bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O PENTÁGONO DAS ARTES: INVENTANDO A IDENTIDADE REPUBLICANA NO RIO DE JANEIRO
Authors: Abreu Jonas Silva
Published: June 2016

A partir das transformações ocorridas no espaço arquitetônico-urbanístico do Rio de Janeiro na primeira década de 1900, o presente texto analisa o processo de ressignificação da Praça Marechal Floriano tendo como ponto de partida a edificação dos prédios formadores de um perímetro ao redor da praça, chamado de “Pentágono das Artes”. Supõe-se que estas mudanças não tenham ocorrido apenas em função da construção ou das alterações dos edifícios, mas também pelos ajustes operados no tecido social, assinalando a importância do projeto republicano para o Brasil do início do século XX. Não poderemos, portanto, deixar de observar a mudança de significado operada na Praça Floriano a partir da existência do Pentágono, não somente por ter se tornado símbolo nacional da esfera pública republicana, mas também por ter intensificado o processo de estratificação social que vinha ocorrendo na cidade desde o século anterior. Este novo desenho da arquitetura, programado para esta parte da cidade aparelha o local de um complexo de unidades culturais, neoclássicas e neorrenascentistas, com o firme propósito de criar a atmosfera de modernidade exigida pelo novo regime, tendo em vista o desafio do prefeito Pereira Passos de vender uma imagem cosmopolita da capital da República aos parceiros do mercado internacional. DOI: 10.21665/2318-3888.v3n6p212-236
NARRATIVAS (AUTO) BIOGRÁFICAS: SINGULARIDADES POSSÍVEIS
Authors: Venera Raquel Alvarenga Sena
Published: June 2016

O presente artigo é parte da análise dos resultados da pesquisa em andamento intitulada “(Auto)biografias e subjetividades: o outro de si mesmo na Esclerose Múltipla”, na qual objetiva-se analisar, a partir dos conceitos tempo e memória, os processos de subjetivação das pessoas acometidas pela doença Esclerose Múltipla. A empiria da pesquisa são os discursos (auto)biográficos organizados em redes de Histórias de Vida, visibilizando-as como patrimônios culturais. Essas narrativas fazem parte de um acervo, também em construção, que se somará às mais de 16 mil Histórias de Vida do Museu da Pessoa. São entrevistas coletadas em situação de pesquisa e delas se produzirá um acervo de textos biográficos e material audiovisual. As análises desse artigo fazem parte da elaboração desse acervo e dos procedimentos metodológicos anteriores à elaboração desses textos biográficos. O artigo analisa duas narrativas (auto)biográficas, de um homem e de uma mulher, de 41 anos e 54 anos respectivamente, que vivem com os sintomas da Esclerose Múltipla, há cerca de 20 anos. Destaca-se os processos de singularização, a partir dos fluxos de agenciamentos coletivos de enunciação em que os narradores estão implicados. Essas análises evidenciam o desejo de ser lembrado, mas também o desejo de potência nas experiências com a doença que se apresenta degenerativa com potencial incapacitante. Desejos talhados em um presente com a doença, mas a partir do medo e da insegurança do tempo futuro, das sequelas que são imprevisíveis, que mobilizam tessituras de suas memórias dos passados seguros, anteriores à doença. Em um esforço para refutar o enunciado “superação”, as análises apostam nas possíveis singularizações inventadas nas vidas ordinárias, nos processos de subjetivação engendrados nos fluxos dos enunciados mais traumáticos como pode ser um diagnóstico com o da Esclerose Múltipla. DOI: 10.21665/2318-3888.v3n6p51-89
Medical Therapy versus Sinus Surgery by Using Balloon Sinus Dilation Technology: A Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Payne Spencer C. , Stolovitzky Pablo , Mehendale Neelesh , Matheny Keith , Brown William , Rieder Anthony , Liepert Douglas , Tseng Ewen , Gould Andrew , Powell Scott , Van Himbergen Daniel , Karanfilov Boris , Harfe Daniel , England Laura , Melroy Christopher
Published: June 2016

Background

Although previous studies of sinus surgery that used balloon catheter dilation technology for the paranasal sinuses (balloon sinus dilation [BSD]) demonstrated safety and efficacy, data that compare BSD with continued medical management (MM) are lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the outcomes of sinus surgery when using BSD instruments versus MM for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis for whom MM failed.

Methods

Adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis for whom a minimum of 3 weeks of oral antibiotics, 4 weeks of daily saline solution therapy, and 4 weeks of daily nasal corticosteroids failed were included. Qualifying participants were allowed to self-select sinus surgery with BSD (either an office or operating room setting) or continued MM. The primary end point was the comparison of change in the Chronic Sinusitis Survey score from baseline to 24 weeks. Secondary end points included comparisons of change for the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) and the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20).

Results

A total of 198 patients were enrolled (146 surgery and 52 MM). Of the patients who chose BSD, 72% (105/146) had their procedures completed in an office setting. Overall, BSD instruments were successful in dilating 97.6% of targeted sinuses (561/575). Patients who chose BSD showed a significantly greater improvement in the Chronic Sinusitis Survey score versus MM (42.0 versus 27.0, p < 0.001). Results from the RSDI and SNOT-20 surveys showed similar improvements for surgery versus MM (RSDI, 36.0 versus 18.1, p < 0.001; SNOT-20, 1.7 versus 1.0, p < 0.002).

Conclusion

Patients who selected sinus surgery in which BSD instruments were used on the peripheral sinuses demonstrated significantly greater improvements in quality of life compared with those who elected ongoing MM. These results were achieved through office-based procedures with the patient under local anesthesia in the majority of patients.
नेपालमा रेड्प्लस र कार्बन अधिकारको बहस
Authors: ऋषि Rishi बास्ताकोती Bastakoti
Published: June 2016

Not available. उपलब्ध  छैन Journal of Forest and livelihood (हाम्रो बन सम्पदा)बर्ष ११, अंक १, २०७०/२०१३ , पेज १-७
रेड्प्लसमा समानताको सबाल Redplusma Samanatako Sabal
Authors: बिश्वकर्मा Bishwarkarma गणेश Ganesh कुमार  Kumar , घिमिरे Ghimire ज्योति Jyoti
Published: June 2016

Not available.उपलब्ध छैनJournal of Forest and livelihood (हाम्रो बन सम्पदा)बर्ष ११, अंक १, २०७०/२०१३ Page : 32-36
Position Validation in Crowdsourced Accessibility Mapping
Authors: Rice Rebecca M. , Aburizaiza Ahmad O. , Rice Matthew T. , Qin Han
Published: June 2016

We live in a society in which instant gratification is expected: we demand constantly up-to-date information, which is reflected in our reliance on maps for navigation. Volunteered geographical information (VGI) and geocrowdsourcing make this demand attainable, with popular examples being Waze and OpenStreetMap, where maps are updated quickly by citizen contributors with current base data and features. At George Mason University (in Fairfax, Virginia), the Office of Disability Services releases a traditional paper accessibility map once annually. Owing to its production methods and format, this accessibility map does not capture the transient obstacles that occur frequently throughout campus, rendering it less useful to disabled pedestrians. To fix this dilemma and establish a more useful accessibility system, we have created an application in which contributors report transient obstacles that may impede pedestrian navigation, including sidewalk obstructions, construction detours, and other obstacles that may affect pathway walkability. One of the concerns associated with VGI and geocrowdsourced information is quality assurance, which is imperative when the usage scenarios (including blind, visually impaired, and mobility-impaired navigation) depend on positional accuracy. This study attempts to address the concerns related to the quality assurance of VGI, specifically quality assessment of the positional accuracy of the geocrowdsourced spatial data. We present our quality assessment techniques and novel methods for assessing the consistency of positional characteristics of geocrowdsourced spatial data related to accessibility. These methods rely on moderated positional assessments, geotags extracted from contributed images, and gazetteer-based geoparsing of location descriptions. Finally, we base our methods and approaches on research contributions and best practices from past and current efforts in accessibility mapping.
Wealth Distribution and the Canadian Middle Class: Historical Evidence and Policy Implications
Authors: Di Matteo Livio
Published: June 2016

Historical and modern wealth microdata examines the long-term evolution in Canadian wealth inequality. Wealth inequality has increased in recent decades but is more equally distributed than a century ago. The chief beneficiaries of a more “equitable” wealth distribution were the “middle” shares, as represented by the next 40 percent of the distribution after the top 10 percent. Despite the onset of more redistributive government in the twentieth century, the wealth share of the bottom 50 percent has remained low over time and represents a more pressing set of policy and social issues than the middle class.
“A Reformation so much wanted”: Clarissa’s Glorious Shame
Authors: Kay Ailsa
Published: June 2016

With echoes of both romance and Puritan accounts of the self, Clarissa (1747–48) by Samuel Richardson is an experiment in shame and sociability that exposes the problems of sympathy. Clarissa is structured by the seemingly opposite feelings of shame and glory, both of which are inhabited in turn by Clarissa and Lovelace. The connection of shame to glory suggests an older model of power and regulation that underlies and complicates the sympathy Richardson imagines. Not only does shame work in Clarissa as an affective pivot that rationalizes the total revelation of self, but it does so by disgracing the “bad” shame which is too closely associated with rank and ambi tion, as these are explicated in Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759). Clarissa’s shame stands in contrast to that aristocratic shame expressed by her family and Lovelace, pro ducing a shamed and authoritative self.
Gel-casting of porous alumina ceramics with high mechanical strength
Authors: Ghofrani Samaneh , Ebadzadeh Touradj , Raissi Babak
Published: June 2016

Alumina foams with high mechanical strength were prepared by means of gel-casting. After preparation of gel-cast raw segments, they were dried in a controlled humidity chamber. Samples were sintered at a temperature of 1 350 °C held for 2 h. The effects of additives and alumina loading on the initial suspension behavior, ultimate porosity, relative density, and mechanical strength of sintered samples were investigated by means of different techniques including densitometry, scanning electron microscopy and compressive strength measurements. Results showed that the optimal conditions for the preparation of desired alumina foam are 0.03 wt.% of sodium dodecyl sulfate, 1 g L−1 of initiator and 8.3 mL L−1 of catalyst for suspensions with 0.8 – 1 wt.% of Tiron and 70 % of alumina loading. The value of compressive strength was measured as high as 25.62 MPa for alumina foam with very low relative density of 19.27 %.
Phase equilibria of the Al–Zn–Fe–V quaternary system at 620 °C
Authors: Cai Yangsheng , Zhao Manxiu , Yin Fucheng , Wang Xinming , Li Zhi , Long Zhaohui
Published: June 2016

The 620 °C isothermal section of the Al–Zn–Fe–V quaternary system with the Al content fixed at 55 wt.% and the Al-rich corner of the Al–Fe–Zn ternary system at 620 °C have been determined by means of scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Two four-phase regions are identified in the isothermal section of the Al–Zn–Fe–V quaternary system. Two three-phase regions are found in the Al-rich corner of the Al–Fe–Zn ternary system. No new ternary and quaternary phases have been found in the present work.
Mixed mode notch-crack fatigue propagation in the welding zone of 06Cr19Ni10 austenitic stainless steel: Effect of strain strengthening
Authors: Tang Lanqing , Qian Caifu , Li Huifang
Published: June 2016

In this work, mixed mode fatigue crack propagation in the welding zone of 06Cr19Ni10 austenitic stainless steel was experimentally investigated. The effects of strain strengthening on crack growth paths and growth rates were studied. The experimental results demonstrated that a new crack initiated from the notch-crack tip and propagated in the direction perpendicular to the loading direction, suggesting a change of the crack mode from mixed mode to Mode I. Strain strengthening has no effect on the crack growth paths, while it does have some effect on the crack growth rates. The metallographic results indicate that the fraction of transformed martensite increases with strain-strengthening level. Finite element analysis results reveal that strain strengthening can significantly change the distribution of the residual welding stress.
Investigation of Al2O3/TiC ceramic cutting tool materials with the addition of SiC-coated h-BN: preparation, mechanical properties, microstructure and wear resistance
Authors: Chen Hui , Xu Chonghai , Xiao Guangchun , Chen Zhaoqiang , Wu Guangyong , Yi Mingdong
Published: June 2016

SiC-coated h-BN powders ((h-BN)/SiC) were used to substitute h-BN as solid lubricant to prepare Al2O3/TiC/(h-BN)/SiC self-lubricating ceramic cutting tool materials using hot pressing. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the material were studied. Overall improvements in Vickers hardness and fracture toughness were obtained compared with that of Al2O3/TiC/h-BN. The coating of SiC blocks direct contact between h-BN and Al2O3/TiC and hence enables h-BN particles to bond more closely with Al2O3/TiC. The density of the material was dramatically improved because of the decrement of voids around h-BN particles. Dry turning tests were carried out to investigate the wear resistance of the materials when cutting 40Cr quenched and tempered steel. Enhancement in wear resistance, which may result from the improvement in mechanical properties, was observed.
Effect of the addition of different sintering aids on the densification behavior of zirconia-toughened alumina nanocomposite powder
Authors: Moghim Mohammad Hadi , Mosavat Seyed Hojat , Ranjbar Khalil
Published: June 2016

In the present study, Al2O3-5 wt.% ZrO2 nanocomposite powder was fabricated via the sol–gel method, and then the sintering behavior was investigated using various sintering aids (MgO, TiO2 and MgO/TiO2) at different temperatures. In this regard, the size and structure of fabricated powder, and hardness, fracture toughness and density of sintered samples were studied. The results of X-ray diffraction indicated the presence of α-alumina and tetragonal zirconia. Scanning electron micrographs revealed agglomerated nanometer-sized spherical particles ranging in size from 60 to 150 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray mapping micrographs also demonstrated the homogeneous dispersion of zirconia in alumina. Moreover, density results indicated that using 0.5 wt.% MgO/0.5 wt.% TiO2 produced the best results, as the relative density reached 95 % at 1 500 °C. Finally, it was observed that the presence of MgO and TiO2 induces higher hardness and lower fracture toughness.
Joyce's Indifferent Animals: Boredom and the Subversion of Fables in Finnegans Wake
Authors: Mak Cliff
Published: June 2016

This piece explores the multitude of animal figures in Joyce, especially with regards to his engagement with the classical moral mode of the beast fable. Drawing from a number of texts throughout Joyce's corpus – from his early essays on Dante and Defoe to the fables in Finnegans Wake – I show how a young Joyce's poetics of boredom (as derived from Giordano Bruno) informs his later work through the figure of the animal. Granting his animal figures a certain amount of agency, Joyce uses them to subvert the didacticism of fables, the colonial instrumentalization associated with this didacticism, and even the cultural authority of modernism itself, his own work included.
T. S. E. and the TES : Eliot and Educationalism
Authors: Hampton Martyn
Published: June 2016

This article examines T. S. Eliot's response to the wartime discourse of educational reform articulated by the Times Educational Supplement and its editor H. C. Dent. Eliot attacked Dent over three main points: Dent's preference for the centralised direction of British culture via speculative models of ‘democratic’ education; the notion of popular mobilisation and its promotion by the Church; the reliance of Dent's discourse upon a journalistic tenor capable of galvanising public will for wholesale social reconstruction. The overlooked relationship between Eliot and Dent reveals a fascinating dialogue between late literary modernism and its wartime social corollary. Encompassing Eliot's writings in The Criterion, The Idea of a Christian Society, Notes towards the Definition of Culture, letters to the TES, papers delivered to the Christian Moot group, and Four Quartets, this article reveals the degree to which Dent's polemic negatively informed many of Eliot's educational pronouncements.
Advances in Magnetically Separable Photocatalysts: Smart, Recyclable Materials for Water Pollution Mitigation
Authors: Mamba Gcina , Mishra Ajay
Published: June 2016

Organic and inorganic compounds utilised at different stages of various industrial processes are lost into effluent water and eventually find their way into fresh water sources where they cause devastating effects on the ecosystem due to their stability, toxicity, and non-biodegradable nature. Semiconductor photocatalysis has been highlighted as a promising technology for the treatment of water laden with organic, inorganic, and microbial pollutants. However, these semiconductor photocatalysts are applied in powdered form, which makes separation and recycling after treatment extremely difficult. This not only leads to loss of the photocatalyst but also to secondary pollution by the photocatalyst particles. The introduction of various magnetic nanoparticles such as magnetite, maghemite, ferrites, etc. into the photocatalyst matrix has recently become an area of intense research because it allows for the easy separation of the photocatalyst from the treated water using an external magnetic field. Herein, we discuss the recent developments in terms of synthesis and photocatalytic properties of magnetically separable nanocomposites towards water treatment. The influence of the magnetic nanoparticles in the optical properties, charge transfer mechanism, and overall photocatalytic activity is deliberated based on selected results. We conclude the review by providing summary remarks on the successes of magnetic photocatalysts and present some of the future challenges regarding the exploitation of these materials in water treatment.
Rh(III)-Catalyzed, Highly Selectively Direct C–H Alkylation of Indoles with Diazo Compounds
Authors: Wan Kang , Li Zhan , Qu Xing , Wang Feng , Wang Liang
Published: June 2016

Rh(III)-catalyzed regioselective alkylation of indoles with diazo compounds as a highly efficient and atom-economic protocol for the synthesis of alkyl substituted indoles has been developed. The reaction could proceed under mild conditions and afford a series of desired products in good to excellent yields.
Mechanism-Guided Discovery of an Esterase Scaffold with Promiscuous Amidase Activity
Authors: Kürten Charlotte , Carlberg Bengt , Syrén Per-Olof
Published: June 2016

The discovery and generation of biocatalysts with extended catalytic versatilities are of immense relevance in both chemistry and biotechnology. An enhanced atomistic understanding of enzyme promiscuity, a mechanism through which living systems acquire novel catalytic functions and specificities by evolution, would thus be of central interest. Using esterase-catalyzed amide bond hydrolysis as a model system, we pursued a simplistic in silico discovery program aiming for the identification of enzymes with an internal backbone hydrogen bond acceptor that could act as a reaction specificity shifter in hydrolytic enzymes. Focusing on stabilization of the rate limiting transition state of nitrogen inversion, our mechanism-guided approach predicted that the acyl hydrolase patatin of the α/β phospholipase fold would display reaction promiscuity. Experimental analysis confirmed previously unknown high amidase over esterase activity displayed by the first described esterase machinery with a protein backbone hydrogen bond acceptor to the reacting NH-group of amides. The present work highlights the importance of a fundamental understanding of enzymatic reactions and its potential for predicting enzyme scaffolds displaying alternative chemistries amenable to further evolution by enzyme engineering.
DNA-Based Identification and Chemical Characteristics of Hypnea musciformis from Coastal Sites in Ghana
Authors: Ale Marcel , Barrett Kristian , Addico Gloria , Rhein-Knudsen Nanna , DeGraft-Johnson Amoako , Meyer Anne
Published: June 2016

This work reveals new, important insights about the influence of broad spatial variations on the phylogenetic relationship and chemical characteristics of Ghanaian Hypnea musciformis—a carrageenan-containing red seaweed. DNA barcoding techniques alleviate the difficulty for accurate morphological identification. COI barcode sequences of the Ghanaian H. musciformis showed <0.7% intraspecies divergence, indicating no distinct phylogenetic variation, suggesting that they actually belong to the same species. Thus, the spatial distribution of the sampling sites along the coast of Ghana did not influence the phylogenetic characteristics of H. musciformis in the region. The data also showed that the Ghanaian Hypnea sp. examined in this work should be regarded as the same species as the H. musciformis collected in Brazilian Sao Paulo (KP725276) with only 0.8%–1.3% intraspecies divergence. However, the comparison of COI sequences of Ghanaian H. musciformis with the available COI sequence of H. musciformis from other countries showed intraspecies divergences of 0%–6.9% indicating that the COI sequences for H. musciformis in the GenBank may include different subspecies. Although samples did not differ phylogenetically, the chemical characteristics of the H. musciformis differed significantly between different sampling locations in Ghana. The levels of the monosaccharides, notably galactose (20%–30% dw) and glucose (10%–18% dw), as well as the seawater inorganic salt concentration (21–32 mg/L) and ash content (19%–33% dw), varied between H. musciformis collected at different coastal locations in Ghana. The current work demonstrated that DNA-based identification allowed a detailed understanding of H. musciformis phylogenetic characteristics and revealed that chemical compositional differences of H. musciformis occur along the Ghanaian coast which are not coupled with genetic variations among those samples.
Investigating Aging-Related Changes in the Coordination of Agonist and Antagonist Muscles Using Fuzzy Entropy and Mutual Information
Authors: Sun Wenbo , Liang Jingtao , Yang Yuan , Wu Yuanyu , Yan Tiebin , Song Rong
Published: June 2016

Aging alters muscular coordination patterns. This study aimed to investigate aging-related changes in the coordination of agonist and antagonist muscles from two aspects, the activities of individual muscles and the inter-muscular coupling. Eighteen young subjects and 10 elderly subjects were recruited to modulate the agonist muscle activity to track a target during voluntary isometric elbow flexion and extension. Normalized muscle activation and fuzzy entropy (FuzzyEn) were applied to depict the activities of biceps and triceps. Mutual information (MI) was utilized to measure the inter-muscular coupling between biceps and triceps. The agonist activation decreased and the antagonist activation increased significantly during elbow flexion and extension with aging. FuzzyEn values of agonist electromyogram (EMG) were similar between the two age groups. FuzzyEn values of antagonist EMG increased significantly with aging during elbow extension. MI decreased significantly with aging during elbow extension. These results indicated increased antagonist co-activation and decreased inter-muscular coupling with aging during elbow extension, which might result from the reduced reciprocal inhibition and the recruitment of additional cortical-spinal pathways connected to biceps. Based on FuzzyEn and MI, this study provided a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying the aging-related changes in the coordination of agonist and antagonist muscles.
Lifetime-Aware Cloud Data Centers: Models and Performance Evaluation
Authors: Chiaraviglio Luca , Cianfrani Antonio , Listanti Marco , Liu William , Polverini Marco
Published: June 2016

We present a model to evaluate the server lifetime in cloud data centers (DCs). In particular, when the server power level is decreased, the failure rate tends to be reduced as a consequence of the limited number of components powered on. However, the variation between the different power states triggers a failure rate increase. We therefore consider these two effects in a server lifetime model, subject to an energy-aware management policy. We then evaluate our model in a realistic case study. Our results show that the impact on the server lifetime is far from negligible. As a consequence, we argue that a lifetime-aware approach should be pursued to decide how and when to apply a power state change to a server.
A Natural Analogy to the Diffusion of Energy-Efficient Technologies
Authors: Moya José
Published: June 2016

A new mathematical approach to the diffusion of energy-efficient technologies is presented using the diffusion of natural processes as an analogy. This approach is applied to the diffusion of the electric arc furnace in Japan. The main advantage offered by the new approach is the incorporation of an average effect of barriers to, and support measures for, innovation. This approach also incorporates some of the parameters influencing the cost-effectiveness of the investment in the new technology as the main driver for adopting the innovation. The straightforward equivalence between natural phenomena and the diffusion of innovation requires the conceptual abstraction of setting a dimension (and defining) the medium in which the diffusion takes place. This new approach opens new research paths to analysing under what circumstances innovations can take-off, the effect of barriers in the diffusion of energy efficient technologies, or how the diffusion process is incorporated in energy-system models.
Influence of Starvation on the Structure of Gut-Associated Bacterial Communities in the Chinese White Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus armandi)
Authors: Hu Xia , Li Ming , Zhang Feiping , Chen Hui
Published: June 2016

This study investigated the influence of starvation on the structure of the gut bacterial community in the Chinese white pine beetle (Dendroctonus armandi). A total of 14 operational taxonomic units (OTUs0.03) clusters belonging to nine genera were identified. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles of bacterial PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments from the guts of starved male and female adults revealed that the bacterial community diversity increased after starvation. The dominant genus Citrobacter decreased significantly, whereas the genus Serratia increased in both starved female and starved male adults. The most predominant bacterial genus in D. armandi adults was Citrobacter, except for starved male adults, in which Serratia was the most abundant genus (27%). Our findings reveal that starvation affects gut bacterial dynamics in D. armandi, as has been observed in other insect species.
“I Felt Like My Life Had Been Given to Me to Start Over”: Alice Kaplan’s Language Memoir, French Lessons
Authors: Rao Eleonora
Published: June 2016

Alice Kaplan’s memoir French Lessons (1993) is a story that deals as much with the issue of language learning as with that of cultural belonging(s). This “language memoir,” as it is typical of this sub-genre, is an intimate tale of the transition between languages and cultures. French Lessons recounts her evolving relationship with French language and culture in various phases of her life: starting from childhood, continuing through her graduate student years at Yale and finally as professor of French at Duke. Soon, however, in this unconventional Bildung, the second language turns out to be a verbal safe-house, an instant refuge when her first language and culture happen to be too uncomfortable. Ultimately, French provides a psychic space and a hiding place. Ultimately, however, as Derrida has shown, we are alienated from both the first and the second; we find ourselves to be more comfortable in one than in the other. This essay will analyze such processes with special attention to the part played by the body in Kaplan’s building as a student and eventually as a teacher. The analysis will be linked with the text’s peculiar narrative style: fast-paced, with simple, concise sentences, nevertheless extremely effective and moving.
Generalized Confidence Intervals and Fiducial Intervals for Some Epidemiological Measures
Authors: Bebu Ionut , Luta George , Mathew Thomas , Agan Brian
Published: June 2016

For binary outcome data from epidemiological studies, this article investigates the interval estimation of several measures of interest in the absence or presence of categorical covariates. When covariates are present, the logistic regression model as well as the log-binomial model are investigated. The measures considered include the common odds ratio (OR) from several studies, the number needed to treat (NNT), and the prevalence ratio. For each parameter, confidence intervals are constructed using the concepts of generalized pivotal quantities and fiducial quantities. Numerical results show that the confidence intervals so obtained exhibit satisfactory performance in terms of maintaining the coverage probabilities even when the sample sizes are not large. An appealing feature of the proposed solutions is that they are not based on maximization of the likelihood, and hence are free from convergence issues associated with the numerical calculation of the maximum likelihood estimators, especially in the context of the log-binomial model. The results are illustrated with a number of examples. The overall conclusion is that the proposed methodologies based on generalized pivotal quantities and fiducial quantities provide an accurate and unified approach for the interval estimation of the various epidemiological measures in the context of binary outcome data with or without covariates.
Evaluating Leaf and Canopy Reflectance of Stressed Rice Plants to Monitor Arsenic Contamination
Authors: Bandaru Varaprasad , Daughtry Craig , Codling Eton , Hansen David , White-Hansen Susan , Green Carrie
Published: June 2016

Arsenic contamination is a serious problem in rice cultivated soils of many developing countries. Hence, it is critical to monitor and control arsenic uptake in rice plants to avoid adverse effects on human health. This study evaluated the feasibility of using reflectance spectroscopy to monitor arsenic in rice plants. Four arsenic levels were induced in hydroponically grown rice plants with application of 0, 5, 10 and 20 µmol·L−1 sodium arsenate. Reflectance spectra of upper fully expanded leaves were acquired over visible and infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Additionally, canopy reflectance for the four arsenic levels was simulated using SAIL (Scattering by Arbitrarily Inclined Leaves) model for various soil moisture conditions and leaf area indices (LAI). Further, sensitivity of various vegetative indices (VIs) to arsenic levels was assessed. Results suggest that plants accumulate high arsenic amounts causing plant stress and changes in reflectance characteristics. All leaf spectra based VIs related strongly with arsenic with coefficient of determination (r2) greater than 0.6 while at canopy scale, background reflectance and LAI confounded with spectral signals of arsenic affecting the VIs’ performance. Among studied VIs, combined index, transformed chlorophyll absorption reflectance index (TCARI)/optimized soil adjusted vegetation index (OSAVI) exhibited higher sensitivity to arsenic levels and better resistance to soil backgrounds and LAI followed by red edge based VIs (modified chlorophyll absorption reflectance index (MCARI) and TCARI) suggesting that these VIs could prove to be valuable aids for monitoring arsenic in rice fields.
Heading Estimation with Real-time Compensation Based on Kalman Filter Algorithm for an Indoor Positioning System
Authors: Li Xin , Wang Jian , Liu Chunyan
Published: June 2016

The problem of heading drift error using only low cost Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEMS) Inertial-Measurement-Unit (IMU) has not been well solved. In this paper, a heading estimation method with real-time compensation based on Kalman filter has been proposed, abbreviated as KHD. For the KHD method, a unified heading error model is established for various predictable errors in magnetic compass for pedestrian navigation, and an effective method for solving the model parameters is proposed in the indoor environment with regular structure. In addition, error model parameters are solved by Kalman filtering algorithm with building geometry information in order to achieve real-time heading compensation. The experimental results show that the KHD method can not only effectively correct the original heading information, but also effectively inhibit the accumulation effect of positioning errors. The performance observed in a field experiment performed on the fourth floor of the School of Environmental Science and Spatial Informatics (SESSI) building on the China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) campus confirms that apply KHD method to PDR(Pedestrian Dead Reckoning) algorithm can reliably achieve meter-level positioning using a low cost MEMS IMU only.
Benzbromarone, Quercetin, and Folic Acid Inhibit Amylin Aggregation
Authors: López Laura , Varea Olga , Navarro Susanna , Carrodeguas José , Sanchez de Groot Natalia , Ventura Salvador , Sancho Javier
Published: June 2016

Human Amylin, or islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), is a small hormone secreted by pancreatic β-cells that forms aggregates under insulin deficiency metabolic conditions, and it constitutes a pathological hallmark of type II diabetes mellitus. In type II diabetes patients, amylin is abnormally increased, self-assembled into amyloid aggregates, and ultimately contributes to the apoptotic death of β-cells by mechanisms that are not completely understood. We have screened a library of approved drugs in order to identify inhibitors of amylin aggregation that could be used as tools to investigate the role of amylin aggregation in type II diabetes or as therapeutics in order to reduce β-cell damage. Interestingly, three of the compounds analyzed—benzbromarone, quercetin, and folic acid—are able to slow down amylin fiber formation according to Thioflavin T binding, turbidimetry, and Transmission Electron Microscopy assays. In addition to the in vitro assays, we have tested the effect of these compounds in an amyloid toxicity cell culture model and we have found that one of them, quercetin, has the ability to partly protect cultured pancreatic insulinoma cells from the cytotoxic effect of amylin. Our data suggests that quercetin can contribute to reduce oxidative damage in pancreatic insulinoma β cells by modulating the aggregation propensity of amylin.
Antibacterial Activity of Juglone against Staphylococcus aureus: From Apparent to Proteomic
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Cheng Yuhuan , Wu Rina , Jiang Donghua , Bai Bing , Tan Dehong , Yan Tingcai , Sun Xiyun , Zhang Qi , Wu Zhaoxia
Published: June 2016

The proportion of foodborne disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms is rising worldwide, with staphylococcal food poisoning being one of the main causes of this increase. Juglone is a plant-derived 1,4-naphthoquinone with confirmed antibacterial and antitumor activities. However, the specific mechanism underlying its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus remains unclear. To elucidate the mechanism underlying its antibacterial activity, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation methods of quantitative proteomics were applied for analysis of the 53 proteins that were differentially expressed after treatment with juglone. Combined with verification experiments, such as detection of changes in DNA and RNA content and quantification of oxidative damage, our results suggested that juglone effectively increased the protein expression of oxidoreductase and created a peroxidative environment within the cell, significantly reducing cell wall formation and increasing membrane permeability. We hypothesize that juglone binds to DNA and reduces DNA transcription and replication directly. This is the first study to adopt a proteomic approach to investigate the antibacterial mechanism of juglone.
Enhancement of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin Using Phosphatidylserine-Containing Nanoparticles in Cultured Macrophages
Authors: Wang Ji , Kang Yu-Xia , Pan Wen , Lei Wan , Feng Bin , Wang Xiao-Juan
Published: June 2016

Macrophages are one kind of innate immune cells, and produce a variety of inflammatory cytokines in response to various stimuli, such as oxidized low density lipoprotein found in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, the effect of phosphatidylserine on anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers was investigated using macrophage cultures. Different amounts of phosphatidylserine were used in the preparation of curcumin nanoparticles, their physicochemical properties and biocompatibilities were then compared. Cellular uptake of the nanoparticles was investigated using a confocal laser scanning microscope and flow cytometry analysis in order to determine the optimal phosphatidylserine concentration. In vitro anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated in macrophages to test whether curcumin and phosphatidylserine have interactive effects on macrophage lipid uptake behavior and anti-inflammatory responses. Here, we showed that macrophage uptake of phosphatidylserine-containing nanostructured lipid carriers increased with increasing amount of phosphatidylserine in the range of 0%–8%, and decreased when the phosphatidylserine molar ratio reached over 12%. curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and pro-inflammatory factor production in cultured macrophages, and evidently promoted release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, when compared with curcumin or phosphatidylserine alone. These results suggest that the delivery system using PS-based nanoparticles has great potential for efficient delivery of drugs such as curcumin, specifically targeting macrophages and modulation of their anti-inflammatory functions.
Differential Apoptosis Radiosensitivity of Neural Progenitors in Adult Mouse Hippocampus
Authors: Li Yu-Qing , Cheng Zoey , Wong Shun
Published: June 2016

Mammalian tissue-specific stem cells and progenitors demonstrate differential DNA damage response. Neural progenitors in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus are known to undergo apoptosis after irradiation. Using a mouse model of hippocampal neuronal development, we characterized the apoptosis sensitivity of the different neural progenitor subpopulations in adult mouse dentate gyrus after irradiation. Two different bromodeoxyuridine incorporation paradigms were used for cell fate mapping. We identified two apoptosis sensitive neural progenitor subpopulations after irradiation. The first represented non-proliferative and non-newborn neuroblasts and immature neurons that expressed doublecortin, calretinin or both. The second consisted of proliferative intermediate neural progenitors. The putative radial glia-like neural stem cells or type-1 cells, regardless of proliferation status, were apoptosis resistant after irradiation. There was no evidence of radiation-induced apoptosis in the absence of the Trp53 (p53) gene but absence of Cdkn1a (p21) did not alter the apoptotic response. Upregulation of nuclear p53 was observed in neuroblasts after irradiation. We conclude that adult hippocampal neural progenitors may demonstrate differential p53-dependent apoptosis sensitivity after irradiation.
New Insights into Mechanisms and Functions of Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) Receptor 4 Heteromerization in Vascular Smooth Muscle
Authors: Evans Ann , Tripathi Abhishek , LaPorte Heather , Brueggemann Lioubov , Singh Abhay , Albee Lauren , Byron Kenneth , Tarasova Nadya , Volkman Brian , Cho Thomas , Gaponenko Vadim , Majetschak Matthias
Published: June 2016

Recent evidence suggests that C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) heteromerizes with α1A/B-adrenoceptors (AR) and atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) and that CXCR4:α1A/B-AR heteromers are important for α1-AR function in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Structural determinants for CXCR4 heteromerization and functional consequences of CXCR4:α1A/B-AR heteromerization in intact arteries, however, remain unknown. Utilizing proximity ligation assays (PLA) to visualize receptor interactions in VSMC, we show that peptide analogs of transmembrane-domain (TM) 2 and TM4 of CXCR4 selectively reduce PLA signals for CXCR4:α1A-AR and CXCR4:ACKR3 interactions, respectively. While both peptides inhibit CXCL12-induced chemotaxis, only the TM2 peptide inhibits phenylephrine-induced Ca2+-fluxes, contraction of VSMC and reduces efficacy of phenylephrine to constrict isolated arteries. In a Cre-loxP mouse model to delete CXCR4 in VSMC, we observed 60% knockdown of CXCR4. PLA signals for CXCR4:α1A/B-AR and CXCR4:ACKR3 interactions in VSMC, however, remained constant. Our observations point towards TM2/4 of CXCR4 as possible contact sites for heteromerization and suggest that TM-derived peptide analogs permit selective targeting of CXCR4 heteromers. A molecular dynamics simulation of a receptor complex in which the CXCR4 homodimer interacts with α1A-AR via TM2 and with ACKR3 via TM4 is presented. Our findings further imply that CXCR4:α1A-AR heteromers are important for intrinsic α1-AR function in intact arteries and provide initial and unexpected insights into the regulation of CXCR4 heteromerization in VSMC.
Role of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling in Renal Fibrosis
Authors: Liu Feng , Zhuang Shougang
Published: June 2016

Renal fibrosis can be induced in different renal diseases, but ultimately progresses to end stage renal disease. Although the pathophysiologic process of renal fibrosis have not been fully elucidated, it is characterized by glomerulosclerosis and/or tubular interstitial fibrosis, and is believed to be caused by the proliferation of renal inherent cells, including glomerular epithelial cells, mesangial cells, and endothelial cells, along with defective kidney repair, renal interstitial fibroblasts activation, and extracellular matrix deposition. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulate a variety of cell physiological processes, including metabolism, growth, differentiation, and survival. Many studies from in vitro and animal models have provided evidence that RTKs play important roles in the pathogenic process of renal fibrosis. It is also showed that tyrosine kinases inhibitors (TKIs) have anti-fibrotic effects in basic research and clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the evidence for involvement of specific RTKs in renal fibrosis process and the employment of TKIs as a therapeutic approach for renal fibrosis.
Choosing a Model for eConsult Specialist Remuneration: Factors to Consider
Authors: Liddy Clare , Deri Armstrong Catherine , McKellips Fanny , Drosinis Paul , Afkham Amir , Keely Erin
Published: June 2016

Electronic consultation (eConsult) is an innovative solution that allows specialists and primary care providers to communicate electronically, improving access to specialist care. Understanding the cost implications of different remuneration models available to pay specialists is of critical importance as adoption of these services continues to increase. We used data collected through the Champlain BASE (Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation) eConsult service to simulate the cost implications of different remuneration models in Canada. The prorated hourly rate model averaged $45.72 CAD (Canadian Dollar) per eConsult while the prorated hourly rate with incentive averaged $51.90 CAD per eConsult, and the fee for service cost $60.50 CAD per eConsult. Paying all specialty groups to block three hours per week for eConsults averaged $337.44 CAD per eConsult and paying for 1-h blocks averaged $133.41 CAD per eConsult. As the remuneration of specialists is the largest cost driver of an established eConsult service, our findings can inform policymakers considering the implementation of eConsult or wishing to further develop an existing service.
Monoanionic Tin Oligomers Featuring Sn–Sn or Sn–Pb Bonds: Synthesis and Characterization of a Tris(Triheteroarylstannyl)Stannate and -Plumbate
Authors: Zeckert Kornelia
Published: June 2016

The reaction of the lithium tris(2-pyridyl)stannate [LiSn(2-py6OtBu)3] (py6OtBu = C5H3N-6-OtBu), 1, with the element(II) amides E{N(SiMe3)2}2 (E = Sn, Pb) afforded complexes [LiE{Sn(2-py6OtBu)3}3] for E = Sn (2) and E = Pb (3), which reveal three Sn–E bonds each. Compounds 2 and 3 have been characterized by solution NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic studies. Large 1J(119Sn–119/117Sn) as well as 1J(207Pb–119/117Sn) coupling constants confirm their structural integrity in solution. However, contrary to 2, complex 3 slowly disintegrates in solution to give elemental lead and the hexaheteroarylditin [Sn(2-py6OtBu)3]2 (4).
RETRACTED: Sun et al. Porosity Defect Remodeling and Tensile Analysis of Cast Steel. Materials 2016, 9, 119
Authors:   Materials Editorial Office
Published: June 2016

We have been made aware that the figures and experimental data of this article [...]
Processing, Mechanical and Optical Properties of Additive-Free ZrC Ceramics Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Musa Clara , Licheri Roberta , Orrù Roberto , Cao Giacomo , Sciti Diletta , Silvestroni Laura , Zoli Luca , Balbo Andrea , Mercatelli Luca , Meucci Marco , Sani Elisa
Published: June 2016

In the present study, nearly fully dense monolithic ZrC samples are produced and broadly characterized from microstructural, mechanical and optical points of view. Specifically, 98% dense products are obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) after 20 min dwell time at 1850 °C starting from powders preliminarily prepared by Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) followed by 20 min ball milling. A prolonged mechanical treatment up to 2 h of SHS powders does not lead to appreciable benefits. Vickers hardness of the resulting samples (17.5 ± 0.4 GPa) is reasonably good for monolithic ceramics, but the mechanical strength (about 250 MPa up to 1000 °C) could be further improved by suitable optimization of the starting powder characteristics. The very smoothly polished ZrC specimen subjected to optical measurements displays high absorption in the visible-near infrared region and low thermal emittance at longer wavelengths. Moreover, the sample exhibits goodspectral selectivity (2.1–2.4) in the 1000–1400 K temperature range. These preliminary results suggest that ZrC ceramics produced through the two-step SHS/SPS processing route can be considered as attractive reference materials for the development of innovative solar energy absorbers.