bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing teacher stress and burnout in high-risk secondary schools in South Africa using transactional analysis
Authors: Johnson Sharon Mary
Published: November 2017

One of a number of articles arising from PhD research, this paper focuses on the results of applying transactional analysis as one of three approaches to reducing stress and burnout for teachers in high-risk secondary schools in the gangland areas of the Cape Flats, Western Cape, South Africa. The other approaches were Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) and Transpersonal Psychology (TP), and related articles on these and on the quantitative statistical analysis elements of this research are being disseminated elsewhere. A total of 43 teachers in three different schools took part in one intervention held weekly over 10 weeks for one and a half hours (15 hours in total) at their school as part of staff development, with a control group of 20 teachers at a fourth school. Qualitative TA intervention questionnaire coding analysis and focus group post-intervention thematic analysis of the mixed-methods study are presented. Coding analysis focused on the intra- and inter-individual tools that impacted teachers, and it was found that TA generated self-awareness, self-help tools and a strong group connection. Thematic analysis gave insights into the physical, emotional and cognitive responses to stress and burnout interventions on the individual, interpersonal and organisational levels and revealed new perspectives on classroom competency, with teachers taking more responsibility for discipline in the classroom. The study gave insights into the well-being and coping of educators who survive in these challenging contexts, and it is proposed that TRE, TP and TA approaches can be incorporated, and possibly combined, into integrative and eclectic ways of dealing with complex psychological challenges of stress and burnout reduction in traumatic environments.
An in-depth exploration of the experience and sense-making of transactional analyst psychotherapists working with clients who present with Internet addiction
Authors: Shorrock Matthew
Published: November 2017

Four internationally-accredited transactional analysis psychotherapists completed semi—structured one-to-one interviews that explored their experiences and sense-making of Internet addiction (IA).  Interpretive phenomenological analysis yielded four higher-order concepts: the complexity of IA; aetiological and predisposing factors; functions and features of IA; and treatment factors. Practical and theoretical implications for future research, clinical supervision, treatment, psycho-educational and political programmes are presented. Of the key emergent findings the Internet was understood by participants as a conduit or medium for addiction given a high prevalence of an underlying ‘disorder’.   It was also found that participants believed in the existence of childhood aetiological roots underpinning comorbidity with IA; that attachment difficulties in childhood often predispose individuals to develop issues around loneliness, low self-esteem, control, loss, instability and cognitive dissonance later in life; and that a relationship exists between depression, low self-esteem and escapism as contributing factors.   It is concluded that professionals would benefit from specific trainings concerning childhood attachment difficulties, whilst integrating a psychodynamic approach, or being aware of transference processes, could enhance treatment effectiveness and help safeguard both clients and therapists from counter-therapeutic interventions.
Combinations of Injunctions and Personality Types Determining Forms of Self-Destructive Behaviour in Alcohol-Dependent Clients: Findings of a Russian Observational Study
Authors: Shustov Dmitri , Tuchina Olga , Novikov Sergei , Fedotov Ilya
Published: November 2017

This observational study, conducted 2009-2012 with 190 male out-patient clients diagnosed with alcohol dependence and receiving psychotherapeutic treatment in Ryazan, Russia, investigated whether the patterns of self-destructive behaviours exhibited by the subjects were linked to their Personality Types and which combinations of injunctions were reflected in their main personality traits.Self-destructive behaviour was measured according to the 7 Alcoholic Self-Destructiveness Dimensions (ASD) (Shustov 2005); data on alcohol abuse and preferred ASD were gathered through semi-structured interview; personality patterns and psychosocial functioning were assessed by means of clinical observation, semi-structured interview, the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire: Version 4+ (Hyler, 1994) (Russian version) and ICD-10 criteria except for Narcissistic Disorder diagnosed according to DSM-IV; 12 injunctions were assessed with The Drego Injunction Scale (Drego, 1994) (Russian version).When correlations were analysed, it was found that injunctions had a significant impact on the hamartic alcoholic script of the out-patient alcohol-dependent clients on the following continuum: Don’t Be, Don’t Think, Don’t Be a Child, Don’t Trust, Don’t Feel, Don’t Grow Up; client personality types had direct relationship with specific injunction patterns. Personality Types mediated the Alcoholic Self-Destructiveness Dimensions: the Classical Suicidal Dimension being associated with Borderline personality traits; Antisocial with the Antisocial personality; and Professional with the Narcissistic Personality.
Spaces, Places, and Policies: Contextualizing Student Homelessness
Authors: Pavlakis Alexandra E.
Published: November 2017

Students and families experience homelessness and high mobility (HHM) in vastly different ways. Yet, popular media, academic scholars, and practitioners often overlook this diversity. Building on a 2012 special issue of Educational Researcher, I discuss recent research that highlights the heterogeneity of HHM student and families. In particular, I focus on the ways in which residential space (e.g., shelter, doubling up with friends, or living in relatively independent accommodations) and geographic place (e.g., urban, suburban, or rural areas) shape educational opportunities and experiences. In doing so, I attend to various policies that help shape where and how families live and where and how they experience schooling. Future research questions and implications are discussed.
The Classroom as a Developmental Context for Cognitive Development: A Meta-Analysis on the Importance of Teacher–Student Interactions for Children’s Executive Functions
Authors: Vandenbroucke Loren , Spilt Jantine , Verschueren Karine , Piccinin Claire , Baeyens Dieter
Published: November 2017

Executive functions (EFs), important cognitive processes that enable goal-directed behavior, develop due to maturation and environmental stimulation. The current study systematically reviews and synthesizes evidence on the association between teacher–student interactions and EFs. The search resulted in 28 studies, from which 23 studies provided sufficient data to be included in the calculations. Overall effect sizes indicate that teacher–child interactions are related to general executive functioning, working memory, and inhibition but not cognitive flexibility. Relationships were stronger for studies including children at the beginning of elementary school, studies with higher socioeconomic status participants and more boys, and studies measuring teacher–child interactions at the dyadic level. This study shows that qualitative teacher–child interactions are important for performance in EFs in children. This suggests that teachers can promote the cognitive processes that are essential in children’s learning by changing their behavior to create an emotionally positive, structured, and cognitively stimulating classroom environment.
Canada 150: Canadian Social Scientists and the Making of Public Policy since Confederation
Authors: Dimand Robert W.
Published: November 2017

Since the 1890s, Canadian social scientists have been actively involved in the making of public policy as decision makers (both as elected officials and as senior public servants); as expert advisers (notably through Royal Commission reports and studies), at both federal and provincial levels; and as shapers of and participants in public discourse. The history of this involvement reflects the expansion and transformation of the scholarly community, as the discipline of political economy, pursued by a handful of scholars at a few universities, divided into multiple social sciences, with many more practitioners, and as close interaction with US social scientists came to displace the influence of the British political economy (e.g., Beveridge, Keynes, the Fabians) and, in Quebec, of the papal social encyclicals.
Influence of surface microstructure and chemical compositions on grooving corrosion of carbon steel welded joints
Authors: Lu Yongxin , Li Xiao , Xu Lianyong , Jing Hongyang , Han Yongdian
Published: November 2017

Corrosion behavior of a welded joint is complicated and can be strongly dependent on its local chemical composition and microstructure of the surface. To gain a thorough insight into the grooving corrosion behavior of welded joint, it is necessary to understand the corrosion mechanism of different regions of the welded joint. In this study, the influence of the lattice constant on the electron work function (EWF) and corrosion rate of base metal and two weld metals was investigated using a constant potential polarization approach and a scanning Kelvin probe (SKP). Experimental results showed that surface EWF decreased with increasing lattice constant, whereas the corrosion rate increased with an increase in lattice constant. At the same time, it was theoretically demonstrated that the lattice constant can affect the local EWF fluctuation of a welded joint. The fluctuation further leads to the corrosion rate difference of the different regions of the welded joint. So, the lattice constant change in the surface structure is a possible reason for the average grooving susceptibility coefficient difference of two kinds of welded joint. Besides, the alloying elements distribution of two kinds of welded joint zones should be a main reason for the average grooving susceptibility coefficient difference of joints verified by the EPMA measurements and the quantitative calculatinon of the contents of Cu, Ni and Si in the joints.
Framework for Deriving Macroscopic Demand Functions from Microscopic Acceleration Models
Authors: Srivastava Anupam , Jin Wen-Long
Published: November 2017

Vehicle acceleration plays an integral role in determining the operational capacity of roadway sections. Traditional first-order macroscopic models of traffic do not capture the boundedness of vehicle acceleration. In a recent study, it was shown that the cell transmission model could capture critical macroscopic effects of bounded acceleration if one modified the demand function such that traffic demand (sending flow) decreased in density for congested traffic. However, such a modified demand function was calibrated only with data. This paper introduces a framework for deriving such macroscopic demand functions corresponding to well-known microscopic acceleration models. Two mechanisms are explored for deriving the demand function with varying assumptions on how vehicles accelerate within a single discretized cell. The first mechanism is based on the assumption that vehicles within a single cell begin accelerating at the same time and that this information of the trigger of acceleration propagates instantaneously. The second mechanism assumes that the information for the trigger propagates within the cell at a finite speed such that following vehicles begin their acceleration process later than the leading vehicles. The derived demand functions are consistent with those calibrated with data. This study explicitly bridges macroscopic and microscopic models of bounded acceleration and can lead to more efficient evaluation of the effects of bounded acceleration on traffic systems.
Macrocyclic Zinc(II) Complexes for Selective Recognition of Nucleobases in Single- and Double-Stranded Polynucleotides
Authors: Kimura Eiichi , Kikuta Emiko
Published: November 2017

The model study of zinc enzyme by Zn2+–cyclen complexes (cyclen = 1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane) disclosed the intrinsic properties of zinc(II) as having strong anion affinities and yet the resulting Zn2+–anion bonds have a labile nature. The basic understanding has evolved into novel selective nucleobase recognition by the Zn2+–cyclen complexes. The Zn2+–aromatic pendant cyclen complexes selectively and effectively bind to thymine T (or uracil U) in single- and double-stranded DNA (or RNA). The Zn2+ complexes work like molecular zippers to break A–T pairs in double-stranded DNA, as proven by various physicochemical and DNA footprinting measurements. Moreover, these Zn2+–complexes affect relevant biochemical and ultimately biological properties such as inhibition of a transcriptional factor and antimicrobial activities.
Registration of ‘Serenut 6T’ Groundnut
Authors: Okello D. K. , Deom C. M. , Puppala N. , Monyo E. , Bravo-Ureta B.
Published: November 2017

’Serenut 6T’ (Reg. No. CV‐136, PI 682726) is a high‐yielding, Spanish‐type groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. fastigiata var. vulgaris) with two seeds per pod. Serenut 6T was released in 2010 by the National Semi‐Arid Resources Research Institute, Soroti, Uganda. Serenut 6T was a selection from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‐Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) advanced line ICGV‐SM 99566, which originated from a cross made between ‘ICGV 93437’ and ‘ICGV‐SM 93561’. ICGV‐SM 99566 was developed by using repeated bulk selections for groundnut rosette disease (GRD) resistance. Replicated performance trials were conducted in Uganda in 2008 and 2009. Trials were performed in two seasons each year for a total of 24 rainfed trials in Uganda. Serenut 6T matures in 90 to 95 d, similar to the widely grown control cultivar Serenut 4T. Serenut 6T resulted in significantly higher pod yields (43.1%) than Serenut 4T. While the shelling percentage for Serenut 6T was 7.9% lower than Serenut 4T, Serenut 6T is easier to shell by hand, a trait preferred by farmers. The seed testa is tan, and the seed is larger than that of Serenut 4T. The sound mature kernel weight for Serenut 6T was 38.1 g 100−1 seed compared with 29.4 g 100−1 seed for Serenut 4T, an increase of 29.6%. Compared with Serenut 4T, Serenut 6T is a higher‐yielding cultivar with more durable resistance to GRD.
Cell Line Secretome and Tumor Tissue Proteome Markers for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bhardwaj Megha , Erben Vanessa , Schrotz-King Petra , Brenner Hermann
Published: November 2017

Objective: In order to find low abundant proteins secretome and tumor tissue proteome data have been explored in the last few years for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this review we aim to summarize the results of studies evaluating markers derived from the secretome and tumor proteome for blood based detection of colorectal cancer. Methods: Observing the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched systematically for relevant studies published up to 18 July 2017. After screening for predefined eligibility criteria a total of 47 studies were identified. Information on diagnostic performance indicators, methodological procedures and validation was extracted. Functions of proteins were identified from the UniProt database and the the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool was used to assess study quality. Results: Forty seven studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Overall, 83 different proteins were identified, with carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) being by far the most commonly reported (reported in 24 studies). Evaluation of the markers or marker combinations in blood samples from CRC cases and controls yielded apparently very promising diagnostic performances, with area under the curve >0.9 in several cases, but lack of internal or external validation, overoptimism due to overfitting and spectrum bias due to evaluation in clinical setting rather than screening settings are major concerns. Conclusions: Secretome and tumor proteome-based biomarkers when validated in blood yield promising candidates. However, for discovered protein markers to be clinically applicable as screening tool they have to be specific for early stages and need to be validated externally in larger studies with participants recruited in true screening setting.
Pancreatic Cancer Chemoresistance to Gemcitabine
Authors: Amrutkar Manoj , Gladhaug Ivar
Published: November 2017

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer, ranks among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the Western world due to disease presentation at an advanced stage, early metastasis and generally a very limited response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Gemcitabine remains a cornerstone of PDAC treatment in all stages of the disease despite suboptimal clinical effects primarily caused by molecular mechanisms limiting its cellular uptake and activation and overall efficacy, as well as the development of chemoresistance within weeks of treatment initiation. To circumvent gemcitabine resistance in PDAC, several novel therapeutic approaches, including chemical modifications of the gemcitabine molecule generating numerous new prodrugs, as well as new entrapment designs of gemcitabine in colloidal systems such as nanoparticles and liposomes, are currently being investigated. Many of these approaches are reported to be more efficient than the parent gemcitabine molecule when tested in cellular systems and in vivo in murine tumor model systems; however, although promising, their translation to clinical use is still in a very early phase. This review discusses gemcitabine metabolism, activation and chemoresistance entities in the gemcitabine cytotoxicity pathway and provides an overview of approaches to override chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer.
Synthesis and Characterization of Hybrid Particles Obtained in a One-Pot Process through Simultaneous Sol-Gel Reaction of (3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane and Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene
Authors: Segers Margot , Vermeer Isabel , Möller Martin , Verheijen Marcel , Buskens Pascal
Published: November 2017

Hybrid particles consisting of an organic polymer and silica or polyorganosiloxanes are interesting building blocks for nanocomposites. The synthesis of such particles typically requires multiple reaction steps involving the formation of polymer colloids and the subsequent deposition of silicon-containing material either inside or on the surface of these colloids, or vice versa. In 2014, we reported a facile method for the one-pot synthesis of sub-micron sized hybrid particles based on simultaneous sol-gel conversion of organotrimethoxysilanes and emulsion polymerization of a vinylic monomer, illustrated by the synthesis of polystyrene-polyphenylsiloxane particles from the monomers styrene and phenyltrimethoxysilane (Segers et al (2014). In this process, the required surface active species was formed in situ through hydrolytic conversion of phenyltrimethoxysilane to phenylsilanolate oligomers. Introduction of thiol groups in such hybrid particles should yield particles suited for functionalization with small metal nanoparticles, e.g., Au. Here, we present the synthesis of thiol-containing hybrid particles consisting of poly(3-mercaptopropyl)siloxane and polystyrene using the one-pot synthesis method based on simultaneous conversion of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane and styrene. We prepared particles from different volume ratios of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane and styrene, ranging from 1:99 to 80:20. The resulting spherical hybrid particles displayed different sizes, compositions, and architectures (including core-shell), which were studied in detail using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The composition of these particles, and consequently the number of thiol groups available for further functionalization such as metal anchoring, was tunable.
Vulnerability of Coastal Beach Tourism to Flooding: A Case Study of Galicia, Spain
Authors: Toubes Diego , Gössling Stefan , Hall C. , Scott Daniel
Published: November 2017

Flooding, as a result of heavy rains and/or storm surges, is a persistent problem in coastal areas. Under scenarios of climate change, there are expectations that flooding events will become more frequent in some areas and potentially more intense. This poses a potential threat to coastal communities relying heavily on coastal resources, such as beaches for tourism. This paper develops a methodology for the assessment of coastal flooding risks, based on an index that compares 16 hydrogeomorphological, biophysical, human exposure and resilience indicators, with a specific focus on tourism. The paper then uses an existing flood vulnerability assessment of 724 beaches in Galicia (Spain) to test the index for tourism. Results indicate that approximately 10% of tourism beaches are at high risk to flooding, including 10 urban and 36 rural beaches. Implications for adaptation and coastal management are discussed.
A Review of Frailty Syndrome and Its Physical, Cognitive and Emotional Domains in the Elderly
Authors: Khezrian Mina , Myint Phyo K. , McNeil Christopher , Murray Alison D.
Published: November 2017

Background: Frailty, a very important complication of increasing age, is a well-recognised concept although it has not been accurately measured in the clinical setting. The aim of this literature review is to summarise commonly used frailty screening tools, and to describe how new measurement methods have been developed recently. Methods: Several frailty measurement tools including the most cited and newly developed scales have been described in this review. We searched the MEDLINE using the search terms; “frailty score, scale, tool, instrument, index, phenotype” and then summarised selected tools for physical, cognitive, emotional and co-morbidity domains. Results: The most cited frailty measurement methods developed from 1999 to 2005 are primarily criteria for physical frailty (e.g., frailty phenotype). More recently developed tools (e.g., triad of impairment and multidimensional frailty score) consider cognitive and emotional domains in addition to physical deficit in measuring frailty. Co-morbidity has also been considered as a domain of frailty in several measurement tools. Conclusion: Although frailty tools have traditionally assessed physical capability, cognitive and emotional impairment often co-exist in older adults and may have shared origins. Therefore, newer tools which provide a composite measure of frailty may be more relevant for future use.
Neighborhood Prices of Healthier and Unhealthier Foods and Associations with Diet Quality: Evidence from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Kern David , Auchincloss Amy , Stehr Mark , Diez Roux Ana , Moore Latetia , Kanter Genevieve , Robinson Lucy
Published: November 2017

It is known that the price of food influences the purchasing and consumption decisions of individuals; however, little work has examined if the price of healthier food relative to unhealthier food in an individual’s neighborhood is associated with overall dietary quality while using data from multiple regions in the United States. Cross-sectional person-level data came from The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (exam 5, 2010–2012, n = 2765); a food frequency questionnaire assessed diet. Supermarket food/beverage prices came from Information Resources Inc. (n = 794 supermarkets). For each individual, the average price of select indicators of healthier foods (vegetables, fruits, dairy) and unhealthier foods (soda, sweets, salty snacks), as well as their ratio, was computed for supermarkets within three miles of the person’s residential address. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios of a high-quality diet (top quintile of Healthy Eating Index 2010) associated with healthy-to-unhealthy price ratio, adjusted for individual and neighborhood characteristics. Sensitivity analyses used an instrumental variable (IV) approach. Healthier foods cost nearly twice as much as unhealthier foods per serving on average (mean healthy-to-unhealthy ratio = 1.97 [SD 0.14]). A larger healthy-to-unhealthy price ratio was associated with lower odds of a high-quality diet (OR = 0.76 per SD increase in the ratio, 95% CI = [0.64–0.9]). IV analyses largely confirmed these findings although—as expected with IV adjustment—confidence intervals were wide (OR = 0.82 [0.57–1.19]). Policies to address the large price differences between healthier and unhealthy foods may help improve diet quality in the United States.
A Dynamic Spatiotemporal Analysis Model for Traffic Incident Influence Prediction on Urban Road Networks
Authors: Liu Chun , Zhang Shuhang , Wu Hangbin , Fu Qiang
Published: November 2017

Traffic incidents have a broad negative impact on both traffic systems and the quality of social activities; thus, analyzing and predicting the influence of traffic incidents dynamically is necessary. However, the traditional geographic information system for transportation (GIS-T) mostly presents fundamental data and static analysis, and transportation models focus predominantly on some typical road structures. Therefore, it is important to integrate transportation models with the spatiotemporal analysis techniques of GIS to address the dynamic process of traffic incidents. This paper presents a dynamic spatiotemporal analysis model to predict the influence of traffic incidents with the assistance of a GIS database and road network data. The model leverages a physical traffic shockwave model, and different superposition situations of shockwaves are proposed for both straight roads and road networks. Two typical cases were selected to verify the proposed model and were tested with the car-following model and real-world monitoring data. The results showed that the proposed model could successfully predict traffic effects with over 60% accuracy in both cases, and required less computational resources than the car-following model. Compared to other methods, the proposed model required fewer dynamic parameters and could be implemented on a wider set of road hierarchies.
Multiple Feature Hashing Learning for Large-Scale Remote Sensing Image Retrieval
Authors: Ye Dongjie , Li Yansheng , Tao Chao , Xie Xunwei , Wang Xiang
Published: November 2017

Driven by the urgent demand of remote sensing big data management and knowledge discovery, large-scale remote sensing image retrieval (LSRSIR) has attracted more and more attention. As is well known, hashing learning has played an important role in coping with big data mining problems. In the literature, several hashing learning methods have been proposed to address LSRSIR. Until now, existing LSRSIR methods take only one type of feature descriptor as the input of hashing learning methods and ignore the complementary effects of multiple features, which may represent remote sensing images from different aspects. Different from the existing LSRSIR methods, this paper proposes a flexible multiple-feature hashing learning framework for LSRSIR, which takes multiple complementary features as the input and learns the hybrid feature mapping function, which projects multiple features of the remote sensing image to the low-dimensional binary (i.e., compact) feature representation. Furthermore, the compact feature representations can be directly utilized in LSRSIR with the aid of the hamming distance metric. In order to show the superiority of the proposed multiple feature hashing learning method, we compare the proposed approach with the existing methods on two publicly available large-scale remote sensing image datasets. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach can significantly outperform the state-of-the-art approaches.
Comparison and Evolution of Extreme Rainfall-Induced Landslides in Taiwan
Authors: WU Chunhung
Published: November 2017

This study analyzed the characteristics of, and locations prone to, extreme rainfall-induced landslides in three watersheds in Taiwan, as well as the long-term evolution of landslides in the Laonong River watershed (LRW), based on multiannual landslide inventories during 2003–2014. Extreme rainfall-induced landslides were centralized beside sinuous or meandering reaches, especially those with large sediment deposition. Landslide-prone strata during extreme rainfall events were sandstone and siltstone. Large-scale landslides were likely to occur when the maximum 6-h accumulated rainfall exceeded 420 mm. All of the large-scale landslides induced by short-duration and high-intensity rainfall developed from historical small-scale landslides beside the sinuous or meandering reaches or in the source area of rivers. However, most of the large-scale landslides induced by long-duration and high-intensity rainfall were new but were still located beside sinuous or meandering reaches or near the source. The frequency density of landslides under long-duration and high-intensity rainfall was larger by one order than those under short-duration rainfall, and the β values in the landslide frequency density-area analysis ranged from 1.22 to 1.348. The number of downslope landslides was three times larger than those of midslope and upslope landslides. The extreme rainfall-induced landslides occurred in the erosion gullies upstream of the watersheds, whereas those beside rivers were downstream. Analysis of the long-term evolution of landslides in the LRW showed that the geological setting, sinuousness of reaches, and sediment yield volume determined their location and evolution. Small-scale landslides constituted 71.9–96.2% of the total cases from 2003 to 2014, and were more easily induced after Typhoon Morakot (2009). The frequency density of landslides after Morakot was greater by one order than before, with 61% to 68% of total landslides located in the downslope. Small-scale landslides not beside the rivers disappeared within four years, whereas those beside rivers or located in the source areas either developed into large-scale landslides or slowly disappeared. Large-scale landslides caused by Morakot were either combined from several historical small-scale landslides in the river source areas or located beside the sinuous or meandering reaches. The probabilities of landslide recurrence in the LRW during the next 5, 10, and 20 years were determined to be 7.26%, 9.16%, and 10.48%, respectively, and those beside the rivers were 10.47%, 13.33%, and 15.41%, respectively.
Resistance of Magnesium Alloys to Corrosion Fatigue for Biodegradable Implant Applications: Current Status and Challenges
Authors: Raman R. K. Singh , Harandi Shervin Eslami
Published: November 2017

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are attracting increasing interest as the most suitable metallic materials for construction of biodegradable and bio-absorbable temporary implants. However, Mg-alloys can suffer premature and catastrophic fracture under the synergy of cyclic loading and corrosion (i.e., corrosion fatigue (CF)). Though Mg alloys are reported to be susceptible to CF also in the corrosive human body fluid, there are very limited studies on this topic. Furthermore, the in vitro test parameters employed in these investigations have not properly simulated the actual conditions in the human body. This article presents an overview of the findings of available studies on the CF of Mg alloys in pseudo-physiological solutions and the employed testing procedures, as well as identifying the knowledge gap.
Thermo-Calc Prediction of Mushy Zone in AlSiFeMn Alloys
Authors: Mikolajczak Piotr , Genau Amber , Janiszewski Jerzy , Ratke Lorenz
Published: November 2017

Convection forces can cause significant segregation within the liquid during directional solidification, influencing the structure of the mushy zone and the type and distribution of phases present in the solidified alloy. The solidification behavior of AlSiFeMn alloys with strong convection was investigated via experimental results combined with thermodynamic calculations. Experimental specimens were processed in a directional solidification facility with forced melt flow, resulting in high levels of elemental segregation across samples. The resulting local compositions were located on phase diagrams Al-Si-Fe, Al-Si-Mn and Al-Fe-Mn for prediction of the variation in solidification behavior. Phase mass fraction diagrams created in Thermo-Calc showed the effect of segregation on the characteristic temperatures, mushy zone length and the order of occurring phases precipitating across specimens. These findings were used to create 2D maps for visualization of the mushy zone, mass fraction of α-Al dendrites, β-Al5FeSi, Al15Si2Mn4 and their spatial location. The specimen centers showed enrichment in AlSi-eutectic but for β-Al5FeSi and Al15Si2Mn4 results are ambiguous. Fe-phases start to grow mainly behind the dendrites tips and in general may flow between them. Mn-rich phases start to precipitate at higher temperatures than β and in many places before α-Al and in this way may flow in the melt above the mushy zone.
Monitoring for Response to Antineoplastic Drugs: The Potential of a Metabolomic Approach
Authors: Rattner Jodi , Bathe Oliver
Published: November 2017

For most cancers, chemotherapeutic options are rapidly expanding, providing the oncologist with substantial choices. Therefore, there is a growing need to select the best systemic therapy, for any individual, that effectively halts tumor progression with minimal toxicity. Having the capability to predict benefit and to anticipate toxicity would be ideal, but remains elusive at this time. An alternative approach is an adaptive approach that involves close observation for treatment response and emergence of resistance. Currently, response to systemic therapy is estimated using radiographic tests. Unfortunately, radiographic estimates of response are imperfect and radiographic signs of response can be delayed. This is particularly problematic for targeted agents, as tumor shrinkage is often not apparent with these drugs. As a result, patients are exposed to prolonged courses of toxic drugs that may ultimately be found to be ineffective. A biomarker-based adaptive strategy that involves the serial analysis of the metabolome is attractive. The metabolome changes rapidly with changes in physiology. Changes in the circulating metabolome associated with various antineoplastic agents have been described, but further work will be required to understand what changes signify clinical benefit. We present an investigative approach for the discovery and validation of metabolomic response biomarkers, which consists of serial analysis of the metabolome and linkage of changes in the metabolome to measurable therapeutic benefit. Potential pitfalls in the development of metabolomic biomarkers of response and loss of response are reviewed.
Paralytic Shellfish Toxins and Cyanotoxins in the Mediterranean: New Data from Sardinia and Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Lugliè Antonella , Giacobbe Maria Grazia , Riccardi Elena , Bruno Milena , Pigozzi Silvia , Mariani Maria Antonietta , Satta Cecilia Teodora , Stacca Daniela , Bazzoni Anna Maria , Caddeo Tiziana , Farina Pasqualina , Padedda Bachisio Mario , Pulina Silvia , Sechi Nicola , Milandri Anna
Published: November 2017

Harmful algal blooms represent a severe issue worldwide. They affect ecosystem functions and related services and goods, with consequences on human health and socio-economic activities. This study reports new data on paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) from Sardinia and Sicily (Italy), the largest Mediterranean islands where toxic events, mainly caused by Alexandrium species (Dinophyceae), have been ascertained in mussel farms since the 2000s. The toxicity of the A. minutum, A. tamarense and A. pacificum strains, established from the isolation of vegetative cells and resting cysts, was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analyses indicated the highest toxicity for A. pacificum strains (total PSTs up to 17.811 fmol cell−1). The PSTs were also assessed in a strain of A. tamarense. The results encourage further investigation to increase the knowledge of toxic species still debated in the Mediterranean. This study also reports new data on microcystins (MCs) and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) from a Sardinian artificial lake (Lake Bidighinzu). The presence of MCs and BMAA was assessed in natural samples and in cell cultures by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). BMAA positives were found in all the analysed samples with a maximum of 17.84 µg L−1. The obtained results added further information on cyanotoxins in Mediterranean reservoirs, particularly BMAA, which have not yet been thoroughly investigated.
Sulforaphane Alters β-Naphthoflavone-Induced Changes in Activity and Expression of Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes in Rat Hepatocytes
Authors: Lněničková Kateřina , Dymáková Andrea , Szotáková Barbora , Boušová Iva
Published: November 2017

Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables, exerts many beneficial effects on human health such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. The effect of SFN alone on drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) has been investigated in numerous in vitro and in vivo models, but little is known about the effect of SFN in combination with cytochrome P450 (CYP) inducer. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of SFN on the activity and gene expression of selected DMEs in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes treated or non-treated with β-naphthoflavone (BNF), the model CYP1A inducer. In our study, SFN alone did not significantly alter the activity and expression of the studied DMEs, except for the glutathione S-transferase (GSTA1) mRNA level, which was significantly enhanced. Co-treatment of hepatocytes with SFN and BNF led to a substantial increase in sulfotransferase, aldoketoreductase 1C, carbonylreductase 1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 activity and a marked decrease in cytochrome P450 (CYP) Cyp1a1, Cyp2b and Cyp3a4 expression in comparison to the treatment with BNF alone. Sulforaphane is able to modulate the activity and/or expression of DMEs, thus shifting the balance of carcinogen metabolism toward deactivation, which could represent an important mechanism of its chemopreventive activity.
Evaluating Differences in Aluminum Exposure through Parenteral Nutrition in Neonatal Morbidities
Authors: Fortenberry Megan , Hernandez Lela , Morton Jacob
Published: November 2017

Aluminum is a common contaminant in many components of parenteral nutrition, especially calcium and phosphate additives. Although long-term effects have been described in the literature, short-term effects are not well-known. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration recommends maintaining aluminum at <5 mcg/kg/day. This was a single center, retrospective case-control study of 102 neonatal intensive care unit patients. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis, rickets/osteopenia, or seizures and received at least 14 days of parenteral nutrition. Patients were matched 1:1 with control patients by gestational age and birth weight. Mean total aluminum exposure for the 14 days of parenteral nutrition was calculated using manufacturer label information. Differences in mean aluminum exposure between cases and controls, as well as subgroup analysis in those with renal impairment or cholestasis, was conducted. Aluminum exposure in patients meeting inclusion criteria closely mirrored the aluminum exposure of control patients. The difference in aluminum exposure was not found to be statistically significant, except in patients with cholestasis. Although the study found no difference in aluminum exposure in short-term complications with neonates, long-term complications are well established and may warrant the need to monitor and limit neonatal aluminum exposure.
Antioxidant Effect of Barley Sprout Extract via Enhancement of Nuclear Factor-Erythroid 2 Related Factor 2 Activity and Glutathione Synthesis
Authors: Lee Yun-Hee , Kim Sou , Lee Seunghyun , Kim Kyung-Mi , Jung Jae-Chul , Son Tae , Ki Sung , Seo Woo-Duck , Kwak Jae-Hwan , Hong Jin , Jung Young-Suk
Published: November 2017

We previously showed that barley sprout extract (BSE) prevents chronic alcohol intake-induced liver injury in mice. BSE notably inhibited glutathione (GSH) depletion and increased inflammatory responses, revealing its mechanism of preventing alcohol-induced liver injury. In the present study we investigated whether the antioxidant effect of BSE involves enhancing nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity and GSH synthesis to inhibit alcohol-induced oxidative liver injury. Mice fed alcohol for four weeks exhibited significantly increased oxidative stress, evidenced by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) immunostaining in the liver, whereas treatment with BSE (100 mg/kg) prevented these effects. Similarly, exposure to BSE (0.1–1 mg/mL) significantly reduced oxidative cell death induced by t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP, 300 μM) and stabilized the mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ψ). BSE dose-dependently increased the activity of Nrf2, a potential transcriptional regulator of antioxidant genes, in HepG2 cells. Therefore, increased expression of its target genes, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) was observed. Since GCLC is involved in the rate-limiting step of GSH synthesis, BSE increased the GSH level and decreased both cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) expression and taurine level. Because cysteine is a substrate for both taurine and GSH synthesis, a decrease in CDO expression would further contribute to increased cysteine availability for GSH synthesis. In conclusion, BSE protected the liver cells from oxidative stress by activating Nrf2 and increasing GSH synthesis.
Propagation of Fibrillar Structural Forms in Proteins Stopped by Naturally Occurring Short Polypeptide Chain Fragments
Authors: Roterman Irena , Banach Mateusz , Konieczny Leszek
Published: November 2017

Amyloids characterized by unbounded growth of fibrillar structures cause many pathological processes. Such unbounded propagation is due to the presence of a propagating hydrophobicity field around the fibril’s main axis, preventing its closure (unlike in globular proteins). Interestingly, similar fragments, commonly referred to as solenoids, are present in many naturally occurring proteins, where their propagation is arrested by suitably located “stopper” fragments. In this work, we analyze the distribution of hydrophobicity in solenoids and in their corresponding “stoppers” from the point of view of the fuzzy oil drop model (called FOD in this paper). This model characterizes the unique linear propagation of local hydrophobicity in the solenoid fragment and allows us to pinpoint “stopper” sequences, where local hydrophobicity quite closely resembles conditions encountered in globular proteins. Consequently, such fragments perform their function by mediating entropically advantageous contact with the water environment. We discuss examples of amyloid-like structures in solenoids, with particular attention to “stop” segments present in properly folded proteins found in living organisms.
Effect of the Addition of Carbon Nanomaterials on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Wood Plastic Composites
Authors: Zhang Xingli , Hao Xiaolong , Hao Jianxiu , Wang Qingwen
Published: November 2017

Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs) are a new generation of green composites that could optimize the use of harvested trees and increase the entire value chain. In this study, the electrical and mechanical properties of WPCs containing carbon blacks (CB), flake graphite (FG) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been investigated. The electrical property of WPCs is improved significantly owing to the introduction of these carbon nanomaterial fillers. The volume and surface resistivity values of the investigated composites all obviously decreased with the increase in filler content, especially CNTs, which displayed the most satisfactory results. Based on a series of laboratory experiments carried out to investigate the mechanical performance, it can be concluded that the addition of the carbon nanomaterial fillers decreases the mechanical properties of WPCs slightly with the increase in filler content because of the weak interfacial interactions between the fillers and polymer matrix.
Polymeric Amines and Ampholytes Derived from Poly(acryloyl chloride): Synthesis, Influence on Silicic Acid Condensation and Interaction with Nucleic Acid
Authors: Danilovtseva Elena , Maheswari Krishnan Uma , Pal’shin Viktor , Annenkov Vadim
Published: November 2017

Polymeric amines are intensively studied due to various valuable properties. This study describes the synthesis of new polymeric amines and ampholytes by the reaction of poly(acryloyl chloride) with trimethylene-based polyamines containing one secondary and several (1–3) tertiary amine groups. The polymers contain polyamine side chains and carboxylic groups when the polyamine was in deficiency. These polymers differ in structure of side groups, but they are identical in polymerization degree and polydispersity, which facilitates the study of composition-properties relationships. The structure of the obtained polymers was confirmed with 13C nuclear magnetic resonance infrared spectroscopy, and acid-base properties were studied with potentiometry titration. Placement of the amine groups in the side chains influences their acid-base properties: protonation of the amine group exerts a larger impact on the amine in the same side chain than on the amines in the neighboring side chains. The obtained polymers are prone to aggregation in aqueous solutions tending to insolubility at definite pH values in the case of polyampholytes. Silicic acid condensation in the presence of new polymers results in soluble composite nanoparticles and composite materials which consist of ordered submicrometer particles according to dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Polymeric amines, ampholytes, and composite nanoparticles are capable of interacting with oligonucleotides, giving rise to complexes that hold promise for gene delivery applications.
Seeing in Eternal Return: Hermeneutical Perspectives on Karma and Rebirth
Authors: Edelmann Jonathan
Published: November 2017

This article is a reflection on a conception of death, that of karma and rebirth, and its value in interpreting one’s life. I have thought about this conception in two ways. The first is that I can see the circumstances of my life as the result of causes of which I was the agent, and the second is that I can see my life and the relationships in my life as part of a much larger narrative that began before this life. Through an examination of Vaishnava and Advaita theology, Nyāya philosophy, and some Puranic and Epic texts, I argue for an interpretation of karma and rebirth as a rational system that allows one to see relationships as involving many layers of complexity.