bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LAS EMOCIONES EN EL PROCESO DE PAZ COLOMBIANO
Authors: Valencia-Tello Diana Carolina
Published: June 2017

El conflicto armado colombiano es el conflicto más prolongado de América. En Septiembre de 2016 se firmó el primer Acuerdo de Paz entre el Gobierno de Juan Manuel Santos y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). Con la finalidad de refrendar el Acuerdo de Paz por todos los colombianos, el Presidente Santos convocó un Plebiscito el pasado 02 de Octubre de 2016. El acuerdo no fue avalado por el 50,22% de los colombianos, pero el gran ganador de la jornada fue la abstención que alcanzó el 62%. En la actualidad, no existe consenso sobre las causas del conflicto armado, ni tampoco sobre los posibles caminos para la paz, razón por la cual el país está dividido sobre las posibilidades del dialogo. La falta de consensos alrededor del proceso de paz, unido al desconocimiento y a la incertidumbre que provocaron los diálogos con las FARC, generó que la discusión política se caracterizara por falta de argumentos o explicaciones claras sobre los puntos a favor y en contra del proceso, lo que fue evidente en las pasadas elecciones presidenciales de 2014 y en el plebiscito por la paz, en donde las campañas se concentraron más en los sentimientos de esperanza y miedo que genera el tema de la paz, sin realizar mayores discusiones sobre los principales temas del proceso. En medio de campañas políticas que priorizan las emociones antes que los argumentos racionales, ¿Cómo podemos construir caminos de paz que ayuden a la reconciliación entre los diversos actores del conflicto?
Socio-Technical Drivers for Community Renewable Energy Systems – Analysis of Case Studies from India
Authors: Pati Sutapa
Published: June 2017

Renewable energy sector of India has the potential to be a credible alternative for households and communities. The sector accounts for approximately 13 per cent of the national energy capacity, including technologies such as solar grid/ off – grid generation, wind power, small hydro power, biomass/ biogas, and waste to energy. Statistics related to implementation illustrate the scope of tapping the renewable energy sector comprehensively, esp. for decentralized, household and community level applications. This paper analyses on – ground case studies and projects from various renewable energy categories, specifically the socio – technical and community aspects that play a significant role in successful Renewable Energy Technologies (henceforth RET) implementation. The distilled positive and negative drivers include technical, economic considerations, policy and regulatory, environmental aspects, market/ business models, and social/ community linked aspects. Case studies describe the need for a system based and stakeholder engagement approach where all possible stakeholders and their issues are envisaged and taken into account. Use of an evaluating framework is suggested to ensure successful community models of RETs and mass adoption of renewable technologies.
Successful Organic Production Practices in the Southern Cone
Authors: Cespedes-Leon Cecilia , Balzarini Monica Graciela , Zoppolo Roberto Jose , Zarza Hugo Alberto , Rodriguez Elsa Margarita , Granval Nelida Isabel , Torrico Ivan Amado
Published: June 2017

The growth of demand of organic products has increased the interest of growers all around the World. To reach a sustainable organic production system, growers have to go through a long and difficult process. Eighty-one successful organic production systems in the Southern Cone of America were evaluated regarding management practices, such as disease control, soil fertility, and biodiversity management. The aim of the study was to determine associations between production techniques, farmer training, experience in organic agriculture, yields obtained, and the contribution of organic production to the profitability of farmers. A multivariate analysis was performed to characterize the variability between systems, correlate the management variables and explain economic sustainability. The economic sustainability of farmers was highly correlated with self-production of fungicides and insecticides, use of permitted commercial fertilizers, organic matter application, the use of natural enemies, commercially permitted fungicides and insecticides and the implementation of preventive practices for disease management. Pest monitoring correlated significantly with farmer training and sustainable practices implementation. Farmer’s perception on the importance of crop diversity in organic production correlated with the importance of external inputs independence, green manure, cover crop, and the experience of farmers in organic production. Farmers who implemented more management practices had yield losses below 20% of total production and a gross margin of organic farming of more than 1.5 times the minimum wage of the country than farmers that implemented few or no management practices.
Charakteristiky dobré základní školy z pohledu rodičů
Authors: Simonová Jaroslava
Published: June 2017

Přes poměrně velké množství prací, které se v mezinárodním kontextu věnovaly zkoumání rodičovských preferencí, neexistuje univerzální shoda na tom, co je pro rodiče při výběru školy nejdůležitější. Obvykle si rodiče cení výsledků vzdělávání, socioekonomického složení žáků, možnosti komunikace a zapojení do života školy nebo tříd s menším počtem žáků, sdílených hodnot a stylu výuky. Cílem stati je popsat charakteristiky dobré školy z pohledu českých rodičů s využitím dat získaných v longitudinálním šetření CLoSE od reprezentativního vzorku 2008 rodičů dětí v  předškolním věku, a to pomocí obsahové analýzy a deskriptivních statistik, a porovnat informace zjištěné metodou otevřeného a uzavřeného dotazování. Rodiče očekávají, že škola bude poskytovat jim a jejich dětem individualizovaný přístup orientovaný nejenom na dobré vzdělávací výsledky, ale především na co nejlepší kvalitu života, a umožní jim podílet se na utváření podoby školního vzdělávání svých dětí.
Žákovské prekoncepty jako konstitutivní prvek výuky mateřského jazyka
Authors: Štěpáník Stanislav , Slavík Jan
Published: June 2017

Cílem této empirické studie je: (1) představit žákovský prekoncept jako konstitutivní prvek výuky mateřského jazyka, (2) ukázat na konkrétním příkladu větného členu (přívlastku), že pojetí žákovského prekonceptu jako klíčové determinanty výuky je nejen opodstatněné, ale přímo nutné; (3) uvést návrh, kudy by se další výzkum i snahy o zlepšování výuky v této oblasti mohly ubírat. V první části jsou vymezeny základní pojmy – představa, prekoncept a koncept – a je analyzováno jejich místo ve výuce mateřského jazyka. Následně se text věnuje kritickým místům ve výuce českého jazyka a české syntaxe, další část prezentuje samotný výzkum. Metodoustratifikovaného náhodného výběru byl vytvořen vzorek žáků 1. ročníku střední školy, u nichž byl metodou individuálního řízeného rozhovoru nad speciálně designovanými cvičeními zjišťován žákovský prekoncept přívlastku. Z výsledků vyplývá, že žáci disponují prekonceptem přívlastku a i hůře prospívající žáci jsou schopni tento prekoncept verbalizovat a přesně ho popsat, avšak po zavedení terminologie se u některých projevuje blok vyvolaný edukací a dochází ke střetu přirozeného vnímání jazyka a gramatického popisu. Zároveň se ukazuje, že po přechodu na rovinu školních znalostí žáci začnou o jazykových jevech přemýšlet jinak – jejich spontánní uvažování je zastaveno a nastupují nevhodné zmechanizované postupy, které žákům škola vnutila. Studie rovněž upozorňuje na desetiletí přetrvávající problém – výuka zavádí terminologii příliš brzy, aniž by navazovala na přirozenou jazykovou kompetenci a komunikační zkušenost žáků. I přes nedostatečné ukotvení základních znalostí pak postupuje dál, čímž se vytváří bludný kruh neúspěchu.
Line × Tester Analysis for Earliness Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Gossypium hirsutum L.
Authors: Shahnaz Memon  , Wajid Ali Jatoi  , Samreen Khanzada  , Nazia Kamboh  , Lubna Rajput
Published: June 2017

The present study was carried out at Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) Tando Jam during 2016. The experimental material consisted of six lines viz., CRIS-134, Sindh-1, Sadori, Malmal, IR-901 and three testers; Bt-3701, Bt-121 and CIM-534.The crosses were made in line × tester mating design. F1 hybrids along with parents were sown in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications in 2016. Seven yield and early maturing traits was recorded like, days to 1st flowering, days to 75% boll opening, plant height(cm), sympodial branches plant-1, bolls plant-1, seed cotton yield-1(g) and lint (%) for estimating of combining ability. The analysis of variance showed that genotypes, crosses, parents, parent vs crosses, lines, testers and line × tester were significant which demonstrated that genetic difference were present in genotypes for various yield and early maturing parameters. Among the lines, Sindh-1, CRIS-134 and testers, Bt-121 and Bt-3701 were best combiners and F1 hybrids like CRIS-134 × Bt-3701, Malmal × Bt-3701, CRIS-134 × Bt-121 were best combiners for all characters.
Proceraea exoryxaesp. nov. (Annelida, Syllidae, Autolytinae), the first known polychaete miner tunneling into the tunic of an ascidian
Authors: Martin Daniel , Nygren Arne , Cruz-Rivera Edwin
Published: June 2017

While studying organisms living in association with the solitary tunicatePhallusia nigra(Ascidiacea, Ascidiidae) from a shallow fringing reef at Zeytouna Beach (Egyptian Red Sea), one of the collected ascidians showed peculiar perforations on its tunic. Once dissected, the perforations revealed to be the openings of a network of galleries excavated in the inner tunic (atrium) by at least six individuals of a polychaetous annelid. The worms belonged to the Autolytinae (Syllidae), a subfamily that is well known to include specialized predators and/or symbionts, mostly associated with cnidarians. The Red Sea worms are here described asProceraea exoryxaesp. nov., which are anatomically distinguished by the combination of simple chaetae only in anterior chaetigers, and a unique trepan with 33 teeth in one outer ring where one large tooth alternates with one medium-sized tricuspid tooth, and one inner ring with small teeth located just behind the large teeth. Male and female epitokes were found together with atokous individuals within galleries.Proceraea exoryxaesp. nov. constitutes the first known miner in the Autolytinae and the second species in this taxon known to live symbiotically with ascidians. The implications of finding this specialized parasite are discussed considering thatPhallusia nigrahas been introduced worldwide, in tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems, where it has the potential of becoming invasive.
The development of curvature in the porcine radioulna
Authors: Pantinople Jess , McCabe Kyle , Henderson Keith , Richards Hazel L. , Milne Nick
Published: June 2017

Long bone curvature in animal limbs has long been a subject of interest and much work has explored why long bones should be curved. However, the ‘when’ and ‘how’ of curvature development is poorly understood. It has been shown that the rat tibia fails to attain its normal curvature if the action of muscles is removed early in life, but it is not clear if this is because the curvature fails to develop or if the bone becomes straighter without the action of muscles. No studies have examined the development of bone curvature in a normally developing quadruped, so this study tracks the course of curvature formation in the radioulna in a series of growing pigs. We also histologically examined the epiphyseal growth plates of these bones to determine if they contribute to the formation of curvature. In all three epiphyseal plates examined, the proliferative zone is thicker and more densely populated with chondrocytes on the cranial (convex) side than the caudal (concave) side. Frost’s chondral modelling theory would suggest that the cranial side of the bone is under more compression than the caudal side, and we conclude that this is due to the action of triceps extending the elbow by pulling on the olecranon process. These results support the idea that bone curvature is an adaptation to habitual loading, where longitudinal loads acting on the curved bone cause bending strains that counter the bending resulting from the habitual muscle action.
Evaluating the size and extent of paleolakes in central Tibet during the late Pleistocene
Authors: Shi Xuhua , Furlong Kevin P. , Kirby Eric , Meng Kai , Marrero Shasta , Gosse John , Wang Erchie , Phillips Fred
Published: June 2017

Subhorizontal lake shorelines allow a geodynamic test of the size and extent of a hypothesized paleolake in central Tibet, the East Qiangtang Lake (EQL), during the last interglacial period (marine isotope stage (MIS) 5e). Reconstructions based on relict lake deposits suggest that the EQL would have been ~400 m deep and over ~66,000 km2. Models of flexural rebound driven by lake recession predict that shorelines near the EQL center, at the present‐day location of Siling Co, would have rebounded 60–90 m above their initial elevation. New36Cl chronology of the highest relict shorelines around Siling Co indicates that they reflect lake levels between 110 and 190 ka. These shorelines, however, are presently >300 m below their predicted elevations, implying a substantially smaller water load. Our results reveal that the expansion of Tibetan lakes during MIS 5e was relatively limited. Instead, individual lakes were supplied by river networks, much as they are today.
Declining frequency of summertime local‐scale precipitation over eastern China from 1970 to 2010 and its potential link to aerosols
Authors: Guo Jianping , Su Tianning , Li Zhanqing , Miao Yucong , Li Jing , Liu Huan , Xu Hui , Cribb Maureen , Zhai Panmao
Published: June 2017

Summer precipitation plays critical roles in the energy balance and the availability of fresh water over eastern China. However, little is known regarding the trend in local‐scale precipitation (LSP). Here we developed a novel method to determine LSP events in the summer afternoon throughout eastern China from 1970 to 2010 based on hourly gauge measurements. The LSP occurrence hours decrease at an annual rate of 0.25%, which varies considerably by region, ranging from 0.14% over the Yangtze River Delta to 0.56% over the Pearl River Delta. This declining frequency of LSP is generally accompanied by an increase in rain rate of LSP but a decrease in visibility, whose linkage to LSP events was investigated. In particular, more LSP events tended to form when the atmosphere was slightly polluted. Afterward, LSP was suppressed. These findings have important implications for improving our understanding of the climatology of daytime precipitation at local scales.
Rethinking the starch digestion hypothesis for AMY1 copy number variation in humans
Authors: Fernández Catalina I. , Wiley Andrea S.
Published: June 2017

Alpha‐amylase exists across taxonomic kingdoms with a deep evolutionary history of gene duplications that resulted in several α‐amylase paralogs. Copy number variation (CNV) in the salivary α‐amylase gene (AMY1) exists in many taxa, but among primates, humans appear to have higher average AMY1 copies than nonhuman primates. Additionally, AMY1 CNV in humans has been associated with starch content of diets, and one known function of α‐amylase is its involvement in starch digestion. Thus high AMY1 CNV is considered to result from selection favoring more efficient starch digestion in the Homo lineage. Here, we present several lines of evidence that challenge the hypothesis that increased AMY1 CNV is an adaptation to starch consumption. We observe that α‐ amylase plays a very limited role in starch digestion, with additional steps required for starch digestion and glucose metabolism. Specifically, we note that α‐amylase hydrolysis only produces a minute amount of free glucose with further enzymatic digestion and glucose absorption being rate‐limiting steps for glucose availability. Indeed α‐amylase is nonessential for starch digestion since sucrase‐isomaltase and maltase‐glucoamylase can hydrolyze whole starch granules while releasing glucose. While higher AMY1 CN and CNV among human populations may result from natural selection, existing evidence does not support starch digestion as the major selective force. We report that in humans α‐amylase is expressed in several other tissues where it may have potential roles of evolutionary significance.
Dem Prebound Effekt auf der Spur – Differenzen zwischen dem Heizwärmeverbrauch und dem rechnerisch ermittelten Heizwärmebedarf bei Bestandsgebäuden (Wohnen)
Authors: Hoffmann Caroline , Geissler Achim
Published: June 2017

Bei der Energieanalyse von unsanierten Bestandsgebäuden wird in der Schweiz und in Deutschland typischerweise ein Monatsbilanzverfahren zur energetischen Einordnung des Gebäudes verwendet. Die Berechnungsergebnisse werden als Prognoseinstrument für den Heizwärmebedarf (Nutzenergie) und die Bewertung möglicher Sanierungsmassnahmen eingesetzt. Liegt das Berechnungsresultat höher als die Verbrauchswerte, so kann dies dazu führen, dass unkorrekte Prognosen zur Einsparung gemacht werden.

Der Beitrag zeigt auf, dass diese Abweichungen nicht einem einzigen systematischen Fehler im Berechnungsverfahren gemäß der Schweizer Norm zuzuordnen sind. Vielmehr ist es eine Vielzahl von Gründen, die zu den Abweichungen führt. Die wesentlichen Ursachen sind zu hohe, d. h. zu „schlechte” U‐Werte als Eingabe, zu tiefe Raumlufttemperaturen für das unbeheizte Kellergeschoss und Abweichungen zwischen den Temperaturen der Datenerfassungsperiode und normativen Klimadaten. Die Analyse wird anhand von 33 realen Gebäuden durchgeführt und durch eine Literaturrecherche ergänzt. Es werden Aussagen zur Größenordnung des Einflusses der einzelnen Faktoren gemacht und anhand von Angaben an Beiblatt 1, DIN 18599 diskutiert. Abschließend werden praktische Hinweise zum Vorgehen bei einem Abgleich von Bedarfs‐ und Verbrauchswerten gegeben.
Experiential tourist shopping value: Adding causality to value dimensions and testing their subjectivity
Authors: Gallarza Martina G. , Fayos Gardó Teresa , Calderón García Haydeé
Published: June 2017

Previous literature on consumer behavior has tackled the experiential approach in retailing services in depth; however, most of the previous studies have concentrated on the simultaneous but not concatenated effects of value dimensions on satisfaction and/or loyalty. Furthermore, tourists' shopping behavior remains an underdeveloped area of study from the experiential perspective. This work explores experiential tourist shopping value, aiming to (a) explain tourists' loyalty to retailers by adding causality to experiential dimensions and (b) prove the subjectivity of these values.

After a diachronic and synchronic review of the literature on experiential shopping value, a structural model with a chain of effects consisting of product quality, service quality, self‐esteem and shopping enjoyment on loyalty, and a multidimensional index as a second‐order model were built with partial least squares and tested on a purposive sample of 374 tourists in Valencia (Spain).

Our findings revealed a sequential approach to tourists' shopping experiences where utilitarian values led to social and hedonic ones, all of which were antecedents of loyalty to retailers. Furthermore, the index showed differences by gender and nationality. Although our results are context specific, they add to the value creation process as they show a sequence of effects, and a fully subjective value provision, which changes according to demographics.

The originality of this work is that it contributes to the suitability of the experiential paradigm in explaining tourists' shopping behavior by promoting interest in this specific, underdeveloped target area, and also by adding causality and proving the subjectivity of experiential value dimensions.
Structured risk assessment for reduction of multiple risk outcomes in a secure mental health setting: Use of the START
Authors: Gunenc Cevher , O'Shea Laura E. , Dickens Geoffrey L.
Published: June 2017

Background

Structured risk assessment is commonly used in secure settings to aid prediction and prevention of risky behaviours; the expected benefits have rarely been investigated.

Aims

The aim of the study is to determine whether adverse outcomes (physical and verbal aggression, self‐harm, victimisation, self‐neglect, unauthorised leave and substance abuse) reduced after patients were assessed with the Short‐term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START).

Methods

In a naturalistic study, anonymised demographic and clinical information was collected from 50 male patients. Data included START assessment and frequency of target behaviour for 3 months before and after first assessment. Chi‐square and linear mixed models analyses were used to determine whether there was any change in the behaviours of interest.

Results

There were no significant changes in physical or verbal aggression over time, although a tendency towards fewer incidents was apparent. Other adverse behaviours were very infrequent at baseline, precluding adequate analysis.

Conclusions

In this small sample, START did not achieve its primary purpose of significant reduction in adverse behaviours. Although our sample size was informed by a power calculation, we may have over‐estimated the size of anticipated change. Further, the 3‐month comparison periods before and after the assessment follow‐up period were rather short. Accordingly, we recommend more research on the value of this tool in practice rather than discontinuing its use. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Left ventricular ejection fraction of < 20%: Too bad for MitraClip©?
Authors: Barth Sebastian , Hautmann Martina B. , Kerber Sebastian , Gietzen Frank , Reents Wilko , Zacher Michael , Halbfass Philipp , Griese Daniel P. , Schieffer Bernhard , Hamm Karsten
Published: June 2017

Objectives

This study sought to investigate whether the percutaneous mitral regurgitation (MR) reduction with the MitraClip® system in end‐stage heart failure patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <20% also effects beneficial outcome or whether the underlying myogenic problem is leading and therefore of prognostic relevance.

Backround

The interventional treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) with the MitraClip® system could improve the clinical and hemodynamic outcome in patients with severely impaired left ventricular function.

Materials and methods

Between 2011 and 2016, a total of 147 patients with FMR were treated with MitraClip® at our institution. The cohort was divided into two groups: LVEF ≥ 20% (N = 126) and <20% (N = 21). Follow‐up assessments included exercise capacity, 6‐min walk test, probrain natriuretic peptide‐measurement (ProBNP), echocardiography and right heart catheterization. Only three patients with an LVEF ≥ 20% and one patient with an LVEF < 20% were lost for follow‐up.

Results

In the vast majority of patients, a reduction from severe to mild MR was demonstrated with no difference between both groups (P = 0.422). At follow‐up, both subgroups experienced similar improvements in exercise capacity and hemodynamics. Patients with an LVEF < 20% were on average 5.8 years younger, while mortality rates were comparable in both groups (P = 0.760).

Conclusion

By careful selection, even patients in the end stage of advanced LV dysfunction as the result of the underlying myogenic problem and the additional harmful effects of the high volume loading due to the FMR can exhibit significant clinical and hemodynamic improvement after MitraClip© therapy.
PLS model building with missing data: New algorithms and a comparative study
Authors: Folch‐Fortuny Abel , Arteaga Francisco , Ferrer Alberto
Published: June 2017

New algorithms to deal with missing values in predictive modelling are presented in this article. Specifically, 2 trimmed scores regression adaptations are proposed, one from principal component analysis model building with missing data (MD) and other from partial least squares regression model exploitation with missing values. Using these methods, practitioners can impute MD both in the explanatory/predictor and the dependent/response variables. Partial least squares is used here to build the multivariate calibration models; however, any regression method can be used after MD imputation. Four case studies, with different latent structures, are analysed here to compare the trimmed scores regression–based methods against state‐of‐the‐art approaches. The MATLAB code for these methods is also provided for its direct implementation at http://mseg.webs.upv.es, under a GNU license.
Down‐Regulation of AQP4 Expression via p38 MAPK Signaling in Temozolomide‐Induced Glioma Cells Growth Inhibition and Invasion Impairment
Authors: Chen Yuqin , Gao Fei , Jiang Rong , Liu Hui , Hou Jiaojiao , Yi Yaoxing , Kang Lili , Liu Xueyuan , Li Yuan , Yang Mei
Published: June 2017

Glioma is the most common and lethal central nervous system tumors. Temozolomide (TMZ) is an effective drug for malignant glioma, however, the intracellular and molecular mechanisms behind this anti‐cancer effect have yet to be fully understood. The aim of the present study was to determine whether TMZ inhibits proliferation, invasion of glioma cells in vitro and whether these effects can be mediated through modulation of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and phosphorylation of the MAPK pathway. The viability of U87 and U251 human glioma cells was evaluated using MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution was detected with flow cytometry. Migration ability and invasion ability were tested by scratch assays and transwell assays, respectively. The levels of AQP4 and MAPK were measured using immunoblot analyses. Our results showed that TMZ inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced G2/M arrest in U87 and U251 glioma cell lines. These changes were associated with a decrease in the levels of AQP4 expression as well as activation phosphorylated level of p38. Treatment with a p38 chemical activator (anisomycin) resulted in similar effects as TMZ treatment on glioma cells. And p38 chemical inhibitor (SB203580) could block these effects in glioma treated with TMZ, suggesting a direct up‐regulation of the p38 signaling pathway. Therefore, we identified that TMZ might have therapeutic potential for controlling proliferation, invasion of malignant glioma by inhibiting AQP4 expression through activation of p38 signal transduction pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4905–4913, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Technical Note: Detective quantum efficiency simulation of a‐Se imaging detectors using ARTEMIS
Authors: Fang Yuan , Ito Takaaki , Nariyuki Fumito , Kuwabara Takao , Badano Aldo , Karim Karim S.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This work studies the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of a‐Se‐based solid state x‐ray detectors for medical imaging applications using ARTEMIS, a Monte Carlo simulation tool for modeling x‐ray photon, electron and charged carrier transport in semiconductors with the presence of applied electric field.

Methods

ARTEMIS is used to model the signal formation process in a‐Se. The simulation model includes x‐ray photon and high‐energy electron interactions, and detailed electron‐hole pair transport with applied detector bias taking into account drift, diffusion, Coulomb interactions, recombination and trapping. For experimental validation, the DQE performance of prototype a‐Se detectors is measured following IEC Testing Standard 62220‐1‐3.

Results

Comparison of simulated and experimental DQE results show reasonable agreement for RQA beam qualities. Experimental validation demonstrated within 5% percentage difference between simulation and experimental DQE results for spatial frequency above 0.25 cycles/mm using uniform applied electric field for RQA beam qualities (RQA5, RQA7 and RQA9). Results include two different prototype detectors with thicknesses of 240 μm and 1 mm.

Conclusions

ARTEMIS can be used to model the DQE of a‐Se detectors as a function of x‐ray energy, detector thickness, and spatial frequency. The ARTEMIS model can be used to improve understanding of the physics of x‐ray interactions in a‐Se and in optimization studies for the development of novel medical imaging applications.
Ferroelectric HfO2 thin film testing and whole wafer mapping with non‐contact corona‐Kelvin metrology
Authors: Marinskiy Dmitriy , Polakowski Patrick , Edelman Piotr , Wilson Marshall , Lagowski Jacek , Metzger Joachim , Binder Robert , Müller Johannes
Published: June 2017

We present results of a non‐contact, real‐time feedback corona‐Kelvin characterization of the ferroelectric properties of Si:HfO2 thin films. Measurements were performed on free dielectric surfaces. The method uses corona charging pulses coupled with Kelvin probe‐measured surface voltage and gives non‐contact QV and CV characteristics. Analogous to voltage biasing of metal‐insulator‐metal (MIM) capacitors, large corona charge biasing is found to provide an effective means for poling of the ferroelectric films. Subsequent small increment corona charging is used to acquire hysteresis loops and determine the coercive field and permittivity characteristics. Negative and positive coercive fields of about ±1.2 MV/cm for the 3.5 mol% Si film and ±1.0 MV/cm for the 4.6 mol% Si film were determined from the hysteresis loops. These findings were in agreement with MIM capacitor measurements on sister wafers. Non‐ferroelectric behavior was also confirmed for the 11.3 mol% Si film. Another strength of the corona‐Kelvin method is the ability to perform full wafer mapping to assess spatial non‐uniformities of important dielectric properties. Results of this work indicate a radial symmetry of ferroelectric film properties, such as the permittivity at the coercive field, that are consistent with processing conditions during the crystallization anneal.
Morphology and Electrical Conductivity of Ternary Polymer Blends Involving Liquid Crystalline Polymer Containing Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: R Vivek. , Pattnaik Tilak , Poyekar Amrita V. , Joseph Kuruvilla , Simon George P. , Bhattacharyya Arup R.
Published: June 2017

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were melt‐mixed with the liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) phase to investigate MWCNTs dispersion and the electrical conductivity of LCP/MWCNTs composite. LCP/MWCNTs composite showed an insulating behavior even at 5 wt% of MWCNTs concentration, wherein MWCNTs were dispersed as ‘individualized’ as well as ‘nano‐agglomerated’ state in the LCP matrix. Further, LCP along with MWCNTs were melt‐mixed with 50/50 (wt/wt) polyamide 6 (PA6)/ acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS) and 50/50 (wt/wt) polyamide 66 (PA66)/ABS blends. Morphological observations showed that MWCNTs were preferentially dispersed in the polyamide (PA) phase, which led to the refinement of the ‘co‐continuous’ morphology. The electrical conductivity results showed that the theoretical electrical percolation thresholds of 0.9, 1.1 and 1.5 wt% of MWCNTs were achieved in the corresponding 90/10 (PA6/ABS)/LCP+MWCNTs, 95/5 (PA6/ABS)/LCP+MWCNTs and 95/5 (PA66/ABS)/LCP+MWCNTs blends. The lower melt‐viscosity associated with the PA phase led to the preferential localization of the MWCNTs in the PA phase. This strategy led to finer network structure of MWCNTs selectively in the PA phase of the ‘co‐continuous’ blend.
Interaction of Cyclopentano Cucurbit[6]uril with Alkaline Earth Cations and Supramolecular Assemblies with Aid of [ZnCl4]2–
Authors: Qu Yun Xia , Zhang Yun Qian , Zhou Kai Zhi , Wei Lian Tong , Zhan Lin Ling , Cheng Si Yuan , Tao Zhu , Ma Pei Hua
Published: June 2017

In this study, we investigated the interaction of a fully substituted cyclopentano cucurbit[6]uril (CyP6Q[6]) with alkaline earth cations (AE2+) and corresponding supramolecular assemblies in the presence of tetrachloridozincate anions ([Zn(H2O)Cl3]− or [ZnCl4]2−). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the CyP6Q[6]−Mg2+−ZnCl2−HCl interaction system yielded an adduct of [Mg(H2O)6]2+ with CyP6Q[6]. The CyP6Q[6]−Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+−ZnCl2−HCl interaction systems yielded linear AE2+/CyP6Q[6]/AE2+‐type coordination polymers that filled the cells in the [ZnCl4]2−‐based honeycomb‐like framework. Unlike unsubstituted Q[n] systems in which [ZnCl4]2− anions surround Q[n] molecules via outer surface interaction of Q[n], electrostatic interactions between [ZnCl4]2− anions and the coordinated AE2+ cations results in the formation of [ZnCl4]2−‐based honeycomb‐like frameworks.
Derivatives of Dapsone (dap): Synthesis and Study on In Vitro Anticancer Activity and DNA Laddering Against Hep G2 and C6 Human Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Pillai Vineeta , Kadu Rahul , Buch Lipi , Singh Vinay K.
Published: June 2017

Interesting biological profile of dapsone (dap) has encouraged us to derivatize it further into a novel series of diamines 4,4’‐bis(2‐(alkylamino) acetamido) diphenylsulfone L1‐L3 and their ensuing metallomacrocyclic complexes of the type [M2‐μ2‐bis‐{(κ2S,S‐S2CN(R)CH2CONHC6H4)2SO2}] {R=Cy, M=NiII 1 a, CuII 1 b, ZnII 1 c; R=iPr, M=NiII 2 a, CuII 2 b, ZnII 2 c; R=nBu, M=NiII 3 a, CuII 3 b, ZnII 3 c}. These compounds were characterized by standard spectroscopic methods. A DFT level calculation has been performed on selected compounds. In vitro anticancer activity against Hep G2 (hepatoma) and C6 (Glioblastoma) cell lines suggests specificity of these compounds for cancer cells over normal liver cells. Interestingly, complex 2c holding zinc(II) and N‐iPr substituents shows nearly 3 fold better cytotoxic activity against both Hep G2 (8.47±0.016 μg/mL) and C6 (4.3±0.019 μg/mL) cell lines, compared to the reference drug Cisplatin. The morphological changes and moderate to heavy DNA laddering clearly demonstrate the induction of apoptotic cell death, required for major chemical therapeutic implications.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the First Sc‐Nb‐O‐N Phases
Authors: Orthmann Steven , Lerch Martin
Published: June 2017

Synthesis of phase‐pure materials in the system Sc‐Nb‐O‐N is challenging. In this contribution we report on the preparation of the first scandium niobium oxide nitrides via reaction of water‐saturated gaseous ammonia or an ammonia‐oxygen mixture with amorphous scandium niobium oxides. Two new phases were obtained: rutile‐type ScNb4O7N3, which crystallizes in space group P42/mnm, and an anion‐deficient fluorite‐type Sc2Nb(O,N,⬜)6 phase crystallizing in space group Fm3m.
Mixed thermal conditions in convection: how do continents affect the mantle’s circulation?
Authors: Ostilla-Mónico R.
Published: June 2017

Natural convection is omnipresent on Earth. A basic and well-studied model for it is Rayleigh–Bénard convection, the fluid flow in a layer heated from below and cooled from above. Most explorations of Rayleigh–Bénard convection focus on spatially uniform, perfectly conducting thermal boundary conditions, but many important geophysical phenomena are characterized by boundary conditions which are a mixture of conducting and adiabatic materials. For example, the differences in thermal conductivity between continental and oceanic lithospheres are believed to play an important role in plate tectonics. To study this, Wang et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 817, 2017, R1), measure the effect of mixed adiabatic–conducting boundary conditions on turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection, finding experimental proof that even if the total heat transfer is primarily affected by the adiabatic fraction, the arrangement of adiabatic and conducting plates is crucial in determining the large-scale flow dynamics.
Promoting Compliance with the Rules Regulating Humanitarian Relief Operations in Armed Conflict: Some Challenges
Authors: Akande Dapo , Gillard Emanuela-Chiara
Published: June 2017

In recent years, the increasingly frequent and, in certain contexts, extremely severe impediments to the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in need have focused attention on how to enhance compliance with the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) that regulate humanitarian relief operations. Efforts to hold accountable parties to armed conflict and persons responsible for unlawfully impeding humanitarian relief operations face the challenge that the underlying rules give parties latitude in how to implement the central obligation to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian supplies, equipment and personnel. This article outlines the rules of IHL regulating humanitarian relief operations and highlights the difficulties, in the majority of situations, of determining whether they have been violated. It then presents current endeavours to promote accountability. It concludes with some reflections on whether the threat of accountability is the most effective way of enhancing compliance with this area of IHL, at least while efforts are under way to negotiate access.
Bony cochlear nerve canal and internal auditory canal measures predict cochlear nerve status
Authors: Tahir E , Bajin M D , Atay G , Mocan B Ö , Sennaroğlu L
Published: June 2017

Objectives:

The bony cochlear nerve canal is the space between the fundus of the internal auditory canal and the base of the cochlear modiolus that carries cochlear nerve fibres. This study aimed to determine the distribution of bony labyrinth anomalies and cochlear nerve anomalies in patients with bony cochlear nerve canal and internal auditory canal atresia and stenosis, and then to compare the diameter of the bony cochlear nerve canal and internal auditory canal with cochlear nerve status.

Methods:

The study included 38 sensorineural hearing loss patients (59 ears) in whom the bony cochlear nerve canal diameter at the mid-modiolus was 1.5 mm or less. Atretic and stenotic bony cochlear nerve canals were examined separately, and internal auditory canals with a mid-point diameter of less than 2 mm were considered stenotic. Temporal bone computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed to determine cochlear nerve status.

Results:

Cochlear hypoplasia was noted in 44 out of 59 ears (75 per cent) with a bony cochlear nerve canal diameter at the mid-modiolus of 1.5 mm or less. Approximately 33 per cent of ears with bony cochlear nerve canal stenosis also had a stenotic internal auditory canal and 84 per cent had a hypoplastic or aplastic cochlear nerve. All patients with bony cochlear nerve canal atresia had cochlear nerve deficiency. The cochlear nerve was hypoplastic or aplastic when the diameter of the bony cochlear nerve canal was less than 1.5 mm and the diameter of the internal auditory canal was less than 2 mm.

Conclusion:

The cochlear nerve may be aplastic or hypoplastic even if temporal bone computed tomography findings indicate a normal cochlea. If possible, patients scheduled to receive a cochlear implant should undergo both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the temporal bone. The bony cochlear nerve canal and internal auditory canal are complementary structures, and both should be assessed to determine cochlear nerve status.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT: THE SCIENTIFIC CAREER OF A POLICY CONCEPT
Authors: Benoit Cyril , Gorry Philippe
Published: June 2017

Objectives: The aim of this work was to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of the health technology assessment (HTA) concept in the scientific literature through a scientometric approach.

Methods: A literature search was conducted, by selecting publications, as well as news from the media, containing “health technology assessment” in their title, abstracts, or keywords. We then undertook a bibliometric and network analysis on the corpus of 2,865 publications thus obtained.

Results: Since a first publication in 1978, interest in HTA remained marginal until a turning point in the late 1980s, when growth of the number of publications took off alongside the creation of the U.K.’s NICE agency. Since then, publications have spread across several journals. The ranking of the organizations that publish such articles does not reflect any hegemonic position. However, HTA-related scientific production is strongly concentrated in Commonwealth and Nordic countries. Despite its transnational aspects, research on HTA has been framed within a small number of scientific networks and by a few opinion leaders.

Conclusions: The “career” of the HTA concept may be seen as a scientific-knowledge based institutionalization of a public policy. To succeed in a country, HTA first needs scientific prerequisites, such as an organized scientific community working on the health sector and health services. Then, it appears that the recognition of this research by decision makers plays a key role in the development of the field.
Promoting tumorigenesis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, NEDD8 serves as a potential theranostic target
Authors: Xie Ping , Yang Jun-Ping , Cao Yun , Peng Li-Xia , Zheng Li-Sheng , Sun Rui , Meng Dong-Fang , Wang Meng-Yao , Mei Yan , Qiang Yuan-Yuan , Cao Li , Xiang Yan-Qun , Luo Dong-Hua , Yun Jing-Ping , Huang Bi-Jun , Jia Li-Jun , Qian Chao-Nan
Published: June 2017

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), is one of the most common human malignancies in south China, it has the highest recurrence rate and treatment resistance. The underlying molecular mechanisms of NPC relapse and treatment tolerance are not fully understood. In this study, the effects of NEDD8 and NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor (MLN4924) on NPC were studied both in vitro and in vivo. Immunohistochemical staining of 197 NPC tissues revealed an elevated NEDD8 expression as an unfavorable independent factor in overall survival and disease-free survival rates. NEDD8 expression was positively correlated with a high risk of death and positivity of lymph node metastasis. Depleted NEDD8 expression by shRNA and inhibited by specific inhibitor MLN4924 dramatically suppressed cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, while ectopic NEDD8 exhibited opposing effects. NEDD8 affected cancer stem cell phenotypes of NPC as assessed in vitro using the cell number of side population (SP) by flow cytometry analysis, colony formation assay, sphere formation assay, and tumor initiation ability in vivo. Downregulation of NEDD8 enhanced the susceptibility of NPC cells to cisplatin and radiation. Moreover, we found that MLN4924 suppressed c-Jun degradation in human NPC cells. Taken together, this report revealed that NEDD8 may act as a novel prognostic marker and MLN4924 may serve as a promising therapeutic target for patients with NPC.
Identification of a Simplest Hypervalent Hydrogen Fluoride Anion in Solid Argon
Authors: Liu Meng-Chen , Chen Hui-Fen , Chin Chih-Hao , Huang Tzu-Ping , Chen Yu-Jung , Wu Yu-Jong
Published: June 2017

Hypervalent molecules are one of the exceptions to the octet rule. Bonding in most hypervalent molecules is well rationalized by the Rundle–Pimentel model (three-center four-electron bond), and high ionic bonding between the ligands and the central atom is essential for stabilizing hypervalent molecules. Here, we produced one of the simplest hypervalent anions, HF−, which is known to deviate from the Rundle–Pimentel model, and identified its ro-vibrational features. High-level ab inito calculations reveal that its bond dissociation energy is comparable to that of dihalides, as supported by secondary photolysis experiments with irradiation at various wavelengths. The charge distribution analysis suggested that the F atom of HF− is negative and hypervalent and the bonding is more covalent than ionic.
Bacterial Sphingomyelinase is a State-Dependent Inhibitor of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR)
Authors: Stauffer B. B. , Cui G. , Cottrill K. A. , Infield D. T. , McCarty N. A.
Published: June 2017

Sphingomyelinase C (SMase) inhibits CFTR chloride channel activity in multiple cell systems, an effect that could exacerbate disease in CF and COPD patients. The mechanism by which sphingomyelin catalysis inhibits CFTR is not known but evidence suggests that it occurs independently of CFTR’s regulatory “R” domain. In this study we utilized the Xenopus oocyte expression system to shed light on how CFTR channel activity is reduced by SMase. We found that the pathway leading to inhibition is not membrane delimited and that inhibited CFTR channels remain at the cell membrane, indicative of a novel silencing mechanism. Consistent with an effect on CFTR gating behavior, we found that altering gating kinetics influenced the sensitivity to inhibition by SMase. Specifically, increasing channel activity by introducing the mutation K1250A or pretreating with the CFTR potentiator VX-770 (Ivacaftor) imparted resistance to inhibition. In primary bronchial epithelial cells, we found that basolateral, but not apical, application of SMase leads to a redistribution of sphingomyelin and a reduction in forskolin- and VX-770-stimulated currents. Taken together, these data suggest that SMase inhibits CFTR channel function by locking channels into a closed state and that endogenous CFTR in HBEs is affected by SMase activity.
Demonstration of electron beam laser excitation in the UV range using a GaN/AlGaN multiquantum well active layer
Authors: Hayashi Takafumi , Kawase Yuta , Nagata Noriaki , Senga Takashi , Iwayama Sho , Iwaya Motoaki , Takeuchi Tetsuya , Kamiyama Satoshi , Akasaki Isamu , Matsumoto Takahiro
Published: June 2017

This study investigated electron beam laser excitation in the UV region using a GaN/AlGaN multiquantum well (MQW) active layer. Laser emission was observed when the GaN/AlGaN MQW was excited by an electron beam, with a wavelength of approximately 353 nm and a threshold power density of 230 kW/cm2. A comparison of optical pumping and electron beam pumping demonstrated that the rate of generation of electron-hole pairs when using electron beam excitation was approximately one quarter that of light excitation.
Origin and evolutionary history of freshwater Rhodophyta: further insights based on phylogenomic evidence
Authors: Nan Fangru , Feng Jia , Lv Junping , Liu Qi , Fang Kunpeng , Gong Chaoyan , Xie Shulian
Published: June 2017

Freshwater representatives of Rhodophyta were sampled and the complete chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes were determined. Characteristics of the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes were analyzed and phylogenetic relationship of marine and freshwater Rhodophyta were reconstructed based on the organelle genomes. The freshwater member Compsopogon caeruleus was determined for the largest chloroplast genome among multicellular Rhodophyta up to now. Expansion and subsequent reduction of both the genome size and GC content were observed in the Rhodophyta except for the freshwater Compsopogon caeruleus. It was inferred that the freshwater members of Rhodophyta occurred through diverse origins based on evidence of genome size, GC-content, phylogenomic analysis and divergence time estimation. The freshwater species Compsopogon caeruleus and Hildenbrandia rivularis originated and evolved independently at the inland water, whereas the Bangia atropurpurea, Batrachospermum arcuatum and Thorea hispida are derived from the marine relatives. The typical freshwater representatives Thoreales and Batrachospermales are probably derived from the marine relative Palmaria palmata at approximately 415–484 MYA. The origin and evolutionary history of freshwater Rhodophyta needs to be testified with more organelle genome sequences and wider global sampling.
Low loss optical waveguiding in large single crystals of a thiophene-based oligomer
Authors: Motamen Sajedeh , Schörner Christian , Raithel Dominic , Malval Jean-Pierre , Jarrosson Thibaut , Serein-Spirau Françoise , Simon Laurent , Hildner Richard , Reiter Günter
Published: June 2017

Active optical waveguides based on functional small organic molecules in micro/nano regime have attracted great interest for their potential applications in high speed miniaturized photonic integrations.
The effect of Y3+ substitution on the structural, optical band-gap, and magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles
Authors: Alves T. E. P. , Pessoni H. V. S. , Franco Jr. A.
Published: June 2017

In this study we investigated the structural, optical band-gap, and magnetic properties of CoYxFe2−xO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.04) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized using a combustion reaction method without the need for subsequent heat treatment or the calcing process.