bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Tibetan medicineZuotaiinfluences clock gene expression in the liver of mice
Authors: Li Huan , Li Wen-Kai , Lu Yuan-Fu , Wei Li-Xin , Liu Jie
Published: January 2016

Background.The circadian clock is involved in drug metabolism, efficacy and toxicity. Drugs could in turn affect the biological clock as a mechanism of their actions. Zuotai is an essential component of many popular Tibetan medicines for sedation, tranquil and “detoxification,” and is mainly composed of metacinnabar (β-HgS). The pharmacological and/or toxicological basis of its action is unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of Zuotai on biological clock gene expression in the liver of mice.Materials and methods.Mice were orally given Zuotai (10 mg/kg, 1.5-fold of clinical dose) daily for 7 days, and livers were collected every 4 h during the 24 h period. Total RNA was extracted and subjected to real-time RT-PCR analysis of circadian clock gene expression.Results.Zuotai decreased the oscillation amplitude of the clock core gene Clock, neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (Npas2), Brain and muscle Arnt-like protein-1 (Bmal1) at 10:00. For the clock feedback negative control genes, Zuotai had no effect on the oscillation of the clock gene Cryptochrome (Cry1) and Period genes (Per1–3). For the clock-driven target genes, Zuotai increased the oscillation amplitude of the PAR-bZip family member D-box-binding protein (Dbp), decreased nuclear factor interleukin 3 (Nfil3) at 10:00, but had no effect on thyrotroph embryonic factor (Tef); Zuotai increased the expression of nuclear receptor Rev-Erbα (Nr1d1) at 18:00, but had little influence on the nuclear receptor Rev-Erbβ (Nr1d2) and RORα.Conclusion.The Tibetan medicine Zuotai could influence the expression of clock genes, which could contribute to pharmacological and/or toxicological effects of Zuotai.
Usefulness of Mesoporous Silica as a Template for the Preparation of Bundles of Bi Nanowires with Precisely Controlled Diameter Below 10 nm
Authors: Kitahara Masaki , Kamila Hasbuna , Shimojima Atsushi , Wada Hiroaki , Mori Takao , Terasaki Ichiro , Kuroda Kazuyuki
Published: January 2016

The reduction of the diameter of Bi nanowires below 10 nm has been an important target because of the theoretical prediction with regard to significant enhancement in thermoelectric performance by size reduction. In this study, we have demonstrated the usefulness of mesoporous silica with tunable pore size as a template for the preparation of thin Bi nanowires with diameters below 10 nm. Bi was deposited within the templates through a liquid phase deposition using hexane and 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxane as a solvent and reducing agent, respectively. Bundles of thin Bi nanowires with non‐crystalline frameworks were successfully obtained after the template removal. The diameter was precisely controlled between about 6 nm and 9 nm. The judicious choices of mesoporous silica and deposition conditions are critical for the successful preparation. The reliable formation of such thin Bi nanowires reported here opens up exciting new possibilities.
Limits of application of initiated chemiluminescence in monitoring of oncological process of mucous membrane of mouth and larynx
Authors: Oliynyk Iryna
Published: January 2016

Investigation into the limits of application of chemiluminescence (CL) methods in oncology still attracts the attention of researchers. In the present work we analyze the screening and monitoring of oncological processes (OP) in the mucous membrane of the mouth and larynx by initiated CL (ICL). Chemiluminescence has already been used by stomatologists to define the start of OP, but methods that reflect the metabolic changes in organism under cancer diagnostics still have not found their place. This work presents results of ICL on blood serum (BS) of patients with oncological diseases at different stages of medical treatment compared with those of healthy people. We found an essential metabolic difference only in types of OP that are characterized by two maxima on chemiluminograms. These OP represent only 12.81% of groups of patients with oncological diseases. The possibility to apply ICL methods to monitor operation quality and control medical treatment at different stages when the two ICL maxima are present is established. At present, the chemiluminograms with the two maxima are mostly informative, but this does not exclude the quantitative analysis of other ICL kinetic methods and is encouraging for their investigation. Any OP introduces changes in organism function and these should be reflected in the ICL. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation of Hexadecyl‐LPA‐Mediated Activation of Mast Cells and Microglia by a Chemical Probe for LPA5
Authors: Kozian Detlef H. , von Haeften Elisabeth , Joho Sabrina , Czechtizky Werngard , Anumala Upendra R. , Roux Pascale , Dudda Angela , Evers Andreas , Nazare Marc
Published: January 2016

Mast cells and microglia play a critical role in innate immunity and inflammation and can be activated by a wide range of endogenous and exogenous stimuli. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has recently been reported to activate mast cells and microglia. Using the human mast cell line HMC‐1 and the mouse microglia cell line BV‐2, we show that LPA‐mediated activation can be prevented by blockade of the LPA receptor 5 (LPA5) in both cell lines. The identification of new LPA5‐specific antagonists as tool compounds to probe and modulate the LPA5/LPA axis in relevant in vitro and in vivo assays should contribute to better understanding of the underlying role of LPAs in the development and progression of (neuro‐) inflammatory diseases.
Reverse knowledge transfer from subsidiaries to multinational companies: Focusing on factors affecting market knowledge transfer
Authors: Jeong Gap‐Yeon , Chae Myung‐Su , Park Byung Il
Published: January 2016

Despite increasing research on reverse knowledge transfer (RKT) from subsidiaries to headquarters (HQs), there is no academic consensus on the primary determinants influencing RKT. By incorporating four different facets (i.e., absorption, sharing, implanting, and application of market knowledge) of the phenomenon, we draw new insights into RKT. Through empirically testing the phenomenon in the Korean context, we reveal that market knowledge absorption by subsidiaries is a critical component that influences the knowledge integration mechanisms (KIMs) within MNC networks. Furthermore, KIMs within MNC networks are primary keys for absorptive capacity (AC) of HQs and knowledge relevance between HQs and subsidiaries. Our results extend our understanding of RKT, while also offering useful implications for MNCs that intend to establish subsidiaries in foreign markets. Copyright © 2016 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probing the Crystal Structure, Composition‐Dependent Absolute Energy Levels, and Electrocatalytic Properties of Silver Indium Sulfide Nanostructures
Authors: Saji Pintu , Ganguli Ashok K. , Bhat Mohsin A. , Ingole Pravin P.
Published: January 2016

The absolute electronic energy levels in silver indium sulfide (AIS) nanocrystals (NCs) with varying compositions and crystallographic phases have been determined by using cyclic voltammetry. Different crystallographic phases, that is, metastable cubic, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and a mixture of cubic and orthorhombic AIS NCs, were studied. The band gap values estimated from the cyclic voltammetry measurements match well with the band gap values calculated from the diffuse reflectance spectra measurements. The AIS nanostructures were found to show good electrocatalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Our results clearly establish that the electronic and electrocatalytic properties of AIS NCs are strongly sensitive to the composition and crystal structure of AIS NCs. Monoclinic AIS was found to be the most active HER electrocatalyst, with electrocatalytic activity that is almost comparable to the MoS2‐based nanostructures reported in the literature, whereas cubic AIS was observed to be the least active of the studied crystallographic phases and compositions. In view of the HER activity and electronic band structure parameters observed herein, we hypothesize that the Fermi energy level of AIS NCs is an important factor that decides the electrocatalytic efficiency of these nanocomposites. The work presented herein, in addition to being the first of its kind regarding the composition and phase‐dependence of electrochemical aspects of AIS NCs, also presents a simple solvothermal method for the synthesis of different crystallographic phases with various Ag/In molar ratios.
Diphenidine, a new psychoactive substance: metabolic fate elucidated with rat urine and human liver preparations and detectability in urine using GC‐MS, LC‐MSn, and LC‐HR‐MSn
Authors: Wink Carina S. D. , Michely Julian A. , Jacobsen‐Bauer Andrea , Zapp Josef , Maurer Hans H.
Published: January 2016

Diphenidine is a new psychoactive substance (NPS) sold as a ‘legal high’ since 2013. Case reports from Sweden and Japan demonstrate its current use and the necessity of applying analytical procedures in clinical and forensic toxicology. Therefore, the phase I and II metabolites of diphenidine should be identified and based on these results, the detectability using standard urine screening approaches (SUSAs) be elucidated. Urine samples were collected after administration of diphenidine to rats and analyzed using different sample workup procedures with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and liquid chromatography‐(high resolution)‐mass spectrometry (LC‐(HR)‐MS). With the same approaches incubates of diphenidine with pooled human liver microsomes (pHLM) and cytosol (pHLC) were analyzed. According to the identified metabolites, the following biotransformation steps were proposed in rats: mono‐ and bis‐hydroxylation at different positions, partly followed by dehydrogenation, N,N‐bis‐dealkylation, and combinations of them followed by glucuronidation and/or methylation of one of the bis‐hydroxy‐aryl groups. Mono‐ and bis‐hydroxylation followed by dehydrogenation could also be detected in pHLM or pHLC. Cytochrome‐P450 (CYP) isozymes CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 were all capable of forming the three initial metabolites, namely hydroxy‐aryl, hydroxy‐piperidine, and bis‐hydroxy‐piperidine. In incubations with CYP2D6 hydroxy‐aryl and hydroxy‐piperidine metabolites were detected. After application of a common users’ dose, diphenidine metabolites could be detected in rat urine by the authors’ GC‐MS as well as LC‐MSn SUSA. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxysulfonylation of Alkenes with Sulfonyl Hydrazides under Transition‐Metal‐Free Conditions
Authors: Liu Congrong , Ding Lianghui , Guo Guang , Liu Weiwei
Published: January 2016

A novel method to synthesise β‐keto sulfones is demonstrated by Brønsted acid promoted oxysulfonylation of alkenes with sulfonyl hydrazides under transition‐metal‐free conditions. The reaction selectively affords structurally diverse β‐keto sulfones in good to excellent yields in a 9:1 mixture of acetonitrile/water.
Experimental evaluation of a glass curtain wall of a tall building
Authors: Lu Wensheng , Huang Baofeng , Mosalam Khalid M. , Chen Shiming
Published: January 2016

The seismic demand parameters including the floor acceleration amplification (FAA) factors and the interstory drift ratios (IDRs) were acquired from the floor response in time history analysis of a tall building subjected to selected ground motions. The FAA factors determined in this way are larger than those given in most current code provisions, but the obtained IDRs are close to the values given in some code provisions. Imposing a series of in‐plane pre‐deformations to two glass curtain wall (CW) specimens mounted on a shaking table, the IDRs were reproduced and the FAA factors were satisfied through applications of computed floor spectra compatible motion time histories, whose peak accelerations corresponded to the FAA factors. The CW specimens performed well during the whole experimental program with almost no change in the fundamental frequencies. No visible damage was observed in the glass panels. The maximum stresses detected in each component of the CW system were smaller than the design strengths. The obtained component acceleration amplification factor approached 3.35, which is larger than the value given in the current code provisions. In conclusion, the performance of the studied CW system is seismically safe. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthetic Applications of Carbohydrate‐derived Donor‐Acceptor Cyclopropanes
Authors: Ganesh Venkataraman , Sridhar Perali Ramu , Chandrasekaran Srinivasan
Published: January 2016

In this account, we elaborate our group's contribution towards understanding the chemistry of carbohydrate‐derived donor‐acceptor (DA) cyclopropanes. Our work was mainly focused on the ring opening of these versatile chiral synthons under the influence of Lewis acid promoters like electrophilic halogen species, TMSOTf, BF3.OEt2, etc. We studied various modes of ring opening on these DA cyclopropanes, envisaging the access to intriguing molecular architectures. These modes of reaction of the DA cyclopropanes can be controlled by strategically introducing an electron‐withdrawing group (EWG) onto the cyclopropane ring, which could direct the ring cleavage by polarizing the cyclopropane C−C bond. Our studies also revealed that the ring opening is sluggish in the absence of an EWG. Using this concept, we demonstrated the synthesis of various biologically interesting molecular skeletons, viz., glycoamino acids (GAA), GAA nucleotides, α‐levoglucosan amino acid, and septano‐oligosaccharides, with high selectivity. We also applied our understanding to the first stereoselective synthesis of (S)‐(−)‐longianone and confirmed its absolute configuration. Apart from the inherently activated DA cyclopropanes, we introduced the in situ generation of DA cyclopropanes, starting from vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs). The ring‐opening and ring‐expansion chemistry of these easily accessible synthons was studied. The chemistry developed for carbohydrate‐fused cyclopropanes was also applied for carbohydrate‐derived spiro‐cyclopropanes. The Lewis‐acid‐mediated ring opening of spiro‐DA‐cyclopropanes enabled easy access to fused furopyrans and spirolactones.
Iron Oxide Supported on Al2O3 Catalyst for Methane Decomposition Reaction: Effect of MgO Additive and Calcination Temperature
Authors: Al‐Fatesh Ahmed S. , Fakeeha Anis H. , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Khan Wasim U. , Atia H. , Eckelt R. , Chowdhury Biswajit
Published: January 2016

Production of hydrogen is a challenging task and have significant impact in the recent scenario. The alumina supported iron oxide nanoparticle synthesized using non‐ionic surfactant Triton‐X was found very effective for steady production of hydrogen through methane decomposition reaction. The high surface area, easily reducible catalyst calcined at 500 °C and 800 °C temperature showed steady activity towards methane decomposition reaction. At a higher reaction temperature there was catalyst deactivation. The doping of MgO facilitated particle growth rendering the poor catalytic activity. The TPR study showed that reducibility of TPR was difficult in presence of MgO additive. The formation of FeMgAl solid solution confirmed by XRD study was found mainly responsible for the lower catalytic activity. The bamboo‐shaped carbon nanotube formed from 20 % Fe/Al2O3 catalyst which is mainly because of the poor wetting property of quasi‐liquid metal and carbon nanotube.
Variability and trends of downward surface global solar radiation over the Iberian Peninsula based on ERA‐40 reanalysis
Authors: Perdigão João Carlos , Salgado Rui , Costa Maria João , Dasari Hari Prasad , Sanchez‐Lorenzo Arturo
Published: January 2016

A climate study of the incidence of downward surface global solar radiation (SSRD) in the Iberian Peninsula (IP) based primarily on ERA‐40 reanalysis is presented. NCEP/NCAR reanalysis and ground‐based records from several Portuguese and Spanish stations have been also considered. The results show that reanalysis can capture a similar inter‐annual variability as compared to ground‐based observations, especially on a monthly basis, even though annual ERA‐40 (NCEP/NCAR) values tend to underestimate (overestimate) the observations with a mean relative difference of around 20 W m–2 (40 W m–2). On the other hand, ground‐based measurements in Portuguese stations during the period 1964–1989 show a tendency to decrease until the mid‐1970s followed by an increase up to the end of the study period, in line with the dimming/brightening phenomenon reported in the literature. Nevertheless, there are different temporal behaviours as a greater increase since the 1970s is observed in the south and less industrialized regions. Similarly, the ERA‐40 reanalysis shows a noticeable decrease until the early 1970s followed by a slight increase up to the end of the 1990s, suggesting a dimming/brightening transition around the early 1970s, earlier in the south and centre and later in the north of the IP. Although there are slight differences in the magnitude of the trends as well as the turning year of the dimming/brightening periods, the decadal changes of ERA‐40 fairly agree with the ground‐based observations in Portugal and Spain, in contrast to most of the literature for other regions of the world, and is used in the climatology of the SSRD in the study area. NCEP/NCAR reanalysis does not capture the decadal variations of SSRD in the IP. The results show that part of the decadal variability of the global radiation in the IP is related to changes in cloud cover (represented in ERA‐40).
Projected changes in synoptic weather patterns over New Zealand examined through self‐organizing maps
Authors: Gibson Peter B. , Perkins‐Kirkpatrick Sarah E. , Renwick James A.
Published: January 2016

New insight is provided regarding 21st century projections of synoptic scale atmospheric circulation over the New Zealand region. Daily mean sea level pressure patterns from a number of general circulation models (GCMs) participating in the 5th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) were analysed through a self‐organizing map (SOM) technique. In terms of simulating the synoptic climatology found in reanalyses, an initial model evaluation revealed quite substantial differences in model skill. Generally, those models with relatively high horizontal atmospheric resolution skilfully simulated the historical frequency and mean lifetime of large scale synoptic patterns over this region. Analysing future projections under this smaller subset of better‐performing models indicated robust and quite substantial increases in the annual frequency of widespread anticyclonic conditions over New Zealand, accompanied by a general decrease in widespread low pressure. These projected changes in frequency of synoptic occurrences become the most pronounced towards the end of the 21st century and for winter, whereas changes in the average synoptic pattern lifetime remain small. While not robust for all models in this subset, significant 21st century trends in the intensification of geostrophic westerly flow conditions within certain synoptic patterns were also found. Linking synoptic patterns to surface climate variables has also provided evidence that these circulation changes may collectively manifest as a significant non‐uniform climatic change across New Zealand. These findings should encourage further focused studies on circulation‐relevant applications and impacts in a climate change context.
The updated effective radiative forcing of major anthropogenic aerosols and their effects on global climate at present and in the future
Authors: Zhang Hua , Zhao Shuyun , Wang Zhili , Zhang Xiaoye , Song Lianchun
Published: January 2016

The effective radiative forcing (ERF), as newly defined in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fifth Assessment Report (IPCC AR5), of three anthropogenic aerosols [sulphate (SF), black carbon (BC), and organic carbon (OC)] and their comprehensive climatic effects were simulated and discussed, using the updated aerosol‐climate online model of BCC_AGCM2.0.1_CUACE/Aero. From 1850 to 2010, the total ERF of these anthropogenic aerosols was −2.49 W m−2, of which the aerosol–radiation interactive ERF (ERFari) and aerosol–cloud interactive ERF (ERFaci) were ∼ −0.30 and −2.19 W m−2, respectively. SF was the largest contributor to the total ERF, with an ERF of −2.37 W m−2. The ERF of BC and OC were 0.12 and −0.31 W m−2, respectively. From 1850 to 2010, anthropogenic aerosols brought about a decrease of ∼2.53 K and ∼0.20 mm day−1 in global annual mean surface temperature and precipitation, respectively. Surface cooling was most obvious over mid‐ and high latitudes in the northern hemisphere (NH). Precipitation change was most pronounced near the equator, with decreased and increased rainfall to the north and south of the equator, respectively; this might be largely related to the enhanced Hadley Cell in the NH. Relative humidity near surface was increased, especially over land, due to surface cooling induced by anthropogenic aerosols. Cloud cover and water path were increased, especially in or near the source regions of anthropogenic aerosols. Experiments based on the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 given in IPCC AR5 shows the dramatic decrease in three anthropogenic aerosols in 2100 will lead to an increase of ∼2.06 K and 0.16 mm day−1 in global annual mean surface temperature and precipitation, respectively, compared with those in 2010.
Linear unconditional energy‐stable splitting schemes for a phase‐field model for nematic–isotropic flows with anchoring effects
Authors: Guillén‐González Francisco , Rodríguez‐Bellido María Ángeles , Tierra Giordano
Published: January 2016

Two‐phase flows composed of fluids exhibiting different microscopic structure are an important class of engineering materials. The dynamics of these flows are determined by the coupling among three different length scales: microscopic inside each component, mesoscopic interfacial morphology, and macroscopic hydrodynamics. Moreover, in the case of complex fluids composed by the mixture between isotropic (Newtonian fluid) and nematic (liquid crystal) flows, its interfaces exhibit novel dynamics due to anchoring effects of the liquid crystal molecules on the interface.

Firstly, we have introduced a new differential problem to model nematic–isotropic mixtures, taking into account viscous, mixing, nematic, and anchoring effects and reformulating the corresponding stress tensors in order to derive a dissipative energy law. Then, we provide two new linear unconditionally energy‐stable splitting schemes. Moreover, we present several numerical simulations in order to show the efficiency of the proposed numerical schemes and the influence of the different types of anchoring effects in the dynamics of the system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived social support and health‐related quality of life in AYA cancer survivors and controls
Authors: Tremolada Marta , Bonichini Sabrina , Basso Giuseppe , Pillon Marta
Published: January 2016

Background

This study compared education levels, health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and perceived social support of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors with those of a control group of peers with no history of serious illness. The links between socio‐demographic and medical factors and AYA cancer survivor outcomes were investigated.

Methods

The participants included AYA cancer survivors (n = 205) recruited during follow‐up visits, and AYA peers (n = 205) recruited from the secondary schools, youth groups and universities. All of the participants filled in self‐report questionnaires regarding HRQoL and perceived social support. In addition, medical and socio‐demographic information was collected.

Results

There were statistically significant differences between survivors and controls in terms of education level, HRQoL and perceived social support. Cancer survivors attended school for fewer years had a more positive perception of their health and a lower level of perceived social support provided by family, friends and significant others than controls. The results showed that female gender, the diagnosis of haematological disorder, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and a shorter off‐treatment period are risk variables for poorer HRQoL and social functioning in AYA cancer survivors.

Conclusions

Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors perceived a better quality of life than controls, especially those treated for haematological disorders or with a shorter off‐treatment period. Future studies should aim to understand better this positive self‐reported phenomenon, as well as investigating post‐traumatic growth using qualitative narratives. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does knowledge of diagnosis really affect rates of depression in cancer patients?
Authors: Kállay Éva , Pintea Sebastian , Dégi Csaba L.
Published: January 2016

Significant levels of distress usually accompany the entire cancer experience, affecting the patients' general functioning and adaptation to illness.

Objective

The major objective of the present study was to investigate potential demographic and intrapersonal moderators of the relationship between knowing the cancer diagnosis and the level of depression experienced.

Method

The present research has a transversal comparative repeated cross‐sectional design (2006–2014), sampling following the proportional quota method. Research was conducted in the four major oncological institutes in Romania, obtaining a national sample of cancer patients, maintaining gender and ethnic rates, and permitting the investigation of the stability of the results from one assessment to the other.

Results

Results indicate that in the Romanian context, knowing the diagnosis is associated with a lower level of depression than not knowing the diagnosis, the results being similar in both assessments (2006–2014). Furthermore, from the explored demographic factors (gender, residence, age, and education), only age has a main effect upon depression (depression increasing with age), while education is the only factor from those analyzed, which has a moderator effect. Regarding the analyzed intra‐individual variables, only dysfunctional attitudes, emotion‐focused coping, and lack of emotional support from the family (loneliness) have main effects upon the level of depression (i.e., higher levels of dysfunctional attitudes, emotion‐focused coping, and loneliness are associated with higher levels of depression), while neither of them has a moderator effect on the relationship between knowing the diagnosis and depression.

Conclusion

These results are important in the improvement of the doctor–patient relationship, the management of cancer‐related distress, and implicitly for the course of illness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demolition Mechanism and Behavior of Shaped Charge with Reactive Liner
Authors: Xiao Jianguang , Zhang Xuepeng , Wang Yongzhi , Xu Fengyue , Wang Haifu
Published: January 2016

The application of reactive materials on shaped charge liners has received much attention. Herein, the demolition mechanism and behavior of reactive materials based shaped charge liner are investigated by experiment, numerical simulation, and theoretical analysis. Three reactive shaped charge liners, composed of a mixture of Al/PTFE (26.5/73.5 wt‐%) powders, are fabricated by pressing and sintering. The damage effects of the multi‐layered target against reactive materials based shaped charge are investigated. The results show that the reactive liners create excellent collateral damage due to the release of chemical energy contained in reactive materials. An Eulerian computational model is developed to investigate penetration behavior of the reactive jet formed by shaped charge liner. In addition, a theoretical model based on cavity expansion is derived to predict the initiated location of reactive materials. Comprehensive analysis indicates that the TNT equivalence factor for these powder mixtures used in this work is 3.41–7.77 and that the self‐delay time is about 0.8 ms. This work will provide guidance and reference for the design of reactive shaped charge liner.
Great Zimbabwe's water
Authors: Pikirayi Innocent , Sulas Federica , Musindo Tendai Treddah , Chimwanda Acquiline , Chikumbirike Joseph , Mtetwa Ezekia , Nxumalo Bongumenzi , Sagiya Munyaradzi Elton
Published: January 2016

Once a thriving center with commercial links to the Indian Ocean, what remains of Great Zimbabwe is its monumental architecture. Its rise and decline have long been linked to environmental changes in southern Zimbabwe, beginning in the second half of the 13th century with agropastoralists thriving in the region's well‐watered granite hills and valleys, and culminating in a vast urban and trading society. Later, c.1550 AD, it is argued, drying climate, land overexploitation, and changing regional trading patterns would lead to the decline of Great Zimbabwe. A review of this model is necessary since Great Zimbabwe and communities living around it survive in a region constantly threatened by water crises. However, we still know very little on the forms and uses of water and how these have influenced its development and demise. This article offers a multilayered review of available information on water, including new records on environmental sequences, modern water sources, and provisioning models from in and around Great Zimbabwe. The integration of both old and new datasets allows us to follow the history of people‐water interaction from early times to the present. We argue that understanding of the local environment was vital in managing both water excesses and shortages in the past, and show that some of this knowledge survives among indigenous communities linked to the site and living in the surrounding landscape. While nearby Masvingo town has persistently lived under water‐emergency conditions, farmers around Great Zimbabwe mitigate shortfalls of modern water provision through a balanced and mutually vital interaction with natural water resources such as springs and soil moisture. WIREs Water 2016, 3:195–210. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1133

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Water Governance
Survival After Emergency General Surgery: What can We Learn from Enhanced Recovery Programmes?
Authors: Quiney N. , Aggarwal G. , Scott M. , Dickinson M.
Published: January 2016

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been adopted by many centres and across whole healthcare systems. The results have shown significant reductions in length of stay and postoperative complications. However, there has been very little change in these factors and mortality in emergency surgery. Can we learn from principles of ERAS for emergency abdominal surgery?
Scalable DB+IR Technology: Processing Probabilistic Datalog with HySpirit
Authors: Frommholz Ingo , Roelleke Thomas
Published: January 2016

Probabilistic Datalog (PDatalog, proposed in 1995) is a probabilistic variant of Datalog and a nice conceptual idea to model Information Retrieval in a logical, rule-based programming paradigm. Making PDatalog work in real-world applications requires more than probabilistic facts and rules, and the semantics associated with the evaluation of the programs. We report in this paper some of the key features of the HySpirit system required to scale the execution of PDatalog programs.

Firstly, there is the requirement to express probability estimation in PDatalog. Secondly, fuzzy-like predicates are required to model vague predicates (e.g. vague match of attributes such as age or price). Thirdly, to handle large data sets there are scalability issues to be addressed, and therefore, HySpirit provides probabilistic relational indexes and parallel and distributed processing. The main contribution of this paper is a consolidated view on the methods of the HySpirit system to make PDatalog applicable in real-scale applications that involve a wide range of requirements typical for data (information) management and analysis.
High energy density physics with intense ion beams
Authors: Sharkov Boris Yu. , Hoffmann Dieter H.H. , Golubev Alexander A. , Zhao Yongtao
Published: January 2016

We review the development of High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) with intense heavy ion beams as a tool to induce extreme states of matter. The development of this field connects intimately to the advances in accelerator physics and technology. We will cover the generation of intense heavy ion beams starting from the ion source and follow the acceleration process and transport to the target. Intensity limitations and potential solutions to overcome these limitations are discussed. This is exemplified by citing examples from existing machines at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI-Darmstadt), the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics in Moscow (ITEP-Moscow), and the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP-Lanzhou). Facilities under construction like the FAIR facility in Darmstadt and the High Intensity Accelerator Facility (HIAF), proposed for China will be included. Developments elsewhere are covered where it seems appropriate along with a report of recent results and achievements.
Perception, Attitude, and Knowledge Regarding Antimicrobial Resistance, Appropriate Antimicrobial Use, and Infection Control Among Future Medical Practitioners: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Chuenchom Nuttagarn , Thamlikitkul Visanu , Chaiwarith Romanee , Deoisares Rawisut , Rattanaumpawan Pinyo
Published: January 2016

A questionnaire-based study was conducted among final-year Thai medical students. The problem of antimicrobial resistance is well recognized, but their knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, appropriate antimicrobial use, and infection control was substantially limited. Only half of these students recognized existence of an antimicrobial stewardship program or infection control unit in their hospitals.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:603–605
Universal mechanism for air entrainment during liquid impact
Authors: Hendrix Maurice H. W. , Bouwhuis Wilco , van der Meer Devaraj , Lohse Detlef , Snoeijer Jacco H.
Published: January 2016

When a millimetre-sized liquid drop approaches a deep liquid pool, both the interface of the drop and the pool deform before the drop touches the pool. The build-up of air pressure prior to coalescence is responsible for this deformation. Due to this deformation, air can be entrained at the bottom of the drop during the impact. We quantify the amount of entrained air numerically, using the boundary integral method for potential flow for the drop and the pool, coupled to viscous lubrication theory for the air film that has to be squeezed out during impact. We compare our results with various experimental data and find excellent agreement for the amount of air that is entrapped during impact onto a pool. Next, the impact of a rigid sphere onto a pool is numerically investigated and the air that is entrapped in this case also matches with available experimental data. In both cases of drop and sphere impact onto a pool the numerical air bubble volume $V_{b}$ is found to be in agreement with the theoretical scaling $V_{b}/V_{drop/sphere}\sim \mathit{St}^{-4/3}$, where $\mathit{St}$ is the Stokes number. This is the same scaling as has been found for drop impact onto a solid surface in previous research. This implies a universal mechanism for air entrainment for these different impact scenarios, which has been suggested in recent experimental work, but is now further elucidated with numerical results.
Selection and influence in cultural dynamics
Authors: KEMPE DAVID , KLEINBERG JON , OREN SIGAL , SLIVKINS ALEKSANDRS
Published: January 2016

One of the fundamental principles driving diversity or homogeneity in domains such as cultural differentiation, political affiliation, and product adoption is the tension between two forces: influence (the tendency of people to become similar to others they interact with) and selection (the tendency to be affected most by the behavior of others who are already similar). Influence tends to promote homogeneity within a society, while selection frequently causes fragmentation. When both forces act simultaneously, it becomes an interesting question to analyze which societal outcomes should be expected.

To study this issue more formally, we analyze a natural stylized model built upon active lines of work in political opinion formation, cultural diversity, and language evolution. We assume that the population is partitioned into “types” according to some traits (such as language spoken or political affiliation). While all types of people interact with one another, only people with sufficiently similar types can possibly influence one another. The “similarity” is captured by a graph on types in which individuals of the same or adjacent types can influence one another. We achieve an essentially complete characterization of (stable) equilibrium outcomes and prove convergence from all starting states. We also consider generalizations of this model.
Upwelling of Pacific Intermediate Water in the South China Sea Revealed by Coral Radiocarbon Record
Authors: Bolton Annette , Goodkin Nathalie F , Druffel Ellen R M , Griffin Sheila , Murty Sujata A
Published: January 2016

Annual radiocarbon from a massive Porites lutea coral collected from Hon Tre Island, Vietnam, South China Sea (SCS) was analyzed over a ~100-yr-long period from AD 1900 to 1986. The pre-bomb results from 1900–1953 show a steady Δ14C value of –54.4±1.8‰ (n=60). These values are similar to coral records located in the central and southern SCS and from Indonesian waters, but are lower than those from Japan. Following the input of anthropogenic bomb 14C, our results show a sharp increase in Δ14C from 1960, reaching a peak value of 155.3‰ in 1973. The Hon Tre Island post-bomb Δ14C values are lower than those of other corals located in the SCS and Japan, but higher compared to those in the Indonesian Seas. This study infers a seasonal input of upwelled water depleted in 14C from the deeper SCS basin that originates from the tropical Pacific via the Luzon Strait. The bifurcation of the North Equatorial Current feeds the surface and intermediate currents in the SCS and Makassar Strait region. However, unlike the Makassar site, this study’s coral Δ14C does not receive lower 14C water from the South Pacific Equatorial Current. The Vietnam record therefore represents a unique oceanographic position, reflecting the seasonal influence of older, deeper SCS waters that upwell periodically in this area and have modified the surface waters locally in this region over the last 100 yr.
24-h urinary sodium excretion is associated with obesity in a cross-sectional sample of Australian schoolchildren
Authors: Grimes Carley A. , Riddell Lynn J. , Campbell Karen J. , He Feng J. , Nowson Caryl A.
Published: January 2016

Emerging evidence indicates that dietary Na may be linked to obesity; however it is unclear whether this relationship is independent of energy intake (EI). The aim of this study was to assess the association between Na intake and measures of adiposity, including BMI z score, weight category and waist:height ratio (WHtR), in a sample of Australian schoolchildren. This was a cross-sectional study of schoolchildren aged 4–12 years. Na intake was assessed via one 24-h urine collection. BMI was converted to age- and sex-specific z scores, and WHtR was used to define abdominal obesity. In children aged ≥8 years, EI was determined via one 24-h dietary recall. Of the 666 children with valid urine samples 55 % were male (average age 9·3 (sd 1·8) years). In adjusted models an additional 17 mmol/d of Na was associated with a 0·10 higher BMI z score (95 % CI 0·07, 0·13), a 23 % (OR 1·23; 95 % CI 1·16, 1·31) greater risk of being overweight/obese and a 15 % (OR 1·15; 95 % CI 1·09, 1·23) greater risk of being centrally obese. In the subsample of 8–12-year-old children (n 458), adjustment for EI did not markedly alter the associations between Na and adiposity outcomes. Using a robust measure of daily Na intake we found a positive association between Na intake and obesity risk in Australian schoolchildren, which could not be explained by total energy consumption. To determine whether this is a causal relationship, longitudinal studies, with high-quality measures of Na and EI, are required.
Zinc as an adjunct to antibiotics for the treatment of severe pneumonia in children <5 years: a meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials
Authors: Tie Hong-Tao , Tan Qi , Luo Ming-Zhu , Li Qiang , Yu Jia-Lin , Wu Qing-Chen
Published: January 2016

The effect of Zn, as an adjunct to antibiotics, on the treatment of severe pneumonia in young children is still under debate; therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic role of Zn for severe pneumonia in children younger than 5 years. PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase databases were systematically searched from inception until October 2015 for randomised-controlled trials (RCT) that assessed the effect of Zn as an adjunct to antibiotics for severe pneumonia. Random-effects model was used for calculating the pooled estimates, and intention-to-treat principle was also applied. Nine RCT involving 2926 children were included. Overall, the pooled results showed that adjunct treatment with Zn failed to reduce the time to recovery from severe pneumonia (hazard ratios (HR)=1·04; 95 % CI 0·90, 1·19; I2=39 %; P=0·58), hospital length of stay (HR=1·04; 95 % CI 0·83, 1·33; I2=57 %; P=0·74), treatment failure (relative risk (RR)=0·95; 95 % CI 0·79, 1·14; I2=20 %; P=0·58) or change of antibiotics (RR=1·07; 95 % CI 0·79, 1·45; I2=44 %; P=0·67). In addition, continuous outcomes were consistent while meta-analysed with standard mean difference, and all outcomes remained stable in intention-to-treat analysis. No significant differences were observed in the two groups between death rate, adverse events or recovery times of severe pneumonia indicators. Our results suggested that adjunct treatment with Zn failed to benefit young children in the treatment of severe pneumonia. Considering the clinical heterogeneity, baseline characteristics of children, definition of severe pneumonia and Zn supplement way should be taken into consideration in future research. This study was registered at PRESPERO as CRD42015019798.
The Role of Activist Hedge Funds in Financially Distressed Firms
Authors: Lim Jongha
Published: January 2016

In this paper I investigate the role of activist hedge funds in the restructuring of a sample of 469 firms that attempted to resolve distress either out of court, in conventional Chapter 11, or via prepackaged restructuring. Activist hedge funds strategically gain a position of influence in the restructuring of economically viable firms with contracting problems that prevent efficient restructuring without outside intervention. I find that hedge fund involvement is associated with a higher probability of completing prepackaged restructurings, faster restructurings, and greater debt reduction. Overall, the evidence in this article suggests that activist hedge funds can create value by enabling more efficient contracting.
Media Wars and the New Left: Governability and Media Democratisation in Argentina and Brazil
Authors: KITZBERGER PHILIP
Published: January 2016

This article examines the determinants of government strategies towards dominant media actors in the light of increased questioning of the media's role in democratic politics. It compares the first two Kirchnerist presidencies in Argentina with the first two PT-led governments in Brazil. While these governments initially adopted accommodation strategies, political crises subsequently disturbed the coexistence of media and government, triggering divergent responses. The study offers an account of media policy options and shifts based upon (i) constraints stemming from political-structural variables, (ii) governmental perceptions of oppositional media power and of civil society allies' strength and (iii) learning from critical junctures that reshaped policy preferences. In sum, the article provides insights into the ways the media realm has become an arena of political struggle in Latin America.
Preventing crop raiding by the Vulnerable common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius in Guinea-Bissau
Authors: González Luis M. , Montoto Francisco G. D. , Mereck Tome , Alves Junior , Pereira José , de Larrinoa Pablo Fernández , Maroto Ana , Bolonio Luis , El-Kadhir Nuria
Published: January 2016

Guinea-Bissau is host to the westernmost subpopulation of the common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius, which is one of only two known populations inhabiting coastal waters. The presence of hippopotamuses causes conflict with rice farmers as a result of crop damage and the absence of effective measures to protect crops. To develop an effective method for protecting rice fields, we studied the patterns of access to flooded and rain-fed rice fields by hippopotamuses and assessed the effect of the installation of electric fences. Hippopotamuses were detected in 54% of the flooded fields (n = 100) and in 31.9% of the rain-fed fields (n = 91). They were detected more frequently in fields on offshore islands than on the mainland, in unfenced than in fenced fields, and in fields closer to running water. Hippopotamuses entered fenced flooded fields less frequently than unfenced, and were detected most frequently at the end of the rainy season and the start of the dry season, and in the period of vegetative stem growth. Electric fences were an effective deterrent and facilitated increased rice production. The maintenance and cost of the electric fencing were acceptable to farmers, and therefore the use of such fencing is recommended to resolve the conflict between hippopotamuses and farmers in Guinea-Bissau and in other areas with similar conditions.
Si tu veux/si vous voulez: caractéristiques syntaxiques et fonctions sémantico-pragmatiques des marqueurs discursifs propositionnels ensi
Authors: SCHNEDECKER CATHERINE
Published: January 2016

L’objectif de cet article consiste à éclairer la distribution des deux locutionssi tu veux/si vous voulez, au plan syntaxique et discursif, de manière à éclairer et à classer les fonctions que leur attribuent généralement les dictionnaires. Pour ce faire nous nous appuyons sur un corpus de 400 occurrences, sélectionnées sur leur apparition en incise, issues de bases de données du français oral (Corpus de Référence du Français ParléetCorpus du Français Parlé Parisien) et écrit (Frantext). Après avoir montré quesi tu veux/si vous voulezrésultent bien d’un processus de pragmaticalisation, nous étudions la syntaxe de ces marqueurs et dégageons trois emplois motivés sur des critères syntaxico-discursifs: 1) la concession du dire ou du dit, 2) la recherche lexicale suivant diverses modalités et 3) leur fonction interactionnelle.
Decision Making at the State and Local Level: Does Science Matter?
Authors: Mason Susan G.
Published: January 2016

Science is believed to be an important part of public policy decision making because of its inherent characteristics of measurability, rigor, objectivity, replication, and peer review. The purpose of this research was to explore the linkage of science to public policy decision making. The research explores what state and local public officials know about science and how much they actually use science in their decision making. Interview results with public officials in the State of Idaho demonstrate that policy makers ultimately see science as only one element in the mix. Findings suggest that equal attention and debate should be given to how science interacts with all of the other factors that affect the public policy making process.