bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of hydraulic retention time, temperature, and organic load on a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland treating cheese whey wastewater
Authors: Sultana Mar‐Yam , Mourti Christina , Tatoulis Triantafyllos , Akratos Christos S , Tekerlekopoulou Athanasia G , Vayenas Dimitrios V
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

One of the main components of dairy wastewaters is cheese whey. Although different technologies have been used extensively in the past for cheese‐whey treatment, constructed wetlands (CWs) applications are limited. Furthermore, the effect of crucial operational parameters (e.g. temperature, pollutant loading rate) have not been thoroughly studied. Having this in mind, two horizontal subsurface flow pilot‐scale CW units (one planted and one unplanted) were used to treat secondary cheese whey, in order to examine the effect of different chemical oxygen demand (COD) influent concentrations (1200 to 7200 mg L−1), hydraulic residence times (8, 4, 2 and 1 day) and temperature (2.4 to 32.9 °C).

RESULTS

During a 2‐year operating period both pilot‐scale units successfully removed organic matter, with COD removal efficiencies recorded at 91% and 77.2% for the planted and the unplanted unit, respectively. Hydraulic residence time affected COD removal efficiency only when limited to 1 day. Temperature significantly affected COD removal only in the unplanted unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Constructed wetlands could successfully treat secondary cheese whey and provide COD effluent concentrations below EU legislation, when hydraulic residence time is above 2 days and COD influent concentration ranges from 1200 to 3500 mg L−1. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Monochromatic Clique Decompositions of Graphs
Authors: Liu Henry , Pikhurko Oleg , Sousa Teresa
Published: January 2015

Let G be a graph whose edges are colored with k colors, and be a k‐tuple of graphs. A monochromatic ‐decomposition of G is a partition of the edge set of G such that each part is either a single edge or forms a monochromatic copy of in color i, for some . Let be the smallest number ϕ, such that, for every order‐n graph and every k‐edge‐coloring, there is a monochromatic ‐decomposition with at most ϕ elements. Extending the previous results of Liu and Sousa [Monochromatic ‐decompositions of graphs, J Graph Theory 76 (2014), 89–100], we solve this problem when each graph in is a clique and is sufficiently large.
Returning Home: The Middle‐Income Trap and Gendered Norms in Thailand
Authors: Le Mare Ann , Promphaking Buapun , Rigg Jonathan
Published: January 2015

We personalise the middle‐income trap by exploring the experiences of migrants from north‐east Thailand, most of whom return to their natal villages as a result of family decisions based on more than achieving higher incomes. Whereas men are largely content, women have to balance a range of roles because of prescribed gender norms. Increased education and migration did not lead to higher value work on their return because of lack of investment and opportunity, but also because of gender norms and relationships that reflect rather than challenge the norms that would allow women (and men) to develop new employment opportunities. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immobilization of soil copper using organic and inorganic amendments
Authors: Shaheen Sabry M. , Tsadilas Christos D. , Rinklebe Jörg
Published: January 2015

This experiment aimed to immobilize Cu in polluted agricultural soils via the application of agrochemicals to reduce its bioavailability to plants. A greenhouse pot experiment was established using a Cu contaminated vineyard topsoil collected from a farm in Greece. The soil was mixed with inorganic [i.e., zeolite (Z), Al‐oxide (AX), Mn‐oxide (MX), and phosphate rock (PR)] as well as organic amendments [i.e., activated charcoal (AC), commercial peat soil material (CP), and compost from olive oil processing wastes (COW)] with an application rate of 2.5% and cultivated by corn (Zea maize). After plant harvesting, Cu was measured separately in the aboveground biomass and roots, respectively, whereas the soil samples were analyzed for DTPA‐extractable and geochemical fractions of Cu (soluble + exchangeable fraction, sorbed and carbonate fraction, Fe‐/Mn‐oxides fraction, and organic fraction). The immobilizing agents, except MX, reduced the soluble plus exchangeable Cu in the treated soil. The lowest concentrations of the soluble plus exchangeable Cu occurred in the soil amended with AC followed by CP, AX, COW, PR, and Z, respectively. The amendments decreased the uptake of Cu by corn. Concentrations of Cu were between 11 and 38% lower in the above ground biomass and 19 and 48% lower in the roots than the control. The organic amendments were more effective than the inorganic additives. The AC was the most effective organic additive and AX was the most effective inorganic amendment.
Leaf removal and wine composition of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Nero d'Avola: the volatile aroma constituents
Authors: Verzera Antonella , Tripodi Gianluca , Dima Giovanna , Condurso Concetta , Scacco Antonio , Cincotta Fabrizio , Giglio Dina Maria Letizia , Santangelo Tanino , Sparacio Antonio
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

Defoliation is a cultural practice for crop management in grapevines and the benefits effects have been demonstrated. Here, the influence of ‘early’ leaf removal on the quality of Nero d'Avola wines was evaluated. Particular attention has been given to the volatile constituents responsible for the wine aroma but also to the total amount of polyphenolic compounds, anthocyanins and flavonoids.

RESULTS

‘Early’ defoliation was manually applied and compared with non‐defoliated controls. The grapes were harvested at two different ripening times following their technological and phenolic maturity. Statistical quantitative differences occurred among the samples from the four trials (defoliated and control samples, both at two ripening times). Both the time of harvest and the vine leaf removal determined variation in the wine composition. A large number of volatile constituents were identified and quantified; the odour activity values (OAVs) were calculated. Basal leaf removal reduced pH and increased titratable acidity, total amount of anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols and colour intensity in the wines from the first harvest. Results showed the increase of fermentation and varietal aromas in the defoliated wines from the first harvest. Limited differences occurred between the wines from defoliated and control vines relative to the second harvest. Principal components analysis, which was applied to compounds with OAVs ≥ 0.5, allowed the different compounds to be distinguished.

CONCLUSION

‘Early’ leaf removal can lead to a positive effect on the quality of Nero d'Avola under the environmental conditions in which the present study was undertaken but particular attention has to be given to the time of grape harvest. The results also demonstrate that ‘early’ defoliation can be applied to improve wine quality in the Mediterranean region, where there is a concentration of rainfall during winter, and nearly arid conditions and high temperatures during the summer. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Capturing the complete stress–strain behaviour of jointed rock using a numerical approach
Authors: Esmaieli Kamran , Hadjigeorgiou John , Grenon Martin
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the results of a series of numerical experiments using the synthetic rock mass (SRM) approach to quantify the behaviour of jointed rock masses. Field data from a massive sulphide rock mass, at the Brunswick mine, were used to develop a discrete fracture network (DFN). The constructed DFN model was subsequently subjected to random sampling whereby 40 cubic samples, of height to width ratio of two, and of varying widths (0.05 to 10 m) were isolated. The discrete fracture samples were linked to 3D bonded particle models to generate representative SRM models for each sample size. This approach simulated the jointed rock mass as an assembly of fractures embedded into the rock matrix.

The SRM samples were submitted to uniaxial loading, and the complete stress–strain behaviour of each specimen was recorded. This approach provided a way to determine the complex constitutive behaviour of large‐scale rock mass samples. This is often difficult or not possible to achieve in the laboratory.

The numerical experiments suggested that higher post‐peak modulus values were obtained for smaller samples and lower values for larger sample sizes. Furthermore, the observed deviation of the recorded post‐peak modulus values decreased with sample size. The ratio of residual strength of rock mass samples per uniaxial compressive strength intact increases moderately with sample size. Consequently, for the investigated massive sulphide rock mass, the pre‐peak and post‐peak representative elemental volume size was found to be the same (7 × 7 × 14 m). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychological distancing: the effects of narrative perspectives and levels of access to a victim's inner world on victim blame and helping intention
Authors: Cao Xiaoxia , Decker Donna
Published: January 2015

To explore what is an (in)effective way to tell victim stories in order to elicit support for charitable causes, an experiment was conducted to examine how narrative perspectives (first‐person versus third‐person) and levels of access to a victim's inner world (high versus low) may influence reactions to the victim. It found that the two factors interacted to influence victim blame and helping intention through affecting the perceived psychological distance of the victim. Specifically, the first‐person (versus third‐person) narrative increased victim blame and reduced helping intention by motivating participants to distance themselves from the victim when the level of access to the victim's inner world was relatively high but not when the level of access was relatively low. The findings contribute to our understanding of what would be an (in)effective way of telling victim stories to elicit compassionate reactions to those in need.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of confinement on glass dynamics and free volume in immiscible polystyrene/high‐density polyethylene blends
Authors: Wu Lingyun , Zhu Jingjun , Liao Xia , Ni Kai , Zhang Qiongwen , An Zhu , Yang Qi , Li Guangxian
Published: January 2015

The effect of confinement on glass dynamics combined with the corresponding free volume changes of amorphous polystyrene (PS) in blends with semi‐crystalline high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) have been investigated using thermal analyses and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Two different glass transition temperatures (Tg) were observed in a PS/HDPE blend due to the dissimilarity in the chemical structure, consistent with an immiscible blend. However, Tg of PS in the incompatible PS/HDPE blend showed an upward trend with increasing PS content resulting from the confinement effect, while Tg of the semi‐crystalline HDPE component became lower than that of neat HDPE. Moreover, the elevation of Tg of PS was enhanced with a decrease of free volume radius by comparing annealed and unannealed PS/HDPE blends. Positron results showed that the free volume radius clearly decreased with annealing for all compositions, although the free volume hole size agreed well with linear additivity, indicating that there was only a weak interaction between the two components. Combining PALS with thermal analysis results, the confinement effect on the glass dynamics and free volume of PS phase in PS/HDPE blends could be attributed to the shrinkage of HDPE during crystallization when HDPE acted as the continuous phase. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
DNA‐Mediated Stabilization of Self‐Assembling Bead Monolayers for Microfluidic Applications
Authors: Bartke Marianne , Eickenberg Bernhard , Wittbracht Frank , Hütten Andreas
Published: January 2015

Forming ordered 2D or 3D arrays of colloidal particles on the micro‐ or nanometer scale in a bottom‐up process is a challenging task. In previous works by various groups, hybridization between DNA strands localized on the particle surface is used to create crystalline arrays. However, this method requires an annealing process with a duration of one day or more and usually yields agglomerates of only a few dozen particles. In this work, a method for the rapid formation of highly‐ordered 2D agglomerates of superparamagnetic microparticles (beads) is presented. Dipolar coupling between the beads under the influence of a rotating magnetic field leads to the formation of a dense monolayer. The monolayer is then stabilized through DNA hybridization between DNA strands immobilized on the bead surface and a linker strand in solution. The whole self‐assembly process requires less than an hour and is therefore significantly faster than comparable methods.
Reversion of Nitrate Tolerance in Rat Aorta Rings by Freeze‐dried Red Wine
Authors: Fusi Fabio , Sgaragli Giampietro
Published: January 2015

Chronically administered organic nitrates induce nitrate tolerance and endothelial dysfunction, which limit their therapeutic use. eNOS uncoupling, ROS over‐production, aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) oxidative inhibition, and cGMP desensitization are thought to play an important role. Natural polyphenols are effective antioxidants, which might counteract the mechanisms leading to nitrate tolerance. The aim of this work was to verify whether freeze‐dried (dealcoholized) red wine (FDRW) was able to revert glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) tolerance and endothelial dysfunction induced in rat aorta rings with either GTN or diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA), an irreversible inhibitor of Cu/Zn SOD. GTN induced a concentration‐dependent relaxation of rings pre‐contracted with phenylephrine. GTN spasmolysis was significantly reduced in rings pre‐incubated with either GTN or DETCA. FDRW, at 2.8 µg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL concentration, was able to revert partially, though significantly, GTN‐induced tolerance but not tolerance and endothelial dysfunction induced by DETCA. This work provides the first evidence in vitro that red wine components, at concentrations comparable to those achieved in human blood after moderate consumption of red wine, revert tolerance to nitrates with a mechanism possibly mediated by SOD. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Innovation ecosystems and the pace of substitution: Re‐examining technology S‐curves
Authors: Adner Ron , Kapoor Rahul
Published: January 2015

Why do some new technologies emerge and quickly supplant incumbent technologies while others take years or decades to take off? We explore this question by presenting a framework that considers both the focal competing technologies as well as the ecosystems in which they are embedded. Within our framework, each episode of technology transition is characterized by the ecosystem emergence challenge that confronts the new technology and the ecosystem extension opportunity that is available to the old technology. We identify four qualitatively distinct regimes with clear predictions for the pace of substitution. Evidence from 10 episodes of technology transitions in the semiconductor lithography equipment industry from 1972 to 2009 offers strong support for our framework. We discuss the implication of our approach for firm strategy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Route Toward Improved Sodium Ion Batteries: A Multifunctional Fluffy Na0.67FePO4/CNT Nanocactus
Authors: Huang Weifeng , Zhou Jing , Li Biao , An Li , Cui Peixin , Xia Wei , Song Li , Xia Dingguo , Chu Wangsheng , Wu Ziyu
Published: January 2015

To improve the performance of energy storage systems, the rational design of new electrode configurations is a strategic initiative. Here, we present a novel monodisperse fluffy alluaudite Na0.67FePO4, prepared by a modified solvothermal method, as promising electrode for sodium ion battery. This porous Na0.67FePO4 with nanocactus‐like morphology is composed by nanorods within an open three‐dimensional structure. This unique nanocactus‐based morphology offers three important advantages when used as electrode for sodium ion battery: (i) provides an open frame structure for a large Na+ ions transport; (ii) reduces the sodium ion and electron transport path by ≈20 nm; (iii) offers a large surface area for a more efficient interface between the electrode and the electrolyte. The electrochemical investigation revealed that this fluffy Na0.67FePO4 nanocactus exhibits the high discharge capacity of 138 mAh g−1. Moreover, a battery with a Na0.67FePO4/CNT hybrid electrode delivered a discharge capacity as high as ≈143 mAh g−1, coupled to an excellent stable cyclability (no obvious capacity fading over 50 cycles at a current rate of 5 mA g−1). This enhanced mechanism was studied by means of absorption measurements and ex situ XAFS characterizations. Results of the characterization of the Na0.67FePO4 suggests that the outstanding performance can be associated with the unique fluffy nanocactus morphology.
Friendship Talk as Identity Work: Defining the Self Through Friend Relationships
Authors: Anthony Amanda Koontz , McCabe Janice
Published: January 2015

This paper places friendships at the center of individuals' identity work, examining how individuals construct self‐identities through their talk about friend relationships and networks. We conceptualize this “friendship talk” as a subcategory of identity talk. From interviews with emerging adults, we find three strategies of friendship talk: envisioning self through others, betterment distancing, and situating with networks. These strategies demonstrate unique ways identity construction occurs through talk about friends. Individuals verbally connect with and separate from friends while constructing desired selves and moral identities. We suggest that friendship talk strategies may be generic social processes that apply beyond emerging adulthood.
Closed‐form solution of elastic circular membrane with initial stress under uniformly‐distributed loads: Extended Hencky solution
Authors: Sun Jun‐yi , Lian Yong‐sheng , Li Ying‐min , He Xiao‐ting , Zheng Zhou‐lian
Published: January 2015

The well‐known Hencky solution is only applicable to the problem of deformation of the elastic circular membrane without initial stress under transverse uniformly‐distributed loads. The problem considered here is a more general case: an initial tensile or compressive stress has been present in the initially flat circular membrane before the membrane is subjected to the transverse loads. The closed‐form solution of the considered problem was presented and all the expressions obtained here for displacements, strains and stresses have the same form as those in the well‐known Hencky solution. The initial stress plays an important role in the determination of numerical value of the integral constant controlling membrane equation. The solution obtained here can be regressed into the well‐known Hencky solution when the initial stress is equal to zero, and it is therefore called extended Hencky solution.
Review: Development of an in situ observation network for terrestrial ecological remote sensing: the Phenological Eyes Network (PEN)
Authors: Nasahara Kenlo Nishida , Nagai Shin
Published: January 2015

The Phenological Eyes Network (PEN), which was established in 2003, is a network of long‐term ground observation sites. The aim of the PEN is to validate terrestrial ecological remote sensing, with a particular focus on seasonal changes (phenology) in vegetation. There are three types of core sensors at PEN sites: an Automatic Digital Fish‐eye Camera, a HemiSpherical SpectroRadiometer, and a Sun Photometer. As of 2014, there are approximately 30 PEN sites, among which many are also FluxNet and/or International Long Term Ecological Research sites. The PEN is now part of a biodiversity observation framework. Collaborations between remote sensing scientists and ecologists working on PEN data have produced various outcomes about remote sensing and long‐term in situ monitoring of ecosystem features, such as phenology, gross primary production, and leaf area index. This article reviews the design concept and the outcomes of the PEN, and discusses its future strategy.
Comparison of the Composition and Structural Parameters of W/O Microemulsions Containing Gemini Imidazoliums with Those Containing Monomeric Analogues
Authors: Chai Jinling , Song Jingwei , Wang Dan , Chai Haihui , Bai Tingting , Liu Ning
Published: January 2015

The composition and structural parameters of W/O microemulsions containing the gemini surfactant 1,4‐bis(3‐alkylimidazolium‐1‐yl) butane bromide [(Cn‐4‐Cn)Br2, n = 12, 14, 16] + pentan‐1‐ol + octane + water and W/O microemulsions containing the ionic liquid surfactant 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (CnmimBr, n = 12, 14, 16) + pentan‐1‐ol + octane + water were studied and compared. The mole fractions of the n‐alkyl alcohol at the interfacial layer
in (Cn‐4‐Cn)Br2 based microemulsion systems are always larger than those in CnmimBr based microemulsion systems. However, the mole fractions of the n‐alkyl alcohol in the oil phase
are nearly the same for both the microemulsion systems. The (Cn‐4‐Cn)Br2 based microemulsion systems have greater absolute values of the free enthalpy values than that for CnmimBr based systems. In the (Cn‐4‐Cn)Br2 based microemulsion systems, a large number of cosurfactants at the interfacial layer is conducive to the formation of a smaller droplet W/O microemulsion. The effects of n‐alkyl alcohols, alkanes, salinity and temperature on the composition and structural parameters of the (Cn‐4‐Cn)Br2 based and CnmimBr based microemulsion systems were also investigated and discussed.
The Role of Water in Protection Against Thermal Deterioration of Liquid Margarine
Authors: Kirkhus Bente , Lamglait Amandine , Storrø Ivar , Vogt Gjermund , Olsen Elisabeth , Lundby Frank , Standal Håkon
Published: January 2015

The thermal stability of liquid margarine and vegetable oils was investigated by measuring the oxidative stability index (OSI) at temperatures ranging from 90 to 180 °C, whereas total polar compounds (TPC) and tocopherols (vitamin E) were measured during heating at 180 °C in frying trays. Results showed that the OSI of liquid margarine was in the same range as the OSI of vegetable oils at lower temperatures, but at 160 and 180 °C, liquid margarine had significantly higher thermal stability, close to that observed for hard margarine and butter. The increased stability was confirmed by lower levels of TPC and a smaller relative reduction in vitamin E content during heating. Variations between different vegetable oils could partly be explained by differences in degree of saturation and level of vitamin E, with high oleic sunflower oil being the most stable oil at all temperatures. The water in liquid margarine vaporized within 1.5 min at 160 °C, and it is hypothesized that volatile pro‐oxidants are removed with the water, inducing a delay in deterioration. The results indicate a role for water in preventing lipid oxidation and decomposition in fat emulsion products at 160–180 °C, suggesting that liquid margarine, low in saturated fat, may be the healthier and preferable alternative for pan‐frying compared to other liquid vegetable oils.
Canadian Association of Radiologists Annual Scientific Meetings: How Many Abstracts Go on to Publication?
Authors: Dressler Danielle , Leswick David
Published: January 2015

Purpose

To determine the percentage of abstracts presented at the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) annual scientific meetings that go on to publication.

Methods

Records of previous CAR meetings from the years 2005-2011 were obtained. An Internet search was performed to determine which abstracts went on to publication. Abstracts were assessed according to exhibit category (Resident Award Papers), educational institution, publishing journal, and time to publication.

Results

Of the 402 abstracts presented, 112 (28%) were published. Overall, an average of 37% of Radiologists-In-Training Presentations, 34% of Scientific Exhibits, and 20% of Educational Exhibits went on to publication. The University of British Columbia and University of Ottawa published the largest number of abstracts (66 and 62, respectively) from the years 2005-2011. The University of Montreal had the largest percentage of abstracts published (42%). The range of publishing journals was wide, but the top publisher was the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal (27%). Eighty-three percent of abstracts were published within 3 years of being presented.

Conclusion

In total, 28% of all the abstracts presented at the CAR conferences between 2005 and 2011 were published. Further exploration into the reasons and barriers for abstracts not being published may be a next step in future research.
Sink or Night Float: University of British Columbia Radiology Residents' Experience with Overnight Call
Authors: Scali Elena P. , Strovski Evgeny , Forster Bruce B. , Mar Colin , Chang Silvia D.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

In July 2012, in response to residents' concerns regarding the impact of the traditional 24-hour call system on their personal well-being and educational experience, the University of British Columbia Radiology residency program adopted a 12-hour night float system. This shift takes place in the context of increasing concerns, both across Canada and internationally, about resident well-being and the impact of prolonged duty hours on patient care.

Methods

An anonymous survey was distributed to all 25 postgraduate years 2-5 University of British Columbia radiology residents 12 months after the introduction of night float. This study sought to solicit residents' feedback about these changes and to identify potential future changes to optimize the call system.

Results

The response rate was 100%; 96% of residents were in favor of continuing with night float rather than the traditional call system; 72% of residents reported that their judgement was affected secondary to being on night float. Although most residents described varying degrees of impairment, the rate of acute discrepancies between resident preliminary and attending radiologist final reports decreased by more than half, from 2% to less than 1%.

Conclusions

The vast majority of our residents were in favor of maintaining the night float call system. Night float had a beneficial effect on the resident educational experience: by eliminating the pre-call morning and post-call day off rotation, residents gained an additional 24 days per year on other clinical rotations.
Human cytomegalovirus miR‐US33‐5p inhibits viral DNA synthesis and viral replication by down‐regulating expression of the host Syntaxin3
Authors: Guo Xin , Qi Ying , Huang Yujing , Liu Zhongyang , Ma Yanping , Shao Yaozhong , Jiang Shujuan , Sun Zhengrong , Ruan Qiang
Published: January 2015

During infection with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), overexpression of hcmv‐miR‐US33 can inhibit the lytic viral replication and down‐regulate US29 mRNA. However, it remains unknown whether inhibition of viral replication by miR‐US33 is mediated by down‐regulation of expression of US29 or another host gene. Here, we identified the host gene Syntaxin3 (STX3) to be a direct target of hcmv‐miR‐US33‐5p using Hybrid‐PCR and luciferase‐reporter assays. It was further demonstrated that the levels of STX3 protein were down‐regulated in hcmv‐miR‐US33‐5p‐overexpressing cells. Experiments with STX3‐specific siRNA, or with an inhibitor of hcmv‐miR‐US33‐5p confirmed that hcmv‐miR‐US33‐5p‐mediated inhibition of HCMV DNA synthesis and of viral replication are specifically mediated by down‐regulation of STX3 expression.
Effects of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation during Hemiplegic Arm Reaching in Individuals with Stroke: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Kim Jung-ran , Jung Min-ye , Yoo Eun-young , Park Ji-Hyuk , Kim Sung-Hoon , Lee Jin
Published: January 2015

Objective/Background

This study investigated the effects of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on muscle activity and elbow motion during arm reaching with hemiplegic arm in participants with stroke.

Methods

Sixteen adults with stroke who resided in a community were recruited in this study. The RAS consisted of sound emitted from a digital metronome. While sitting upright in a chair, participants reached their arms towards a target (a switch on a table) both with and without RAS. The three-dimensional motion analysis system and surface electromyography system were used for measurements during the reaching tasks.

Results

We found that RAS elicited better performance in reaching movements than those movements performed without RAS. RAS shortened the movement time (p = .002), reduced the change in acceleration (p = .001), increased the elbow extension range of motion (p = .001), increased muscle activation of the triceps brachii (p = .024), and reduced the co-contraction ratio (p = .015) of the affected arm.

Conclusion

RAS might be a useful technique to facilitate improvements in motor function of the affected arm in patients with stroke.
Agradecimientos a revisores 2014
Authors: Sánchez-Mendiola Melchor
Published: January 2015

La revista Investigación en Educación Médica agradece profundamente a los siguientes académicos su valiosa aportación como árbitros de los manuscritos publicados en los números del año 2014.
In-Hospital Transfer Is a Risk Factor for Invasive Filamentous Fungal Infection among Hospitalized Patients with Hematological Malignancies: A Matched Case-Control Study
Authors: Gayet-Ageron Angèle , Iten Anne , van Delden Christian , Farquet Natacha , Masouridi-Levrat Stavroula , Von Dach Elodie , Chalandon Yves , Pittet Didier
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE

Immunocompromised patients now benefit from a longer life expectancy due to advanced medical techniques, but they are also weakened by aggressive treatment approaches and are at high risk for invasive fungal disease. We determined risk factors associated with an outbreak of invasive filamentous fungal infection (IFFI) among hospitalized hemato-oncological patients.

METHODS

A retrospective, matched, case-control study was conducted between January 1, 2009, and April 31, 2011, including 29 cases (6 proven, 8 probable, and 15 possible) of IFFI and 102 matched control patients hospitalized during the same time period. Control patients were identified from the hospital electronic database. Conditional logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for IFFI.

RESULTS

Overall mortality associated with IFFI was 20.7% (8.0%–39.7%). Myelodysplastic syndrome was associated with a higher risk for IFFI compared to chronic hematological malignancies. After adjustment for major risk factors and confounders, >5 patient transfers outside the protected environment of the hematology ward increased the IFFI risk by 6.1-fold. The risk increased by 6.7-fold when transfers were performed during neutropenia.

CONCLUSION

This IFFI outbreak was characterized by a strong association with exposure to the unprotected environment outside the hematology ward during patient transfer. The independent associations of a high number of transfers with the presence of neutropenia suggest that affected patients were probably not sufficiently protected during transport in the corridors. Our study highlights that a heightened awareness of the need for preventive measures during the entire care process of at-risk patients should be promoted among healthcare workers.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;00(0): 1–9
‘COHOMOLOGY AND PROFINITE TOPOLOGIES FOR SOLVABLE GROUPS OF FINITE RANK’
Authors: LORENSEN KARL
Published: January 2015

We remedy an omission in the proof of Proposition 2.7 of the paper ‘Cohomology and profinite topologies for solvable groups of finite rank’, Bull. Aust. Math. Soc.86 (2012), 254–265. This proposition states that a solvable group with finite abelian section rank has merely finitely many subgroups of any given index.
Impacts of greening measures and flat rate regional payments of the Common Agricultural Policy on Scottish beef and sheep farms
Authors: VOSOUGH AHMADI B. , SHRESTHA S. , THOMSON S.G. , BARNES A.P. , STOTT A.W.
Published: January 2015

The latest Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms could bring substantial changes to Scottish farming communities. Two major components of this reform package, an introduction of environmental measures into the Pillar 1 payments and a move away from historical farm payments towards regionalized area payments, would have a significant effect on altering existing support structures for Scottish farmers, as it would for similar farm types elsewhere in Europe where historic payments are used. An optimizing farm-level model was developed to explore how Scottish beef and sheep farms might be affected by the greening and flat rate payments under the current CAP reforms. Nine different types of beef and sheep farms were identified and detailed biophysical and financial farm-level data for these farm types were used to parameterize the model. Results showed that the greening measures of the CAP did not have much impact on net margins of most of the beef and sheep farm businesses, except for ‘Beef Finisher’ farm types where the net margins decreased by 3%. However, all farm types were better off adopting the greening measures than not qualifying for the greening payments through non-compliance with the measures. The move to regionalized farm payments increased the negative financial impact of greening on most of the farms but it was still substantially lower than the financial sacrifice of not adopting greening measures. Results of maximizing farm net margin, under a hypothetical assumption of excluding farm payments, showed that in most of the mixed (sheep and cattle) and beef suckler cattle farms the optimum stock numbers predicted by the model were lower than actual figures on farm. When the regionalized support payments were allocated to each farm, the proportion of the mixed farms that would increase their stock numbers increased whereas this proportion decreased for beef suckler farms and no impact was predicted in sheep farms. Also under the regionalized support payments, improvements in profitability were found in mixed farms and sheep farms. Some of the specialized beef suckler farms also returned a profit when CAP support was added.
The emergence of a local public sphere under violent conditions: The case of community radio in Thailand's South
Authors: Helbardt Sascha
Published: January 2015

Community radio has strongly changed Thailand's centralised media landscape. This article analyses community radio's role in establishing a public sphere in the context of Southern Thailand's ongoing Malay Muslim insurgency. This article argues that although the new community radio stations potentially provide ethnic communities, particularly Malay Muslims, with a chance to broadcast in their own language, these stations are dominated by middle-class broadcasters and commercial interests. More politically-oriented community radio stations in Southern Thailand feel threatened by both the Thai military's attempts to intimidate them or influence their programming as well as by militant threats to broadcasters who show favour to the Thai armed forces, which results in the self-censorship of sensitive topics. In addition, the community radio sector is fragmented between Malay Muslim and Buddhist broadcasters.
‘The Old Gods Are Losing Power!’: Theologies of power and rituals of productivity in a Tamil Nadu village
Authors: ARUMUGAM INDIRA
Published: January 2015

Some Hindus are killing animals in larger numbers, more regularly, and in more spectacular fashions than they have ever done before. In contradiction of the ethnographic record asserting the diminishing significance of ritual killing since the nineteenth century, sacrifices to tutelary deities that had long been abandoned are being reactivated or enacted for the first time. However, such a counter-intuitive surge in the popularity of sacrifices is occurring at a time when the very deities to whom they are dedicated are apparently losing their potency. This seeming paradox, this article proposes, is an implication of both the entrenchment of electoral democracy and the material transformations accompanying economic liberalization in rural Tamil Nadu. In an electoral democracy, the political significance of tutelary deities—and consequently their charisma—has diminished. Their productive valence however, as exemplified in ritual sacrifices, has become ever more resonant in India's post-liberalization milieu, with its heightened sense of opportunity but also competitiveness and uncertainty.
Nesting ecology and population trend of leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea at Pacuare Nature Reserve, Costa Rica
Authors: Rivas Marga L. , Fernández Carlos , Marco Adolfo
Published: January 2015

The leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea, the only extant species in its family, is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The protection of nesting beaches and the associated conservation efforts along the Western Atlantic coast of Central America have improved the population trends of some of the most important rookeries. Here we report the life history, ecology and population trends of leatherback turtles over 18 years (1994–2012, excluding 1998) of effective protection in the Pacuare Nature Reserve, on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. A mean density of 142 nests per km, probably the highest in Central America, indicates the importance of this rookery within the Caribbean region. Long-term conservation efforts at the Reserve have significantly reduced poaching and contributed to maintaining a high level of hatchling production. Long-term monitoring has also facilitated estimation of relevant demographic parameters of the population, such as nesting success (mean 69.8 ± SD 7.3%), clutch size (which is positively correlated with female size), hatching success (mean 55.2 ± SD 6.0%), remigration interval (2.5 years), and growth rate of remigrant females (mean 0.3 ± SD 1.0 cm per year), which is slightly faster than growth rates reported for Pacific leatherback turtles. Overall, efforts at Pacuare have been successful in protecting leatherback turtles and understanding their life history, highlighting the importance of long-term conservation projects for maintaining threatened leatherback populations.
A space–time model for carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) cluster quantification in a high-complexity hospital
Authors: ABBOUD C. S. , MONTEIRO J. , FRANÇA J. I. D. , PIGNATARI A. C. , SOUZA E. E. DE , CAMARGO E. C. G. , MONTEIRO A. M. V. , SANTOS R. G. DOS , KIFFER C. R. V.
Published: January 2015

A retrospective space–time permutation model with non-Euclidean distance criteria was applied within a high-complexity hospital setting to quantitatively explore cluster patterns of 273 patients infected with or colonized by carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae during 4 years. Results were compared to standard nosocomial active-surveillance methods. Two clusters were identified in the period, suggesting that space–time strategies for cluster quantification within confined environments may be useful.
Symptom CheckList-90-R: Proposed Scales in a Probability Sample of Adolescents from the General Population
Authors: Felipe-Castaño Elena , León-del-Barco Benito , López-Pina José Antonio
Published: January 2015

To provide questionnaires for clinical assessment with scales adapted for adolescents would benefit clinical practice as well as research. The aim of this paper is to report normative data for adolescents on the SCL-90-R using a probability sample from the community. The participants were 1,663 adolescents, 845 girls and 818 boys, with an average age of 14.26 (SD= 1.36). They were selected through stratified cluster sampling with groups randomly selected from schools. Sampling error was estimated at 4% with a 95.5% confidence level. Cohen´sdeffect sizes are reported for age-group. We found significant differences across participants according to gender and age on SCL-90-R Global Scores and Symptom Dimensions. Thus, we provide normative data, divided according to age and gender.
Partisan Bias in Blame Attribution: When Does it Occur?
Authors: Healy Andrew , Kuo Alexander G. , Malhotra Neil
Published: January 2015

How do citizens attribute blame in the wake of government failure? Does partisanship bias these attributions? While partisan cues may serve as useful guides when citizens are evaluating public policies, those cues are likely to be less informative and more distortionary when evaluating government performance regarding a crisis. We address these questions by examining blame attributions to government appointees for the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We implement an experimental design in a nationally representative survey that builds on previous work in two ways: (1) we manipulate party labels for the same officials in a real-world setting by considering appointees who were nominated at different times by presidents of different parties; and (2) we examine how domain relevance moderates partisan bias. We find that partisan bias in attributions is strongest when officials are domain relevant, a finding that has troubling implications for representative democracy.
Schulbasierte Interventionen bei ADHS und Aufmerksamkeitsproblemen: Ein Überblick
Authors: Richard Stefanie , Eichelberger Ilka , Döpfner Manfred , Hanisch Charlotte
Published: January 2015

Kinder mit einer Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) oder subklinischen Aufmerksamkeitsproblemen sind in ihrer schulischen Leistungsfähigkeit beeinträchtigt. Für Lehrkräfte stellen diese Beeinträchtigungen eine große Herausforderung dar. Im Zuge der Umsetzung der Behindertenrechtskonvention der Vereinten Nationen (UN) wird der Bedarf an effektiven Strategien zum Umgang mit diesen Verhaltensauffälligkeiten an allgemeinbildenden Schulen deutlich steigen. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, einen Überblick über effektive Klassen-, Lehrkraft- und Schüler-zentrierte Maßnahmen für Schüler mit Aufmerksamkeitsproblemen zu geben. Die aktuelle Studienlage zu Interventionen im Schulsetting bietet überwiegend Einzelfallstudien, die eine Generalisierung der Ergebnisse erschweren. Unter Berücksichtigung der Studienqualität können daher nur interdependente Gruppenverstärkerpläne (klassen-zentriert) als evidenzbasiert bezeichnet werden. Forschungsmethodische Einschränkungen und Forschungsperspektiven werden diskutiert.
Der Zusammenhang von sprachlichen und mathematischen Kompetenzen bei Kindern mit Deutsch als Zweitsprache
Authors: Paetsch Jennifer , Felbrich Anja , Stanat Petra
Published: January 2015

Als wesentlicher Erklärungsfaktor für die geringeren mathematischen Leistungen von Lernenden nicht-deutscher Herkunftssprache werden häufig ihre schwachen sprachlichen Kompetenzen in der Instruktionssprache angenommen. Die Studie geht der Frage nach, welche sprachlichen Teilkompetenzen mit den mathematischen Leistungen von Kindern nicht-deutscher Herkunftssprache zusammenhängen. In einer Stichprobe von 370 Drittklässlern nicht-deutscher Herkunftssprache zeigte sich, dass nicht nur das Leseverstehen, sondern auch Wortschatzkenntnisse, nicht jedoch Grammatikkompetenzen mit den mathematischen Leistungen zusammenhängen. Darüber hinaus zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass nicht nur die Leistungen in sprachlich anspruchsvollen, sondern auch die Leistungen in sprachlich wenig anspruchsvollen Mathematikaufgaben mit den sprachlichen Kompetenzen der Lernenden zusammenhängen. Insgesamt stützt das Befundmuster die Annahme, dass für Zweitsprachenlernende sprachliche Fähigkeiten nicht nur zur Bewältigung der sprachlichen Anforderungen, sondern auch zur Erfüllung der mathematischen Anforderungen der Testaufgaben notwendig sind.
Die Bedeutung von Diversität und Diversitätsmanagement für die Studienzufriedenheit
Authors: Heise Elke , Thies Barbara
Published: January 2015

Angesichts zunehmender Forderungen nach einem Diversitätsmanagement (DiM) im Hochschulkontext prüft die vorliegende Studie, inwieweit studentische Diversität und das von den Studierenden subjektiv wahrgenommene DiM der Lehrenden mit der Studienzufriedenheit im Zusammenhang stehen. Vor dem Hintergrund der Person-Environment-Fit-Theorie wird ein adäquates DiM als studentisches Bedürfnis interpretiert und mit dem von den Studierenden beurteilten Angebot durch die Lehrenden kontrastiert. 138 Studierende aus Anfangssemestern wurden zu objektiven Diversitätsmerkmalen, wahrgenommenem DiM und der Studienzufriedenheit befragt. Eine Hauptkomponentenanalyse ergab vier DiM-Komponenten: Basismerkmale, Kulturelle Merkmale, Kognitive und motivationale Voraussetzungen sowie Berufstätigkeit und Kindererziehung. Neben der objektiven Diversität wird der subjektive P-E-Fit auf diesen DiM-Komponenten in multiplen Regressionsanalysen zur Vorhersage der drei Komponenten der Studienzufriedenheit nach Westermann, Heise, Spies und Trautwein (1996) verwendet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der DiM-Fit bezüglich der kognitiven und motivationalen Voraussetzungen ein signifikanter Prädiktor der Zufriedenheit mit den Studienbedingungen und der Zufriedenheit mit der Bewältigung von Studienbelastungen ist.
Distanz zur Praxis als Entwicklungshindernis für den wissenschaftlichen Fortschritt in der frühkindlichen Sozialisation*
Authors: Dollase Rainer
Published: January 2015

Die Stellungnahme zur «Frühkindlichen Sozialisation» dreier deutscher Wissenschaftsakademien wurde von 15 Autoren verfasst und als «fundierter Sachstand» zum Thema angekündigt. Dieser Selbsteinschätzung kann man aus verschiedenen Gründen nicht folgen: Fachliteratur ist lückenhaft rezipiert worden, praktische und wissenschaftliche Probleme der Umsetzung werden ausgeklammert, die Grenzen der wissenschaftlichen gesicherten Möglichkeiten noch nicht einmal genau benannt. Stattdessen konzentriert sich die Stellungnahme mit wenigen Ausnahmen auf einen jahrzehntelang schon bekannten Erkenntnisstand: «… es werden Ergebnisse referiert, zu denen die Autorinnen und Autoren profundes Wissen einbringen konnten, die bereits mehrfach repliziert wurden und mittlerweile zum Standardwissen zählen sollten.» Die Distanz zur Praxis erweist sich wieder einmal als Hindernis für die wissenschaftliche Weiterentwicklung des Faches.
An Empirical Power Analysis of Quasi-Exact Tests for the Rasch Model
Authors: Koller Ingrid , Maier Marco Johannes , Hatzinger Reinhold
Published: January 2015

Measurement invariance is not only an important requirement of tests but also a central point in the examination of the Rasch model. Ponocny (2001) suggested quasi-exact tests for small samples which allow for formulating test-statistics based on matrices obtained using Monte Carlo methods. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the type-I error rates and the empirical power of two test-statistics for the assumption of measurement invariance in comparison with Andersen’s likelihood ratio test (1973). Each simulation was based on 10,000 replications and was a function of sample size (n = 30, 50, 100, 200), test length (k = 5, 9, 17), varying number of items exhibiting model violation, magnitude of violation, and different ability distributions. The results indicate that it is possible to detect large model violations on item level with samples of n = 50 or n = 100, and even weak violations with n = 200. Additionally, the results showed that it is possible to investigate very small samples where a parametric approach is not possible, which is one of the most important advantages of quasi-exact tests.