bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recognition of Prior Learning as “Radical Pedagogy”: A case study of the Workers' College in South Africa
Authors: wa Bofelo Mphutlane , Shah Anitha , Moodley Kessie , Cooper Linda , Jones Barbara
Published: February 2014

This article argues that the model of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in use at the Workers’ College in South Africa may be seen as a form of “radical pedagogy.” Drawing on documentary sources, focus group interviews with staff, and observations, it describes an educational philosophy which aims to build the competencies of activists in labour and community organizations, facilitate their self-affirmation and dignity, and provide an access route to post-school education. It documents and attempts to theorize how this philosophy is enacted in classroom pedagogy, and explores some of the tensions and contradictions encountered. It concludes by acknowledging the unique contribution of these educational practices to an understanding of what RPL as radical pedagogy might look like.
Travailleurs-euses, étudiant-es : Même combat !
Authors:   Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM), 2012-2013 Teaching Assistants' Unit Executive
Published: February 2014

In the wake of the Québec student movement, graduate students of the 2012-2013 executive team for the Teaching Assistants’ Unit of the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM) reflect on their individual backgrounds and motivations for pursuing union work. With various opportunities for employment on and off campus, what compels academic workers to serve their union; to become accountable to a diverse and growing membership, and to challenge the very institutional machinery upon which our careers can depend? As students, educators, activists, and workers, we reflect on these questions in considering how we have come to the union, why we have become advocates for workers’ rights, and the kinds of challenges and successes we experienced.
Workers’ Education in Palestine
Authors: Elayassa Wajih
Published: February 2014

Due to the political context and the restrictions placed on general freedoms and trade union activities, workers’ education in Palestine remained informal and largely reliant on oral memory until the early 1990s. For decades, it was an integral part of political education. Workers’ education only became a stand-alone field after the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, when the change of circumstances enabled the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Centre in Palestine to focus on developing training materials and curricula specifically aimed at strengthening the Palestinian labour movement. First inspired and modelled on materials and courses taught internationally, the Centre’s labour education program has grown to encompass many locally produced materials and seeks to address specific challenges that face unions in Palestine.
Wave Concept Iterative Procedure Analysis of Patch Antennas on Nanostructured Ceramic Substrates
Authors: Silva Neto V. , D'Assunção A. , Vasconcelos C. , Lins de Albuquerque M. R.
Published: February 2014

The wave concept iterative procedure (WCIP) is proposed to analyze rectangular and circular patch antennas on nanostructured ceramic substrates. Principles of WCIP are described and advantages are emphasized. The analysis of microstrip antennas on double layered substrates is performed in space and spectral domains. In addition, Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) is used to improve the efficiency of the method. WCIP simulated results are compared to HFSS software ones. A good agreement is observed.
Basin‐Wide Oceanographic Array Bridges the South Atlantic
Authors: Ansorge I. J. , Baringer M. O. , Campos E. J. D. , Dong S. , Fine R. A. , Garzoli S. L. , Goni G. , Meinen C. S. , Perez R. C. , Piola A. R. , Roberts M. J. , Speich S. , Sprintall J. , Terre T. , Van den Berg M. A.
Published: February 2014

The meridional overturning circulation (MOC) is a global system of surface, intermediate, and deep ocean currents. The MOC connects the surface layer of the ocean and the atmosphere with the huge reservoir of the deep sea and is the primary mechanism for transporting heat, freshwater, and carbon between ocean basins. Climate models show that past changes in the strength of the MOC were linked to historical climate variations. Further research suggests that the MOC will continue to modulate climate change scenarios on time scales ranging from decades to centuries [Latif et al., 2006].
AGU to Launch a New Open‐Access Journal Spanning the Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Hanson Brooks
Published: February 2014

AGU is pleased to announce a new, fully open‐access journal, Earth and Space Science (ESS), that will reflect the expansive range of science represented by AGU's members. ESS will publish research papers spanning all of the Earth, planetary, and space sciences, including related fields in environmental science, geoengineering, space engineering, and biogeochemistry.
Support Your Science: Donate to Sections and Focus Groups
Authors: Howard Claire
Published: February 2014

AGU's 23 sections and focus groups allow scientists in the same disciplines to engage and collaborate. They are essential to the Union—they help identify emerging issues central to their field of science, provide member input, and nominate scientists for honors and recognition.
Statistical analysis describes urban heat island effect in Europe
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: February 2014

The urban heat island effect—in which urban areas are warmer than the surrounding rural areas—has been known for many decades. However, many previous studies have focused on individual cities or on a limited numbers of cities. To gain a broader regional perspective, Zhou et al. performed a statistical analysis of the urban heat island effect for all cities in Europe using land cover data and remotely sensed land surface temperature data.
Real‐Time PCR
Authors: Fraga Dean , Meulia Tea , Fenster Steven
Published: February 2014

Real‐time PCR is a recent modification to the polymerase chain reaction that allows precise quantification of specific nucleic acids in a complex mixture by fluorescent detection of labeled PCR products. Detection can be accomplished using specific as well as nonspecific fluorescent probes. Real‐time PCR is often used in the quantification of gene expression levels. Prior to using real‐time PCR to quantify a target message, care must be taken to optimize the RNA isolation, primer design, and PCR reaction conditions so that accurate and reliable measurements can be made. This short overview of real‐time PCR discusses basic principles behind real‐time PCR, some optimization and experimental design considerations, and how to quantify the data generated using both relative and absolute quantification approaches. Useful Web sites and texts that expand upon topics discussed are also listed. Curr. Protoc. Essential Lab. Tech. 8:10.3.1‐10.3.40. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Neighborhood Effects and Young Children's Outcomes
Authors: Kohen Dafna , Findlay Leanne
Published: February 2014

This chapter provides an overview of research that has examined the impact of neighbourhood socioeconomic conditions and preschool‐aged children's outcomes. Evidence is reviewed in relation to various theoretical explanations including: contagion/epidemic theories, social organization, parenting, stress theories, and institutional resources. A body of Canadian research on the impact of community characteristics on Aboriginal children is discussed, and recommendations are made regarding the need for systematic reviews in this research area.
Development of a Theoretically Grounded Model of Sexual Harassment Awareness Training Effectiveness
Authors: Kath Lisa M. , Magley Vicki J.
Published: February 2014

Sexual harassment awareness (SHA) training has been under‐studied as an organizational intervention deterring occurrences of sexual harassment. In this chapter, we articulate a general model ofSHAtraining effectiveness that is grounded theoretically in broader workplace training effectiveness models and training outcome taxonomies. In particular, we highlight the role that cynicism and motivation play in influencingSHAtraining effectiveness and identify possible training design, individual factors, and contextual factors that may influence trainees' cynicism and motivation, as well asSHAtraining outcomes.
Mental Health and Wellbeing at the Top of the Global Agenda
Authors: Jané‐Llopis Eva , Anderson Peter , Herrman Helen
Published: February 2014

The case for mental health and wellbeing is being brought to the top of governments' agendas as a key aspect to understand and further explain societal progress. Recent measurement initiatives that combine objective and subjective measures of populations' wellbeing complement the ever‐growing evidence that is emerging on the effectiveness and return on investment of community, organizational, and policy level interventions to promote mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan and across settings (as evidenced in this volume). With the proclamation of measuring subjective wellbeing agreed in theRIO+20 declaration “The World We Want,” some interesting challenges lie ahead. New governance mechanisms for wellbeing and a system for accountability is needed clarifying the roles of all stakeholders in contributing to wellbeing to further strengthen action. Along with a comparable system for existing measurement efforts of levels of wellbeing across populations, there is also a need to understand what is impacting wellbeing and how different measures and environments have positive or negative effects. In this context, a system to measure impact of existing policies and societal functioning—a wellbeing footprint—would support and measure commitment of all stakeholders towards wellbeing.
How can Subjective Wellbeing be Improved?
Authors: Helliwell John F.
Published: February 2014

Individuals, communities, and governments are increasingly interested in using subjective wellbeing measures, based on how individuals rate the quality of their own lives, to supplement or even supplant more conventional economic measures of individual and social progress. This flowering of interest has naturally sparked efforts to increase the quality and quantity of subjective wellbeing data, research, and policy analysis. Thus it is a good time to take stock of what is known and what most needs to be done to move the analysis and policy agendas from demonstrated interest to well‐founded change. This chapter starts by reviewing a range of the most policy‐relevant measures of subjective wellbeing, then outlines some research results with direct bearing on policy issues, and finally illustrates how these results, and others like them, can be used to improve evidence‐based policy choices by governments, companies, and communities.
Wellbeing and the School Environment
Authors: Jones Andy , Harrison Flo
Published: February 2014

As children spend a significant proportion of their time at school, there is good reason to believe that the school environment may be an important determinant of children's wellbeing. This chapter reviews current methods of measuring wellbeing at school as well as looking at the current evidence for the role of the school as a determinant of mental health, weight status, physical activity, and food intake. We conclude by examining how schools can be built to maximize the wellbeing of pupils that attend them.
Workplace and Wellbeing
Authors: Myerson Jeremy
Published: February 2014

This chapter explores the design of the workplace environment as a major influence on the health and wellbeing of workers. It charts the historical development of the modern office as an industrial model of efficiency and draws on the “environmental comfort” model of Canadian psychologist Jacqueline Vischer to differentiate between three different levels of comfort that people require in the workplace: physical, functional, and psychological comfort. Drawing on a range of sources, the chapter argues that the health and wellbeing of office workers will not be significantly improved until workplace design does more to tackle the demands of psychological comfort.
Biological Determinants and Malleability of Aging
Authors: Kirkwood Thomas B. L.
Published: February 2014

Life expectancy in developed nations is continuing to increase by 6 hr a day, presenting a profound challenge for the organization of society. At the same time, science is at last beginning to unravel the deep mysteries of the aging process and create new possibilities for translational research that might deliver innovative therapies for age‐related disease. Evidence from many lines of research confirms that aging is more malleable than thought previously, since it arises not from a strict genetic program but from the gradual accumulation of damage in cells and tissues of the body, which can be modulated in turn by many factors including nutrition, lifestyle, and environment. The relationship between the intrinsic biology of aging and wellbeing in later life is of high importance, yet is complex. Old age is associated with significant multimorbidity, so the presence of age‐related diseases in those at advanced old age (for example, over 85) is normal. Since age is the single biggest risk factor for a very wide spectrum of diseases, which individually attract major research effort, the prize of identifying exactly why aged cells are more vulnerable to pathology, and thereby how such pathology might be delayed or prevented, seems eminently worthwhile. Yet, in spite of experiencing an average of four or five age‐related conditions simultaneously, the majority (nearly 80%) of participants in a large, recent study self‐reported their health as “good,” “very good,” or “excellent.”
Combating Isolation Through Technology in Older People
Authors: Gore Peter
Published: February 2014

This chapter discusses a framework for how technologies can be useful in mitigating self‐perceived loneliness and why this is a more useful definition than the concept of social isolation, and why this is so important to health. Whereas loneliness is by no means unique to older people, some of the particular challenges and approaches relating to age are discussed. A variety of different technological approaches are covered as examples, as is the need to take a joined‐up approach, and possible ways to predict and measure impact.
Investing in the Wellbeing of Young People
Authors: McDaid David , Park A‐La , Currie Candace , Zanotti Cara
Published: February 2014

This chapter looks in detail at the economic arguments for investing in measures to promote and protect the wellbeing of young people. We look at what is known about the long‐term benefits of good wellbeing, as well as the consequences of poor wellbeing, indicating the many economic impacts that been identified in studies that have followed young people for many decades into adulthood. Highly cost‐effective actions to protect psychological wellbeing, address overweight and obesity, and reduce risks from alcohol, smoking, and sexual behavior can be identified. In addition, there is compelling evidence, largely from a U.S. context, suggesting that investing in preschool educational interventions can generate positive returns on investment over the life course.
Making Use of Evidence from Wellbeing Research in Policy and Practice
Authors: McDaid David
Published: February 2014

Wellbeing is now firmly on the agendas of many governments around the world, but this is of little use unless research on wellbeing is actually used to inform policy and practice. In this concluding chapter to the volume, three issues to help foster use in policy making are considered. First, challenges in the measurement of wellbeing. Measures will need to have broad acceptance by policy makers and the public if they are to be sustained. Next, the chapter looks at how information about wellbeing, including its economic impact, can be used to inform policy. It then focuses in more detail on challenges in getting messages across to policy makers, highlighting barriers around the way in which information is packaged and presented. Another barrier is a divided policy‐making landscape, where many different actors in different sectors need to be persuaded of the merits of investing in the promotion of wellbeing. Mechanisms to address these barriers are then presented.
Early Systemic Sclerosis: Analysis of the Disease Course in Patients With Marker Autoantibody and/or Capillaroscopic Positivity
Authors: Valentini Gabriele , Marcoccia Antonella , Cuomo Giovanna , Vettori Serena , Iudici Michele , Bondanini Francesco , Santoriello Carlo , Ciani Aldo , Cozzolino Domenico , De Matteis Giovanni Maria , Cappabianca Salvatore , Vitelli Filiberto , Spanò Alberto
Published: February 2014

Objective

To investigate whether patients affected by 1 of the 3 subsets of early systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma), i.e., subset I, Raynaud's phenomenon with SSc marker autoantibodies and typical capillaroscopic findings; subset II, autoantibody positive only; and subset III, capillaroscopy positive only and not satisfying the 2013 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria for SSc at admission, differ from each other in the time to satisfy the criteria.

Methods

Early SSc patients subdivided into the 3 subsets indicated above consecutively admitted to a rheumatology/angiology center were monitored for 12–102 months (median 36 months). Patients were reevaluated twice yearly to assess whether and when each patient satisfied the new ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc. Patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) served as the comparator group.

Results

During followup, 11 (52.3%) of 21 subset I, 10 (66.6%) of 15 subset II, 0 of 24 subset III, and 0 of 44 UCTD patients satisfied the criteria (P = 0.0001). The difference was significant between early SSc and UCTD patients (P = 0.0001) and, within the group of early SSc patients, between each of the 2 autoantibody‐positive subsets (subsets I and II) and the capillaroscopic‐positive/autoantibody‐negative subset (subset I versus III: P = 0.0001; subset II versus III: P = 0.0009). There was no difference between the 2 autoantibody‐positive subsets (P = 0.454). In addition to marker autoantibody positivity, preclinical lung or heart involvement was associated with an increased risk to satisfy the criteria during followup.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrated faster progression of SSc in autoantibody‐positive patients, particularly in those with preclinical internal organ involvement at baseline, than in autoantibody‐negative patients.
Social Security Work Disability and Its Predictors in Patients With Fibromyalgia
Authors: Wolfe Frederick , Walitt Brian T. , Katz Robert S. , Häuser Winfried
Published: February 2014

Objective

To determine prevalence and incidence of US Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSD) in patients with fibromyalgia and to investigate prediction of SSD.

Methods

Over a mean of 4 years (range 1–13 years), we studied 2,321 patients with physician‐diagnosed fibromyalgia (prevalent cases) and applied modified American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 research criteria to identify criteria‐positive patients.

Results

During the study, 34.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 32.9–36.8%) of fibromyalgia patients received SSD. The annual incidence of SSD among patients not receiving SSD at study enrollment was 3.4% (95% CI 3.0–3.9%), and 25% were estimated to be work disabled at 9.0 years of followup. By comparison, the prevalence of SSD in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with concomitant fibromyalgia was 55.6% (95% CI 54.3–57.0%) and was 42.4% in osteoarthritis (OA). By study conclusion, 31.4% of SSD awardees were no longer receiving SSD. In univariate models, incident SSD in patients with fibromyalgia was predicted by sociodemographic measures and by symptom burden; but the strongest predictor was functional status (Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index [HAQ DI]). In multivariable models, the HAQ DI and the Short Form 36‐item health survey physical and mental component summary scores, but no other variables, predicted SSD. Fibromyalgia criteria–positive patients had more SSD, but the continuous scale, polysymptomatic distress index derived from the ACR criteria was a substantially better predictor of SSD than a criteria‐positive diagnosis.

Conclusion

The prevalence of SSD is high in fibromyalgia, but not higher than in RA and OA patients who satisfy fibromyalgia criteria. The best predictors of work disability are functional status variables.
Association of Higher Methotrexate Dose With Lymphoproliferative Disease Onset in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Kameda Tomohiro , Dobashi Hiroaki , Miyatake Nobuyuki , Inoo Masayuki , Onishi Ikuko , Kurata Noriyuki , Mitsunaka Hiroki , Kawakami Kimihiro , Fukumoto Tetsuya , Susaki Kentaro , Izumikawa Miharu , Nakashima Shusaku , Shimada Hiromi , Takeuchi Yohei , Haba Reiji , Mano Shohei , Onishi Hiroaki , Imataki Osamu , Matsunaga Takuya
Published: February 2014

Objective

Methotrexate (MTX) is used as an anchor drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) occasionally develops in patients treated with MTX, and is known as MTX‐associated LPD (MTX‐LPD). Although MTX‐LPD occurs mainly in RA patients, it has not been established if MTX administration is an independent risk factor for LPD in RA patients. We examined the clinical characteristics of MTX‐LPD in Japanese RA patients and attempted to determine the risk factors for MTX‐LPD development.

Methods

We performed a nested case–control study on RA patients. We enrolled 5,753 RA patients from Kagawa, Japan. In age‐ and sex‐matched patients, we separated patients who did not develop LPD under MTX treatment (MTX non‐LPD group) from those that did (MTX‐LPD group) and conducted a comparative examination. We used multivariate analysis to determine the independent risk factors for MTX‐LPD onset.

Results

There were 28 patients in the MTX‐LPD group and 125 patients in the MTX non‐LPD group. Multivariate analysis of the parameters extracted by univariate analysis revealed that the mean MTX dose was a risk factor for MTX‐LPD after adjusting for age; therefore, higher MTX dose is associated with LPD onset in RA patients.

Conclusion

MTX is an independent risk factor for LPD onset in Japanese RA patients.
Multilayered Inorganic Microparticles for Tunable Dual Growth Factor Delivery
Authors: Yu Xiaohua , Khalil Andrew , Dang Phuong Ngoc , Alsberg Eben , Murphy William L.
Published: February 2014

There is an increasing need to control the type, quantity, and timing of growth factors released during tissue healing. Sophisticated delivery systems offering the ability to deliver multiple growth factors with independently tunable kinetics are highly desirable. Here, a multilayered, mineral coated microparticle (MCMs) platform that can serve as an adaptable dual growth factor delivery system is developed. Bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are bound to the mineral coatings with high binding efficiencies of up to 80%. BMP‐2 is firstly bound onto a 1st mineral coating layer; then VEGF is bound onto a 2nd mineral coating layer. The release of BMP‐2 is sustained over a period of 50 days while the release of VEGF is a typical two‐phase release with rapid release in the first 14 days and more sustained release for the following 36 days. Notably, the release behaviors of both growth factors can be independently tailored by changing the intrinsic properties of the mineral coatings. Furthermore, the release of BMP‐2 can be tuned by changing the thickness of the 2nd layer. This injectable microparticle based delivery platform with tunable growth factor release has immense potential for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Strategies for Fast‐Switching in All‐Polymer Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Senanayak Satyaprasad P. , Narayan K. S.
Published: February 2014

Low‐cost printable field effect transistors (FETs) are typically associated with slow switching characteristics. Dynamic response of polymer field effect transistors (PFETs) is a manifestation of time scales involved in processes such as dielectric polarization, structural relaxation, and transport via disordered‐interfacial states. A range of dielectrics and semiconductors are studied to arrive at a parameter which serves as a figure of merit and quantifies the different processes contributing to the switching response. A cross‐over from transport limiting factors to dielectric limiting factors in the dynamics of PFETs is observed. The dielectric limited regime in the PFET dynamics is tapped in to explore high speed processes, and an enhancement of switching speed by three orders of magnitude (from 300 μs to 400 ns) is observed at channel lengths which can be accessed by low cost printing methods. The device structure utilizes polymer‐ferroelectrics (FE) as the dielectric layer and involves a fabrication‐procedure which assists in circumventing the slow dynamics within the bulk of FE. This method of enhancing the dynamic response of PFETs is universally applicable to all classes of disordered‐FE.
Catalyst‐Free GaN Nanorods Synthesized by Selective Area Growth
Authors: Lin Yen‐Ting , Yeh Ting‐Wei , Nakajima Yoshitake , Dapkus P. Daniel
Published: February 2014

GaN nanorod formation on Ga‐polar GaN by continuous mode metalorganic chemical vapor deposition selective area growth (MOCVD SAG) is achieved under a relatively Ga‐rich condition. The Ga‐rich condition, provided by applying a very low V/III ratio, alters the growth rates of various planes of the defined nanostructure by increasing relative growth rate of the semi‐polar tilted m‐plane {1–101} that usually is the slowest growing plane under continuous growth conditions. This increased growth rate relative to the non‐polar m‐plane {1–100} and even the c‐plane (0001), permits the formation of GaN nanorods with nonpolar sidewalls. In addition, a new growth mode, called the NH3‐pulsed mode, is introduced, utilizing the advantages of both the continuous mode and the lower growth rate pulsed mode to form nanorods. Finally, nanorods grown under the different growth modes are compared and discussed.
Water‐Soluble Polymer Functionalized CdTe/ZnS Quantum Dots: A Facile Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Nitroaromatic Explosives
Authors: Liu Bingxin , Tong Cuiyan , Feng Lijuan , Wang Chunyu , He Yao , Lü Changli
Published: February 2014

A ratiometric fluorescent probe based on dual luminescence QD/CPL for selective sensing of the nitroaromatic explosive picric acid (PA) was constructed. The observed ratiometric fluorescence intensity change allows the quantitative detection of PA with a detection limit of 9 nM.
Plasma‐Substrate Interaction during Plasma Deposition on Polymers
Authors: Hegemann D. , Hanselmann B. , Blanchard N. , Amberg M.
Published: February 2014

The initial stage of film growth during plasma deposition on polymers determines many film properties such as morphology and structure, interphase formation and adhesion. Therefore, the plasma‐substrate interaction is investigated regarding the energy density during film growth, which is defined by the energy flux per depositing atom. The flux of film‐forming species and the flux of energetic particles were determined for metal sputtering (silver films) and plasma polymer deposition (amino‐functional hydrocarbon films). It is shown that enhanced energy densities can be obtained during the initial film growth due to reduced deposition rates and mixing with the polymer substrate (interphase formation). Thus, good adhesion on polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been achieved. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the Plasma Chemistry of an RF Discharge Containing Aluminium Tri‐Isopropoxide Studied by FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Hübner M. , Fröhlich M. , Tawidian H. , Mikikian M. , Röpcke J. , Kersten H.
Published: February 2014

In Ar and Ar/N2 radio frequency (RF) discharges with admixtures of aluminium tri‐isopropoxide (ATI) the fragmentation of this metal‐organic precursor was studied by means of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy using an optical long path cell providing an optical length of l = 17.2 m. The experiments were performed in an asymmetric capacitively coupled process plasma at a frequency of f = 13.56 MHz and at pres‐sure values in the range of p = 1–10.5 Pa. The discharge power was chosen between P = 10–100 W. Using FTIR spectroscopy the evolution of the concentrations of ATI and of six stable molecules, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, CO and HCN, was monitored under flowing conditions at gas flows of Φtotal = 0.5–14.5 sccm in the discharge. The concentrations of the reaction products were measured tobe between 2 x 1012 molecules cm–3 as e.g. found for C2H4and C2H6, and 5 x 1013 molecules cm–3, as e.g. in the case of CO. In the plasma a complete dissociation of the precursor ATI was found at a power value of about P = 80 W independent on the admixture of Ar or N2. The fragmentation efficiency (FE) of the reaction products which originate from the ATI molecules ranges between 0.2 and 4 x 1016 molecules J–1 while the fragmentation rate (FR) reached up to 2.5 x 1018 molecules s–1. The multi component detection ability of the spectrometer served to analyse the carbon balance of the by‐product formation. For all experiments, the carbon balance never exceeded 25%. Therefore, in the plasmas the majority of the provided carbon is most likely deposited at the reactor walls or forms dust particles or higher molecular CxHy. The conversion efficiencies (CE) of the produced molecular species ranges between 0.1 x 1015 molecules J–1 for C2H4 and 5 x 1015 molecules J–1 for C2H6 depending on the discharge conditions of the RF plasma. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Surface Design for Medical Implants
Authors: Klinkenberg E.‐D. , Neumann H.‐G.
Published: February 2014

Nowadays medical implants are high‐tech products which are designed according to comprehensive experiences from medicine, material science and surface science. A prolonged duration of joint endoprostheses is achieved by a sophisticated surface design according to the different functionality of the implant surface. Therefore the main aspects are wear reduction and stimulated bone apposition to the load‐bearing implant surfaces. Different coating methods suit the functional needs. Medical aspects as well as those of technological developments are discussed. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Some Aspects of Current Interruption Physics in High Voltage Circuit Breakers
Authors: Seeger M. , Galletti B. , Bini R. , Dousset V. , Iordanidis A. , Over D. , Mahdizadeh N. , Schwinne M. , Stoller P. , Votteler T.
Published: February 2014

Recent results of experimental and theoretical investigations on current interruption processes are presented with a focus on SF6high voltage circuit breakers. Various aspects of thermal interruption at the zero crossing of the current are shown, including the scatter and the distribution of arc voltage shortly before CZ and the role of turbulence. The thermal interruption capability of air and CO2are compared to that of SF6. Investigations on the dielectric recovery are shown for SF6and CO2. The breakdown voltage during the dielectric recovery can be described by simple streamer and leader inception models. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Detection of FAQs Matching Inquiry E‐mails by Automatic Generation of Characteristic Word Groups from Past Inquiry E‐mails
Authors: Sakumichi Yuki , Akiyoshi Masanori , Samejima Masaki , Oka Hironori
Published: February 2014

This paper discusses how to detect inquiry e‐mails corresponding to predefined FAQs (frequently asked questions). Web‐based interactions such as ordering and registration forms on a Web page are usually provided with FAQ pages to help users. However, most users submit their inquiry e‐mails without checking such pages. This causes help desk operators to process large numbers of e‐mails even if some contents match FAQs. Automatic detection of such e‐mails is proposed based on an SVM (support vector machine) and a specific Jaccard coefficient based on positive and negative already‐received inquiry e‐mails. Experimental results show its effectiveness, and we also discuss future work to improve our method.
A General Purpose Connection CTI Server Based on the SIP Protocol and Its Implementation
Authors: Watanabe Toru , Koizumi Hisao
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we propose a general purpose connection Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) server that provides various CTI services such as voice logging where the CTI server communicates with IP‐PBX using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and accumulates voice packets of external line telephone calls flowing between an IP telephone for extension and a VoIP gateway connected to outside line networks. The CTI server realizes CTI services such as voice logging, telephone conference, or interactive voice response (IVR) with accumulating and processing voice packets sampled. Furthermore, the CTI server incorporates a web server function which can provide various CTI services such as a Web telephone directory via a Web browser to PCs, cellular telephones or smart‐phones in mobile environments.
Low‐Voltage PTAT Voltage Reference with Area Efficiency Improved
Authors: Wada Kazuyuki , Ito Ryo , Sekine Kawori
Published: February 2014

The structure of a proportional‐to‐absolute‐temperature (PTAT) voltage reference with MOSFETs operating in the subthreshold region is proposed. It is based on the conventional structure, operation equivalent to which is achieved from the viewpoint of relations between the voltages and currents of MOSFETs. The derived structure relaxes the occupied area. Experimental results of a PTAT voltage reference implemented on a chip as an example are presented.
Stabilization of a Power System Including Inverter‐Type Distributed Generators by a Virtual Synchronous Generator
Authors: Sakimoto Kenichi , Miura Yushi , Ise Toshifumi
Published: February 2014

The capacity of distributed generators (DGs) connected to the grid by inverters is growing year after year. The inverters are generally controlled by a phase locked loop (PLL) in order to achieve synchronization with the power system frequency. Power systems may become unstable as the capacity of the inverter‐type DGs continues to increase, because the inverter frequency is controlled just to follow the frequency determined by other synchronous generators. It has been suggested that inverters be controlled to behave like a synchronous generator. This concept is referred to as the virtual synchronous generator (VSG). In this paper, a control scheme for a VSG is presented, and the design method for the required energy storage and the capacity for grid stabilization control by a VSG is investigated by computer simulations.
Estimation of Magnetizing Characteristics of Pole Transformers in Islanding Area
Authors: Yoshid Yoshiaki , Suzuki Hirokazu , Fujiwara Koji , Ishihara Yoshiyuki
Published: February 2014

For the detection of islanding, it is very important to choose the threshold value for the change in the harmonic voltage. In this paper, we propose an analytical model of a pole transformer using a Fourier series and clarify the nonlinear magnetizing characteristics of the pole transformer in an islanding area. After determining the proposed model coefficients from the tests of the pole transformer excited by a sinusoidal voltage, distorted wave voltage tests were performed under conditions in which the third harmonic voltage or the fifth harmonic voltage was superimposed. The results of the testing showed that the magnetic properties vary greatly upon increasing the harmonic component of the voltage. The analytical and measurement results were in good agreement. By using the proposed method, the distributed generators (DGs) can estimate the magnetizing characteristics of the pole transformer by monitoring the connected terminal voltage. Thus, as an active signal for islanding detection, DGs can inject a harmonic current synchronized to the excitation current harmonics of the pole transformer into the distribution network. In the case of DGs equipped with the above functions, there is no need to change the settings of the islanding detection threshold for changes in the harmonic voltage even when there is a change in the excitation voltage or an increase in the number of DGs.
Canonical microRNAs in thymic epithelial cells promote central tolerance
Authors: Khan Imran S. , Taniguchi Ruth T. , Fasano Kayla J. , Anderson Mark S. , Jeker Lukas T.
Published: February 2014

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) facilitate the deletion of developing self‐reactive T cells by displaying a diverse repertoire of tissue‐specific antigens, a process which largely depends on the expression of the autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene. Mature microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate gene expression post‐transcriptionally are generated in a multistep process. The microprocessor complex, including DGCR8, cleaves canonical miRNAs, but alternative DGCR8‐independent miRNA biogenesis pathways exist as well. In order to study the role of canonical miRNAs in thymic epithelial cells (TECs), we ablated Dgcr8 using a FoxN1‐Cre transgene. We report that DGCR8‐deficient TECs are unable to maintain proper thymic architecture and exhibit a dramatic loss of thymic cellularity. Importantly, DGCR8‐deficient TECs develop a severe loss of Aire+ mTECs. Using a novel immunization approach to amplify and detect self‐reactive T cells within a polyclonal TCR repertoire, we demonstrate a link between the loss of Aire expression in DGCR8‐deficient TECs and the breakdown of negative selection in the thymus. Thus, DGCR8 and canonical miRNAs are important in TECs for supporting central tolerance.
Anion exchanger 2 is critical for CD8+ T cells to maintain pHi homeostasis and modulate immune responses
Authors: Concepcion Axel R. , Salas January T. , Sarvide Sarai , Sáez Elena , Ferrer Alex , López María , Portu Ainhoa , Banales Jesús M. , Hervás‐Stubbs Sandra , Oude Elferink Ronald P. J. , Prieto Jesús , Medina Juan F.
Published: February 2014

Mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes involves alkalinization of intracellular pH (pHi). Subsequent pHi regulation may involve HCO3− extrusion through Cl−/HCO3− exchangers and/or Na+‐HCO3− co‐transporters with acid‐loading capability. Abnormalities in these mechanisms could result in immune dysfunctions, as suggested by the CD8+ T‐cell expansion encountered in mice lacking Ae2 (a widely expressed acid loader with electroneutral and Na+‐independent Cl−/HCO3− anion‐exchange activity). Here we report that CD8+ T cells but not CD4+ T cells or other lymphocyte populations, are crucially dependent on Ae2 for pHi regulation. While total lymphocytes (including isolated CD4+ T cells) exhibit Ae1 expression and Na+‐HCO3− co‐transport with acidifying potential, CD8+ T cells lack these acid‐loading mechanisms. In Ae2‐KO mice, CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells upregulate these potential Ae2 surrogates. As a consequence, Ae2‐KO CD8+ T cells exhibit alkalinized pHi, and dramatically increase their pHi upon CD3 stimulation. Moreover, stimulated Ae2‐deficient CD8+ T cells show enhanced intracellular production of IL‐2 and membrane expression of its receptor IL‐2Rα, together with increased cell proliferation and activation. These findings demonstrate that CD8+ T cells are critically dependent on Ae2 for pHi homeostasis and tuning of cell proliferation and activation. Ae2 thus constitutes a novel target to modulate CD8+ T‐cell responses.
Endosomal compartment: Also a dock for MHC class I peptide loading
Authors: Ma Wenbin , Van den Eynde Benoît J.
Published: February 2014

The endosomal compartment, which contains all the components required for loading peptides onto MHC class II molecules, is classically considered to be dedicated to the loading of MHC class II but not MHC class I molecules. However, a report in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology [Eur. J. Immunol. 2014. 44: 774–784], together with other recent studies, shows that the endosomal compartment also supports efficient loading of MHC class I molecules. These results bring a new perspective on the crosstalk between the MHC class II and MHC class I antigen‐processing pathways, and may inspire new ideas for the design of vaccines against viruses and tumors.
Enhanced Thermal Energy Harvesting Using Li, K‐Doped Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 Lead‐Free Ferroelectric Ceramics
Authors: Chauhan Aditya , Patel Satyanarayan , Vats Gaurav , Vaish Rahul
Published: February 2014

This study deals with the investigation of lead‐free ferroelectric materials for potential thermal energy harvesting applications. Lead‐free ferroelectric ceramics offer nonpolluting alternatives to their lead‐based counterparts. However, their applications are limited because of their comparatively low performance. In this study, an attempt has been made to shed some light on the thermal energy harvesting potential of these materials through the use of Olsen cycle. Two compositions of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT), Bi0.5Na0.44K0.06TiO3 (BNKT), and Bi0.5Na0.425Li0.075TiO3 (BNLT), were explored. It was observed that maximum energy densities of 1986 J L−1 per cycle (0.1–5.2 MV m−1; 25–120 °C) and 1146 J L−1 per cycle (0.1–11.2 MV m−1; 25–110 °C) were obtained for BNKT and BNLT samples, respectively. The reported energy density is higher than that of most lead‐based compounds. The results motivate the possible use of lead‐free materials for thermal energy harvesting applications.
Spatial and Physical Characteristics of Rejolladas in Northern Yucatán, Mexico: Implications for Ancient Maya Agriculture and Settlement Patterns
Authors: Munro‐Stasiuk Mandy J. , Manahan T. Kam , Stockton Trent , Ardren Traci
Published: February 2014

This study evaluates the importance of rejolladas to the Ancient Maya in and around the Classic Maya center of Xuenkal, Yucatán State, Mexico. Rejolladas are collapse sinkholes with bases above the local water table. We present a spatial and physical analysis of 186 rejolladas in a 10 × 10 km area centered on Xuenkal. Basal diameters range from ∼22 to 264 m, areas range from 0.04 to 5.48 ha, and depths range from 4 to 12 m. Spatial density ranges from 0 to 8 rejolladas/km2 with higher densities coinciding with known Ancient Maya settlements. Within Xuenkal, residential groups tend to be organized around and focused on the rejolladas. Some rejolladas have modified slopes that may be remnants of terraces or entry paths. High‐resolution satellite imagery analysis demonstrates that rejolladas have denser and healthier vegetation than the surrounding landscape especially in the dry season. Microclimate data demonstrate that the bottom of rejolladas has less extreme diurnal temperature ranges, lower daytime highs, higher atmospheric moisture, and significantly higher and more stable soil moisture. Based on the archaeology at Xuenkal, it appears that the Ancient Maya recognized and actively exploited these environmental microniches for intensive cultivation both locally and regionally.
An Exploratory Non‐Destructive Provenance Analysis of Two Middle Archaic Greenstone Pendants from Little Salt Spring, Florida, USA
Authors: Bonomo Michael F. , Lowry Justin P. , Tykot Robert H. , Gifford John A.
Published: February 2014

Test excavations in 2005 and 2006 of the Little Salt Spring mortuary pond in Southwest Florida (USA) yielded two exotic stone pendants indirectly dated to the Middle Archaic (7000–5000 14C year B.P.). Hand‐specimen petrographic observation, combined with non‐destructive environmental scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and whole‐rock X‐ray diffraction, identified the pendants as (1) a mica‐plagioclase‐edenite amphibolite or schist and (2) an intermediate pyroxene‐ and/or amphibole‐bearing granitoid. Provenance was broadly constrained to a number of potential sources in the southern Appalachian Piedmont of the United States (at a minimum distance of 650 km from the archaeological findspot) utilizing the United States Geological Survey's National Geologic Map Database lithologic search tool (GEOLEX) and Mineral Resources On‐Line Spatial Data GIS database. Due to the absence of lithologic matches within the state of Florida, we propose that the two artifacts most likely arrived at Little Salt Spring through down‐the‐line exchange of materials of prestige value with geologic origins in the southern Appalachian Piedmont, arguing for the existence of small‐scale long‐distance lithic exchange networks reaching into Archaic Florida. From a methodological standpoint, this study illustrates the potential utility of data collected under nonideal, non‐destructive analytical conditions for deriving meaningful archaeological interpretations.
Interleukin‐18 Has Antipermeablity and Antiangiogenic Activities in the Eye: Reciprocal Suppression With VEGF
Authors: Shen Jikui , Choy David F. , Yoshida Tsunehiko , Iwase Takeshi , Hafiz Gulnar , Xie Bing , Hackett Sean F. , Arron Joseph R. , Campochiaro Peter A.
Published: February 2014

Interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) is increased along with IL‐1β by activation of the inflammasome and has been implicated in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, but its role in the eye is uncertain. In patients with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion, intraocular IL‐18 levels increased significantly (P < 0.001) after treatment with ranibizumab particularly in patients with high baseline IL‐18 which correlated with good visual outcome (P < 0.05). In mice with ischemic retinopathy, suppression of VEGF caused an increase in IL18 mRNA due to an increase in IL‐18‐positive myeloid cells. VEGF significantly and specifically inhibited IL‐18 production by myeloid cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (P < 0.001). Intraocular injection of IL‐18 reduced VEGF‐induced leakage and neovascularization, and reversed VEGF‐induced suppression of Claudin5 expression and Claudin 5 labeling of vascular tight junctions. Injection of IL‐18 also increased expression of Thrombospondin 1 and reduced ischemia‐induced retinal neovascularization relevant to diabetic retinopathy and subretinal neovascularization relevant to neovascular age‐related macular degeneration. Thus, VEGF and IL‐18 suppress each other's production and effects on the vasculature suggesting that IL‐18 may provide benefit in multiple retinal/choroidal vascular diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 974–983, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interaction investigations of crustacean β‐GBP recognition toward pathogenic microbial cell membrane and stimulate upon prophenoloxidase activation
Authors: Sivakamavalli Jeyachandran , Selvaraj Chandrabose , Singh Sanjeev Kumar , Vaseeharan Baskaralingam
Published: February 2014

In invertebrates, crustaceans' immune system consists of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) instead of immunoglobulin's, which involves in the microbial recognition and initiates the protein–ligand interaction between hosts and pathogens. In the present study, PRRs namely β‐1,3 glucan binding protein (β‐GBP) from mangrove crab Episesarma tetragonum and its interactions with the pathogens such as bacterial and fungal outer membrane proteins (OMP) were investigated through microbial aggregation and computational interaction studies. Molecular recognition and microbial aggregation results of Episesarma tetragonum β‐GBP showed the specific binding affinity toward the fungal β‐1,3 glucan molecule when compared to other bacterial ligands. Because of this microbial recognition, prophenoloxidase activity was enhanced and triggers the innate immunity inside the host animal. Our findings disclose the role of β‐GBP in molecular recognition, host–pathogen interaction through microbial aggregation, and docking analysis. In vitro results were concurred with the in silico docking, and molecular dynamics simulation analysis. This study would be helpful to understand the molecular mechanism of β‐GBP and update the current knowledge on the PRRs of crustaceans. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.