bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Small Molecule, Odanacatib, Inhibits Inflammation and Bone Loss Caused by Endodontic Disease
Authors: Hao Liang , Chen Wei , McConnell Matthew , Zhu Zheng , Li Sheng , Reddy Michael , Eleazer Paul D. , Wang Min , Li Yi-Ping
Published: January 2015

Periapical disease, an inflammatory disease mainly caused by dental caries, is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases of humans, affecting both children and adults. The infection travels through the root, leading to inflammation, bone destruction, and severe pain for the patient. Therefore, the development of a new class of anti-periapical disease therapies is necessary and critical for treatment and prevention. A small molecule, odanacatib (ODN), which is a cathepsin K (Ctsk) inhibitor, was investigated to determine its ability to treat this disease in a mouse model of periapical disease. While Ctsk was originally found in osteoclasts as an osteoclast-specific lysosomal protease, we were surprised to find that ODN can suppress the bacterium-induced immune response as well as bone destruction in the lesion area. X rays and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) showed that ODN treatment had significant bone protection effects at different time points. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining show that ODN treatment dramatically decreased F4/80
+
macrophages and CD3
+
T cells in the lesion areas 42 days after infection. Consistent with these findings, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis showed low levels of proinflammatory mRNAs (for tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, and interleukin 23α) and corresponding cytokine expression in the ODN-treated disease group. The levels of mRNA for Toll-like receptors 4, 5, and 9 also largely decreased in the ODN-treated disease group. Our results demonstrated that ODN can inhibit endodontic disease development, bone erosion, and immune response. These results indicate that application of this small molecule offers a new opportunity to design effective therapies that could prevent periapical inflammation and revolutionize current treatment options.
Relative CBV ratio on perfusion-weighted MRI indicates the probability of early recanalization after IV t-PA administration for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Sohn Sang-Wook , Park Hyun-Seok , Cha Jae-Kwan , Kim Dae-Hyun , Kang Myung-Jin , Choi Jae-Hyung , Nah Hyun-Wook , Huh Jae-Taeck
Published: January 2015

Background

We hypothesized that the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) ratio on perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) using MRI might serve as a predictor of early recanalization (ER) after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA) administration for acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

Patients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischemic stroke (IS) were enrolled in the study. They were evaluated by MRI, including PWI and diffusion-weighted imaging, before administration of IV t-PA and underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the brain within 2 h after t-PA administration. We compared the rCBV ratio on PWI between patients with and without ER on DSA and investigated the proportion of patients with an excellent outcome at 90 days after t-PA administration (modified Rankin Scale score 0–1) among those with and without ER.

Results

85 patients with acute MCA IS were included; 16 patients (18.8%) experienced ER on DSA after IV t-PA administration. Patients with ER more frequently had an excellent outcome at 90 days than those without ER. The rCBV ratio on PWI was higher in the ER group (1.01±0.21, p<0.01) than in the non-ER group (0.82±0.18). After adjusting for the presence of atrial fibrillation and the serum glucose level, the rCBV ratio on PWI (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.12; p<0.01) was a significant independent indicator of ER.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that the rCBV ratio on PWI might serve as a useful indicator of ER after IV t-PA administration.
Republished: Symptomatic reflux disease: the present, the past and the future
Authors: Boeckxstaens Guy , El-Serag Hashem B , Smout André J P M , Kahrilas Peter J
Published: January 2015

The worldwide incidence of GORD and its complications is increasing along with the exponentially increasing problem of obesity. Of particular concern is the relationship between central adiposity and GORD complications, including oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Driven by progressive insight into the epidemiology and pathophysiology of GORD, the earlier belief that increased gastroesophageal reflux mainly results from one dominant mechanism has been replaced by acceptance that GORD is multifactorial. Instigating factors, such as obesity, age, genetics, pregnancy and trauma may all contribute to mechanical impairment of the oesophagogastric junction resulting in pathological reflux and accompanying syndromes. Progression of the disease by exacerbating and perpetuating factors such as obesity, neuromuscular dysfunction and oesophageal fibrosis ultimately lead to development of an overt hiatal hernia. The latter is now accepted as a central player, impacting on most mechanisms underlying gastroesophageal reflux (low sphincter pressure, transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation, oesophageal clearance and acid pocket position), explaining its association with more severe disease and mucosal damage. Since the introduction of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), clinical management of GORD has markedly changed, shifting the therapeutic challenge from mucosal healing to reduction of PPI-resistant symptoms. In parallel, it became clear that reflux symptoms may result from weakly acidic or non-acid reflux, insight that has triggered the search for new compounds or minimally invasive procedures to reduce all types of reflux. In summary, our view on GORD has evolved enormously compared to that of the past, and without doubt will impact on how to deal with GORD in the future.
Development of an early-warning time-of-failure analysis methodology for open-pit mine slopes utilizing ground-based slope stability radar monitoring data
Authors: Dick Graham J. , Eberhardt Erik , Cabrejo-Liévano Albert G. , Stead Doug , Rose Nick D.
Published: January 2015

The recent introduction of ground-based slope stability radar in open-pit mines to complement conventional geodetic monitoring programs provides near real-time deformation measurements over a broad coverage area; this allows geotechnical engineers to observe the spatial distribution of pit wall movements and their progression over time. This paper presents a newly proposed early warning time-of-failure (TOF) analysis procedure for use in real-time with ground-based radar measurements designed to be integrated in an open-pit mine’s trigger action response plan (TARP). The inverse-velocity and slope gradient (SLO) TOF analysis methods are applied to radar displacement measurements using a new systematic multi-pixel selection technique termed the “percent deformation method.” The utilization of the percent deformation method in the proposed real-time TOF analysis methodology gives more-reliable results than current practice by providing recommendations for pixel selections, data filtering, where and how to undertake TOF analyses, and presenting TOF results in real time. The addition of a more rigorous, methodical treatment of radar monitoring data when faced with critical slope instability will reduce uncertainty and increase confidence in any trigger action response decisions, helping to ensure a safer work environment.
Intermolecular interactions, thermodynamic properties, crystal structure, and detonation performance of CL-20/TEX cocrystal explosive
Authors: Chen Peng-Yuan , Zhang Lin , Zhu Shun-Guan , Cheng Guang-Bin
Published: January 2015

Density functional theory calculation was performed to investigate the intermolecular interactions, thermodynamic properties, crystal structure, and detonation performance of CL-20 (2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane)/TEX (4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diaza-tetracyclododecane) cocrystal explosive. The results of natural bond orbital (NBO) and atoms in molecules analysis show that unconventional CH···O type hydrogen bonds and dispersion force are the main driving forces for the cocrystal formation. Monte Carlo simulation was employed to predict the crystal structure of the CL-20/TEX cocrystal. The cocrystal is most likely to crystallize in a monoclinic system (space group C2/C), with cell parameters a = 40.62 Å, b = 7.35 Å, c = 41.36 Å, and β = 157.38°. Based on crystal density, chemical energy, and heat of formations, detonation performance was calculated using Kamlet–Jacobs formulas. Detonation velocity and pressure of the CL-20/TEX cocrystal are higher than those of TEX but a litter lower than those of CL-20. Bond dissociation energy analysis shows that the cocrystal is thermal stable and meets the requirement of high energy density materials.
First-principles investigation of the electronic, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties of europium carbide
Authors: Huang Wen , Yang Lijun
Published: January 2015

The electronic, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties of europium carbide (EuC2) are investigated using first-principles density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. The calculated elastic constants indicate that EuC2 is mechanically stable. The shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, the bulk modulus – shear modulus ratio, shear anisotropy, and elastic anisotropy are also calculated. Finally, we obtain the Vickers hardness, averaged sound velocity, longitudinal sound velocity, transverse sound velocity, Debye temperature, melting point, and thermal conductivity of EuC2.
Physical properties of osmium dinitride with fluorite, pyrite, marcasite, and monoclinic structures under high pressure: First-principles study
Authors: Ge Ni-Na , Wei Yong-Kai , Tan Jia-Jin , Ji Guang-Fu , Cheng Yan
Published: January 2015

The structure, phase transition, elastic, and thermodynamic properties of OsN2 have been studied via first-principles calculations. It is shown that the CoSb2 structure is more stable than other structures. By the calculated H-P relations at 0 K, we found that the phase transition of OsN2 from CoSb2 structure to marcasite structure (ε → δ) occurs at 16.8 GPa, while the phase transition pressure between pyrite structure and fluorite structure (γ → α) is 80 GPa. The results of obtained phase transitions are also confirmed by bond length, sound velocity, and thermal expansion coefficient under different pressures. The pressure dependences of the elastic constants, mechanical stability, and mechanical anisotropy of four structures of OsN2 have been investigated by finding that the fluorite (pyrite and marcasite) structure OsN2 is mechanically stable under hydrostatic pressure (up to 60 GPa). However, the monoclinic structure is mechanically unstable under pressure from 0 to 60 Gpa. The calculated elastic anisotropic factors show that OsN2 possesses high elastic anisotropy under pressure. Moreover, the calculations on total density of states show that OsN2 of different structures has a metallic character, in agreement with previous theoretical results. The thermodynamic properties and sound velocity under diverse pressures of OsN2 of the four structures have been also investigated successfully.
High-harmonic generation and spherically confined hydrogen atom
Authors: Mašović D.R.
Published: January 2015

The dynamics of a hydrogen atom in a spherical box under the action of a strong infrared femtosecond laser is numerically investigated. The spherical box is introduced to model collisions of ionized electrons with neighboring atoms to model their influence on high-order harmonic generation. The physical situation appropriate for such application is considered in detail. The presence of tunneling in the process is investigated. In the strong field limit this consideration is extended including a dressing approach in the calculation. The harmonic spectrum is calculated for a small radius of the sphere assuming a high gas pressure. The intensities of the harmonic lines are reduced and the envelope of the spectrum is strongly modified with respect to the plateau of harmonics. The inclusion of the dressing approach in the calculation can significantly modify this result. The situation is changed if a kicking electric field is added at the moment when ionization probability has local maximum. The electron kinetic energy is drastically increased, and as a consequence of the dynamic Stark shifts in the kicking field, and an unusual electron recombination is possible. The odd harmonics of a very high-order and a somewhat different form of plateau of harmonics appear. The intensities of so obtained single-atom harmonic emission are dramatically enhanced. To check the reliability of the model with an impenetrable spherical box, high-pressure argon gas is also considered in relation to the single atom high-order harmonic generation.
Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Severely Obese Adults during a Two-Year Lifestyle Intervention Programme
Authors: Jepsen Randi , Aadland Eivind , Robertson Lesley , Kolotkin Ronette L. , Andersen John Roger , Natvig Gerd Karin
Published: January 2015

It is unknown how changes in physical activity may affect changes in quality of life (QoL) outcomes during lifestyle interventions for severely obese adults. The purpose of this study was to examine associations in the patterns of change between objectively assessed physical activity as the independent variable and physical, mental, and obesity-specific QoL and life satisfaction as the dependent variables during a two-year lifestyle intervention. Forty-nine severely obese adults (37 women;43.6±9.4years; body mass index42.1±6.0 kg/m2) participated in the study. Assessments were conducted four times using Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Obesity-Related Problems (OP) scale, a single item on life satisfaction, and accelerometers. The physical component summary (PCS) score and the mental component summary (MCS) score were used as SF-36 outcomes. Associations were determined using linear regression analyses and reported as standardized coefficients (stand. coeff.). Change in physical activity was independently associated with change in PCS (stand. coeff. = 0.35,P=.033), MCS (stand. coeff. = 0.51,P=.001), OP (stand. coeff. = −0.31,  P=.018), and life satisfaction (stand. coeff. = 0.39,P=.004) after adjustment for gender, age, and change in body mass index.
Ectopic Oral Tonsillar Tissue: A Case Series with Bilateral and Solitary Presentations and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Kimura Masashi , Nagao Toru , Saito Terumi , Warnakulasuriya Saman , Ohto Hiroyuki , Takahashi Akihito , Komaki Kanji , Naganawa Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2015

An ectopic tonsil is defined as tonsillar tissue that develops in areas outside of the four major tonsil groups: the palatine, lingual, pharyngeal, and tubal tonsils. The occurrence of tonsillar tissue in the oral cavity in ectopic locations, its prevalence, and its developmental mechanisms that belong to its formation remain unclear. In this report, we describe a rare case of bilateral symmetric ectopic oral tonsillar tissue located at the ventral surface of the tongue along with two solitary cases arising from the floor of the mouth. The role of immune system and its aberrant response leading to ectopic deposits desires further studies. As an ectopic tonsil may simulate a benign soft tissue tumor, this case series highlights the importance of this entity in our clinical differential diagnosis of oral soft tissue masses.
Continuum Model for Traffic Flow considering Safe Driving Awareness Heterogeneity
Authors: Zeng Youzhi , Zhang Ning
Published: January 2015

This paper defines the concepts of region representative vehicle and driver and region representative safe driving awareness and its heterogeneity, and, based on these concepts and a new car-following model proposed, it proposes a new continuum model for traffic flow considering region representative safe driving awareness heterogeneity. Analyses show that the new continuum model follows traffic flow anisotropy principle, and the following insights can be gotten: (1) the bigger the difference of the preceding region representative safe driving awareness coefficient minus the following region representative safe driving awareness coefficient is, the less the probability of the wrong-way travel (the negative velocity) problem in the new continuum model is; (2) when the preceding region representative safe driving awareness coefficient is not less than the following region representative safe driving awareness coefficient, there is no wrong-way travel problem in the new continuum model, and vice versa.
LPG Dependence after a Suicide Attempt
Authors: Aldemir Ebru , Akyel Betül , Altıntoprak A. Ender , Aydın Rezzan , Coşkunol Hakan
Published: January 2015

Inhalant abuse is a problem that is getting more common all around the world. The increase in prevalence of inhalant abuse escalates morbidity and mortality rates. About 22% of people using inhalant have died at their first attempt. Particularly propane, butane, or propane-butane mixture has highest mortality rates. Sudden sniffing death syndrome, cardiomyopathy, central nervous system toxicity, hematological abnormalities, kidney toxicity, and hepatocellular toxicities are the major complications of inhalant abuse. Herein we present a patient with inhalant use disorder. At the age of 19, after a stressful life event he had unsuccessfully tried to suicide by inhaling LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, a mixture of butane and propane gases). After he realized that he had hallucinations and felt better during the inhalation, he started to abuse it. He was addicted to LPG for 10 years at the time of admission. Besides being dangerous for the society security, this intense level of LPG inhalation (12 liters a day) not giving any physical harm makes this case interesting.
Application of Ellipsometry to Control the Plasmachemical Synthesis of Thin TiONx Layers
Authors: Dultsev F. N. , Kolosovsky E. A.
Published: January 2015

Ellipsometry is often used to determine the characteristics of films. Ellipsometric studies may turn out to be ineffective because several solutions correspond to the same polarization angles. It is demonstrated that the ambiguity is not due to the physical limitations of the method but it has a purely mathematical character. So, additional information about the film is necessary to determine the absolute values of refractive index, attenuation, and thickness.
Effect of Occupational Exposures on Lung Cancer Susceptibility: A Study of Gene–Environment Interaction Analysis
Authors: Malhotra Jyoti , Sartori Samantha , Brennan Paul , Zaridze David , Szeszenia-Dabrowska Neonila , Świątkowska Beata , Rudnai Peter , Lissowska Jolanta , Fabianova Eleonora , Mates Dana , Bencko Vladimir , Gaborieau Valerie , Stücker Isabelle , Foretova Lenka , Janout Vladimir , Boffetta Paolo
Published: January 2015

Background: Occupational exposures are known risk factors for lung cancer. Role of genetically determined host factors in occupational exposure–related lung cancer is unclear.

Methods: We used genome-wide association (GWA) data from a case–control study conducted in 6 European countries from 1998 to 2002 to identify gene–occupation interactions and related pathways for lung cancer risk. GWA analysis was performed for each exposure using logistic regression and interaction term for genotypes, and exposure was included in this model. Both SNP-based and gene-based interaction P values were calculated. Pathway analysis was performed using three complementary methods, and analyses were adjusted for multiple comparisons. We analyzed 312,605 SNPs and occupational exposure to 70 agents from 1,802 lung cancer cases and 1,725 cancer-free controls.

Results: Mean age of study participants was 60.1 ± 9.1 years and 75% were male. Largest number of significant associations (P ≤ 1 × 10−5) at SNP level was demonstrated for nickel, brick dust, concrete dust, and cement dust, and for brick dust and cement dust at the gene-level (P ≤ 1 × 10−4). Approximately 14 occupational exposures showed significant gene–occupation interactions with pathways related to response to environmental information processing via signal transduction (P < 0.001 and FDR < 0.05). Other pathways that showed significant enrichment were related to immune processes and xenobiotic metabolism.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that pathways related to signal transduction, immune process, and xenobiotic metabolism may be involved in occupational exposure–related lung carcinogenesis.

Impact: Our study exemplifies an integrative approach using pathway-based analysis to demonstrate the role of genetic variants in occupational exposure–related lung cancer susceptibility. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(3); 570–9. ©2015 AACR.
Cumulative Effect of Psychosocial Factors in Youth on Ideal Cardiovascular Health in Adulthood
Authors: Pulkki-Råback Laura , Elovainio Marko , Hakulinen Christian , Lipsanen Jari , Hintsanen Mirka , Jokela Markus , Kubzansky Laura D. , Hintsa Taina , Serlachius Anna , Laitinen Tomi T. , Pahkala Katja , Mikkilä Vera , Nevalainen Jaakko , Hutri-Kähönen Nina , Juonala Markus , Viikari Jorma , Raitakari Olli T. , Keltikangas-Järvinen Liisa
Published: January 2015

Background—

The American Heart Association has defined a new metric of ideal cardiovascular health as part of its 2020 Impact Goals. We examined whether psychosocial factors in youth predict ideal cardiovascular health in adulthood.

Methods and Results—

Participants were 477 men and 612 women from the nationwide Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Psychosocial factors were measured from cohorts 3 to 18 years of age at the baseline of the study, and ideal cardiovascular health was examined 27 years later in adulthood. The summary measure of psychosocial factors in youth comprised socioeconomic factors, emotional factors, parental health behaviors, stressful events, self-regulation of the child, and social adjustment of the child. There was a positive association between a higher number of favorable psychosocial factors in youth and greater ideal cardiovascular health index in adulthood (β=0.16;
P
<0.001) that persisted after adjustment for age, sex, medication use, and cardiovascular risk factors in childhood (β=0.15;
P
<0.001). The association was monotonic, suggesting that each increment in favorable psychosocial factors was associated with improvement in cardiovascular health. Of the specific psychosocial factors, a favorable socioeconomic environment (β=0.12;
P
<0.001) and participants’ self-regulatory behavior (β=0.07;
P
=0.004) were the strongest predictors of ideal cardiovascular health in adulthood.

Conclusions—

The findings suggest a dose-response association between favorable psychosocial factors in youth and cardiovascular health in adulthood, as defined by the American Heart Association metrics. The effect seems to persist throughout the range of cardiovascular health, potentially shifting the population distribution of cardiovascular health rather than simply having effects in a high-risk population.
Errors, Glitches and Other Mistakes in the Life of an Unredeemed Technology Lover
Authors: Romero Juan A. , Hobmeier Georg , Lorrain D.
Published: January 2015

The authors describe Errors…, a performance installation in which an actor, equipped with muscle stimulators, addresses the audience in a constant stream of lecturing on the subject of man-machine relationship. While giving his lecture on this subject, the performer is being controlled by one selected audience member. The technology used for this is a modified and enhanced TENS device and gel patches on the body and face of the performer.
Schistonchus zealandicus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) associated with Ficus macrophylla in New Zealand
Authors: Zhao Zengqi , Li Dongmei , Davies Kerrie A. , Ye Weimin
Published: January 2015

Schistonchus zealandicus n. sp. was recovered from the sycones of Ficus macrophylla from St Helier’s Bay, Mt Wellington, and St Johns, suburbs of Auckland, New Zealand. It is characterised by having the opening of the excretory pore located just posterior to the anterior end of the nematode but anterior to the conus level of the stylet, a short post-vulval uterine sac (10-18 μm or 0.4-0.7 vulval body diam. long), presence of two incisures in the lateral field with many broken, non-defined lines between them, rose-thorn-shaped spicule, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail (one pair adcloacal on the anterior lip, one pair slightly posterior to mid-tail length, and one pair close to tail tip), a distinctive mucron on the male tail, apparent biogeographical range, and its association with F. macrophylla. The absence of a lip sector disc suggests that it is close to S. altermacrophylla, S. aureus and S. laevigatus. Molecular phylogeny of near full length small subunit and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA genes supports the proposal of S. zealandicus n. sp. as a new species.
Status of soil nematode communities during natural regeneration of a subtropical forest in southwestern China
Authors: Li Yujuan , Yang Guoping , Neher Deborah A. , Xu Cheng-Yuan , Wu Jihua
Published: January 2015

Forest recovery has been extensively evaluated using plant communities but fewer studies have been conducted on soil fauna. This study reports the status of soil nematode communities during natural re-establishment after deforestation in a subtropical forest in southwestern China. Soil nematode communities of two secondary succession stages, shrub-grassland and secondary forest, were compared with those of virgin forest. Shrub-grassland had higher herbivore relative abundance but lower fungivore and bacterivore relative abundance than forests. Between secondary and virgin forest, the latter had higher abundance of bacterivores. Shrub-grassland had lower nematode diversity, generic richness, maturity index and trophic diversity index than virgin forest, whereas there were no differences in these indices between secondary forest and virgin forest. The small differences in nematode community structures between secondary forest and virgin forest suggest that soil nematode communities recovered to a level close to that of the undisturbed forest after up to 50 years of natural succession.
The Prohibition of Ribā and the Use of Ḥiyāl by Islamic Banks to Overcome the Prohibition
Authors: Billah Muhammad Masum
Published: January 2015

This article discusses the meaning of ribā according to the opinions upheld by both the majority as well as minority of Islamic scholars. Although Islamic scholars are in agreement about the prohibition of ribā, they do differ with regard to its meaning. This divergence of opinions translates into such questions as whether the interest charged and paid by today’s conventional banks is ribā. While the majority of Islamic scholars are of the opinion that current bank interest is ribā, a small but convincing minority of scholars do not consider bank interest to be ribā. The need for Islamic banks arises from the majority’s interpretation of ribā. This article also evaluates the most popular products provided by Islamic banks and the validity of ḥiyal (pl. of ḥīlah) involved in adopting them.
Twenty-five Somonis for a Good Future
Authors: Roche Sophie
Published: January 2015

In Tajikistan the concept of “womanhood” developed in the Soviet period remains at odds with local conceptions of gender roles. These competing forms of female agency force young women to creatively shape their future, drawing on the paradigm of womanhood that befits their life-world. Here, we see how young women take their future into their own hands, in a society that scrutinizes female behavior and seems to restrict women’s agency. Recognizing that an encounter between two people can change the life course of one of them, this article employs a cross-biographic approach to understand women’s agency in Tajikistan. Based on the biographies of a bakhshi (fortune teller) and two young women who visit her, I explore how these two women of marriageable age deal with their emotional world and a society where failure to marry stigmatizes the whole family. The conscious decision of these young women to meet a bakhshi, to actively allow the bakhshi to influence their life course, offers insight on female agency and young women’s strategies in managing their emotions, controlling their futures, and securing good luck (bakht).
A new species of the genus Triplophysa (Nemacheilinae), Triplophysa qilianensis sp. nov, from Qinghai, China
Authors: LI WEN-JING , CHEN XIAO-CHENG , HU YAN-PING
Published: January 2015

A new nemacheilid loach species, Triplophysa qilianensis, is described from Heihe River in Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, China. It can be distinguished from all other species of Triplophysa by the following combination of characters: body long and compressed; skin smooth, scaleless; head short (20.1–23.1% of stand length); head convex from the position of posterior nostrils; posterior chamber of air bladder completely degenerated; intestine short, bending in zig-zag patter posterior to stomach; unbranched rays of pelvic fin ii; caudal fin forked, upper lobe and lower lobe equal in length; and pointed fin tips. A key to the known species of Triplophysa from the Heihe River is provided.
A new species of Microcaecilia Taylor, 1968 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona:
Siphonopidae) from Amazonian Brazil
Authors: WILKINSON MARK , ANTONIAZZI MARTA MARIA , JARED CARLOS
Published: January 2015

A new species of siphonopid caecilian, Microcaecilia butantan sp. nov., is described based on four specimens from Belterra, in the State of Pará, Brazil. The new species differs from all other Microcaecilia in having a combination of more than 135 primary annuli and long premaxillary-maxillary tooth series that extend posteriorly beyond the choanae. Some specimens were dug from soil in a cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) plantation suggesting that this form of agriculture provides an environment suitable for at least some caecilians.
Formation of Thin Films of Densely Packed [60]Fullerene–Diaminoethane Adduct Microparticles at a Liquid/Liquid Interface and Their Photoelectrochemical Applications
Authors: Banya Shoto , Akiyama Tsuyoshi , Izumoto Daisuke , Suzuki Atsushi , Oku Takeo
Published: January 2015

Thin films of [60]fullerene–1,2-diaminoethane adduct microparticles (C60P) were fabricated via a liquid/liquid interface precipitation. The energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the C60P was evaluated by electrochemical analysis. The additional tetraphenylporphyrin substantially enhanced the photocurrent from the C60P-thin-film-modified electrode.
What makes an inspiring teacher?
Authors: McAleavy Tony
Published: January 2015

A research project has observed a group of teachers identified by their school leaders as ‘inspirational’ in a bid to discover what it is that makes an inspiring teacher. Tony McAleavy looks at some of the common traits that emerged
Let's talk about sex: A pilot randomised controlled trial of a structured sexual rehabilitation programme in an Australian stroke cohort
Authors: Sansom Joshua , Ng Louisa , Zhang Nina , Khan Fary , Couldrick Lorna
Published: January 2015

Background:

Sexual dysfunction is a common problem after stroke. Sexual rehabilitation is recommended but little is known about the types or effectiveness of this intervention.

Aim:

To assess the effectiveness of a structured sexual rehabilitation programme alongside the use of written material in comparison with the use of written material alone, and to evaluate the impact of both interventions on sexual and psychological function in an Australian stroke cohort.

Methods:

Twelve participants (patients n=10; partners n=2) were randomly assigned to an intervention (n=4) or control (n=6) group. Standardised measurements were used to assess: sexual functioning (Changes in Sexual Function Questionnaire Short-Form) (CSFQ-14) (primary outcome); psychological functioning (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) (DASS); physical functioning (Functional Independence Measure); and quality of life (Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life scale–39-item generic version) (SAQOL-39g). All measures were assessed at baseline (T1) and six weeks after the programme (T2).

Results:

There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups at T2 in sexual functioning (CSFQ-14), psychological functioning (DASS) and quality of life (SAQOL-39g); however, there was a trend in both groups toward improvement in all outcome measures at T2 compared with T1.

Conclusion:

This preliminary study demonstrates the feasibility and importance of providing sexual rehabilitation following stroke, and that sexual rehabilitation may improve sexual and psychological functioning and quality of life. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings for stroke survivors and their partners to address sexual issues that may arise and perceived rehabilitation needs.
Martial arts practice in community-based rehabilitation: A review
Authors: Rajan Pavithra , Tsang Hector WH
Published: January 2015

Aim:

Martial arts are forms of self-defence or attack that have been modified for modern sport and exercise, and are reported to provide health benefits for people who practise them. This article discusses the evidence base for the use of martial arts, such as tai chi, karate and taekwondo, in the rehabilitation process and how they may play a role in community-based rehabilitation.

Findings:

Tai chi is a low-impact form of exercise that can help to: reduce the risk of falls among community-dwelling stroke survivors; lower blood pressure in patients with heart failure; and improve the wellbeing of breast cancer survivors. Karate is a more rigorous form of martial arts than tai chi and research has highlighted its benefits for children, including: improved memory and self-esteem for those with epilepsy; reduced stereotypy among children with autism; and improved developmental skills among schoolchildren with and without special needs. Taekwondo is another rigorous martial art form that has potential health benefits; limited research has been conducted into this, with a study reporting improvements in class behaviour and academic performance among children who practise it.

Conclusions:

While each martial art form has its own positive health benefits, future research must be undertaken to compare the effectiveness of different martial art forms in different communities.
Cohabitation and marriage in England and Wales
Authors: Probert Rebecca
Published: January 2015

Over the last 50 years, marriage in England and Wales has shifted from near-universality to being merely one option. A ‘marriage divide’ has emerged, with the likelihood of marriage being affected by education and income. While few of those marrying cite economic or legal factors as a motivation, the perceived need to attain a certain level of financial security may delay marriage for others, and minor financial incentives such as transferable tax allowances are unlikely to alter this. This article looks at the evidence of the marriage divide and considers whether government policies have the potential to influence people’s decision as to whether or not to marry.
Computerspiel und Lebenswelt
Authors: Lackner Thomas
Published: January 2015

Computerspiele beeinflussen zunehmend das Denken und Handeln der spielenden Menschen auch in der Realität. Sie sind ein wichtiger Bestandteil des täglichen Lebens geworden und rücken damit auch ins Interesse der kulturanthropologischen Forschung. Thomas Lackner zeigt, dass es für die Kulturwissenschaften gilt, die Auswirkungen der Spiel-Welten auf die Menschen zu erfassen und die wechselseitigen Transfers zwischen der virtuellen Realität der Online-Welten und dem realen Alltagsleben zu untersuchen. Die Computerspiele dürfen dabei nicht unabhängig vom sozialen Leben gedacht und analysiert werden, sondern in der Verschränkung mit der jeweiligen konkreten Lebenswelt der Spielerinnen und Spieler.
Thermo-economic Optimization of Solar Assisted Heating and Cooling (SAHC) System
Authors: Ghafoor A. , Munir A.
Published: January 2015

The energy demand for cooling is continuously increasing due to growing thermal loads, changing architectural modes of building, and especially due to occupants indoor comfort requirements resulting higher electricity demand notably during peak load hours. This increasing electricity demand is resulting higher primary energy consumption and emission of green house gases (GHG) due to electricity generation from fossil fuels. An exciting alternative to reduce the peak electricity consumption is the possible utilization of solar heat to run thermally driven cooling machines instead of vapor compression machines utilizing high amount of electricity. In order to widen the use of solar collectors, they should also be used to contribute for sanitary hot water production and space heating. Pakistan lying on solar belt has a huge potential to utilize solar thermal heat for heating and cooling requirement because cooling is dominant throughout the year and the enormous amount of radiation availability provides an opportunity to use it for solar thermal driven cooling systems. The sensitivity analysis of solar assisted heating and cooling system has been carried out under climatic conditions of Faisalabad (Pakistan) and its economic feasibility has been calculated using maximization of NPV. Both storage size and collector area has been optimized using different economic boundary conditions. Results show that optimum area of collector lies between 0.26m2 to 0.36m2 of collector area per m2 of conditioned area for ieff values of 4.5% to 0.5%. The optimum area of collector increases by decreasing effective interest rate resulting higher solar fraction. The NPV was found to be negative for all ieff values which shows that some incentives/subsidies are needed to be provided to make the system cost beneficial. Results also show that solar fraction space heating varies between 87 and 100% during heating season and solar fraction cooling between 55 and 100% during cooling season which indicates a huge amount of conventional energy saving potential.
Extrapolation of short-time drying shrinkage tests based on measured diffusion size effect: concept and reality
Authors: Bažant Zdeněk P. , Donmez Abdullah
Published: January 2015

To check the shrinkage of the concrete considered for a design and construction project, only a limited time such as 1–3 months is usually available. So, a short-time shrinkage test must be extrapolated to much longer times, which has been known to be a difficult problem. To obtain a dependable extrapolation, it was proposed to use weight measurements of the water loss of the test specimens. However, recently some problems with this concept have been identified. The present article proposes another concept relying on the diffusion size effect in shrinkage. In a much smaller companion specimen, it is possible to reach within 1–3 months the concave part of the shrinkage curve plotted in logarithmic time scale, in which the asymptotic value is closely approached. The method is examined using the available published data on the shrinkage of specimens of different sizes. Because the size difference in the available data is too small, the method is also examined using artificial small-size data obtained by scaling according to the diffusion theory. Both cases indicate overall improvement in predicting the final asymptotic values. However, although the extrapolation is clearly better than the traditional extrapolation “by eye” or by fitting a formula to one-size data, some non-negligible discrepancies are still observed, and it is not clear whether the size effect method is better than the water loss method. In the face of this reality, further studies are recommended using tests of combined drying and autogenous shrinkages, with greater size differences of drying specimens and a refined evaluation taking into account secondary influences such as differences in cracking, hydration aging, and the inevitable effect of autogenous shrinkage in the specimen core before it is reached by the drying front. Until such studies clarify the problem, taking the more conservative result from the extrapolations by the size-effect and weight-loss methods is recommended as better than intuitive extrapolation “by eye”.
Commonalities and differences between requirements engineering tools: A quantitative approach
Authors: Carrillo de , Nicolás Joaquín , Fernández Alemán , Toval Ambrosio , Ebert Christof , Vizcaíno Aurora
Published: January 2015

System and software developers are concerned to gain insight into how current
requirements engineering (RE) tools support processes. There is an important
number of RE tools currently available on the market but, unfortunately,
existing RE tool lists do not usually provide detailed and precise
information about the tools they catalogue. In this paper, we study and
compare current RE tools in the quest to answer the following research
question: What level of variation, in terms of functionality, is observable
in state-of-practice RE tools? A 188-item survey was designed, aimed at major
tool vendors worldwide and based principally on the features covered by the
ISO/IEC TR 24766:2009. Extensive data obtained from 29 participants was used
to classify and group the RE tools, based on their capabilities. First of
all, an inter-rater reliability analysis was performed to ensure the
trustworthiness of the data. Descriptive statistics, hierarchical cluster
analysis and statistical hypothesis testing were then applied. The tool
scores for each candidate were calculated. A total of three clusters were
identified. Statistically significant differences in coverage of features
among these groups came to light. Our findings can help practitioners to
decide which tool is the most suitable among several alternatives, according
to their particular needs.
Microstructure characterisation of freeze linings formed in a copper slag cleaning slag
Authors: Jansson J. , Taskinen P. , Kaskiala M.
Published: January 2015

The initial growth rate of freeze linings on water-cooled elements submerged
in molten iron silicate slag is fast. The freeze lining microstructure
forming on water cooled steel surface in a high-silica, slag cleaning furnace
slag of a direct-to-blister copper smelter is mostly glassy or amorphous. It
contains 5-30 ?m magnetite crystals, very small and larger copper droplets as
well as small magnetite and silicate nuclei embedded in the glassy
silica-rich matrix. Chemically the formed freeze linings are more silica-rich
than the slag from which they were generated. Magnetite (spinel) is the
primary phase of the solidifying SCF slag but it does not form a continuous
network through the freeze lining. Its strength is given by the intergranular
silica-rich phase which initially is glassy or microcrystalline. Due to only
partial slag reduction in the SCF process, large magnetite crystals are
present in the freeze lining and seem to interact physically with copper
droplets.
Detailed characterization of complex banding in air-cooled bainitic steels
Authors: Morales-Rivas L. , Roelofs H. , Hasler S. , Garcia-Mateo C. , Caballero F.G.
Published: January 2015

The presence of banding in a hot-rolled air-cooled bainitic steel has been
thoroughly characterized. The banded microstructure was observed due to
distinctive sensitivities to the etching agent. Microstructural and
crystallographic studies by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy and
Electron Backscatter Diffraction did not reveal any substantial differences
between bands and matrix. However, solute segregation of some alloying
elements was detected by Wavelength- Dispersive Spectroscopy, being found
that bands are enriched in Cr, Mo and Si and depleted in Mn. Finally, a set
of theoretical calculations suggested that the solidification mode is
responsible for such unusual partitioning behavior, which is beneficial in
terms of the bainitic transformation.
Error simulations of uncorrected NDVI and DCVI during remote sensing measurements from UAS
Authors: Chiliński Michał T. , Ostrowski Marek
Published: January 2015

Remote sensing from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has been gaining popularity in the last few years. In the field of vegetation mapping, digital cameras converted to calculate vegetation index (DCVI) are one of the most popular sensors. This paper presents simulations using a radiative transfer model (libRadtran) of DCVI and NDVI results in an environment of possible UAS flight scenarios. The analysis of the results is focused on the comparison of atmosphere influence on both indices. The results revealed uncertainties in uncorrected DCVI measurements up to 25% at the altitude of 5 km, 5% at 1 km and around 1% at 0.15 km, which suggests that DCVI can be widely used on small UAS operating below 0.2 km.
Developing a hot-water drill system for the WISSARD project: 3. Instrumentation and control systems
Authors: Burnett Justin , Rack Frank R. , Blythe Daren , Swanson Pat , Duling Dennis , Gibson Dar , Carpenter Chad , Roberts Graham , Lemery Jeff , Fischbein Steve , Melby Adam
Published: January 2015

The WISSARD (Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling) traversable hot-water drill system was designed to create various-diameter ice boreholes to a depth of >800 m, with most major components being controllable from a single user interface. The drill control system operates four low-pressure pumps for water generation and circulation, two hot-water generation units containing a total of six diesel burner modules with integrated high-pressure pumps, three winches (one with independent level-wind motor), a four-motor linear traction drive, and a large number of analog and digital sensors to monitor system performance and cleanliness. Due to development time constraints the control system design focused on utilizing commercial off-the-shelf components, while being highly modular, easily expandable and rapidly deployable. Additional emphasis was placed on providing redundant manual operator controls and maintaining a low degree of system automation to avoid dependence on software control loops for first-season deployment. The result of this design paradigm was a control system that was taken from concept to full operation in <6 months, successfully performing in the field without insurmountable problems.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Chemosensors in 2014
Authors: Chemosensor Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Chemosensors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Black-Box Optimization Using Geodesics in Statistical Manifolds
Authors: Bensadon Jérémy
Published: January 2015

Information geometric optimization (IGO) is a general framework for stochastic optimization problems aiming at limiting the influence of arbitrary parametrization choices: the initial problem is transformed into the optimization of a smooth function on a Riemannian manifold, defining a parametrization-invariant first order differential equation and, thus, yielding an approximately parametrization-invariant algorithm (up to second order in the step size). We define the geodesic IGO update, a fully parametrization-invariant algorithm using the Riemannian structure, and we compute it for the manifold of Gaussians, thanks to Noether’s theorem. However, in similar algorithms, such as CMA-ES (Covariance Matrix Adaptation - Evolution Strategy) and xNES (exponential Natural Evolution Strategy), the time steps for the mean and the covariance are decoupled. We suggest two ways of doing so: twisted geodesic IGO (GIGO) and blockwise GIGO. Finally, we show that while the xNES algorithm is not GIGO, it is an instance of blockwise GIGO applied to the mean and covariance matrix separately. Therefore, xNES has an almost parametrization-invariant description.