bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of neighbourhood violence and social cohesion on smoking behaviours among a cohort of smokers in Mexico
Authors: Fleischer Nancy L , Lozano Paula , Arillo Santillán Edna , Reynales Shigematsu Luz Myriam , Thrasher James F
Published: June 2015

Background

Recent increases in violent crime may impact a variety of health outcomes in Mexico. We examined relationships between neighbourhood-level violence and smoking behaviours in a cohort of Mexican smokers from 2011 to 2012, and whether neighbourhood-level social cohesion modified these relationships.

Methods

Data were analysed from adult smokers and recent ex-smokers who participated in waves 5 and 6 of the International Tobacco Control Mexico survey. Self-reported neighbourhood violence and social cohesion were asked of wave 6 survey participants (n=2129 current and former smokers, n=150 neighbourhoods). Neighbourhood-level averages for violence and social cohesion (ranges 4–14 and 10–25, respectively) were assigned to individuals. We used generalised estimating equations to determine associations between neighbourhood indicators and individual-level smoking intensity, quit behaviours and relapse.

Results

Higher neighbourhood violence was associated with higher smoking intensity (risk ratio (RR)=1.17, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.33), and fewer quit attempts (RR=0.72, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.85). Neighbourhood violence was not associated with successful quitting or relapse. Higher neighbourhood social cohesion was associated with more quit attempts and more successful quitting. Neighbourhood social cohesion modified the association between neighbourhood violence and smoking intensity: in neighbourhoods with higher social cohesion, as violence increased, smoking intensity decreased and in neighbourhoods with lower social cohesion, as violence increased, so did smoking intensity.

Conclusions

In the context of recent increased violence in Mexico, smokers living in neighbourhoods with more violence may smoke more cigarettes per day and make fewer quit attempts than their counterparts in less violent neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood social cohesion may buffer the impact of violence on smoking intensity.
New classes of integrals inherent in the mathematical structure of extended equations describing superconducting systems
Authors: Gonczarek Ryszard , Krzyzosiak Mateusz , Gonczarek Adam , Jacak Lucjan
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we discuss the mathematical structure of the s-wave superconducting gap and other quantitative characteristics of superconducting systems. In particular, we evaluate and discuss integrals inherent in fundamental equations describing superconducting systems. The results presented here extend the approach formulated by Abrikosov and Maki, which was restricted to the first-order expansion. A few infinite families of integrals are derived and allow us to express the fundamental equations by means of analytic formulas. They can be then exploited in order to find some quantitative characteristics of superconducting systems by the method of successive approximations. We show that the results can be applied to some modern formalisms in order to study high-Tc superconductors and other superconducting materials of the new generation.
Cylindrically symmetric relativistic fluids and the purely electric Weyl tensor
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Srivastava S. K. , Srivastava V. C.
Published: June 2015

In General Relativity (GR), the analysis of electric and magnetic Weyl tensors has been studied by various authors. The present study deals with cylindrically symmetric relativistic fluids in GR characterized by the vanishing of magnetic Weyl tensor-purely electric (PE) fields. A very new assumption has been adapted to solve the Einstein's equations and the obtained solution is shearing at all. We signified the importance of PE fields in the context of expansion scalar, energy density, shear and acceleration.
Metal-induced property variation for a series of lanthanide-vanadium porphyrins
Authors: Pei Yun-Peng , Huang Jian-Gen , Hu Rong-Hua , Yang Yun-Xia , Zhou Jie , Chen Wen-Tong
Published: June 2015

Three lanthanide-vanadium porphyrins, [ LnV ( TPPS ) H 2 O ]n ( Ln = Tb (1), Dy (2), Er (3); H 6 TPPS = tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin), have been prepared from hydrothermal reactions and their structures were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The macrocyclic ring of H 6 TPPS is coplanar and the center is occupied by the vanadium(III) ion. The lanthanide(III) ions are bound by eight oxygen atoms to yield a distorted square anti-prism geometry. They are characteristic of a three-dimensional (3-D) open framework with a void space of around 210 Å3. Fluorescence studies reveal that compounds 1–3 exhibit an emission band in the red region with the quantum yields being of 2.0%, 1.4% and 5.0%, respectively. CV/DPV results discover one quasi-reversible wave (1), one reductive peak (2) and two reductive peaks (3). Compounds 1–3 show largely different photophysical and electrochemical properties, although their structures only show tiny difference in lanthanide metal ions. This is due to metal-induced properties variation.
The most unbalanced words 0q-p1p and majorization
Authors: Vesti Jetro
Published: June 2015

A finite word w ∈ {0, 1}* is balanced if for every equal-length factors u and v of every cyclic shift of w we have ||u|1 - |v|1| ≤ 1. This new class of finite words was defined in [O. Jenkinson and L. Q. Zamboni, Characterisations of balanced words via orderings, Theoret. Comput. Sci.310(1–3) (2004) 247–271]. In [O. Jenkinson, Balanced words and majorization, Discrete Math. Algorithms Appl.1(4) (2009) 463–484], there was proved several results considering finite balanced words and majorization. One of the main results was that the base-2 orbit of the balanced word is the least element in the set of orbits with respect to partial sum. It was also proved that the product of the elements in the base-2 orbit of a word is maximized precisely when the word is balanced. It turns out that the words 0q-p1p have similar extremal properties, opposite to the balanced words, which makes it meaningful to call these words the most unbalanced words. This paper contains the counterparts of the results mentioned above. We will prove that the orbit of the word u = 0q-p1p is the greatest element in the set of orbits with respect to partial sum and that it has the smallest product. We will also prove that u is the greatest element in the set of orbits with respect to partial product.
Single-Molecule Electronics: Chemical and Analytical Perspectives
Authors: Nichols Richard J. , Higgins Simon J.
Published: June 2015

It is now possible to measure the electrical properties of single molecules using a variety of techniques including scanning probe microcopies and mechanically controlled break junctions. Such measurements can be made across a wide range of environments including ambient conditions, organic liquids, ionic liquids, aqueous solutions, electrolytes, and ultra high vacuum. This has given new insights into charge transport across molecule electrical junctions, and these experimental methods have been complemented with increasingly sophisticated theory. This article reviews progress in single-molecule electronics from a chemical perspective and discusses topics such as the molecule-surface coupling in electrical junctions, chemical control, and supramolecular interactions in junctions and gating charge transport. The article concludes with an outlook regarding chemical analysis based on single-molecule conductance.
Carbon Substrates: A Stable Foundation for Biomolecular Arrays
Authors: Lockett Matthew R. , Smith Lloyd M.
Published: June 2015

Since their advent in the early 1990s, microarray technologies have developed into a powerful and ubiquitous platform for biomolecular analysis. Microarrays consist of three major elements: the substrate upon which they are constructed, the chemistry employed to attach biomolecules, and the biomolecules themselves. Although glass substrates and silane-based attachment chemistries are used for the vast majority of current microarray platforms, these materials suffer from severe limitations in stability, due to hydrolysis of both the substrate material itself and of the silyl ether linkages employed for attachment. These limitations in stability compromise assay performance and render impossible many potential microarray applications. We describe here a suite of alternative carbon-based substrates and associated attachment chemistries for microarray fabrication. The substrates themselves, as well as the carbon-carbon bond-based attachment chemistries, offer greatly increased chemical stability, enabling a myriad of novel applications.
Electronic Biosensors Based on III-Nitride Semiconductors
Authors: Kirste Ronny , Rohrbaugh Nathaniel , Bryan Isaac , Bryan Zachary , Collazo Ramon , Ivanisevic Albena
Published: June 2015

We review recent advances of AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT)-based electronic biosensors. We discuss properties and fabrication of III-nitride-based biosensors. Because of their superior biocompatibility and aqueous stability, GaN-based devices are ready to be implemented as next-generation biosensors. We review surface properties, cleaning, and passivation as well as different pathways toward functionalization, and critically analyze III-nitride-based biosensors demonstrated in the literature, including those detecting DNA, bacteria, cancer antibodies, and toxins. We also discuss the high potential of these biosensors for monitoring living cardiac, fibroblast, and nerve cells. Finally, we report on current developments of covalent chemical functionalization of III-nitride devices. Our review concludes with a short outlook on future challenges and projected implementation directions of GaN-based HEMT biosensors.
KIAA1324 Suppresses Gastric Cancer Progression by Inhibiting the Oncoprotein GRP78
Authors: Kang Jin Muk , Park Sujin , Kim Staci Jakyong , Kim Hyojung , Lee Bona , Kim Junil , Park Jinah , Kim Shin Tae , Yang Han-Kwang , Kim Woo Ho , Kim Seong-Jin
Published: June 2015

Recent advances in genome and transcriptome analysis have contributed to the identification of many potential cancer-related genes. Furthermore, biological and clinical investigations of the candidate genes provide us with a better understanding of carcinogenesis and development of cancer treatment. Here, we report a novel role of KIAA1324 as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer. We observed that KIAA1324 was downregulated in most gastric cancers from transcriptome sequencing data and found that histone deacetylase was involved in the suppression of KIAA1324. Low KIAA1324 levels were associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients. In the xenograft model, KIAA1324 significantly reduced tumor formation of gastric cancer cells and decreased development of preformed tumors. KIAA1324 also suppressed proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance and induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Through protein interaction analysis, we identified GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa) as a KIAA1324-binding partner. KIAA1324 blocked oncogenic activities of GRP78 by inhibiting GRP78–caspase-7 interaction and suppressing GRP78-mediated AKT activation, thereby inducing apoptosis. In conclusion, our study reveals a tumor suppressive role of KIAA1324 via inhibition of GRP78 oncoprotein activities and provides new insight into the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. Cancer Res; 75(15); 3087–97. ©2015 AACR.
Dissemination of Chest Compression–Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Iwami Taku , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Kiyohara Kosuke , Kawamura Takashi
Published: June 2015

Background—

The best cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique for survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) has been intensively discussed in the recent few years. However, most analyses focused on comparison at the individual level. How well the dissemination of bystander-initiated chest compression–only CPR (CCCPR) increases survival after OHCAs at the population level remains unclear. We therefore evaluated the impact of nationwide dissemination of bystander-initiated CCCPR on survival after OHCA.

Methods and Results—

A nationwide, prospective, population-based, observational study covering the whole population of Japan and involving consecutive OHCA patients with resuscitation attempts was conducted from January 2005 through December 2012. The main outcome measure was 1-month survival with favorable neurological outcome. The incidence of survival with favorable neurological outcome attributed to types of bystander CPR (CCCPR and conventional CPR with rescue breathing) was estimated. Among 816 385 people experiencing OHCAs before emergency medical services arrival, 249 970 (30.6%) received CCCPR, 100 469 (12.3%) received conventional CPR, and 465 946 (57.1%) received no CPR. The proportion of OHCA patients receiving CCCPR or any CPR (either CCCPR or conventional CPR) by bystanders increased from 17.4% to 39.3% (
P
for trend <0.001) and from 34.6% to 47.3% (
P
for trend <0.001), respectively. The incidence of survival with favorable neurological outcome attributed to CCCPR per 10 million population significantly increased from 0.6 to 28.3 (
P
for trend=0.010), and that by any bystander-initiated CPR significantly increased from 9.0 to 43.6 (
P
for trend=0.003).

Conclusion—

Nationwide dissemination of CCCPR for lay-rescuers was associated with the increase in the incidence of survival with favorable neurological outcome after OHCAs in Japan.
Behavioural responses of the European spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787), to conspecific and synthetic sounds
Authors: de Vincenzi G. , Filiciotto F. , Maccarrone V. , Mazzola S. , Buscaino G.
Published: June 2015

This study examined the effects of three different acoustic stimuli on the behaviour of the European spiny lobster,Palinurus elephas(Fabricius, 1787). Twenty male and 20 female lobsters were exposed to: a low-frequency linear sweep tone (0.1-20 kHz), a high-frequency linear sweep tone (20-80 kHz), conspecific sounds (rasp: train of wideband pulses), and no sound stimulation (control). After a habituation period, lobsters were audio-video recorded for 30 min. Tail flipping, sound emissions, distance moved, mobility, velocity and movement were recorded. Differences between the males and females in the rasp playback condition were observed, with the females having highest values of the behaviours under study. Moreover, when analysing the male and female combined data we found that exposure to synthetic stimuli did not produce any significant variations. Finally, it can be assumed that there is: a capacity for rasp sound perception, and a significant role for these pulses in the intraspecific communication ofP. elephas.
Why Williamson’s (2014) theory of hybridogenesis fails to explain the evolution of the Rhizocephala
Authors: Glenner H. , Lützen J.
Published: June 2015

All available biological, ultrastructural, and molecular data support the conclusion that the cirripedian suborders, Rhizocephala and Thoracica, are closely related. Williamson’s speculations (Williamson, D. I., 2014. The origin of barnacles (Thecostraca, Cirripedia). Crustaceana,87: 755-765) that the so-called hybridogenesis can explain how Rhizocephala evolved, rest on a selective choice of other authors’ data and an ignorance of solid facts derived from decades of comparative anatomical and molecular studies.
Development and validation of SSR markers for the plant-parasitic nematode Subanguina moxae using genome assembly of Illumina pair-end reads
Authors: Takeuchi Tomoaki , Yamaguchi Madoka , Tanaka Ryusei , Dayi Mehmet , Ogura Nobuo , Kikuchi Taisei
Published: June 2015

Subanguina moxae, belonging to the subfamily Anguininae, is an obligate parasite of Artemisia plants, which are widely used as cooking herbs and in traditional medicine in East Asia. Because the nematode is distributed throughout East Russia and East Asia, there is concern about the potential for significant damage to commercial farming; however, details about its biology remain unclear. To investigate the genetic diversity of S. moxae, we developed 2243 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers using Illumina short reads of the genomic DNA. We validated 100 randomly selected markers indicating their robustness and examined polymorphisms among nematode populations sampled from four different locations in Japan. These SSR markers will be a useful tool for understanding the population structure and transmission patterns of this parasitic nematode.
Unilateral to bilateral distribution pattern of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus within bodies of the insect vector Monochamus alternatus depends on nematode load
Authors: Togashi Katsumi , Kaihotsu Ichirow
Published: June 2015

Monochamus alternatusadults carry the pine wood nematodeBursaphelenchus xylophilus. The nematodes are present in the tracheal system of vector beetles. It is known that carrying more than 10 000 nematodes causes drastic reduction in the lifespan and flight activity of beetles. To understand the effects of heavy nematode loads, 41 newly emergedM. alternatusadults were examined for lateral distribution of nematodes within the insect body. The nematodes were distributed unevenly between right and left sides of the beetle body at small nematode loads, whereas they were distributed evenly between them at heavy nematode loads. An analysis using Hagen-Poiseuille flow in a thin tube suggested that the rate of air flow decreased exponentially as the number of nematodes increased in a trachea. Thus, even distribution of nematodes between right and left sides of the vector body was considered to be responsible in part for the effects of heavy nematode loads on beetle activity.
Understanding Children’s Rights: A Vision beyond Vulnerability
Authors: Tobin John
Published: June 2015

The idea of children’s vulnerability played a critical role in motivating the adoption of the un Convention on the Rights of a Child, but should vulnerability provide the basis for special human rights for children? Are children especially vulnerable relative to adults? This article seeks to explore the idea of children’s vulnerability in understanding the concept of children’s rights. It argues that vulnerability is not a condition peculiar to children. At the same time it recognizes that children experience special vulnerabilities relative to adults. It is these vulnerabilities that provide a justification for the special rights accorded to them under the Convention. The characterisation of children as vulnerable carries the risk that they will be defined by their vulnerabilities. To address the unintended consequences of a vulnerability paradigm, there is a need to expand the conception of children in a way that recognises their evolving capacities and right to participation.
Child Rights and the Movement from Status to Agency: Human Rights and the Removal of the Legal Disabilities of Vulnerability
Authors: Clark Sevda
Published: June 2015

Using ideology as heuristic, a legal sociological approach is employed to critically evaluate a child’s legal status and its evolution since the eighteenth century. Four principal phases are identified: (1) legal ideology of individualism in the common law tradition; (2) movement from status to contract; (3) movement from status to rights; and (4) movement from status to agency. To strengthen legal agency both status and capacity are addressed. In the fourth phase, legal status has evolved in ways capable of facilitating children’s legal agency; it has evolved from being static to being dynamic, and is now determined by reference to public international law, rather than territorially. This article advances a universal norm of legal capacity to sue for violations of human rights, which is derived from the recent developments in human rights law. In the evolution of children’s rights we are presently witnessing the movement from status to agency.
A note on the new species of the genus Isopsera (Orthoptera: Phaneropteridae: Phaneropterinae) from India
Authors: NAGAR RAJENDRA , MAL JHABAR , SWAMINATHAN R.
Published: June 2015

A new species of the genus, Isopsera: Isopsera arcuata Nagar, Mal, Swaminathan sp. nov. (Orthoptera:Phaneropteridae Burmeister, 1838; Phaneropterinae Burmeister, 1838) is described. The holotype (♂) was collected from South India: Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu). The geographical location had the following specifications: 12058 N 77035E 930MSL South India. The described species differs from the two closely related species, I. caligula Ingrisch and I. spinosa Ingrisch, based on the structure of the male sub-genital plate, cerci and stridulatory file on the left tegmen.
A new species of Canon Solovyev, 2014 (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) from Thailand
Authors: PELLINEN MARKKU J. , SOLOVYEV ALEXEY V.
Published: June 2015

Canon Solovyev is a small genus belonging to the Parasa-complex of Limacacodidae. It is distributed from northern India to the Malayan Peninsula. The genus previously included two species: C. punica (Herrich-Schäffer) from the Indian region and C. eos Solovyev from Nepal. Canon punica is recorded from China (Yunnan), northern Thailand and Malaysia, but specimens from northern Thailand and probably those from China (Yunnan) represent a new species that is described herein: C. sripanae Pellinen and Solovyev, new species. Externally, C. sripanae is similar to other Canon species, but it differs from punica and eos in hindwing color and male genitalia. The moths studied were collected at UV and mixed lights. Genitalia of the male holotype and a male and female paratypes are figured. Nomenclature of this study is based on Solovyev (2014).
Two new species and two new records of Ptecticus Loew (Diptera: Stratiomyidae: Sargiinae) from China
Authors: YANG ZAI-HUA , CHEN XIAO-MING , YANG MAO-FA
Published: June 2015

Two species, Ptecticus brevispinus sp. nov. and P. guangxiensis sp. nov., from China are described and illustrated. Additional two species, P. longispinus Rozkošný & Kovac, 2003 and P. melanurus (Walker, 1848), are recorded from China for the first time. A checklist of the known Chinese Ptecticus Loew, 1855 species together with their geographical distribution and a new identification key (19 spp.) are presented.
Haromyia, a new genus of long-legged flies from Dominica (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)
Authors: RUNYON JUSTIN B.
Published: June 2015

The new micro-dolichopodid genus Haromyia gen. nov. and the type species H. iviei sp. nov. are described from the island of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles. Males and females of Haromyia are distinguished by the large setae on a bulging clypeus, minute size, and wing veins that are nearly straight and evenly diverging from wing base. Haromyia does not fit readily into any contemporary dolichopodid subfamily, although it superficially resembles the Enliniinae and Achalcinae. Haromyia should be regarded as incertae sedis until the dolichopodid subfamilies can be refined, particularly to better incorporate the tropical diversity of this large family.
A new species of the genus Meiyingia Holzchuh, 2010 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae) from China
Authors: LI ZHU , TIAN LICHAO , CHEN LI
Published: June 2015

The genus Meiyingia Holzchuh, 2010 presently consists of only one species, Meiyingia paradoxa Holzchuh, 2010 from Henan and Shaanxi, China. The genus is characterized by following characters: Head concave between antennal tubercles; clypeus narrow; frons flattened. Eyes small, finely faceted, divided with two lobes widely separated. Antennae slender; those of males longer than the body, with spines at basal antennomeres; third antennomere longest, eleventh antennomere shorter than previous ones. Pronotum slightly longer than broad. Stridulatory organ without median groove. Elytra soft, membranous and narrowed posteriorly with apex rounded; disc flattened. Legs very short, femora gradually widened, tibiae long; first hind tarsal segment longer than following two combined. Procoxal cavity widely open. Prosternal process very short, narrow and deep. Metacoxal cavity open to mesepimeron. Second to fourth sternites pressed in the middle, sternites remarkably long and densely hairy medially. The first four sternites laterally with greater dent.
Stemmiulus brasiliensis n. sp., a new species of millipede from Brazilian iron ore caves (Diplopoda: Stemmiulida: Stemmiulidae)
Authors: INIESTA LUIZ FELIPE MORETTI , FERREIRA RODRIGO LOPES
Published: June 2015

A new species of Stemmiulus Gervais, 1844 is described from Amazonian iron ore caves located in Pará State, Brazil. The new species differs from the other Brazilian species by gonopod morphology, especially the angiocoxite and colpocoxite, and for the first pairs of legs of males. A key for the species of Stemmiulus found in Brazil is included.
A new species, new synonymy, and notes on Neomacrocoris (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Naucoridae)
Authors: SITES ROBERT W.
Published: June 2015

Based on borrowed museum specimens and fresh collections from South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, many specimens of Neomacrocoris Montandon have been made available for study. Neomacrocoris liberianus n. sp. is described from Liberia and Sierra Leone based on two museum specimens. Neomacrocoris bondelaufa Sites is synonymized with N. transvaalensis (Distant) and distribution records for N. parviceps Montandon and N. vuga Sites are provided.
A new species of Oroplexia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from China
Authors: GYULAI PETER , SALDAITIS AIDAS
Published: June 2015

The genus Oroplexia Hampson, 1908 comprises some 25 known species. Oroplexia is a south Asiatic, widely distributed genus, displays the highest diversity from the monsoon influenced regions of the Central and Southern Himalaya (Nepal, Myanmar and Vietnam) and Southern China (Sichuan and Yunnan provinces) to India (Hindostan) to the South.
Arterial Stiffness as a Biomarker of Radiation-Induced Carotid Atherosclerosis
Authors: Gujral Dorothy M. , Shah Benoy N. , Chahal Navtej S. , Bhattacharyya Sanjeev , Senior Roxy , Harrington Kevin J. , Nutting Christopher M.
Published: June 2015

Arterial stiffness is thought to be a precursor to atherosclerosis. Conventional arterial stiffness parameters as potential biomarkers of radiation-induced damage were investigated. Patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy ≥2 years previously to one side of the neck were included. The unirradiated side was the internal control. Beta stiffness index (B) and elastic modulus ( Ep) were used to assess arterial stiffness and were measured in proximal, mid, and distal common carotid artery (CCA) and compared with the corresponding unirradiated segments. Fifty patients (68% male; median age 58 years; interquartile range 50-62) were included. Mean ± standard deviation maximum doses to irradiated and unirradiated arteries were 53 ± 13 and 1.9 ± 3.7 Gy, respectively. Differences in B were not significant. Significant differences in Ep were demonstrated—proximal CCA: 1301 ± 1223 versus 801 ± 492 ( P < .0001), mid CCA: 1064 ± 818 versus 935.5 ± 793 ( P < .0001), and distal CCA: 1267 ± 1084 versus 775.3 ± 551.9 ( P < .0001). Surgery had no impact on arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness is increased in irradiated arteries, in keeping with radiation-induced damage. Prospective data may show an association between arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis in this setting.
The EU under a realist scope: Employing a neoclassical realist framework for the analysis of the EU’s Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement offer to Ukraine
Authors: Smith Nicholas Ross
Published: June 2015

This article breaks from the dominant liberal-idealist literature and examines the European Union’s (EU) foreign policy decisions from a realist perspective. Through employing a novel, EU-focussed neoclassical realist framework, the EU’s offer of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) to Ukraine is argued as being a result of the mediating influence of its normative power role identity, the (mis)perceptions held by its foreign policy decision-makers and the institutional constraints inherent to its foreign policy decision-making process, which filtered systemic pressures (emanating from the European geopolitical setting) into the final foreign policy decision. Thereafter, this article assesses the EU’s responses to the Ukraine crisis, offering policy reflections and recommendations.
A Method for Delineation of Bone Surfaces in Photoacoustic Computed Tomography of the Finger
Authors: Biswas S. K. , van Es P. , Steenbergen W. , Manohar S.
Published: June 2015

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging of interphalangeal peripheral joints is of interest in the context of using the synovial membrane as a surrogate marker of rheumatoid arthritis. Previous work has shown that ultrasound (US) produced by absorption of light at the epidermis reflects on the bone surfaces within the finger. When the reflected signals are backprojected in the region of interest, artifacts are produced, confounding interpretation of the images. In this work, we present an approach where the PA signals known to originate from the epidermis are treated as virtual US transmitters, and a separate reconstruction is performed as in US reflection imaging. This allows us to identify the bone surfaces. Furthermore, the identification of the joint space is important as this provides a landmark to localize a region-of-interest in seeking the inflamed synovial membrane. The ability to delineate bone surfaces allows us to identify not only the artifacts but also the interphalangeal joint space without recourse to new US hardware or a new measurement. We test the approach on phantoms and on a healthy human finger.
Accountable Care Organizations and Otolaryngology
Authors: Contrera Kevin J. , Ishii Lisa E. , Setzen Gavin , Berkowitz Scott A.
Published: June 2015

Accountable care organizations represent a shift in health care delivery while providing a significant potential for improved quality and coordination of care across multiple settings. Otolaryngologists have an opportunity to become leaders in this expanding arena. However, the field of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery currently lacks many of the tools necessary to implement value‐based care, including performance measurement, electronic health infrastructure, and data management. These resources will become increasingly important for surgical specialists to be active participants in population health. This article reviews the fundamental issues that otolaryngologists should consider when pursuing new roles in accountable care organizations.
Ruptured intracardiac hydatid cyst presenting as acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Sharma Pranav , Lakhia Ketav , Malhotra Amber , Garg Pankaj
Published: June 2015

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus, which is still endemic in many developing countries. Cardiac involvement is rare but potentially very serious on account of various clinical presentations and nonspecific symptoms that occasionally mimic acute coronary syndrome. We describe a case of ruptured left ventricular hydatid cyst presenting as acute inferolateral myocardial infarction with electrocardiographic changes. Because coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries, the final diagnosis was made on the basis of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. On-pump surgical resection followed by albendazole therapy yielded an excellent outcome.
Increasing Student Engagement Using Asynchronous Learning
Authors: Northey Gavin , Bucic Tania , Chylinski Mathew , Govind Rahul
Published: June 2015

Student engagement is an ongoing concern for educators because of its positive association with deep learning and educational outcomes. This article tests the use of a social networking site (Facebook) as a tool to facilitate asynchronous learning opportunities that complement face-to-face interactions and thereby enable a stronger learning ecosystem. This student-centered learning approach offers a way to increase student engagement and can have a positive impact on academic outcomes. Using data from a longitudinal quasi-experiment, the authors show that students who participated in both face-to-face on-campus classes and asynchronous online learning opportunities were more engaged than students who only attended face-to-face classes. In addition, the findings show that participation in the asynchronous setting relates significantly and positively to students’ academic outcomes (final grades). The findings have notable implications for marketing education.
Daily and Seasonal Rhythms in Human Mucosa Phospholipid Fatty Acid Composition
Authors: Ruf Thomas , Arnold Walter
Published: June 2015

Fatty acids (FAs) can exert important physiological effects: for example, as precursors of eicosanoids, as signaling molecules, and, in particular, as parts of phospholipids, the major constituents of cell membranes. Animals can remodel cell membranes in terms of their FA composition in response to environmental conditions, and even endothermic mammals exhibit seasonal cycles in the FA makeup of membranes. Previous evidence pointed to the existence of both seasonal and daily cycles in phospholipid composition of human cell membranes. Therefore, we used a noninvasive method to collect human mucosa cells over 1 year in 20 healthy subjects, and we determined seasonal and daily rhythmicity of phospholipid FA content. Our results show that significant daily rhythms were detectable in 11 of 13 FAs and were largely synchronous among subjects. Also, these daily rhythms showed stable phase relationships between different FAs within subjects. In contrast, yearly rhythms in phospholipid FA content were statistically significant in only ~50% of subjects and were asynchronous between subjects. These results support the view that while human physiology is still dominated by geophysical sunrise and sunset, resulting in strong daily cycles, seasonal rhythms are less well defined, at least in Western societies. We suggest that the main physiological function underlying rhythms in cell membrane composition is the regulation of the activity of transmembrane proteins, such as ion pumps, which can be strongly affected by the fatty acyl chains of phospholipids in the surrounding membrane bilayer. Hence, among a multitude of other functions, cycles in membrane FA composition may be involved in generating the daily rhythm of metabolic rate. Rhythms in certain membrane FAs, namely polyunsaturated and monounsaturated FAs that are known to affect health, could be also involved in daily and seasonal rhythms of diseases and death.
Late Effects of Treatment of Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors
Authors: Roddy Erika , Mueller Sabine
Published: June 2015

Central nervous system tumors represent the most common solid malignancy in childhood. Improvement in treatment approaches have led to a significant increase in survival rates, with over 70% of children now surviving beyond 5 years. As more and more children with CNS tumors have longer survival times, it is important to be aware of the long-term morbidities caused not only by the tumor itself but also by tumor treatment. The most common side effects including poor neurocognition, endocrine dysfunction, neurological and vascular late effects, as well as secondary malignancies, are discussed within this article.
Examining Correctional Officers’ Fear of Victimization by Inmates: The Influence of Fear Facilitators and Fear Inhibitors
Authors: Gordon Jill , Baker Thomas
Published: June 2015

Perceptions of fear in the correctional literature typically seek to predict factors such as procedural justice, turnover, and satisfaction rather than identify the antecedents to fear. In addition, studies on perceptions of safety consistently uncover female officers reporting higher levels of fear. The current study applies the concepts of fear facilitators and inhibitors, found in the general fear of crime literature, as a mechanism to explain perceptions of emotional and cognitive fear among correctional officers with a focus on differences between males and females. The study examines 40 institutions and 901 correctional officers to investigate theoretical, institutional, and individual predictors of correctional officer perceptions of inmate fear. Results show the predictors of fear differ between males and females and also demonstrate the importance of fear facilitators, individual characteristics, and institutional factors for determining emotional and cognitive fear.
High-strain-rate compression behavior and failure mechanism of 3D MWK carbon/epoxy composites
Authors: Li Dian-sen , Ge Dong-yun , Jiang Nan , Jiang Lei
Published: June 2015

The high-strain-rate compression experiments were performed on the three-dimensional multiaxial warp knitted (3D MWK) carbon/epoxy composites with different fiber architectures at room and elevated temperature using a split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. Macro-fracture and scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs were examined to understand the deformation and failure mechanism. The results show that 3D MWK carbon/epoxy composites have excellent high-strain-rate compression properties. The dynamic properties increase significantly with the strain rate and the composites show a high-strain-rate sensitivity. Meanwhile, composites with multidirectional symmetric fiber architecture have higher dynamic properties. Moreover, the composites show temperature sensitivity at high strain rates and the dynamic strength decreases significantly. The results also indicate the composites take on more serious damage and failure with the increase of strain rate. The failure of material with [0°/0°/0°/0°] behaves as binding fibers fracture in shear, 0° fibers tearing, overall expansion, and multiple 45° angle shear fracture, while the material with [0°/90°/+45°/−45°] is mainly interlaminar delaminating, and the local fibers tearing and shear on different fiber layers. In addition, with the increase of temperature, the composite shows less fracture and becomes more softened and plastic. The damages of matrix falling off, plasticity, and fiber/matrix interface debonding increase significantly.
Synthesis and properties of graphene oxide–boron-modified phenolic resin composites
Authors: Yi Xinlong , Feng Anni , Shao Wenyao , Xiao Zongyuan
Published: June 2015

Boron–modified phenolic resin (BPR) has a good thermal property, but it has deficiencies in mechanical performance. To obtain PR materials with good thermal property, graphene oxide (GO) was added along with BPR to form a GO–boron-modified PR (GO-BPR). In this study, BPR and GO-BPR were prepared and their thermal resistance and mechanical properties were investigated. In addition, the effects of GO content on the thermal resistance of GO-BPR were studied. Results demonstrate that the optimal GO content was 0.5%. The thermal properties of GO-BPR with 0.5% GO improved 1.06 times when compared with that of BPR, and the peak degradation temperature of GO-BPR increased by approximately 10°C. When compared with BPR composite, the bending, tensile, and impact strengths of the GO-BPR composite materials with 0.5% GO-BPR increased by 46, 38, and 53%, respectively.
Research on a pneumatic hybrid engine with regenerative braking and compressed-air-assisted cranking
Authors: Wang Lei , Li Dao-fei , Xu Huan-xiang , Fan Zhi-peng , Dou Wen-bo , Yu Xiao-li
Published: June 2015

With the aim of improving the energy efficiency of conventional vehicles, this paper proposes a pneumatic hybrid engine concept, which features regenerative braking and compressed-air-assisted cranking functions. In the regenerative braking mode, the engine works as a two-stroke compressor and converts the kinematic energy of the vehicle into compressed air. In the two-stroke air motor mode, a throttle valve in the intake manifold is used to block the ambient air, and an electropneumatic solenoid valve is employed to control the compressed-air injection. The compressor mode is modelled on the basis of thermodynamics and gas dynamics theories and is improved according to the bench test results of a single-cylinder engine converted from a two-cylinder diesel engine. Transient engine cranking tests are also conducted and are discussed. Urban driving-cycle simulation results show that the fuel consumption of a light-duty vehicle with a pneumatic hybrid system can be reduced by 8%.
The Contribution of Early Communication Quality to Low-Income Children’s Language Success
Authors: Hirsh-Pasek Kathy , Adamson Lauren B. , Bakeman Roger , Owen Margaret Tresch , Golinkoff Roberta Michnick , Pace Amy , Yust Paula K. S. , Suma Katharine
Published: June 2015

The disparity in the amount and quality of language that low-income children hear relative to their more-affluent peers is often referred to as the 30-million-word gap. Here, we expand the literature about this disparity by reporting the relative contributions of the quality of early parent-child communication and the quantity of language input in 60 low-income families. Including both successful and struggling language learners from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, we noted wide variation in the quality of nonverbal and verbal interactions (symbol-infused joint engagement, routines and rituals, fluent and connected communication) at 24 months, which accounted for 27% of the variance in expressive language 1 year later. These indicators of quality were considerably more potent predictors of later language ability than was the quantity of mothers’ words during the interaction or sensitive parenting. Bridging the word gap requires attention to how caregivers and children establish a communication foundation within low-income families.
A new framework of statistical inferences based on the valid joint sampling distribution of the observed counts in an incomplete contingency table
Authors: Tian Guo-Liang , Li Hui-Qiong
Published: June 2015

Some existing confidence interval methods and hypothesis testing methods in the analysis of a contingency table with incomplete observations in both margins entirely depend on an underlying assumption that the sampling distribution of the observed counts is a product of independent multinomial/binomial distributions for complete and incomplete counts. However, it can be shown that this independency assumption is incorrect and can result in unreliable conclusions because of the under-estimation of the uncertainty. Therefore, the first objective of this paper is to derive the valid joint sampling distribution of the observed counts in a contingency table with incomplete observations in both margins. The second objective is to provide a new framework for analyzing incomplete contingency tables based on the derived joint sampling distribution of the observed counts by developing a Fisher scoring algorithm to calculate maximum likelihood estimates of parameters of interest, the bootstrap confidence interval methods, and the bootstrap testing hypothesis methods. We compare the differences between the valid sampling distribution and the sampling distribution under the independency assumption. Simulation studies showed that average/expected confidence-interval widths of parameters based on the sampling distribution under the independency assumption are shorter than those based on the new sampling distribution, yielding unrealistic results. A real data set is analyzed to illustrate the application of the new sampling distribution for incomplete contingency tables and the analysis results again confirm the conclusions obtained from the simulation studies.
Climate Change Education for Sustainability in Brazil: A Status Report
Authors: Trajber Rachel , Mochizuki Yoko
Published: June 2015

This article maps and explains Brazil’s policies, strategies, plans and initiatives related to Climate Change Education (CCE), in the overall context of Environmental Education (EE) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The case of Brazil offers useful insights on how to enhance climate response through education because of its unique strength in climate policy making and its established EE tradition. The article traces the development of EE in Brazil and provides an overview of the relations between EE and climate change legislations and public policies. Although Brazil established a strong legal framework for EE and the Ministries of the Environment and Education have adopted a number of initiatives to implement the EE policies, climate change legislation addresses education rather superficially. Many other challenges remain, including fully integrating EE in the mainstream work of the Ministry of Education, enhancing the impact of EE policies and programmes, and creating synergies between EE and a number of climate-related education initiatives developed in other areas such as science and technology.
The Cost of Dengue Vector Control Activities in Malaysia by Different Service Providers
Authors: Packierisamy P. Raviwharmman , Ng Chiu-Wan , Dahlui Maznah , Venugopalan B. , Halasa Yara A. , Shepard Donald S.
Published: June 2015

We examined variations in dengue vector control costs and resource consumption between the District Health Departments (DHDs) and Local Authorities (LAs) to assist informed decision making as to the future roles of these agencies in the delivery of dengue vector control services in Malaysia. Data were collected from the vector control units of DHDs and LAs in 8 selected districts. We captured costs and resource consumption in 2010 for premise inspection for mosquito breeding sites, fogging to destroy adult mosquitoes and larviciding of potential breeding sites. Overall, DHDs spent US$5.62 million or US$679 per case and LAs spent US$2.61 million or US$499 per case. The highest expenditure for both agencies was for fogging, 51.0% and 45.8% of costs for DHDs and LAs, respectively. The DHDs had higher resource costs for human personnel, vehicles, pesticides, and equipment. The findings provide some evidence to rationalize delivery of dengue vector control services in Malaysia.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Health of University Students in Eight Provinces of Vietnam
Authors: Tran Quynh Anh , Dunne Michael P. , Vo Thang Van , Luu Ngoc Hoat
Published: June 2015

Recent systematic reviews have emphasized the need for more research into the health and social impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the Asia-Pacific region. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 2099 young adult students in 8 medical universities throughout Vietnam. An anonymous, self-report questionnaire included the World Health Organization ACE-International Questionnaire and standardized measures of mental and physical health. Three quarters (76%) of the students reported at least one exposure to ACEs; 21% had 4 or more ACEs. The most commonly reported adversities were emotional abuse, physical abuse, and witnessing a household member being treated violently (42.3%, 39.9%, and 34.6%, respectively). Co-occurrence of ACEs had dose–response relationships with poor mental health, suicidal ideation, and low physical health–related quality of life. This first multisite study of ACEs among Vietnamese university students provided evidence that childhood adversity is common and is significantly linked with impaired health and well-being into the early adult years.
On the Foundations of Organizational Knowledge
Authors: Almeida Costa Afonso , Workiewicz Maciej , Szulanski Gabriel
Published: June 2015

This interview is focused on the core ideas of Sidney Winter’s work, with special emphasis on his contributions to the understanding of organizational knowledge and on synthesizing and situating those ideas in the broader context of management theory. We conducted the interview on November 6, 2011, during the Knowledge and Innovation Interest Group’s pre-conference program of the Strategic Management Society (SMS) annual conference in Miami.