bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Poststroke Fatigue: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ponchel Amélie , Bombois Stéphanie , Bordet Régis , Hénon Hilde
Published: May 2015

Background.Poststroke fatigue (PSF) is a frequent, disabling symptom that lacks a consensual definition and a standardized evaluation method. The (multiple) causes of PSF have not been formally characterized.Objective.To identify factors associated with PSF.Method.A systematic review of articles referenced in MEDLINE. Only original studies having measured PSF and potentially associated factors were included. Data was extracted from articles using predefined data fields.Results.Although PSF tends to be more frequent in female patients and older patients, sociodemographic factors do not appear to have a major impact. There are strong associations between PSF and emotional disturbances (such as depression and anxiety). PSF may also be linked to attentional disturbances (mainly slowing in processing speed). The literature data have failed to demonstrate a clear impact of the type and severity of stroke. It has been suggested that PSF results from alterations in the frontothalamostriatal system and/or inflammatory processes. Pain, sleep disorders, and prestroke fatigue also appeared to be associated with PSF.Implications.A better understanding of PSF may improve stroke patient care and facilitate the development of effective treatments.
Inside of the Linear Relation between Dependent and Independent Variables
Authors: Jäntschi Lorentz , Pruteanu Lavinia L. , Cozma Alina C. , Bolboacă Sorana D.
Published: May 2015

Simple and multiple linear regression analyses are statistical methods used to investigate the link between activity/property of active compounds and the structural chemical features. One assumption of the linear regression is that the errors follow a normal distribution. This paper introduced a new approach to solving the simple linear regression in which no assumptions about the distribution of the errors are made. The proposed approach maximizes the probability of observing the event according to the random error. The use of the proposed approach is illustrated in ten classes of compounds with different activities or properties. The proposed method proved reliable and was showed to fit properly the observed data compared to the convenient approach of normal distribution of the errors.
Grid-Based Hole Recovery Mechanism Using Virtual Force in Hybrid WSNs
Authors: Huang Kuo-Feng , Wu Shih-Jung
Published: May 2015

Sensor nodes are typically empowered with scarce energy resources and limited computing functionality in wireless sensor networks. However, nonuniform random deployment, depletion, and failure of sensor nodes will lead to generating coverage hole in the entire network. These hole problems to occur result in reducing the data transmission performance or in additional power consumption. Consequently, the hole problem is an important factor for the coverage completeness to prolong the network lifetime in wireless sensor networks. We have proposed a hole recovery mechanism based on the grid architecture in hybrid wireless sensor networks. Moreover, virtual force theory is utilized to determine which mobile node should enforce the recovery task. Based on the simulation results, the proposed mechanism is demonstrated to be able to prolong the network lifetime more than 10% with other proposed mechanisms. Otherwise, the proposed mechanism could maintain much more rounds for at least 80% network coverage ratio than other mechanisms.
Fixing Device for a Planar Object by Incorporating Jamming Transition Phenomenon and a Suction Unit
Authors: Bekku Akira , Nakajima Yoshikazu
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a versatile method to install a small machining robot onto a planar or slightly curved object. Normally, gripping tools provide a rigid connection between a robot and a target. However, if there is no graspable area on the target, the gripper cannot perform well. To overcome this problem, we proposed a deformable device that works as a universal suction pad and that can hold an ungraspable target by utilizing the jamming transition phenomenon. We determined the effect of the type of grains on the jamming transition phenomenon in terms of stability under jammed conditions. By comparing the four types of grains, we found that the tetrahedral-shaped grains performed the best. Subsequently, we evaluated the performance of the device. The suction force was 166-N when the proposed device was affixed to a curved target. Next, we evaluated the stiffness of the device. The average deformations of the device were 0.10 mm, 0.35 mm, and 0.04 mm, respectively, when 50-N downward vertical, horizontal, and upward vertical directional loads were applied to the device, which was affixed to the curved target. The results suggest that the proposed device performed well in affixing a robot onto a target.
Immunohistochemical Study of Nrf2-Antioxidant Response Element as Indicator of Oxidative Stress Induced by Cadmium in Developing Rats
Authors: Montes Sergio , Juárez-Rebollar Daniel , Nava-Ruíz Concepción , Sánchez-García Aurora , Heras-Romero Yesica , Rios Camilo , Méndez-Armenta Marisela
Published: May 2015

In developing animals, Cadmium (Cd) induces toxicity to many organs including brain. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are often implicated in Cd-inducedtoxicity and it has been clearly demonstrated that oxidative stress interferes with the expression of genes as well as transcriptional factors such as Nrf2-dependent Antioxidant Response Element (Nrf2-ARE). Cd-generated oxidative stress and elevated Nrf2 activity have been reportedin vitroandin situcells. In this study we evaluated the morphological changes and the expression pattern of Nrf2 and correlated them with the Cd concentrations in different ages of developing rats in heart, lung, kidney, liver, and brain. The Cd content in different organs of rats treated with the metal was increased in all ages assayed. Comparatively, lower Cd brain levels were found in rats intoxicated at the age of 12 days, then pups treated at 5, 10, or 15 days old, at the same metal dose. No evident changes, as a consequence of cadmium exposure, were evident in the morphological analysis in any of the ages assayed. However, Nrf2-ARE immunoreactivity was observed in 15-day-old rats exposed to Cd. Our results support that fully developed blood-brain barrier is an important protector against Cd entrance to brain and that Nrf2 increased expression is a part of protective mechanism against cadmium-induced toxicity.
Autonomic Context-Aware Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Campos Nídia G. S. , Gomes Danielo G. , Delicato Flávia C. , Neto Augusto J. V. , Pirmez Luci , de Souza José Neuman
Published: May 2015

Autonomic Computing allows systems like wireless sensor networks (WSN) to self-manage computing resources in order to extend their autonomy as much as possible. In addition, contextualization tasks can fuse two or more different sensor data into a more meaningful information. Since these tasks usually run in a single centralized context server (e.g., sink node), the massive volume of data generated by the wireless sensors can lead to a huge information overload in such server. Here we propose DAIM, a distributed autonomic inference machine distributed which allows the sensor nodes to do self-management and contextualization tasks based on fuzzy logic. We have evaluated DAIM in a real sensor network taking into account other inference machines. Experimental results illustrate that DAIM is an energy-efficient contextualization method for WSN, reducing 48.8% of the number of messages sent to the context servers while saving 19.5% of the total amount of energy spent in the network.
Discrete Multiwavelet Critical-Sampling Transform-Based OFDM System over Rayleigh Fading Channels
Authors: Dawood Sameer A. , Malek F. , Anuar M. S. , Hadi Suha Q.
Published: May 2015

Discrete multiwavelet critical-sampling transform (DMWCST) has been proposed instead of fast Fourier transform (FFT) in the realization of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system. The proposed structure further reduces the level of interference and improves the bandwidth efficiency through the elimination of the cyclic prefix due to the good orthogonality and time-frequency localization properties of the multiwavelet transform. The proposed system was simulated using MATLAB to allow various parameters of the system to be varied and tested. The performance of DMWCST-based OFDM (DMWCST-OFDM) was compared with that of the discrete wavelet transform-based OFDM (DWT-OFDM) and the traditional FFT-based OFDM (FFT-OFDM) over flat fading and frequency-selective fading channels. Results obtained indicate that the performance of the proposed DMWCST-OFDM system achieves significant improvement compared to those of DWT-OFDM and FFT-OFDM systems. DMWCST improves the performance of the OFDM system by a factor of 1.5–2.5 dB and 13–15.5 dB compared with the DWT and FFT, respectively. Therefore the proposed system offers higher data rate in wireless mobile communications.
Numerical Tests on Failure Process of Rock Particle under Impact Loading
Authors: Zuo Yu-Jun , Zhang Qin , Xu Tao , Liu Zhi-Hong , Qiu Yue-Qin , Zhu Wan-Cheng
Published: May 2015

By using numerical code RFPA2D(dynamic version), numerical model is built to investigate the failure process of rock particle under impact loading, and the influence of different impact loading on crushing effect and consumed energy of rock particle sample is analyzed. Numerical results indicate that crushing effect is good when the stress wave amplitude is close to the dynamic strength of rock; it is difficult for rock particle to be broken under too low stress wave amplitude; on the other hand, when stress wave amplitude is too high, excessive fine particle is produced, and crushing effect is not very good on the whole, and more crushing energy is consumed. Secondly, in order to obtain good crushing effect, it should be avoided that wavelength of impact load be too short. Therefore, it is inappropriate to choose impact rusher with too high power and too fast impact frequency for ore particle.
Temporal Unmixing of Dynamic Fluorescent Images by Blind Source Separation Method with a Convex Framework
Authors: Chen Duofang , Liang Jimin , Guo Kui
Published: May 2015

By recording a time series of tomographic images, dynamic fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) allows exploring perfusion, biodistribution, and pharmacokinetics of labeled substances in vivo. Usually, dynamic tomographic images are first reconstructed frame by frame, and then unmixing based on principle component analysis (PCA) or independent component analysis (ICA) is performed to detect and visualize functional structures with different kinetic patterns. PCA and ICA assume sources are statistically uncorrelated or independent and don’t perform well when correlated sources are present. In this paper, we deduce the relationship between the measured imaging data and the kinetic patterns and present a temporal unmixing approach, which is based on nonnegative blind source separation (BSS) method with a convex analysis framework to separate the measured data. The presented method requires no assumption on source independence or zero correlations. Several numerical simulations and phantom experiments are conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed temporal unmixing method. The results indicate that it is feasible to unmix the measured data before the tomographic reconstruction and the BSS based method provides better unmixing quality compared with PCA and ICA.
Cyclophilin A Interacts with Viral VP4 and Inhibits the Replication of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus
Authors: Wang Nian , Zhang Lizhou , Chen Yuming , Lu Zhen , Gao Li , Wang Yongqiang , Gao Yulong , Gao Honglei , Cui Hongyu , Li Kai , Liu Changjun , Zhang Yanping , Qi Xiaole , Wang Xiaomei
Published: May 2015

Nonstructural protein VP4, a serine protease of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of polyprotein pVP2-VP4-VP3 to form the viral proteins VP2, VP4, and VP3, is essential to the replication of IBDV. However, the interacting partners of VP4 in host cells and the effects of the interaction on the IBDV lifecycle remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, using the yeast two-hybrid system, the putative VP4-interacting partner cyclophilin A (CypA) was obtained from a chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) expression library. CypA was further confirmed to interact with VP4 of IBDV using co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP), GST pull-down, and confocal microscopy assays. Moreover, we found that the overexpression of CypA suppressed IBDV replication, whereas the knock-down of CypA by small interfering RNAs promoted the replication of IBDV. Taken together, our findings indicate that the host cell protein CypA interacts with viral VP4 and inhibits the replication of IBDV.
Electronic Voting Protocol Using Identity‐Based Cryptography
Authors: Gallegos-Garcia Gina , Tapia-Recillas Horacio
Published: May 2015

Electronic voting protocols proposed to date meet their properties based on Public Key Cryptography (PKC), which offers high flexibility through key agreement protocols and authentication mechanisms. However, when PKC is used, it is necessary to implement Certification Authority (CA) to provide certificates which bind public keys to entities and enable verification of such public key bindings. Consequently, the components of the protocol increase notably. An alternative is to use Identity‐Based Encryption (IBE). With this kind of cryptography, it is possible to have all the benefits offered by PKC, without neither the need of certificates nor all the core components of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Considering the aforementioned, in this paper we propose an electronic voting protocol, which meets the privacy and robustness properties by using bilinear maps.
Association between Prenatal One-Hour Glucose Challenge Test Values and Delivery Mode in Nondiabetic, Pregnant Black Women
Authors: Ezell Jerel M. , Peters Rosalind M. , Shill Jessica E. , Cassidy-Bushrow Andrea E.
Published: May 2015

Objective. We examined the association between 1-hour glucose challenge test (GCT) values and risk of caesarean section.Study Design. A prospective cohort study recruited 203 pregnant Black women to participate. At ~28 weeks of gestation, participants underwent a routine 1-hour 50 g GCT to screen for gestational diabetes mellitus. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between 1-hour GCT value and delivery mode.Results. Of the 158 participants included, 53 (33.5%) delivered via C-section; the majority (n=29; 54.7%) were nulliparous. Mean 1-hour GCT values were slightly, but not significantly, higher among women delivering via C-section; versus vaginally (107.8 ± 20.7 versus 102.4 ± 21.5 mg/dL, resp.;P=0.13). After stratifying by parity and adjusting for maternal age, previous C-section, and prepregnancy body mass index, 1-hour GCT value was significantly associated with increased risk of C-section among parous women (OR per 1 mg/dL increase in GCT value = 1.05; 95% CI OR: 1.00, 1.05;P=0.045).Conclusion. Even slightly elevated 1-hour 50 g GCT values may be associated with delivery mode among parous Black women.
Positivity, Betweenness, and Strictness of Operator Means
Authors: Chansangiam Pattrawut
Published: May 2015

An operator mean is a binary operation assigned to each pair of positive operators satisfying monotonicity, continuity from above, the transformer inequality, and the fixed-point property. It is well known that there are one-to-one correspondences between operator means, operator monotone functions, and Borel measures. In this paper, we provide various characterizations for the concepts of positivity, betweenness, and strictness of operator means in terms of operator inequalities, operator monotone functions, Borel measures, and certain operator equations.
Atlantoaxial Subluxation after Pyogenic Spondylitis around the Odontoid Process
Authors: Hasegawa Atsushi , Yagi Mitsuru , Takemitsu Masakazu , Machida Masafumi , Asazuma Takashi , Ichimura Shoichi
Published: May 2015

Study Design. A case report and review of the literature.Objective. The aim of this study was to describe the conservative management of pyogenic spondylitis around the odontoid process.Summary of Background Data. Atlantoaxial subluxation after pyogenic spondylitis is rare. The therapeutic approach to infection of the upper cervical spine is controversial.Methods. Medical chart and radiological images of a 76-year-old male patient were retrospectively reviewed. Radiography revealed atlantoaxial subluxation, and an abscess was seen around the odontoid process on magnetic resonance images. Intravenous antibiotics and a halo vest were used to treat the patient. We then observed the patient’s conservative treatment course.Results. C-reactive protein levels returned to normal 4 weeks after administration of the intravenous antibiotics. The patient’s muscle weakness also completely recovered 8 weeks after administration of the intravenous antibiotics. Because the patient was able to walk without any support, surgical treatment was not necessary.Conclusions. Pyogenic spondylitis of the upper cervical spine is a rare manifestation. Surgical or conservative treatment must be selected carefully based on the patient’s symptoms. If early diagnosis and treatment can be provided to the patients, conservative treatment can be achieved.
Effects of Age and Gender on Hand Motion Tasks
Authors: Au Wing Lok , Seah Irene Soo Hoon , Li Wei , Tan Louis Chew Seng
Published: May 2015

Objective. Wearable and wireless motion sensor devices have facilitated the automated computation of speed, amplitude, and rhythm of hand motion tasks. The aim of this study is to determine if there are any biological influences on these kinematic parameters.Methods. 80 healthy subjects performed hand motion tasks twice for each hand, with movements measured using a wireless motion sensor device (Kinesia, Cleveland Medical Devices Inc., Cleveland, OH). Multivariate analyses were performed with age, gender, and height added into the model.Results. Older subjects performed poorer in finger tapping (FT) speed (r=0.593,p<0.001), hand-grasp (HG) speed (r=0.517,p<0.001), and pronation-supination (PS) speed (r=0.485,p<0.001). Men performed better in FT rhythmp<0.02, HG speedp<0.02, HG amplitudep<0.02, and HG rhythmp<0.05. Taller subjects performed better in the speed and amplitude components of FTp<0.02and HG tasksp<0.02. After multivariate analyses, only age and gender emerged as significant independent factors influencing the speed but not the amplitude and rhythm components of hand motion tasks. Gender exerted an independent influence only on HG speed, with better performance in menp<0.05.Conclusions. Age, gender, and height are not independent factors influencing the amplitude and rhythm components of hand motion tasks. The speed component is affected by age and gender differences.
Drive Current Enhancement in TFET by Dual Source Region
Authors: Jiang Zhi , Zhuang Yiqi , Li Cong , Wang Ping , Liu Yuqi
Published: May 2015

This paper presents tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET) with dual source regions. It explores the physics of drive current enhancement. The novel approach of dual source provides an effective technique for enhancing the drive current. It is found that this structure can offer four tunneling junctions by increasing a source region. Meanwhile, the dual source structure does not influence the excellent features of threshold slope (SS) of TFET. The number of the electrons and holes would be doubled by going through the tunneling junctions on the original basis. The overlap length of gate-source is also studied. The dependence of gate-drain capacitanceCgdand gate-source capacitanceCgson gate-to-source voltageVgsand drain-to-source voltageVdswas further investigated. There are simulation setups and methodology used for the dual source TFET (DS-TFET) assessment, including delay time, total energy per operation, and energy-delay product. It is confirmed that the proposed TFET has strong potentials for VLSI.
Subacute Toxicity Profile of Lacidipine Nanoformulation in Wistar Rats
Authors: Shirodkar Rupesh , Misra Chandrasekhar , GH Chethan , Shetty Pallavi , Attari Zenab , Mutalik Srinivas , Lewis Shaila
Published: May 2015

The present study was aimed at investigating the safety of Lacidipine (LCDP) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) in Wistar rats. NLCs were formulated using ultrasound dispersion technique. Animals were orally treated once daily with NLCs containing 0.140 mg, 0.350 mg, and 0.875 mg of LCDP as low, medium, and high dose per kg body weight, respectively, during 28 days along with blank formulation and pure LCDP. Control rats were fed with water. Animals were observed throughout experiment period and their body weight was recorded once weekly. Overnight fasted rats were sacrificed on the 29th day. Study revealed no signs or symptoms of toxicity or morbidity. No significant changes in the body weight were observed between treated and control group. Significant increase in left testis weight and liver weight was observed in male and female rats, respectively. Haematological estimation revealed significant decrease in haemoglobin count in male rats while female rats showed significant increase in granulocyte count. All the serum clinical parameters were within the normal range and no gross histopathological changes were observed. No delayed effect was noted in satellite group. The results indicate that developed LCDP loaded NLCs are safe when administered orally in rats.
CIRCULAR OR SPHERICAL VESSELS IN THE FOSSIL RECORD
Authors: Baas Pieter , Srivastava Rashmi , Manchester Steven R. , Wheeler Elisabeth A.
Published: May 2015

Strangely configured vessels composed of few elements interconnected in a sphere- or ring-like structure are reported from the type specimen of Amooroxylon deccanensis Bande & Prakash, a large fossil trunk from the Deccan Intertrappean Beds of central India (late Cretaceous-early Paleocene, about 66 MY before present). In the recent flora, circular vessels have been found mainly in association with branching nodes, axillary buds, wound callus, and pathogens, and they have been artificially induced by auxin. The presence of circular vessels in this fossil trunk showing no signs of branching or trauma makes this record highly unusual.
WELKOETOXYLON MULTISERIATUM: FOSSIL MORACEOUS WOOD FROM THE EOCENE GREEN RIVER FORMATION, WYOMING, U.S.A.
Authors: Boonchai Nareerat , Manchester Steven R. , Wheeler Elisabeth A.
Published: May 2015

A silicified wood, Welkoetoxylon multiseriatum, gen. et sp. nov., is described from the late Early Eocene Green River Formation of southwestern Wyoming. The combination of features observed in W. multiseriatum, including latex tubes (laticifers) in the rays and abundant sheath cells, indicates affinities with the Moraceae. This is the first report of fossil moraceous wood from the Eocene of the western interior of the U.S.A. and it provides reliable evidence for the Paleogene occurrence of Moraceae in this region. The indistinct growth rings of this fossil indicate this tree did not experience a distinct dormant season.
PETRIFACTIONS AND WOOD-TEMPLATED CERAMICS: COMPARISONS BETWEEN NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL SILICIFICATION
Authors: Dietrich Dagmar , Viney Mike , Lampke Thomas
Published: May 2015

Fascination with petrified wood has stimulated interest in understanding the process of natural petrifaction. Early attempts of modeling natural petrifaction in the laboratory have been limited to mimicking incipient permineralization resulting in the creation of silica casts of pore spaces and inner cell walls. Silica lithomorphs produced through artificial silicification provided a possible avenue for studying microstructure of wood. More recently artificial petrifaction is motivated by the goal of creating advanced ceramic materials for engineering applications. The concept of using wood as a biotemplate has led to the creation of porous ceramics by cell wall replacement. To some extent artificial and natural petrifaction processes are comparable; although, some of the materials and procedures used in the laboratory are not found in nature. Research focused on the composition and structure of fossil wood from different-aged deposits is compared with research focused on the development of wood-templated porous ceramics. Differences and similarities in the pathways of natural silicification and creation of biomorphous ceramics are discussed. The comparison between artificial and natural silicification highlights the particular significance of the degree to which (de)lignification is needed for silica permeation.
Pochonia cordycepisociata, a new species associated with Chinese cordyceps in Tibet, China
Authors: HUANG HAI , WANG MU , ZHANG LUO , YUE HAI MEI , GONG WEN FENG , CAI LEI
Published: May 2015

During a survey of fungi associated with the Chinese cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) collected from Tibet, China, a new species, Pochonia cordycepisociata was isolated from the sclerotium of O. sinensis. It is characterized and different from other Pochonia species by its aggregated compact hyphae, slender phialides, global to ellipsoid conidia and the absence of dictyochlamydospores. A multi-locus (ITS, SSU, LSU, TEF, RPB1 and RPB2) phylogenetic analysis supported its independence from other species. A synopsis of the morphological characters of the new species and its related taxa is provided.
Campylospora brasiliensis, a new species of freshwater fungi from Brazil
Authors: MORO LARISSA B. , SCHOENLEIN-CRUSIUS IRACEMA H. , DE JESUS ANA L. , A. PIRES-ZOTTARELLI CARMEN L.
Published: May 2015

Campylospora brasiliensis is a new freshwater fungus that has been collected from submerged mixed leaf litter in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences of the rDNA reveals it as a new species. Comparison with other species of Campylospora is provided.
Validation of a Tool Evaluating Educational Apps for Smart Education
Authors: Lee Jeong-Sook , Kim Sung-Wan
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate an evaluation tool of educational apps for smart education. Based on literature reviews, a potential model for evaluating educational apps was suggested. An evaluation tool consisting of 57 survey items was delivered to 156 students in middle and high schools. An exploratory factor analysis was then used to ascertain the importance of the criteria. Four exploratory constructs and eight subfactors were extracted from the data collected: Factor I was labeled as “Teaching & Learning,” Factor II, “Screen Design,” Factor III, “Technology,” and Factor IV, “Economy & Ethics.” Each factor has two subfactors, respectively. Reliability estimates using Cronbach’s alpha indicated that the evaluation tool had good internal consistency. The overall results of the analyses suggest that this evaluation tool is highly instrumental for evaluating educational apps.
Questioning as an Instructional Strategy in Multimedia Environments
Authors: García-Rodicio Héctor
Published: May 2015

Interactive multimedia learning environments incorporate interactive features, such as questioning, through which questions are posed to students and feedback is delivered on their answers. An experiment was conducted comparing two forms of questioning. The participants learned about geology with a multimedia environment that included questioning episodes. In the interactive questioning condition, the participants were presented with the question, chose an answer from a set of three options, and got the corresponding feedback. In the noninteractive questioning condition, the participants were presented with the same question and options, but they were not required to make a choice; instead, they were exposed to the feedback for each option. In a control condition, the participants received statements equivalent to those in the question and feedback. After learning with the environment, the participants took retention and transfer tests. The results in retention and transfer showed that the participants in the interactive condition outperformed those in the control and the noninteractive conditions, who did not differ from each other. This finding means that participation is critical for questioning to work effectively. This has implications for the design of learning environments.
Exploring and Upgrading the Educational Business-Game Taxonomy
Authors: Jerman Blažič Andrej , Džonova Jerman Blažič Borka
Published: May 2015

This article explores existing attempts to design a comprehensive and complex taxonomy framework for an educational business game intended to categorize and evaluate various properties. The identified missing elements in the current proposed taxonomies were used as a starting point for the design of a new category that addresses the game’s educational properties. The content of the proposed taxonomy category is presented and the properties selected are explained with regard to their merit in achieving the learning outcomes. The usability of the new category is illustrated with an assessment of two use cases, that is, simulation games taken from the area of project management. The results obtained with a survey and a teacher’s and student’s evaluation are presented and discussed.
Tax Law
Authors: Snape John
Published: May 2015

This essay introduces the various contributions to a special issue of the journal. Its overall theme is the variety of ways in which “tax complexity” performs political functions. The essay establishes the principal meaning of tax complexity as “rule complexity” and places each contribution within the controversies on the subject. Highly abstract and technical tax law is seen as foundational to the neoliberal regulatory state. Tax law has a complexity exacerbated by the incorporation of other regulatory systems, by arguments over linguistic indeterminacy and by a disconnection between wider political debate and those closely involved in developing and drafting tax legislation. An analysis of the relationship between the political ordering of the regulatory state and the phenomenon of tax complexity is followed by a discussion of political debate and the significance of legal formalism. The essay concludes by speculating on the custodianship of definitive interpretation in the tax law context.
‘Why Should Holidays Come in the Way of School?’ Situating Girls’ Experiences of Schooling
Authors: Roy Sangeeta
Published: May 2015

This article explores girls’ experiences of schooling in a cluster of villages in the Mahabubnagar district in Telangana, India, arguing that the processual conception of schooling is one that commences before the access of girls to school. It includes the social learning of distributive justice through family, community and religion that influences girls’ perceptions of differential entitlements to educational resources due to their gender. These perceptions are simultaneously reinforced and contested by the school, contouring their engagement with educational resources. Drawing from the theoretical frame of feminist standpoint epistemology this study uses interviews and focus group discussions to engage with its participants. It focuses on the specificities of individual assertions and contestations of girls, as well as the complex responses of affirmation and injunctions of parents, teachers and other members of the community who impact their experiences. In doing so it marks a departure from the linear rhetoric of the dismal experiences of girls and boys in government schools in India.
Patriarchy, Community Rights and Institutions for Education: Counter-discourse and Negotiation for Rights
Authors: Imam Zeba , Bano Shadab
Published: May 2015

The normality of covert forms of discrimination, and the manner in which intimate, familial and everyday forms of oppression determine political practices and institutional spaces, present a great challenge to women negotiating spaces and rights in public life. Specifically, the paper looks at women’s education in one of the historic centres of education and ‘reforms’ for Muslims of north India, which continues to be representative of educated Muslim opinion and remains centre stage of Muslim politics. The paper also looks at the attempts by women on the campus to negotiate spaces and challenge the constraints put on them. It seeks to bring out innovative ways and use also of the cultural resources to counter the discriminatory discourses and practices. The paper notes the moments of breaking silence and overt resistances as well as non-confrontational strategy of shifting issues that girls employ in order to avoid disciplinary actions.
Book Review: Amrita Pande, Wombs in Labor: Transnational Commercial Surrogacy in India
Authors: Abraham Dimple Tresa
Published: May 2015

Amrita Pande, Wombs in Labor: Transnational Commercial Surrogacy in India. New York: Columbia University Press, 2014, 252 pages, ISBN 978-0-231-16991-2. $ 28.00 (Paperback).
The Post-crisis Growth Slowdown in Emerging Economies and the Role of Structural Reforms
Authors: Qureshi Zia , Diaz-Sanchez Jose L. , Varoudakis Aristomene
Published: May 2015

This article constructs indicators of structural bottlenecks arising from barriers to open markets, obstacles to business operations, and constraints to access to finance. Empirical evidence from a sample of 30 emerging economies indicates that barriers to open markets and access to finance are significantly associated with differences in total factor productivity growth in the post-global financial crisis period compared with the pre-crisis period—with countries with fewer barriers showing stronger recovery and resilience. Barriers to access to finance are also associated with differences in the performance of private investment. Reforms to improve the policy framework in these areas, up to the level of the best-ranking countries, could offset the recently observed growth slowdown in emerging economies. These reforms would revitalize potential growth and mitigate the risks from external shocks associated with the global environment in the transition from the global financial crisis.
Dealing with the Diagnosis
Authors: David Gary E.
Published: May 2015

How naming a medical malady can be both horrifying for new parents and a key to unlocking resources and care.
Hiking the West Bank
Authors: Clarno Andy
Published: May 2015

Andy Clarno on how hiking became a Palestinian act of resistance.
Got Skills?
Authors: Kelsky Karen L.
Published: May 2015

Karen L. Kelsky on recognizing skillsets for success within and beyond academia.
Book Review: Dietmar Rothermund, Violent Traders: Europeans in Asia in the Age of Mercantilism
Authors: Habib Irfan
Published: May 2015

Dietmar Rothermund, Violent Traders: Europeans in Asia in the Age of Mercantilism (New Delhi: Manohar), 2014, pp. 197, Price: ₹ 695.
Archival sources relating to Indian opium merchants of the nineteenth century
Authors: Farooqui Amar
Published: May 2015

In the nineteenth century opium was grown for export in two principal regions: (a) Bihar and Eastern UP (in the Bengal Presidency) under British possession; and (b) Malwa (in Central India) within several princely states. This article is mainly concerned with the voluminous records generated by British attempts to curb opium export from Malwa in the interest of their own lucrative contraband trade in ‘Bengal’ opium with China. It explores what these and other records tell us of Indian participants in the trade in Malwa opium.
The long-term effects of military conscription on educational attainment and wages
Authors: Hubers Frank , Webbink Dinand
Published: May 2015

This study investigates the long-term effects of peace-time military conscription on educational attainment and earnings by exploiting a policy change that exempted a complete birth cohort from military service. We find that compulsory military service decreases the proportion of Dutch university graduates by 1.5 percentage points from a baseline of 12.3 per cent. In addition, being a conscript reduces the probability of obtaining a university degree by almost four percentage points. The effect of military service on earnings is also negative and long-lasting. Approximately 18 years after military service, we still find a negative effect of 3 to 4 per cent. The effect of conscription on educational attainment does not fully explain the wage reduction.

Jel classification H56; J31; J24
The possibilities of least-squares migration of internally scattered seismic energy
Authors: Aldawood Ali , Hoteit Ibrahim , Zuberi Mohammad , Turkiyyah George , AlKhalifah Tariq
Published: May 2015

Approximate images of the earth’s subsurface structures are usually obtained by migrating surface seismic data. Least-squares migration, under the single-scattering assumption, is used as an iterative linearized inversion scheme to suppress migration artifacts, deconvolve the source signature, mitigate the acquisition fingerprint, and enhance the spatial resolution of migrated images. The problem with least-squares migration of primaries, however, is that it may not be able to enhance events that are mainly illuminated by internal multiples, such as vertical and nearly vertical faults or salt flanks. To alleviate this problem, we adopted a linearized inversion framework to migrate internally scattered energy. We apply the least-squares migration of first-order internal multiples to image subsurface vertical fault planes. Tests on synthetic data demonstrated the ability of the proposed method to resolve vertical fault planes, which are poorly illuminated by the least-squares migration of primaries only. The proposed scheme is robust in the presence of white Gaussian observational noise and in the case of imaging the fault planes using inaccurate migration velocities. Our results suggested that the proposed least-squares imaging, under the double-scattering assumption, still retrieved the vertical fault planes when imaging the scattered data despite a slight defocusing of these events due to the presence of noise or velocity errors.
Design of Highly Functionalized Polyoxometalate-Based Catalysts
Authors: Kamata Keigo
Published: May 2015

Chemical industries leave much room for improvement in the areas of environmental conservation and resource utilization efficiency. The development of superior catalytic technologies is one priority area when considering current problems faced by society and the global environment. We have designed a variety of highly functionalized polyoxometalate (POM) catalysts for application to achieve environmentally-friendly chemical processes. The following four topics are described in this account: (i) high functionalization of tungstates, (ii) construction of multimetallic active sites effective for concerto catalysis, (iii) base catalysis with POMs, and (iv) the development of POM-based heterogeneous catalysts.
Redox-active Diazaphenalenyl-based Molecule and Neutral Radical Formation
Authors: Koo Jin Young , Yakiyama Yumi , Kim Jaejun , Morita Yasushi , Kawano Masaki
Published: May 2015

A redox-active molecule, 2,5,8-tri(4-pyridyl)-1,3-diazaphenalene (TPDAP), was synthesized by four-step reactions. The two-step redox reaction was revealed by solid-state cyclic voltammetry. The crystal was obtained by sublimation under reduced pressure and characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determination. Oxidation of TPDAP produced a neutral radical that was characterized by ESR.
Change in the Natural Vibration Frequency Spectrum of the Steel Pipe Mathematic Model Depending on Sizes, Location, and Number of Local Defects
Authors: Суслонов  , Suslonov A. , Самарин  , Samarin V. , Сущев  , Sushchev Sergey , Новгородова  , Novgorodova A.
Published: May 2015

The article discusses issues related to the research of the influence of sizes and location of local defects on the change

in the natural vibration frequencies spectrum of the steel pipe model fixed on a single threshold. The research was made

using the finite element analysis (FEA) and the SCAD computing system. Nonlinear dependence of the natural vibration

frequencies on the defect size and its location was ascertained. Such nonlinearity in the course of defects accumulation is

classified as a genetic nonlinearity. Completed research reveals that the scale and the location of defects can be determined

by the pattern of their change during the monitoring of main dynamic characteristics in the course of the building operation.

It has been ascertained that the first frequency of torsional natural vibrations of the pipe declines with greater intensity

than the first and other lateral vibration frequencies in case of a specific location of a growing local defect. There have

been no regulatory requirements for the time being to the analysis of structures (flue stacks) subject to torsional vibrations.

However, for example, it was ascertained during the expert examination of anchoring of a steel pipe in service and having

vertical stiffeners throughout the height that all the anchors damaged circumferentially have an inclination to one and the

same side. Furthermore, the value of such an inclination coincides with results of observations of the pipe top deviation

change in azimuth.

An attempt was made during the research to determine the limit value of frequencies that would correspond to occurrence

of the first, the second or the third limit states of operated construction structures with defects.
Heavy Metals in Soils Affected by Coal Enterprises and Their Impact on Human Health
Authors: Язиков  , Yazikov E. , Осипова  , Osipova N. , Тарасова  , Tarasova Natalya , Осипов  , Osipov Konstantin
Published: May 2015

Concentrations of heavy metals in Southern Kuzbass urban soils affected by coal mining industry and sity boilers

were studied. The risks of toxic effects of elements found in soils as a result of geochemical sampling (200 samples)

were identified. The hazard ratio during the intake of elements - toxins into the human body orally and via inhalation

was calculated. Analysis of uncertainty in the estimation of the average daily doses was carried out. The obtained risk

parameters fall into the category of permissible or acceptable. The primary contribution to the total hazard ratio is made

by the manganese, cobalt, copper, and arsenic. These elements show special features of the soil in the affected area of coal

mining, urban boilers everywhere and the activity of repair — metallurgical and foundry businesses locally. No pronounced

differentiation of the city areas according to the value of the hazard ratio was discovered.
Physico-Chemical Evaluation of Fertility Restoration of Damaged Gray Forest Soils under Reclamation
Authors: Яковлева  , Yakovleva E. , Степанова  , Stepanova L. , Писарева  , Pisareva A.
Published: May 2015

The paper deals with disturbances of topsoil, irreversible processes of gray forest soil degradation under the influence of

organic waste. In connection with this the program to determine the level of contamination areas was studied, taking into

account the basic characteristics of the soil and the complex nature of the contamination.
Wastewater Purification from Streptomycin Through Adsorption Method
Authors: Шанова  , Shanova O. , Григорьев  , Grigorev L. , Веренцова  , Verentsova L.
Published: May 2015

Data on adsorption from aqueous streptomycin solution in static and dynamic conditions for the activated carbon obtained

from plant waste of pharmaceutical production is provided. It is displayed that the calculation of the equilibrium values

of adsorption and the duration of the process at a concentration of streptomycin less than 200 mg·dm–3 can be performed

with sufficient accuracy using equations of, respectively, Dubinin — Radushkevich and Dubinin — Nikolaev.
Multiprofessional funded research makes ‘real’ impact on patient care
Authors: Ormandy Paula , Tabor Paddy
Published: May 2015

The research partnership between the British Kidney Patient Association and British Renal Society has just become stronger. Over the next year, the number of research-funded grant rounds will increase to two per year, doubling the amount of available research funding to support renal research. Paula Ormandy and Paddy Tabor discuss how this work is improving care and service delivery.
Increasing patient, carer and public involvement in studies
Authors: Lumsdon Angela
Published: May 2015

A significant proportion of clinical research studies into kidney disease fail. This could be due to insufficient recruitment of patients. Kidney Research UK recognises the importance of giving patients and carers a voice and is encouraging a collaborative approach, with individuals working with the organisation in partnership to share best practice and overcome challenges.
Is there trust in your school?
Authors: Weston David
Published: May 2015

Low trust between teachers and school leaders can lead to toxic cultures in our schools. David Weston discusses possible solutions to this dangerous situation
What Words Might Do: The Challenge of Representing Women in Prison and Their Writing
Authors: Hinshaw Wendy Wolters , Jacobi Tobi
Published: May 2015

In seeking to increase visibility of the experiences of incarcerated women involved with literacy programs, it is too easy to simplify the relationship among prisoners/teachers/texts and to overlook the material and rhetorical implications of literacy work behind bars. The article argues for methods of representing incarcerated women and their writing that resist mainstream subjectivities and provide means for more fully acknowledging the complex circumstances in which incarcerated women’s writing is produced and circulated. In order to theorize a feminist ethic of literacy work behind bars, the article grounds its discussion in an analysis of the documentary What I Want My Words To Do To You (Katz et al. 2003) because it is representative of growing feminist efforts to document or otherwise transmit carceral writing, particularly writing by women. The article calls for a feminist ethic for prison literacy work and suggests feminist practices for facilitating and representing writing programs based in understanding how complex material and discursive contexts might work to (re)shape institutional realities for the thousands of women and girls incarcerated around the globe.
Trial-by-fire: A case study of the musician–engineer hybrid role in the home studio
Authors: Bell Adam Patrick
Published: May 2015

Historically there has been a literal and figurative divide between the roles of musicians and audio engineers in the recording studio. The emergence of the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) enabled the home recording studio to rival the sonic results of the professional studio, encouraging musicians to develop skills traditionally associated with audio engineering. A non-intrusive video-based method for conducting a qualitative case study in a private home studio is outlined and was used to document the music-making processes incorporating modern recording technologies by a 26-year-old male singer-songwriter based in New York City. Findings reveal that once the participant was engaged in the practice of recording his pre-composed songs, a reflexive approach to recording was adopted, integrating improvisation, rewriting and re-recording of song elements. The participant’s hybrid approach is demonstrative of how the musician–engineer barrier is challenged in the DAW home studio paradigm.