bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Proteomic Profiling Using Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis and Identification via LC-MS/MS Reveals Novel Protein Biomarkers to Identify Aggressive Subtypes of WHO Grade I Meningioma
Authors: Osbun Joshua , Tatman Philip , Kaur Sumanpreet , Parada Carolina , Busald Tina , Gonzalez-Cuyar Luis , Shi Min , Born Donald , Zhang Jing , Ferreira Manuel
Published: April 2017

Background Meningomas represent the most common primary intracranial tumor. The majority are benign World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I lesions, but a subset of these behave in an aggressive manner. Protein biomarkers are needed to distinguish aggressive from benign Grade I lesions.

Materials and Methods Pooled protein lysates were derived from five clinically aggressive Grade I and five typically benign WHO Grade I tumors snap frozen at the time of surgery. Proteins were separated in each group using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) and protein spots of interest were identified using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Potential biomarker candidates were validated using western blot assays in individual tumor samples and by tissue microarray (TMA).

Results Seven candidate biomarkers were obtained from the 2DGE and validated via western blot and TMA. Biomarker validation data allowed for the creation of predictive models using binary logistical regression that correctly identified 85.9% of aggressive tumors within the larger cohort of Grade I meningioma.

Conclusion Simple protein separation by 2DGE and identification of candidate biomarkers by LC-MS allowed for the identification of seven candidate biomarkers that when used in predictive models accurately distinguish aggressive from benign behavior in WHO Grade I meningioma.
A Systematic Review of Intrapartum Fetal Head Compression: What Is the Impact on the Fetal Brain?
Authors: Heyborne Kent
Published: April 2017

Objective During labor the fetal head is subjected to pressure related to uterine contractions and maternal pushing. Here we systematically review what is known about fetal head compression and its effects on fetal intracranial pressure, oxygenation, blood flow and cerebral function, and the plausibility that it might cause isolated fetal brain injury.

Study Design Systematic review of intrapartum fetal head compression and fetal brain injury in accordance with the MOOSE methodology. The PubMed database was searched using a combination of the terms “fetal,” “head,” “cranial,” “extracranial,” “pressure,” and “compression.” Additional references were obtained using multiple strategies. Results were evaluated, and relevant studies encompassing animal and human data using several approaches are summarized in this review.

Results Studies support a significant increase in fetal extracranial pressure with contractions and pushing. However, available data do not support a concomitant significant relative increase in intracranial pressure, a reduction in cerebral circulation or oxygenation, or an impact on cerebral function.

Conclusion A review of the literature indicates that fetal intracranial pressure is well protected from extracranial forces. Available data do not support intrapartum fetal extracranial pressure as a cause of fetal brain injury.

Precis The fetal brain is relatively unaffected by intrapartum fetal head compression.
Advantages and Complications of Fisch Partial Mastoidotympanectomy for Tumors of the Retromandibular Fossa and Poststyloid Space
Authors: Catalano Dominic , Gluth Michael
Published: April 2017

Objective This study aims to characterize a single surgeon's experience with resection of tumors of the retromandibular fossa and poststyloid space utilizing the Fisch partial mastoidotympanectomy (FPMT) technique of partial temporal bone resection.

Design Retrospective review.

Setting Academic medical center.

Participants Seven patients who underwent tumor resection with FPMT.

Main Outcome Measures Complications.

Results Six males and one female underwent FPMT, with ages ranging from 44 to 79 years. The facial nerve was sacrificed in six cases, no cases were converted to more extensive temporal bone resection procedures, and no postoperative hearing loss occurred. The only intraoperative complication experienced was a violation of the external auditory canal in four cases, which resulted in postoperative wound healing issues in two cases.

Conclusions FPMT allows for the release of tumors of the poststyloid space and retromandibular fossa without compromise of hearing status. Preservation of external auditory canal soft tissues is challenging, and the violation is experienced relatively frequently due to shearing forces during soft tissue retraction. When encountered, robust repair of defects is encouraged to prevent further wound healing complications.
Akzeptanz emotionssensitiver Trainingssysteme von Patienten mit Fazialisparese und deren Angehöriger
Authors: Altmann Uwe , Worrack Susanne , Kaczmarek Magdalena , Mühleck Julia , Volk Gerd , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Strauß Bernhard
Published: April 2017

Neue telemedizinische Technologien können Versorgungsprobleme lösen, die durch den demografischen Wandel erwartet werden. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte deshalb die Akzeptanz emotionssensitiver Trainingssysteme für Menschen mit Fazialisparese.

Es wurden N=76 Patienten mit Fazialisparese und N=44 Angehörige mit Fragebögen befragt (Technikakzeptanz, Technikaffinität, körperliche und psychische Lebensqualität (SF36), Depressivität (PHQ9), soziale Ängste (LSAS) und Funktionsstörungen einzelner Gesichtsregionen (FACE, nur Patienten)). Selbsterstellte Items erfassten die Einstellung hinsichtlich des erwarteten therapeutischen Nutzens, Datenschutz, und Mensch-Trainingssystem-Interface. Patienten- und Angehörigengruppe wurden im Hinblick auf die Mittelwerte der Fragebogenskalen verglichen. Prädiktoren der Akzeptanz der Patienten wurden mit einem Strukturgleichungsmodell untersucht.

Patienten und deren Angehörige beurteilten Nutzen, Datenschutz und Gestaltung des Interfaces durchgängig positiv. Es gab keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen Patienten und Angehörigen. Der stärkste Prädiktor für die Technikakzeptanz der Patienten war die Technikkompetenz. Des Weiteren war die Akzeptanz umso größer, je depressiver die Patienten und je eingeschränkter ihre Mimik war.

Emotionssensitive Trainingssysteme scheinen aus Sicht der Befragten eine sinnvolle therapeutische Option darzustellen. Insbesondere Patienten mit starken Beeinträchtigungen würden solche Technologien akzeptieren. Bei der Entwicklung solcher Systeme sollte auf eine einfache Bedienbarkeit geachtet werden.
The near ultraviolet photodissociation dynamics of 2- and 3-substituted thiophenols: Geometric vs. electronic structure effects
Authors: Marchetti Barbara , Karsili Tolga N. V. , Cipriani Maicol , Hansen Christopher S. , Ashfold Michael N. R.
Published: April 2017

The near ultraviolet spectroscopy and photodissociation dynamics of two families of asymmetrically substituted thiophenols (2- and 3-YPhSH, with Y = F and Me) have been investigated experimentally (by H (Rydberg) atom photofragment translational spectroscopy) and by ab initio electronic structure calculations. Photoexcitation in all cases populates the 11ππ* and/or 11πσ* excited states and results in S–H bond fission. Analyses of the experimentally obtained total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra yield the respective parent S–H bond strengths, estimates of ΔE(A∼−X∼), the energy splitting between the ground (X∼) and first excited (A∼) states of the resulting 2-(3-)YPhS radicals, and reveal a clear propensity for excitation of the C–S in-plane bending vibration in the radical products. The companion theory highlights roles for both geometric (e.g., steric effects and intramolecular H-bonding) and electronic (i.e., π (resonance) and σ (inductive)) effects in determining the respective parent minimum energy geometries, and the observed substituent and position-dependent trends in S–H bond strength and ΔE(A∼−X∼). 2-FPhSH shows some clear spectroscopic and photophysical differences. Intramolecular H-bonding ensures that most 2-FPhSH molecules exist as the syn rotamer, for which the electronic structure calculations return a substantial barrier to tunnelling from the photoexcited 11ππ* state to the 11πσ* continuum. The 11ππ* ← S0 excitation spectrum of syn-2-FPhSH thus exhibits resolved vibronic structure, enabling photolysis studies with a greater parent state selectivity. Structure apparent in the TKER spectrum of the H + 2-FPhS products formed when exciting at the 11ππ* ← S0 origin is interpreted by assuming unintended photoexcitation of an overlapping resonance associated with syn-2-FPhSH(v33 = 1) molecules. The present data offer tantalising hints that such out-of-plane motion influences non-adiabatic coupling in the vicinity of a conical intersection (between the 11πσ* and ground state potentials at extended S–H bond lengths) and thus the electronic branching in the eventual radical products.
An evidence of period doubling bifurcation in a dc driven semiconductor-gas discharge plasma
Authors: Mansuroglu D. , Uzun-Kaymak I. U. , Rafatov I.
Published: April 2017

We present an experimental study of nonlinearity observed in a dc driven semiconductor-gas discharge system. The plasma glow is generated using planar electrodes in a vacuum chamber filled with nitrogen gas at partial atmospheric pressure. The discharge behaves oscillatory in time, showing single and sometimes multiple periodicities in plasma current and voltage measurements. Harmonic frequency generations and period doubling cascade are investigated experimentally by varying the applied voltage. To identify the stability condition, numerical simulations are conducted using COMSOL® Multiphysics software. The discharge is modeled as a one dimensional plasma slab. Numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental measurements.
Development of a high-frequency and large-stroke fatigue testing system for rubber
Authors: Chen Gang , Wu Hao , Gao Jianwen , Lin Qiang
Published: April 2017

The limited capabilities of current fatigue testing machines have resulted in studies on the fatigue behavior of rubber under large-displacement amplitude and high frequency being very sparse. In this study, a fatigue testing system that can carry out large-displacement amplitude and high-frequency fatigue tests on rubber was developed using a moving magnet voice coil motor (MMVCM) actuator, with finite element analysis applied to analyze the thrust of the MMVCM actuator. The results of a series of cyclic tension tests conducted on vulcanized natural rubber specimens using the developed fatigue testing system verify that it has high precision, low noise, large-stroke, and high-frequency characteristics. Further, the load frame with the developed MMVCM actuator is feasible for material testing, especially for large-stroke and high-frequency fatigue tests.
High-speed microstrip multi-anode multichannel plate detector system
Authors: Riedo Andreas , Tulej Marek , Rohner Urs , Wurz Peter
Published: April 2017

High-speed detector systems with high dynamic range and pulse width characteristics in the sub-nanosecond regime are mandatory for high resolution and highly sensitive time-of-flight mass spectrometers. Typically, for a reasonable detector area, an impedance-matched anode design is necessary to transmit the registered signal fast and distortion-free from the anode to the signal acquisition system. In this report, a high-speed microstrip multi-anode multichannel plate detector is presented and discussed. The anode consists of four separate active concentric anode segments allowing a simultaneous readout of signal with a dynamic range of about eight orders of magnitude. The impedance matched anode segments show pulse width of about 250 ps, measured at full width at half maximum, and rise time of ∼170 ps, measured with an oscilloscope with a sampling rate of 20 GS/s and 4 GHz analogue bandwidth. The usage of multichannel plates as signal amplifier allowed the design of a lightweight, low power consuming, and compact detector system, suitable, e.g., for the integration into space instrumentation or portable systems where size, weight, and power consumption are limited parameters.
Solitary waves in a degenerate relativistic plasma with ionic pressure anisotropy and electron trapping effects
Authors: Irfan M. , Ali S. , Mirza Arshad M.
Published: April 2017

The dynamics of obliquely propagating ion-acoustic (IA) waves in the presence of ionic pressure anisotropy and electron trapping effects is studied in a dense magnetoplasma, containing degenerate relativistic trapped electrons and dynamical (classical) ions. By using the plane wave solution, a modified linear dispersion relation for IA waves is derived and analyzed with different limiting cases and various plasma parameters both analytically and numerically. For nonlinear analysis, a reductive perturbation technique is employed to obtain a Zakharov-Kuznetsov equation involving the weakly nonlinear IA excitations. It is shown that the electron thermal correction and ionic pressure anisotropy strongly modify the wave amplitudes and width attributed to weakly nonlinear IA waves. The stability criterion for stable/unstable solitary pulses is also discussed with variations of angle (β) and temperature ratio (σ). A reduction and domain splitting of unstable excitations into sub-domains with stable and unstable potential pulses are pointed out for electron temperature ratio in the range of 0.01 < σ < 0.3 for degenerate relativistic trapped electrons. Moreover, the ionic pressure anisotropy also considerably affects the stability of solitary potentials in the non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic regimes. The obtained results might be useful for understanding the nonlinear dynamics and propagation characteristics of waves in superdense plasmas, in the environments of white dwarfs and neutron stars, where the electron thermal and ionic pressure anisotropy effects cannot be ignored.
Rapid decay of nonlinear whistler waves in two dimensions: Full particle simulation
Authors: Umeda Takayuki , Saito Shinji , Nariyuki Yasuhiro
Published: April 2017

The decay of a nonlinear, short-wavelength, and monochromatic electromagnetic whistler wave is investigated by utilizing a two-dimensional (2D) fully relativistic electromagnetic particle-in-cell code. The simulation is performed under a low-beta condition in which the plasma pressure is much lower than the magnetic pressure. It has been shown that the nonlinear (large-amplitude) parent whistler wave decays through the parametric instability in a one-dimensional (1D) system. The present study shows that there is another channel for the decay of the parent whistler wave in 2D, which is much faster than in the timescale of the parametric decay in 1D. The parent whistler wave decays into two sideband daughter whistlers propagating obliquely with respect to the ambient magnetic field with a frequency close to the parent wave and two quasi-perpendicular electromagnetic modes with a frequency close to zero via a 2D decay instability. The two sideband daughter oblique whistlers also enhance a nonlinear longitudinal electrostatic wave via a three-wave interaction as a secondary process.
Fabrication and room temperature operation of semiconductor nano-ring lasers using a general applicable membrane transfer method
Authors: Fan Fan , Yu Yueyang , Amiri Seyed Ebrahim Hashemi , Quandt David , Bimberg Dieter , Ning C. Z.
Published: April 2017

Semiconductor nanolasers are potentially important for many applications. Their design and fabrication are still in the early stage of research and face many challenges. In this paper, we demonstrate a generally applicable membrane transfer method to release and transfer a strain-balanced InGaAs quantum-well nanomembrane of 260 nm in thickness onto various substrates with a high yield. As an initial device demonstration, nano-ring lasers of 1.5 μm in outer diameter and 500 nm in radial thickness are fabricated on MgF2 substrates. Room temperature single mode operation is achieved under optical pumping with a cavity volume of only 0.43λ03 (λ0 in vacuum). Our nano-membrane based approach represents an advantageous alternative to other design and fabrication approaches and could lead to integration of nanolasers on silicon substrates or with metallic cavity.
Second-order distributed-feedback surface plasmon resonator for single-mode fiber end-facet biosensing
Authors: Lei Zeyu , Zhou Xin , Yang Jie , He Xiaolong , Wang Yalin , Yang Tian
Published: April 2017

Integrating surface plasmon resonance (SPR) devices upon single-mode fiber (SMF) end facets renders label-free biosensing systems that have a dip-and-read configuration, high compatibility with fiber-optic techniques, and in vivo monitoring capability, which however meets the challenge to match the performance of free-space counterparts. We report a second-order distributed feedback (DFB) SPR cavity on an SMF end facet and its application in protein interaction analysis. In our device, a periodic array of nanoslits in a gold film is used to couple fiber guided lightwaves to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) with its first order spatial Fourier component, while the second order spatial Fourier component provides DFB to SPP propagation and produces an SPP bandgap. A phase shift section in the DFB structure introduces an SPR defect state within the SPP bandgap, whose mode profile is optimized to match that of the SMF to achieve a reasonable coupling efficiency. We report an experimental refractive index sensitivity of 628 nm RIU−1, a figure-of-merit of 80 RIU−1, and a limit of detection of 7 × 10−6 RIU. The measurement of the real-time interaction between human immunoglobulin G molecules and their antibodies is demonstrated.
Dispersion compensated mid-infrared quantum cascade laser frequency comb with high power output
Authors: Lu Q. Y. , Manna S. , Slivken S. , Wu D. H. , Razeghi M.
Published: April 2017

Chromatic dispersion control plays an underlying role in optoelectronics and spectroscopy owing to its enhancement to nonlinear interactions by reducing the phase mismatching. This is particularly important to optical frequency combs based on quantum cascade lasers which require negligible dispersions for efficient mode locking of the dispersed modes into equally spaced comb modes. Here, we demonstrated a dispersion compensated mid-IR quantum cascade laser frequency comb with high power output at room temperature. A low-loss dispersive mirror has been engineered to compensate the device’s dispersion residue for frequency comb generation. Narrow intermode beating linewidths of 40 Hz in the comb-working currents were identified with a high power output of 460 mW and a broad spectral coverage of 80 cm-1. This dispersion compensation technique will enable fast spectroscopy and high-resolution metrology based on QCL combs with controlled dispersion and suppressed noise.
Phase diagram of FeNiCoAlTaB ferrous shape memory alloy on aging time
Authors: Zhou Zhijian , Cui Jian , Ren Xiaobing
Published: April 2017

Ferrous shape memory alloy, Fe41Ni28Co17Al11.5Ta2.5B0.05, has shown large superelastic strain and strength in previous study. In the fabrication of this alloy, aging process is crucial for the formation of shape memory effect/superelasticity. However, its phase evolution on aging time is not clearly known. In this study, we systematically studied the phase diagram of this alloy on aging time. It is found that the unaged alloy shows a strain glass transition. With the aging time proceeding, the martensitic transformation gradually emerges. The phase diagram can be explained by the formation of coherent precipitates induced by aging. The heterogeneous strain between coherent precipitates and matrix is the driving force responsible for the emerging martensitic transformation. The generic explanation is supposed to be useful in martensitic transformation engineering for developing novel shape memory alloys from non-transforming materials.
Influence of composition on structure, morphology and dielectric properties of BixAlyOz composite films synthesized by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Qiao Q. , Jin L. P. , Li Y. W. , Li M. J. , Hu Z. G. , Chu J. H.
Published: April 2017

In this experiment we used atomic layer deposited Bi2O3 and Al2O3 films to fabricate the BixAlyOz nanocomposite films. Bismuth composition was modulated in a series of samples via altering the number of bismuth subsidiary cycles. We discovered that the bismuth composition in atomic percent did not monotonically increase with the rise of the number of bismuth cycles. To explain this unconventional variation trend we proposed a growth mechanism regarding the steric hindrance of Bi(thd)3 and the diffusion of TMA. A single Debye-like relaxation can be determined for the BixAlyOz films with a parallel RC element to reflect it. The change in the dielectric response, such as dielectric constant and ac conductivity, was found to be in agreement with the variation of bismuth concentration. This could be attributed to the effect of 6s2 lone pair electrons in Bi-O dipoles. To further confirm the conductive strength, we estimated the optical band gap (Eg) using plots of (αhν)2 versus hν. The value of Eg would decrease from 5.62 eV to 5.00 eV as the bismuth content rises in the BixAlyOz films.
Channel-width dependent pressure-driven flow characteristics of shale gas in nanopores
Authors: Chen Jie , Yu Hao , Fan Jingcun , Wang Fengchao , Lu Detang , Liu He , Wu Hengan
Published: April 2017

Understanding the flow characteristics of shale gas especially in nanopores is extremely important for the exploitation. Here, we perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the hydrodynamics of methane in nanometre-sized slit pores. Using equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD), the static properties including density distribution and self-diffusion coefficient of the confined methane are firstly analyzed. For a 6 nm slit pore, it is found that methane molecules in the adsorbed layer diffuse more slowly than those in the bulk. Using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD), the pressure-driven flow behavior of methane in nanopores is investigated. The results show that velocity profiles manifest an obvious dependence on the pore width and they translate from parabolic flow to plug flow when the width is decreased. In relatively large pores (6 – 10 nm), the parabolic flow can be described by the Navier-Stokes (NS) equation with appropriate boundary conditions because of its slip flow characteristic. Based on this equation, corresponding parameters such as viscosity and slip length are determined. Whereas, in small pores (∼ 2 nm), the velocity profile in the center exhibits a uniform tendency (plug flow) and that near the wall displays a linear increase due to the enhanced mechanism of surface diffusion. Furthermore, the profile is analyzed and fitted by a piecewise function. Under this condition, surface diffusion is found to be the root of this anomalous flow characteristic, which can be negligible in large pores. The essential tendency of our simulation results may be significant for revealing flow mechanisms at nanoscale and estimating the production accurately.
Neuromodulatory effect of oestradiol in the metabolism of ovarian progesterone and oestradiol during dioestrus II: participation of the superior mesenteric ganglion
Authors: Vega Orozco Adriana , Bronzi Cynthia , Vallcaneras Sandra , Sosa Zulema , Casais Marilina
Published: April 2017

The aims of the present study were to determine: (1) whether oestradiol (E2) in the superior mesenteric ganglion (SMG) modifies the release of ovarian progesterone (P4), androstenedione (A2) and E2, the activity and gene expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 20α-HSD and the expression of P450 aromatase (Cyp19a1) and (2) whether any such modifications are related to changes in ovarian nitric oxide (NO) and noradrenaline (NA) levels during dioestrus II. Using an ex vivo SMG–ovarian nervous plexus–ovary system, ovarian P4 release was measured following the addition E2 plus tamoxifen (Txf) (10−6M) to the ganglion, whereas A2, E2, NA and NO were measured following the addition of E2 alone. Steroids were measured by radioimmunoassay, NA concentrations were determined by HPLC and gene expression was evaluated using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Oestradiol in the ganglion decreased ovarian P4, E2 and NA release, as well as 3β-HSD activity, but increased the release of A2 and nitrites, as well as the 20α-HSD expression and its activity. No changes were observed in Cyp19a1 gene expression. The addition of E2 plus Txf to the ganglion reversed the effects of E2 alone. The action of oestradiol in SMG favours the beginning of functional luteolysis, due to an increase in NO release and a decrease in NA in the ovary. These results may help elucidate the role of E2 in hormone-dependent pathologies in women.
When a relationship is imperative, will young women knowingly place their sexual health at risk? A sample of African American adolescent girls in the juvenile justice system
Authors: Raiford Jerris L. , Seth Puja , Fasula Amy M. , DiClemente Ralph J.
Published: April 2017

Background: HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (HIV/STIs) are significant contributors to adolescent girls’ morbidity in the US. Risks for HIV/STIs are increased among adolescent girls involved in the juvenile justice system, and African American adolescent girls comprise nearly 50% of adolescent girls in detention centres. Although HIV prevention programs focus on HIV/STI knowledge, increased knowledge may not be sufficient to reduce sexual risk. The present study examined the interactive effects of HIV/STI knowledge and the importance of being in a relationship (a relationship imperative) on sexual risk behaviours in a sample of detained African American adolescent girls. Methods: In all, 188 African American adolescent girls, 13–17 years of age, were recruited from a short-term detention facility in Atlanta, Georgia, and completed assessments on sexual risk behaviours, relationship characteristics, HIV/STI knowledge and several psychosocial risk factors. Results: When girls endorsed a relationship imperative, higher HIV/STI knowledge was associated with low partner communication self-efficacy, inconsistent condom use and unprotected sex, when controlling for demographics and self-esteem. Conclusions: Young girls with high HIV/STI knowledge may have placed themselves at risk for HIV/STIs given the importance and value they place on being in a relationship. Contextual factors should be considered when developing interventions.
Direct counterfactual communication via quantum Zeno effect
Authors: Cao Yuan , Li Yu-Huai , Cao Zhu , Yin Juan , Chen Yu-Ao , Yin Hua-Lei , Chen Teng-Yun , Ma Xiongfeng , Peng Cheng-Zhi , Pan Jian-Wei
Published: April 2017

Significance

Recent theoretical studies have shown that quantum mechanics allows counterfactual communication, even without actual transmission of physical particles, which raised a heated debate on its interpretation. Although several papers have been published on the theoretical aspects of the subject, a faithful experimental demonstration is missing. Here, by using the quantum Zeno effect and a single-photon source, direct communication without carrier particle transmission is implemented successfully. We experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of direct counterfactual communication with the current technique. The results of our work can help deepen the understanding of quantum mechanics. Furthermore, our experimental scheme is applicable to other quantum technologies, such as imaging and state preparation.
Gender and number processing in second language Swahili
Authors: Spinner Patti , Foote Rebecca , Upor Rose Acen
Published: April 2017

For native speakers, congruent gender marking on determiners and adjectives facilitates recognition of subsequent nouns, while
incongruent marking inhibits recognition (e.g., Bates et al., 1996). However, there is
conflicting evidence regarding whether second language learners demonstrate this effect. We investigated this issue in Swahili.
Native speakers and English-speaking L2 learners of Swahili in their 3rd-5th semester completed two word repetition tasks, one
examining gender and one number. Participants heard verb-noun phrases in Swahili with verbal marking that was congruent,
incongruent or neutral with respect to gender or number. The time to repeat each noun was recorded. Both language groups appeared
sensitive to number marking; however, only native speakers appeared sensitive to gender marking. The findings suggest the lack of
a feature in the L1 may impede online processing in the L2, while the presence of a feature may mean that native-like processing
is possible, even at early levels of proficiency.
Scanlon’s modal metaphysics
Authors: Rosen Gideon
Published: April 2017

InBeing Realistic About Reasons(Oxford University Press, 2014) T. M. Scanlon argues that particular fact about reasons are explained by contingent non-normative facts together with pure normative principles. A question then arises about the modal status of these pure principles. Scanlon maintains that they are necessary in a sense, and suggests that they are ‘metaphysically’ necessary. I argue that the best view for Scanlon to take, given his other commitments, is that these pure normative principles are metaphysically contingent in some cases and necessary only in a weaker sense.
Glucose–fructose ingestion and exercise performance: The gastrointestinal tract and beyond
Authors: Rosset Robin , Egli Léonie , Lecoultre Virgile
Published: April 2017

Carbohydrate ingestion can improve endurance exercise performance. In the past two decades, research has repeatedly reported the performance benefits of formulations comprising both glucose and fructose (GLUFRU) over those based on glucose (GLU). This has been usually related to additive effects of these two monosaccharides on the gastrointestinal tract whereby intestinal carbohydrate absorption is enhanced and discomfort limited. This is only a partial explanation, since glucose and fructose are also metabolized through different pathways after being absorbed from the gut. In contrast to glucose that is readily used by every body cell type, fructose is specifically targeted to the liver where it is mainly converted into glucose and lactate. The ingestion of GLUFRU may thereby profoundly alter hepatic function ultimately raising both glucose and lactate fluxes. During exercise, this particular profile of circulating carbohydrate may induce a spectrum of effects on muscle metabolism possibly resulting in an improved performance. Compared to GLU alone, GLUFRU ingestion could also induce several non‐metabolic effects which are so far largely unexplored. Through its metabolite lactate, fructose may act on central fatigue and/or alter metabolic regulation. Future research could further define the effects of GLUFRU over other exercise modalities and different athletic populations, using several of the hypotheses discussed in this review.
American Nature Writing and Japan
Authors: Yuki Masami
Published: April 2017

Although largely disregarded since the humanistic turn of ecocriticism at the beginning of the 21st century, nature writing has continued to play an important role in nurturing trans-Pacific, and transnational, literary environmentalism. Euro-American traditions dominate this literary genre, but it nevertheless involves cross-cultural traffic of ideas and thoughts. Its trans-Pacific presence, mostly through American influences on works in Japan, demonstrates in three ways how American nature writing has been cultivating Japanese literary soil and has in turn been nurtured by it, albeit less conspicuously. First, Henry David Thoreau’s influence on Japanese literary environmentalism, especially his philosophy of plain living and high thinking, helped engender a tradition of nature writing in Japan that began with Nozawa Hajime—often called the “Japanese Thoreau”—and has been developed by those who followed, including Ashizawa Kazuhiro and Takada Hiroshi. Second, interactions between pastoralism and a new mode of environmental awareness show that the seemingly American notion of “wild awareness” and the Japanese concept of aware have materialized as a new environmental sensitivity in Japan and in the United States, respectively, reflecting cross-cultural nurturing of environmental ideas, thoughts, and practices. Finally, there has been a subtle yet radical impact of American counterculture on Japanese nature writing, exemplified by Nashiki Kaho’s literary hybridity, based on her integration of the traditional with the radical.
Fatalism and Locus of Control as a Consideration When Designing Health and Risk Messages
Authors: Shen Lijiang
Published: April 2017

Fatalism is a set of beliefs that encompasses such dimensions as predestination, pessimism, and attribution of one’s health (life events) to luck. Locus of control refers to the extent to which individuals believe they are in control of events that affect them. Individuals with an external locus of control perceive their life is controlled by environmental factors they can’t change, or by chance or fate. Fatalism and external locus of control are both negatively associated with health behaviors and health outcomes; and contribute to health disparities due to the link between culture and socio-economic factors.
Collective Knowledge for Industrial Disaster Prevention
Authors: Maslen Sarah
Published: April 2017

Since the 1990s there has been an increasing interest in knowledge, knowledge management, and the knowledge economy due to recognition of its economic value. Processes of globalization and developments in information and communications technologies have triggered transformations in the ways in which knowledge is shared, produced, and used to the extent that the 21st century was forecasted to be the knowledge century. Organizational learning has also been accepted as critical for organizational performance. A key question that has emerged is how knowledge can be “captured” by organizations. This focus on knowledge and learning demands an engagement with what knowledge means, where it comes from, and how it is affected by and used in different contexts. An inclusive definition is to say that knowledge is acquired theoretical, practical, embodied, and intuitive understandings of a situation. Knowledge is also located socially, geographically, organizationally, and it is specialized; so it is important to examine knowledge in less abstract terms. The specific case engaged with in this article is knowledge in hazardous industry and its role in industrial disaster prevention.

In hazardous industries such as oil and gas production, learning and expertise are identified as critical ingredients for disaster prevention. Conversely, a lack of expertise or failure to learn has been implicated in disaster causation. The knowledge needs for major accident risk management are unique. Trial-and-error learning is dangerously inefficient because disasters must be prevented before they occur. The temporal, geographical, and social scale of decisions in complex sociotechnical systems means that this cannot only be a question of an individual’s expertise, but major accident risk management requires that knowledge is shared across a much larger group of people. Put another way, in this context knowledge needs to be collective. Incident reporting systems are a common solution, and organizations and industries as a whole put substantial effort into gathering information about past small failures and their causes in an attempt to learn how to prevent more serious events. However, these systems often fall short of their stated goals. This is because knowledge is not collective by virtue of being collected and stored. Rather, collective knowing is done in the context of social groups and it relies on processes of sensemaking.
Climate Change Communication on Facebook, Twitter, Sina Weibo, and Other Social Media Platforms
Authors: Tandoc Edson C. , Eng Nicholas
Published: April 2017

While initial research on climate change communication focused on traditional media, such as news coverage of climate change and pro-environmental campaigns, scholars are increasingly focusing on the role of social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Sina Weibo. Social media platforms provide a space for three important domains of climate change communication: information, discussion, and mobilization. First, social media platforms have been used by scientists, activists, journalists, and ordinary people to share and receive reports about climate change. Policymakers and academics also use social media for climate change research. Second, social media platforms provide users with a space to discuss climate change issues. Scientists and journalists use social media to interact with the public, who also use social media to criticize policies, as well as media coverage. Finally, social media platforms have been used to coordinate rescue and relief operations in the aftermath of climate change–related disasters, as well as to organize movements and campaigns about climate change. However, most research about climate change communication in social media spaces are based on quantitative analysis of tweets from Western countries. While this body of work has been illuminating, our understanding of social media’s increasingly important role in climate change communication will benefit from a more holistic research approach that explores social media use in climate change communication across a variety of platforms, cultures, and media systems.
Young People and Climate Change Communication
Authors: Ojala Maria , Lakew Yuliya
Published: April 2017

One important group to include in efforts to combat climate change is young people. This group comprises the future leaders of society, besides being citizens of today, and they will be the ones handling the future negative consequences of this global problem. This article provides an overview of some research about climate change communication and young people. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how this group relates to and communicates about climate change in different contexts, and how to best promote knowledge, a sense of efficacy, and engagement concerning this problem. The focus is on young people who are between late childhood and young adulthood. Questions in focus are: How do media messages about climate change influence young people, and how do they themselves use media, for instance social networks, to engage with this issue? Can art-based and entertainment approaches to communication overcome the distant and complex character of climate change and make young people feel more empowered and engaged? Is it possible to communicate about climate change and raise awareness by promoting contact with nature and animals? How do young people cope with the negative emotions that are often evoked by information about this problem? In what way do young people communicate in everyday life with parents, peers, and teachers about climate change? Are participatory approaches to climate change communication a good way to prepare young people for future extreme climate events?
Climate Change Communication in Italy
Authors: Beltrame Lorenzo , Bucchi Massimiano , Loner Enzo
Published: April 2017

Climate change communication in Italy is preeminently “commonsensical” and pragmatic. Italian mass media represent climate change as an undisputable fact scaled to the everyday domestic and local experience of common people. While the causes of climate change are rarely discussed, its consequences are instead presented in very practical terms (from environmental catastrophes to weather anomalies) and the issue is framed as something linking, embedding, and drawing together multiple social dimensions (the economy, politics, science and technology, and everyday life). Mass media discourse has contradictory effects on public perceptions of the issue. Review of existing studies and use of available social survey data show that the Italian public is largely aware of the seriousness of climate change, but climate change is considered less urgent than other matters of concern related to the economic situation. In developing their environmental awareness, Italian citizens rely mainly on information provided by traditional mass media, while environmental organizations’ claims and public communication by scientists play a marginal role. Finally, perceptions of climate change in Italy are prevalently built on the direct experiences of anomalies in seasonal temperatures rather than on evidence-based scientific communication.
Climate Change Communication in Japan
Authors: Aoyagi Midori
Published: April 2017

Climate change communication in Japan is characterized by governmental campaigns for carbon dioxide emission reduction and mass media coverage of international events on climate change issues. A series of governmental campaigns included “Cool Biz,” “Warm Biz,” and “Team Minus 6%” for the Kyoto protocol; “Challenge 25” for the Hatoyama initiative; “Fun to Share” and “Cool Choice” for the new mid-term Greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 26%. Those campaigns are popular among public. As for media coverage of international events on climate change issues, one of the biggest events was the COP3 in Kyoto, in 1997; another is the release of AR5 from 2006 to early 2007, and following events of the G8 summits of Heiligendamm, Germany in 2007, and of Toyako, Japan in 2008.

Until now, not much attention has been paid to climate change communication research, as social scientists seldom join research projects concerning climate change science. But recent severe weather, such as stronger or early-season typhoons, heavier rainfalls, early arrival of spring (e.g., earlier bloom of cherry blossoms), and the bleaching of coral reefs bring awareness not only to the general public but also to social scientists. Lack of participation by social scientists in climate change communication research has meant a very narrow range of communication with the public. Experts try to “teach” the science of climate change, and actions such as “50 easy things for tackling global warming,” but it seems those are not what ordinary people want to know. Furthermore, there seems to be no debate on what climate change will bring us, what kinds of energy we should choose, who might be more vulnerable. Debate on ethical issues, justice issues, and sharing of responsibility will be need to be part of future climate change communication.
Methods for Assessing Journalistic Decisions, Advocacy Strategies, and Climate Change Communication Practices
Authors: Post Senja
Published: April 2017

Research in the field of journalistic decisions, advocacy strategies, and communication practices is very heterogeneous, comprising diverse groups of actors and research questions. Not surprisingly, various methods have been applied to assess actors’ motives, strategies, intentions, and communication behaviors. This article provides an overview of the most common methods applied—i.e., qualitative and quantitative approaches to textual analyses, interviewing techniques, observational and experimental research. After discussing the major strengths and weaknesses of each method, an outlook on future research is given. One challenge of the future study of climate change communication will be to account for its dynamics, with various actors reacting to one another in their public communication. To better approximate such dynamics in the future, more longitudinal research will be needed.
Geography and Foreign Policy
Authors: Pickering Steve
Published: April 2017

The relationship between geography and foreign policy is deep and fundamental. Yet it is far more complex than many recognize, and many authors, including scholars who should know better, fall into the trap of determinism. This article will describe the ways in which critical approaches can help us to look at geography and foreign policy by building the frameworks for analyses including religion, popular geopolitics, and feminism. Additionally, it will argue that once we have understood the dangers of an overly simplistic approach to geography, we need to apply new, cutting-edge geospatial methods to better understand how geography and foreign policy are related. By doing so, we can deal with important international issues, such as war and peace, and climate change.
Ethical Considerations in Sport and Performance Psychology
Authors: Etzel Edward F. , Skvarla Leigh A.
Published: April 2017

The field of sport, exercise, and performance psychology (SEPP) has evolved over the past 100 plus years. SEPP includes professional consultants, teachers, researchers, and students from diverse educational and training backgrounds. Persons primarily from the merging of sport science, kinesiology, and professional psychology have shaped SEPP into what it is today. Client populations typically served include athletes, coaches, and exercisers, and more recently, performing artists (musicians, singers, dancers), businesspersons, sports medicine professionals, and military personnel.

These people and phenomena have fashioned an ethical climate that is generally similar to—but in various ways different from—mainstream psychology. While the ethical values and codes of organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) are generally comparable, the perceptions and application of these values and codes in SEPP realms may not match; this is due to the different histories of its membership, as well as the sometimes unusual work demands and atypical settings and circumstances in which SEPP persons function.

For both mainstream psychology and SEPP professionals, developments in technology and social media communications have presented ethical dilemmas for many who seek to maintain regular contact with their clientele. These issues, such as the use of technology in consulting, emphasize the importance of core ethical tenets such as privacy, confidentiality, and competence, among others, in the growing area of telehealth. In view of the rather unique ethical climate within SEPP, teaching applied ethics via classroom discussion, continued education, and sourcebooks is essential. To date, there appears to be a lack of continuity in the training and supervision of SEPP students and young professionals with respect to ethical decision making. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity to the current and next generation of scholars, researchers, and practitioners.