bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Vibennae: Etruscan Heroes and Roman Historiography
Authors: Neel Jaclyn 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe Vibenna brothers of Etruria have been interpreted as historical analogues to Romulus and Remus. Through a comprehensive re-examination of the archaeological and textual remains, I argue that this view is mistaken. Roman accounts recognize only one brother; Etruscan accounts consistently privilege the brothers’ cooperation. Rather than Romulus and Remus, we should consider alternatives such as Castor and Pollux as mythological parallels.
Recent Research in Cavità 254 (Orvieto, Italy)
Authors: George David , Bizzarri Claudio , Bianco Paolo , Trentacoste Angela , Whitlam Jade , Best Julia 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis report presents the recent results from the excavations of Cavità 254, a pyramidal hypogeum under the city of Orvieto. The report examines both the material culture as well as newly discovered archeo-zoological and archeo-botanical evidence.
Meiotic behaviour and morpho-phenological variation in cut stock (Matthiola incanaL.) flower
Authors: Irani Sepideh Famil , Arab Mostafa 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMorpho-phenological and meiotic studies were performed in twelve cultivars of Matthiola incana. All of the cultivars were diploid (2n = 2x = 14) with basic chromosome number x = 7. A number of aneuploid PMCs (n + 1) were observed in plants of two cultivars, named ‘Nobel’ (NB) and ‘Goddess’ (GD), at the diakinesis stage. Trisomic individuals with the frequency of 20% and 5% and (2n + 1 = 15) somatic chromosomes were observed in seeds obtained from single-flowered plants of the cultivars NB and GD, respectively. An additional chromosome was mostly observed in the form of a chain trivalent or a rod univalent. Various meiotic abnormalities were found in all the cultivars to different degrees. In these cultivars, the percentage of cells with meiotic abnormalities was higher in anaphase I. Cytomixis was observed for the first time in Matthiola incana. ANOVA tests revealed significant differences in morpho-phenological characteristics. ‘Nobel’ differs from the others in all of the vegetative features investigated in this study. All the cultivars studied except ‘Nobel’ and ‘Pacific Crimson’ possessed high pollen fertility (> 90%). Five groups of the cultivars based on morpho-phenological features disagree with the clustering of cultivars based on meiotic traits. It is thought that the various morpho-phenological features observed among the cultivars could be due to their different genetic background and not only to meiotic anomalies.
Białowieża Forest: what it used to be, what it is now and what we want it to be in the future
Authors: Szwagrzyk Jerzy 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
For many centuries, management of the Białowieża Forest has not focused on timber production. Therefore, despite hunting, grazing by domestic animals and sporadic cutting of valuable trees the forest has retained its natural character. After World War I, a small part of the Białowieża Forest was protected as a reserve that later became a national park, while the remainder was managed for timber. After World War II, the protection status of the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest was maintained with the national park at the center surrounded by managed stands.
During the last few decades, the national park was enlarged and new reserves were established. However, the majority of the Białowieża Forest is still managed for timber. The forest management has been sustainable for decades and in the last few years logging has even been strongly reduced, to a level comparable with some national parks.
In recent years the Białowieża Forest, like many areas in Central Europe, has been plagued by a high spruce mortality caused by bark beetles. In managed forests, cutting the infested spruces and removing them from the forest is a standard practice aimed at reducing the growth rate of the bark beetle population. This, however, raises the question of whether we expect the Białowieża Forest to remain a managed forest, in which case the fight against bark beetles would be justified, or whether we want it to be converted into a large national park? In the latter case, cutting trees to fight bark beetles would be inconsistent with the aim of conservation. Recent discussions concerning the Białowieża Forest have been dominated by two different ideologies for nature protection.
The first approach aims at protecting nature to make it sustainable, beautiful and healthy. In the second approach, protecting nature is achieved by removing any direct human influence, even if the resulting natural environment does not meet our expectations.
What is the use of the research carried out on the permanent plots in the Białowieża National Park?
Authors: Bobiec Andrzej 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The purpose of the strictly protected area of the Białowieża National Park (BNP) established in early 1900s, was to protect a compact block of the Białowieża forest from any direct human influence and activity. Its founders considered it a ‘laboratory of nature’ In 1936, five rectangular plots with a total area of 15.5 ha (ca. 0.3% of the BNP) were set up for regular monitoring of stand development with regards to the initial state and variability of soil conditions. During the first 76 years of the project, a steady increase in the proportion of hornbeam and lime tree at the expense of shade-intolerant species was observed. This trend has been interpreted by the researchers involved in the monitoring of the permanent BNP plots to constitute a biodiversitythreatening development caused by preservation efforts. Such an interpretation has been widely incorporated in the public debate by political authorities and the forestry sector. In this critical article I challenge the major arguments presented by the key expert in silviculture, Prof. B. Brzeziecki. My criticism is directed at the methodological approach as well as at the data interpretation.
Dual-shale-content method for total organic carbon content evaluation from wireline logs in organic shale
Authors: Nie Xin , Wan Yu , Bie Fan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractOrganic shale is one of the most important unconventional resources all around the world. Total organic carbon (TOC) content is an important evaluation parameter of reservoir hydrocarbon source quality. The regular evaluation methods have higher requirements of well logs and core experiment data for statistical regression. Through analyzing the resistivity and gamma ray logging response characteristics of shale content and organic matters, combined with digital rock physics experiment simulation, we put forward and improve the dual-shale-content method for TOC content logging evaluation. The accuracy of this method is verified by actual data processing. The result shows the dual-shale-content method is simple to use and the error is small. And by comparing with the calculation results by using the
The influence of biomass agitation on biogas and methane production using the high-solids thermophilic anaerobic digestion
Authors: Rusin Jiri , Chamradova Katerina , Grycova Barbora 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
In this study, we tested the high-solids thermophilic anaerobic digestion of separated cattle slurry solids inoculated by liquid digestate collected from the 1st stage of the wet process operated in an agricultural mesophilic biogas plant. The process without batch agitation (stirring) was carried out in a barrel bioreactor located in the incubator, whereas the process with batch agitation was carried out in a rotating drum bioreactor (rotation speed: 0.1 min−1). In both cases, the biomass batch was non-liquid and the content of total solids was 18.8 wt%. The processes were conducted discontinuously without any addition for 21 days. The total solids content of both batches decreased to about 15 wt%, with only slight liquefaction. The bulk density increased from 500 to 750 kg m−3. The highest biogas production was achieved consistently on the 7th day. During the 21-day period, the unagitated batch produced 0.120 mN
3 of biogas, and the agitated batch produced 32.5% extra. The average CH4 content in biogas from the unstirred batch amounted to 47.7 vol.%, and biogas from the stirred batch reached 46.2 vol.%. The cumulative methane production rates from the unagitated and agitated batches were 0.095 and 0.121 mN
3 kgVS
−1, respectively. Thus, the agitation resulted in 28.5% higher methane yield.
Water sorption hysteresis in wood: III physical modeling by molecular simulation
Authors: Shi Jingbo , Avramidis Stavros 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMolecular simulation has been successfully applied to sorption and hysteresis studies of various nanoporous materials, revealing underlying mechanisms that neither theoretical nor experimental approaches can achieve. In this work, the grand canonical Monte Carlo approach is used in a simplified wood-water system to simulate sorption isotherms and hysteresis at 25°C and 40°C. Wood is represented by a cell wall model composed of a solid substance and evenly distributed independent cylindrical nanopores with diameters in the range of 0.6–2.2 nm. Polysaccharides and lignin pore-wall compositions are considered. Hydroxyl groups are modeled as negative energy pits attached to walls and water is represented by the extended simple point charge model. Capillary condensation in the wide hygroscopic range and metastable states are well demonstrated in the simulations, thus supporting the independent domain model discussed in the first paper of this series. The size of simulated hysteresis loops increases with pore size, less hydrophilic lignin composition and reduced temperature. The trends shown by the model are consistent with experimental findings. The larger hysteresis can be explained by more metastable states due to weaker wall-water interaction or smaller thermal fluctuation.
Metal-Chloride-Activated Empty Fruit-Bunch Carbons for Rhodamine B Removal
Authors: Zaini Muhammad Abbas Ahmad , Shaid Mohd Shafiq Mohd 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the adsorptive ability of activated carbons derived from empty boil palm fruitbunch carbons through metal-chloride activation. The derived activated carbons were characterized in terms of yield, pH, surface functional groups, and specific surface area. Rhodamine B dye was used as a pollutant probe to evaluate the performance of activated carbons. Results show that empty, ZnCl2-activated fruit-bunch carbon exhibits a higher surface area of 866 m2 g-1 and a Rhodamine B removal yield of 105 mg g-1. Activation at the same temperature of 600 °C using the recovered FeCl2 yields an activated carbon with nearly twice the surface area compared to the fresh one. A direct correlation was obtained between the roles of the specific surface area and removal of Rhodamine B. Empty fruit-bunch carbon is a promising adsorbent precursor for colour removal from water.
A Novel Process for Joining Ti Alloy and Al Alloy using Two-Stage Sintering Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Long Luping , Liu Wensheng , Ma Yunzhu , Wu Lei , Liu Chao 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe major challenges for conventional diffusion bonding of joining Ti alloy and Al alloy are the undesirable interfacial reaction, low matrixes and joint strength. To avoid the problem in diffusion bonding, a novel two-stage sintering powder metallurgy process is developed. In the present work, the interface characterization and joint performance of the bonds obtained by powder metallurgy bonding are investigated and are compared with the diffusion bonded Ti/Al joints obtained with the same and the optimized process parameters. The results show that no intermetallic compound is visible in the Ti/Al joint obtained by powder metallurgy bonding, while a new layer formed at the joint diffusion bonded with the same parameters. The maximum tensile strength of joint obtained by diffusion bonding is 58 MPa, while a higher tensile strength reaching 111 MPa for a bond made by powder metallurgy bonding. Brittle fractures occur at all the bonds. It is shown that the powder metallurgy bonding of Ti/Al is better than diffusion bonding. The results of this study should benefit the bonding quality.
Modeling and Finite Element Analysis for the Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior of Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr-1Zr Near β Titanium Alloy During Hot Deformation
Authors: Lv Ya-ping , Li Shao-jun , Zhang Xiao-yong , Li Zhi-you , Zhou Ke-chao 
Published: June 2017

AbstractEvolution for the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) volume fraction of Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr-1Zr near β titanium alloy during hot deformation was characterized by using the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov (JMAK) equation. To determine the equation parameters, a series of thermal simulation experiments at the temperature of 1023–1098 K and strain rate of 0.001–1 s‒1 to the true strain of 0.7 were conducted to obtain the essential data about stress σ and strain ε. By further transforming the relationship of σ versus ε into the relationship of strain hardening rate dσ/dε versus σ, two characteristic strains at the beginning of DRX (critical strain εc) and at the peak stress (peak strain εp) were identified from the dσ/dε-σ curves. Sequentially, the parameters in the JMAK equation were determined from the linear fitting of the different relationships among critical strain εc, peak strain εp and deformation conditions (including temperature T, strain rate $\dot \varepsilon $ and strain ε). The as-obtained JMAK equation was expressed as XDRX=1-exp[-0.0053((ε-εc)/εc)2.1], where εc=0.6053εp and εp=0.0031$\dot \varepsilon $0.0081exp(28,781/RT). Finally, the JMAK equation was implanted into finite element program to simulate the hot compression of thermal simulation experiments. The simulation predictions and experimental results about the DRX volume fraction distribution showed a good consistency.
Association of FOXP3 Gene Polymorphism with Chronic Hepatitis B in Chinese Population
Authors: Chen Yan-hui , Zhang Heng-hui , Wang Yan , Xie Xing-wang , Fei Ran , Wang Xue-yan , Wei Lai , Chen Hong-song 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Objective The forkhead transcription factor FOXP3 is a key molecular which can mediate regulatory T cells immune-related inhibitory functions. Increased levels of FOXP3-positive Tregs in peripheral blood have been proved to be associated with a less favorable prognosis in various inflammatory diseases. It is of great interest to investigate the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of FOXP3 gene and the susceptibility of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
Methods Two SNPs rs2280883 and rs3761549 of FOXP3 gene in 285 patients with CHB and 295 matched controls were analyzed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).
Results At rs2280883, there were no significant differences in the distribution of C and T alleles between CHB donors and healthy donors, but at rs3761549, C allele was associated with CHB (P = 0.001). Compared with healthy controls, patients with CHB had high frequencies of TT genotype (73.7%) at rs2280883 or CC genotype (73.6%) at rs3761549 of FOXP3 gene. Patients who carried rs2280883 CC genotype [OR 1.744 (95% CI 1.068 - 2.848), P = 0.011] or rs3761549 CC genotype [OR 1.633 (95% CI 1.146 - 2.327), P = 0.0001] had higher risk of suffering from CHB. Stratified analysis showed that rs3761549 CC genotype was significantly associated with high incidence of HBeAg (P = 0.019).
Conclusions These results suggested that FOXP3 gene polymorphism at rs2280883 and rs3761549 might be associated with the increased susceptibility to CHB.
Estimation and Projection of HIV/AIDS Epidemic and Treatment Demand in Beijing and Hunan Province with Spectrum
Authors: Ma Ning , Liu Min , Zheng Min , Chen Xi , Lu Hong-yan , Chen Hong-guang , Zheng Jun , Li Gui-ying , Wang Juan , Liu Guo-wu , Wang Ning 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Objective To estimate the HIV/AIDS epidemic and treatment demand and predict the situation in the next five years with Spectrum.
Methods Using Spectrum (version:3.54) to estimate the number of new HIV infections, number of people living with HIV, need for ART in adults and children, need for PMTCT and cotrimoxazole in Beijing and Hunan Province. Data used in the model including high-risk populations monitoring data and demographic information, was collected from Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hunan Center for Disease Control and Prevention and extracted from statistical yearbooks and published literatures.
Results Few new HIV/AIDS were reported in Beijing prior to 1994, however, the number of HIV infections was increasing rapidly from 1995 to 2008, and decreased after that, increased rapidly again after 2012. The number of patients who need antiretroviral treatment was increasing among the group aged between 15-49 years with young patients aged 15-24 years peaked in 2010 and decreased rapidly after that. Few HIV-infected patients were reported before 1997 in Hunan Province, and the number of new infections was increasing rapidly since 1998. The number of patients who need antiretroviral treatment was increasing among the group aged between 15 - 49 years since 2000 with young patients aged 15-24 years in need of antiretroviral therapy increasing continuously.
Conclusions After HIV infection was first founded in Beijing and Hunan Province, there was a slow growth and then a rapid growth of HIV epidemic. According to prediction of Spectrum, the demand for antiretroviral therapy in Beijing would begin to decline since 2011, meanwhile, the HIV epidemic in Hunan Province would enter a rapid growth period with the demand for antiviral therapy continuing to increase. In this study, Spectrum was applied to estimate the HIV epidemic situation and need for treatment in the next five years in Beijing and Hunan Province. It provides the basis for health resource allocation and policy formulation of HIV management.
Blood Purification for Severe Hepatitis in Vivo and Vitro
Authors: Luo Ming , Zhang Xian-jun , Cao Wu-kui 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Exterior and interior blood purification (EIBP) refers to the combined therapy of interior blood purification (IBP) and exterior blood purification (EBP) for severe hepatitis. For one thing, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy should be applied in IBP to reduce and prevent the generation and absorption of harmful substances in vivo. For another, EBP such as the artificial liver support system (ALSS) can extract blood from the body and various kinds of existing harmful substances in the blood can be cleared in vitro, using the treatment of plasma exchange, plasma perfusion, plasma adsorption, hemofiltration, hemodialysis. Therefore, IBP should be cooperated with EBP for the treatment of severe hepatitis, and EIBP can prevent the deterioration of this disease and lower the mortality of patients.
Terminal Pregnancy Complicated by Measles and Premature Labor: a Case Report
Authors: Zhang Yu-chen , Liu Li , Yang Xiao-li 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Measles infection in pregnant women is a very dangerous clinical condition. Patients usually had complicated pneumonia, and measles virus could pass through the placenta to the fetus, leading to premature delivery, stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal measles. In this report, we described one such case, which was diagnosed by clinical signs and symptoms, clinical and laboratory examination. After proper therapeutic treatment, the infection was well-controlled and a baby was born by nature labor.
Comparison on Serum Levels of Procalcitonin of Children with Viral and Bacterial Infection
Authors: Wang Ming-ming , Cui Su-nan , Gong Yan-xue 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Objective To compare and analyze serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT) of children with viral and bacterial infection and probe into the importance of determining the level of serum PCT in the diagnosis of bacterial infection in order to provide evidences of the clinical use of antibiotics.
Methods A total of 85 cases of children with an average age of 8.9 years (10 months -12 years) were enrolled in this study, 53 cases were with viral infection and 32 cases with bacterial infection. We determined serum levels of PCT by semi-quantitative solid phase immunoassay, and the serum levels of PCT were divided into four grades as <0.5 μg / L, ≥ 0.5μg / L, ≥ 2.0μg / L and ≥ 10μg / L for x2 test and Ridit analysis.
Results The serum level of PCT of the group with bacterial infection were significantly higher than that of the group with viral infection (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of diagnosis of bacterial infection in children with determination of serum levels of PCT was 87.50% while the specificity was 92.13%, and positive predictive value was 73.68% while negative predictive value was 91.49%, and positive likelihood ratio was 4.65 while negative likelihood ratio was 0.15, and the diagnostic accuracy was 83.53%.
Conclusions Serum PCT is a bacterial sensitive marker of bacterial infection in children, and the determination of the level of serum PCT is helpful for the diagnosis of bacterial infection, which can also be a basis for the use of antibiotics.
Studies on Mutual Relationship between Anti-HBx and sFas, IL-10 or IL-12 in Sera of Cases with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
Authors: Ding Ai-kun , Guo Li-wei , Wang Yong-kong , Liu Wei , Li Cheng , Wang Chang-yuan 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Objective To study the mutual relationship between anti-HBx and IL-10, IL-12 or soluble Fas (sFas) in sera of patients with chronic HBV infection and to explore the importance of anti-HBx detection as well as its role in the development of chronic HBV infection.
Methods Total of 90 cases with chronic HBV infection were randomly selected, including 10 of asymptomatic carriers (ASC), 28 of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 26 of liver cirrhosis (LC) and 26 patients of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Their clinical data and blood samples were collected, and serum was prepared and stored at -73℃. Anti-HBx was detected with an indirect ELISA established in our earlier research, and levels of IL-10, IL-12 and Fas were determined with commercial double-antibody sandwich ELISA kits. The mutual relationship between anti-HBx and IL-10, IL-12 or sFas in serum were analyzed with the software SPSS 20.0.
Results All levels of IL-10, IL-12 and sFas in peripheral blood showed a rising trend with development of chronic HBV infection. The levels of IL-10 in ASC, CHB, LC and HCC groups were 13.93 ± 14.40 ng/L, 39.38 ± 20.77 ng/L, 69.06 ± 46.37 ng/L and 62.82 ± 23.42 ng/L, respectively, levels of IL-12 in the 4 groups were 15.64 ± 23.04 ng/L, 68.50 ± 23.14 ng/L, 76.83 ± 12.82 ng/L and 83.74 ± 24.88 ng/L, respectively, and levels of sFas were 58.17 ± 77.42 ng/L, 179.88 ± 104.36 ng/L, 249.22 ± 107.80 ng/L and 252.98 ± 87.65 ng/L, respectively. Twenty-seven out of 90 patients showed a positive result for anti-HBx detection, including 1 in ASC, 4 in CHB, 12 in LC and 10 in HCC group. The levels of IL-10, IL-12 and sFas were higher in anti-HBx positive group than in negative group. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences of IL-10 and IL-12 between the two groups (P < 0.05), but the differences of sFas had no statistical significance (P = 0.094).
Conclusions Anti-HBx antibody is not protective, and is closely related to IL-10, IL-12 and sFas. It may be an important serum indicator for aggravation from chronic hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic HBV infection.