fungi: Surface Modification by Class I Hydrophobins
Authors: Piscitelli Alessandra , Cicatiello Paola , Gravagnuolo Alfredo Maria , Sorrentino Ilaria , Pezzella Cinzia , Giardina Paola
Published: June 2017

Class I hydrophobins produced from fungi are amongst the first proteins recognized as functional amyloids. They are amphiphilic proteins involved in the formation of aerial structures such as spores or fruiting bodies. They form chemically robust layers which can only be dissolved in strong acids. These layers adhere to different surfaces, changing their wettability, and allow the binding of other proteins. Herein, the modification of diverse types of surfaces with Class I hydrophobins is reported, highlighting the applications of the coated surfaces. Indeed, these coatings can be exploited in several fields, spanning from biomedical to industrial applications, which include biosensing and textile manufacturing.
Role of αβ T Cell Depletion in Prevention of Graft versus Host Disease
Authors: Abdelhakim Haitham , Abdel-Azim Hisham , Saad Ayman
Published: June 2017

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) represents a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo HCT). Graft cellular manipulation has been used to mitigate the risk of GVHD. The αβ T cells are considered the primary culprit for causing GVHD therefore depletion of this T cell subset emerged as a promising cellular manipulation strategy to overcome the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) barrier of haploidentical (haplo) HCT. This approach is also being investigated in HLA-matched HCT. In several studies, αβ T cell depletion HCT has been performed without pharmacologic GVHD prophylaxis, thus unleashing favorable effect of donor’s natural killer cells (NK) and γδ T cells. This article will discuss the evolution of this method in clinical practice and the clinical outcome as described in different clinical trials.
Clinicopathological Phenotype and Genetics of X-Linked Dystonia–Parkinsonism (XDP; DYT3; Lubag)
Authors: Kawarai Toshitaka , Morigaki Ryoma , Kaji Ryuji , Goto Satoshi
Published: June 2017

X-linked dystonia–parkinsonism (XDP; OMIM314250), also referred to as DYT3 dystonia or “Lubag” disease, was first described as an endemic disease in the Philippine island of Panay. XDP is an adult-onset movement disorder characterized by progressive and severe dystonia followed by overt parkinsonism in the later years of life. Among the primary monogenic dystonias, XDP has been identified as a transcriptional dysregulation syndrome with impaired expression of the TAF1 (TATA box-binding protein associated factor 1) gene, which is a critical component of the cellular transcription machinery. The major neuropathology of XDP is progressive neuronal loss in the neostriatum (i.e., the caudate nucleus and putamen). XDP may be used as a human disease model to elucidate the pathomechanisms by which striatal neurodegeneration leads to dystonia symptoms. In this article, we introduce recent advances in the understanding of the interplay between pathophysiology and genetics in XDP.
Astrocytic Expression of GSTA4 Is Associated to Dopaminergic Neuroprotection in a Rat 6-OHDA Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Jewett Michael , Jimenez-Ferrer Itzia , Swanberg Maria
Published: June 2017

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex disease caused by multiple, mainly unknown, genetic and environmental factors. The Ventral root avulsion 1 (Vra1) locus on rat chromosome 8 includes the Glutathione S-transferase alpha 4 (Gsta4) gene and has been identified in crosses between Dark Agouti (DA) and Piebald Virol Glaxo (PVG) rat strains as being associated to neurodegeneration after nerve and brain injury. The Gsta4 protein clears lipid peroxidation by-products, a process suggested to being implicated in PD. We therefore investigated whether PVG alleles in Vra1 are neuroprotective in a toxin-induced model of PD and if this effect is coupled to Gsta4. We performed unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) partial lesions in the striatum and compared the extent of neurodegeration in parental (DA) and congenic (DA.VRA1) rats. At 8 weeks after 6-OHDA lesion, DA.VRA1 rats displayed a higher density of remaining dopaminergic fibers in the dorsolateral striatum compared to DA rats (44% vs. 23%, p < 0.01), indicating that Vra1 alleles derived from the PVG strain protect dopaminergic neurons from 6-OHDA toxicity. Gsta4 gene expression levels in the striatum and midbrain were higher in DA.VRA1 congenic rats compared to DA at 2 days post-lesion (p < 0.05). The GSTA4 protein co-localized with astrocytic marker GFAP, but not with neuronal marker NeuN or microglial marker IBA1, suggesting astrocyte-specific expression. This is the first report on Vra1 protective effects on dopaminergic neurodegeneration and encourages further studies on Gsta4 in relation to PD susceptibility.
The Role of Regular Eating and Self-Monitoring in the Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa: A Pilot Study of an Online Guided Self-Help CBT Program
Authors: Barakat Sarah , Maguire Sarah , Surgenor Lois , Donnelly Brooke , Miceska Blagica , Fromholtz Kirsty , Russell Janice , Hay Phillipa , Touyz Stephen
Published: June 2017

Background: Despite cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) being regarded as the first-line treatment option for bulimia nervosa (BN), barriers such as its time-consuming and expensive nature limit patient access. In order to broaden treatment availability and affordability, the efficacy and convenience of CBT could be improved through the use of online treatments and selective emphasis on its most ‘potent’ components of which behavioural techniques form the focus. Method: Twenty-six individuals with BN were enrolled in an online CBT-based self-help programme and 17 completed four weeks of regular eating and food-monitoring using the online Food Diary tool. Participants were contacted for a weekly check-in phone call and had their bulimic symptom severity assessed at five time points (baseline and weeks 1–4). Results: There was a significant decrease in the frequency of self-reported objective binge episodes, associated loss of control and objective binge days reported between pre- and post-treatment measures. Significant improvements were also observed in most subscales of the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire. Conclusion: This study provides encouraging preliminary evidence of the potential of behavioural techniques of online CBT in the treatment of BN. Online therapy with this focus is potentially a viable and practical form of treatment delivery in this illness group. These preliminary findings support the need for larger studies using control groups.
Epigenetic Regulation of the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer
Authors: Roche Joëlle , Gemmill Robert , Drabkin Harry
Published: June 2017

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. It is an aggressive and devastating cancer because of metastasis triggered by enhanced migration and invasion, and resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental developmental process that is reactivated in wound healing and a variety of diseases including cancer where it promotes migration/invasion and metastasis, resistance to treatment, and generation and maintenance of cancer stem cells. The induction of EMT is associated with reprogramming of the epigenome. This review focuses on major mechanisms of epigenetic regulation mainly in lung cancer with recent data on EZH2 (enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit ), the catalytic subunit of the PRC2 (Polycomb Group PcG), that behaves as an oncogene in lung cancer associated with gene repression, non-coding RNAs and the epitranscriptome.
Quality-of-Life (QOL) during Screening for Phase 1 Trial Studies in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors and Its Impact on Risk for Serious Adverse Events
Authors: Anwar Sidra , Tan Wei , Hong Chi-Chen , Admane Sonal , Dozier Askia , Siedlecki Francine , Whitworth Amy , DiRaddo Ann Marie , DePaolo Dawn , Jacob Sandra M. , Ma Wen Wee , Miller Austin , Adjei Alex A. , Dy Grace K.
Published: June 2017

Background: Serious adverse events (SAEs) and subject replacements occur frequently in phase 1 oncology clinical trials. Whether baseline quality-of-life (QOL) or social support can predict risk for SAEs or subject replacement among these patients is not known. Methods: Between 2011–2013, 92 patients undergoing screening for enrollment into one of 22 phase 1 solid tumor clinical trials at Roswell Park Cancer Institute were included in this study. QOL Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-G), Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOSSSS), Charlson comorbidity scores (CCS) and Royal Marsden scores (RMS) were obtained at baseline. Frequency of dose limiting toxicities (DLTs), subject replacement and SAEs that occurred within the first 4 cycles of treatment were recorded. Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test were used to study the association between categorical and continuous variables, respectively. A linear transformation was used to standardize QOL scores. p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Baseline QOL, MOSSSS, CCS and RMS were not associated with subject replacement nor DLTs. Baseline EORTC QLQ-C30 scores were significantly lower among patients who encountered SAEs within the first 4 cycles (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Lower (worse) EORTC QLQ-C30 score at baseline is associated with SAE occurrence during phase 1 oncology trials.
On the Importance of Halogen–Halogen Interactions in the Solid State of Fullerene Halides: A Combined Theoretical and Crystallographic Study
Authors: Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio
Published: June 2017

In this manuscript, we combined DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations (BP86-D3/def2-TZVP level of theory) and a search in the CSD (Cambridge Structural Database) to analyze the role of halogen–halogen interactions in the crystal structure of fullerene halides. We have used a theoretical model of a halogenated C60 and evaluated the formation of halogen–halogen complexes between F, Cl, Br and I derivatives. In addition, we also carried out AIM (Atoms in Molecules) and NBO (Natural Bonding Orbital) analyses to further describe and characterize the interactions described herein. Finally, we have carried out a search in the CSD and found several X-ray structures where these interactions are present and important in governing the crystal packing of the fullerene halides, thus giving reliability to the results derived from the calculations.
Large Scale Emerging Properties from Non Hamiltonian Complex Systems
Authors: Bianucci Marco
Published: June 2017

The concept of “large scale” depends obviously on the phenomenon we are interested in. For example, in the field of foundation of Thermodynamics from microscopic dynamics, the spatial and time large scales are order of fraction of millimetres and microseconds, respectively, or lesser, and are defined in relation to the spatial and time scales of the microscopic systems. In large scale oceanography or global climate dynamics problems the time scales of interest are order of thousands of kilometres, for space, and many years for time, and are compared to the local and daily/monthly times scales of atmosphere and ocean dynamics. In all the cases a Zwanzig projection approach is, at least in principle, an effective tool to obtain class of universal smooth “large scale” dynamics for few degrees of freedom of interest, starting from the complex dynamics of the whole (usually many degrees of freedom) system. The projection approach leads to a very complex calculus with differential operators, that is drastically simplified when the basic dynamics of the system of interest is Hamiltonian, as it happens in Foundation of Thermodynamics problems. However, in geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Biology, and in most of the physical problems the building block fundamental equations of motions have a non Hamiltonian structure. Thus, to continue to apply the useful projection approach also in these cases, we exploit the generalization of the Hamiltonian formalism given by the Lie algebra of dissipative differential operators. In this way, we are able to analytically deal with the series of the differential operators stemming from the projection approach applied to these general cases. Then we shall apply this formalism to obtain some relevant results concerning the statistical properties of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Parametric Analysis of Design Parameter Effects on the Performance of a Solar Desiccant Evaporative Cooling System in Brisbane, Australia
Authors: Ma Yunlong , Saha Suvash C. , Miller Wendy , Guan Lisa
Published: June 2017

Solar desiccant cooling is widely considered as an attractive replacement for conventional vapor compression air conditioning systems because of its environmental friendliness and energy efficiency advantages. The system performance of solar desiccant cooling strongly depends on the input parameters associated with the system components, such as the solar collector, storage tank and backup heater, etc. In order to understand the implications of different design parameters on the system performance, this study has conducted a parametric analysis on the solar collector area, storage tank volume, and backup heater capacity of a solid solar desiccant cooling system for an office building in Brisbane, Australia climate. In addition, a parametric analysis on the outdoor air humidity ratio control set-point which triggers the operation of the desiccant wheel has also been investigated. The simulation results have shown that either increasing the storage tank volume or increasing solar collector area would result in both increased solar fraction (SF) and system coefficient of performance (COP), while at the same time reduce the backup heater energy consumption. However, the storage tank volume is more sensitive to the system performance than the collector area. From the economic aspect, a storage capacity of 30 m3/576 m2 has the lowest life cycle cost (LCC) of $405,954 for the solar subsystem. In addition, 100 kW backup heater capacity is preferable for the satisfaction of the design regeneration heating coil hot water inlet temperature set-point with relatively low backup heater energy consumption. Moreover, an outdoor air humidity ratio control set-point of 0.008 kgWater/kgDryAir is more reasonable, as it could both guarantee the indoor design conditions and achieve low backup heater energy consumption.
Use of Vegetable Fibers for PRB to Remove Heavy Metals from Contaminated Aquifers—Comparisons among Cabuya Fibers, Broom Fibers and ZVI
Authors: Mayacela Rojas Celia Margarita , Rivera Velásquez María Fernanda , Tavolaro Adalgisa , Molinari Antonio , Fallico Carmine
Published: June 2017

The Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) is the material most commonly used for permeable reactive barriers (PRB). For technical and economic reasons, hoter reactive substances usable in alternative to ZVI are investigated. The present study takes into account a vegetable fibers, the cabuya, investigating its capacity to retain heavy metals. The capacity of the cabuya fibers to adsorb heavy metals was verified in laboratory, by batch and column tests. The batch tests were carried out with cabuya and ZVI, using copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The results obtained by the cabuya fibers showed a very high adsorption capacity of heavy metals and resulted very similar to those obtained for the broom fibers in a previous study. The high value of the absorption capacity of the cabuya fibers was also confirmed by the analogous comparison made with the results of the batch tests carried out with ZVI. Column tests, using copper, zinc and cadmium, allowed to determine for the cabuya fibers the maximum removal percentage of the heavy metals considered, the corresponding times and the time ranges of the release phase. For each metal considered, for a given length and three different times, the constant of degradation of cabuya fibers was determined, obtaining values very close to those reported for broom fibers. The scalar behavior of heavy metal removal percentage was verified. An electron microscope analysis allowed to compare, by SEM images, the characteristics of the cabuya and broom fibers. Finally, to investigate the chemical structure of cabuya and broom fibers, the FTIR technique was used, obtaining their respective infrared spectra.
Wage Differentials between Heat-Exposure Risk and No Heat-Exposure Risk Groups
Authors: Kim Donghyun , Lim Up
Published: June 2017

The goal of this study is to investigate the wage differential between groups of workers who are exposed to heat and those who are not. Workers in the heat-exposure risk group are defined as workers who work in conditions that cause them to spend more than 25% of their work hours at high temperatures. To analyze the wage differential, the Blinder-Oaxaca and Juhn-Murphy-Pierce methods were applied to Korea Working Condition Survey data. The results show that the no heat-exposure risk group received higher wages. In most cases, this can be interpreted as the endowment effect of human capital. As a price effect that lowers the endowment effect, the compensating differential for the heat-exposure risk group was found to be 1%. Moreover, education level, work experience, and employment status counteracted the compensating differentials for heat-exposure risks. A comparison of data sets from 2011 and 2014 shows that the increasing wage gap between the two groups was not caused by systematic social discrimination factors. This study suggests that wage differential factors can be modified for thermal environmental risks that will change working conditions as the impact of climate change increases.