bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Analysis of the Generic Structure of RA English Abstracts in Chinese-Medium and English-Medium Linguistics Journals
Authors: Wei Mindan , Liu Yunping , Liu Junli
Published: December 2015

This paper aims to analyze the generic structure of English abstracts in both Chinese-medium and English-medium linguistics journals. A total of 40 abstracts published in the year of 2011-2013 are collected randomly, with 20 written by native English speakers from Applied Linguistics and Language and the other 20 by Chinese scholars from Journal of Foreign Languages and Foreign Language Teaching and Research. The BIMRD/C model is adopted in this study as distinct differences can be found in the two corpora in terms of the Background move. Three major differences are revealed. Firstly, the abstracts written by native English speakers are more complete in structure than those by Chinese writers as they tend to omit the Background move and the Discussion/Conclusion move. Secondly, most Chinese writers prefer to combine the Method move with the Introduction move and put it at the very beginning of the abstract, while native writers tend to use the independent and the integrated Method nearly equally. Thirdly, in the Results move, Chinese scholars tend to objectively report their study results in detail by “Results indicate that…”, sometimes listing them, while native English writers sometimes choose to highlight their research results by patterns of “we find (show, propose) that” and “I propose” although most of them also use such objective patterns to present their research results. This study is especially helpful for those Chinese writers who hope to publish their paper in international journals.
Biblical Allusions, Antithetical Structures and Triads: A Stylistics-Rhetoric Appraisal of Some Speeches by Martin Luther King Junior
Authors: Fomukong Seino Evangeline Agwa
Published: December 2015

In a text, linguistic choices are made by the language user depending on the linguistic resources available to them. The language user relies on appropriate and embellished use of language to make their work interesting and produce a special effect on their audience. For this effect to take place there is an interplay of the linguistic and situational aspects of language. Stylistic analysis therefore aims at explicating how the understanding of a text is achieved, by examining in detail the linguistic organization of a text in relation to the context of situation, and focussing on the affective content. This can be linked to the study of rhetoric which is all about a set of rules and strategies which enable orators to speak well, using language in a more decorative and embellished manner to affect the opinions and feelings of the audience. This is persuasive language, which makes the audience not just to respond emotionally but to identify with the writer’s point of view, to feel what the writer feels. It is against this background that this study is going to carry out a stylistic rhetoric analysis on the language used by Martin Luther King Junior in six of his speeches. In these speeches he uses biblical allusions, antithetical structures and triads emphatically, as stylistic devices that make his speeches more memorable and appeal to the emotions of his audience.
A Survey of Conceptualizations of Politeness
Authors: Qiu Lei
Published: December 2015

Along with the general trends of research from traditional Gricean approach to postmodern approach, politeness has been conceptualized as facework, social indexing concept, relational work and interactional work. Based on examination of debates over East group-oriented and Western individual-oriented politeness, first-order and second-order politeness, as well as the universality and relativity of conceptualizations, this paper has roughly demonstrated that the tension between universality and relativity of politeness can help to explain the reason for lack of uniform definition and concept in this field. It is essential for researchers to seek a universal second-order culture-general theoretical construct on one hand, and to look at first-order culture-specific constructs on the other hand.
On the New Features of Online Film and TV Subtitle Translation in China
Authors: Lv Yuyong , Li Min
Published: December 2015

The advent and popularity of the Internet offers people all over the world easier, quicker and cheaper access to foreign movies and TV programs. The Chinese audience’s increased demand for online subtitled foreign movies and TV has brought many new changes to the traditional field of subtitle translation. This paper, by collecting and studying many cases of online subtitled English movies and TV in China, has found some changes in the main features of the subtitle translation on the Internet, such as the de-professionalization of the subtitle translators, a wider choice of translation strategies, the audience’s longing for active participation and interaction and the extended functions of subtitles. A study of these new changes is intended to be of value to the adaptation and development of film and TV translation in the new media age.
Social and Cognitive Implications of Using Euphemisms in English
Authors: Arif Narmina Fataliyeva
Published: December 2015

Today in a globalized society the need for word substitutions while speaking on sensitive topics has increased. People search for milder alternatives to express their opinions whenever they feel their words might sound abrupt or offensive. These substitutions are called euphemisms.

At first sight one might suppose that these expressions are too ordinary, but in fact they possess a strong persuasive character. Thus, the subject of this article is to identify the main functions of euphemisms in modern society. The article also aims at determining which social and cognitive factors regulate our choice of these substitutions.

In the theoretical part of the research different views on the phenomenon are outlined.

The main method used in this work is descriptive analytical method, based on the description of euphemisms from theoretical point of view with the subsequent analysis of achieved results. Besides, the method of contextual analysis has been applied.

As data for analysis different euphemistic expressions have been studied.

An overall study shows that in modern life honest debate has turned into a rare phenomenon.

One of our assertions is that the use of euphemisms primarily presupposing good intentions so as not to hurt a listener’s feelings, in modern life has acquired completely a different purpose. Today people use euphemisms to sound more persuasive instead of simply sounding polite.

It should be noted that for a deeper understanding of the role of euphemisms they should be studied within a specific discourse. Thus this study will require a further look at the problem applying a more contextual approach to its analysis.
The Relationships among Motivation, Learning Styles and English Proficiency in EFL Music Students
Authors: Dai Yuanjun , Wu Zhiwei , Dai Lili
Published: December 2015

This paper reports a study on the relationships among motivation, learning styles and English proficiency in a Chinese context. 308 students who studied English as a foreign language (EFL) were sampled from seven departments in Xinghai Conservatory of Music. Quantitative data were collected through an on-line survey to address three questions: 1) Do music students have a particular learning style preference? 2) What are the relationships among motivation, learning styles and English proficiency? 3) How could EFL teachers better accommodate students’ motivation and learning styles to improve their English proficiency? Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests showed that music students varied a lot in their preferences of learning styles, thus problematising the practice of using one learning style to gloss over the preferences of music students. Correlation analyses demonstrated that a) motivation and English proficiency was moderately correlated; b) none of the learning styles was correlated with English proficiency, except that active students performed slightly worse in the final exam; c) students who favoured the visual style were found to be less motivated. In light of these findings, we discuss the methods of grouping students and revamping EFL course content from English for General Purposes to English for Specific Purposes for music students.
Contributions of Grand Linguistic Theories to Second Language Acquisition Research and Pedagogy
Authors: Alimohammadirokni Mohammad
Published: December 2015

Research on second language acquisition (SLA) and use has always been enriched by linguistic schools and theories. The purpose of the present paper is give readers a snapshot of contributions grand linguistic theories have made to L2 acquisition research and pedagogy. The grand linguistic theories chosen for review in the present study include Structural Linguistics, Nativism, Functional Linguistics, and Cognitive Linguistics. These four linguistics theories have been, and some of them are, paid much more focus in the field of linguistics than other theories. In fact, the areas of SLA research and pedagogy have been highly influenced by these four grand linguistic theories. However, their impacts on these two areas have not been equal and, as a matter of fact, some of linguistic theories have more influenced SLA research while other theories have had implications more for SLA pedagogy. The contributions of the aforementioned grand linguistic theories to SLA research and pedagogy are discussed, along with criticisms against the contributions of each linguistic theory posed by the rival researchers.
Impacts of Perceived Risk and Attitude on Internet-Purchase Intention
Authors: Abdelkader Osama Ahmed
Published: December 2015

This research paper aims to explore the correlations among perceived risk, attitude and intention of purchase through internet. Also, the research investigates the significant differences among the customers’ perceptions of the perceived risk, attitude about internet-purchase according to; gender, education, age and use experience. The hypotheses are tested with e-survey data collected from 412 participants from Saudi Arabia. According to the best of author’s knowledge, this is the first research that investigates the correlations of the variables structure according to Saudi people. The author recommends future researchers examine the same relations in researches focusing on other markets.
Service Quality at the Seaport System of Saigon Newport Corporation
Authors: Viet Nguyen Hoang
Published: December 2015

The paper synthesized the elements of quality of seaport services from which analyzes the relationship between the elements of the service quality to the level of customer satisfaction. The research model is recognized by a group of customer at 6 seaports (Tan Cang, Cat Lai and Hiep Phuoc in Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Mep in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Tan Cang - Mien Trung in Quy Nhon, Tan Cang - 128 in Hai Phong) of Saigon Newport Corporation. The results showed several significant differences in the degree of influence of 5 variables: Resources; Capacities; Process of services; Management capacities; Image and reputation.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Marketing Studies, Vol. 7, No. 6
Authors: Xiao Maple
Published: December 2015

Reviewer acknowledgements for International Journal of Marketing Studies, Vol. 7, No. 6, 2015.
Green Attraction—Transnational Municipal Climate Networks and Green City Branding
Authors: Busch Henner , Anderberg Stefan
Published: December 2015

In this article, we investigate the nexus of green city branding and municipal climate networks. In recent decades, a number of formal transnational municipal climate networks have emerged and their membership continues to increase. In parallel, city branding that is based on green policies, has gained importance. Based on quantitative and qualitative data, we assess how and to what extent German cities use their membership in transnational municipal climate networks to communicate green city brands. In contrast to our expectations, we encountered very few indications of green city branding efforts by German cities. Our analysis shows that in general, branding considerations only play a negligible role in the involvement of cities in transnational municipal climate networks or climate policies. Instead, it seems that German cities use their membership in climate networks, to genuinely improve local climate change strategies. We therefore suggest that research on green city branding should be more sensitive to the particular context of cities and efforts should be made to unveil the underlying motives for the communication of green policies.
Study on Development Route for New Energy Vehicles Industry in China
Authors: Lin Xue-jun , Chi Jun-hao , Nie He
Published: December 2015

In order to save energy and reduce emission, China is developing the new energy vehicles industry. China’s new energy vehicles industry encounters the problem of path dependence, due to the difficulty of changing production and consumption of the traditional fuel vehicle. The new energy automobiles’ production and sales are far from achieving the goal of development plan, despite the Government’s strong avocation. Compared to the development route of other developed countries, we should strengthen the innovation in the fields of science and technology, finance, policy and marketing, to overcome path dependence in multiple ways, and strive to cultivate the new energy vehicles industry.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Management and Sustainability, Vol. 5, No. 4
Authors: Xiao Maple
Published: December 2015

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Management and Sustainability, Vol. 5, No. 4, 2015.
Impact of City Social Responsibility and Marketing Strategy on City Image and People’s Perception
Authors: Wu Shwu-Ing , Liou Ni-Wei
Published: December 2015

In recent years, the issue of Corporate Social Responsibility (below referred to as “CSR”) has received considerable attention. The term CSR is usually associated with enterprises, while the social responsibility of cities is rarely explored. However, cities resemble non-profit enterprises and whether or not they fulfill their social responsibility has a significant impact on future development. This study therefore conducts a literature analysis and empirical research to investigate the impact of city social responsibility and city marketing strategies on the city image and perceptions of the general public. The research object of this study is Taichung City in Taiwan. A survey was conducted and 548 valid questionnaires were collected from non-local residents. After a group model comparison of two groups divided by high or low frequency of trips to Taichung it was discovered that: (1) Both groups exhibit a significant positive correlation between the fulfillment of city social responsibility and people’s trust. (2) The high frequency group shows a significant positive correlation between the fulfillment of city social responsibility and city image, while the low frequency group shows no such relationship and a significant difference exists between the two groups. (3) The low frequency group shows a significant negative correlation between the implementation of marketing strategies by the city and public trust. (4) Both groups exhibit a significant positive correlation between the implementation of marketing strategies by the city and city image and the correlation intensity is considerably higher for the low frequency group. (5) Both groups show a significant positive correlation between the implementation of marketing strategies by the city and people’s intention. (6) Both groups exhibit a significant positive correlation between city image and people’s trust. (7) The high frequency group shows a significant positive correlation between people’s trust and people’s intention, while the low frequency group shows no such relationship and a significant difference exists between the two groups. The results of this study clearly indicate that the behavior patterns of groups with different travel frequencies are somewhat distinct. City administrators should therefore pay special attention to the planning of city CSR and city marketing strategies to be able to attract visits, investments, and settlement by target groups.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Insecurity in the Host Communities of the Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Enuoh Rebecca Oliver
Published: December 2015

This study investigates the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy by multinational corporations (MNCs) in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The goal of CSR is to encourage a positive impact through its activities with the stakeholders, the environment and the general public. CSR also focuses on how businesses would proactively support the public interest by encouraging community growth and development. The problem of insecurity in the Niger Delta region is attributed to the feeling of anger and frustration by host communities due to perceived negligence of CSR initiatives by the MNCs. This has resulted in crude oil theft, vandalization of oil pipelines, general insecurity and actions that have negatively affected the activities of the MNCs as well as the federal government who depend on the oil revenue for its national budgets. This paper considers the CSR initiatives of the MNCs and the underpinnings of security challenges in this region. This is an empirical paper based on in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in the host communities of the Niger Delta region. Using the stakeholder theory, the paper maintains that initiating and implementing the right CSR strategy would help to reduce the crisis in this region and enhance the peaceful operations of the MNCs. It contributes to emerging discourse in CSR on how desired positive impact can be made through effective CSR.
Modeling the potential distribution of three lichens of the Xanthoparmelia pulla group (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) in Central Europe
Authors: Szczepańska Katarzyna , Pruchniewicz Daniel , Kossowska Maria
Published: December 2015

The paper presents models of potential geographical distribution of Xanthoparmelia delisei, X. loxodes, and X. verruculifera in Central Europe. The models were developed with MaxEnt (maximum entropy algorithm) based on 224 collection localities and bioclimatic variables. The applied method enabled to identify the areas where climatic conditions are the most suitable for modeled species outside their known localities. According to obtained model, high potential distribution of the X. delisei and X. loxodes was found in the northern and northeastern Poland, when areas most suitable for X. verruculifera were placed in the south, especially in the Carpathians. Model also suggests that potential distribution of X. delisei could be wider than known data on its occurrence and extend to Lithuania, Belarus and the Czech Republic. MaxEnt modeling of X. loxodes showed the widest potential distribution for this species in Central Europe with the best regions in Lithuania. Potential distribution in all models was strongly influenced by precipitation-related variables. All the modelled species prefer areas where precipitation in the coldest quarter is very low.
New species of Thelonema, Metasphaerolaimus, and Monhystrella (Nematoda, Monhysterida) from Kermadec Trench, Southwest Pacific
Authors: Leduc Daniel
Published: December 2015

Three new species of the order Monhysterida are described based on specimens obtained at depths of 8081 and 9177 m in the Kermadec Trench. Thelonema clarki sp. nov. is characterised by a large body size (3230–4461 µm), short cylindrical buccal cavity, gubernaculum without apophyses, and long conico-cylindrical tail. This is the first record of the genus since its original description over two decades ago from the Peru Basin. Metasphaerolaimus constrictus sp. nov. is characterised by a relatively long body (1232–1623 µm), slightly arcuate spicules without gubernaculum, and conico-cylindrical tail with inner cuticle conspicuously thickened immediately anterior to cylindrical portion. Monhystrella kermadecensis sp. nov. is characterised by a circle of papillose outer labial sensillae slightly anterior to the four short cephalic setae, gubernaculum with caudal apophyses, the presence of distinct cuticularised piece along anterior vaginal wall, and a relatively short conical (males) or conico-cylindrical tail (females) with conical, ventrally-curved spinneret. M. kermadecensis sp. nov. can be differentiated from all other species of the genus, and, indeed, the entire family, based on the variable position of the anterior gonad relative to the intestine. The new species is classified within the Monhysteridae, and not the closely-related Xyalidae, based on the small body size, a smooth cuticle, and the presence of six outer labial papillae and only one testis. Further work is required to clarify the placement of M. kermadecensis sp. nov. relative to other monhysterid genera. A tabular key to all ten valid Metasphaerolaimus species is presented.
Mechanism of Na+-dependent citrate transport from the structure of an asymmetrical CitS dimer
Authors: Wöhlert David , Grötzinger Maria J , Kühlbrandt Werner , Yildiz Özkan
Published: December 2015

The common human pathogen Salmonella enterica takes up citrate as a nutrient via the sodium symporter SeCitS. Uniquely, our 2.5 Å x-ray structure of the SeCitS dimer shows three different conformations of the active protomer. One protomer is in the outside-facing state. Two are in different inside-facing states. All three states resolve the substrates in their respective binding environments. Together with comprehensive functional studies on reconstituted proteoliposomes, the structures explain the transport mechanism in detail. Our results indicate a six-step process, with a rigid-body 31° rotation of a helix bundle that translocates the bound substrates by 16 Å across the membrane. Similar transport mechanisms may apply to a wide variety of related and unrelated secondary transporters, including important drug targets.
Mechanism of the activation process for the formation of a surface-conduction electron-emitter
Authors: Tsukamoto Takeo , Okuda Masahiro , Arai Yutaka , Miyata Hirokatsu
Published: December 2015

The major role of the chemical reaction between a silica substrate and deposited carbon in the activation process for the formation of a surface-conduction electron emitter (SCE) is investigated. The SCE emits electrons by the tunneling effect when an electric field is applied across a nanoscale gap. The nanogap is spontaneously formed by the activation process, wherein a pulse voltage is applied between a pair of electrodes, which are separated by a narrow gap inside a vacuum chamber in the presence of hydrocarbons. At the gap, two elemental processes compete; the deposition of carbon by the electron-induced decomposition of hydrocarbons and the consumption of carbon by reaction with the silica substrate. The balance of the dynamics of the two processes, which simply depends on the temperature at the gap, is responsible for the spontaneous determination of the width of the nanogap. The calculation based on the model that involves the two competitive processes agrees with the experimental results on the activation process.
AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor with distributed gate grown on stripe-patterned Si(111) substrate
Authors: Lin Jyun-Hao , Huang Shyh-Jer , Lai Chao-Hsing , Su Yan-Kuin
Published: December 2015

We have successfully fabricated an AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor with a distributed gate (DG-HEMT) on a stripe-patterned Si substrate. With the help of the stripe pattern, GaN film with low defect density could be deposited by two-step growth. The striped AlGaN/GaN structure could be obtained naturally by stopping the epitaxy process before coalescence. The DG-HEMT fabricated on the striped pattern layout shows good performance. The output characteristics were enhanced from 297 to 337 mA/mm, because the high quality of GaN grown on the patterned substrate can reduce the number of defects. In addition, the drain current was not decreased because the heat problem was reduced in the DG structure.
Electroless Ni alloy plating as a diffusion barrier for through silicon vias in three-dimensional packaging
Authors: Kim Taeyoo , Ahn Byungwook , Lim SeungKyu , Son Hwajin , Suh Sujeong
Published: December 2015

Ni- and Co-based amorphous films are alternative diffusion barrier materials for Cu interconnection in three-dimensional (3D) packaging applications. In this paper, electroless Ni–P and Ni–W–P films deposited in through-silicon vias (TSVs) were prepared as a diffusion barrier and seed layer of Cu filling by using Sn–Pd activation pretreatment. The thermal stability of the electroless Ni alloy films subjected to rapid thermal annealing (RTA) in H2 atmosphere was investigated. The barrier properties of the electroless Ni alloy films were evaluated over a range of temperatures using auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) line-scan. The microstructures, crystal structures and electrical resistivity were also examined. It was found that Ni alloy films are amorphous as deposited, that the films retain amorphous or amorphous-like structures after undergoing annealing at 400 °C for 1 h, and that they are feasible for the diffusion barrier layer for 3D Cu interconnect technology.
Entre catedrales y parroquias: un fragmento olvidado de la memoria sonora en el México del siglo XIX
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, G. Lazos John
Published: December 2015

Fundadas en espacios lejanos y en tiempos distantes, las diócesis de Chiapas (1548) y Tulancingo (1866) comparten entre sus acervos musicales un nombre en común, el de José Antonio Gómez y Olguín (1805-1876). Gómez fue durante décadas el primer organista de la Catedral Metropolitana y pionero del quehacer musical en la capital mexicana, todo ello hasta que en su madurez decidió mudar sus servicios hacia el segundo espacio mencionado. Por otro lado, incrustadas en la mixteca de Oaxaca se encuentran Santiago Chazumba y San Cristóbal Suchixtlahuaca, parroquias que comparten similares vínculos musicales. Las dos Catedrales y las dos parroquias tienen en común que sus acervos albergan, en su mayoría, manuscritos musicales del siglo XIX. En las siguientes páginas, haremos un seguimiento a cada uno de estos cuatro significativos acervos, describiendo tanto la forma en que nos acercamos a ellos, como también su proceso de rescate, organización, catalogación y nuestro actual esfuerzo de difusión de su memoria sonora. A la vez, entregaremos datos relevantes sobre varios músicos nacidos en estas tierras, como también de algunos cuyas obras vinieron de otras latitudes. Es a través de dichos acervos y de sus manuscritos musicales que ahora iniciamos un acercamiento a fondo de un aún poco estudiado período de la música en México: el período independiente.
New materia medica of the Islamicate Tradition
Authors: King Anya
Published: December 2015

Islamic pharmacology included numerous plant-derived substances, especially from South and Southeast Asia, that were unfamiliar in ancient Greek and Roman times. The arrival of these new materia medica is commonly accepted to be a consequence of the expanding horizons of trade in the Islamic period. Closer examination, however, reveals that many of these substances are in fact attested in pre-Islamic times. In addition, the philological evidence of the names of these materia medica in Arabic frequently shows that their path into the Near East occurred through Persian culture. These factors suggest that we must look to the pre-Islamic Sasanian period for the context of the arrival of many of the new so-called Islamic drugs.
Problem of Non-Muslims Who Insult the Prophet Muḥammad
Authors: Wagner Mark S.
Published: December 2015

Questions of whether, how, and why non-Muslims, whose infidel religious practice necessitates ongoing disregard for the Prophet Muḥammad, should be punished for the crime of insulting the Prophet (sabb al-rasūl or shatm al-rasūl) prompted lively debate among Muslims in the eleventh century, especially Shāfiʿīs. This article presents the history and development of the law, and demonstrates that while two of its most draconian interpretations, that of Qāḍī ʿIyāḍ and Ibn Taymiyya, eclipsed more nuanced discussions that took place among Shāfiʿīs and Ḥanafīs, some late Ḥanafī ulama viewed this as a bad development and sought to mine the tradition to reclaim and render normative a more lenient interpretation of the law.
Politics, Monasticism, and Miracles in Sixth Century Upper Egypt. By James E. Goehring
Authors: Platte Elizabeth
Published: December 2015

Politics, Monasticism, and Miracles in Sixth Century Upper Egypt. By James E. Goehring. Studien und Texte zu Antike und Christentum, vol. 69. Tübingen: mohR SiEBEck, 2012. Pp. xiv + 116. €49 (paper).
Predicting the Past in the Ancient Near East: Mantic Historiography in Ancient Mesopotamia, Judah, and the Mediterranean World. By Matthew Neujahr
Authors: Longman Tremper
Published: December 2015

Predicting the Past in the Ancient Near East: Mantic Historiography in Ancient Mesopotamia, Judah, and the Mediterranean World. By Matthew Neujahr. Brown Judaic Studies, vol. 354. Providence: Brown Judaic Studies, 2012. Pp. xv + 300. $64.95. [Distributed by Society of Biblical Literature]
Nuzi Workshop at the 55th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale. Edited by P. Abrahami and B. Lion
Authors: Maidman Maynard P
Published: December 2015

The Nuzi Workshop at the 55th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale. Edited by P. Abrahami and B. Lion. Studies on the Civilization and Culture of Nuzi and the Hurrians, vol. 19. Bethesda: CDL Press, 2012. Pp. xi + 292, illus. $70.
Afghanistan: Forging Civilizations along the Silk Road; and Afghanistan: Forging Civilizations along the Silk Road
Authors: Harvey Paul B.
Published: December 2015

Afghanistan: Forging Civilizations along the Silk Road. Edited by Joan Aruz and Elisabetta Valtz Fino. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Symposia. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2012. Pp. viii + 134, illus. $35 (paper). [Distributed by Yale University Press]

Afghanistan: Forging Civilizations along the Silk Road. By Frank L. Holt. Hellenistic Culture and Society, vol. 53. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2012. Pp. xxi + 343, illus. $39.95.
Grammaire juhuri, ou judéo-tat, langue iranienne des Juifs du Caucase de l’est. By Gilies Authier
Authors: Borjian Habib
Published: December 2015

Grammaire juhuri, ou judéo-tat, langue iranienne des Juifs du Caucase de l’est. By Gilies Authier. Beiträge zur Iranistik, vol. 36 / Bibliothèque iranienne, vol. 76. Wiesbaden: Ludwig Reichert, 2012. Pp. 336. €88.
Vom Status pendens zum Satzsubjekt: Studien zur Topikalisierung in neueren semitischen Sprachen. By Werner Diem
Authors: Cohen Eran
Published: December 2015

Vom Status pendens zum Satzsubjekt: Studien zur Topikalisierung in neueren semitischen Sprachen. By Werner Diem. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2013. Pp. vii + 120. €54.
The Economy of Certainty: An Introduction to the Typology of Islamic Legal Theory. By Aron Zysow
Authors: Belhaj Abdessamad
Published: December 2015

The Economy of Certainty: An Introduction to the Typology of Islamic Legal Theory. By Aron Zysow. Resources in Arabic and Islamic Studies, vol. 2. Atlanta: Lockwood Press, 2013. Pp. xxviii + 330. $32.95 (paper).
Sīh-rōzag in Zoroastrianism: A Textual and Historico-Religious Analysis. By Enrico G. Raffaelli
Authors: Rose Jenny
Published: December 2015

The Sīh-rōzag in Zoroastrianism: A Textual and Historico-Religious Analysis. By Enrico G. Raffaelli. Iranian Studies, vol. 20. London: Routledge, 2014. Pp. xvi + 346. $160.
Southern Garden Poetry Society: Literary Culture and Social Memory in Guangdong. By David B. Honey
Authors: Yang Xiaoshan
Published: December 2015

The Southern Garden Poetry Society: Literary Culture and Social Memory in Guangdong. By David B. Honey. Hong Kong: the Chinese University Press, 2013. Pp. xiv + 258. $45.
Les étymons en arabe: Analyse formelle et sémantique. By Georges Bohas and Karim Bachmar
Authors: Edzard Lutz
Published: December 2015

Les étymons en arabe: Analyse formelle et sémantique. By Georges Bohas and Karim Bachmar. Recherches, vol. 23. Beirut: Dar El-Machreq Éditeurs, 2013. Pp. 214.
Reconstruction of an atmospheric tracer source in an urban‐like environment
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Feiz Amir‐Ali , Singh Sarvesh Kumar , Ngae Pierre , Turbelin Grégory
Published: December 2015

This study describes a methodology combining a recently proposed renormalization inversion technique with a building‐resolving computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach for source retrieval in the geometrically complex urban regions. It presents the first application of the renormalization inversion approach to estimate an unknown continuous point release in real situations at an urban scale. The renormalization inversion approach is based on an adjoint source‐receptor relationship and is purely deterministic in nature. The source parameters (i.e., source location and release rate) are reconstructed from a finite set of point measurements of concentration acquired from some sensors and the adjoint functions computed from a CFD model fluidyn‐PANACHE that is able to represent the geometric and flow complexity inherent in the urban regions. The inversion procedure is evaluated for a point source reconstruction using measurements from the Mock Urban Setting Test (MUST) field experiment. Source reconstructions are performed for 20 trials of the MUST experiment of a continuous point release in an idealized urban geometry consisting of a regular array of shipping containers. The steady state flow fields are computed by solving the three‐dimensional Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes equations by using a finite volume scheme. Then, in each MUST trial adjoint functions are obtained and used for the source identification. Inversion results are presented with both synthetic and real measurements in various atmospheric stabilities varying from neutral to stable and very stable conditions. With real concentration measurements, the point source is retrieved within an average Euclidean distance of 14.6 m from the actual source location. The estimated source intensity is overpredicted by an average factor of 1.37 of the true release rate. In a posterior uncertainty analysis with 10% random noise in measurements, it is demonstrated that standard deviation in the location error and release strength, respectively, varies by 5.22 m and ∼21% from their mean value for all 20 trials. A sensitivity analysis shows that the use of nonzero measurements helps in reducing the uncertainties involved in the source reconstruction. The source reconstruction results in various stability conditions exhibit the reliability of the renormalization inversion methodology coupled with the CFD approach in an urban area. The present methodology can be used by emergency regulators as a tool to detect the unknown accidental or deliberated releases in the complex urban environments.
Executive Coaching Practices in the Adult Workplace
Authors: Campone Francine
Published: December 2015

This chapter provides an overview of key principles and practices in executive coaching. Coaching is discussed as a reflective learning opportunity and offers the theoretical grounding, strategies, and case studies for each of four key elements of a coaching engagement.
XFEM Modeling of Interface Failure in Adhesively Bonded Fiber‐Reinforced Polymers
Authors: Kästner Markus , Müller Sebastian , Hirsch Franz , Pap Jószef‐Sebastian , Jansen Irene , Ulbricht Volker
Published: December 2015

This paper addresses the multi‐scale simulation of heterogeneous materials with a special emphasis on the modeling of internal discontinuities. In a homogenization context the local material structure is discretized by the extended finite element method which uses an enriched displacement approximation in combination with a cohesive zone model. This approach is applied to predict the effective material behavior of a fiber reinforced polymer and is then used to investigate the interaction of the fiber‐matrix interface with an adhesive layer. All simulations are validated by corresponding experimental data.
Recombinant Resilin‐Based Bioelastomers for Regenerative Medicine Applications
Authors: Li Linqing , Mahara Atsushi , Tong Zhixiang , Levenson Eric A. , McGann Christopher L. , Jia Xinqiao , Yamaoka Tetsuji , Kiick Kristi L.
Published: December 2015

The outstanding elasticity, excellent resilience at high‐frequency, and hydrophilic capacity of natural resilin have motivated investigations of recombinant resilin‐based biomaterials as a new class of bio‐elastomers in the engineering of mechanically active tissues. Accordingly, here the comprehensive characterization of modular resilin‐like polypeptide (RLP) hydrogels is presented and their suitability as a novel biomaterial for in vivo applications is introduced. Oscillatory rheology confirmed that a full suite of the RLPs can be rapidly cross‐linked upon addition of the tris(hydroxymethyl phosphine) cross‐linker, achieving similar in situ shear storage moduli (20 k ± 3.5 Pa) across various material compositions. Uniaxial stress relaxation tensile testing of hydrated RLP hydrogels under cyclic loading and unloading showed negligible stress reduction and hysteresis, superior reversible extensibility, and high resilience with Young's moduli of 30 ± 7.4 kPa. RLP hydrogels containing MMP‐sensitive domains are susceptible to enzymatic degradation by matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1). Cell culture studies revealed that RLP‐based hydrogels supported the attachment and spreading (2D) of human mesenchymal stem cells and did not activate cultured macrophages. Subcutaneous transplantation of RLP hydrogels in a rat model, which to our knowledge is the first such reported in vivo analysis of RLP‐based hydrogels, illustrated that these materials do not elicit a significant inflammatory response, suggesting their potential as materials for tissue engineering applications with targets of mechanically demanding tissues such as vocal fold and cardiovascular tissues.
Effects of Pillar Height and Junction Depth on the Performance of Radially Doped Silicon Pillar Arrays for Solar Energy Applications
Authors: Elbersen Rick , Vijselaar Wouter , Tiggelaar Roald M. , Gardeniers Han , Huskens Jurriaan
Published: December 2015

The effects of pillar height and junction depth on solar cell characteristics are investigated to provide design rules for arrays of such pillars in solar energy applications. Radially doped silicon pillar arrays are fabricated by deep reactive ion etching of silicon substrates followed by the introduction of dopant atoms by diffusion from a phosphorus oxide layer conformally deposited by low‐pressure chemical vapor deposition. Increasing the height of the pillars has led to doubling of the efficiency from 6% for flat substrates to 12% for 40 μm high pillars with a 900 nm junction depth because of an increase in the total junction area and lower optical reflection. For higher pillars, the current density and efficiency is decreased, which is attributed to the increasing presence of defect states at the surface introduced during the etching process. This effect can be counteracted by an Al2O3 passivation layer on the pillar surface. An optimum efficiency of 13% is found for a junction depth of 790 nm for 40 μm pillar height. At increased junction depths, the efficiency is decreased due to the ever thinner undoped core of the pillars, causing pillars with a large junction depth to become less efficient than flat silicon substrates.
Enhanced Efficiency and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells Through Nd‐Doping of Mesostructured TiO2
Authors: Roose Bart , Gödel Karl C. , Pathak Sandeep , Sadhanala Aditya , Baena Juan Pablo Correa , Wilts Bodo D. , Snaith Henry J. , Wiesner Ulrich , Grätzel Michael , Steiner Ullrich , Abate Antonio
Published: December 2015

Block‐copolymer templated chemical solution deposition is used to prepare mesoporous Nd‐doped TiO2 electrodes for perovskite‐based solar cells. X‐ray diffraction and photothermal deflection spectroscopy show substitutional incorporation into the TiO2 crystal lattice for low Nd concentration, and increasing interstitial doping for higher concentrations. Substitutional Nd‐doping leads to an increase in stability and performance of perovskite solar cells by eliminating defects and thus increasing electron transport and reducing charge recombination in the mesoporous TiO2. The optimized doping concentration of 0.3% Nd enables the preparation of perovskite solar cells with stabilized power conversion efficiency of >18%.
Controlling the Active Sites of Sulfur‐Doped Carbon Nanotube–Graphene Nanolobes for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution and Reduction Catalysis
Authors: El‐Sawy Abdelhamid M. , Mosa Islam M. , Su Dong , Guild Curtis J. , Khalid Syed , Joesten Raymond , Rusling James F. , Suib Steven L.
Published: December 2015

Controlling active sites of metal‐free catalysts is an important strategy to enhance activity of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Many attempts have been made to develop metal‐free catalysts, but the lack of understanding of active‐sites at the atomic‐level has slowed the design of highly active and stable metal‐free catalysts. A sequential two‐step strategy to dope sulfur into carbon nanotube–graphene nanolobes is developed. This bidoping strategy introduces stable sulfur–carbon active‐sites. Fluorescence emission of the sulfur K‐edge by X‐ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) and scanning transmission electron microscopy electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM‐EELS) mapping and spectra confirm that increasing the incorporation of heterocyclic sulfur into the carbon ring of CNTs not only enhances OER activity with an overpotential of 350 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, but also retains 100% of stability after 75 h. The bidoped sulfur carbon nanotube–graphene nanolobes behave like the state‐of‐the‐art catalysts for OER but outperform those systems in terms of turnover frequency (TOF) which is two orders of magnitude greater than (20% Ir/C) at 400 mV overpotential with very high mass activity 1000 mA cm−2 at 570 mV. Moreover, the sulfur bidoping strategy shows high catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Stable bifunctional (ORR and OER) catalysts are low cost, and light‐weight bidoped sulfur carbon nanotubes are potential candidates for next‐generation metal‐free regenerative fuel cells.
Facile Synthesis of 4‐(Trifluoromethyl)‐1 H‐isochromenes from Alkynols
Authors: Ji Xiao Yue , Siyang Hai Xiao , Liu Kai , Jiao Jia Jun , Liu Pei Nian
Published: December 2015

Isochromene derivatives are important structural motifs found in various biologically active compounds as well as important natural products. A method to generate CF3‐containing isochromene derivatives has been developed, which gives moderate to good yields by using Togni's reagent as the trifluoromethyl source. The key step involves alkynol cyclization and subsequent trapping by a reactive electrophilic trifluoromethyl species generated in situ from Togni's reagent.
Metal‐free Intermolecular Hydrophenoxylation of Aryl Alkynes
Authors: Patel Monika , Saunthwal Rakesh K. , Dhaked Devendra K. , Bharatam Prasad V. , Verma Akhilesh K.
Published: December 2015

Base‐mediated anti‐Markovnikov additions of phenols onto terminal alkynes have been achieved. This paper presents insights into the role of DMSO in superbase‐mediated chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselective nucleophilic addition reactions of phenols onto aryl alkynes. Deuterium‐labeling experiments uncover that the source of styryl protons in the products comes from the DMSO, not from the substrate (nucleophile) nor from the water workup. Competitive nucleophilic additions and the mechanistic pathway was corroborated by control experiments and computational calculations.
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator activation by the solvent ethanol: implications for topical drug delivery
Authors: Cho Do‐Yeon , Skinner Daniel , Zhang Shaoyan , Fortenberry James , Sorscher Eric J. , Dean Nichole R. , Woodworth Bradford A.
Published: December 2015

Background

Decreased cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)‐mediated chloride (Cl) secretion across mucosal surfaces contributes to the development of airway disease by depleting airway surface liquid, increasing mucus viscosity and adhesion, and consequently hindering mucociliary clearance. We serendipitously discovered during testing of drugs solubilized in low concentrations ethanol (0.25%, 43 mM) that the control vehicle produced robust activation of CFTR‐mediated Cl− transport. The objective of the current study is to investigate low concentrations of ethanol for effects on Cl− secretion and ciliary beat frequency (CBF).

Methods

Wild‐type (WT) and transgenic CFTR−/− primary murine nasoseptal epithelial (MNSE) cultures and WT and F508del/F508del human sinonasal epithelial (HSNE) cultures were subjected to transepithelial ion transport measurements using pharmacologic manipulation in Ussing chambers. CBF activation was also monitored. Murine nasal potential difference (NPD) was measured in vivo.

Results

Ussing chamber tracings revealed ethanol activated CFTR‐mediated Cl transport in a dose‐dependent fashion in WT MNSE (n = 4, p < 0.05) and HSNE (n = 4, p < 0.05). Ethanol also significantly increased CBF (fold change) in WT MNSE cultures in a dose‐dependent fashion (phosphate‐buffered saline [PBS], 1.33 ± 0.04; 0.25% ethanol, 1.37 ± 0.09; 0.5% ethanol, 1.53 ± 0.06 [p < 0.05]; 1% ethanol, 1.62 ± 0.1 [p < 0.05]). Lack of stimulation in CFTR−/− and F508del/F508del cultures indicated activity was dependent on the presence of intact functional CFTR. Ethanol perfusion (0.5%) resulted in a significant −3.5‐mV mean NPD polarization when compared to control solution (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The observation that brief exposure of ethanol stimulated Cl− secretion via CFTR‐mediated pathways indicates its possible use as topical aerosol delivered alone or in combination with other CFTR activators for diseases of dysfunctional mucociliary clearance (MCC) in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
ADRB2 polymorphisms in allergic asthma in Han Chinese children
Authors: Tian Man , Liang Hui , Qin Qiao‐zhi , Zhang Wen‐xin , Zhang Shan‐shan
Published: December 2015

Background

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human β2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene have been linked to pathogenesis of and treatment responses in asthma. In China, where asthma is common, little information exists regarding ADRB2 variants and their effects on asthma. The current study sought to investigate the relationship between variations in ADRB2 and childhood asthma.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 298 pediatric asthma cases treated in our hospital from July 2013 to September 2014; 304 samples were collected from healthy children for a control group. Six loci (at base positions −47, 79, −2387, 46, 523, and 491) of ADRB2 were genotyped using the TaqMan probe assay; SHEsis was used to determine haplotypes. Allele frequencies and genotype distributions were compared between groups using chi square and t tests.

Results

No significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies were found between the groups for the polymorphic loci −2387 bp (T>C), 46 bp (G>A), and 523 bp (C>A) (p > 0.05). However, genotype frequencies for the ADRB2 SNPs at −47 bp (C>T) and 79 bp (G>C) differed significantly between asthma and control groups (p < 0.05). Further, linkage disequilibrium was found between these 2 SNPs (D′ = 0.990, r2 = 0.962), as well as between SNPs at 46 and 523 bp (D′ = 0.985, r2 = 0.607). Finally, of the 4 haplotypes analyzed in these samples (haplotypes III, IV, IX, and XI), the frequency of haplotype III was significantly lower in the asthma group than the control group (p < 0.05; odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48 to 0.97).

Conclusion

Variations of ADRB2 at base positions −47 (C>T) and 79 (G>C), as well as haplotype III, may contribute to susceptibility to childhood asthma.