bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new upper bound for Shannon entropy. A novel approach in modeling of Big Data applications
Authors: Popescu Pantelimon George , Sluşanschi Emil‐Ioan , Iancu Voichiţa , Pop Florin
Published: December 2014

Analyzing data type produced, stored, and aggregated in Big Data environments is a challenge in understanding data quality and represents a crucial support for decisionmaking. Big Data application modeling requires meta‐data modeling, interaction modeling, and execution modeling. Entropy, relative entropy, and mutual information play important roles in information theory. Our purpose within this paper is to present a new upper bound for the classical Shannon's entropy. The new bound is derived from a refinement of a recent result from the literature, the inequality of S. S. Dragomir (2010). The reasoning is based on splitting the considered interval into the mentioned inequality. The upper bound can be considered in understanding the potential information that each data type may have in a Big Data environment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Separation of Time‐Resolved Phenomena in Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering of the Photocatalytic Reduction of p‐Nitrothiophenol
Authors: van Schrojenstein Lantman E. M. , de Peinder P. , Mank A. J. G. , Weckhuysen B. M.
Published: December 2014

Straightforward analysis of chemical processes on the nanoscale is difficult, as the measurement volume is linked to a discrete number of molecules, ruling out any ensemble averaging over rotation and diffusion processes. Raman spectroscopy is sufficiently selective for monitoring chemical changes, but is not sufficiently sensitive to be applied directly. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can be applied for studying reaction kinetics, but adds additional variability in the signal as the enhancement factor is not the same for every location. A novel chemometric method described here separates reaction kinetics from short‐term variability, based on the lack of fit in a principal‐component analysis. We show that it is possible to study effects that occur on different time scales independently without data reduction using the photocatalytic reduction of p‐nitrothiophenol as a showcase system. Using this approach a better description of the nanoscale reaction kinetics becomes available, while the short‐term variations can be examined separately to examine reorientation and/or diffusion effects. It may even be possible to identify reaction intermediates through this approach. With only a limited number of reactive molecules in the studied volume, an intermediate on a SERS hot spot may temporarily dominate the spectrum. Now such events can be easily separated from the bulk conversion process by making use of this chemometric method.
Methylalumoxane – History, Production, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Zijlstra Harmen S. , Harder Sjoerd
Published: December 2014

Since its discovery, methylalumoxane (MAO) has become of great importance as a cocatalyst in homogeneous olefin polymerization. The working principles of single‐site polymerization catalysts are well‐understood, but those of the cocatalyst MAO itself are not. Thus far structural and functional investigations have yielded limited insights and often give contradicting results. MAO's complex nature is due to multiple equilibria between undefined oligomers and “free” trimethylaluminum. Fundamental studies do not clearly portray the molecular structure, and the exact functioning of MAO remains a topic of debate. This comprehensive overview starts with the historical background of MAO and then focuses on its synthesis and large‐scale production, structural characterization, properties, and different roles in the activation of olefin polymerization catalysts. Also given is an overview of potential modifications, immobilization on surfaces, and other alternative applications that have been reported for MAO.
Efficient Deposition of Semiconductor Powders for Photoelectrocatalysis by Airbrush Spraying
Authors: Gutkowski Ramona , Schäfer Dominik , Nagaiah Tharamani C. , Heras Jorgé E. Yanez , Busser Wilma , Muhler Martin , Schuhmann Wolfgang
Published: December 2014

Powder catalysts were deposited as thin films on transparent conductive oxides (TCO) by means of an airbrush spray coating technique. Photoelectrocatalytic properties of the powder catalysts were characterized using photocurrent spectroscopy at different wavelengths demonstrating on the one hand the stability of the films and on the other hand the electrical connection with the electrode surface. The morphology and thickness of the deposited powder catalyst films on TCO were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Aiming at photocatalytic water splitting, semiconductor powders like gallium oxide (Ga2O3) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were used as test samples to optimize the deposition technique resulting in thin homogeneous layers and good adhesion on the conductive substrate. The proposed airbrush deposition technique of powder catalysts allows closing an experimental gap between microheterogeneous systems and modified electrodes for finding suitable materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry for Trace Determination of Quinalphos Employing Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Khare Ninad G. , Dar Riyaz A. , Srivastava Ashwini K.
Published: December 2014

A silicon carbide nanoparticle‐coated glassy carbon electrode (SiCNPs‐GCE) was employed for electrochemical determination of Quinalphos (QNP) using different electroanalytical techniques. QNP showed an enhancement in the reduction peak current at SiCNPs modified GCE in pH 7.0 (BR Buffer). The peak current was found to be linear with the QNP concentration in the range from 6.69×10−9 to 1.34×10−6 M (r=0.995) with detection limit of 1.34×10−9 M (S/N=3). The developed sensor (SiCNPs‐GCE) was employed for QNP determination in tap water, lake water, soil, mango as well as in biological samples.
KF‐impregnated clam shells for biodiesel production and its effect on a diesel engine performance and emission characteristics
Authors: Niju Subramaniapillai , Niyas Muhammed , Sheriffa Begum Kader Mohamed Meera , Anantharaman Narayanan
Published: December 2014

Natural white bivalve clam shells were calcined to obtain calcium oxide (CaO) and KF/CaO catalyst was synthesized by impregnating potassium fluoride (KF) on calcined clam shells. This solid catalyst was tested for transesterification of waste frying oil. A high biodiesel yield of 95.77% was obtained at methanol/oil molar ratio of 9:1, catalyst amount of 4 wt % (based on oil weight), reaction temperature of 65°C and reaction time of 2 h. The performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder, four stroke direct injection diesel engine using conventional diesel and biodiesel blends (B20, B40, B60, and B80) at various loads were measured and compared. The results indicated that the higher brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and the lower brake thermal efficiency (BTE) were observed for biodiesel blends when compared with the conventional diesel. Emissions of HC and CO were reduced significantly whereas NOx emission was increased with increased proportion of biodiesel in the fuel blends. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1166–1173, 2015
Inflammation and cognitive functioning in African Americans and Caucasians
Authors: Goldstein Felicia C. , Zhao Liping , Steenland Kyle , Levey Allan I.
Published: December 2014

Objective

To examine associations between inflammation and cognitive performance in African Americans and Caucasians.

Methods

The sample included 59 African Americans and 219 Caucasians ≥  50 years old who had a baseline visit at the Emory/Georgia Tech Center for Health Discovery and Well Being. Peripheral levels of inflammation (interleukin‐6, interleukin‐8, C‐reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor‐α) were examined in relation to performance on tests of visual processing (Identify the Odd Pattern), attention (Digit Span Forward), visuomotor set shifting (Digit Symbol Substitution), verbal set shifting (Digit Span Backwards), and memory (Recall a Pattern).

Results

Multiple regression models adjusting for potential demographic and vascular/metabolic confounders were conducted, with markers of inflammation included as either continuous or categorical (quartiles) variables. There were significant interactions between IL‐8 and race for the Recall a Pattern (p = .006) and the Digit Symbol Substitution (p = .014) tests. Race‐specific analyses (using a continuous variable for IL‐8) demonstrated slower response times on the Recall a Pattern and Digit Symbol Substitution tests for African Americans but not for Caucasians. Categorical analyses among African Americans indicated that all of the top three quartiles of IL‐8 were associated with slower reaction times on the Recall a Pattern test compared to the lowest quartile, while for Digit Symbol, the highest quartile of IL‐8 was associated with the slowest cognitive performance.

Conclusions

These preliminary findings suggest a stronger association between IL‐8 and cognitive performance in African Americans than Caucasians. This relationship should be further examined in larger samples that are followed over time. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Universal infant immunization and occult hepatitis B virus infection in children and adolescents: A population‐based study
Authors: Hsu Hong‐Yuan , Chang Mei‐Hwei , Ni Yen‐Hsuan , Chiang Cheng‐Lun , Wu Jia‐Feng , Chen Huey‐Ling
Published: December 2014

To determine whether universal infant immunization affects occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI), serum samples from hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative subjects <18 years enrolled during six sequential seroepidemiological surveys conducted between 1984 (just before universal infant immunization) and 2009 were analyzed. Study subjects were divided into unvaccinated cohorts (born before 1984) and vaccinated cohorts (born after 1984). HBV‐DNA positivity was determined by positivity of nested polymerase chain reaction in at least two of three regions (pre‐S, S, and pre‐core/core genes). OBI frequency was lower in vaccinated than unvaccinated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc)‐negative subjects (0 of 392 [0%] vs. 4 of 218 [1.8%]; P = 0.007), tended to be higher in vaccinated than unvaccinated anti‐HBc‐positive subjects (16 of 334 [4.8%] vs. 3 of 181 [1.7%]; P = 0.072), and was higher in vaccinated than unvaccinated subjects seropositive for both antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs) and anti‐HBc (13 of 233 [5.6%] vs. 3 of 170 [1.8%]; P = 0.025). By using known anti‐HBc seropositivity rate in children in our serosurveys, the estimated OBI frequency per 104 HBsAg‐negative subjects declined from 160.7 in unvaccinated cohorts to 11.5 in vaccinated cohorts. In vaccinated cohorts, OBI frequency was higher in anti‐HBc‐positive subjects than in anti‐HBc‐negative subjects (16 of 334 [4.8%] vs. 0 of 392 [0%]; P < 0.001). Subjects with OBI had much lower viral load (P < 0.001) and a trend of higher mutation rates in “a” determinant of HBsAg than age‐comparable, HBsAg‐positive subjects. Conclusions: Reduction of OBI in immunized subjects complements the well‐documented universal infant immunization‐related benefit of markedly reduced overt HBV infection. Breakthrough infections in immunized subjects seem to associate with more occurrence of OBI than natural infections in unvaccinated subjects. In the postvaccination era, anti‐HBc seropositivity is a useful marker for OBI screening in HBsAg‐negative subjects, and a very‐low‐level viral replication and HBsAg expression is the major mechanism underlying OBI. (Hepatology 2015;61:1183–1191)
Exploring the implications of social change for human development: Perspectives, issues and future directions
Authors: Chen Xinyin
Published: December 2014

Researchers have investigated the implications of social change for human development from different perspectives. The studies published in this special section were conducted within Greenfield's theoretical framework (2009). The findings concerning links between specific sociodemographic features (e.g., commercial activities, schooling) and individual cognition and social behaviour are particularly interesting because they tap the underlying forces that drive human development. To further understand the issues in these studies and in the field, a pluralist‐constructive perspective is discussed, which emphasises the integration of diverse values and practices in both Western and non‐Western societies and its effects on the development of sophisticated competencies in individual adaptation to the changing global community. In addition, several issues are highlighted and some suggestions are provided for future explorations in this field.
Sweet sixteen: Changing time preferences in the transition from middle school to high school, for different scenarios
Authors: Lahav Eyal , Shavit Tal , Benzion Uri
Published: December 2014

Teenagers earn, save and spend large amounts of money. Therefore, understanding teenagers' time preference and how it affects their economic behavior is very important. The current study investigates time preferences of high school and middle school students, and the effect of different intertemporal choice scenarios on teenagers' subjective discount rate. One scenario used a standard intertemporal choice question while the other was a wage scenario. We found higher future orientation (lower subjective discount rate) among high school students than among middle school students when using a standard scenario but found no difference between groups in the wage scenario. For both groups, we found the subjective discount rates increased when the teenagers are asked to delay receipt of wages they earned by working (wage scenario). Other variables, like participation in sports and an allowance given by parents, were found to affect teenagers' time preferences.
The Effect of Mood on Problem Finding in Scientific Creativity
Authors: Chen Borong , Hu Weiping , Plucker Jonathan A.
Published: December 2014

This study examined the influence of different mood states on Creative Science Problem Finding (CSPF).CSPFwas measured in terms of Fluency, Flexibility, and Originality. Imagery techniques were used to induce positive or negative mood states in participants, with results suggesting that positive mood led to a significant increase inCSPFperformance compared with neutral mood, especially for the dimensions of fluency and flexibility. No difference was found between negative mood and neutral mood. Results provide evidence that anger had no impact onCSPFperformance compared with neutral mood. However, fear appeared to inhibit the performance ofCSPF. The interaction between specific moods andCSPFprovide evidence that moods influencedCSPFwith open instructions more than with closed instructions.
Navier‐Stokes equations, Haar wavelets and Reynolds numbers
Authors: Triebel Hans
Published: December 2014

The paper deals with global solutions of Navier‐Stokes equations with infrared‐damped initial data in the context of Haar wavelets and function spaces of type where .
Dimensions of Luxury Brand Personality: Scale Development and Validation
Authors: Sung Yongjun , Choi Sejung Marina , Ahn Hongmin , Song Young‐A
Published: December 2014

Both the marketing industry and academia have been paying more attention to the growth and potential of the luxury market. This research developed a theoretical framework for understanding the dimensions of luxury brand personality and a reliable and valid scale that measures these dimensions. When 30 luxury brands, ranging from fashion to automobile and retail, were assessed on a set of diverse personality attributes, six dimensions representing luxury brand personality were identified: Excitement, Sincerity, Sophistication, Professionalism, Attractiveness, and Materialism. Findings indicate that while three dimensions, Sincerity, Excitement, and Sophistication, share similar qualities with those identified in Aaker's (1997) scale for general brand personality, the other three dimensions, Professionalism, Attractiveness, and Materialism, reflect meanings unique and specific to luxury brands. Altogether, the results of this research hold the notion that luxury brands serving as consumption symbols provide both utilitarian benefits and symbolic meanings to contemporary consumers.
Lightweight titanium/polymer/titanium sandwich sheet for technical and biomedical application
Authors: Harhash M. , Carradò A. , Palkowski H.
Published: December 2014

The development of biocompatible implants is remarkably increased by designing new alloys; mainly on the basis of titanium (Ti) and magnesium (Mg) for permanent and biodegradable alloys, respectively. Polymer‐based composite structures were also developed and tested to match the conditions of human bones. In this paper, a sandwich material (SM) approach is introduced to tailor the biomechanical properties, mainly the elastic modulus (E) and the biocompatible properties. The sandwich material is composed of Ti grade 1 (Ti Gr. 1) cover sheets and a polypropylene copolymer (PP‐PE) core (PP‐polypropylene, PE‐polyethylene). An epoxy resin is used as an adhesive agent. This type of sandwich material has the potential to replace commercially used laminates in aerospace and automotive industry in cases of the need of a formable lightweight product, too.

The mechanical properties were characterized for different core thicknesses via tensile testing. The mechanical properties exhibited a good matching with the estimated values according to the rule of mixtures. On this basis, sandwich material can be tailored to give the appropriate density, elastic modulus and strength as well by varying the ratio of thickness between the partners. The forming behavior was examined under deep drawing conditions, where the Ti‐sandwiches exhibit a good drawing capability; cups can be drawn close to the limits of the mono‐metal sheet. 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐y1]‐2,5‐diphenytetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay was used to examine the behavior of human osteosarcoma MG‐63 cells on metal and polymer components of sandwich material. Cell viability was much higher for Ti/PP‐PE/Ti sandwiches compared to 316L/PP‐PE/316L ones.
Monotonic and cyclic deformation behaviour of Fe–36Ni (INVAR) syntactic foam
Authors: Krupp U. , Poltersdorf P. , Nesic S. , Baumeister J. , Weise J.
Published: December 2014

The present paper provides an overview of the mechanical properties of syntactic metal foams based on a Fe–36Ni (INVAR) matrix with different weight fractions of S60HS soda‐lime borosilicate glass hollow particles (0 wt%, 5 wt% and 10 wt%). Similar to conventional metallic foams, syntactic foams show excellent damping and energy‐absorption properties, however, at substantially higher compression and tensile strengths values. In spite of the distinguished adjustable properties, syntactic foams are today not commercially being used, mainly due to lack in available material data. Within this study, the syntactic material has been evaluated with a special focus on its compression, tension and fully‐reversed fatigue behavior. By means of scanning electron microscopy, the respective fracture surfaces gave evidence of the governing failure mode, mostly fatigue striations and patches of ductile rupture.
Chemoselective Oxidation of Benzyl, Amino, and Propargyl Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones under Mild Reaction Conditions
Authors: Reddy C. B. Rajashekar , Reddy Sabbasani Rajasekhara , Naidu Shivaji
Published: December 2014

Catalytic oxidation reactions often suffer from drawbacks such as low yields and poor selectivity. Particularly, selective oxidation of alcohols becomes more difficult when a compound contains more than one oxidizable functional group. In order to deliver a methodology that addresses these issues, herein we report an efficient, aerobic, chemoselective and simplified approach to oxidize a broad range of benzyl and propargyl alcohols containing diverse functional groups to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. Optimal yields were obtained at room temperature using 1 mmol substrate, 10 mol % copper(I) iodide, 10 mol % 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), and 1 mol % 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine 1‐oxyl (TEMPO) in acetonitrile, under an oxygen balloon. The catalytic system can be applied even when sensitive and oxidizable groups such as alkynes, amines, and phenols are present; starting materials and products containing such groups were found to be stable under the developed conditions.
Assessment of the Full Compatibility of Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Alkyne‐Azide Cycloaddition and Oxime Click Reactions for bis‐Labelling of Oligonucleotides
Authors: Estalayo-Adriàn Sandra , Lartia Rémy , Meyer Albert , Vasseur Jean-Jacques , Morvan François , Defrancq Eric
Published: December 2014

The conjugation of oligonucleotides with reporters is of great interest for improving their intrinsic properties or endowing new ones. In this context, we report herein a new procedure for the bis‐labelling of oligonucleotides through oxime ligation (Click‐O) and copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (Click‐H). 5′‐Azido and 3′‐aldehyde precursors were incorporated into oligonucleotides, and subsequent coupling reactions through Click‐O and Click‐H (or vice versa) were successfully achieved. In particular, we exhaustively investigated the full compatibility of each required step for both tethering strategies. The results demonstrate that click Huisgen and click oxime reactions are fully compatible. However, whilst both approaches can deliver the targeted doubly conjugated oligonucleotide, the route involving click oxime ligation prior to click Huisgen is significantly more successful. Thus the reactions investigated here can be considered to be key elements of the chemical toolbox for the synthesis of highly sophisticated bioconjugates.
Creation of a National, At‐home Model for Ashkenazi Jewish Carrier Screening
Authors: Grinzaid Karen Arnovitz , Page Patricia Zartman , Denton Jessica Johnson , Ginsberg Jessica
Published: December 2014

Ethnicity‐based carrier screening for the Ashkenazi Jewish population has been available and encouraged by advocacy and community groups since the early 1970's. Both the American College of Medical Genetics and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend carrier screening for this population (Obstetrics and Gynecology, 114(4), 950‐953, 2009; Genetics in Medicine, 10(1), 55‐56, 2008). While many physicians inquire about ethnic background and offer appropriate carrier screening, studies show that a gap remains in implementing recommendations (Genetic testing and molecular biomarkers, 2011). In addition, education and outreach efforts targeting Jewish communities have had limited success in reaching this at‐risk population. Despite efforts by the medical and Jewish communities, many Jews of reproductive age are not aware of screening, and remain at risk for having children with preventable diseases. Reaching this population, preferably pre‐conception, and facilitating access to screening is critically important. To address this need, genetic counselors at Emory University developed JScreen, a national Jewish genetic disease screening program. The program includes a national marketing and PR campaign, online education, at‐home saliva‐based screening, post‐test genetic counseling via telephone or secure video conferencing, and referrals for face‐to‐face genetic counseling as needed. Our goals are to create a successful education and screening program for this population and to develop a model that could potentially be used for other at‐risk populations.
Geographical pattern in the response of the arctic‐alpine Silene suecica (Cariophyllaceae) to the interaction between water availability and photoperiod
Authors: Abeli Thomas , Orsenigo Simone , Guzzon Filippo , Faè Matteo , Balestrazzi Alma , Carlsson‐Granér Ulla , Müller Jonas V. , Mondoni Andrea
Published: December 2014

We hypothesized a geographical pattern of the plant performance (seedling development, biomass production, relative water content and chlorophyll content) as a result of response to the interaction between photoperiod and water availability in populations of the arctic‐alpine Silene suecica from different latitudes, thus experiencing different photoperiods during the growing season. Particularly, we expected a lower drought sensitivity in northern compared to southern populations as a consequence of harsher conditions experienced by the northern populations in terms of water availability. The experiment was carried out under common garden conditions, manipulating the water availability (wet and dry) and the photoperiod (21 and 16 h). We found an interaction between photoperiod and water availability on plant height, leaves, growth, biomass and total chlorophyll. However, the photoperiod neither counteracted nor intensified the effect of drought. Plants exposed to drought compensated for decreasing water availability by reducing their shoot growth. Changes in the chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a/b ratio were observed. Northern populations showed a higher basal growth performance and a greater response to the changed water regime (from wet to dry) than the southern populations. Southern populations showed a reduced ability to respond to drought, but their low basal performance may be advantageous under low water availability, avoiding water loss. In contrast, northern populations showed a stronger plastic response that limited the negative effects of reduced water availability. This study highlights the possibility that the plant response to environmental constraints (specifically water availability) may follow a geographical pattern.
Immediate and Durable Clinical Improvement in the Non-Operated Hand after Contralateral Surgery for Patients with Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Unno F. , Lucchina S. , Bosson D. , Fusetti C.
Published: December 2014

Background

Little is known about clinical improvement in the non-operated hand after unilateral surgery for patients who present with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In this prospective study of patients with bilateral CTS, we evaluated the clinical effects on the non-operated hand following unilateral contralateral carpal tunnel surgical release. Material and Methods During a consecutive period of 22 months, 69 patients with bilateral CTS underwent unilateral open carpal tunnel release. Bilateral subjective and objective evaluations were performed pre-operatively, at days 2, 15 and 180 after surgery. Subjective evaluations, analysed with Student t test, included the Boston-Levine symptom severity score and a visual analogue scale including pain, nocturnal symptoms and numbness. A telephone survey was conducted 12 months after surgery.

Results

The Boston-Levine severity score of the contralateral non-operated hand decreased from 2.70 pre-operatively to 1.70 at 2 days ( p<0.001). The visual analogue pain score decreased at 2 days for 61 patients (88 %), whereas the nocturnal symptoms decreased or disappeared in 63 cases (91 %) and the paresthesia in 52 cases (75 %) ( ps<0.001). These beneficial effects were stable in time with no statistically significant change at 180 days. Overall, 58 patients (84 %) observed a total resolution or a significant improvement in their symptoms at 6 months. At 12 months, 100 % of patients responded to a telephone survey. Fifty one of them (74 %) reported minimal or no symptoms on the non-operated hand. Linear regression (analysis of variance [ANOVA]) showed that gender, age, professional status, duration of preoperative symptoms and severity of electrophysiological disturbances were not predictive of post-operative evolution in the non-operated hand after unilateral surgery for CTS.
Using Noninvasive Prenatal Testing for Aneuploidies in a Developing Country: Lessons Learnt
Authors: Dash Pratima , Puri Ratna D. , Kotecha Udhaya , Bijarnia Sunita , Lall Meena , Verma Ishwar C.
Published: December 2014

The objective of the present study was to analyze the utility of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for aneuploidies in a developing country like India. NIPT was offered to 500 pregnant women, after review of data of the ongoing pregnancy. Pre-test counseling included the different methodologies of testing, their benefits, limitations, turnaround time and interpretation of the result and was offered to all. Different vendors were used for the test. The results were explained in a post-test counseling session. The indications of NIPT were positive second (36.6 %) or first (22 %) trimester screen, advanced maternal age with or without positive biochemical screen (24.6 %), ultrasound soft markers (10.8 %), previous history of Down syndrome (4.6 %) and anxious couple (0.1 %). No aneuploidy was detected in 484 samples. In 1 case, no result was available. Fifteen (3 %) cases showed positive results. These included 8 cases of trisomy 21, 3 cases of trisomy 18, 3 cases of monosomy X, and 1 case of triploidy. Confirmatory testing revealed 6 cases (40 %) to be false positive—1 case of trisomy 21, 1 case of trisomy 18, 3 cases of monosomy X, and 1 case of triploidy. Of 484 cases, 230 have delivered healthy neonates, while the rest have yet to deliver. Four cases had to discontinue pregnancy due to complications in later pregnancy but unrelated to the NIPT results. Noninvasive prenatal test qualifies as an ‘advanced’ screening test, and requires invasive diagnostic tests for confirmation of the positive results. The pre- and post-test counseling is essential to appropriately explain the limitations, benefits, and the results to the couple. Recommendations are made for the appropriate deployment of this new technology in developing countries.
Absolute and convective instabilities in counter-current gas–liquid film flows
Authors: Vellingiri Rajagopal , Tseluiko Dmitri , Kalliadasis Serafim
Published: December 2014

We consider a thin liquid film flowing down an inclined plate in the presence of a counter-current turbulent gas. By making appropriate assumptions, Tseluiko & Kalliadasis (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 673, 2011, pp. 19–59) developed low-dimensional non-local models for the liquid problem, namely a long-wave (LW) model and a weighted integral-boundary-layer (WIBL) model, which incorporate the effect of the turbulent gas. By utilising these models, along with the Orr–Sommerfeld problem formulated using the full governing equations for the liquid phase and associated boundary conditions, we explore the linear stability of the gas–liquid system. In addition, we devise a generalised methodology to investigate absolute and convective instabilities in the non-local equations describing the gas–liquid flow. We observe that at low gas flow rates, the system is convectively unstable with the localised disturbances being convected downwards. As the gas flow rate is increased, the instability becomes absolute and localised disturbances spread across the whole domain. As the gas flow rate is further increased, the system again becomes convectively unstable with the localised disturbances propagating upwards. We find that the upper limit of the absolute instability region is close to the ‘flooding’ point associated with the appearance of large-amplitude standing waves, as obtained in Tseluiko & Kalliadasis (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 673, 2011, pp. 19–59), and our analysis can therefore be used to predict the onset of flooding. We also find that an increase in the angle of inclination of the channel requires an increased gas flow rate for the onset of absolute instability. We generally find good agreement between the results obtained using the full equations and the reduced models. Moreover, we find that the WIBL model generally provides better agreement with the results for the full equations than the LW model. Such an analysis is important for an understanding of the ranges of validity of the reduced model equations. In addition, a comparison of our theoretical predictions with the experiments of Zapke & Kröger (Intl J. Multiphase Flow, vol. 26, 2000, pp. 1439–1455) shows a fairly good agreement. We supplement our stability analysis with time-dependent computations of the linearised WIBL model. To provide some insight into the mechanisms of instability, we perform an energy budget analysis.
Bolshevik Disease and Stalinist Terror: On the Historical Casuistry of Artificial Pneumothorax
Authors: Polianski Igor J.
Published: December 2014

From its initial development by Carlo Forlanini at the end of the nineteenth century until the advent of antibiotics in the 1940s, artificial pneumothorax was one of the most widely used treatments for pulmonary tuberculosis. However, there were strongly held reservations about this therapy because of its risks and side effects. In the Soviet Union under Stalin, such uncertainties became instruments of political denunciation. The leading Soviet pulmonary physician Volf S. Kholtsman (1886–1941) was alleged to have used the so-called ‘aristocratic therapy’ of artificial pneumothorax to kill prominent Bolsheviks. Drawing on documents from Stalin’s personal Secretariat, this historical study of the pneumothorax scandal contributes to the cultural history of tuberculosis, showing how it was instrumentalised for political purposes.
Diet and glycaemia: the markers and their meaning. A report of the Unilever Nutrition Workshop
Authors: Alssema Marjan , Boers Hanny M. , Ceriello Antonio , Kilpatrick Eric S. , Mela David J. , Priebe Marion G. , Schrauwen Patrick , Wolffenbuttel Bruce H. , Pfeiffer Andreas F. H.
Published: December 2014

Consumption of carbohydrate-containing foods leads to transient postprandial rises in blood glucose concentrations that vary between food types. Higher postprandial glycaemic exposures have particularly been implicated in the development of chronic cardiometabolic diseases. Reducing such diet-related exposures may be beneficial not only for diabetic patients but also for the general population. A variety of markers have been used to track different aspects of glycaemic exposures, with most of the relevant knowledge derived from diabetic patients. The assessment of glycaemic exposures among the non-diabetic population may require other, more sensitive markers. The present report summarises key messages of presentations and related discussions from a workshop organised by Unilever intended to consider currently applied markers of glycaemic exposure. The particular focus of the meeting was to identify the potential applicability of glycaemic exposure markers for studying dietary effects in the non-diabetic population. Workshop participants concluded that markers of glycaemic exposures are sparsely used in intervention studies among non-diabetic populations. Continuous glucose monitoring remains the optimal approach to directly assess glycaemic exposure. Markers of glycaemic exposure such as glycated Hb, fructosamine, glycated albumin, 1,5-anhydroglucitol and advanced glycation end products can be preferred dependent on the aspect of interest (period of exposure and glucose variability). For all the markers of glycaemia, the responsiveness to interventions will probably be smaller among the non-diabetic than among the diabetic population. Further validation and acceptance of existing glycaemic exposure markers applied among the non-diabetic population would aid food innovation and better design of dietary interventions targeting glycaemic exposure.
Influence of small ruminant lentivirus infection on cheese yield in goats
Authors: Nowicka Dorota , Czopowicz Michał , Bagnicka Emilia , Rzewuska Magdalena , Strzałkowska Nina , Kaba Jarosław
Published: December 2014

Three-year cohort study was carried out to investigate the influence of small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infection on cheese yield in goats. For this purpose records of milk yield, milk composition and cheese yield were collected in a dairy goat herd. Cheese yield was recorded as the amount of fresh cheese obtained from 1 kg milk. All goats were serologically tested for SRLV infection twice a year. The analysis included 247 records in total (71 for seropositive and 176 from seronegative individuals) and was carried out with the use of the four-level hierarchical linear model (α = 0·05). SRLV infection proved to be a statistically significant independent factor reducing cheese yield (P = 0·013) – when other covariates were held constant cheese yield was reduced by 4·6 g per each 1 kg milk in an infected goat compared with an uninfected goat. Other statistically significant covariates positively associated with cheese yield were protein contents, fat contents and the 3rd stage of lactation (P < 0·001 for all).
Immunological consequences of stress-related proteins – cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase and chaperonin TCP20 – identified in splenic amastigotes ofLeishmania donovanias Th1 stimulatory, in experimental visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: JAISWAL ANIL KUMAR , KHARE PRASHANT , JOSHI SUMIT , RAWAT KEERTI , YADAV NARENDRA , SUNDAR SHYAM , DUBE ANURADHA
Published: December 2014

In earlier studies, proteomic characterization of splenic amastigote fractions from clinical isolates ofLeishmania donovani, exhibiting significant cellular responses in curedLeishmaniasubjects, led to the identification of cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase (LdcTryP) and chaperonin-TCP20 (LdTCP20) as Th1-stimulatory proteins. Both the proteins, particularly LdTCP20 for the first time, were successfully cloned, overexpressed, purified and were found to be localized in the cytosol of purified splenic amastigotes. When evaluated against lymphocytes of curedLeishmania-infected hamsters, the purified recombinant proteins (rLdcTryP and rLdTCP20) induced their proliferations as well as nitric oxide production. Similarly, these proteins also generated Th1-type cytokines (IFN-γ/IL-12) from stimulated PBMCs of cured/endemicLeishmaniapatients. Further, vaccination with rLdcTryP elicited noticeable delayed-type hypersensitivity response and offered considerably good prophylactic efficacy (~78% inhibition) againstL. donovanichallenge in hamsters, which was well supported by the increased mRNA expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. However, animals vaccinated with rLdTCP20 exhibited comparatively lesser prophylactic efficacy (~55%) with inferior immunological response. The results indicate the potentiality of rLdcTryP protein, between the two, as a suitable anti-leishmanial vaccine. Since, rLdTCP20 is also an important target, for optimization, further attempts towards determination of immunodominant regions for designing fusion peptides may be taken up.
The sorrow of empire: Rituals of legitimation and the performative contradictions of liberalism
Authors: BENTLEY TOM
Published: December 2014

Unexpectedly, several prominent European countries have begun to issue official state apologies to their former colonies. What does this proliferation of official colonial sorrow from such countries as Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Britain reveal about the normative tenets of the contemporary international order? This article analyses colonial apologies as crucial symbolic and ritualistic sites where state elites project liberal credentials and affirm liberal normative tenets in the international system. Specifically, the article demonstrates how these apologies for colonial atrocity appear to reinforce liberal conceptions of human rights, the renunciation of violence, cordial relations with formerly colonised states, and commitments to state accountability and transparency. Yet, textual analysis of several state apologies reveals that these performatives simultaneously contradict each of these liberal tenets. It finds that – even in apology – political elites reflect ambivalence about certain human rights violations; persist in glorifying or sanitising the violent colonial past; recycle paternalistic and hierarchical discourses and policies towards the apology's recipients; and offer contradictory notions of the state's historical responsibility. In exposing these performative contradictions of empirical sorrow, the article seeks to expand the discipline's understandings of, and dilemmas within, a key performative and ritualistic legitimation strategy whereby liberalism reproduces itself in the international system.
The political international society: Change in primary and secondary institutions
Authors: SPANDLER KILIAN
Published: December 2014

This article intends to contribute to the theorising of institutional change. Specifically, it asks how dynamics in the ‘deep structure’ of international society correspond to changes in more specific institutions as embodied by regimes and international organisations. It does so by taking up the distinction of primary and secondary institutions in international society advocated by scholars of the English School. It argues that, while the differentiation offers analytical potential, the School has largely failed to study secondary institutions such as international organisations and regimes as autonomous objects of analysis, seeing them as mere materialisations of primary institutions. Engaging with the concepts of structuration and path dependence will allow scholars working in an English School framework to explore more deeply the relation between the two kinds of institutions, and as a consequence devise more elaborate theories of institutional change. Based on this argument, the article develops a theoretical model that sees primary and secondary institutions entangled in distinctive processes of constitution and institutionalisation. This model helps to establish international organisations and regimes as a crucial part of the English School agenda, and to enlighten the political mechanisms that lead to continuity and change in international institutions more broadly.
Confidence development in non-music specialist trainee primary teachers after an intensive programme
Authors: Biasutti Michele , Hennessy Sarah , de Vugt-Jansen Ellen
Published: December 2014

The issue of music teacher training for primary generalist teachers is shared by many countries in the world. We know from a range of studies which factors contribute to teachers’ abilities and confidence, but there are fewer studies that document the possible training approaches and interventions that might improve the outcomes. This article describes an international educational experience addressed to 23 trainee primary teachers coming from Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and Slovenia. The Intensive Programme1 called ‘International Summer School in Educating Music Teachers’ (ISSEMT) was offered at Padova University, Italy with the purpose of fostering confidence and competences among trainee generalist teachers for teaching music in the primary school. In planning the didactic approach of the ISSEMT, methods designed to enhance participants’ understandings of teaching creatively and teaching for creativity were adopted. The entire educational activity was evaluated by students using questionnaires and discussion. In addition, a follow-up interview was conducted with students after two years and five months, at the end of the ISSEMT. Students refer to the improvement of confidence in teaching music and the application of a creative approach. They appreciated the approach, the practical teaching ideas and the way the course closely related to their educational needs. These results are discussed in the framework of confidence development of the generalist teacher in the primary school for teaching music. The key factors that contributed to the effectiveness of the ISSEMT are also discussed.
Detection ofVibrio choleraeO1 and O139 in environmental waters of rural Bangladesh: a flow-cytometry-based field trial
Authors: RIGHETTO L. , ZAMAN R. U. , MAHMUD Z. H. , BERTUZZO E. , MARI L. , CASAGRANDI R. , GATTO M. , ISLAM S. , RINALDO A.
Published: December 2014

Presence ofVibrio choleraeserogroups O1 and O139 in the waters of the rural area of Matlab, Bangladesh, was investigated with quantitative measurements performed with a portable flow cytometer. The relevance of this work relates to the testing of a field-adapted measurement protocol that might prove useful for cholera epidemic surveillance and for validation of mathematical models. Water samples were collected from different water bodies that constitute the hydrological system of the region, a well-known endemic area for cholera. Water was retrieved from ponds, river waters, and irrigation canals during an inter-epidemic time period. Each sample was filtered and analysed with a flow cytometer for a fast determination ofV. choleraecells contained in those environments. More specifically, samples were treated with O1- and O139-specific antibodies, which allowed precise flow-cytometry-based concentration measurements. Both serogroups were present in the environmental waters with a consistent dominance ofV. choleraeO1. These results extend earlier studies whereV. choleraeO1 and O139 were mostly detected during times of cholera epidemics using standard culturing techniques. Furthermore, our results confirm that an important fraction of the ponds’ host populations ofV. choleraeare able to self-sustain even when cholera cases are scarce. Those contaminated ponds may constitute a natural reservoir for cholera endemicity in the Matlab region. Correlations ofV. choleraeconcentrations with environmental factors and the spatial distribution ofV. choleraepopulations are also discussed.
Carnal Exhibitions: Material Religion and the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: McIvor Méadhbh
Published: December 2014

This article presents an anthropological account of the European Court of Human Rights' approach to material religion. Focusing on a range of cases involving an alleged violation of Article 9 – the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion – in relation to such diverse religious objects as cassette players, incense, crucifixes, photographs and cross necklaces, it draws on ethnographic studies of material culture to suggest a disconnect between the Court's emphasis on religion as belief and the lived experience of embodied, sensual and object-oriented religious practice. It concludes that Article 9's privileging of theforum internumover material practice has contributed to an immaterial view of religion and religious life. Such an understanding ultimately fails to appreciate the importance of objects in the creation, expression and maintenance of religious worlds.
Governing Body of the Church in Wales
Authors: Morris Philip
Published: December 2014

In his April Presidential Address the Archbishop noted a number of important current issues – gender, same-sex relationships, assisted dying and ecumenism – and said that he could not recall a Governing Body where so many important topics were all under discussion at the same time. Perhaps the most critical, however, was the Bishops' Code of Practice, published in advance of the Bill that was to come into effect in September to make it possible for women to be ordained as bishops. What followed would be a listening exercise, since no decision on the matter was required of the Governing Body. What all the issues highlighted, however, was that there was genuine principled disagreement among Christians about moral, doctrinal and ecumenical issues. Moreover, no-one approached those matters neutrally; all had been shaped one way or another by upbringing, education and life experiences to see things in certain ways.
General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church
Authors: Guild Ivor
Published: December 2014

This year the General Synod was held in a different venue in Edinburgh, in the former pro-cathedral, which had been renovated and enlarged at great expense, the cost of which had been raised by the congregation. Overall, a useful housekeeping meeting was held, with little contentious argument.