bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SEM imaging of the stimulatory response of RAW264.7 cells against Porphyromonas gingivalis using a simple technique employing new conductive materials
Authors: Takahashi Chisato , Umemura Yoshiki , Naka Ayako , Yamamoto Hiromitsu
Published: June 2017

In the medical biology, it is essential to understand not only biological morphology but also the interaction between biological materials and agents. To study these, electron microscopy (EM) is often utilized. However, sample preparation techniques for EM require a high level of skill and a considerable time. Here, we conducted EM using a simple technique employing a conductive liquid, BEL‐1, and compared the results with another simple technique employing an ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]). BEL‐1 was used for sample pretreatment, and the morphologies of the mouse RAW 264.7 cell line, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and the RAW 264.7 cell line were stimulated via co‐incubation with P. gingivalis and observed using field emission scanning EM (FE‐SEM). In the present study, the inflammation‐induced system of P. gingivalis was successfully established. FE‐SEM results revealed the fine morphology of the RAW 264.7 cell line and P. gingivalis and confirmed a morphological change in the RAW 264.7 cell line caused by P. gingivalis stimulation. Using the developed sample preparation technique employing BEL‐1, high‐contrast and high‐resolution observations of deformable biological materials were conducted without any difficulty or the necessity for complicated technique. This morphological information and the developed techniques can contribute to reveal the interaction between biological materials and agents and thereby accelerate drug formulation and disease treatment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1280–1285, 2018.
Retracted: SiRNA‐Mediated Down‐Regulation of CLIC4 Gene Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Accelerates Cell Apoptosis of Mouse Liver Cancer Hca‐F and Hca‐P Cells
Authors: Yu Qiu‐Yun , Zhou Xin‐Feng , Xia Qing , Shen Jia , Yan Jia , Zhu Jiu‐Ting , Li Xiang , Shu Ming
Published: June 2017

This study explored the effects involved in silencing CLIC4 on apoptosis and proliferation of mouse liver cancer Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells. A CLIC4‐target small interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed to compound into two individual complementary oligonucleotide chains. A process of annealing and connection to a pSilencer vector was followed by transfection with Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting techniques were used to determine CLIC4 mRNA and protein expressions. CCK8 assay and flow cytometry were employed for analysis of the survival and apoptosis rate as well as the cell cycle in an octreotide‐induced apoptosis model. Expressions of caspase 3, caspase 9, and cleaved PARP were measured using Western blotting. The CLIC4 mRNA and protein expressions in Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells transfected by pSilencer‐CLIC4 siRNA plasmid in the blank group displayed remarkably decreased levels of expression, when compared with both the control and negative control (NC) groups. Decreased survival rates and cleaved PARP expression, increased cell apoptosis rate,expressions of caspase 3 and caspase 9 in Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells were detected in groups that had been cultured in a medium containing octreotide. The pSilencer‐CLIC4 siRNA‐2 group when compared with the control and NC groups exhibited decreased survival rates, cleaved PARP expression, increased cell apoptosis rates, and increased expressions of caspase 3 and caspase 9 of Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells. The results demonstrated that siRNA‐induced down‐regulation of CLIC4 could proliferation, while in turn promoting apoptosis of mouse liver cancer Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 659–668, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
UCH‐L1 promotes invasion of breast cancer cells through activating Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Luo Yanhong , He Jianfeng , Yang Chunlin , Orange Matthew , Ren Xingcong , Blair Nick , Tan Tao , Yang Jin‐Ming , Zhu Hua
Published: June 2017

As a de‐ubiquitin enzyme, ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase (UCH)‐L1 has been shown to be overexpressed in several human cancers. However, the function of UCH‐L1 in invasion of breast cancers is still unclear. Here we report that the expression of UCH‐L1 is significantly higher in cancer cells with higher invasive ability. While ectopic UCH‐L1 expression failed to alter cell proliferation in MCF‐7 cells, it caused a significant upregulation of cellular invasion. Furthermore, siRNA mediated knockdown of UCH‐L1 led to suppression of invasion in UCH‐L1 overexpressing MCF‐7 cells. In order to identify molecular mechanisms underlying these observations, a novel in vitro proximity‐dependent biotin identification method was developed by fusing UCH‐L1 protein with a bacterial biotin ligase (Escherichia coli BirA R118G, BioID). Streptavidin magnetic beads pulldown assay revealed that UCH‐L1 can interact with Akt in MCF‐7 cells. Pulldown assay with His tagged recombinant UCH‐L1 protein and cell lysate from MCF‐7 cells further demonstrated that UCH‐L1 preferentially binds to Akt2 for Akt activation. Finally, we demonstrated that overexpression of UCH‐L1 led to activation of Akt as evidenced by upregulation of phosphorylated Akt. Thus, these findings demonstrated that UCH‐L1 promotes invasion of breast cancer cells and might serve as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of human patients with breast cancers.
Salvianolic acid B protects against acute lung injury by decreasing TRPM6 and TRPM7 expressions in a rat model of sepsis
Authors: Yang Chu‐Wei , Liu Hui , Li Xiang‐Dong , Sui Shao‐Guang , Liu Yu‐Fei
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of salvianolic acid B (SA‐B) on acute lung injury (ALI) through decreasing the expressions of channel kinase's TRPM6 and TRPM7. Wistar Septic rat models were established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which were separated into the control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), SA‐B, SA‐B + si‐TRPM6, SA‐B + si‐TRPM7, si‐TRPM6, and si‐TRPM7 groups. Arterial blood gas, protein content, total white blood cell (WBC) count and the percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN%) were measured. Levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were monitored. Lung coefficient, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were conducted by MPO and SOD kit. The mRNA expressions of TRPM6 and TRPM7 were detected by qRT‐PCR. Compared with the control group, the PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 values exhibited decreases in other group, while the PaCO2 value, protein content, total WBC, PMN%, TNF‐α, IL‐6 levels and lung coefficient values all increased. MPO activity in lung tissue increased, while SOD activity decreased. TRPM6 and TRPM7 expressions increased significantly. Compared with the LPS group, the SA‐B, SA‐B + si‐TRPM6, SA‐B + si‐TRPM7, si‐TRPM6, and si‐TRPM7 groups had increased PaO2 and the PaO2/FiO2, while decreased PaCO2, protein content, total WBC, PMN%, TNF‐α, IL‐6 levels, and lung coefficient. MPO activity in lung tissue decreased while SOD activity increased. Decreased mRNA expressions of TRPM6 and TRPM7 in the SA‐B, SA‐B + si‐TRPM6, and SA‐B + si‐TRPM6 groups were observed. Through decreasing the expressions of the channel kinase TRPM6 and TRPM7, SA‐B protects against ALI in septic rats.
Solvent‐free Synthesis of Water‐Soluble New Pyridinium Amines: Spectroscopic Characterization, Biological Screening, and Interaction Study with DNA
Authors: Zafar Muhammad Naveed , Masood Sara , Nazar Muhammad Faizan , Raza Muhammad Asam , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Mugal Ehsan Ullah , Rafique Hummera , Gul‐e‐Saba
Published: June 2017

New water‐soluble pyridinium amines (2–8) were obtained by the solid‐state reactions of 4‐chloro‐1‐methylpyridin‐1‐ium triflate (1) and various primary aromatic amines. These compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C NMR, FTIR, UV–vis, and fluorescence spectroscopic methods along with single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination. The interaction potentials of all newly synthesized compounds with calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) were investigated by UV–vis and florescence spectroscopy accompanied by docking studies. UV–vis spectroscopy indicated that the binding of compounds with CT‐DNA takes place via the intercalative mode. The compounds were also screened for their potential as antioxidants and enzyme inhibition agents. Some compounds displayed excellent butyrylcholine and acetylcholine esterase inhibition activities and were effective in scavenging the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical in a dose‐dependent manner comparable to a standard.
ESRRB plays a crucial role in the promotion of porcine cell reprograming
Authors: Yang Fan , Ren Yahui , Li Huan , Wang Huayan
Published: June 2017

The estrogen‐related receptor b (ESRRB) is an orphan nuclear receptor and targets many genes involved in self‐renewal and pluripotency. In mouse ES cells, overexpression of ESRRB can maintain LIF‐independent self‐renewal in the absence of Nanog. However, the fundamental features of porcine ESRRB remain elusive. In this study, we revealed the expression profiles of ESRRB in both porcine pluripotent stem cells and early stage embryos and dissected the functional domains of ESRRB protein to prove that ESRRB is a key transcription factor that enhanced porcine pluripotent gene activation. Addition of ESRRB into the cocktail of core pluripotent factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c‐Myc (OSKM + E) could significantly enhance the reprograming efficiency and the formation of alkaline phosphatase positive colonies. Conversely, knockdown of ESRRB in piPSCs significantly reduced the expression level of pluripotent genes, minimized the alkaline phosphatase activity, and initiated the porcine induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation. Therefore, porcine ESRRB is a crucial transcription factor to improve the self‐renewal of piPSCs.
Transfer printing for fabrication of flexible RGB color e‐paper
Authors: Wang Li , Liu Gui‐Shi , Wang Yu‐Cheng , Su Jing , Wang Xi‐Du , Zeng Xi , Zhang Zi‐Shou , Deng Shao‐Zhi , Shieh Han‐Ping D. , Yang Bo‐Ru
Published: June 2017

Electrophoretic display (EPD) has been a prevailing paper‐like display technology for years, owing to its advantages of flexibility, low‐power consumption, and good sunlight readability. However, it is regrettable that the black/white EPD still dominates the majority of the market while a commercially sold full‐color EPD is still unavailable. In this paper, we proposed a facile yet feasible method to fabricate a color EPD by a tape‐assisted transfer method, which is the first demonstration using transfer method to achieve color micro‐encapsulated EPD.
Quantification of fatty acids in erythrocytes and plasma by fast gas chromatography
Authors: Cruz‐Hernandez Cristina , Thakkar Sagar K. , Masserey‐Elmelegy Isabelle , Buosi William , Fontannaz Patric , Giuffrida Francesca
Published: June 2017

As a result of the heterogeneous nature of lipid classes in complex biological matrices such as plasma and erythrocytes, it is imperative to have a robust and validated methodology for fatty acid quantification. The effective method presented here combines available methodology of fast gas chromatography and an improvement of the sample preparation methodology before injection into the gas chromatograph. This methodology ensures complete transesterification and quantification of total and individual fatty acids (and not only in relative amounts) by addition of internal standards. We considered sample preparation key, and we established the use of lysis buffer and ethanol for erythrocytes and plasma sample preparation, respectively. Fatty acid profile was determined by acid methylation and fast gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. The triacylglycerol 13:0, phosphatidylcholine 23:0, and methyl esters 21:0 were used as internal standards. Within the linearity of the calibration, the ratio of the peak area of each fatty acid over the peak area of the internal standard was constant (coefficient of variation ≤ 2.5). Satisfactory repeatability <15% and intermediate reproducibility < 15% were observed. Finally, this validated method was applied to a pre‐clinical trial that investigated the impact of dietary fats on accretion of specific fatty acids in plasma and erythrocytes.
Bias correction of climate models for hydrological modelling – are simple methods still useful?
Authors: Shrestha Manish , Acharya Suwash Chandra , Shrestha Pallav Kumar
Published: June 2017

The spatial climatic characteristics of the Himalayas are complex and a challenge for regional climate models (RCMs). There is no doubt that some form of correction before any application of RCM simulations is a must. In recent years, simple bias correction techniques have been overshadowed by more popular and complex bias correction techniques. In this study an attempt is made to compare the performance of a simple and of a comparatively complex correction technique for hydrological analysis at a monthly resolution in the Kaligandaki River Basin of Nepal. The research workflow consists of bias correction of temperature and precipitation using a simple technique (linear scaling) and a comparatively complex one (quantile mapping). The performance at monthly resolution is evaluated against observed meteorological data while a combined evaluation is made via hydrological model response analysis. The wetter and colder RCM estimates were significantly improved after bias correction. The hydrological modelling response also shows the importance of the bias correction of the RCMs. However, no significant difference was observed between the outputs of linear scaling and quantile mapping which exhibited almost identical performances. Hence, this study has a novel conclusion that a simple method, such as linear scaling, is sufficient for hydrological analysis at monthly resolution.
On the two classes of high‐order convergent methods of approximate inverse preconditioners for solving linear systems
Authors: Buranay Suzan C. , Subasi Dervis , Iyikal Ovgu C.
Published: June 2017

Two classes of methods for approximate matrix inversion with convergence orders p=3∗2k+1 (Class 1) and p=5∗2k−1 (Class 2), k≥1 an integer, are given based on matrix multiplication and matrix addition. These methods perform less number of matrix multiplications compared to the known hyperpower method or pth‐order method for the same orders and can be used to construct approximate inverse preconditioners for solving linear systems. Convergence, error, and stability analyses of the proposed classes of methods are provided. Theoretical results are justified with numerical results obtained by using the proposed methods of orders p=7,13 from Class 1 and the methods with orders p=9,19 from Class 2 to obtain polynomial preconditioners for preconditioning the biconjugate gradient (BICG) method for solving well‐ and ill‐posed problems. From the literature, methods with orders p=8,16 belonging to a family developed by the effective representation of the pth‐order method for orders p=2k, k is integer k≥1, and other recently given high‐order convergent methods of orders p=6,7,8,12 for approximate matrix inversion are also used to construct polynomial preconditioners for preconditioning the BICG method to solve the considered problems. Numerical comparisons are given to show the applicability, stability, and computational complexity of the proposed methods by paying attention to the asymptotic convergence rates. It is shown that the BICG method converges very quickly when applied to solve the preconditioned system. Therefore, the cost of constructing these preconditioners is amortized if the preconditioner is to be reused over several systems of same coefficient matrix with different right sides.
Verbal communication of families with cancer patients at end of life: A questionnaire survey with bereaved family members
Authors: Nakazato Kazuhiro , Shiozaki Mariko , Hirai Kei , Morita Tatsuya , Tatara Ryuhei , Ichihara Kaori , Sato Shinichi , Simizu Megumi , Tsuneto Satoru , Shima Yasuo , Miyasita Mitsunori
Published: June 2017

Objective

To clarify the verbal communication of feelings between families and patients in Japanese palliative care units from the perspective of bereaved family members by examining (1) proportions of families' and patients' verbalization of six feelings (gratitude, love, seeking forgiveness, giving forgiveness, wishes after death, and continuing bonds), (2) recognition of receiving these feelings through verbalization from the family's perspective, and (3) the specific attitudes of family members that influence their verbalizations.

Methods

In 2010, a cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 968 bereaved families of cancer patients in palliative care units across Japan.

Results

Five hundred thirty‐seven responses were analyzed. (1) “Gratitude” was verbalized most often (families: 47%; patients: 61%), and “expressing forgiveness” least often (families: 16%; patients: 11%). (2) Even if the words were not used, 81.2% to 88.2% of families answered that they had received the patient's feelings, and 71.8% to 85.4% of families felt the patient had received their feelings. (3) Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that the strongest attitudes determining verbalizing were “not wanting to say farewell without conveying feelings,” “a daily basis of expressing,” and “heart‐to‐heart communication” (ishin‐denshin).

Conclusions

For both families and patients, verbalizing feelings was difficult. Our results showed that families' and patients' verbalizing and receiving of feelings must be aligned to understand their communication at the end of life in Japan. Future research is needed to verify how attitude helps promote or inhibit verbalization.
Analysis of GaN based high‐power diode lasers after singular degradation events
Authors: Mura Giovanna , Vanzi Massimo , Hempel Martin , Tomm Jens W.
Published: June 2017

Damage patterns caused by the Catastrophic Optical Damage (COD) are analyzed in GaN‐based high‐power diode lasers. In contrast to standard failure analysis, the devices are intentionally degraded under well‐defined conditions. We find that defect growth during COD is fed by the optical mode, that is, laser energy. This process involves melting and even vaporization of quantum‐well and waveguide materials. Average defect propagation velocities along the laser axis of 110 m s−1 are observed. COD results in material loss including the formation of an empty channel. This is well consistent with material loss due to ejections of hot material out of the front facet of the device. The laser structure in the immediate vicinity of the empty channel seems to be absolutely undisturbed and no transition regions or remaining material are observed. These results are compared with earlier findings from comparable experiments obtained with GaAs‐based devices.
Regularity of the Eikonal equation with two vanishing entropies
Authors: Lorent Andrew , Peng Guanying
Published: June 2017

Let

\mathrm{\Omega } \subset \mathbb{R}^{2}

be a bounded simply-connected domain. The Eikonal equation

\left|\mathrm{∇}u\right| = 1

for a function

u:\mathrm{\Omega } \subset \mathbb{R}^{2}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}

has very little regularity, examples with singularities of the gradient existing on a set of positive

H^{1}

measure are trivial to construct. With the mild additional condition of two vanishing entropies we show ∇
u
is locally Lipschitz outside a locally finite set. Our condition is motivated by a well known problem in Calculus of Variations known as the Aviles–Giga problem. The two entropies we consider were introduced by Jin, Kohn [26], Ambrosio, DeLellis, Mantegazza [2] to study the Γ-limit of the Aviles–Giga functional. Formally if
u
satisfies the Eikonal equation and if

\mathrm{∇} \cdot \left(\widetilde{\mathrm{\Sigma }}_{e_{1}e_{2}}(\mathrm{∇}u^{ \perp })\right) = 0\text{ and }\mathrm{∇} \cdot \left(\widetilde{\mathrm{\Sigma }}_{\epsilon _{1}\epsilon _{2}}(\mathrm{∇}u^{ \perp })\right) = 0\text{ distributionally in }\mathrm{\Omega },

where

\widetilde{\mathrm{\Sigma }}_{e_{1}e_{2}}

and

\widetilde{\mathrm{\Sigma }}_{\epsilon _{1}\epsilon _{2}}

are the entropies introduced by Jin, Kohn [26], and Ambrosio, DeLellis, Mantegazza [2], then ∇
u
is locally Lipschitz continuous outside a locally finite set.

Condition (1) is motivated by the zero energy states of the Aviles–Giga functional. The zero energy states of the Aviles–Giga functional have been characterized by Jabin, Otto, Perthame [25]. Among other results they showed that if

\mathrm{\lim }_{n\rightarrow \infty }⁡I_{\epsilon _{n}}(u_{n}) = 0

for some sequence

u_{n} \in W_{0}^{2,2}(\mathrm{\Omega })

and

u = \mathrm{\lim }_{n\rightarrow \infty }⁡u_{n}

then ∇
u
is Lipschitz continuous outside a finite set. This is essentially a corollary to their theorem that if
u
is a solution to the Eikonal equation

\left|\mathrm{∇}u\right| = 1

a.e. and if for every “entropy” Φ (in the sense of [18], Definition 1) function
u
satisfies

\mathrm{∇} \cdot \left[\mathrm{\Phi }(\mathrm{∇}u^{ \perp })\right] = 0

distributionally in Ω then ∇
u
is locally Lipschitz continuous outside a locally finite set. In this paper we generalize this result in that we require only two entropies to vanish.

The method of proof is to transform any solution of the Eikonal equation satisfying (1) into a differential inclusion

DF \in K

where

K \subset M^{2 \times 2}

is a connected compact set of matrices without Rank-1 connections. Equivalently this differential inclusion can be written as a constrained non-linear Beltrami equation. The set
K
is also non-elliptic in the sense of Sverak [32]. By use of this transformation and by utilizing ideas from the work on regularity of solutions of the Eikonal equation in fractional Sobolev space by Ignat [23], DeLellis, Ignat [15] as well as methods of Sverak [32], regularity is established.
Visualizing minority: Images of ethnic minority groups in Chinese elementary social studies textbooks
Authors: Chu Yiting
Published: June 2017

This study investigates the visual representation of ethnic minority groups in Chinese elementary social studies textbooks. The author conducts a content analysis to examine the extent to which ethnic minority groups are visually represented and to explore the ways in which they are portrayed in some of the most popular social studies textbooks in China. A total of 6075 visuals drawn from 36 books were electronically coded and analyzed using SPSS. The findings reveal the dearth of ethnic minority-related visuals and show that ethnic minority individuals are visually represented in significantly different ways in many important aspects than non-minority people in these textbooks. The author concludes that the visual representations of ethnic minority groups in these textbooks contributes to a binary understanding of minority and majority by limiting the images of ethnic minority groups to selected cultural markers.
Stage and Picture in the English Renaissance
Authors: Astington John H.
Published: June 2017

This book presents a new approach to the relationship between traditional pictorial arts and the theatre in Renaissance England. Demonstrating the range of visual culture in evidence from the mid-sixteenth to mid-seventeenth century, from the grandeur of court murals to the cheap amusement of woodcut prints, John H. Astington shows how English drama drew heavily on this imagery to stimulate the imagination of the audience. He analyses the intersection of the theatrical and the visual through such topics as Shakespeare's Roman plays and the contemporary interest in Roman architecture and sculpture; the central myth of Troy and its widely recognised iconography; scriptural drama and biblical illustration; and the emblem of the theatre itself. The book demonstrates how the art that surrounded Shakespeare and his contemporaries had a profound influence on the ways in which theatre was produced and received.
Carnap, Quine, and Putnam on Methods of Inquiry
Authors: Ebbs Gary
Published: June 2017

Carnap, Quine, and Putnam held that in our pursuit of truth we can do no better than to start in the middle, relying on already-established beliefs and inferences and applying our best methods for re-evaluating particular beliefs and inferences and arriving at new ones. In this collection of essays, Gary Ebbs interprets these thinkers' methodological views in the light of their own philosophical commitments, and in the process refutes some widespread misunderstandings of their views, reveals the real strengths of their arguments, and exposes a number of problems that they face. To solve these problems, in many of the essays Ebbs also develops new philosophical approaches, including new theories of logical truth, language use, reference and truth, truth by convention, realism, trans-theoretical terms, agreement and disagreement, radical belief revision, and contextually a priori statements. His essays will be valuable for a wide range of readers in analytic philosophy.
The Achilles Heel of Democracy
Authors: Bowen Rachel E.
Published: June 2017

Featuring the first in-depth comparison of the judicial politics of five under-studied Central American countries, The Achilles Heel of Democracy offers a novel typology of 'judicial regime types' based on the political independence and societal autonomy of the judiciary. This book highlights the under-theorized influences on the justice system - criminals, activists, and other societal actors, and the ways that they intersect with more overtly political influences. Grounded in interviews with judges, lawyers, and activists, it presents the 'high politics' of constitutional conflicts in the context of national political conflicts as well as the 'low politics' of crime control and the operations of trial-level courts. The book begins in the violent and often authoritarian 1980s in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and spans through the tumultuous 2015 'Guatemalan Spring'; the evolution of Costa Rica's robust liberal judicial regime is traced from the 1950s.
COPEWELL: A Conceptual Framework and System Dynamics Model for Predicting Community Functioning and Resilience After Disasters
Authors: Links Jonathan M. , Schwartz Brian S. , Lin Sen , Kanarek Norma , Mitrani-Reiser Judith , Sell Tara Kirk , Watson Crystal R. , Ward Doug , Slemp Cathy , Burhans Robert , Gill Kimberly , Igusa Tak , Zhao Xilei , Aguirre Benigno , Trainor Joseph , Nigg Joanne , Inglesby Thomas , Carbone Eric , Kendra James M.
Published: June 2017

Objective

Policy-makers and practitioners have a need to assess community resilience in disasters. Prior efforts conflated resilience with community functioning, combined resistance and recovery (the components of resilience), and relied on a static model for what is inherently a dynamic process. We sought to develop linked conceptual and computational models of community functioning and resilience after a disaster.

Methods

We developed a system dynamics computational model that predicts community functioning after a disaster. The computational model outputted the time course of community functioning before, during, and after a disaster, which was used to calculate resistance, recovery, and resilience for all US counties.

Results

The conceptual model explicitly separated resilience from community functioning and identified all key components for each, which were translated into a system dynamics computational model with connections and feedbacks. The components were represented by publicly available measures at the county level. Baseline community functioning, resistance, recovery, and resilience evidenced a range of values and geographic clustering, consistent with hypotheses based on the disaster literature.

Conclusions

The work is transparent, motivates ongoing refinements, and identifies areas for improved measurements. After validation, such a model can be used to identify effective investments to enhance community resilience. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:127–137)
Evaluativity across adjective and construction types: An experimental study
Authors: BRASOVEANU ADRIAN , RETT JESSICA
Published: June 2017

An adjectival construction is evaluative if and only if it conveys that the property associated with the adjective exceeds a relevant threshold. The questions of which adjectival constructions are evaluative and why have formed the foundation for semantic theories of these constructions and of adjectives themselves (Klein 1980, von Stechow 1984), although it has been alleged that these theories are based on an incomplete picture of the phenomenon of evaluativity (Bierwisch 1989, Rett 2008a). We present the first experimental tests of the scope and nature of evaluativity across adjectival constructions and adjective types. These studies confirm that evaluativity is conditioned by adjective type (relative or absolute, Kennedy & McNally 2005) and is not restricted to the positive construction. However, they also show several new and surprising aspects of evaluativity: that it is perhaps better characterized as a gradable property than a binary one; that the ways in which relative and absolute adjectives differ in their evaluativity vary across construction; and that, contrary to standard intuitions, subjects are willing to attribute evaluativity to the subject position of comparative constructions likeSue is taller than Bill. We show that this last particularly surprising result reveals a lot about how subjects interpret contextually sensitive constructions, and we discuss its consequences for experimental studies and semantic theories of adjectival evaluativity as well as context-sensitive phenomena more generally.
TOY PIANOS, POOR TOOLS: VIRTUOSITY AND IMAGINATION IN A LIMITED CONTEXT
Authors: Pestova Xenia
Published: June 2017

The toy piano is fast becoming a concert instrument in its own right, with its own (growing) body of repertoire that has moved well beyond John Cage's 1948 classic Suite for Toy Piano. There are dedicated musicians specialising in toy piano performance all over the world, and numerous composers producing new works written specifically for the toy piano. This unusual miniature instrument provides a respite from the traditional implications of the grand piano, breaks the ice with audiences and allows pianists to perform in locations that would otherwise be inaccessible. In this article the author introduces the history and mechanism of the instrument, performance considerations, extended techniques and approaches to working with electronics, recent repertoire and suggestions for performers and composers. Discussion is supplemented with musical examples.
Numerical modelling of the cluster targets for their optimization in femtosecond-laser-cluster-driven experiments
Authors: Boldarev A.S. , Faenov A.Y. , Fukuda Y. , Jinno S. , Pikuz T.A. , Kando M. , Kondo K. , Kodama R.
Published: June 2017

The interaction of femtosecond ultra-intense laser pulses with clusters increases absorption of the incident laser light compared with the interaction with solid targets and leads to enhanced generation of different quantum beams with unique parameters. Future investigations of such interaction urgently need detailed modeling and optimization of cluster parameters, for instance, in order to obtain the clusters with desired size, or some specific spatial configuration of the target etc. A numerical model of gas-cluster targets production by the nozzle flows of gases and binary mixtures is presented. Some previous results of the model utilization are summarized, and some new results are given. Techniques of experimental verification of the numerical results are discussed.
Simulation analysis of zinc ablation process and mass by intense pulsed ion beam irradiation
Authors: Zhang J. , Zhong H.W. , Yu X. , Shen J. , Liang G.Y. , Cui X.J. , Zhang X.F. , Zhang G.L. , Yan S. , Le X.Y.
Published: June 2017

As the strong thermal effect in the surface, intense pulsed ion beam (IPIB) has been extensively used in material surface modification. The ablation is an important part in the interaction process between IPIB and material. In order to investigate the ablation mechanism, combined with IPIB dynamic energy spectrum and infrared imaging diagnostic results, a two-dimensional axisymmetric heat conduction model considering the effect of ablated material was constructed to describe the ablation process and calculate the lost mass of the targets. The influences of beam parameters and ablated matter on the ablation rate were discussed. The experimental and simulative results of ablation threshold and mass were compared.
Simulation of femtosecond laser absorption by metallic targets and their thermal evolution
Authors: Suslova A. , Hassanein A.
Published: June 2017

The interaction of femtosecond laser with initially cold solid metallic targets (Al, Au, Cu, Mo, Ni) was investigated in a wide range of laser intensity with focus on the laser energy absorption efficiency. Our developed simulation code (FEMTO-2D) is based on two-temperature model in two-dimensional configuration, where the temperature-dependent optical and thermodynamic properties of the target material were considered. The role of the collisional processes in the ultrashort pulse laser–matter interaction has been carefully analyzed throughout the process of material transition from the cold solid state into the dense plasma state during the pulse. We have compared the simulation predictions of the laser pulse absorption with temperature-dependent reflectivity and optical penetration depth to the case of constant optical parameters. By considering the effect of the temporal and spatial (radial) distribution of the laser intensity on the light absorption efficiency, we obtained a good agreement between the simulated results and available experimental data. The appropriate model for temperature-dependent optical parameters defining the laser absorption efficiency will allow more accurate simulation of the target thermal response in the applications where it is critical, such as prediction of the material damage threshold, laser ablation threshold, and the ablation profile.
Specific Referential Contexts Shape Efficiency in Second Language Processing: Three Eye-Tracking Experiments With 6- and 10-Year-Old Children in Spanish Immersion Schools
Authors: Lew-Williams Casey
Published: June 2017

Efficiency in real-time language processing generally poses a greater challenge to adults learning a second language (L2) than to children learning a first language (L1). A notoriously difficult aspect of language for L2 learners to master is grammatical gender, and previous research has shown that L2 learners do not exploit cues to grammatical gender in ways that resemble L1 speakers. But it is not clear whether this problem is restricted to grammatical gender or whether it reflects a broader difficulty with processing local relations between words. Moreover, we do not know if immersive L2 environments, relative to typical L2 classrooms, confer advantages in learning regularities between words. In three eye-tracking experiments, 6- and 10-year-old children who were enrolled in Spanish immersion elementary schools listened to sentences with articles that conveyed information about the grammatical gender (Experiment 1), biological gender (Experiment 2), and number of referents in the visual field (Experiment 3). L1 children used articles to guide their attention to target referents in all three experiments. L2 children did not take advantage of articles as cues to grammatical gender, but succeeded in doing so for biological gender and number. Interpretations of these findings focus on how learning experiences interact with the nature of specific referential contexts to shape learners’ efficiency in language processing.
Corrigendum to “Asymptotic prime divisors over complete intersection rings” [Math. Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc. 160 (3) (2016) 423-436]
Authors: GHOSH DIPANKAR , PUTHENPURAKAL TONY J.
Published: June 2017

There was a gap in the proof of Theorem 4.1 of [1]. In this corrigendum, we correct the error.
Tightly Combined BeiDou B2 and Galileo E5b Signals for Precise Relative Positioning
Authors: Wu Mingkui , Zhang Xiaohong , Liu Wanke , Ni Shaojie , Yu Shun
Published: June 2017

In precise relative positioning applications, an effective approach to improve the interoperability of GNSS systems is the tightly combining or inter-system double-differencing of observations from the common frequencies that are shared by different constellations. As the BeiDou satellites are currently transmitting a B2 signal at 1207.14 MHz that is identical to the Galileo E5b signal, the inter-system double-differenced observations can also be created between observations from both systems at that particular frequency. In this paper, we will focus on the instantaneous ambiguity resolution performance analysis of tightly combining BeiDou B2 and Galileo E5b observations. The size and stability of phase and code Differential Inter-System Biases (DISBs) between BeiDou B2 and Galileo E5b signals are first investigated, in which the new BeiDou and Galileo satellites launched recently will also be included. Then, first results of the Tightly Combined Model (TCM) with a priori corrected DISBs (TCM_C) are evaluated in comparison to the Loosely Combined Model (LCM) and tightly combined model with unknown DISBs (TCM_F) in an instantaneous approach. It is demonstrated that the instantaneous integer ambiguity resolution performance can be improved using the TCM_C with respect to LCM and TCM_F.
Improved Concise Backstepping Control of Course Keeping for Ships Using Nonlinear Feedback Technique
Authors: Zhang XianKu , Yang Guangping , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Guoqing , Zhang Yuqi
Published: June 2017

Course keeping for ships is vital for automatic navigation in marine transportation. To improve the control effect and reduce the energy output of the controller, this article proposes an improved concise backstepping controller based on a Lyapunov candidate function by introducing a nonlinear function of course error to replace the course error itself in the feedback loop. The procedure of nonlinear controller design has been reduced from two steps to one step using information from controlled plant to construct the Lyapunov candidate function. Compared with the pure backstepping control, the proposed improved algorithm reserves the nonlinear item of the system, and possesses a strong disturbance rejection ability and robustness to the mathematical model uncertainty. The algorithm given here has advantages of simplified construction method, satisfactory control effect, robustness and energy saving.
Application of the Nonlinear Tschauner-Hempel Equations to Satellite Relative Position Estimation and Control
Authors: Vepa Ranjan
Published: June 2017

In this paper we develop the nonlinear motion equations in terms of the true anomaly varying Tschauner–Hempel equations relative to a notional orbiting particle in a Keplerian orbit, relatively close to an orbiting primary satellite to estimate the position of a spacecraft. A second orbiting body in Earth orbit relatively close to the first is similarly modelled. The dynamic relative motion models of the satellite and the second orbiting body, both of which are modelled in terms of independent relative motion equations, include several perturbing effects, such as the asymmetry of the Earth gravitational field resulting in the Earth's oblateness effect and the third body accelerations due to the Moon and the Sun. Linear control laws are synthesised for the primary satellite using the transition matrix so it can rendezvous with the second orbiting body. The control laws are then implemented using the state estimates obtained earlier to validate the feedback controller. Thus, we demonstrate the application of a Linear Quadratic Nonlinear Gaussian (LQNG) design methodology to the satellite rendezvous control design problem and validate it.
MONETARY FEEDBACK RULES AND EQUILIBRIUM DETERMINACY IN PURE EXCHANGE OVERLAPPING GENERATIONS MODELS
Authors: Naimzada Ahmad , Pecora Nicolò , Spelta Alessandro
Published: June 2017

This paper considers a pure exchange overlapping generations model in which the money-growth rate is endogenous and follows a feedback rule. Different specifications for the monetary policy rule are analyzed, namely a so-called current, forward, or backward-looking feedback rule, depending on whether the monetary authority uses the actual, expected, or last observed values of the inflation rate to set the monetary policy. We study how the responsiveness of the policy rule with respect to inflation affects the determinacy of the monetary equilibrium. A policy rule is called aggressive (moderate) if it responds strongly (moderately) to inflation deviations from the target. We show how aggressive feedback rules, depending on the considered timing, can reinforce mechanisms that lead to indeterminacy or may lead the inflation rate to fluctuate around the monetary equilibrium at which monetary policy is aggressive. Aleaning against the windpolicy seems to be more desirable from an equilibrium determinacy point of view. On the contrary, aleaning with the windpolicy could not be the recommended policy for the Central Bank.
SUB-RIEMANNIAN RICCI CURVATURES AND UNIVERSAL DIAMETER BOUNDS FOR 3-SASAKIAN MANIFOLDS
Authors: Rizzi Luca , Silveira Pavel
Published: June 2017

For a fat sub-Riemannian structure, we introduce three canonical Ricci curvatures in the sense of Agrachev–Zelenko–Li. Under appropriate bounds we prove comparison theorems for conjugate lengths, Bonnet–Myers type results and Laplacian comparison theorems for the intrinsic sub-Laplacian. As an application, we consider the sub-Riemannian structure of 3-Sasakian manifolds, for which we provide explicit curvature formulas. We prove that any complete 3-Sasakian structure of dimension$4d+3$, with$d>1$, has sub-Riemannian diameter bounded by$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$. When$d=1$, a similar statement holds under additional Ricci bounds. These results are sharp for the natural sub-Riemannian structure on$\mathbb{S}^{4d+3}$of the quaternionic Hopf fibrations:$$\begin{eqnarray}\mathbb{S}^{3}{\hookrightarrow}\mathbb{S}^{4d+3}\rightarrow \mathbb{HP}^{d},\end{eqnarray}$$whose exact sub-Riemannian diameter is$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$, for all$d\geqslant 1$.
Hide and “sick”: Self-concealment, shame and distress in the setting of psycho-oncology
Authors: Wertheim Reut , Hasson-Ohayon Ilanit , Mashiach-Eizenberg Michal , Pizem Noam , Shacham-Shmueli Einat , Goldzweig Gil
Published: June 2017

Objective:

Both trait and contextual self-concealment, as well as shame- and guilt-proneness, have previously been found to be associated with psychological distress. However, findings regarding the associations between these variables among patients with cancer and among the spouses of patients with cancer are limited. The aim of the current study was therefore to investigate the relationship between shame-proneness and psychological distress (anxiety and depression) by examining the mediating role of both trait and contextual self-concealment among patients with cancer and among the spouses of patients with cancer.

Method:

The current study was part of a large-scale cross-sectional study on self-concealment among patients with cancer and spouses of patients with cancer. It was based on two independent subsamples: patients with cancer and spouses of patients with cancer,who were not dyads. A total of 80 patients with cancer and 80 spouses of (other) patients with cancer completed questionnaires assessing shame- and guilt-proneness, trait and contextual self-concealment, anxiety, and depression.

Results:

Results indicate that spouses reported both greater shame-proneness and anxiety than did patients (main effect of role). Female participants reported greater shame-proneness, higher levels of contextual self-concealment, and greater depression and anxiety than did male participants (main effect of gender). No group differences (role/gender) were found for guilt-proneness and trait self-concealment. Trait and contextual self-concealment partially mediated the relationship between shame-proneness and distress, pointing out the need to further examine additional mediators.

Significance of results:

Findings suggest that contextual self-concealment and shame-proneness are important variables to consider when assessing distress in the setting of psycho-oncology. Study results may have significant clinical implications regarding the need to identify patients and spouses who are more prone to shame and self-concealment behavior in order to better tailor interventions for them.
The Patient Dignity Inventory: Just another evaluation tool? Experiences with advanced cancer patients
Authors: Rullán María , Arantzamendi María , Carvajal Ana , Martínez Marina , Saenz de Ormijana Amaia , Centeno Carlos
Published: June 2017

Objective:

The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) evaluates sources of distress related to the feeling of loss of dignity and was designed for patients at the end of life. The aim of the present work was to generate a better understanding of the experiences of healthcare staff when using the PDI.

Method:

An exploratory qualitative study is presented about the experience of 4 professionals who applied the PDI to 124 advanced-cancer patients. Our study consisted of an analysis of their experiences, taken from information generated in a focus group. A thematic analysis was performed on the information generated at that meeting by two researchers working independently.

Results:

The initial experiences with the PDI on the part of the professionals led them to systematically administer the questionnaire as part of an interview instead of having patients fill it out themselves in written form. What started out as an evaluation very often led to a profound conversation on the meaning of life, dignity, and other sensitive, key issues related to the process of the illness.

Significance of results:

The PDI has intrinsic therapeutic value and is useful in clinical practice, and it is also a way of examining issues related to dignity and the meaning of life within the context of advanced-stage illness. There is a need for studies that examine patient experiences through a PDI-based interview.
Testosteronmangel beim alternden Mann
Authors: Freystätter Gregor , Bischoff-Ferrari Heike A.
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Zur Diagnose eines Testosteronmangels müssen Symptome und ein verminderter Serum-Testosteronspiegel bestehen. Als Schwellenwert für einen niedrigen Gesamttestosteron-Spiegel gilt die untere Grenze des normalen Testosteronspiegels beim gesunden jungen Mann (10–12 nmol/l). In den bisherigen Studien zeigte sich bei Männern mit Testosteronmangel unter Testosteron-Substitutionstherapie eine Verbesserung der Knochendichte, eine Zunahme der Muskelmasse sowie eine Abnahme der Fettmasse. Ein gesteigertes kardiovaskuläres Risiko oder ein erhöhtes Prostatakarzinom-Risiko unter Testosterontherapie wurde bisher nicht nachgewiesen. Eine Testosteron-Substitution erfordert engmaschiges Monitoring und regelmässige Kontrollen des Therapieansprechens; bei einem Nicht-Ansprechen sollte die Substitution gestoppt werden. Ziel-Testosteronspiegel für ältere Männer ist ein niedrig-normaler Gesamttestosteron-Spiegel junger Männer von 14,0–17,5 nmol/l.
Thrombophlebitis der Vena basilica nach beidseitiger Brustaugmentation
Authors: Rau Monika , Kaiser Robert , Knechtle Beat
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Wir berichten über eine 33-jährige Patientin, die sich 14 Tage nach Brustaugmentation mit Schmerzen im linken Oberarm und mit Sensibilitätseinschränkungen in der Handinnenseite links in der hausärztlichen Praxis vorstellt. Im Labor fanden sich erhöhte Werte für D-Dimere. In der Duplexsonografie lag eine ausgeprägte Thrombophlebitis der Vena basilica links vor. Nach Gabe von Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) für vier Wochen und des Tragens eines Kompressionsverbands kam es zu einer Regredienz der Beschwerden. Fünf Wochen nach Diagnosestellung war die V. basilica links wieder rekanalisiert.