bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theta and high-beta networks for feedback processing: a simultaneous EEG–fMRI study in healthy male subjects
Authors: Andreou C , Frielinghaus H , Rauh J , Mußmann M , Vauth S , Braun P , Leicht G , Mulert C
Published: January 2017

The reward system is important in assessing outcomes to guide behavior. To achieve these purposes, its core components interact with several brain areas involved in cognitive and emotional processing. A key mechanism suggested to subserve these interactions is oscillatory activity, with a prominent role of theta and high-beta oscillations. The present study used single-trial coupling of simultaneously recorded electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging data to investigate networks associated with oscillatory responses to feedback during a two-choice gambling task in healthy male participants (n=19). Differential associations of theta and high-beta oscillations with non-overlapping brain networks were observed: Increase of high-beta power in response to positive feedback was associated with activations in a largely subcortical network encompassing core areas of the reward network. In contrast, theta-band power increase upon loss was associated with activations in a frontoparietal network that included the anterior cingulate cortex. Trait impulsivity correlated significantly with activations in areas of the theta-associated network. Our results suggest that positive and negative feedback is processed by separate brain networks associated with different cognitive functions. Communication within these networks is mediated by oscillations of different frequency, possibly reflecting different modes of dopaminergic signaling.
Glucose deficit triggers tau pathology and synaptic dysfunction in a tauopathy mouse model
Authors: Lauretti E , Li J-G , Di Meco A , Praticò D
Published: January 2017

Clinical investigations have highlighted a biological link between reduced brain glucose metabolism and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Previous studies showed that glucose deprivation may influence amyloid beta formation in vivo but no data are available on the effect that this condition might have on tau protein metabolism. In the current paper, we investigated the effect of glucose deficit on tau phosphorylation, memory and learning, and synaptic function in a transgenic mouse model of tauopathy, the h-tau mice. Compared with controls, h-tau mice with brain glucose deficit showed significant memory impairments, reduction of synaptic long-term potentiation, increased tau phosphorylation, which was mediated by the activation of P38 MAPK Kinase pathway. We believe our studies demonstrate for the first time that reduced glucose availability in the central nervous system directly triggers behavioral deficits by promoting the development of tau neuropathology and synaptic dysfunction. Since restoring brain glucose levels and metabolism could afford the opportunity to positively influence the entire AD phenotype, this approach should be considered as a novel and viable therapy for preventing and/or halting the disease progression.
Particle filter‐based dual estimation for synchronous generators
Authors: Cui Yinan , Kavasseri Rajesh
Published: January 2017

This study proposes a particle filter (PF)‐based dual estimation method for tracking the dynamic states of a synchronous generator. The authors consider the situation where the field voltage measurements are not readily available. The PF is modified to treat the field voltage as an unknown input which is sequentially estimated along with the other dynamic states. To exploit the tracking results from the estimator, the authors consider the application of use the estimated field voltage to identify internal failures in the excitation subsystem. The proposed method is tested on a 10‐machine, 39‐bus system to assess selectivity between estimation for regular external disturbances and both physical failure, and modelling abnormality within excitation system. The presented studies show that the proposed method (i) provides reasonable tracking results for the dynamic states and the field voltage simultaneously, (ii) rapidly tracks minor excitation loss due to exciter internal failure while maintaining selectivity and (iii) is robust to measurement noise.
Monte Carlo simulation of photon emission below a few hundred kiloelectronvolts for beam monitoring in carbon ion therapy
Authors: Yamaguchi Mitsutaka , Nagao Yuto , Satoh Takahiro , Sugai Hiroyuki , Sakai Makoto , Arakawa Kazuo , Kawachi Naoki
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the main component of the low-energy (63–68 keV) particles emitted perpendicularly to the 12C beam from the 12C-irradiated region in a water phantom is secondary electron bremsstrahlung (SEB). Monte Carlo simulations of a 12C-beam (290 MeV/u) irradiated on a water phantom were performed. A detector was placed beside the water phantom with a lead collimator between the phantom and the detector. To move the Bragg-peak position, a binary filter was placed in an upper stream of the phantom. The energy distributions of the particles incident on the detector and those deposited in the detector were analyzed. The simulation was also performed with suppressed delta-ray and/or bremsstrahlung generation to identify the SEB components. It was found that the particles incident on the detector were predominantly photons and neutrons. The yields of the photons and energy deposition decreased with the suppression of SEB generation. It is concluded that one of the predominant components of the yields in the regions shallower than the Bragg-peak position is due to SEB generation, and these components become significantly smaller in regions deeper than the Bragg-peak position.
Investigation of 3D surface acoustic waves in granular media with 3-color digital holography
Authors: Leclercq Mathieu , Picart Pascal , Penelet Guillaume , Tournat Vincent
Published: January 2017

This paper reports the implementation of digital color holography to investigate elastic waves propagating along a layer of a granular medium. The holographic set-up provides simultaneous recording and measurement of the 3D dynamic displacement at the surface. Full-field measurements of the acoustic amplitude and phase at different excitation frequencies are obtained. It is shown that the experimental data can be used to obtain the dispersion curve of the modes propagating in this granular medium layer. The experimental dispersion curve and that obtained from a finite element modeling of the problem are found to be in good agreement. In addition, full-field images of the interaction of an acoustic wave guided in the granular layer with a buried object are also shown.
Selenium quantum dots: Preparation, structure, and properties
Authors: Qian Fuli , Li Xueming , Tang Libin , Lai Sin Ki , Lu Chaoyu , Lau Shu Ping
Published: January 2017

An interesting class of low-dimensional nanomaterials, namely, selenium quantum dots (SeQDs), which are composed of nano-sized selenium particles, is reported in this study. The SeQDs possess a hexagonal crystal structure. They can be synthesized in large quantity by ultrasound liquid-phase exfoliation using NbSe2 powders as the source material and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as the dispersant. During sonication, the Nb-Se bonds dissociate; the SeQDs are formed, while niobium is separated by centrifugation. The SeQDs have a narrow diameter distribution from 1.9 to 4.6 nm and can be dispersed with high stability in NMP without the need for passivating agents. They exhibit photoluminescence properties that are expected to find useful applications in bioimaging, optoelectronics, as well as nanocomposites.
Enhancement of directional broadband luminescence from a scintillation film via guided-mode resonance in a photonic crystal structure
Authors: Zhu Zhichao , Liu Bo , Cheng Chuanwei , Zhang Haifeng , Chen Hong , Gu Mu , Liu Jinliang , Chen Liang , Ouyang Xiaoping , Xue Chaofan , Wu Yanqing
Published: January 2017

Scintillation films play an important role in radiation detection. Improved light output and control of emission directionality are critical for practical applications. To obtain enhancement of broadband directional luminescence from a Lu2SiO5:Ce3+ scintillation film, a special photonic crystal structure is deposited on the film surface to provide multiple guided-mode resonances. The structure can be designed according to the application requirements. Numerical simulations are performed to analyze the enhancement. Overall, this method could be used when directional emission is required for radiation detection.
Salicylaldehyde Hydrazones: Buttressing of Outer-Sphere Hydrogen-Bonding and Copper Extraction Properties
Authors: Roach Benjamin D. , Lin Tai , Bauer Heiko , Forgan Ross S. , Parsons Simon , Rogers David M. , White Fraser J. , Tasker Peter A.
Published: January 2017

Salicylaldehyde hydrazones are weaker copper extractants than their oxime derivatives, which are used in hydrometallurgical processes to recover ~20 % of the world’s copper. Their strength, based on the extraction equilibrium constant Ke, can be increased by nearly three orders of magnitude by incorporating electron-withdrawing or hydrogen-bond acceptor groups (X) ortho to the phenolic OH group of the salicylaldehyde unit. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the effects of the 3-X substituents arise from a combination of their influence on the acidity of the phenol in the pH-dependent equilibrium, Cu2+ + 2Lorg ⇌ [Cu(L–H)2]org + 2H+, and on their ability to ‘buttress’ interligand hydrogen bonding by interacting with the hydrazone N–H donor group. X-ray crystal structure determination and computed structures indicate that in both the solid state and the gas phase, coordinated hydrazone groups are less planar than coordinated oximes and this has an adverse effect on intramolecular hydrogen-bond formation to the neighbouring phenolate oxygen atoms.
Plasmodium berghei
EXP-1 interacts with host Apolipoprotein H during
Plasmodium
liver-stage development
Authors: Sá e Cunha Cláudia , Nyboer Britta , Heiss Kirsten , Sanches-Vaz Margarida , Fontinha Diana , Wiedtke Ellen , Grimm Dirk , Przyborski Jude Marek , Mota Maria M. , Prudêncio Miguel , Mueller Ann-Kristin
Published: January 2017

Significance

The clinically silent intracellular development of
Plasmodium
parasites in the host liver is a prerequisite for the onset of malaria pathology. Liver stages can be completely eliminated by sterilizing immune responses and are promising targets for urgently needed antimalarial drugs and/or vaccines. The parasite is separated from the host cell cytoplasm by a parasitophorous vacuole (PV). We show that the PV membrane protein exported protein 1 interacts specifically with host Apolipoprotein H. The characterization of this protein–protein interaction revealed an essential role for both molecular partners during intrahepatic parasite growth. Our results improve our understanding of cell-biological aspects of host–pathogen interactions and may also help to develop new strategies to control
Plasmodium
infections.
Multispecies coalescent delimits structure, not species
Authors: Sukumaran Jeet , Knowles L. Lacey
Published: January 2017

Significance

Despite its widespread application to the species delimitation problem, our study demonstrates that what the multispecies coalescent actually delimits is structure. The current implementations of species delimitation under the multispecies coalescent do not provide any way for distinguishing between structure due to population-level processes and that due to species boundaries. The overinflation of species due to the misidentification of general genetic structure for species boundaries has profound implications for our understanding of the generation and dynamics of biodiversity, because any ecological or evolutionary studies that rely on species as their fundamental units will be impacted, as well as the very existence of this biodiversity, because conservation planning is undermined due to isolated populations incorrectly being treated as distinct species.
Mermin–Wagner fluctuations in 2D amorphous solids
Authors: Illing Bernd , Fritschi Sebastian , Kaiser Herbert , Klix Christian L. , Maret Georg , Keim Peter
Published: January 2017

Significance

Reducing dimensionality often entails striking new physics, as, e.g., the Quantum Hall effect in 2D electron systems or the different recurrence probabilities of random walks in various dimensions. In addition, phase transitions in 2D and 3D differ significantly: Long before graphene came into focus, theories for melting of 2D crystals were developed and probed with colloidal monolayers. In 2D, the crystalline and fluid phase is separated by a so-called hexatic phase, unknown in 3D. Furthermore, 2D crystals exhibit instabilities on large length scales. Here, we show that those instabilities also exist in 2D amorphous solids, but do not melt them—a topic that emerged only recently, 50 y after the prediction in 2D crystals by D. Mermin and H. Wagner.
Strengthening protected areas for biodiversity and ecosystem services in China
Authors: Xu Weihua , Xiao Yi , Zhang Jingjing , Yang Wu , Zhang Lu , Hull Vanessa , Wang Zhi , Zheng Hua , Liu Jianguo , Polasky Stephen , Jiang Ling , Xiao Yang , Shi Xuewei , Rao Enming , Lu Fei , Wang Xiaoke , Daily Gretchen C. , Ouyang Zhiyun
Published: January 2017

Significance

Following severe environmental degradation from rapid economic development, China is now advancing policies to secure biodiversity and ecosystem services. We report the first nationwide assessment, showing that protected areas (PAs) are not well delineated to protect either biodiversity or key ecosystem services. This serious deficiency exists in many countries. We propose creating a national park system in China to help guide development along a path of green growth, improving the well-being of both people and nature. This involves establishing new, strictly protected PAs for biodiversity and ecosystem services that are highly sensitive to human impacts, as well as a new PA category—in China and ideally worldwide—for integrating biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human activities to achieve sustainable development goals.
Emergence of function from coordinated cells in a tissue
Authors: Rajapakse Indika , Smale Stephen
Published: January 2017

Significance

A basic problem in biology is understanding how information from a single genome gives rise to function in a mature multicellular tissue. Genome dynamics stabilize to give rise to a protein distribution in a given cell type, which in turn gives rise to the identity of a cell. We build a highly idealized mathematical foundation that combines the genome (within cell) and the diffusion (between cell) dynamical forces. The trade-off between these forces gives rise to the emergence of function. We define emergence as the coordinated effect of individual components that establishes an objective not possible for an individual component. Our setting of emergence may further our understanding of normal tissue function and dysfunctional states such as cancer.
cGAS is essential for the antitumor effect of immune checkpoint blockade
Authors: Wang Hua , Hu Shuiqing , Chen Xiang , Shi Heping , Chen Chuo , Sun Lijun , Chen Zhijian J.
Published: January 2017

Significance

The recent success of immune checkpoint blockades, such as the use of antibodies against CTLA4, PD-1, and PD-L1 in cancer therapies has reinvigorated the concept of intrinsic antitumor immunity, but how the immune system detects tumors and generates antitumor immunity is still not well understood. Here we showed that the PD-L1 blockade lost its antitumor effects in mice lacking the cytosolic DNA sensor cGAS, suggesting that cGAS is essential for intrinsic antitumor immunity. Further, we showed that the cGAS product cGAMP has strong antitumor effects, especially when it is combined with the PD-L1 antibody. These results demonstrate that cGAS plays a pivotal role in cancer immunity and that cGAMP and its derivatives may be used directly for cancer immunotherapy.
Crystal structure of eukaryotic ribosome and its complexes with inhibitors
Authors: Yusupova Gulnara , Yusupov Marat
Published: January 2017

A high-resolution structure of the eukaryotic ribosome has been determined and has led to increased interest in studying protein biosynthesis and regulation of biosynthesis in cells. The functional complexes of the ribosome crystals obtained from bacteria and yeast have permitted researchers to identify the precise residue positions in different states of ribosome function. This knowledge, together with electron microscopy studies, enhances our understanding of how basic ribosome processes, including mRNA decoding, peptide bond formation, mRNA, and tRNA translocation and cotranslational transport of the nascent peptide, are regulated. In this review, we discuss the crystal structure of the entire 80S ribosome from yeast, which reveals its eukaryotic-specific features, and application of X-ray crystallography of the 80S ribosome for investigation of the binding mode for distinct compounds known to inhibit or modulate the protein-translation function of the ribosome. We also refer to a challenging aspect of the structural study of ribosomes, from higher eukaryotes, where the structures of major distinctive features of higher eukaryote ribosome—the high-eukaryote–specific long ribosomal RNA segments (about 1MDa)—remain unresolved. Presently, the structures of the major part of these high-eukaryotic expansion ribosomal RNA segments still remain unresolved.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Perspectives on the ribosome’.
What is meant by adaptability in buildings?
Authors: Pinder James A. , Schmidt Rob , Austin Simon A. , Gibb Alistair , Saker Jim
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Despite being a common term in the literature, there is little agreement about what the word “adaptability” means in the context of the built environment and very little evidence regarding practitioners’ understanding of adaptability. This paper aims to examine what practitioners in the building industry mean when they talk about “adaptability”.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative approach, involving 82 unstructured face-to-face interviews with practitioners from a range of professional disciplines in the construction industry, including architects, engineers, facilities managers, property agents and planners. The interview transcripts were coded inductively to identify themes in the qualitative data.

Findings

The interview data revealed a wide range of perspectives on adaptability, particularly regarding terminology, the meanings practitioners associate with adaptability and the way in which these meanings are communicated to others in the industry. The applied meaning of adaptability varied depending on context.

Practical implications

Conflicting language, and different interpretations of adaptability, is a potential barrier to the development of adaptable buildings. A clearer articulation of the meaning of adaptability (particularly by clients) during briefing and design could give rise to a more appropriate level of adaptability in the built environment.

Originality/value

This study has addressed a gap in the existing literature by foregrounding the voices of industry practitioners and exploring their (sometimes very different) interpretations of adaptability in buildings.
Strategic core change, faultlines and team flux: insight from punctuated equilibrium model
Authors: Zhang Yue , Liang Qiaozhuan , Fan Peihua
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Combining the punctuated equilibrium theory with the faultline theory, the purpose of this paper is to focus on member change of strategic core role holders in teams.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test the model using data from 30 National Basketball Association teams covering 11 regular seasons, carrying out regression analyses.

Findings

This research illustrates how different types of job-related skills of core role holders that involved in member change might influence the team performance loss, and how team demographic faultlines would serve as a moderator.

Practical implications

This research demonstrates that punctuational change in a team is not always bad, flux in coordination and team performance loss could be avoided by staffing strategic core role based on specific job-related skill levels and manipulating team composition based on demographic attributes.

Originality/value

The research model initially provides an integrated perspective of member change, core role and faultline theory to explain the team process for punctuational change.
Constitutional courts as veto players: Lessons from the United States, France and Germany
Authors: BROUARD SYLVAIN , HÖNNIGE CHRISTOPH
Published: January 2017

The number of constitutional courts and supreme courts with constitutional review rights has strongly increased with the third wave of democratisation across the world as an important element of the new constitutionalism. These courts play an important role in day‐to‐day politics as they can nullify acts of parliament and thus prevent or reverse a change in the status quo. In macro‐concepts of comparative politics, their role is unclear. Either they are integrated as counter‐majoritarian institutional features of a political system or they are entirely ignored: some authors do not discuss their potential impact at all, while others dismiss them because they believe their preferences as veto players are entirely absorbed by other actors in the political system. However, we know little about the conditions and variables that determine them as being counter‐majoritarian or veto players. This article employs the concept of Tsebelis’ veto player theory to analyse the question. It focuses on the spatial configuration of veto players in the legislative process and then adds the court as an additional player to find out if it is absorbed in the pareto‐efficient set of the existing players or not. A court which is absorbed by other veto players should not in theory veto new legislation. It is argued in this article that courts are conditional veto players. Their veto is dependent on three variables: the ideological composition of the court; the pattern of government control; and the legislative procedures. To empirically support the analysis, data from the United States, France and Germany from 1974 to 2009 is used. This case selection increases variance with regard to system types and court types. The main finding is that courts are not always absorbed as veto players: during the period of analysis, absorption varies between 11 and 71 per cent in the three systems. Furthermore, the pattern of absorption is specific in each country due to government control, court majority and legislative procedure. Therefore, it can be concluded that they are conditional veto players. The findings have at least two implications. First, constitutional courts and supreme courts with judicial review rights should be systematically included in veto player analysis of political systems and not left aside. Any concept ignoring such courts may lead to invalid results, and any concept that counts such courts merely as an institutional feature may lead to distorted results that over‐ or under‐estimate their impact. Second, the findings also have implications for the study of judicial politics. The main bulk of literature in this area is concerned with auto‐limitation, the so‐called ‘self‐restraint’ of the government to avoid defeat at the court. This auto‐limitation, however, should only occur if a court is not absorbed. However, vetoes observed when the court is absorbed might be explained by strategic behaviour among judges engaging in selective defection.
Utilization of Oleogels as a Replacement for Solid Fat in Aerated Baked Goods: Physicochemical, Rheological, and Tomographic Characterization
Authors: Kim Joo Young , Lim Jeongtaek , Lee JaeHwan , Hwang Hong‐Sik , Lee Suyong
Published: January 2017

Canola oil‐carnauba wax oleogels were evaluated as a replacement for shortening in a baked cake system. The use of oleogels produced cake batters with a lower pseudoplastic property and also contributed to their viscous nature. The shortening replacement with oleogels at up to 50% was effective in maintaining the ability to hold air cells into the cake batters. The volume of cakes had an overall tendency to decrease with increasing shortening replacement with oleogels, leading to increased cake firmness. The tomographic analysis demonstrated that the total porosity and fragmentation index were reduced in the oleogel cakes, showing a more connected solid structure. The levels of saturated fatty acids in the cakes containing oleogels were significantly reduced to 13.3%, compared to the control with shortening (74.2%). As a result, the use of oleogels for shortening up to 25% produced cakes with lower levels of saturated fatty acids without quality loss.
Benign features of infection‐related tumor‐like lesions of the lung: A retrospective imaging review study
Authors: Huang Chun‐Chao , Hung Sho‐Ting , Chang Wei‐Chin , Sheu Chin‐Yin
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Differentiation of benign and malignant pulmonary tumor‐like lesions is challenging but increasingly important. We evaluate the most common imaging features in benign lesions based on the frequency of their appearance and compare with corresponding frequencies in malignant tumors from literature.

Methods

Retrospective imaging review study in one center between 1 January 2012 and 30 June 2014. We reviewed the data from 2466 pathological examinations of lung specimens collected from the hospital. We excluded malignant or non‐tumor‐like lesions and identified 133 infection‐related lesions for imaging review. The frequency of 11 benign imaging features was evaluated in the selected infection‐related tumor‐like pulmonary lesions and was compared with corresponding frequency in malignant tumors.

Results

Most of the evaluated lesions were seen to have one to four benign features. The two most common benign features are marginal ground glass or infiltrates (62.4%), followed by pleura‐based wedge shape (50.4%). Features with significantly higher frequency in benign infection‐related lung lesions than malignancy are calcification or hyperdensity, pleura‐based wedge shape, adjacent clustered small nodules, and strongly or poorly enhanced soft tissue part.

Conclusions

Infection‐related lung lesions usually have one to four benign features and the common features with significantly higher frequency than malignant condition are pleura‐based wedge shape, calcification or hyperdensity, adjacent clustered small nodules, and strongly or poorly enhanced soft tissue part.
1×1 der Dermatohistologie: Teil 1 – Entzündliche Hauterkrankungen
Authors: Liersch Julia , von Köckritz Amelie , Schaller Jörg
Published: January 2017

Die Dermatohistologie ist von unverzichtbarem Stellenwert in der Diagnostik entzündlicher und neoplastischer Hautveränderungen. Zur richtigen Einordnung und Interpretation der histologischen Befunde, der Durchführung klinisch‐pathologischer Korrelationen (insbesondere bei entzündlichen Hauterkrankungen) sowie für die Wahl der richtigen Exzisionsmethode sind grundlegende Kenntnisse in der Dermatohistologie für den praktisch tätigen Dermatologen wertvoll und steigern die diagnostische Qualität. In diesem Artikel wird die Vorgehensweise des Dermatopathologen in der Diagnostik entzündlicher Dermatosen beschrieben. Anhand wichtiger histologischer Grundmuster werden die Grundprinzipien der dermatohistologischen Diagnostik erläutert. Ein folgender zweiter Teil wird die histologischen Charakteristika der häufigsten Hauttumoren darstellen.
Virulence‐dependent induction of interleukin‐10‐producing‐tolerogenic dendritic cells by Mycobacterium tuberculosis impedes optimal T helper type 1 proliferation
Authors: Kim Hongmin , Kwon Kee Woong , Kim Woo Sik , Shin Sung Jae
Published: January 2017

Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibits optimal T helper type 1 (Th1) responses during infection. However, the precise mechanisms by which virulent M. tuberculosis limits Th1 responses remain unclear. Here, we infected dendritic cells (DCs) with the virulent M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv or the attenuated strain H37Ra to investigate the phenotypic and functional alterations in DCs and resultant T‐cell responses. H37Rv‐infected DCs suppressed Th1 responses more strongly than H37Ra‐infected DCs. Interestingly, H37Rv, but not H37Ra, impaired DC surface molecule expression (CD80, CD86 and MHC class II) due to prominent interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) production while augmenting the expression of tolerogenic molecules including PD‐L1, CD103, Tim‐3 and indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase on DCs in a multiplicity‐of‐infection (MOI) ‐dependent manner. These results indicate that virulent M. tuberculosis drives immature DCs toward a tolerogenic phenotype. Notably, the tolerogenic phenotype of H37Rv‐infected DCs was blocked in DCs generated from IL‐10−/− mice or DCs treated with an IL‐10‐neutralizing monoclonal antibody, leading to restoration of Th1 polarization. These findings suggest that IL‐10 induces a tolerogenic DC phenotype. Interestingly, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation predominantly mediates IL‐10 production; hence, H37Rv tends to induce a tolerogenic DC phenotype through expression of tolerogenic molecules in the p38 MAPK–IL‐10 axis. Therefore, suppressing the tolerogenic cascade in DCs is a novel strategy for stimulating optimal protective T‐cell responses against M. tuberculosis infection.
The psychometric properties of the 5‐item gratitude questionnaire in Chinese adolescents
Authors: Zeng Y. , Ling Y. , Huebner E. S. , He Y. , Lei X.
Published: January 2017

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

The GQ‐6 is one of the most widely used self‐report questionnaires to evaluate the level of gratitude among adults. The GQ‐5 appears suitable for adolescents.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

We developed a Chinese version of the GQ‐5 and examined evidence for its reliability and validity. Results demonstrated adequate reliability and validity, indicating that it is appropriate for the assessment of gratitude in Chinese adolescents.

In addition, Chinese early adolescent females reported higher gratitude than adolescent males.

What are the implications for practice?

Screening adolescents who have lower levels of gratitude through the GQ‐5 could help identify students who may benefit from empirically validated interventions to promote higher levels of gratitude in an effort to promote positive psychosocial and academic outcomes.

Background

This study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the 5‐item Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ‐5).

Method

The sample consisted of 2093 middle school students (46.8% males) in mainland China. Confirmatory factor analysis and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis were performed to examine the factor structure and the measurement equivalence across gender. The convergent validity, Cronbach's α and mean interitem correlations of the GQ‐5 were also evaluated.

Results

The results provided evidence of internal consistency reliability through a Cronbach's α of 0.812 and a mean interitem correlation of 0.463 for the total sample. The results also supported a one‐dimensional factor structure. In addition, convergent validity was assessed by statistically significant positive correlations between the GQ‐5 and the two subscales of the Children's Hope Scale (CHS) and the Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) total score. Finally, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis also demonstrated measurement equivalence across gender. Subsequent analyses of latent mean revealed gender differences in early adolescent male and female students.

Conclusions

The Chinese version of the GQ‐5 appears to be a reliable and valid measure of gratitude among Chinese early adolescents. Early adolescent female students reported higher gratitude than early adolescent male students.
Pollen limitation, plasticity in floral traits, and mixed mating system in an alpine plant Pedicularis siphonantha (Orobanchaceae) from different altitudes
Authors: Dai Wen‐Kui , Kadiori Edwin Luguba , Wang Qing‐Feng , Yang Chun‐Feng
Published: January 2017

Plant mating systems rapidly respond to pollen limitation in changing environments. However, whether and how floral traits are involved in a mating system shift requires further investigation. A widely distributed and bumblebee‐pollinated lousewort, Pedicularis siphonantha D. Don was studied. We investigated pollination systems, reproductive success, and floral traits in four large populations growing from 3200 m to 4300 m. Pollinator activity in low altitude populations was lower and these populations had a decreased fruit set and seed number per capsule compared to populations at high altitudes. Supplemental hand pollination with outcross pollen significantly increased seed production per capsule for plants from high altitudes but not for those from lower altitudes. We also found that bumblebees visited more flowers within an inflorescence in a single foraging bout in high altitudes compared with low altitudes, which caused a high possibility of geitonogamous mating. These differences may be pollination‐dependent rather than inheritance‐based because hand pollination on bagged flowers did not cause a difference in seed production across populations. Compared to plants from low altitudes, high‐altitude plants had increased flower longevity, larger floral displays, higher pollen production per flower, and shorter corolla tubes, which were found to be well in accordance with changes in both pollination environment and mating system. Plasticity in floral traits might help plants to adjust their resource allocation strategies in response to their habitat, which might be linked with pollination environment. The variability among these populations might be beneficial for this widely distributed species to cope with environmental changes.
‘Taking the Politics out of Broccoli’: Debating (De)meatification in UK National and Regional Newspaper Coverage of the Meat Free Mondays Campaign
Authors: Morris Carol
Published: January 2017

This article addresses UK society's relationship with meat and specifically explores the extent to which a process of ‘de‐meatification’ is underway in this context and one of the mechanisms involved. It does so through analysis of reporting of the Meat Free Mondays (MFM) campaign in the national and regional British print news media. MFM offers a convenient yet powerful vehicle for trying to understand shifting meanings of meat not least because it directly challenges, and generates debate about the dominant – meat based – diet. The article concludes by arguing that a shift is taking place in the status of meat within UK society with the print news media acting as a mechanism that is working in support of de‐meatification. However, these conclusions are qualified in a number of important ways, including the anthropocentrism of the (de)meatification debate, its geographical variability and its weakly politicised character.
Psychopharmacologic treatment and blood transfusion in fast‐track total hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: Gylvin Silas Hinsch , Jørgensen Christoffer Calov , Fink‐Jensen Anders , Johansson Pär I. , Kehlet Henrik ,   on behalf of the Lundbeck Foundation Centre for Fast‐track Hip and Knee Replacement Collaborative Group
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other psychotropics are receiving increasing attention due to reports on inhibition of thrombocyte function and an increased bleeding risk in surgical settings. Studies in total hip and total knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA, respectively) have shown conflicting results, questioning whether the potential increased bleeding risk is of clinical importance.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Prospective consecutive collection of data on preoperative comorbidity in patients undergoing primary unilateral THA or TKA was cross‐referenced with regional transfusion databases and The Danish National Database of Reimbursed Prescriptions for information regarding blood transfusions and psychopharmacologic treatment. All participating orthopedic centers followed similar perioperative guidelines. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for transfusion between preoperative users and nonusers of psychotropics.

RESULTS

Of 8402 patients, 569 (6.8%) were SSRI users versus 7833 (93.2%) nonusers. A total of 109 (19,2%) patients in the SSRI group and 700 (8.9%) in the “no‐SSRI” group received blood intra‐ or postoperatively. Preoperative SSRI treatment was a risk factor for perioperative transfusion (OR, 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44‐2.70). Other antidepressants (OAs) were associated with an increased risk of transfusion (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.17‐2.44) as well as the combination of SSRIs and OAs (OR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.79‐6.13). Singular use of antipsychotics (APs) increased the transfusion risk (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.04‐2.41), while AP medicine in combination with antidepressants did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative treatment with SSRIs, OAs, or APs are independent risk factors for blood transfusion in elective fast‐track THA and TKA.
EVALUATION OF IRON OXIDE DECORATED ON GRAPHENE OXIDE (FE3O4/GO) NANOHYBRID INCORPORATED IN PSF MEMBRANE AT DIFFERENT MOLAR RATIOS FOR CONGO RED REJECTION
Authors: Pui Vun Chai , Mohammad Abdul Wahab , Yeit Haan Teow , Mahmoudi Ebrahim
Published: January 2017

In this study, iron oxide decorated graphene oxide (Fe3O4/GO) with three different molar ratio of Fe decorated on GO nanoplates (Fe percentage: 5 wt%, 10wt%, 20 wt%) were synthesized. First, GO nanoplates were synthesized using natural graphite powder according to the Hummers method. Fe3O4/GO nanohybrid was then prepared by co-precipitation of FeCl3.6H2O and FeSO4.7H2O with GO in the presence of ammonia hydroxide (NH4OH). The nanohybrid was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The polysulfone (PSf) mixed matrix membranes containing 0.4 wt% of the nanohybrid were prepared by phase inversion method. The effect of different molar ratio of Fe3O4/GO nanohybrid on the membrane morphology was examined by several approaches such as porosity & pore size analysis, contact angle, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) & Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX). The mixed-matrix membranes performance were evaluated by measuring the membrane permeate flux and Congo Red (CR) rejection. All the PSf-Fe3O4/GO mixed-matrix membrane showed enhanced hydrophilicity, permeate flux and CR rejection compared to the neat PSf membrane. Experiment showed that the PSf-Fe3O4/GO mixed-matrix membrane with 5 wt% of Fe decorated onto GO nanoplates was having the best performance with the highest permeate flux of 112.47 L/m2.h and the CR rejection of 97±2%.
WEIGHT DETERMINATION FOR SUPERVISED BINARIZATION ALGORITHM BASED ON QR DECOMPOSITION
Authors: Kasmin Fauziah , Abdullah Azizi , Prabuwono Anton Satria
Published: January 2017

Supervised binarization is a method that learn pre-classified data in order to classify a particular pixel whether it is belong to a foreground or a background. The performance of supervised approach is usually better than that of unsupervised ones since it is designed to use classification criteria determined by ground truth data. By using this approach, orientations of local neighbourhood grey level information that are based on eight orientations have been developed to characterize a particular pixel. These orientations are combined together since it may reduce the risk of making a particular poor selection of these orientations. In order to ensemble all orientations, heuristic method have been used to determine weights for each orientation. However, determination of weights using heuristic method is not efficient and not enough as it provides incomplete information. Furthermore, these orientations might be influenced by other different factors. This will lead to wrongly assigning weights to a particular orientation. Hence, determination of weights to combine eight orientations to characterize a particular pixel by using QR decomposition method is proposed. By using QR decomposition method, computational complexity is low and weights obtained for each orientation are optimal. In order to test the proposed approach, 21 document images from DIBCO2009 and DIBCO2011 databases and 55 retinal images from DRIVE and STARE databases have been used. The results of the proposed method clearly show significant improvement where higher average accuracy is obtained compared to by using heuristic method.
KOSOVO FLY ASH: UTILIZATION IN CONCRETE AS PARTIAL CEMENT SUBSTITUENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Authors: Qafleshi Mevlan , Misini Misin , Kryeziu Driton R. , Aliko Lulezime
Published: January 2017

In Kosovo, except electrical energy, thermal power plants (TPP) annually produce more than 1.5 Mt of solid waste: Fly Ash (FA) and Bottom Ash (BA). Kosovo’s construction sector annually consumes around 1 Mt of cement. The environmental impact from cement production (consumption) is the emission of around 1 Mt of CO2. The focus of this study is the utilization of FA in concrete as cement replacement, which will indirectly mitigate the CO2 emissions from cement production. The properties of concrete with FA were investigated. For determining the optimum quantity of FA in concrete, four concrete mixes with different content of class C FA were tested. Density and consistence tests of FA fresh concrete, as well as tests of mechanical properties: compressive, tensile and splitting strength of FA hardened concrete specimens were performed. Concrete resistance to permeability was tested by measuring the depth of water penetration under hydrostatic pressure. The correlation between test results of concrete specimens with FA to reference concrete without FA was done. A 30% cement replacement by fly ash showed experimentally to be reasonable. The environmental benefit would be twofold: indirect decrease of 300,000 t of CO2 and removal of 125,000 m3 of industrial waste (FA).
Spirituality in Alternative Correctional Method on Hard Core Drug Addict: Case Study of “Anak Bina Inabah”
Authors: Maamor Selamah , Abd Ghani Abdullah , Aziz Ahmad Bashir , Ahmad Razimi Mohd Shahril , Abdul Wahab Norazlina , Elias Nor Hanim , Nik Abdullah Nik Safiah
Published: January 2017

This article is part of a larger study on the role of spirituality in correcting/rectifying the hard core drug addict. The study seeks to reveal the meaning of the experience through the stories of three Muslim who used to involve with drug addiction, to better understand the deep meanings that inform their experiences with spirituality and transformation as they cope with the challenges of drug addict. Data were gathered using in depth interview. Qualitative methods were used in identifying two themes which are closer to Allah will make them far from drug and fulfil soul to rectify physical and spiritual. The themes were discussed in the context of two broad areas: (1) what are the new meanings these man discovered in their experiences in drug addiction; and (2) how did the new meanings (change their lives). The study suggests that former drug addict experiences with drug addict and their learning processes must be understood within the appropriate cultural context.  The common emphasis of spirituality on relationship with God, self and others, may significantly influence how people learn to live without drug.
Descriptive Review of Energy Performance Evaluation Approaches
Authors: Jaganathan Siva , Mohammed Abdul Hakim , Abdul Rahman Mohd Shahril
Published: January 2017

This study address energy performance evaluation uncertainities in design. To achieve energy efficiency in building, designer should incorporate energy performance evaluation approach to foresight energy performance failure during design. The research has  evaluated and compares the capabilities of energy performances evaluation approaches namely computational fluid dynamic approach, optimization algorithm, and coupled approach. Furthermore, descriptive review unveils the practical obstacles and challenges designers encounter during design life cycle and proposes future direction to mitigate inundated energy performance gap.
Personal Factors Effect Towards Nurses Knowledge Sharing Behaviour
Authors: Abdul Mannan Ayesha , Bakri Norhani , Shaari Roziana
Published: January 2017

In this study, presenteeism and altruism factors were tested. Presenteeism in this study refer to the positive attitude to implement tasks by nurses. While altruism in this study refer to intrinsic motivation to help others without expecting any return. This study integrates belonging theory and social exchange theory.  A survey were conducted on 386 nurses from Malaysia’s government hospitals. Structural Equation Modeling was carried out to examine the proposed factors of the research model. Finding proved presenteeism and altruism affected nurse’s knowledge sharing behavior.
Pharmacokinetics of the Novel Echinocandin CD101 in Multiple Animal Species
Authors: Ong Voon , James Kenneth D. , Smith Steven , Krishnan B. Radha
Published: January 2017

CD101 is a novel semisynthetic echinocandin with antifungal activity against
Candida
and
Aspergillus
spp. The pharmacokinetics (PK) of CD101 administered intravenously to mice, rats, dogs, cynomolgus monkeys, and chimpanzees are presented. CD101 consistently exhibited very low clearance, a modest volume of distribution at steady state (
V
ss
), and a long half-life (
t
1/2
) across all species tested. In mouse, rat, dog, cynomolgus monkey, and chimpanzee, CD101 clearance was 0.10, 0.47, 0.30, 0.41, and 0.06 ml/min/kg, respectively;
V
ss
was 206, 1,390, not determined, 597, and 400 ml/kg, respectively; and
t
1/2
was 25, 39, 53, 40, and 81 h, respectively. CD101 demonstrated a lower clearance and correspondingly longer half-life than those of anidulafungin, with more pronounced differences in higher species (anidulafungin
t
1/2
, 8 h in cynomolgus monkey and 30 h in chimpanzee). In the rat, tissue/plasma area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) ratios, in descending order, were 4.62 (kidney), 4.33 (lung), 4.14 (liver), 3.87 (spleen), 1.09 (heart), and 0.609 (brain), indicating that CD101 exposure relative to plasma levels was comparable for major organs (approximately 4-fold higher in tissue than in plasma), with the exception of the heart and brain. Biliary elimination of intact CD101 was the predominant route of excretion; the mean cumulative amount of CD101 excreted into the bile and feces over the course of 5 days accounted for 22.6% and 27.7% of the total dose administered, respectively. There were no sex differences in the pharmacokinetics of CD101. Given its low clearance, long half-life, and wide tissue distribution, CD101 once weekly is expected to provide appropriate systemic levels for treatment and prevention of invasive fungal infections.