bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The systematics and independent evolution of cave ecomorphology in distantly related clades of Bent-toed Geckos (Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827) from the Mekong Delta and islands in the Gulf of Thailand
Authors: GRISMER L. LEE , WOOD P. L. JR. , TRI NGO VAN , MURDOCH MATTHEW L.
Published: June 2015

An integrative taxonomic analysis of the distantly related Cyrtodactylus condorensis and intermedius species complexes of the Mekong Delta revealed that C. paradoxus is a junior synonym of C. condorensis and that C. thochuensis is a junior synonym of C. leegrismeri. Additionally, the analysis revealed that a cave-dwelling ecomorpholgy has evolved independently early on in the evolution of both complexes (represented by C. hontreensis in the intermedius complex and C. grismeri and C. eisenmani in the condorensis complex) and cave ecomorphs exist in sympatry—but not syntopy—with general scansorial ecomorphs. Multiple, recent, cyclical, glacioeustatic driven changes in sea levels across the Sunda Shelf are hypothesized to account for the evolution and distribution of the widely separated, conspecific insular populations of C. condorensis and C. leegrismeri. The independent evolution of cave ecomorphology is proposed to have been driven by competition avoidance. Habitat islands across the Mekong Delta are an important source of endemism and in need of protection.
Influence of the Monsoon Trough on Westward-Propagating Tropical Waves over the Western North Pacific. Part I: Observations
Authors: Wu Liang , Wen Zhiping , Wu Renguang
Published: June 2015

The present study investigates the possible linkage between the monsoon trough and the interannual variability of the activity of westward-propagating tropical waves (WTW) over the western North Pacific (WNP) during July–November for the period 1979–2007. It is shown that the interannual variability of WTW activity is closely related to the location of the monsoon trough. During the years when the enhanced (weakened) monsoon trough extends eastward (retreats westward), the lower-tropospheric WTW activity is above (below) normal within the southeastern quadrant of the WNP. Furthermore, this study evaluates different wave structures and dynamics of two types of WTWs, equatorial Rossby (ER) waves and mixed Rossby–gravity (MRG)–tropical depression (TD)-type waves, in strong monsoon trough (S-MT) and weak monsoon trough (W-MT) years over the WNP. There is a significant change in the three-dimensional structure as those waves propagate westward to the east of the monsoon trough. For the TD–MRG waves, an apparent transition from MRG waves to off-equatorial TD disturbances is identified in the region of the monsoon trough. For the ER waves, their amplitudes have a faster growth, but their structures and propagation characters have no marked change. Differences in the location of the monsoon trough may lead to an east–west contrast in the WTWs. In a companion study (Part II), diagnostics of energetics and numerical experiments are conducted to explain the observed results in the present study.
Observed Changes in the Distributions of Daily Precipitation Frequency and Amount over China from 1960 to 2013
Authors: Ma Shuangmei , Zhou Tianjun , Dai Aiguo , Han Zhenyu
Published: June 2015

In this study, daily precipitation (P) records for 1960–2013 from 632 stations in China were homogenized and then applied to study the changes in the frequency of dry (P = 0) and trace (0 < P < 0.1 mm day−1) days and all precipitation events (P ≥ 0.1 mm day−1), and the frequency and accumulated amount of precipitation at different intensities. Over China as a whole, very heavy precipitation (P ≥ 50 mm day) events have increased significantly from 1960 to 2013, while light (0.1 ≤ P < 10 mm day−1) and moderate (10 ≤ P < 25 mm day−1) events have decreased significantly, accompanying the significant increases of dry days and decreases of trace days. This indicates a shift from light to intense precipitation, implying increased risks of drought and floods over China since 1960. Although the consistent increases of dry days and decreases of trace days and light and total precipitation days are seen over most of China, changes in other precipitation categories exhibit clear regional differences. Over the Yangtze River valley and southeast China, very heavy precipitation events have increased while light precipitation events have decreased. However, positive trends are seen for all precipitation categories over northwest China, while trends are generally negative over southwest, northeast, and northern China. To examine the association with global warming, the dependence of the precipitation change for each intensity category over China on global-mean temperature was analyzed using interannual to decadal variations. Results show that dry and trace days and very light and very heavy precipitation events exhibit larger changes per unit global warming than medium-intensity precipitation events.
Secrets from the microbiome: molecular biology meets microbiology meets histopathology … meets clinical biochemistry
Authors: Young Caroline , Quirke Philip
Published: June 2015

The microbiome is the collective term used to describe the bacteria, viruses, fungi and archaea that reside on and in the human body. The majority of these organisms are found within the large bowel. Mounting evidence suggests that changes in the microbiome may be associated with the development of colorectal cancer, a disease which affects 1.3 million people a year worldwide. Using colorectal cancer as an example, this article presents the inter-specialty collaborative approach to microbiome research and discusses the key role that clinical biochemistry is likely to play.
Estimation of the foaming temperature of mold-opening foam injection molding process
Authors: Chu Raymond KM , Mark Lun Howe , Jahani Davoud , Park Chul B
Published: June 2015

In recent years, the mold-opening foam injection molding technology has received great attention as a breakthrough technology for the production of low density and open-cell foams of three-dimensional geometries. Despite the earlier studies, there has been little investigation on the control of the foaming temperature of this foam manufacturing process. To help understand the mechanisms behind this technology, this paper presents a numerical approach to simulate the cooling of the polymer/gas mixture inside the mold cavity, and thereby, estimating the foaming temperature of this manufacturing process. The temperature of the material inside the mold cavity prior to the mold-opening foam expansion process was mathematically modeled and resolved using finite difference approximation. Iteration considerations to the exothermic crystallization phenomenon for semi-crystalline polymers were also presented with reference to the non-isothermal crystallization characteristics from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The numerically simulated results were shown to agree with the results obtained from a set of mold-opening foam injection molding experiments.
Wear properties of Al–Al2O3/TiB2 surface hybrid composite layer prepared by friction stir process
Authors: Vatankhah Barenji Reza , M Khojastehnezhad Vahid , H Pourasl Hamed , Rabiezadeh Amin
Published: June 2015

In this study, surface hybrid composite was fabricated on Al6061 base sheets using friction stir processing (FSP). Samples were subjected to various numbers of FSP passes from one to four with Al2O3/TiB2 powder. Influence of number of FSP passes was studied on distribution of Al2O3/TiB2 particles in aluminium matrix, microstructure, hardness, and wear properties of specimens. The results showed that increase in the number of passes causes a more uniform dispersion of composite particles and thus, decreases particles clustering. In addition, an increase in the number of FSP passes was found to decrease the matrix grain size of the surface hybrid composite. It was observed that the hardness increased as the number of passes increased due to presence and pinning effect of hard Al2O3/TiB2 particles. Also, at higher number of passes, the surface hybrid composite wear resistance was increased.
Predicting Jewish-Israeli Recognition of Palestinian Pain and Suffering
Authors: Nagar Rotem , Maoz Ifat
Published: June 2015

Recognition is vital for conflict resolution. This study was designed to learn more about the factors underlying the willingness to recognize the pain and suffering of the opponent in the asymmetrical protracted conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Data were collected through a public opinion survey conducted with a representative sample of Israeli-Jewish adults ( N = 511). Perceptions of threat/distrust toward Palestinians and dehumanization of Palestinians each made a significant contribution to explaining Jewish-Israeli (un)willingness to recognize Palestinian pain and suffering ( R2 = .36). Hawkishness made an added significant contribution to the overall explanatory power of the model ( R2 = .38). Higher scores on the threat/distrust scale and the dehumanization scale, as well as higher hawkishness predicted decreased willingness to recognize Palestinian pain and suffering. The implications of our findings for understanding the role of recognition and of moral concern in conflict resolution are discussed.
Into the Tiger's Den: Japan and the Tripartite Pact, 1940
Authors: Yellen Jeremy A.
Published: June 2015

This article reconsiders the birth of the Axis alliance between Japan, Germany, and Italy. Most scholarship correctly suggests that the Tripartite Pact was aimed at the United States of America. But existing scholarship largely neglects what is a surprising undercurrent in the diplomatic history of the Axis pact: the extent to which fears of German designs influenced Japanese leaders to join the Axis powers. As Germany gained ascendancy over much of Europe, many within Japan's foreign policy establishment began to fear that Berlin would seek to control French and Dutch colonies in East Asia.

This fear persuaded Japanese leaders to extend their new order to ‘Greater East Asia’ as a precondition to forging an alliance with Germany. In broadening the scope of its sphere of interest to ‘Greater’ East Asia, Japanese leaders sought to deny Germany a hegemonic position in Japan's backyard, and sought to make Japanese preeminence in East and Southeast Asia the precondition for creating any Berlin–Rome–Tokyo axis.
Engineering the European Volksgemeinschaft: Social Engineering, Pedagogy and Fascism in the case of the Swiss Alfred Zander
Authors: Gutmann Martin
Published: June 2015

This article examines transnational social engineering through a biographical study of Alfred Zander, a Swiss member of a humanist and internationalist pedagogical movement known as New Education and later a founding member of Swiss fascism and a volunteer to the German Waffen-SS during the Second World War. The bridging concept that allowed Zander's seemingly contradictory transformation was his belief in the necessity of a return in the classroom, as in politics, to a previously existing ‘organic’ state: a Volksgemeinschaft. Zander's case suggests a broader view of social engineering as his stated goal and methods relied little on data and science. Moreover his case illustrates a unique directionality among transnational actors, that from a transnational methodology and rationale toward a transnational goal.
Free Economy! On 3628800 Alternatives of and to Capitalism
Authors: Roth Steffen
Published: June 2015

Even the sharpest problem focus cannot help but sharpen the problem. Thus, the key to our understanding of alternatives to capitalism and alternative forms of capitalism is not in the ongoing problematization of the dominance of the economic principle. Rather, the question addressed in the present form theoretical argument is about which distinctions we need to draw in order to be able to observe capitalism. Answering this question, we show that the form capitalism can only be unfolded in the medium of functional differentiation. In resituating the economy as only one out of ten function systems, we demonstrate that both pro- and anti-capitalist concepts of society imply an economy-bias and, consequently, a neglect of the remaining function systems. We therefore suggest that the observation of both alternatives to capitalism and alternative capitalisms calls for a stronger focus on the non-economic function systems. Finally, we present an outlook on a way to more than three million alternatives of and to capitalism.

JEL: A14, Z13
Development of a tablet application for the screening of receptive vocabulary skills in multilingual children: A pilot study
Authors: Schaefer Blanca , Bowyer-Crane Claudine , Herrmann Frank , Fricke Silke
Published: June 2015

For professionals working with multilingual children, detecting language deficits in a child’s home language can present a challenge. This is largely due to the scarcity of standardized assessments in many children’s home languages and missing normative data on multilingual language acquisition. A common approach is to translate existing English language vocabulary measures into other languages. However, this approach does not take into account the cultural and linguistic differences between languages. This pilot study explored whether English and home-language receptive vocabulary skills can be objectively and reliably screened using a tablet application. Preliminary data on monolingual and multilingual vocabulary skills was collected from 139 children aged 6–7 years. A tablet application was designed to assess children’s receptive vocabulary in both English and an additional eight languages using a four-choice picture paradigm. Linguistically controlled and pre-recorded target items are presented orally via the tablet in each language and responses are made via the touch screen and are automatically scored. The English version of the test was administered to 67 monolingual and 72 multilingual children, while 38 multilingual children also completed the test in their home language. Test criteria measures, including reliability and concurrent validity showed satisfactory results. These findings suggest that the tablet application could be a useful tool for professionals to screen receptive vocabulary skills in monolingual and multilingual children. Limitations of the first version of the receptive vocabulary screener and future steps are discussed.
Case report: Limb-threatening femoral vein thrombosis in a healthy carpet fitter: Carpet fitter’s thrombosis
Authors: Rothnie Alex , Aga Sarah , Vijayaragahavan Santhosh , Nyamekye Isaac
Published: June 2015

Objective

To report a case of femoral vein thrombosis in a carpet fitter and to highlight this as an occupational hazard.

Method

Case presentation and literature review.

Results

An otherwise fit 21-year-old carpet fitter with no past medical history presented with acute thrombosis of his left common femoral, superficial femoral and great saphenous veins. Attempted catheter directed thrombolysis was unsuccessful. Due to severe pain and the threat of venous gangrene he was treated by emergency surgical thrombectomy with excision of chronic venous scarring and vein-patch repair that led to resolution of his symptoms.

Conclusions

Deep vein thrombosis is typically associated with factors such as increasing age and prolonged periods of immobility; however, certain ‘active’ occupations can increase its risk. Crouched and cramped working conditions including repetitive active movement with flexed hips and knees can predispose to increased risk of venous thromboembolism.
Expression of delta-like 4 (Drosophila) and vascular endothelial growth factor A in colon cancer and association with tumour angiogenesis
Authors: Zheng Yongbin , Hao Zhinan , Ding Yu , Wang Qiushuang , Li Shengbo , Xiao Gaochun , Luo Haiping , Shi Qiang , Tong Shilun
Published: June 2015

Objective

Angiogenesis depends on interaction between a variety of promoting and inhibiting factors, and is known to involve vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and the Notch signaling pathway. The present study investigated the expression of Notch ligand delta-like ( DLL) 4 (Drosophila), and VEGFA in colon cancer and colorectal adenoma tissue, and the association with tumour angiogenesis.

Methods

Protein level DLL4, VEGFA and CD34 molecule ( CD34) expression was detected immunohistochemically in tissue sections from patients with colon cancer and colorectal adenoma.

Results

Out of 80 cases (35 with colon cancer, 45 with colorectal adenoma) DLL4 and VEGFA expression was closely related to tumour diameter, clinical stage, histological grade and lymph node metastasis. DLL4 expression was significantly higher in colon cancer tissue than colorectal adenoma tissue.

Conclusion

High levels of DLL4 expression were closely related to metastasis and prognosis in patients with colon cancer. The results of the present study support the conclusion that prognosis of colon cancer is significantly correlated with angiogenesis.
Making up ‘national trauma’ in Israel: From collective identity to collective vulnerability
Authors: Plotkin-Amrami Galia , Brunner José
Published: June 2015

We sketch a variety of institutional, discursive, professional, and personal ‘vectors’, dating back to the 1980s, in order to explain how ‘national trauma’ was able to go from a cultural into a professional category in Israeli mental health during the Al-Aqsa Intifada (2000–2005). Our genealogy follows Ian Hacking’s approach to transient mental illnesses, both illustrating its fertility and expanding its horizon. Thus, we also explore the dynamics that developed in the Israeli mental health community with the advent of ‘national trauma’: while the vast majority of Israeli psychologists and psychiatrists did not adopt the category, they embraced much of its underlying logic, establishing a link between Israeli identity and the mental harm said to be caused by Palestinian terror. Remarkably, the nexus of national identity and collective psychic vulnerability also prompted the cooperation of Jewish and Palestinian-Israeli mental health scholars seeking to explore the psychological effect that the minority status of Israeli Palestinians had on them during the Al-Aqsa Intifada.
Modeling Zinc Intake for Intervention and Scenario Analysis
Authors: Abbaspour Nazanin , Amini Manouchehr , Hurrell Richard , Schulin Rainer
Published: June 2015

Background:

A large number of illnesses, afflicting one-third of the world’s population, have been attributed to zinc deficiency. Inadequate dietary intake of bioavailable forms of zinc is considered the most frequent cause of zinc deficiency, which is most common in arid regions of developing countries.

Objective:

To employ a modeling approach in a test population to analyze how best to eliminate zinc deficiency using different plausible dietary scenarios.

Methods:

A comprehensive database was built upon food consumption patterns of two population groups residing in a village and a suburb in semiarid central Iran near Isfahan city. A database was created on zinc and phytic acid concentrations of different foods and ingredients consumed by the study populations. A zinc intake model was constructed and parameterized accounting for bioavailability and model input uncertainties.

Results:

The zinc intake of about one-third of both study populations, which did not differ significantly in their rates of zinc deficiency, was below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for zinc. Scenario analyses predicted that at the current rate of food consumption, it would take up to 60 years for 97.5% of the population to meet their zinc EARs. Fortification of wheat flour and biofortification of wheat grains would result in 93% and 88% of the population, respectively, achieving their EARs in 15 years.

Conclusions:

The modeled results suggest that fortification and biofortification are the most effective and sustainable strategies to combat zinc deficiency. The methodology developed in this study is general and is shown to be a useful tool for the analysis of possible future trends and intervention scenarios.
Is There an Enabling Environment for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture in South Asia? Stakeholder Perspectives from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
Authors: van den Bold Mara , Kohli Neha , Gillespie Stuart , Zuberi Samar , Rajeesh Sangeetha , Chakraborty Barnali
Published: June 2015

Background:

Almost half of all children in South Asia are stunted. Although agriculture has the potential to be a strong driver of undernutrition reduction and serves as the main source of livelihood for over half of South Asia’s population, its potential to reduce undernutrition is currently not being realized.

Objective:

The Leveraging Agriculture for Nutrition in South Asia (LANSA) research consortium seeks to understand how agriculture and agrifood systems can be better designed to improve nutrition in South Asia. In 2013 and 2014, LANSA carried out interviews with stakeholders influential in, and/or knowledgeable of, agriculture–nutrition policy in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, to gain a better understanding of the institutional and political factors surrounding the nutrition sensitivity of agriculture in the region.

Methods:

Semistructured interviews were carried out in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan with a total of 56 stakeholders representing international organizations, research, government, civil society, donors, and the private sector.

Results:

The findings point to mixed perspectives on countries’ policy sensitivity toward nutrition. There was consensus among stakeholders on the importance of political commitment to nutrition, improving nutrition literacy, strengthening capacities, and improving the use of financial resources.

Conclusions:

Although there are different ways in which South Asian agriculture can improve its impact on nutrition, sensitizing key influencers to the importance of nutrition for the health of a country’s population appears as a critical issue. This should in turn serve as the premise for political commitment, intersectoral coordination to implement nutrition-relevant policies, adequately resourced nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs, and sufficient capacities at all levels.
The effect of cutting fluids applied in metal cutting process
Authors: Yan Pei , Rong Yiming , Wang Gang
Published: June 2015

Due to the development of new engineering materials and high-speed cutting, cutting fluid plays an important role in machining. Commonly, the use of cutting fluid can decrease cutting temperature, reduce the friction between tool and workpiece, extend tool life, and improve machining efficiency and surface quality. These effects of cutting fluid were mainly obtained from its basic functions including cooling, lubrication, corrosion protection, and cleaning. According to the review of the researches in cutting fluids applied in metal cutting process, the available researches mainly focused on the application strategies and penetration capability, processing performance, new types of environmentally friendly cutting fluids, and preliminary machined surface quality. This article also suggests that the effect of cutting fluid on machined surface quality and performance will become an important research direction. There is a matching problem between the cutting fluids and the workpiece materials. Further research on effect of cutting fluids on machined surface should include physical and chemical mechanism of the cutting fluid, action mechanism on fresh machined surface during machining process, action mechanism in the period of long-term service, stability of the composition and physical and chemical properties, and evaluation method of the effective use of cutting fluid.
Autonomous navigation of spacecraft formation in the proximity of minor bodies
Authors: Yang Hui Xin , Vetrisano Massimo , Vasile Massimiliano , Zhang WeiHua
Published: June 2015

The paper presents an autonomous navigation method for a spacecraft formation flying in the proximity of an asteroid. The measurements from an onboard high resolution camera and a LIDAR are used to estimate the relative position and velocity of the spacecraft with respect to the asteroid. The main innovation is the inclusion of inter-spacecraft measurements provided by the same sensors to evaluate the improvement of navigation performance. Several schemes are constructed to quantify the navigation performance affected by different combinations of measurements, which are obtained from each spacecraft within a 2-spacecraft formation. Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) is then proposed to simultaneously estimate the position and velocity of each spacecraft with respect to the asteroid. Some examples demonstrate that a significant improvement of the navigation accuracy can be obtained by fusing the inter-spacecraft measurements with the spacecraft-to-asteroid measurements. The robustness of the proposed navigation strategy is then assessed by considering a range of different magnitudes of the noise in measurements and process.
Geometric parameterisation of pelvic bone and cartilage in contact analysis of the natural hip: An initial study
Authors: Hua Xijin , Li Junyan , Wilcox Ruth K , Fisher John , Jones Alison C
Published: June 2015

Parameterised finite element models of the human hip have the potential to allow controlled analysis of the effect of individual geometric features on the contact mechanics of the joint. However, the challenge lies in defining a set of parameters which sufficiently capture the joint geometry in order to distinguish between individuals. In this study, a simple set of parameters to describe the geometries of acetabulum and cartilage in the hip were extracted from two segmentation-based models, which were then used to generate the parameterised finite element models for the two subjects. The contact pressure and contact area at the articular surface predicted from the parameterised finite element models were compared with the results from the segmentation-based models. The differences in the predicted results between the parameterised models and segmentation-based models were found to be within 11% across seven activities simulated. In addition, the parameterised models were able to replicate features of the contact pressure/area fluctuations over the loading cycle that differed between the two subjects. These results provide confidence that the parameterised approach could be used to generate representative finite element models of the human hip for contact analysis. Such a method has the potential to be used to systematically evaluate geometric features that can be captured from simple clinical measurements and provide a cost- and time-effective approach for stratification of the acetabular geometries in the patient population.
Early syphilis affects markers of HIV infection
Authors: Kotsafti Ourania , Paparizos Vassilios , Kourkounti Sofia , Chatziioannou Argiro , Nicolaidou Electra , Kapsimali Violetta , Antoniou Christina
Published: June 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate if early syphilis infection affects markers of HIV infection; CD4 T cells and viral load (VL). A retrospective study was performed on 160 HIV-positive patients (111 receiving antiretroviral therapy [ART] and 49 without ART). Early syphilis diagnosis was made in HIV patients during their follow-up at the HIV/AIDS Unit at a Greek Dermatology and Venereology Unit. The patients’ blood tests were available at the time of diagnosis, as well as before and 12 weeks after early syphilis diagnosis. CD4 T cell counts and VL levels were measured. It was found that syphilis infection had a negative impact on the CD4 T cell counts in both groups, with reduced CD4 T cell counts observed in 84.6% (99/111) and 79.5% (39/49) of patients receiving and not receiving ART, respectively. After treatment for syphilis, CD4 T cell counts returned to pre-treatment levels in most patients, especially those receiving ART. There was a slight and transient VL increase. Patients receiving ART had a 27% increase in VL, compared to 71.4% among patients not receiving ART. Although the VL increase was slight (41–14,000 copies/ml) in the group under treatment, 4–5% (5/111) patients did not return to pre-treatment levels. Moreover, viral mutations associated with treatment resistance were identified in these patients. Early syphilis accelerates and complicates the progression of HIV infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis may prevent infection-associated complications in most instances. Consequently, prevention of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections is of great importance for patients infected with HIV.
Autoimmune thyroid disease in a cohort of Malaysian SLE patients: frequency, clinical and immunological associations
Authors: Ong S G , Choy C H
Published: June 2015

Autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) has been associated with other systemic autoimmune diseases. To date, there is limited data on thyroid disorders and autoimmune thyroid disease in Malaysia. The frequency of ATD among 189 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients was 6.3%, with 2.6% in the hyperthyroid group and 3.7% in the hypothyroid group. Hypothyroidism developed at a much younger mean age (24.3 years), suggesting that SLE might be a predisposing factor for the development of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. There was a higher rate of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) positivity compared with anti-thyroglobulin antibody (Tg) in the hyperthyroid subgroup. This study also demonstrated a greater proportion of ATD patients who demonstrated high titres (≥1:6400) of TPO compared with high titres of Tg. Although there was an association between ATD and the presence of anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB antibodies, the absence of sicca symptoms and negative Schirmer’s tests suggest a lack of association with secondary Sjogren’s syndrome. A novel association between ATD and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was detected in our cohort. Hence we propose that patients affected by APS be routinely screened for ATD.
Breath of hospitality
Authors: Škof Lenart
Published: June 2015

In this paper we outline the possibilities of an ethic of care based on our self-affection and subjectivity in the ethical spaces between-two. In this we first refer to three Irigarayan concepts – breath, silence and listening from the third phase of her philosophy, and discuss them within the methodological framework of an ethics of intersubjectivity and interiority. Together with attentiveness, we analyse them as four categories of our ethical becoming. Furthermore, we argue that self-affection is based on our inchoate receptivity for the needs of the other(s) and is thus dialectical in its character. In this we critically confront some epistemological views of our ethical becoming. We wind up this paper with a proposal for an ethics towards two autonomous subjects, based on care and our shared ethical becoming – both as signs of our deepest hospitality towards the other.
Role of Urban–Rural Linkages in Promoting Sustainable Urbanization
Authors: Sietchiping Remy , Kago Jackson , Zhang Xing Quan , Augustinus Clarissa , Tuts Raf
Published: June 2015

The interconnection between rural and urban areas is growing. The large-scale urbanization and the implications of this type of development on rural areas calls for a renewed attention in fostering linkages between the urban, peri-urban and rural contexts. The limited land resources creates intense competition for different uses, including urbanization, protection of the environment and the improvements over land. This paper argues for the imperative to foster an effective interaction between urban and rural areas. Using selected case studies and learning interventions in the urban–rural continuum from various organizations, this paper argues that there is a need for strengthening partnerships, research and knowledge development on developing land and spatial planning systems and tools for a balanced urban and rural development. This paper presents the rationale for the renewed interest in the issue of urban–rural linkages. It also highlights the findings of the literature review and various organization positions and interventions on urban–rural linkages. Finally, this paper suggests the possible priority areas for enhancing urban–rural linkages.

农村和城市地区之间的相互联系越来越密切。大规模的城镇化和这种类型的开发对农村的影响正在呼吁重新重视培育城市、郊区和农村大环境之间的联系。有限的土地资源造成了不同用途之间的激烈竞争，包括城市化、环境保护和土地改善。本文认为必须促进城乡之间的有效互动。通过有选择的案例研究，并学习各种组织在城乡连续性中的干预，本文认为有必要加强土地开发和空间规划体系及其工具之间的协作、研究和学科发展，从而获得均衡的城乡发展。本文提出了在城乡联系问题上的新的研究焦点的理论依据。本文同时也强调了文献综述和各种组织对城乡联系的定位和干预的结果。最后，为了加强城乡联系，本文提出了可能的优先区域。
Urban Mega Projects and Land Conversion in Peri-urban Areas—Impact on Vegetable Production Due to Outer Ring Road in Hyderabad, India
Authors: Ramachandraiah C.
Published: June 2015

Indian megacities are witnessing significant changes in land use in their peri-urban areas due to the location of large infrastructure and development projects such as airports, special economic zones, information technology parks, real estate ventures and ring roads. The location of such projects and consequent land acquisition from rural farmers have serious impacts on vegetable cultivation and their livelihood security in the peri-urban areas. The present article deals with land acquisition for an outer ring road, a 159-km-long eight-lane express highway, around the Hyderabad city and its impact on loss of vegetable cultivation. Based on secondary and primary data, the study brings out that the loss of land had an adverse impact on the extent of vegetable cultivation and the economic security of the rural folks. Though the incomes from vegetable cultivation were not very high, they were earning incomes regularly from this activity and were able to support their families including children’s education, clearing small debts, meeting household expenses, etc. The loss of such regular income has adversely affected their livelihood security. With the loss of land, they have also lost income from cattle rearing and dairying. Many of them could not cultivate their remaining lands as the massive new road separated them from those lands with reduced access. A good number of them have become poorer and became unskilled workers in the nearby factories or construction sites as they have no knowledge of any occupation other than agricultural work. The Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) Policy for the project-affected families (PAFs) introduced by the Government of Andhra Pradesh is not applicable to the outer ring road as it is not an irrigation project. As a consequence, the affected people in the villages did not qualify for R&R benefits under this policy except cash compensation for the lost lands. The Master Plan for Hyderabad Metropolitan Region-2031 also does not mention the preservation of vegetable cultivation areas in the zoning regulations.

印度巨型城市的郊区正在经历土地利用的巨大变化，这与大型基础设施和发展项目的选址有关，包括机场、特殊经济区、信息技术园区、房地产投资、环城公路等项目。这些项目的选址以及随之而来的农民土地收购对于郊区蔬菜种植和民生保障产生了显著影响。本文主要涉及围绕 Hyderabad 市的外环公路土地征收及其对蔬菜种植的损失造成的影响，这条公路长 159 公里，包括 8 条车道。基于一手和二手的数据，研究指出土地流失对蔬菜种植和农民经济安全造成了不利影响。虽然农民从蔬菜种植当中获得的收入并不是很高，但他们定期从蔬菜种植中获得的收入能够支撑他们的家庭，包括子女教育、偿还小额债务、满足家庭开支等。这种固定收入的丧失对他们的生活保障造成了不利影响。随着土地的流失，他们也失去了牛的饲养和乳品的收入。他们当中的许多人没办法再到他们的剩余土地上去耕种，因为大量新的道路导致他们和剩余土地之间的通道减少从而被隔离开来。相当数量的人变得贫穷，在附近的工厂或建筑工地上成为非技术工人，因为他们除了务农并不掌握其他技能。由 Andhra Pradesh 政府提出的受项目影响家庭的移民安置政策 (PAFS) 并不适用于外环路项目，因为它不是一个灌溉工程。其结果是，受影响村民除了土地流转的现金补偿以外，在现行政策下并不能从 R&R（村民安置和村庄复兴计划）中获得好处。2031 Hyderabad 都市圈总体规划在分区规划中也没有提及蔬菜种植区的保护问题。
Mission Swachh Bharat
Authors: Ranjan Rakesh
Published: June 2015

Launching of ‘Mission Swachh Bharat’—a time-bound programme for making India clean by 2 October 2019 by the federal government has been hailed by many as much needed intervention, even though city cleanliness is a municipal subject. However, for any cleanliness mission to succeed, its strategy needs to have three important elements: first, there is a need to constantly engage the citizenry. Second, it must have a strategy to reduce waste. Third, and quite importantly, success would critically depend on the improvement of processing of the waste. The paper argues that while the programme has been successfully launched as a mass movement with great deal of visibility, much is required to be done towards reducing and processing of waste. Unless this is done, our cities and towns may give a semblance of cleanliness, but they would continue to inflict incalculable damages to their surroundings.

“Swachh Bharat 任务” 是一项设置了时间限制的工作，目的是在2019年10月2日前使印度变得清洁，虽然清洁问题是城市课题，联邦政府仍然提供了尽可能多的急需的干预。然而，对于任何想要取得成功的清洁任务来说，它的战略都应包括三个重要的要素：第一，有必要不断与公民建立紧密联系。其次，必须有减少废弃物的战略。第三，也是非常重要的，计划能否成功将主要取决于废弃物处理的工艺改进。本文认为，虽然任务作为一项具有较大知名度的群众运动已经成功推出，但在减少废弃物和处理加工方面需要更进一步的努力。除非做到这一点，不然我们的城市、城镇和村庄可能只是徒有清洁的外表，会继续对周围的环境造成难以估量的破坏。

本文不是有关卫生方面的技术文件。文中清楚地表明我们进行到何种阶段，面临着什么挑战，以及我们应该达到什么目标。尽管相关结果已经广为人知，本文的目的主要是研究在资金以及政治支持下我们为什么无法取得稳定的进展。为了明确这一原因，我们试图把讨论的主要关注点放在那些需要整理的议题上，从而为清洁问题制定一个可信的战略。

印度在废弃物管理方面存在着根深蒂固的偏见和管理体系上的缺陷，如果不解决这个问题，尽管拥有最好的意图和最高程度的资源，也无法产生一个最佳结果。这个问题开始于给卫生和供水设定一个比目前社会普遍水平高的标准。随着人们对市政服务的期望不断上升，城市政府面临着压力。与此同时，寻求解决城市基础设施不足的宏大而巧妙的技术解决方案已经使得许多城市政府变得盲目，他们应当在下水道、化粪池和固体废弃物管理方面寻找更便宜的和分散的解决方案。
Malignant Melanoma With Osteoclast-Like Differentiation
Authors: Wasserman Jason K. , Sekhon Harmanjatinder S. , Ayroud Yasmine
Published: June 2015

Osteoclast-like giant cells are frequently encountered in nonskeletal malignancies; however, the evidence to date suggests that they represent a tissue response to the lesion rather than neoplastic differentiation. We describe a case of metastatic melanoma demonstrating osteoclast-like differentiation in the lung. The lung nodule was diagnosed as a metastatic melanoma by histological features and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Resection specimen showed numerous multinucleated giant cells exhibiting osteoclast-like morphology dispersed throughout the lesion. Both the neoplastic melanocytes and giant cells were reactive for HMB-45, Melan-A, and S100. In addition, the multinucleated neoplastic giant cells were also reactive for the monocyte/macrophage lineage markers CD68 and CD163, and alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme present in normal osteoclasts. The neoplastic melanocytes and the multinucleated neoplastic giant cells were also reactive for microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, a protein required for the development of both melanocytes and osteoclasts. Collectively, a co-expression of monocyte/macrophage markers along with melanocytic markers and alkaline phosphatase in the multinucleated neoplastic giant cells in metastatic melanoma suggest that malignant melanocytes are capable of differentiating into osteoclast-like cells and consequently aid invasion into various structures and eliciting the aggressive behavior.
Posterior Facet Settling and Changes in Bohler’s Angle in Operatively and Nonoperatively Treated Calcaneus Fractures
Authors: Gonzalez Tyler A. , Lucas Robert C. , Miller Timothy J. , Gitajn I. Leah , Zurakowski David , Kwon John Y.
Published: June 2015

Background:

Patients with calcaneus fractures often exhibit settling of the posterior facet with a corresponding decrease in Bohler’s angle (BA) following either operative or nonoperative treatment. Both injury BA and postoperative BA have been shown to be prognostic for outcomes; however, the demographic and surgeon-specific factors that may contribute to settling have not been critically examined in the literature. The purpose of this study was to identify these causative factors.

Methods:

234 patients with intra-articular calcaneus fractures were analyzed. All patients had preoperative plain radiographs, at least 5 months of orthopedic follow-up, and computed tomography scanning performed. BA was measured on the injury radiographs for all patients. For operatively treated patients, BA was measured on the immediate postoperative radiographs and compared with the last available radiograph. For nonoperatively treated patients, BA was measured on the last available radiograph. All patients were fully weightbearing at the time of final follow-up but not on initial radiographs due to their recent injury. Demographic data including age, gender, energy of injury mechanism, tobacco use, diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and substance/alcohol abuse were retrospectively collected. Fractures were classified using the Essex-Lopresti and Sanders classifications. Time to full weightbearing was documented, as were any reports of noncompliance with weightbearing restrictions. For patients treated operatively, type of fixation (calcaneal-specific perimeter plate, nonperimeter plate, screw fixation), use of locking screws, use of bone graft or graft substitutes, and the number of screws supporting the posterior facet were documented.

Results:

There was a statistically significant amount of settling within the operative and nonoperative groups, but there was no statistically significant difference in settling of BA between the groups. The average settling of BA for the operative and nonoperative group was 8 degrees. Age greater than 50 years, diabetes, and alcohol abuse were all statistically significant and independent predictors of BA settling irrespective of treatment.

Conclusion:

The amount of BA settling between the operative and nonoperative group was not significant and showed an average decrease of 8 degrees in each group. However, the amount of settling that we found, irrespective of treatment, increased with patient age, alcohol abuse, and diabetes.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Measuring Revenue-maximizing Elasticities of Taxable Income
Authors: Creedy John , Gemmell Norman
Published: June 2015

This article considers the question of whether marginal tax rates (MTRs) in the US income tax system are on the “right” side of their respective Laffer curves. Previous attention has tended to focus specifically on the top MTR. Conceptual expressions for these “revenue-maximizing elasticities of taxable income” (ETI L), based on readily observable tax parameters, are presented for each tax rate in a multi-rate income tax system. Applying these to the US income tax, with its complex effective marginal rate structure, demonstrates that a wide range of revenue-maximizing ETI values can be expected within, and across, tax brackets and for all taxpayers in aggregate. For some significant groups of taxpayers, these revenue-maximizing ETIs appear to be within the range of empirically estimated elasticities.
The experiences and needs of female adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Baldwin Susanna , Costley Debra
Published: June 2015

There is limited large-scale research into the lived experiences of female adults who have an autism spectrum disorder with no co-occurring intellectual disability. Drawing on the findings of an Australia-wide survey, this report presents self-report data from n = 82 women with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder in the areas of health, education, employment, social and community activities. Where relevant, comparisons are provided with the male subset of the same study population; however, in the majority of analyses, no discernible gender differences emerged. The findings highlight the diverse and complex challenges faced by women with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, including high levels of mental health disorder, unmet support needs in education settings and the workplace, and social exclusion and isolation.
Efficacy of Tailored Physical Activity or Chronic Pain Self-Management Programme on return to work for sick-listed citizens: A 3-month randomised controlled trial
Authors: Andersen Lotte Nygaard , Juul-Kristensen Birgit , Sørensen Thomas Lund , Herborg Lene Gram , Roessler Kirsten Kaya , Søgaard Karen
Published: June 2015

Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of ‘Tailored Physical Activity’ (TPA) and a ‘Chronic Pain Self-management Programme’ (CPSMP) compared with a reference group (REF) on return to work after 3 months as sick-listed citizens with pain related to the back or the upper body. Methods: Using a randomised controlled trial design all participants ( n= 141) received health guidance for 1.5 hours and were randomised to TPA, CPSMP or REF. Characteristics of participants were collected from a questionnaire. The primary endpoint was proportion of participants returned to work as registered by the municipality and the co-primary endpoint was duration of the sickness absence period. Secondary outcomes consisted of pain, body mass index, aerobic capacity, grip strength, work ability and kinesiophobia. The trial was conducted in Sonderborg Municipality from March 2011 to October 2013. Results: TPA was more effective on return to work than REF, while CPSMP only tended to be more effective than REF, and the primary outcome was the only between-groups significant difference. TPA participants also reached a highly significant reduction in pain from baseline to follow-up with no similar effect seen in CPSMP or REF. In contrast, no benefit of TPA and CPSMP was evident regarding work ability, kinesiophobia or physical capacity after 3 months of follow-up. Conclusions: The results suggest that TPA is a promising intervention to facilitate return to work and reduce pain among sick-listed citizens with pain related to the back or upper body compared to REF.
Language and social knowledge
Authors: Savcı Evren
Published: June 2015

In this piece, I argue that a heightened attention to language in Reed’s (2011) interpretive epistemic mode will help further theorizing of the relationship between meaning and the social, and hence strengthen the case for interpretation. Reed’s (2011) framework of ‘landscapes of meaning’ would benefit from weaving in the significance of language to meaning-making: both because it would make room for variations in landscapes across (linguistic) space, but also because it would incorporate an understanding of language, and therefore interpretation, as a practical and historically changing activity. Finally, I suggest that paying attention to the uneven travel of language issues a productive challenge to the analytical distinction Reed maintains between the normative and the interpretive epistemic modes, given that not every epistemic mode is seen as equally legitimate in relation to dominant forms of making sense of the world, and given that subjects do not have equal access to interpretive landscapes.
Banana pseudostem sap: A waste plant resource for making thermally stable cellulosic substrate
Authors: Basak S , Saxena S , Chattopadhyay SK , Narkar R , Mahangade R
Published: June 2015

The flame retardant functionality was imparted in cellulosic textile using banana pseudostem sap, an eco-friendly waste plant product. The extracted sap was applied in three different pH conditions, viz. acidic, neutral and alkaline to the pre-mordanted bleached and mercerized cotton fabrics. Flame retardant characteristics of both the control and the treated fabrics were analysed in terms of limiting oxygen index, vertical flammability and heat release related properties using a cone calorimeter. The thermal degradation and pyrolysis mechanism were studied using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The elemental analysis was carried out with X-ray fluorescence, and the quantification of phosphorus and nitrogen was also done. Besides, the charring mechanism of both the control and the treated fabric was analysed in detail, and a char structure model has been proposed. The treated fabrics were also evaluated in terms of colour and other physical properties.