bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographical coincidence and mimicry between harmless snakes (Colubridae: Oxyrhopus) and harmful models (Elapidae: Micrurus)
Authors: Bosque Renan Janke , Noonan Brice Patrick , Colli Guarino Rinaldi
Published: December 2015

Aim

In the New World coral‐snake complex, Micrurus species presumably serve as Batesian models for some species of Colubridae, including Oxyrhopus. To better understand the evolutionary role of mimicry, we explored the distributional overlap of Micrurus (models) and Oxyrhopus (mimics), the association between species and pattern richness of both taxa, and the relationship between mimetic fidelity and model diversity.

Location

The Neotropical region and southern‐most Nearctic region.

Methods

We classified colour patterns and delineated the geographical distributions of species in a 1° grid, spanning the distributions of both genera. We used generalized linear models to test for significant associations of species and colour patterns. We used guided regularized random forests to identify, among Micrurus colour patterns, the best predictors of the presence and richness of Oxyrhopus colour patterns. To account for spatial autocorrelation, we implemented Bayesian hierarchical models using the integral nested Laplace approximation with a conditional autoregressive prior.

Results

With few exceptions, the presence and richness of species of Micrurus bearing a given colour pattern in grid cells were good predictors of the presence and richness of Oxyrhopus species bearing the same colour pattern. However, these relationships did not hold when we accounted for species of Micrurus bearing different colour patterns, except in a few cases. The presence of perfect (i.e. those that have a matching Micrurus model) and imperfect (those that do not) Oxyrhopus colour patterns in grid cells was positively correlated with the richness of Micrurus colour patterns.

Main conclusions

Mimicry complexes may not rely upon perfect signal matching and distributional overlap as previously supposed. Tests of mimetic relationships based on geographical distributions must account for alternative hypotheses including organisms that do not appear to be close mimics. Mimicry complexes may capitalize upon model signal diversity, allowing for the diversification of lineages with warning coloration in the face of stabilizing selection.
Land‐use legacies rather than climate change are driving the recent upward shift of the mountain tree line in the Pyrenees
Authors: Ameztegui Aitor , Coll Lluís , Brotons Lluís , Ninot Josep M.
Published: December 2015

Aim

To assess the effects of climate change, past land uses and physiography on the current position of the tree line in the Catalan Pyrenees and its dynamics between 1956 and 2006.

Location

More than 1000 linear kilometres of sub‐alpine tree line in the Catalan Pyrenees (north‐east Spain)

Methods

Using aerial photographs and supervised classification, we reclassified the images into a binary raster with ‘tree’ and ‘non‐tree’ values, and determined canopy cover in 1956 and 2006. We then determined the change in position of the tree line between 1956 and 2006 based on changes in forest cover. We used the distance from the position of the tree line in 1956 to the theoretical potential tree line – determined from interpretation of aerial photographs, identifying the highest old remnants of forest for homogeneous areas of the landscape in terms of bioclimatic conditions, bedrock, landform and exposure – as a surrogate of intensity of past land uses.

Results

Our analyses showed that the Pyrenean tree line has moved upwards on average almost 40 m (mean advance ± SE: 35.3 ± 0.5 m, P < 0.001), although in most cases it has remained unchanged (61.8%) or advanced moderately, i.e. between 25 and 100 m (23.7%); only 9.2% of the locations have advanced more than 100 m. Upward shifts of the tree line were significantly larger in locations heavily modified in the past by anthropogenic disturbance (mean advance 50.8 ± 1.1 m) compared with near natural tree line locations (19.7 ± 0.8 m, P < 0.001), where the mean displacement was much lower than expected and was not related to changes in temperature along the study period.

Main conclusions

Our results stress the impact of the cessation of human activity in driving forest dynamics at the tree line in the Catalan Pyrenees, and reveal a very low or even negligible signal of climate change in the study area.
Lower body function as a predictor of mortality over 13 years of follow up: Findings from Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly
Authors: Nam Sanggon , Al Snih Soham , Markides Kyriakos
Published: December 2015

Aim

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of lower body function on mortality over 13 years of follow‐up study.

Methods

Data from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly were used, and the Cox proportional hazard model of mortality on age sex, education, body mass index, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Mini‐Mental State Examination, any activities of daily living, walk score and short physical performance battery was applied.

Results

Results showed lower body function to be a strong predictor of mortality over 13 years, as indicated by walk and short physical performance battery scores, as well as any activities of daily living, depression and cognitive function. Furthermore, overweight or obese participants tended to live significantly longer over the long term.

Conclusions

Lower body function significantly impacts mortality at 2, 7 and 13 years of follow‐up study, but this association decreases in magnitude over time. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1324–1331.
Speech perception enhancement in elderly hearing aid users using an auditory training program for mobile devices
Authors: Yu Jyaehyoung , Jeon Hanjae , Song Changgeun , Han Woojae
Published: December 2015

Aims

The goal of the present study was to develop an auditory training program using a mobile device and to test its efficacy by applying it to older adults suffering from moderate‐to‐severe sensorineural hearing loss.

Methods

Among the 20 elderly hearing‐impaired listeners who participated, 10 were randomly assigned to a training group (TG) and 10 were assigned to a non‐training group (NTG) as a control. As a baseline, all participants were measured by vowel, consonant and sentence tests. In the experiment, the TG had been trained for 4 weeks using a mobile program, which had four levels and consisted of 10 Korean nonsense syllables, with each level completed in 1 week. In contrast, traditional auditory training had been provided for the NTG during the same period. To evaluate whether a training effect was achieved, the two groups also carried out the same tests as the baseline after completing the experiment.

Results

The results showed that performance on the consonant and sentence tests in the TG was significantly increased compared with that of the NTG. Also, improved scores of speech perception were retained at 2 weeks after the training was completed. However, vowel scores were not changed after the 4‐week training in both the TG and the NTG.

Conclusions

This result pattern suggests that a moderate amount of auditory training using the mobile device with cost‐effective and minimal supervision is useful when it is used to improve the speech understanding of older adults with hearing loss. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 61–68.
Body Image, Objectification, and Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery
Authors: Vaughan‐Turnbull Catherine , Lewis Vivienne
Published: December 2015

Objectification theory has been used to explain how women's experiences of sexual objectification results in self‐objectification, self‐surveillance, and body shame, with emerging research linking these factors with positive attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. The present study aimed to further examine the utility of the objectification model in predicting women's interest in cosmetic surgery. Participants were 233 Australian female undergraduate students who completed an online questionnaire. The results from two multiple regression analyses supported the hypotheses that sexual objectification, self‐objectification, self‐surveillance, and body shame predicted an increased acceptance as well as consideration of cosmetic surgery. The results suggest that objectification theory is a useful framework in explaining Australian women's desire for cosmetic surgery, highlighting the need for further investigation into positive body image.
Non‐numeric Intrajudge Consistency Feedback in an Angoff Procedure
Authors: Harrison George M.
Published: December 2015

The credibility of standard‐setting cut scores depends in part on two sources of consistency evidence: intrajudge and interjudge consistency. Although intrajudge consistency feedback has often been provided to Angoff judges in practice, more evidence is needed to determine whether it achieves its intended effect. In this randomized experiment with 36 judges, non‐numeric item‐level intrajudge consistency feedback was provided to treatment‐group judges after the first and second rounds of Angoff ratings. Compared to the judges in the control condition, those receiving the feedback significantly improved their intrajudge consistency, with the effect being stronger after the first round than after the second round. To examine whether this feedback has deleterious effects on between‐judge consistency, I also examined interjudge consistency at the cut score level and the item level using generalizability theory. The results showed that without the feedback, cut score variability worsened; with the feedback, idiosyncratic item‐level variability improved. These results suggest that non‐numeric intrajudge consistency feedback achieves its intended effect and potentially improves interjudge consistency. The findings contribute to standard‐setting feedback research and provide empirical evidence for practitioners planning Angoff procedures.
The Impact of Anonymization for Automated Essay Scoring
Authors: Shermis Mark D. , Lottridge Sue , Mayfield Elijah
Published: December 2015

This study investigated the impact of anonymizing text on predicted scores made by two kinds of automated scoring engines: one that incorporates elements of natural language processing (NLP) and one that does not. Eight data sets (N = 22,029) were used to form both training and test sets in which the scoring engines had access to both text and human rater scores for training, but only the text for the test set. Machine ratings were applied under three conditions: (a) both the training and test were conducted with the original data, (b) the training was modeled on the anonymized data, but the predictions were made on the original data, and (c) both the training and test were conducted on the anonymized text. The first condition served as the baseline for subsequent comparisons on the mean, standard deviation, and quadratic weighted kappa. With one exception, results on scoring scales in the range of 1–6 were not significantly different. The results on scales that were much wider did show significant differences. The conclusion was that anonymizing text for operational use may have a differential impact on machine score predictions for both NLP and non‐NLP applications.
The association between contact and intellectual disability literacy, causal attributions and stigma
Authors: Blundell R. , Das R. , Potts H. , Scior K.
Published: December 2015

Background

Contact is seen as a key route to tackling stigma and discrimination. Contact theory states that the quality and type of contact, as well as circumstance of the contact experience, influence the effect of contact on prejudice. The majority of research in intellectual disabilities though has focused on contact as present or absent only.

Method

A total of 1264 adult members of the UK general population completed measures of symptom recognition, social distance (as measure of external stigma) and causal beliefs in response to a diagnostically unlabelled vignette, depicting someone with intellectual disabilities.

Results

A nuanced contact variable, including frequency of contact and closeness and nature of the contact relationship, explained more of the variance in social distance, compared to the binary variable (contact as present or absent). Only the closeness of the relationship was individually predictive though, and the models explained only relatively small amounts of the variance. Structural equation modelling of contact, recognition, social distance and causal beliefs demonstrated that the model including the nuanced variable was an adequate fit for the data.

Conclusions

Future research aimed at increasing our understanding of intellectual disability stigma should avoid assessing contact as a binary variable only, but consider other factors, particularly the closeness of contact relationships. Anti‐stigma interventions may benefit from focussing on causal attributions as a method of reducing stigma.
First Japanese case of Zellweger syndrome with a mutation in PEX14
Authors: Komatsuzaki Shoko , Ogawa Eishin , Shimozawa Nobuyuki , Sakamoto Osamu , Haginoya Kazuhiro , Uematsu Mitsugu , Hasegawa Yuki , Matsubara Yoichi , Ohura Toshihiro
Published: December 2015

Zellweger syndrome, one of the peroxisome biogenesis disorders, is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in PEX genes. It is characterized by severe hypotonia, failure to thrive, psychomotor retardation, liver dysfunction, and sensorineural hearing impairment. Most of the patients with this disease die before the age of 1 year. PEX14 is the 13th PEX gene responsible for peroxisome biogenesis disorders. Thus far, only two patients with PEX14 deficiency have been reported. Here, we report the first case of a Japanese patient with a PEX14 mutation who showed severe hypotonia, psychomotor retardation, demyelination, and developed rickets at the age of 5 months. An increased excretion of 3,6‐epoxydicarboxylic acids leads to the diagnosis of Zellweger syndrome and a mutation analysis of PEX14 revealed a homozygous mutation of c.538C>T (p.Q180X). The patient survived for a prolonged period of time but died of liver failure at the age of 46 months.
Culture, Context, or Conflict? Analyzing Union Attitudes in Six Rural Counties in Conservative Right‐to‐Work States
Authors: Jacobs Paul , Glass Christy
Published: December 2015

This study fills an important gap in the literature by analyzing the predictors of union attitude formation in rural, conservative, right‐to‐work states. Drawing on a survey of all licensed electrical workers in six counties in northern Utah and southern Idaho, we analyzed the impact of cultural orientation, job context, and perceived risk on union attitudes. We find that a conservative cultural orientation does not significantly predict union attitudes but job context and perceived risks of union activity do. Dissatisfaction with current working conditions and the belief that employers will oppose and retaliate against workers engaged in union activity significantly predict positive union attitudes. We consider the implications of these findings for scholarship on union attitude formation and for union organizing strategies in rural, conservative right‐to‐work contexts.
Oral surgery in a patient with cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia: a case report
Authors: Patel Seena , Perry Maureen Munnelly , Spolarich Ann Eshenaur
Published: December 2015

Purpose

While most oral surgical procedures can be safely performed in an outpatient setting, certain medical conditions may present a higher chance of postoperative complications. In particular, those predisposing the patient to bleeding abnormalities pose a potential risk when performing such treatments. The authors report a case involving full‐mouth extractions in a patient with cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia after obtaining a platelet transfusion.

Methods/Case

A 62‐year‐old Caucasian female presented to a university special care dental clinic requiring extractions. Her pertinent medical history was remarkable for cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia, with a platelet count of 32,000/uL. Upon medical consultation, the patient was appointed for a prophylactic platelet transfusion. The surgery was rendered uneventfully, and the patient achieved adequate hemostasis without hospitalization.

Conclusion/Clinical Relevance

Patients with cirrhosis pose a potential bleeding risk with dental surgical procedures. Pre‐operative medical consultation, review of pertinent laboratory values, and prophylactic platelet transfusion allow these patients to be managed safely in an outpatient setting.
Hegel on Rectitude and “Virtue as Such”
Authors: Duncan Samuel
Published: December 2015

Many philosophers read Hegel as rejecting Kant's ethics of duty and advocating a more or less Aristotelian conception of virtue. However, in the Philosophy of Right Hegel sharply criticizes the ancient conception of virtue, or “virtue proper,” in his terms, and distinguishes it from a more modern concept of virtue, which he calls “rectitude.” In this paper I argue that interpretations that overlook or downplay the significance of the distinction between rectitude and virtue proper are wrong, and I also put forward my own positive interpretation of Hegel's views on virtue. I am mainly concerned with defending two sets of claims: (1) Rectitude is fundamentally different from Aristotelian and other ancient conceptions of virtue. (2) Hegel believes that in modern society acting with rectitude is, in all normal circumstances, superior to attempting to use virtue proper to try to figure out what one should do. I also argue that the conception of virtue I attribute to Hegel has some distinct advantages over Aristotelian conceptions of virtue.
Literally Like a Different Person: Context and Concern in Personal Identity
Authors: DiGiovanna James
Published: December 2015

It is not the case that there is only one literal sense of “same person.” When presented in different contexts, “she is/is not the same person” can have different answers concerning the same entity or set of entities across the same period of time. This is because: (1) Persons are composed of many parts, and different parts have different persistence conditions. This follows from a reductionist view of the self. (2) When we ask about sameness of persons, or “personal identity,” we are asking because of certain practical concerns. (3) Different concerns will look to the persistence of different parts of the person for criteria of sameness. (4) No single criterion of sameness tracks all concerns. By combining reductionism with contextualism, the disparate answers to the personal identity question can be clarified without losing the practical concerns motivating them.
Gender Gaps in Educational Outcomes Among Children of New Migrants: The Role of Social Integration from a Comparative Perspective
Authors: Escandell Xavier , Marí‐Klose Marga , Marí‐Klose Pau
Published: December 2015

This article reviews current research on gender gaps in educational outcomes among children of new migrants (first, 1.5, and second generations) from a comparative cross‐national perspective. The article examines potential explanations for why gendered differences in educational outcomes among immigrants (vis‐à‐vis non‐migrants) continue to occur, focusing on individual, schooling, and institutional factors. For example, while gender gaps in expectations and aspirations as well as some cognitive outcomes are increasing (reading ability is considerably higher among females) and shrinking in specific subjects (e.g. math and science ability is slightly higher among boys), that process often has been less explored within and across immigrant vis‐à‐vis non‐immigrant students. We show that in some countries, gender gaps among disadvantaged ethnic minorities (in relation to other groups) continue to persist and are exacerbated by institutional factors. These disadvantages vary not only across different educational systems and at different rates over time but also are based on students' social background. Overall, we argue that these educational inequalities are key to understanding not only the socioeconomic and future political adaptation of migrants and their children but also future social policy developments in the European Union context.
“Female Sports as Non‐Movement Resistance in the Middle East and North Africa”
Authors: Harkness Geoff , Hongsermeier Natasha
Published: December 2015

Open social movements and intentional resistance can be dangerous activities in some parts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), particularly for women. In this setting, female activism often takes place as non‐movements – mundane, collective actions taken by individuals rather than cohesive groups. Non‐movements for women in this region consist of commonplace activities such as working, attending college, or participating in sports. This article examines how athletic participation serves as a form of resistance for women in the MENA. To augment and expand upon the concept of non‐movements, we consider five non‐movement resistance strategies used by women in many parts of the MENA to counter barriers to female sports participation. These strategies address cultural and religious concerns over the role of women in the MENA region by merging athletics with longstanding religious customs and cultural traditions. In doing so, these strategies reduce the potential for criticism and enable greater opportunities for female athletic participation. Ultimately, these strategies may engender opportunities for women beyond the realm of sports.
What Social Psychology Can Contribute to the Study of Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation
Authors: Mize Trenton D.
Published: December 2015

The concepts of sex and gender have received increasing attention in sociology in recent years, with social psychologists providing many of the key insights. Issues of sexual orientation and sexuality have received comparably less attention, although many of the tools social psychologists use could be fruitfully applied to better understand sex, gender, sexual orientation, and the intimate connections between the three. In particular, I outline the perspectives of doing gender, stereotyping, and status and suggest possible ways to incorporate these frameworks into intersectional examinations of sex, gender, and sexual orientation. I argue that to fully understand sex, gender, or sexual orientation, researchers should consider all three and recognize the highly interconnected nature of each.
“Inequality in Work Time: Gender and Class Stratify Hours and Schedules, Flexibility, and Unpredictability in Jobs and Families”
Authors: Gerstel Naomi , Clawson Dan
Published: December 2015

Work time is deeply stratified by gender and class. In this review, we first summarize the research discussing the number of hours that people work, the scheduling or timing of those hours as well as the flexibility and unpredictability of work time, discussing the ways all three are stratified. Second, we examine research on the ways work time is mandated, negotiated and contested. This part focuses on the processes, institutions and relations that explain inequality in hours and schedules—beginning with a discussion of relations at the work place, then turning to relations outside the workplace, especially family dynamics, and finally examining policies and politics about work time.
Low‐income and Middle‐class Mothers Gendered Work and Family Schemas
Authors: Hennessy Judith
Published: December 2015

Conflict between the demands of paid work and motherhood has been studied primarily from the experience of middle‐class and professional mothers in dual‐earner families. Recently, with the reform of welfare, a number of studies have focused on the problems of poor mothers in meeting the demands of paid employment and caring for children. This article explores the moral discourse of judgments about paid work and motherhood and how this differs for low‐income and married middle‐class women. It reviews research that considers why poor single mothers are seen as irresponsible when they leave work due to family demands when professional and middle‐class married mothers are seen as acting selflessly. It examines how gendered schema differentially influences the work and family choices of married middle‐class and professional mothers compared to poor and low‐income mothers.
Genomic full‐length sequence of two HLA‐A alleles, A*23:01:01 and A*24:02:01:01, identified by cloning and sequencing
Authors: Wang S. X. , Xu Y. P. , Zhang H.
Published: December 2015

Genomic full‐length sequences of HLA‐A*23:01:01 and A*24:02:01:01, identified by cloning and sequencing from Chinese donors.
A review of longnose skates Zearaja chilensis and Dipturus trachyderma
Authors: Vargas-Caro Carolina , Bustamante Carlos , Lamilla Julio , Bennett Michael B
Published: December 2015

Longnose skates may have a high intrinsic vulnerability among fishes due to their large body size, slow growth rates and relatively low fecundity, and their exploitation as fisheries target species places their populations under considerable pressure. They are found circumglobally in subtropical and temperate coastal waters. Although longnose skates have been recorded for over 150 years in South America, the ability to assess the status of these species is still compromised by critical knowledge gaps. Based on a review of 185 publications, a comparative synthesis of the biology and ecology was conducted on two of the most commercially important elasmobranchs in South American waters, the yellownose skate Zearaja chilensis and the roughskin skate Dipturus trachyderma; in order to examine and compare their taxonomy, distribution, fisheries, feeding habitats, reproduction, growth and longevity. There has been a marked increase in the number of published studies for both species since 2000, and especially after 2005, although some research topics remain poorly understood. Considering the external morphological similarities of longnose skates, especially when juvenile, and the potential niche overlap in both depth and latitude occupied, it is recommended that reproductive seasonality, population structure and connectivity be assessed to ensure their long-term sustainability.
Evaluation of biological production of lactic acid in a synthetic medium and in Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. processing by-products
Authors: Gómez-Gómez Javier Antonio , Giraldo-Estrada Catalina , Habeych David , Baena Sandra
Published: December 2015

This study evaluated lactic acid production through batch fermentation in a bioreactor with Thermoanaerobacter sp. strain USBA-018 and a chemically defined culture medium and with hydrolyzed pressed extract of Aloe vera peel (AHE). The strain USBA-018 fermented various sugars, but its primary end-product was L-lactic acid. Factors which influenced L- lactic acid production were pH, addition of yeast extract (YE) and manganese chloride. Under the most favorable growing conditions for the production of lactic acid, yield (Yp/s) increased from 0.66 to 0.96 g/g with a productivity (Qp) of 0.62 g.l-1.h and a maximum lactic acid concentration of 178 mM at 26 hours of fermentation. When AHE was used, 93.3 mM, or 0.175 g.h/L, was obtained. These results show the potential for transformation of sugars that strain USBA-018 offers, but additional studies are needed to find out if different strategies using AHE as carbon source can produce large enough quantities of lactic acid to allow AHE to become a low-cost alternative substrate.
Sexual dimorphism of sharks from the amazonian equatorial coast
Authors: Silva Nunes Jorge Luiz , Barbosa Martins Ana Paula , Da Silva Filho Ednaldo , Manir Feitosa Leonardo , Nunes e Silva Luiz Phelipe , Da Silva de Almeida Zafira
Published: December 2015

Sexual dimorphism is a widespread feature in several groups of vertebrates. Chondrichthyans differ sexually due to the presence of the clasper, a structure for internal fertilization, and other sexual differences in secondary characteristics. Nevertheless, studies assessing these variations are fairly rare. The main goal of this study is to identify differences in sexual dimorphism in three species of sharks from the Carcharhinidae family (Rhizoprionodon porosus, Carcharhinus porosus and Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus) using morphometric tools. A total of 213 specimens were captured in the Amazonian Equatorial Coast and analyzed using 65 morphometric characters. Discriminant analysis and The Student's t-test were used to demonstrate the morphological differences among sexes. Sexual dimorphism was reported at different levels for the three species. This study suggests that the most likely explanation for the presence of these variations is related to their reproductive characteristics and mating behavior.
Divisões na Igreja: desafios para o ecumenismo hoje
Authors: Wolff Elias
Published: December 2015

O artigo faz uma análise da divisão dos cristãos, num resgate histórico e teológico dos fatos que a causaram, das motivações e da dinâmica dos acontecimentos. Propõe uma releitura desses elementos como caminho para a superação do seu
potencial divisionista para o presente e o futuro da Igreja. Conclui que o caminho para a superação da divisão dos cristãos exige um redimensionamento da identidade cristã e eclesial, a cura da memória e uma revisão estrutural na organização da Igreja.
Resistir a los violentos y tejer sociedad desde la fe: El Garzal (Colombia)
Authors: Plata William Elvis , Cáceres Mateus Sergio
Published: December 2015

Rescata la memoria histórica de una comunidad cristiana evangélica que, ante los embates de la violencia, decide organizarse y resistir pacíficamente, fundamentada en su fe. A partir de ahí reflexiona sobre el rol que las iglesias y las organizaciones religiosas tienen y pueden tener en la superación del conflicto armado, en la generación de procesos de desarrollo y en la construcción de una cultura de paz y reconciliación.
Teología de la historia como teología de la acción
Authors: López Edgar Antonio
Published: December 2015

Se propone comprender la teología de la historia a partir de la teología de la acción. La aplicación del método de interpretación textual a la acción humana permite establecer un paralelo entre la acción orientada significativamente y la interpretación de textos desde tres criterios: la fijación del significado en el tiempo, la autonomía semántica y la intencionalidad trascendente que se abre universalmente a insospechadas interpretaciones. Estos permiten aproximarse teológicamente a la acción humana atendiendo los resultados históricos en los que ella se revela como acción liberadora de Dios.
A Lumped Energy Model for Crack Growth in Shape-Memory Materials
Authors: Leo Perry H. , Shield Thomas W.
Published: December 2015

We construct an energy-based model to study crack growth behavior in a shape-memory alloy that undergoes a stress-induced austenite to martensite transformation. The total energy, which is the sum of the elastic energy of the specimen and loading device, the surface energy of the crack, and the energy associated with transforming austenite to martensite, depends on the applied extension, the crack length, and the martensite volume fraction. The crack length and martensite volume fraction are coupled through a transformation criteria at the crack tip. By tracking the progression of equilibrium cracks as extension increases, we show that the transformation leads to a regime of stable crack growth followed by unstable growth. These results are in agreement with experiments on both single crystal and polycrystal shape-memory alloys.
A New Family of Bricard-Derived Deployable Mechanisms
Authors: Huang Hailin , Li Bing , Zhu Jianyang , Qi Xiaozhi
Published: December 2015

This paper proposes a new family of single degree of freedom (DOF) deployable mechanisms derived from the threefold-symmetric deployable Bricard mechanism. The mobility and geometry of original threefold-symmetric deployable Bricard mechanism is first described, from the mobility characterstic of this mechanism, we show that three alternate revolute joints can be replaced by a class of single DOF deployable mechanisms without changing the single mobility characteristic of the resultant mechanisms, therefore leading to a new family of Bricard-derived deployable mechanisms. The computer-aided design (CAD) models are used to demonstrate these derived novel mechanisms. All these mechanisms can be used as the basic modules for constructing large volume deployable mechanisms.
Force Capabilities of Two-Degree-of-Freedom Serial Robots Equipped With Passive Isotropic Force Limiters
Authors: Zhang Meiying , Laliberté Thierry , Gosselin Clément
Published: December 2015

This paper proposes the use of passive force and torque limiting devices to bound the maximum forces that can be applied at the end-effector or along the links of a robot, thereby ensuring the safety of human–robot interaction. Planar isotropic force limiting modules are proposed and used to analyze the force capabilities of a two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) planar serial robot. The force capabilities at the end-effector are first analyzed. It is shown that, using isotropic force limiting modules, the performance to safety index remains excellent for all configurations of the robot. The maximum contact forces along the links of the robot are then analyzed. Force and torque limiters are distributed along the structure of the robot in order to ensure that the forces applied at any point of contact along the links are bounded. A power analysis is then presented in order to support the results. Finally, examples of mechanical designs of force/torque limiters are shown to illustrate a possible practical implementation of the concept.
Atomic layer deposition of boron-containing films using B2F4
Authors: Mane Anil U. , Elam Jeffrey W. , Goldberg Alexander , Seidel Thomas E. , Halls Mathew D. , Current Michael I. , Despres Joseph , Byl Oleg , Tang Ying , Sweeney Joseph
Published: December 2015

Ultrathin and conformal boron-containing atomic layer deposition (ALD) films could be used as a shallow dopant source for advanced transistor structures in microelectronics manufacturing. With this application in mind, diboron tetrafluoride (B2F4) was explored as an ALD precursor for the deposition of boron containing films. Density functional theory simulations for nucleation on silicon (100) surfaces indicated better reactivity of B2F4 in comparison to BF3. Quartz crystal microbalance experiments exhibited growth using either B2F4-H2O for B2O3 ALD, or B2F4-disilane (Si2H6) for B ALD, but in both cases, the initial growth per cycle was quite low (≤0.2 Å/cycle) and decreased to near zero growth after 8–30 ALD cycles. However, alternating between B2F4-H2O and trimethyl aluminum (TMA)-H2O ALD cycles resulted in sustained growth at ∼0.65 Å/cycle, suggesting that the dense –OH surface termination produced by the TMA-H2O combination enhances the uptake of B2F4 precursor. The resultant boron containing films were analyzed for composition by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and capacitance measurements indicated an insulating characteristic. Finally, diffused boron profiles less than 100 Å were obtained after rapid thermal anneal of the boron containing ALD film.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio is Related to Body Fat Content and Distribution Regardless of the Waist Circumference Measurement Protocol in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients
Authors: Pimenta Nuno M. , Santa-Clara Helena , Melo Xavier , Cortez-Pinto Helena , Silva-Nunes José , Sardinha Luís B.
Published: December 2015

Central accumulation and distribution of body fat (BF) is an important cardiometabolic risk factor. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), commonly elevated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, has been endorsed as a risk related marker of central BF content and distribution, but no standardized waist circumference measurement protocol (WCmp) has been proposed. We aimed to investigate whether using different WCmp affects the strength of association between WHR and BF content and distribution in NAFLD patients. BF was assessed with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 28 NAFLD patients (19 males, 51 ± 13 years, and 9 females, 47 ± 13 years). Waist circumference (WC) was measured using four different WCmp (WC1: minimal waist; WC2: iliac crest; WC3: mid-distance between iliac crest and lowest rib; WC4: at the umbilicus) and WHR was calculated accordingly (WHR1, WHR2, WHR3 and WHR4, respectively). High WHR was found in up to 84.6% of subjects, depending on the WHR considered. With the exception of WHR1, all WHR correlated well with abdominal BF (r = .47 for WHR1; r = .59 for WHR2 and WHR3; r = .58 for WHR4) and BF distribution (r = .45 for WHR1; r = .56 for WHR2 and WHR3; r = .51 for WHR4), controlling for age, sex and body mass index (BMI). WHR2 and WHR3 diagnosed exactly the same prevalence of high WHR (76.9%). The present study confirms the strong relation between WHR and central BF, regardless of WCmp used, in NAFLD patients. WHR2 and WHR3 seemed preferable for use in clinical practice, interchangeably, for the diagnosis of high WHR in NAFLD patients.
Immune history profoundly affects broadly protective B cell responses to influenza
Authors: Andrews Sarah F. , Huang Yunping , Kaur Kaval , Popova Lyubov I. , Ho Irvin Y. , Pauli Noel T. , Dunand Carole J. Henry , Taylor William M. , Lim Samuel , Huang Min , Qu Xinyan , Lee Jane-Hwei , Salgado-Ferrer Marlene , Krammer Florian , Palese Peter , Wrammert Jens , Ahmed Rafi , Wilson Patrick C.
Published: December 2015

The quality of the B cell response to influenza vaccination is dependent on the preexisting memory B cell repertoire.
Risk factors for musculoskeletal injury in preprofessional dancers: a systematic review
Authors: Kenny Sarah J , Whittaker Jackie L , Emery Carolyn A
Published: December 2015

Background

Preprofessional dancers partake in rigorous training and have high injury prevalence. Attempts to identify risk factors for dance injuries have focused on a diversity of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Objective

To identify and evaluate the evidence examining risk factors for musculoskeletal injury in preprofessional ballet and modern dancers.

Methods

Fifteen electronic databases were systematically searched to October 2015. Studies selected met a priori inclusion criteria and investigated musculoskeletal injury risk factors in preprofessional (elite adolescent, student, young adult) ballet and modern dancers. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality and level of evidence using the Downs and Black (DB) criteria and a modified Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine 2009 model, respectively.

Results

Of 1364 potentially relevant studies, 47 were included and scored. Inconsistent injury definition and methodology precluded meta-analysis. The most common modifiable risk factors investigated were anthropometrics (ie, body mass index, adiposity), joint range of motion (ie, lower extremity), dance exposure (ie, years training, exposure hours) and age. The median DB score across studies was 8/33 (range 2–16). The majority of studies were classified as level 3 evidence and few considered risk factor inter-relationships. There is some level 2 evidence that previous injury and poor psychological coping skills are associated with increased injury risk.

Conclusions

Because of the lack of high-quality studies, consensus regarding risk factors for musculoskeletal injury in preprofessional dancers remains difficult. There is a need for injury definition consensus and high-quality prospective studies examining the multifactorial relationship between risk factors and injury in preprofessional dance.
Sudden cardiac arrest on the football field of play—highlights for sports medicine from the European Resuscitation Council 2015 Consensus Guidelines
Authors: Kramer E B , Serratosa L , Drezner J , Dvorak J
Published: December 2015

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) 2015 Guidelines for Resuscitation were published recently. For the first time, these guidelines included a subsection on ‘cardiac arrest during sports activities’ in the section dealing with cardiac arrest in special circumstances, endorsing both the importance and unique nature of this form of cardiac arrest. This paper reviews four critical areas in the management of sudden cardiac arrest in a football player: recognition, response, resuscitation and removal from the field of play. Expeditious response with initiation of immediate resuscitation at the side of a collapsed player remains crucial for survival, and chest compressions should be continued until the automated external defibrillator (AED) has been fully activated, so that the sideline medical team response to the side of a non-contact collapsed player on the field of play, with AED and defibrillation, occurs within a maximum of 2 min from collapse.
Assessing the effects of the Spanish partial smoking ban on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases: methodological issues
Authors: Galán Iñaki , Simón Lorena , Flores Víctor , Ortiz Cristina , Fernández-Cuenca Rafael , Linares Cristina , Boldo Elena , José Medrano María , Pastor-Barriuso Roberto
Published: December 2015

Objective

Recent research has assessed the impact of tobacco laws on cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity. In this study, we also examined whether the association between the implementation of the 2005 Spanish smoking ban and hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases varies according to the adjustment for potential confounders.

Design

Ecological time series analysis.

Setting

Residents of Madrid and Barcelona cities (Spain).

Outcome

Data on daily emergency room admissions for acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma derived from the 2003–2006 Spanish hospital admissions registry.

Methods

Changes in admission rates between 2006 and the 2003–2005 period were estimated using additive Poisson models allowing for overdispersion adjusted for secular trend in admission, seasonality, day of the week, temperature, number of flu and acute respiratory infection cases, pollution levels, tobacco consumption prevalence and, for asthma cases, pollen count.

Results

In Madrid, fully adjusted models failed to detect significant changes in hospital admission rates for any disease during the study period. In Barcelona, however, hospital admissions decreased by 10.2% (95% CI 3.8% to 16.1%) for cerebrovascular diseases and by 16.0% (95% CI 7.0% to 24.1%) for COPD. Substantial changes in effect estimates were observed on adjustment for linear or quadratic trend. Effect estimates for asthma-related admissions varied substantially when adjusting for pollen count in Madrid, and for seasonality and tobacco consumption in Barcelona.

Conclusions

Our results confirm that the potential impact of a smoking ban must be adjusted for the underlying secular trend. In asthma-related admissions, pollen count, seasonality and tobacco consumption must be specified in the model. The substantial variability in effects detected between the two cities of Madrid and Barcelona lends strong support for a nationwide study to assess the overall effect of a smoking ban in Spain and identify the causes of the observed heterogeneity.
Lateral torsional buckling of steel twin plate girder systems with torsional braces only
Authors: Mantha Chris , Chen Xi , Liu Yi
Published: December 2015

This paper presents results of both an experimental and a finite element study on the lateral torsional buckling behaviour and strength of twin plate girder systems with only discrete torsional braces. Two scaled twin-beam specimens with different arrangements of lateral and torsional braces were tested and results were used to validate the finite element model. The finite element study considered the effect of individual brace member stiffness and the number of braces. Results showed that for twin plate girders braced with only torsional braces, the critical buckling moment has the most significant increase when the number of interior braces increases from two to three. For a given girder section, the increase in the critical moment capacity by increasing the cross-frame member size is minimal. The lateral torsional buckling moment equation as well as the brace force design procedure contained in the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code were examined. A relationship between the ratio of provided-to-required torsional stiffness and the effective length factor was discussed.
Symmetries, pseudosymmetries and conservation laws in Lagrangian and Hamiltonian k-symplectic formalisms
Authors: Munteanu Florian
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we will present Lagrangian and Hamiltonian [Formula: see text]-symplectic formalisms, we will recall the notions of symmetry and conservation law and we will define the notion of pseudosymmetry as a natural extension of symmetry. Using symmetries and pseudosymmetries, without the help of a Noether type theorem, we will obtain new kinds of conservation laws for [Formula: see text]-symplectic Hamiltonian systems and [Formula: see text]-symplectic Lagrangian systems.
Adsorption and Self-Assembly of Anticancer Antibiotic Doxorubicin on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Rodríguez-Galván Andrés , Amelines-Sarria Oscar , Rivera Margarita , Carreón-Castro María del Pilar , Basiuk Vladimir A.
Published: December 2015

We performed a combined experimental and theoretical study of the conjugates obtained from single-walled carbon nanotubes and anticancer antibiotic doxorubicin (DOX). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging at lower magnification revealed, extended regions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTS) fully covered with DOX adsorbed molecules, along with some bare parts without the adsorbed drug, thus suggesting that the DOX adsorption is a cooperative process. Ambient atmosphere scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at higher resolutions found that individual SWNTs-DOX conjugates exhibit a periodic texture, whose most important morphological feature is alternating depressions and protrusions along the nanotube. Based on the images and profiles measured, we suggest that doxorubicin molecules self-assemble on SWNTs sidewall according to a helical pattern, in which their tetracyclic fragments are turned with respect to the nanotube axis by about 50[Formula: see text]. To provide an additional insight into the structure of noncovalent SWNTs-DOX conjugates, we employed density functional theory (DFT) calculations with three long-range corrected functionals: M05-2X, wB97X-D and LCBLYP, of which M05-2X yielded the most realistic results in terms of geometries and energies.
Last Glacial Cycle and seismic stratigraphic sequences offshore western Hainan Island, NW South China Sea
Authors: Chen Hongjun , Harff Jan , Qiu Yan , Osadczuk Andrzej , Zhang Jinpeng , Tomczak Michal , Cui Zhaoguo , Cai Guangqiang , Wen Mingming , Li Liqing
Published: December 2015

In order to investigate the relationship between sea-level changes during the Last Glacial Cycle (LGC) and seismic stratigraphic sequences on the NW continental shelf of the South China Sea, a sparker single-channel high-resolution seismic profiling was correlated with a sediment core taken offshore western Hainan Island. Interpretation of the seismic stratigraphy in relation to local and global sea-level changes could be refined.

According to the age model, developed from AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry)-
14
C and OSL (optically stimulated luminescence) dates, and δ
18
O (oxygen isotope) stratigraphy, the 88.3 m sediment core reflects environmental change since 110 ka. Correlation with a sediment core in the adjacent basin based on stable oxygen isotope records allows a zonation of the top 15 m of the sediment core and the identification of marine isotope stages (MIS) 1–5e.

Seven seismic reflectors interpreted as unconformities were identified. These erosional surfaces have been dated by interpolation using an age–depth model compared to global eustatic curves. The results indicate that seven sea-level cycles can be distinguished in the study area during the LGC, and these are correlated with regional and global sea-level change models. Further research confirms that seismic stratigraphy in the NW South China Sea can be intimately related to LGC sea-level changes associated with regional surface uplift and sediment supply.