bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stepwise measurement procedure for the characterization of large‐area photovoltaic modules
Authors: Rapp Christoph , Steiner Marc , Siefer Gerald , Bett Andreas W.
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we present an indoor measurement procedure for characterizing the electrical performance of large aperture photovoltaic modules. Because of the fact that sun simulators, especially for concentrator photovoltaic applications, are strongly limited in the size of the uniformly illuminated area, we developed a measurement procedure that allows characterizing modules with a larger aperture area than the aperture provided by the sun simulator. The procedure is based on the concept of stepwise illumination of the module area and measurement of the corresponding I–V curves—without the need to contact the subunits directly. Using the additionally measured dark I–V curve of the module, the characteristic I–V curve of the full module can be calculated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low‐temperature atomic layer deposition of MoOx for silicon heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Macco B. , Vos M. F. J. , Thissen N. F. W. , Bol A. A. , Kessels W. M. M.
Published: June 2015

The preparation of high‐quality molybdenum oxide (MoOx) is demonstrated by plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition (ALD) at substrate temperatures down to 50 °C. The films are amorphous, slightly substoichiometric with respect to MoO3, and free of other elements apart from hydrogen (&11 at%). The films have a high transparency in the visible region and their compatibility with a‐Si:H passivation schemes is demonstrated. It is discussed that these aspects, in conjunction with the low processing temperature and the ability to deposit very thin conformal films, make this ALD process promising for the future application of MoOx in hole‐selective contacts for silicon heterojunction solar cells. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Improving approximate determination of the noninteracting electronic kinetic energy density from electron density
Authors: Astakhov Andrey A. , Stash Adam I. , Tsirelson Vladimir G.
Published: June 2015

This work describes a new approach for approximate obtaining the positively defined electronic kinetic energy density (KED) from electron density. KED is presented as a sum of the Weizsäcker KED, which is calculated in terms of electron density exactly, and unknown Pauli KED. The latter is presented via local Pauli potential and Gritsenko–van Leeuwen–Baerends kinetic response potential, to which the second‐order gradient expansion is applied. The resulting expression for KED contains only one empirical parameter. The approach allowed to correctly reproduce all the features of KED, and electron localization descriptors as electron localization function and phase‐space defined Fisher information density for main types of bonds in molecules and molecular crystals. It is also demonstrated that the method is immediately applicable to derivation of mentioned bonding descriptors from experimental electron density. Herewith the method is significantly free from the drawback of Kirzhnits approximation, which is now commonly accepted for evaluation of the electronic kinetic energy characteristics from precise X‐ray diffraction experiment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of Small Impoundments on Leaf Litter Decomposition in Streams
Authors: Mbaka J. G. , Schäfer R. B.
Published: June 2015

Leaf litter decomposition is an important process providing energy to freshwater biota. Flow regulation and dams can strongly alter freshwater ecosystems, but little is known about the effect of small impoundments on leaf litter decomposition rates in headwater streams. In this study, we examined the effect of small water storage impoundments (80 to 720 m3) on leaf litter decomposition by comparing sites located within 10‐m upstream and downstream of nine impoundments (Rhineland Palatinate, Germany) and sites located further upstream and downstream. The impoundments did not have a statistically significant effect on most physico‐chemical variables. However, the abundance of shredders and leaf litter decomposition rates decreased in study sites located within 10‐m upstream of the area flooded by impoundments. Small impoundments can locally reduce leaf litter decomposition rates in headwater streams. The effect of small impoundments on ecosystem functioning is minor and may require less attention by freshwater managers than other stressors, though this may differ for other ecological aspects such as connectivity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bronze Age and Iron Age gold torcs and earrings from the Iberian Atlantic façade: a non‐invasive multi‐analytical approach to the characterisation of the alloys and the corrosion
Authors: Guerra Maria Filomena , Tissot Isabel
Published: June 2015

A group of Bronze Age and Iron Age gold torcs and earrings from the Iberian Atlantic façade, several with tarnishing, are studied with different X‐ray‐based techniques, including portable devices for in situ analysis. The construction of the complex objects is discussed, and information on the evolution of the alloys is provided. By comparing the elemental composition of the analysed objects with published data for Bronze Age and Iron Age jewellery from the Portuguese area and with data obtained and published for Chalcolithic objects from the Iberian area, the changes in gold supplies could be discussed, and this has led to suggest changes in the chronological attribution of three torcs, on the reuse without melting of one pair of earrings and on the origin of the so‐called gold ingots. The analysis of tarnished areas of the torcs and the earrings showed the presence of distinct corrosion products due to atmospheric corrosion, which could be in part identified. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two New Cadmium(II) Compounds based on Distinct Second Building Subunits: Solvothermal Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Luminescent Properties
Authors: Dong Yanli , Xing Guang'en
Published: June 2015

Two cadmium(II) coordination polymers, namely [Cd3(bpt)2(DMA)2]n (1) and [Cd2(bpt)(btz)(DMF)]n (2) (H3bpt = biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylic acid, Hbtz = 1H‐benzotriazole, DMA = N,N‐dimethylacetamide; DMF = N,N‐dimethylformamide), were solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 displays a 3D framework based on trinuclear {Cd3(COO)4} subunits and can be simplified into a (4,8)‐connected topological network by viewing bpt3– ligands and trinuclear {Cd3(COO)4} units as 4‐, 8‐connected nodes, respectively. Compound 2 also displays a 3D framework but based on 1D chain subunits controlled by carboxylate groups and btz– ligands. In addition, the thermal stabilities and luminescent properties of compounds 1 and 2 were also investigated.
Falling through the black hole horizon
Authors: Brustein Ram , Medved A. J. M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract

We consider the fate of a small classical object, a “stick”, as it falls through the horizon of a large black hole (BH). Classically, the equivalence principle dictates that the stick is affected by small tidal forces, and Hawking’s quantum-mechanical model of BH evaporation makes essentially the same prediction. If, on the other hand, the BH horizon is surrounded by a “firewall”, the stick will be consumed as it falls through. We have recently extended Hawking’s model by taking into account the quantum fluctuations of the geometry and the classical back-reaction of the emitted particles. Here, we calculate the train exerted on the falling stick for our model. The strain depends on the near-horizon state of the Hawking pairs. We find that, after the Page time when the state of the pairs deviates significantly from maximal entanglement (as required by unitarity), the induced strain in our semiclassical model is still parametrically small. This is because the number of the disentangled pairs is parametrically smaller than the BH entropy. A firewall does, however, appear if the number of disentangled pairs near the horizon is of order of the BH entropy, as implicitly assumed in previous discussions in the literature.
Zur Evaluation von Wissensgenerierung und Wissenstransfer in der Akademie für Raumforschung und Landesplanung (ARL) – Leibniz-Forum für Raumwissenschaften
Authors: Heinrich Blotevogel Hans , Sebastian Wiegand Timm
Published: June 2015

This paper examines the conditions for transdisciplinary knowledge creation and transfer of knowledge in general using the Academy for Spatial Research and Planning (ARL) as an example. Based on a consideration of differences between practice-oriented and transdisciplinary research the paper discusses the role of science and practice and their relationship. It emphasises the need for a transdisciplinary dialogue including all relevant scientific disciplines and stakeholders for addressing major societal challenges. When scrutinizing the current evaluation practice of the Leibniz Association it can be shown that the tracing of impacts generated in discursive and applied research processes is a challenging task. Subsequently we discuss how the ARL—with its inherent tension between different scientific disciplines and the application-oriented planning practice—and other “non typical scientific institutes” can be evaluated. Based upon this, recommendations are given for further development of mechanisms to evaluate scientific institutions, in particular with regard to knowledge transfer and transdisciplinary research.
European beech, silver fir, and Norway spruce differ in establishment, height growth, and mortality rates on coarse woody debris and forest floor—a study from a mixed beech forest in the Western Carpathians
Authors: Orman Olga , Szewczyk Janusz
Published: June 2015

Key message

In mixed forests, coarse woody debris promotes the successful establishment and growth of conifers and beech. In contrast to beech and fir, older spruce seedlings were only present on coarse woody debris and not on the forest floor.

Context

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is considered a suitable seedbed for small-seeded and light-demanding species. Its role in enhancing tree regeneration is well reported in boreal or subalpine spruce forests. Less is known about its role in the establishment, growth, and survival of other species, particularly in mixed forests.

Aims

We analyzed the role of CWD in seedling establishment, growth, and survival for European beech, silver fir, and Norway spruce.

Methods

We tracked the growth and survival of all germinants and seedlings over 5 years.

Results

Conifers were relatively more successful than beech at colonizing on CWD. The density of seedlings was variable in all CWD decay classes but was the highest on well-decomposed CWD. CWD supported the growth of all species. Beech cohorts and older seedlings had similar mortality rates on both microsites. Spruce germinants did not survive on the forest floor for more than a year, and older seedlings were only observed on CWD. Fir cohorts had similar mortality rates on both microsites, but older seedlings survived better on the forest floor.

Conclusion

Although the three species differed in their preferred microsite for establishment, CWD can be considered a suitable regeneration microsite for all three species by enhancing their growth and, in the case of spruce, both short- and long-term survival.
Global and local ancestry in African‐Americans: Implications for Alzheimer's disease risk
Authors: Hohman Timothy J. , Cooke‐Bailey Jessica N. , Reitz Christiane , Jun Gyungah , Naj Adam , Beecham Gary W. , Liu Zhi , Carney Regina M. , Vance Jeffrey M. , Cuccaro Michael L. , Rajbhandary Ruchita , Vardarajan Badri Narayan , Wang Li‐San , Valladares Otto , Lin Chiao‐Feng , Larson Eric B. , Graff‐Radford Neill R. , Evans Denis , De Jager Philip L. , Crane Paul K. , Buxbaum Joseph D. , Murrell Jill R. , Raj Towfique , Ertekin‐Taner Nilufer , Logue Mark W. , Baldwin Clinton T. , Green Robert C. , Barnes Lisa L. , Cantwell Laura B. , Fallin M. Daniele , Go Rodney C.P. , Griffith Patrick , Obisesan Thomas O. , Manly Jennifer J. , Lunetta Kathryn L. , Kamboh M. Ilyas , Lopez Oscar L. , Bennett David A. , Hardy John , Hendrie Hugh C. , Hall Kathleen S. , Goate Alison M. , Lang Rosalyn , Byrd Goldie S. , Kukull Walter A. , Foroud Tatiana M. , Farrer Lindsay A. , Martin Eden R. , Pericak‐Vance Margaret A. , Schellenberg Gerard D. , Mayeux Richard , Haines Jonathan L. , Thornton‐Wells Tricia A. ,   Alzheimer Disease Genetics Consortium
Published: June 2015

Introduction

African‐American (AA) individuals have a higher risk for late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) than Americans of primarily European ancestry (EA). Recently, the largest genome‐wide association study in AAs to date confirmed that six of the Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐related genetic variants originally discovered in EA cohorts are also risk variants in AA; however, the risk attributable to many of the loci (e.g., APOE, ABCA7) differed substantially from previous studies in EA. There likely are risk variants of higher frequency in AAs that have not been discovered.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive analysis of genetically determined local and global ancestry in AAs with regard to LOAD status.

Results

Compared to controls, LOAD cases showed higher levels of African ancestry, both globally and at several LOAD relevant loci, which explained risk for AD beyond global differences.

Discussion

Exploratory post hoc analyses highlight regions with greatest differences in ancestry as potential candidate regions for future genetic analyses.
Aortic perforation due to cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator lead placement: Case report and medicolegal considerations
Authors: Grande Antonino M. , Fiore Antonio , Merlano Maurizio , Buzzi Fabio , Mazzola Alessandro
Published: June 2015

A 45‐year‐old woman with dilated cardiomyopathy was admitted for the upgrade of a previously implanted pacemaker. Echocardiography showed intraventricular dyssynchrony and a low ejection fraction (0.35). Treatment with a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT‐D) was selected and the device was implanted. CRT‐D interrogation revealed proper function. Following procedure termination, the patient went into cardiac arrest and died despite resuscitation attempts. An autopsy revealed that the medial aspect of the right atrium was pierced by an active lead and that the aorta had a deep lesion, 2 mm in length, on its lateral aspect. We explain the probable pathogenesis of this patient's death.
Factors Influencing Antibiotic-Prescribing Decisions Among Inpatient Physicians: A Qualitative Investigation
Authors: Livorsi Daniel , Comer Amber , Matthias Marianne S. , Perencevich Eli N. , Bair Matthew J.
Published: June 2015

OBJECTIVE

To understand the professional and psychosocial factors that influence physician antibiotic prescribing habits in the inpatient setting.

DESIGN

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 inpatient physicians. Interviews consisted of open-ended questions and flexible probes based on participant responses. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, de-identified, and reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Data were analyzed using emergent thematic analysis.

SETTING

Two teaching hospitals in Indianapolis, Indiana

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 30 inpatient physicians (10 physicians-in-training, 20 supervising staff) were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

Participants recognized that antibiotics are overused, and many admitted to prescribing antibiotics even when the clinical evidence of infection was uncertain. Overprescription was largely driven by anxiety about missing an infection, whereas potential adverse effects of antibiotics did not strongly influence decision making. Participants did not routinely disclose potential adverse effects of antibiotics to inpatients. Physicians-in-training were strongly influenced by the antibiotic prescribing behavior of their supervising staff physicians. Participants sometimes questioned their colleagues’ antibiotic prescribing decisions, but they frequently avoided providing direct feedback or critique. These physicians cited obstacles of hierarchy, infrequent face-to-face encounters, and the awkwardness of these conversations.

CONCLUSION

A physician-based culture of prescribing antibiotics involves overusing antibiotics and not challenging the decisions of colleagues. The potential adverse effects of antibiotics did not strongly influence decision making in this sample. A better understanding of these factors could be leveraged in future efforts to improve antibiotic prescribing practices in the inpatient setting.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(9):1065–1072
Growth-and-collapse dynamics of small bubble clusters near a wall
Authors: Tiwari A. , Pantano C. , Freund J. B.
Published: June 2015

The violent collapse of bubble clusters is thought to damage adjacent material in both engineering and biomedical applications. Yet the complexities of the root mechanisms have restricted theoretical descriptions to significantly simplified configurations. Reduced-physics models based upon either homogenization or arrays of idealized spherical bubbles do reproduce important gross cluster-scale features. However, these models neglect detailed local bubble–bubble interactions, which are expected to mediate damage mechanisms. To describe these bubble-scale interactions, we simulate the expansion and subsequent collapse of a hemispherical cluster of 50 bubbles adjacent to a plane rigid wall, explicitly representing both the asymmetric dynamics of each bubble within the cluster and the compressible-fluid mechanics of bubble–bubble interactions. Results show that the collapse propagates inward, as visualized in experiments, and that geometric focusing generates high impulsive pressures. This gross behaviour is nearly independent of the specific arrangement of bubbles within the cluster and matches predictions from the corresponding particle and homogenized models we consider. The peak pressure in the detailed simulations is associated with the centremost bubble, which causes a corresponding peak pressure on the nearby wall. However, the peak pressures in all cases are a small fraction – over a factor of ten times smaller in many cases – of those predicted in the corresponding reduced models. This is due to the enhanced focusing in the homogeneous model and the spherical constraint on each bubble in the particle models assessed. These would be important factors to consider in any subsequent predictions of wall damage based upon reduced models.
THE HONOR COMMANDMENT: LAW, RELIGION, AND THE CHALLENGE OF ELDER CARE
Authors: Ziettlow Amy , Cahn Naomi
Published: June 2015

As a religious law, adage, and recipe for generational reciprocity, the “honor commandment” looms large as a societal construct, especially with 76 million baby boomers in the United States approaching old age. This article explores how the honor commandment persists as a normative ethic in the lived practice of elder care and the ways that it is supported by, or at odds with, secular legal imperatives of elder care.

Much in the way that the biblical story of Ruth provides a broad interpretation of how to live the honor commandment, this interdisciplinary exploration is informed by contemporary experiences of elder care culled from ethnographic interviews as well as by theological, demographic, and legal source material. We argue that the honor commandment continues to support practical adherence to largely unknown legal obligations. Caring for aging and ill parents can impose burdens on the caretakers that secular laws often fail to alleviate, particularly because of changes in the structure of twenty-first-century families. We suggest potential reforms that could better facilitate honoring seriously ill elders and the grown children who care for them.
A NOTE ON PSEUDOVARIETIES OF COMPLETELY REGULAR SEMIGROUPS
Authors: ALMEIDA JORGE , COSTA ALFREDO
Published: June 2015

A paper of Almeida and Trotter [‘The pseudoidentity problem and reducibility for completely regular semigroups’, Bull. Aust. Math. Soc.63 (2001), 407–433] makes essential use of free profinite semigroupoids over profinite graphs with infinitely many vertices. It has since been shown that such structures must be handled with great care. In this note, it is verified that the required properties hold for the profinite graphs considered by Almeida and Trotter, thereby filling the gaps in the proof.
Cod liver oil consumption at different periods of life and bone mineral density in old age
Authors: Eysteinsdottir Tinna , Halldorsson Thorhallur I. , Thorsdottir Inga , Sigurdsson Gunnar , Sigurdsson Sigurdur , Harris Tamara , Launer Lenore J. , Gudnason Vilmundur , Gunnarsdottir Ingibjorg , Steingrimsdottir Laufey
Published: June 2015

Cod liver oil is a traditional source of vitamin D in Iceland, and regular intake is recommended partly for the sake of bone health. However, the association between lifelong consumption of cod liver oil and bone mineral density (BMD) in old age is unclear. The present study attempted to assess the associations between intake of cod liver oil in adolescence, midlife, and old age, and hip BMD in old age, as well as associations between cod liver oil intake in old age and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration. Participants of the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility–Reykjavik Study (age 66–96 years; n 4798), reported retrospectively cod liver oil intake during adolescence and midlife, as well as the one now in old age, using a validated FFQ. BMD of femoral neck and trochanteric region was measured by volumetric quantitative computed tomography, and serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by means of a direct, competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay. Associations were assessed using linear regression models. No significant association was seen between retrospective cod liver oil intake and hip BMD in old age. Current intake of aged men was also not associated with hip BMD, while aged women with daily intakes had z-scores on average 0·1 higher, compared with those with an intake of < once/week. Although significant, this difference is small, and its clinical relevance is questionable. Intake of aged participants was positively associated with serum 25(OH)D: individuals with intakes of < once/week, one to six time(s)/week and daily intake had concentrations of approximately 40, 50 and 60 nmol/l respectively (P for trend < 0·001).
Asparagine attenuates hepatic injury caused by lipopolysaccharide in weaned piglets associated with modulation of Toll-like receptor 4 and nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain protein signalling and their negative regulators
Authors: Wu Huanting , Liu Yulan , Pi Dingan , Leng Weibo , Zhu Huiling , Hou Yongqing , Li Shuang , Shi Haifeng , Wang Xiuying
Published: June 2015

Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a key role in many models of hepatic damage. In addition, asparagine (Asn) plays an important role in immune function. We aimed to investigate whether Asn could attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver damage. Forty-eight castrated barrows were allotted to four groups including: (1) non-challenged control; (2) LPS-challenged control; (3) LPS+0·5 % Asn; and (4) LPS+1·0 % Asn. After 19 d feeding with control, 0·5 or 1·0 % Asn diets, pigs were injected with LPS or saline. Blood and liver samples were obtained at 4 h (early stage) and 24 h (late stage) post-injection. Asn alleviated liver injury, indicated by reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities linearly and quadratically; it increased claudin-1 protein expression linearly and quadratically at 24 h, and less severe liver morphological impairment at 4 or 24 h. In addition, Asn decreased mRNA expression of TNF-α and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) linearly and quadratically at 4 h; it increased TNF-α mRNA expression, and HSP70 protein expression linearly and quadratically at 24 h. Moreover, Asn increased inducible NO synthase activity linearly and quadratically. Finally, Asn down-regulated the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling molecules (TLR4, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), TNF-α receptor-associated factor 6), nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain protein (NOD) signalling molecules (NOD1, NOD2 and their adaptor molecule receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2)), and NF-κB p65 linearly or quadratically at 4 h. Oppositely, Asn up-regulated mRNA expressions of TLR4 and NOD signalling molecules (TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, IRAK1, NOD2 and RIPK2), and their negative regulators (radioprotective 105, single Ig IL-1R-related molecule, Erbb2 interacting protein and centaurin β1) linearly or quadratically at 24 h. These results indicate that, in early and late stages of LPS challenge, Asn improves liver integrity and exerts different regulatory effects on mRNA expression of TLR4 and NOD signalling molecules.
YIELD, NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY AND GRAIN QUALITY IN DURUM WHEAT AS AFFECTED BY NITROGEN FERTILIZATION UNDER A MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT
Authors: IERNA ANITA , LOMBARDO GRAZIA MARIA , MAUROMICALE GIOVANNI
Published: June 2015

Limited information is available concerning the influence of nitrogen fertilization jointly on yield response, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and grain quality of durum wheat under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. The study focused on evaluating, through a systematic study, over three seasons in southern Italy the effects of three nitrogen fertilization rates (0, 80 and 160 kg N ha−1– N0, N80and N160), on grain yield, yield components, nitrogen efficiency indices and grain quality characteristics of three durum wheat genotypes (‘Creso’, ‘Trinakria’ and ‘Line 25’) from different breeding eras to achieve a more sustainable fertilization management of the durum wheat crop. We found that nitrogen fertilization at 80 kg N ha−1was able to maximize the yield performances (2.1 t ha−1year–1) of the crop and keep NUE index at an acceptable level (16.3 kg kg−1). On the other hand, nitrogen fertilization at 160 kg N ha−1improved grain quality measured through protein (up to 14.3%) and dry gluten concentration (up to 12.8%), but had a detrimental effect on grain yield and nitrogen efficiency. Among the genotypes studied, ‘Trinakria’ showed the greatest potential to utilize nitrogen fertilization to improve grain yield and NUE (at N80) and quality (at N160), ‘Line 25’ made good use of N80both for yield and quality, whereas ‘Creso’ proved wholly unresponsive to nitrogen. The effect of N fertilization on grain yield and N use efficiency depends on rainfall distribution, giving the best results when about 80% of total rainfall occurred from sowing to heading. Overall, our data show that in seasons with regular rainfall in quantity and distribution, combining no more than 80 kg ha−1of nitrogen fertilization with genotypes characterized by a more efficient response to nitrogen, is a useful tool to improve the agronomic and quality performance of the crop, ensuring, at the same time, a more environment-friendly nitrogen fertilization.
Predictors of outcome for telephone and face-to-face administered cognitive behavioral therapy for depression
Authors: Stiles-Shields C. , Corden M. E. , Kwasny M. J. , Schueller S. M. , Mohr D. C.
Published: June 2015

Background

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be delivered efficaciously through various modalities, including telephone (T-CBT) and face-to-face (FtF-CBT). The purpose of this study was to explore predictors of outcome in T-CBT and FtF-CBT for depression.

Method

A total of 325 depressed participants were randomized to receive eighteen 45-min sessions of T-CBT or FtF-CBT. Depression severity was measured using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Classification and regression tree (CART) analyses were conducted with baseline participant demographics and psychological characteristics predicting depression outcomes, HAMD and PHQ-9, at end of treatment (week 18).

Results

The demographic and psychological characteristics accurately identified 85.3% and 85.0% of treatment responders and 85.7% and 85.0% of treatment non-responders on the HAMD and PHQ-9, respectively. The Coping self-efficacy (CSE) scale predicted outcome on both the HAMD and PHQ-9; those with moderate to high CSE were likely to respond with no other variable influencing that prediction. Among those with low CSE, depression severity influenced response. Social support, physical functioning, and employment emerged as predictors only for the HAMD, and sex predicted response on the PHQ-9. Treatment delivery method (i.e. telephone or face-to-face) did not impact the prediction of outcome.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the predictors of improved depression are similar across treatment modalities. Most importantly, a moderate to high level of CSE significantly increases the chance of responding in both T-CBT and FtF-CBT. Among patients with low CSE, those with lower depressive symptom severity are more likely to do well in treatment.
GLOBAL PRICING POLICIES AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF TRASTUZUMAB IN LATIN AMERICA
Authors: Giffin Robert B.
Published: June 2015

Pinchon-Riviere and colleagues have made an extremely timely contribution that addresses the thorny issues of innovative, high-cost medicines, global health disparities, and the growing interest and application of HTA in low- and middle-income countries.
Landscape patterns influence communities of medium- to large-bodied vertebrates in undisturbed terra firme forests of French Guiana
Authors: Richard-Hansen Cécile , Jaouen Gaëlle , Denis Thomas , Brunaux Olivier , Marcon Eric , Guitet Stéphane
Published: June 2015

Whereas broad-scale Amazonian forest types have been shown to influence the structure of the communities of medium- to large-bodied vertebrates, their natural heterogeneity at smaller scale or within the terra firme forests remains poorly described and understood. Diversity indices of such communities and the relative abundance of the 21 most commonly observed species were compared from standardized line-transect data across 25 study sites distributed in undisturbed forests in French Guiana. We first assessed the relevance of a forest typology based on geomorphological landscapes to explain the observed heterogeneity. As previously found for tree beta-diversity patterns, this new typology proved to be a non-negligible factor underlying the beta diversity of the communities of medium- to large bodied vertebrates in French Guianan terra firme forests. Although the species studied are almost ubiquitous across the region, they exhibited habitat preferences through significant variation in abundance and in their association index with the different landscape types. As terra firme forests represent more than 90% of the Amazon basin, characterizing their heterogeneity – including faunal communities – is a major challenge in neotropical forest ecology.
TEFREP: Épreuve de répétition de phrases en franco-québécois. Développement, validation et normalisation
Authors: Bourgeois-Marcotte Josiane , Wilson Maximiliano A. , Forest Martin , Monetta Laura
Published: June 2015

Sentence repetition is part of the assessment tasks used to better characterise aphasic patients’ oral production. Moreover, impaired sentence and phrase repetition is a core feature of the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia. The aim of this study is to present the TEFREP (TEst Français de RÉpétition de Phrases), a French sentence repetition task that manipulates psycholinguistic variables known to affect the performance of aphasic patients. The final version of the TEFREP consists of 24 sentences in which length, semantic reversibility and type of sentence have been manipulated. The task shows good psychometric properties (validity and reliability). Norms according to age and education level have been developed from a sample of 80 healthy adults and older adults. In conclusion, the TEFREP fulfills the current need for a reliable assessment tool of sentence repetition in Canadian French-speaking populations and contributes to the differential diagnosis of language impairment.
Genotyping of Leptospira directly in urine samples of cattle demonstrates a diversity of species and strains in Brazil
Authors: HAMOND C. , PESTANA C. P. , MEDEIROS M. A. , LILENBAUM W.
Published: June 2015

The aim of this study was to identify Leptospira in urine samples of cattle by direct sequencing of the secY gene. The validity of this approach was assessed using ten Leptospira strains obtained from cattle in Brazil and 77 DNA samples previously extracted from cattle urine, that were positive by PCR for the genus-specific lipL32 gene of Leptospira. Direct sequencing identified 24 (31·1%) interpretable secY sequences and these were identical to those obtained from direct DNA sequencing of the urine samples from which they were recovered. Phylogenetic analyses identified four species: L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii, L. noguchii, and L. santarosai with the most prevalent genotypes being associated with L. borgpetersenii. While direct sequencing cannot, as yet, replace culturing of leptospires, it is a valid additional tool for epidemiological studies. An unexpected finding from this study was the genetic diversity of Leptospira infecting Brazilian cattle.
Preface
Authors: JUNG ACHIM , ZHANG GUO-QIANG
Published: June 2015

The International Symposium on Domain Theory (ISDT) is a conference series intended to be a forum for researchers in domain theory and its applications. Topics include topological and logical aspects of domains; categories of domains and powerdomains; continuous posets and their representations; partial orders, lattice theory and metric spaces; types, process algebra and concurrency; non-classical and partial logics; programming language semantics; applications in computer science and mathematics. This conference series was founded by Yingming Liu, Yixiang Chen, Klaus Keimel, and Guo-Qiang Zhang. All ISDT events have taken place in China. The first ISDT was held in Shanghai, October 17–24, 1999; the second ISDT was held in Chengdu, October 22–26, 2001; the third ISDT occurred in Xi'an, China, May 10–14, 2004; the fourth ISDT was held in Changsha, June 2–6, 2006; and the fifth ISDT took place in Shanghai, September 11–14, 2009.
The New Religious Freedom: Secular Fictions and Church Autonomy
Authors: Scherer Matthew
Published: June 2015

This article argues that a new form of religious freedom is emerging within the contentious field of United States politics today. Despite the commitment to separating church and state that is characteristic of American secularism, implementation of the new religious freedom appears likely to contribute to processes that are actively reshaping religious and political landscapes. Recent US Supreme Court cases such asHosanna-Tabor v. EEOCandBurwell v. Hobby Lobby, Inc. present clear examples and this article uses the former case to bring the dynamics of the new religious freedom to light. The push for religious freedom in contemporary United States law and politics should be assessed in terms of its transformative consequences in both “religious” and “political” spheres. These consequences include refashioning religious communities as increasingly hierarchical and isolated enclaves, undermining the rights and freedoms of citizens, and further fracturing the public sphere.
Bending with the Wind: Revisiting Islamist Parties’ Electoral Dilemma
Authors: Yildirim A. Kadir , Lancaster Caroline M.
Published: June 2015

Islamist parties' electoral performance is a hotly debated question. Two arguments dominate the literature in terms of Islamist parties' performance in democratic elections. The conventional argument has been the “one man, one vote, one time” hypothesis. More recently, Kurzman and Naqvi challenge this argument and show that Islamists tend to lose in free elections rather than win them. We argue that existing arguments fall short. Specifically, we theorize that moderateness of Islamist platform plays a key role in increasing the popularity of these parties and leads to higher levels of electoral support. Using data collected by Kurzman and Naqvi, we test our hypothesis, controlling for political platform and political economic factors in a quantitative analysis. We find that there is empirical support for our theory. Islamist parties' support level is positively associated with moderateness; however, this positive effect of moderation is also conditioned by economic openness.
Commentary on Part I of the Montreux Document on Pertinent International Legal Obligations and Good Practices for States Related to Operations of Private Military and Security Companies During Armed Conflict
Authors: Tougas Marie-Louise
Published: June 2015

The Montreux Document on Private Military and Security Companies (Montreux Document) was adopted in 2008 by seventeen States to reaffirm and, as far as was necessary, clarify the existing obligations of States and other actors under international law, in particular under international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL). It also aimed at identifying good practices and regulatory options to assist States in promoting respect for IHL and IHRL by private military and security companies (PMSCs). Today, fifty-one States and three international organizations have endorsed the Montreux Document. It contains twenty-seven “Statements” – sections recalling the main international legal obligations of States in regard to the operations of PMSCs during armed conflicts. Each statement is the reaffirmation of a general rule of IHL, IHRL or State responsibility formulated in a way that clarifies its applicability to PMSC operations. This article aims to detail the basis of each legal obligation mentioned in the first part of the Montreux Document (Part I). The article follows the structure of Part I, in order to better facilitate its comprehension. The second part of the Montreux Document, relating to good practices, is not covered in this article.
Tests of Scholastic Aptitude Cover Reasoning Facets	Sufficiently
Authors: Schult Johannes , Fischer Franziska T. , Hell Benedikt
Published: June 2015

Abstract. This study explores how reasoning facets relate to tests of scholastic aptitude and to academic performance. Intelligence test scores and academic aptitude test scores from freshman students in science (n = 284) and economics (n = 359) as well as subsequent grades from their first year in college were used to analyze structural equation models. The direct influence of reasoning facets on academic performance is fully mediated by academic aptitude test scores. Numeric abilities dominate the aptitude tests’ predictive power. Verbal reasoning explains a significant amount of aptitude test score variance in science but not in economics. The mediation analysis suggests that verbal, numeric, and figural reasoning are covered sufficiently by the aptitude tests.
Patient-Rated Outcome Assessment With the German Version of the	Outcome Questionnaire 45 in People With Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Puschner Bernd , Cosh Suzanne , Becker Thomas
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and psychometric properties of the German version of the Outcome Questionnaire (Ergebnisfragebogen; EB-45) in people with severe mental illness (N = 294). Reliability and sensitivity to change were assessed. Convergent validity was examined through correlations with the measures Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS-D) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and predictive validity through correlation with length of inpatient stay. The EB-45 showed good reliability and sensitivity to change, as well as good internal consistency for the total score and the subscale “symptom distress.” The EB-45 was found to be acceptable and feasible for use within inpatient psychiatric settings. Also predictive validity was good. However, psychometric properties of the subscales “interpersonal relations” and “social role” were equivocal. Thus, interpreting subscale scores only is not advisable. Also low convergent validity is a concern. Taken together, the EB-45 can be recommended for outcome assessment in a wide range of mental health service settings including inpatient psychiatric services. However, treatment planning and evaluation of effectiveness of services for people with severe mental illness should not be based on EB-45 data alone.
Eye Movements Reveal How Readers Infer Intentions From the Beliefs and Desires of Others
Authors: Haigh Matthew , Bonnefon Jean-François
Published: June 2015

We examine how the beliefs and desires of a protagonist are used by readers to predict their intentions as a narrative vignette unfolds. Eye movement measures revealed that readers rapidly inferred an intention when the protagonist desired an outcome, even when this inference was not licensed by the protagonist’s belief state. Reading was immediately disrupted when participants encountered a described action that contradicted this inference. During intermediate processing, desire inferences were moderated by the protagonist’s belief state. Effects that emerged later in the text were again driven solely by the protagonist’s desires. These data suggest that desire-based inferences are initially drawn irrespective of belief state, but are then quickly inhibited if not licensed by relevant beliefs. This inhibition of desire-based inferences may be an effortful process as it was not systematically sustained in later steps of processing.
The Influence of Social and Nonsocial Variables on the Simon	Effect
Authors: Mussi Davide R. , Marino Barbara F. M. , Riggio Lucia
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Recently, the Simon effect (SE) has been observed in social contexts when two individuals share a two-choice task. This joint SE (JSE) has been interpreted as evidence that people co-represent their actions. However, it is still not clear if the JSE is driven by social factors or low-level mechanisms. To address this question, we applied a common paradigm to a joint Simon task (Experiments 1 and 4), a standard Simon task (Experiment 2), and a go/no-go task (Experiment 3). The results showed that both the JSE and the SE were modulated by the repetition/non-repetition of task features. Moreover, the JSE was differently modulated by the gender composition of the two individuals involved in the shared task and by their interpersonal relationship. Taken together, our results do not support a pure social explanation of the JSE, nevertheless, they show the independent role of different social factors in modulating the effect.
Change Detection in Visual Short-Term Memory
Authors: Sapkota Raju P. , Pardhan Shahina , van der Linde Ian
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Numerous kinds of visual event challenge our ability to keep track of the objects that populate our visual environment from moment to moment. These include blinks, occlusion, shifting visual attention, and changes to object’s visual and spatial properties over time. These visual events may lead to objects falling out of our visual awareness, but can also lead to unnoticed changes, such as undetected object replacements and positional exchanges. Current visual memory models do not predict which visual changes are likely to be the most difficult to detect. We examine the accuracy with which switches (where two objects exchange locations) and substitutions (where one or two objects are replaced) are detected. Inferior performance for one-object substitutions versus two-objects switches, along with superior performance for two-object substitutions versus two-object switches was found. Our results are interpreted in terms of object file theory, trade-offs between diffused and localized attention, and net visual change.
Violent Lyrics = Aggressive Listeners?
Authors: Pieschl Stephanie , Fegers Simon
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Research on music has had an impressive impact. For example, the semantic content of lyrics seems to cause associated short-term effects regarding cognition and affect. However, we argue that these effects might have been confounded by other musical parameters related to time, pitch, texture, or voice of the selected songs. This study overcame this methodological problem by using different versions of an experimentally manipulated song. In a 2 × 2 between-subjects design, 120 university students listened to four versions of a song with violent or prosocial lyrics presented in slow or fast tempo. As predicted by theories of priming, violent lyrics increased aggressive cognitions (word completion test) and aggressive affect (self-reported state anger) in comparison with prosocial lyrics. However, the reverse effects of prosocial lyrics on prosocial cognitions and prosocial affect could not be confirmed. Finally, the tempo of the song did not consistently increase self-reported arousal, and we did not find more extreme effects under conditions of fast tempo as predicted by the arousal-extremity model.
Apple Apps for the Management of Pediatric Pain and Pain-Related Stress
Authors: Smith Kelly , Iversen Christina , Kossowsky Joe , O’Dell Shannon , Gambhir Rupa , Coakley Rachael
Published: June 2015

Cognitive–behavioral and biobehavioral skills are the cornerstones of an effective pediatric psychology pain management plan, and routine practice of these skills is essential for mastery. Integrating engaging technology into clinical care has the potential to enhance outcomes by fostering practice and by making the home-based acquisition of empirically supported skills an easy and accessible process. The present study systematically reviewed 57 Apple applications (“apps”) targeting pediatric chronic pain and pain-related difficulties. Each app was independently rated in 4 different categories. The reading level of each app was then systematically assessed via software to determine the grade-level at which a child could be expected to understand instructions and applicability of the app. Apps were also coded into categories based on main function or utility. Nineteen apps were recommended based on a composite rating of “very good” or “excellent” in this systematic review. Although the majority of the apps in this review were developed by lay-professionals, target adult populations, and have not been subject to clinical research, a significant number of these apps appear to be well designed for adjunctive reinforcement of pediatric pain management skills. This study highlights 19 apps that may be clinically useful in pediatric chronic pain populations, but also notes the need for further research and the importance of exercising caution when using apps with pediatric patients. Additionally, this review found that many apps included a complex level of written content. Thus, providers may need to provide developmentally targeted instruction to pediatric patients to ensure comprehension.
Confidentiality and Electronic Health Records: Keeping Up With Advances in Technology and Expectations for Access
Authors: Nielsen Britt A.
Published: June 2015

In the first issue of Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology ( CPPP), Smolyansky et al. (2013) described experiences and decisions making related to the implementation an electronic health record (EHR) at 4 children’s hospitals. Two years later, the Society of Pediatric Psychology (Division 54 of the American Psychological Association) listserv continues to be a forum for discussion of EHR confidentiality specific to a pediatric medical setting, reflecting the learning curve involved when implementing an EHR. The purpose of this commentary is to highlight the unique ethical considerations in the use of electronic health records in a pediatric medical setting. Unique issues related to documentation for a pediatric population, interprofessional teams, trainees, and adapting documentation practices for the ever evolving technology and expectation for information access.