bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robotic approach using simple and radical hysterectomy for endometrial cancer with long‐term follow‐up evaluation
Authors: Damiani Gianluca Raffaello , Turoli Daniela , Cormio Gennaro , Croce Paolo , Merola Viviana , Gaetani Maria , Recalcati Dario , Pellegrino Antonio
Published: February 2015

Background

Feasibility and outcome of robotic‐assisted laparoscopy (RAL) for endometrial cancer was evaluated with a mean follow‐up of 4 years.

Methods

Robotic hysterectomy (RH) and type B robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH), with or without pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLH), was performed on 51 consecutive patients. Records were reviewed for demographic data, medical/surgical history and comorbidities, perioperative findings and outcomes, as well as long‐term complications and recurrences. Regarding stage, according to 2009 FIGO, 25% of cases were IA, while 20%, 53% and 2% of cases were, respectively, IB, II and IIIA stage.

Results

Twenty‐eight patients underwent RRH + PLH (54.9%), four patients underwent RH with concurrent nodal sampling (NS) (7.8%); a total of 32 PLH were performed (62.6%).The median operative time for RRH + PLH was 255 min (range: 160–435). Pathology confirmed the adequacy of the surgical specimen.

Conclusion

Our data support the adoption of RAL staging in patients with endometrial cancer, including those with cervical involvement, and demonstrate good long‐term outcomes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model reduction of discrete Markovian jump systems with time‐weighted H2 performance
Authors: Sun Minhui , Lam James
Published: February 2015

This paper is concerned with the optimal time‐weighted H2 model reduction problem for discrete Markovian jump linear systems (MJLSs). The purpose is to find a mean square stable MJLS of lower order such that the time‐weighted H2 norm of the corresponding error system is minimized for a given mean square stable discrete MJLSs. The notation of time‐weighted H2 norm of discrete MJLS is defined for the first time, and then a computational formula of this norm is given, which requires the solution of two sets of recursive discrete Markovian jump Lyapunov‐type linear matrix equations. Based on the time‐weighted H2 norm formula, we propose a gradient flow method to solve the optimal time‐weighted H2 model reduction problem. A necessary condition for minimality is derived, which generalizes the standard result for systems when Markov jumps and the time‐weighting term do not appear. Finally, numerical examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Second‐order consensus for nonlinear leader‐following multi‐agent systems via dynamic output feedback control
Authors: Du Haibo , Cheng Yingying , He Yigang , Jia Ruting
Published: February 2015

The second‐order consensus problem of nonlinear leader‐following multi‐agent systems is investigated in this paper. To solve the case that the velocities of all agents cannot be measured and the nonlinearity is unknown, an observer‐based dynamic output feedback controller is proposed based on a non‐separation principle method. Using the feedback domination technique, it is shown that the systems output can reach consensus by choosing appropriate gains. Two examples are given to verify the efficiency of the proposed method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust Kalman filtering for nonlinear multivariable stochastic systems in the presence of non‐Gaussian noise
Authors: Stojanovic Vladimir , Nedic Novak
Published: February 2015

The presence of outliers can considerably degrade the performance of linear recursive algorithms based on the assumptions that measurements have a Gaussian distribution. Namely, in measurements there are rare, inconsistent observations with the largest part of population of observations (outliers). Therefore, synthesis of robust algorithms is of primary interest. The Masreliez–Martin filter is used as a natural frame for realization of the state estimation algorithm of linear systems. Improvement of performances and practical values of the Masreliez‐Martin filter as well as the tendency to expand its application to nonlinear systems represent motives to design the modified extended Masreliez–Martin filter. The behaviour of the new approach to nonlinear filtering, in the case when measurements have non‐Gaussian distributions, is illustrated by intensive simulations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An intrusion detection method for wireless sensor network based on mathematical morphology
Authors: Wang Yanwen , Wu Xiaoling , Chen Hainan
Published: February 2015

Security issue in Internet of Things (IoTs) has long been the topic of extensive research in the last decade. Data encryption and authentication are the most common two methods to address the security issues in IoTs. However, these efforts are ineffective in detecting the diverse malicious attacks, especially in intrusion detection. Comparatively, very few attentions have been paid for detecting intrusive nodes in IoTs research. Therefore, in this paper, we derive an innovative method called granulometric size distribution (GSD) method based on mathematical morphology for detecting malicious attack in IoTs, such as intrusion detection. We successfully generate GSD clusters to directly monitor the number of active nodes in a wireless sensor network because the GSD curves are similar when the number of active nodes in a wireless sensor network is fixed. Link Quality Indicator data of each node are utilized as the network parameters in this method. The results show the effectiveness in intrusion detection. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tests of calibration and goodness‐of‐fit in the survival setting
Authors: Demler Olga V. , Paynter Nina P. , Cook Nancy R.
Published: February 2015

To access the calibration of a predictive model in a survival analysis setting, several authors have extended the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit test to survival data. Grønnesby and Borgan developed a test under the proportional hazards assumption, and Nam and D'Agostino developed a nonparametric test that is applicable in a more general survival setting for data with limited censoring. We analyze the performance of the two tests and show that the Grønnesby–Borgan test attains appropriate size in a variety of settings, whereas the Nam‐D'Agostino method has a higher than nominal Type 1 error when there is more than trivial censoring. Both tests are sensitive to small cell sizes. We develop a modification of the Nam‐D'Agostino test to allow for higher censoring rates. We show that this modified Nam‐D'Agostino test has appropriate control of Type 1 error and comparable power to the Grønnesby–Borgan test and is applicable to settings other than proportional hazards. We also discuss the application to small cell sizes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Student-Initiated Sexual Health Selective as a Curricular Tool
Authors: Johnson Katie , Rullo Jordan , Faubion Stephanie
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Patients' sexual health functioning is important for physicians in all fields of medicine to consider; however, this topic is lacking from almost half of U.S. medical school curricula.

Aims

This study aims to develop, implement, and assess the feasibility of a preliminary sexual health curriculum for medical students.

Methods

This Sexual Health Selective (SHS) was developed and implemented by a student and faculty champion for first year medical students. Its design incorporated a number of the guiding principles and recommendations from the 2012 Summit on Medical School Education in Sexual Health.

Main Outcome Measures

Feasibility was measured by limited-efficacy testing and participant acceptability of the SHS. Limited-efficacy testing was accomplished by conducting descriptive comparisons of responses to a sexual health attitudes and knowledge survey. These responses were compared between (i) participants vs. nonparticipants prior to the SHS, (ii) participants immediately after vs. participants prior to the SHS, (iii) participants 3 months after vs. participants prior to the SHS, and (iv) participants 3 months after vs. participants immediately after the SHS. Participant acceptability was assessed by asking qualitatively and quantitatively whether students enjoyed the SHS, found it beneficial to their learning, and would recommend it to their classmates.

Results

Immediately after the SHS and 3 months later, participants reported increased comfort and open-mindedness in their attitudes toward sexual health and demonstrated an increase in accurate knowledge about sexual health issues compared with baseline. Objective follow-up also revealed that most participants enjoyed the SHS, found it beneficial to their learning, and would recommend it to their classmates.

Conclusions

The 1-week SHS was successfully implemented through the teamwork of a medical student and faculty champion. It resulted in more accurate knowledge and more open attitudes toward sexual health among participating medical students. Potential benefits to undergraduate medical educators are reviewed.
Capillarity Guided Patterning of Microliquids
Authors: Kang Myeongwoo , Park Woohyun , Na Sangcheol , Paik Sang‐Min , Lee Hyunjae , Park Jae Woo , Kim Ho‐Young , Jeon Noo Li
Published: February 2015

Soft lithography and other techniques have been developed to investigate biological and chemical phenomena as an alternative to photolithography‐based patterning methods that have compatibility problems. Here, a simple approach for nonlithographic patterning of liquids and gels inside microchannels is described. Using a design that incorporates strategically placed microstructures inside the channel, microliquids or gels can be spontaneously trapped and patterned when the channel is drained. The ability to form microscale patterns inside microfluidic channels using simple fluid drain motion offers many advantages. This method is geometrically analyzed based on hydrodynamics and verified with simulation and experiments. Various materials (i.e., water, hydrogels, and other liquids) are successfully patterned with complex shapes that are isolated from each other. Multiple cell types are patterned within the gels. Capillarity guided patterning (CGP) is fast, simple, and robust. It is not limited by pattern shape, size, cell type, and material. In a simple three‐step process, a 3D cancer model that mimics cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions is engineered. The simplicity and robustness of the CGP will be attractive for developing novel in vitro models of organ‐on‐a‐chip and other biological experimental platforms amenable to long‐term observation of dynamic events using advanced imaging and analytical techniques.
2D Springback and Twisting of Ultra‐Thin Stainless Steel U‐Shaped Parts
Authors: Pham Cong Hanh , Thuillier Sandrine , Manach Pierre‐Yves
Published: February 2015

The aim of this work is to investigate numerically the springback of U‐shaped elongated parts made of ultra‐thin stainless steel after deep‐drawing, and in particular to focus on twisting. A dedicated rig was designed, with a scale factor of 1/10 compared to devices already presented in literature for elongated parts of length around 1 m. Moreover, in order to enhance twisting, the blank was set in a misaligned position with respect to the tools. The geometry of the part after drawing and springback was laser scanned, and 2D opening of the sections was characterized as well as twisting magnitude. A numerical model was established within an explicit framework for drawing and implicit one for springback. The mechanical model of the material was based on mixed hardening associated to isotropic yield criterion. The rectangular blank was meshed with brick elements and three mesh sizes were tested; the friction coefficient was adjusted in order to have a good description of the punch load as well as the right order of magnitude corresponding to drawing without any lubrication, as in the experiments. Finite element simulations for different mesh sizes were carried out and the numerical predictions of the geometry after springback were compared with the experimental ones.
Space charges remaining in polymers after electron beam irradiation and the role of conductivity in their decay profiles
Authors: Tomite Naoto , Arai Yukitaka , Ohki Yoshimichi , Hinata Toru , Washio Masakazu
Published: February 2015

Five typical insulating polymers and a carbon‐loaded polyethylene were irradiated with 200‐keV electrons, and the space charge distributions remaining in the polymers were measured. When the polymer film is short‐circuited after irradiation, the amount of space charge gradually decreases monotonically. By analyzing such decay profiles, it becomes clear that the decay of the charges remaining after the irradiation is governed by the conductivity of the polymer. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A novel method of converting photograph into Chinese ink painting
Authors: Guo Fan , Peng Hui , Tang Jin
Published: February 2015

Chinese ink painting is a traditional art form that is highly regarded throughout the world for its theory, expression, technicality, and artistry. In this paper, we present a method to convert a photograph into a Chinese ink painting. First, the structure description map (SDM) for a photo is estimated to build the object appearance depiction. To make the converted Chinese painting's color be consistent with traditional color requirement of Chinese ink painting, a color transform algorithm is proposed to put color on the SDM. A qualitative evaluation approach is also proposed to carry out a comparative study with other simulation methods. Conversion results demonstrate that, using the proposed method, one can produce very beautiful Chinese ink painting from a photo with less user interaction and much faster conversion speed compared to other approaches. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Simplified fatigue load assessment in offshore wind turbine structural analysis
Authors: Zwick Daniel , Muskulus Michael
Published: February 2015

The estimation of fatigue lifetime for an offshore wind turbine support structure requires a large number of time‐domain simulations. It is an important question whether it is possible to reduce the number of load cases while retaining a high level of accuracy of the results. We present a novel method for simplified fatigue load assessments based on statistical regression models that estimate fatigue damage during power production. The main idea is to predict the total fatigue damage only and not also the individual damage values for each load case. We demonstrate the method for a jacket‐type support structure. Reducing the number of simulated load cases from 21 to 3, the total fatigue damage estimate exhibited a maximum error of about 6% compared with the complete assessment. As a consequence, a significant amount of simulation time can be saved, in the order of a factor of seven. This quick fatigue assessment is especially interesting in the application of structural optimization, with a large number of iterations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variability of breaking wave characteristics and impact loads on offshore wind turbines supported by monopiles
Authors: Hallowell S. , Myers A. T. , Arwade S. R.
Published: February 2015

Most existing and planned offshore wind turbines (OWTs) are located in shallow water where the possibility of breaking waves impacting the structure may influence design. Breaking waves and their associated impact loads are challenging to model because the breaking process is a strongly non‐linear phenomenon with significant statistical scattering. Given the challenges and uncertainty in modeling breaking waves, there is a need for comparing existing models with simultaneous environmental and structural measurements taken from utility‐scale OWTs exposed to breaking waves. Overall, such measurements are lacking; however, one exception is the Offshore Wind Turbines at Exposed Sites project, which recorded sea state conditions and associated structural loads for a 2.0 MW OWT supported by a monopile and located at the Blyth wind farm off the coast of England. Measurements were recorded over a 17 month campaign between 2001 and 2003, a period that included a storm that exposed the instrumented OWT to dozens of breaking waves. This paper uses the measurements from this campaign to categorize and identify breaking waves and quantify the variability of their impact loads. For this particular site and turbine, the distribution of measured mudline moments due to breaking waves has a mean of 8.7 MN‐m, a coefficient of variation of 26% and a maximum of 14.9 MN‐m. The accuracy of several breaking wave limits and impact force models is compared with the measurements, and the impact force models are shown to represent the measurements with varying accuracy and to be sensitive to modeling assumptions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New power production options for biomass and cogeneration
Authors: Karampinis Emmanouil , Kourkoumpas Dimitrios‐Sotirios , Grammelis Panagiotis , Kakaras Emmanuel
Published: February 2015

Power production and combined heat and power production from biomass is a form of renewable energy that has gained significance and is expected to grow steadily over the coming years. Because of fundamental differences in properties between biomass and traditional fossil fuels for power generation, biomass power plants source their fuel mostly locally and their capacity is restricted by local availability. Biomass conversion technologies can be broadly classified as thermochemical and biochemical. Thermochemical processes include combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis and are mostly suitable for dry biomass fractions. Wet biomass fractions are most commonly converted using biochemical processes, such as fermentation and anaerobic digestion. Integration with power production systems depends on the intermediate energy carrier produced (steam, gas) and is usually achieved through conventional or organic Rankine cycles or reciprocating internal combustion engines. Despite being considered as a carbon‐neutral energy source, power production from biomass can have environmental consequences, which depend on the feedstock type, conversion process, and the type of flue gas–cleaning equipment installed. WIREs Energy Environ 2015, 4:471–485. doi: 10.1002/wene.163

This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Science and Materials

Bioenergy > Systems and Infrastructure

Bioenergy > Climate and Environment
Virus‐based nanomaterials as positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance contrast agents: from technology development to translational medicine
Authors: Shukla Sourabh , Steinmetz Nicole F.
Published: February 2015

Viruses have recently emerged as ideal protein scaffolds for a new class of contrast agents that can be used in medical imaging procedures such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Whereas synthetic nanoparticles are difficult to produce as homogeneous formulations due to the inherently stochastic nature of the synthesis process, virus‐based nanoparticles are genetically encoded and are therefore produced as homogeneous and monodisperse preparations with a high degree of quality control. Because the virus capsids have a defined chemical structure that has evolved to carry cargoes of nucleic acids, they can be modified to carry precisely defined cargoes of contrast agents and can be decorated with spatially defined contrast reagents on the internal or external surfaces. Viral nanoparticles can also be genetically programed or conjugated with targeting ligands to deliver contrast agents to specific cells, and the natural biocompatibility of viruses means that they are cleared rapidly from the body. Nanoparticles based on bacteriophages and plant viruses are safe for use in humans and can be produced inexpensively in large quantities as self‐assembling recombinant proteins. Based on these considerations, a new generation of contrast agents has been developed using bacteriophages and plant viruses as scaffolds to carry positron‐emitting radioisotopes such as [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose for PET imaging and iron oxide or Gd3+ for MRI. Although challenges such as immunogenicity, loading efficiency, and regulatory compliance remain to be address, virus‐based nanoparticles represent a promising new enabling technology for a new generation of highly biocompatible and biodegradable targeted imaging reagents. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:708–721. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1335

This article is categorized under:

Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures
Development of virus‐like particles for diagnostic and prophylactic biomedical applications
Authors: Schwarz Benjamin , Douglas Trevor
Published: February 2015

As ordered nanoscale architectures, viruses and virus‐like particles (VLPs) remain unsurpassed by synthetic strategies to produce uniform and symmetric nanoparticles. Maintaining or mimicking the symmetry of pathogenic viruses, VLPs offer a ready platform for facilitating recognition, uptake, and processing by the immune system. An emerging understanding of how viruses interact with the immune system offers a means of precisely designing nanoparticles for biomedical use, both with respect to the structure of the particle as well as their ability to stimulate the immune system. Here we discuss recent advances by our group toward two parallel and complementary applications of VLPs, derived primarily from plants, bacteriophage, and nonviral sources, in biomedicine: diagnostic imaging and rational vaccine design. First we discuss advances in increasing VLP payloads of gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent as well as controlling the characteristics of individual gadolinium containing molecules to increase efficacy. In order to better understand the in vivo potential of VLP constructs, we then discuss the interface of protein‐cages and the immune system beginning with the nonspecific innate immune system stimulation and continuing into the use of nonpathogenic VLPs as scaffolds for specific antigen presentation and control of the immune response. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:722–735. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1336

This article is categorized under:

Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures
Fluctuations in the processes of charge induction in ionization‐type detectors
Authors: Samedov Victor V.
Published: February 2015

The energy resolution of ionization‐type detectors, i.e. semiconductor detectors and liquid ionization detectors, is determined not only by the variance in the number of charge carriers produced by X‐rays but also by fluctuations in the process of charge induction on the detector electrodes. The trapping of charge carriers and the resultant decrease in charge collection efficiency degrades the line shape of spectral peaks produced by X‐ray spectrometers. In this work, the characteristic function of the process of charge induction on electrodes of an ionization‐type detector with accounting for charge carrier trapping was derived. This characteristic function allowed deriving the general expression for the moments of the distribution function as well as the formulae for the mean value and the variance of the charge induced on the detector electrodes. These formulae are useful for analysis of the influence of the charge transport on the energy resolution of ionization‐type detectors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanocomposite CdSe/Cr2Se3: Synthesis, Characterization, and in situ Transformation Study
Authors: Deng Mao , Hrkac Viktor , Schürmann Ulrich , Erkartal Burak , Wolff Niklas , Gerwien Kathrin , Hesseler Britta , Beiroth Femke , Bensch Wolfgang , Duppel Viola , Kienle Lorenz
Published: February 2015

A 0‐3 nanocomposite of CdSe (crystalline nanoparticles) and Cr2Se3 (amorphous matrix) was synthesized via a soft chemical approach and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Particularly the transformation of the 0‐3 composite is explored in situ under electron beam irradiation and thermal annealing inside the TEM. In situ electron beam irradiation removed exclusively the CdSe nanoparticles and generated a porous Cr2Se3 matrix with a slightly increased crystallinity. The highly localized beam heating and knock‐on effect are attributed to the origin of the in situ irradiation transformation. During the in situ thermal annealing process of the 0‐3 nanocomposite CdSe particles are eliminated and crystalline nano‐ and microparticles of Cr2Se3 are generated. Also the formation of chromium enriched crystallites is observed. All of these in situ results are compared with conventional ex situ methods and discussed in terms of the different mechanisms associated with electron beam interaction and size effects of the nanocomposite.
Independent and combined effects of cognitive and physical activity on incident MCI
Authors: Hughes Tiffany F. , Becker James T. , Lee Ching‐Wen , Chang Chung‐Chou H. , Ganguli Mary
Published: February 2015

Introduction

The objective of this study was to examine the independent and combined influences of late‐life cognitive activity (CA) and physical activity (PA) on the risk of incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

We used interval censored survival modeling to examine the risk of incident MCI (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR] = 0.5) as a function of CA (high vs. low) and at least moderate intensity PA (any vs. none) among 864 cognitively normal (CDR = 0) older adults.

Results

During three annual follow‐up waves, 72 participants developed MCI. Compared with low CA with no PA, significant reductions in risk for MCI were observed for high CA with any PA (hazards ratio (HR) = 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07–0.52) and low CA with any PA (HR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.29–0.93), but not for high CA without PA (HR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.45–1.95).

Discussion

These findings suggest that a combination of CA and PA may be most efficacious at reducing the risk for cognitive impairment.
The effect of long-term feeding of skin barrier-fortified diets on the owner-assessed incidence of atopic dermatitis symptoms in Labrador retrievers
Authors: van Beeck Frank Looringh , Watson Adrian , Bos Margriet , Biourge Vincent , Willemse Ton
Published: February 2015

We investigated the effect of feeding a skin barrier function-augmenting diet early in dogs' lives on the appearance of clinical signs associated with canine atopic dermatitis. Pregnant bitches (starting 5 weeks after mating) and their subsequent litters (up to 1 year of age) were fed either supplemented or unsupplemented diets. Nutrients supplemented were nicotinamide, pantothenate, histidine, inositol and choline. Circulating IgE levels to dust mute allergens Der f and Der p were measured when the puppies were 6 and 12 months old. Two owner questionnaires were used to assess the occurrence of typical signs associated with atopic dermatitis when dogs were between the ages of 22 and 36, and 34 and 48 months. Using linear mixed models we observed higher levels of circulating anti-Der f (P = 0·021) and -Der p IgE (P = 0·01) during the first year in the dogs fed the unsupplemented than in those fed the supplemented diet. The owner-assessed incidence of atopic dermatitis signs amongst the dogs was significantly greater in the unsupplemented group at the time of the second follow-up questionnaire (10/33 dogs v. 2/24 dogs). These outcomes suggest that a nutritionally derived improvement to barrier function early in life may reduce the frequency of signs associated with atopic dermatitis. The effect is possibly the result of making the epidermis, now thought to be a major route of environmental allergen exposure, more resistant to penetration.
Moon, Mars and Mundus: primary school children discover the nature and science of planet Earth from experimentation and extra-terrestrial perspectives
Authors: Kleinhans M.G. , Verkade A.J. , van Wessel T. , Bastings M.A.S. , Marra W.A. , van Gog T. , van Westrenen W. , Reichwein M.
Published: February 2015

Like earth and planetary scientists, most children are curious about the world, the solar system and the rest of the universe. However, for various reasons primary schools emphasise language and calculus rather than natural sciences. When science is taught, examination systems often favour knowledge of the ‘right’ answer over the process of investigation and logical reasoning towards that answer. In order to continue to spark children's curiosity and their motivation to learn and discover, science education hubs at universities and science museums could collaborate more with schools and teachers, and are beginning to do so. The objective of this position paper is to report on recent experiences in earth and planetary science education for pupils in primary and secondary education, to provide examples and inspiration for scientists. We report three examples of initiation and consolidation of science education in primary schools in the Netherlands: (1) a focus on asking questions and seeking information to reason towards the answer, initiated with a classroom game, Expedition Mundus, (2) bringing pupils and teachers together outside their school in the science museum to gain confidence and self-efficacy, and (3) having children ask their own questions and do their own research guided by the empirical cycle, for example on experimentation on sandbox scale models of channels and crater lake deltas as found on Mars. The focus on other planets, fictitious and real, stimulates pupils to ask questions about planet Earth. Finally, we argue that involvement of more scientists in science education would not only benefit primary and secondary schools and future students but also university education and science communication with society.
Effects of a food-based intervention on markers of micronutrient status among Indian women of low socio-economic status
Authors: Kehoe Sarah H. , Chopra Harsha , Sahariah Sirazul A. , Bhat Dattatray , Munshi Renuka P. , Panchal Falguni , Young Stephen , Brown Nick , Tarwande Dnyaneshwar , Gandhi Meera , Margetts Barrie M. , Potdar Ramesh D. , Fall Caroline H. D.
Published: February 2015

Intakes of micronutrient-rich foods are low among Indian women of reproductive age. We investigated whether consumption of a food-based micronutrient-rich snack increased markers of blood micronutrient concentrations when compared with a control snack. Non-pregnant women (n222) aged 14–35 years living in a Mumbai slum were randomised to receive a treatment snack (containing green leafy vegetables, dried fruit and whole milk powder), or a control snack containing foods of low micronutrient content such as wheat flour, potato and tapioca. The snacks were consumed under observation 6 d per week for 12 weeks, compliance was recorded, and blood was collected at 0 and 12 weeks. Food-frequency data were collected at both time points. Compliance (defined as the proportion of women who consumed ≥ 3 snacks/week) was >85 % in both groups. We assessed the effects of group allocation on 12-week nutrient concentrations using ANCOVA models with respective 0-week concentrations, BMI, compliance, standard of living, fruit and green leafy vegetable consumption and use of synthetic nutrients as covariates. The treatment snack significantly increased β-carotene concentrations (treatment effect: 47·1 nmol/l, 95 % CI 6·5, 87·7). There was no effect of group allocation on concentrations of ferritin, retinol, ascorbate, folate or vitamin B12. The present study shows that locally sourced foods can be made into acceptable snacks that may increase serum β-carotene concentrations among women of reproductive age. However, no increase in circulating concentrations of the other nutrients measured was observed.
On some questions related to Koethe's nil ideal problem
Authors: Chebotar M. A. , Lee P.-H. , Puczyłowski E. R.
Published: February 2015

We study properties of two-sided and one-sided ideals of A-rings, i.e. rings that are sums of their nil left ideals. We show that the question as to whether one-sided ideals of A-rings are again A-rings is equivalent to the famous Koethe problem. We also obtain some results on another related open problem that asks whether annihilators of elements of non-zero A-rings are non-zero.
INFLUENCE OF ALUMINIUM ON GROWTH, MINERAL NUTRITION AND ORGANIC ACID EXUDATION OF RAMBUTAN (Nephelium lappaceum)
Authors: PÉREZ-ALMODÓVAR DELVIS , GOENAGA RICARDO
Published: February 2015

A randomized complete block design experiment with six aluminium (Al) concentrations was carried out to evaluate the effect of Al on nutrient content, plant growth, dry matter production and Al-induced organic acid exudation in rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum). One rambutan cultivar was grown in nutrient solution at pH 4.0 with (1.0, 2.3, 4.1, 6.7 and 10.2 mM Al) and without Al. The results of this study confirms that this crop is highly tolerant to Al in the rhizosphere as evidenced by: (1) a root tolerance index (RTI) of 0.85 when plant roots are exposed to Al concentrations as high as 3.5 mM; (2) root tissue Al concentrations as high as 6800 mg g−1and the plants survived; (3) number of leaves, plant height and stem diameter being little affected when plants were grown at an Al concentration in the soil solution as high as 3.5 mM; (4) although plants exhibited leaf abscission, they were able to tolerate Al concentrations in the nutrient solution as high as 10.2 mM during the experimental period. No evidence of organic acid exudation was found in this study. Accumulation of Al in leaves, stems and roots suggests the existence of an Al-sequestration mechanism in rambutan which may involve an Al-ligand complex which translocates from roots to shoots, where it may accumulate in leaf vacuoles.
DIVERSITY IN SMALLHOLDER FARMS GROWING COFFEE AND THEIR USE OF RECOMMENDED COFFEE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN UGANDA
Authors: BONGERS GHISLAINE , FLESKENS LUUK , VAN DE VEN GERRIE , MUKASA DAVID , GILLER KEN , VAN ASTEN PIET
Published: February 2015

Many smallholder farm systems in Uganda produce coffee as an important cash crop. Yet coffee yields are poor. To increase farmers’ production, a range of agronomic practices have been recommended by national and international agencies. Yet the adoption potential of recommendations differs between farm systems. To understand the differences in adoption potential of recommended coffee management practices in Uganda, we provide a typology of farm systems with coffee, assess the diversity between the farm types, and evaluate the current use of existing management recommendations for each farm type. Through factor analysis and cluster analysis of farms producing coffee, we identified five farm types: large coffee farms, farms with off-farm activities, coffee-dependent farms, diversified farms, and banana–coffee farms. The farm types were based on differences in size, and on the relative contributions of coffee, banana and off-farm labour to total household income. They also differ in the availability of the resources labour, land and cash, in coffee production and revenue, and in current use of most recommended practices. Qualitative analysis indicates that farm types have different constraints and opportunities to adopt recommendations. Our results highlight that an analysis of different farm systems with coffee production, a degree of definition beyond the ‘smallholder coffee farmer’ as a homogenous entity, is important in order to understand the scope for success or failure of recommended practices.
Depressive symptoms are doubled in older British South Asian and Black Caribbean people compared with Europeans: associations with excess co-morbidity and socioeconomic disadvantage
Authors: Williams E. D. , Tillin T. , Richards M. , Tuson C. , Chaturvedi N. , Hughes A. D. , Stewart R.
Published: February 2015

Background

Despite elevated risk profiles for depression among South Asian and Black Caribbean people in the UK, prevalences of late-life depressive symptoms across the UK's three major ethnic groups have not been well characterized.

Method

Data were collected at baseline and 20-year follow-up from 632 European, 476 South Asian and 181 Black Caribbean men and women (aged 58–88 years), of a community-based cohort study from north-west London. The 10-item Geriatric Depression Scale was interviewer-administered during a clinic visit (depressive symptoms defined as a score of ⩾4 out of 10), with clinical data (adiposity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cognitive function) also collected. Sociodemographic, psychosocial, behavioural, disability, and medical history information was obtained by questionnaire.

Results

Prevalence of depressive symptoms varied by ethnic group, affecting 9.7% of White European, 15.5% of South Asian, and 17.7% of Black Caribbean participants. Compared with White Europeans, South Asian and Black Caribbean participants were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms (odds ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.24–2.58 and 1.80, 1.11–2.92, respectively). Adjustment for co-morbidities had most effect on the excess South Asian odds, and adjustment for socioeconomic position had most effect on the elevated Black Caribbean odds.

Conclusions

Higher prevalence of depressive symptoms observed among South Asian people were attenuated after adjustment for physical health, whereas the Black Caribbean increased prevalence was most explained by socioeconomic disadvantage. It is important to understand the reasons for these ethnic differences to identify opportunities for interventions to address inequalities.
GA-SVR and Pseudo-position-aided GPS/INS Integration during GPS Outage
Authors: Tan Xinglong , Wang Jian , Jin Shuanggen , Meng Xiaolin
Published: February 2015

The performance of Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) integrated navigation is reduced when GPS is blocked. This paper proposes an algorithm to overcome the condition where GPS is unavailable. Together with a parameter-optimised Genetic Algorithm (GA), a Support Vector Regression (SVR) algorithm is used to construct the mapping function between the specific force, angular rate increments of INS measurements and the increments of the GPS position. During GPS outages, the real-time pseudo-GPS position is predicted with the mapping function, and the corresponding covariance matrix is estimated by an improved adaptive filtering algorithm. A GPS/INS integration scheme is demonstrated where the vehicle travels along a straight line and around a curve, with respect to both low-speed-stable and high-speed-unstable navigation platforms. The results show that the proposed algorithm provides a better performance when GPS is unavailable.
THE IMPACT OF IBN SĪNĀ'S CRITIQUE OF ATOMISM ON SUBSEQUENTKALĀMDISCUSSIONS OF ATOMISM
Authors: Dhanani Alnoor
Published: February 2015

Kalāmatomism stood in opposition to the Aristotelian natural philosophy of thefalāsifa. In thePhysicsof theShifā', Ibn Sīnā undertook a detailed refutation ofkalāmatomism through several arguments. These arguments elicited a muted response from al-Ghazālī, whose commitment tokalāmwas minimal at best. A more forceful response seems to have been offered by al-Shahrastānī but its details remain sketchy due to the lack of surviving sources. Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, whose intellectual development went through a phase of commitment to Avicennism and thereby a vigorous endorsement of Ibn Sīnā's anti-atomist arguments followed by a phase of a critical engagement with Avicennism, provides a detailed rebuttal to Ibn Sīnā's arguments in addition to constructing novel arguments in defense ofkalāmatomism.
LES DÉBUTS DE LA PROJECTION STÉRÉOGRAPHIQUE: CONCEPTION ET PRINCIPES
Authors: Abgrall Philippe
Published: February 2015

In thePlanisphaerium, Ptolemy deals with a method of representing a sphere onto a plane, according to principles which were compatible with the stereographic projection. But this projection will only become a real mathematical concept in the 9th century, when al-Farghānī will demonstrate the fundamental property of this projection. It is only in the 10th century that the first general theory of projections of spheres was worked out by al-Qūhī and Ibn Sahl. This paper addresses the reasons which allow to claim that Ptolemy did not conceive of projection and that this conception was based on the Apollonius' definition of the conical surface.
Waiver of State Immunity and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards
Authors: JURATOWITCH Ben
Published: February 2015

If a state has waived state immunity by agreement with a non-state entity in advance of court proceedings brought by that entity to enforce an arbitral award against that state, then the enforcement court should give effect to the waiver. That is the opposite of what the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal decided in Democratic Republic of the Congo v. FG Hemisphere, but it is the approach reflected in the 2004 United Nations Convention on the Jurisdictional Immunities of States and their Property. After examining that Hong Kong case and that United Nations Convention, this paper considers the position in various jurisdictions. The prevalent position is in general terms that consent to arbitration usually constitutes waiver of state immunity from jurisdiction of a court to recognize the arbitral award as creating a debt binding on the state, but usually does not constitute waiver of state immunity from execution of that debt against the assets of the state. The conclusion of the paper includes a model waiver of state immunity from jurisdiction and from execution.
Selbsteinschätzungen zum Sozial- und Lernverhalten von Grundschulkindern der vierten Jahrgangsstufe
Authors: Lohbeck Annette , Petermann Franz , Petermann Ulrike
Published: February 2015

Ziel dieser Studie ist die Überprüfung der Bereichsspezifität und Validität von Selbsteinschätzungen zum schulischen Sozial- und Lernverhalten bei Grundschulkindern im vierten Schuljahr. Zudem wird untersucht, ob die Mathematik- und Deutschnoten durch deren Selbsteinschätzungen erklärbar sind. Erfasst wurden Selbsteinschätzungen von 395 Grundschulkindern und 110 korrespondierende Lehrereinschätzungen zu zehn Bereichen des Sozial- und Lernverhaltens sowie die Mathematik- und Deutschnoten der Kinder. Faktorenanalysen legten nahe, dass Kinder in diesem Alter bereichsspezifische Selbsteinschätzungen abgeben können. Positive Zusammenhänge mit den Noten und den korrespondierenden Lehrereinschätzungen deuteten auf eine hinreichende konvergente Validität hin. Die diskriminante Validität ließ sich allerdings nicht stützen, da sich in keinem der Bereiche signifikant engere Zusammenhänge zwischen korrespondierenden Schüler- und Lehrereinschätzungen zeigten als zwischen nicht korrespondierenden Einschätzungen. Regressionsanalysen ergaben zudem, dass gute Mathematik- und Deutschnoten mit hohen Selbsteinschätzungen der Kinder in den Bereichen Kooperation und Konzentration erklärt werden können.
Validierung von Auswahlverfahren für gymnasiale Begabtenklassen
Authors: Stumpf Eva , Trottler Susanne
Published: February 2015

Für die Auswahl von Schülerinnen und Schülern für Begabtenfördermaßnahmen werden gemeinhin mehrdimensionale Verfahren gefordert und durchgeführt. Validierungsstudien, die diese Entscheidungen wissenschaftlich untermauern, liegen bislang nur wenige vor. In dieser Studie wurden die zentralen Elemente (Intelligenz, Zeugnisnoten, Verhalten im Probeunterricht) der Auswahlverfahren für gymnasiale Begabtenklassen hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung für die Leistungsprognose regressionsanalytisch überprüft. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Validität der Intelligenzwerte und Zeugnisnoten der vierten Jahrgangsstufe für die Prognose der Schulleistungen in der siebten Jahrgangsstufe. Die Daten des Probeunterrichts eignen sich darüber hinaus weder zur Prognose später erworbener Zensuren noch zur Prognose standardisiert erhobener Leistungskriterien. Es werden praktische Konsequenzen für die Gestaltung der Auswahlverfahren gezogen.
Wie spezifisch regulieren Studierende ihre Motivation bei unterschiedlichen Anlässen?
Authors: Engelschalk Tobias , Steuer Gabriele , Dresel Markus
Published: February 2015

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde untersucht, wie Studierende abhängig von den spezifischen Ursachen mangelnder Lernmotivation (geringe Erfolgserwartung vs. geringer subjektiver Wert in drei Phasen der Lernhandlung) ihre Motivation regulieren. 54 Studierende gaben an, wie erfolgreich sie sich bei den genannten 2 × 3 Regulationsanlässen motivieren und welche Strategien sie jeweils einsetzen, um ihre Motivation zu verbessern. Die Ergebnisse zum Regulationserfolg verwiesen darauf, dass Studierenden die Regulation ihrer Motivation abhängig vom Anlass unterschiedlich gut gelingt. Die Analysen zur Strategiewahl zeigten, dass die Studierenden anlassspezifisch unterschiedliche Strategien wählen, über alle Studierenden hinweg aber nur ein geringer Konsens hinsichtlich der Passung von Strategien und Situationen besteht. Insgesamt wiesen die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass Lernende verschiedene Ursachen mangelnder Motivation im Lernprozess wahrnehmen und spezifisch darauf reagieren.
Defining the phospho-adhesome through the phosphoproteomic analysis of integrin signalling
Authors: Robertson Joseph , Jacquemet Guillaume , Byron Adam , Jones Matthew C. , Warwood Stacey , Selley Julian N. , Knight David , Humphries Jonathan D. , Humphries Martin J.
Published: February 2015

Cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion is a fundamental requirement for multicellular existence due to roles in positioning, proliferation and differentiation. Phosphorylation plays a major role in adhesion signalling; however, a full understanding of the phosphorylation events that occur at sites of adhesion is lacking. Here we report a proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of adhesion complexes isolated from cells spread on fibronectin. We identify 1,174 proteins, 499 of which are phosphorylated (1,109 phosphorylation sites), including both well-characterized and novel adhesion-regulated phosphorylation events. Immunoblotting suggests that two classes of phosphorylated residues are found at adhesion sites—those induced by adhesion and those constitutively phosphorylated but recruited in response to adhesion. Kinase prediction analysis identifies novel kinases with putative roles in adhesion signalling including CDK1, inhibition of which reduces adhesion complex formation. This phospho-adhesome data set constitutes a valuable resource to improve our understanding of the signalling mechanisms through which cell–ECM interactions control cell behaviour.
Driving a GaAs film to a large-gap topological insulator by tensile strain
Authors: Zhao Mingwen , Chen Xin , Li Linyang , Zhang Xiaoming
Published: February 2015

Search for materials with a large nontrivial band gap is quite crucial for the realization of the devices using quantum spin Hall (QSH) effects. From first-principles calculations combined with a tight-binding (TB) model, we demonstrate that a trivial GaAs film with atomic thickness can be driven to a topological insulator with a sizable band gap by tensile strain. The strain-induced band inversion is responsible for the electronic structure transition. The nontrivial band gap due to spin-orbital coupling (SOC) is about 257 meV, sufficiently larger for the realization of QSH states at room temperature. This work suggests a possible route to the fabrication of QSH-based devices using the well-developed GaAs technology.