bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inelastic Neutron Scattering Studies of Natural Silkworm Proteins
Authors: Crain Christopher Alan , Strange Nicholas A. , Larese J. Z.
Published: June 2015

Understanding the interaction of water with biological materials is of fundamental importance. One of main driving forces behind the renewed activity of biomimetic materials involves the dramatic physical properties that many of them exhibit. Two main factors that are critical for understanding silks: the nanoscale semi-crystalline folding structure, and the degree of hydration of the disordered fraction. We describe our investigation of the preparation, characterization and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) studies of the microscopic dynamics of natural Bombyx mori silk fibroin proteins derived from silkworm cocoons. An in situ quartz microbalance is used for monitoring/controlling the hydration and solvent levels of the proteins electrospun onto neutron sample holders. By employing these novel methods our INS investigation facilitated a snapshot of the microscopic silk protein dynamics heretofore not investigated or reported. Preliminary INS measurements illustrate the effect of water and methanol interaction on the dynamics of the fibroin β-pleated sheet component. Evidence of what appears to be a water component (intersheet) distinct from bulk water is clearly apparent in the INS spectrum when the dynamical response from the dry silk is subtracted away.
Joop van den Bremen, Streektaalmuziek in Nederland [Regional language music in the Netherlands]
Authors: Van der Hoeven Arno
Published: June 2015

Joop van den Bremen, Streektaalmuziek in Nederland [Regional language music in the Netherlands]. http://www.streektaalzang.nl
Thomas Burkhalter. 2013. Local Music Scenes and Globalization: Transnational Platforms in Beirut
Authors: Hagen Ross
Published: June 2015

Thomas Burkhalter. 2013. Local Music Scenes and Globalization: Transnational Platforms in Beirut. New York: Routledge. 304pp. ISBN 978-0-415-80813-2 (hbk)
Brett Lashua, Karl Spracklen and Stephen Wagg, eds. 2014. Sounds and the City: Popular Music, Place, and Globalization
Authors: Stamatis Yona
Published: June 2015

Brett Lashua, Karl Spracklen and Stephen Wagg, eds. 2014. Sounds and the City: Popular Music, Place, and Globalization. Hampshire, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. 323pp. ISBN 978-1-137-28310-8 (hbk)
Jason Toynbee and Byron Dueck, eds. 2011. Migrating Music
Authors: Sanga Imani
Published: June 2015

Jason Toynbee and Byron Dueck, eds. 2011. Migrating Music. London and New York: Routledge. 256pp. ISBN 978-0-415-63359-8 (pbk)
Christine Dettmann. 2012. Ein anderes Gesicht: Lokale brasilianische Musiker in Lissabon
Authors: Hilder Thomas R
Published: June 2015

Christine Dettmann. 2012. Ein anderes Gesicht: Lokale brasilianische Musiker in Lissabon. Intercultural Music Studies, 16. Berlin: VWB—Verlag für Wissenschaft und Bildung. 360pp. ISBN 978-3-86135-647-9 (pbk
Franco Fabbri and Goffredo Plastino, eds. 2014. Made in Italy: Studies in Popular Music
Authors: Regev Motti
Published: June 2015

Franco Fabbri and Goffredo Plastino, eds. 2014. Made in Italy: Studies in Popular Music. London: Routledge. 256pp. ISBN 978-0-415-89976-5 (hbk)
Introduction
Authors: Alter Andrew , Crowdy Denis , Collins Steve
Published: June 2015

The Introduction to the special issue identifies the overarching themes that frame the collection of articles within the volume. The actions and creations of musical practitioners not only demonstrate how technology is an integral part of the creative process, but also how different cultural circumstances create widely divergent attitudes towards musical ownership. In addition, the very nature of technology itself calls into question just what it is that is “owned”. Different stories from different cultural contexts reveal ongoing anxieties associated with technology and ownership. These stories demonstrate how, in a globalizing world, conventional notions of creative practice and ownership are concepts that are increasingly destabilized by musical practice itself.
World Music as Evolving Tradition
Authors: Hughes Diane , Keith Sarah
Published: June 2015

Cultural expression in contemporary music practices goes beyond standard definitions of musical tradition. As a genre, pop music worldwide is significantly influenced by Western practices and does not generally include instrumentation or musical forms found in traditional musics of the country of origin. Nonetheless, contemporary artists still express culture-specific themes and articulate their relationship with globality and different cultures via other means, such as lyrical content, visuals, performance and applied technologies. This article examines three contemporary Asian case studies within the popular music idiom: Biung (Taiwan), Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Japan) and Girls’ Generation (South Korea). We compare their expressions of cultural specificity in a national and global context, arguing for such popular music practices to be more broadly considered in the study of world music.
Influence of coal ash properties on compressive behaviour of FA- and BA-based GPC
Authors: Xie Tianyu , Ozbakkaloglu Togay
Published: June 2015

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the behaviour of fly ash (FA) and bottom ash (BA) based geopolymer concretes (GPCs) cured at ambient temperature. A total of 11 batches of coal-ash-based GPCs were manufactured. Axial compression tests were carried out to determine the compressive behaviour and strength development of hardened GPCs. Test parameters included the type, particle size and chemical composition of coal ash, the alkaline liquid to binder ratio and concentration of sodium hydroxide solution. The results indicate that the chemical composition of BA has a pronounced influence on the compressive behaviour of GPCs, with concretes manufactured with BA with a higher silicon dioxide/aluminium oxide ratio developing higher strengths. The results also indicate that milling of the coal ash and the increased calcium oxide content of the BA both lead to significant improvements in the compressive strength of GPCs. It was also found that strength gain of ambiently cured coal-ash-based GPCs continues beyond a concrete age of 28 d and is significantly influenced by the type, particle size and chemical composition of the coal ash and the concentration of sodium hydroxide solution.
Isto é um jogo de vídeo: jogos de vídeo, autoridade e metacomunicação
Authors: Fassone Riccardo
Published: June 2015

Gregory Bateson defende que todos os atos do jogo devem ser compreendidos sobretudo como sendo metacomunicativos. Por outras palavras, jogar um jogo pressupõe ser capaz de transmitir e de receber a metamensagem “isto é um jogo”, que define um enquadramento psicológico entre os jogadores. Neste trabalho, proponho uma leitura radical da teoria de Bateson no contexto dos jogos de vídeo. Em particular, procuro analisar as características, as especificidades e as implicações da mensagem “isto é um jogo de vídeo”. Irei argumentar que a linguagem específica através da qual os jogos de vídeo veiculam esta mensagem é a das suas regras, as limitações inevitáveis colocadas pela sua natureza computacional e digital. Por outras palavras, jogar um jogo de vídeo é sempre, pelo menos até determinado nível, jogar um jogo de metacomunicação com, contra e em termos das regras predefinidas do jogo de vídeo. Finalmente, proponho uma leitura atenta do jogo Papers, Please para argumentar que o trabalho de Pope se imbui de uma leitura significativa da reflexividade inerente dos jogos de vídeo, retratando intencionalmente a sua natureza oficial e o seu potencial comunicativo.
A browser-based advergame as communication catalyst: types of communication in video games
Authors: Söbke Heinrich , Bröker Thomas
Published: June 2015

Video games are a comprehensive, interactive media. Online games foster communication and extend the range of communication types considerably. We examine prevailing types of communication in video games using the browser-based advergame Fliplife. This game provides all a clear, delimited structure, an unpretentious user interface and the characteristics of a multiplayer online game. Thus Fliplife is an excellent frame to demonstrate the wide range of communication initiated in a video game. Among contained types of communication are verbal and non-verbal communications using graphics and actions/non-actions. Found communication typically serves controlling and coordination of the game play, however private discussions and social banter exist also besides demonstration of player status and community identification. In our work we draw on the basic definition of communication as conveying information from a sender to a recipient. We categorize the found types of communication according to an abstract model of communication derived from common definitions. The compiled enumeration of communication elements and possible manifestations represents a draft of categorization for communication in video games in general. Although it still needs extended validation, this enumeration demonstrates that video games provide frameworks which host and initiate a wide variety of communication. As a significant difference compared to other media, video games and their notion of interactivity allow players to communicate through action and to change roles of sender and receiver.
The Processes of Inclusion and Exclusion in Physical Education: A Social-Relational Perspective
Authors: Munk Mette , Agergaard Sine
Published: June 2015

Existing research on inclusion and exclusion processes in physical education (PE) has particularly focused on exclusion from PE as something being done to students and attributed to specific social categories such as (female) gender, (low) physical skills or (minority) ethnic background. This article aims to develop a social-relational perspective on inclusion and exclusion processes defined as students’ participation or non-participation in PE interpreted as a community of practice. In so doing, the article examines how students’ experiences of participation and non-participation in PE are influenced by complex interactions within the group of students and in negotiations with teachers about the values and practices of PE. The article is based on an embedded single-case study carried out over the course of 6 months through weekly observations of PE classes in a multi-ethnic school, as well as focus group interviews with students and teachers. Using Etienne Wenger’s conceptual tools, we show that a student’s degree of participation in the community of practice of PE-classes is closely related to the legitimacy of the student and the extent to which the student experiences PE as meaningful. Some students were excluded from PE because they did not have the physical skills and social relations necessary to gain legitimacy from other students. Others chose not to participate because PE was not meaningful to them. This latter type of non-participation from students who experienced lacking meaningfulness was evident in PE classes that had little transfer value and limited prospect for students to develop the knowledge, skills or the understanding necessary to move towards full participation in the classes. Thus, the article argues that an understanding of the variety in students’ participation or non-participation is important not only in terms of how we talk about students as passive victims or active agents, but also in terms of future intervention aimed at promoting inclusion processes in PE.
El registro de eventos energéticos marinos en la bahía de Cádiz durante épocas históricas
Authors: Alonso Villalobos Carlos , Gracia Prieto F Javier , Rodríguez Polo Silvia , Martín Puertas Celia
Published: June 2015

La bahía de Cádiz constituye un área costera intensamente ocupada durante épocas históricas, de las que se conservan numerosos restos arqueológicos. Se trata de un tramo de costa baja, caracterizada por presentar varios sistemas de flechas-barrera que cierran marismas estuarinas de amplio desarrollo. Este tipo de costa es especialmente vulnerable ante la actuación de fenómenos marinos energéticos, como temporales marítimos y tsunamis, que con cierta regularidad se han repetido en esta región durante el Holoceno reciente. El presente trabajo pasa revista a los distintos registros morfosedimentarios de eventos marinos históricos identificados hasta el momento en la bahía, y aporta nuevos datos sobre algunos de ellos. Estos nuevos datos consisten en columnas de sondeos, nuevas dataciones de depósitos holoceno-históricos e identificación de indicadores arqueológicos de eventos extremos históricos. Se hace especial hincapié en los efectos que estos eventos han tenido en la flecha-barrera de Valdelagrana, donde la geometría y edad de los distintos sistemas de cordones litorales históricos indican la actuación de al menos tres eventos muy energéticos, probablemente tsunamis, uno hacia 2700-2300 cal BP, otro a finales del s. IX AD y el tercero en 1755 AD. Los dos primeros provocaron modificaciones geomorfológicas profundas, como capturas fluviales, reinicio de nuevos sistemas de cordones y arrasamiento costero. Los datos arqueológicos señalan también que los daños y afecciones económicas y a infraestructuras provocadas por estos eventos han condicionado la ocupación humana posterior y sus actividades asociadas.
Seismic palaeogeography of coastal zones in the Iberian Peninsula: Understanding ancient and historic earthquakes in Spain.
Authors: Silva Barroso Pablo Gabriel , Bardají Teresa , Roquero Elvira , Martinez Graña Antonio , Perucha María Ángeles , Huerta Pedro , Lario Javier , Giner-Robles Jorge Luis , Rodríguez Pascua Miguel Ángel , Pérez López Raúl , Cabero Ana , Goy José Luis , Zazo Cari
Published: June 2015

This paper presents three examples of ancient earthquakes occurring in coastal areas of the S and SE of the Iberian Peninsula (218 BC, AD 40-60 and AD 1048) with the aim of illustrating the use of geological and archaeological data in their macroseismic characterization. Historical information for ancient earthquakes that occurred in Spain prior to the 10th century is scarce or non-existent. This paper shows that the current state of knowledge on palaeoseismology and archaeoseismology on these ancient events clearly exceeds the existing historical information allowing the increase of macroseismic information points by using the ESI-07 scale (Environmental Seismic Intensity). Consequently, the geologic analyses of ancient earthquakes contribute to their understanding and parametric evaluations, and improve further advances in seismic hazard assessments. The most significant issue outlined in the present paper is the analysis of the ancient palaeogeography of the affected areas. The studied examples analysed were located in open estuarine areas that have been filled by fluvial sediments or anthropogenic fills over time. The effects of the 218 BC earthquake-tsunami event in the Gulf of Cadiz are analysed in estuarine areas, and especially in the ancient Roman Lagus Ligustinus (Guadalquivir Depression marshes); the effects of the earthquake in AD 40-60 is analysed in the old Roman city of Baelo Claudia located in the Bolonia Bay (Strait of Gibraltar); and the effects of the earthquake of AD 1048on the ancient Sinus Ilicitanus (Bajo Segura Depression) during Muslim times. Descriptions from Roman and Arabic geographers are cross-checked with existing palaeogeographic models based on geological data. This type of analysis results in ancient macroseismic scenarios for the interpretation of theoretical distributions of intensities and environmental effects supporting the concept of “seismic palaeogeography” proposed in this paper.
Eventos marinos y asentamientos costeros en el suroeste de Iberia
Authors: Rodriguez Vidal Joaquin , Campos Carrasco Juan Manuel , Cáceres Puro Luís Miguel
Published: June 2015

La costa es una de las zonas más dinámicas del sistema terrestre, donde se produce la interacción de los procesos terrestres y marinos. Los cambios en el nivel relativo del mar, la evolución costera y los fenómenos extremos, como tormentas y tsunamis, son de gran interés local y global. La forma en que las culturas pasadas han hecho frente a los cambios ambientales y a los riesgos naturales proporciona importantes lecciones para la respuesta humana a los cambios futuros. Es frecuente que algunos estudio geoarqueológicos actuales, con enfoques geomorfológicos, paleoambientales y sedimentológicos, carezcan de la adecuada integración de datos arqueológicos e históricos. Este número especial de la revista Cuaternario y Geomorfología tiene como objetivo proporcionar una plataforma multidisciplinar que sirva para definir el estado actual de la ciencia geoarqueológica, en relación con los eventos marinos pasados de alta energía registrados en la costa ibérica del golfo de Cádiz. Confiamos que las contribuciones que aquí se presentan estimulen un fructífero debate sobre estos nuevos enfoques interdisciplinares y se mejore el conocimiento sobre la interacción entre los asentamientos humanos costeros y los riesgos geológicos pasados.
“Hago caso porque me gusta tocar”. Procesos de construcción de autoridad pedagógica en una experiencia artístico-educativa desarrollada con adolescentes de sectores populares
Authors: Rosales Gabriel Alexandro
Published: June 2015

This article disseminates some results of a wider research study, carried out in order to understand the processes involved in the construction of pedagogical authority, evidenced in educational experiences with adolescents in low income sectors. There is particular emphasis on the analysis of the underlying conceptions and the motives that are attributed to authority by a group of adolescents who have dropped out of school and who are currently participating in a particular artistic educational experience: a neighborhood murga.
In a context in which traditional pedagogical authorities are in crisis, due to Western modernity, examining alternative scenarios where new relationships of authority are established can help to imagine new routes which may contribute to the reconstruction of teacher legitimacy, without which the transmission of culture is not possible. In this way, the results presented in this study suggest ways forward to imagine new dynamics of authorization.
The Package “sigloc” for the R Software: A Tool for Triangulating Transmitter Locations in Ground‐Based Telemetry Studies of Wildlife Populations
Authors: Berg Sergey S.
Published: June 2015

Despite the advent of GPS collars and technology, a large portion of wildlife studies still relies on radio‐tracking to study the movement patterns, habitat selection, and space use of individual animals. I present here the “sigloc” package for the R software, which offers basic functions to analyze radio‐tracking data, methods to estimate the location of a VHF transmitter using azimuth bearings, and interfaces with other R packages and functions. These tools can be downloaded freely on the internet and provide a powerful environment for the analysis of radio telemetry data.
Efficacy of generic allometric equations for estimating biomass: a test in Japanese natural forests
Authors: Ishihara Masae I. , Utsugi Hajime , Tanouchi Hiroyuki , Aiba Masahiro , Kurokawa Hiroko , Onoda Yusuke , Nagano Masahiro , Umehara Toru , Ando Makoto , Miyata Rie , Hiura Tsutom
Published: June 2015

Accurate estimation of tree and forest biomass is key to evaluating forest ecosystem functions and the global carbon cycle. Allometric equations that estimate tree biomass from a set of predictors, such as stem diameter and tree height, are commonly used. Most allometric equations are site specific, usually developed from a small number of trees harvested in a small area, and are either species specific or ignore interspecific differences in allometry. Due to lack of site‐specific allometries, local equations are often applied to sites for which they were not originally developed (foreign sites), sometimes leading to large errors in biomass estimates. In this study, we developed generic allometric equations for aboveground biomass and component (stem, branch, leaf, and root) biomass using large, compiled data sets of 1203 harvested trees belonging to 102 species (60 deciduous angiosperm, 32 evergreen angiosperm, and 10 evergreen gymnosperm species) from 70 boreal, temperate, and subtropical natural forests in Japan. The best generic equations provided better biomass estimates than did local equations that were applied to foreign sites. The best generic equations included explanatory variables that represent interspecific differences in allometry in addition to stem diameter, reducing error by 4–12% compared to the generic equations that did not include the interspecific difference. Different explanatory variables were selected for different components. For aboveground and stem biomass, the best generic equations had species‐specific wood specific gravity as an explanatory variable. For branch, leaf, and root biomass, the best equations had functional types (deciduous angiosperm, evergreen angiosperm, and evergreen gymnosperm) instead of functional traits (wood specific gravity or leaf mass per area), suggesting importance of other traits in addition to these traits, such as canopy and root architecture. Inclusion of tree height in addition to stem diameter improved the performance of the generic equation only for stem biomass and had no apparent effect on aboveground, branch, leaf, and root biomass at the site level. The development of a generic allometric equation taking account of interspecific differences is an effective approach for accurately estimating aboveground and component biomass in boreal, temperate, and subtropical natural forests.
Clinical Presentation and Periodontal Management of a Case Mimicking Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis in a Patient With Sarcoidosis: A Case Report
Authors: Smitha K. , Pradeep A.R. , Natrajan M. , Shilpa K. , Janitha S. , Smitha G.P.
Published: June 2015

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown etiology characterized by the presence of non‐caseating granulomas with rare manifestations in the oral cavity and with only ≈75 cases having been reported in the literature, including the present case.

Case Presentation: A 23‐year‐old Indian female presented with the chief complaint of red, enlarged, bleeding gums and loosened teeth with increasing gaps between the teeth over the past 2 years. Clinical examination revealed moderate to severe generalized breakdown of the periodontium. The medical history revealed that the patient was diagnosed with sarcoidosis involving the joints of the extremities, had undergone long‐term clinical treatment for 18 years, and was considered to be under clinical control only 1 month before reporting for dental treatment. Histopathology of biopsy specimen obtained from palatal gingiva indicated the presence of focal areas of non‐caseating granulomas, which was compatible with sarcoidosis. The patient was diagnosed with periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic disease attributable to sarcoidosis. She was managed surgically for periodontitis and was followed up for 12 months. She showed no progression of periodontal disease.

Conclusion: Careful review of medical history and close monitoring of intraoral conditions are critical for patients with a history of sarcoidosis.
Nitrogen Application for Spring Growth of Cool‐season Grasses Overseeded in Unimproved Warm‐season Pasture
Authors: Bartholomew P. W.
Published: June 2015

In the southern Great Plains fall overseeding of annual forages into dormant warm‐season pasture can increase herbage production in spring and early summer of the following year, but production in early spring, when it is most needed, is usually limited and competition between cool‐ and warm‐season components of mixed pasture may result in only small benefit in total annual yield. The effects of early‐producing species, or of stimulation of early growth by nitrogen (N) fertilizer application to the cool‐season crop, on early‐season availability of herbage and on competition within mixed pasture were evaluated in a series of experiments. Rye (Secale cereale L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), or annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were overseeded into dormant unimproved warm‐season pasture in fall and provided 22, 45, or 67 lb/acre of N fertilizer in mid‐February of the following year. Neither rye nor annual ryegrass showed significant advance in early‐season growth (up to early April) resulting from increased N application, and herbage dry matter (DM) yield response was <4.0 lb DM/lb N applied over this period. Over uninterrupted spring growth to a mid‐May harvest, DM yield responses to applied N were similar in rye and annual ryegrass and ranged from 9.3 to 32.3 lb DM/lb N. Oats did not tolerate low winter temperatures. Choice of cool‐season annual grass species for overseeding and level of N application in spring had little impact on DM yield of the warm‐season grass component of mixed cool‐ and warm‐season pasture.
Synthesis of MCM-41 stabilized NZVI and its use in removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution
Authors: Lu Mang , Cheng Yue , Pan Jian-min , Fan Wen-jing , Jiao Chuang , Liu Xiao-yu
Published: June 2015

In this study, MCM-41 stabilized nano zero-valent iron (M-NZVI) is synthesized using the rheological phase reaction method. Characterization with transmission electron microscopy validates the hypothesis that the introduction of MCM-41 leads to a decrease in aggregation of iron nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction confirms the existence of Fe0 and the strong antioxidant activity of Fe0 nanoparticles. Batch Cr(VI) reduction experiments exhibit that solution pH, M-NZVI dosage, and reaction time have significant effects on Cr(VI) removal. A high removal efficiency of Cr(VI) (84.5%) is obtained within 60 min for 100 mg/L of Cr(VI) solution at an initial pH of 6.0 and M-NZVI dosage of 0.5 g/L at 35 °C. The Cr(VI) removal rates follow modified pseudo-first-order kinetic equations. The observed removal rate constant was 0.0168/min for the M-NZVI dosage of 1.0 g/L. Our study suggests that the introduction of an innocuous stabilizer such as MCM-41 can significantly improve the performance of Fe0 nanoparticles for environmental remediation applications.
Public perceptions of recycled water: a survey of visitors to the London 2012 Olympic Park
Authors: Smith H. M. , Rutter P. , Jeffrey P.
Published: June 2015

The Old Ford Water Recycling Plant, operated by Thames Water, was used to supply non-potable recycled blackwater to some of the venues at the London 2012 Games. In an effort to learn from this experience, Thames Water commissioned a survey of visitors to the Olympic Park during the Games to explore public responses to the water recycling project. Results show a very high level of support for using non-potable recycled blackwater, both in public venues and in homes. Such findings may indicate a growing receptivity towards this technology, and show that Thames Water (and other private water companies) are well placed to encourage and even lead public discussion around the role of water reuse in the future of urban water supplies.
Project to Production: Digital Preservation at the Houses of Parliament, 2010â€“2020
Authors: Fryer Christopher
Published: June 2015

The Parliamentary Archives is responsible for preserving and providing access to the historical records of the UK Parliament, a collection of national, and indeed international, importance which encompasses a wide range of digital content, created and used in an ever changing environment. Since 2010 a staged project has led to the successful implementation of an operational digital repository. The transition from project to production allows the Parliamentary Archives to reflect on the organisationâ€™s progress in digital preservation. However, the deployment of a production digital repository also allows the Parliamentary Archives to outline future goals. The project has demonstrated the viability of implementing digital preservation infrastructure. The challenge remains to embed digital preservation as a business as usual activity.
The American Conquest of Alta California and the Instinct for Justice: The "First" Jury Trial in California
Authors: Goode Barry
Published: June 2015

Friday, Sept. 4. I empanelled to-day the first jury ever summoned in California. The plaintiff and defendant are among the principal citizens of the country. The case was one involving property on the one side, and integrity of character on the other. Its merits had been pretty widely discussed, and had called forth unusual interest. Onethird of the jury were Mexicans, one-third Californians, and the other third Americans. This mixture may have the better answered the ends of justice, but I was apprehensive at one time it would embarrass the proceedings; for the plaintiff spoke in English, the defendant in French, the jury, save the Americans, Spanish, and the witnesses all of the languages known to California. But through the silent attention which prevailed, the tact of Mr. Hartnell, who acted as interpreter, and the absence of young lawyers, we got along very well. The examination of the witnesses lasted five or six hours; I then gave the case to the jury, stating the questions of fact upon which they were to render their verdict. They retired for an hour, and then returned, when the foreman handed in their verdict, which was clear and explicit, though the case itself was rather complicated. To this verdict, both parties bowed without a word of dissent. The inhabitants who witnessed the trial, said it was what they liked—that there could be no bribery in it—that the opinion of twelve honest men should set the case forever at rest. And so it did, though neither party completely triumphed in the issue. One recovered his property, which had been taken from him by mistake, the other his character, which had been slandered by design. If there is anything on earth besides religion for which I would die, it is the right of trial by jury.
Misunderstood, misrepresented, contested?
Authors: Mosse David
Published: June 2015

This article draws out some of the implications of the fact that what anthropologists claim to know, or want to say, is unavoidably and in complicated ways bound by the ethics of involvement, detachment, and institutional location. I will first consider the increasingly common practice of circulating the output of anthropological research within the social context of its fieldwork, among the various research participants and interlocutors. Second, I will try to account for the sometimes negative reception of ethnographic accounts, especially where the research has focused on organizations (e.g., NGOs), activists, or others professionally concerned with public representations of their work. Third, I will reconsider the notion of “speaking truth to power” by pointing to the unacknowledged power of ethnographic description. Finally, I will suggest that ethical concerns are generated as much by the theoretical framing of research as by fieldwork practice, and that these are matters of choice rather than inherent in the ethnographic method.
The academic productivity and impact of the University of Toronto Neurosurgery Program as assessed by manuscripts published and their number of citations
Authors: Lozano Christopher S. , Tam Joseph , Kulkarni Abhaya V. , Lozano Andres M.
Published: June 2015

OBJECT

Recent works have assessed academic output across neurosurgical programs using various analyses of accumulated citations as a proxy for academic activity and productivity. These assessments have emphasized North American neurosurgical training centers and have largely excluded centers outside the United States. Because of the long tradition and level of academic activity in neurosurgery at the University of Toronto, the authors sought to compare that program's publication and citation metrics with those of established programs in the US as documented in the literature. So as to not rely on historical achievements that may be of less relevance, they focused on recent works, that is, those published in the most recent complete 5-year period.

METHODS

The authors sought to make their data comparable to existing published data from other programs. To this end, they compiled a list of published papers by neurosurgical faculty at the University of Toronto for the period from 2009 through 2013 using the Scopus database. Individual author names were disambiguated; the total numbers of papers and citations were compiled on a yearly basis. They computed a number of indices, including the ih(5)-index (i.e., the number of citations the papers received over a 5-year period), the summed h-index of the current faculty over time, and a number of secondary measures, including the ig(5), ie(5), and i10(5)-indices. They also determined the impact of individual authors in driving the results using Gini coefficients. To address the issue of author ambiguity, which can be problematic in multicenter bibliometric analyses, they have provided a source dataset used to determine the ih(5) index for the Toronto program.

RESULTS

The University of Toronto Neurosurgery Program had approximately 29 full-time surgically active faculty per year (not including nonneurosurgical faculty) in the 5-year period from 2009 to 2013. These faculty published a total of 1217 papers in these 5 years. The total number of citations from these papers was 13,434. The ih(5)-index at the University of Toronto was 50.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of comparison with published bibliometric data of US programs, the University of Toronto ranks first in terms of number of publications, number of citations, and ih(5)-index among neurosurgical programs in North America and most likely in the world.
Challenges in early operative approaches to intramedullary spinal cord tumors: Harvey Cushing’s perspective
Authors: Pendleton Courtney , Rincon-Torroella Jordina , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Jallo George I. , Quinones-Hinojosa Alfredo
Published: June 2015

Although Harvey Cushing was mostly known for his contributions to brain tumor surgery, he was also a pioneer in the development of spinal cord surgery. This lesser known facet of Cushing’s career can provide a fresh and unique perspective into how the founders of neurosurgery surmounted early challenges in the field. The authors bring to light and examine for the first time Cushing’s unpublished writing “Technique of Laminectomy” along with his first 3 documented intramedullary spinal cord tumor (IMSCT) cases at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. The authors draw lessons from the challenges in pathological classification, preoperative diagnosis, tumor localization, and surgical technique ofthat time. Although Cushing’s attempts at exploration and resection of IMSCT as described here were of limited success, his ability to adapt his clinical and surgical technique to the challenges of the time, as well as develop skills to successfully manipulate the spinal cord during these exploratory procedures without the patients incurring neurological damage, postoperative infection, or complications, is a testament to his determination to advance the field and his meticulous operative technique. In spite of the limitations imposed on the pioneer neurosurgeons, Harvey Cushing and his contemporaries persevered through many of the challenges and built an essential part of neurosurgery’s common story.
Blood pressure lowering effect of Pennisetum glaucum in rats
Authors: Mushtaq Muhammad Naveed , Akhtar Muhammad Shoaib , . Alamgeer
Published: June 2015

The present study was carried out to evaluate the seeds of Pennisetum glaucum for its blood pressure lowering effect in rats. Aqueous-methanolic extract of P. glaucum seeds in 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses was studied in normotensive, egg-feed diet and glucose-induced hypertensive rats using non-invasive technique. The extract significantly (p˂0.5 - p˂0.001) decreased blood pressure and heart rate with maximum effect at 1,000 mg/kg dose. The extract was found to prevent rise in blood pressure of egg and glucose fed rats as compared to control group in 21 days study. The extract was safe in mice up to dose of 4 g/kg and sub-chronic toxicity study showed that there was no significant alterations in blood chemistry of extract treated rats. It is conceivable, therefore, that aqueous-methanolic extract of P. glaucum seeds has exerted considerable antihypertensive activity which may be due to the presence of phytochemical constituents.

 
Birth Defect
Authors: Shahidullah Mohammod
Published: June 2015

Abstract not availableJ. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 4(2): 36-37, 2013 (July)
Effects of multiple micronutrients (MMN) on ovulation inductionin subfertile women with PCOS
Authors: Banu Jesmin , Deeba Farzana , Sultana Parveen , Chowdhury ASM Alamgir , Khan Md Abul Hashem
Published: June 2015

Introduction: PCOS is a very common disorder of reproductive women characterized by hyperandrogenism and chronic auovulation. The beneficial effects on micronutrients supplements may have been mediated not only through the presence of multiple vitamin & minerals and multiple antioxidant such as vitamin C and vitamin E. It also mediated insulin sensitization with inositol and improvement of the blood flow in the pelvic organ with the presence of L-arginine. Multiple micronutrients supplementation is a cost effective remedy that is well tolerated with no adverse effects. Its use as an adjuvant in fertility treatment may benefit women pre conceptionaly.Objective: The aims of this study was to investigate the effects of MMN in subfertile women with PCOS.And also to demonstrate that MMN is act as adjuvant therapy to a standard ovulation induction regimen. And to identify ovulation rate and pregnancy rate.Materials and methods: This is a prospective randomized control trial. In this study total 100 patients between the age of 20-40 years were taken from infertility OPD, BSMMU and in private sector, Baridhara, Dhaka, during the period from July 2011 to June 2012.Among 100 patients 50 infertile patients undergoing ovulation induction for 3 months were allocated to receive adjuvant MMN treated as group A. 50 infertile patient undergoing ovulation induction were not allocated to receive adjuvant treated as group B.Results: Clinical pregnancy rate are assessed after third cycle or as soon as the women achieved pregnancy. There was no significant differences in age, menstrual history, BMI (kg/m2) in both groups. This difference was statistically significant p<0.04. And also shows the endometrial thickness with TVS >9mm in 31 patients and less than 9mm in 11 patients with case group compared with the control group >9mm 11 patient and <9mm in 17 patients which is statistically significant p value <0.05. There was no significant difference in progesterone in both groups. There were 22 of 50 patient conceived during the study 2 miscarriage in first trimester in group A and 6 of 50 are conceived in group B and 2 miscarriage in 1st trimester. There was significant difference pregnancy rate p <0.001.Discussion: Our study is to demonstrate that multiple micronutrients supplementation is adjuvant therapy to a standard ovulation induction regimen in women undergoing treatment for anovulatory PCOS patients. The effect of this adjuvant therapy is improved the ovulation and pregnancy rate. Women who take adjuvant micronutrients supplementation during ovulation induction have a higher chance of pregnancy compared with women without micronutrients supplementation.Conclusions: Women who take adjuvant micronutrients supplementation during ovulation induction have a higher chance of pregnancy compared with women without micronutrients supplementation.J. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 4(2): 50-53, 2013 (July)
Development of an Axial Flux MEMS BLDC Micromotor with Increased Efficiency and Power Density
Authors: Ding Xiaofeng , Liu Guanliang , Du Min , Guo Hong , Qian Hao , Gerada Christopher
Published: June 2015

This paper presents a rigorous design and optimization of an axial flux microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) brushless dc (BLDC) micromotor with dual rotor improving both efficiency and power density with an external diameter of only around 10 mm. The stator is made of two layers of windings by MEMS technology. The rotor is developed by film permanent magnets assembled over the rotor yoke. The characteristics of the MEMS micromotor are analyzed and modeled through a 3-D magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) taking the leakage flux and fringing effect into account. Such a model yields a relatively accurate prediction of the flux in the air gap, back electromotive force (EMF) and electromagnetic torque, whilst being computationally efficient. Based on 3-D MEC model the multi-objective firefly algorithm (MOFA) is developed for the optimal design of this special machine. Both 3-D finite element (FE) simulation and experiments are employed to validate the MEC model and MOFA optimization design.
Evidence and Lessons Learned from Long-Term On-Farm Research on Conservation Agriculture Systems in Communities in Malawi and Zimbabwe
Authors: Thierfelder Christian , Bunderson William , Mupangwa Walter
Published: June 2015

A long-term study was carried out in the Zidyana Extension Planning Area (EPA), Malawi and in the Zimuto Communal Area, Zimbabwe, to evaluate the effect of different conservation agriculture (CA) systems on crop productivity, soil quality and economic performance. Maize productivity results from Zidyana showed that CA systems out-yielded the conventional system in seven out of nine cropping seasons. Labour savings relative to the conventional control ranged from 34–42 labour days ha−1 due to reduced time needed to make manual ridges and for weed control, leading to higher net benefits of 193–444 USD·ha−1. In Zimuto, yield benefits were apparent from the second season onwards and there was a much clearer trend of increased yields of CA over time. Greater net benefits (in USD·ha−1) were achieved on CA systems in Zimuto compared with conventional control treatments due to overall higher yields from CA systems. In Zimuto, both increased infiltration and a gradual increase in soil carbon were recorded, which may have contributed to the greater yield response of CA in this area. In Zidyana, yield increases were attributed primarily to enhanced water infiltration since no increases in soil carbon levels were measured. Farmers highlighted critical challenges to the adoption of CA. These will have to be addressed in future research and extension to provide effective solutions to farmers.
Comparison of the Cumulative Incidence Rates of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis between 1970 and 2013 among Four State-Owned Colliery Groups in China
Authors: Cui Kai , Shen Fuhai , Han Bing , Yuan Juxiang , Suo Xia , Qin Tianbang , Liu Hongbo , Chen Jie
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this study was to identify differences in the incidence characteristics of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) based on data from four large state-owned colliery groups of China, by comparing the cumulative incidence rates of CWP. We investigated 87,904 coal workers from the Datong, Kailuan, Fuxin, and Tiefa Colliery Groups, who were exposed to dust for at least 1 year. The cumulative incidence rate of CWP was calculated with the life-table method and stratified analysis among coal workers with different occupational categories during different years of first dust exposure. Our results showed the cumulative incidence rate of Datong was higher than that of any other colliery group among workers with different occupational categories during different years of first dust exposure. For Datong workers who started their dust exposure in the 1970s, the cumulative incidence rates of CWP among tunneling, mining, combining, and helping workers were 34.77%, 10.20%, 34.59%, and 4.91% during the observed time of 34 years, respectively. For those in the 1980s, the cumulative incidence rates were 32.29%, 13.51%, 2.98%, and 0.47%, respectively. The cumulative incidence rates of Fuxin and Tiefa were the lowest. In conclusion, the Datong colliery has the highest cumulative incidence rate of CWP among the four studied collieries, followed by Kailuan. The cumulative incidence rates of Fuxin and Tiefa were the lowest. Additional dust-proofing measures for decreasing dust concentrations are still necessary.
Hybrid 3D Rendering of Large Map Data for Crisis Management
Authors: Tully David , Rhalibi Abdennour , Carter Christopher , Sudirman Sud
Published: June 2015

In this paper we investigate the use of games technologies for the research and the development of 3D representations of real environments captured from GIS information and open source map data. Challenges involved in this area concern the large data-sets to be dealt with. Some existing map data include errors and are not complete, which makes the generation of realistic and accurate 3D environments problematic. The domain of application of our work is crisis management which requires very accurate GIS or map information. We believe the use of creating a 3D virtual environment using real map data whilst correcting and completing the missing data, improves the quality and performance of crisis management decision support system to provide a more natural and intuitive interface for crisis managers. Consequently, we present a case study into issues related to combining multiple large datasets to create an accurate representation of a novel, multi-layered, hybrid real-world maps. The hybrid map generation combines LiDAR, Ordnance Survey, and OpenStreetMap data to generate 3D cities spanning 1 km2. Evaluation of initial visualised scenes is presented. Initial tests consist of a 1 km2 landscape map containing up to 16 million vertices’ and run at an optimal 51.66 frames per-second.
MiR-21 Protected Cardiomyocytes against Doxorubicin-Induced Apoptosis by Targeting BTG2
Authors: Tong Zhongyi , Jiang Bimei , Wu Yanyang , Liu Yanjuan , Li Yuanbin , Gao Min , Jiang Yu , Lv Qinglan , Xiao Xianzhong
Published: June 2015

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline drug with a wide spectrum of antineoplastic activities. However, it causes cardiac cytotoxicity, and this limits its clinical applications. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) plays a vital role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. While miR-21 is preferentially expressed in adult cardiomyocytes and involved in cardiac development and heart disease, little is known regarding its biological functions in responding to DOX-induced cardiac cytotoxicity. In this study, the effects of DOX on mouse cardiac function and the expression of miR-21 were examined in both mouse heart tissues and rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes. The results showed that the cardiac functions were more aggravated in chronic DOX injury mice compared with acute DOX-injury mice; DOX treatment significantly increased miR-21 expression in both mouse heart tissue and H9C2 cells. Over-expression of miR-21 attenuated DOX-induced apoptosis in cardiamyocytes whereas knocking down its expression increased DOX-induced apoptosis. These gain- and loss- of function experiments showed that B cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) was a target of miR-21. The expression of BTG2 was significantly decreased both in myocardium and H9C2 cells treated with DOX. The present study has revealed that miR-21 protects mouse myocardium and H9C2 cells against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity probably by targeting BTG2.