bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced dielectric properties and thermal conductivity of Al/CNTs/PVDF ternary composites
Authors: Wang Zijun , Zhou Wenying , Sui Xuezhen , Dong Lina
Published: May 2015

Polymer composites with high dielectric permittivity and thermal conductivity are highly desired due to their potential applications in a wide range of electronic and electrical industries. In this study, the composite consisting of poly(vinyliene fluoride) (PVDF), Al, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was prepared. The investigation of the dielectric properties and thermal conductivities of the ternary composites while comparing with the Al/PVDF binary composites indicates that the addition of 1.0 wt% CNTs in the Al/PVDF clearly improved the dielectric permittivity due to enhanced interfacial polarization of filled matrix, whereas the dissipation factors still remained at acceptable low level owing to the insulating alumina shell and the isolation effect of Al on CNTs in the matrix. Moreover, the hybrid Al/CNTs particles obviously enhanced the thermal conductivity of the composites due to the more heat conductive pathways formed in the matrix from the CNTs bridging effect between the Al particles.
Visual Evoked Potentials as a Readout of Cortical Function in Infants With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Varcin Kandice J. , Nelson Charles A. , Ko Jordan , Sahin Mustafa , Wu Joyce Y. , Jeste Shafali Spurling
Published: May 2015

Tuberous sclerosis complex is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that confers a high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Studies have demonstrated specific delays in visual reception skills that may predict the development of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Based on evidence for alterations in the retinogeniculate pathway in animal models of tuberous sclerosis complex, we asked whether children with tuberous sclerosis complex demonstrate alterations in early visual processing that may undermine the development of higher-level visual behaviors. Pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials were recorded in infants with tuberous sclerosis complex (n = 16) and typically developing infants (n = 18) at 12 months of age. Infants with tuberous sclerosis complex demonstrated remarkably intact visual evoked potentials even within the context of intellectual disability and epilepsy. Infants with tuberous sclerosis complex show intact visual cortical processing, suggesting that delays in visually mediated behaviors in tuberous sclerosis complex may not be rooted in early visual processing deficits.
Vygotsky, the theater critic
Authors: van der Veer René
Published: May 2015

This article offers a preliminary analysis of Vygotsky’s theatrical reviews from his Gomel period against the background of Russian theatrical history. For several years Vygotsky published theater reviews of performances by local and travelling companies in the local newspaper. His writings show him to have been a very knowledgeable and demanding theater critic who knew both the Russian-language and the Yiddish theater perfectly well. Some parallels with his later psychological works are suggested.
Preparation and properties of amine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites
Authors: Wu Shengli , Shi Tiejun , Zhang Liyuan
Published: May 2015

Amine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (NH2-RGO), with primary amine (—NH2) groups linked onto surfaces by toluene-2,4-diisocynate), was successfully synthesized. Subsequently, the as-prepared NH2-RGO nanoplatelets were covalently incorporated into a waterborne polyurethane (WPU) matrix to fabricate NH2-RGO/WPU nanocomposites by the reaction of —NH2 groups with the isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer. Electron microscopic observations confirmed that the NH2-RGO nanoplatelets were homogenously dispersed in the WPU matrix. The NH2-RGO/WPU nanocomposites exhibited a significant improvement in their mechanical and thermal properties. The tensile strength and storage modulus of the nanocomposites increased by 73% and 973%, respectively, with the addition of 1.0 wt% NH2-RGO. The thermal degradation temperature was enhanced by about 40°C compared with the neat WPU. Meanwhile, the thermal conductivity increased by about 258%.
Optimal Pareto front for manufacturing tolerance allocation model
Authors: Jawahar N , Sivasankaran R , Ramesh M
Published: May 2015

This article presents a multi-objective formulation of a tolerance allocation model for interchangeable assembly of pin and hole to complement the need of small-scale industries where there exists two categories of machines, one for pin production and other for hole production. The two objectives considered in this article are minimum total cost of assembly and minimum clearance variation. The problem is formally defined as the determination of optimal Pareto set of tolerances for pin and hole for minimum total cost and minimum clearance variation of a hole and pin assembly, given the design clearance, the process capability of the machines defined with their standard deviations and the mean diameter of either pin or hole. An iterative search algorithm is proposed to explore the entire decision space and evaluate and obtain the Pareto optimal front. This article also presents how the optimal Pareto front of the model can be utilized by the manufacturer to set the optimal tolerances according to demands of the customers. Besides, the effect of process capabilities of pin and hole manufacturing machines on the optimality is discussed to understand their criticality in decision-making.
Adaptive sliding mode backstepping control for entry reusable launch vehicles based on nonlinear disturbance observer
Authors: Wang Zhen , Wu Zhong , Du Yijiang
Published: May 2015

To attenuate the effects of parameter uncertainties and disturbances on the attitude control performance of entry reusable launch vehicles, an adaptive sliding mode backstepping controller based on nonlinear disturbance observer, here referred to as disturbance observer-based nonlinear controller, is proposed in this paper for the reusable launch vehicles nonlinear and fast time-varying system. The disturbance observer-based nonlinear controller comprises a nonlinear disturbance observer and an adaptive sliding mode backstepping controller with feedforward. First, multiple disturbances resulting from parameter uncertainties, unmodeled dynamics, and environmental disturbances are regarded as an “equivalent” disturbance and can be estimated by the nonlinear disturbance observer. Then, the estimated disturbance can be compensated by the feedforward, and the desired flight attitude can be tracked asymptotically by the adaptive sliding mode backstepping controller. Compared with other reusable launch vehicles flight controllers, the key contributions of the proposed control law are that the controller is independent from the moment of inertia and can achieve a fast convergence rate through an effective compensation for various disturbances. Simulation results of specific reusable launch vehicles demonstrate that the proposed disturbance observer-based nonlinear controller is feasible.
Anti-unwinding constrained attitude control for flexible spacecraft with actuator saturation
Authors: Long Haihui , Liu Fucheng , Zhao Jiankang , Xia Xuan , Zhu Chengguang
Published: May 2015

In this paper, two novel anti-unwinding constrained attitude controllers for flexible spacecraft are designed based on inverse optimal approach and unit quaternion representation of attitude subjected to inertia matrix uncertainty and external disturbance. One accounts for actuator amplitude constraint and the other considers actuator amplitude and rate constraints at length. A new saturation compensator is designed and embedded into the controllers to eliminate the effect of actuator saturation. The proposed controllers can avoid the issue of attitude slewing unwinding due to the double values of unit quaternions. The stability of the resulting closed-loop systems by the proposed controllers is guaranteed by Lyapunov-based approach. Simulation results are presented to assess the performance of the proposed methods.
First rank symptoms of schizophrenia: their nature and origin
Authors: Cutting J
Published: May 2015

Kurt Schneider’s insight nearly 80 years ago that schizophrenia could be demarcated from other psychoses by a small set of particular delusions and hallucinations powerfully influenced diagnostic practice. The theoretical status of such ‘first rank symptoms’ as a whole, however, has rarely been addressed. But if they are sensitive and specific to the condition, it is about time that their essential nature and potential origin be considered. This is the purpose of the present paper. I argue that these psychopathological phenomena are indeed relatively sensitive and specific to the condition, that their nature can be formulated within a Schelerian model of what constitutes a human being, and that their origin fits anthropological and neuropsychological notions of the make-up of contemporary human beings.
Time allocation in Poland before and after 1989 – working time perspective
Authors: Jankiewicz Jacek
Published: May 2015

In societies that undergo transformation such as those in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, in the opinion of many, the value of people's time changes. This produces changes in the structure of consumption and the supply of labour. Most probably, at least during the initial years of transition, there is a growing awareness of the time wastage that occurred under the previous system (queuing for basic necessities, plus very limited availability of equipment to facilitate and accelerate household chores).

In pre-1989 Poland, where market rules did not apply, three time-use surveys were conducted for the entire adult population of the country (1975–1976; 1982; 1984). Looking at their findings, one must take into account the “exceptional” circumstances in which the population had to function—a shortage of goods and services, regulated prices, and no official unemployment are just some of the features of the socialist system. After the change in the socioeconomic system, in the years 2003–2004, another representative time use survey was conducted. The results showed time allocation under completely different conditions—with distinct cyclical fluctuations in the economy, real wages rising, involuntary unemployment, and the supply of household appliances.

The purpose of this article is to compare the differences in time allocation, which result not only from the passage of time. The results from 1984 describe Polish people functioning under conditions created by so-called real socialism. Two decades later, the survey reveals the picture of time use in this society in an economic environment that has been to a large extent liberalized.
Acceleration for working sole parents: Squeezed between institutional temporalities and routinised parenting practices
Authors: Nockolds Danielle
Published: May 2015

There are many theories of what is causing a sense of social acceleration and the ‘time squeeze’ in modern society, such as the notion that individuals are ‘doing more’ through increased consumption, or the increasing difficulty that many people face coordinating with networks due to de-synchronised and de-routinised employment and life-style practices. In this regard qualitative empirical work has often been focused on dual-income middle-class couples. To explore an under-developed area, this article considers the socio-temporal organisation of 10 working sole fathers’ and 17 working sole mothers’ daily lives. This study finds that for working sole parents a sense of time squeeze or acceleration is principally due to structural aspects of workplaces and parenting practices. In particular, parenting routines, school and childcare times and work times are fixed events which create a time squeeze in the mornings and evenings. These normative and structural temporalities appear more influential on working sole parents’ daily lives than consumption norms or de-synchronisation aspects of managing networks.
Briefly Assessing Repetitive Thought Dimensions
Authors: Segerstrom Suzanne C. , Hardy Jaime K. , Evans Daniel R. , Boggero Ian A. , Alden Lynn E. , Stanton Annette L.
Published: May 2015

Discrete forms of repetitive thought (RT), such as worry and reflection, can be characterized along basic dimensions of valence (positive vs. negative) and purpose (searching vs. solving). In addition, people can be characterized as high or low in their tendency to engage in RT. This dimensional model has been demanding to assess, and a smaller number of items that could stand in for a large battery would make measurement more accessible. Using four samples ( N = 1,588), eight items that assess RT valence, purpose, and total in a circumplex model were identified. Across these and other samples, the dimensions were adequately reliable and valid with regard to assessment via large RT battery, other measures of RT, and depressive symptoms. The accessibility of dimensional assessment of RT using this smaller number of items should facilitate work on questions about the qualities of RT that predict mental and physical health.
Evaluation of biochemical and haematological parameters and prevalence of selected pathogens in feral cats from urban and rural habitats in South Korea
Authors: Hwang Jusun , Gottdenker Nicole , Min Mi-Sook , Lee Hang , Chun Myung-Sun
Published: May 2015

Objectives

In this study, we evaluated the potential association between the habitat types of feral cats and the prevalence of selected infectious pathogens and health status based on a set of blood parameters.

Methods

We live-trapped 72 feral cats from two different habitat types: an urban area (n = 48) and a rural agricultural area (n = 24). We compared blood values and the prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and haemotropic Mycoplasma infection in feral cats from the two contrasting habitats.

Results

Significant differences were observed in several blood values (haematocrit, red blood cells, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine) depending on the habitat type and/or sex of the cat. Two individuals from the urban area were seropositive for FIV (3.0%), and eight (12.1%) were positive for FeLV infection (five from an urban habitat and three from a rural habitat). Haemoplasma infection was more common. Based on molecular analysis, 38 cats (54.3%) were positive for haemoplasma, with a significantly higher infection rate in cats from rural habitats (70.8%) compared with urban cats (47.8%).

Conclusions and relevance

Our study recorded haematological and serum biochemical values, and prevalence of selected pathogens in feral cat populations from two different habitat types. A subset of important laboratory parameters from rural cats showed values under or above the corresponding reference intervals for healthy domestic cats, suggesting potential differences in the health status of feral cats depending on the habitat type. Our findings provide information about the association between 1) blood values (haematological and serum biochemistry parameters) and 2) prevalence of selected pathogen infections and different habitat types; this may be important for veterinarians who work with feral and/or stray cats and for overall cat welfare management.
Self-expansion motivation improves cross-group interactions and enhances self-growth
Authors: Dys-Steenbergen Odilia , Wright Stephen C. , Aron Arthur
Published: May 2015

Rather than seeing outgroup members as targets of fear, conflict, or even tolerance, the self-expansion model proposes that outgroup members might be seen as attractive opportunities for self-growth. The current study utilizes an experimental manipulation to raise (or lower) self-expansion motivation prior to a positive interaction with a stranger from a different ethnic group. The results show that priming high self-expansion motivation leads to higher quality interactions, greater interpersonal closeness, greater feelings of self-growth, and higher feelings of self-efficacy. In addition, these outcomes show patterns of mediation consistent with the predictions of self-expansion theory. These findings point to a potentially valuable tool for improving the quality of cross-group contact experiences. More broadly, they focus attention on the genuinely positive functions that relationships with outgroup members can have for the self.
Optimization of nanohole array parameters for improving the ultimate efficiency of nanohole structured c-Si solar cells
Authors: Goswami Arjyajyoti , Aravindan S , Rao PV
Published: May 2015

Surface texturing helps in reducing the reflectance of the surface and hence it improves the ultimate efficiency of the solar cell. In this article, rigorous coupled wave analysis was used to find out the effect of different nanohole parameters such as nanohole diameter (D), pitch (P) and nanohole depth (H) on the reflectance and the ultimate efficiency of a c-Si solar cell of 275 μm thickness. Response surface methodology was used for co-relating the nanohole geometry parameters with the ultimate efficiency. The developed relation was used for optimization using genetic algorithm implemented through MATLAB. The optimized parameters have resulted in a 17.81% improvement in ultimate efficiency as compared with bare substrate of same thickness. A comparative study was made on the effect of parameters on the ultimate efficiency of the solar cell and it was found that higher value of diameter yielded greater ultimate efficiency. Finally, the performance of structured Si was compared with that of bare Si and Si coated with anti-reflective coating in various configurations. A 50 nm deep hole filled with anti-reflective coating and with a top surface anti-reflective coating of 75 nm yielded the highest ultimate efficiency of 47.61%.
Persistent reversed end diastolic flow in the fetal middle cerebral artery: an ominous finding
Authors: Brownfoot FC , Cluver CA , Walker SP
Published: May 2015

Fetal persistent middle cerebral artery reversed end diastolic flow is a rare and ominous finding. Previous cases have been associated with intracranial hemorrhage, growth restriction, anaemia, and hepatic anomaly. Intrauterine demise or early neonatal death is a common outcome. We report the case of persistent middle cerebral artery reversed end diastolic flow in a well-grown fetus at 32 weeks’ gestation resulting from acute, severe anaemia due to a large feto-maternal hemorrhage. An emergency cesarean section was performed and the neonate required advanced resuscitation and immediate blood transfusion. Postnatal magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a hemorrhagic parietal infarct and bilateral ischaemic changes in the basal ganglia. This provides further evidence that persistent middle cerebral artery reversed end diastolic flow in any fetus is an ominous finding warranting urgent diagnostic evaluation and/or delivery.
Information for consent: Too long and too hard to read
Authors: Biggs John SG , Marchesi August
Published: May 2015

The length of participant information sheets (ISs) for research and difficulties in their comprehension have been a cause of increasing concern. We aimed to examine the information sheets in research proposals submitted to an Australian HREC in one year, comparing the results with national recommendations and published data. Information sheets in all 86 research submissions were analysed using available software. The work of Flesch was used for Reading Ease or Readability and that of Flesch and Kincaid for the level of education required for comprehension, the Reading Grade Level. The mean length of 86 information sheets was 3110 words; many had more than 5000 words. Using the Flesch scale of 0 to 100, with 0 meaning most difficult and 100 very easy to read, the mean readability level was 47. The mean length of education needed to easily grasp the information was 11.6 years, equivalent to senior secondary school. Information sheets in research projects submitted to an HREC were often too long to be read in a reasonable time and too difficult to be easily understood. Recommended standards for information sheets were infrequently met.
Clinical approaches to treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor acquired resistance
Authors: Tartarone Alfredo , Lerose Rosa
Published: May 2015

The discovery of epidermal growth factor receptor activating mutations (EGFR Mut+) has determined a paradigm shift in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In several phase III studies, patients with NSCLC EGFR Mut+ achieved a significantly better progression-free survival when treated with a first- (gefitinib, erlotinib) or second-generation (afatinib) EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) compared with standard chemotherapy. However, despite these impressive results, most patients with NSCLC EGFR Mut+ develop acquired resistance to TKIs. This review will discuss both the mechanisms of resistance to TKIs and the therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance, including emerging data on third-generation TKIs.
Acute conjunctivitis
Authors: Rapp Lucy
Published: May 2015

Eye problems account for 1.5% of GP consultations in the UK, with a rate of 50 consultations per 1000 population per year. This equates to a yearly cost of 22 billion to the UK’s economy. It has been shown that 50% of sight loss could be avoided through improved eye care services and early detection of problems. To highlight this point, eye health has been chosen by the RCGP as a clinical priority between 2013 and 2016, with a particular focus on the elderly population and sight loss. Data obtained from GPs has revealed that 10–15% of the eye conditions that present to primary care involve the conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis is a particularly beneficial area about which to be knowledgeable, as it is one of the most common non-traumatic eye complaints and in many cases it is straightforward and self-limiting. This article aims to address what constitutes conjunctivitis, the different types, the clinical findings, and management including when to involve specialist services. It will also look at the differential diagnoses of the presenting symptom of the acute red eye.
Assessing Testlet Effect, Impact, Differential Testlet, and Item Functioning Using Cross-Classified Multilevel Measurement Modeling
Authors: Ravand Hamdollah
Published: May 2015

The present study used the two-level testlet response model (MMMT-2) to assess impact, differential item functioning (DIF), and differential testlet functioning (DTLF) in a reading comprehension test. The data came from 21,641 applicants into English Masters’ programs at Iranian state universities. Testlet effects were estimated, and items and testlets that were functioning differentially for test takers of different genders and majors were identified. Also parameter estimates obtained under MMMT-2 and those obtained under the two-level hierarchical generalized linear model (HGLM-2) were compared. The results indicated that ability estimates obtained under the two models were significantly different at the lower and upper ends of the ability distribution. In addition, it was found that ignoring local item dependence (LID) would result in overestimation of the precision of the ability estimates. As for the difficulty of the items, the estimates obtained under the two models were almost the same, but standard errors were significantly different.
Critical Assessment 13: Elimination of white etching matter in bearing steels
Authors: Bhadeshia H. K. D. H. , Solano-Alvarez W.
Published: May 2015

One form of damage due to rolling contact fatigue is the formation of localised regions of extremely hard material forming within the body of a bearing. These regions have a relatively homogeneous structure and hence etch mildly with respect to the surrounding unaffected matrix. They, therefore, appear white in a darker background when examined using optical microscopy. We assess here the cause of this damage and propose solutions that are backed by evidence that already is available. The issue is important because of the spate of unexpected failures in large wind turbine bearings and of generic importance in determining the life of more well behaved bearing applications.
Protease-inhibiting, molecular modeling and antimicrobial activities of extracts and constituents from Helichrysum foetidum and Helichrysum mechowianum (compositae)
Authors: Malolo Fanny-Aimée Essombe , Bissoue Nouga Achille , Kakam Antoine , Franke Katrin , Ngah Lidwine , Flausino Otavio , Mpondo Mpondo Emmanuel , Ntie-Kang Fidele , Ndom Jean Claude , Bolzani Vanderlan da Silva , Wessjohann Ludger
Published: May 2015

Background

Helichrysum species are used extensively for stress-related ailments and as dressings for wounds normally encountered in circumcision rites, bruises, cuts and sores. It has been reported that Helichysum species are used to relief abdominal pain, heart burn, cough, cold, wounds, female sterility, menstrual pain.

Results

From the extracts of Helichrysum foetidum (L.) Moench, six known compounds were isolated and identified. They were 7, 4′-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-flavanone (1), 6′-methoxy-2′,4, 4′-trihydroxychalcone (2), 6′-methoxy-2′,4-dihydroxychalcone -4′-O-β-D-glucoside (3), apigenin (4), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (5), kaur-16-en-18-oic acid (6) while two known compounds 3,5,7-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (12), 4,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (13) together with a mixture of phytosterol were isolated from the methanol extract of Helichrysum mechowianum Klatt. All the compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods, and by comparison with literature data. Both extracts and all the isolates were screened for the protease inhibition, antibacterial and antifungal activities. In addition, the phytochemical profiles of both species were investigated by ESI-MS experiments.

Conclusions

These results showed that the protease inhibition assay of H. foetidum could be mainly attributed to the constituents of flavonoids glycosides (3, 5) while the compound (13) from H. mechowianum contributes to the stomach protecting effects. In addition, among the antibacterial and antifungal activities of all the isolates, compound (6) was found to possess a potent inhibitor effect against the tested microorganisms. The heterogeneity of the genus is also reflected in its phytochemical diversity. The differential bioactivities and determined constituents support the traditional use of the species. Molecular modelling was carried out by computing selected descriptors related to drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET).
Frontal recess anatomy in Japanese subjects and its effect on the development of frontal sinusitis: Computed tomography analysis
Authors: Kubota Kazunori , Takeno Sachio , Hirakawa Katsuhiro
Published: May 2015

Background

Comprehensive understanding of frontal recess anatomy is essential for the successful treatment of patients with frontal sinus disease. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of specific frontal recess cells in Japanese subjects and the association of these cells with the development of frontal sinusitis.

Methods

Frontal recess anatomy was analyzed using high-resolution spiral computed tomography images of paranasal sinuses from December 2008 through September 2011. The distribution of various frontal recess cells in patients with and without frontal sinusitis was compared by logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 150 patients met the criteria, and 300 sides were analyzed. Agger nasi cells were present in 88.0 % of sides; frontal cell types 1 (FC1), 2 (FC2), 3 (FC3), and 4 (FC4) were present in 37.0 %, 6.3 %, 4.3 %, and 1.3 %, respectively; supraorbital ethmoid cells in 6.0 %, suprabullar cells in 37.0 %, frontal bullar cells (FBC) in 7.0 %, and interfrontal sinus septal cells in 8.6 %. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of FBCs was significantly associated with the development of frontal sinusitis ( p = 0.043).

Conclusions

The frequencies of frontal recess cells in Japanese adult patients were similar to those reported for other East Asian adult populations, including Chinese, Korean, and Taiwanese. Anatomically, FBCs may show a greater association with the development of frontal sinusitis than other frontal recess cells.
Reading Playboy for the Science Fiction
Authors: Carroll Jordan S.
Published: May 2015

Through an examination of some of the science-fiction stories published in Playboy magazine from 1953 to 1973, this essay shows that futuristic narratives were integral to the magazine’s editorial sensibility, which suggested that intimate life should be governed by the cool rationality of scientific management. In addition to offering close readings of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and “The Fly” by George Langelaan, this essay demonstrates that Playboy editor and publisher Hugh Hefner himself was a science-fictional figure, representing the fantasy of a human merging with a media network. During this period, Hefner purported to be the living embodiment of the Playboy enterprise, as well as its target audience. This claim allowed the magazine to manage public and legal perceptions of its readership, a move that helped Playboy skirt censorship while courting advertisers. Women and other supposedly vulnerable readers were excluded from its audience, appearing instead as instruments for masculine self-contemplation. Thus, the magazine describes female characters such as Clarisse, the “girl next door” in Fahrenheit 451, and Janet Pilgrim, the first girl-next-door Playmate, as media technologies operated by men. Drawing on Michel Foucault and the history of the book, this article uses the example of Hefner to theorize the editorial subject. Like Foucault’s author function, the editor function represents a position of legal, moral, and authorial responsibility that binds together disparate elements into a single, legible identity. Threats to this identity reemerge through science-fiction narratives, which allow readers to obtain a cool and estranged perspective on otherwise disturbing ideas and emotions. Nevertheless, Playboy rejected even speculative short stories that failed to conform to its editorial point of view.
Sepsis breakthroughs in 2014
Authors: Russell James A. , Walley Keith R.
Published: May 2015

The mortality of sepsis may be decreasing and, because there are more survivors, it is increasingly important to understand the epidemiology, pathogenesis, genetics, prevention, and treatment of the impaired long-term outcomes of sepsis. Recent insights on the clearance of bacterial products during sepsis suggest new strategies for early intervention. Immune suppression/immune reprogramming to decrease later secondary infections is a novel strategy now in clinical trials. The Protocolized Care for the Early Septic Shock (ProCESS), Australasian Resuscitation in Sepsis Evaluation (ARISE) and ProMISe randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) versus usual care found no differences between groups in mortality. Fluid therapies may not require full-on EGDT, but rather emphasize the importance of early recognition and resuscitation of sepsis. The Albumin Italian Outcome Sepsis (ALBIOS) RCT did not find a difference between albumin (titrated to serum albumin >30 g/L) and crystalloid in severe sepsis. However, in a subgroup analysis, mortality was lower in the albumin group in patients who had septic shock. Therapeutic use of albumin may be beneficial in septic shock, but requires further evaluation in RCTs. A recent RCT of conservative versus liberal transfusion strategies (70 versus 90 g/L, respectively) found no difference in mortality in septic shock. The transfusion threshold in septic shock is now 70–90 g/L. Although there was no difference in mortality between a usual or a high target mean arterial pressure (MAP) for septic shock resuscitation, a higher MAP target may be beneficial in patients who have pre-existing hypertension, because higher MAP may decrease the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Nutrition practice can continue with enteral nutrition started on days 2–3 (i.e., early but there is no indication for very early parenteral nutrition). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the commonest complication of sepsis. Two recent RCTs of simvastatin and rosuvastatin in ARDS were not positive. Early statins at appropriate doses and plasma levels deserve a trial in sepsis. In future, perhaps three changes could improve the chances of having positive trials in sepsis: the use of biomarkers to stratify patients; adaptive trial design to enhance dose selection and reject compounds that are unlikely to be suitable at Phase 2; and the use of composite organ dysfunction as the primary outcome.
Phylogenetic relationships of Santalales with insights into the origins of holoparasitic Balanophoraceae
Authors: Su Huei-Jiun , Hu Jer-Ming , Anderson Frank E. , Der Joshua P. , Nickrent Daniel L.
Published: May 2015

To date molecular data have not revealed the exact phylogenetic position of Balanophoraceae in relation to hemiparasitic Santalales. To elucidate the phylogeny of Santalales and the position of Balanophoraceae, three plastid genes (matK, rbcL, accD), three nuclear genes (SSU and LSU rDNA and RPB2) and one mitochondrial gene (matR) from 197 Santalales samples (including 11 Balanophoraceae species) were analyzed with parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Our results demonstrate that Balanophoraceae is composed of two well‐supported clades: a relatively slow‐evolving one including Dactylantus, Hachettea, and Mystropetalon (Mystropetalaceae) and an extremely fast‐evolving one composed of the remaining Balanophoraceae s.str. Support for monophyly of the two clades was low, thus it appears holoparasitism has arisen twice independently in Santalales. These two clades appeared during a time of great change in the order (ca. 100 Ma) when several major evolutionary innovations emerged, e.g., the root hemiparasites of Santalaceae s.l., the first aerial parasites (Misodendraceae), herbaceous root parasites (Schoepfiaceae), root parasitic Loranthaceae (the ancestors of aerial parasitic mistletoes), as well as the holoparasites in Balanophoraceae and Mystropetalaceae.
Administrative offences on the sea and inland water transport: concept and features of qualification
Authors: Братановский Сергей , Bratanovsky Sergey , Гургов Борис , Gurgov Boris
Published: May 2015

The authors analyze the issues related to administrative offenses and administrative responsibility for sea and inland water transport. The article reveals certain questions of qualification of administrative offenses in this sphere. Exploring scientific concepts, regulations and enforcement practices authors offer some changes aimed at improvement of standards of the administrative legislation.
Looking after patients, not looking for patients
Authors: Williamson M , Ghazaly M , Bhatt N , Nehra D
Published: May 2015

How transfers from ward to ward can affect continuity of care.
YouTube™ as a source of patient information about knee replacement surgery
Authors: Magill H , Welsh S , Mackey J , Williamson N , Maruthainar N
Published: May 2015

Empowering patients or providing potentially dangerous information?
Mr Slop and those damn lawyers
Authors: Slop
Published: May 2015

In which Slop struggles to find his place in an increasingly litigious society.
Start spreading the news…
Authors: Kuku Esther
Published: May 2015

The press love to be the bearer of bad news when it comes to patient experience. It's up to us to make sure no good deed goes unreported.
Severe State Crime and Double Standards: A Lecture by Professor Richard Falk, Kings College London, 11 November 2013
Authors: Falk Richard
Published: May 2015

None
Library of Congress Classification for Judaica: Recent Changes (1995-1996)
Authors: Ruderman Ella
Published: May 2015

This column covers the additions and changes to the Library of Congress Classification made from January 1995 to December 1996 that are relevant to Judaica libraries. Most of the changes come under classes BM (Judaism), BS (Bible), DS (History of Asia), and PJ (Oriental philology and literature). Of major significance are the following changes: (1) Class number BM198 (Hasidism. Hasidim) received a detailed breakdown, the greatest benefit of which is that it allows librarians to classify together works about individual Hasidic sects, as well as works about Hasidism in individual regions and countries. (2) The breakdown for the Holocaust under class number 0804 was expanded to introduce such subtopics as collective and individual biography, special groups of Jewish and non-Jewish victims, rescue efforts and biographies of righteous gentiles. The new breakdown also established separate decimal subdivisions for works of Holocaust denial literature and works on the phenomenon of Holocaust denial.
Bibliographic Project on Antisemitism
Authors: Cohen Susan , Arzt Rosalind
Published: May 2015

The Bibliographic Project on Antisemitism, based at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, comprises databases listing material about antisemitism (including the Holocaust) published throughout the world, with a view to forming a comprehensive database containing everything ever published on the subject. The organization of the material is described, both for the printed and online versions of the bibliographies. Information is given on how to acquire the printed books produced to date and on how to access the material online.
Recommended Judaica Reference Works, 1994-1996
Authors: Cutter Charles , Oppenheim Micha F.
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this column is to recommend current Judaica reference sources, both general and specialized. It is intended to serve as a guide to new tools for scholarly research as well as to more popular, but reliable, works. The annotations describe the scope, arrangement, and use of each work.
This column lists selected reference materials that appeared from 1994 to 1996. Works published in 1992 and 1993 that were not reviewed in prior columns are included as well.
‘New speakers’ of Irish in the United States: practices and motivations
Authors: Walsh John , Ní Dhúda Laoise
Published: May 2015

This paper examines the experiences and motivations of ‘new speakers’ of Irish in the United States. ‘New speakers’ of Irish refer to those whose first language is not Irish but who use the language regularly and fluently. Based on ethnographic fieldwork carried out among Irish speakers in five locations across the United States, the paper begins by describing the language backgrounds of participants. It goes on to analyse their use of Irish and their motivations for learning it and considers the links between practice and ideology. Although Irish heritage and culture are often strong motivating factors for Americans to learn Irish, not all learners are Irish American and only some advance to a level of competence high enough to adopt Irish as family or home language and/or attempt to influence the language ideologies of others. High and active competence is linked to deep personal dedication and is achieved despite significant obstacles facing those who wish to become new speakers of Irish in the United States. This research is part of a broader European project about the practices and ideologies of ‘new speakers’ from a range of languages.
Intersectionality in language trajectories: African women in Spain
Authors: Martínez Tulay Caglitutuncigil
Published: May 2015

During the last decades, changing intra-state and inter-state immigrant profiles in Spain has generated an interesting landscape for sociolinguistics research. There has been a shift from temporary migration to permanent settlement, which means that there is an increasing number of individuals who need to speak the locally legitimate forms of language for different reasons. Apart from this, recent statistics indicate that female immigrants’ profiles are also changing, and they are becoming more and more forerunners and active participants in the formal Spanish labour market (Aja et al. 2011). Therefore, this dynamic, ever changing profile of female immigrants suggests that they move across existing boundaries, acquiring and developing their linguistic knowledge to access other forms of symbolic capitals in Spain. Building on my ethnography of two sites in Madrid and Barcelona between 2011 and 2014, I shall explain how African immigrant women become new speakers and how their language learning process intersects with socially constructed boundaries such as political, economic, and linguistic hierarchies and ascribed gender roles.
Innovative bio-products for agriculture
Authors: Chojnacka Katarzyna
Published: May 2015

The paper reports state of the art research in
the field of novel bio-based products for agriculture.
Biopesticides, biostimulants and biofertilizers were
shown as a potential alternative or additional products to
the currently used agrochemicals. The present situation
on the market of agrochemicals was discussed. Difficulties
related to products registration were taken into account.
Research on supercritical algal extracts as a biostimulant
of plant growth and health supporting feed additive for
laying hens was presented, as well as the perspectives of
the use of biomass as the carrier of fertilizer nutrients.
The method of production of new fertilizer components
with micronutrients was biosorption. The concept of new
phosphorus biofertilizers containing living microflora that
solubilizes phosphorus was reported.
Understanding and Challenging White Privilege in Higher Education as a Means of Combatting and Neutralizing Racism
Authors: Rainer Jackson P.
Published: May 2015

Efforts in the classroom have most often addressed racism from the perspective of the groups affected by discriminatory policies and practice. While diversity education of this sort has demonstrated positive impact on educational outcomes for college students (Gurin, Dey, Hurtado, & Gurin, 2002), this approach places primary attention on the disempowerment of the non-dominant group. One of the essential premises of multicultural education is that it solicits dialogue focusing on the perception of the person in environment, including interactions with diverse sets of peers from the non-dominant cultural and social group. There is a strong empirical base of evidence (Smith et al., 1997) informing the pedagogical logic with this approach to teaching in experiential education. As noted in this approach, the problems of racism have generally focused on those affected by discriminatory policies and practices. Contemporary approaches to multicultural education flip this idea of discrimination on its head and instead suggest focusing on those who benefit from it and the complex issues involved in the maintenance of identity, power, and privilege. Discussion of the motivations of white privilege and the benefits derived from it serves as the focus of this paper, followed by the challenges inherent in neutralizing white privilege in adult education. A personal narrative from the author’s history will serve to illustrate the “lessons learned” from this approach.
Party Control and Perverse Effects in Majority-Minority Districting: Replication Challenges When Using DW-NOMINATE
Authors: Simons Joseph , Mallinson Daniel J.
Published: May 2015

Every 10 years, states set about redrawing the lines of their Congressional districts. Scholars in political science have long been interested in the strategic behavior and representational outcomes of this process. While majority-minority districts are intended to provide a constraint on strategic party behavior in order to ensure substantive representation of minority interests, researchers have noted a perverse effect that results in potentially less-representative political outcomes. In 2003, Kenneth Shotts, David Lublin, and D. Stephen Voss debated the veracity of the perverse effects claim, but Shotts’ critique was missing a key interaction between partisanship and the liberalizing effect of majority-minority districts. In the course of performing this necessary extension on Shotts’ work, we found that our results have an unexpected, and important, methodological implication for Congress scholars. Specifically, we were unable to replicate his results precisely due to sublte changes in DW-NOMINATE estimates that result from periodic updating of the database. Further-more, after substantially expanding the dataset, we continue to find the same null results and the evidence supporting the interaction is statistically ambiguous. Though these null results do not prove or disprove the perverse-effects hypothesis, they do undermine Shotts’ evidence of a liberalizing effect of majority-minority districting. While we lack sufficient precision to estimate whether majority-minority districting has a positive, negative, or truly no effect on minority representation (and the conditional effect of party control), it is more concerning that small changes to DW-NOMINATE would prevent the replication of these past results, given the abundance of studies that use it to measure legislator ideology.
A Note on the Kirchhoff and Additive Degree-Kirchhoff Indices of Graphs
Authors: Yang Yujun , Klein Douglas J.
Published: May 2015

Two resistance-distance-based graph invariants, namely, the Kirchhoff index and the additive degree-Kirchhoff index, are studied. A relation between them is established, with inequalities for the additive degree-Kirchhoff index arising via the Kirchhoff index along with minimum, maximum, and average degrees. Bounds for the Kirchhoff and additive degree-Kirchhoff indices are also determined, and extremal graphs are characterised. In addition, an upper bound for the additive degree-Kirchhoff index is established to improve a previously known result.
Structural and spectroscopic characterization of isotypic sodium, rubidium and cesium acesulfamates
Authors: Piro Oscar E. , Echeverría Gustavo A. , Castellano Eduardo E. , Parajón-Costa Beatriz S. , Baran Enrique J.
Published: May 2015

Three new acesulfamate salts, NaC4H4NO4S, RbC4H4NO4S and CsC4H4NO4S, were prepared by reactions in aqueous solutions and thoroughly characterized. Their crystal and molecular structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. They crystallize in the monoclinic space groupP21/awitha= 7.2518(2),b= 8.9414(4),c= 10.5929(4) Å,β= 99.951(3)°,V= 676.52(4) Å3for the Na salt;a= 7.4663(3),b= 9.6962(4),c= 10.4391(4) Å,β= 95.150(3)°,V= 752.68(5) Å3for the Rb salt anda= 7.5995(4),b= 9.9439(4),c= 10.8814(6) Å,β= 91.298(5)°,V= 822.08(7) Å3for the Cs salt, andZ= 4 molecules per unit cell. The three compounds are isotypic to each other and to the previously reported potassium salt. The metal ions are in irregular polyhedral coordination with six neighboring acesulfamate anions through their nitrogen and carbonyl and sulfoxide oxygen atoms. The FTIR spectra of the compounds were also recorded and are briefly discussed.