bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of resilience in forced migration: a 1-year follow-up study of longitudinal associations with mental health in a conflict-affected, ethnic Muslim population
Authors: Siriwardhana Chesmal , Abas Melanie , Siribaddana Sisira , Sumathipala Athula , Stewart Robert
Published: February 2015

Objective

The concept of ‘resilience’ is of increasing interest in studies of mental health in populations facing adversity. However, lack of longitudinal data on the dynamics of resilience and non-usage of resilience-specific measurements have prevented a better understanding of resilience-mental health interactions. Hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the stability of levels of resilience and its associations with sociodemographic and mental health exposures in a conflict-affected internal-migrant population in Sri Lanka.

Design

A prospective follow-up study of 1 year.

Setting

Puttalam district of North Western province in postconflict Sri Lanka (baseline in 2011, follow-up in 2012).

Participants

An ethnic Muslim population internally displaced 20 years ago (in 1990) from Northern Sri Lanka, aged 18 or above and currently in the process of return migration.

Measures

It was hypothesised that levels of resilience would be associated with mental health outcomes. Resilience was measured on both occasions using the 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14), social support by the Multidimensional Social Support Scale and Lubben Social Network Scale and common mental disorders by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ).

Results

Of 450 participants interviewed at baseline in 2011, 338 (75.1%) were re-interviewed in 2012 after a 1-year follow-up. The mean resilience scores measured by RS-14 were 80.2 (95% CI 78.6 to 81.9) at baseline and 84.9 (83.5 to 86.3) at follow-up. At both time points, lower resilience was independently associated with food insecurity, lower social support availability and social isolation. At both time points, there were significant associations with common mental disorders (CMDs) in unadjusted analyses, but they only showed independence at baseline. The CMD prevalence, maintenance and incidence at follow-up was 8.3%, 28.2% and 2.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

In this displaced population facing a potential reduction in adversity, resilience was more strongly and robustly associated with economic and social factors than with the presence of mental disorder.
Gene of the month:PIK3CA
Authors: Lai K , Killingsworth M C , Lee C S
Published: February 2015

PIK3CAencodes the p110α catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) which through its role in the PI3K/Akt pathway is important for the regulation of important cellular functions such as proliferation, metabolism and protein synthesis, angiogenesis and apoptosis. Mutations inPIK3CAare known to be involved in a wide range of human cancers and mutantPIK3CAis thought to act as an oncogene. The specificPIK3CAinhibitor, NVP-BYL719, has displayed promising results in cancer therapy and is currently under clinical trials. Furthermore, PI3K regulates autophagy, a cellular process that recycles proteins and organelles through lysosomal degradation and has recently been recognised as an attractive therapeutic target due to its pro- and anti-cancer properties. Several studies have attempted to investigate the effects of combining the inhibition of both PI3K and autophagy in cancer therapy, and an in vivo model has demonstrated that the combined use of a concomitant PI3K and autophagy inhibitor induced apoptosis in glioma cells.
Adherence to process of care quality indicators after percutaneous coronary intervention in Ontario, Canada: a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Czarnecki Andrew , Prasad Treesa J , Wang Julie , Wijeysundera Harindra C , Cheema Asim N , Dz̆avík Vladimír , Natarajan Madhu K , Simpson Chris S , So Derek Y , Syed Jaffer , Tu Jack V , Ko Dennis T
Published: February 2015

Background

Public reporting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes has been established in many jurisdictions to ensure optimal delivery of care. The majority of PCI report cards examine in-hospital mortality, but relatively little is known regarding the adherence to processes of care.

Methods

A modified Delphi panel comprising cardiovascular experts was assembled to develop a set of PCI quality indicators. Indicators such as prescription of aspirin, dual antiplatelet therapy, statins and smoking cessation counselling were identified to represent high-quality PCI care. Chart abstraction was performed at 13 PCI hospitals in Ontario, Canada from 2009 to 2010 with at least 200 PCI patients randomly selected from each hospital.

Results

Our study sample included 3041 patients, of whom 18% had stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and 82% had an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Their mean age was 63±12.4 years and 29% of patients were female. Prior to PCI, 89% were prescribed aspirin, and after PCI 98.7% were prescribed aspirin, 95.1% were prescribed dual antiplatelet therapy for 12 months after drug-eluting stents, and 94.9% were prescribed statins. The lowest performing quality indicator was smoking cessation counselling, observed in only 42% of current and past smokers (18% in patients with stable CAD and 47% in ACS).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates high levels of adherence to most quality indicators for patients undergoing PCI procedures in Ontario. In conclusion, smoking cessation counselling was not consistently performed across hospitals and represents an opportunity for future quality improvement efforts.
Three-dimensional behavior of biaxial geogrid in a piled embankment: numerical investigation
Authors: Zhuang Y. , Wang K.Y.
Published: February 2015

Biaxial geogrid in current research is oversimplified, and the three-dimensional orthotropic nature of the biaxial geogrid has not been fully understood in numerical investigations. A comparative study on three modeling approaches for the biaxial geogrid is presented in this paper, including the isotropic membrane model, the orthotropic membrane model, and the truss element model. It shows that the orthotropic membrane model yields practically identical results of the maximum geogrid tension when compared with the truss element model, whereas the isotropic membrane model tends to yield values that are approximately 33% larger. A parametric study shows that the pile spacing has the strongest influence on the maximum geogrid tension. The comparison of four analytical methods with the orthotropic membrane model shows that the British standard (BS) 8006 (published in 2010) and EBGEO (published in 2011) methods greatly overestimate the geogrid tension, while the method presented by Zhuang et al. (published in 2014) results in closer agreement.
Expected future performance of salmon abundance forecast models with varying complexity
Authors: Winship Arliss J. , O’Farrell Michael R. , Satterthwaite William H. , Wells Brian K. , Mohr Michael S.
Published: February 2015

We evaluated the scope for improving abundance forecasts for fishery management using Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) as a case study. A range of forecast models that related the Sacramento Index (SI; an index of adult ocean abundance) to jack (estimated age 2) spawning escapement the previous year were considered. Alternative models incorporated effects of density dependence, local environmental conditions, the abundance of the previous cohort, and trends or autocorrelation in the jack-to-SI relationship. Forecast performance was assessed in terms of bias, accuracy, ability to track trends in the SI, and management objectives. Several models achieved higher accuracy than the model used for management, but no single model performed best across all criteria, and substantial forecast error remained across all approaches considered. Environmental models generally performed better than the management model, but there were differences in the relative importance of individual environmental variables over time and among model formulations. Accounting for model selection uncertainty in environmental models decreased their forecast performance. Simpler models often had similar or better performance than environmental models. In particular, the model incorporating temporally autocorrelated errors demonstrated potential for modest forecast improvement with relatively little additional model complexity.
Predicting walleye recruitment as a tool for prioritizing management actions
Authors: Hansen Gretchen J.A. , Carpenter Stephen R. , Gaeta Jereme W. , Hennessy Joseph M. , Vander Zanden M. Jake
Published: February 2015

We classified walleye (Sander vitreus) recruitment with 81% accuracy (recruitment success and failure predicted correctly in 84% and 78% of lake-years, respectively) using a random forest model. Models were constructed using 2779 surveys collected from 541 Wisconsin lakes between 1989 and 2013 and predictor variables related to lake morphometry, thermal habitat, land use, and fishing pressure. We selected predictors to minimize collinearity while maximizing classification accuracy and data availability. The final model classified recruitment success based on lake surface area, water temperature degree-days, shoreline development factor, and conductivity. On average, recruitment was most likely in lakes larger than 225 ha. Low degree-days also increased the probability of successful recruitment, but primarily in lakes smaller than 150 ha. We forecasted the probability of walleye recruitment in 343 lakes considered for walleye stocking; lakes with high probability of natural reproduction but recent history of recruitment failure were prioritized for restoration stocking. Our results highlight the utility of models designed to predict recruitment for guiding management decisions, provided models are validated appropriately.
Stability and mean extinction time for a metapopulation system subjected to two kinds of time delays and associated multiplicative and additive noises
Authors: Wang Kang-Kang , Zong De-Cai , Liu Xian-Bin
Published: February 2015

In this paper, the stability and the mean extinction time for a double time-delayed metapopulation system driven by associated multiplicative and additive noises are investigated. By using the Fokker–Planck equation, the fast descent method and the method of small time delay, we obtain the expressions of stationary probability distribution and the mean extinction time. The numerical results demonstrate that the multiplicative, additive noises and time delay θ can destroy the stability of the system. Whereas, the associated noise and time delay τ can consolidate the population system. Meanwhile, the resonant phenomenon of the mean first-passage time (MFPT) occurs in the metapopulation system due to the joint action of different types of noises and time delays. The increase of the strength of associated noise and time delay τ can effectively prolong the extinction time of the metapopulation. Inversely, the additive noise plays a negative role in restraining the collapse of the population. On the other hand, the appropriate multiplicative noise intensity can also extend the life of the metapopulation system. However, the varying of time delay θ cannot change the maximum of the mean extinction time, but it could produce different effects on the MFPT under the conditions of different parameters.
Magnetically controlled multifrequency invisibility cloak with a single shell of ferrite material
Authors: Wang Xiaohua , Liu Youwen
Published: February 2015

A magnetically controlled multifrequency invisibility cloak with a single shell of the isotropic and homogeneous ferrite material has been investigated based on the scattering cancellation method from the Mie scattering theory. The analytical and simulated results have demonstrated that such this shell can drastically reduce the total scattering cross-section of this cloaking system at multiple frequencies. These multiple cloaking frequencies of this shell can be externally controlled since the magnetic permeability of ferrites is well tuned by the applied magnetic field. This may provide a potential way to design a tunable multifrequency invisibility cloak with considerable flexibility.
Structural, electronic and mechanical properties ofCrN: A first principles study
Authors: Ming Zhu , Wang Ke-Hong
Published: February 2015

The structural stability, electronic, and mechanical properties of chromium nitride ( CrN ) have been investigated by first-principles calculations within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Six different crystal structures of CrN are considered, namely NaCl , CsCl , zinc blende, WC, wurtzite and NiAs . Among the considered structures, NiAs -type structure is energetically more stable than others. The electronic band structure and density of states calculations reveal that these materials exhibit metallic nature. The calculated elastic constants indicate these compounds are mechanically stable in all the considered sturctures. In addition, the related mechanical properties such as bulk modulus, Young's modulus, shear modulus and the Poisson's ratio are also computed.
On an analytic description of the α-cosine transform on real Grassmannians
Authors: Alesker Semyon , Gourevitch Dmitry , Sahi Siddhartha
Published: February 2015

The goal of this paper is to describe the [Formula: see text]-cosine transform on functions on real Grassmannian [Formula: see text] in analytic terms as explicitly as possible. We show that for all but finitely many complex [Formula: see text] the [Formula: see text]-cosine transform is a composition of the [Formula: see text]-cosine transform with an explicitly written (though complicated) [Formula: see text]-invariant differential operator. For all exceptional values of [Formula: see text] except one, we interpret the [Formula: see text]-cosine transform explicitly as either the Radon transform or composition of two Radon transforms. Explicit interpretation of the transform corresponding to the last remaining value [Formula: see text], which is [Formula: see text], is still an open problem.
Personal, Physical, Social, and Creative Contextual Design for Art Education
Authors: Tokuhisa Satoru , Kamiyama Yusuke , Tokiwa Takuji
Published: February 2015

This paper proposes a Situation Design that designs not only the experience of behavior itself, but also the experience of the environment around the behavior. The research question of this paper is how to motivate children to paint. To find answers, we implemented an iPhone application. The app we came up with was The World Is Canvas; using it, one will be able to enjoy coloring based on a Situation Design. We adopted physical interaction, the function of which is to paint on the screen with fingers, as a design of a painting experience itself. We also adopted social interaction as a design of the environment around behavior, with the goal of offering fun. For social interaction, we adopted a mobile device with a network connection and a function to generate a draft for coloring by using a photo taken by the user. We conducted user evaluation tests on 111 children to analyze their user experience, and we demonstrated that they enjoyed themselves through these approaches.
ABO Genotyping of Complete Hydatidiform Moles
Authors: Venneker Gerard T. , De Waal Leo P. , Westerhof Wiete , D′Amaro Joe , Schreuder Gezina M. Th. , Asghar Syed S.
Published: February 2015

This study chanlcterizes the HLA class I and class II antigens in a group of patients with vitiligo and a control group, both of Dutch descent. Earlier reports had shown a significant positive association with DR4 and a significant negative association with DR3. We found that, after correction for the broad antigens studied, only Cw7 and DR6 were significantly associated with vitiligo. The significant positive association of DR6 with vitiligo is interesting since vitiligo has an autoimmune component in its pathogenesis and DR6 may be a marker for high immune responsiveness.
Reactivity of Monoclonal Antibodies Directed against Lung Cancer Antigens with Human Lung, Breast and Colon Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Schumacher Udo , Mukthar Dhia , Schenker Thomas
Published: February 2015

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (n=72 including controls) directed against lung cancer antigens was screened immunohistochemically against a panel of seven human lung cancer cell lines (including small cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma), six human breast cancer cell lines and one human colon cancer cell line, The majority of the antibodies (n=42) reacted also with antigens present on breast and colon cancer cell lines, This cross reactivity especially between lung and breast cancer cell lines is not altogether unexpected since antigens common to breast and lung tissue including their neoplasms such as MUC1 antigen have been described, Our results indicate that epitopes shared by lung and breast cancers are probably more common than previously thought. The relevance for prognosis and therapy of these shared antigens, especially as disease markers in breast cancer, has to be investigated.
Improved Vlasov Antenna with Curved Cuts and Optimized Reflector Position and Shape
Authors: El Misilmani H. M. , Al-Husseini M. , Kabalan K. Y.
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a Vlasov antenna with curved cut shape and improved reflector position and geometry suitable for high power microwave applications. The curved shape of the proposed cut totally eliminates the sharp edges and angles present in Vlasov antennas with step and bevel cuts. Furthermore, with the proposed reflector configuration, the wave is radiated in the direction of the axis of the waveguide. A Vlasov antenna, designed for operation at 3 GHz, is used to compare the three cut types. An additional comparison is conducted to validate the concept of the enhanced reflector position, using the bevel-cut antenna and the improved cut. The proposed antenna results in increased antenna gain and in good performance in terms of sidelobe level and half-power beamwidth, with maximum radiation directed toward the axis of the waveguide center.
Dynamics in Bank Crisis Model
Authors: Jiang Tianshu , Zhou Mengzhe , Shen Bi , Xuan Wendi , Wen Sijie , Shao Tianyi , Lu Jianquan
Published: February 2015

Bank crisis is grabbing more serious attention as several financial turmoils have broken out in the past several decades, which leads to a number of researches in this field. Comparing with researches carried out on basis of degree distribution in complex networks, this paper puts forward a mathematical model constructed upon dynamic systems, for which we mainly focus on the stability of critical point. After the model is constructed to describe the evolution of the banking market system, we devoted ourselves to find out the critical point and analyze its stability. However, to refine the stability of the critical point, we add some impulsive terms in the former model. And we discover that the bank crisis can be controlled according to the analysis of equilibrium points of the modified model, which implies the interference from outside may modify the robustness of the bank network.
Prognostic Factors and Treatment Results of High-Grade Osteosarcoma in Norway: A Scope Beyond the “Classical” Patient
Authors: Berner Kjetil , Hall Kirsten Sundby , Monge Odd R. , Weedon-Fekjær Harald , Zaikova Olga , Bruland Øyvind S.
Published: February 2015

Purpose. A retrospective study of prognostic factors and treatment outcome of osteosarcoma (OS) during modern chemotherapy era with focus on patients with primary metastatic disease, nonextremity localisation, or age >40 years (nonclassical OS).Methods. A nationwide cohort, comprising 424 high-grade Norwegian bone OS patients, was based on registry sources supplemented with clinical records from hospitals involved in sarcoma management between 1975 and 2009.Results. Only 48% were younger patients with tumour in the extremities and without metastasis at diagnosis (classical OS). A considerable discrepancy in survival between classical and nonclassical OS was observed: 61% versus 26% 10-year sarcoma specific survival. Twice as many of the former received both adequate surgery and chemotherapy compared to the latter. This could only partly explain the differences in survival due to inherent chemoresistance in primary metastatic disease and a higher rate of local relapse among patients with axial tumours. Metastasis at diagnosis, increased lactate dehydrogenase, age > 40 years, and tumour size above median value were all adverse prognostic factors for overall survival.Conclusion. We confirm a dramatic difference in outcome between classical and nonclassical high-grade OS patients, but treatment variables could only partly explain the dismal outcome of the latter.
Noncontact Detection and Analysis of Respiratory Function Using Microwave Doppler Radar
Authors: Lee Yee Siong , Pathirana Pubudu N. , Evans Robin J. , Steinfort Christopher L.
Published: February 2015

Real-time respiratory measurement with Doppler Radar has an important advantage in the monitoring of certain conditions such as sleep apnoea, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and many other general clinical uses requiring fast nonwearable and non-contact measurement of the respiratory function. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of using Doppler Radar in measuring the basic respiratory frequencies (via fast Fourier transform) for four different types of breathing scenarios: normal breathing, rapid breathing, slow inhalation-fast exhalation, and fast inhalation-slow exhalation conducted in a laboratory environment. A high correlation factor was achieved between the Doppler Radar-based measurements and the conventional measurement device, a respiration strap. We also extended this work from basic signal acquisition to extracting detailed features of breathing function (I : Eratio). This facilitated additional insights into breathing activity and is likely to trigger a number of new applications in respiratory medicine.
The Relationship between Serum Osteocalcin Concentration and Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - The Role of Osteocalcin in Energy Metabolism
Authors: Ma Xiao-yu , Chen Fen-qin , Hong Hong , Lv Xiu-juan , Dong Ming , Wang Qiu-yue
Published: February 2015

Background: Recent animal studies have found that the osteocalcin secreted by osteoblasts could participate in glucose and lipid metabolism. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum osteocalcin concentration and glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: 985 patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into the male group (n = 495) and the postmenopausal female group (n = 490). The average ages were 54.42 ± 10.535 and 64.93 ± 9.277, respectively. We collected the parameters of age, duration, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, fasting insulin, fasting C peptide, blood lipid, 25 (OH) VD3, parathyroid hormone (PTH), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTx), osteocalcin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The relationship of osteocalcin and these parameters were analyzed by Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: Osteocalcin was negatively correlated with HbA1c (p < 0.05) and it was also an independent relevant factor affecting HbA1c in both groups. Osteocalcin was positively correlated with HOMA-β and it was an independent relevant factor affecting HOMA-β in male group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: These findings indicate the association between serum osteocalcin and glucose metabolism and beta cell function. No relationship was found between osteocalcin and insulin resistance and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes.
Caffeine Intake from Coffee or Tea and Cognitive Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Kim Young-Seok , Kwak Sang Mi , Myung Seung-Kwon
Published: February 2015

Background: Observational epidemiological studies such as cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the association between caffeine intake from coffee or tea and the risk of cognitive disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, and cognitive decline. Methods: We searched PubMed and EMBASE in September 2014. Three evaluators independently extracted and reviewed articles, based on predetermined selection criteria. Results: Out of 293 articles identified through the search and bibliographies of relevant articles, 20 epidemiological studies from 19 articles, which involved 31,479 participants (8,398 in six cross-sectional studies, 4,601 in five case-control studies, and 19,918 in nine cohort studies), were included in the final analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR) of caffeine intake from coffee or tea for cognitive disorders (dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, and cognitive decline) was 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67-1.01, I2 = 63.2%) in a random-effects meta-analysis. In the subgroup meta-analysis by caffeine sources, the summary OR or RR of coffee intake was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.70-0.98; I2 = 44.8%). However, in the subgroup meta-analysis by study design, the summary estimates (RR or OR) of coffee intake for cognitive disorders were 0.70 (95% CI, 0.50-0.98; I2 = 42.0%) for cross-sectional studies, 0.82 (95% CI, 0.55-1.24; I2 = 33.4%) for case-control studies, and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.59-1.36; I2 = 60.0%) for cohort studies. Conclusions: This meta-analysis found that caffeine intake from coffee or tea was not associated with the risk of cognitive disorders.
The Effects of Ozurdex® (Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant) on Experimental Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Kuo Hsi-Kung , Chen Yi-Hao , Wu Pei-Chang , Kuo Yu-Hsia
Published: February 2015

Purpose: To investigate a new sustained-release formulation of dexamethasone (Ozurdex®) for inhibiting proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and its effect on the expression of retinal glial reaction and inflammation in experimental PVR eyes. Methods: We used 30 pigmented rabbits for this study. One week after gas compression, the eyes were injected with 5 × 104 retinal pigment epithelial cells into the vitreous cavity to induce PVR. Concurrently, one eye also received an intravitreal injection of Ozurdex; the other eye was used as a control. PVR was graded by indirect ophthalmoscopy on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. The expression of the retinal glial reaction and inflammation in experimental PVR eyes were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results: PVR severity increased gradually and peaked after 14 days, and no differences in PVR severity between the study and control groups were observed at any time point. The expression of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) increased on days 7 and 14 in both the PVR control and study groups. While the use of Ozurdex in the study group showed less GFAP expression, this difference was not significant. The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 significantly increased on days 7 and 14 in PVR control eyes. There was a significant difference in TNF-α between PVR control eyes and Ozurdex-treated eyes on days 7 (p < 0.001) and 14 (p = 0.019). Ozurdex in the study group showed lower IL-6 expression; however, this difference was not significant on days 7 (p = 0.063) and 14 (p = 0.052). Conclusions: The intravitreal injection of Ozurdex suppressed the expression of inflammatory markers; however, it did not mitigate the severity of experimental PVR in this animal model.
Interés superior de los niños y niñas: Definición y contenido
Authors: López-Contreras Rony Eulalio
Published: February 2015

El presente artículo es de tipo analítico y es fruto de una revisión constante de la literatura y la jurisprudencia relacionadas con el principio de interés superior de los niños y niñas. El interés superior de los niños y niñas, tanto en la doctrina como en la jurisprudencia, ha sido objeto de múltiples definiciones, pero con muy poco contenido. Con el presente trabajo destaco tres elementos ineludibles del interés superior de los niños y niñas que se deben hacer valer en cada caso concreto, siendo estos: la manifestación del sujeto menor, su entorno, y la predictibilidad. Con estos tres elementos, al analizarlos y encuadrarlos en cada caso concreto, se podría ofrecer una mejor decisión y una mejor explicación al Interés superior de los niños y niñas.
El abordaje estatal de la pobreza en Programas de Transferencias Monetarias Condicionadas
Authors: Cena Rebeca , Chahbenderian Florencia
Published: February 2015

El presente texto tiene por objetivo contribuir al estudio, análisis y comprensión de los mecanismos de estructuración social del capitalismo actual mediante los Programas de Transferencias Monetarias Condicionadas (PTMC) dirigidos a niños, niñas y adolescentes “pobres”, con base en la experiencia de cuatro países del Cono Sur: Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil y Chile. Nos centramos en el estudio del diseño de los PTMC de alcance nacional vigentes en el período 2009-2013, para considerar algunos indicios sobre cómo se concibe y construye la “niñez” en los sectores más pobres desde la mirada estatal, y analizar críticamente qué formas toma la gestión de estas poblaciones. Así, es posible visibilizar los marcos institucionales en los que se reconoce un colectivo y se direccionan las demandas asociadas al vivir en condiciones de carencias, en un régimen responsable de tal estado de cosas.
The Painting of Sadness? The Ends of Nihonga, Then and Now
Authors: Foxwell Chelsea
Published: February 2015

Nihonga (literally “Japanese painting”) is a term that arose in 1880s Japan in order to distinguish existing forms of painting from newly popularized oil painting, and even today it is a category of artistic production apart from contemporary art at large. In this sense, nihonga is the oldest form of a broader worldwide category of “tradition-based contemporary art.” While nihonga was supposed to encompass any form of “traditional” painting, however, in practice it was held together by a recognizable style. When nihonga stopped fulfilling certain material or stylistic criteria, it ceased to be distinguishable from the rest of artistic production. This led to a conundrum in which nihonga, constituted in an age of Orientalism by Western and Japanese fears about the loss of a truly “Japanese” form of painting, has been obliged to reaffirm and reiterate what Kitazawa Noriaki has called its “sad history” of segregation in order to avoid extinction. By examining a series of paintings and written statements that blur the line between nihonga and the rest of modern-contemporary artistic production, I question the practicality and the benefits of continuing to uphold nihonga and tradition-based contemporary as discrete categories of contemporary art.
A new genus and species of the leafhopper subtribe Paraboloponina from China (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae)
Authors: QU LING , WEBB M. D. , DAI REN-HUAI
Published: February 2015

A new leafhopper genus and species Forficus maculatus Qu gen. nov., sp. nov. of the subtribe Paraboloponina (Deltocephalinae, Drabescini) are described from China. A checklist to the Paraboloponina from China is given and a key to genera is provided.
A new late Eocene Bicornucythere species (Ostracoda, Crustacea) from Myanmar, and its significance for the evolutionary history of the genus
Authors: YAMAGUCHI TATSUHIKO , SUZUKI HISASHI , SOE AUNG-NAING , HTIKE THAUNG , NOMURA RITSUO , TAKAI MASANARU
Published: February 2015

The ostracode genus Bicornucythere (Ostracoda, Crustacea) is abundant in modern-day eutrophic marine bays, and is widely distributed in estuaries and inner bays throughout East Asia, including in China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East. The evolutionary history of Bicornucythere is poorly understood. Here, we report on a new species of Bicornucythere (Bicornucythere concentrica sp. nov.) from the upper Eocene Yaw Formation in the Central Myanmar Basin. The oldest previously known Bicornucythere taxon, Bicornucythere secedens, was reported from lower Miocene strata in India, although a molecular phylogeny suggests that the genus first appeared in the Late Cretaceous. Bicornucythere concentrica sp. nov. is at least 10.9 million years older than the earliest known B. secedens. The new species occurs with Ammonia subgranulosa, a benthic foraminifer, an association that is representative of brackish water conditions in modern Asian bays. Our findings indicate that extant genera have inhabited Asian bays since the late Eocene. The paleobiogeography of Bicornucythere indicates that the taxon was dispersed onto Indian coasts during the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Social work students’ reflections on gender, social justice and human rights during a short-term study programme to India
Authors: Bell Karen , Moorhead Bernadette , Boetto Heather
Published: February 2015

This article explores the impacts of a short-term international study programme on Australian social work students’ understanding of social justice and human rights issues, with particular emphasis on gender oppression. Using qualitative data from a reflective workshop plus written evaluations, students’ reflections on learning experiences during the programme are described and explored. Implications for social work study abroad programmes and the professional knowledge base are considered. Findings indicate that student understanding of gender oppression, social justice and human rights as global issues was enriched by the programme and the need for faculty-led facilitated, reflective learning is reinforced.
International movement to promote human rights of older women with a focus on violence and abuse against older women
Authors: Choi Moon , Brownell Patricia , Moldovan Stefana I
Published: February 2015

Population ageing around the world has drawn increased attention to the issue of human rights of older people. Extended old age is a women’s issue, considering women’s longevity advantage over men. Gender inequalities across the life course often make women more vulnerable to violence, abuse and poverty in old age than men. The human rights framework provides a solid foundation to approach the issue of violence and abuse against older women. This article critically reviews the United Nations instruments, with a focus on the international movement to promote human rights of older women, and provides implications for global social work practice.
The Coyote-Proof Pasture Experiment
Authors: Sayre Nathan F.
Published: February 2015

Few scientific experiments have influenced more land than one conducted in the Wallowa Mountains of eastern Oregon by the US Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry and US Forest Service in 1907–1909. Four square miles of land were enclosed with a “coyote-proof fence,” guarded by a hunter, and stocked with an untended band of sheep. Data were collected on vegetation and sheep performance inside and outside the fence, and two years later success was declared. By 1910, the Forest Service had wrested range research from the Bureau of Plant Industry, subordinating the emerging field to timber production and fire suppression for decades to come. The young scientist who conducted the experiment, James Jardine, was promoted to Inspector of Grazing for the fledgling Forest Service, while his Wallowa collaborator, Arthur Sampson, went on to become “the father” of range science. The model of range management that they pioneered was applied across the US West and, later, on many rangelands in the developing world. Fencing and predator control are now generally viewed as unrelated management practices, but in the Forest Service model they were intimately connected. A critical physical geography of the Wallowa experiment reveals that the institutional context in which it occurred was more important than the findings themselves, and that although the results appeared to be scientifically rigorous and ecological, the methods were weak and the real criteria for “success” were economic. The high costs of fencing could be justified only if they were offset by a reduction in labor costs for herders. But without herders to guard the livestock, predators would have to be eliminated. Enormous public subsidies were required to implement the model, which continues to affect rangelands around the world.
The Effects of Respondents’ Consent to Be Recorded on Interview Length and Data Quality in a National Panel Study
Authors: McGonagle Katherine A. , Brown Charles , Schoeni Robert F.
Published: February 2015

Recording interviews is a key feature of quality control protocols for most survey organizations. We examine the effects on interview length and data quality of a new protocol adopted by a national panel study. The protocol recorded a randomly chosen one-third of all interviews digitally, although all respondents were asked for permission to record their interview and interviewers were blind as to whether or not interviews were recorded. We find that the recording software slowed the interview slightly. Interviewer knowledge that the interview may be recorded improved data quality, but this knowledge also increased the length of the interview. Interviewers with higher education and performance ratings were less reactive to the new recording protocol. Survey managers may face a trade-off between higher data quality and longer interviews when determining recording protocols.
Featured Article: Temporal responses of human endothelial and smooth muscle cells exposed to uniaxial cyclic tensile strain
Authors: Greiner Alexandra M , Biela Sarah A , Chen Hao , Spatz Joachim P , Kemkemer Ralf
Published: February 2015

The physiology of vascular cells depends on stimulating mechanical forces caused by pulsatile flow. Thus, mechano-transduction processes and responses of primary human endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have been studied to reveal cell-type specific differences which may contribute to vascular tissue integrity. Here, we investigate the dynamic reorientation response of ECs and SMCs cultured on elastic membranes over a range of stretch frequencies from 0.01 to 1 Hz. ECs and SMCs show different cell shape adaptation responses (reorientation) dependent on the frequency. ECs reveal a specific threshold frequency (0.01 Hz) below which no responses is detectable while the threshold frequency for SMCs could not be determined and is speculated to be above 1 Hz. Interestingly, the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions system, as well as changes in the focal adhesion area, can be observed for both cell types and is dependent on the frequency. RhoA and Rac1 activities are increased for ECs but not for SMCs upon application of a uniaxial cyclic tensile strain. Analysis of membrane protrusions revealed that the spatial protrusion activity of ECs and SMCs is independent of the application of a uniaxial cyclic tensile strain of 1 Hz while the total number of protrusions is increased for ECs only. Our study indicates differences in the reorientation response and the reaction times of the two cell types in dependence of the stretching frequency, with matching data for actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion realignment, RhoA/Rac1 activities, and membrane protrusion activity. These are promising results which may allow cell-type specific activation of vascular cells by frequency-selective mechanical stretching. This specific activation of different vascular cell types might be helpful in improving strategies in regenerative medicine.
Human papilloma virus in head and neck cancer
Authors: Hart Jasmine , Steven Richard Alan , Mountain Rodney
Published: February 2015

Head and neck cancer has long been associated with smoking and alcohol, with the majority of cases occurring in elderly men. However, there is now growing evidence that the incidence of head and neck cancer is increasing in younger people of both sexes. This increase has been linked to a new causative change in head and neck cancer - the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV-associated head and neck cancer typically presents at a more advanced stage than HPV-negative disease, yet it is associated with increased survival and greater response to chemoradiation. It is therefore important for GPs to be able to identify patients at risk of this disease, thus allowing prompt referral to secondary care. This article examines the causes, presentation and management of HPV-associated head and neck cancer in order to increase awareness of this disease in general practice.
A coherent approach for analysis of the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip improves data quality and performance in epigenome-wide association studies
Authors: Lehne Benjamin , Drong Alexander W , Loh Marie , Zhang Weihua , Scott William R , Tan Sian-Tsung , Afzal Uzma , Scott James , Jarvelin Marjo-Riitta , Elliott Paul , McCarthy Mark I , Kooner Jaspal S , Chambers John C
Published: February 2015

DNA methylation plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the genome, but the optimal strategy for analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation data remains to be determined. We developed a comprehensive analysis pipeline for epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip, based on 2,687 individuals, with 36 samples measured in duplicate. We propose new approaches to quality control, data normalisation and batch correction through control-probe adjustment and establish a null hypothesis for EWAS using permutation testing. Our analysis pipeline outperforms existing approaches, enabling accurate identification of methylation quantitative trait loci for hypothesis driven follow-up experiments.
Dynamic agent composition for large-scale agent-based models
Authors: Boulaire Fanny , Utting Mark , Drogemuller Robin
Published: February 2015

Purpose

This paper describes dynamic agent composition, used to support the development of flexible and extensible large-scale agent-based models (ABMs). This approach was motivated by a need to extend and modify, with ease, an ABM with an underlying networked structure as more information becomes available. Flexibility was also sought after so that simulations are set up with ease, without the need to program.

Methods

The dynamic agent composition approach consists in having agents, whose implementation has been broken into atomic units, come together at runtime to form the complex system representation on which simulations are run. These components capture information at a fine level of detail and provide a vast range of combinations and options for a modeller to create ABMs.

Results

A description of the dynamic agent composition is given in this paper, as well as details about its implementation within MODAM (MODular Agent-based Model), a software framework which is applied to the planning of the electricity distribution network. Illustrations of the implementation of the dynamic agent composition are consequently given for that domain throughout the paper. It is however expected that this approach will be beneficial to other problem domains, especially those with a networked structure, such as water or gas networks.

Conclusions

Dynamic agent composition has many advantages over the way agent-based models are traditionally built for the users, the developers, as well as for agent-based modelling as a scientific approach. Developers can extend the model without the need to access or modify previously written code; they can develop groups of entities independently and add them to those already defined to extend the model. Users can mix-and-match already implemented components to form large-scales ABMs, allowing them to quickly setup simulations and easily compare scenarios without the need to program. The dynamic agent composition provides a natural simulation space over which ABMs of networked structures are represented, facilitating their implementation; and verification and validation of models is facilitated by quickly setting up alternative simulations.
Electrophoretic Deposition of Graphene Oxide on Aluminum: Characterization, Low Thermal Annealing, Surface and Anticorrosive Properties
Authors: Naghdi Samira , Jaleh Babak , Ehsani Ali
Published: February 2015

In the present work, graphene oxide (GO) was deposited on aluminum (Al) by cathodic electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The effects of low thermal annealing (50–200 °C) on hydrophobicity of Al–GO samples were investigated by water contact angle (WCA) measurement. The reduction of GO is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). The results of EDAX showed that the oxygen/carbon atomic ratio decreased after reduction and this has been confirmed by XPS analysis. The corrosion activity of GO-coated Al samples (Al–GO) was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The surface morphological characterization of bare Al and Al–reduced GO (samples after thermal annealing) was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after immersion in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. It was shown that bare samples were damaged after 10 days of immersion in 3.5% NaCl solution and cracks and pits developed during the immersion period. However, GO-coated samples were undamaged after immersion in NaCl solution.
Wild Goose Chase: The Displacement of Influenza Research in the Fields of Poyang Lake, China
Authors: Fearnley Lyle
Published: February 2015

This article follows transnational avian influenza scientists as they move their experimental systems and research objects into what they refer to as the “epicenter” of flu pandemics, southern China. Based on the hypothesis that contact between wild and domestic bird species could produce new pandemic flu viruses, scientists set up a research program into the wild–domestic interface at China’s Poyang Lake. As influenza comes to be understood in terms of multispecies relations and ecologies in addition to the virus proper, the scientific knowledge of influenza is increasingly dependent on research conducted at particular sites, such as Poyang Lake. What does this movement of influenza research from laboratory to field mean for anthropological concepts of scientific knowledge? A widely shared premise among anthropologists is that scientific knowledge is made in experimental practice, but this practice turn in science studies draws largely from fieldwork inside laboratories. In this article, drawing on fieldwork with both influenza scientists and poultry breeders, I show how scientific research objects can be displaced by the practices of poultry breeders rather than by experimental practice itself. For these poultry breeders, refusing to respect the distinction of wild and domestic, were breeding wild birds.
Finite Element Analysis of an Exponentially Graded Mesh for Singularly Perturbed Problems
Authors: Constantinou Philippos , Xenophontos Christos
Published: February 2015

We present the mathematical analysis for the convergence of an h version
Finite Element Method (FEM) with piecewise polynomials of degree p ≥ 1,
defined on an exponentially graded mesh. The analysis is presented
for a singularly perturbed reaction-diffusion and a
convection-diffusion equation in one dimension. We prove convergence of optimal order and
independent of the singular perturbation parameter, when the error is measured in the natural
energy norm associated with each problem. Numerical results comparing the
exponential mesh with the Bakhvalov–Shishkin mesh from the literature are
also presented.
Photophysical Study of a Series of Cyanines Part III. The direct photooxidation reaction
Authors: Lepaja Shukri , Strub Henry , Lougnot Daniel-Joseph
Published: February 2015

The main degradative pathway of tricarbocyanine dyes in aerated solutions is demonstrated to be a photooxidation; using sensitization techniques and specific quenchers, this reaction is established to proceed via singlet oxygen for a part, and the site at which this species attacks the polymethinic skeleton is unambiguously determined. The major photoproduct is identified as being 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-indolinone.