bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Back to the future: Why the Sunday school is key to denominational identity and growth
Authors: Marler Penny Long , Hadaway C. Kirk
Published: March 2014

This article is an historical and sociological analysis of the rise of the Sunday school movement, the “Southern Baptization” of that movement, and its growth and subsequent decline. Two related points are central to the argument: (a) the irony of the movement’s evolution from nondenominational Protestantism to Southern Baptist denominationalism to nondenominational evangelicalism; and (b) in a context of social and economic transformations that undermine not only the roots of the movement’s growth but also compromise its attendant fruits, the Sunday school’s continued importance for the religious socialization of successive generations. From the late eighteenth to the mid-twentieth century, denominationalism meant identity and growth, and the Sunday school drove both, first in Great Britain and later in the United States. The decline of the Sunday school for adults and then for children led to the erosion of denominationalism, especially from the 1960s onward. Research suggests that parental involvement in a religious tradition, children’s simultaneous age-graded religious education, and worship together (still) promote religious identity and assure continued church involvement across the lifespan. So what can be done?
Presence and pixels: Some impacts of electronically mediated communication on Christian living
Authors: Bulkeley Tim
Published: March 2014

The cultural changes we are experiencing as progressively more of our lives are digitally mediated provoke strong hopes and fears. Among many potentially striking impacts, new technologies offer new possibilities in mission. In particular, past difficulties in making good culturally appropriate Christian teaching available in developing contexts may be overcome. Yet we have hardly begun to adapt our thinking and Christian practice to this new world. The public reading of Scripture from tablets instead of print books has recently begun to provoke discussion. As well as practical concerns, the symbolism of such actions needs consideration. Christians understand these issues in the context of faith in God incarnate in Christ. Yet digital mediation raises questions about the incarnation of human contact. For all conversation is mediated, often by technologies. Some of these are familiar and so “invisible” as technology, like the acoustics of a church building, or writing on paper. Different media communicate a sense of the person communicating in different ways (sound, vision, directly, or with a time delay), and different people respond differently to these media. Our understanding of real presence needs to accommodate not only differing degrees of presence, but also different media preferences.
The encounter between Western and Eastern religions and cultures
Authors: Wood Nicholas J.
Published: March 2014

This article reflects on the encounter between so-called Western and Eastern traditions, mainly during the modern period. It draws attention to the problematic nature of this encounter during a period of Western colonialism, and the impact of post-colonial criticism and perspectives. It examines the significance of the missionary movement, the development of comparative religion, and the recent emergence of dialogue as a more appropriate means of encounter between various traditions. It concludes with a discussion on the nature of plurality and pluralism, and argues that the church needs to develop a more adequate theology of religions that reflects present realities whilst remaining faithful to its historic witness.
The Contribution of Baptists to the Interpretation of Christianity.
Authors: Mullins Rev. E. Y.
Published: March 2014

This article “by President Mullins appeared exclusively in The Hibbert Journal (April number), but because of its general interest and source it is re-printed. We are indebted to The Hibbert Journal for this courtesy.
Rumor and Secret Space
Authors: Tian Xiaoli
Published: March 2014

This article examines anti-missionary rumors that prevailed in nineteenth-century China and led to the Tianjin Missionary Case of 1870. Relying on archival sources, it shows that many rumors were fueled by Protestant missionaries’ medical practices in addition to political conflicts. Furthermore, the rumors were framed in spatial concepts. The rumors arose and persisted not because the missionaries deliberately hid information, but rather because the visibility of their daily activities, the accessibility of the space they inhabited and practiced in, and the spatial placement of their living quarters contradicted cultural norms in nineteenth-century China and therefore prevented the Chinese from acquiring correct information about the missionaries. The ambiguity of information that caused the rumors was the result of the confrontation between two ways of understanding space.
Organizational Ingenuity in Nascent Innovations: Gaining Resources and Legitimacy through Unconventional Actions
Authors: Kannan-Narasimhan Rangapriya (Priya)
Published: March 2014

How do innovators in large organizations acquire resources for their early-stage, untested, unproven innovations? Multiple established projects compete for scarce resources in large organizations. Innovators pursuing early-stage, untested innovations face considerable constraints in accessing scarce resources. Literature enumerates various sanctioned and unsanctioned methods by which innovators acquire resources, such as borrowing, begging, scavenging, amplifying, bootlegging, and finagling – defined as obtaining resources through deceitful or underhanded methods. However, few theories explain how innovators act unconventionally, elude constraints to acquire resources, and yet gain acceptance for their innovations. To address this question, this study uses field data from nine organizations based primarily in Silicon Valley. Successful innovators employ organizational ingenuity or creative solutions to gain resources in the face of constraints. They employ two types of ingenuity: material ingenuity, creatively re-imagining the use of resources; and process ingenuity, using creative processes to gain resources. In the early stages, innovators focus on managing their innovation’s legitimacy and use managerial attention as a key lever. They maximize managerial attention when employing material ingenuity and minimize managerial attention when utilizing process ingenuity. Theories highlighting the relationship between legitimacy and resource acquisition suggest that individuals gain resources when they establish legitimacy. Conversely, study results indicate that the process of gaining resources can lend legitimacy to early-stage innovations.
Organizational Ingenuity and the Paradox of Embedded Agency: The Case of the Embryonic Ontario Solar Energy Industry
Authors: Walker Kent , Schlosser Francine , Deephouse David L.
Published: March 2014

We examine organizational ingenuity within the paradox of embedded agency where organizational stakeholders are constrained in their behaviors by institutions, yet also influence and change these institutions. In this study organizational ingenuity represents the agency component and institutional constraints the embedded component. We build theory about ingenuity from a four-year case study of the embryonic Ontario solar industry. There were two major institutional constraints, limited grid access and political uncertainty. These led to four ingenuity strategies that emerged at different times and levels of analysis that challenged, complied with, or escaped the constraints. We combine these findings to develop a process model of the emergence of ingenuity in this embryonic industry. Lastly, we find that extending legitimacy to an ingenuity strategy is necessary for its success.
A systematic review of cohort studies of the quality of life in HIV/AIDS patients after antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Jin Yantao , Liu Zhibin , Wang Xin , Liu Huixin , Ding Guowei , Su Yingying , Zhu Lin , Wang Ning
Published: March 2014

The aim of this paper was to review cohort studies that analyze changes in the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. We searched the PubMed and EmBase databases from inception to December 2012 for primary cohort studies of the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS after combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Two independent reviewers screened and selected published studies of quality of life that had been followed up for more than 12 weeks after the beginning of cART. Data from the papers were analyzed to identify common characteristics of the effects of cART on the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients. Eight cohort studies were found: only four were assessed as high quality and four were assessed as moderate quality. None of the studies described patient selection. Six studies followed the patients for one year or more, and the other studies for less than 6 months. Seven studies reported quality of life had been improved after initiation of cART, and one study reported no change. Previous research suggested that cART improved the quality of life of AIDS patients for a limited time, so further research for longer periods is needed to confirm this outcome.
Management of Guest Delight in Hotels: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Goswami Sinmoy , Sarma Mrinmoy K.
Published: March 2014

Guest delight involves providing unexpected benefits along with the basic services to the guests in hotels. However, as the hotels continue to delight guests by providing delighter features along with the basic service, their expectations continue to increase. In every successive stay, they become inclined to expect the earlier delighter features. These may affect hotels’ profitability. Literature review has pointed out that reenacted and transitory delight may play an important role in the management of guest delight in hotels. The present study has attempted to explore these roles played by these two forms of delight in hotels. A survey was conducted by interviewing 500 repeat guests of 65 hotels in the 5 star deluxe, 4 star, 3 star, Heritage Grand and unclassified categories in India. This study has established the possible role of reenacted and transitory delight in management (continuation) of guest delight in hotels. Reenacted delight in hotels is connected with guests’ anticipation of similar value addition in their subsequent visits. Transitory delight in hotels is linked with guests’ expectation of changes in value addition in their consequent visits. This study has also determined certain categories of guests who could be targeted for delight through staggered delivery of pleasant surprises in order to create reenacted and transitory delights among them.
Durapro: Driving Sales through Distribution Channel
Authors: Mukherjee Jaydeep
Published: March 2014

The case is about the challenges faced by a sales supervisor in achieving very steep sales targets in a distributor driven sales set up. It is set in the context of change in role from direct field sales to a supervisory role. It provides an opportunity to discuss the different sources of power that could be tapped by a supervisor to get results from the subordinates who are part of channel intermediaries. The case explores the issue of task and relationship orientation of the supervisor, delegation of responsibility and power as well as the problems of upward delegation in the process of change management.
Adherence to antiemetic guidelines and control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in a large hospital
Authors: Caracuel Fatima , Muñoz Nuria , Baños Ursula , Ramirez Gabriel
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

The aim of the study was to determine the antiemetic prescription adherence both to the protocol of our hospital and to international recommendations, as well as to analyze the relationship between this adherence and the incidence of nausea and vomiting (NV) and between the adherence and patients' individual risk.

Methods:

This is a four-month observational study which included antiemetic prescriptions for adult cancer patients. Prescriptions were considered adherent or not to hospital protocol and also to international guidelines. Patients were given a form to record the NV they suffered and this was to be returned at their next appointment.

Results:

A total of 102 prescriptions were analyzed. Taking into account the hospital protocol, 59% and 54% were correct (acute and delayed phase, respectively). Of those considered outside the protocol, 24% and 13% did follow international guidelines. In the delayed phase, complete response was achieved in 76% and 72% of the patients, with compliant and non-compliant prescriptions, respectively (82% and 90% in the acute phase). Adherence to the hospital protocol was higher in patients under 50 years old ( p = 0.015) and in those without previous experience of NV ( p = 0.010). Adherence to international guidelines was higher in female patients ( p = 0.023).

Conclusion:

Our study confirms low adherence with both local and international recommendations for antiemetic prescriptions. However, we could not prove that adherence involves a CINV reduction. Adherence did not seem to be influenced by the doctor's perception of the patient's risk of emesis.
The Effects of Service Charges Versus Service-Included Pricing on Deal Perception
Authors: Wang Shuo , Lynn Michael
Published: March 2014

Study participants rated menu prices with an automatic percentage service gratuity as better deals than equivalent service-included prices when the service component of price was below the standard 15% tipping rate. However, the reverse was true when the service component of price was above 15%. Furthermore, a move from percentage service gratuity toward dollar service gratuity impeded participants’ menu price judgment. These findings provide some insights regarding which pricing alternative to tipping should be implemented if and when restaurateurs decide to abandon voluntary tipping.
A Study of Experiential Quality, Perceived Value, Heritage Image, Experiential Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intentions for Heritage Tourists
Authors: Wu Hung-Che , Li Tao
Published: March 2014

This study aims at identifying the dimensions of experiential quality and examining the interrelationships among experiential quality, perceived value, heritage image, experiential satisfaction, and behavioral intentions for heritage tourists. The dimensions of experiential quality are built on a basis of reflective indicators, and a multidimensional and hierarchical model is used as a framework to synthesize the effects of experiential quality, perceived value, heritage image, and experiential satisfaction on behavioral intentions perceived by heritage tourists. Analysis of data from 427 tourists in the Historic Center of Macau indicates that the proposed model fits the data well. The results reveal that there are four primary dimensions and 10 subdimensions of experiential quality perceived by heritage tourists. In addition, the results indicate that outcome quality is identified as the most primary dimension of experiential quality perceived by heritage tourists.
Visible and invisible countries: News flow theory revised
Authors: Segev Elad
Published: March 2014

In this paper the validity and limits of the news flow theory are examined, utilizing a large digital corpus of 35 popular news sites in 10 different languages over a three-year period. Three key variables were identified: GDP, foreign population and conflict intensity, collectively accounting for more than 70% of the variance of country prominence in the news. After offering a robust model, over-represented and under-represented countries are listed and divided based on their different characteristics and news trends.

Findings show that conflicts tend to be visible only if they are in the Middle East. Over-represented regional centers in West Europe and Asia overshadow the under-represented regional peripheries in East Europe and the Middle East. Finally, the US and Africa serve as a global center and a periphery respectively. The implications of these findings are discussed in order to invite scholars to further expand the theory and the explanatory model accordingly.
The Dark Philosopher and the postmodern turn: Heraclitus in the poetry of Seferis, Elytis and Fostieris
Authors: Loulakaki-Moore Irene
Published: March 2014

Σάρμα εἰκῇ κεχυμένων ὁ κάλλιστος κόσμος. The fairest order in the world is a heap of random sweepings. Heraclitus D.124

This article examines the ways in which the perennial philosophy of Heraclitus becomes a site where the battle between modernist and postmodernist poetics unfolds. Seferis and Elytis exploit the Heraclitean doctrines of change, unity of opposites and the all-permeating logos in a manner that allows them to conceptualize and present what Lyotard calls the ‘modernist sublime’. Fostieris mobilizes the very same doctrines within his poetry, flouting the logical law of contradiction as Heraclitus did. By using and abusing the very concepts he challenges, Fostieris interrogates the modernist quest for master narratives and universal consensus, bringing forward the illusory character of such endeavours.
Sub-circuits of a gene regulatory network control a developmental epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Saunders Lindsay R. , McClay David R.
Published: March 2014

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental cell state change that transforms epithelial to mesenchymal cells during embryonic development, adult tissue repair and cancer metastasis. EMT includes a complex series of intermediate cell state changes including remodeling of the basement membrane, apical constriction, epithelial de-adhesion, directed motility, loss of apical-basal polarity, and acquisition of mesenchymal adhesion and polarity. Transcriptional regulatory state changes must ultimately coordinate the timing and execution of these cell biological processes. A well-characterized gene regulatory network (GRN) in the sea urchin embryo was used to identify the transcription factors that control five distinct cell changes during EMT. Single transcription factors were perturbed and the consequences followed with in vivo time-lapse imaging or immunostaining assays. The data show that five different sub-circuits of the GRN control five distinct cell biological activities, each part of the complex EMT process. Thirteen transcription factors (TFs) expressed specifically in pre-EMT cells were required for EMT. Three TFs highest in the GRN specified and activated EMT (alx1, ets1, tbr) and the 10 TFs downstream of those (tel, erg, hex, tgif, snail, twist, foxn2/3, dri, foxb, foxo) were also required for EMT. No single TF functioned in all five sub-circuits, indicating that there is no EMT master regulator. Instead, the resulting sub-circuit topologies suggest EMT requires multiple simultaneous regulatory mechanisms: forward cascades, parallel inputs and positive-feedback lock downs. The interconnected and overlapping nature of the sub-circuits provides one explanation for the seamless orchestration by the embryo of cell state changes leading to successful EMT.
A novel Fizzy/Cdc20-dependent mechanism suppresses necrosis in neural stem cells
Authors: Kuang Chaoyuan , Golden Krista L. , Simon Claudio R. , Damrath John , Buttitta Laura , Gamble Caitlin E. , Lee Cheng-Yu
Published: March 2014

Cancer stem cells likely survive chemotherapy or radiotherapy by acquiring mutations that inactivate the endogenous apoptotic machinery or by cycling slowly. Thus, knowledge about the mechanisms linking the activation of an alternative cell death modality and the cell cycle machinery could have a transformative impact on the development of new cancer therapies, but the mechanisms remain completely unknown. We investigated the regulation of alternative cell death in Drosophila larval brain neural stem cells (neuroblasts) in which apoptosis is normally repressed. From a screen, we identified two novel loss-of-function alleles of the Cdc20/fizzy (fzy) gene that lead to premature brain neuroblast loss without perturbing cell proliferation in other diploid cell types. Fzy is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). Neuroblasts carrying the novel fzy allele or exhibiting reduced APC/C function display hallmarks of necrosis. By contrast, neuroblasts overexpressing the non-degradable form of canonical APC/C substrates required for cell cycle progression undergo mitotic catastrophe. These data strongly suggest that Fzy can elicit a novel pro-survival function of APC/C by suppressing necrosis. Neuroblasts experiencing catastrophic cellular stress, or overexpressing p53, lose Fzy expression and undergo necrosis. Co-expression of fzy suppresses the death of these neuroblasts. Consequently, attenuation of the Fzy-dependent survival mechanism functions downstream of catastrophic cellular stress and p53 to eliminate neuroblasts by necrosis. Strategies that target the Fzy-dependent survival mechanism might lead to the discovery of new treatments or complement the pre-existing therapies to eliminate apoptosis-resistant cancer stem cells by necrosis.
Craft interests during leisure time and craft learning outcomes in Finland
Authors: Metsärinne Mika , Kallio Manne
Published: March 2014

The Finnish National Board of Education (FNBE) evaluated learning outcomes in craft in the final ninth grade of compulsory education in March 2010. The evaluation included both a questionnaire (n=4792) and a production exercise (n=661) based on technical and textile craft. The production exercise included the designing and manufacturing of a whole product based on pupils’ own ideas. Craft-related leisure time interests were also assessed. Similar evaluations for compulsory education craft have not been carried out in other countries. School craft helps pupils understand the constructed world and to become a part of it. Craft-related leisure time interests, on the other hand, have an effect on the developing identities of pupils and help them learn to control their lives. There is hardly any data available on the effects that craft-related leisure time interests have on school craft learning outcomes. This article is based on research of pupils’ (n=366) craft-related leisure time interests and their effects on learning outcomes in school craft. The main leisure time craft interests were technical maintenance and repairs and textile production. The relation of these interests and learning outcomes was analysed by forming a confirmatory factor model. The factor model represented leisure time interests that were either maintenance and repair related or production related. Results derived from the model and the structural equation model representing the relations to learning outcomes are presented. Technical maintenance and repairs were found to have an effect (r=0.40) on craft learning outcomes. Textile-related leisure time interests were found to not have any effect on learning outcomes. The results lead to considering the gap between school craft contents and the everyday craft skills that pupils need in their lives. Consideration was also given to how pupils could benefit from their leisure time interests at school. The results could also be used not only to assess the goals that pupils and schools set for craft, but also for what should be done in school craft for these goals to be achieved.
Complexity, multi-perspectivism and tracking: A brief history of the meaning of image from the Postmedia to the Postdigital ages
Authors: Álvaro Sandra
Published: March 2014

The meaning and function of the image has been evolving over all time. This has been separated from mimesis and given greater openness and an emergent meaning to be adapted to the fluxes that characterize our contemporary society. Throughout this process Art has lost the primacy and exclusivity of the image to share it with science and its visualization procedures and with a social function, now disseminated trough social networks. This article points out the decisive moments – and illustrates them with examples – through the evolution from the image in Postmodernity to the open and co-participated meaning of the Postmedia age image, and the new relation with the real world that characterizes the image of the Postdigital situation. Finally, we propose that the Postdigital Condition, related to new advances such as augmented reality (AR), geopositioning devices and ubiquitous informatics, is making the appearance of a new image type possible, here called Tracking-Image. This Tracking-Image is self-generated with data, from the flux of inputs generated in physical space and registered by networked users and sensors, becoming the protagonist of a new encounter with the physical fluid reality that characterizes the Postdigital situation.
Cities in digital format
Authors: Kekou Eva
Published: March 2014

The City is a dynamic living narrative, an unfolding autobiography, a melding of countless invisible stories; unravelling not in words but in movement, fear, desire, need, coupling the daily of living. The city seen is a narrative; meaning definition is found not in the narrative but in the illegible depths of the unseen city. Art practices of every kind are one fragment of the ever-unfolding narrative. New technological possibilities have also revolutionized the way the narrative of the City can be ‘told’ and ‘reproduced’. Narrative is transcribed into a new cultural code through technological advances. Many works of art tell stories; indeed, most of the humanities involve stories. This article is going to study a number of innovative projects in digital art: locative media and interactive media. They all reveal how City is seen by them through their ‘stories’ and narratives. It will explore further the role of story-telling processes. All projects are site specific, participatory and interactive. They also have the capacity to map hybrid city in a mobilized and digital world. How do we picture urban life and formulate our experience of it? How can this experience be reflected via new technologies? Do new ways of narrative and story telling emerge through new technologies? How does audience respond to these practices? Can these practices be a cinematic means of digitalized story telling? These are some of the questions that will be answered in this article.
Measuring firms´ financial constraints: a rough guide
Authors: Silva Filipe , Carreira Carlos
Published: March 2014

The recent years have been prolific in terms of development of new measures of firms’ financial constraints. This paper surveys the main strategies proposed. Additionally, we discuss the key advantages and disadvantages of each measure as well as the data requirements for implementation. Finally, it provides a useful tool for researchers that intend to analyse the impact of constraints on firm behaviour.
Questionário de diagnóstico local de segurança: Estudo numa comunidade urbana
Authors: Sani Ana Isabel , Nunes Laura M.
Published: March 2014

Este texto apresenta de um questionário construído em colaboração com o Comando Metropolitano do Porto, que intervém numa comunidade urbana problemática, situada na freguesia da Sé, Porto. Subjacente à construção do questionário para levantamento de Diagnósticos Locais de Segurança (DLS), segundo as diretrizes ministeriais nacionais, esteve a necessidade de, naquela comunidade urbana, se caracterizar o sentimento de (in)segurança dos moradores nas suas componentes objetiva e subjetiva. O instrumento, cuja versão final é composta por cinco secções, foi administrado a uma amostra de 244 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, residentes, trabalhadores ou estudantes naquela região e com idades entre os 16 e os 82 anos. O estudo transversal e descritivo revelou o predomínio de uma perceção de segurança, não obstante a noção de aumento da criminalidade. O tráfico de drogas surgiu como crime mais frequente, e os mais temidos foram furto/roubo, assalto a residência e tráfico de drogas. O desemprego e os problemas económicos foram percebidos como causas para o aumento da criminalidade. A reabilitação urbana e o aumento de policiamento foram medidas sugeridas para aumentar a segurança. Estes e outros resultados reforçam a importância de diagnósticos locais de segurança, para a elaboração de estratégias preventivas adequadas a cada comunidade específica.
Ajustamento psicossocial, ajustamento diádico e resiliência no contexto de desemprego
Authors: Dimas Inês Margarida , Pereira Marco Daniel , Canavarro Maria Cristina
Published: March 2014

No contexto socioeconómico atual, o confronto com condições de maior ou menor adversidade no trabalho, onde podemos enquadrar o desemprego, pode desafiar a vida pessoal e relacional dos indivíduos. No presente estudo transversal, analisamos a adaptação pessoal (sintomatologia psicopatológica e qualidade de vida), relacional (ajustamento diádico) e resiliência individual no contexto de desemprego. A amostra foi constituída por conveniência e incluiu 15 casais em que um dos elementos estava desempregado e 22 casais, com ambos os elementos empregados. O protocolo de avaliação incluiu os seguintes instrumentos: Inventario de Sintomas Psicopatologicos (BSI); Instrumento de Avaliação da Qualidade de Vida da Organização Mundial de Saúde – WHOQOL-Bref; a Escala de Ajustamento Diádico – Revista (EAD-R) e a Connor-Davidson – Escala de Resiliência (CD-RISC). Os resultados encontrados sugerem que os participantes desempregados atribuem uma maior importância a relação do que os seus parceiros. A resiliência do desempregado mostrou-se associada a menor sintomatologia psicopatológica, a melhor perceção de QdV e a melhor ajustamento diádico. O presente estudo exploratório permitiu contribuir para conhecer melhor a adaptação individual e conjugal ao desemprego, sobretudo devido a escassez de estudos nesta area, deixando ainda pistas futuras de investigação.
Benford's Law: Analyzing a Decade of Financial Data
Authors: Alali Fatima A. , Romero Silvia
Published: March 2014

This study uses a decade of financial accounting data to examine if and how they depart from Benford's Law. Using a large sample of U.S. public companies, we conduct an analysis of the first-two digits of data items generally used in research to measure total accruals and discretionary accruals and where fraud, restatements, and enforcement actions are revealed. We break down a decade of data into six subperiods; pre-SOX Period (2001), SOX 1 Period (2002–2003), SOX 2 Period (2004–2006), SOX 3 Period (2007), Crisis 1 Period (2008), and Crisis 2 Period (2009–2010). We find different indicators of manipulation during the periods studied, as well as differences between small and big companies and companies audited by Big 4 and non-Big 4 firms.
The Maine Question
Authors: Hurwitz Michael , Smith Jonathan , Niu Sunny , Howell Jessica
Published: March 2014

We use a difference-in-differences analytic approach to estimate postsecondary consequences from Maine’s mandate that all public school juniors take the SAT®. We find that, overall, the policy increased 4-year college-going rates by 2- to 3-percentage points and that 4-year college-going rates among induced students increased by 10-percentage points.
Ricci Curvature on Polyhedral Surfaces via Optimal Transportation
Authors: Loisel Benoît , Romon Pascal
Published: March 2014

The problem of correctly defining geometric objects, such as the curvature, is a hard one in discrete geometry. In 2009, Ollivier defined a notion of curvature applicable to a wide category of measured metric spaces, in particular to graphs. He named it coarse Ricci curvature because it coincides, up to some given factor, with the classical Ricci curvature, when the space is a smooth manifold. Lin, Lu and Yau and Jost and Liu have used and extended this notion for graphs, giving estimates for the curvature and, hence, the diameter, in terms of the combinatorics. In this paper, we describe a method for computing the coarse Ricci curvature and give sharper results, in the specific, but crucial case of polyhedral surfaces.
The Requirement of CD8+ T Cells To Initiate and Augment Acute Cardiac Inflammatory Response to High Blood Pressure
Authors: Ma Feifei , Feng Jin , Zhang Chao , Li Yulin , Qi Guanming , Li Huihua , Wu Yuzhang , Fu Yangxin , Zhao Yang , Chen Hairong , Du Jie , Tang Hong
Published: March 2014

Macrophage infiltration and activation in myocardium are hallmarks of acute cardiac inflammatory response to high blood pressure. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this article, we report that CD8+ T cells are required for cardiac recruitment and activation of macrophages. First, mice with CD8 gene-targeted (CD8 knockout) or CD8+ T cells depleted by Ab showed significantly reduced cardiac inflammatory response to the elevation of blood pressure after angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion, whereas CD8 knockout mice reconstituted with CD8+ T cells restored the sensitivity to Ang II. More importantly, CD8+ T cells were required for macrophage infiltration in myocardium and subsequent activation to express proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, macrophage activation required direct contact with activated CD8+ T cells, but with TCR dispensable. TCR-independent activation of macrophages was further confirmed in MHC class I–restricted OVA-specific TCR transgenic mice, which showed a CD8+ T cell activation and cardiac proinflammatory response to Ang II similar to that of wild-type mice. Finally, only myocardium-infiltrated, but not peripheral, CD8+ T cells were specifically activated by Ang II, possibly by the cardiac IFN-γ that drove IFN-γR+ CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation. Thus, this work identified a TCR-independent innate nature of CD8+ T cells that was critical in initiating the sterile immune response to acute elevation of blood pressure.
IL-1β–Dependent Activation of Dendritic Epidermal T Cells in Contact Hypersensitivity
Authors: Nielsen Morten M. , Lovato Paola , MacLeod Amanda S. , Witherden Deborah A. , Skov Lone , Dyring-Andersen Beatrice , Dabelsteen Sally , Woetmann Anders , Ødum Niels , Havran Wendy L. , Geisler Carsten , Bonefeld Charlotte M.
Published: March 2014

Substances that penetrate the skin surface can act as allergens and induce a T cell–mediated inflammatory skin disease called contact hypersensitivity (CHS). IL-17 is a key cytokine in CHS and was originally thought to be produced solely by CD4+ T cells. However, it is now known that several cell types, including γδ T cells, can produce IL-17. In this study, we determine the role of γδ T cells, especially dendritic epidermal T cells (DETCs), in CHS. Using a well-established model for CHS in which 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) is used as allergen, we found that γδ T cells are important players in CHS. Thus, more IL-17–producing DETCs appear in the skin following exposure to DNFB in wild-type mice, and DNFB-induced ear swelling is reduced by ∼50% in TCRδ−/− mice compared with wild-type mice. In accordance, DNFB-induced ear swelling was reduced by ∼50% in IL-17−/− mice. We show that DNFB triggers DETC activation and IL-1β production in the skin and that keratinocytes produce IL-1β when stimulated with DNFB. We find that DETCs activated in vitro by incubation with anti-CD3 and IL-1β produce IL-17. Importantly, we demonstrate that the IL-1R antagonist anakinra significantly reduces CHS responses, as measured by decreased ear swelling, inhibition of local DETC activation, and a reduction in the number of IL-17+ γδ T cells and DETCs in the draining lymph nodes. Taken together, we show that DETCs become activated and produce IL-17 in an IL-1β–dependent manner during CHS, suggesting a key role for DETCs in CHS.
On a conjecture of Oguiso about rational curves on Calabi–Yau threefolds
Authors: Diverio Simone , Ferretti Andrea
Published: March 2014

Let

X

be a Calabi–Yau threefold. We show that if there exists on

X

a non-zero nef non-ample divisor then

X

contains a rational curve, provided its second Betti number is greater than 4.
Research Note: Estimation of the Welfare Benefit of Boating at Maduganga Ramsar Wetland in Sri Lanka
Authors: Mudiyanselage Rathnayake , Rathnayake Wasantha
Published: March 2014

Maduganga is a Ramsar wetland in Sri Lanka, an area of high biodiversity and a unique ecosystem receiving high visitation (52,726 local visitors in 2012). Although tourism causes negative impacts on the environment, the welfare benefit it enjoys (in terms of consumer surplus) should be considered while taking natural resources management decisions on Maduganga. The study shows that the value of the annual welfare benefit at Maduganga is about SLR 19.96 million, but the total economic value could be many times higher than this. However, the present value of non-market benefits from preserving the site remains at a figure of SLR 199.6 million per year. The revenue from Maduganga could be maximized if the passenger boating fee were raised to SLR 378.56. It is estimated that this may reduce the present number of visitors by 45%, but enhance total revenue by 294%. The outcome of such a strategy would resolve the crisis caused by the insufficient allocation of manpower and funds for wetland conservation.
Kinase-Independent Mechanisms of Resistance of Leukemia Stem Cells to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Ichim Christine Victoria
Published: March 2014

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib mesylate have changed the clinical course of chronic myeloid leukemia; however, the observation that these inhibitors do not target the leukemia stem cell implies that patients need to maintain lifelong therapy. The mechanism of this phenomenon is unclear: the question of whether tyrosine kinase inhibitors are inactive inside leukemia stem cells or whether leukemia stem cells do not require breakpoint cluster region (Bcr)-Abl signaling is currently under debate. Herein, I propose an alternative model: perhaps the leukemia stem cell requires Bcr-Abl, but is dependent on its kinase-independent functions. Kinases such as epidermal growth factor receptor and Janus kinase 2 possess kinase-independent roles in regulation of gene expression; it is worth investigating whether Bcr-Abl has similar functions. Mechanistically, Bcr-Abl is able to activate the Ras, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, and/or the Src-kinase Hck/Stat5 pathways in a scaffolding-dependent manner. Whereas the scaffolding activity of Bcr-Abl with Grb2 is dependent on autophosphorylation, kinases such as Hck can use Bcr-Abl as substrate, inducing phosphorylation of Y177 to enable scaffolding ability in the absence of Bcr-Abl catalytic activity. It is worth investigating whether leukemia stem cells exclusively express kinases that are able to use Bcr-Abl as substrate. A kinase-independent role for Bcr-Abl in leukemia stem cells would imply that drugs that target Bcr-Abl's scaffolding ability or its DNA-binding ability should be used in conjunction with current therapeutic regimens to increase their efficacy and eradicate the stem cells of chronic myeloid leukemia
Deceased Donor Hyperglycemia and Liver Graft Dysfunction
Authors: Perez-Protto Silvia E. , Reynolds Luke F. , Dalton Jarrod E. , Taketomi Taro , Irefin Samuel A. , Parker Brian M. , Quintini Cristiano , Sessler Daniel I.
Published: March 2014

Context

Hyperglycemia is common in deceased donors, and provokes numerous adverse events in hepatocytic mitochondria.

Objective

To determine whether hyperglycemia in deceased donors is associated with graft dysfunction after orthotopic liver transplant.

Methods

Charts on 572 liver transplants performed at the Cleveland Clinic between January 2005 and October 2010 were reviewed. The primary measure was time-weighted averages of donors' glucose measurements. Liver graft dysfunction was defined as (1) primary nonfunction as indicated by death or retransplant or (2) liver graft dysfunction as indicated by an aspartate amino transferase level greater than 2000 U/L or prothrombin time greater than 16 seconds during the first postoperative week. The relationship of interest was estimated by using a multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The incidence of graft dysfunction was 25%. No significant relationship was found between the range of donor glucose measurements and liver graft dysfunction after donor characteristics were adjusted for ( P = .14, Wald test, adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] for liver graft dysfunction corresponding to a relative doubling in time-weighted average for donor glucose of 1.43 [0.89–2.30]). The results thus do not suggest that strict glucose control in donors is likely to improve graft quality.
Assessing mechanical vulnerability in water distribution networks under multiple failures
Authors: Berardi Luigi , Ugarelli Rita , Røstum Jon , Giustolisi Orazio
Published: March 2014

Understanding mechanical vulnerability of water distribution networks (WDN) is of direct relevance for water utilities since it entails two different purposes. On the one hand, it might support the identification of severe failure scenarios due to external causes (e.g., natural or intentional events) which result into the most critical consequences on WDN supply capacity. On the other hand, it aims at figure out the WDN portions which are more prone to be affected by asset disruptions. The complexity of such analysis stems from the number of possible scenarios with single and multiple simultaneous shutdowns of asset elements leading to modifications of network topology and insufficient water supply to customers. In this work, the search for the most disruptive combinations of multiple asset failure events is formulated and solved as a multiobjective optimization problem. The higher vulnerability failure scenarios are detected as those causing the lower supplied demand due to the lower number of simultaneous failures. The automatic detection of WDN topology, subsequent to the detachments of failed elements, is combined with pressure‐driven analysis. The methodology is demonstrated on a real water distribution network. Results show that, besides the failures causing the detachment of reservoirs, tanks, or pumps, there are other different topological modifications which may cause severe WDN service disruptions. Such information is of direct relevance to support planning asset enhancement works and improve the preparedness to extreme events.
Fabrication of graphene/epoxy resin composites with much enhanced thermal conductivity via ball milling technique
Authors: Guo Wenman , Chen Guohua
Published: March 2014

Ball milling is selected to prepare composites of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and epoxy. Much enhanced thermal conductivity was recorded with higher GNP loading, which varied between 5 and 25 wt %. A maximum thermal conductivity of 2.67 W/m·K was found. The prepared composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman. It was found that KNG180, a commercially available kind of natural graphite, with a thickness of 30 ∼ 80 nm were mainly exfoliated into GNPs (<10 layers) with high quality, which were in turn uniformly dispersed in the composites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40565.
Polymeric coatings based on acrylic resin latexes from miniemulsion polymerization using hydrocarbon resins as osmotic agents
Authors: Barrios Silmar B. , Petry Jessica F. , Weiss Clemens K. , Petzhold Cesar L. , Landfester Katharina
Published: March 2014

Waterborne acrylic resins with a solid content higher than 40 wt % were obtained by miniemulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and acrylic acid using a hydrocarbon coumarone–indene resin (HCR) as osmotic agent. HCR is a cheap polymer widely used for coatings and pressure‐sensitive adhesives. The resin leads to a higher hydrophobicity for the acrylic latex film and acts as osmotic agent in miniemulsion polymerization preventing Ostwald ripening, leading to latexes with particle sizes, size distributions, and stability comparable to those obtained using n‐hexadecane as osmotic agent. However, the monomer conversion and molecular weight were lower, indicating the occurrence of a chain‐transfer reaction. Atomic force microscopy analysis demonstrated that a smooth film surface with phase‐separated morphology was formed when using HCR. Faster film hardness development was achieved with HCR comparing with hexadecane. Compared with market standard in a paint formulation, a similar performance was achieved. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40569.
Aloe vera rind cellulose nanofibers‐reinforced films
Authors: Cheng Shuna , Panthapulakkal Suhara , Sain Mohini , Asiri Abdulah
Published: March 2014

Aloe vera (AV) gel has been widely used in various medical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications. However, AV rind, the tougher outer layer of AV leaves where the cell wall components exists, is currently treated as a fertilizer or waste. This study aimed to investigate the potential of the AV rind as a resource for the production of cellulose nanofibers. Since a detailed analysis of the AV rind has been lacking, chemical composition of rind was analyzed before processing it into nanofibers. The results showed that AV rind has a high proportion of α‐cellulose (57.72% ± 2.18%). AV rind nanofibers (AVRNF) were prepared using chemi‐mechanical process. The morphological analyses showed that most of the isolated fibers were individual fibers under 20 nm. Crystallinity and degree of polymerization of the obtained AVRNF, and mechanical properties of the nanofibrous film were evaluated and compared with the wood nanofibers. Tensile strength of AVRNF film (102 MPa) was comparatively lower than the wood fibers (132 MPa), which was consistent with the lower crystallinity of AVRNF [crystallinity index (CI) = 0.66] as well as the lower degree of polymerization (DP = 396), compared with wood fibers (CI = 0.90, DP = 1297). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40592.
Synthesis and Characterization of Aminoporphyrin‐End‐Functionalized Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) with Photodynamic and Thermoresponsive Effects
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Yanhui , Qiu Nannan , Cui Guihua , Satoh Toshifumi , Duan Qian
Published: March 2014

The novel aminoporphyrin‐end‐functionalized poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) polymer H2N‐TPP‐PNIPAM (TPP=5,10,15,20‐tetraphenyl‐21H,23H‐porphyrin) behaves as a multifunctional platform that displays a photodynamic effect, thermosensitivity, and fluorescence properties. The polymer was designed by using an asymmetrical aminoporphyrin (i.e., H2N‐TPP‐Cl) as the initiator for the atom‐transfer radical polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). The polydispersity index (PDI) obtained by gel‐permeation chromatography indicated that the molecular‐weight distribution was narrow (1.09<PDI<1.27). The lower critical solution temperatures of H2N‐TPP‐PNIPAM showed a decreasing trend as the molecular weight was increased as a result of the incorporation of the porphyrin group at the end of the chain. The fluorescence spectra revealed the luminescent properties of the materials. The results of confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the polymer could enter the cytoplasm through endocytosis. In addition, the multifunctional platform exhibited low toxicity against normal cells (L929) and cancer cells (Hela) and enhanced photodynamic activity towards HeLa cells, without significant necrocytosis towards L929 cells; as a result this material may be useful in the future for practical photodynamic therapy.
Production of Electricity during Wastewater Treatment Using Fluidized‐Bed Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Wang Xuyun , Yue Xuehai , Guo Qingjie
Published: March 2014

A membrane‐free fluidized‐bed microbial fuel cell (FB‐MFC) was applied to investigate the effects of fluidization parameters on its electrogenesis capacity. Active carbon particles were found to significantly decrease the start‐up time and increase the output voltage of the FB‐MFC. The fluidization behavior of the active carbon particles in the FB‐MFC reactor is one of the key parameters that influence the generation of electricity. With the FB‐MFC operating under optimal conditions, maximum power density with minimal internal resistance of the MFC could be obtained. The FB‐MFC could be operated in large‐scale wastewater treatment processes with high chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies.