bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An update of current treatments for adult acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Dombret Hervé , Gardin Claude
Published: December 2015

Recent advances in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) biology and its genetic landscape should ultimately lead to more subset-specific AML therapies, ideally tailored to each patient's disease. Although a growing number of distinct AML subsets have been increasingly characterized, patient management has remained disappointingly uniform. If one excludes acute promyelocytic leukemia, current AML management still relies largely on intensive chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), at least in younger patients who can tolerate such intensive treatments. Nevertheless, progress has been made, notably in terms of standard drug dose intensification and safer allogeneic HSCT procedures, allowing a larger proportion of patients to achieve durable remission. In addition, improved identification of patients at relatively low risk of relapse should limit their undue exposure to the risks of HSCT in first remission. The role of new effective agents, such as purine analogs or gemtuzumab ozogamicin, is still under investigation, whereas promising new targeted agents are under clinical development. In contrast, minimal advances have been made for patients unable to tolerate intensive treatment, mostly representing older patients. The availability of hypomethylating agents likely represents an encouraging first step for this latter population, and it is hoped will allow for more efficient combinations with novel agents.
Elevated soluble thrombomodulin is associated with organ failure and mortality in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): a prospective observational cohort study
Authors: Orwoll Benjamin E. , Spicer Aaron C. , Zinter Matt S. , Alkhouli Mustafa F. , Khemani Robinder G. , Flori Heidi R. , Neuhaus John M. , Calfee Carolyn S. , Matthay Michael A. , Sapru Anil
Published: December 2015

Introduction

The significance of endothelial injury in children with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has not been well studied. Plasma levels of soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), an endothelial surface protein involved in coagulation, have been associated with endothelial injury. We hypothesized that elevated plasma sTM would correlate with mortality and organ failure in children with ARDS.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter prospective observational study of pediatric patients with ARDS between 2008 and 2014. sTM was measured in plasma collected less than 24 hours from ARDS diagnosis. Outcomes were intensive care unit mortality and organ dysfunction by pediatric logistic organ dysfunction scores. Logistic regression was used to adjust for clinically relevant covariates.

Results

Plasma sTM was higher in patients with indirect lung injury compared to direct lung injury (100 ng/mL vs. 86 ng/mL, p = 0.02). Increased sTM levels were correlated with more organ dysfunction in the entire study population (Spearman’s rho = 0.37, p < 0.01). Overall mortality was 16 %. sTM levels were associated with increased mortality in patients with indirect lung injury (OR 2.7 per log(sTM), p = 0.02). These relationships were independent of age, oxygenation defect, or presence of acute kidney injury.

Conclusion

Elevated plasma sTM levels are associated with organ dysfunction in children with ARDS and with higher mortality in children with indirect lung injury. These findings highlight the importance of endothelial injury in children with ARDS and may guide the development of future therapies targeted toward endothelial stabilization, repair, or functional replacement in this population.
Nodal Promotes Functional Luteolysis via Down-Regulation of Progesterone and Prostaglandins E2 and Promotion of PGF2α Synthetic Pathways in Mare Corpus Luteum
Authors: Galvão António , Skarzynski Dariusz , Ferreira-Dias Graça
Published: December 2015

In the present work, we investigated the role of Nodal, an embryonic morphogen from the TGFβ superfamily in corpus luteum (CL) secretory activity using cells isolated from equine CL as a model. Expression pattern of Nodal and its receptors activin receptor A type IIB (ACVR2B), activin receptor-like kinase (Alk)-7, and Alk4, as well as the Nodal physiological role, demonstrate the involvement of this pathway in functional luteolysis. Nodal and its receptors were immune localized in small and large luteal cells and endothelial cells, except ACVR2B, which was not detected in the endothelium. Nodal mRNA in situ hybridization confirmed its transcription in steroidogenic and endothelial cells. Expression analysis of the aforementioned factors evidenced that Nodal and Alk7 proteins peaked at the mid-CL (P < .01), the time of luteolysis initiation, whereas Alk4 and ACVR2B proteins increased from mid- to late CL (P < .05). The Nodal treatment of luteal cells decreased progesterone and prostaglandin (PG) E2 concentrations in culture media (P < .05) as well as mRNA and protein of secretory enzymes steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, cytosolic PGE2 synthase, and microsomal PGE2 synthase-1 (P < .05). Conversely, PGF2α secretion and gene expression of PG-endoperoxidase synthase 2 and PGF2α synthase were increased after Nodal treatment (P < .05). Mid-CL cells cultured with PGF2α had increased Nodal protein expression (P < .05) and phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic-3 phosphorylation (P < .05). Finally, the supportive interaction between Nodal and PGF2α on luteolysis was shown to its greatest extent because both factors together more significantly inhibited progesterone (P < .05) and promoted PGF2α (P < .05) synthesis than Nodal or PGF2α alone. Our results neatly pinpoint the sites of action of the Nodal signaling pathway toward functional luteolysis in the mare.
EP24.15 as a Potential Regulator of Kisspeptin Within the Neuroendocrine Hypothalamus
Authors: Woitowich Nicole C. , Philibert Keith D. , Leitermann Randy J. , Wungjiranirun Manida , Urban Janice H. , Glucksman Marc J.
Published: December 2015

The neuropeptide kisspeptin (Kiss1) is integral to the advent of puberty and the generation of cyclical LH surges. Although many complex actions of Kiss1 are known, the mechanisms governing the processing/regulation of this peptide have not been unveiled. The metallo enzyme, endopeptidase 24.15 (thimet oligopeptidase), has been demonstrated to play a key role in the processing and thus the duration of action of the reproductive neuropeptide, GnRH, which signals downstream of Kiss1. Initial in silico modeling implied that Kiss1 could also be a putative substrate for EP24.15. Coincubation of Kiss1 and EP24.15 demonstrated multiple cleavages of the peptide predominantly between Arg29-Gly30 and Ser47-Phe48 (corresponding to Ser5-Phe6 in Kiss-10; Kiss-10 as a substrate had an additional cleavage between Phe6-Gly7) as determined by mass spectrometry. Vmax for the reaction was 2.37±0.09 pmol/min · ng with a Km of 19.68 ± 2.53μM, which is comparable with other known substrates of EP24.15. EP24.15 immunoreactivity, as previously demonstrated, is distributed in cell bodies, nuclei, and processes throughout the hypothalamus. Kiss1 immunoreactivity is localized primarily to cell bodies and fibers within the mediobasal and anteroventral-periventricular hypothalamus. Double-label immunohistochemistry indicated coexpression of EP24.15 and Kiss1, implicating that the regulation of Kiss1 by EP24.15 could occur in vivo. Further studies will be directed at determining the precise temporal sequence of EP24.15 effects on Kiss1 as it relates to the control of reproductive hormone secretion and treatment of fertility issues.
Normal approximation for statistics of Gibbsian input in geometric probability
Authors: Xia Aihua , Yukich J. E.
Published: December 2015

This paper concerns the asymptotic behavior of a random variableWλresulting from the summation of the functionals of a Gibbsian spatial point process over windowsQλ↑ℝd. We establish conditions ensuring thatWλhas volume order fluctuations, i.e. they coincide with the fluctuations of functionals of Poisson spatial point processes. We combine this result with Stein's method to deduce rates of a normal approximation forWλas λ → ∞. Our general results establish variance asymptotics and central limit theorems for statistics of random geometric and related Euclidean graphs on Gibbsian input. We also establish a similar limit theory for claim sizes of insurance models with Gibbsian input, the number of maximal points of a Gibbsian sample, and the size of spatial birth-growth models with Gibbsian input.
On dynamic mutual information for bivariate lifetimes
Authors: Ahmadi Jafar , Crescenzo Antonio Di , Longobardi Maria
Published: December 2015

We consider dynamic versions of the mutual information of lifetime distributions, with a focus on past lifetimes, residual lifetimes, and mixed lifetimes evaluated at different instants. This allows us to study multicomponent systems, by measuring the dependence in conditional lifetimes of two components having possibly different ages. We provide some bounds, and investigate the mutual information of residual lifetimes within the time-transformed exponential model (under both the assumptions of unbounded and truncated lifetimes). Moreover, with reference to the order statistics of a random sample, we evaluate explicitly the mutual information between the minimum and the maximum, conditional on inspection at different times, and show that it is distribution-free in a special case. Finally, we develop a copula-based approach aiming to express the dynamic mutual information for past and residual bivariate lifetimes in an alternative way.
Records from stationary observations subject to a random trend
Authors: Gouet Raúl , López F. Javier , Sanz Gerardo
Published: December 2015

We prove strong convergence and asymptotic normality for the record and the weak record rate of observations of the formYn=Xn+Tn,n≥ 1, where (Xn)n∈Zis a stationary ergodic sequence of random variables and (Tn)n≥ 1is a stochastic trend process with stationary ergodic increments. The strong convergence result follows from the Dubins-Freedman law of large numbers and Birkhoff's ergodic theorem. For the asymptotic normality we rely on the approach of Ballerini and Resnick (1987), coupled with a moment bound for stationary sequences, which is used to deal with the random trend process. Examples of applications are provided. In particular, we obtain strong convergence and asymptotic normality for the number of ladder epochs in a random walk with stationary ergodic increments.
The lighthouse at the end of the chromosome*
Authors: Benslimane Yahya , Harrington Lea
Published: December 2015

Fluorescence microscopy can be used to assess the dynamic localization and intensity of single entities in vitro or in living cells. It has been applied with aplomb to many different cellular processes and has significantly enlightened our understanding of the heterogeneity and complexity of biological systems. Recently, high-resolution fluorescence microscopy has been brought to bear on telomeres, leading to new insights into telomere spatial organization and accessibility, and into the mechanistic nuances of telomere elongation. We provide a snapshot of some of these recent advances with a focus on mammalian systems, and show how three-dimensional, time-lapse microscopy and single-molecule fluorescence shine a new light on the end of the chromosome.
The therapeutic potential of genome editing for β-thalassemia
Authors: Glaser Astrid , McColl Bradley , Vadolas Jim
Published: December 2015

The rapid advances in the field of genome editing using targeted endonucleases have called considerable attention to the potential of this technology for human gene therapy. Targeted correction of disease-causing mutations could ensure lifelong, tissue-specific expression of the relevant gene, thereby alleviating or resolving a specific disease phenotype. In this review, we aim to explore the potential of this technology for the therapy of β-thalassemia. This blood disorder is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the β-globin chain of hemoglobin, leading to severe anemia in affected patients. Curative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is available only to a small subset of patients, leaving the majority of patients dependent on regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. The transfer of gene-corrected autologous hematopoietic stem cells could provide a therapeutic alternative, as recent results from gene therapy trials using a lentiviral gene addition approach have demonstrated. Genome editing has the potential to further advance this approach as it eliminates the need for semi-randomly integrating viral vectors and their associated risk of insertional mutagenesis. In the following pages we will highlight the advantages and risks of genome editing compared to standard therapy for β-thalassemia and elaborate on lessons learned from recent gene therapy trials.
Transcription factor motif quality assessment requires systematic comparative analysis
Authors: Kibet Caleb Kipkurui , Machanick Philip
Published: December 2015

Transcription factor (TF) binding site prediction remains a challenge in gene regulatory research due to degeneracy and potential variability in binding sites in the genome. Dozens of algorithms designed to learn binding models (motifs) have generated many motifs available in research papers with a subset making it to databases like JASPAR, UniPROBE and Transfac. The presence of many versions of motifs from the various databases for a single TF and the lack of a standardized assessment technique makes it difficult for biologists to make an appropriate choice of binding model and for algorithm developers to benchmark, test and improve on their models. In this study, we review and evaluate the approaches in use, highlight differences and demonstrate the difficulty of defining a standardized motif assessment approach. We review scoring functions, motif length, test data and the type of performance metrics used in prior studies as some of the factors that influence the outcome of a motif assessment. We show that the scoring functions and statistics used in motif assessment influence ranking of motifs in a TF-specific manner. We also show that TF binding specificity can vary by source of genomic binding data. Finally, we demonstrate that information content of a motif is not in isolation a measure of motif quality but is influenced by TF binding behaviour. We conclude that there is a need for an easy-to-use tool that presents all available evidence for a comparative analysis.
‘Time of My Life?’ The afterlife of Dirty Dancing in the contemporary romantic comedy
Authors: Smith Frances
Published: December 2015

Released in 1987, the continued popularity of Dirty Dancing by Emile Ardolino, and its associated soundtrack cannot be disputed. David Shumway’s analysis of the film’s soundtrack argues that its newly produced songs, such as ‘(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life’ performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, rupture the purported realism of the film’s 1963 setting in favour of idealized fantasy. Exploring the implications of Shumway’s claim, this article examines how Dirty Dancing’s theme song has been taken up in two contemporary romantic comedies – Crazy Stupid Love by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (2011), and Heartbreaker by Pascal Chaumeil (2010) – in which it is used by the male protagonists in order to win favour with their prospective partners. Combining Judith Butler’s work on performativity and citationality with the work of Ian Garwood and Frank Krutnik on the role of quotation in the recent romantic comedy and Rick Altman’s and Richard Dyer’s work on the film musical, the article observes how in both films, the male characters appeal directly to the women’s enjoyment of Dirty Dancing, culminating in scenes where the male and female leads perform a dance to ‘(I’ve had) the Time of My Life’. Complicating the dominant perception of the use of older songs in the contemporary romantic comedy, the article investigates the complex legacy of a hugely popular film whose eclectic soundtrack has seen relatively little academic interest.
Remembering ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
Authors: Hodgers Jonathan
Published: December 2015

This article argues that Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’, which accompanies a key scene in Sam Peckinpah’s 1973 film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, has had its relevance to the narrative enhanced by the song’s widespread propagation. The analysis provides a context for Dylan’s score in Peckinpah’s oeuvre as well as within more general late 1960s and early 1970s scoring trends in the film western. Pertinent is the number of versions afforded Pat Garrett (a theatrical cut, a director’s preview and a hybrid ‘special edition’), resulting in either the inclusion or omission of Dylan’s vocals and lyrics. The presence, or lack thereof, of this important element affects the semantics of the scene and film. In tracing aspects of the history of the song’s presence in cinema after Pat Garrett, the article shows how the drama of the original ‘Heaven’s Door’ scene is often reiterated. This dovetails with Peckinpah’s and Dylan’s shared concerns with memory and cyclicality. Finally, the article illustrates that the use of popular ‘standards’ with judiciously omitted lyrics can suggest an interior monologue and a novelistic insight into a character’s thoughts.
Aprendizaje adaptativo en Moodle: tres casos prácticos
Authors: Lerís López Dolores , Vea Muniesa Fernando , Velamazán Gimeno Ángeles
Published: December 2015

Uno de los retos más importantes que habrá de afrontar la educación es la necesidad de adecuar el proceso formativo a las características del estudiante. Hoy día todavía se señala el deficiente apoyo tecnológico y las escasas prácticas de personalización del aprendizaje. La tecnología educativa que apoya el e-learning ha ido desarrollando dos tipos de plataformas: Sistemas de Gestión del Aprendizaje (LMS) y Sistemas Hipermedia Adaptativos dirigidos a la educación. Ambas líneas de desarrollo están convergiendo, de forma que las nuevas versiones de los LMS incorporan capacidades adaptativas que van permitiendo diseñar cursos individualizados o diferenciados. En este artículo se revisan las funcionalidades adaptativas disponibles en Moodle. Se explica cómo se han puesto en práctica tres casos de diseños instruccionales adaptativos. Además, se constata su eficacia, en términos del aprendizaje logrado por el estudiante, y su eficiencia, al reutilizar materiales de experiencias anteriores.
Uso de GitHub en el diseño de e-actividades para la refactorización del software
Authors: López Carlos , Alonso Jesús M. , Marticorena Raúl , Maudes Jesús M.
Published: December 2015

El objetivo de este trabajo es diseñar, planificar, aplicar y evaluar actividades docentes que ayuden en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje del concepto de refactorización. La metodología didáctica seguida se basa en dos pilares. El primero es en un aprendizaje progresivo del concepto de refactorización mediante e-actividades definidas en diferentes niveles de conocimiento de la taxonomía de Bloom (conocer, comprender, aplicar, analizar, sintetizar). El segundo es la utilización de recursos en las e-actividades, que estén relacionados con los que el estudiante podrá encontrarse al ejercer su carrera profesional orientada al desarrollo del software: entornos de desarrollo integrados y repositorios de gestión de proyectos. El resultado del trabajo es la definición de un conjunto de e-actividades de refactorización de código Java, donde se utiliza de diferentes formas según el tipo de e-actividad, la funcionalidad del versionado del repositorio de proyectos de código abierto GitHub. Bajo estas premisas se diseñan cinco tipos de e-actividades: lecturas y comprensión, pruebas objetivas, aprendizaje basado en problemas, estudio de casos y seminarios virtuales. Las e-actividades diseñadas se aplican en el contexto de una asignatura de Ingeniería del Software del Grado en Ingeniería Informática de la Universidad de Burgos. El trabajo concluye analizando preliminarmente algunas consecuencias de la experiencia, tanto desde la perspectiva de utilizar estas nuevas e-actividades en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje, como desde la perspectiva de carga de trabajo que supone al docente y al estudiante.
A AÇÃO DIRETA DE INCONSTITUCIONALIDADE DE NORMA MUNICIPAL EM FACE DA LEI ORGÂNICA DO MUNICÍPIO
Authors: Falcão Maia Mário Sérgio , De Almeida Leite Rodrigo
Published: December 2015

O presente ensaio vista tecer argumentos sobre um tipo de controle de normas que é pouco referenciado pela doutrina: a possibilidade do controle concentrado de normas municipais em face de Lei Orgânica Municipal, sendo mais especificadamente a utilização de Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade destas normas perante os Tribunais de Justiças Estaduais. Neste sentido, pro-curou-se demonstrar quais são os argumentos contrários a este tipo de controle expostos pela doutrina e jurisprudência e, por meio do método indutivo, da análise legislativa e da revisão bibli-ográfica, partiu-se para a construção de fundamentos em sentido oposto, de forma a tornar plenamente possível esta análise sui generis de constitucionalidade de normas municipais, sem per-der de vista as dificuldades inerentes ao seu reconhecimento, que são a inexistência de previsão expressa na Constituição Federal, a consideração da Lei Orgânica Municipal como uma norma de direito comum (resultando assim em um conflito de legalidade) e a ausência de um Poder Judiciário Municipal para julgar esta ação, nos mesmos moldes do que ocorre com o controle abstrato de constitucionalidade no âmbito federal e estadual.
Preparation and properties of gelatin films incorporated with N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated end-bit binary acid
Authors: Zhuang Chen , Tao Fu-Rong , Cui Yue-Zhi
Published: December 2015

A series of novel cross-linkers,
The Ukrainian Minority in Brno: A Qualitative Research on Ethnic Identity
Authors: Součková Taťána
Published: December 2015

The article focuses on the presentation of the temporary results of the qualitative ethnological research concerning the Ukrainian minority in Brno, Czech Republic. It is aimed on the description of the basic principles of the life of the diaspora in Brno and expressing the ethnic identity of the Ukrainians. After the introductory part author defines the methodological approach as well as the techniques used while carrying out the research. Following part of the article is aimed on characterizing the main attributes of the Ukrainian ethnic identity according to the informants. Moreover, the perception of the presence of the Ukrainian diaspora in Brno is illustrated by the conclusions acquired from the open-ended interviews with the Czech participants.
Skład Chemiczny Osadów Bagiennych z Doliny Luciąży (Torfowisko Bęczkowice na Równinie Piotrkowskiej)
Authors: Borówka Ryszard K. , Tomkowiak Julita , Okupny Daniel , Forysiak Jacek
Published: December 2015

Abstrakt

Analizę geochemiczną przeprowadzono dla osadów organicznych z torfowiska Bęczkowice w środkowym biegu doliny rzeki Luciąża. Z profilu B-1, zlokalizowanego w południowej części doliny, pobrano do analiz geochemicznych 60 próbek osadów (do głębokości 3,00 m), reprezentujących 5-cm segmenty rdzenia. W próbkach tych oznaczono straty na prażeniu w temperaturze 550°C, informujące o zawartości materii organicznej oraz oznaczono pierwiastki o wymowie paleogeograficznej: Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn i metale ciężkie: Cu, Zn i Pb. Stosując analizę skupień wydzielono sześć lokalnych poziomów geochemicznych (LGZ), różniących się istotnie pod względem składu chemicznego osadów. Dla serii osadów torfowych określono również związki korelacyjne pomiędzy analizowanymi metalami, a także materią organiczną oraz obliczonymi wskaźnikami geochemicznymi: Ca/Mg, Na/K, Na+K+Mg/ Ca, Fe/Ca, Fe/Mn, Cu/Zn, pozwalającymi na rekonstrukcję warunków akumulacji analizowanych osadów. W toku analizy składowych głównych zidentyfikowano 10 głównych czynników, z których wybrano trzy pierwsze PC1, PC2 i PC3, wyjaśniające łącznie 84,4% wariancji. Do czynników kształtujących skład chemiczny holoceńskich osadów organicznych w środkowej części doliny Luciąży zaliczono produktywność biologiczną ekosystemu torfowego, procesy denudacji chemicznej i mechanicznej w zlewni (zwłaszcza dostawę allochtonicznej materii mineralnej), wzrost udziału wód opadowych w bilansie wodnym torfowiska oraz działalność człowieka.
Skład Chemiczny Osadów Bagiennych Z Doliny Rawki (Torfowisko Kopanicha, Równina Łowicko-Błońska)
Authors: Borówka Ryszard K. , Tomkowiak Julita , Okupny Daniel , Forysiak Jacek
Published: December 2015

Abstrakt

Analizę geochemiczną przeprowadzono dla osadów organicznych z torfowiska Kopanicha w dolinie środkowej Rawki. Z profilu Kop-1, zlokalizowanego w centralnej części mokradła, pobrano do analiz geochemicznych 59 próbek osadów (do głębokości 3,1 m), reprezentujących 2,5-cm segmenty rdzenia. W próbkach tych oznaczono straty na prażeniu w temperaturze 550°C, informujące o zawartości materii organicznej oraz oznaczono pierwiastki o wymowie paleogeograficznej: Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn i metale ciężkie: Cu, Zn i Pb. Stosując analizę skupień wydzielono siedem lokalnych poziomów geochemicznych (LGZ ), różniących się istotnie pod względem składu chemicznego osadów. Dla serii osadów torfowych określono również związki korelacyjne pomiędzy analizowanymi metalami, a także materią organiczną oraz obliczonymi wskaźnikami geochemicznymi: Ca/Mg, Na/K, Na+K+Mg/ Ca, Fe/Ca, Fe/Mn, Cu/Zn, pozwalającymi na rekonstrukcję warunków akumulacji analizowanych osadów. W toku analizy składowych głównych zidentyfikowano 10 głównych czynników, z których wybrano trzy pierwsze - PC 1, PC 2 i PC 3, wyjaśniające łącznie 78,98% wariancji. Do głównych czynników kształtujących skład chemiczny holoceńskich osadów organicznych w dolinie Rawki zaliczono sorpcję metali przez materię organiczną i uwodnione tlenki żelaza, zmienność akumulacji minerałów ilastych w środowisku sedymentacyjnym, warunki oksydacyjno-redukcyjne oraz działalność człowieka.
Theoretical geodesy
Authors: Borkowski Andrzej , Kosek Wiesław
Published: December 2015

The paper presents a summary of research activities concerning theoretical geodesy performed in Poland in the period of 2011-2014. It contains the results of research on new methods of the parameter estimation, a study on robustness properties of the M-estimation, control network and deformation analysis, and geodetic time series analysis. The main achievements in the geodetic parameter estimation involve a new model of the M-estimation with probabilistic models of geodetic observations, a new Shift-Msplit estimation, which allows to estimate a vector of parameter differences and the Shift-Msplit(+) that is a generalisation of Shift-Msplit estimation if the design matrix A of a functional model has not a full column rank. The new algorithms of the coordinates conversion between the Cartesian and geodetic coordinates, both on the rotational and triaxial ellipsoid can be mentioned as a highlights of the research of the last four years. New parameter estimation models developed have been adopted and successfully applied to the control network and deformation analysis.

New algorithms based on the wavelet, Fourier and Hilbert transforms were applied to find time-frequency characteristics of geodetic and geophysical time series as well as time-frequency relations between them. Statistical properties of these time series are also presented using different statistical tests as well as 2nd, 3rd and 4th moments about the mean. The new forecasts methods are presented which enable prediction of the considered time series in different frequency bands.
Verification of Plastic Interactive Systems
Authors: Oliveira Raquel , Dupuy-Chessa Sophie , Calvary Gaëlle
Published: December 2015

Interactive systems have largely evolved over the past years. Nowadays, different users can interact with systems on different devices and in different environments. The user interfaces (UIs) are expected to cope with such variety. Plastic UIs have the capacity to adapt to changes in their context of use while preserving usability. Such capability enhances UIs, however, it adds complexity on them. We propose an approach to verifying interactive systems considering this adaptation capability of the UIs. The approach applies two formal techniques: model checking, to the verification of properties over the system model, and equivalence checking, to compare different versions of a UI, thereby identifying different levels of UI equivalence. We apply the approach to a case study in the nuclear power plant domain in which several UI are analyzed, properties are verified, and the level of equivalence between them is demonstrated.
Visual Stability in Dynamic Graph Drawings
Authors: Lezama Alfredo Ramos , Chounta Irene-Angelica , Göhnert Tilman , Hoppe H. Ulrich
Published: December 2015

In graph visualizations, dynamic networks are a special challenge. A typical approach is visualizing the network at several points in time. Drawing these individual time slices often leads to changes in the layout that distract viewers from important information about individual nodes. In this article, we present a mathematical model to quantify the visual stability of dynamic graph drawings. The model takes into account structural and layout-oriented characteristics of the graphs. In order to validate the model, we conducted a study using questionnaires and an eye-tracking device. The participants were asked to track nodes in a dynamic network with three different methods. Then, we compared these methods based on the proposed model, user feedback (questionnaires) and behavioral data (eye-tracking). The results suggest that dynamic graph drawings which assign a fixed position on the canvas to every actor in the network improve the efficiency of the visual search. Nonetheless, more time is required to process the image. In contrast to that, those dynamic graph drawings with a constant shape or with a minimal number of changes require less time to process the image but lose efficiency of visual search.
Survey of the Health Status of Some Honey Bee Queens in Italy
Authors: Porporato Marco , Grillone Giacomo , Patetta Augusto , Manino Aulo , Laurino Daniela
Published: December 2015

While observing: non-acceptance, frequent replacements, and reduced performance in honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) queens, we were induced to analyse a certain number of queens to detect the causes. For this purpose, 99 newly mated queens were bought from 20 Italian queen breeders. In addition, 109 older or at-the-end-of-their-career queens, that showed poor productivity, were collected from honey production hives throughout Italy. All the queens were dissected to check the status of their reproductive system and/or the presence of various anomalies and diseases.

Anatomical and functional anomalies, pertaining to ovaries and spermatheca, also in association with tissue alterations and microorganisms like Nosema spp. and protozoa, were common in both newly mated and older queens, but they were more prevalent in the latter. Observed differences permitted us to highlight the causes of the reduced performance of the queens and of the colonies they originated from. The obtained information could prove useful when it comes to improving queen breeding techniques.
Nutritional Effect of Alpha-Linolenic Acid on Honey Bee Colony Development (Apis Mellifera L.)
Authors: Ma Lanting , Wang Ying , Hang Xiaobo , Wang Hongfang , Yang Weiren , Xu Baohua
Published: December 2015

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), influences honey bee feed intake and longevity. The objective of this study was to research the effect of six dietary ALA levels on the growth and development of Apis mellifera ligustica colonies. In the early spring, a total of 36 honey bee colonies of equal size and queen quality were randomly allocated into 6 groups. The six groups of honey bees were fed a basal diet with supplementation of ALA levels at 0 (group A), 2 (group B), 4 (group C), 6 (group D), 8 (group E), and 10% (group F). In this study, there were significant effects of pollen substitute ALA levels on the feeding amounts of the bee colony, colony population, sealed brood amount, and weight of newly emerged workers (P<0.05). The workers’ midgut Lipase (LPS) activity of group C was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P<0.01). The worker bees in groups B, C, and D had significantly longer lifespans than those in the other groups (P<0.05). However, when the diets had ALA concentrations of more than 6%, the mortality of the honey bees increased (P<0.01). These results indicate that ALA levels of 2 ~ 4% of the pollen substitute were optimal for maintaining the highest reproductive performance and the digestion and absorption of fatty acids in honey bees during the period of spring multiplication. Additionally, ALA levels of 2 ~ 6% of the pollen substitute, improved worker bee longevity.
Toxicity of Spirotetramat on Solitary Bee Larvae, Osmia Cornuta (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), in Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Sgolastra Fabio , Tosi Simone , Medrzycki Piotr , Porrini Claudio , Burgio Giovanni
Published: December 2015

In this paper we assessed, under laboratory conditions, the toxicity of an active substance on solitary bee larvae of Osmia cornuta (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). A field-realistic dose of the systemic insecticide spirotetramat was applied to the mass provisions. The insecticide’s effects on several life-cycle parameters were studied in males and females. Our results showed a significantly shorter post-emergence longevity in bees exposed to spirotetramat during the larval stage, compared to the control. The observed reduction in longevity was 18 and 15%, respectively, in males and females. Mortality rate and other biological traits (larval and spinning duration, emergence time, food/body conversion rate) did not show significant differences between the two treatments. The method described in this study can be used to test the effects of toxic substances (i.e. agrochemicals) on bees. Moreover, it can constitute a basis for the development of a standardised protocol in the first tier of the Environmental Risk Assessment for solitary bees.
The Ability of Honey Bee Drones to Ejaculate
Authors: Czekońska Krystyna , Chuda-Mickiewicz Bożena
Published: December 2015

The effectiveness of two methods of collecting semen from honeybee Apis mellifera drones was compared, and the reasons for problems with ejaculating semen were analysed. Among 275 drones, 100 were stimulated to release semen using a manual method, 100 with the use of chloroform, and from 75 drones the reproductive organs were dissected for analysis and evaluation. It was found that the principal causes of problems that drones had with ejaculating their semen were anatomical changes or a delay in the development of the mucus glands. It was also found that the method employing chloroform was less efficient in the first phase of eversion of the endophallus, compared with the manual method. The method with the use of chloroform allows the determination of the proportion of drones, which do not evert the endophallus because of poor or delayed development of mucus glands, as well as the proportion of drones which evert the organ, but do not ejaculate semen because of the absence of semen in the seminal vesicles.
Floral Phenology, Nectar Secretion Dynamics, and Honey Production Potential, of Two Lavender Species (Lavandula Dentata, and L. Pubescens ) in Southwestern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Nuru Adgaba , Al-Ghamdi Ahmad A. , Tena Yilma T. , Shenkut Awraris G. , Ansari Mohammad J. , Al-Maktary Anwer
Published: December 2015

The aim of the current study was to determine the floral phenology, nectar secretion dynamics, and honey production potentials of two naturally growing lavender species (L. dentata and L. pubescens), in southwestern Saudi Arabia. In both species, flowering is continuous. This means that, when open flowers on a spike are shaded, new flowers emerge. Such a flowering pattern might be advantageous to the plant to minimise competition for pollinators and promote efficient resource allocation. The flowering periods of the two species overlap. Both species secreted increasing amounts of nectar from early morning to late afternoon. The mean maximum volumes of accumulated nectar from bagged flowers occurred at 15:00 for L. pubescens (0.50 ± 0.24 μL/flower) and at 18:00 for L. dentata (0.68 ± 0.19 μL/flower). The volume of the nectar that became available between two successive measurements (three-h intervals) varied from 0.04 μL/flower to 0.28 μL/flower for L. pubescens and from 0.04 μL/flower to 0.35 μL/ flower for L. dentata, This variation reflects the differences in the dynamics of nectar secretion by these species, and indicates the size of the nectar that may be available for flower visitors at given time intervals. The distribution of nectar secretions appears to be an adaptation of the species to reward pollinators for longer duration. Based on the mean amount of nectar sugar secreted by the plants, the honey production potentials of the species are estimated to be 4973.34 mg and 3463.41 mg honey/plant for L. dentata and L. pubescens, respectively.
Finite groups in which pronormality and 𝔉-pronormality coincide
Authors: Ballester-Bolinches Adolfo , Beidleman James C. , Feldman Arnold D. , Ragland Matthew F.
Published: December 2015

For a formation 𝔉, a
subgroup U of a finite group G is said to be
𝔉-pronormal in G if for each g ∈ G,
there exists x ∈ 〈U,Ug
〉𝔉 such that Ux
= Ug
. If 𝔉 contains 𝔑,
the formation of nilpotent groups, then every 𝔉-pronormal subgroup is
pronormal and, in fact, 𝔑-pronormality is just classical
pronormality. The main aim of this paper is to study classes of finite
soluble groups in which pronormality and 𝔉-pronormality coincide.
Assessing Risk Following a Wireless Emergency Alert: Are 90 Characters Enough?
Authors: Casteel Mark A. , Downing Joe R.
Published: December 2015

In a relatively new initiative, homeland security and other emergency management officials use wireless cell technology to communicate Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages to an increasingly mobile public. Severe weather warnings represent one type of WEA message that the public can receive on their cell phone. So far, officials have limited WEA messages to 90 characters of text and therefore have excluded information-rich weather graphics like warning polygons and radar images. The question remains if this lean messaging strategy effectively communicates the risk and severity of the storm. In the current study, the researchers created prototype WEA tornado warning messages equivalent to both popular mobile weather apps on the market and the National Weather Service’s iNWS service to compare to typical WEA text-only warnings. The study therefore investigates WEA weather warning message effectiveness across one of four conditions: (1) WEA (text-only) alert; (2) WEA text+NWS warning polygon; (3) WEA text+radar image; and (4) WEA text+warning polygon+radar image. Participants were told they were driving through an unknown region of the US. The researchers asked participants to assess the perceived risk, perceived severity, and likelihood to contact a loved one for each message. The results indicate the decisions did not differ as a function of warning type. Also, the participants’ times to make the three decisions were equivalent across all four types of messages.
Some generalizations for Landweber iteration for nonlinear ill-posed problems in Hilbert scales
Authors: Neubauer Andreas
Published: December 2015

In this paper we derive convergence rates results for Landweber iteration in
Hilbert scales. The assumptions that are necessary to prove these results are
less restrictive than the ones given in an earlier paper. The relaxed conditions
enlarge the range of applicability to a much wider class of nonlinear problems.
The theory is applied to nonlinear Hammerstein operators.
The Costs of Container Transport Flow Between Far East and Serbia Using Different Liner Shipping Services
Authors: Rajkovic Radoslav , Zrnic Nenad , Stakic Đorđe , Mahnic Borut
Published: December 2015

Liner shipping is the most efficient mode of transport for goods. International liner shipping is a sophisticated network of regularly scheduled services that transports goods from anywhere in the world to anywhere in the world at low cost and with greater energy efficiency than any other form of international transportation. Liner shipping connects countries, markets, businesses and people, allowing them to buy and sell goods on a scale not previously possible. Today, the liner shipping industry transports goods representing approximately one-third of the total value of global trade. Ocean shipping contributes significantly to international stability and security. Considering the large and constant struggle in the market in terms of competitive pricing of products, a very important and indispensable role represents the container transport with a clear task to define the final price of the product. This paper analyzes the costs of container transport flow between Far East and Serbia, using different liner shipping services, observing the six world’s largest container operators (Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA CGM, Evergreen Line, China Ocean Shipping Company and Hapag-Lloyd) and inland (truck-rail-river) transport corridors. These corridors include distance between selected Mediterranean ports (Koper, Rijeka, Bar, Thessaloniki, Constanta) and Serbia. As a result, in this paper is considered a mathematical model that provides a comparative analysis of transportation costs on the different routes. It is observed already existing transport routes and it is also given hypothetical review to the development of new transport routes. The main goal of this research is to provide an optimal route with lowest transportation cost during container transport. Selection of the best route in the intermodal network is a very difficult and complex task. The costs in all modes of transport and the quality of their services are not constant parameters and changes depending on a number of conditions and characteristics. The analysis of this model within combined maritime and land-based networks would prove helpful for the study of logistics chains, the hinterland-foreland continuum, intermodal transport systems, and market competitiveness.
Estimating truck operating costs for domestic trips – case studies from Greece
Authors: Sdoukopoulos Eleftherios , Boile Maria , Anagnostopoulou Afroditi
Published: December 2015

The transport sector represents a vital component of national economies and has significant impacts on productivity and social welfare. In 2012, the transport sector in Europe was estimated to account for 3.7% of the European Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5.1% for employment. Road transport proves to be the predominant mode for moving goods within Europe holding a share of approximately 45.8% in 2012 (in ton-kms). In Greece, the share of road freight transport is significantly higher (98%) indicating the importance of this sector for the Greek economy. To this end and considering the existing needs of road freight transport operators in Greece, the objective of this research is to establish an analytical and documented basis for estimating the operating cost of a truck on specific urban or national freight transport routes. To achieve this goal, an extended literature review has been conducted resulting in the identification of the main components comprising the total truck operating cost, which were then updated and validated through a series of personal interviews with selected road freight transport professionals. An excel-based application tool was also developed in order to facilitate operating cost estimates for different cases, through selection of the proper values of the relevant parameters. The resulting tool was used to analyse four test cases, which demonstrate the tool’s usability and applicability. Results from this analysis have been also validated by industry experts and they reflect real-world transport scenarios.
Seasonal dynamics of: the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), its natural enemies the seven spotted lady beetle Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus and variegated lady beetle Hippodamia variegata Goeze, and their parasitoid Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank)
Authors: Soleimani Safura , Madadi Hossein
Published: December 2015

Two important lady beetle species commonly found in alfalfa fields in Iran are the variegated lady beetle Hippodamia variegata Goeze and the seven spotted lady beetle Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). These two species attack many aphid species including the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In this study, the seasonal population changes of A. pisum, H. variegata, C. septempunctata and the parasitoid, Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were studied in alfalfa fields in the 2012 and 2013 seasonal periods. The highest ladybird densities were noted on July 5, 2012 and on September 6, 2013 (17.2±2.8 and 13.4±1.6) individuals per 20 sweeps, respectively. Parasitism rates by D. coccinellae ranged from approximately 3 to 6% in two subsequent years, respectively. Parasitism was higher early in the growing season. Most parasitised ladybirds were females. There was no significant relationship between the temperature and relative humidity with pea aphid populations, although the aphid populations declined during the hot summer period. In contrast, the relationship between temperature and the H. variegata population was significant and positive in both years of the study. It has been shown that these lady beetle species have a major role in reducing the pea aphid populations in alfalfa fields. Due to the relatively low percentage of field parasitism by D. coccinellae, this parasite might not reduce the biocontrol efficiency of lady beetle species.
Packing of ℝ2 by Crosses
Authors: Cruz C. N. , d’Azevedo Breda A. M. , Pinto M. R.
Published: December 2015

A cross in Rn is a cluster of unit cubes comprising a central one and 2n arms. In their monograph Algebra and Tiling, Stein and Szabó suggested that tilings of ℝn by crosses should be studied. The question of the existence of such a tiling has been answered by various authors for many special cases. In this paper we completely solve the problem for ℝ2. In fact we do not only characterize crosses for which there exists a tiling of ℝ2 but for each cross we determine its maximum packing density.
Extensions of Dynamic Inequalities of Hardy’s Type on Time Scales
Authors: Saker S. H. , O’Regan Donal
Published: December 2015

In this paper using some algebraic inequalities, Hölder inequality and a simple consequence of Keller’s chain rule we prove some new inequalities of Hardy type on a time scale T. These inequalities as special cases contain some integral and discrete inequalities when T = ℝ and T = ℕ.
Oscillation Criteria for Third Order Differential Equations with Functional Arguments
Authors: Shoukaku Yutaka
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we consider the third order differential equations with functional arguments by using Riccati inequality
Asymptotic Behavior of Solutions of a Nonlinear Neutral Generalized Pantograph Equation with Impulses
Authors: Guan Kaizhong , Wang Qisheng
Published: December 2015

Sufficient conditions are obtained for the asymptotic behavior of solutions of the nonlinear neutral generalized pantograph equation with impulses