bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employing Minimum age model (MAM) and Finite mixture modeling (FMM) for OSL age determination of two important samples from Ira Trench of North Tehran Fault
Authors: Fattahi Morteza , Heidary Mariam , Ghasemi Mohammad
Published: May 2016

Ira trench site is in a point where, the surface trace of North Tehran Fault (NTF) joins the Mosha Fault (MF) in the north-eastern margin of Tehran and can provide important paleosismological information for Tehran. The Ira trench, were divided into 6 packages (I to VI), described, according to their composition, relative and absolute ages. Package I consists of units 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31. The whole package I mainly belongs to Holocene, and provides essential constraints for the recent paleoearthquake activity of the EMF and NTF zone. Therefore, finding accurate ages for the units of this package is very important. Three colluvial wedges (units 23, 26, 28) are present between 20 and 36.5 m north in package I, which are assigned to 3 episodes of activity on Fault 13. Central age model (CAM) provided OSL ages of 35.0 ± 6.1, 7.3 ± 1.3, 6.4 ± 0.9 and 56 ± 6.5 ka for units 23, 26, 28 and 29, respectively.

The conflicting ages of 56 ± 6.5 and 35.0 ± 6.1 ka (for units 23 and 29, respectively) as compared to the underlying younger units suggest that these ages are overestimated. MAM provided OSL ages of 13.1 ± 4.3 and 3.5 ± 0.4 ka for units 23 and 29, respectively. The contribution of the new statistical age model of sample IRA4 to the paleoseismic data is discussed.
Developing social competence in a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development
Authors: Shek Daniel T.L. , Leung Janet T.Y.
Published: May 2016

Social competence is an important positive youth development attribute for adolescent development and effective leadership. In this paper, the definitions and approaches of social competence are introduced. The antecedents and consequences of social competence are highlighted. Moreover, the relationships between social competence and effective leadership, as well as adolescent development are also addressed. In particular, egocentrism as the barrier to social competence is discussed. To enhance the social competence of university students, a lecture on social competence was designed in the curriculum of a university subject entitled “Tomorrow’s Leaders”. The objectives, intended learning outcomes, lecture content and special features of the lecture are presented in this paper.
Reflective teaching in a holistic personal development course for Chinese university students: a case study
Authors: Ma Cecilia M.S.
Published: May 2016

Research shows that reflective practice plays an important role in promoting teaching performance and facilitating a positive learning atmosphere. This article provides a case study on a teacher’s reflection in a university course. The author discusses the difficulties she encountered and the strategies she used when teaching a leadership course. Students’ post-lecture qualitative evaluation is used as an illustration to show how these feedbacks guide the teacher when reflecting and evaluating her teaching performance. Implications are discussed to highlight the importance of reflective practice in university contexts.
Cognitive competence in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: a six-year longitudinal study
Authors: Shek Daniel T.L. , Pu Xiao Ping
Published: May 2016

The developmental trend and correlates of adolescent cognitive competence were examined in a 6-year longitudinal study in Hong Kong. From Secondary 1 to Secondary 6 years, the same cohort of high school students responded to validated measures of cognitive competence, socio-demographic status (i.e. gender, family intactness and economic disadvantage) and family processes (i.e. family functioning, father-child subsystem quality and mother-child subsystem quality). Results indicated that there was a rising trend of cognitive competence over the high school years. Adolescents with better family functioning or better father-child or mother-child subsystem quality demonstrated higher initial level of cognitive competence. However, adolescents with better family functioning showed slower growth rate on cognitive competence over time. Finally, teenage boys showed faster growth rate on cognitive competence than did teenage girls.
Sensitivity analysis of the grad-div stabilization parameter in finite element simulations of incompressible flow
Authors: Neda Monika , Pahlevani Faranak , Rebholz Leo G. , Waters Jiajia
Published: May 2016

We present a numerical study of the sensitivity of the grad-div stabilization parameter for mixed finite element discretizations of incompressible flow problems. For incompressible isothermal and non-isothermal Stokes equations and Navier-Stokes equations, we develop the associated sensitivity equations for changes in the grad-div parameter. Finite element schemes are devised for computing solutions to the sensitivity systems, analyzed for stability and accuracy, and finally tested on several benchmark problems. Our results reveal that solutions are most sensitive for small values of the parameter, near obstacles and corners, when the pressure is large, and when the viscosity is small.
Malliavin method for optimal investment in financial markets with memory
Authors: An Qiguang , Zhao Guoqing , Zong Gaofeng
Published: May 2016

We consider a financial market with memory effects in which wealth processes are driven by mean-field stochastic Volterra equations. In this financial market, the classical dynamic programming method can not be used to study the optimal investment problem, because the solution of mean-field stochastic Volterra equation is not a Markov process. In this paper, a new method through Malliavin calculus introduced in [1], can be used to obtain the optimal investment in a Volterra type financial market. We show a sufficient and necessary condition for the optimal investment in this financial market with memory by mean-field stochastic maximum principle.
The role of the low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1 (LRP-1) in regulating blood-brain barrier integrity
Authors: Zhao Yahui , Li Dandong , Zhao Junjie , Song Jinning , Zhao Yonglin
Published: May 2016

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a protective structure that helps maintaining the homeostasis in cerebral microenvironment by limiting the passage of molecules into the brain. BBB is formed by closely conjugated endothelial cells, with astrocytic endfeet surrounded and extracellular matrix (ECM) consolidated. Numerous neurological diseases can cause disturbance of BBB, leading to brain edema and neurological dysfunctions. The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor–related protein 1 (LRP-1), a member of the LDL receptor gene family, is involved in a lot of important processes in the brain under both physiological and pathological conditions. As a membrane receptor, LRP-1 interacts with a variety of ligands and mediates the internalization of several important substances. LRP-1 is found responsible for inducing the opening of BBB following ischemic attack. It has also been reported that LRP-1 regulates several tight junction proteins and mediates the clearance of major ECM-degrading proteinases. In this review, we briefly discussed the role of LRP-1 in regulating BBB integrity by modulating tight junction proteins, endothelial cells and the remodeling of ECM.
Pronominal verbs in Spanish
Authors: Armstrong Grant
Published: May 2016

Pronominal verbs (PVs) are a morphological form class of intransitive verbs in Spanish such asacatarrar-se(= to get a cold) andquejar-se(= to complain) that are obligatorily marked with the reflexive, orse, clitic. The main objective of this paper is to propose a solution to the following puzzle: PVs represent a heterogeneous set of argument structure configurations but are formally marked in the same way. In order to do so, I empirically motivate the existence of two different argument structure configurations within the class of PVs, unaccusative and unergative. I then show that what makes these configurations unique is that they contain a deficiency in Voice, in the form of unchecked formal features. This deficiency has a different source in each configuration: it is an unchecked categorial D-feature in unaccusatives and unvalued phi-features in unergatives. The reason why these two configurations are marked in the same way is because, as proposed in Pujalte and Saab (2012, Syncretism as PF-repair: The case of se-insertation in Spanish. In Maria C. Cuervo & Yves Roberge (eds.), The end of argument structure? 229–260. Bingley, UK: Emerald Press.), theseclitic paradigm is used as a general repair mechanism to eliminate unchecked D and phi features on Voice post-syntactically.
Sobre las concordancias alternantes en español
Authors: Mare María
Published: May 2016

La denominada concordanciaad sensumes uno de los fenómenos más llamativos en español y otras lenguas. En este trabajo nos proponemos demostrar que este tipo de concordancia puede explicarse por medio de mecanismos vinculados con los mismos factores que intervienen en la concordancia general, i. e., la estructura sintáctica y las operaciones morfológicas. Nuestra investigación se enmarca en el modelo de la Morfología Distribuida (Halle y Marantz 1993) y busca dar cuenta de las concordancias alternantes y del bloqueo de tal alternancia en determinados contextos, a partir de un análisis detallado de la estructura del Sintagma de Determinante y de los rasgos involucrados en las proyecciones funcionales del ámbito nominal.
Outpatient Care Preceding Hospitalization for Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Authors: Crossen Stephanie S. , Wilson Darrell M. , Saynina Olga , Sanders Lee M.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To identify patterns of outpatient care associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) among pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS:

Retrospective cohort study using Medicaid claims data from 2009 to 2012 for children with T1D enrolled ≥365 consecutive days in California Children’s Services, a Title V program for low-income children with chronic disease. Outcome was DKA hospitalization >30 days after enrollment. Outpatient visits to primary care, endocrinology, pharmacies, and emergency departments (EDs) were assessed during the 6 months before an index date: either date of first DKA hospitalization or end of enrollment for those without DKA. Univariate and multivariate analysis was used to evaluate independent associations between DKA and outpatient care at clinically meaningful intervals preceding the index date.

RESULTS:

Among 5263 children with T1D, 16.7% experienced DKA during the study period. Patients with DKA were more likely to have had an ED visit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.60–6.13) or a nonpreventive primary care visit (aOR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01–1.79) within 14 days before the index date, and less likely to have visited an endocrinologist (aOR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.65–0.89) within the preceding 120 days. Preventive visits and pharmacy claims were not associated with DKA.

CONCLUSIONS:

For children with T1D, recent ED visits and long intervals without subspecialty care are important signals of impending DKA. Combined with other known risk factors, these health-use indicators could be used to inform clinical and case management interventions that aim to prevent DKA hospitalizations.
The Role of Flecainide in the Management of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Lieve Krystien VV ,   Heart Centre, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Wilde Arthur A ,   Heart Centre, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,   Princess Al-Jawhara Al-Brahim Centre of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Werf Christian van der ,   Heart Centre, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Published: May 2016

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare but severe genetic cardiac arrhythmia disorder, with symptoms including syncope and sudden cardiac death due to polymorphic VT or ventricular fibrillation typically triggered by exercise or emotions in the absence of structural heart disease. The cornerstone of medical therapy for CPVT is β -blockers. However, recently flecainide has been added to the therapeutic arsenal for CPVT. In this review we summarise current data on the efficacy and role of flecainide in the treatment of CPVT.
Patient Selection and Procedural Considerations for Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System
Authors: Sotomi Yohei ,   Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,   St Francis Hospital, The Heart Center, Roslyn, New York, USA,   EMO-GVM Centro Cuore Columbus, Milan, Italy,   International Centre for Circulatory Health, NHLI, Imperial College London, London, UK,   ThoraxCenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Shlofmitz Richard A , Colombo Antonio , Serruys Patrick W , Onuma Yoshinobu
Published: May 2016

Despite advances in technology, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of severely calcified coronary lesions remains challenging. Rotational atherectomy is one of the current therapeutic options to manage calcified lesions, but has a limited role in facilitating the dilation or stenting of lesions that cannot be crossed or expanded with other PCI techniques due to unfavourable clinical outcome in long-term follow-up. However the results of orbital atherectomy presented in the ORBIT I and ORBIT II trials were encouraging. In addition to these encouraging data, necessity for sufficient lesion preparation before implantation of bioresorbable scaffolds lead to resurgence in the use of atherectomy. This article summarises currently available publications on orbital atherectomy (Cardiovascular Systems Inc.) and compares them with rotational atherectomy.
Fractional Flow Reserve: Does a Cut-off Value add Value?
Authors: Mohdnazri Shah R ,   The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, Basildon, UK,   The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, Basildon, UK,   Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, UK,   Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK, Keeble Thomas R ,   Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK, Sharp Andrew SP ,   University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
Published: May 2016

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been shown to improve outcomes when used to guide percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There have been two proposed cut-off points for FFR. The first was derived by comparing FFR against a series of non-invasive tests, with a value of ≤0.75 shown to predict a positive ischaemia test. It was then shown in the DEFER study that a vessel FFR value of ≥0.75 was associated with safe deferral of PCI. During the validation phase, a ‘grey zone’ for FFR values of between 0.76 and 0.80 was demonstrated, where a positive non-invasive test may still occur, but sensitivity and specificity were sub-optimal. Clinical judgement was therefore advised for values in this range. The FAME studies then moved the FFR cut-off point to ≤0.80, with a view to predicting outcomes. The ≤0.80 cut-off point has been adopted into clinical practice guidelines, whereas the lower value of ≤0.75 is no longer widely used. Here, the authors discuss the data underpinning these cut-off values and the practical implications for their use when using FFR guidance in PCI.
Is there enough evidence to recommend surgical treatment as opposed to conservative treatment for dogs affected by bicipital tenosynovitis?
Authors: Penelas Alexandra
Published: May 2016

Clinical bottom line

There is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that tenotomy or tenodesis has a better outcome compared to conservative treatment in cases of canine bicipital tenosynovitis.
Editorial
Authors: Santos Gildenir Carolino , Ferreira Danielle Thiago , Souto Leonardo Fernandes
Published: May 2016

v.4 (n.esp) 2006
De “O Nome da Rosa” ao “O Código Da Vinci” verdade, mentira, autoritarismo e individualismo na disseminação da informação
Authors: Marchiori Patrícia Zeni
Published: May 2016

Apresenta uma leitura de dois best sellers contemporâneos sob o ponto de vista da disseminação da informação. Discutem-se os conceitos de verdade, a busca da verdade, o acesso à informação, as motivações e critérios individuais que se sobrepõem à necessidade, validação e uso da informação. Considerando-se que o universo pessoal representa a fronteira do entendimento e da aceitação da informação como verdade, pelo menos três dimensões concorrem para o acesso à informação, e são afetadas pelas novas tecnologias. Tais tecnologias respaldam uma nova ordem de comunicação, cuja tendência crescente é a de transferir a responsabilidade plena sobre o processo de busca e uso da informação para o consumidor, acarretando leituras não convencionais sobre critérios de qualidade da informação e o surgimento de uma nova categoria de direitos civis: o direito intelectual. Abstract Whilst information dissemination has been the subject of much scrutiny, two contemporary best sellers offer the opportunity to discuss some aspects about the concept of truth, the search for truth, information access, motivation and individual criteria regarding information seeking behavior. New technologies pervade this scenario, creating a new communication order, in which the ultimate information consumer is now the solely responsible for his/her (cognitive) information quality control. A new class of ideas is rising on this matter, named so far as “intellectual rights”.
Three dimensional simulation of high speed remote laser cutting of cathode for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Lee Dongkyoung , Patwa Rahul , Herfurth Hans , Mazumder Jyotirmoy
Published: May 2016

Cut surface quality of electrodes' affect lithium-ion battery performance. Current uses of mechanical cutting require expensive tooling. Furthermore, tool wears out over time so that it results in process instability and poor cut quality. This may cause an internal short circuit and significant heat generation. These problems can be solved by using a laser cutting technique since it has many advantages, such as no tool wear, high energy concentration, fast processing speed, very narrow heat affected zone, applicability to nearly all materials, and flexibility of laser power. Understanding physical phenomena provides significant advantages to fully utilize the remote laser cutting of electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. In this paper, a 3D mathematical model of three-dimensional self-consistent remote laser cutting is developed for cathode (LiCoO2-coated aluminum) of lithium-ion batteries. Characteristics of the remote laser cutting of cathodes, liquid/vapor (L/V) interface geometry, and melt pool flow are investigated by computational analysis at the laser power of 150 W and scanning speed of 5000 mm s−1. Experimental results validate the proposed computational model and show in good agreement with computationally observed results in terms of the kerf width and aluminum composition changes along the vertical line of the cut surface.
Thomas Aquinas, sj: A Thomistic Analysis of Ignatian Consolation and Desolation
Authors: Bishop John , Carlton Robert
Published: May 2016

In this article, we give a Thomistic analysis of Ignatian consolation and desolation as they are found in Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises. Specifically, we show that Aquinas's explanation of peace, joy, and discord in his discussion of charity provides an appropriate lens through which we can view Ignatian consolation and desolation. Further, we argue that consolation should be understood as a combination of Aquinas's spiritual peace and spiritual joy, and that this understanding helps to clarify Ignatian consolation, particularly with regard to determining whether causes of consolation without previous cause are genuine or not.
Kierkegaard's Catholic Reception and the Legacy of Vatican ii
Authors: Furnal Joshua
Published: May 2016

How can Søren Kierkegaard—a Protestant thinker from the nineteenth century, who was also a fierce critic of Christianity—be seen as an ally to contemporary Catholic theology? In this article, I argue that although he is not always recognized as such, Søren Kierkegaard has been an important ally for Catholic thinkers in the early twentieth century. Historically, some Catholic readers have been suspicious of Kierkegaard, viewing him as an irrational Protestant irreconcilably at odds with Catholic thought. Nevertheless, by surveying briefly a few important figures in the Catholic reception and engagement of Kierkegaard's writings across Europe in the early twentieth century, one begins to see how Kierkegaard's writings stimulated theological renewal that culminated in the achievement of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). In particular, this article highlights an unexpected yet important historical relationship between the European Catholic reception of Kierkegaard's writings by looking at important figures like Jean Daniélou, Yves Congar, Henri de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Cornelio Fabro who were associated with the ressourcement movement (1930–1960) leading up to Vatican ii.
Kierkegaard and Johannes Tauler on Faith, Love, and Natural Desire for God: A Way beyond a Catholic/Protestant Impasse
Authors: Barrett Lee C.
Published: May 2016

For almost a century, an intermittent battle has been waged in Kierkegaard studies concerning the Dane's understanding of the Christian life and salvation. One way of posing the contentious question is this: on the issues of faith and love, justification and sanctification, and nature and grace, was Kierkegaard more Lutheran, or was he more Catholic? This article argues that this ambiguity about Kierkegaard's soteriological predilections is understandable, for his writings do not fall into the neat categories defined by post-Tridentine Catholicism or scholastic Lutheran orthodoxy. Rather than advocating for either of those doctrinal positions, his writings on justification and sanctification, nature and grace, and eros and agape continue a more nuanced trajectory rooted in some of the spiritual writers of the Middle Ages and extended later by the pietists. That trajectory defies the polemical binary classifications typical of the late sixteenth century. To clarify this alternative orientation, we will sketch the basic contours of Kierkegaard's scattered remarks about soteriology, and then explore their similarity to many of themes of Johannes Tauler (1300–1361), one of the most influential spiritual writers of the late medieval period. Tauler used a more metaphysical vocabulary to express a theological vision that exhibited significant formal parallels to Kierkegaard's later subversion of Catholic and Lutheran scholastic dichotomies. For both Tauler and Kierkegaard, the attractive beauty of God's self-giving love serves as the foundation for a theological vision that unites faith and love, justification and sanctification, and nature and grace.
Predictive outcome factors in the young patient treated with lumbar disc herniation surgery
Authors: Strömqvist Fredrik , Strömqvist Björn , Jönsson Bo , Gerdhem Paul , Karlsson Magnus K.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate predictive factors for outcome after lumbar disc herniation surgery in young patients.

METHODS

In the national Swedish spine register, the authors identified 180 patients age 20 years or younger, in whom preoperative and 1-year postoperative data were available. The cohort was treated with primary open surgery due to lumbar disc herniation between 2000 and 2010. Before and 1 year after surgery, the patients graded their back and leg pain on a visual analog scale, quality of life by the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey and EuroQol–5 Dimensions, and disability by the Oswestry Disability Index. Subjective satisfaction rate was registered on a Likert scale (satisfied, undecided, or dissatisfied). The authors evaluated if age, sex, preoperative level of leg and back pain, duration of leg pain, pain distribution, quality of life, mental status, and/or disability were associated with the outcome. The primary end point variable was the grade of patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Lumbar disc herniation surgery in young patients normalizes quality of life according to the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and only 4.5% of the patients were unsatisfied with the surgical outcome. Predictive factors for inferior postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) scores were severe preoperative leg or back pain, low preoperative mental health, and pronounced preoperative disability, but only low preoperative mental health was associated with inferiority in the subjective grade of satisfaction. No associations were found between preoperative duration of leg pain, distribution of pain, or health-related quality of life and the postoperative PROM scores or the subjective grade of satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Lumbar disc herniation surgery in young patients generally yields a satisfactory outcome. Severe preoperative pain, low mental health, and severe disability increase the risk of reaching low postoperative PROM scores, but are only of relevance clinically (low subjective satisfaction) for patients with low preoperative mental health.
Silver and Copper Complexes with closo-Polyhedral Borane, Carborane and Metallacarborane Anions: Synthesis and X-ray Structure
Authors: Avdeeva Varvara , Malinina Elena , Sivaev Igor , Bregadze Vladimir , Kuznetsov Nikolai
Published: May 2016

Synthesis and structure of silver and copper salts and complexes with polyhedral boron hydride anions, including closo-decaborate [B10H10]2−, closo-dodecaborate [B12H12]2−, 1-carba-closo- decaborate [1-CB9H10]−, carba-closo-dodecaborate [CB11H12]−, and cobalt bis(dicarbollide) [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]− anions and their derivatives, are reviewed. The complexes demonstrate a wide variety of structural types, relating to both the metal coordination environment and coordination modes of boron hydride anions. The latter can range from strong coordination via the polyhedron triangular face including formation of 3c-2e MHB bonds in the case of the [B10H10]2− dianion, the structure of which contains two four-coordinated boron atoms, to very weak M…H interactions with the hydride atoms in the case of bulky [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]− monoanion.
Influence of Defects in Boron Nitride Nanotubes in the Adsorption of Molecules. Insights from B3LYP-D2* Periodic Simulations
Authors: Matarín Oriol , Rimola Albert
Published: May 2016

The adsorption of H2O, NH3 and HCOOH as polar molecules and C6H6 and CH4 as non-polar ones on a series of zig-zag (6,0) single-walled boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) both being defect-free (P_BNNT) and containing defects at the nanotube walls has been studied by means of B3LYP-D2* periodic calculations. We focused on defects derived from monovacancies of B (N-rich_BNNT) and N (B-rich_BNNT) atoms and also on Stone-Wales defects (SW_BNNT). The adsorption of polar molecules with defective BNNTs is generally based on dative interactions and H-bonding, and their adsorption energies strongly depend on the type of BNNT. N-rich_BNNT is the most reactive nanotube towards adsorption of polar molecules, as in all cases deprotonation of the polar molecules is spontaneously given upon adsorption. The strength in the adsorption energies is followed by B-rich_BNNT, SW_BNNT and P_BNNT. Adsorption of non-polar molecules is mainly dictated by dispersion interactions, and, accordingly, the adsorption energies are almost constant for a given molecule irrespective of the type of nanotube.
Cognitive Spectrum Sharing: An Enabling Wireless Communication Technology for a Wide Use of Smart Systems
Authors: Fantacci Romano , Marabissi Dania
Published: May 2016

A smart city is an environment where a pervasive, multi-service network is employed to provide citizens improved living conditions as well as better public safety and security. Advanced communication technologies are essential to achieve this goal. In particular, an efficient and reliable communication network plays a crucial role in providing continue, ubiquitous, and reliable interconnections among users, smart devices, and applications. As a consequence, wireless networking appears as the principal enabling communication technology despite the necessity to face severe challenges to satisfy the needs arising from a smart environment, such as explosive data volume, heterogeneous data traffic, and support of quality of service constraints. An interesting approach for meeting the growing data demand due to smart city applications is to adopt suitable methodologies to improve the usage of all potential spectrum resources. Towards this goal, a very promising solution is represented by the Cognitive Radio technology that enables context-aware capability in order to pursue an efficient use of the available communication resources according to the surrounding environment conditions. In this paper we provide a review of the characteristics, challenges, and solutions of a smart city communication architecture, based on the Cognitive Radio technology, by focusing on two new network paradigms—namely, Heterogeneous Network and Machines-to-Machines communications—that are of special interest to efficiently support smart city applications and services.
Expression Patterns and Functional Novelty of Ribonuclease 1 in Herbivorous Megalobrama amblycephala
Authors: Liu Han , Wang Weimin
Published: May 2016

Ribonuclease 1 (RNase1) is an important digestive enzyme that has been used to study the molecular evolutionary and plant-feeding adaptation of mammals. However, the expression patterns and potential biological function of RNase1 in herbivorous fish is not known. Here, we identified RNase1 from five fish species and illuminated the functional diversification and expression of RNase1 in herbivorous Megalobrama amblycephala. The five identified fish RNase1 genes all have the signature motifs of the RNase A superfamily. No expression of Ma-RNase1 was detected in early developmental stages but a weak expression was detected at 120 and 144 hours post-fertilization (hpf). Ma-RNase1 was only expressed in the liver and heart of one-year-old fish but strongly expressed in the liver, spleen, gut, kidney and testis of two-year-old fish. Moreover, the immunostaining localized RNase1 production to multiple tissues of two-year-old fish. A biological functional analysis of the recombinant protein demonstrated that M. amblycephala RNase1 had a relatively strong ribonuclease activity at its optimal pH 6.1, which is consistent with the pH of its intestinal microenvironment. Collectively, these results clearly show that Ma-RNase1 protein has ribonuclease activity and the expression patterns of Ma-RNase1 are dramatically different in one year and two-year-old fish, suggesting the functional differentiation during fish growing.
Cutting the Umbilical: New Technological Perspectives in Benthic Deep-Sea Research
Authors: Brandt Angelika , Gutt Julian , Hildebrandt Marc , Pawlowski Jan , Schwendner Jakob , Soltwedel Thomas , Thomsen Laurenz
Published: May 2016

Many countries are very active in marine research and operate their own research fleets. In this decade, a number of research vessels have been renewed and equipped with the most modern navigation systems and tools. However, much of the research gear used for biological sampling, especially in the deep-sea, is outdated and dependent on wired operations. The deployment of gear can be very time consuming and, thus, expensive. The present paper reviews wire-dependent, as well as autonomous research gear for biological sampling at the deep seafloor. We describe the requirements that new gear could fulfil, including the improvement of spatial and temporal sampling resolution, increased autonomy, more efficient sample conservation methodologies for morphological and molecular studies and the potential for extensive in situ real-time studies. We present applicable technologies from robotics research, which could be used to develop novel autonomous marine research gear, which may be deployed independently and/or simultaneously with traditional wired equipment. A variety of technological advancements make such ventures feasible and timely. In proportion to the running costs of modern research vessels, the development of such autonomous devices might be already paid off after a discrete number of pioneer expeditions.
Comparative Approaches for Innovation in Agent-Based Modelling of Landscape Change
Authors: Millington James , Wainwright John
Published: May 2016

In this Special Issue on “Agent-Based Modelling and Landscape Change” we aimed to bring together articles that showcase innovative uses of agent-based models (ABMs) for investigating and explaining landscape change and dynamics.[...]
Stabilizing Agents for Drug Nanocrystals: Effect on Bioavailability
Authors: Tuomela Annika , Hirvonen Jouni , Peltonen Leena
Published: May 2016

Drug nanocrystals are a versatile option for drug delivery purposes, and while the number of poorly soluble drug materials is all the time increasing, more research in this area is performed. Drug nanocrystals have a simple structure—a solid drug core is surrounded by a layer of stabilizing agent. However, despite the considerably simple structure, the selection of an appropriate stabilizer for a certain drug can be challenging. Mostly, the stabilizer selection is based purely on the requirement of physical stability, e.g., maintaining the nanosized particle size as long as possible after the formation of drug nanocrystals. However, it is also worth taking into account that stabilizer can affect the bioavailability in the final formulation via interactions with cells and cell layers. In addition, formation of nanocrystals is only one process step, and for the final formulation, more excipients are often added to the composition. The role of the stabilizers in the final formulation can be more than only stabilizing the nanocrystal particle size. A good example is the stabilizer’s role as cryoprotectant during freeze drying. In this review, the stabilizing effect, role of stabilizers in final nanocrystalline formulations, challenges in reaching in vitro–in vivo correlation with nanocrystalline products, and stabilizers’ effect on higher bioavailability are discussed.
Quasi-Static Behavior of Palm-Based Elastomeric Polyurethane: For Strengthening Application of Structures under Impulsive Loadings
Authors: Somarathna H. , Raman Sudharshan , Badri Khairiah , Mutalib Azrul , Mohotti Damith , Ravana Sri
Published: May 2016

In recent years, attention has been focused on elastomeric polymers as a potential retrofitting material considering their capability in contributing towards the impact resistance of various structural elements. A comprehensive understanding of the behavior and the morphology of this material are essential to propose an effective and feasible alternative to existing structural strengthening and retrofitting materials. This article presents the findings obtained from a series of experimental investigations to characterize the physical, mechanical, chemical and thermal behavior of eight types of palm-based polyurethane (PU) elastomers, which were synthesized from the reaction between palm kernel oil-based monoester polyol (PKO-p) and 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the plasticizer via pre-polymerization. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis was conducted to examine the functional groups in PU systems. Mechanical and physical behavior was studied with focus on elongation, stresses, modulus, energy absorption and dissipation, and load dispersion capacities by conducting hardness, tensile, flexural, Izod impact, and differential scanning calorimetry tests. Experimental results suggest that the palm-based PU has positive effects as a strengthening and retrofitting material against dynamic impulsive loadings both in terms of energy absorption and dissipation, and load dispersion. In addition, among all PUs with different plasticizer contents, PU2 to PU8 (which contain 2% to 8% (w/w) PEG with respect to PKO-p content) show the best correlation with mechanical response under quasi-static conditions focusing on energy absorption and dissipation and load dispersion characteristics.
Research Note: College Students’ Attitudes toward Christianity in Xi’an, China
Authors: Wang Chao
Published: May 2016

Atheism is the mainstream belief system in contemporary China. In recent years, a growing number of Chinese have converted to different religions, particularly Christianity. In this study, we conducted a survey in the region of Xi’an to investigate the following three questions: How common is Christianity among college students in Xi’an? How many of them have converted to the Christian faith? How do they gain their knowledge of Christianity? It is a popular notion in China that many college students have, in recent times, converted to Christianity. However, our survey results do not provide support for this. While many students encounter Christian faith on university campuses, especially through organizations such as The Fellowship, students in this survey report low religious affiliation.
An Approach to the Prototyping of an Optimized Limited Stroke Actuator to Drive a Low Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve
Authors: Gutfrind Christophe , Dufour Laurent , Liebart Vincent , Vannier Jean-Claude , Vidal Pierre
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this article is to describe the design of a limited stroke actuator and the corresponding prototype to drive a Low Pressure (LP) Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve for use in Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). The direct drive actuator topology is an axial flux machine with two air gaps in order to minimize the rotor inertia and a bipolar surface-mounted permanent magnet in order to respect an 80° angular stroke. Firstly, the actuator will be described and optimized under constraints of a 150 ms time response, a 0.363 N·m minimal torque on an angular range from 0° to 80° and prototyping constraints. Secondly, the finite element method (FEM) using the FLUX-3D® software (CEDRAT, Meylan, France) will be used to check the actuator performances with consideration of the nonlinear effect of the iron material. Thirdly, a prototype will be made and characterized to compare its measurement results with the analytical model and the FEM model results. With these electromechanical behavior measurements, a numerical model is created with Simulink® in order to simulate an EGR system with this direct drive actuator under all operating conditions. Last but not least, the energy consumption of this machine will be estimated to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed EGR electromechanical system.
U.S. Volunteering in the Aftermath of the Great Recession: Were African Americans a Significant Factor?
Authors: Carter Vernon , Marx Jerry
Published: May 2016

The Great Recession weakened U.S. families’ abilities to make charitable gifts. Although African Americans are generally especially hard hit by these types of economic crises, they have a long and distinctive history of volunteerism and mutual assistance. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to examine African American volunteering in nonprofit organizations in the aftermath of the 2008–2009 recession. Specifically, we examined race as well as other factors with the potential to influence volunteering in four categories of organizations: poverty organizations, senior service agencies, social action groups, and religious affiliated organizations. Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) data, this secondary analysis produced significant findings regarding volunteerism among African Americans in these community-based organizations.
Exploring the Role of Public–Private Partnerships in Forest Protection
Authors: Widman Ulrika
Published: May 2016

In 2010, the Swedish government established the Komet program—a pilot forest protection project that was initially implemented in five land areas. The Komet program was intended to complement existing formal protection measures by establishing partnerships with forest owners and industries to encourage these actors to take a greater interest in contributing to forest conservation efforts and Nature Conservation Agreements. Despite mixed results, the government subsequently chose to implement these partnerships nationwide, thereby institutionalizing the Komet program and making it into a regular component of forest management policy. This study examines how the program developed and became institutionalized. The theoretical role of public–private partnerships and their capacity to deliver collective goods are discussed. The empirical material primarily consists of interviews with key stakeholders from the pilot period and the present reference group. The results highlight the need to carefully consider past collaborative experiences together with existing motives relating to the role of partnerships in forest protection in order to achieve successful institutionalization. This will increase the government’s capacity to create the conditions for institutionalization and may facilitate the development of external interactions in partnerships, leading to the incorporation of various protection arrangements.
Bed Evolution under Rapidly Varying Flows by a New Method for Wave Speed Estimation
Authors: Rehman Khawar , Cho Yong-Sik
Published: May 2016

This paper proposes a sediment-transport model based on coupled Saint-Venant and Exner equations. A finite volume method of Godunov type with predictor-corrector steps is used to solve a set of coupled equations. An efficient combination of approximate Riemann solvers is proposed to compute fluxes associated with sediment-laden flow. In addition, a new method is proposed for computing the water depth and velocity values along the shear wave. This method ensures smooth solutions, even for flows with high discontinuities, and on domains with highly distorted grids. The numerical model is tested for channel aggradation on a sloping bottom, dam-break cases at flume-scale and reach-scale with flat bottom configurations and varying downstream water depths. The proposed model is tested for predicting the position of hydraulic jump, wave front propagation, and for predicting magnitude of bed erosion. The comparison between results based on the proposed scheme and analytical, experimental, and published numerical results shows good agreement. Sensitivity analysis shows that the model is computationally efficient and virtually independent of mesh refinement.
Water Availability of São Francisco River Basin Based on a Space-Borne Geodetic Sensor
Authors: Sun Tengke , Ferreira Vagner , He Xiufeng , Andam-Akorful Samuel
Published: May 2016

Brazil has recently experienced one of its worst droughts in the last 80 years, with wide-ranging consequences for water supply restrictions, energy rationing, and agricultural losses. Northeast and Southeast Brazil, which share the São Francisco River basin (SFRB), have experienced serious precipitation reduction since 2011. We used terrestrial water-storage (TWS) fields, inverted from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission measurements, to assess and quantify the ongoing drought over the SFRB. We found a water loss rate of 3.30 km3/year over the time-span of April 2002 to March 2015. In addition, the TWS drought index (TWSDI) showed the extension of the recent drought that has jeopardized the SFRB since January 2012, and which reached its maximum in July 2015 (the end of TWS time series). In this sense there seems to be a linkage between the TWSDI (wetness/dryness) and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), in terms of the wavelet coherence, at the semi-annual and biennial bands, suggesting a relationship between the two. While acknowledging that further investigation is needed, we believe that our findings should contribute to the water management policies by quantifying the impact of this drought event over the SFRB.
THE SUPERNOVA IMPOSTOR PSN J09132750+7627410 AND ITS PROGENITOR
Authors: Tartaglia L. , Elias-Rosa N. , Pastorello A. , Benetti S. , Taubenberger S. , Cappellaro E. , Cortini G. , Granata V. , Ishida E. E. O. , Morales-Garoffolo A. , Noebauer U. M. , Ochner P. , Tomasella L. , Zaggia S.
Published: May 2016

We report the results of our follow-up campaign of the supernova impostor PSN J09132750+7627410, based on optical data covering ∼250 days. From the beginning, the transient shows prominent narrow Balmer lines with P-Cygni profiles, with a blueshifted absorption component becoming more prominent with time. Along the ∼3 months of the spectroscopic monitoring, broad components are never detected in the hydrogen lines, suggesting that these features are produced in slowly expanding material. The transient reaches an absolute magnitude M

r
= −13.60 ± 0.19 mag at maximum, a typical luminosity for supernova impostors. Amateur astronomers provided ∼4 years of archival observations of the host galaxy, NGC 2748. The detection of the quiescent progenitor star in archival images obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope suggests it to be an 18–20 M
⊙ white–yellow supergiant.
HIDE-AND-SEEK WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL METALLICITY RELATION
Authors: Kashino D. , Renzini A. , Silverman J. D. , Daddi E.
Published: May 2016

We use ∼83,000 star-forming galaxies at 0.04 < z < 0.3 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to study the so-called fundamental metallicity relation (FMR) and report on the disappearance of its anti-correlation between metallicity and star formation rate (SFR) when using the new metallicity indicator recently proposed by Dopita et al. In this calibration, metallicity is primarily sensitive to the emission line ratio [N ii]λ6584/[S ii]λλ 6717, 6731 that is insensitive to dilution by pristine infalling gas that may drive the FMR anti-correlation with SFR. Therefore, we conclude that the apparent disappearance of the FMR (using this new metallicity indicator) does not rule out its existence.
Knee Bracing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Rodríguez-Merchán E. Carlos
Published: May 2016

Although some articles in the literature are in favor of the use of a postoperative brace after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, this review found that several systematic reviews and other reports on the topic do not support the use of a postoperative brace after ACL reconstruction. There is no scientific evidence so far to support the routine use of a functional knee brace following a successful ACL reconstruction in the postoperative course. Most authors believe that bracing is not necessary. There is insufficient evidence to inform current practice. Good-quality randomized trials are required to remedy this situation. Future studies should better define the role of a brace following ACL surgery. A search of MEDLINE for articles published between January 1, 1995, and September 30, 2013, was performed. Key search terms used were
ACL reconstruction
and
knee brace
. Ninety-one articles were found, but only 28 focused on the subject of bracing after ACL reconstruction and were selected for this review. Several systematic reviews and randomized, controlled trials on the topic do not recommend the use of postoperative brace after ACL reconstruction. Postoperative bracing after ACL reconstruction does not seem to help with pain, function, rehabilitation, and stability. The literature does not support the use of a postoperative brace following ACL reconstruction. [
Orthopedics.
2016; 39(4):e602–e609.]
Double-Level Pelvic Osteotomy for Managing Persistent Acetabular Dysplasia
Authors: Algarni Abdulrahman D. , Abdelfattah Fikry , Al-Ahaideb Abdulaziz , Alrabai Hamza M. , Kachanathu Shaji John , Al-Khawashki Hazem , Kremli Mamoun
Published: May 2016

Pemberton's osteotomy has been recognized as a standard technique for the treatment of acetabular dysplasia. The aim of this article is to describe the surgical technique of a double-level pelvic osteotomy. To the authors' knowledge, this technique has never been reported. The osteotomy was performed in a case of severe pan-acetabular dysplasia where a single, classic Pemberton's osteotomy was not sufficient to provide adequate coverage. The described osteotomy provided sufficient acetabular coverage and overcame the persistent acetabular dysplasia. [
Orthopedics.
2016; 39(4):e806–e809.]