bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Survey of Research into Mixed Criticality Systems
Authors: Burns Alan , Davis Robert I.
Published: November 2017

This survey covers research into mixed criticality systems that has been published since Vestal’s seminal paper in 2007, up until the end of 2016. The survey is organised along the lines of the major research areas within this topic. These include single processor analysis (including fixed priority and Earliest Deadline First (EDF) scheduling, shared resources, and static and synchronous scheduling), multiprocessor analysis, realistic models, and systems issues. The survey also explores the relationship between research into mixed criticality systems and other topics such as hard and soft time constraints, fault tolerant scheduling, hierarchical scheduling, cyber physical systems, probabilistic real-time systems, and industrial safety standards.
Understanding Application-Level Caching in Web Applications
Authors: Mertz Jhonny , Nunes Ingrid
Published: November 2017

A new form of caching, namely application-level caching, has been recently employed in web applications to improve their performance and increase scalability. It consists of the insertion of caching logic into the application base code to temporarily store processed content in memory and then decrease the response time of web requests by reusing this content. However, caching at this level demands knowledge of the domain and application specificities to achieve caching benefits, given that this information supports decisions such as what and when to cache content. Developers thus must manually manage the cache, possibly with the help of existing libraries and frameworks. Given the increasing popularity of application-level caching, we thus provide a survey of approaches proposed in this context. We provide a comprehensive introduction to web caching and application-level caching, and present state-of-the-art work on designing, implementing, and managing application-level caching. Our focus is not only on static solutions but also approaches that adaptively adjust caching solutions to avoid the gradual performance decay that caching can suffer over time. This survey can be used as a start point for researchers and developers, who aim to improve application-level caching or need guidance in designing application-level caching solutions, possibly with humans out-of-the-loop.
Nutrient-Sensing Biology in Mammals and Birds
Authors: Roura Eugeni , Foster Simon R.
Published: November 2017

Nutrient-sensing mechanisms have emerged as the fringe articulating nutritional needs with dietary choices. Carbohydrate, amino acid, fatty acid, mineral, and water-sensing receptors are highly conserved across mammals and birds, consisting of a repertoire of 22 genes known to date. In contrast, bitter receptors are highly divergent and have a high incidence of polymorphisms within and between mammals and birds and are involved in the adaptation of species to specific environments. In addition, the expression of nutrient-sensing genes outside the oral cavity seems to mediate the required decision-making dialogue between the gut and the brain by translating exogenous chemical stimuli into neuronal inputs, and vice versa, to translate the endogenous signals relevant to the nutritional status into specific appetites and the control of feed intake. The relevance of these sensors in nondigestive systems has uncovered fascinating potential as pharmacological targets relevant to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Substituted-cysteine accessibility and cross-linking identify an exofacial cleft in the 7th and 8th helices of the proton-coupled folate transporter (SLC46A1)
Authors: Aluri Srinivas , Zhao Rongbao , Fiser Andras , Goldman I. David
Published: November 2017

The proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT-SLC46A1) is required for folate transport across the apical membrane of the small intestine and across the choroid plexus. This study focuses on the structure/function of the 7th transmembrane domain (TMD), and its relationship to the 8th TMD as assessed by the substituted cysteine accessibility method (SCAM) and dicysteine cross-linking. Nine exofacial residues (I278C; H281C–L288C) of 23 residues in the 7th TMD were accessible to 2-((biotinoyl)amino)ethyl methanethiosulfonate (MTSEA-biotin). Pemetrexed, a high-affinity substrate for PCFT, decreased or abolished biotinylation of seven of these residues consistent with their location in or near the folate binding pocket. Homology models of PCFT based on Glut5 fructose transporter structures in both inward- and outward- open conformations were constructed and predicted that two pairs of residues (T289-I304C and Q285-Q311C) from the 7th and 8th TMDs should be in sufficiently close proximity to form a disulfide bond when substituted with cysteines. The single Cys-substituted mutants were accessible to MTSEA-biotin and functional with and without pretreatment with dithiotreitol. However, the double mutants were either not accessible at all, or accessibility was markedly reduced and function markedly impaired. This occurred spontaneously without inclusion of an oxidizing agent. Dithiotreitol restored accessibility and function consistent with disulfide bond disruption. The data establish the proximity of exofacial regions of the 7th and 8th TMDs and their role in defining the aqueous translocation pathway and suggest that these helices may be a component of an exofacial cleft through which substrates enter the protein binding pocket in its outward-open conformation.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Esophageal Granular Cell Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Niknam Ramin , Bagheri Lankarani Kamran , Geramizadeh Bita
Published: November 2017

Gastrointestinal granular cell tumors are uncommon. The most common site of gastrointestinal granular cell tumor (GCT) is esophagus. We report a case of esophageal GCT incidentally diagnosed by endoscopy. The lesion was evaluated by endoscopic ultrasonography and resected using the endoscopic technique without complication.
Uterine Arteriovenous Fistula with Concomitant Pelvic Varicocele: Endovascular Embolization with Onyx-18®
Authors: Giurazza Francesco , Corvino Fabio , Paladini Andrea , Borzelli Antonio , Scognamiglio Domenico , Frauenfelder Giulia , Albano Giuseppe , Sirimarco Fabio , Niola Raffaella
Published: November 2017

Uterine arteriovenous fistulas are rare and acquired causes of life-threatening vaginal bleeding. They usually present with intermittent menometrorrhagia in young patients in childbearing age with history of gynecological procedures on uterus. Traditional management is hysterectomy; endovascular embolization represents nowadays an alternative strategy for patients wishing to preserve fertility. Here, the endovascular approach to a 29-year-old woman affected by severe menometrorrhagia caused by a uterine arteriovenous fistula with a concomitant pelvic varicocele is reported; a bilateral uterine arteries embolization with Onyx-18 (ev3, Irvine, CA, USA) has successfully resolved the fistula with clinical success.
Angiofibroma Localized in the Sphenoid Sinus
Authors: Yenigun Alper , Aksoy Fadlullah , Vural Omer , Ozturan Orhan
Published: November 2017

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is the most common benign tumor of the nasopharynx with complaints of unilateral nasal obstruction and recurrent nosebleeds in the young male population. Despite being a benign tumor, it can be aggressively destructive in surrounding tissues and bones by acting locally. The gold standard treatment method is the surgical excision of the tumor. This case report is a case of angiofibroma, a 32-year-old asymptomatic male patient with no evidence of clinical signs and endoscopic examination, which is recognized as a localized vascular mass lesion in the right sphenoid sinus on the cranial MR imaging. We prepared this case report that may represent an angiofibroma localized only within the sphenoid sinus which is very rare in the literature.
FOXF1 Defines the Core-Regulatory Circuitry in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Authors: Ran Leili , Chen Yuedan , Sher Jessica , Wong Elissa W.P. , Murphy Devan , Zhang Jenny Q. , Li Dan , Deniz Kemal , Sirota Inna , Cao Zhen , Wang Shangqian , Guan Youxin , Shukla Shipra , Li Katie Yang , Chramiec Alan , Xie Yuanyuan , Zheng Deyou , Koche Richard P. , Antonescu Cristina R. , Chen Yu , Chi Ping
Published: November 2017

The cellular context that integrates upstream signaling and downstream nuclear response dictates the oncogenic behavior and shapes treatment responses in distinct cancer types. Here, we uncover that in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), the forkhead family member FOXF1 directly controls the transcription of two master regulators, KIT and ETV1, both required for GIST precursor-interstitial cells of Cajal lineage specification and GIST tumorigenesis. Further, FOXF1 colocalizes with ETV1 at enhancers and functions as a pioneer factor that regulates the ETV1-dependent GIST lineage-specific transcriptome through modulation of the local chromatin context, including chromatin accessibility, enhancer maintenance, and ETV1 binding. Functionally, FOXF1 is required for human GIST cell growth in vitro and murine GIST tumor growth and maintenance in vivo. The simultaneous control of the upstream signaling and nuclear response sets up a unique regulatory paradigm and highlights the critical role of FOXF1 in enforcing the GIST cellular context for highly lineage-restricted clinical behavior and treatment response.

Significance: We uncover that FOXF1 defines the core-regulatory circuitry in GIST through both direct transcriptional regulation and pioneer factor function. The unique and simultaneous control of signaling and transcriptional circuitry by FOXF1 sets up an enforced transcriptional addiction to FOXF1 in GIST, which can be exploited diagnostically and therapeutically. Cancer Discov; 8(2); 234–51. ©2017 AACR.

See related commentary by Lee and Duensing, p. 146.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 127
Assessing Vessel Tone during Coronary Artery Spasm by Dual-Acquisition Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography
Authors: Jin Cai De , Kim Moo Hyun , Kang Eun Ju , Cho Young Rak , Park Tae Ho , Lee Ki Nam , Serebruany Victor
Published: November 2017

Background: Diminished vascular tone is an established biomarker of heart damage. Little is known about the extent of coronary vessel tone (CVT) with spasm as assessed by dual-acquisition multidetector computed tomography angiography (MCTA) in patients with vasospastic angina (VSA). Objective: We evaluated the CVT modulated by intravenous nitrate injection (INI) using MCTA imaging in VSA patients. Methods: Twenty-one VSA patients (60 ± 9 years; 76% males) who underwent initial MCTA (without morning vasodilation), followed by an intracoronary ergonovine provocation test were included. Within 3 days after the initial MCTA patients received INI followed by 28-vessel segment spasm analyzed by MCTA 3D software, applying the following formula as the definition of CVT index (CVTI): (CSAIV nitrate - CSAinitial/CSAIV nitrate) ×100 %, where CSA is the cross-sectional area. Results: Compared to the initial MCTA measures, the INI provocation resulted in the significant increase of average diameter and CSA at the spasm site (2.60 mm [2.11-3.16] vs. 1.42 mm [1.13-2.13]; 5.37 mm2 [3.67-7.54] vs. 1.62 mm2 [1.02-3.02]; p < 0.001). The CVTI at the spastic segments was higher than at the proximal reference segments (41.0% [21.8-52.3] vs. 18.8% [5.9-26.6] for CVTI diameter; 65.1% [38.6-77.0] vs. 33.9% [5.2-48.1] for CVTI CSA, respectively). To predict VSA, the cut-off value for CVTI diameter was 38.6% (AUC 0.777; 95% CI 0.653-0.901) and 62.5% (AUC 0.779; 95% CI 0.657-0.902) for CVTI CSA in a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, with 57.1% sensitivity and 92.9% specificity. Conclusions: This novel imaging technique for assessing CVT by dual-acquisition MCTA after applying INI provocation is suitable for the detection of coronary artery spasm in patients with VSA.
APOBEC3A Expression in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Heller Martina , Prigge Elena-Sophie , Kaczorowski Adam , von Knebel Doeberitz Magnus , Hohenfellner Markus , Duensing Stefan
Published: November 2017

Background: APOBECs (apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptides) are cytidine deaminases that have been implicated in the host defense against viruses by blocking viral replication. They have also been shown to play a role in genome hypermutation in several human cancers. An APOBEC3 hypermutation signature has been discovered in cervical cancer, which is intimately associated with infection by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs). At the same time, HPV genomes themselves are subject to DNA editing by APOBECs. Similar to cervical cancer, a proportion of penile squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) is etiologically driven by high-risk HPVs, but very little is known about the role of APOBECs in penile SCC development and progression. Methods: A series of 34 penile SCCs was analyzed for the expression of APOBEC3A protein by immunohistochemistry. HPV genotyping was carried out using a bead-based multiplex hybridization assay preceded by BSGP5+6+ primer-based amplification. Results: We found a frequent reduction of APOBEC3A protein expression in the invasive parts of the majority of HPV-negative penile SCCs. In contrast, the majority of HPV-positive penile SCCs retained APOBEC3A expression during malignant progression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that APOBEC3A expression is downregulated during progression towards invasiveness in HPV-negative penile SCC, but maintained in HPV-positive penile SCC. How high-risk HPV-infected tumor cells tolerate high APOBEC3A, which appears to exert tumor suppressive functions in HPV-negative penile SCCs, remains to be elucidated.
RegentK and Physiotherapy Support Knee Function after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture without Surgery after 1 Year: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ofner Michael , Kastner Andreas , Schwarzl Gerhard , Schwameder Hermann , Alexander Nathalie , Strutzenberger Gerda , Walach Harald
Published: November 2017

Background: Recent data have opened the debate on whether conservative treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture might be an alternative treatment option to surgery. In a previous study, such a conservative treatment, i.e. ‘Regenerative Therapy According to Mohammed Khalifa' (RegentK), had shown good effects over physiotherapy. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of 1 session of RegentK compared to the myofascial mobilization technique (MMT), another type of intensive physiotherapy, in 20 patients with fresh ACL rupture during the previous 4 weeks. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) 2000 score was measured before, immediately after, and 3 months after treatment, and 1 year later; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were taken before treatment and 1 year after treatment. Results: Both groups were comparable at baseline. A repeated measures analysis of variance showed a strong effect of time (p < 0.0001; partial η2 = 0.81) and no significant interaction or group effect. Both groups reached near full function after 1 year. The IKDC score was 90.9 (standard deviation (SD) 6.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 86.2-95.6) for the RegentK group and 93.3 (SD 3.1; 95% CI 91.1-95.5) for the MMT group. Conclusion: One treatment session of enhanced MMT physiotherapy or RegentK can lead to nearly full function and thus recovery of a ruptured ACL after 1 year.
Sodium Prescription in the Prevention of Intradialytic Hypotension: New Insights into an Old Concept
Authors: Donati Gabriele , Ursino Mauro , Spazzoli Alessandra , Natali Nicolò , Schillaci Roberto , Conte Diletta , Angeletti Andrea , Croci Chiocchini Anna Laura , Capelli Irene , Baraldi Olga , La Manna Gaetano
Published: November 2017

Background: Sodium prescription in patients with intradialytic hypotension remains a challenge for the attending nephrologist, as it increases dialysate conductivity in hypotension-prone patients, thereby adding to dietary sodium levels. Methods: New sodium prescription strategies are now available, including the use of a mathematical model to compute the sodium mass to be removed during dialysis as a physiological controller. Results: This review describes the sodium load of patients with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis (HD) and discusses 2 strategies to remove excess sodium in patients prone to intradialytic hypotension, namely, Profiled HD and the hemodiafiltration Aequilibrium System. Conclusion: The Profiled HD and Aequilibrium System trial both proved effective in counteracting intradialytic hypotension.
Effects of Enteral Immunonutrition in Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Mimatsu Kenji , Fukino Nobutada , Ogasawara Yasuo , Saino Yoko , Oida Takatsugu
Published: November 2017

Background: Immunonutrition (IN) significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative infectious complications and the length of hospitalization in patients undergoing major elective surgery for gastrointestinal malignances. However, the clinical benefit of IN in patients who have undergone esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is unclear. Moreover, the effect of enteral IN in patients during preoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and in patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer is unknown. Summary: This review analyzes the evidence supporting the enteral administration of IN in patients who have undergone esophagectomy and/or chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Twelve trials that evaluated IN exclusively in patients who underwent esophagectomy were published between January 1980 and August 2017. Two trials concerning IN during chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer were identified in the same period. However, the evidence is insufficient to recommend enteral IN in patients who have undergone esophagectomy and/or chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Key Message: Further evidence from well-designed randomized controlled trials is required to verify the clinical benefits of enteral IN in patients undergoing esophagectomy and/or chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Practical Implications: Resolvins, which are generated from EPA, are novel anti-inflammatory lipid mediators and may play a key role in the resolution of acute inflammation when IN is supplemented with EPA in patients undergoing severely stressful operations.
Fixation, description and DNA barcode of a neotype for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) (Tunicata, Ascidiacea)
Authors: BRUNETTI RICCARDO , MANNI LUCIA , MASTROTOTARO FRANCESCO , GISSI CARMELA , GASPARINI FABIO
Published: November 2017

Botryllus schlosseri is a widespread colonial ascidian commonly considered cosmopolitan and amply used as model for researches ranging from developmental biology to immunobiology. Recently, molecular data lead to hypothesize that the species named B. schlosseri may consist of more than a single taxon. Indeed, five highly divergent clades, named A-E, have been genetically identified and are referred as cryptic species. In this context, and lacking both a type and a detailed morphological description, we believe that it is necessary, as a taxonomic reference point, to designate a neotype and re-describe the species. Therefore, a sample from the Lagoon of Venice (Adriatic Sea, Italy) was deposited as neotype in the Natural History Museum of Venice (Italy), preserved both in formalin and in 90% ethanol. Here we provide a morphological description of the suggested neotype of B. schlosseri that takes into account several developmental stages (oozooid, zooid of first blastogenic generations, and mature zooid) and is carefully compared with the previous descriptions of samples coming from other European and non-European localities. Finally, we associate our morphological description to a “DNA barcode”, consisting in a long fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene. Our description is associated to clade A, although at now we cannot guarantee that this association is univocal.
System Validation Experiments for Obtaining Tracer Laser-Induced Fluorescence Data at Elevated Pressure and Temperature
Authors: Hartwig Jason , Mittal Gaurav , Kumar Kamal , Sung Chih-Jen
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a set of system validation experiments that can be used to qualify either static or flow experimental systems for gathering tracer photophysical data or conducting laser diagnostics at high pressure and temperature in order to establish design and operation limits and reduce uncertainty in data interpretation. Tests demonstrated here quantify the effect of tracer absorption at the test cell walls, stratification, photolysis, pyrolysis, adequacy of mixing and seeding, and reabsorption of laser light using acetone as the tracer and 282 nm excitation. Results show that acetone exhibits a 10% decrease in fluorescence signal over 36 000 shots at 127.4 mJ/cm2, and photolysis is negligible below 1000 shots collected. Meanwhile, appropriately chosen gas residence times can mitigate risks due to pyrolysis and inadequate mixing and seeding; for the current work 100 ms residence time ensured <0.5% alteration of tracer number density due to thermal destruction. Experimental results here are compared to theoretical values from the literature.
The Diffusion of Inclusion: An Open-Polity Model of Ethnic Power Sharing
Authors: Cederman Lars-Erik , Gleditsch Kristian Skrede , Wucherpfennig Julian
Published: November 2017

While there is a growing consensus that ethnic inclusion produces peace, less is known about what causes transitions to power sharing between ethnic groups in central governments in multiethnic states. The few studies that have addressed this question have proposed explanations stressing exclusively domestic factors. Yet, power sharing is spatially clustered, which suggests that diffusion may be at play. Inspired by studies of democratic diffusion, we study the spread of inclusive policies with an “open-polity model” that explicitly traces diffusion from inclusion in other states. Our findings indicate that the relevant diffusion processes operate primarily at the level of world regions rather than globally or between territorial neighbors. Thus, the more inclusive the region, the more likely a shift to power sharing becomes. Shifts away from inclusion to dominance are less common since World War II, but they are more likely in regional settings characterized by ethnic exclusion.
Development, Displacement and Human Rights Violations
Authors: Tripathi Sudhanshu
Published: November 2017

Every year the lives and livelihoods of more than ten million people across the globe are affected by forced displacement due to infrastructural projects such as dams, mines, industries, power plants, roads, etc. thereby denigrating them from their culture, customs and language by mainstream communities. As a way out, the process of displacement and rehabilitation ought to be executed as a last resort and that, too, be achieved in a planned and more humane manner while taking into confidence the affected people.
Falling Poverty, Rising Privations: Trends over a Quarter Century in a Slum and a Village near Delhi
Authors: Vijay Devesh
Published: November 2017

The need to track multi-dimensional poverty in place of just subsistence is being widely recognised by policy makers. However, the challenge of quantifying deficits in housing and sanitation as well as ‘freedoms’ is immense and a number of dearths that bring maximum suffering to people (like risks spawned by contaminated water and food supplies) remain uncharted in common counts of ‘poverties’ and deprivations.

In this context, long-term, multi-disciplinary accounts of urban and rural poverty in a range of communities can be of help. As a contribution, this article offers an analysis of changing indices of material poverty as well as ‘privations’ like the worsening health environment, in the microcosm of a village and a slum from Delhi’s periphery, observed over a quarter century through observations, surveys, group discussions and semi-structured interviews.

The study shows that ‘absolute poverty’ has declined, in both the sites, since late 1980s but ‘privations’ have risen on many fronts.
Indian Politics: Haunted by Spectre of Post-democracy?
Authors: Verma Ravindra Kumar
Published: November 2017

The dawn of 21st century has witnessed some new features of democratic politics that seem to be shifting away from what we call democratic. The impact of globalisation has created such a nexus among elites of politics–corporates–media that has made political regimes to ignore the democratic norms and well-being of common masses and overemphasise economic growth and corporate-friendly policy priorities. Besides, the approach of the political actors (parties and politicians), in the process of power-seeking, has shown unconventional trends. These features do not resemble either dictatorship or totalitarianism; rather they depict trends of aristocratic mode of decision-making by using democratic framework and institutions. Such trends have been termed as ‘post-democracy’ by recent Western scholarship.

Indian politics is not an exception. These trends have created an imbalance between interest of social classes and corporative interests which has prompted political regimes to take tough decisions, in despotic ways. Though the present article does not posit that Indian democracy is on the brink, it attempts to underline the post-democratic features visible in Indian politics through examination of (a) party politics in terms of democratic framework, ideology, policy initiations and reforms, electioneering, etc.; (b) politicians–corporates–media nexus; and (c) modes and trends of politicians in communicating and relating with the electorate.
Employment of Undocumented Immigrants and the Prospect of Legal Status: Evidence from an Amnesty Program
Authors: Devillanova Carlo , Fasani Francesco , Frattini Tommaso
Published: November 2017

This article estimates the causal effect of the prospect of legal status on the employment outcomes of undocumented immigrants. The identification strategy exploits a natural experiment provided by an Italian amnesty program that introduced an exogenous discontinuity in eligibility based on date of arrival. The authors find that immigrants who are potentially eligible for legal status under the amnesty program have a significantly higher probability of being employed relative to undocumented immigrants who are not eligible. The size of the estimated effect is equivalent to about half the increase in employment that undocumented immigrants in our sample normally experience during their first year in Italy. These findings are robust to several checks and falsification exercises.
Political instability and the ability of local government to respond to reputational threats in unison
Authors: Grøn Caroline Howard , Salomonsen Heidi Houlberg
Published: November 2017

This article investigates whether local governments are able to act in a unified manner when responding to reputational threats posed by negative media coverage. Based on an argument that local governments facing political instability are less able to perform in unison, the article investigates a number of expectations, including various types of political instability (council, agenda and policy area instability) and their relation to different types of responses to negative media coverage from the political and administrative actors (communication behaviour, responsibility and blame-avoidant behaviour, and sanctioning behaviour). The article finds such relationships for some of these aspects. The analysis also indicates that the reputational history of a local government is related to the degree of unified behaviour. The empirical analysis is primarily based on a survey sent to all Danish public managers in the three upper levels of the local government hierarchy.

Point for practitioners

Reputation management has become an area for strategic management in the public sector, not least in local governments. This article demonstrates that public managers need to pay attention to the degree of political instability characterizing their local governments when dealing with reputational threats. If the local government is characterized by political instability, the need to address potential disagreements between administrative and political actors becomes vital. Furthermore, public managers need to take into account the reputational history of their organization as it may challenge the ability to coordinate a unified response across the political and administrative leadership during reputational threats.
Two-dimensional lattice Boltzmann modeling for effective thermal conductivity in carbon black filled composites
Authors: Kim Yong-Jun , Tan Yu-Fei , Kim Sok
Published: November 2017

Polymer composites filled with thermally conductive particles are widely used in thermo-electronic industry, and the prediction of effective properties is still important for design and use of composites. Thus, we propose a lattice Boltzmann model to predict the effective thermal conductivity of composites filled with carbon black. First, a method for reconstructing numerical material having filler distribution characteristic similar to that of actual material is introduced, and the process for obtaining the phase function and the volume fraction of grain filler is described. The energy transport governing equation is then solved through the two-dimensional discrete structure by using a lattice Boltzmann model. The effective thermal conductivity of two-phase composite is expressed by the conductivity of each phase and the temperature distribution in discrete rectangle. The resultant prediction is compared with theoretical and experimental data and indicates good agreement with experimental data.
Regenerated silk matrix composite materials reinforced by silk fibres: Relationship between processing and mechanical properties
Authors: Wojcieszak Marine , Percot Aline , Colomban Philippe
Published: November 2017

Silk is a biocompatible material with remarkable mechanical properties. A variety of composite materials using silk as a matrix or for reinforcement have been prepared for many biological applications. However, although a range of composites containing silk have been designed, the mechanical properties achieved for the regenerated silk (solubilisation + film/matrix or fibre production) remain relatively weak (strength: 30–50 MPa). In this study, by combining the high ultimate strength (up to 1 GPa) of natural silk fibres and the chemical properties of regenerated silk, we developed a composite based on silk alone. We investigated how to improve the tensile mechanical properties of silk matrices derived from Bombyx mori silkworms by film processing and by incorporating silk fibres, either natural or degummed, that is, without the sericin coating. The structure and orientation modifications of fibroin macromolecules within the matrix were monitored by Raman spectroscopy; unexpectedly it showed that the most amorphous fibroin matrix exhibits the best mechanical behaviour. The mechanical behaviour of regenerated silk-based materials is dependent upon the temperature of evaporation and the filtration of the solution. In summary, a biocompatible composite was obtained here with distinct mechanical properties (strength >100 MPa; Young's modulus ∼2.5 GPa) which can be optimised for focused applications with silk fibres (slow degradation, skeleton of the composite) and silk matrix (fibroin molecules accessible to chemical or biophysical modification).
Is narrative an endangered species in schools’? Secondary pupils’ understanding of ‘storyknowing’
Authors: Heinemeyer Catherine , Durham Sally
Published: November 2017

This paper argues that narrative knowledge (or ‘storyknowing’) is marginalized within the English school system, because it is misunderstood and often not recognized as knowledge. We track the changing status of storytelling through some key moments in recent educational history, particularly focusing on its gradual erosion during the progressive era, the onset of the National Curriculum (despite the impact of the National Oracy Project), and the post-2000 period with its conflicting drives towards compliance and creativity. To understand the consequences of this marginalization, we build up a picture of the value of narrative knowledge, drawing firstly on the body of theorists who have investigated narrative. We then look to our long-term practice research with three groups of ‘low-ability’ 11–14-year-old pupils, in particular their own observations on storytelling made during a focus group. Both sources lead us to challenge the currently dominant perception that pupils listening to a whole narrative are in a passive role. Indeed, we provide evidence that reasserting the value of storyknowing may restore aspects of agency, autonomy and knowledge creation to both teachers and pupils which may not be afforded by overtly ‘active’ learning strategies. We conclude by considering the conditions in which storyknowing, as characterized by the pupils and theorists, might flourish within schools.
A review of hollow fibers in application-based learning: from textiles to medical
Authors: Cheung Tin Wai , Li Li
Published: November 2017

Hollow fibers are highly valued in the textile industry. Their physical properties and other superior characteristics make them a crucial material for innovations in textiles in the medical field, where they could provide solutions to therapeutic challenges. The inner lumen of hollow fibers has potential for use in medical and healthcare devices. For example, hollow fibers could be used to deliver drugs to a target site, enhance blood purification, promote cell cultures, and enable drug screening. The use of hollow fibers could have beneficial effects for medical and therapeutic performance; a market for hollow fiber-based medical clothing is anticipated for promotion of an efficient, long-term, and convenient commercial medical therapy. This review discusses the development of medical textiles and describes the use of hollow fibers in different medical contexts, as well as the benefits of their use and their potential industrial applications in medical textiles and clothing.
‘Our interests matter’: Puerto Rican older adults in the age of gentrification
Authors: García Ivis , Rúa Mérida M
Published: November 2017

Gentrification scholarship often focuses on the vulnerability of long-term residents in general (for example homeowners, renters, and low-income older adults) to displacement, though not necessarily with focal attention to how this process specifically affects low-income minority older adults. Using ethnographic data, the authors prioritise and examine the experiences of aging low-income Puerto Ricans who, by way of senior-designated affordable housing, remain in some of Chicago’s most rapidly gentrifying communities. Interviews, focus groups, and participant observations are supplemented with data from the US Census from 1970 to 2010 in order to document some of the demographic changes that have been taking place in what were once majority Puerto Rican neighbourhoods. We find that while low-income older Latina and Latino residents are able to stay in a gentrifying neighbourhood, surrounded by new amenities, they still find limited spaces where they feel welcomed, resulting in indirect displacement. We argue that considerations of aging in place should not only include affordable housing, but should also include an accessible neighbourhood in terms of mixed-uses that support the wants and needs of low-income and minority older adults.
The Great Odisha Famine of 1866: Lessons for the 21st Century
Authors: Mohanty Manoranjan
Published: November 2017

Not only did the great Odisha Famine of 150 years ago result in the death of a million people, it formed a tentative start of formulating an official response to major calamities in modern India. The Famine Commission Report of 1867 and the Indian Famine Code of 1880 were considered part of the relief and welfare measures to address the countless casualties caused by famines, food scarcity, starvation, epidemics and malnutrition. It is argued here that historical episodes, such as the 1866 famine and the Paika Rebellion of 1817, fought against the British, should be seen as a ‘process’ rather than simply as an ‘event’. Therefore, we should examine deeper causes such as land relations, uncontrolled market and free trade apart from administrative failures as the common perception does. This conceptual discourse on the famine takes a human rights perspective to examine the role of the state, civil society organisations and the media in preventing disasters and alleviating human suffering. Over 150 years after the occurrence of the famine and 200 years after the rebellion, some of the structural reasons behind them still continue to deprive the masses to their right to life.
Trends, Patterns and Drivers of Rural Female Workforce Participation
Authors: Bhattacharya Mondira , Goyal Ankita
Published: November 2017

The empowerment of women is critical for improving their status in society and, in turn, women’s access to economic and financial resources is vital for their empowerment. Despite a discernible improvement in India’s rural economy in recent years, the rural female workforce has been declining. One of the primary reasons is that in rural areas women lack access to land and productive resources which aggravates the problem. The objective of this article is to examine trends, patterns and drivers of female workforce participation in rural India captured through the lens of migration, social and religious factors, land rights, agricultural income, education and wages. The study found that female employment in rural India has been reducing, possibly, for the following reasons: firstly, women tend to work only during distress conditions; secondly, they find working conditions either unsafe or unsuitable; and thirdly, social norms restrict their entry into the job market. The study suggests that improving their access to land and productive resources, providing them decent work opportunities and prioritising their education and skills training will collectively help women in improving their socio-economic status.
Long-term Economic Development and Employment Changes: The Indonesian Experience
Authors: Tambunan Tulus Tahi Hamonangan
Published: November 2017

This article assesses Indonesia’s long experience with economic development from 1990 up to 2014–2015. It examines economic growth and employment changes in three sub-periods: the high economic growth period 1990–1996; the Asian financial crisis and recovery period 1997–2007 and the global economic crisis from 2008 to the present. In this periodisation, the crisis years and their impact on employment experienced by Indonesia from 1990 to 2014–2015 will be visible. Additionally, it also examines changes in employment dualism, that is, formal vs. informal employment as well as changes in labour productivity during this extended time. This article shows that Indonesia’s economy performed exceptionally well after the 1997–1998 Asian financial crisis on the back of a continued prudent macroeconomic framework and solid policy reforms. Employment continued to increase and poverty continued to show a declining trend.
A Biopsychosocial Model for Understanding Media Internalization and Appearance Dissatisfaction Among Preadolescent Boys and Girls
Authors: Rousseau Ann , Rodgers Rachel F , Eggermont Steven
Published: November 2017

Sociocultural models emphasize the role of media internalization in preadolescents’ appearance dissatisfaction. The present three-wave panel study sought to examine how biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors jointly contribute to preadolescents’ ( N = 973, Mage = 11.15 years) media internalization and appearance dissatisfaction over time. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test a hypothetical model in which media internalization mediated the effect of (a) pubertal timing, (b) media-related conversations with friends, and (c) perceptions of media as a good source of information regarding appearance and attractiveness, on change in appearance satisfaction. The model also examined the protective role of social self-esteem against the internalization of media ideals. For girls, pubertal timing was associated with increases in media internalization over time, directly and indirectly through media information and media-related conversations. For boys, pubertal timing indirectly predicted increases in media internalization over time, through media-related conversations. Media internalization positively predicted body dissatisfaction over time, and vice versa. Social self-esteem did not serve as a buffer against media internalization.
Nonverbal Vocal Adaptation and Audience Perceptions of Dominance and Prestige
Authors: Kalkhoff Will , Thye Shane R. , Gregory Stanford W.
Published: November 2017

Fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of speech is a useful tool for measuring the social organization of micro interactions. Past research suggests that “adaptation” in the lower nonverbal vocal frequencies may be associated with bystander perceptions of dominance and prestige, but these factors have not been compared in a single study. Furthermore, it is unclear whether nonverbal vocal adaptation has an independent effect on bystander perceptions of dominance or prestige in naturalistic settings. To explore these questions, we aired manipulated versions of interviews from Piers Morgan Live to panels of undergraduates who then rated the dominance and prestige of the host and his guest. We find that nonverbal vocal adaptation is uniquely associated with dominance perceptions. We also find that nonverbal vocal adaptation does not have an effect on dominance perceptions that is independent of other cues. A step-by-step guide to help others use FFT voice analysis is provided.
Services in Virtual World: Understanding Work in Delivery Service of E-Retailing
Authors: Sharma Padmini
Published: November 2017

The advent of e-retailing has brought about colossal transformation in the realm of traditional retailing services. As a part of virtual services, the human component involved in this sector is hidden right from placing of an order till its delivery. These workers, once deemed as a segment of invisible workforce in academic debate, have lately caught attention with their growing resentment at workplace (Cherry, 2016). The purpose of this article is to understand the nature of work in delivery segment of e-retailing’s value chain that is emerging as a major blue collar job in several metro cities of India. This would help contextualize whether these kinds of jobs, being developed through advent of information technology in service economy, resembles post-industrial theory or supports critics of such theory. This has been carried out through analysis of work organization and workplace relationships in delivery services, against a backdrop of Braverman’s (1998) de-skilling thesis and Burawoy’s (1979) theory on ‘relations in production’.
Conspiracy theory as spatial practice: The case of the Sivas arson attack, Turkey
Authors: Çaylı Eray
Published: November 2017

This article discusses the relationship between conspiratorial thinking and physical space by focusing on the ways conspiracy theories regarding political violence shape and are shaped by the environments in which it is commemorated. Conspiratorial thinking features space as a significant element, but is taken to do so mainly figuratively. In blaming external powers and foreign actors for social ills, conspiracy theorists employ the spatial metaphor of inside versus outside. In perceiving discourses of transparency as the concealment rather than revelation of mechanisms of governance, conspiracy theorists engage the trope of a façade separating the space of power’s formulations from that of its operations. Studying the case of an arson attack dating from 1990s Turkey and its recent commemorations, this article argues that space mediates conspiracy theory not just figuratively but also physically and as such serves to catalyze two of its deadliest characteristics: anonymity and non-linear causality. Attending to this mediation requires a shift of focus from what conspiracy theory is to what it does as a spatial practice.
Recycling possibilities for reducing waste from cutters on combined cutter-loaders and road builders
Authors: Prokopenko Sergey A , Ludzish Vladimir S , Li Anatoly A
Published: November 2017

The objective of this study was to find opportunities for metal waste recycling in the process of rock breaking in mines. A built-up cutter design for a combined cutter-loader and a recycling technique for a considerable portion of the deteriorated tool are suggested. Industrial tests have proven the possibility of a ten-fold increase in the use of cutters on mining machines for coal rock mass destruction. The proposed technique allows a four times reduction in metal consumption in the production and use of cutters and a reduction of the ultimate resulting waste by 80%. This advanced technique could be transferred extensively into such industries as open-cast mining, repair of motor-roads, construction and agriculture.
“I Didn’t Come to School for This”: A Qualitative Examination of Experiences With Race-Related Stressors and Coping Responses Among Black Students Attending a Predominantly White Institution
Authors: Griffith Aisha N. , Hurd Noelle M. , Hussain Saida B.
Published: November 2017

Exposure to race-related stressors such as discrimination may take a toll on Black undergraduates attending predominantly White institutions (PWIs) who must contend with these stressors in addition to stressors common to the developmental space of emerging adulthood and the transition to college. The aim of this study was to explore Black students’ experiences of race-related stressors, coping responses, and the role of natural mentors (i.e., nonparental adults from students’ preexisting social networks who serve a mentoring role in students’ lives) in the coping process. We conducted semi-structured interviews with Black college students ( n = 12) at a PWI and their natural mentors ( n = 10) with whom they discussed issues related to race. Thematic analysis of data indicated that Black students faced a number of race-related stressors yet employed a set of coping responses including processing the event on one’s own, talking about it with others, and engaging in behavioral strategies such as working harder in school in an effort to disprove negative stereotypes. Findings reflected intentional socialization processes in regard to coping with race-related stressors. We discuss trade-offs associated with identified coping responses and the need for institutional efforts to reduce race-related stressors and foster more inclusive campus environments.
Revisiting the Congruence–Satisfaction Relationship: The Role of External Forces
Authors: Fu Mingchen , Zhang Li-Fang , Li Bing
Published: November 2017

The main objective of the present study was to explore the role of the forces in the context external to the setting of a specific vocational setting (i.e., an academic major in a university) in the congruence–satisfaction relationship. Four hundred and fifty-three Chinese university students responded to the Career Personality Styles Inventory, the revised Contextual Supports and Barriers Scale, and the Academic Major Satisfaction Scale. Results indicated that the congruence between individual vocational interests and their academic majors (for brevity, congruence) and two types of external forces (external barriers and support from social relations) were significant predictors of students’ satisfaction with their academic majors. In comparison, the predictive power of external forces for students’ satisfaction with their academic majors was far beyond that of congruence. Moreover, external barriers were a marginally significant moderator in the relationship between congruence and satisfaction. Implications and limitations of the findings are discussed.