bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selective adsorption of trypsin using molecularly imprinted polymers prepared with PEG-based hydrogels containing anionic functional monomers
Authors: Kubo Takuya , Arimura Shunsuke , Naito Toyohiro , Otsuka Koji 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMolecularly imprinting (MI) hydrogels for selective adsorption of trypsin are reported. The trypsin imprinted hydrogels were prepared using a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based dimethacrylate as a crosslinker and anionic functional monomers. The hydrogel prepared without any functional monomers showed significantly low ability to adsorb a variety of proteins. We optimized the concentration and the length of PEG units of the crosslinkers to achieve the complete removal of the template molecule and suitable selective adsorption. Additionally, the functional monomers chosen were anionic since the template, trypsin, is a basic protein. The adsorption tests for proteins, done on the prepared MI gels, indicated that the MI gel prepared with sodium allyl sulfonate (AS) as a functional monomer showed much higher selective adsorption for trypsin, even though a mixture of trypsin and cytochrome c was used as the protein solution. The selective adsorption was more effective in a NaCl solution in which the non-specific adsorption by a sulfonate is suppressed, similarly to our findings in a previous study. The MI gel prepared with acrylic acid also showed the selectivity, although the adsorption strength was lower than that of the MI gel containing AS. We believe that the present study constitutes the first approach for the selective adsorption of trypsin using PEG-based hydrogels.
Development of protein-recognition SPR devices by combination of SI-ATRP with biomolecular imprinting using protein ligands
Authors: Naraprawatphong Rinyarat , Kawanaka Genta , Hayashi Masayoshi , Kawamura Akifumi , Miyata Takashi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMolecularly imprinted polymer brush layers and gel layers with both a lectin (ConA) and an antibody-IgG as biomolecular ligands for a target protein were formed on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor chips via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SIATRP) without and with a crosslinker, respectively. While the IgG-imprinted brush layers chip had almost the same affinity constant for target IgG as the nonimprinted brush layer chip, the affinity constant of the IgG-imprinted gel layer chip was approximately twice than that of the nonimprinted gel layer chip. These indicate that chemical crosslinks are very important factor to create distinct molecular recognition sites by molecular imprinting. Thus, biomolecular imprinting that uses biomolecular ligands and crosslinkers enables us to design polymer layer chips with distinct molecular recognition sites with a strong affinity for a target biomolecule. The molecularly imprinted gel layers chips with lectin and antibody ligands are promising candidates for fabricating SPR sensor systems to monitor target biomolecules such as proteins.
Electronic structure and optical properties of (BeTe)n/(ZnSe)m superlattices
Authors: Caid M. , Rached H. , Rached D. , Khenata R. , Bin Omran S. , Vashney D. , Abidri B. , Benkhettou N. , Chahed A. , Benhellal O. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The structural, electronic and optical properties of (BeTe)n/(ZnSe)m superlattices have been computationally evaluated for different conﬁgurations with m = n and m≠n using the full-potential linear mufﬁn-tin method. The exchange and correlation potentials are treated by the local density approximation (LDA). The ground state properties of (BeTe)n/(ZnSe)m binary compounds are determined and compared with the available data. It is found that the superlattice band gaps vary depending on the layers used. The optical constants, including the dielectric function ε(ω), the refractive index n(ω) and the refractivity R(ω), are calculated for radiation energies up to 35 eV.
Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline barium strontium titanate powder by a modified sol-gel processing
Authors: Azim Araghi M.E. , Shaban N. , Bahar M. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
In this research work, nanocrystalline BST (Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3) powders were synthesized through a modified sol-gel process, using barium acetate, strontium acetate and titanium isopropoxide as the precursors. In this process, stoichiometric proportions of barium acetate and strontium acetate were dissolved in acetic acid and titanium (IV) isopropoxide was added to form BST gel. The as-formed gel was dried at 200 °C and then calcined in the temperature range of 600 to 850 °C for crystallization. The samples were characterized by infrared spectroscopy method (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. EDS analysis of these samples confirmed the formation of the final phase with the special stoichiometry. The formation of a cubic perovskite crystalline phase with nanoscale dimension was detected using the mentioned techniques. The results showed that the obtained crystallite sizes were 33 and 37 nm for BST powder calcined at 750 and 850 °C, respectively.
MERCOSUR and the Brazilian Leadership Challenge in the Era of Chinese Growth: A Uruguayan Foreign Policy Perspective
Authors: Urdinez Francisco , Burian Camilo López , de Oliveira Amâncio Jorge 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
In recent years, China has expanded its presence in Latin America leading to increased trade flows, foreign direct investment, and bilateral cooperation agreements. At the same time, Brazil has attempted to emerge as a global player from its belief in itself as a regional leader. While both countries are part of the emerging South, they are also competing for influence in the South American area. We hypothesize that for MERCOSUR members, deepening commercial ties with China would be a viable option to counterbalance Brazil’s regional leadership, using Uruguayan legislators preferences as a tool for our study. Using logistic models, we conclude that that the probability of supporting a hypothetical free trade agreement with China is larger when politicians viewed MERCOSUR as an obstacle to the interests of his or her country and when he or she had doubts about Brazilian de facto regional leadership. This empirical evidence allows us to reflect on the political consequences of free trade agreements, on Brazil’s leadership in South America, and Brazil-China relations from the perspective of South-South relations in general.
CITI-SENSE: methods and tools for empowering
citizens to observe acoustic comfort in outdoor
public spaces
Authors: Aspuru Itziar , García Igone , Herranz Karmele , Santander Alvaro 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The purpose of this research was to design and
deploy tools that apply the concept of citizen observatories
and empowering citizens in the assessment of acoustic
comfort in public places. The research applies an iterative
cycle of design and this article presents the results of a
demonstrative experiment carried out in situ using the first
products developed. This work was undertaken as part of
the CITI-SENSE project. A viable technical and procedural
solution was designed and tested in a field demonstration,
where 53 people were engaged to provide 137 observations
in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, using environmental
sensors connected to a smartphone. The results have been
analyzed and discussed in terms of the product’s attractiveness
for engaging citizens in the evaluation of acoustic
comfort in urban places, the accuracy of the noise levels
measured by the acoustic app service integrated into the
smartphone, and its ability to obtain simultaneous acoustic
and perception data. The results presented in this article
are considered a step forward in the research into developing
solutions for assessing acoustic comfort. Limitations
of the proposed solution are discussed, as are suggestions
for further research.
Influence of light intensity on the lifetime of carriers in silicon investigated by a photoacoustic method
Authors: Bychto L. , Maliński M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe paper presents experimental results of the lifetime of light induced excess carriers in the n−type silicon. The lifetimes of carriers of silicon crystals were analysed as a function of the intensity of light illuminating the sample. As a measurement method of the lifetime of carriers, the photoacoustic method in a transmission configuration with different surfaces was used. The dependence character was next analysed in the frame of the Shockley Reed Hall statistics in approximation of the light low intensity.
Detection of disease markers in human breath with laser absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Stacewicz T. , Bielecki Z. , Wojtas J. , Magryta P. , Mikolajczyk J. , Szabra D. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractNumber of trace compounds (called biomarkers), which occur in human breath, provide an information about individual feature of the body, as well as on the state of its health. In this paper we present the results of experiments about detection of certain biomarkers using laser absorption spectroscopy methods of high sensitivity. For NO, OCS, C
Planting grass filter strips: Does it influence the structure and function of riparian habitats of agricultural headwater streams?
Authors: Smiley Jr. Peter C. , Rumora Kathryne R. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGrass filter strips are strips of cool or warm season grasses planted adjacent to agricultural streams to reduce nutrient, pesticide, and sediment input. This conservation practice is the most frequently planted riparian buffer type in the United States. Previous studies have not evaluated how grass filter strips alter the structure and function of riparian habitats of agricultural streams. Our objective was to examine the research hypothesis that planting grass filter strips will influence the structure and function of riparian habitats of channelized agricultural headwater streams. We sampled riparian vegetation, quantified coarse particulate organic matter input and nutrient input, and measured water temperature within two unplanted riparian habitat sites, two riparian habitat with grass filter strips sites, and two forested riparian habitat sites of agricultural headwater streams in central Ohio. Forested riparian habitats exhibited greater percent maximum frequency of woody vegetation and reduced water temperatures than unplanted riparian habitats and grass filter strips. Forested riparian habitats also exhibited greater canopy cover, woody vegetation taxa richness, and coarse particulate organic matter input than grass filter strips and greater riparian widths and woody vegetation abundance than unplanted riparian habitats. Grass filter strips did not differ in structure and function from unplanted riparian habitats. We conclude that planting grass filter strips does not influence the structure and function of riparian habitats of channelized agricultural headwater streams.
Numerical modelling of sea currents and tidalwaves
Authors: Zalesny Vladimir B. , Gusev Anatoly V. , Lukyanova Anna N. , Fomin Vladimir V. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe consider a mathematical model of sea currents and tidal waves based on the marine dynamics primitive equations. The equations are written in the orthogonal coordinate system on sphere with arbitrary position of the poles. It makes it possible to increase horizontal resolution due to placement of a pole into vicinity of the considered sub-area. Two problems are solved: (1) joint computation of wind-generated, baroclinic and tidal currents in the Black and Azov Seas; (2) simulating mesoscale variability of coastal currents in the Black Sea. The second problem is solved with increased horizontal resolution in the coastal zone of Gelendzhik.
Quantity versus Price Bank Competition and Macroeconomic Performance Given Bank Concentration
Authors: Varelas Erotokritos 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis paper elaborates upon the following three theses: First, given bank sector concentration, the other aspect of this sector that matters for the overall economy is that of pricevs. quantity competition by itself. Second, the macroeconomic performance of price competition is superior, enhancing the tax base and bank profit, capitalizing additionally the banks upon public debt induced instability, which the policymaker can minimize through Taylor rule. And, third, the ultimate link between banking competition and macroeconomic performance is the bank regulation shaping bank operation in accordance with the financial needs of fiscal policy.
Superneutrality of Money under Open Market Operations
Authors: Homburg Stefan 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Monetary policy is superneutral in an overlapping generations model. Previous authors have argued that superneutrality does not hold in such a setting. However, the standard results rely on the counter-factual premise of helicopter money and are overturned if money creation through open market operations is taken into account. This result suggests that a more realistic representation of monetary policy may generally be helpful.
Los hermanos Durini y las Casas de Corrección en Costa Rica
Authors: Santamaría Montero Leonardo , Oviedo Salazar Mauricio 
Published: April 2016

<p class="p1">Este trabajo se concentra en la inmigración de italianos y su relación con el proceso de modernización que experimentó el paisaje arquitectónico josefino desde finales de siglo XIX hasta los primeros años del XX. Para ello, se estudiará la vida y obra de los hermanos suizo-italianos Francesco y Lorenzo Durini Vasalli. La contribución arquitectónico-cultural de los Durini es comentada a partir del análisis de las Casas de Corrección (1897-1902). Para la investigación se consultaron fuentes primarias y secundarias, las cuales fueron comparadas y analizadas bajo el método hipotético-deductivo. Mediante el análisis de las Casas de Corrección podemos corroborar la importancia que tuvieron los hermanos Durini para la transformación del paisajeurbano josefino. </p>
Organisational Patterns in the Mishnah in Light of their Toseftan Parallels
Authors: Kulp Joshua 
Published: April 2016

This article examines the relationship between two sets of parallel chapters in theMishnah and Tosefta, uncovering phenomena which imply the primacy of the Tosefta over its mishnaic parallels.
In the first chapter of Ketubbot the mishnaic editors deal simultaneously with the two subjects of the chapter, virginity claims and ketubbah size, thereby creating definitions of virginity which can be broadly applied. Furthermore, the editing of the mishnah paved the way for some halakhic modifications. In contrast, while the parallel toseftan passage also displays editorial organisation, its organisation is that of a simple list. It conveys information, but not the pedagogic agenda of the Mishnah.
Mishnah Yebbamot 5 is a unique chapter of Mishnah whose editorial agenda was to explore the relationship between rabbinically innovative activities and those ordained by the Torah.While ostensibly providing halakhic information, theMishnah’s editors place at the heart of the chapter a position which ascribes some efficacy to the innovations of the rabbis, while preserving the primacy of those institutions contained more explicitly in the Torah. In contrast, the Tosefta merely provides information as to the order in which the various acts of levirate marriage are performed, and does not offer any coherent ideological message.
Traditions are Born: A Medieval Samaritan Poem Takes on a New Form
Authors: Florentin Moshe 
Published: April 2016

This article introduces a previously unknown Samaritan liturgical poem which was composed in the 14th century by the poet Sā’əd El. The poem, whose main parts were discovered by my learned Samaritan informant Mr Y. Tsedaka in the Firkovich collection in St Petersburg, contains words and phrases not attested before in the existing Samaritan Aramaic and Hebrew texts. However, it is not only the importance of the text itself which should attract our attention but rather its peculiar formation. We were lucky enough to witness a very interesting case of creation of a new text comprising on one hand some old fragmented materials and on the other hand a totally new part composed by the same Samaritan who put together the old pieces.
This case teaches us how cautious should we be while dealing with seemingly old texts: the poem in question does indeed include important old material, but its whole total version and pronunciation is a result of a (very successful) reconstruction performed by a contemporary Samaritan sage.
Transacciones visuales y reinscripciones de la identidad en Nadín Ospina y Calimocho Styles
Authors: Lucero María Elena 
Published: April 2016

Reflexionar sobre las identidades en América Latina en el espacio de las artes visuales conlleva a una revisión analítica no sólo acerca de las alternancias con el pasado cultural, sino también del modo en que la transnacionalidad afectó las prácticas contemporáneas, especialmente a través de prolongadas etapas de exilios, diásporas, migraciones y desplazamientos. Un posible ejercicio conceptual se orientaría hacia la ironía o la parodia. En este aspecto, el artista colombiano Nadín Ospina sintetiza posibles permutas entre las producciones simbólicas de la etapa prehispánica, las actuales mercancías fetichizadas y ciertos imaginarios ligados a la esfera mediática. Proyectados desde el sarcasmo, Ospina materializa estos objetos-fetiche que aluden al mote exótico otorgado por Europa a la visualidad americana y ajusta la diferencia cultural al extremo de tornarla potencial y fluctuante. Por otro lado, Calimocho Styles -el dúo conformado por los mexicanos Rubén Ortiz Torres y Eduardo Abaroa- examina el tópico de las identidades inestables y cambiantes que proceden del tránsito fronterizo continuo entre Estados Unidos y México, indagando en las estrategias ambivalentes de generar productos culturales y proponiendo ficciones contemporáneas a partir de referentes icónicos de consumo masivo. En ambos casos se generan resoluciones visuales híbridas que emplazan numerosos interrogantes y discusiones sobre la interculturalidad y su incidencia en Latinoamérica.
La memoria cultural en Warburg y las limitaciones de la construcción de la memoria nacional en Colombia: el regeneracionismo y el pasado precolombino
Authors: Vilaltella Javier 
Published: April 2016

Los temas relacionados con la memoria y la historia ocupan un espacio creciente en las teorías culturales. En este trabajo se explora con carácter prospectivo el potencial de las ideas de Aby Warburg para resituar algunos aspectos del pasado precolombino en lo que respecta a sus imágenes. Warburg ofrece un análisis basado en consideraciones antropológicas y no estilísticas, al mismo tiempo vincula imagen y memoria, sobre todo con su concepto de “pervivencia”. Se muestran las limitaciones del discurso histórico colombiano creado por la Regeneración, el análisis se centra en la imagen de cabecera del Papel Periódico Ilustrado, una imagen muy elaborada y que resume su pensamiento histórico en el cual no hay cabida para el pasado anterior a la llegada de los españoles. Se muestran algunos modelos de “pervivencia” de las imágenes de ese pasado y se plantea de una manera general la cuestión de la liberación de su potencial, más allá de su presencia museística, las tensiones entre archivo y memoria, y la necesidad de rescatar “los restos” y “fragmentos” como formas de “pervivencia”.
Realization Patterns of Request Strategies in Sudanese Arabic and English
Authors: Tag Eldin Khalid Abdel Gadir 
Published: April 2016

<p>This study tried to identify the Sudanese university students’ preferences of request strategies. It explored the claim of the universality of the speech act’s three levels of directness i.e. direct, conventionally indirect, and non-conventionally indirect. It contrasted and compared the subjects’ choice of strategies in Arabic and English languages. It also investigated the impact of some social factors on the subjects’ strategy choice. The data collected from the subjects showed that they used direct, conventionally indirect, and non-conventionally indirect requests when they responded to English and Arabic Discourse Completion Tests. This finding consolidated the universality claim of the three levels of directness. The data also showed that the subjects preferred to use direct requests more than the conventionally indirect ones and hints. The collectivist culture of the students’ society influenced their choice of direct strategies as it is based on solidarity, intimacy, etc. The results also showed that the different social variables i.e. the social distance between the interactants, the power one interlocutor has over the other, and the degree of request imposition had impact on the subjects’ choice of strategies. </p><p><strong><em>Keywords</em></strong><strong>:</strong> Pragmatics, Request Strategies, Speech acts, Sudanese university students, Sudanese Colloquial Arabic.</p>
إصلاح التعليم: عملية ضرورية لبناء مجتمع أفضل
Authors: Farah Muhammad Said 
Published: April 2016

<p align="right">تسعى هذه الدراسة تحو تقديم تقويم نقدي لوضع التعليم في العالم العربي بعامة، والمجتمع المصري بخاصة وذلك ضمن سياق التغيرات والتحولات المتلاحقة الناجمة عن العوامل المحلية والإقليمية والعالمية. إذ أن قضية إصلاح التعيم قضية أمن مجتمع، وتهدف الى بناء مجتمع أفضل. استنادا الى مراجعة الأدبيات والمؤشرات الإحصائية تختبر هذه الدراسة الجوانب الإيجابية والسلبية من العملية التعليمية في مصر. كما أن هذا البحث يناقش حركة إصلاح التعليم في مصر في القرنين العشرين والحادي والعشرين. وتكشف الدراسة عن الخصائص العامة والمشتركة لقضية إصلاح التعيم في مصر والعالم العربي وذلك بالتركيز ليس فقط على التحديات المعرقلة لتقدم التعليم، بل أيصا على الطرق والأساليب أو الآليات المقترحة لتعزيز نوعبة وكفاءة النظم التعليمية. إن المرتكز الأساس لهذه الدراسة هو أن الإصلاح الاجتماعي والسياسي والاقتصادي لا يمكن أن يتحقق بدون إصلاح التعليم. فاصلاح التعليم ينجم عنه مردود إيجابي للمجتمع.</p><p align="right"><strong><em>كلمات محورية</em></strong><strong>:<em> </em></strong>التعليم، إصلاح التعليم، علم اجتماع التعليم، مصر، العالم العربي </p><p align="center"><strong>Education Reform: A Necessary Process for Building a Better Society</strong></p><p>This paper seeks to provide a critical assessment of the status of education in the Arab world, in general, and Egypt, in particular, within the context of a rapidly changing and transitional period triggered by local, regional and global factors. Education reform is a matter of national security and aims to build a better society. Based on literature reviews and statistical indicators this research examines the positive and negative aspects of education in Egypt. Further, the study discusses education reform movements in Egypt during the twenty- and twenty-first centuries. This paper tackles the main characteristics of education reform in Egypt and the Arab world focusing not only on the challenges hindering the progress of education but also on the ways or mechanisms recommended to improve the quality and effectiveness of educational systems. The thrust of this inquiry is that social, political and economic reform of societies cannot be achieved without education reform. The investment in education provides future positive returns to the society.</p><p><strong><em>Keywords</em></strong>: education, education reform, sociology of education, Egypt, Arab World </p>