bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐triggered state‐feedback control of linear plants under bounded disturbances
Authors: Almeida J. , Silvestre C. , Pascoal A.M.
Published: January 2014

This paper addresses the problem of self‐triggered state‐feedback control for linear plants under bounded disturbances. In a self‐triggered scenario, the controller is allowed to choose when the next sampling time should occur and does so based on the current sampled state and on a priori knowledge about the plant. Besides comparing some existing approaches to self‐triggered control available in the literature, we propose a new self‐triggered control strategy that allows for the consideration of model‐based controllers, a class of controllers that includes as a special case static controllers with a zero‐order hold of the last state measurement. We show that our proposed control strategy renders the solutions of the closed‐loop system globally uniformly ultimately bounded. We further show that there exists a minimum time interval between sampling times and provide a method for computing a lower bound for it. An illustrative example with numerical results is included in order to compare the existing strategies and the proposed one. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Student Access and Completion: A Regional Strategic Enrollment Partnership
Authors: Peterson Angela
Published: January 2014

“Albert” told his story to special visitor Dr. Jill Biden in order to bring notice to a very unique tuition assistance program provided to Valencia College's homeless students. Not only was Albert homeless, his background was indicative of failure and through education he turned his life around and helped others with similar backgrounds. His voice resonates with his message, which was that going to Valencia College and “DirectConnecting to UCF” changed not only his life, but many others, and now his goal is to give back by assisting others to take this path to success. Albert made the transition from “street smart” to “‘reality smart.”
A Data‐Driven Approach to SEM Development at a Two‐Year College
Authors: Pirius Landon K.
Published: January 2014

This article explores implementation of strategic enrollment management (SEM) at a two‐year college and why SEM is critical to the long‐term viability of an institution. This article also outlines the five initial steps needed to implement SEM, including identifying SEM leadership, building a SEM committee, developing a common understanding of SEM, building SEM goals that recognize the institution's strengths and weaknesses, and dedicating resources for SEM. Additionally, the article delves into data collection and data analysis methods to form goals, strategies, measures, and key performance indicators (KPIs) as part of a well‐developed SEM plan. Finally, the article concludes with a focus on six project goals other institutions can adopt as they pursue their own SEM initiative.
Basic Knowledge and Contextualist “E = K”
Authors: Ichikawa Jonathan Jenkins ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: January 2014

Timothy Williamson (2000) makes a strong prima facie case for the identification of a subject’s total evidence with the subject’s total knowledge (E=K). However, as Brian Weatherson (Ms) has observed, there are intuitively problematic consequences of E=K. In this article, I’ll offer a contextualist implementation of E=K that provides the resources to respond to Weatherson’s argument; the result will be a novel approach to knowledge and evidence that is suggestive of an unexplored contextualist approach to basic knowledge.
Truthmaking for Modal Skeptics
Authors: Asay Jamin ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: January 2014

Standard truthmaker theory has generally assumed a realist account of de re modality and essences. But there are reasons to be skeptical about such a view, and for considering antirealist alternatives. Can truthmaker theory survive in the face of such skepticism? I argue that it can, but that only certain antirealist perspectives on de re modality are acceptable for truthmaker theory. In particular, either a quasi-realist or conventionalist account of de re modality is needed to provide the best account of essential and accidental features that can be put to work in truthmaker theory. An important consequence of this approach is that it offers an account of truthmaking that is consistent with a nominalist perspective on properties, and yet fully respects the ontological ambitions driving truthmaker theory.
A Role Delineation Study of Hand Surgery in the USA: Assessing Variations in Fellowship Training and Clinical Practice
Authors: Aliu Oluseyi , Chung Kevin C.
Published: January 2014

Background

We examined the fellowship experience of hand surgeons in the USA to identify gaps and variations in exposure to essential skills and knowledge during hand fellowship.

Methods

We conducted a web-based survey of the entire American Society for Surgery of the Hand and American Association for Hand Surgery membership. We inquired about the level of exposure received to 170 knowledge topics and procedures during fellowship. We used factor analysis to group the knowledge topics and procedures into 79 scales of related items and calculated mean exposure ratings for each scale. We compared the ratings between graduates of plastic surgery (PS) and orthopedic surgery (OS) Residency Review Committee (RRC)-accredited fellowships.

Results

Our response rate was 21 % ( n=562). Plastic surgery RRC-accredited fellowship graduates reported inadequate exposure for proficiency in 22 % (17/79) of the knowledge topic and procedure scales whereas graduates of OS RRC-accredited fellowships reported inadequate exposure for proficiency in 10 % (8/79) of the scales. Moreover, 11 and 21 % of graduates from PS RRC-accredited fellowships reported receiving no exposure in distal radius/ulna and forearm conditions, respectively, whereas only 1 and 2 % of graduates from OS RRC-accredited fellowships reported receiving no exposure in the same domains, respectively.

Conclusions

Hand surgeons reported significant variations in exposure to essential skills and knowledge. Additionally, in a considerable number of knowledge topics and procedures, a majority of participants in both groups reported what they perceived as inadequate or no exposure during their hand surgery fellowship.
Cultivar Characterization of Tea Seed Oils by Their Active Components and Antioxidant Capacity
Authors: Wang Xiao‐qin , Liang Xing‐qiu , Zhao Jun , Huang Bing‐bing
Published: January 2014

Cultivar characterization of tea seed oils based on their active components and antioxidant capacity was carried out, providing fundamental data for authentication. The seeds were collected from 28 cultivars grown under the same conditions in the region of Anxi county of Fujian province and their oils were analyzed. The results showed that total phenols content (TPC), total flavonoids content, α‐tocopherol contents, γ‐tocopherol content and δ‐tocopherol content were 16.7–529.3 mg GAE/kg of oil, 4.4–208.7 mg rutin/kg of oil, 7.7–347.1 mg/kg of oil, 1.8–106.7 mg/kg of oil, 0.003–35.769 mg/kg of oil, respectively. The antioxidant capacity measured by DPPH radical scavenging activity (DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), absorbance of protein carbonyl (APC) and the absorbance of protein hydroperoxides (APH) were 91.0–2,164.5 μmol/100 g of oil, 251.0–1,209.5 μmol/100 g of oil, 0.014–0.135, 0.034–0.458, respectively. The correlation analysis revealed that the presence of phenolic compounds was significantly correlated with the antioxidant capacity of tea seed oil. Principal Component Analysis revealed the first three components accounted for 81.31 % of the total variance within the data and the main contributor parameters were DPPH, ORAC, APC, APH and TPC. Hierarchical cluster analysis classified the cultivars into three groups, which were in line with the genetic relationship among the cultivars. Our results supplied basic data for the antioxidant mechanism research of tea seed oil and provided necessary information to develop a breeding program directed to tea seed cultivar selections with the high nutraceutical value of tea seed oil.
Quality Characterization of the Olive Oil from Var. Tosca 07® Grown in a Commercial High Density Orchard
Authors: Abenoza María , Benito Marta , Oria Rosa , Sánchez‐Gimeno A. Cristina
Published: January 2014

A high density olive orchard represents a new planting system that requires cultivars with low vegetative vigor, such as Arbequina and Arbosana varieties. Different cultivars provide different performances in such orchards. This research was performed in order to determine the behavior of the new olive variety Tosca 07® in a commercial, high density orchard. The quality of Tosca 07® olive oils in three different maturity degrees during two crops seasons by physico‐chemical and nutritional characterization were compared with Arbequina olive oils obtained from trees grown under the same conditions. Tosca 07® is a very interesting olive variety for high density orchards. Because of its early ripening, it would be suitable for early harvesting, and this could be interesting for avoiding cold temperatures, frost, etc. Tosca 07® olive oils have also demonstrated a very suitable chemical composition in comparison with Arbequina olive oils, especially for their high content of antioxidant compounds (α‐tocopherol and pigments) present within the oils.
Mortality Deceleration and Mortality Selection: Three Unexpected Implications of a Simple Model
Authors: Wrigley-Field Elizabeth
Published: January 2014

Unobserved heterogeneity in mortality risk is pervasive and consequential. Mortality deceleration—the slowing of mortality’s rise with age—has been considered an important window into heterogeneity that otherwise might be impossible to explore. In this article, I argue that deceleration patterns may reveal surprisingly little about the heterogeneity that putatively produces them. I show that even in a very simple model—one that is composed of just two subpopulations with Gompertz mortality—(1) aggregate mortality can decelerate even while a majority of the cohort is frail; (2) multiple decelerations are possible; and (3) mortality selection can produce acceleration as well as deceleration. Simulations show that these patterns are plausible in model cohorts that in the aggregate resemble cohorts in the Human Mortality Database. I argue that these results challenge some conventional heuristics for understanding the relationship between selection and deceleration; undermine certain inferences from deceleration timing to patterns of social inequality; and imply that standard parametric models, assumed to plateau at most once, may sometimes badly misestimate deceleration timing—even by decades.
The Cost of Disability in China
Authors: Loyalka Prashant , Liu Lan , Chen Gong , Zheng Xiaoying
Published: January 2014

We describe the degree to which household income is negatively associated with the prevalence of different types of disability (i.e., medical impairments) in China using data from the 2006 Second National Survey of Disabled Persons. We then calculate the extra costs of disability across different types of households and show how these costs differ by the type and severity of disability in both urban and rural areas. Finally, we use nationally representative panel data on persons with disabilities from 2007 to 2009 to examine the degree to which social security is reaching persons with different types and severity of disabilities in both urban and rural areas. We conclude that although the amount and coverage of social security for households with disabilities is increasing rapidly, it is still not enough to offset the income differential between households with and without disabled persons, especially when we account for the extra costs of disability.
DNA damage responsive microRNAs misexpressed in human cancer modulate therapy sensitivity
Authors: van Jaarsveld Marijn T.M. , Wouters Maikel D. , Boersma Antonius W.M. , Smid Marcel , van IJcken Wilfred F.J. , Mathijssen Ron H.J. , Hoeijmakers Jan H.J. , Martens John W.M. , van Laere Steven , Wiemer Erik A.C. , Pothof Joris
Published: January 2014

The DNA damage response (DDR) is activated upon DNA damage and prevents accumulation of mutations and chromosomal rearrangements, both driving carcinogenesis. Tumor cells often have defects in the DDR, which in combination with continuous cell proliferation are exploited by genotoxic cancer therapies. Most cancers, overcome initial sensitivity and develop drug resistance, e.g. by modulation of the DDR. Not much is known, however, about DNA damage responsive microRNAs in cancer therapy resistance. Therefore, we mapped temporal microRNA expression changes in primary breast epithelial cells upon low and high dose exposure to the DNA damaging agents ionizing radiation and cisplatin. A third of all DDR microRNAs commonly regulated across all treatments was also misexpressed in breast cancer, indicating a DDR defect. We repeated this approach in primary lung epithelial cells and non‐small cell lung cancer samples and found that more than 40% of all DDR microRNAs was deregulated in non‐small cell lung cancer. Strikingly, the microRNA response upon genotoxic stress in primary breast and lung epithelial cells was markedly different, although the biological outcome of DNA damage signaling (cell death/senescence or survival) was similar. Several DDR microRNAs deregulated in cancer modulated sensitivity to anti‐cancer agents. In addition we were able to distinguish between microRNAs that induced resistance by potentially inducing quiescence (miR‐296‐5p and miR‐382) or enhancing DNA repair or increased DNA damage tolerance (miR‐21). In conclusion, we provide evidence that DNA damage responsive microRNAs are frequently misexpressed in human cancer and can modulate chemotherapy sensitivity.
PELP1 oncogenic functions involve alternative splicing via PRMT6
Authors: Mann Monica , Zou Yi , Chen Yidong , Brann Darrell , Vadlamudi Ratna
Published: January 2014

Proline‐, glutamic acid‐, and leucine‐rich protein 1 (PELP1) is a proto‐oncogene that functions as coactivator of the estrogen receptor and is an independent prognostic predictor of shorter survival of breast cancer patients. The dysregulation of PELP1 in breast cancer has been implicated in oncogenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Although several aspects of PELP1 have been studied, a complete list of PELP1 target genes remains unknown, and the molecular mechanisms of PELP1 mediated oncogenesis remain elusive. In this study, we have performed a whole genome analysis to profile the PELP1 transcriptome by RNA‐sequencing and identified 318 genes as PELP1 regulated genes. Pathway analysis revealed that PELP1 modulates several pathways including the molecular mechanisms of cancer, estrogen signaling, and breast cancer progression. Interestingly, RNA‐seq analysis also revealed that PELP1 regulates the expression of several genes involved in alternative splicing. Accordingly, the PELP1 regulated genome includes several uniquely spliced isoforms. Mechanistic studies show that PELP1 binds RNA with a preference to poly‐C, co‐localizes with the splicing factor SC35 at nuclear speckles, and participates in alternative splicing. Further, PELP1 interacts with the arginine methyltransferase PRMT6 and modifies PRMT6 functions. Inhibition of PRMT6 reduced PELP1‐mediated estrogen receptor activation, cellular proliferation, and colony formation. PELP1 and PRMT6 are co‐recruited to estrogen receptor target genes, PELP1 knockdown affects the enrichment of histone H3R2 di‐methylation, and PELP1 and PRMT6 coordinate to regulate the alternative splicing of genes involved in cancer. Collectively, our data suggest that PELP1 oncogenic functions involve alternative splicing leading to the activation of unique pathways that support tumor progression and that the PELP1–PRMT6 axis may be a potential target for breast cancer therapy.
On Cyclic Cohomology of ×-Hopf algebras
Authors: Hassanzadeh Mohammad
Published: January 2014

In this paper we study the cyclic cohomology of certain ×-Hopf algebras: universal enveloping algebras, quantum algebraic tori, the Connes-Moscovici ×-Hopf algebroids and the Kadison bialgebroids. Introducing their stable anti Yetter-Drinfeld modules and cocyclic modules, we compute their cyclic cohomology. Furthermore, we provide a pairing for the cyclic cohomology of ×-Hopf algebras which generalizes the Connes-Moscovici characteristic map to ×-Hopf algebras. This enables us to transfer the ×-Hopf algebra cyclic cocycles to algebra cyclic cocycles.
G-protein-coupled receptors for free fatty acids: nutritional and therapeutic targets
Authors: Milligan Graeme , Ulven Trond , Murdoch Hannah , Hudson Brian D.
Published: January 2014

It is becoming evident that nutrients and metabolic intermediates derived from such nutrients regulate cellular function by activating a number of cell-surface G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Until now, members of the GPCR family have largely been considered as the molecular targets that communicate cellular signals initiated by hormones and neurotransmitters. Recently, based on tissue expression patterns of these receptors and the concept that they may elicit the production of a range of appetite- and hunger-regulating peptides, such nutrient sensing GPCRs are attracting considerable attention due to their potential to modulate satiety, improve glucose homeostasis and supress the production of various pro-inflammatory mediators. Despite the developing interests in these nutrients sensing GPCR both as sensors of nutritional status, and targets for limiting the development of metabolic diseases, major challenges remain to exploit their potential for therapeutic purposes. Mostly, this is due to limited characterisation and validation of these receptors because of paucity of selective and high-potency/affinity pharmacological agents to define the detailed function and regulation of these receptors. However, ongoing clinical trials of agonists of free fatty acid receptor 1 suggest that this receptor and other receptors for free fatty acids may provide a successful strategy for controlling hyperglycaemia and providing novel approaches to treat diabetes. Receptors responsive to free fatty acid have been of particular interest, and some aspects of these are considered herein.
Emerging roles of the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor in nutrient sensing: control of taste modulation and intestinal hormone secretion
Authors: Brennan Sarah C. , Davies Thomas S. , Schepelmann Martin , Riccardi Daniela
Published: January 2014

The extracellular Ca-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a sensor for a number of key nutrients within the body, including Ca ions (Ca2+) and l-amino acids. The CaSR is expressed in a number of specialised cells within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and much work has been done to examine CaSR's role as a nutrient sensor in this system. This review article examines two emerging roles for the CaSR within the GI tract – as a mediator of kokumi taste modulation in taste cells and as a regulator of dietary hormone release in response to l-amino acids in the intestine.
Role of nutrient-sensing taste 1 receptor (T1R) family members in gastrointestinal chemosensing
Authors: Shirazi-Beechey Soraya P. , Daly Kristian , Al-Rammahi Miran , Moran Andrew W. , Bravo David
Published: January 2014

Luminal nutrient sensing by G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) expressed on the apical domain of enteroendocrine cells activates intracellular pathways leading to secretion of gut hormones that control vital physiological processes such as digestion, absorption, food intake and glucose homeostasis. The taste 1 receptor (T1R) family of GPCR consists of three members: T1R1; T1R2; T1R3. Expression of T1R1, T1R2 and T1R3 at mRNA and protein levels has been demonstrated in the intestinal tissue of various species. It has been shown that T1R2–T1R3, in association with G-protein gustducin, is expressed in intestinal K and L endocrine cells, where it acts as the intestinal glucose (sweet) sensor. A number of studies have demonstrated that activation of T1R2–T1R3 by natural sugars and artificial sweeteners leads to secretion of glucagon-like peptides 1&2 (GLP-1 and GLP-2) and glucose dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP). GLP-1 and GIP enhance insulin secretion; GLP-2 increases intestinal growth and glucose absorption. T1R1–T1R3 combination co-expressed on the apical domain of cholecystokinin (CCK) expressing cells is a luminal sensor for a number of l-amino acids; with amino acid-activation of the receptor eliciting CCK secretion. This article focuses on the role of the gut-expressed T1R1, T1R2 and T1R3 in intestinal sweet and l-amino acid sensing. The impact of exploiting T1R2–T1R3 as a nutritional target for enhancing intestinal glucose absorption and gut structural maturity in young animals is also highlighted.
Zircon U–Pb ages, major and trace elements, and Hf isotope characteristics of the Tiantangzhai granites in the North Dabie orogen, Central China: tectonic implications
Authors: DENG XIN , YANG KUNGUANG , POLAT ALI , KUSKY TIMOTHY M. , WU KAIBIN
Published: January 2014

Cretaceous granites are widespread in the North Dabie orogen, Central China, but their emplacement sequence and mechanism are poorly known. The Tiantangzhai Complex in the North Dabie Complex is the largest Cretaceous granitic suite consisting of six individual intrusions. In this study, zircon U–Pb ages are used to constrain the crystallization and protolith ages of these intrusions. The Shigujian granite is a syn-tectonic intrusion with an age of 141 Ma. This granite was emplaced under a compressional regime. Oscillatory rims of zircons have yielded two peaks at 137±1 Ma and 125±1 Ma. The 137±1 Ma peak represents the beginning of orogenic extension and tectonic collapse, whereas the 125±1 Ma peak represents widespread granitic magmatism. Zircon cores have yielded concordant ages between 812 and 804 Ma, which indicate a crystallization age for the protolith. The Tiantangzhai granites show relatively high Sr contents and high La/Yb and Sr/Y ratios. The Shigujian granite has positive Eu anomalies resulting from partial melting of a plagioclase-rich source in an over-thickened crust. Correspondingly, in situ Lu–Hf analyses from zircons yield high negative εHf(t) values from −24.8 to −26.6, with two-stage Hf model ages from 2748±34 to 2864±40 Ma, suggesting that the magmas were dominantly derived from partial melting of middle to lower crustal rocks. The Dabie orogen underwent pervasive NW–SE extension at the beginning of the early Cretaceous associated with subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate beneath eastern China.
The St Lawrence Platform and Appalachian deformation front in the St Lawrence Estuary and adjacent areas (Quebec, Canada): structural complexity revealed by magnetic and seismic imaging
Authors: PINET NICOLAS , LAVOIE DENIS , KEATING PIERRE , DUCHESNE MATHIEU
Published: January 2014

New magnetic and seismic datasets offer a unique opportunity to document the geometry of the Appalachian front in a poorly studied segment of the orogen. Interpretation of high-resolution magnetic data allows, for the first time, the documentation of the contact between the autochthonous St Lawrence Platform and the Appalachians and highlights the regional significance of previously poorly documented ENE faults that experienced post-Ordovician strike-slip motion. Seismic data reveal tectonic slices in the foreland domain underlying the Appalachians and show that the depth of the décollement at the base of the Appalachian tectonic wedge varies significantly. Taken together, geological, magnetic and seismic data suggest that the geometry of the Appalachian front exhibits significant variations in map and cross-section views and recorded a polyphased structural history.
THE COURT'SIN PERSONAMJURISDICTION IN CASES INVOLVING FOREIGN LAND
Authors: Wass Jack
Published: January 2014

TheMoçambiquerule provides that an English court may not adjudicate on title to foreign immovable property. This article considers the primary exception to that rule: where the court assumes jurisdictionin personamto enforce a contractual or equitable claim concerning foreign immovable property against a defendant subject to the court's personal jurisdiction. It addresses two questions: how should the English court decide whether to assume jurisdiction in relation to foreign land, and if the positions are reversed, should an English court recognize or enforce the order of a foreign court affecting English land? As to the first question, this article argues that the orthodox English approach is anachronistic. English law applies thelex foriexclusively to determine whether an obligation exists which the court has jurisdiction to enforce. Instead, modern conflict of laws principles demand that the court should apply the proper law of the substantive claim in determining whether a sufficient equitable or contractual obligation exists. As to the second question, this article argues that despite the prevailing view that foreign non-money judgments are not enforceable in England, foreign orders in relation to English land are in principle entitled to recognition in a subsequent action in England by the successful claimant.
RE FLIGHTLEASE: THE ‘REAL AND SUBSTANTIAL CONNECTION’ TEST FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS FAILS TO TAKE FLIGHT IN IRELAND
Authors: Kenny David
Published: January 2014

The common law rules for recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments were radically reformulated by the Canadian Supreme Court in Beals v Saldanha. Few other common law jurisdictions have considered whether or not to follow Canada in this development in private International Law. In 2012, the Irish Supreme Court definitively rejected the Canadian approach. This note examines the judgment in that case, and assesses the reasoning of the Irish Court.
Vishalyakarani asEupatorium ayapana: Retro-botanizing, Embedded Traditions, and Multiple Historicities of Plants in Colonial Bengal, 1890–1940
Authors: Mukharji Projit Bihari
Published: January 2014

This article critically examines the assumptions and processes involved in identifying historically distinctive plant identities by their Latin botanical names. By following late-colonial efforts to identify a medicinal herb mentioned in some versions of the Ramayana, this paper argues for a historicist analysis of the process of “retro-botanizing.” In so doing, it also distinguishes between two different forms of “tradition,” the “factualized” and “embedded.” Finally, it blurs the allegedly watertight distinction between historical and mythic pasts. Instead of trying to distinguish these pasts ontologically, I argue that it is more productive to see specific pasts in relation to the sorts of futures they produce, that is, their respective historicities.
A New Social History of Occupied Japan
Authors: Seraphim Franziska
Published: January 2014

In the introduction to his 1999 masterpiece on Japan under U.S. occupation, John Dower wrote, “It would be difficult to find another cross-cultural moment more intense, unpredictable, ambiguous, confusing, andelectricthan this one.” Indeed, no other history of occupied Japan before or since has managed to capture, in such a cinematic way, what it meant to “start over” in 1945 after a devastating war and at the behest of the victor.Embracing Defeatwon no less than nine book awards, including the Pulitzer Prize. And while Dower's book has remained theonebook to go to for a comprehensive history of the occupation, it has truly inspired “the next generation of occupation scholarship,” which Mark Selden predicted would focus on social and cultural issues. The three books under review here are the latest addition to this literature.
BBC PROMS 2013: Matthias Pintscher and Sofia Gubaidulina
Authors: Stein Robert
Published: January 2014

Matthias Pintscher was granted the sixth Roche Commissions award in 2012, when Sofia Gubaidulina had to withdraw at short notice. Pintscher's Roche commission, Chute d’étoiles, coincidentally received its London premiere within a few days of the UK premiere of Gubaidulina's The Rider on the White Horse. Roche deserve the thanks of the music world for their initiative, running since 2004 but hardly suffering from over-exposure. Their choice of composers has been good: Birtwistle, Benjamin, Hosokawa – and Unsuk Chin slated for 2014. The link with the Lucerne Festival and Cleveland Orchestra (which gave the world and US premieres of the Pintscher piece) is also marvellously helpful. While it's debatable whether luminaries like Sir Harrison need the exposure, the focus on the now-coming-to-major-prominence generation (Chin was born in 1961, Pintscher 10 years later) is welcome.
Geometry of the augmented disk graph
Authors: MA JIMING
Published: January 2014

For a handlebodyH, we define two graphs, the augmented disk graph$\mathcal{ADG}(H)$and the truncated augmented disk graph$\mathcal{TADG}(H)$, and we show they are hyperbolic in the sense of Gromov. In the process, we show they are quasi-isometric to two other disk graphs defined by U. Hamenstädt, the super conducting disk graph$\mathcal{SDG}(H)$and the electrified disk graph$\mathcal{EDG}(H)$respectively. So we reprove two theorems of Hamenstädt [12].

Our approach uses techniques from Masur–Schleimer's study on the hyperbolicity of the disk graph$\mathcal{DG}(H)$[21].
Structural Power, the Copenhagen School and Threats to Chinese Security
Authors: Reeves Jeffrey
Published: January 2014

This article engages with current debates surrounding China's security by employing the concept of structural power and the Copenhagen School approach to security studies to measure threats to China's security. Building on existing Chinese and English language research on China's security drivers, the article develops a mechanism for determining how China's economic relations with small states in Asia negatively affect their domestic stability and how this instability then loops back to undermine China's strategic position. The article uses China's relations with Cambodia, Nepal and Mongolia as case studies.
Airway compression management in late-presenting absent pulmonary valve syndrome
Authors: Martinez-Esteve Melnikova Anastasia , Sologashvili Tornike , Beghetti Maurice , Tissot Cécile , Kalangos Afksendiyos , Corbelli Regula , Aggoun Yacine , Didier Dominique , Myers Patrick O.
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Patients with absent pulmonary valve syndrome often present early with airway compression from aneurysmal pulmonary arteries. This study reviews our experience in managing absent pulmonary valve syndrome in later presenting children, and techniques used for managing airway compression. Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent repair of absent pulmonary valve syndrome from 2000 to 2012 at our institution. The primary endpoints were post-operative bronchoscopic and clinical evidence of persistent airway compression and need for reinterventions on the pulmonary arteries. Results: A total of 19 patients were included during the study period. The mean age at repair was 4.1±3.0 years (range 10 months–11 years). In all, seven patients had pre-operative bronchoscopic evidence of airway compression, which was managed by pulmonary artery reduction plasty in four patients and Lecompte manoeuvre in three patients. There were no peri-operative deaths. In patients with pulmonary artery plasty, two had no post-operative airway compression, one patient had improved compression, and one patient had unchanged compression. In patients managed with a Lecompte manoeuvre, two patients had no or trivial airway compression and one had improved compression. There were six late reinterventions or reoperations on the pulmonary arteries – two out of four in the pulmonary artery plasty group and one out of three in the Lecompte group. Conclusions: Most late-presenting patients with absent pulmonary valve syndrome do not have airway compression. Either pulmonary artery reduction plasty or the Lecompte manoeuvre can relieve proximal airway compression, without a significantly different risk of pulmonary artery reintervention between techniques.
Dynamic Temperature and Humidity Environmental Profiles: Impact for Future Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response
Authors: Ferguson William J. , Louie Richard F. , Tang Chloe S. , Paw U Kyaw Tha , Kost Gerald J.
Published: January 2014

Introduction

During disasters and complex emergencies, environmental conditions can adversely affect the performance of point-of-care (POC) testing. Knowledge of these conditions can help device developers and operators understand the significance of temperature and humidity limits necessary for use of POC devices. First responders will benefit from improved performance for on-site decision making.

Objective

To create dynamic temperature and humidity profiles that can be used to assess the environmental robustness of POC devices, reagents, and other resources (eg, drugs), and thereby, to improve preparedness.

Methods

Surface temperature and humidity data from the National Climatic Data Center (Asheville, North Carolina USA) was obtained, median hourly temperature and humidity were calculated, and then mathematically stretched profiles were created to include extreme highs and lows. Profiles were created for: (1) Banda Aceh, Indonesia at the time of the 2004 Tsunami; (2) New Orleans, Louisiana USA just before and after Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005; (3) Springfield, Massachusetts USA for an ambulance call during the month of January 2009; (4) Port-au-Prince, Haiti following the 2010 earthquake; (5) Sendai, Japan for the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami with comparison to the colder month of January 2011; (6) New York, New York USA after Hurricane Sandy made landfall in 2012; and (7) a 24-hour rescue from Hawaii USA to the Marshall Islands. Profiles were validated by randomly selecting 10 days and determining if (1) temperature and humidity points fell inside and (2) daily variations were encompassed. Mean kinetic temperatures (MKT) were also assessed for each profile.

Results

Profiles accurately modeled conditions during emergency and disaster events and enclosed 100% of maximum and minimum temperature and humidity points. Daily variations also were represented well with 88.6% (62/70) of temperature readings and 71.1% (54/70) of relative humidity readings falling within diurnal patterns. Days not represented well primarily had continuously high humidity. Mean kinetic temperature was useful for severity ranking.

Conclusions

Simulating temperature and humidity conditions clearly reveals operational challenges encountered during disasters and emergencies. Understanding of environmental stresses and MKT leads to insights regarding operational robustness necessary for safe and accurate use of POC devices and reagents. Rescue personnel should understand these principles before performing POC testing in adverse environments.

FergusonWJ,LouieRF,TangCS,Paw UKT,KostGJ.Dynamic temperature and humidity environmental profiles: impact for future emergency and disaster preparedness and response.Prehosp Disaster Med.2014;29(1):1-8.
Natural capital investment under knightian uncertainty
Authors: Asano Takao , Shibata Akihisa
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we develop a simple two-period model of natural capital investment under Knightian uncertainty and analyze the effects of changes in the degree of ambiguity on the optimal natural capital investment. We find that the degree of Knightian uncertainty affects a government's natural capital investment. Moreover, we find that the direction of the effect of the Knightian uncertainty depends on the nature of uncertainty, that is, on whether the uncertainty is about the future level of natural capital or about the return from saving.
Obesity prevalence in Colombian adults is increasing fastest in lower socio-economic status groups and urban residents: results from two nationally representative surveys
Authors: Kasper Nicole M , Herrán Oscar F , Villamor Eduardo
Published: January 2014

Objective

Low- and middle-income countries are experiencing rises in the prevalence of adult obesity. Whether these increases disproportionately affect vulnerable subpopulations is unclear because most previous investigations were not nationally representative, were limited to women, or relied on self-reported anthropometric data which are subject to bias. The aim of the present study was to assess changes in the prevalence of obesity from 2005 to 2010 in Colombian adults; overall and by levels of sociodemographic characteristics.

Design

Two cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys.

Setting

Colombia.

Subjects

Men and women 18–64 years old (n 31 105 in 2005; n 81 115 in 2010).

Results

The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) was 13·9 % in 2005 and 16·4 % in 2010 (prevalence difference = 2·7 %; 95 % CI 1·9, 3·4 %). In multivariable analyses, obesity was positively associated with female sex, age, wealth, and living in the Pacific or National Territories regions in each year. In 2010, obesity was also associated with living in an urban area. The change in the prevalence of obesity from 2005 to 2010 varied significantly according to wealth; 5·0 % (95 % CI 3·3, 6·7 %) among the poorest and 0·3 % (95 % CI −1·6, 2·2 %) in the wealthiest (P, test for interaction = 0·007), after adjustment. Obesity rates also increased faster in older than younger people (P, test for interaction = 0·01), among people from urban compared with non-urban areas (P, test for interaction = 0·06) and in adults living in the Atlantic region compared with others.

Conclusions

Adult obesity prevalence has increased in Colombia and its burden is shifting towards the poor and urban populations.
India's vitamin A supplementation programme is reaching the most vulnerable districts but not all vulnerable children. New evidence from the seven states with the highest burden of mortality among under-5s
Authors: Aguayo Víctor M , Bhattacharjee Sourav , Bhawani Laxmi , Badgaiyan Nina
Published: January 2014

Objective

To characterize the coverage of India's national vitamin A supplementation (VAS) programme and document its performance in reaching children in the districts with higher concentration of poor households (2006–2011).

Design

Analysis of VAS programme coverage data collated and collected using standardized bottom-up procedures, data from India's Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, and data from India's District Level Household Survey to compute exposure (poverty) and outcome (full VAS coverage) variables.

Setting

Seven Indian states with the highest burden of mortality in children (74 % of all deaths among under-5s in the country in 2006).

Subjects

Children 6–59 months old.

Results

Between 2006 and 2011, the mean full VAS coverage (two VAS doses per child per year) in these seven states increased from 44·7 % to 67·3 % while the number of districts with high (≥80 %) full VAS coverage increased from twenty-four (9·4 %) to 131 (51·4 %). The highest increases in full VAS coverage figures were recorded in the districts with the highest concentration of poor households. The estimated number of poor children (i.e. children living in households classified as poor) who did not receive two VAS doses annually decreased from 8·5 million in 2006 to 5·1 million in 2011 (40·3 % decrease); 2·5 million (49·1 %) of these children lived in the districts with the lowest proportion of poor households.

Conclusions

Despite significant improvements in VAS, a large number of Indian children are not benefitting yet from this life-protecting intervention, particularly among those who are potentially the most vulnerable. Future programme action needs to give priority to sub-district level units – blocks and villages – with higher concentrations of poor households.
LESSONS STILL UNLEARNED
Authors: Harris Luke Charles
Published: January 2014

In this essay, I contend that the elevation of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, and the evisceration of civil rights it has enabled, should be understood in part to reflect a tragic mistake on the part of Black America writ large. I will argue it represents the absence of a fully embodied vision of racial justice—one that genuinely symbolizes the entire panoply of concerns that must be addressed if the quest for racial equality is to ever be fully realized in the United States. Importantly, what this essay will point to is a political and discursive failure to center the concerns of Black females at the heart of our racial justice agenda.
Sex Ratios Provide Evidence for Monozygotic Twinning in the Ring-Tailed Lemur,Lemur catta
Authors: St Clair John , Campbell-Palmer Roisin , Lathe Richard
Published: January 2014

Monozygotic (MZ) twinning is generally considered to be rare in species other than human. We inspected sex ratios in European zoo-bred ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), revealing a significant excess of same-sex twins. Of 94 pairs, 60 (64%) were either both males or both females (p= .004). Application of the Weinberg differential rule argues that 27% of all twins in this species are MZ pairs. In this protected species, where twinning is commonplace (~50% of newborns are twins), the probable existence of frequent MZ twinning has ramifications for breeding programs aimed to maximize genetic diversity, and suggests that twin studies in a species other than human could have potential as a medical research tool.
Ein Vergleich verschiedener Kurzversionen des Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) zur Erhebung von Selbstkritik und Abhängigkeit
Authors: Krieger Tobias , Zimmermann Johannes , Beutel Manfred E. , Wiltink Jörg , Schauenburg Henning , Holtforth Martin Grosse
Published: January 2014

Der Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) ist ein Fragebogen zur Erfassung der Persönlichkeitsmerkmale Selbstkritik und Abhängigkeit, die als Vulnerabilitätsfaktoren für Depression gelten. Aufgrund seiner Länge und seiner komplexen Auswertungsprozedur wurden im englischsprachigen Raum verschiedene Kurzversionen des DEQ entwickelt. Das Ziel dieser Studie war die psychometrische Überprüfung der verschiedenen DEQ-Versionen in deutscher Sprache sowie die Validierung einer geeigneten Kurzversion. An insgesamt 708 Personen (404 Patienten und 304 nicht-klinische Personen) wurden die psychometrischen Eigenschaften der verschiedenen Versionen verglichen. Es zeigte sich, dass der Theoretische Depressive Experiences Questionnaire–12 Item Version (TDEQ-12) insbesondere aufgrund seiner faktoriellen Validität die besten psychometrischen Eigenschaften aufwies. Zusätzliche Hinweise für die Validität und Reliabilität des TDEQ-12 konnten in vier weiteren Stichproben (436 nicht-klinische Personen, 23 nicht-depressive Personen, 64 depressive Patienten, 74 Studierende) gewonnen werden. Die vorliegende Studie legt nahe, dass der TDEQ-12 eine reliable, valide und ökonomische Alternative zum DEQ für die Erfassung von Selbstkritik und Abhängigkeit darstellt.
Amine functionalized MCM-41: an efficient heterogeneous recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones from carbon dioxide and 2-aminobenzonitriles in water
Authors: Nale Deepak B. , Rana Surjyakanta , Parida Kulamani , Bhanage Bhalchandra M.
Published: January 2014

Covalently linked amine functionalized MCM-41 was investigated as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of various quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione derivatives from 2-aminobenzonitriles and carbon dioxide in water.
A facile route to Ru-alkylidenes
Authors: McKinty Adam M. , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: January 2014

Reactions of dithioacetal E(CH2CH2S)2CHR (E = O, S, R = Ph, C6F5) and O(C6H4S)2CHPh with either Ru(cod)(cot) or Ru(PPh3)3(H)2 are used to prepare the Ru-alkylidene complexes E(CH2CH2S)2RuCHPh(L), O(C6H4S)2RuCHPh(L) (L = PCy3, SIMes) in high yields.
Catalyst- and solvent-free, pot, atom and step economic synthesis of tetrahydroquinazolines by an aza-Diels–Alder reaction strategy
Authors: Bhuyan Debajyoti , Sarma Rupam , Dommaraju Yuvaraj , Prajapati Dipak
Published: January 2014

2,4-Disubstituted tetrahydroquinazolines can be readily obtained via a four-component aza-Diels–Alder reaction inside a microwave reactor. The methodology developed is simple, catalyst- and solvent-free and can be tuned to get dihydroquinazoline derivatives.
Huisgen-based conjugation of water-soluble porphyrins to deprotected sugars: towards mild strategies for the labelling of glycans
Authors: Giuntini Francesca , Bryden Francesca , Daly Robin , Scanlan Eoin M. , Boyle Ross W.
Published: January 2014

Fully deprotected alkynyl-functionalised mono- and oligosaccharides undergo CuAAC-based conjugation with water-soluble porphyrin azides in aqueous environments.
Recent developments on isoindigo-based conjugated polymers
Authors: Deng Ping , Zhang Qing
Published: January 2014

A review of recent advances in isoindigo-based conjugated polymers for organic photovoltaic and field-effect transistor applications is presented.
Multilayer thin film encapsulation for organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Grover Rakhi , Srivastava Ritu , Kamalasanan M. N. , Mehta D. S.
Published: January 2014

Thin film encapsulation for OLEDs using alternate layer pairs of organic films and magnesium fluoride thin films deposited by normal and glancing angle deposition methods.
Transverse vibration analyses of cantilevered boron nitride nanocones
Authors: Tian Yanling , Cai Kunhai , Gao Weiguo , Wang Fujun , Zhang Dawei , Shirinzadeh Bijan , Fatikow Sergej
Published: January 2014

The free transverse vibration characteristics of cantilevered boron nitride nanocones (BNNCs) have been systematically investigated by utilising classic molecular dynamics simulations. The natural frequencies of the transverse vibrations of cantilevered BNNCs with different apex angles, cone heights and top radii are achieved by using fast Fourier transformation. The influences of the geometric parameters of the BNNCs on the natural frequencies are extensively investigated based on the established methodology.
Donor levels of the divacancy-oxygen defect in silicon
Authors: Markevich V. P. , Peaker A. R. , Hamilton B. , Lastovskii S. B. , Murin L. I.
Published: January 2014

The elimination of divacancies (V2) upon isochronal and isothermal annealing has been studied in oxygen-rich p-type silicon by means of deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and high resolution Laplace DLTS. Divacancies were introduced into the crystals by irradiation with 4 or 6 MeV electrons. The temperature range of the divacancy disappearance was found to be 225-300 °C upon 30 min isochronal annealing in the samples studied. A clear anti-correlation between the disappearance of V2 and the appearance of two hole traps with activation energies for hole emission of 0.23 eV and 0.08 eV was observed. It is argued that these traps are related to the first and second donor levels of the divacancy-oxygen (V2O) complex, respectively. Significant electric field enhancement of the hole emission from the second donor level of the V2O center occurred in the diodes studied. It is shown that in the range of electric field from 4 × 103 to 1.2 × 104 V/cm the emission enhancement is associated with phonon-assisted tunnelling.
On the capability of deep level transient spectroscopy for characterizing multi-crystalline silicon
Authors: Mchedlidze T. , Nacke M. , Hieckmann E. , Weber J.
Published: January 2014

The suitability of the deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) technique in exploring locations with high and degraded carrier lifetimes containing grain-boundaries (GBs) in multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) wafers was studied. The types and locations of GBs were determined in mc-Si samples by electron backscatter diffraction. Mesa-type Schottky diodes were prepared at (along) GBs and at reference, GB-free locations. Detected DLTS signals varied strongly along the same GB. Experiments with dislocation networks, model structures for GBs, showed that GB-related traps may be explored only using special arrangement of a GB and the diode contacts. Iron-related carrier traps were detected in locations with degraded carrier lifetimes. Densities of the traps for near-GB and for GB free locations were compared to the lifetime measurement results.