bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The defeat of heartbreak: problems and solutions for Stump's view of the problem of evil concerning desires of the heart
Authors: CLEVELAND LINDSAY K. , CLEVELAND W. SCOTT
Published: November 2014

Eleonore Stump insightfully develops Aquinas's theodicy to account for a significant source of human suffering, namely the undermining of desires of the heart. Stump argues that what justifies God in allowing such suffering is benefits made available to the sufferer through her suffering that can defeat the suffering by contributing to the fulfilment of her heart's desires. We summarize Stump's arguments for why such suffering requires defeat and how it is defeated. We identify three problems with Stump's account of how such suffering is defeated and offer solutions to each. We defend and strengthen Stump's response to the hardest cases for her view, and explain what her view demands of God.
The pharmaceuticalisation of security: Molecular biomedicine, antiviral stockpiles, and global health security
Authors: ELBE STEFAN
Published: November 2014

Pharmaceuticals are now critical to the security of populations. Antivirals, antibiotics, next-generation vaccines, and antitoxins are just some of the new ‘medical countermeasures’ that governments are stockpiling in order to defend their populations against the threat of pandemics and bioterrorism. How has security policy come to be so deeply imbricated with pharmaceutical logics and solutions? This article captures, maps, and analyses the ‘pharmaceuticalisation’ of security. Through an in-depth analysis of the prominent antiviral medicationTamiflu, it shows that this pharmaceutical turn in security policy is intimately bound up with the rise of a molecular vision of life promulgated by the biomedical sciences. Caught in the crosshairs of powerful commercial, political, and regulatory pressures, governments are embracing a molecular biomedicine promising to secure populations pharmaceutically in the twenty-first century. If that is true, then the established disciplinary view of health as a predominantly secondary matter of ‘low’ international politics is mistaken. On the contrary, the social forces of health and biomedicine are powerful enough to influence the core practices of international politics – even those of security. For a discipline long accustomed to studying macrolevel processes and systemic structures, it is in the end also our knowledge of the minute morass of molecules that shapes international relations.
Health for health's sake, winning for God's sake: US Global Health Diplomacy and smart power in Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: McINNES COLIN , RUSHTON SIMON
Published: November 2014

Ideas of smart power and Global Health Diplomacy have developed considerable prominence over the past decade in, respectively, the foreign policy and public health communities. Although in some respects separate, both suggest the potential for using health assistance to generate political as well as health benefits. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan provide an opportunity to examine these assertions at the ‘sharp end’. We consider both the health and wider strategic benefits of health assistance in these conflicts, as well as some of the ethical challenges involved. We conclude however that we should adopt the precautionary principle because: there is doubt over the quality of health services provided in such circumstances; concern over the wider effects of politicising health aid; and little proof that the claimed strategic benefits materialise in practice.
The rise of companies from emerging markets in global health governance: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: ROEMER-MAHLER ANNE
Published: November 2014

The article analyses the involvement of pharmaceutical companies from emerging markets in global health governance. It finds that they play a central role as low-cost suppliers of medicines and vaccines and, increasingly, new technologies. In so doing, pharmaceutical companies from emerging markets have facilitated the implementation of a key goal of global health policy: widening access to pharmaceutical treatment and prevention. Yet, looking closer at the political economy underlying their involvement, the article exposes a tension between this policy goal and the political economy of pharmaceutical development and production. By declaring access to pharmaceuticals a goal of global health policy, governments and global health partnerships have made themselves dependent on pharmaceutical companies to supply them. Moreover, to provide pharmaceutical treatment and prevention at the global level, they depend on companies to supply medicines and vaccines at extremely low prices. Yet, the development and production of pharmaceuticals is organised around commercial incentives that are at odds with the prices required. The increasing involvement of low-cost suppliers from emerging markets mitigates this tension in the short run. In the long run, this tension endangers the sustainability of global access policies and may even undermine some of the successes already achieved.
A comparison of interview methods to ascertain fluoroquinolone exposure before tuberculosis diagnosis
Authors: VAN DER HEIJDEN Y. F. , MARURI F. , HOLT E. , MITCHEL E. , WARKENTIN J. , STERLING T. R.
Published: November 2014

Fluoroquinolone use before tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis delays the time to diagnosis and treatment, and increases the risk of fluoroquinolone-resistant TB and death. Ascertainment of fluoroquinolone exposure could identify such high-risk patients. We compared four methods of ascertaining fluoroquinolone exposure in the 6 months prior to TB diagnosis in culture-confirmed TB patients in Tennessee from January 2007 to December 2009. The four methods included a simple questionnaire administered to all TB suspects by health department personnel (FQ-Form), an in-home interview conducted by research staff, outpatient and inpatient medical record review, and TennCare pharmacy database review. Of 177 TB patients included, 72 (41%) received fluoroquinolones during the 6 months before TB diagnosis. Fluoroquinolone exposure determined by review of inpatient and outpatient medical records was considered the gold standard for comparison. The FQ-Form had 61% [95% confidence interval (CI) 48–73] sensitivity and 93% (95% CI 85–98) specificity (agreement 79%, kappa = 0·56) while the in-home interview had 28% (95% CI 18–40) sensitivity and 99% (94–100%) specificity (agreement 68%, kappa = 0·29). A simple questionnaire administered by health department personnel identified fluoroquinolone exposure before TB diagnosis with moderate reliability.
Grammatical complexification in Spanish in New York: 3sg pronoun expression and verbal ambiguity
Authors: Shin Naomi Lapidus
Published: November 2014

This study provides evidence of grammatical complexification, operationalized as the emergence of a significant linguistic constraint on the use of a linguistic structure, in Spanish spoken in New York City. Analyses of 4276 third-person singular verbs produced in sociolinguistic interviews with first-generation Latin American immigrants and second-generation US-born Latinos demonstrate that third-person singular subject pronoun expression (ella canta ~ canta‘she sings ~ sings’) is constrained by tense/mood/aspect in the second generation, but not the first. Further analysis shows that this effect reflects a strategy aimed at clear referent identification. I conclude by suggesting that the increase in attention to ambiguous verb morphology, that is, the complexification, is related to other, concomitant changes in pronoun expression patterns in Spanish in New York City.
Familial influences on internalizing symptomatology in Latino adolescents: An ecological analysis of parent mental health and acculturation dynamics
Authors: Smokowski Paul R. , Rose Roderick A. , Evans Caroline B. R. , Cotter Katie L. , Bower Meredith , Bacallao Martica
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study was to examine if family system dynamics (e.g., parent mental health, marriage quality, conflict, and cohesion) that have often been overlooked when studying Latino families play a more important role in predicting adolescent internalizing symptoms than acculturation processes. Data comes from the Latino Acculturation and Health Project, a longitudinal investigation of acculturation in Latino families in North Carolina and Arizona (Smokowski & Bacallao, 2006, 2010). Researchers conducted in-depth, community-based interviews with 258 Latino adolescents and 258 of their parents in metropolitan, small-town, and rural areas. Interviews were conducted at four time points at intervals of approximately 6 months. Parent and adolescent ratings of the adolescent's internalizing symptoms were used as the dependent variable in a longitudinal hierarchical linear model with a rater effects structure. Results showed that parent–adolescent conflict and parent mental health (fear/avoidance of social situations and humiliation sensitivity) were significant predictors of adolescent internalizing symptoms. Acculturation scales were not significant predictors; however, internalizing symptoms decreased with time spent in the United States. Females and adolescents from lower socioeconomic status families reported more internalizing symptoms, while participants who had been in the United States longer reported fewer internalizing symptoms. Implications were discussed.
Interleukin 1B gene (IL1B) variation and internalizing symptoms in maltreated preschoolers
Authors: Ridout Kathryn K. , Parade Stephanie H. , Seifer Ronald , Price Lawrence H. , Gelernter Joel , Feliz Paloma , Tyrka Audrey R.
Published: November 2014

Evidence now implicates inflammatory proteins in the neurobiology of internalizing disorders. Genetic factors may influence individual responses to maltreatment; however, little work has examined inflammatory genetic variants in adults and none in children. The present study examined the role of an interleukin 1B gene (IL1B) variant in preschoolers exposed to maltreatment and other forms of adversity in internalizing symptom development. One hundred ninety-eight families were enrolled, with one child (age 3–5 years) from each family. Adversity measures included child protective service documentation of moderate–severe maltreatment in the last 6 months and interview-assessed contextual stressors. Internalizing symptoms were measured using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment. Maltreated children had higher major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and marginally higher internalizing symptoms on the Child Behavior Checklist. Controlling for age, sex, and race,IL1Bgenotype was associated with MDD symptoms (p= .002). Contextual stressors were significantly associated with MDD and posttraumatic stress disorder and marginally with internalizing symptoms. TheIL1Bgenotype interacted with contextual stress such that children homozygous for the minor allele had more MDD symptoms (p= .045). These results suggest that genetic variants ofIL1Bmay modulate the development of internalizing symptoms in the face of childhood adversity.
Brain–behavior relationships in the experience and regulation of negative emotion in healthy children: Implications for risk for childhood depression
Authors: Pagliaccio David , Luby Joan L. , Luking Katherine R. , Belden Andrew C. , Barch Deanna M.
Published: November 2014

Structural and functional alterations in a variety of brain regions have been associated with depression and risk for depression across the life span. A majority of these regions are associated with emotion reactivity and/or regulation. However, it is generally unclear what mechanistic role these alterations play in the etiology of depression. A first step toward understanding this is to characterize the relationships between variation in brain structure/function and individual differences in depression severity and related processes, particularly emotion regulation. To this end, the current study examines how brain structure and function predict concurrent and longitudinal measures of depression symptomology and emotion regulation skills in psychiatrically healthy school-age children (N = 60). Specifically, we found that smaller hippocampus volumes and greater responses to sad faces in emotion reactivity regions predict increased depressive symptoms at the time of scan, whereas larger amygdala volumes, smaller insula volumes, and greater responses in emotion reactivity regions predict decreased emotion regulation skills. In addition, larger insula volumes predict improvements in emotion regulation skills even after accounting for emotion regulation at the time of scan. Understanding brain–behavior relationships in psychiatrically healthy samples, especially early in development, will help inform normative developmental trajectories and neural alterations in depression and other affective pathology.
Multilevel assessment of the neurobiological threat system in depressed adolescents: Interplay between the limbic system and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis
Authors: Klimes-Dougan Bonnie , Eberly Lynn E. , Westlund Schreiner Melinda , Kurkiewicz Patrick , Houri Alaa , Schlesinger Amanda , Thomas Kathleen M. , Mueller Bryon A. , Lim Kelvin O. , Cullen Kathryn R.
Published: November 2014

Integrative, multilevel approaches investigating neurobiological systems relevant to threat detection promise to advance understanding of the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study we considered key neuronal and hormonal systems in adolescents with MDD and healthy controls (HC). The goals of this study were to identify group differences and to examine the association of neuronal and hormonal systems. MDD and HC adolescents (N= 79) aged 12–19 years were enrolled. Key brain measures included amygdala volume and amygdala activation to an emotion face-viewing task. Key hormone measures included cortisol levels during a social stress task and during the brain scan. MDD and HC adolescents showed group differences on amygdala functioning and patterns of cortisol levels. Amygdala activation in response to emotional stimuli was positively associated with cortisol responses. In addition, amygdala volume was correlated with cortisol responses, but the pattern differed in depressed versus healthy adolescents, most notably for unmedicated MDD adolescents. The findings highlight the value of using multilevel assessment strategies to enhance understanding of pathophysiology of adolescent MDD, particularly regarding how closely related biological threat systems function together while undergoing significant developmental shifts.
Trajectories of internalizing symptoms across childhood: The roles of biological self-regulation and maternal psychopathology
Authors: Shanahan Lilly , Calkins Susan D. , Keane Susan P. , Kelleher Rachael , Suffness Rebecca
Published: November 2014

Whether internalizing symptoms increase or remain at similar levels throughout childhood is currently not well understood. Moreover, the association between vagal regulation of cardiac activity and internalizing symptoms across childhood needs to be clarified. We used a multilevel conceptual framework to examine how children's vagal regulation of cardiac activity and mothers' internalizing symptoms were jointly associated with children's developmental trajectories of internalizing symptoms from ages 4 to 10 years old. Data came from 384 children who participated in an ongoing longitudinal study. Children and their mothers came to the research laboratory at ages 4, 5, 7, and 10. Mothers reported their children's and their own internalizing symptoms. Children's vagal regulation of cardiac activity was assessed during quiet baseline tasks and during challenge tasks. Multilevel models revealed that child internalizing symptoms increased from ages 4 to 10 years old, but only in females, and especially between ages 7 and 10. More vagal withdrawal in response to challenge was associated with more internalizing symptoms, particularly with more somatic symptoms. Associations between children's physiological regulation and internalizing symptoms differed by children's age, sex, and presence of maternal internalizing symptoms. Understanding associations between vagal regulation of cardiac activity and internalizing symptoms during childhood calls for fine-grained developmental analyses that take into account the heterogeneity of internalizing symptoms, as well as developmental phase, context, and gender.
Adolescent internalizing symptoms and negative life events: The sensitizing effects of earlier life stress and cortisol
Authors: Ruttle Paula L. , Armstrong Jeffrey M. , Klein Marjorie H. , Essex Marilyn J.
Published: November 2014

Although adolescence is marked by increased negative life events and internalizing problems, few studies investigate this association as an ongoing longitudinal process. Moreover, while there are considerable individual differences in the degree to which these phenomena are linked, little is known about the origins of these differences. The present study examines early life stress (ELS) exposure and early-adolescent longitudinal afternoon cortisol level as predictors of the covariation between internalizing symptoms and negative life events across high school. ELS was assessed by maternal report during infancy, and the measure of cortisol was derived from assessments at ages 11, 13, and 15 years. Life events and internalizing symptoms were assessed at ages 15, 17, and 18 years. A two-level hierarchical linear model revealed that ELS and cortisol were independent predictors of the covariation of internalizing symptoms and negative life events. Compared to those with lower levels of ELS, ELS-exposed adolescents displayed tighter covariation between internalizing symptoms and negative life events. Adolescents with lower longitudinal afternoon cortisol displayed tighter covariation between negative life events and internalizing symptoms, while those with higher cortisol demonstrated weaker covariation, partially due to increased levels of internalizing symptoms when faced with fewer negative life events.
Long-term consequences of pubertal timing for youth depression: Identifying personal and contextual pathways of risk
Authors: Rudolph Karen D. , Troop-Gordon Wendy , Lambert Sharon F. , Natsuaki Misaki N.
Published: November 2014

This research explored sex differences in the pathways linking pubertal timing to depression across 4 years. A sample of 167 youth (Mage = 12.41 years,SD= 1.19) and their caregivers completed measures of puberty and semistructured interviews of interpersonal stress and youth depression. Youth reported on psychological (negative self-focus, anxious arousal) and social–behavioral (coping) characteristics; parents reported on youths’ social–behavioral characteristics (withdrawal/social problems) and deviant peer affiliations. Early maturation predicted stable high trajectories of depression in girls; although early maturing boys showed low initial levels of depression, they did not differ from girls by the final wave of the study. Latent growth curve analyses identified several psychological, social–behavioral, and interpersonal pathways accounting for the contribution of pubertal timing to initial and enduring risk for depression in girls as well as emerging risk for depression in boys. These findings provide novel insight into multilevel processes accounting for sex differences in depression across the adolescent transition.
Parental depression and child cognitive vulnerability predict children's cortisol reactivity
Authors: Hayden Elizabeth P. , Hankin Benjamin L. , Mackrell Sarah V. M. , Sheikh Haroon I. , Jordan Patricia L. , Dozois David J. A. , Singh Shiva M. , Olino Thomas M. , Badanes Lisa S.
Published: November 2014

Risk for depression is expressed across multiple levels of analysis. For example, parental depression and cognitive vulnerability are known markers of depression risk, but no study has examined their interactive effects on children's cortisol reactivity, a likely mediator of early depression risk. We examined relations across these different levels of vulnerability using cross-sectional and longitudinal methods in two community samples of children. Children were assessed for cognitive vulnerability using self-reports (Study 1; n = 244) and tasks tapping memory and attentional bias (Study 2; n = 205), and their parents were assessed for depression history using structured clinical interviews. In both samples, children participated in standardized stress tasks and cortisol reactivity was assessed. Cross-sectionally and longitudinally, parental depression history and child cognitive vulnerability interacted to predict children's cortisol reactivity; associations between parent depression and elevated child cortisol activity were found when children also showed elevated depressotypic attributions as well as attentional and memory biases. Findings indicate that models of children's emerging depression risk may benefit from the examination of the interactive effects of multiple sources of vulnerability across levels of analysis.
Maternal caregiving and girls' depressive symptom and antisocial behavior trajectories: An examination among high-risk youth
Authors: Harold Gordon T. , Leve Leslie D. , Kim Hyoun K. , Mahedy Liam , Gaysina Darya , Thapar Anita , Collishaw Stephan
Published: November 2014

Past research has identified maternal depression and family of origin maltreatment as precursors to adolescent depression and antisocial behavior. Caregiving experiences have been identified as a factor that may ameliorate or accentuate adolescent psychopathology trajectories. Using a multilevel approach that pools the unique attributes of two geographically diverse, yet complementary, longitudinal research designs, the present study examined the role of maternal caregiver involvement as a factor that promotes resilience-based trajectories related to depressive symptoms and antisocial behaviors among adolescent girls. The first sample comprises a group of US-based adolescent girls in foster care (n = 100; mean age = 11.50 years), each of whom had a history of childhood maltreatment and removal from their biological parent(s). The second sample comprises a group of UK-based adolescent girls at high familial risk for depression (n = 145; mean age = 11.70 years), with all girls having biological mothers who experienced recurrent depression. Analyses examined the role of maternal caregiving on girls' trajectories of depression and antisocial behavior, while controlling for levels of co-occurring psychopathology at each time point. Results suggest increasing levels of depressive symptoms for girls at familial risk for depression but decreasing levels of depression for girls in foster care. Foster girls' antisocial behavior also decreased over time. Maternal caregiver involvement was differentially related to intercept and slope parameters in both samples. Results are discussed with respect to the benefits of applying multilevel (multisample, multiple outcome) approaches to identifying family-level factors that can reduce negative developmental outcomes in high-risk youth.
Premorbid risk factors for major depressive disorder: Are they associated with early onset and recurrent course?
Authors: Wilson Sylia , Vaidyanathan Uma , Miller Michael B. , McGue Matt , Iacono William G.
Published: November 2014

Premorbid risk for major depressive disorder (MDD) and predictors of an earlier onset and recurrent course were examined in two studies in a large, community-based sample of parents and offspring, prospectively assessed from late childhood into adulthood. In Study 1 (N= 2,764 offspring and their parents), parental psychiatric status, offspring personality at age 11, and age 11 offspring internalizing and externalizing symptoms predicted the subsequent development of MDD, as did poor quality parent–child relationships, poor academic functioning, early pubertal development, and childhood maltreatment by age 11. Parental MDD and adult antisocial behavior, offspring negative emotionality and disconstraint, externalizing symptoms, and childhood maltreatment predicted an earlier onset of MDD, after accounting for course; lower positive emotionality, trait anxiety, and childhood maltreatment predicted recurrent MDD, after accounting for age of onset. In Study 2 (N= 7,146), we examined molecular genetic risk for MDD by extending recent reports of associations with glutamatergic system genes. We failed to confirm associations with MDD using either individual single nucleotide polymorphism based tests or gene-based analyses. Overall, results speak to the pervasiveness of risk for MDD, as well as specific risk for early onset MDD; risk for recurrent MDD appears to be largely a function of its often earlier onset.
Multilevel risk factors and developmental assets for internalizing symptoms and self-esteem in disadvantaged adolescents: Modeling longitudinal trajectories from the Rural Adaptation Project
Authors: Smokowski Paul R. , Guo Shenyang , Rose Roderick , Evans Caroline B. R. , Cotter Katie L. , Bacallao Martica
Published: November 2014

The current study filled significant gaps in our knowledge of developmental psychopathology by examining the influence of multilevel risk factors and developmental assets on longitudinal trajectories of internalizing symptoms and self-esteem in an exceptionally culturally diverse sample of rural adolescents. Integrating ecological and social capital theories, we explored if positive microsystem transactions are associated with self-esteem while negative microsystem transactions increase the chances of internalizing problems. Data came from the Rural Adaptation Project, a 5-year longitudinal panel study of more than 4,000 middle school students from 28 public schools in two rural, disadvantaged counties in North Carolina. Three-level hierarchical linear modeling models were estimated to predict internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety) and self-esteem. Relative to other students, risk for internalizing problems and low self-esteem was elevated for aggressive adolescents, students who were hassled or bullied at school, and those who were rejected by peers or in conflict with their parents. Internalizing problems were also more common among adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged families and neighborhoods, among those in schools with more suspensions, in students who reported being pressured by peers, and in youth who required more teacher support. It is likely that these experiences left adolescents disengaged from developing social capital from ecological microsystems (e.g., family, school, peers). On the positive side, support from parents and friends and optimism about the future were key assets associated with lower internalizing symptoms and higher self-esteem. Self-esteem was also positively related to religious orientation, school satisfaction, and future optimism. These variables show active engagement with ecological microsystems. The implications and limitations were discussed.
The role of anxiety in the development, maintenance, and treatment of childhood aggression
Authors: Granic Isabela
Published: November 2014

The majority of aggressive children exhibit symptoms of anxiety, yet none of our developmental models of aggression incorporate the role of anxiety, and our treatments ignore this comorbidity. This article outlines a novel theoretical model that specifies three hypotheses about comorbid anxious and aggressive children: (a) unpredictable parenting induces anxiety in children that in turn triggers aggressive behavior; (b) prolonged periods of anxiety deplete children's capacity to inhibit impulses and trigger bouts of aggression, and aggression in turn functions to regulate levels of anxiety; and (c) minor daily stressors give rise to anxiety while cognitive perseveration maintains anxious moods, increasingly disposing children to aggress. Little or no research has directly tested these hypotheses. Extant research and theory consistent with these claims are herein reviewed, and future research designs that can test them specifically are suggested. The clinical implications most relevant to the hypotheses are discussed, and to improve the efficacy of treatments for childhood aggression, it is proposed that anxiety may need to be the primary target of treatment.
The success of the Bordeaux Mont-de-Piété, 1801–1913
Authors: Pastureau Guillaume , Blancheton Bertrand
Published: November 2014

This article analyses the success of the Bordeaux Mont-de-Piété between 1801 and 1913. This success was related to several factors. While the legislative environment was already advantageous (monopoly status for pawnbroking), the establishment prospered courtesy of the social and economic environment. There was indeed high social demand for financial aid linked to the individual needs of a population that found itself in a situation of virtual exclusion. The establishment also benefited from high repayment rates, which limited additional costs, regularly found ways to refinance its operations and took advantage of there being no people's banking system.
Adaptation to climate change and economic growth in developing countries
Authors: Millner Antony , Dietz Simon
Published: November 2014

Developing countries are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, yet there is disagreement about what they should do to protect themselves from anticipated damages. In particular, it is unclear what the optimal balance is between investments in traditional productive capital (which increases output but is vulnerable to climate change), and investments in adaptive capital (which is unproductive in the absence of climate change but ‘climate-proofs’ vulnerable capital). We develop a model of investment in adaptive and productive capital stocks, and show that while it is unlikely that the optimal strategy involves no adaptation, the scale and composition of optimal investments depends on empirical context. Application of our model to sub-Saharan Africa suggests, however, that in most contingencies it will be optimal to grow the adaptive sector more rapidly than the vulnerable sector over the coming decades, although it never exceeds 1 per cent of the economy. Our sensitivity analysis goes well beyond the existing literature in evaluating the robustness of this finding.
Much ado About Nothing, or Much to do About Something?
Authors: Heene Moritz , Bollmann Stella , Bühner Markus
Published: November 2014

Short scales have become widely used in settings in which participant time is limited and when assessment would otherwise be impossible. Based on simulated data on the population level we investigate whether scale shortening affects the desired invariance of criterion-related validities as well as differences between estimated expected values of populations. We conclude that, under a unidimensional model, decreasing the number of items does neither affect criterion validity nor differences between expected values between two populations. It is, however, discussed, that possible problems of scale shortening can occur on the construct level and, practically more important, on the individual score level.
Does the Length of a Questionnaire Matter?
Authors: Ziegler Matthias , Poropat Arthur , Mell Julija
Published: November 2014

Short personality questionnaires are increasingly used in research and practice, with some scales including as few as two to five items per personality domain. Despite the frequency of their use, these short scales are often criticized on the basis of their reduced internal consistencies and their purported failure to assess the breadth of broad constructs, such as the Big 5 factors of personality. One reason for this might be the use of principles routed in Classical Test Theory during test construction. In this study, Generalizability Theory is used to compare psychometric properties of different scales based on the NEO-PI-R and BFI, two widely-used personality questionnaire families. Applying both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Generalizability Theory (GT) allowed to identify the inner workings of test shortening. CTT-based analyses indicated that longer is generally better for reliability, while GT allowed differentiation between reliability for relative and absolute decisions, while revealing how different variance sources affect test score reliability estimates. These variance sources differed with scale length, and only GT allowed clear description of these internal consequences, allowing more effective identification of advantages and disadvantages of shorter and longer scales. Most importantly, the findings highlight the potential error proneness of focusing solely on reliability and scale length in test construction. Practical as well as theoretical consequences are discussed.
Identification of novel DNA-damage tolerance genes reveals regulation of translesion DNA synthesis by nucleophosmin
Authors: Ziv Omer , Zeisel Amit , Mirlas-Neisberg Nataly , Swain Umakanta , Nevo Reinat , Ben-Chetrit Nir , Martelli Maria Paola , Rossi Roberta , Schiesser Stefan , Canman Christine E. , Carell Thomas , Geacintov Nicholas E. , Falini Brunangelo , Domany Eytan , Livneh Zvi
Published: November 2014

Cells cope with replication-blocking lesions via translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). TLS is carried out by low-fidelity DNA polymerases that replicate across lesions, thereby preventing genome instability at the cost of increased point mutations. Here we perform a two-stage siRNA-based functional screen for mammalian TLS genes and identify 17 validated TLS genes. One of the genes, NPM1, is frequently mutated in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We show that NPM1 (nucleophosmin) regulates TLS via interaction with the catalytic core of DNA polymerase-η (polη), and that NPM1 deficiency causes a TLS defect due to proteasomal degradation of polη. Moreover, the prevalent NPM1c+ mutation that causes NPM1 mislocalization in ~30% of AML patients results in excessive degradation of polη. These results establish the role of NPM1 as a key TLS regulator, and suggest a mechanism for the better prognosis of AML patients carrying mutations in NPM1.
Deletion of α-neurexin II results in autism-related behaviors in mice
Authors: Dachtler J , Glasper J , Cohen R N , Ivorra J L , Swiffen D J , Jackson A J , Harte M K , Rodgers R J , Clapcote S J
Published: November 2014

Autism is a common and frequently disabling neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic basis. Human genetic studies have discovered mutations disrupting exons of theNRXN2gene, which encodes the synaptic adhesion protein α-neurexin II (Nrxn2α), in two unrelated individuals with autism, but a causal link betweenNRXN2and the disorder remains unclear. To begin to test the hypothesis that Nrxn2α deficiency contributes to the symptoms of autism, we employed Nrxn2α knockout (KO) mice that genetically model Nrxn2α deficiencyin vivo. We report that Nrxn2α KO mice displayed deficits in sociability and social memory when exposed to novel conspecifics. In tests of exploratory activity, Nrxn2α KO mice displayed an anxiety-like phenotype in comparison with wild-type littermates, with thigmotaxis in an open field, less time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus maze, more time spent in the enclosure of an emergence test and less time spent exploring novel objects. However, Nrxn2α KO mice did not exhibit any obvious changes in prepulse inhibition or in passive avoidance learning. Real-time PCR analysis of the frontal cortex and hippocampus revealed significant decreases in the mRNA levels of genes encoding proteins involved in both excitatory and inhibitory transmission. Quantification of protein expression revealed that Munc18-1, encoded byStxbp1, was significantly decreased in the hippocampus of Nrxn2α KO mice, which is suggestive of deficiencies in presynaptic vesicular release. Our findings demonstrate a causal role for the loss of Nrxn2α in the genesis of autism-related behaviors in mice.
Introduction and Techno-economic Background
Authors: Irvine Stuart J. C. , Candelise Chiara
Published: November 2014

The context for this book is the global demand for renewable energy and in particular for solar energy to provide a long-term solution for stable energy supply and substantial reduction in carbon emissions. This chapter first puts thin film photovoltaic (PV) in the context of other PV technologies such as crystalline silicon and emerging organic solar cells. The embodied energy in PV module manufacture is considered and the potential for a large reduction in the energy required for the production of thin film PV modules compared with crystalline silicon is noted. An analysis is also made of the economic factors that affect the choice for selecting thin film PV over other PV technologies. The many factors that affect the price of modules and the installed PV system are discussed and provide a context for the technological challenges covered by the book. These factors include the conversion efficiency of the thin film PV modules, the cost of materials and efficiency in the use of the materials in PV module manufacture.
A Review of NREL Research into Transparent Conducting Oxides
Authors: Coutts Timothy J. , Burst James M. , Duenow Joel N. , Li Xiaonan , Gessert Timothy A.
Published: November 2014

Since the 1980s, many of the successes in photovoltaic (PV) research at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory have been assisted by improved fundamental understanding and advanced synthesis techniques for various transparent conducting oxide (TCO) materials. In this chapter, we review some of these TCO materials, describing not only the degree to which our understanding has improved over the past ∼30 years, but also with a view to indicating where we believe significant advances remain possible. These TCO materials are discussed within the context of their specific PV device application, and include the primary and relevant alloy oxides of indium, zinc, tin and cadmium. Additionally, because the PV application could eventually become the primary use of many of these oxides, the chapter also presents some discussion on issues related to mineral abundance and toxicity.
Thin Film Cadmium Telluride Solar Cells
Authors: Clayton Andrew J. , Barrioz Vincent
Published: November 2014

This chapter discusses a number of deposition techniques used to produce polycrystalline CdTe solar cells, including progress of photovoltaic (PV) performances in recent years. Focus is on the CdTe absorber and the effects from impurities, which are dependent on the process conditions used, but also due to self-compensating nature of the material itself influencing the acceptor levels in the layer. Impurities can introduce deep donor/acceptor levels that act as traps for both majority and minority carriers. This leads to greater recombination and reduced carrier lifetimes, causing a loss in the level of generated photocurrent and overall performance of the PV cell. Impurities are typically concentrated at the CdTe grain boundaries, making grain size an important parameter for defect density control. Post-growth treatment using CdCl2 and annealing improves PV performances in several ways: grain re-crystallisation and growth; inter-diffusion at the CdS–CdTe interface removing defects related to the lattice mismatch between the two layers; and passivation of deep acceptor states through complex formation with the ClTe+ shallow donor. High p-type doping is necessary for the formation of a back contact with good ohmic properties without a Schottky barrier restricting conduction of majority carriers. Stable back contacts are also required, with the Sb2Te3–Mo system possibly offering the best solution. Finally MOCVD is presented as a prospective technique for large-scale industrial production of CdTe solar modules, with discussion of the beneficial impact in reducing CdTe absorber thickness and the processing challenges associated with it.
III–V Solar Cells
Authors: Connolly James P. , Mencaraglia Denis
Published: November 2014

The III–V semiconductor materials provide a range of opto-electronic properties well suited to bandgap engineering and high efficiency solar cells. The design process, III–V growth and fabrication methods are described for homogeneous and heterogeneous structures, and the magnitude of fundamental thermal and radiative losses for important III–V solar cell materials calculated. An analytical model is presented, analysing solar cell performance in detailed terms of processes in the space charge region and charge neutral layers of solar cells. The model formulates the solar cell radiative efficiency as a function of bias, providing a quantitative measure of how close devices come to the ideal efficiency limit. Single junction pin and record efficiency pn GaAs cells are analysed and their radiative efficiency quantified, concluding that radiatively dominated behaviour is reached in the more efficient np design. Tandem and triple junction III–V concepts are reviewed and efficiency limits placed in the context of achievable designs. Experimental data are modelled for both structures and the radiative efficiency quantified. The more radiatively efficient tandem design is found to be closer to its fundamental efficiency limit for a radiatively dominated dual junction structure, as a consequence of lower non-radiative recombination rates. The application of III–V materials to quantum confined structures is finally reviewed with specific regard to the quantum well solar cell and its demonstrated 90% radiative efficiency at high bias as a result of the lower bandgap undoped multiple quantum well region.
Light Capture
Authors: Boden Stuart A. , Temple Tristan L.
Published: November 2014

The efficient capture of light is an essential factor for consideration in all solar cell designs. This chapter explores antireflective and light trapping schemes designed to reduce optical losses in solar cells with the aim of improving device efficiency. After a survey of the different mechanisms available for antireflection and light trapping, the various schemes employing these mechanisms are described. This begins with the traditional methods of thin film antireflective coatings and large (micron) scale texturing before moving onto more recent developments in the use of subwavelength texturing, taking inspiration from natural ‘moth-eye’ antireflective surfaces. Finally, the rapidly emerging field of plasmonics for photovoltaics is explored in which metal nanoparticles scatter incoming light through the generation of localized surface plasmons. In each section, the simulation techniques used for design optimization are introduced and methods for experimental realization and implementation in a range of photovoltaic devices are described. The associated increases in cost and complexity conferred to the solar cell fabrication process are also considered because these are the main hindrances to wide scale adoption of new strategies of light capture.
Electrokinetics and Rare-Cell Detection
Authors: Salamanzadeh Alireza , Davalos Rafael V.
Published: November 2014

Lab-on-a-chip devices perform functions which are not feasible or difficult to achieve with macroscale devices. Importantly, isolating and enriching rare cells is key in health and environmental applications, such as detecting circulating tumor cells from body fluid biopsies, or pathogens from water. Within a microdevice, the dominant mechanical force on a suspended particle is the drag force as it flows through the fluid. Electrokinetic forces such as dielectrophoresis - the motion of a particle due to its polarization in the presence of a non-uniform electric field - may also be applied to manipulate particles. For instance, separation of particles can be achieved using a combination of drag and dielectrophoretic forces to precisely manipulate a particle. Understanding the interaction of electrokinetic forces, particles, and fluid flow is critical for engineering novel microsystems used for cell sorting. Determining this interaction is even more complicated when dealing with bioparticles, especially cells, due to their intrinsic complex biological properties which influence their electrical and mechanical behaviors. In order to design novel and more practical microdevices for medical, biological, and chemical applications, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the mechanics of particle-fluid interaction and the dynamics of particle movement. This chapter will describe the role of electrokinetic techniques in rare cell detection and the behavior of electrokinetic microsystems.
Digital Microfluidics
Authors: Wang Kailiang , Fatoyinbo Henry O.
Published: November 2014

Electromechanically driven fluid displacement over solid surfaces has significant advantages over bulk flow regimes, particularly when the fluid volume is in the form of a droplet. Voltage-induced interfacial surface tension alterations at the unbound surface of a droplet increase the droplets' wettability over a hydrophobic surface. This phenomenon is known as electrowetting (EW). Concurrently, the electrical force acting on the droplet volume produces a mechanical force that drives motion. The theories behind droplet motion are covered along with salient limiting factors that need to be considered as theory deviates from observation. Generation of digitised droplets on microarray architectures, referred to as digital microfluidics (DMF), provides confined microenvironments for a range of chemical, biochemical, biological and screening processes to be conducted in volumes ranging from pL to nL. With multiplexing of tasks and automation of processes being developed for full on-chip functionalities, the development of novel architectures and routing strategies for contamination avoidance will be explored along with system demonstrations for sector specific application.
Manipulation of Micro-/Nano-Objects via Surface Acoustic Waves
Authors: Li Peng , Guo Feng , Lin Kevin , Huang Tony Jun
Published: November 2014

In recent years, surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based micro-/nanoparticle manipulation has become increasingly important in lab-on-a-chip applications. It offers a means to precisely manipulate objects without any contact. The gentle, non-invasive nature of acoustic waves also makes SAW-based approaches highly biocompatible. In this chapter, we will introduce the working principles of SAW-based particle manipulation and discuss a few examples in this dynamic field.
Biomineralization-induced self-assembly of porous hollow carbon nanocapsule monoliths and their application in Li–S batteries
Authors: Hu Wen , Zhang Huamin , Zhang Yining , Wang Meiri , Qu Chao , Yi Jianhong
Published: November 2014

Novel sulfur-porous hollow carbon nanocapsule nanocomposites synthesized by a facile biomineralization-induced self-assembly approach show outstanding cathode performance in Li–S batteries.
Four new metal–organic frameworks based on bi-, tetra-, penta-, and hexa-nuclear clusters derived from 5-(phenyldiazenyl)isophthalic acid: syntheses, structures and properties
Authors: He Hongming , Du Jianshi , Su Hongmin , Yuan Yinhong , Song Yang , Sun Fuxing
Published: November 2014

Four new metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) were synthesized under solvothermal conditions based on a new rigid ligand 5-(phenyldiazenyl)isophthalic acid (H2PDIA) with azobenzene.
Renewable fuels from biomass-derived compounds: Ru-containing hydrotalcites as catalysts for conversion of HMF to 2,5-dimethylfuran
Authors: Nagpure Atul S. , Venugopal Ashok Kumar , Lucas Nishita , Manikandan Marimuthu , Thirumalaiswamy Raja , Chilukuri Satyanarayana
Published: November 2014

Ruthenium nanoparticle-containing hydrotalcite catalysts work efficiently for the conversion of biomass-derived HMF into liquid fuel 2,5-dimethylfuran.
DRIFTS study of the role of alkaline earths in promoting the catalytic activity of HC and NOx conversion over Pd-only three-way catalysts
Authors: Yang Linyan , Yang Xue , Lin Siyu , Zhou Renxian
Published: November 2014

Modification with alkaline earths, especially Ba, promotes NOx storage efficiency and NO dissociation, as well as the deep oxidation of HC. Thus doped catalysts present improved catalytic activity.