bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Synthesis of Functional Cobalt Oxide Nanostructures, and their Sensitive Glucose Sensing Application
Authors: Ibupoto Zafar Hussain , Tahira Aneela , Mallah Arfana Begum , Shahzad Sohail Anjum , Willander Magnus , Wang Bin , Yu Cong
Published: August 2016

In this study, a novel approach is adapted for the synthesis of new nanostructures of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) by low temperature aqueous chemical growth method in the presence of water soluble amino acids such as L‐arginine, L‐aspartic acid, L‐isoleucine, L‐leucine, L‐serine and L‐threonine. The synthesized nanostructures were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The nanostructures exhibit well defined morphology and are of high purity. To explore the potential application of the prepared nanostructures of cobalt oxide, the non‐enzymatic glucose sensor is developed by modifying the glassy carbon electrode. Serine assisted cobalt oxide nanostructures showed excellent sensitivity of 4169.00 μA/mM cm2, wide linear range of 0.01 mM to 20 mM and detection limit was estimated as 0.001 mM (S/N=3). The analytical parameters for the serine assisted cobalt oxide nanostructures based glucose sensor were evaluated and it was found that the sensor is highly selective, reproducible, repeatable, reversible, and stable. Finally, the practical application of the serine assisted cobalt oxide nanostructures based glucose sensor was examined by measuring the glucose concentrations from real human blood samples.
Determination of Cu2+ in Drinking Water Based on Electrochemiluminescence of Ru(phen)32+ and Cyclam
Authors: Gao Yulong , Wang Tao , Liu Fengyu
Published: August 2016

A convenient and simple electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method was employed to detect trace amounts of Cu2+ in drinking water. This method is based on the inhibitory effect of Cu2+ on the ECL of Ru(phen)32+ and 1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) system. ECL intensity of Ru(phen)32+ was considerably enhanced by the addition of cyclam because of the ECL reaction between them. The ECL intensity of Ru(phen)32+/cyclam system rapidy decreased with the addition Cu2+ because of the formation of chelate complex [Cu(cyclam)]2+. Good linear response (R2=0.9948) was obtained at Cu2+ concentration of 1.0×10−9−1.0×10−5 mol ⋅ L−1 at glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 mol ⋅ L−1 phosphate buffer (pH 9.0). Observed detection limit of 4.8×10−10 mol ⋅ L−1 satisfied the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for Cu2+ set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Applicability of the proposed method was verified by the good reproducibility and stability of the method when applied to determine Cu2+ in tap water and simulated wastewater. Thus, a novel ECL detection method was developed for Cu2+ detection.
Performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine fueled with antioxidants dispersed biodiesel and its blend with diesel
Authors: Prabu A.
Published: August 2016

This study investigates the effect of antioxidants namely N‐Phenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (DPD), N, N‐Dimethyl‐p‐Phenylenediamine Dihydrochloride (NPPD) and Succinimide (SU) as a fuel additive for Jatropha biodiesel. The antioxidant additives are added to biodiesel and its blend separately at a dosage of each 1000 parts per million (ppm) and the experimental investigations are conducted to study the effect of antioxidants dispersed biodiesel and biodiesel blend on the performance and emission characteristics of the diesel engine operated at a constant speed of 1500 rpm, constant injection timing of 215 bar and constant injection of 26 bTDC (Before Top Dead Centre). The experimental results revealed that B20SND1000 test fuels established 7% improvement in brake thermal efficiency and substantial percentage reduction of nitric oxide (NO) emission by 22% for B20SND1000 test fuel, when compared to B100. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 565–570, 2017
Evaluating the Advisory Flags and Machine Scoring Difficulty in the e‐rater® Automated Scoring Engine
Authors: Zhang Mo , Chen Jing , Ruan Chunyi
Published: August 2016

Successful detection of unusual responses is critical for using machine scoring in the assessment context. This study evaluated the utility of approaches to detecting unusual responses in automated essay scoring. Two research questions were pursued. One question concerned the performance of various prescreening advisory flags, and the other related to the degree of machine scoring difficulty and whether the size of the human–machine discrepancy could be predicted. The results suggested that some advisory flags operated more consistently across measures and tasks in detecting responses that the machine was likely to score differently from human raters than did other flags, and relatively little scoring difficulty was found for three of the four tasks examined in this study, with the relationship between machine and human scores being reasonably strong. Limitations and future studies are also discussed.
Sulfur‐Aromatic Interactions: Modeling Cysteine and Methionine Binding to Tyrosinate and Histidinium Ions to Assess Their Influence on Protein Electron Transfer
Authors: Orabi Esam A. , English Ann M.
Published: August 2016

Cys and Met interactions with aromatic residues stabilize proteins and also may alter their redox properties. We establish here how ionization of the aromatic groups may influence such interactions. Specifically, ab initio quantum mechanical calculations at the MP2(full)/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory are performed on the gas‐phase complexes of hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol (MeSH), and dimethyl sulfide (Me2S), with the imidazolium and phenolate ions and their 4‐methylated forms. The S‐ligands bind the aromatic ions more tightly than the neutral species, preferentially edge‐on to imidazolium and en‐face to phenolate. Charge transfer occurs within the complexes, which will impact the redox properties of the interacting moieties. The CHARMM36 force field, calibrated using potential energy curves generated at the same level of theory, yields affinities (kcal mol−1) in water of −4.3 and −3.1 for MeSH‐ and Me2S‐imidazolium, and −2.9 and −2.1 for the phenolate complexes. En‐face binding is preferred in water, with an equilibrium S‐ring‐centroid separation of ∼4 Å, which increases to > 5 Å in Me2S‐phenolate. Their high gas‐phase and aqueous stability suggests that S‐aromatic‐ion complexes are an important determinant of protein behavior. Since the uncalibrated CHARMM36 force field predicts very weak S‐aromatic‐ion binding in water (−0.3 to −0.6 kcal mol−1) and in the gas phase, the optimized parameters should be used to obtain a reliable description of these interactions in proteins.
Characterization and in vitro phase I microsomal metabolism of designer benzodiazepines — an update comprising adinazolam, cloniprazepam, fonazepam, 3‐hydroxyphenazepam, metizolam and nitrazolam
Authors: Moosmann Bjoern , Bisel Philippe , Franz Florian , Huppertz Laura M. , Auwärter Volker
Published: August 2016

Designer benzodiazepines represent an emerging class of new psychoactive substances. While other classes of new psychoactive substances such as cannabinoid receptor agonists and designer stimulants are mainly consumed for hedonistic reasons, designer benzodiazepines may also be consumed as ‘self‐medication’ by persons suffering from anxiety or other psychiatric disorders or as stand‐by ‘antidote’ by users of stimulant and hallucinogenic drugs. In the present study, five benzodiazepines (adinazolam, cloniprazepam, fonazepam, 3‐hydroxyphenazepam and nitrazolam) and one thienodiazepine (metizolam) offered as ‘research chemicals’ on the Internet were characterized and their main in vitro phase I metabolites tentatively identified after incubation with pooled human liver microsomes. For all compounds, the structural formula declared by the vendor was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (MS), liquid chromatography MS/MS and liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight MS analysis. The detected in vitro phase I metabolites of adinazolam were N‐desmethyladinazolam and N‐didesmethyladinazolam. Metizolam showed a similar metabolism to other thienodiazepines comprising monohydroxylations and dihydroxylation. Cloniprazepam was metabolized to numerous metabolites with the main metabolic steps being N‐dealkylation, hydroxylation and reduction of the nitro function. It has to be noted that clonazepam is a metabolite of cloniprazepam, which may lead to difficulties when interpreting analytical findings. Nitrazolam and fonazepam both underwent monohydroxylation and reduction of the nitro function. In the case of 3‐OH‐phenazepam, no in vitro phase I metabolites were detected. Formation of licensed benzodiazepines (clonazepam after uptake of cloniprazepam) and the sale of metabolites of prescribed benzodiazepines (fonazepam, identical to norflunitrazepam, and 3‐hydroxyphenazepam) present the risk of incorrect interpretation of analytical findings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of c ions formed by N‐terminally charged peptides upon collision‐induced dissociation
Authors: Wang Bing , Liu Jinrong , Cao Jungang , Wang Huixin , Guan Xinshu , Wei Zhonglin , Guo Xinhua
Published: August 2016

Peptide fragments such as b and y sequence ions generated upon low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation have been routinely used for tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)‐based peptide/protein identification. The underlying formation mechanisms have been studied extensively and described within the literature. As a result, the ‘mobile proton model’ and ‘pathways in competition model’ have been built to interpret a majority of peptide fragmentation behavior. However, unusual peptide fragments which involve unfamiliar fragmentation pathways or various rearrangement reactions occasionally appear in MS/MS spectra, resulting in confused MS/MS interpretations. In this work, a series of unfamiliar c ions are detected in MS/MS spectra of the model peptides having an N‐terminal Arg or deuterohemin group upon low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation process. Both the protonated Arg and deuterohemin group play an important role in retention of a positive charge at the N‐terminus that is remote from the cleavage sites. According to previous reports and our studies involving amino acid substitutions and hydrogen–deuterium exchange, we propose a McLafferty‐type rearrangement via charge‐remote fragmentation as the potential mechanism to explain the formation of c ions from precursor peptide ions or unconventional b ions. Density functional theory calculations are also employed in order to elucidate the proposed fragmentation mechanisms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of LIAISON® XL system for HBsAg, and anti‐HCV and anti‐HIV/Ag p24
Authors: De Paschale Massimo , Manco Maria Teresa , Belvisi Luisa , Cagnin Debora , Cerulli Teresa , Paganini Alessia , Arpino Olivia , Cianflone Annalisa , Agrappi Carlo , Mirri Paola , Clerici Pierangelo
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study was to compare the data obtained using the new LIAISON® XL chemiluminescence system to search for HBsAg, anti‐HCV, and anti‐HIV1‐2/p24 Ag with those obtained using the VITROS system currently adopted by the Microbiology Unit of the Hospital of Legnano. Routine samples of patients who were referred by practitioners for the determination of HBsAg (1,000 samples) and/or anti‐HCV (1,002 samples) and/or anti‐HIV1‐2 (995 samples) were simultaneously analyzed using both systems. The concordant positive and discordant samples were re‐examined for confirmation by means of an HBsAg neutralization assay, anti‐HCV immunoblot, or anti‐HIV1‐2 Western blot; HBV‐DNA, or HCV‐RNA or HIV‐RNA was also sought in the discordant samples. Samples of patients known to be positive were tested (100 HBsAg positive, 100 anti‐HCV positive, and 100 HIV 1‐2 positive) as well throughout treatment, with viremia levels becoming undetectable after treatment. The HBsAg, anti‐HCV, and anti‐HIV1‐2 concordance between the two systems in routine series was respectively 99.8%, 98.5% and 99.7%, and 100% for all markers in samples known positive. The various molecular biology and confirmatory tests of the discordant samples were all negative (except for one anti‐HCV positive sample). Measure of Cohen's kappa coefficient for HBsAg, anti‐HCV, and anti‐HIV gave K values of respectively 0.992, 0.946, and 0.980. In conclusion, the performance of the LIAISON® XL system in the routine laboratory determination for all three markers was comparable with that of the VITROS system. J. Med. Virol. 89:489–496, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial trend analysis of Hawaiian rainfall from 1920 to 2012
Authors: Frazier Abby G. , Giambelluca Thomas W.
Published: August 2016

Spatial patterns of rainfall in Hawai‘i are among the most diverse in the world. As the global climate warms, it is important to understand observed rainfall variations to provide context for future changes. This is especially important for isolated oceanic islands where freshwater resources are limited, and understanding the potential impacts of climate change on the supply of freshwater is critical. Utilizing a high‐resolution gridded data set of monthly and annual rainfall for Hawai‘i from January 1920 to December 2012, seasonal and annual trends were calculated for every 250‐m pixel across the state and mapped to produce spatially continuous trend maps. To assess the stability of these trends, a running trend analysis was performed on 34 selected stations. From 1920 to 2012, over 90% of the state experienced drying trends, with Hawai‘i Island, and in particular the western part of the island, experiencing the largest significant long‐term declines in annual and dry season rainfall. The running trend analysis highlighted the multi‐decadal variability present in these trends, and revealed that the only region in the state with persistent annual and dry season trends through the study period is the western part of Hawai‘i Island; for most other regions, the drying trends were not significant until the most recent part of the record was included. These results support previous studies that indicate drying across the state over recent decades, and reveal the timing of upward and downward trends as well as important spatial details for natural resource management in Hawai‘i.
Myoclonus dystonia and muscular dystrophy: ɛ‐sarcoglycan is part of the dystrophin‐associated protein complex in brain
Authors: Waite Adrian J. , Carlisle Francesca A. , Chan Yiumo Michael , Blake Derek J.
Published: August 2016

Background

Myoclonus‐dystonia is a neurogenic movement disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding ɛ‐sarcoglycan. By contrast, mutations in the α‐, β‐, γ‐, and δ‐sarcoglycan genes cause limb girdle muscular dystrophies. The sarcoglycans are part of the dystrophin‐associated protein complex in muscle that is disrupted in several types of muscular dystrophy. Intriguingly, patients with myoclonus‐dystonia have no muscle pathology; conversely, limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy patients have not been reported to have dystonia‐associated features. To gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences, we searched for evidence of a sarcoglycan complex in the brain.

Methods

Immunoaffinity chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to purify ubiquitous and brain‐specific ɛ‐sarcoglycan directly from tissue. Cell models were used to determine the effect of mutations on the trafficking and assembly of the brain sarcoglycan complex.

Results

Ubiquitous and brain‐specific ɛ‐sarcoglycan isoforms copurify with β‐, δ‐, and ζ‐sarcoglycan, β‐dystroglycan, and dystrophin Dp71 from brain. Incorporation of a muscular dystrophy‐associated β‐sarcoglycan mutant into the brain sarcoglycan complex impairs the formation of the βδ‐sarcoglycan core but fails to abrogate the association and membrane trafficking of ɛ‐ and ζ‐sarcoglycan.

Conclusions

ɛ‐Sarcoglycan is part of the dystrophin‐associated protein complex in brain. Partial preservation of ɛ‐ and ζ‐sarcoglycan in brain may explain the absence of myoclonus dystonia‐like features in muscular dystrophy patients. © 2016 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Effects of thermoplastic elastomers on mechanical and thermal properties of glass fiber reinforced poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) composites
Authors: Arifin Willson , Kuboki Takashi
Published: August 2016

This study investigates the effects of thermoplastic elastomers on the mechanical and thermal properties of glass fiber reinforced bacterial polyester, poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), composites. The thermoplastic elastomers used were styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene copolymer (SEBS) and maleated styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene copolymer (SEBS‐MA). Composites were prepared by melt‐compounding and injection molding. Mechanical test results suggested that SEBS‐MA was more effective than SEBS in improving ductility, fracture energy, and notched Izod impact strength of glass fiber reinforced PHBH composites. Scanning electron microscopy results suggested that SEBS‐MA encapsulated fibers as well as dispersed in the PHBH matrix, whereas SEBS dispersed in the PHBH matrix without fiber encapsulation. Differential scanning calorimetry results suggested that both SEBS and SEBS‐MA addition decreased the degree of crystallinity of the PHBH matrix in glass fiber reinforced PHBH composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Patterning protein complexes on DNA nanostructures using a GFP nanobody
Authors: Sommese R. F. , Hariadi R. F. , Kim K. , Liu M. , Tyska M. J. , Sivaramakrishnan S.
Published: August 2016

DNA nanostructures have become an important and powerful tool for studying protein function over the last 5 years. One of the challenges, though, has been the development of universal methods for patterning protein complexes on DNA nanostructures. Herein, we present a new approach for labeling DNA nanostructures by functionalizing them with a GFP nanobody. We demonstrate the ability to precisely control protein attachment via our nanobody linker using two enzymatic model systems, namely adenylyl cyclase activity and myosin motility. Finally, we test the power of this attachment method by patterning unpurified, endogenously expressed Arp2/3 protein complex from cell lysate. By bridging DNA nanostructures with a fluorescent protein ubiquitous throughout cell and developmental biology and protein biochemistry, this approach significantly streamlines the application of DNA nanostructures as a programmable scaffold in biological studies.
Spatial regression and estimation of disease risks: A clustering‐based approach
Authors: Feng Wenning , Lim Chae Young , Maiti Tapabrata , Zhang Zhen
Published: August 2016

Detection of clustering and estimation of incidence risks are important and useful in public health and epidemiological research. The popular spatial regression models for disease risks, such as conditional autoregressive (CAR) models, assume a known spatial dependence structure for the error distribution and a set of common regression parameters for the mean structure. While it is often difficult to justify the structural assumption on spatial dependence, the assumption on a common regression surface may not be practical for a large spatial domain. We conceptualize a study region as a union of spatially connected clusters where a cluster is composed of geographically adjacent regions. We propose a regression model with cluster‐wise varying regression parameters. Our model is able to capture a spatial clustering structure, while the corresponding cluster‐wise regression parameters are estimated given the estimated clustering configuration. The proposed model is flexible in terms of regional and global shrinking as well as the number of clusters, cluster memberships and cluster locations. We develop an algorithm based on the reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method for model estimation. The numerical study shows effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The method is computationally efficient and thus amenable to large datasets. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining: The ASA Data Science Journal, 2016
Predicting the future performance of soccer players
Authors: Arndt Cornelius , Brefeld Ulf
Published: August 2016

We propose a multitask, regression‐based approach for predicting future performances of soccer players. The multitask approach allows us to simultaneously learn individual player models as offsets to a general model. We devise multitask variants of ridge regression and ε‐support vector regression. Together with a hashed joint feature space, the generalized models can be optimized using standard techniques. Relevant features for the prediction are identified by a modified recursive feature elimination strategy. We report on extensive empirical results using real data from the German Bundesliga. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining: The ASA Data Science Journal, 2016
Global diversification discount and its discontents: A bit of self‐selection makes a world of difference
Authors: Chang Sungyong , Kogut Bruce , Yang Jae‐Suk
Published: August 2016

Research summary: The documented discount on globally diversified firms is often cited, but a correlation is not per se evidence that global diversification destroys firm value. Firms choose to globally diversify based on their firm attributes, some of which may be unobservable. Given these exogenous firm attributes, the decision to diversify globally is endogenous and self‐selected. Our study offers a replication of an earlier study. Using the same specifications save for the Heckman selection instrument, our results contradict past research that did not address endogeneity. We posit that the global premium should reflect the value of multinational operating flexibility. We use the 2008–2009 financial crisis as creating exogenous variation to permit a test for the positive change in firm valuation due to global diversification. During the 2008–2009 financial crisis, the premium associated with global diversification became larger and more significant than before the 2008–2009 financial crisis. The churn of subsidiaries entering and exiting countries increased during the crisis, pointing to the value of an operating flexibility to restructure the geography of the multinational network. In all, the results contradict past findings and provide evidence that operating flexibility is more valued during times of high volatility, thus generating the diversification premium.

Managerial summary: There are thousands of multinational corporations that have been international for decades and some even longer. They undoubtedly learned that there is money to be made in international markets. Yet, the recent academic literature has found that foreign diversification destroys firm economic value. Our article uses a statistical technique that corrects for an obvious problem. Some firms invest overseas because they are facing troubles, for example, they are experiencing slowing growth and are exiting bad home markets. Once we correct for this “selection bias,” we find that global diversification, at worst, has no negative effect on value. However, during the financial crisis, the value of multinational companies increased. This finding is consistent with the option theory of multinational investment whereby operating in multiple countries permits firms to shift their activities among countries. Overall, our results indicate that there is a reason for why firms globalize: It is profitable. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Botulinum Toxin Injection for Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure: Is There Any Dose‐Dependent Efficiency? A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Bobkiewicz Adam , Francuzik Wojciech , Krokowicz Lukasz , Studniarek Adam , Ledwosiński Witold , Paszkowski Jacek , Drews Michal , Banasiewicz Tomasz
Published: August 2016

Background

Chronic anal fissure (CAF) is a linear split of the anoderm. The minimally invasive management of CAF such as botulinum toxin (BT) injection is recommended. However, the exact efficient dose of BT, number of injections per session and the injection sites are still debatable. The aim of this analysis was to assess the dose‐dependent efficiency of botulinum toxin injection for CAF.

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for terms: “anal fissure” AND “botulinum toxin.” Studies published between October 1993 and May 2015 were included and had to meet the following criteria: (1) chronic anal fissure, (2) prospective character of the study, (3) used simple BT injection without any other interventions and (4) no previous treatment with BT.

Results

A total of 1577 patients from 34 prospective studies used either Botox or Dysport formulations were qualified for this meta‐analysis. A total number of BT units per session ranged from 5 to 150 IU, whereas the efficiency across analyzed studies ranged from 33 to 96 %. Surprisingly, we did not observe a dose‐dependent efficiency (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.060; p = 0.0708). Moreover, there were no BT dose‐dependent postoperative complications or fecal incontinence and significant difference in healing rates compared BT injection into the anal sphincter muscles.

Conclusions

BT injection has been an accepted method for the management of CAF. Surprisingly, there is no dose‐dependent efficiency, and the postoperative incontinence rate is not related to the BT dosage regardless the type of formulation of botulinum neurotoxin used. Moreover, no difference in healing rate has been observed in regard to the site and number of injections per session.
Prevalence of Internet addiction and its association with social support and other related factors among adolescents in China
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Shuang , Zhang Zhi‐Hua , Zhao Feng , Wang Wen‐Jing , Li Yi‐Feng , Bi Linda , Qian Zhen‐Zhong , Lu Shan‐Shan , Feng Fang , Hu Cai‐Yun , Gong Feng‐Feng , Sun Ye‐Huan
Published: August 2016

A cross‐sectional study design was applied amongst a random sample (n = 10158) of Chinese adolescents. Self‐completed questionnaires, including demographic characteristics, Internet use situation, Youth Internet Addiction Test, Youth Social Support Rating Scale and Zung Self‐rating Depression Scale were utilized to examine the study objectives. Among the study population, the prevalence rate of Internet addiction was 10.4%, with 1038 (10.2%) moderately and 21 (0.2%) severely addicted to the Internet. Results from the multivariate logistic regression analyses suggested that a variety of related factors have significant effects on Internet addiction (parental control, per capita annual household income, academic performance, the access to Internet, online activities). The correlation coefficients showed that Internet addiction was negatively correlated with social support and positively associated with depression. Social support had a significant negative predictive effect on Internet addiction. The mediating effect of depression between social support and Internet addiction was remarkable.
THE ORIGINS OF RECUSANCY IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND RECONSIDERED
Authors: SMITH FREDERICK E.
Published: August 2016

Most historians now acknowledge that Catholic recusancy existed in small pockets throughout 1560s and early 1570s England thanks to the sporadic efforts of a handful of former Marian priests. However, it is widely agreed that the influx of continentally trained seminarians and missionaries from abroad after 1574 was responsible for transforming the ‘curious and confused’ activities of these Marian clergymen into a fully fledged, intellectually justified campaign in favour of nonconformity. This article challenges this consensus through investigation of a neglected group of clerics – the cathedral clergy of Mary I's reign. Drawing on insights emerging from recent research into the nature of Mary's church, it demonstrates how these clerics became key agents in the so-called ‘invention of the Counter-Reformation’ in Marian England. It suggests that this ‘upbringing’ gave these priests the determination and skills to become leaders of a co-ordinated campaign in favour of principled nonconformity following Elizabeth's accession. Far from lacking the zeal of their seminary and missionary counterparts, this article sees the former cathedral clergy imitating the practices of their adversaries and anticipating the strategies of the later English mission in order to promote recusancy throughout England from as early as 1560.
Genetic polymorphisms affecting antioxidant enzymes are present in tympanosclerosis patients
Authors: Akyigit A , Yalcin Ş , Etem E Ö , Kaygusuz İ , Karlidag T , Keles E , Celik Z B , Tektemur A
Published: August 2016

Background:

This study investigated genetic polymorphisms affecting the inducible nitric oxide synthase, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in chronic otitis media patients with and without tympanosclerosis, and the role of genetic susceptibility in the disease aetiology.

Methods:

A total of 162 patients who underwent surgery for chronic otitis media were divided into two study groups: a tympanosclerosis group and a chronic otitis media group. A third, the control, group comprised 188 healthy volunteers. Venous blood samples were evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

There was a significant difference in GG genotype distribution of the −277A>G polymorphism in theNOS2gene between the tympanosclerosis and control groups (p <0.05). However, there were no significant between-group differences in the CC genotype distribution of the p.Ala16Val (C>T) polymorphism in theSOD2gene (p> 0.05). There were significant differences in the TT genotype distribution of the −21A>T polymorphism in theCATgene between the tympanosclerosis and control groups, and between the chronic otitis media and control groups (p <0.05).

Conclusion:

These results suggest that genetic predisposition may play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of tympanosclerosis.
The longitudinal mental health impact of Fukushima nuclear disaster exposures and public criticism among power plant workers: the Fukushima NEWS Project study
Authors: Tanisho Y. , Shigemura J. , Kubota K. , Tanigawa T. , Bromet E. J. , Takahashi S. , Matsuoka Y. , Nishi D. , Nagamine M. , Harada N. , Tanichi M. , Takahashi Y. , Shimizu K. , Nomura S. , Yoshino A. ,   Fukushima NEWS Project Collaborators
Published: August 2016

Background

The Fukushima Daiichi and Daini Nuclear Power Plant workers experienced multiple stressors as both victims and onsite workers after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent nuclear accidents. Previous studies found that disaster-related exposures, including discrimination/slurs, were associated with their mental health. Their long-term impact has yet to be investigated.

Method

A total of 968 plant workers (Daiichi, n = 571; Daini, n = 397) completed self-written questionnaires 2–3 months (time 1) and 14–15 months (time 2) after the disaster (response rate 55.0%). Sociodemographics, disaster-related experiences, and peritraumatic distress were assessed at time 1. At time 1 and time 2, general psychological distress (GPD) and post-traumatic stress response (PTSR) were measured, respectively, using the K6 scale and Impact of Event Scale Revised. We examined multivariate covariates of time 2 GPD and PTSR, adjusting for autocorrelations in the hierarchical multiple regression analyses.

Results

Higher GPD at time 2 was predicted by higher GPD at time 1 (β = 0.491, p < 0.001) and discrimination/slurs experiences at time 1 (β = 0.065, p = 0.025, adjusted R2 = 0.24). Higher PTSR at time 2 was predicted with higher PTSR at time 1 (β = 0.548, p < 0.001), higher age (β = 0.085, p = 0.005), and discrimination/slurs experiences at time 1 (β = 0.079, p = 0.003, adjusted R2 = 0.36).

Conclusions

Higher GPD at time 2 was predicted by higher GPD and discrimination/slurs experience at time 1. Higher PTSR at time 2 was predicted by higher PTSR, higher age, and discrimination/slurs experience at time 1.
Wigman's Witches: Reformism, Orientalism, Nazism
Authors: Kolb Alexandra
Published: August 2016

This article investigates the three versions of Mary Wigman's Hexentanz (Witch Dance) in the context of the different political regimes in which they were performed. The changing cultural milieus shaped—through Wigman's imagination if not necessarily consciously—the works' forms and iconographies. The witch figure relates to preindustrial, pre-Christian Germanic identity and sparked considerable interest among völkisch and indeed Nazi groups. Wigman's dances present a kaleidoscope of different treatments of the witch motif, encompassing (variously) the life reform movement, an intercultural fusion with oriental performance traditions, and a strand of paganism that also influenced National Socialism. They converge, however, around a unifying critique of modernity.
Dance, Sexuality, and Utopian Subversion Under the Argentine Dictatorship of the 1960s: The Case of Oscar Aráiz's The Rite of Spring and Ana Itelman's Phaedra
Authors: Vallejos Juan Ignacio
Published: August 2016

A phenomenon that defines how dance practices in Argentina developed during the 1960s was the fact that those working in the field were compelled to deal with the political sphere, both at an institutional level and vis-à-vis militants. By studying how Oscar Aráiz's Rite of Spring and Ana Itelman's Phaedra were received, I analyze the position occupied by these artistic practices in a context of widespread social contestation. An attempt will be made to analyze their critical potential on the basis of the figure of a utopian subversion associated with a struggle over sexual freedom in the face of dictatorial power.
Negotiating with the “Infidel”: Imperial Expansion and Cross-Confessional Diplomacy in the Early Modern Maghreb (1492–1516)
Authors: Escribano Páez José Miguel
Published: August 2016

This article analyses the influence of confessional divides in the construction of a Mediterranean frontier between the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb at the very beginning of the early modern period. Questioning the influence that religious difference had on the geopolitics of the early modern Mediterranean could seem superfluous since historians have traditionally depicted the Mediterranean world as a space of confrontation between two confessional empires, the Ottoman and the Habsburg. Nevertheless, by focusing on a selection of diplomatic negotiations from the Western Mediterranean it appears that several actors envisioned a scenario where religious and political frontiers were far from coincide. This article will analyse the diplomatic negotiations promoted by different Muslim communities from the Maghreb to voluntarily enter under the rule of the Catholic Monarchs in the framework of the Spanish imperial expansion at the beginning of the sixteenth century. In studying these negotiations from an actor-based approach my aim is not to deny the religious or the political divide existing between the Christian and the Islamic shores. I will argue, however, that this frontier was constructed through the interaction of a wide array of agents such as local elites, royal officers, military men, religious actors, and rulers, with changing agendas towards religious difference.
La conjoncture économique de la Belgique
Authors: Woitrin Michel
Published: August 2016

Au cours des cinq premiers mois de 1950, l'économie belge a continué à bénéficier du mouvement de reprise qui s'est dessiné en Belgique et dans le monde depuis le second semestre de 1949.

Elle a poursuivi avec succès son adaptation aux conditions nouvelles nées des dévaluations de septembre 1949, comme le montrent les progrès de la production et des échanges extérieurs, qui se situent spécialement dans l'industrie textile.

Cependant, les difficultés rencontrées depuis le milieu de 1949 par les grandes industries de base telles que la sidérurgie, les industries chimique, charbonnière et cokière n'ont pas pris fin : le niveau d'activité dans ces industries n'a pu être maintenu ou développé que moyennant de larges concessions sur les prix.
Essai sur deux aspects de l'intégration sociale
Authors: Leclercq Jacques
Published: August 2016

Un des dangers de l'esprit scientifique est de cloisonner des réalités qui ne le sont pas dans l'existence concrète. Et pourtant, comme la science ne se développe que par l'analyse, on ne peut rien étudier scientifiquement sans l'isoler. De la réalité globale, nous ne pouvons avoir qu'une vue confuse; mais ce qu'on isole est partielle-ment faussé; et la science vraie doit done osciller constamment de l'analyse a la synthèse, isolant les faits par méthode, mais les re-plagant, après analyse, dans l'ensemble sans lequel ils ne s'expliquent pas.
Les femmes universitaires êtude Prêuminaire Des Diplômêes De L'Universitê De Louvain
Authors: Leplae Claire
Published: August 2016

Le travail de la femme s'est considérablement transformé au cours du XXe siècle, mettant en question l'ensemble du problème de sa place dans la société. Nous nous proposons d'entreprendre des re-cherches sociologiques dans les principaux secteurs des activités professionnelles exercées par la femme, pour connaître les repércussions de cette modification. Le phénomène présente de multiples aspects. Un d'entre eux est particulièrement caractéristique : des fonctions plus intellectuelles sont progressivement confiées à la femme. Cette évolution debute après la guerre 1914-1918, et n'est sans doute pas achevee. Elle est l'effet en même temps que la cause de l'instruction toujours plus etendue de la population feminine. Aux infirmieres possedant des connaissances rudimentaires et aux dacty-los, seulement habiles, succèdent des techniciennes soigneusement formées pour le soin des malades et pour l'administration.
Les mécanismes monétaires beiges
Authors: Lettenhove Albert Kervyn de
Published: August 2016

II y a un an, l'auteur publiait dans ce Bulletin une critique des mécanismes monétaires beiges : se basant sur cette analyse, le présent article avance des suggestions pour leur amélioration.

Le sujet est d'actualité: la Banque Nationale de Belgique appuie de toute son autorité la nécessite d'une réforme; elle a même défini les grandes lignes des objectifs que celle-ci devrait s'assigner. II peut exister bien des maniéres de les atteindre, dont aucune sans doute n'est parfaite. Le présent projet vise avant tout a apporter une contribution au debat en precisant certaines pos-sibilités et en analysant les conséquences que certaines mesures auraient sur le fonctionnement des marchés.
Les finances privées en 1956
Authors: Jussiant Jean
Published: August 2016

L’année 1956 a été dans le monde une année de haute conjoncture. Certains ralentissements qui s’étaient marqués précédemment aux Etats-Unis dans des industries considérées comme des activités-clef, telles que l’industrie automobile, n’ont pas eu la répercussion en cascade que Ton pouvait craindre. Un peu partout la production, les échanges et le revenu national ont atteint de nouveaux records. La consommation et les dépenses privées ont continué à se développer, tandis que les investissements et les dépenses publiques se sont disputé les disponibilités qui demeuraient. Les prix et salaires ont été nettement orientés partout à la hausse.
Tendances du progrès technique contemporain
Authors: Rosseeuw Jean
Published: August 2016

Aux Etats-Unis d'Amérique les investissements ont augmenté assez régulièrement pendant tout le dix-neuvième siècle et au début du vingtiéme. Cette tendance a fortement fléchi vers les années 1920. A partir de 1930, et ce pour la première fois depuis la révolution industrielle, le capital investi est resté stationnaire pendant une dizaine d'années. Le produit national, c'est-à-dire l'ensemble des biens et services mis à la disposition de la population, a manifesté la même stagnation temporaire.
Horizons des chômeurs bruxellois en 1956 Enquête sociale
Authors: Verhulst Georges
Published: August 2016

L'enquête utilisée dans les pages qui suivent, avait pour but d'étudier les différentes alternatives qui s'offrent au chômeur et constituent en fait ses horizons; citons : les allocations de chômage, la recherche du travail, les services de placements, la tutelle professionnelle, la mise au travail à l'initiative des Pouvoirs publics et enfin la réadaptation professionnelle. Le présent article se limite à l'exposé des résultats concernant les trois premiers points.
Les finances publiques belges depuis la libération
Authors: Janssen Albert E.
Published: August 2016

Depuis près de deux ans, la Belgique a traversé une des périodes les plus mouvementées et les plus décisives de son histoire financière.

Après cinquante-deux mois d’occupation allemande, au cours desquels les ressources économiques et financières du pays furent systématiquement mises à sac par l’ennemi, la Belgique recouvrait, en septembre 1944, sa souveraineté et sa liberté d’action. Tandis que la guerre se poursuivait et connaissait même une recrudescence en décembre 1944, les autorités avaient à résoudre une série de problèmes urgents et particulièrement délicats. Il fallait assurer le ravitaillement, remettre l’industrie en marche, participer militairement, économiquement et financièrement à l’effort de guerre allié, et, en même temps, assainir la monnaie et les finances, combattre l’inflation et préparer la reconstruction du pays.
Les finances privées
Authors: Mallien Emile
Published: August 2016

Lé volume des dépôts au moment de la libération reflétait l’inflation monétaire provoquée par plus de quatre années d’occupation. Au 30 septembre 1944, les dépôts à vue et à terme atteignaient un total de frs 43.631 millions, soit une augmentation d’environ 245 % sur le chiffre du 31 décembre 1939.

La mise en application des mesures de blocage et d’assainissement monétaire par les arrêtés du 6 octobre 1944, modifia profondément cette situation.

Les dépôts bancaires furent scindés en «comptes nouveaux libres», «comptes provisoirement bloqués» et «comptes définitivement bloqués». Les comptes libres furent alimentés par les versements nouveaux et par certains transferts des comptes anciens autorisés par la loi. Etaient libres, au choix des intéressés, soit 10 % du montant des comptes anciens au 8 octobre 1944, soit l’équivalent des dépôts existant en date du 9 mai 1940, soit 1.000 frs par membre de personnel d’une personne physique ou morale titulaire d’un registre de commefce.
Le mouvement social en 1945
Authors: Woronoff André
Published: August 2016

L’ampleur de la législation sociale promulguée en Belgique au cours de l’année, ne permet d’en donner ici qu’un aperçu tout à fait succinct et très incomplet.

Dans ses grandes lignes, cette législation se caractérise par le souci d’assurer aux travailleurs un revenu minimum de base. Ainsi qu’on s’en rendra compte à l’analyse des arrêtés relatifs à la Sécurité sociale, le législateur n’a pas seulement visé à remédier à telle ou telle situation particulièrement pénible, mais il a surtout cherché à couvrir, dans la mesure du possible, l’ensemble des risques auxquels sont exposés les travailleurs «économiquement faibles».

Un second trait distinctif de la politique sociale de 1945, se trouve dans le fait que les pouvoirs publics ont été amenés à inclure dans leur sphère d’activité les questions relatives à la fixation du montant des rémunérations. Cette nouvelle orientation s’explique davantage peut-être par des considérations économiques que par des nécessités sociales.
La sidérurgie belge en 1945
Authors: Peeters Marcel
Published: August 2016

La Belgique, qui fût à l’avant-garde dans l’industrie du fer et de l’acier, occupait encore à la veille de la guerre une position enviable et, si l’on considère sa production par habitant, elle se plaçait en tête de tous les pays. Livrant une grande partie de ses produits à l’étranger, la sidérurgie belge devait, par suite du développement de la production mondiale et de l’industrialisation de plusieurs de ses anciens clients, soutenir une lutte très âpre sur les marchés mondiaux. Dans l’ensemble cependant, nos industriels se défendaient honnêtement. Ils étaient conscients de certains problèmes de structure qui se posaient dans leur secteur. Lorsqu’éclata la seconde guerre mondiale, on entrevoyait la mise au point d’un programme de modernisation et de rationalisation qui devait permettre de conserver notre place parmi les grands pays industriels. En mai 1940, pour la seconde fois en l’espace de 25 ans, la Belgique était envahie. La période de guerre devait porter un coup très dur à notre sidérurgie.
Le commerce extérieur
Authors: Colard Jean
Published: August 2016

Le commerce extérieur de la Belgique pendant les seize mois qui ont suivi la libération fut conditionné par un cadre juridique établi en vertu des conventions signées depuis plusieurs années. La mise en œuvre de l’organisation des échanges internationaux prévue par ces accords a nécessité la création de diverses institutions qui ont joué un rôle important dans les échanges de la Belgique avec l’étranger. Aussi est-il indispensable de faire précéder l’analyse des mouvements du commerce extérieur d’un exposé sur le cadre juridique dans lequel se sont placées les opérations d’échange de la Belgique avec l’étranger et sur les institutions qu’ont fait naître les accords auxquels il a été fait allusion.
L’adaptation des comptabilités à la dépréciation monétaire et à la hausse des prix
Authors: Sterkendries René
Published: August 2016

Depuis les bouleversements économiques provoqués par la première guerre mondiale, la plupart des bilans des sociétés n’ont plus, en Belgique et dans d’autres pays, qu’une valeur toute relative.

Rares sont ceux qui répondent encore à ce qu’en théorie ils devraient être : une image sincère et exacte de la situation réelle des entreprises. La cause de ce défaut ne réside pas tant dans une volonté délibérée de dissimulation. Son origine est plus simple et plus naturelle : attachées aux routines comptables, les entreprises ne songent guère à modifier, une’fois qu’elles ont été comptabilisées, les évaluations des éléments permanents de leur actif, tels que terrains, immeubles, outillage industriel. Il en résulte que la plupart des bilans des sociétés, qui existent depuis un certain temps, additionnent pêle-mêle des valeurs déterminées au moyen d’instruments de mesure différant les uns des autres : la valeur de tel terrain est mesurée en francs de 1913, la valeur de tel immeuble en francs de 1923, de tel outillage en francs de 1926, celle de tel autre élément en francs de 1944 et ainsi de suite.
Base mathématique de la théorie de l’intérêt
Authors: Beumier Albert
Published: August 2016

On peut diverger d’avis sur l’opportunité de construire une théorie mathématique conduisant, à partir de principes judicieusement choisis, aux définitions classiques de l’intérêt simple et de l’intérêt composé.

Il faut bien reconnaître qu’une construction de ce genre est pur jeu de mathématicien; d’ailleurs, les principes sur lesquels on peut l’édifier doivent nécessairement être choisis en fonction des résultats imposés à l’avance. Dès lors, définitions pour définitions, pourquoi ne pas se donner d’emblée les définitions désirées?

Cependant, il est un fait que pareille théorie est développée dans nombre d’ouvrages traitant des opérations financières. La question du principe de son utilité mise à part, on constate qu’elle n’est pas toujours exempte de critique, du point de vue purement mathématique; c’est sans doute une des raisons pour lesquelles son opportunité a été mise en cause.