bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coprinus Comatus-Based Nitrogen-Doped Active Carbon for High Performance Supercapacitor
Authors: Ma Guofu , Tang Wei , Sun Kanjun , Zhang Zhiguo , Feng Enke , Lei Ziqiang
Published: July 2017

Coprinus comatus-based nitrogen-doped activated carbon (N-ACC) is prepared by chemical activation and nitrogen-doped methods. The N-ACC possesses large specific surface areas (976.96[Formula: see text]m2[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]), high nitrogen contents (11.53[Formula: see text]wt.%), and super hydrophilicity. As electrode material for supercapacitors, the N-ACC shows remarkable electrochemical performance, such as 346[Formula: see text]F[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] maximum specific capacitance at a current density of 1[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text], which retains 260[Formula: see text]F[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] even at a high current density of 10[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] (about 75% capacitance retention) in 2[Formula: see text]M KOH aqueous electrolyte. The assembled N-ACC//N-ACC symmetric supercapacitor exhibits energy density of 14.63[Formula: see text]Wh[Formula: see text]kg[Formula: see text] at power density of 810[Formula: see text]W kg[Formula: see text], and excellent cycling stability with 92% specific capacitance retention after 10000 cycles in the voltage range 0–1.8[Formula: see text]V in 0.5[Formula: see text]M Na2SO4aqueous solution. These results indicate that the N-ACC as electrode materials can be used for high performance supercapacitors.
P4-equicoverable graphs which contain cycles with length at least 4
Authors: Wang Qirui , Shuai Tianping , Ai Wenbao , Yuan Jianhua
Published: July 2017

A graph is called [Formula: see text]-equicoverable if every minimal [Formula: see text]-covering of it is also its minimum [Formula: see text]-covering. In this paper, we consider how to characterize a graph to be [Formula: see text]-equicoverable where [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]. We obtained necessary and sufficient conditions for a graph contains a cycle with length greater than 3 but not contains any 3-cycles.
Cross-Platform App Recommendation by Jointly Modeling Ratings and Texts
Authors: Cao Da , He Xiangnan , Nie Liqiang , Wei Xiaochi , Hu Xia , Wu Shunxiang , Chua Tat-Seng
Published: July 2017

Over the last decade, the renaissance of Web technologies has transformed the online world into an application (App) driven society. While the abundant Apps have provided great convenience, their sheer number also leads to severe information overload, making it difficult for users to identify desired Apps. To alleviate the information overloading issue, recommender systems have been proposed and deployed for the App domain. However, existing work on App recommendation has largely focused on one single platform (e.g., smartphones), while it ignores the rich data of other relevant platforms (e.g., tablets and computers).

In this article, we tackle the problem of cross-platform App recommendation, aiming at leveraging users’ and Apps’ data on multiple platforms to enhance the recommendation accuracy. The key advantage of our proposal is that by leveraging multiplatform data, the perpetual issues in personalized recommender systems—data sparsity and cold-start—can be largely alleviated. To this end, we propose a hybrid solution, STAR (short for “croSs-plaTform App Recommendation”) that integrates both numerical ratings and textual content from multiple platforms. In STAR, we innovatively represent an App as an aggregation of
common features
across platforms (e.g., App’s functionalities) and
specific features
that are dependent on the resided platform. In light of this, STAR can discriminate a user’s preference on an App by separating the user’s interest into two parts (either in the App’s inherent factors or platform-aware features). To evaluate our proposal, we construct two real-world datasets that are crawled from the App stores of iPhone, iPad, and iMac. Through extensive experiments, we show that our STAR method consistently outperforms highly competitive recommendation methods, justifying the rationality of our cross-platform App recommendation proposal and the effectiveness of our solution.
Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound JieDuTongLuoShengJin Granules Treatment in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Li Ben , Hou Jiaqi , Yang Yue , Piao Xuemei , Chen Yueying , Xue Luan , Wang Dan , Hu Jiandong , Li Guoling , Wu Xiangxiang , Sun Yu , Jin Runa
Published: July 2017

Objective. To evaluate the clinical therapeutic efficacy and safety of JieDuTongLuoShengJin granules + HCQ in patients with pSS. Methods. 40 patients with low‐activity‐level pSS and without visceral involvement participated in this study and were randomized to receive either JieDuTongLuoShengJin granules with HCQ or placebo with HCQ. Patients and investigators were blinded to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was week 12 ESSPRI score, while secondary endpoints included ESSDAI, salivary and lacrimal gland function, and some laboratory variables. Safety‐related data were also assessed. Results. Comparing with the placebo group, the treatment group experienced statistically significant improvement in the mean change from baseline for the primary endpoint of ESSPRI score and also in PGA. Moreover, in comparison with baseline values, the treatment group had significantly improved ESSDAI score, unstimulated saliva flow rate, and several laboratory variables. However, upon comparison of the two groups, there were no significant differences for them. The incidence of AEs was 10.0%, one in treatment group and three in placebo group. Conclusion. Treatment with a combination of JieDuTongLuoShengJin granules with HCQ is effective in improving patients’ subjective symptoms and some objective indicators of pSS. These results indicate that JieDuTongLuoShengJin is promising as a safe and effective treatment of pSS.
An Individually Optimized Protocol of Contrast Medium Injection in Enhanced CT Scan for Liver Imaging
Authors: Feng Shi-Ting , Zhu Hongzhang , Peng Zhenpeng , Huang Li , Dong Zhi , Xu Ling , Huang Kun , Yang Xufeng , Lin Zhi , Li Zi-Ping
Published: July 2017

Objective. To investigate the effectiveness of a new individualized contrast medium injection protocol for enhanced liver CT scan. Methods. 324 patients who underwent plain and dual phase enhanced liver CT were randomly assigned to 2 groups: G1 (n=224, individualized contrast medium injection protocol); G2 (n=100, standard contrast medium injection with a dose of 1.5 ml/kg). CT values and ΔHU (CT values difference between plain and enhanced CT) of liver parenchyma and tumor-liver contrast (TLC) during hepatic arterial phase (HAP) and portal venous phase (PVP) and contrast medium dose were measured. The tumor conspicuity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between two groups was independently evaluated by two radiologists. Results. The mean contrast medium dose of G1 was statistically lower than that of G2. There were no significantly statistical differences in CT values and ΔHU of liver parenchyma during HAP, TLC values during HAP, and PVP between two groups. The CT values and ΔHU of liver parenchyma during PVP of G2 were significantly higher than those of G1. Two independent radiologists were both in substantial conformity in grading tumor conspicuity. Conclusion. Using the individually optimized injection protocol might reduce contrast medium dose without impacting on the imaging quality in enhanced liver CT.
Cranioplasty without Periosteal Dissection Reduces Blood Loss in Pi-Plasty Surgery for Sagittal Synostosis
Authors: Hallén Tobias , Maltese Giovanni , Olsson Robert , Tarnow Peter , Kölby Lars
Published: July 2017

Background/Aims: Cranioplasty is often accompanied by a substantial oozing bleeding from the bone surface and bone edges. Our aim was to measure if strict subgaleal dissection without any periosteal release reduces blood loss during pi-plasty surgery for sagittal synostosis. Method: A group of 32 children who underwent pi-plasty surgery at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital between 2010 and 2014 for premature sagittal synostosis with traditional subgaleal dissection combined with incision and release of the periosteum adjacent to the osteotomy lines was compared to a group of 7 children who underwent pi-plasty with strict subgaleal dissection and osteotomy through the bone with the periosteum attached. Information about blood loss and body weight was extracted from medical records. Results: The blood loss in the group of 7 children with strict subgaleal dissection was 102 ± 86 mL (mean ± SD) (10 ± 7 mL/kg) compared to 320 ± 119 mL (32 ± 12 mL/kg) in the control group with traditional periosteal release (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Intact periosteum at the osteotomy lines significantly reduces blood loss in pi-plasty surgery for sagittal synostosis. The mechanism is likely because of preserved veins between the bone surface and periosteum.
Prevalencia de alteraciones en la interfase vitreoretiniana detectadas mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica de dominio espectral
Authors: Jacob Julie , Stalmans Peter
Published: July 2017

Objetivo: El objetivo principal del presente estudio consistió en determinar la prevalencia de los cambios en la interfase vitreomacular (IVM) mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica (OCT) en la población general. En segundo lugar, se describieron otros cambios de la OCT. Métodos: Las anomalías en la IVM se diagnosticaron mediante OCT y se distribuyeron de acuerdo con la clasificación del grupo International Vitreomacular Traction Study (estudio internacional de tracción vitreomacular, IVTS, por sus siglas en inglés) y se dividieron en 3 grados según John et al. [Retina 2014;34:442-446]. Resultados: La prevalencia calculada de anomalías vitreomaculares en la población belga de ≥50 años fue del 1,17% [intervalo de confianza (IC 0,38-3,62)] en el caso de tracción vitreomacular (TVM) focal de grado 1; del 0,39% (IC 0,05-2,76) en el caso de TVM focal de grado 2; del 8,17% (IC 5,33-12,53) en el caso de adhesión vitreomacular focal; y del 17,9% (IC 13,41-23,9) en el caso de adhesión vitreomacular difusa. Conclusiones: Se presentó la prevalencia de anomalías vitreomaculares en un estudio de cohortes belga. Estos resultados concuerdan en gran medida con los datos presentados previamente sobre la prevalencia de la TVM. Un conocimiento correcto sobre la epidemiología de las alteraciones en la IVM y un diagnóstico temprano permitirán una intervención satisfactoria.
Liquid Biopsy: Approaches to Dynamic Genotyping in Cancer
Authors: von Bubnoff Nikolas
Published: July 2017

Malignant tumors release tumor cells and fragments of nucleic acids into the bloodstream. Liquid biopsies are non-invasive blood tests that detect circulating tumor cells (CTC) and circulating nucleic acids such as mRNA, microRNA, and cell-free circulating tumor DNA, also known as ctDNA. The presence of ctDNA or CTCs in the plasma has prognostic impact. Since ctDNA contains tumor-specific mutations, its detection in the blood or other body fluids can predict response to treatment and relapse. Moreover, repeated analysis and quantitation of ctDNA can inform about changes in clonal composition over time and thus allow dynamic treatment stratification. Today, the routine clinical use of liquid biopsy diagnostic tests is limited; however, in the near future, they might become commonly used sensitive and specific biomarkers to guide cancer treatment. This review will summarize recent findings on the use of ctDNA for monitoring response to therapy and dynamic genetic treatment stratification.
Crowdsourcing Urban Air Temperatures through Smartphone Battery Temperatures in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Droste A. M. , Pape J. J. , Overeem A. , Leijnse H. , Steeneveld G. J. , Van Delden A. J. , Uijlenhoet R.
Published: July 2017

Crowdsourcing as a method to obtain and apply vast datasets is rapidly becoming prominent in meteorology, especially for urban areas where routine weather observations are scarce. Previous studies showed that smartphone battery temperature readings can be used to estimate the daily and citywide air temperature via a direct heat transfer model. This work extends model estimates by studying smaller temporal and spatial scales. The study finds the number of battery readings influences the accuracy of temperature retrievals. Optimal results are achieved for 700 or more retrievals. An extensive dataset of over 10 million battery temperature readings for estimating hourly and daily air temperatures is available for São Paulo, Brazil. The air temperature estimates are validated with measurements from a WMO station, an Urban Flux Network site, and data from seven citizen weather stations. Daily temperature estimates are good (coefficient of determination ρ2 of 86%), and the study shows they improve by optimizing model parameters for neighborhood scales (<1 km2) as categorized in local climate zones (LCZs). Temperature differences between LCZs can be distinguished from smartphone battery temperatures. When validating the model for hourly temperature estimates, the model requires a diurnally varying parameter function in the heat transfer model rather than one fixed value for the entire day. The results show the potential of large crowdsourced datasets in meteorological studies, and the value of smartphones as a measuring platform when routine observations are lacking.
Assimilating Global Wave Model Predictions and Deep-Water Wave Observations in Nearshore Swell Predictions
Authors: Crosby Sean C. , Cornuelle Bruce D. , O’Reilly William C. , Guza Robert T.
Published: July 2017

Nearshore wave predictions with high resolution in space and time are needed for boating safety, to assess flood risk, and to support nearshore processes research. This study presents methods for improving regional nearshore predictions of swell-band wave energy (0.04–0.09 Hz) by assimilating local buoy observations into a linear wave propagation model with a priori guidance from global WAVEWATCH III (WW3) model predictions. Linear wave propagation, including depth-induced refraction and shoaling, and travel time lags, is modeled with self-adjoint backward ray tracing techniques. The Bayesian assimilation yields smooth, high-resolution offshore wave directional spectra that are consistent with WW3, and with offshore and local buoy observations. Case studies in the Southern California Bight (SCB) confirm that the nearshore predictions at independent (nonassimilated) buoy sites are improved by assimilation compared with predictions driven with WW3 or with a single offshore buoy. These assimilation techniques, valid in regions and frequency bands where wave energy propagation is mostly linear, use significantly less computational resources than nonlinear models and variational methods, and could be a useful component of a larger regional assimilation program. Where buoy locations have historically been selected to meet local needs, these methods can aid in the design of regional buoy arrays by quantifying the regional skill improvement for a given buoy observation and identifying both high-value and redundant observations. Assimilation techniques also identify likely forward model error in the Santa Barbara Channel, where permanent observations or model corrections are needed.
Secular and religious volunteering among immigrants and natives in Denmark
Authors: Qvist Hans-Peter Y
Published: July 2017

During the last 20–30 years Western societies have witnessed large scale migration from the Global South. This has given rise to important challenges in securing the social, civic and political integration of non-Western immigrants into Western societies. Previous research has suggested that participation in volunteering in civil society can serve as a ‘stepping stone’ towards integration for immigrants. Whilst the previous studies have shown marked gaps in the propensity to participate in volunteering between immigrants and natives, little work has been done to identify the mechanisms that explain these gaps. In this study, high-quality survey data, linked with data from administrative registers, are used, with the application of logistic regression based on the Karlson–Holm–Breen method to conduct mediation analysis. The mediation analysis shows that non-Western immigrants are significantly less likely to participate in secular volunteering compared to natives; however, over half of this gap is explained by an indirect effect via socio-economic status, self-rated health, generalized trust, informal social networks and the intergenerational transmission of volunteering. Moreover, the mediation analysis suggests that non-Western immigrants are more likely to participate in religious volunteering: this is completely explained by a strong indirect effect occurring via religiosity.
An Overview of the International and Regional Situation
Authors: Khanna V.C.
Published: July 2017

Though India, China and Russia are not seeking to create an alliance, the very fact that these three large neighbouring countries, each a major global actor in its own right, sit together to share views, is a significant contribution to making international relations more just and democratic. The recent improvement in India-China relations has further strengthened the triangle. All three countries are well placed to play greater roles in a world where the importance of ‘knowledge power’ is rising. The US continues to be the sole super power and all three countries must have good relations with it. But, hopefully, the experience in Iraq will make it more respectful of the world's public opinion. All of us—including the majority of Muslims—have to work together not only to isolate the extremists but also to address the legitimate grievances that are exploited by them to gain more adherents. The three countries need to cooperate in the reform of the UN system. India-Pakistan relations continue to improve. But the path ahead is still full of difficult obstacles. There are also disturbing reports about the linkage between certain elements in Pakistan and Bangladesh promoting Islamic extremism in the region. Central Asia is an important neighbouring region of our three countries, because of its strategic location and vast oil and gas reserves. Unfortunately, religious extremism, bad governance and external interference are threatening to produce an explosive mixture.
Indo-Russian Relations under the Putin Administration
Authors: Vasudevan Han
Published: July 2017

This article examines a specific problem that is important to the beginnings and fate of triangular cooperation—the development of Russian foreign policy towards India during the Putin administration and the nature of Indo-Russian cooperation. It presents a perspective on why the consolidation of presidential authority in Russia has made a difference to cooperation—drawing on the foundations of such cooperation in policy assumptions and institutions of the Yeltsin era. It also examines an assumption prevalent among policymakers—that a close umbilical cord exists between Moscow and New Delhi that has been consolidated despite the changing weather of international politics. It draws into the discussion factors of mutability and private initiative, suggesting that these exert various pulls on the relationship—the Indo-Russian cooperative relationship dominated by an authoritative Presidency working by democratic rules exists in a fast changing environment. If defence and energy issues have consolidated cooperation, the links between the two economies now figure actors who have little to do with government. And the failure of government to involve these actors in cooperation has been a limitation of the relationship.
The Third Mental Measurements Yearbook: A Review
Authors: Engelhart Max D.
Published: July 2017

Oscar Krisen Buros, Editor. The Third Mental Measurements Yearbook. New Brunswick, N. J.: Rutgers University Press, 1949, pp. 1047.
Telephone Instruction: an Alternative Educational Delivery System for Teacher in-Service
Authors: Hershey Myrliss
Published: July 2017

Telephone Instruction was compared to face-to-face instruction for a university-based one hour graduate credit course, The Creative Classroom. Subjects consisted of 137 classroom teachers who voluntarily enrolled in the course: 97 telephone-instructecl participants, 40 face-to-face participants and 30 contrast group subjects who received no instruction. Demographic data was used to establish group equivalency. The F ratio revealed a significant difference between mean scores on a posttest that measured cognitive outcomes of the course (p - .05). Th e telenetwork scores were significantly higher than the face-to-face or contrast group scores.
IQ Correlates With High Eminence
Authors: Walberg Herbert J. , Rasher Sue Pinzur , Hase Keiko
Published: July 2017

Indicators of eminence derived from word and citation counts in primary biographical articles in encyclopedias published at the turn of the century, in 1935, and 1974 correlate positively. 33 overall with IQ estimates made from biographical sources on a select sample of 282 philosophers, scientists, non-fiction and fiction writers, musicians, artists, religious leaders, statesmen, revolutionaries, and soldiers. These results are striking since the sample is restricted to the higher end of the eminence distribution; the mean estimated IQ for the total group is 158.9. Indicators of eminence for some fields-philosophers, musicians, and artists--vary from one period to the next. Individuals also shift in estimated eminence during the three time periods examined.
An Analysis of Structured Content, with Application of Electronic Computer Research, in Psycholinguistics
Authors: Sebeok Thomas A. , Zeps V. J.
Published: July 2017

Certain linguistic and psycholinguistic hypotheses require information readily derived only from the processing of numerous texts. The employment of electronic computers makes the testing of such hypotheses reasonably feasible; the machines also tend to relieve the researcher of the burden of compiling lists and reference indices “manually.” We have tested programming possibilities on a pilot sample. Two programmes which have proved successful are reported below: one designed to tally co-occurrences of units within frames, the other to yield-inventories of units.
Some Contextual Effects on the Perception of Synthetic Vowels
Authors: Thompson Carl L. , Hollien Harry
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the identification of vowel quality in selected vowel-like sounds is affected by the characteristics of an immediately preceding vowel.

Listeners were presented recordings of pairs of vowels and instructed to identify the second of each pair as [i, I, ε, Λ] or [α] . The initial, or " affecting ", vowel in each pair was either [i, I, ε, Λ] or [α] ; two sets of affecting vowels were used—human and synthetic. All of the affected vowels (stimuli to to be judged) were generated synthetically; three were intended to be good examples of the vowels [I, ε, Λ], while the formant frequencies of the remaining four were intended to create ambiguous vowels (that is, two had formant frequencies between those of the synthetic vowels [I] and [ε] ; the others, between [ε] and [Λ]).

Results indicate that some shift in vowel identification does occur as a function of an immediately preceding vowel. The effect, of moderate strength when the two vowels are similar, decreases as a function of the difference between the F1-F 2 ratios of the two vowels.
Constraints and the Eye-Voice Span in Right and Left Embedded Sentences
Authors: Levin Harry , Grossman Jean , Kaplan Eleanor , Yang Raymond
Published: July 2017

The nature of grammatical constraints and of reading are compared in left and right embedded sentences. Given the task of completing sentences with various parts deleted, subjects most frequently insert relative phrases after the main verb and use a variety of constructions before the verb. In each of three experiments, the eye-voice spans are larger in the right branching sentences indicating that processing is directed by the nature of the constraints within sentences.
On "High" and "Low" in English
Authors: Mickey Katherine
Published: July 2017

The subject matter of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, it is concerned with a general problem in the analysis of data from forced-choice labelling experiments. On the other hand, it is concerned with a specific set of experiments relating to the perception of English intonation patterns.

The usual procedure of analysis of forced-choice labelling experiments involves drawing a graph. The value of the acoustic parameter varied is the X variable, and the percentage of subjects giving a particular response is the Y variable. In some cases, more than one choice of X is possible, and the experimenter needs a method of assessing the relative merits of different choices. In the present paper, a statistical technique (multiple linear regression analysis) is described which makes such assessment possible. In the specific set of experiments considered, English-speaking subjects were asked to evaluate synthetic rising-intonation "yes"s and "no"s as "high" or "low". In the analysis of these experiments, the chief problem was determining the "best" choice of X — subjects' responses might depend on Fo level or on extent of rise or on both at once, and other factors (formant frequency, lexical item) might also influence their judgments. Statistical analysis indicated that the best choices of X were (1) log endpoint Fo and (2) log starting Fo together with extent of rise. In both cases, lexical item had to be taken into account as well.

The same statistical techniques were applied to published data from experiments in which subjects were asked to label synthetic English words varying in Fo contour as "question" or "statement". The patterning of responses in these experiments was found to be similar to the patterning in the high/low experiments. In general, with regard to such experiments, it seems possible to say that the best choices of X are (1) log endpoint Fo and (2) sets of parameters which sum to this value. Subjects adapt their perception to the stimuli at hand, evaluating the ones with highest ending Fo as "high" or "question", the ones with lowest ending Fo as "low" or "statement". The value of endpoint Fo for which 50 per cent of subjects respond "high" or "question" is at the middle (on a logarithmic scale) of the total range of Fo values spanned by the stimuli. Finally, it is suggested (though not conclusively demonstrated) that the distinction question/statement in English depends primarily on the Fo level at the end of the utterance, rather than on the shape of the Fo contour.
Formal Operational Reasoning and Its Relationship to Complex Speech Patterns and Tentative Statement Use
Authors: Davelaar Eileen
Published: July 2017

This study examines the relationship between formal operational reasoning and two language variables; subordinate clauses and tentative statements. It has been indirectly suggested in the literature that children who make greater use of these linguistic structures are at a more advanced stage in their cognitive development than their peers who make less frequent use of these structures. A total of 144 middle class, normal IQ boys served as subjects, 48 in each of grades 4, 6 and 8. A language sample was obtained from each subject, who was given three tasks of formal reasoning as well as the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. The three formal reasoning tasks were selected so that one was verbal in nature, one was non-verbal in nature and one combined both verbal and non-verbal aspects. The results indicate that subordinate clause use was not related to performance on the reasoning tasks and tentative statement use, only minimally. These findings support Piaget's theoretical position, suggesting an independence between linguistic and cognitive development.
Noun and Noun Phrase Stress: a Phonetic Study of English Supplemented With an Error Analysis Using Finnish Speaker-Hearers, I. Production
Authors: Niemi Jussi
Published: July 2017

English nominal structures of two and three formatives (e.g. black bird v. blackbird) were produced by three native and six Finnish speakers. Of the three acoustic parameters — F., overall intensity and duration (DR) — the native group uses F. and DR, while the Finnish speakers signal the distinction mainly with intensity and with a post-boundary change in DR. The DR cue is also to be found outside the NP-N phrase in native speech. The results are discussed with references to stress- and syllable-timed rhythm, sentence position and intonation, as well as with observations on the differences in laryngeal activity, phonological constraints on DR and word structure between the two languages, English and Finnish. Part II will test the perceptual validity of DR and F. among English and Finnish speaker-hearers.
On the Role of Semantic Constraints in Sentence Comprehension
Authors: Kemper Susan , Catlin Jack
Published: July 2017

Two experiments tested the conjecture that the presence of semantic constraints facilitates the recovery of logical/underlying roles of noun phrases. In experiment I, semantic constraints reduced the time required to extract these internal relations for active and passive sentences but did not affect the time to verify the logical/underlying role of a NP probe. In Experiment II, semantic constraints reduced the time required to comprehend passive sentences, but there was no overall facilitative effect of semantic constraints. In neither experiment was there a constant syntactic processing effect of sentence voice.
Coarticulatory Patterns and Degrees of Coarticulatory Resistance in Catalan CV Sequences
Authors: Recasens Daniel
Published: July 2017

This paper is an extensive acoustic analysis of V-to-C and C-to-V coarticulatory effects in Catalan CV sequences for 18 consonants and 8 vowels. Data indicate that Catalan phonemes differ as to the degree of resistance to coarticulation and suggest strongly that differences in coarticulatory resistance follow from differences in degree of articulatory constraint. A theory of coarticulation is proposed that accounts for coarticulatory effects in terms of the articulatory constraints involved in the production of gestures for adjacent phonemes, indeperdently of considerations about the linguistic nature of the phonemic units under control. It is argued that such a theory is more likely to explain patterns of coarticulatory activity arising from compatible and conflicting gestures than previous coarticulation models.
The Development of Logic and Focus in Children's Writing
Authors: Young George M.
Published: July 2017

A model of syntax is proposed in which marked structures are conceived as the realization of modes of control that regulate the informational flow of the text at points of threatened discontinuity. Two of these modes are described which are concerned with relations of logic and focus. Evidence of their presence in the patterning of a corpus of children's writing is taken as a pointer to their relevance to the study of syntactic development.
Getting the Hang of American Slang: Studies On Understanding and Remembering Slang Metaphors
Authors: Gibbs Raymond W. , Nagaoka Annette
Published: July 2017

Three experiments examined people's understanding and memory for slang metaphors. Experiment 1 showed that people processed slang metaphors, like He's on a trip (meaning "He's using drugs"), faster than they comprehended either literal uses of the same sentences, or non-slang equivalents, like He's using drugs. This suggests that slang metaphors can be understood without having to analyze the literal meanings of these expressions before determining their nonliteral interpretations. The results of Experiment 2 showed that slang metaphors are recalled better than literal uses of the same expressions or non-slang equivalent utterances. This finding is consistent with the notion that slang permits the speaker to convey both propositional information and his or her attitude toward that information which makes slang particularly distinctive and memorable. Experiment 3 indicated that slang prompts (e.g., "He's using drugs") facilitated recall of literal uses of expressions conventionally viewed as slang (e.g., He's on a trip, meaning "He's on vacation"), even though the slang prompt had nothing to do with the meaning of the literal utterance. Overall, the results of these studies support the idea that the special pragmatic properties of slang metaphors make these expressions easy to understand and remember.
The Prospects for Livestock Production
Authors: Blight Graham
Published: July 2017

This is a farmer's perspective of the issues for today and the future. IFAP is a worldwide organization representing 85 national organizations in 62 countries from both the developed and developing world. It represents hundreds of millions of farmers, both men and women, who till the soil and raise their animals under a myriad of different political and economic conditions. Many of these conditions are not always helpful in supporting their remarkable achievements which, even with all the problems and adversity that impact upon agriculture, feed more people with better food than ever before in world history.
Cattle Production and Veterinary Care Systems in Zambia
Authors: Chilonda P. , Van Huylenbroeck G. , D'Haese L. , Samui K.L. , Musaba E.C. , Imakando M. , Ahmadu B.
Published: July 2017

This paper provides a review of the delivery of veterinary services in Zambia in response to the privatization and liberalization policies of the government. Historically veterinary services were provided free of charge, but this led to a deterioration of the effectiveness and coverage of the veterinary services to livestock farmers. In order to address this problem, the Agriculture Sector Investment Program, launched by the government in 1996, has redefined the roles and responsibilities of both the public and private sectors in the delivery of veterinary services. The role of the public sector is limited to regulation, control and monitoring, whilst implementation of the field activities is now the responsibility of the private sector. The authors look at the roles and responsibilities of these two sectors in relation to cattle production, since cattle are the most important livestock in Zambia.
Explaining Sin in a Chinese Context
Authors: Strand Mark
Published: July 2017

The biblical doctrine of sin is crucial to the Christian faith. Many Chinese people misunderstand what sin means because zui, the primary Chinese word used to translate the English word sin means to violate the country's laws, addressing only the forensic aspect of the biblical teaching on sin. In this paper, I argue for two methods to teach accurately the biblical doctrine of sin. First, the Chinese word guo should be used in place of or along with zui to teach the meaning of sin. Second, appealing to the strong Chinese tradition of filial piety ( xiao jing), comparison should be made of the obligation people have to their Creator God with the obligation Chinese children feel toward their earthly fathers.
The Young John Wesley as Cross-Cultural Witness: Investigations into Wesley's American Mission Experience and Implications for Today's Mission
Authors: Daniel W. Harrison
Published: July 2017

The article investigates the cross-cultural witness of John Wesley in Savannah, Georgia, from 1736–1737. This work examines how Wesley's family background and training shaped his pre-Savannah theology. The research then demonstrates from previously untranslated German documents how cross-cultural interactions with Indian groups, ecumenical encounters with the Moravians, social action among oppressed groups, and political intrigue all decisively transformed Wesley's mission theology and praxis. The paper concludes by identifying insights Wesley won during the Savannah mission, which have made lasting contributions not only to the Wesleyan theological tradition, but which also anticipated and illuminated recurring themes for the worldwide mission movement.
The Hidden Issues of Equality and Outreach in the Chinese Immigrant Experience
Authors: Zo James Chien
Published: July 2017

The most unequally treated people in America are not any one particular ethnic or gender group, but the immigrants. Because of their inability to survive in the mainstream, the Chinese immigrants are often labeled as racists by the equality activists, and most painfully, also by their own children. Racism is the major cause for the second generation to resent their parents' church. How was this label formed? Who is inflicting the real damage? Does integration necessarily bring equality for all? What is authentic crossing? This paper seeks to explore these hidden issues of marginality, power, and equality.
The Impact of Short-Term Missions: A Case Study of House Construction in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch
Authors: Ver Beek Kurt Alan
Published: July 2017

This study surveyed 162 short-term mission participants who traveled to Honduras to help build homes after the 1998 devastating Hurricane Mitch. The survey found that while participants reported that their trip had resulted in significant changes in their lives, including their financial giving, their donation records did not reflect any substantial differences — a fact which calls into question the self-reported positive changes in other areas. This study also compares the responses of over 30 Honduran families who had new homes built for them by North American short-term mission groups after the hurricane with those of a similar number of Honduran families whose homes were built not by North Americans but by Honduran Christian organizations. It found that having homes built by the North American STM groups versus Honduran Christian organizations seemed to make no difference to the new homeowners — positive or negative — despite the fact that the STM group spent on average over $30,000 to build a house the local Christian organization could build for $2000. Finally, the author proposes that both STM participants and the Honduran recipients resemble saplings, which can be bent and held in one place for a week or more, but once released quickly return to their previous state. The author ends by reflecting on how this “sapling model” explains the fact that local Christian organizations had a much more substantial impact on the families than the STM groups did and its implications for increasing the impact of STM in the future.
Polygamy, Economy, and Christianity in the Eastern Cameroun
Authors: Reyburn William D.
Published: July 2017

Polygamy as a desired form of marriage among the tribes represented in this study appears to be inseparably linked with economic aspects of life as these are developing in the eastern Cameroun today. Motivations for polygamy are a complex set of cultural factors which have not and will not be readily changed. Christianity in its total condemnation of polygamy has failed to discriminate between things which are totally different. The emphasis upon monogamy has often led Africans into a false picture of the monogamous union and a resultant reaction to it. While there are certain immediate and practical steps Christian churches can take concerning polygamy, the church is neither equipped nor is it operating in the real sphere of its message by following these superficial approaches to the problem. The Christian church, particularly Protestant, makes its fatal mistake in attempting to operate with neither a formulated missionary science nor an articulate missionary theology. From the side of missionary science we must learn that the case involved in this area is primarily economic and not primarily isolated polygamy. From the side of missionary theology we need to take the findings of such information and in true Christian identification with the human being involved move with our theology to his inner longings and WITH HIM communicate a gospel that speaks to the roots of his real need and show him that Christ is the ultimate answer to the POWER problem of his heart. When this has been done the transformed individual displays a transformation of symbols in his new relation to the power of the gospel and his regenerate life.
Semisi Nau—A Pacific Islander Missionary
Authors: Davidson Allan K.
Published: July 2017

Pacific Islander missionaries played a unique role in the spread of Christianity throughout the Pacific, although they have been largely ignored in the written record. The autobiography of Semisi Nau, a Tongan Methodist missionary who worked in the Solomon Islands, provides significant insights into the life, motivation, suffering, and commitment of one of these missionaries. The Pacific Islander missionaries were caught between missionary expectations, their own sense of vocation and calling, cultural pressures, and the demands of working in isolated areas where they were not necessarily welcome. Semisi Nau exemplifies many of the best missionary qualities.
Application of Rheology to Polymer Processing
Authors: Nakajima N.
Published: July 2017

This paper describes examples of application of rheology to polymer processing. The examples are chosen among less known problems or inadequately understood ones. The importance of correct diagnosis is emphasized as against rigorous probing required in the fundamental rheology. In explaining the problems commonly held misconceptions are pointed out. Both plastics and rubber processing are included.
Effect of Hard Segments on Morphology and Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes
Authors: Wang Chun-Sheng , Kenney D. J.
Published: July 2017

A series of thermoplastic polyurethanes was synthesized with varying hard segment composition or content and the effect of the hard segments on morphology and properties was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermal mechanical analysis (TMA), Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) and tensile testing. The diisocyanates included 4,4' -diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 4,4' -dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanates (H,2MDI). The chain extenders 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol and 1,3-butanediol were used. The soft segment material was poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol of molecular weight 2000. It was found that the interchain attractive forces between hard segments affect physical properties and morphologies. The degree of phase mixing, hardness and strength increased with increasing hard segment content and with decreasing degree of hard segment crystallinity (packing arrangements) at the same hard segment content.
Polyoxazolidones for High Temperature Applications
Authors: Sendijarevic Vahid , Sendijarevic Aisa , Lekovic Hadzimana , Lekovic Huzeir , Frisch Kurt C.
Published: July 2017

Polyoxazolidones of different crosslink densities were prepared by reacting NCO-terminated oxazolidone quasi-prepolymers with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. The NCO-oxazolidone quasi-prepolymers were prepared at a 5/1 NCO/epoxy ratio, utilizing three different types of isocyanates: 4,4'-methylene bis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI), polymeric MDI (PMDI) and 4,4'-methylene bis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (H12MDI). These resins were prepared at isocyanate indices of 105 and 120, and in the case of PMDI, with an additional index of 200. The viscoelastic properties of these resins during curing were studied using rheometric dynamic spectroscopy. The chemical structure of the NCO-terminated oxazolidone quasi-prepolymers and of the resulting poly-oxazolidones were determined using infrared spectroscopy. Stress-strain response, flexural strength and modulus, compressive strength and modulus and shear strength were evaluated, as well as adhesion properties (lap shear strength). The measured properties were found to be very good for all types of the polyoxazolidones. Practically all polyoxazolidones retained over 50% of the room temperature tensile strength at 150°C. Room temperature lap shear strength of polyoxazolidone adhesives changed slightly at 150°C, and in the case of PMDI-based polyoxazolidone adhesive at an isocyanate index 120 did not change after immersion in boiling water for 3 hours. The high temperature performance of the polyoxazolidones was also confirmed by the excellent retention of mechanical properties after aging for seven days at 150°C as well as by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA).
Starved Extrusion for the Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Rubber Vulcanizates
Authors: Francis P. J. Joseph , Joseph Rani , George K. E.
Published: July 2017

Filled compounds of natural rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber compounds were extruded through a laboratory extruder by varying the feeding rate at different temperatures and revolutions per minute. The extruded compounds were vulcanized up to their optimum cure times and the mechanical properties of the vulcanizates were determined. The properties suggest that there is a particular feeding rate in the starved fed region which results in maximum mechanical properties. The study shows that running the extruder at a slightly starved condition is an attractive means of improving the physical properties.
The Linear Viscoelastic Relaxation Modulus Related to the MWD of Linear Homopolymer Blends
Authors: Deiber Julio A. , Peirotti Marta B. , Gappa Antonio
Published: July 2017

This work analyzes the relation between the shear relaxation modulus of entangled, linear and flexible homopolymer blends and molecular weight distribution (MWD). The theory employed is based on the double reptation mixing rule and a law for the relaxation time of chains in a polydisperse matrix. It is shown that chain reptation with contour length fluctuations and tube constraint release are the relevant mechanisms of chain relaxation, when the polydispersity is high. The effect of the last mechanism is to decrease chain relaxation times. Calculations are carried out with rheometric data of linear viscoelasticity for polystyrene, polybutadiene, polypropylene and high density polyethylene. The model predictions are compared with experimental data of gel permeation chromatography (GPC). In homopolymer blends with a wide molecular weight distribution, only chains of relatively low molecular weight relax by reptation with contour length fluctuations. A relaxation law for chains in a polydisperse polymer matrix is suggested and validated with GPC data. The theory verifies that the zero-shear rate viscosity of a polydisperse polymer, is proportional to the mass average molecular weight raised to a power greater than that found for the near monodisperse counterpart.
Fatigue and Mechanical Properties of NR/SBR and NR/NBR Blend Vulcanizates
Authors: Ismail M. N. , El-Sabbagh S. H. , Yehia A. A.
Published: July 2017

One of the important considerations in the selection of a polymer blend for a practical application is how it resists crack growth and/or failure from a material flaw, under static or fatigue conditions. The blending of two or more rubbers is a useful technique to improve certain properties not inherent in a single rubber. In the present work, fatigue and mechanical failure tests have been performed to evaluate the behaviour of blend vulcanizates of natural rubber/styrene butadiene rubber (NR/SBR) and natural rubber/butadiene acrylonitrile rubber (NR/NBR). It has been found that the fatigue life and the strain energy varies linearly with blend composition in the compatible blend (NR/SBR), but they deviate from linearity in the case of the incompatible blend (NR/NBR). These results are in good agreement with the mechanical property measurements for the various compatible and incompatible blends studied.
Certainty within the Fellowship: Dialectical Discourse in 1 John
Authors: Tollefson Kenneth D.
Published: July 2017

While biblical scholars have experienced considerable difficulty tracing any consecutive argument throughout the First Epistle of John, they have noted its extensive use of dualistic and antithetical language. This study combines the insights from three paradigms to suggest a more coherent understanding of the structure of 1 John as dialectical discourse.