bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the essence and lived experience of self-care management among African-American men living with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Sherman Ledric , McKyer E. , Singer John , Larke Alvin , Guidry Jeffrey
Published: April 2014

Purpose: To explore, understand and describe the lived experience of African-American men (AA men) living with type 2 diabetes, with emphasis on capturing perceptions of challenges, facilitators and perceived barriers associated with self-care management. Materials and Methods: Participants (n = 19) were AA men ages 35-69 years, who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Participants were recruited via community outreach efforts, including barbershops and churches located in predominantly African-American communities in southeast US. Upon consent, individual interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and subsequently transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using a phenomenological approach, and focused on identifying common themes among the descriptions of AA men′s experiences specific to type 2 diabetes. Results: AA men perceived their experience of managing type 2 diabetes as tedious, complicated, demanding, and frustrating. Common themes included the perception of family histories and personal behaviors as causes or contributors to the development of diabetes, albeit there was lack of clarity regarding biological versus behavioral familial contributions. Other theses included fears related to long-term complications of type 2 diabetes, and the critical role of social support as a factor assisting with self-care management. Limb amputation, insulin injections and vision changes were fears related to having type 2 diabetes. Commensurately, important referent others (e.g., family and close friends) provided critical encouragement and support toward managing their diabetes. Conclusions: Future diabetes research and education should give attention to how masculinity may have a powerful influence on diabetes management behavior among African-American men′s as well as utilizing preventive health services.
European Union State Aid Law and Policy, and Local Public Services
Authors: Ferčič Aleš , Samec Nataša
Published: April 2014

Financing of local public services is, in principle, subject to the European Union State aid law and policy. Thus, local authorities of Member States and certain other stakeholders shall carefully observe complex and restrictive State aid rules, since their breach can substantially impair the desired performance of local public services. However, a daily practice at local level, in particular within the new Member States, still reveals significant shortcomings which can be, at least to certain extent, imputed to complexity and considerable rigidity of the State aid rules. The European Commission has recently offered new set of rules, the so called Almunia package, aimed at bridging the said problems. The Almunia package is of great importance for the local public services and their stakeholders as it has offered considerable simplifications for the small, mostly locally oriented projects. Indeed, the new package is an important step in the right direction, at least from the local public services perspective.
Testing Municipal Reinvention on the Price of Municipal Governance
Authors: Hsieh Jun Yi , Fu Kai-Jo
Published: April 2014

Municipal reinvention has been widely employed to improve government efficiency in many US municipalities; however, most of the efforts fail to test its efficiency. This study identifies which strategies of municipal reinvention have improved municipal performance by reducing the price of municipal governance. The data sources employed by this research are 1. 1997 ICMA Reinvention Government: Implementation at the Local Level; 2. the Census Bureau; and 3. the Office of Management and Budgeting, USA. By the zero-truncated negative binomial model, the findings do not support the contention that municipal reinvention decreases the price of municipal governance between mayor-council and council-manager cities. However, local conditions have a significant effect on the cost of the two forms of governments.
Government bond yield spreads determination: a matter of fundamentals or market overreaction? Evidence from over-borrowed European countries
Authors: Seremetis Dimitris Vas. , Pappas Anastasios P.
Published: April 2014

This paper examines through a panel data analysis the determinants of government bond yield spreads for over-borrowed European countries (Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Spain) for the period 1990–2010. The results suggest that the aforementioned government bond yield spreads were significantly increased during international financial crises. On the other hand, domestic macroeconomic fundamentals appear to be negligible drivers of government bond yield spreads for the same period. A high debt-to-GDP ratio seems to be an important determinant of spreads only after 2007, when the subprime mortgage crisis had burst out and market sentiment became negative. Thus the paper presents some evidence that sharp bond spread fluctuations may be driven by financial markets’ overreaction and investors’ herd behaviour during international financial crises. Financial markets seemed to neglect the deterioration of macroeconomic fundamentals of the six European countries during tranquil periods and seemed to start discriminating more, between countries, during crises.
Cui dono lepidum novum libellum? - Van editiewetenschap naar traditie-wetenschap: Huygens’ Ooghen-troost door een nieuwe bril
Authors: Pieters Jürgen , Van der Vorst Christophe
Published: April 2014

This article takes as its starting point Jerome McGann’s assertion that electronic presentations of historical texts may enable us to understand better the historical specificity of the composition of these texts. Our case in point is Constantijn Huygens’ Ooghen-troost, an electronic edition of which is currently being prepared by one the authors of this contribution. The article serves as the theoretical underpinnings of the editorial project. It hopes to make clear by means of two concrete passages in Huygens’ poem in which way McGann’s text-theory can shed new light on the build-up of the Ooghen-troost and on the poem’s interpellation of present-day readers.
Representaties in ander proza en postmodern proza
Authors: Sven Vitse
Published: April 2014

There is no consensus among literary scholars concerning the delimitation of postmodernism in Dutch and Flemish fiction. More specifically, scholars do not agree about the position of experimental ‘other prose’ and its relationship to the postmodern novel. This article contributes to this on-going debate by offering a comparative analysis of other prose and postmodern fiction. It focuses on the concept of representation: it investigates the ways in which authors of both other prose and postmodern fiction question this concept in their literary works. The problem of representation will be analysed in works by Robberechts, Van Marissing and Vogelaar on the one hand (other prose), and Jongstra, Beurskens and Verhelst on the other hand (postmodern fiction). In both other prose and postmodern fiction literary representation of extratextual reality is felt to be a problematic issue. For authors of other prose the relationship between language and reality poses not just a literary but also an ideological and a political problem. Conventional forms of literary representation are considered to produce false images that need to be destroyed and replaced by alternative forms. Authors of postmodern fiction undermine narrative conventions from within: they make use of paradox and inconsistency to unsettle the narrative framework within which they work. In postmodern fiction, the belief in a position outside of linguistic mediation and in a truthful account of reality can no longer be upheld. In conclusion, it can be said that the concept of representation helps to distinguish other prose from postmodern fiction.
De imperativische infinitief in het Nederlands - Een corpusgebaseerde benadering
Authors: Van Olmen Daniël
Published: April 2014

This paper is a corpus-based investigation of the imperatival infinitive in Dutch. It offers an analysis of the distribution and the frequency of the form in present-day and historical Dutch, with reference to the imperative. It also examines the pragmatic functions that the imperatival infinitive fulfills in contemporary discourse. The prototypical use of the form is defined and compared to the most convincing characterization of its semantics in the literature. The paper concludes with a study of the correlation of the imperatival infinitive with negation, which is explained in terms of politeness.
Woordvolgorde in presentatieve zinnen en de theoretische basis van multifactoriële grammatica
Authors: Stefan Stefan
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates the determinants of word order variation in presentative sentences such as Er zijn geen getto’s in Brussel “There are no ghettoes in Brussels”: in specific contexts, the adjunct can precede the subject in this sentence type (Er zijn in Brussel geen getto’s). I will demonstrate that a satisfactory account of this variation requires a multifactorial approach on the intersection between Cognitive Linguistics, sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics, no matter how difficult the cross-fertilization of these disciplines is. The data reveal that word order in presentative sentences is co-determined by general motivations (Informational Prominence and Heaviness) as well as by a local constraint (Adjunct Concreteness) motivated by the constructional function of the er-initial template.
We kunnen dus wel conclusies trekken over dus!
Authors: Evers-Vermeul Jacqueline
Published: April 2014

Respondent Gert De Sutter plaatst mijn onderzoek in een rijtje klinkende namen (Diessel, Bresnan, Arnold). Eervol, maar tegelijkertijd plaatst hij een voorbehoud bij mijn conclusies. Graag maak ik van de gelegenheid gebruik om mij te verweren tegen de drie centrale kritiekpunten in zijn respons: 1) mijn (ontbrekende) definitie van de term discourse marker, 2) de wijze van sampling in mijn corpusonderzoek en 3) het nut en de noodzaak van diachroon onderzoek voor het blootleggen van vorm-betekenis-relaties.
Ontwikkelingen in de linkerperiferie van de nominale constituent
Authors: Van de Velde Freek
Published: April 2014

This article argues that the Modern Dutch noun phrase (NP/DP) has acquired a new slot in its left periphery. This slot contains interpersonal modifiers, like focus particles, modal adverbs and other epistemic modifiers. On the basis of historical corpus inquiry it is shown how this slot has developed and how it has been accommodating more and more complex elements in the course of time. This diachronic evolution has consequences for the synchronic description of the noun phrase. Any synchronic structural description of the noun phrase, at whatever stage in the history of the language, has temporary status only.
Assessment of GPS radiosonde descent data
Authors: Venkat Ratnam M. , Pravallika N. , Ravindra Babu S. , Basha G. , Pramitha M. , Krishna Murthy B. V.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Radiosondes are widely used to obtain basic meteorological parameters such as pressure (P), temperature (T), relative humidity (RH) and horizontal winds during the balloon ascent up to the altitude of balloon burst, usually ~ 32–35 km. Data from the radiosondes released from Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E), a tropical station in India, have been collected during the ascent and during the descent as well without attaching any parachute or its equivalent since the year 2008. In the present study an attempt has been made to characterize the radiosonde descent data with the main objective of exploring its usefulness and reliability for scientific purposes. We compared the data obtained during ascent and descent phases of the same sounding. The mean differences in T, RH and horizontal winds between ascent and descent data are found to be small and are sometimes even within the uncertainty of the measurements and/or expected diurnal variation itself. The very good consistency observed between the ascent and the descent data shows that one more profile of the meteorological parameters can be constructed within 3 h of time of balloon launch practically at no additional cost. Further checks are done by utilizing the 3-hourly radiosonde observations collected during the Tropical Tropopause Dynamics campaigns conducted at Gadanki. In the process of checking the consistency between the radiosonde ascent and descent data, several new findings are arrived at and are reported in this study. In general, it has taken more than half an hour for the balloon to reach the ground from the burst altitude. It is also observed that the fall velocity is close to 10 m s−1 near the surface. Finally, it is suggested to record the observations also when the balloon is descending as this information is useful for scientific purposes.
The MUSICA MetOp/IASI H2O and δD products: characterisation and long-term comparison to NDACC/FTIR data
Authors: Wiegele A. , Schneider M. , Hase F. , Barthlott S. , García O. E. , Sepúlveda E. , González Y. , Blumenstock T. , Raffalski U. , Gisi M. , Kohlhepp R.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Within the project MUSICA (MUlti-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water) ground- and space-based remote sensing as well as in-situ datasets of tropospheric water vapour isotopologues are provided. The space-based remote-sensing dataset is produced from spectra measured by the IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) sensor and is potentially available on a global scale. Here, we present the MUSICA IASI data for three different geophysical locations (subtropics, mid-latitudes, and arctic) and we provide a comprehensive characterisation of the complex nature of such space-based isotopologue remote sensing products. The quality assessment study is complemented by a comparison to MUSICA's ground-based FTIR (Fourier-Transform InfraRed) remote sensing data retrieved from the spectra recorded at three different locations within the framework of NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change). We confirm that IASI is able to measure tropospheric H2O profiles with a vertical resolution of about 4 km and a random error of about 10%. In addition IASI can observe middle tropospheric δD that adds complementary value to IASI's middle tropospheric H2O observations. Our study is both, a theoretical and an empirical proof that IASI has the capability for a global observation of middle tropospheric water vapour isotopologues on a daily timescale and at a quality that is sufficiently high for water cycle research purposes.
A seasonality trigger for carbon injection at the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum
Authors: Eldrett J. S. , Greenwood D. R. , Polling M. , Brinkhuis H. , Sluijs A.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) represents a ~170 kyr episode of anomalous global warmth ~56 Ma ago. The PETM is associated with rapid and massive injections of 13C-depleted carbon into the ocean–atmosphere system reflected as a prominent negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE) in sedimentary components. Earth's surface and deep ocean waters warmed by ~5 °C, of which part may have occurred prior to the CIE. However, few records document continental climatic trends and changes in seasonality have not been documented. Here we present the first high-resolution vegetation and paleoclimate reconstructions for the PETM, based on nearest living relative analysis of terrestrially derived spore and pollen assemblages preserved in an expanded section from the central North Sea. Our data indicate reductions in boreal conifers and an increase in mesothermal to megathermal taxa, reflecting a shift towards wetter and warmer climate. We also record an increase in summer temperatures, greater in magnitude than the rise in mean annual temperature changes, and a shift to a summer-wet seasonality. Within the CIE, vegetation varies significantly with initial increases in epiphytic and climbing ferns, and development of extensive wetlands, followed by abundance of Carya spp. indicative of broadleaf forest colonization. Critically, the change in vegetation we report occurs prior to the CIE, and is concomitant with anomalous marine ecological change, as represented by the occurrence of Apectodinium augustum. This suggests that amplifications of seasonal extremes triggered carbon injection.
The Community Land Model underestimates land-use CO2 emissions by neglecting soil disturbance from cultivation
Authors: Levis S. , Hartman M. D. , Bonan G. B.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The Community Land Model (CLM) can simulate planting and harvesting of crops but does not include effects of cultivation on soil carbon decomposition. The biogeochemistry model DayCent does account for cultivation and provides a baseline for evaluating the CLM. With the goal of representing cultivation effects on soil carbon decomposition, we implemented the DayCent cultivation parameterization in the CLM and compared CLM and DayCent simulations at eight Midwestern United States sites with and without the cultivation parameterization. Cultivation decreases soil carbon by about 1350 gC m−2 in the CLM and 1660 gC m−2 in DayCent across the eight sites from the first cultivation (early 1900s) to 2010. CLM crop simulations without cultivation have soil carbon gain, not loss, over this period, in contrast to the expected declining trends in agricultural soil carbon. A global cultivation simulation for 1973–2004 reduces ecosystem carbon by 0.4 Pg yr−1 over temperate corn, soybean, and cereal crop areas, which occupy approximately 1/3 of global crop area. Earth System Models may improve their atmospheric CO2 and soil carbon simulations by accounting for enhanced decomposition from cultivation.
Design of a regional climate modelling projection ensemble experiment – NARCliM
Authors: Evans J. P. , Ji F. , Lee C. , Smith P. , Argüeso D. , Fita L.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Including the impacts of climate change in decision making and planning processes is a challenge facing many regional governments including the New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) governments in Australia. NARCliM (NSW/ACT Regional Climate Modelling project) is a regional climate modelling project that aims to provide a comprehensive and consistent set of climate projections that can be used by all relevant government departments when considering climate change. To maximise end user engagement and ensure outputs are relevant to the planning process, a series of stakeholder workshops were run to define key aspects of the model experiment including spatial resolution, time slices, and output variables. As with all such experiments, practical considerations limit the number of ensemble members that can be simulated such that choices must be made concerning which global climate models (GCMs) to downscale from, and which regional climate models (RCMs) to downscale with. Here a methodology for making these choices is proposed that aims to sample the uncertainty in both GCM and RCM ensembles, as well as spanning the range of future climate projections present in the GCM ensemble. The RCM selection process uses performance evaluation metrics to eliminate poor performing models from consideration, followed by explicit consideration of model independence in order to retain as much information as possible in a small model subset. In addition to these two steps the GCM selection process also considers the future change in temperature and precipitation projected by each GCM. The final GCM selection is based on a subjective consideration of the GCM independence and future change. The created ensemble provides a more robust view of future regional climate changes. Future research is required to determine objective criteria that could replace the subjective aspects of the selection process.
Risk assessment study of fire following an earthquake: a case study of petrochemical enterprises in China
Authors: Li J. , Wang Y. , Chen H. , Lin L.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. After an earthquake, the fire risk of petrochemical enterprises is higher than that of other enterprises as it involves production processes with inflammable and explosive characteristics. Using Chinese petrochemical enterprises as the research object, this paper uses a literature review and case summaries to study, amongst others, the classification of petrochemical enterprises, the proportion of daily fires, and fire loss ratio. This paper builds a fire following an earthquake risk assessment model of petrochemical enterprises based on a previous earthquake fire hazard model, and the earthquake loss prediction assessment method, calculates the expected loss of the fire following an earthquake in various counties and draws a risk map. Moreover, this research identifies high-risk areas, concentrating on the Beijing–Tianjin–Tangshan region, and Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. Differences in enterprise type produce different levels and distribution of petrochemical enterprise earthquake fire risk. Furthermore, areas at high risk of post-earthquake fires and with low levels of seismic fortification require extra attention to ensure appropriate mechanisms are in place.
The Legality of the Killing of Osama bin Laden
Authors: Cerone John
Published: April 2014

In assessing the legality of the killing of Osama bin Laden one is reminded of a saying about the situation in Lebanon. If you think you understand it, it has not been properly explained to you.

Of course, one major obstacle is that we do not have all the facts. However, we also do not have all the law.

The complexity of analyzing the legality of the killing begins with the threshold issue of applicable law. Is the conduct to be analyzed according to domestic law or international law? If domestic law, then which country’s domestic laws are applicable? Certainly that of the United States and Pakistan would be applicable. Saudi law might also apply (e.g., on the basis of nationality), in addition to the laws of those countries that have another basis under their domestic law for exercising extraterritorial jurisdiction (e.g., on the universality principle).
Signaling Adaptor Protein SH2B1 Enhances Neurite Outgrowth and Accelerates the Maturation of Human Induced Neurons
Authors: Hsu Yi-Chao , Chen Su-Liang , Wang Ya-Jean , Chen Yun-Hsiang , Wang Dan-Yen , Chen Linyi , Chen Chia-Hsiang , Chen Hwei-Hsien , Chiu Ing-Ming
Published: April 2014

Recent advances in somatic cell reprogramming have highlighted the plasticity of the somatic epigenome, particularly through demonstrations of direct lineage reprogramming of adult mouse and human fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and induced neurons (iNs) under defined conditions. However, human cells appear to be less plastic and have a higher epigenetic hurdle for reprogramming to both iPSCs and iNs. Here, we show that SH2B adaptor protein 1β (SH2B1) can enhance neurite outgrowth of iNs reprogrammed from human fibroblasts as early as day 14, when combined with miR124 and transcription factors BRN2 and MYT1L (IBM) under defined conditions. These SH2B1-enhanced iNs (S-IBM) showed canonical neuronal morphology, and expressed multiple neuronal markers, such as TuJ1, NeuN, and synapsin, and functional proteins for neurotransmitter release, such as GABA, vGluT2, and tyrosine hydroxylase. Importantly, SH2B1 accelerated mature process of functional neurons and exhibited action potentials as early as day 14; without SH2B1, the IBM iNs do not exhibit action potentials until day 21. Our data demonstrate that SH2B1 can enhance neurite outgrowth and accelerate the maturation of human iNs under defined conditions. This approach will facilitate the application of iNs in regenerative medicine and in vitro disease modeling.
Um terceiro citótipo de Astyanax aff. fasciatus (TELEOSTEI, CHARACIDAE) da bacia do rio São Francisco
Authors: Penteado Pierre Rafael , Kavalco Karine Frehner , Pazza Rubens
Published: April 2014

Astyanax é um dos gêneros mais amplamente distribuídos ao longo da região Neotropical, devido a sua estrutura e densidade populacional. Essas características fazem o gênero ser extremamente especioso, contando com mais de cem espécies descritas atualmente. O objetivo do presente trabalho é auxiliar no levantamento da diversidade genética no gênero, analisando uma população Astyanax aff. fasciatus, encontrada na Bacia do Rio São Francisco. As análises citogenéticas constituem cariotipagem convencional, detecção de heterocromatina constitutiva e localização de genes ribossômicos 5S e 18. Foram observados 2n=48 (8M+22SM+12ST+6A) e heterocromatina distribuída em regiões pericentroméricas de poucos cromossomos. A FISH evidenciou sítios de rDNA 5S intersticiais em um par de cromossomos metacêntricos e na região pericentromérica de um par de cromossomos acrocêntricos.  A situação taxonômica do complexo de espécies é discutida.

 

DOI: 10.7902/ecb.v4i1.42
Avaliações morfológicas e micromorfométricas de folhas de sol e de sombra Lithraea molleoides (VELL.) ENGL. (ANACARDIACEAE)
Authors: Pereira Jaqueline Dias , Medri Moacir Eurypedes , Moreira Renata Stolf
Published: April 2014

Alterações morfoanatômicas e fisiológicas nas folhas são comumente encontradas como resposta adaptativa das plantas às diferentes condições de luminosidade. Objetivou-se, com este estudo, comparar a morfoanatomia de folhas expandidas de sol e de sombra de Lithraea molleoides fornecendo subsídios que justifiquem a seleção desta espécie para estudos em programas de revegetação. O estudo ocorreu no Parque Ecológico da Klabin, Telêmaco Borba-Pr. Nas avaliações macroscópicas e microscópicas, as amostras foram processadas segundo metodologia usual. As folhas da porção superior periférica, denominadas folhas de sol, apresentaram características mais xéricas, ao contrário das folhas da porção inferior interna, denominadas folhas de sombra.  As folhas de sol apresentam adaptações que indicam maior dificuldade na perda de água nos períodos desfavoráveis aumentando a eficiência no uso da água. As folhas de sombra apresentaram maior área aproveitando mais a energia luminosa. As diferenças observadas neste estudo indicam considerável capacidade adaptativa para se manterem ativas a diferentes condições de luminosidade.

 

DOI: 10.7902/ecb.v4i1.47
Ictiofauna do baixo rio Manhuaçu (Bacia do baixo rio Doce)
Authors: Marques Bruno , Belei Frederico , Sampaio Wagner Martins Santana
Published: April 2014

A ictiofauna neotropical se destaca por ser a maior e mais diversificada do planeta uma vez que está inserida no maior sistema fluvial do mundo. Nesse contexto é inserida a bacia do rio Doce a qual é subdividida em três seções: alto, médio e baixo curso. Com o objetivo de se avaliar diversidade da Ictiofauna do rio Manhuaçu, foram estabelecidos dois pontos amostrais. Em cada área de amostragem foi utilizado um conjunto de dez redes de espera, dois espinheis com 10 anzóis, tarrafas, arrastão e pesca elétrica. Durante o período de amostragem foram capturados 207 exemplares distribuídos em 29 espécies, 6 ordens e 14 famílias. Registros anteriores apresentaram uma menor diversidade de peixes para o rio Manhuaçu. Para o médio rio Doce são descrita 70 espécies e o presente estudo representa 41% dessas espécies, revelando a importância do rio Manhuaçu para a bacia do médio e baixo rio Doce.

 

DOI: 10.7902/ecb.v4i1.63
Sensitivity of global terrestrial gross primary production to hydrologic states simulated by the Community Land Model using two runoff parameterizations
Authors: Lei Huimin , Huang Maoyi , Leung L. Ruby , Yang Dawen , Shi Xiaoying , Mao Jiafu , Hayes Daniel J. , Schwalm Christopher R. , Wei Yaxing , Liu Shishi
Published: April 2014

Soil moisture plays an important role in the coupled water, energy, and carbon cycles. In addition to surface processes such as evapotranspiration, the boundary fluxes that influence soil moisture are closely related to surface or subsurface runoff. To elucidate how uncertainties in representing surface and subsurface hydrology may influence simulations of the carbon cycle, numerical experiments were performed using version 4 of the Community Land Model with two widely adopted runoff generation parameterizations from the TOPMODEL and Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model under the same protocol. The results showed that differences in the runoff generation schemes caused a relative difference of 36% and 34% in global mean total runoff and soil moisture, respectively, with substantial differences in their spatial distribution and seasonal variability. Changes in the simulated gross primary production (GPP) were found to correlate well with changes in soil moisture through its effects on leaf photosynthesis (An) and leaf area index (LAI), which are the two dominant components determining GPP. Soil temperature, which is influenced by soil moisture, also affects LAI and GPP for the seasonal‐deciduous and stress‐deciduous plant functional types that dominate in cold regions. Consequently, the simulated global mean GPP differs by 20.4% as a result of differences in soil moisture and soil temperature simulated between the two models. Our study highlights the significant interactions among the water, energy, and carbon cycles and the need for reducing uncertainty in the hydrologic parameterization of land surface models to better constrain carbon cycle modeling.
Mesh‐Mould: Robotically Fabricated Spatial Meshes as Reinforced Concrete Formwork
Authors: Hack Norman , Lauer Willi Viktor
Published: April 2014

If robots are to be employed in the construction of high‐rise structures, logistics and material systems have to be entirely rethought to cater for both their abilities and limitations: robots have limited loading capacity, but greater dexterity than other on‐site, automated construction techniques. Here, Norman Hack of ETH Zurich and Willi Viktor Lauer of the Future Cities Laboratory (FCL) at the Singapore‐ETH Centre for Global Environmental Sustainability (SEC) describe the research they have undertaken to develop ‘mesh‐mould’ as an alternative to conventional formwork.
Robots and Architecture: Experiments, Fiction, Epistemology
Authors: Picon Antoine
Published: April 2014

How ready are we to receive robots on our building sites? Antoine Picon, G Ware Travelstead Professor of the History of Architecture and Technology at Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), highlights the mixed cultural reception that robotics in architecture has received, veering from techno‐utopianism to techno‐pessimism. Is the greatest value in robotics for architecture in fact contained within the discipline, residing in the way that it forces architects to think differently, shifting their mental landscape and making them design truly three‐dimensional space? Are we, though, in danger of neglecting to explore and re‐imagine the fundamental relationships between men, designers and workers, and machines, computers and robots?
Towards Robotic Swarm Printing
Authors: Oxman Neri , Duro‐Royo Jorge , Keating Steven , Peters Ben , Tsai Elizabeth
Published: April 2014

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Mediated Matter Group is honing its research into robotic swarm printing by focusing its efforts on material sophistication, or ‘tunability’, and communication or coordination between fabrication units. Here, the group's Neri Oxman, Jorge Duro‐Royo, Steven Keating, Ben Peters and Elizabeth Tsai illustrate this by describing three case studies that investigate robotically controlled additive fabrication at architectural scales.
Reversible Soft Top‐Contacts to Yield Molecular Junctions with Precise and Reproducible Electrical Characteristics
Authors: Wan Albert , Jiang Li , Sangeeth C. S. Suchand , Nijhuis Christian A.
Published: April 2014

The reproducibility of the electrical characteristics of molecular junctions has been notoriously low. This paper describes a method to construct tunnel junctions based on self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) by forming reversible electrical contacts to SAMs using top‐electrodes of a non‐Newtonian liquid‐metal (GaOx/EGaIn) stabilized in a microfluidic‐based device. A single top‐electrode can be used to form up to 15–25 junctions. This method generates SAM‐based junctions with highly reproducible electrical characteristics in terms of precision (widths of distributions) and replicability (closeness to a reference value). The reason is that this method, unlike other approaches that rely on cross‐bar or nano/micropore configurations, does not require patterning of the bottom‐electrodes and is compatible with ultra‐flat template‐stripped (TS) surfaces. This compatibly with non‐patterned electrodes is important for three reasons. i) No edges of the electrodes are present at which SAMs cannot pack well. ii) Patterning requires photoresist that may contaminate the electrode and complicate SAM formation. iii) TS‐surfaces contain large grains, have low rms values, and can be obtained and used (in ordinary laboratory conditions) within a few seconds to minimize contamination. The junctions have very good electrical stability (2500 current‐voltage cycles and retained currents for 27 h), and can be fabricated with good yields (≈78%).
An Appraisal of the Efficacy and Effectiveness of Nanoscaffolds Developed by Different Techniques for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications: Electrospinning A Paradigm Shift
Authors: Sakina Rabeil , Ali Murtaza
Published: April 2014

The electrospinning method for scaffold production has emerged as a technique of great versatility within the field of tissue engineering. It is a relatively simple technique that enables scaffolds to be manufactured of the required specifications without much ado. Bone scaffolds are challenging in their requirements for mechanical strength and degradability. Polymeric materials can be most efficiently tailored to meet these demands for such scaffolds. This review focuses on the existing technologies involved in the fabrication of polymeric fibrous and porous scaffolds in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications, as well as on the emerging technologies that are more promising.
Enantioselective Hydrogenation of the Double Bond of Exocyclic α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds Catalyzed by Iridium/H8‐BINOL‐Derived Phosphine‐Oxazoline Complexes
Authors: Li Qing , Wan Pin , He Yuwei , Zhou Yougui , Li Lanning , Chen Bin , Duan Kun , Cao Rihui , Zhou Zhongyuan , Qiu Liqin
Published: April 2014

H8‐BINOL‐derived phosphine‐oxazolines complexed with iridium were successfully applied for the asymmetric hydrogenation of the carbon‐carbon double bond of exocyclic α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds. A valuable series of α‐chiral cyclic ketones, lactones, and lactams were therefore provided via the reaction in high yields and good to excellent enantioselectivity of up to 95 % ee. The effects of the ligands and substrate structures on the asymmetric catalysis were also discussed.
Organ Repair, Hemostasis, and In Vivo Bonding of Medical Devices by Aqueous Solutions of Nanoparticles
Authors: Meddahi‐Pellé Anne , Legrand Aurélie , Marcellan Alba , Louedec Liliane , Letourneur Didier , Leibler Ludwik
Published: April 2014

Sutures are traumatic to soft connective tissues, such as liver or lungs. Polymer tissue adhesives require complex in vivo control of polymerization or cross‐linking reactions and currently suffer from being toxic, weak, or inefficient within the wet conditions of the body. Herein, we demonstrate using Stöber silica or iron oxide nanoparticles that nanobridging, that is, adhesion by aqueous nanoparticle solutions, can be used in vivo in rats to achieve rapid and strong closure and healing of deep wounds in skin and liver. Nanoparticles were also used to fix polymer membranes to tissues even in the presence of blood flow, such as occurring after liver resection, yielding permanent hemostasis within a minute. Furthermore, medical devices and tissue engineering constructs were fixed to organs such as a beating heart. The simplicity, rapidity, and robustness of nanobridging bode well for clinical applications, surgery, and regenerative medicine.
Chemoselektive intermolekulare α‐Arylierung von Amiden
Authors: Peng Bo , Geerdink Danny , Farès Christophe , Maulide Nuno
Published: April 2014

Es wird ein neuer Ansatz für die chemoselektive α‐Arylierung von Amiden vorgestellt. Durch elektrophile Amidaktivierung können Arylgruppen regioselektiv in α‐Stellung zu Amiden eingeführt werden – sogar in der Gegenwart von Estern und Alkylketonen. Mechanistische Studien zeigen Schlüsselintermediate der Reaktion und heben den subtilen Einfluss der gewählten Base auf die Transformation hervor.
A Twisted Wire‐Shaped Dual‐Function Energy Device for Photoelectric Conversion and Electrochemical Storage
Authors: Sun Hao , You Xiao , Deng Jue , Chen Xuli , Yang Zhibin , Chen Peining , Fang Xin , Peng Huisheng
Published: April 2014

A wire‐shaped energy device that can perform photoelectric conversion and electrochemical storage was developed through a simple but effective twisting process. The energy wire exhibited a high energy conversion efficiency of 6.58 % and specific capacitance of 85.03 μF cm−1 or 2.13 mF cm−2, and the two functions were alternately realized without sacrificing either performance.
Enantioselective Organo‐Photocatalysis Mediated by Atropisomeric Thiourea Derivatives
Authors: Vallavoju Nandini , Selvakumar Sermadurai , Jockusch Steffen , Sibi Mukund P. , Sivaguru Jayaraman
Published: April 2014

Can photocatalysis be performed without electron or energy transfer? To address this, organo‐photocatalysts that are based on atropisomeric thioureas and display lower excited‐state energies than the reactive substrates have been developed. These photocatalysts were found to be efficient in promoting the [2+2] photocycloaddition of 4‐alkenyl‐substituted coumarins, which led to the corresponding products with high enantioselectivity (77–96 % ee) at low catalyst loading (1–10 mol %). The photocatalytic cycle proceeds by energy sharing via the formation of both static and dynamic complexes (exciplex formation), which is aided by hydrogen bonding.
Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Vinylogous Conjugate Addition of Unsaturated Butyrolactones to α,β‐Unsaturated Thioamides
Authors: Yin Liang , Takada Hisashi , Lin Shaoquan , Kumagai Naoya , Shibasaki Masakatsu
Published: April 2014

Soft Lewis acid/Brønsted base cooperative catalysts have enabled direct catalytic asymmetric vinylogous conjugate addition of α,β‐ and β,γ‐unsaturated butyrolactones to α,β‐unsaturated thioamides with perfect atom economy. When using α‐angelica lactone and its derivatives as pronucleophiles, as little as 0.5 mol % catalyst loading was sufficient to complete the reaction necessary to construct consecutive tri‐ and tetrasubstituted stereogenic centers in a highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective fashion.
Unravelling Secondary Structure Changes on Individual Anionic Polysaccharide Chains by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Schefer Larissa , Adamcik Jozef , Mezzenga Raffaele
Published: April 2014

The structural conformations of the anionic carrageenan polysaccharides in the presence of monovalent salt close to physiological conditions are studied by atomic force microscopy. Iota‐carrageenan undergoes a coil–helix transition at high ionic strength, whereas lambda‐carrageenan remains in the coiled state. Polymer statistical analysis reveals an increase in persistence length from 22.6±0.2 nm in the random coil, to 26.4±0.2 nm in the ordered helical conformation, indicating an increased rigidity of the helical iota‐carrageenan chains. The many decades‐long debated issue on whether the ordered state can exist as single or double helix, is conclusively resolved by demonstrating the existence of a unimeric helix formed intramolecularly by a single polymer chain.
Phase morphologies of vulcanized chlorobutyl rubber/polyamide 12 blends: The breakup of pre‐crosslinked CIIR phase
Authors: Yao Pengjun , Tian Ming , Zhang Liqun , Tian Hongchi , Wu Youping , Ning Nanying
Published: April 2014

Dynamic vulcanization to prepare blended thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) is a kind of complicated blending technology, where the breakup of the rubber phase happens accompanying with the crosslinking of rubber. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of crosslinking on the breakup of chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) phase in thermoplastic polyamide 12 (PA 12) matrix by purposely using pre‐crosslinked CIIR with different crosslink degrees and plasticizer contents. Besides, the effect of blending conditions on the breakup of crosslinked CIIR phase was studied. The results show that a low crosslink degree, a high content of plasticizer, a low blending temperature and a morderate rotor speed of 70 rpm facilitate the breakup of pre‐crosslinked CIIR in PA 12 matrix. This is ascribed to the decrease in the modulus of pre‐crosslinked CIIR phase because of either a low crosslink degree or a high content of plasticizer, the increase in the molten viscosity of thermoplastic matrix because of a low blending temperature and a moderate rotor speed. It is indicated that the breakup of pre‐crosslinked rubber is mainly dominated by the modulus of crosslinked rubber phase as well as the molten viscosity of thermoplastic matrix and shear stress. This study will provide guidance for the preparation of CIIR/PA TPV. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40765.
Development of vegetable‐oil‐based polymers
Authors: Islam Muhammad Remanul , Beg Mohammad Dalour Hossen , Jamari Saidatul Shima
Published: April 2014

The utilization of renewable resources for the preparation of new materials is an alternative option for reducing the high demand of fossil feedstocks. Vegetable oils are potential bioresources that are renewable and abundantly available. Triglyceride‐based vegetable oils, such as soybean, jatropha, linseed, sunflower, palm, castor, nahar seed, and canola oil, are being considered as precursors in the production of polymers. In this article, we attempt to summarize advancements in processes and technologies for the synthesis of polymers from various kinds of vegetable oils. The advantages and disadvantages of these biobased polymers with respect to traditional monomer‐based ones are also highlighted. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40787.
Ba2[Pd(HS2O7)2(S3O10)2]: A Heteroleptic Polysulfatopalladate
Authors: Bruns Jörn , Klüner Thorsten , Wickleder Mathias S.
Published: April 2014

The oxidation of elemental palladium with oleum (65 % SO3) in the presence of barium carbonate in torch‐sealed glass ampoules at 180 °C leads to yellow single crystals of the heteroleptic palladate Ba2[Pd(HS2O7)2(S3O10)2] (triclinic, P$\bar 1$; Z=1; a=884.18(3), b=927.68(3), c=938.77(4) pm; α=60.473(1), β=80.266(2), γ=87.746(2)°). The crystal structure shows the Pd2+ ions in a square‐planar coordination of oxygen atoms of two hydrogendisulfate as well as of two trisulfate anions. The compound is the first example of the rarely seen S3O102− and HS2O7− anions acting as ligands in a complex anion and, moreover, the first heteroleptic polysulfatometallate known so far. The complex formation leads to a stabilization of the trisulfate anion relative to its uncoordinated congener. Ba2[Pd(HS2O7)2(S3O10)2] has been further characterized by vibrational spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. Thermal analyses by means of thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) measurements show that the compound decomposes to yield elemental palladium and BaSO4.
Opportunities for small‐scale biorefinery for production of sugar and ethanol in the Netherlands
Authors: Kolfschoten Ruben C. , Bruins Marieke E. , Sanders Johan P.M.
Published: April 2014

Developments such as the Common Agricultural Policy reform, growth of the bio‐based economy, increasing energy prices, increasing sustainability demands, and expected growth of global sugar demand change the environment in which the sugar producing industry operates. In order to remain competitive and profit from this, the traditional large‐scale sugar producing industry can adapt. The aim of this study was to address sustainability and energy issues of the traditional sugar production process and to provide opportunities for improving the process and value chain. The methodological approach included evaluating function and resource usage of the unit operations. More sustainable alternative unit operations and processes were identified and studied. The results indicate that the current sugar production and by‐product valorization focuses on centralized processing and has been individually optimized per sector and industry based on relatively inexpensive transportation and energy without a focus as such on the bio‐based economy. For incorporation of the opportunities, a process for targeting new bio‐based markets and supplementing large‐scale sugar production was designed. It was found that small‐scale biorefineries as an alternative and/or supplementation of the traditional large‐scale process have the ability to increase the overall sustainability of sugarbeet processing, for example reduce energy usage and carbon footprint, by reducing transportation movements. Moreover, it provides opportunities for leaving out certain unit operations and using less capital‐intensive technologies. With a holistic approach throughout the value chain, the introduction of small‐scale biorefineries can help meet the challenges of the sugar producing industry, while simultaneously benefitting people, planet, and profit.
Fetal alcohol syndrome surveillance: Age of syndrome manifestation in case ascertainment
Authors: Moberg D. Paul , Bowser John , Burd Larry , Elliott Amy J. , Punyko Judy , Wilton Georgiana ,   for the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Program–FASSLink Team
Published: April 2014

Background

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a leading cause of developmental disability (Abel & Sokol, ). Active public health surveillance through medical record abstraction has been used to estimate FAS prevalence rates, typically based on birth cohorts. There is an extended time for FAS characteristics to become apparent in infants and young children, and there are often delays in syndrome recognition and documentation. This methodological study analyzes the age at case ascertainment in a large surveillance program.

Methods

The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance (FASSLink) Project, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sought to estimate FAS prevalence rates in eight U.S. states. FASSLink used linked abstractions from multiple health care records of suspected cases of FAS. The present study analyzed data from this effort to determine the child's age in months at confirming abstraction.

Results

The average age at abstraction for confirmed/probable FAS cases (n = 422) was 48.3 (±19.5) months with a range of 0 to 94 months. Age of ascertainment varied by state and decreased with each birth year; the number of cases ascertained also decreased in a steep stepwise gradient over the 6 birth years in the study.

Conclusion

FAS surveillance efforts should screen records of children who are much older than is typical in birth defects surveillance. To best establish rates of FAS using medical records abstraction, surveillance efforts should focus on 1‐year birth cohorts followed for a fixed number of years or, if using multi‐year cohorts, should implement staggered end dates allowing all births to be followed for up to 8 years of age. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 100:663–669, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.