bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Maybe I will give some help…. maybe not to help the eyes but different help’: an analysis of care and support of children with visual impairment in community settings in Malawi
Authors: Gladstone M. , McLinden M. , Douglas G. , Jolley E. , Schmidt E. , Chimoyo J. , Magombo H. , Lynch P.
Published: April 2017

Background

Visual impairment in children is common in low and middle‐income settings. Whilst visual impairment (VI) can impact on the development of children, many reach full potential with appropriate early intervention programmes. Although there is increased emphasis on early child development globally, it is not yet clear how to provide specific programmes for children with VI in low and middle‐income settings. This study aims to identify facilitators and barriers to the provision of a developmental stimulation programme for children with VI in rural and urban Malawi.

Methods

We undertook 6 focus groups, 10 home observations and 20 in‐depth interviews with carers of children with VI under 6 years in urban and rural Southern Malawi. We utilised topic guides relating to care, play, communication and feeding. Qualitative data were subject to thematic analysis that included placing themes within Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework. We established authenticity of themes through feedback from participants.

Results

We identified themes within Bronfenbrenner's framework at five levels: (1) blindness acting as a barrier to stimulation and communication, health and complex needs all affecting the individual child; (2) understanding of VI, ability to be responsive at the microsystem level of the carer; (3) support from other carers at microsystem level within a mesosystem; (4) support from other professionals (knowledge of, identification and management of children with VI, responsibilities and gender roles, environmental safety and prejudice, stigma and child protection all at the level of the exosystem.

Discussion

This study has revealed the requirements needed in order to produce meaningful and appropriate programmes to support nutrition, care and early stimulation for children with VI in this and similar African settings. This includes supporting carers to understand their child's developmental needs, how to better communicate with, feed and stimulate their child; offering advice sensitive to carers' responsibilities and professional training to better support carers and challenge community stigma.
“Toward a More Properly Problematic Anthropology: Acknowledging the 2016 Anthony Leeds Prize in Urban Ethnography”
Authors: COLLINS JOHN
Published: April 2017

dispossession, race, cultural property, ethnographic history, archives, semiotics, rights to the city
The House Unbound: Refiguring Gender and Domestic Boundaries in Urbanizing Southeast Turkey
Authors: PURCELL BRIDGET
Published: April 2017

In the modern Middle East, proponents of economic development often mobilize the “place” of women as an index of a country or region's modernization. In contemporary southeastern Turkey, for instance, state‐led urbanization is driven and justified by the claim that women in cities are free to participate in public life, whereas women in villages are “confined to the home.” This paper challenges that narrative by querying the figure of confinement to the home. I begin by exploring the social scientific convention that takes the boundary of the house (inside/outside, private/public, female/male) as a stable axis of comparison across time and space. Then, drawing on my fieldwork in the city of Urfa in southeastern Turkey, I track how the inside/outside boundary is phenomenally and differentially instantiated in three types of home—village, urban, and peri‐urban. I argue that, in Urfa, the notion of a bounded home arises only in the context of urbanization, as an emergent middle class moves into modern apartment buildings, setting themselves apart from villagers and migrants both socially and spatially. Here, “confinement to the home,” far from a mark of backwardness, is for local women a badge of middle‐class respectability. I thus show how the question of domestic boundaries, far more than a developmental or scholarly preoccupation, acts as an important means of self‐positioning and social differentiation in a multi‐ethnic, cross‐class context. [Turkey, urbanization, gender, spatial politics, migration and cosmopolitanism]
Betrayed by the Neoliberal State, Neglected by the “Jangali” Company: The Anxiety of Autonomy in an Elite Housing Colony in Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: NELSON ANDREW
Published: April 2017

Like much of the global spread of gated communities and fortified enclaves, the emergence of Kathmandu's “housing” industry (housing colonies and apartment complexes) grew out of neoliberal reforms. The restructuring of Nepal's economy and government created the conditions for privatized housing infrastructure, management, and services to cater to elites dissatisfied with the post‐1991 processes of democratization and declining conditions in the city. However, while the decentralization of local governance and deregulation of the finance industry created the conditions for elites to desert the public city for private housing complexes, the contractual relations of privatization also sowed the seeds of discontent. Through an ethnographic account of a conflict between the residents of a housing colony and the company that built and managed it (at that time), this article demonstrates how Kathmandu elites have adjusted to the rearrangement of their relationship with the state from the patron/client arrangements of the Panchayat era (1962–1990) to the “consumer citizenship” (Fernandes 2006) of the post‐1991 era of liberalization and democratization. Expecting relations of dependence, the residents were ultimately alienated by the indifference of the company. They articulated critiques of the company through ethnically coded protests of its business practices and expressions of nostalgia for the paternalist patronage of the pre‐1991 non‐democratic state. Ultimately, the conflict exposed a contradictory wish of elites to benefit from the privatized benefits of neoliberalism alongside the social protections of an interventionist state. [fortified enclaves/gated communities, neoliberal urbanism, elites, Kathmandu, Nepal]
Cleaning Up Bodhgaya: Conflicts over Development and the Worlding of Buddhism
Authors: RODRIGUEZ JASON
Published: April 2017

In 2007 the Indian government deployed police and soldiers in Bodhgaya to oversee the demolition of a number of long‐standing businesses and homes. These actions were pursued as part of the “Master Plan,” a sweeping, fifty‐year government‐led development plan for Bodhgaya, place of Buddha's enlightenment in the north Indian state of Bihar, designed to manage Bodhgaya's increasing global significance as a pilgrimage and tourism destination while negotiating an array of competing interests. In this article I argue that understanding the Master Plan requires an attention to how such place‐making takes shape with and against the Indian state, neoliberal policies, the ongoing emergence of a contemporary global Buddhist sacred geography, and the diverse, multifaceted desires of Bodhgaya residents. [India, Buddhism, governance, pilgrimage, development, policy, tourism]
Shifting baseline in macroecology? Unravelling the influence of human impact on mammalian body mass
Authors: Santini Luca , González‐Suárez Manuela , Rondinini Carlo , Di Marco Moreno
Published: April 2017

Aim

Human activities have led to hundreds of species extinctions and have narrowed the distribution of many of the remaining species. These changes influence our understanding of global macroecological patterns, but their effects have been rarely explored. One of these patterns, the Bergmann's rule, has been largely investigated in macroecology, but often under the assumption that observed patterns reflect “natural” processes. We assessed the extent to which humans have re‐shaped the observable patterns of body mass distribution in terrestrial mammals, and how this has altered the macroecological baseline.

Location

Global.

Methods

Using a comprehensive set of ecological, climatic and anthropogenic variables, we tested several alternative hypotheses to explain the body mass pattern observed in terrestrial mammals’ assemblages at a one‐degree resolution. We then explored how model predictions and the Bergmann's latitudinal pattern are affected by the inclusion of human impact variables and identified areas where predicted body mass differs from the expected due to human impact.

Results

Our model suggests that median and maximum body mass predicted in grid cells would be higher, and skewness in local mass distributions reduced, if human impacts were minimal, especially in areas that are highly accessible to humans and where natural land cover has been converted for human activities.

Main conclusions

Our study provides evidence of the pervasive effects of anthropogenic impact on nature and shows human‐induced distortion of global macroecological patterns. This extends the notion of “shifting baseline”, suggesting that when the first macroecological investigations started, our understanding of global geographic patterns was based on a situation which was already compromised. While in the short term human impact is causing species decline and extinction, in the long term, it is causing a broad re‐shaping of animal communities with yet unpredicted ecological implications.
Credit Scoring and the Quality of Business Credit During the Crisis
Authors: Demma Cristina
Published: April 2017

The Great Recession produced a sharp worsening of credit quality for banks and firms alike. In this context, this paper investigates whether in Italy during the period 2008–2011 credit quality was higher for the banks that had adopted credit scoring techniques before the crisis and actually incorporated them into their loan evaluation process. To this end, I use a unique dataset built by merging information about banks organization variables drawn from the Regional Bank Lending Survey, the main banks’ balance sheet indicators and data on non‐performing loans drawn from the Italian Central Credit Register and from banks’ supervisory reports to the Bank of Italy.

The main finding is that, after controlling for other supply factors, during the financial crisis the banks that relied more heavily on credit scoring models had higher‐quality loans to non‐financial companies. This result is consistent with the thesis that scoring models mitigated the negative impact of the crisis by enhancing banks’ screening ability. However, the positive effect is significant only for loans granted to large firms; for smaller firms, the absence of a significant effect could be explained by the greater importance traditionally attached to other means of assessing their creditworthiness, mainly soft information.
Immunofluorescence reveals unusual patterns of labelling for connexin43 localized to calbindin‐D28K‐positive interstitial cells in the pineal gland
Authors: Tsao D. D. , Wang S. G. , Lynn B. D. , Nagy J. I.
Published: April 2017

Gap junctions between cells in the pineal gland have been described ultrastructurally, but their connexin constituents have not been fully characterized. We used immunofluorescence in combination with markers of pineal cells to document the cellular localization of connexin43 (Cx43). Immunofluorescence labelling of Cx43 with several different antibodies was widely distributed throughout the pineal, whereas another connexin examined, connexin26, was not found in pineal but only in surrounding leptomeninges. Labelling apparently associated with plasma membranes was visualized either as fine Cx43‐puncta (1–2 μm) or as unusually large pools of Cx43 ranging up to 4–7 μm in diameter or length. These puncta and pools were highly concentrated in perivascular spaces, where they were associated with numerous cells devoid of labelling for markers of pinealocytes (e.g. tryptophan hydroxylase and serotonin), and where they were minimally associated with blood vessels and lacked association with resident macrophages. Astrocytes labelled for glial fibrillary acidic protein were largely restricted to the anterior pole of the pineal gland, where they displayed only fine and sparse Cx43‐puncta along their processes. Labelling for Cx43 was localized largely though not exclusively to the somata and long processes of a subpopulation of perivascular interstitial cells that were immunopositive for calbindin‐D28K. These cells were often located among dense bundles or termination areas of sympathetic fibres labelled for tyrosine hydroxylase or serotonin. The results indicate that interstitial cells form abundant gap junctions composed of Cx43, and suggest that gap junction‐mediated intracellular communication by these cells supports the activities of pinealocytes.
The military, the clergy and Christian faith in sixth‐century Gaul
Authors: Sarti Laury
Published: April 2017

The Christianization of a society is a lengthy process that is not completed as soon as every individual is baptized and considers himself a Christian. It also requires subsequent and continuous instruction of believers, and maybe also the adaptation of religious requirements and morals in order to meet their needs and to allow them all to identify with the new faith. This latter process is especially perceptible where the new religion clashes with the values and priorities of large groups of believers, or where external circumstances prevent them from conforming to the religion's requirements. In the early Middle Ages, this situation can be retraced for the military in sixth‐century Gaul. The aim of this paper is to investigate the ongoing process of post‐Roman Christianization by using this relatively well‐documented example. It analyses the Christian identity associated with the military, the significance that fighting men might have attributed to faith, their relation to the clergy, and the options available to members of the military to live according to Christianity's rules and requirements. The paper sets out to argue that although the military was generally considered Christian, its relationship with the clergy contained significant potential for conflict, which was only resolved in the long term. The investigation therewith reveals a largely neglected but very interesting intermediate phase in the ongoing process of Christianization and integration.
Advances and trends for the development of ambient‐assisted living platforms
Authors: Costa Angelo , Julián Vicente , Novais Paulo
Published: April 2017

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) and Ambient Intelligence (AmI) try to achieve a future where technology surrounds the users and helps them in their daily lives. In this sense, the urgent need of solutions to cover the rapid increase of the elderly population with chronic diseases led to the increase of projects related with AAL and AmI. During the latest years, several projects have been proposed to tackle different medical problems, some building devices and others services. This paper presents iGenda and its evolution, the UserAccess, with the main objective of developing an AAL platform. It features an analysis of the latest developments and points future directions for the work. These projects display the importance of the interoperability of the platforms, demonstrating a case study for AAL development.
Impact of eutrophication on the carbon stable‐isotopic baseline of benthic invertebrates in two deep soft‐water lakes
Authors: Belle Simon , Verneaux Valérie , Mariet Anne‐Lise , Millet Laurent
Published: April 2017

Sedimentary geochemical proxies and carbon stable isotopes of subfossil chironomid head capsules (δ13C) were combined to reconstruct long‐term changes in organic matter sources contributing to chironomid biomass in two soft‐water lakes (Vosges Mountains, France). Here, we test how basal carbon sources fueling the benthic food web responded to two millennia of environmental changes.

Sedimentary organic matter characteristics were strongly variable over time, and were mainly influenced by human activities within the watershed basin. During the pre‐eutrophication phase, subfossil chironomid δ13C (δ13CHC) values were lower than those of sedimentary organic matter. These results suggested that chironomid larvae preferentially fed on the autochthonous part of the total sedimentary organic matter.

During the modern period, higher accumulation rates of organic matter and a decrease in C/N ratio suggested a steep rise in aquatic productivity for both lakes. As suggested by the synchronous increase in organic matter δ13C values, this higher productivity and the subsequent increase in dissolved CO2 uptake may have induced either a marked increase in atmospheric CO2 uptake by phytoplankton or a reduction in the phytoplankton trophic fractionation. These changes led to overlaps in terrestrial and aquatic carbon stable‐isotopic baselines, hampering the reliable reconstruction of the chironomid palaeo‐diet.

These results seem to indicate the minor role of allochthony to sustain aquatic food webs of large and soft‐water lakes, and underscore the necessity to apply an independent compound‐specific stable‐isotope analysis to better estimate the temporal changes in isotopic baseline and, thus, strengthen the reliability of the chironomid palaeo‐diet reconstructions.
Dental students' reflections about long‐term care experiences through an existing model of oral health
Authors: Brondani Mario , Pattanaporn Komkham
Published: April 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore students' reflective thinking about long‐term care experiences from the perspective of a model of oral health.

Materials and methods

A total of 186 reflections from 193 second‐year undergraduate dental students enrolled between 2011/12 and 2014/15 at the University of British Columbia were explored qualitatively. Reflections had a word limit of 300, and students were asked to relate an existing model of oral health to their long‐term care experiences. We have identified the main ideas via a thematic analysis related to the geriatric dentistry experience in long‐term care.

Results

The thematic analysis revealed that students attempted to demystify their pre‐conceived ideas about older people and long‐term care facilities, to think outside the box, for example away from a typical dental office, and to consider caring for elderly people from an interprofessional lens. According to some students, not all domains from the existing model of oral health were directly relevant to their geriatric experience while other domains, including interprofessionalism and cognition, were missing. While some participants had a positive attitude towards caring for this cohort of the population, others did not take this educational activity as a constructive experience.

Conclusions

The nature of most students' reflective thinking within a long‐term care experience showed to be related to an existing model of oral health. This model can help to give meaning to the dental geriatric experience of an undergraduate curriculum. Such experience has been instrumental in overcoming potential misconceptions about long‐term care and geriatric dentistry.
Effects of a multifactorial intervention comprising resistance exercise, nutritional and psychosocial programs on frailty and functional health in community‐dwelling older adults: A randomized, controlled, cross‐over trial
Authors: Seino Satoshi , Nishi Mariko , Murayama Hiroshi , Narita Miki , Yokoyama Yuri , Nofuji Yu , Taniguchi Yu , Amano Hidenori , Kitamura Akihiko , Shinkai Shoji
Published: April 2017

Aim

To examine the effects of a multifactorial intervention on frailty and functional health among community‐dwelling older adults, a 6‐month randomized, controlled, cross‐over trial was carried out within the Hatoyama Cohort Study.

Methods

A total of 77 pre‐frail or frail older adults (mean age 74.6 years) were randomly allocated to an immediate intervention group (IIG; n = 38) or delayed intervention group (DIG; n = 39). The IIG participated in a twice‐weekly multifactorial intervention comprising resistance exercise, nutritional education and psychosocial programs. No intervention was given to the DIG during the initial 3‐month period, and both groups were crossed over for the latter 3‐month period. Pre‐frailty and frailty were determined by using the Check‐List 15, which was validated against Fried's frailty criteria. Effects of the intervention on primary (Check‐List 15 score and frailty status) and secondary outcomes (physical and psychosocial functions, and nutritional intake) were examined for both 3‐month periods.

Results

As compared with the DIG, the IIG had significant reductions in Check‐List 15 score (−0.36 points; 95% CI −0.74 to −0.03), frailty prevalence (−23.5%, 95% CI −40.4 to −6.7), Timed Up and Go test (−0.25 s, 95% CI −0.47 to −0.08), and Geriatric Depression Score (−0.92 points, 95% CI −1.44 to −0.39), and improvements in the Dietary Variety Score (0.65 points, 95% CI 0.05–1.25), and protein (1.9% E, 95% CI 1.1–2.7) and micronutrient intakes at 3 months, all of which, excluding protein and micronutrient intakes, persisted at 6 months. The DIG showed similar intervention effects in the latter 3‐month period.

Conclusions

This 3‐month multifactorial intervention reduced frailty and improved functional health. These intervention effects persisted for at least 3 months post‐intervention. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2034–2045.
PBRM1 loss is a late event during the development of cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Luchini Claudio , Robertson Scott A , Hong Seung‐Mo , Felsenstein Matthäus , Anders Robert A , Pea Antonio , Nottegar Alessia , Veronese Nicola , He Jin , Weiss Matthew J , Capelli Paola , Scarpa Aldo , Argani Pedram , Kapur Payal , Wood Laura D
Published: April 2017

Aims

Somatic mutations in genes encoding chromatin remodellers have been reported recently in several cancer types, including approximately half of cholangiocarcinomas. One of the most commonly mutated chromatin remodellers in cholangiocarcinoma is the Polybromo‐1 (PBRM1) gene located on chromosome 3p21, which encodes a subunit of the SWI/SNF complex. The aim of this study was to determine the timing of PBRM1 mutations in biliary carcinogenesis.

Methods and results

In order to accomplish this goal, we used immunohistochemistry to assess PBRM1 protein expression in a series of precursor lesions and invasive biliary carcinomas. Previous studies have correlated loss of protein expression on immunohistochemistry with inactivating mutations in this tumour suppressor gene. We found that PBRM1 loss occurred in approximately 26% of invasive cancers, but PBRM1 expression was retained in all biliary intra‐epithelial neoplasia (BilIN) specimens, including 25 intrahepatic BilINs and 19 gallbladder BilINs.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that PBRM1 mutation (and resultant loss of expression) is a late event during biliary carcinogenesis. In addition, we confirm a lack of prognostic significance of PBRM1 status in invasive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. This study provides important insights into the basic mechanisms of chromatin remodelling genes in carcinogenesis.
Extraction and microencapsulation of bioactive compounds from pomegranate (Punica granatumvar. Wonderful) residues
Authors: Bustamante Andrés , Hinojosa Andrea , Robert Paz , Escalona Víctor
Published: April 2017

Pomegranate peels and seeds are industrial residues considered interesting sources of punicalagin (PU) and punicic acid (PA), respectively. To optimise their extraction process and protect them against environmental factors, pomegranate residues were extracted with supercritical CO2(SC‐CO2) using a Box–Behnken design and then optimal extracts encapsulated by spray‐drying applying a 22central composite design. Peel extracts showed a PU content of 0.4–9.5% with optimal extraction conditions of 400 bar, 43 °C and 20% ethanol. On the other hand, SC‐CO2seed extracts showed a PA content of 65.1–78.4% with 450 bar, 48 °C and 10% ethanol as optimal extraction parameters. Otherwise, the encapsulation efficiency of SC‐CO2extracts was significantly affected by core/wall material ratio and its quadratic effect. This parameter ranged from 35.1% to 72.4% for peel extracts and from 68.2% to 92.7% for seed extracts. Results showed that the proposed technologies are a feasible approach to the integral utilisation of residues from the pomegranate industry.
Effects of a mixed koji culture of Aspergillus oryzae HG‐26 and Aspergillus niger HG‐35 on the levels of enzymes, antioxidants and phenolic compounds in soy sauce during the fermentation process
Authors: Peng Mingye , Liu Jingyi , Huang Yao , Zhou Mengzhou , Hu Yong , Fu Caixia , Dai Jun , Wang Chao , Li Dongsheng , Gao Bing , Xu Ning
Published: April 2017

Soy sauce contains a number of bioactive components, which have been shown to possess strong antioxidative properties. The objective of this study was to compare the enzyme activities, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds content of soy sauces prepared from a mixed koji (SSAON, inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae HG‐26 and Aspergillus niger HG‐35), with those of soy sauces made from a koji culture containing only Aspergillus oryzae HG‐26 koji (SSAO). The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), content of three isoflavone aglycones (daizein, glycitein and genistein) and the antioxidant activity of the SSAON were found to be higher than those of the SSAO during moromi fermentation. In addition, they showed strong positive correlations with the antioxidant potential of the soy sauce. This study has demonstrated the potential of a mixed‐culture koji, based upon A. orzyae and A. niger, for the production of soy sauce with an increased level of bioactive components.
Effets potentiels du dualisme du marché du travail au sein d'une union monétaire
Authors: KOSIOR Anna , RUBASZEK Michał , WIERUS Kamil
Published: April 2017

Les auteurs examinent l'influence de l'emploi temporaire sur le chômage au sein de l'Union économique et monétaire (UEM). Ils effectuent pour cela une analyse par régression dynamique en panel qui porte sur onze pays (1995–2013) et repose sur des indicateurs des institutions du marché du travail. Celle‐ci fait apparaître un effet robuste et significatif du travail temporaire sur la dynamique du chômage, qui réagit de façon plus intense mais moins persistante aux chocs sur la production en cas de dualisme prononcé. Les auteurs proposent d'évoluer vers un système de contrat unique pour renforcer la stabilité à l'échelon des pays et de la zone euro.
Job satisfaction among Swedish mental health nursing personnel: Revisiting the two‐factor theory
Authors: Holmberg Christopher , Caro Jino , Sobis Iwona
Published: April 2017

Swedish mental health‐care services are experiencing a critical shortage of nursing personnel. Researchers suggest that this shortage is due to low levels of job satisfaction. Job satisfaction is frequently studied with the assistance of Herzberg's two‐factor theory, and this theory has foremost been explored with studies using quantitative methods. The purpose of the present study was to provide a better understanding of Herzberg's theory in relation to job satisfaction among Swedish mental health nursing personnel within inpatient psychiatric care while using qualitative methodology. This explorative study was based on semistructured interviews with 25 nursing personnel. Qualitative content analysis of interview transcripts identified three main categories: (i) respondents' perception of their work duties, which was perceived as important, meaningful, and demanding; (ii) respondents' relations with colleagues and supervisors, which provided valuable support in everyday work; and (iii) the way the respondents experienced their professional role as mental health nurses, which was described as unclear and vague. Job satisfaction primarily stemmed from working for patients and with other professionals, but their perceived limited progression of responsibilities discouraged a career in the profession. Herzberg's theory proved useful in exploring job satisfaction in this setting, but the findings partly contradict the basic tenets of the theory. Career advancements and incentives, such as salary and compensation, were perceived as lacking, which negatively influenced job satisfaction. Ward managers should establish clinical ladder programmes to recognize and motivate the continuing professional development of nurses. This needs to be coupled with monetary incentives, and linked with increased clinical authority.
Modeling of complex interfaces: Gadolinium‐doped ceria in contact with yttria‐stabilized zirconia
Authors: Aparicio‐Anglès Xavier , de Leeuw Nora H.
Published: April 2017

Gadolinium‐doped ceria (GDC) and yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) are well‐known electrolyte materials in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Although they can be used independently, it is common to find them in combination in SOFCs, where they are used as protective layers against the formation of secondary phases or electron conduction blockers. Despite their different optimum operating temperatures, it appears that oxygen conduction is not affected by their interface. However, the intrinsic mechanisms of oxygen diffusion at these interfaces still remain unclear. One of the main difficulties when modeling the contact between different materials, or indeed different particles of the same material, is caused by the structural complexity of these systems. If we wish to evaluate the properties of the materials, we first need to obtain a model that includes the main features of the GDC/YSZ interface, such as large‐scale defects or cation interdiffusion in the contiguous phase. Since the generation of such a mixed system is complicated, we show here how the “amorphization and recrystallization” strategy can help us to obtain realistic systems. In this, the first of our papers on the structure and properties of layered GDC/YSZ materials, we discuss the structural features of the grain boundary between GDC and YSZ obtained by molecular dynamics simulations.
The filler effect: The influence of filler content and type on the hydration rate of tricalcium silicate
Authors: Kumar Aditya , Oey Tandre , Falzone Gabriel , Huang Jian , Bauchy Mathieu , Balonis Magdalena , Neithalath Narayanan , Bullard Jeffrey , Sant Gaurav
Published: April 2017

The partial replacement of ordinary portland cement (OPC) by fine mineral fillers accelerates the rate of hydration reactions. This acceleration, known as the filler effect, has been attributed to enhanced heterogeneous nucleation of C‐S‐H on the extra surface provided by fillers. This study isolates the cause of the filler effect by examining how the composition and replacement levels of two filler agents influence the hydration of tricalcium silicate (T1‐Ca3SiO5; C3S), a polymorph of the major phase in ordinary portland cement (OPC). For a unit increase in surface area of the filler, C3S reaction rates increase far less than expected. This is because the agglomeration of fine filler particles can render up to 65% of their surface area unavailable for C‐S‐H nucleation. By analysis of mixtures with equal surface areas, it is hypothesized that limestone is a superior filler as compared to quartz due to the sorption of its aqueous CO32− ions by the C‐S‐H—which in turn releases OH− species to increase the driving force for C‐S‐H growth. This hypothesis is supported by kinetic data of C3S hydration occurring in the presence of CO32− and SO42− ions provisioned by readily soluble salts. Contrary to prior investigations, these results suggest that differences in heterogeneous nucleation of the C‐S‐H on filler particle surfaces, caused due to differences in their interfacial properties, have little if any effect on C3S hydration kinetics.
Decisive role of mixed‐valence structure in colossal dielectric constant of LaFeO3
Authors: Ni Wei , Ye Jianglin , Guo Youmin , Cheng Chao , Lin Zhongqin , Li Yide , Wang Hong , Yu Yi , Li Qiuju , Huang Shouguo , Shao Zongping , Wang Chunchang
Published: April 2017

The role of mixed‐valence structure in colossal dielectric constant (CDC) behavior has been investigated in LaFeO3 ceramics by tuning the ratio of Fe2+/Fe3+ through substituting Al for Fe. The ratio of Fe2+/Fe3+ is decreased gradually from 1.0 to 0.0 by increasing the concentration of Al3+. Two clear‐cut correlations have been found: (i) the relationship between the CDC behavior and the ratio of Fe2+/Fe3+ follows an exponential function and (ii) the activation energy of the polaron relaxation is proportional to , where is the intrinsic dielectric constant. These findings underscore the role of the mixed‐valence structure in CDC behavior and suggest that adjusting the mixed‐valence structure through doping/alloying can be a promising strategy to achieve superior CDC behavior in transition‐metal oxides.
Preparation and electrical properties of ZnO‐Bi2O3‐based multilayer varistors with base metal nickel inner electrodes
Authors: Chen Tao , Zu Hao , Gao Chao , Ke Chunfeng , Zhou Dongxiang , Hu Yunxinag , Zheng Zhiping , Fu Qiuyun
Published: April 2017

In this study, ZnO‐Bi2O3‐based multilayer varistors (MLVs) cofired with nickel (Ni) inner electrodes were prepared by tape‐casting method. Samples were sintered in pure nitrogen (N2) to keep Ni from being oxidized, and then reoxidized in air to obtain the nonlinear properties (reduction‐reoxidation method). The EDAX results showed that Ni inner electrodes are stable and have no evident migration into ZnO‐Bi2O3‐based ceramics when sintered in N2. The influence of reoxidation temperature on microstructures and nonlinear properties of samples were studied. Samples reoxidized at the temperatures lower than 650°C showed poor nonlinear properties. After reoxidized in air at 700°C for 2 hours, samples exhibited nonlinear properties of V1 mA=16.3 V, α=26.5, IL=0.68 μA. At the reoxidation temperature higher than 750°C, the oxidation of Ni inner electrodes deteriorated the nonlinear properties of samples. It demonstrated that ZnO‐Bi2O3‐based MLVs with base metal Ni inner electrodes proposed in this work are suitable for reduction‐reoxidation method. The replacement of noble metals Pt or Ag/Pd alloys by base metal Ni is expected to lower the cost of ZnO‐Bi2O3‐based MLVs.
Reaction mechanisms of lithium garnet pellets in ambient air: The effect of humidity and CO2
Authors: Xia Wenhao , Xu Biyi , Duan Huanan , Tang Xiaoyi , Guo Yiping , Kang Hongmei , Li Hua , Liu Hezhou
Published: April 2017

Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) has been reported to react in humid air to form Li2CO3 on the surface, which decreases ionic conductivity. To study the reaction mechanism, 0.5‐mol Ta‐doped LLZO (0.5Ta–LLZO) pellets are exposed in dry (humidity ~5%) and humid air (humidity ~80%) for 6 weeks, respectively. After exposure in humid air, the formation of Li2CO3 on the pellet surface is confirmed experimentally and the room‐temperature ionic conductivity is found to drop from 6.45×10−4 S cm−1 to 3.61×10−4 S cm−1. Whereas for the 0.5Ta–LLZO samples exposed in dry air, the amount of formed Li2CO3 is much less and the ionic conductivity barely decreases. To further clarify the reaction mechanism of 0.5Ta–LLZO pellets with moisture, we decouple the reactions between 0.5Ta–LLZO with water and CO2 by immersing 0.5Ta–LLZO pellets in deionized water for 1 week and then exposing them to ambient air for another week. After immersion in deionized water, Li+/H+ exchange occurs and LiOH H2O forms on the surface, which is a necessary intermediate step for the Li2CO3 formation. Based on these observations, a reaction model is proposed and discussed.
Efficient dual‐mode up‐conversion and down‐shifting emission in β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ microcrystals via ion exchange
Authors: Fan Shaohua , Wang Shikai , Sun Hongtao , Sun Shiyu , Gao Guojun , Hu Lili
Published: April 2017

We report efficient dual‐mode up‐conversion (UC) and down‐shifting (DS) emission in a single Yb3+/Er3+‐co‐doped β‐NaYF4 microcrystals with controlled morphology and size via a simple Na+ ion‐exchange modification (IEM) method. IEM well preserves the crystal structure and monodispersed morphology of hydrothermal‐synthesized β‐NaYF4. Meanwhile, IEM gives rise to the significant enhancement of UC emission intensity up to 3800 times and strongly enhanced DS emission intensity of Er3+ and Yb3+ by several times in β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ microcrystals. IEM also strongly prolongs the DS emission lifetimes of Er3+ and Yb3+ in visible and near‐infrared region. The enhanced UC and DS emission intensities and prolonged lifetimes in β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ are mainly ascribed to the dispersing of localized Yb3+ and Er3+ clusters during IEM.
Cr3+‐activated Li5Zn8Al5Ge9O36: A near‐infrared long‐afterglow phosphor
Authors: Xue Feihong , Hu Yihua , Fan Liumin , Ju Guifang , Lv Yang , Li Yang
Published: April 2017

Near‐infrared long‐afterglow (LAG) materials have attracted considerable attention owing to their high potential for in vivo imaging applications. Here, we present a series of near‐infrared LAG phosphors Li5Zn8Al5−xGe9O36:xCr3+ (LZAG:Cr3+), which were synthesized using a solid‐state reaction method. The pure LZAG host exhibits blue photoluminescence and LAG emission. We investigated the effect of the zinc vacancy contents on the photoluminescence and LAG performance by adjusting the zinc content and introducing Ga3+ ions to substitute the Zn2+ sites in LZAG host. When Cr3+ ions were introduced into the LZAG host, LZAG:Cr3+ produced a strong, broad blue emission band centered at 456 nm and a near‐infrared emission band at 700 nm caused by the 2E → 4A2 transition of Cr3+. The energy transfer processes from the LZAG host to Cr3+ were identified in the photoluminescence and LAG process. After irradiation at 258 nm for 10 minutes, the LAG emission of LZAG:0.008Cr3+ can last nearly 2.5 hours. Moreover, the LAG intensity and duration of LZAG: 0.008Cr3+ were significantly improved by introducing a small dose of Ga3+ ions. Finally, the traps and mechanism of LAG in LZAG, LZAG:Ga3+, and LZAG:Cr3+ were discussed in detail.
Thermal exposure effects on the long‐term behavior of a mullite fiber at high temperature
Authors: Almeida Renato S. M. , Bergmüller Eduardo L. , Lührs Hanna , Wendschuh Michael , Clauß Bernd , Tushtev Kamen , Rezwan Kurosch
Published: April 2017

The behavior of an oxide fiber at elevated temperatures was analyzed before and after thermal exposures. The material studied was a mullite fiber developed for high‐temperature applications, CeraFib 75. Heat treatments were performed at temperatures ranging from 1200°C to 1400°C for 25 hours. Quantitative high‐temperature X‐ray analysis and creep tests at 1200°C were carried out to analyze the effect of previous heat treatment on the thermal stability of the fibers. The as‐received fibers presented a metastable microstructure of mullite grains with traces of alumina. Starting at 1200°C, grain growth and phase transformations occurred, including the initial formation of mullite, followed by the dissociation of the previous alumina‐rich mullite phase. The observed transformations are continuous and occur until the mullite phase reaches a state near the stoichiometric 3/2 mullite. Only the fibers previously heat treated at 1400°C did not show further changes when exposed again to 1200°C. Overall, the heat treatments increased the fiber stability and creep resistance but reduced the tensile strength. Changes observed in the creep strain vs. time curves of the fibers were related to the observed microstructural transformations. Based on these results, the chemical composition of the stable mullite fiber is suggested.
A field experiment: Testing the potential of norms for achieving behavior change in English parishes
Authors: Van de Vyver Julie , John Peter
Published: April 2017

Tests of behavioral insights have become increasingly more common, and have been deployed by UK government and agencies. Typically, these field experiments aim to change individual‐level behaviors. The current article tests the potential of behavioral insights for changing group‐level behavior. This article reports the results of a field experiment carried out with the Department of Communities and Local Government. The field experiment tested whether a normative message (vs. a neutral or no message) could encourage parish councils to register an asset of community value (social action). There was no statistically significant effect from this intervention, but the process of designing and implementing this field experiment shows the potential for theories of behavior change to be used by government departments.
Current status of parasitic ciliates Chilodonella spp. (Phyllopharyngea: Chilodonellidae) in freshwater fish aquaculture
Authors: Bastos Gomes G , Jerry D R , Miller T L , Hutson K S
Published: April 2017

Freshwater fish farming contributes to more than two‐thirds of global aquaculture production. Parasitic ciliates are one of the largest causes of production loss in freshwater farmed fishes, with species from the genus Chilodonella being particularly problematic. While Chilodonella spp. include ‘free‐living’ fauna, some species are involved in mortality events of fish, particularly in high‐density aquaculture. Indeed, chilodonellosis causes major productivity losses in over 16 species of farmed freshwater fishes in more than 14 countries. Traditionally, Chilodonella species are identified based on morphological features; however, the genus comprises yet uncharacterized cryptic species, which indicates the necessity for molecular diagnostic methods. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the biology, ecology and geographic distribution of harmful Chilodonella spp. and examines pathological signs, diagnostic methods and treatments. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics and the ability to culture Chilodonella spp. in vitro will enable the development of preventative management practices and sustained freshwater fish aquaculture production.
Design, development, and evaluation of aloe vera leaf gel expulsion machine
Authors: Gajbhiye Ankit , Gupta Satish Kumar , Alam Shafiq , Sharma S. R. , Mittal T. C.
Published: April 2017

The aloe vera gel expulsion machine consists of auto adjustable grip rollers, mouth piece or front edge cutter, scrapping blades, and a driving unit. The grip rollers were provided with inclined trapezoidal teeth to increase the friction between aloe vera leaf and rollers. The design parameters of the machine were the speed along with the dimensions of grip rollers, spring tension for mouth piece, and clearance of scrapping blades. The jagged edges were cut as the leaf passed through mouth piece and grip roller pushed it against scrapping blades which removed the upper and lower rind. The machine was tested for its performance at different roller speed and leaf thickness. It was inferred that for getting maximum crude gel recovery, minimum residual gel percentage, and highest expulsion efficiency, the leaves should be fed at 75 rpm roller speed for leaf thickness more than 20 mm.

Practical applications

Aloe vera gel has been utilized for therapeutic properties including wound healing, constipation, thermal injury healing, ulcers, diabetes, anti‐inflammation, and immunomodulation. Nowadays it is used for commercial applications such as sun creams, soaps, shampoos, face wash, and lotions. It is also used for preparation of juices, yoghurt, flavored milk, health drinks, and beverages. In crushing method of gel expulsion the ingression of other chemical compounds deteriorates the gel quality. The machine was designed to avoid crushing and reduce manual contact for obtaining good quality gel from aloe vera leaves.
Evaluation of riverbed representation methods for one‐dimensional flood hydraulics model
Authors: Reil A. , Skoulikaris Ch. , Alexandridis T.K. , Roub R.
Published: April 2017

River bathymetry has a crucial role in numerical modelling of flow hydrodynamics. The aim of the present study is to (1) investigate the capability of three different methods to trace the river bed, with the geodetic data derived from in situ survey of the river bed topography to be used as reference data, and moreover (2) assess the impact of the different river geometries on the performance of a one‐dimensional (1D) model of flood hydraulics. The Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System (HEC‐RAS) hydraulic model, in particular, calibrated and validated on hydrometric data uses a number of cross‐sections derived from aerial laser scanning (ALS), artificial sinking of riverbed, and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) methods. Water level, discharges, and flood extent derived from the model for 3 N‐year floods (Q1, Q50, Q100) were evaluated while the extent of the inundation areas were exported into geographic information systems for visualisation and interpretation of the findings. Case study area is a 2.2 km river section of the Otava River (Czech Republic), with a history of flood events. The results showed that ALS data need further processing when dealing with the riverbed zone, while ADCP presented high correlation to the reference model.
Ethnic food consumption: Habits and risk perception in Italy
Authors: Mascarello Giulia , Pinto Anna , Marcolin Silvia , Crovato Stefania , Ravarotto Licia
Published: April 2017

This study aims to provide an overview of the consumption of ethnic food in Italy and to analyze the perception of risk associated with this kind of food. A sample of 1,317 Italian consumers was surveyed. The consumption of ethnic food products is growing. Such food items are consumed at restaurants and as take‐out food and are purchased and cooked at home. Ethnic food consumers are mainly women, younger than non‐consumers, have higher educational qualifications, are employed and have children. The ethnic food consumers live mainly in the south part of Italy or in the Islands, are inhabitants of larger cities and meet their financial responsibilities more easily than non‐consumers. The motivations connected with ethnic food consumption were analyzed. The perception of risk associated with ethnic food appears to be higher than that related to Italian food. The perceptions regarding the riskiest foods and the associated rationale were explored.

Practical applications

Ethnic food consumption is a growing phenomenon that deserves attention not only to analyze changes in Italian food consumption habits but also because these foods bring about specific food safety issues. Associated risk factors are related to preparation practices in retail and food service establishments as well as the use of particular ingredients that pose specific biological chemical and nutritional issues that need to be considered. The definition of the characteristics of ethnic food consumers and the study of their practices and perceptions of risk can help in the understanding of aspects that may limit or encourage the acceptance of these products thus fostering the comprehension of the potential impact of these foods on consumer health. Moreover, these data can be useful for institutions that address the protection of public health to analyze the food safety issues related to the introduction of ethnic products into Italian consumption habits.
Integrative Intensive Retreats for Veteran Couples and Families: A Pilot Study Assessing Change in Relationship Adjustment, Posttraumatic Growth, and Trauma Symptoms
Authors: Monk J. Kale , Oseland Lauren M. , Nelson Goff Briana S. , Ogolsky Brian G. , Summers Kali
Published: April 2017

We assessed a brief, systemic retreat‐style intervention that was developed to address concerns about the utilization of services for veterans coping with traumatic stress. A total of 76 dyads (N = 152) were assessed before and after a 4‐day retreat, which included psychoeducation, group and conjoint therapeutic sessions, and recreational relaxation components. Overall, participants reported a reduction in trauma symptoms, but only support persons experienced a significant increase in posttraumatic growth from pretest to posttest. Both veterans and their romantic partners reported an increase in relationship adjustment after the retreat. Opportunities to address the needs of this population by removing barriers to treatment and reducing feelings of isolation, as well as implications for similar treatments are discussed.