bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HAZAGORA: will you survive the next disaster? – a serious game to raise awareness about geohazards and disaster risk reduction
Authors: Mossoux S. , Delcamp A. , Poppe S. , Michellier C. , Canters F. , Kervyn M.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Natural disasters are too often presented as resulting from extreme natural phenomena affecting helpless populations, with people being insufficiently aware of the factors leading to disasters and of the existing strategies to mitigate their impacts. We developed a board game aimed at raising awareness about geohazards and disaster risk reduction strategies. The target groups are (1) secondary school students and citizens, and (2) scientists and stakeholders involved in risk management activities. For the first group, the aim is to induce a better understanding of geohazards and disasters they are confronted with in the media or in their daily life; for the second, the objective is to generate discussion about risk management strategies. The game was tested with students in Belgium and with citizens, earth scientists and risk managers in several African countries. Based on the game strategies analysis, the players' reactions during the game and their answers to a short questionnaire, we analyzed the main learning outcomes conveyed by this game. The Hazagora game appears to positively enhance the players' insight in processes involved in disasters. As such, the game is an effective playful learning tool to introduce participants to the concept of geohazard and disaster and to generate discussion.
Development of Semi- and Grafted Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Based on Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Diacrylate and Collagen
Authors: Madaghiele Marta , Marotta Francesco , Demitri Christian , Montagna Francesco , Maffezzoli Alfonso , Sannino Alessandro
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The objective of this work was to develop composite hydrogels based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and collagen (Coll), potentially useful for biomedical applications.

Methods

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) were obtained by photo-stabilizing aqueous solutions of PEGDA and acrylic acid (AA), in the presence of collagen. Further grafting of the collagen macromolecules to the PEGDA/poly(AA) network was achieved by means of a carbodiimide-mediated crosslinking reaction. The resulting hydrogels were characterized in terms of swelling capability, collagen content and mechanical properties.

Results and Conclusions

The grafting procedure was found to significantly improve the mechanical stability of the IPN hydrogels, due to the establishment of covalent bonding between the PEGDA/poly(AA) and the collagen networks. The suitability of the composite hydrogels to be processed by means of stereolithography (SLA) was also investigated, toward creating biomimetic constructs with complex shapes, which might be useful either as platforms for tissue engineering applications or as tissue mimicking phantoms.
Onrechtmatige verkoop van bv-aandelen door schending onderzoeksplicht: bestuurlijke tekortkoming of aandeelhoudersgedraging?
Authors: van Vegchel V.
Published: September 2015

Onrechtmatige verkoop van bv-aandelen door schending onderzoeksplicht: bestuurlijke tekortkoming of aandeelhoudersgedraging?

De verkoper van een bv riskeert onder omstandigheden persoonlijke aansprakelijkheid jegens crediteuren van die bv indien hij de verkoop doorzet zonder onderzoek te doen naar de koper en deze koper achteraf malafide blijkt te zijn. Verscheidene rechtbanken zien in het schenden van deze onderzoeksplicht een grondslag voor bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid van een verkopend dga. In dit artikel wordt geconstateerd dat deze grondslag onjuist is. Een aandelenoverdracht behelst immers een aandeelhoudersgedraging. Bovendien had de dga ook via de weg van aandeelhoudersaansprakelijkheid kunnen worden aangesproken. Verder komt aan bod wat de kenmerken zijn van de onderzoeksplicht en wanneer dit aansprakelijkheidsrisico zich kan verwezenlijken.
A Framework for Effective Object-Oriented Software Change Impact Analysis
Authors:   University of Venda, Department of Computer Science, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa, Isong Bassey , Ekabua Obeten
Published: September 2015

Object-oriented (OO) software have complex dependencies and different change types which frequently affect their maintenance in terms of ripple-effects identification or may likely introduce some faults which are hard to detect. As change is both important and risky, change impact analysis (CIA) is a technique used to preserve the quality of the software system. Several CIA techniques exist but they provide little or no clear information on OO software system representation for effective change impact prediction. Additionally, OO classes are not faults or failures-free and their fault-proneness is not considered during CIA. There is no known CIA approach that incorporates both change impact and fault prediction. Consequently, making changes to software components while neglecting their dependencies and fault-proneness may have some unexpected effects on their quality or may increase their failure risks. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel framework for OO software CIA that allows for impact and fault predictions. Moreover, an intermediate OO program representation that explicitly represents the software and allows its structural complexity to be quantified using complex networks is proposed. The objective is to enhance static CIA and facilitate program comprehension. To assess its effectiveness, a controlled experiment was conducted using students’ project with respect to maintenance duration and correctness. The results obtained were promising, indicating its importance for impact analysis.
Measurement of Usability of Office Application Using a Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Technique
Authors:   Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Amity University, Noida, 201303, India, Dubey Sanjay Kumar , Pandey Sumit
Published: September 2015

Software Quality is very important aspect for any software development company. Software quality measurement is also a major concern for improving the software applications in software development processes in these companies. The quantification of various quality factors and integrate them into various software quality models is very important to analyze the quality of software system. Software usability is one of the important quality factors now days due to the increasing demand of interactive and user friendly software systems. In this paper, an attempt has been made to quantifying the usability of Ms-Excel 2007 and Ms-Excel 2010 application software using ISO/IEC 9126 model and compare the numeric value of usability for both version of Ms-Excel 2007 and Ms-Excel 2010. Due to the random nature of the usability attributes, the fuzzy multi criteria decision technique has been used to evolve the usability of the software office application. The present method will be helpful to analyze and enhance the quality of interactive software system.
Measles Vaccination among Children (12 to 23 Months) in IDPs Settlements of Khartoum State, Sudan
Authors: Elhadi Fatima Elshikh , Ibrahim Ibrahim Awad
Published: September 2015

Objectives: To assess the coverage rate of measles vaccine among children 12 to 23 months old and causes behind non-immunization in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) settlements.
Methods: A multistage cluster sampling, community-based, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in IDPs Settlements of Khartoum State, Sudan, in 2009. Questionnaires were collected from 210 children (12 to 23 months) old to determine the coverage rate and causes behind non-immunization with measles vaccine.
Results: Almost one quarter (24.8%) of children was not vaccinated by measles and the coverage rate was 75.2%; most of them had a vaccination card (86%) which means a high documentation and verification of mothers answers and only 14% verified the immunization status of their children by memory. The major cause of none vaccination was because of the busyness of the mother to take her child for vaccination, which comprises 10% of the children, followed by 6.2% of children not vaccinated because their mothers give no reason for not vaccinating their children. There was evidence of a significant association (P-Value = 0.037) between education level of the mothers' and numbers of children under five years in the family with the immunization of Measles.
Conclusion: Coverage of measles vaccination among children aged 12-23 months in IDPs settlements in Khartoum state was reasonably acceptable. The most common reasons for non-immunization were that the caretakers were busy to take their children for vaccination and being unaware of need to return for measles vaccine. Apply a health promotion program and use of different comprehensive interventions to convince mothers to complete measles immunization and increases coverage rate, also plan and implement an effective health education program to increase the awareness of mothers on the importance of measles vaccination.
Use of Donkey Milk in Cases of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergies
Authors: Polidori Paolo , Ariani Ambra , Vincenzetti Silvia
Published: September 2015

Human breast milk is the best nutritional support that insure the right development and influence immune status of the newborn infant. However, when it is not possible to breast feeding may be necessary to use commercial infant formulas that mimic, where possible, the levels and types of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients present in human milk. Despite this, some formula-fed infant develops allergy, atopic disease and differences in response to infection with respect to breast-fed infants. Donkey milk may be considered a good substitute for dairy cow’s milk derivatives in feeding children with severe Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) since its composition is closer to human milk compared to other species commonly bred. It has been proposed as an alternative to cow’s milk for children affected by CMPA when it is not possible breast feeding. Donkey milk is characterized by a low casein content, with values very close to human milk, and also total whey protein content in donkey milk is very close to that found in human milk but higher compared to bovine milk. Donkey milk has been used in several clinical trials involving children affected by CMPA because of the low allergenicity of this milk. The results shown in this review confirmed the nutritional characteristics of the protein fractions of donkey milk and the possibility of using donkey milk in feeding children with CMPA, particularly after an adequate lipid integration, including children with multiple food allergies.
Private International Law Implications in Conflicts of Interest for Lawyers Licensed in Multiple Countries
Authors: Schitka Barrett
Published: September 2015

Conflicts of interest issues are one of the most complicated areas of the law that lawyers and law firms face on a day-to-day basis. These issues are further complicated when lawyers are licensed in more than one jurisdiction and become subject to multiple ethical regimes. This article investigates what rules and duties are applicable to lawyers licensed in multiple jurisdictions, and what solutions are available to the lawyer when the law governing lawyers from different jurisdictions diverges or conflicts. Through a discussion of the Canadian and United States rules on conflicts of interest, this article advocates for a two-step “proper law” approach to determine which jurisdiction’s ethical rules should be applied.
The Impact of Selected Individual and External Factors on the Occurrence of Severe Injuries: Case Study of Slovenia
Authors: Tominc Polona , Šebjan Urban
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the importance of different determinants and their impact on the severity of injuries of individuals in road traffic accidents, so that measures that are supposed to prevent or reduce severe injury consequences can be developed. In this paper three research models have been built. Model I was built to study the impact of demographic factors (gender and age) on the individual’s likelihood to wear a seat-belt while Model II to study the impact of demographic factors (gender and age) and the impact of wearing a seat belt on the likelihood that fatal injuries of individuals in road traffic accidents occur. Model III was formed to study the impact of several environmental factors on the likelihood that the accident involves severe or fatal injuries of road traffic accident participants. Altogether our study revealed that middle-aged individuals (over 25 years and up to 65 years old) are less likely to wear a seat belt and at the same time more likely to suffer fatal injuries in road traffic accidents. This is the result that implies that the targeted policy measures to the population between 25 and 65 years of age are needed to reduce the fatal injuries occurrence in Slovenia.
How to trigger a fungal weapon
Authors: Haas Hubertus
Published: September 2015

A fungus called Aspergillus terreus produces a secondary metabolite in response to various environmental signals to give it an advantage over its competitors.
Using Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) to Characterize Agonist‐Induced Arrestin Recruitment to Modified and Unmodified G Protein‐Coupled Receptors
Authors: Donthamsetti Prashant , Quejada Jose Rafael , Javitch Jonathan A. , Gurevich Vsevolod V. , Lambert Nevin A.
Published: September 2015

G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent ∼25% of current drug targets. Ligand binding to these receptors activates G proteins and arrestins, which are involved in differential signaling pathways. Because functionally selective or biased ligands activate one of these two pathways, they may be superior medications for certain diseases states. The identification of such ligands requires robust drug screening assays for both G protein and arrestin activity. This unit describes protocols for two bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)‐based assays used to monitor arrestin recruitment to GPCRs. One assay requires modification of GPCRs by fusion to a BRET donor or acceptor moiety, whereas the other can detect arrestin recruitment to unmodified GPCRs. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overview of KRAS‐Driven Genetically Engineered Mouse Models of Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Sheridan Clare , Downward Julian
Published: September 2015

KRAS, the most frequently mutated oncogene in non‐small cell lung cancer, has been utilized extensively to model human lung adenocarcinomas. The results from such studies have enhanced considerably an understanding of the relationship between KRAS and the development of lung cancer. Detailed in this overview are the features of various KRAS‐driven genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of non‐small cell lung cancer, their utilization, and the potential of these models for the study of lung cancer biology. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A New Nucleic Acid Prodrug Responsive to High Thiol Concentration: Synthesis of 2′‐O‐Methyldithiomethyl‐Modified Oligonucleotides by Post‐Synthetic Modification
Authors: Ochi Yosuke , Nakagawa Osamu , Hayashi Junsuke , Wada Shun‐ichi , Urata Hidehito
Published: September 2015

This unit describes the synthesis of 2′‐O‐methyldithiomethyluridine‐containing oligonucleotides, which can be deprotected to yield the parental oligoribonucleotides under high concentrations of glutathione similar in cytoplasm. The 2′‐O‐methyldithiomethyl group is sensitive to reductive conditions, so that it is incompatible to 3′‐O‐phosphoramidite modification in nucleosides. Thus, a novel post‐synthetic approach to obtain 2′‐O‐methyldithiomethyluridine‐containing oligonucleotides was developed, in which 2′‐O‐(2,4,6‐trimethoxybenzylthiomethyl)uridine‐modified oligonucleotides are readily converted by treatment with dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate to the 2′‐O‐methyldithiomethyluridine‐modified oligonucleotides. The 2′‐O‐methyldithiomethyluridine‐modified oligonucleotides are readily and cleanly converted to the parental oligonucleotides under high thiol conditions, such as 10 mM glutathione and dithiothreitol. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis of Fluorescent Potassium Ion–Sensing Probes Based on a Thrombin‐Binding DNA Aptamer–Peptide Conjugate
Authors: Takenaka Shigeori
Published: September 2015

This unit provides a procedure for synthesis of the potassium‐sensing peptide‐oligodeoxyribonucleotide conjugate PSO‐5 for visualizing potassium ions (K+) in living cells. It is constructed by combining an oligodeoxyribonucleotide carrying a thrombin‐binding DNA aptamer (TBA) sequence with an uncharged peptide carrying biotin and the fluorescence tags fluorescein (FAM) and tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA). The PSO‐5 and biotin‐modified nuclear export signal peptide are conjugated through streptavidin, and this sensing molecule is introduced into the cell where it is localized in the cytoplasm. The TBA part of PSO‐5 shows a conformational change from a random coil to a tetraplex structure induced by K+ and a change in the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency between FAM and TAMRA arising from its conformational change, enabling fluorometric detection of changes in K+ concentration. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Supported Lipid Bilayer Technology for the Study of Cellular Interfaces
Authors: Crites Travis J. , Maddox Michael , Padhan Kartika , Muller James , Eigsti Calvin , Varma Rajat
Published: September 2015

Glass‐supported lipid bilayers presenting freely diffusing proteins have served as a powerful tool for studying cell‐cell interfaces, in particular, T cell–antigen presenting cell (APC) interactions, using optical microscopy. Here we expand upon existing protocols and describe the preparation of liposomes by an extrusion method, and describe how this system can be used to study immune synapse formation by Jurkat cells. We also present a method for forming such lipid bilayers on silica beads for the study of signaling responses by population methods, such as western blotting, flow cytometry, and gene‐expression analysis. Finally, we describe how to design and prepare transmembrane‐anchored protein‐laden liposomes, following expression in suspension CHO (CHOs) cells, a mammalian expression system alternative to insect and bacterial cell lines, which do not produce mammalian glycosylation patterns. Such transmembrane‐anchored proteins may have many novel applications in cell biology and immunology. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Digestion, Purification, and Enrichment of Protein Samples for Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Hedrick Victoria E. , LaLand Mercedes N. , Nakayasu Ernesto S. , Paul Lake N.
Published: September 2015

Proteomic studies rely heavily on the use of liquid chromatography (LC)–mass spectrometry (MS and MS/MS) analyses to provide information about protein composition and function. Profiling the proteome can be the first step to understanding biological pathways, but the challenges scientists face with the complex nature of proteins and proteolysis products can be daunting. Techniques involving fractionation, immunoprecipitation, and phosphopeptide enrichment can simplify complex protein mixtures and enhance the amount of target proteins that are important to the investigator. Emphasis on sample preparation for LC‐MS/MS analyses is essential to acquisition of high‐quality data for proteomic research. Certain classes of reagents, materials, and contaminants that can be introduced during sample processing may limit the effectiveness of LC‐MS/MS analysis. These protocols outline methods for proteolytic digestion of proteins that are compatible with LC‐MS/MS, along with procedures that allow for simplification of complex protein matrices. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Genetic Code Expansion of Mammalian Cells with Unnatural Amino Acids
Authors: Brown Kalyn A. , Deiters Alexander
Published: September 2015

The expansion of the genetic code of mammalian cells enables the incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins. This is achieved by adding components to the protein biosynthetic machinery, specifically an engineered aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair. The unnatural amino acids are chemically synthesized and supplemented to the growth medium. Using this methodology, fundamental new chemistries can be added to the functional repertoire of the genetic code of mammalian cells. This protocol outlines the steps necessary to incorporate a photocaged lysine into proteins and showcases its application in the optical triggering of protein translocation to the nucleus. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Examining the Spatially Non- Stationary Associations Between the Second Demographic Transition and Infant Mortality: A Poisson GWR Approach
Authors: Yang Tse-Chuan , Shoff Carla , Matthews Stephen A.
Published: September 2015

Based on ecological studies, second demographic transition (SDT) theorists concluded that some areas in the US were in vanguard of the SDT compared to others, implying spatial non-stationarity may be inherent in the SDT process. Linking the SDT to the infant mortality literature, we sought to answer two related questions: Are the main components of the SDT, specifically marriage postponement, cohabitation, and divorce, associated with infant mortality? If yes, do these associations vary across the US? We applied global Poisson and geographically weighted Poisson regression (GWPR) models, a place-specific analytic approach, to county-level data in the contiguous US. After accounting for the racial/ethnic and socioeconomic compositions of counties and prenatal care utilization, we found (1) marriage postponement was negatively related to infant mortality in the southwestern states, but positively associated with infant mortality in parts of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, (2) cohabitation rates were positively related to infant mortality, and this relationship was stronger in California, coastal Virginia, and the Carolinas than other areas, and (3) a positive association between divorce rates and infant mortality in southwestern and northeastern areas of the US. These spatial patterns suggested that the associations between the SDT and infant mortality were stronger in the areas in vanguard of the SDT than in others. The comparison between global Poisson and GWPR results indicated that a place-specific spatial analysis not only fit the data better, but also provided insights into understanding the non-stationarity of the associations between the SDT and infant mortality.
Validating Adolescent Socioeconomic Status: Comparing School Free or Reduced Price Lunch with Community Measures
Authors: Nicholson Lisa M. , Slater Sandy J. , Chriqui Jamie F. , Chaloupka Frank
Published: September 2015

The use of free or reduced price lunch (FRL), as a measure of socioeconomic status (SES), has received mixed reviews in the literature. This study expands on the limited research on the validity of FRL as a measure of SES by examining the relationship between FRL and a series of community-based SES measures to determine whether FRL is an adequate proxy for adolescent SES. Data are from a nationally representative sample of 154 public high schools in 2010 from Bridging the Gap with corresponding school level data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) Common Core of Data (CCD) to obtain a measure of percent of students receiving FRL and using ArcGIS 9 software with the ACS 05–09, matched at the census block group level to construct measures of community SES. School zone level SES measures obtained include: median household income, percent of families in poverty, percent of families with children younger than 18 years in poverty, and the percent of all households in poverty. Data collected through community observations were used to construct a physical disorder scale. Percent FRL was strongly and significantly associated with the percent of families in poverty (r=0.67), percent of families with children younger than 18 years (r=0.67), percent of households in poverty (r=0.66), median household income (r=−0.60), and physical disorder (r=0.56) in the expected directions. Additionally, all community based measures of socioeconomic status were highly correlated with each other. The validity and limitations of FRL as a proxy for adolescent SES are discussed.
Endocrine Function Impairment After Distal Pancreatectomy: Incidence and Related Factors
Authors: Kang Jae Seung , Jang Jin‐Young , Kang Mee Joo , Kim Eunjung , Jung Woohyun , Chang Jihoon , Shin Youngchan , Han Youngmin , Kim Sun‐Whe
Published: September 2015

Background and aim

Little is known about the incidence of and risk factors for glucose intolerance after distal pancreatectomy. This study investigated the clinicopathologic factors associated with the development of glucose intolerance or overt diabetes mellitus (DM) after distal pancreatectomy, and the correlation between resected pancreas volume and endocrine function impairment.

Methods

After excluding patients with preoperative DM, 101 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy with a minimum of 1‐year postoperative follow‐up were enrolled in this prospective cohort. Patients were assessed preoperatively and 1 week and 12 months postoperatively by oral glucose tolerance tests and by measures of HbA1c and pancreatic volume.

Results

Mean patient age was 54.1 years, mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.3 kg/m2, and the male‐to‐female ratio was 1:1.8. Of the 101 patients, 21 (20.8 %) had pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The median percent resected pancreas volume was 28.0 % (range 5.0–71.3 %). One year after distal pancreatectomy, 51 patients (50.5 %) had glucose intolerance, including 26 with impaired fasting glucose and 25 with DM. ROC curve analysis showed that a resected pancreas volume of 25 % showed maximum diagnostic value for development of glucose intolerance. Univariate analysis showed that female sex (58.5 vs. 36.1 %, P = 0.031), BMI (24.1 vs. 22.5 kg/m2, P = 0.010), larger resected volume (36.5 vs. 28.0 %, P = 0.026), and lower remnant volume relative to BMI (1.7 × 10−3 vs. 2.1 × 10−3 m5/kg, P = 0.021) were risk factors for postoperative endocrine function impairment. Multivariate analysis revealed that female sex (odds ratio [OR] 5.818, P = 0.003), higher BMI (OR 10.556, P = 0.006), and resected pancreatic volume (OR 3.192, P = 0.035) were independent risk factors for endocrine impairment.

Conclusions

About 50 % of patients without preoperative DM developed impaired glucose tolerance or overt DM following distal pancreatectomy. Female sex, higher BMI, and resection of pancreatic volume >25 % were risk factors for endocrine function impairment, indicating the need for preoperative evaluation and careful perioperative glucose monitoring in these patients.
A Novel von Hippel Lindau Gene Intronic Variant and Its Reclassification from VUS to Pathogenic: the Impact on a Large Family
Authors: Sexton A. , Rawlings L. , McKavanagh G. , Simons K. , Winship I.
Published: September 2015

We present a case where a variant of uncertain significance in the von Hippel Lindau syndrome gene (VHL) was identified in a proband with haemangioblastoma, and in a second degree relative with phaeochromocytoma. Initial uncertainty due to the unclear nature of the variant created psychosocial challenges for this family, in which four other genetic conditions were also present. Subsequent RNA studies confirmed this as a novel pathogenic mutation affecting splicing of exon 2. A third relative has since been diagnosed with haemangioblastoma. We suggest that this mutation possibly has reduced penetrance as there was no history of haemangioblastoma, renal tumours (apart from small cysts) or other VHL tumours among five mutation positive and seven untested adult relatives at 50 % risk of the VHL mutation (average age 46 years, range 18–70 years). This case presents a novel VHL splicing mutation and highlights the psychosocial and medical value of additional laboratory studies on uncertain variants for individuals, their families and for the health professionals providing advice and counseling.
Living With Genetic Vulnerability: a Life Course Perspective
Authors: Hamilton Rebekah J. , Innella Nancy A. , Bounds Dawn T.
Published: September 2015

This is the second article of a two part series about utilizing the life course perspective (LCP) in genetic counseling. Secondary data analysis was conducted on a grounded theory, longitudinal study which provided a wide focus on living with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) risk. The aim of this analysis was to explore the longitudinal data for both the temporal and social context of living with BRCA mutation genetic test results. Sixteen women from two previous studies were interviewed on multiple occasions over an 8 year time period. The LCP was used to direct a thematic analysis of the data. Families experience the consequences of knowing they carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation long after the initial diagnosis. These women's experiences across time reflect the concepts of the LCP and show how life is changed when families know they live with a genetic vulnerability to an adult‐onset and potentially life‐threatening disease. Different emphases on concepts from the LCP were evident across the different age groups. For example, the group of 40–50 year old women emphasized the concept of linked lives, those in their 30's focused on human agency and women in their 20's were more focused on timing of events. This study helps give direction to healthcare providers counseling women living with a BRCA mutation.
The Spillover Effect of Race on Police Expenditures: An Alternative Test of the Minority Threat Hypothesis
Authors: Ajilore Olugbenga
Published: September 2015

This paper implements a novel application of spatial econometrics to test the minority threat hypothesis by estimating the relationship and potential spillovers between race and police expenditures. This paper uses a strategic interaction framework to describe the mechanism that may drive expenditure spillovers as well as demographic spillovers. Estimating a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), the findings of this study show counties with more residential segregation and are more conservative exhibit positive spillovers on neighboring county police expenditures. This paper makes a contribution by showing the effects of greater minority threat is not limited within geographic boundaries.
Patterns of relationship and sexual behaviors in Mexican adolescents and associations with well‐being: A latent class approach
Authors: Espinosa‐Hernández Graciela , Vasilenko Sara A.
Published: September 2015

To broaden our understanding of romance and sexuality during adolescence in Latin American countries, we used a person‐oriented approach (latent class analysis) to examine classes marked by different patterns of romantic and sexual behaviors in Mexican adolescents. We found 5 classes: Inactive (8.53%), Early stage (37.8%), Waiting class (27.5%), Physical (8.4%) and Committed (17.9%); but no group dating class. We also explored how these classes were associated with adolescents' mental health and school performance. Middle school adolescents in the Committed class (high in romantic and sexual behaviors) had the highest level of depressive symptoms. Girls in the Inactive class and boys in the Physical class had the lowest level of symptoms. Adolescents in the Committed class also reported less academic motivation and achievement, whereas adolescents in the Inactive class reported higher motivation. This study expands our knowledge of adolescent romantic and sexual development in Mexico.
Analysis of amino acid and codon usage inParamecium bursaria
Authors: Dohra Hideo , Fujishima Masahiro , Suzuki Haruo
Published: September 2015

The ciliateParamecium bursaria harbors the green‐algaChlorella symbionts. We reassembled theP. bursaria transcriptome to minimize falsely fused transcripts, and investigated amino acid and codon usage using the transcriptome data. Surface proteins preferentially use smaller amino acid residues like cysteine. Unusual synonymous codon and amino acid usage in highly expressed genes can reflect a balance between translational selection and other factors. A correlation of gene expression level with synonymous codon or amino acid usage is emphasized in genes down‐regulated in symbiont‐bearing cells compared to symbiont‐free cells. Our results imply that the selection is associated withP. bursaria–Chlorella symbiosis.
Adaptive Livelihood Strategies in Conservation-Induced Displacement: The Case of the Baka of East Cameroon
Authors: Awuh Harrison Esam
Published: September 2015

This article utilizes the Actor‒Network Theory (ANT) to guide thinking about the relationship between nature and society and how this relationship is severed by conservation-induced displacement. ANT’s view of interconnectivity between networks is used to argue that a network is only stable as long as actors remain faithful to it. In the case of the displaced Baka people of the Dja Reserve area in East Cameroon, resistance to conservation through adaptive practices following displacement can reverse or disrupt the socially predetermined order of a network, which in this case would be marginalization of the displaced. However, the marginal scale of their adaptation to change raises doubts over the sustainability of adaptation to post-displacement livelihoods.
Negotiating Love and Marriage in Contemporary Senegal: A Good Man Is Hard to Find
Authors: Hannaford Dinah , Foley Ellen E.
Published: September 2015

In Senegal, love, respect, and compatibility have historically figured into marital calculations, yet prospective husbands must also provide material support. After decades of stagnant economic growth, good providers are hard to find. In this article we examine two strategies that women employ in an attempt to achieve economic security: nonmarital sex and transnational marriage. Though recent anthropological literature proposes a global transition toward companionate marriage, evidence from Dakar suggests that Senegalese women are prioritizing short-term material gain over longer-term projects of social reproduction. Transnational marriage and nonmarital sexual relationships illuminate women’s new strategies to stabilize their social positions in increasingly precarious times.
Predictors of posttraumatic stress and preferred sources of social support among Canadian paramedics
Authors: Donnelly Elizabeth A. , Bradford Paul , Davis Matthew , Hedges Cathie , Klingel Michelle
Published: September 2015

Objective

Emergency medical service (EMS) providers are exposed to a variety of stressors endemic to the profession. These exposures may contribute to stress reactions, including posttraumatic stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between work-related stressors and posttraumatic stress. The secondary objective was to determine paramedics’ preferred sources of support for managing work-related stress.

Methods

269 paramedics in a county-based EMS service were invited to complete an online survey. Respondents reported their demographic characteristics, levels of chronic stress, critical incident stress, posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS), and preferred sources of support for managing work-related stress.

Results

A total of 145 paramedics completed the survey. PTSS was significantly correlated with operational stress (p<0.001), organizational stress (p<0.001), and critical incident stress (p<0.001). Regression models revealed that chronic operational stress was a significant independent predictor of PTSS (p<0.001) and in combination with critical incident stress (p<0.01). Paramedics reported a higher preference for receiving support from a work partner, friend, or family member than from other sources (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Both chronic and critical incident stressors appear to be significant predictors of PTSS. Our findings suggests that holistic health and wellness initiatives that address the impact of both critical incident stress and the chronic stressors associated with day-to-day operations may help mitigate PTSS. Our findings also provide preliminary evidence that interventions may benefit from a focus on peer support and on friends and family members who can support the affected paramedic.
School Counsellors’ and Students’ Attitudes to Online Counselling: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Glasheen Kevin , Campbell Marilyn , Shochet Ian
Published: September 2015

An exploratory qualitative study was conducted to examine the perceptions and attitudes of both school counsellors and students to online counselling. Focus groups were conducted with two groups of school counsellors and six groups of secondary students. It was found that counsellors were hesitant to use online counselling because they were not convinced that it was effective, and without the necessary online skills, they were concerned they would not be competent to deal with potential litigious and security pitfalls. Students were generally positive about the opportunity to access the school counsellor online. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
A Digital Video System for Observing and Recording Occultations
Authors: Barry M. A. (Tony) , Gault Dave , Pavlov Hristo , Hanna William , McEwan Alistair , Filipović Miroslav D.
Published: September 2015

Stellar occultations by asteroids and outer solar system bodies can offer ground based observers with modest telescopes and camera equipment the opportunity to probe the shape, size, atmosphere, and attendant moons or rings of these distant objects. The essential requirements of the camera and recording equipment are: good quantum efficiency and low noise; minimal dead time between images; good horological faithfulness of the image timestamps; robustness of the recording to unexpected failure; and low cost. We describe an occultation observing and recording system which attempts to fulfil these requirements and compare the system with other reported camera and recorder systems. Five systems have been built, deployed, and tested over the past three years, and we report on three representative occultation observations: one being a 9 ± 1.5 s occultation of the trans-Neptunian object 28978 Ixion (mv =15.2) at 3 seconds per frame; one being a 1.51 ± 0.017 s occultation of Deimos, the 12 km diameter satellite of Mars, at 30 frames per second; and one being a 11.04 ± 0.4 s occultation, recorded at 7.5 frames per second, of the main belt asteroid 361 Havnia, representing a low magnitude drop (Δmv = ~0.4) occultation.
The comprehension and production of verbal passives by Italian preschool-age children
Authors: VOLPATO FRANCESCA , VERIN LAURA , CARDINALETTI ANNA
Published: September 2015

This paper investigates the comprehension and the production of passive sentences in Italian-speaking children (aged 3 years, 4 months to 6 years, 2 months) analyzing both the variables observed in previous studies on other languages (verb type and presence of the by-phrase) versus an Italian-specific variable: the use of auxiliary venire “to come.” Because Italian venire is only possible in verbal passives, this property is crucial to determine whether children have full competence of the (verbal) passive structure. The high percentage of accuracy in the comprehension of sentences containing venire suggests that the eventive passive interpretation is fully available in child language, even in 3- to 4-year-old children. Moreover, young children produce passive sentences with either auxiliary venire or essere “to be,” also adding the by-phrase, thus proving unambiguously that children control verbal passive sentences from very early on.
Lexical restructuring in preliterate children: Evidence from novel measures of phonological representation
Authors: AINSWORTH STEPHANIE , WELBOURNE STEPHEN , HESKETH ANNE
Published: September 2015

There is substantial debate in the literature surrounding the development of children's phonological representations (PRs). Although infant studies have shown children's representations to contain fine phonetic detail, a consensus is yet to be reached about how and when phonemic categories emerge. This study used novel implicit PR measures with preschool children (n= 38, aged 3 years, 6 months to 4 years, 6 months) to test predictions made by these competing accounts of PR development. The measures were designed to probe PR segmentation at the phoneme (rather than the phone) level without requiring an explicit awareness of phonemes. The results provide evidence in support of vocabulary driven restructuring, with PR segmentation found to be related to vocabulary when controlling for age.
Church Buildings: Blessing or Burden?
Authors: Chartres Richard
Published: September 2015

It is a privilege to have been invited to deliver the Boydell Lecture and to record my own appreciation of Peter, whom I can picture now – immaculate and affable as always. He was very kind to me as a fledgling Bishop of London. There was at the time an understandable debate about whether the tradition of inviting the bishop to be an honorary bencher of the Middle Temple should be continued. Time pressures had made the connection of some previous bishops very tenuous. Peter argued that +Londin should be given a last chance and this has led as far as I am concerned to a most nourishing and instructive relationship with the Temple and those who work here. As you know, by the Queen's command I do not appear in the Temple Church as bishop but as Dean of HM Chapels Royal and the Visitor, and I relish my connection with a place which preserves memories of so many events which have shaped our nation, as well as a living choral tradition which must be among the finest in the land.
Operation Protective Edge – A Unique Challenge for a Civilian EMS Agency
Authors: Jaffe Eli , Strugo Refael , Wacht Oren
Published: September 2015

During July through August 2014, Operation Protective Edge, a military conflict between Israel and the Hamas regime in Gaza, dramatically affected both populations. Magen David Adom (MDA), the Israeli national Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and a member of the Red Cross, faced a unique challenge during the conflict: to continue providing crucial service to the entire civilian population of Israel, which was under constant missile threat. This challenge included not only providing immediate care for routine EMS calls under missile threat, but also preparing and delivering immediate care to civilians injured in attacks on major cities, as well as small communities, in Israel. This task is a challenge for a civilian EMS agency that normally operates in a non-military environment, yet, in an instant, must enhance its capability to respond to a considerable threat to its population. During Operation Protective Edge, MDA provided care for 842 wounded civilians and utilized a significant amount of its resources. Providing EMS services for a civilian population in a mixed civilian/military scenario is a challenging task on a national level for an EMS system, especially when the threat lasts for weeks. This report describes MDA’s preparedness and operations during Operation Protective Edge, and the unique EMS challenges and dilemmas the agency faced.

JaffeE, WachtO, StrugoR. Operation Protective Edge – a unique challenge for a civilian EMS agency. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(5):539–542.
The Bilingual Switching Advantage: Sometimes Related to Bilingual Proficiency, Sometimes Not
Authors: Tao Lily , Taft Marcus , Gollan Tamar H.
Published: September 2015

This study investigated the relationship between bilingualism and task switching ability using a standardized measure of switching and an objective measure of bilingual language proficiency. Heritage Language (HL) speaking Spanish-English and Mandarin-English bilinguals and English speaking monolinguals completed all four subtests of the Color-Word Interference Test (CWIT), an English verbal fluency task, and a picture naming test (the Multilingual Naming Test) in English. Bilinguals also named pictures in their HL to assess HL proficiency. Spanish-English bilinguals were advantaged in task switching, exhibiting significantly smaller switching cost than monolinguals, but were disadvantaged in verbal fluency and picture naming. Additionally, performance on these cognitive and linguistic tasks was related to degree of HL proficiency, so that increased ability to name pictures in Spanish was associated with greater switching advantage, and greater disadvantage in both verbal fluency and picture naming. Mandarin-English bilinguals, who differed from the Spanish-English bilinguals on several demographic and language-use characteristics, exhibited a smaller but statistically significant switching advantage, but no linguistic disadvantage, and no clear relationship between HL proficiency and the switching advantage. Together these findings demonstrate an explicit link between objectively measured bilingual language proficiency and both bilingual advantages and disadvantages, while also showing that consequences of bilingualism for cognitive and linguistic task performance can vary across different language combinations. (JINS, 2015, 21, 531–544)
Analyzing the Effect of Capillary Force on Vibrational Performance of the Cantilever of an Atomic Force Microscope in Tapping Mode with Double Piezoelectric Layers in an Air Environment
Authors: Nahavandi Amir , Korayem Moharam Habibnejad
Published: September 2015

The aim of this paper is to determine the effects of forces exerted on the cantilever probe tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM). These forces vary according to the separation distance between the probe tip and the surface of the sample being examined. Hence, at a distance away from the surface (farther than don), these forces have an attractive nature and are of Van der Waals type, and when the probe tip is situated in the range of a0≤dts≤don, the capillary force is added to the Van der Waals force. At a distance of dts≤a0, the Van der Waals and capillary forces remain constant at intermolecular distances, and the contact repulsive force repels the probe tip from the surface of sample. The capillary force emerges due to the contact of thin water films with a thickness of hc which have accumulated on the sample and probe. Under environmental conditions a layer of water or hydrocarbon often forms between the probe tip and sample. The capillary meniscus can grow until the rate of evaporation equals the rate of condensation. For each of the above forces, different models are presented. The smoothness or roughness of the surfaces and the geometry of the cantilever tip have a significant effect on the modeling of forces applied on the probe tip. Van der Waals and the repulsive forces are considered to be the same in all the simulations, and only the capillary force is altered in order to evaluate the role of this force in the AFM-based modeling. Therefore, in view of the remarkable advantages of the piezoelectric microcantilever and also the extensive applications of the tapping mode, we investigate vibrational motion of the piezoelectric microcantilever in the tapping mode. The cantilever mentioned is entirely covered by two piezoelectric layers that carry out both the actuation of the probe tip and the measuringof its position.
Ensuring national compliance with IHL: The role and impact of national IHL committees
Authors: Pellandini Cristina
Published: September 2015

Since the First Geneva Convention was adopted in 1864, international humanitarian law (IHL) has become a complex and steadily developing body of international law. Its conventions, protocols and customary rules encompass a large range of subjects, from the protection of the sick and wounded, civilians, civilian objects, prisoners of war and cultural property to the restriction or prohibition of specific types of weapons and methods of warfare. All parties to a conflict are bound by applicable IHL, including armed groups involved in non-international armed conflicts.