bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caracterización superficial de pigmentos sobre artefactos paleolíticos de la zona de los montes albanos (Roma, Italia) por microscopía óptica y espectroscopía raman
Authors: Altamura F. , Catelli E. , Gazzoli D. , Mussi M.
Published: September 2017

Se presentan los resultados preliminares de la caracterización de pigmentaciones rojas sobre artefactos paleolíticos de la zona sur de Montes Albanos (Roma, Italia). El conjunto de materiales está formado por tres cantos rodados decorados y una lámina cortical de sílex tipológicamente atribuibles al Paleolítico Superior (Epigravetiense final, 14.000-12.000 cal BP). Los hallazgos se observaron con microscopio óptico Nikon SMZ 1000/800 con magnificaciones de 1x a 6.3x. En dos cantos, uno decorado con grabados paralelos, se detectaron residuos de ocre en asociación a huellas de uso. En un tercer canto rodado se observaron manchas de colorante rojo organizadas formando motivos geométricos. Por último, pigmentaciones rojizas se localizaron en la cara dorsal cortical de una lámina de sílex. Para caracterizar químicamente el agente colorante detectado macro-microscópicamente, se utilizó la espectroscopia Raman, una técnica que permitió el estudio de la naturaleza de los residuos y la detección de materiales orgánicos adicionales cuya presencia debe ser relacionada a contaminaciones post-deposicionales producidas por la manipulación o/y exposición en superficie de los artefactos.
Técnicas analíticas aplicadas al estudio de la composición y procedencia de sílex arqueológicos en la región central del mediterràneo español
Authors: Roldán C. , Eixea A. , Villaverde V. , Murcia S. , Prudêncio M. I. , Dias M. I. , Marques R.
Published: September 2017

En este trabajo se analizan muestras de sílex del yacimiento arqueológico “Abrigo de la Quebrada” (Chelva, Valencia) y de los afloramientos geológicos de la misma zona y se comparan con sílex procedentes de yacimientos de “Cova Negra” (Xátiva, Valencia), “Cova de les Cendres” (Moraira, Alicante) y de afloramientos de otras zonas de la región central del Mediterráneo español. La metodología analítica, basada en la caracterización macroscópica de los sílex (color, textura, inclusiones, tamaño de grano, etc.), la fluorescencia de rayos-X dispersiva en energía (EDXRF), la difracción de rayos-X (XRD) y la activación neutrónica (NAA), ha demostrado ser adecuada para discriminar entre sílex locales (tipo Domeño) y alóctonos, mostrando que la complementariedad de las diferentes técnicas analíticas es apta para el estudio de este material lítico y para encontrar patrones de referencia que puedan relacionar la procedencia de materias primas y la movilidad de grupos humanos.
La soberanía en Vitoria en el contexto del nacimiento del Estado moderno: algunas consideraciones sobre el De potestate civili de Vitoria
Authors: Prieto López Leopoldo José
Published: September 2017

El artículo estudia algunas de las ideas políticas fundamentales presentes en el origen del Estado moderno, y especialmente la noción de soberanía política, que, inspirada tanto en la maiestas del Derecho romano imperial como en la interpretación averroísta de la idea aristotélica de comunidad perfecta, es recibida por Francisco de Vitoria en el De potestate civili. Vitoria caracteriza la soberanía con las notas de supremacía en la actividad interna del Estado e independencia en relación con los demás Estados.
Sobre derecho y la averiguación de la verdad
Authors: Reyes Molina Sebastián
Published: September 2017

En el ámbito del derecho probatorio la relación entre derecho y verdad ha sido un debate abandonado en los últimos treinta años. Se ha aceptado que existe una conexión entre ambos la cual se traduciría en que el derecho es un medio de averiguación de la verdad de los hechos alegados. La tesis reconstruida en este trabajo ha sido presentada por el profesor Jordi Ferrer quien justifica la relación entre derecho y verdad en términos de necesidad para que el derecho pueda motivar la conducta de los ciudadanos. A esta tesis la denomino la teoría de la cláusula estructural de la verdad. En este trabajo se presenta una reconstrucción de esta teoría, dos objeciones a las que se debe enfrentar y cinco posibles interpretaciones de la relación entre derecho y verdad.
La ponderación: análisis de la situación del debate en España
Authors: Fernández Núñez Miguel
Published: September 2017

Desde la clásica enunciación del método ponderativo elaborada por Alexy se han dirigido distintas críticas tanto a sus pasos y aspectos metodológicos como a las concepciones que presupone. Este artículo pretende dar cuenta de las visiones de distintos críticos españoles acerca del modelo ponderativo alexiano, poniendo de manifiesto diferencias y afinidades. Tras una breve introducción, se examinan aspectos de la distinción entre principios y reglas en que descansan algunas de las razones para sostener o descartar la necesidad de ponderar, necesidad que es analizada en segundo lugar; en el tercer apartado se expone la ley de la ponderación vista por Alexy y el cuarto punto presenta un panorama de algunas críticas planteadas recientemente por cuatro autores españoles (Atienza, García Amado, Martínez Zorrilla y Moreso). Por último, se proponen algunas consideraciones al hilo de lo expuesto.
Development of KUB Chicken in South Kalimantan
Authors: . Suryana
Published: September 2017

KUB chicken is a new breed of local chickens as the result of selection by the Indonesian Research Institute for Animal Production, Ciawi-Bogor. KUB chicken has been developed in South Kalimantan since early December 2013 at farmers assisted by livestock services in South Kalimantan and animal house belongs to the Assesment Institute of Agricultural Technology (AIAT) South Kalimantan. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the potency, production performance, and development opportunities of KUB chicken in South Kalimantan. KUB chickens have several advantages i.e. high egg production (160-180 eggs/hen/year), low brooding (±10%), faster growth, more savory meat taste, and adaptable to environment. Problems encountered in the development of KUB chicken in South Kalimantan are low hatchbility, expensive feed prices, and susceptible to diseases such as Newcastle Disease (ND) and Avian Influenza. Performance of KUB chicken at small farmers in South Kalimantan include egg production 65-67%, egg weight of 36.12-38.12 g/egg, feed consumption 85-105 g/head, feed conversion ratio 3.8-3.9, eggs fertility ranged between 90.21-92.61%, hatchability of eggs is 79.67-81.80% and DOC weight ranged from 34.50-36.86 g/head. Efforts to prevent diseases are the use of herb medicine, ND vaccination, and biosecurity. Appropriate feed technology, disease prevention and strengthen the marketing network are strategies that should be applied to develop KUB chicken in South Kalimantan. This will lead new job and increase farmers’ income.
Improvement In Rabbit Corneal Cell Suspension Viability After Freezing With Gingko Biloba Extrakt
Authors: Aktan Murad , Okka Berrin , Okka Mehmet , Duman Selcuk
Published: September 2017

We investigated whether the addition of Gingko Biloba extract (EGb 761) to rabbit corneal epithelial medium before cell freezing improved cell viability after freezing then thawing. After removal of corneas, they were treated with enzymes and the corneal epithelium was prepared as a single cell suspension in freezing media with or without EGb 761. After freezing for two weeks then thawing, a higher cell viability was found in the cornea cell suspensions which had been frozen pretreated with EGb 761 in the media. The improvement with corneal cell viability with EGb 761 pretreatment is postulated to be based on the antioxidant capacity of the plant extract.
The Pattern of Acute Myocardial Infarction in People with Opportunistic Infections
Authors: Arleevskiy Igor P. , Chernova Olga A. , Saphin Indus N. , Trushin Maxim V. , Chernov Vladislav M.
Published: September 2017

First comparative analysis for some hemocoagulation reactions, immune state of acute myocardial infarction has been done in two groups of patients – with mycoplasma infections and without one. Postinfarction complications in the groups were observed. Atherosclerotic plaques of the patients were also studied on a presence of mycoplasmas and a content of strontium and zinc. A tendency to a mild pattern of acute myocardial infarction was observed in patients with mycoplasma infections. The role of mycoplasmas in atherogenesis and acute myocardial infarction is discussed.
Fasciola Hepatica Case with Hemobilia
Authors: Bahçecıoğlu Ibrahim Halil , Ataseven Hüseyin , Aygen Erhan , Coskun Serdar , Kuzu Nalan , Ilhan Fulya
Published: September 2017

Fasciola hepatica (FH) can lead to important hepatobiliary diseases. Here we present a case of hemobilia associated with biliary FH, which is quite a rare case. The 41–year-old patient, who underwent common bile duct exploration due to hemobilia, was found to have arterial bleeding associated with ulcer caused by a dead parasite in the common bile duct. Hemobilia is a very rare complication associated with FH. When searching for the cause of hemobilia, FH should be considered.
Multivariate analysis to assess abscisic acid content association with different physiological and plant growth related traits of Petunia
Authors: Mahmood Akhtar , Haider Muhammad Saleem , Ali Qurban , Nasir Idrees Ahmad
Published: September 2017

Petunia is an important and beautiful ornamental flowering plant, grown throughout the world for its beauty and attraction. Different Petunia hybrids have been developed by petunia growing countries of the world. The prescribed study was conducted to investigate the association of abscisic acid with seed yield and its contributing traits of petunia line. Data for different physiological, morphological and petunia seed yield traits was recorded, analyzed and interpreted for final inferences. From results it was showed that the petunia lines IAGS-P8, IAGS-P9 and IAGS-P11 performed well for most of the studied traits. It was shown from multivariate analysis techniques that stomata conductance, chlorophyll b contents, seed area, chlorophyll a contents, flower fresh mass, flowers per plant, seed mass and abscisic acid contributed higher to seed yield per plant in petunia. The abscisic acid contents showed positive and significant association and contribution towards seed yield of petunia genotypes. It was suggested that selection on the basis of abscisic acid may be useful to develop good seed yield per plant and large number of flowers per plant in petunia under stressful environmental conditions.
Molecular genetic analysis of some North African barley germplasms
Authors: Gaafar Reda , Allam Mai , Sabry Rasha , Saker Mahmoud
Published: September 2017

Isozyme and RAPD markers were used to characterize 29 barley accessions, which were collected from North Africa. In addition, resistance gene sequences were employed to develop molecular markers using RT-PCR approach. High level of polymorphism was found with both RAPD and isozyme markers, where RAPD showed that 60 % of amplified bands were polymorphic. Peroxidase showed three polymorphic loci (7 allelic bands). Isozymes cluster analysis successfully separated the barley accessions into three geographically distinct groups. RAPD investigation demonstrated that Egyptian accessions were grouped into two obvious groups. Moreover, the Tunisian accessions showed no distinct clustering, while high dissimilarities were revealed by the Algerian accessions. In the RT-PCR, from six primer pairs selected, primer pair AF092524P1P2 successfully amplified two specific amplicons of approximately (340 & 220 bp) and (360 & 270 bp), respectively in two Egyptian barley genotypes (El-Awamah and Awlad-Ali). One primer pair DN988165P1P2 gave only one specific amplicon in both barley genotypes of 250 and 270 bp, respectively. The markers developed could be used in improving barley crop by assisting in breeding selection of resistance genotypes.
Changes in essential oil and morpho-physiological traits of tarragon (Artemisia dracuncalus L.) in responses to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, AMF (Glomus intraradices N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) inoculation under salinity
Authors: Lamian Amin , Naghdi Badi Hassanali , Mehrafarin Ali , Seif Sahandi Mehdi
Published: September 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus intraradices N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) inoculation and salinity effect on qualitative and quantitative changes in tarragon yield. Treatments included inoculation, and non-inoculation of AMF, and five salinity levels of irrigation water (with the electrical conductivity of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m-1). The results showed the plant height, SPAD value, number of leaves, dry mass of leaves and shoot per plant were reduced under salinity condition. The various levels of salinity decreased the content of tarragon essential oil and some its components consist of α-pinene, limonene, Z-ocimene, E-ocimene, and methyl chavicol while, it increased the content of bornyl acetate, eugenol, methyl eugenol, caryophyllene, germacrene, and α-farnesene. AMF inoculation without salinity had the greatest positive effect on the evaluated traits of tarragon. Also, it improved the morpho-physiological traits under salinity due to alleviation of the harmful effects of salinity. Although the essential oil content was reduced with the AMF inoculation, the methyl chavicol amount was increased by the AMF inoculation under salinity condition.
Combining ability × environment interaction and genetic analysis for agronomic traits in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.): biplot as a tool for diallel data
Authors: Golkar Pooran , Shahbazi Ehsan , Nouraein Mojtaba
Published: September 2017

Combining ability × environment interaction is considerable to identify the effect of environment on the combining ability and gene action of the traits to select appropriate parents for safflower hybrid production. The 36 genotype (28 F2 progenies of eight-parent half-diallel crosses across 8 parental genotypes) of safflower were studied to investigate the mentioned parameters across different geographical regions of Iran. The results indicated significant differences among parents for general and specific combining ability, except for seeds per capitulum across three environments. The overall results indicated that K21 and Mex.22-191 were excellent parents with greater general combining ability for the improvement of seed yield in safflower. The K21 × Mex.22-191 hybrid could be, therefore, employed for the production of high seed yield in safflower breeding. The estimates of genetic variance components recommended the importance of additive- dominance genetic effects that contributed to variation in yield per plant. Such gene action expression for seed yield needs auxiliary methods based on hybridization and selection for seed yield advancement in safflower.
Response of onion to different nitrogen levels and method of transplanting in moderately salt affected soil
Authors: Ahmed Khalil , NAWAZ Muhammad Qaisar , HUSSAIN Syed Saqlain , RIZWAN Muhammad , SARFRAZ Muhammad , WAINSE Ghulam Mustafa , JAMIL Muhammad
Published: September 2017

Rapid increase in population and consumption, urged upon the agronomists to develop a comprehensive site specific agro technology to boost up production per unit area and quality of daily dietary onion crop in salt affected soils by improving some basic components of the prevailing onion production technology in Pakistan. In this perspective a detailed and systematic series of field studies were undertaken for three consecutive years (2013 -  2015) at Soil Salinity Research Institute, Pindi Bhattian, Pakistan to evaluate different nitrogen levels and the cost-effective planting technique for onion production under salt affected conditions. The experiment was laid out in split plot arrangement using randomized complete block design having three replications. Two planting methods, ridge and bed planting and 4 nitrogen levels, 1- recommended dose (RD) of N (90 kg ha-1), 2 -75 % N of RD (67.5 kg ha-1), 3 -125 % N of RD (112.5 kg ha-1), 4 - 150 % N of RD (135 kg ha-1) were used. Planting methods were kept in main plots and nitrogen levels in sub plots keeping sub-plot size of 4 m x 6 m. Measurements included were: plant height, number of leaves/plants/m-2, bulb diameter, bulb mass, total bulb yield, number of flowers/umbel, seed mass/plant and 1000-seed mass. Results showed that maximum onion yield and yield attributes were recorded with nitrogen application at rate of 150 & 125 of RD in ridge planting. However nitrogen application at rate of 125 of RD in ridge planting recorded higher economic returns over all the other treatments and is recommended as most cost effective technique for onion production under salt affected soil as compare to other treatments.
Unfair practices and illicit conduct in food supply chains in Slovenia
Authors: Podgoršek Jože
Published: September 2017

The food supply chain in Slovenia is highly developed, but it involves unequally developed stakeholders with different bargaining power. Upon reviewing all stakeholders through participatory research, it is made clear that in the whole food supply chain, retail chains generally have the greatest and primary producers the smallest bargaining power. For this reason, in the process of regulating mutual relations in contractual commitments and mutual operations, unfair practices and illicit conduct often emerge, through which the parties with significant market power impose additional discounts, rebates and other contributions on the parties with smaller market power in order to improve their own financial management. Unfair practices and illicit conduct lead to the weakening of the entire food supply chain, so it is important to recognise such tendencies in the food chain. In this article, the autor would like to draw attention to the illicit conduct and unfair practices in Slovenia which are used by retail chains in their interpersonal relationships and their dealings with suppliers.
Evaluation of genetic diversity and traits relations in wheat cultivars under drought stress using advanced statistical methods
Authors: Naghavi Mohammad Reza , Khalili Marouf
Published: September 2017

In order to study of genetic diversity and classify physio-agronomic characters under normal irrigation and drought stress in wheat cultivars, 15 cultivars were evaluated in the research farm of University of Mahabad, Iran. According to stepwise regression some of traits entered to final model that as far to correlation coefficients and path analysis regarding, the biggest part of correlation coefficient and direct effect was achieved for number of grains per spike, number spikes per plant with grain yield under two conditions. These traits had the highest indirect effect on the grain yield mutually. So, screening for high value for these traits can bring increase in wheat grain yield under two conditions. Factor analysis detected three and four factors which explained 91.23 and 92.43 percent of the total variation in non-drought stress and drought stress conditions, respectively. In drought stress condition the first factor, second factor, third factor and fourth factors were named as yield component, physiological, biomass and growth, and yield factor respectively. Cluster analysis based on the three and four factors grouped cultivars into the two groups under normal and three groups under drought stress conditions. Generally, tolerant cultivars can be used for direct culture or as parents for create of variation in breeding programs.
Effect of partial root-zone irrigation system on seed quality changes of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) during seed development and maturation
Authors: Eskandari Hamdollah , Alizadeh-Amraie Ashraf
Published: September 2017

A field experiment was conducted in Aleshtar, Iran during 2015-16 growing season to evaluate the effect of limited water supply during seed filling period on seed quality changes of Persian clover. The experiment was carried out as a 2×6 factorial with three replications. Irrigation systems including conventional (all root system was irrigated) and partial root-zone irrigation (half of root system exposed to dry soil and the other half was watered) and harvest time (initiated from 10 days after flowering (DAA) and continued on six occasions at 5-day intervals) were used as treatments. Germination percentage, seedling dry mass, electrical conductivity and 1000-seed mass were used as seed quality traits. Seed quality attributes were significantly affected by harvest time and irrigation system, but the interaction of irrigation system × harvest time was not significant. While seed mass and electrical conductivity were not significantly affected by irrigation system, seedling dry mass and germination percentage were reduced under deficit irrigation. Partial root-zone irrigation reduced seed quality, Persian clover needs to experience no water deficit during seed formation and maturation period to produce high quality and quantity seeds.
The effects of silicon and titanium on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) growth under moisture deficit condition
Authors: Janmohammadi Mohsen , Mohamadi Nasrin , SHEKARI Fariborz , ABBASI Amin , ESMAILPOUR Mohammad
Published: September 2017

Safflower is one of important crop in semi-arid regions of the world, where the precipitations are limited. In order to investigate the effect of foliar spray of nano-silicon dioxide (10 and 20 mM) and nano titanium dioxide (25 and 50 mM) and water-deficit stress (irrigation after 110 mm evaporation) on growth parameters and yield components of spring safflower a field experiment was carried out at the highland semi-arid region, in, North West of Iran. Water deficit stress significantly reduced morpho-physiological traits such as ground cover, canopy width, leaf fresh mass, leaf are and plant height) as well as yield components (e.g. capitulum diameter, seed mass and seed number per capitulum). However, the plants grown under water deficit condition showed the higher harvest index than well irrigated plants. Comparison of the foliar treatments showed that the both nano-particles (silicon and titanium) improved the plant growth and yield components over the control. However, the effect of nano-silicon was more prominent than titanium. The highest amount of seed oil was recorded under well irrigated condition (irrigation after 60 mm evaporation) with foliar application of nano-titanium. The percentage of palmitic acid, arachidic acid and myristic acid in seed increased by nano-titanium application. Altogether, principal component analysis indicated that spray of 10 mM nano silicon dioxide was best foliar treatments under all moisture regimes.
Effects of key thermophysical properties on the curing uniformity of carbon fiber reinforced resin composites
Authors: Wang Xiaoxia , Wang Qinglin , Gao Linlin , Jia Yuxi
Published: September 2017

Key thermophysical properties of the thermosetting resin, including density, conductivity coefficient and specific heat that evolve with resin curing, are related to temperature and curing degree fields of the fiber/resin composite material. However, their effects on heat transfer inside composite materials, consequently on the curing non-uniformity in thick-section laminates, are not well understood. The focus of this study is on the effects of key thermophysical properties of resin on the curing uniformity of AS4/3501-6 composite by means of the coupled thermochemical analysis with the method of numerical simulation. The results clearly indicate that the conductivity coefficient and specific heat of resin have obvious influence on curing uniformity, especially for thick laminates, while the density of resin has no noticeable effect on the curing uniformity. The simulation results can help to guide the material preparation of industrial production.
Caring for adolescents in Guatemala: provider perspectives
Authors: Hassan Areej , Maza Juan Carlos Reyes , Teich Hayley G. , Guerra Erwin H. Calgua
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Today’s generation of adolescents is the largest in history, creating a major challenge for low and middle income countries faced with the necessity of addressing their growing healthcare needs. Our objective was to assess the extent to which health care providers in Guatemala are trained, knowledgeable and feel comfortable providing services to adolescents.

Methods

A sample of 20 medical providers were recruited from the School of Medicine at San Carlos University and its affiliated hospitals. Providers were interviewed face-to-face for 30–40 min using a semi-structured guide exploring their training, knowledge, skills and experience in adolescent health care. Recruitment continued until thematic saturation was reached. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and then analyzed for emergent themes using principles of framework analysis.

Results

The provider’s mean age was 33.7 years [standard deviation (SD) = 10.2]. Most were female (65%) and practiced medicine in a metropolitan location. Results revealed the presence of five major themes: (1) Need for dedicated adolescent health services; (2) Presence of a multitude of barriers to providing adolescent health care; (3) Perceived comfort level in communicating with adolescents; (4) Limited knowledge of current adolescent specific services, programs, and guidelines; and (5) Gaps in medical education and training.

Conclusion

Providers recognize the need for increased and dedicated adolescent health care services. There is strong support for the creation of a credentialed national adolescent health training program.
An Efficient Medical Image Watermarking Technique in E-healthcare Application Using Hybridization of Compression and Cryptography Algorithm
Authors: Aparna Puvvadi , Kishore Polurie Venkata Vijay
Published: September 2017

The main objective of this paper is to propose a medical image watermarking technique in E-healthcare application based on the hybridization of compression and cryptography algorithm. Basically, the proposed system consists of two stages: (i) watermark embedding process and (ii) watermark extraction process. In the embedding process, at first, we segment the tumor part separately using a region growing algorithm. Then, we encrypt the region of interest part using Secure Hash Algorithm-256 and encrypt the electronic health record (EHR) using the elliptical curve cryptography algorithm. Thereafter, we concatenate and compress the information using an arithmetic coding algorithm. Finally, we embed the compressed bit into the original image. The same process is repeated for the extraction process. The experimental results are shown for different medical images with EHR and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is analyzed with the help of the peak signal-to-noise ratio and normalized correlation.
A pilot study on the utility of reduced urine collection frequency protocols for the assessment of reproductive hormones in adolescent girls
Authors: Allaway Heather C.M. , John Esther M. , Keegan Theresa H. , De Souza Mary Jane
Published: September 2017

Background:

The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility of and compliance to collecting urine samples in pre- and postmenarcheal girls and to determine if a less than daily collection frequency was sufficient for assessing ovarian function.

Methods:

Twenty-five postmenarcheal girls (11–17 years) collected samples using either a two or a three samples/week protocol during one menstrual cycle. Exposure and mean estrone-1-glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol glucuronide concentrations were calculated, and evidence of luteal activity (ELA) was evaluated. Sixteen premenarcheal girls (8–11 years) collected one sample/month for six consecutive months. Samples were analyzed for E1G concentration. Participant compliance was calculated using dates on the urine samples and paper calendars.

Results:

Participants collecting three samples/week were more compliant to the protocol than those collecting two samples/week (83.6%±2.6% vs. 66.8%±6.6%; p=0.034). There were no differences (p>0.10) regarding paper calendar return (81.8%±12.2% vs. 92.9%±7.1%), recording menses (55.6%±17.6% vs. 92.3%±7.7%) or sample collection (88.9%±11.1% vs. 84.6%±10.4%) between the two protocols. The average cycle length was 30.5±1.3 days and 32% of cycles had ELA. The premenarcheal girls were 100% compliant to the protocol. Only 68.8% of participants returned the paper calendar and 81.8% of those participants recorded sample collection. The average E1G concentration was 15.9±3.8 ng/mL.

Conclusions:

Use of a less than daily collection frequency during one menstrual cycle in postmenarcheal, adolescent girls is feasible and provides informative data about ovarian function. Collection of one sample/month in premenarcheal girls is feasible and detects the expected low E1G concentrations. Alternate strategies to the use of a paper calendar should be considered.
Representing derivatives of Chebyshev polynomials by Chebyshev polynomials and related questions
Authors: Prodinger Helmut
Published: September 2017

A recursion formula for derivatives of Chebyshev polynomials is replaced by an explicit formula. Similar formulae are derived for scaled Fibonacci numbers.
Chain conditions on composite Hurwitz series rings
Authors: Lim Jung Wook , Oh Dong Yeol
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we study chain conditions on composite Hurwitz series rings and composite Hurwitz polynomial rings. More precisely, we characterize when composite Hurwitz series rings and composite Hurwitz polynomial rings are Noetherian, S-Noetherian or satisfy the ascending chain condition on principal ideals.
Green chemistry and sustainable development: approaches to chemical footprint analysis
Authors: Tarasova Natalia P. , Makarova Anna S. , Vinokurov Stanislav F. , Kuznetsov Vladimir A. , Shlyakhov Pavel I.
Published: September 2017

The methods to monitor the distribution of chemicals in the biosphere and to estimate the impact of chemicals on the biosphere are necessary to reach Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper presents the examples of methods to measure the concentration of heavy metals (including rare earth elements) and to rank them by the level of hazard to human health on different scales. The megacity scale presents the investigation of the impact of heavy metals on the small water bodies using water contamination index (WCI); and the investigation of snow contamination to estimate the level of short-term seasonal emission of heavy metals and rare earth elements. The 2nd part of the paper presents approaches to mitigate the exposure to mercury on the regional scale: the estimation of the current concentrations of mercury in atmospheric air, natural soils, and fresh waters using UNEP/SETAC USEtox model, as well as the estimations of the variations in the concentrations of mercury for the year 2045 in the federal districts of the Russian Federation, based on representative concentration pathways (RCPs) scenario and Minamata Convention scenario.
A review on empirical correlations estimating gas holdup for shear-thinning non-Newtonian fluids in bubble column systems with future perspectives
Authors: Sujan Ajay , Vyas Raj K.
Published: September 2017

Gas holdup is one of the most important parameters for characterizing the hydrodynamics of bubble columns. Modeling and design of bubble columns require empirical correlations for precise estimation of gas holdup. Empirical correlations available for prediction of gas holdup (εG) in various non-Newtonian systems for both gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid bubble columns have been presented in this review. Critical analysis of correlations presented by different researchers has been made considering the findings and pitfalls. As the magnitude of gas holdup depends on many factors, such as physicochemical properties of gas and/or liquid, column geometry, type and design of gas distributors, operating conditions, phase properties, and rheological properties, etc., all of these have been discussed and examined. In order to emphasize the significance, relative importance of parameters such as flow behavior index, consistency index, column diameter, gas flow rate, and density of aqueous carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solution on gas holdup has been quantified using artificial neural network and Garson’s algorithm for an experimental data set of air-CMC solution from the literature. Besides, potential areas for research encompassing operating conditions, column geometry, physical properties, modeling and simulation, rheological properties, flow regime, etc., have been underlined, and the need for developing newer correlations for gas holdup has been outlined. The review may be useful for the modeling and design of bubble columns.
Genetic underpinnings in Alzheimer’s disease – a review
Authors: Moustafa Ahmed A. , Hassan Mubashir , Hewedi Doaa H. , Hewedi Iman , Garami Julia K. , Al Ashwal Hany , Zaki Nazar , Seo Sung-Yum , Cutsuridis Vassilis , Angulo Sergio L. , Natesh Joman Y. , Herzallah Mohammad M. , Frydecka Dorota , Misiak Błażej , Salama Mohamed , Mohamed Wael , El Haj Mohamad , Hornberger Michael
Published: September 2017

In this review, we discuss the genetic etiologies of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Furthermore, we review genetic links to protein signaling pathways as novel pharmacological targets to treat AD. Moreover, we also discuss the clumps of AD-m ediated genes according to their single nucleotide polymorphism mutations. Rigorous data mining approaches justified the significant role of genes in AD prevalence. Pedigree analysis and twin studies suggest that genetic components are part of the etiology, rather than only being risk factors for AD. The first autosomal dominant mutation in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene was described in 1991. Later, AD was also associated with mutated early-onset (presenilin 1/2,PSEN1/2andAPP) and late-onset (apolipoprotein E,ApoE) genes. Genome-wide association and linkage analysis studies with identified multiple genomic areas have implications for the treatment of AD. We conclude this review with future directions and clinical implications of genetic research in AD.
Discrete Solitons and Bäcklund Transformation for the Coupled Ablowitz–Ladik Equations
Authors: Wu Xiao-Yu , Tian Bo , Liu Lei , Sun Yan
Published: September 2017

Under investigation in this paper are the coupled Ablowitz–Ladik equations, which are linked to the optical fibres, waveguide arrays, and optical lattices. Binary Bell polynomials are applied to construct the bilinear forms and bilinear Bäcklund transformation. Bright/dark one- and two-soliton solutions are also obtained. Asymptotic analysis indicates that the interactions between the bright/dark two solitons are elastic. Amplitudes and velocities of the bright solitons increase as the value of the lattice spacing increases. Increasing value of the lattice spacing can lead to the increase of both the bright solitons’ amplitudes and velocities, and the decrease of the velocities of the dark solitons. The lattice spacing parameter has no effect on the amplitudes of the dark solitons. Overtaking interaction between the unidirectional bright two solitons and a bound state of the two equal-velocity solitons is presented. Overtaking interaction between the unidirectional dark two solitons and the two parallel dark solitons is also plotted.
Silica-Based Coatings for Corrosion Protection of AA7075 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Rêgo Galtiere C. , Bandeira Rafael M. , Aureliano Ricardo T. , Lombardi Amadeu N. , Casteletti Luiz C. , Totten George E.
Published: September 2017

The large economic and environmental impact caused by corrosion of metal structures has demanded new types of anti-corrosion coatings. This study proposes the application of silica-based coatings for corrosion protection of AA7075 aluminum alloy in saline environments rich in chloride ions. These coatings were obtained using the sol-gel technique. The samples were dip-coated in two types of solutions: (a) a mix of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMPM) (Coating 1); and (b) a mix of titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TIP) with TMPM (Coating 2). The cure temperatures of the coatings were of 25°C, 60°C, 100°C, and 130°C, with treatment times of 1 and 3 hours. Characterization of the coatings was done by potentiodynamic polarization in aqueous saline solution (sodium chloride 3.5 %), nanoscratching, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The layers produced were uniform with good scratch resistance and with superior corrosion resistance when compared to the substrate.
Quantifying Mesoscale Neuroanatomy Using X-Ray Microtomography
Authors: Dyer Eva L. , Gray Roncal William , Prasad Judy A. , Fernandes Hugo L. , Gürsoy Doga , De Andrade Vincent , Fezzaa Kamel , Xiao Xianghui , Vogelstein Joshua T. , Jacobsen Chris , Körding Konrad P. , Kasthuri Narayanan
Published: September 2017

Methods for resolving the three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of the brain typically start by thinly slicing and staining the brain, followed by imaging numerous individual sections with visible light photons or electrons. In contrast, X-rays can be used to image thick samples, providing a rapid approach for producing large 3D brain maps without sectioning. Here we demonstrate the use of synchrotron X-ray microtomography (µCT) for producing mesoscale (∼1 µm3resolution) brain maps from millimeter-scale volumes of mouse brain. We introduce a pipeline for µCT-based brain mapping that develops and integrates methods for sample preparation, imaging, and automated segmentation of cells, blood vessels, and myelinated axons, in addition to statistical analyses of these brain structures. Our results demonstrate that X-ray tomography achieves rapid quantification of large brain volumes, complementing other brain mapping and connectomics efforts.
Signatures of Somatic Inhibition and Dendritic Excitation in Auditory Brainstem Field Potentials
Authors: Goldwyn Joshua H. , McLaughlin Myles , Verschooten Eric , Joris Philip X. , Rinzel John
Published: September 2017

Extracellular voltage recordings (Ve; field potentials) provide an accessible view ofin vivoneural activity, but proper interpretation of field potentials is a long-standing challenge. Computational modeling can aid in identifying neural generators of field potentials. In the auditory brainstem of cats, spatial patterns of sound-evokedVecan resemble, strikingly,Vegenerated by current dipoles. Previously, we developed a biophysically-based model of a binaural brainstem nucleus, the medial superior olive (MSO), that accounts qualitatively for observed dipole-likeVepatterns in sustained responses to monaural tones with frequencies >∼1000 Hz (Goldwyn et al., 2014). We have observed, however, thatVepatterns in cats of both sexes appear more monopole-like for lower-frequency tones. Here, we enhance our theory to accurately reproduce dipole and non-dipole features ofVeresponses to monaural tones with frequencies ranging from 600 to 1800 Hz. By applying our model to data, we estimate time courses of paired input currents to MSO neurons. We interpret these inputs as dendrite-targeting excitation and soma-targeting inhibition (the latter contributes non-dipole-like features toVeresponses). Aspects of inferred inputs are consistent with synaptic inputs to MSO neurons including the tendencies of inhibitory inputs to attenuate in response to high-frequency tones and to precede excitatory inputs. Importantly, our updated theory can be tested experimentally by blocking synaptic inputs. MSO neurons perform a critical role in sound localization and binaural hearing. By solving an inverse problem to uncover synaptic inputs fromVepatterns we provide a new perspective on MSO physiology.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTExtracellular voltages (field potentials) are a common measure of brain activity. Ideally, one could infer from these data the activity of neurons and synapses that generate field potentials, but this “inverse problem” is not easily solved. We study brainstem field potentials in the region of the medial superior olive (MSO); a critical center in the auditory pathway. These field potentials exhibit distinctive spatial and temporal patterns in response to pure tone sounds. We use mathematical modeling in combination with physiological and anatomical knowledge of MSO neurons to plausibly explain how dendrite-targeting excitation and soma-targeting inhibition generate these field potentials. Inferring putative synaptic currents from field potentials advances our ability to study neural processing of sound in the MSO.
Attention to Color Sharpens Neural Population Tuning via Feedback Processing in the Human Visual Cortex Hierarchy
Authors: Bartsch Mandy V. , Loewe Kristian , Merkel Christian , Heinze Hans-Jochen , Schoenfeld Mircea A. , Tsotsos John K. , Hopf Jens-Max
Published: September 2017

Attention can facilitate the selection of elementary object features such as color, orientation, or motion. This is referred to as feature-based attention and it is commonly attributed to a modulation of the gain and tuning of feature-selective units in visual cortex. Although gain mechanisms are well characterized, little is known about the cortical processes underlying the sharpening of feature selectivity. Here, we show with high-resolution magnetoencephalography in human observers (men and women) that sharpened selectivity for a particular color arises from feedback processing in the human visual cortex hierarchy. To assess color selectivity, we analyze the response to a color probe that varies in color distance from an attended color target. We find that attention causes an initial gain enhancement in anterior ventral extrastriate cortex that is coarsely selective for the target color and transitions within ∼100 ms into a sharper tuned profile in more posterior ventral occipital cortex. We conclude that attention sharpens selectivity over time by attenuating the response at lower levels of the cortical hierarchy to color values neighboring the target in color space. These observations support computational models proposing that attention tunes feature selectivity in visual cortex through backward-propagating attenuation of units less tuned to the target.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWhether searching for your car, a particular item of clothing, or just obeying traffic lights, in everyday life, we must select items based on color. But how does attention allow us to select a specific color? Here, we use high spatiotemporal resolution neuromagnetic recordings to examine how color selectivity emerges in the human brain. We find that color selectivity evolves as a coarse to fine process from higher to lower levels within the visual cortex hierarchy. Our observations support computational models proposing that feature selectivity increases over time by attenuating the responses of less-selective cells in lower-level brain areas. These data emphasize that color perception involves multiple areas across a hierarchy of regions, interacting with each other in a complex, recursive manner.
The Timing of Reward-Seeking Action Tracks Visually Cued Theta Oscillations in Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Levy Joshua M. , Zold Camila L. , Namboodiri Vijay Mohan K. , Hussain Shuler Marshall G.
Published: September 2017

An emerging body of work challenges the view that primary visual cortex (V1) represents the visual world faithfully. Theta oscillations in the local field potential (LFP) of V1 have been found to convey temporal expectations and, specifically, to express the delay between a visual stimulus and the reward that it portends. We extend this work by showing how these oscillatory states in male, wild-type rats can even relate to the timing of a visually cued reward-seeking behavior. In particular, we show that, with training, high precision and accuracy in behavioral timing tracks the power of these oscillations and the time of action execution covaries with their duration. These LFP oscillations are also intimately related to spiking responses at the single-unit level, which themselves carry predictive timing information. Together, these observations extend our understanding of the role of cortical oscillations in timing generally and the role of V1 in the timing of visually cued behaviors specifically.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTraditionally, primary visual cortex (V1) has been regarded as playing a purely perceptual role in stimulus-driven behaviors. Recent work has challenged that view by showing that theta oscillations in rodent V1 may come to convey timed expectations. Here, we show that these theta oscillations carry predictive information about timed reward-seeking actions, thus elucidating a behavioral role for theta oscillations in V1 and extending our understanding of the role of V1 in decision making.
Visual Experience Shapes the Neural Networks Remapping Touch into External Space
Authors: Crollen Virginie , Lazzouni Latifa , Rezk Mohamed , Bellemare Antoine , Lepore Franco , Collignon Olivier
Published: September 2017

Localizing touch relies on the activation of skin-based and externally defined spatial frames of reference. Psychophysical studies have demonstrated that early visual deprivation prevents the automatic remapping of touch into external space. We used fMRI to characterize how visual experience impacts the brain circuits dedicated to the spatial processing of touch. Sighted and congenitally blind humans performed a tactile temporal order judgment (TOJ) task, either with the hands uncrossed or crossed over the body midline. Behavioral data confirmed that crossing the hands has a detrimental effect on TOJ judgments in sighted but not in early blind people. Crucially, the crossed hand posture elicited enhanced activity, when compared with the uncrossed posture, in a frontoparietal network in the sighted group only. Psychophysiological interaction analysis revealed, however, that the congenitally blind showed enhanced functional connectivity between parietal and frontal regions in the crossed versus uncrossed hand postures. Our results demonstrate that visual experience scaffolds the neural implementation of the location of touch in space.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn daily life, we seamlessly localize touch in external space for action planning toward a stimulus making contact with the body. For efficient sensorimotor integration, the brain has therefore to compute the current position of our limbs in the external world. In the present study, we demonstrate that early visual deprivation alters the brain activity in a dorsal parietofrontal network typically supporting touch localization in the sighted. Our results therefore conclusively demonstrate the intrinsic role that developmental vision plays in scaffolding the neural implementation of touch perception.