bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Half the Battle
Authors: Atkins Laura
Published: April 2015

In this article, I explore the function of social support among women with breast or gynecologic cancers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who received services from a community health organization located in northern California. Findings suggest that the path to wellness for women with cancer is one that involves negotiable interactions with family, friends, and the medical community, such as decision-making regarding treatment and lifestyle choices. Distinctions were made between the support received from other women with cancer, and that received from family and friends. In addition to having emotional and instrumental functions, social support involves the exchange of information, resulting in a greater sense of control over the cancer experience. Health care providers and others who interact with women with cancer will benefit by recognizing the importance of social support throughout the healing process.
Cross-Continental Reflections on Evaluation Practice
Authors: Kallemeyn Leanne M. , Hall Jori , Friche Nanna , McReynolds Clifton
Published: April 2015

The evaluation theory tree typology reflects the following three components of evaluation practice: (a) methods, (b) use, and (c) valuing. The purpose of this study was to explore how evaluation practice is conceived as reflected in articles published in the American Journal of Evaluation ( AJE) and Evaluation, a journal supported by the European Evaluation Society. A key finding from this international comparison suggests that evaluation practice as reflected in AJE and Evaluation both emphasize methods, in comparison to use and valuing. This article concludes using Peter Dahler-Larsen’s discussion on evaluation societies, among other sources, to examine the audit society, which might account for the trends in our findings. EvalPartners, a global community of evaluators, has declared 2015 as the international year of evaluation. These findings regarding cross-continental trends in evaluation are relevant for engaging in a global dialogue on evaluation practice.
Merging Developmental and Feminist Evaluation to Monitor and Evaluate Transformative Social Change
Authors: Haylock Laura , Miller Carol
Published: April 2015

Programs seeking to challenge and change gender and power relationships require a nimble, evolving monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) system that helps make sense of how nonlinear complex social change happens. This article describes efforts by Oxfam Canada to develop such a system for a women’s rights and gender equality program. The system, which we call a feminist learning system (FLS), is an interconnected, nonlinear system that emerged over the program life cycle and responded to evaluative challenges and information needs we encountered along the way. The learning-oriented focus of the system differentiates it from more standard approaches to monitoring and evaluation. We situate the system within current evaluation thinking and research, arguing that it represents a merging of developmental evaluation and feminist evaluation. The synergistic fit of the two approaches provided an evaluative framework that strengthened Oxfam Canada’s ability to monitor, evaluate, and learn from our highly complex program. It also provided a lens that viewed MEL activities as part of a continuum of social transformation that reinforced programmatic goals related to women’s rights and gender equality.
Ritual efficacy in the making
Authors: Galliot Sébastien
Published: April 2015

As a contribution to the much debated problem of ritual efficacy, this article aims to present a technological approach to ritual theory. In most scholarly studies of ritual, analyses of the material setting are avoided in favour of a focus on symbolic expression, cultural representations, or embodied cognition. Here a close look at the interplay between substances, sounds, smells, elementary actions on matter and supernatural forces shows that there is a blending phenomenon between myth, rite and technique at the early stages of the preparatory phases as well as during the ritual action itself. The central part played by technical actions and interaction with matter in the ritual of Samoan tattooing is a case study for a technological approach to ritual efficacy.
Reclaiming the music: The power of local and physical music distribution in the age of global online services
Authors: Kjus Yngvar
Published: April 2015

Despite the rise of global online music services like iTunes and Spotify, local and physical music retailers are not extinct. Although many have faced redundancy, others are turning their local presence and technological platforms into assets in regaining customer favour. This article presents an interview-based study of the transformations of two Norwegian record stores in the 2000s, one of which invested in vinyl records, and the other in online streaming with a local profile. These distributors are found not only to have changed the way in which they make records available, but also to have cultivated specific forms of musical communication, in perceptual, psychological and social terms. In doing so, they have developed crucial tools, such as the retailing of high-fidelity sound systems and the hosting of local concert events.
Stainless steel/polyester woven fabrics and copper/polyester woven fabrics: Manufacturing techniques and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness
Authors: Lou Ching-Wen , Lin Ting An , Chen An-Pang , Lin Jia-Horng
Published: April 2015

This study uses metallic wires, stainless steel (SS) wires, and copper (Cu) wires as the core and 75 denier polyester (PET) fibers as the wrap material to form the metal/PET wrapped yarns. The optimal SS/PET and Cu/PET wrapped yarns are then made into different woven fabrics. The test results of the metallic wrapped yarns show that the optimal tenacity occurs with the wrapping count being 12 turns/cm, while the metal/PET woven fabrics have a low surface resistivity due to the conductive metal/PET wrapped yarns along the weft direction. An increasing number of laminating layers increases the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) while decreasing the air permeability of the woven fabrics. The laminating angle is also proportional to the EMSE of the woven fabrics. In sum, the combination of metal wires and PET fibers provides the resulting woven fabrics with good EMSE.
A principles-based model of ethical considerations in military decision making
Authors: Reed Gregory S , Petty Mikel D , Jones Nicholaos J , Morris Anthony W , Ballenger John P , Delugach Harry S
Published: April 2015

When comparing alternative courses of action, modern military decision makers often must consider both the military effectiveness and the ethical consequences of the available alternatives. The basis, design, calibration, and performance of a principles-based computational model of ethical considerations in military decision making are reported in this article. The relative ethical violation (REV) model comparatively evaluates alternative military actions based upon the degree to which they violate contextually relevant ethical principles. It is based on a set of specific ethical principles deemed by philosophers and ethicists to be relevant to military courses of action. A survey of expert and non-expert human decision makers regarding the relative ethical violation of alternative actions for a set of specially designed calibration scenarios was conducted to collect data that was used to calibrate the REV model. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the survey showed that people, even experts, disagreed greatly amongst themselves regarding the scenarios’ ethical considerations. Despite this disagreement, two significant results emerged. First, after calibration the REV model performed very well in terms of replicating the ethical assessments of human experts for the calibration scenarios. The REV model outperformed an earlier model that was based on tangible consequences rather than ethical principles, that earlier model performed comparably to human experts, the experts outperformed human non-experts, and the non-experts outperformed random selection of actions. All of these performance comparisons were measured quantitatively and confirmed with suitable statistical tests. Second, although humans tended to value some principles over others, none of the ethical principles involved—even the principle of not harming civilians—completely overshadowed all of the other principles.
Soccer-Related Injuries in Children and Adults Aged 5 to 49 Years in US Emergency Departments From 2000 to 2012
Authors: Esquivel Amanda O. , Bruder Adrienne , Ratkowiak Kaitlyn , Lemos Stephen E.
Published: April 2015

Background:

An increase in soccer-related injuries occurred in the United States between 2000 and 2012; however, most studies of soccer-related injuries have only examined the pediatric population and not adults.

Hypothesis:

The number of soccer injuries is increasing in both the pediatric and adult populations. There are differences in injury types and counts when comparing male and female players within various age groups.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Methods:

This retrospective analysis surveyed the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database from 2000 to 2012 for soccer-related injuries in children and adults aged 5 to 49 years.

Results:

From 2000 to 2012, there were an estimated 2,472,066 soccer-related injuries among 5- to 49-year-olds; 629,994 (25.5%) in adults (aged 20-49 years). The overall estimated pediatric injury count increased significantly over the time period ( R2 = 0.764, P < 0.001). In the 20- to 49-year age range, there was also a significant increase in the estimated number of injuries over the 13-year period, from 41,292 injuries in 2000 to 55,743 in 2012 ( R2 = 0.719, P < 0.001). The estimated injury counts for male players were significantly higher than female players in any given year for all age groups ( P < 0.001). Girls aged 5 to 19 years were more likely to have lower extremity injuries than boys (odds ratio [OR], 1.256; 95% CI, 1.214-1.299; P < 0.001). The most common injuries reported were strain/sprains (33.3%), fractures (23.7%), and contusions and abrasions (17.4%) within the 5- to 49-year age category. In both sexes, strains and sprains were significantly lower among 5- to 19-year-olds in comparison with 20- to 49-year-olds (OR, 0.740; 95% CI, 0.714-0.766; P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

There are age- and sex-related differences in estimated injury count, body part injured, type of injury, and hospital admissions for soccer. Also, estimated injury count increased over the 2000 to 2012 time period.

Clinical Relevance:

This study demonstrates that there are differences between pediatric and adult injuries, based on sex, body part, type of injury, and hospital admissions.
Radiologic and Sonography Professionals’ Ergonomics
Authors: Fisher Thomas F.
Published: April 2015

There is a prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) associated with the work of radiologic professionals, especially those doing sonographic examinations. This may be due to the fact that their daily work tasks expose them to the physical risk factors associated with WRMSDs. The purpose of this study was to examine whether radiologic professionals’ knowledge and work practices changed after receiving an educational multimedia tutorial on ergonomics. After multimedia training on ergonomics and safe body mechanics designed by occupational therapy providers, participants reported that their awareness and their work practices improved.
Mortuary Practices as Evidence of Social Organization in the Neolithic Hypogea of the Paris Basin
Authors: Blin Arnaud
Published: April 2015

One hundred and sixty hypogea have been discovered in the Paris Basin, concentrated in the south-west part of the Marne department. Radiocarbon dates and archaeological artefacts indicate their construction and use were a phenomenon limited to the Late Neolithic 2, currently estimated as 3350–3000 cal BC. Re-examination of the human skeletal remains, notably those from Les Mournouards II, enables us to improve our understanding of the practices involved in these collective burials, particularly aspects of individual selection and distribution. Age, sex, and social status determined the burial location between and within the artificial caves. Burial positions characterized two groups of hypogea. However, in both groups, most female individuals were buried along the left wall of the monuments, on the same side as the collective grave goods and carved female figures sometimes discovered in the anterooms. The nature and distribution of personal material reflect the existence of particular statuses for some individuals. The burial principles reveal a relative conservatism guaranteeing distinction between individuals of different lifetime statuses. Several competing strategies sought to preserve, in death, this social order. The mortuary practices, then, reflect a codified social organization for a Paris Basin group of the later fourth millennium BC and a burial practice that was less ‘collective’ than might have been imagined.
Characterisation of layer deposited by electric discharge coating process
Authors: Mussada E. K. , Patowari P. K.
Published: April 2015

The present work focuses on characterisation of the deposited layer on aluminium substrate processed with electric discharge coating process. Different characterisation techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been employed to study the surface morphological changes, presence of materials and their phase transformations due to the formation and deposition of composite material layer on work surface. The grain size of the deposited particles has a significant effect on mechanical properties. Thus, an attempt has been made to calculate the grain size, dislocation density and microstrain of deposited material and its particles. The formation of tungsten carbides, namely, WC and W2C, is detected through XRD analysis. Clusters of globular particles in nanoscale are observed throughout the deposited layer.
Primary human nasal epithelial cell response to titanium surface with a nanonetwork structure in nasal implant applications
Authors: Yang Wei-En , Lan Ming-Ying , Lee Sheng-Wei , Chang Jeng-Kuei , Huang Her-Hsiung
Published: April 2015

In nasal reconstruction applications, the response of cells to titanium (Ti) implants is largely determined by the surface characteristics of the implant. This study investigated an electrochemical anodization surface treatment intended to improve the response of primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpC) to Ti surfaces in nasal implant applications. We used a simple and fast electrochemical anodization treatment, i.e., applying anodic current, to produce a titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanonetwork layer on the Ti surface with average lateral pore size below 100 nm, depending on the current applied. The TiO2 nanonetwork layer exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity and protein adsorption ability compared with untreated Ti surfaces. In addition, the spreading morphology, cytoskeletal arrangement, and proliferation of HNEpC on the nanonetwork layer indicated excellent cell response characteristics. This research advances our understanding regarding the means by which a TiO2 nanonetwork layer can improve the response of HNEpC to Ti surfaces in nasal implant applications.
Regulation of the forming process and the set voltage distribution of unipolar resistance switching in spin-coated CoFe2O4 thin films
Authors: Mustaqima Millaty , Yoo Pilsun , Huang Wei , Lee Bo Wha , Liu Chunli
Published: April 2015

We report the preparation of (111) preferentially oriented CoFe2O4 thin films on Pt(111)/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates using a spin-coating process. The post-annealing conditions and film thickness were varied for cobalt ferrite (CFO) thin films, and Pt/CFO/Pt structures were prepared to investigate the resistance switching behaviors. Our results showed that resistance switching without a forming process is preferred to obtain less fluctuation in the set voltage, which can be regulated directly from the preparation conditions of the CFO thin films. Therefore, instead of thicker film, CFO thin films deposited by two times spin-coating with a thickness about 100 nm gave stable resistance switching with the most stable set voltage. Since the forming process and the large variation in set voltage have been considered as serious obstacles for the practical application of resistance switching for non-volatile memory devices, our results could provide meaningful insights in improving the performance of ferrite material-based resistance switching memory devices.
Whole genome prediction for preimplantation genetic diagnosis
Authors: Kumar Akash , Ryan Allison , Kitzman Jacob O , Wemmer Nina , Snyder Matthew W , Sigurjonsson Styrmir , Lee Choli , Banjevic Milena , Zarutskie Paul W , Lewis Alexandra P , Shendure Jay , Rabinowitz Matthew
Published: April 2015

Background

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) enables profiling of embryos for genetic disorders prior to implantation. The majority of PGD testing is restricted in the scope of variants assayed or by the availability of extended family members. While recent advances in single cell sequencing show promise, they remain limited by bias in DNA amplification and the rapid turnaround time (<36 h) required for fresh embryo transfer. Here, we describe and validate a method for inferring the inherited whole genome sequence of an embryo for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

Methods

We combine haplotype-resolved, parental genome sequencing with rapid embryo genotyping to predict the whole genome sequence of a day-5 human embryo in a couple at risk of transmitting alpha-thalassemia.

Results

Inheritance was predicted at approximately 3 million paternally and/or maternally heterozygous sites with greater than 99% accuracy. Furthermore, we successfully phase and predict the transmission of an HBA1/HBA2 deletion from each parent.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that preimplantation whole genome prediction may facilitate the comprehensive diagnosis of diseases with a known genetic basis in embryos.
Retinal venous pressure in chronic smokers
Authors: Vahedian Zakieh , Amini Heidar , Tehrani Mehdi Hosseini , Zarei Reza , Moghimi Sasan , Mozaffarieh Maneli , Fakhraie Ghasem
Published: April 2015

Background

The overall aim of this study was to determine retinal venous pressure (RVP) in healthy chronic smokers and compare values to those of healthy non-smokers.

Methods

Both eyes of 25 healthy chronic smokers and 41 healthy non-smokers were included. Measurements of RVP were performed by means of contact lens ophthalmodynamometry. Ophthalmodynamometry is done by applying increasing force on the eye via a contact lens. If a spontaneous venous pulsation was present, it was noted. If not, the compressive force was increased until the first venous pulsation was detected, and the measurement value was fixed and read. RVP was calculated as the sum of pressure increase induced by the instrument and intraocular pressure.

Results

Smokers had a significantly higher frequency of spontaneous venous pulsations than non-smokers (p < 0.001). Mean values of RVP were slightly lower in smokers than in non-smokers: 15.3 and 15.5 (smokers) versus 15.9 and 16.2 (non-smokers) for the right and left eye, respectively; however, the difference in RVP between the two groups did not reach significance. There was no significant difference in blood pressure between the two groups, but heart rate was significantly higher in smokers (p = 0.043).

Conclusions

RVP values may differ in healthy smokers than in non-smokers. Therefore, smoking habits should be considered when interpreting RVP results.
“The value of pre‐ and co‐seasonal sublingual immunotherapy in pollen‐induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis”
Authors: Demoly Pascal , Calderon Moises A , Casale Thomas B , Malling Hans‐Jørgen , Wahn Ulrich
Published: April 2015

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a guidelines‐approved, disease‐modifying treatment option for respiratory allergies, including allergic rhinitis (AR) induced by pollen. The various AIT regimens employed to date in pollen‐induced AR can be classified as continuous (i.e. year‐round) or discontinuous (i.e. pre‐seasonal alone, co‐seasonal alone or pre‐ and co‐seasonal). Pre‐and co‐seasonal regimens are typically used for sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) and have economic and compliance advantages over perennial (year‐round) regimens. However, these advantages must not come at the expensive of poor efficacy or safety. The results of recent double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trials show that pre‐ and co‐seasonal SLIT is safe and effective in patients with AR induced by grass pollen (treated with a tablet formulation) or by birch pollen (treated with a liquid formulation). Progress in SLIT has been made in defining the optimal dose of major allergen, the administration frequency (daily), the duration of pre‐seasonal treatment (four months) and the number of treatment seasons (at least three). Post‐marketing, “real‐life” trials of pre‐ and co‐seasonal birch or grass pollen SLIT regimens have confirmed the efficacy and safety observed in the clinical trials. In the treatment of pollen‐induced AR, pre‐ and co‐seasonal SLIT regimens appear to be at least as effective and safe as perennial SLIT regimens, and are associated with lower costs and good compliance. Good compliance may mean that pre‐ and co‐seasonal SLIT regimens are inherently more effective and safer than perennial SLIT regimens. When considering the pre‐ and co‐seasonal discontinuous regimen in particular, a 300 IR five‐grass‐pollen formulation is the only SLIT tablet with a clinical development programme having provided evidence of short‐term, sustained and post‐treatment efficacy.
Efficient in vivo antitumor effect of an immunotoxin based on ribotoxin α-sarcin in nude mice bearing human colorectal cancer xenografts
Authors: Tomé-Amat Jaime , Olombrada Miriam , Ruiz-de-la-Herrán Javier , Pérez-Gómez Eduardo , Andradas Clara , Sánchez Cristina , Martínez Leopoldo , Martínez-del-Pozo Álvaro , Gavilanes José G , Lacadena Javier
Published: April 2015

Tagging of RNases, such as the ribotoxin α-sarcin, with the variable domains of antibodies directed to surface antigens that are selectively expressed on tumor cells endows cellular specificity to their cytotoxic action. A recombinant single-chain immunotoxin based on the ribotoxin α-sarcin (IMTXA33αS), produced in the generally regarded as safe (GRAS) yeast Pichia pastoris, has been recently described as a promising candidate for the treatment of colorectal cancer cells expressing the glycoprotein A33 (GPA33) antigen, due to its high specific and effective cytotoxic effect on in vitro assays against targeted cells. Here we report the in vivo antitumor effectiveness of this immunotoxin on nude mice bearing GPA33-positive human colon cancer xenografts. Two sets of independent assays were performed, including three experimental groups: control (PBS) and treatment with two different doses of immunotoxin (50 or 100 μg/ injection) (n = 8). Intraperitoneal administration of IMTXA33αS resulted in significant dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition. In addition, the remaining tumors excised from immunotoxin-treated mice showed absence of the GPA33 antigen and a clear inhibition of angiogenesis and proliferative capacity. No signs of immunotoxin-induced pathological changes were observed from specimens tissues. Overall these results show efficient and selective cytotoxic action on tumor xenografts, combined with the lack of severe side effects, suggesting that IMTXA33αS is a potential therapeutic agent against colorectal cancer.
A bi-objective model for uncertain multi-modal shortest path problems
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liu Pei , Yang Lixing , Gao Yuan
Published: April 2015

This paper employs uncertain programming to investigate the uncertain multi-modal shortest path problem, in which the arc weights (arc travel time, arc travel costs) associated with different transport modes are characterized by uncertain variables. By using the chance-constrained programming approach, we firstly formulate a bi-objective optimization model to minimize the total travel time and travel costs simultaneously with the given confidence levels. Moreover, using the basic concepts and properties in the uncertainty theory, we transform the proposed model into its deterministic crisp equivalent with an explicit proof. Finally, some numerical experiments are implemented to show the performance of the proposed approaches on a multi-modal transportation network with three specific modes.
SWOG S0925: A Randomized Phase II Study of Androgen Deprivation Combined With Cixutumumab Versus Androgen Deprivation Alone in Patients With New Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yu Evan Y. , Li Hongli , Higano Celestia S. , Agarwal Neeraj , Pal Sumanta K. , Alva Ajjai , Heath Elisabeth I. , Lam Elaine T. , Gupta Shilpa , Lilly Michael B. , Inoue Yoshio , Chi Kim N. , Vogelzang Nicholas J. , Quinn David I. , Cheng Heather H. , Plymate Stephen R. , Hussain Maha , Tangen Catherine M. , Thompson Ian M.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Cixutumumab, formerly IMC-A12, is a recombinant human monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 antibody that targets insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR). Cixutumumab was synergistic with castration in a hormone-sensitive prostate cancer xenograft model.

Patients and Methods

Patients with new metastatic prostate cancer were randomly assigned within 30 days of initiating androgen deprivation (AD) to cixutumumab added to a luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone agonist with bicalutamide versus AD alone. With 180 patients and one-sided alpha of 0.10, there would be 90% power to detect an absolute 20% difference in undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA; ≤ 0.2 ng/mL) rate at 28 weeks (relative risk, 1.44); this end point was previously strongly correlated with survival. Secondary end points included the proportion of patients with PSA > 4.0 ng/mL, safety and tolerability, circulating tumor cell (CTC) levels, and seven plasma IGF-IR biomarkers. Fisher's exact test was used for the primary end point, and extended Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test was used for three PSA response categories.

Results

The trial accrued 210 eligible patients (105 randomly assigned to each arm). Patient characteristics were similar in both arms. Undetectable PSA rate was 42 (40.0%) of 105 for cixutumumab plus AD and 34 (32.3%) of 105 for AD alone (relative risk, 1.24; one-sided P = .16). Lower baseline CTCs (0 v 1 to 4 v ≥ 5/7.5 mL whole blood) were associated with higher rate of PSA response (three categories; P = .036) in 39 evaluable patients. IGF-IR biomarkers were not correlated with PSA outcome, and cixutumumab did not significantly change these biomarker levels.

Conclusion

Cixutumumab plus AD did not significantly increase the undetectable PSA rate in men with new metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. CTCs at baseline may carry prognostic value.
glucagon is essential for alpha cell transdifferentiation and beta cell neogenesis
Authors: Ye Lihua , Robertson Morgan A. , Hesselson Daniel , Stainier Didier Y. R. , Anderson Ryan M.
Published: April 2015

The interconversion of cell lineages via transdifferentiation is an adaptive mode of tissue regeneration and an appealing therapeutic target. However, its clinical exploitation is contingent upon the discovery of contextual regulators of cell fate acquisition and maintenance. In murine models of diabetes, glucagon-secreting alpha cells transdifferentiate into insulin-secreting beta cells following targeted beta cell depletion, regenerating the form and function of the pancreatic islet. However, the molecular triggers of this mode of regeneration are unknown. Here, using lineage-tracing assays in a transgenic zebrafish model of beta cell ablation, we demonstrate conserved plasticity of alpha cells during islet regeneration. In addition, we show that glucagon expression is upregulated after injury. Through gene knockdown and rescue approaches, we also find that peptides derived from the glucagon gene are necessary for alpha-to-beta cell fate switching. Importantly, whereas beta cell neogenesis was stimulated by glucose, alpha-to-beta cell conversion was not, suggesting that transdifferentiation is not mediated by glucagon/GLP-1 control of hepatic glucose production. Overall, this study supports the hypothesis that alpha cells are an endogenous reservoir of potential new beta cells. It further reveals that glucagon plays an important role in maintaining endocrine cell homeostasis through feedback mechanisms that govern cell fate stability.
Gelation by Novel Aprotic Low-molecular-mass Organic Gelators Based on a Gemini 4-[2-(Perfluorobutyl)ethylthio]phenoxy Unit
Authors: Yoshida Tomohiro , Nakamura Toru , Morita Yuki , Okamoto Hiroaki
Published: April 2015

We found novel aprotic low-molecular-mass organic gelators (LMOGs) with simple molecular structure based on a gemini 4-[2-(perfluorobutyl)ethylthio]phenoxy unit. These aprotic LMOGs formed a physical gel with a thermally reversible sol–gel phase transition in a wide variety of alcoholic and polar solvents such as 1-octanol and propylene carbonate at concentrations below 1 wt %.
Aza-Henry Reaction Using DMSO as a Solvent
Authors: Isobe Toshihiro , Kato Atsuki , Oriyama Takeshi
Published: April 2015

Using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) under the influence of molecular sieves (MS) 4A the aza-Henry reaction of various N-tosylimines with nitroalkanes proceeded smoothly to afford β-nitroamines in high yields.
Separation of Semiconducting Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes Using a Flavin Compound
Authors: Kato Yuichi , Fukuzawa Masashi , Toshimitsu Fumiyuki , Nakashima Naotoshi
Published: April 2015

We describe the finding that a flavin molecule carrying a 10-dodecyl long alkyl chain is highly selective when sorting semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by ca. 99% purity from a semiconducting/metallic SWNT mixture, which was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The separated SWNT solution was also characterized by vis–near IR absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy.
In Situ Synthesis of Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) on Carbon Nanotubes and Graphenes by Sonochemical Reaction for CO2 Adsorbents
Authors: Yoo JongTae , Lee SuHyun , Hirata Shinsuke , Kim ChaeRin , Lee Chang Kee , Shiraki Tomohiro , Nakashima Naotoshi , Shim Jin Kie
Published: April 2015

We describe the in situ synthesis of the covalent organic framework-5 (COF-5) on the surfaces of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphenes having homogeneous CNT@COF-5 core–shell structures using a sonochemical reaction in one pot. CNT@COF-5 was found to show better CO2 adsorption than the pristine COF-5.
Preparation and Application of a New-type of Ordered Macroporous PANI/TiO2 Photocatalyst
Authors: Li Shi , Du Congcong , Zhao Dongfeng , Zheng Jingtang , Liu Hefeng , Wang Yongqiang
Published: April 2015

In this study, the polyaniline (PANI) film was uploaded uniformly on the surface of prepared macroporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) through the process of in situ oxidative polymerization. The obtained ordered macroporous PANI/TiO2 composites were used as photocatalyst to degrade organic wastewater. They displayed excellent photocatalytic ability and regenerative ability under the condition of visible light irradiation.
Sodium-ion Conducting Na3PS4 Electrolyte Synthesized via a Liquid-phase Process Using N-Methylformamide
Authors: Yubuchi So , Hayashi Akitoshi , Tatsumisago Masahiro
Published: April 2015

Sulfide solid electrolytes with cubic Na3PS4 phase were firstly synthesized via a liquid-phase process. A yellow solution was obtained after the reaction of Na2S and P2S5 in N-methylformamide (NMF) solvent, and a cubic Na3PS4 was mainly precipitated by heat treatment for removing the solvent. The ionic conductivity of the obtained electrolyte was 2.6 × 10−6 S cm−1 at room temperature. The present conductivity is not as high as a Na+ ion conductor, but the prepared solution is useful for forming an electrolyte coating on electrode particles, which will improve the electrochemical performance of all-solid-state sodium batteries.
Pet travel: should vets do more?
Authors: Bourne Debra , van Knapen Frans , Morgan Eric , Tappin Simon , Toth Balazs , Deplazes Peter , Tasker Séverine , Mason Victoria , Fitzgerald Ronan , Stokes Laura , Richards Diane
Published: April 2015

The EU pet travel scheme aims to enable free movement of pet animals with their owners while keeping the UK free of two important zoonoses: rabies and the fox tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis, which causes alveolar echinococcosis in humans. However, there are several other important parasitic and vector-borne diseases found in Europe that are not endemic in the UK, which the statutory requirements of the EU pet travel scheme will not prevent. As more pets travel from and back to the UK, it is important that UK veterinary surgeons can provide pet owners with the information they need to minimise the risks of pets acquiring exotic diseases whilst abroad and bringing these back to the UK.
Toward a New Era of Fetal Tobacco Syndrome
Authors: Ino Toshihiro , Kurosawa Kazuo
Published: April 2015

Fetal tobacco syndrome (FTS) was first reported in early 1986. However, since that time, neither the name nor diagnostic criteria of the disease have been applied. One reason for this is that bronchial asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, attention deficit hyperactive syndrome and obesity as delayed symptoms of FTS, are not found at birth. The initial diagnostic criteria include: (1) maternal smoking with a cigarette consumption of more than five cigarettes/day during pregnancy, (2) symmetrical developmental delays with no other causes (gestational age ?37 weeks and birth weight< 2,500 g), (3) no maternal hypertension. However, a low birth weight at a gestational age of less than 37 weeks, congenital malformations and delayed symptoms should also be included in these diagnostic criteria. In this review, FTS is compared with fetal alcohol syndrome and new diagnostic criteria are proposed based on previous reports.
Surgical Debulking Plus Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy of a Huge Basal Ganglion Nongerminomatous Germ Cell Tumor with Long Term Survival
Authors: Chao Liang-Chun , Juan Wei-Sheng , Chang Che-Chao , Tai Shih-Huang , Chuang Ming-Tsung , Sze Chun-I , Lee E-Jian
Published: April 2015

Primary central nerve system germ cell tumors are an uncommon tumor and in most cases occure in the childhood. Histologically, they can be divided to germinomas and nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs). The basal ganglion is an unusual location of NGGCTs and may cause the sign of increased intracranial pressure, mental deterioration, and hemiparesis. The brain MRI is the most preferred diagnostic equipment, and the serum or CSF tumor markers provide more hints to differentiate the subtypes of the NGGCTs preoperatively. Unlike germinomas which are radiation sensitive, the treatment of NGGCTs may need a combined therapy, including surgical debulking, whole brain radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy. Although the optimal management of intracranial NGGCTs is not established, we provide a case of basal ganglion mixed germ cell tumor (Primary yolk sac tumor with germinoma component) who received near total surgical resection and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy with long term survival. To reach the maximal surgical debulking and avoid the damage of eloquent areas may be the aim of the treatment of NGGCTs for pediatric neurosurgeons and the key to prolonging the patient’s survival.
Helicobacter Pylori and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children: Case Series and Review of Literature
Authors: Penagini Francesca , Dilillo Dario , Torcoletti Matteo , Mauri Silvia , Fociani Paolo , Zuccotti Gian Vincenzo
Published: April 2015

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been described as a possible cause of refractory iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children. Nevertheless, the relationship between H. pylori infection and IDA in children remains an area of controversy due to the contrasting data in literature. We report a case series of two children who presented with IDA refractory to iron treatment, which reversed only after eradication of H. pylori infection, supporting the causal role of this bacterium in pathogenesis of IDA. In both cases H. pylori presented a high antimicrobial resistance, raising the issue on the importance of considering geographical susceptibility of H. pylori strains when starting empirical treatment and the importance of performing antimicrobial susceptibility testings, in particular if standard empirical therapy fails. The present review gives a complete overview of the literature regarding the relationship between H. pylori and IDA in children, explains the possible pathogenetic mechanisms involved in H. pylori-related IDA and addresses the issue of the high antimicrobial resistance often encountered in H. pylori infection in children.
The Perceived Stress Scale for Children: A Pilot Study in a Sample of 153 Children
Authors: White Barbara Prudhomme
Published: April 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the utility and validity of an efficient screening tool intended for educators, clinicians and researchers who are interested in identifying perceived chronic stress and relations among home and school performance, behavior, and health in children. 
Method: The Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C) was assessed on its ability to discriminate between children with known stress-related anxiety disorders from typically developing children without any identified stress-related conditions. The participants included 153 children from the northeastern United States (5-18 years) recruited via posted flyers, personal networks, and referral. 
Results: The results suggested that the PSS-C is easy to administer, and effectively discriminates between children with and without known anxiety/stress disorders. 
Conclusion: The PSS-C may be helpful for the early identification of children at risk for chronic anxiety/stress. This is important because chronic stress appears to result in increased vulnerability for poorer school outcomes and reduced home functional performance, as well as resulting in problems with overall health, mental health and body weight. An effective and efficient assessment for early identification of anxiety/stress in children assists in the development of appropriate responses.
Physical Properties of Self-Assembled Porous Alumina Structures Filled with Iodine
Authors: Alekseeva Natalia , Cema Grigory , Podorozhkin Dmitry , Solovyev Vladimir , Trifonov Sergey , Veisman Victor
Published: April 2015

Self-assembled porous alumina structures (por Al2O3) were prepared by two-step anodization process and characterized by scanning electron microscopy.Filling quasi one-dimensional parallel nanochannels of por Al2O3 host matrixwith iodine guest substance by vapor phase adsorption method resulted inthe formation of I/por Al2O3 nanocomposite. Electrical properties of thesenanocomposite samples were studied by alternating-current measurements ata frequency of 1 kHz. Ellipsometric measurements were carried out in thespectral range 350–1000 nm. Structural transition of iodine species from thechain structures to molecular iodine was found in I/por Al2O3 nanocompositeat ∼ 70 ◦C.
Disabling privilege: Further reflections on Deaf West’s Big River
Authors: Knapp Raymond
Published: April 2015

Drawing on observations of Michael McElroy, Tyrone Giordano and Ed Waterstreet I consider the difficult role of Jim in Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which involves reliving the institution of slavery, onstage, night after night. What made it possible and rewarding to play this role, for Michael McElroy, was the Deaf West production, which involved both hearing and deaf actors, the former signing and the latter voiced. I consider how the performance difficulties, the need to connect with deaf performers, and the thematic interweaving of the story with its performance mode, among other factors, contributed to a rich experience that reflects and intensifies fundamental aspects of musical theatre.
Book Reviews
Authors: MacDonald Laura , Lewis Helen , Miller Ray
Published: April 2015

The Great White Way: Race and the Broadway Musical, Warren Hoffman (2014) New Brunswick, NJ and London: Rutgers University Press, 264 pp., ISBN: 9780813563343, p/bk, £21.95/$33.78

The Politics of the Pantomime: Regional Identity in the Theatre, 1860–1900, Jill A. Sullivan (2011) Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire Press, 288 pp., ISBN: 9781902806884, h/bk, £25.00/$50.00; ISBN: 9781902806891, p/bk, £14.99/$29.95

Directing in Musical Theatre: An Essential Guide, Joe Deer (2014) London and New York: Routledge, 250 pp., ISBN: 9780415624909, p/bk, £21.99/$33.84
‘Clothes make an awful difference in a girl’: Mlle. Modiste, Irene and Funny Face as Cinderella fashion musicals
Authors: Cantu Maya
Published: April 2015

The world of fashion has been a frequent setting for the many Broadway musicals inspired by Charles Perrault’s Cinderella (1697). Using two Broadway musicals and one Hollywood musical as cross-historical case studies, this article examines how the American musical has variously adapted and interpreted themes of ‘clothes make the woman’ by posing Cinderella as a shop girl or model in fields of consumer fashion. The 1905 Victor Herbert/Henry Blossom operetta Mlle. Modiste, and the 1919 Cinderella musical Irene (by James Montgomery, Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy) both assert the democratizing power of fashion. In Mlle. Modiste, the resourceful title character uses both her singing talent and her access to stylish clothing to rise in the world as an opera diva, as well as a viscount’s wife. Irene emphasizes themes of masquerade and meritocracy, as the eponymous Irish American shop girl models dresses for couturier ‘Madame Lucy’, fools high society as a pedigreed lady and marries her Prince Charming. By contrast, the 1957 Paramount movie musical Funny Face problematizes its heroine’s fashion-world makeover. While Funny Face’s narrative depicts the transformation of Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn), a bookish ‘Greenwich Village Cinderella’, into a glamorous Paris mannequin, Funny Face’s musical numbers, use strategies of camp and parody to undercut the concept of ‘The Quality Woman’.
The Beauty and the Beast trope in modern musical theatre
Authors: Warner Rebecca
Published: April 2015

Fairy tales have provided a rich supply of sources for direct adaptation in musical theatre, however they are also the source of many of the tropes that are found more widely in musicals. This article focuses on the tropes that can be identified in the Beauty and the Beast tale and how they can be found in a range of musicals which are not direct adaptations of the tale itself. The particular musicals explored are the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast (1991) from the perspective of direct adaptation, and The Phantom of the Opera (1986), Passion (1994), Wicked (2003) and Shrek the Musical (2008) which are analysed on a tropic level. These four musicals are indeed all adaptations of other source material, and such works might be said to interpret tropes of fairy tale rather than adapt the tale. Frameworks from narratological study are used to explore the topic, particularly Lévi-Strauss’ synchronic – diachronic method of analysis proposed in ‘The structural study of myth’ and Greimas’ semiotic square as a means of considering the meaning behind binary opposite pairs of themes.
‘Telling the tale’: Adaptation as interpretation
Authors: Gordon Robert , Jubin Olaf
Published: April 2015

The introduction considers the adaptations of stage musicals from previously existing source material as acts of cultural translation, operating through intricately interwoven intertexts of narrative meaning in myths, folk tales, fairy tales, prose fiction, poetry and films across a wide spectrum of cultures and languages. One of the key questions problematized is the common sense idea of fidelity to the original source material; it is however logically impossible for an adaptation to be faithful to its source as all adaptation involves interpretative decisions so that even the simplest translation from one medium to another is a hermeneutic act. Rather than focusing exclusively on the technical differences between media, the articles in this volume address adaptations of sources for the musical stage as interpretations.
Oz and the musical: The American art form and the reinvention of the American fairy tale
Authors: Bunch Ryan
Published: April 2015

Much as the musical is touted as an American art form, L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz (1900) has been called the American fairy tale. Since its publication, the book has been eclipsed in popularity by a series of musical–theatrical adaptations, which are also among the most popular shows in the canon of musicals, suggesting an affinity between musicals and Oz. Close analysis of four Oz musicals, the Broadway extravaganza of 1903, the MGM film of 1939, The Wiz (1975) and Wicked (2003) shows how the conventions of musical theatre translate the already powerful symbolic national mythology of Baum’s book into participatory expressions of American identity through embodied performance. In return, Oz gives the musical a signal national text which, through adaptation, allows the musical to reassert its own American pedigree while rearticulating the meaning of American identity at significant moments in the history of the genre.
Jane and Jerusha: Finding a voice on the musical stage
Authors: Thornton Annette
Published: April 2015

In 1994, American composer/lyricist Paul Gordon started to work with British stage director and writer John Caird on the musical Jane Eyre, which finally opened on Broadway in 2000 with Caird writing the book, additional lyrics and co-directing the production. The two artists again collaborated on Daddy Long Legs in 2008, also with book and direction by Caird. Both musicals feature a female protagonist and are adapted from novels written and set in earlier times – 1847 and 1912, respectively. In addition, the novels have been adapted to the screen with varying degrees of faithfulness to the source material. This article explores how screen adaptations have interpreted the two novels and compares these to the stage musicals. I argue that by being more faithful to the source material, Gordon and Caird make the characters and relationships modern, passionate, and relatable to twenty-first-century audiences.
Deaf West Theatre and the Broadway musical: Big River and beyond
Authors: Calhoun Jeff , Arden Michael , Bove Linda , Giordano Tyrone , Kurs David J. , Landau Steven , McElroy Michael , O’Brien Bill , Stewart Gwen , Waterstreet Ed
Published: April 2015

In February 2014, UCLA hosted a reunion of the cast and production team of Deaf West’s Tony Award-winning production of Big River from 2004. In front of a public audience, participants in the original production reflected on the challenges and rewards of putting together a piece of musical theatre using deaf and hearing actors and incorporating new ideas about how to use American Sign Language (ASL) as the basis for choreography. The panel was introduced by Raymond Knapp and moderated by Jeff Calhoun, and included Michael Arden, Linda Bove, David Kurs, Steve Landau, Bill O’Brien, Tyrone Giordano, Michael McElroy, Gwen Stewart, and Ed Waterstreet. Performances by members of the cast were supervised by Steven Landau and supported by singers and instrumentalists drawn from student ensembles at UCLA, including the UCLA Singers (directed by Rebecca Lord) and the Department of Ethnomusicology’s Bluegrass Band (directed by Scott Linford). The interpreters for the event were Elizabeth Greene, Robbie Sutton, Bob Loparo, and Diana MacDougall. The event was co-sponsored by UCLA and Deaf West Theatre, with funding provided by UCLA’s Department of Musicology, Department of Music (Nelson Fund), Arts Initiative Fund, School of the Arts and Architecture, Division of Humanities, Disability Studies, and Herb Alpert School of Music. The transcription is by Arreanna Rostosky and David Kurs.