bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prophylactic Edaravone Prevents Transient Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Sun Yu-Yo , Li Yikun , Wali Bushra , Li Yuancheng , Lee Jolly , Heinmiller Andrew , Abe Koji , Stein Donald G. , Mao Hui , Sayeed Iqbal , Kuan Chia-Yi
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—

Hypoperfusion-induced thrombosis is an important mechanism for postsurgery stroke and cognitive decline, but there are no perioperative neuroprotectants to date. This study investigated whether prophylactic application of Edaravone, a free radical scavenger already used in treating ischemic stroke in Japan, can prevent infarct and cognitive deficits in a murine model of transient cerebral hypoxia-ischemia.

Methods—

Adult male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to transient hypoxic-ischemic (tHI) insult that consists of 30-minute occlusion of the unilateral common carotid artery and exposure to 7.5% oxygen. Edaravone or saline was prophylactically applied to compare their effects on cortical oxygen saturation, blood flow, coagulation, oxidative stress, metabolites, and learning-memory using methods that include photoacoustic imaging, laser speckle contrast imaging, solid-state NMR, and Morris water maze. The effects on infarct size by Edaravone application at different time points after tHI were also compared.

Results—

Prophylactic administration of Edaravone (4.5 mg/kg×2, IP, 1 hour before and 1 hour after tHI) improved vascular reperfusion, oxygen saturation, and the maintenance of brain metabolites, reducing oxidative stress, thrombosis, white-matter injury, and learning impairment after tHI insult. Delayed Edaravone treatment after 3 h post-tHI became unable to reduce infarct size.

Conclusions—

Acute application of Edaravone may be a useful strategy to prevent postsurgery stroke and cognitive impairment, especially in patients with severe carotid stenosis.
“I Promise to Protect Dumb Creatures”
Authors: Feuerstein Anna
Published: June 2015

This paper argues that the Christian discourse disseminated by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (rspca) in the early Victorian period represents nonhuman animals as complicit in their own subjection. Using Foucault’s notion of pastoral power—a power of care—we can recognizerspcadiscourse as constructing animal subjects who desire to remain subject to humankind. This essay demonstrates how three animal welfare tracts submitted to therspcafor a contest in 1837 rely on Christian discourse and construct animal subjects who willingly subject themselves to human needs and desires. These texts, one of which was the winner and published by therspca, demonstrate that the construction of animal subjectivity within animal welfare discourse presents a striking form of power over animals that has not yet been noticed by other critics.
The effect of sex ratio on size-assortative mating in two explosively breeding anurans
Authors: Vojar Jiří , Chajma Petr , Kopecký Oldřich , Puš Vladimír , Šálek Miroslav
Published: June 2015

Size-assortative mating (SAM) is a widespread phenomenon related to individual fitness. In our study, we examined: (i) the appearance of SAM, and (ii) the effect of sex ratio on intensity of SAM in wild populations of two explosively breeding anurans, common frogs,Rana temporaria, and common toads,Bufo bufo. Despite a higher male-biased operational sex ratio (OSR) in toads, the body lengths of the paired males and females were significantly correlated only in frogs. Increasing male-male competition, assessed via the OSR, resulted in a stronger correlation also in frogs only. Thus, great variability in the presence and intensity of SAM has been observed within both studied species.
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia: Developing the Law on Sexual Violence?
Authors: Williams Sarah , Palmer Emma
Published: June 2015

Widespread sexual violence was a feature of Democratic Kampuchea, whether during forced marriages, as an instrument of torture, or as a systematic feature of Khmer Rouge policy, with rape often the precursor to execution. Since it was established, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (eccc) has secured a single conviction of sexual violence. This article draws on the eccc’s jurisprudence and decisions of other international criminal tribunals to argue that, to date, the eccc has made little contribution to the development of the legal framework surrounding sexual violence. However, there remain several possibilities for it to do so.
A nonparametric approach for evaluating long-term energy policy scenarios: an application to the Greek energy system
Authors: Halkos George , Tzeremes Nickolaos G , Tzeremes Panayiotis G
Published: June 2015

This paper by using Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) constructs four different renewable energy scenarios for the Greek transport, energy, and industry sectors. By projecting the demand for renewable energy and the associated resulting carbon dioxide emissions up to the years 2020 and 2030, the paper applies in a second stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) evaluating the Greek renewable energy policy. As a result, it provides a quantitative measure for future renewable energy policy evaluation under different renewable energy consumption scenarios. The results reveal that the main challenge for the Greek policy makers will be the energy policies associated with the renewable energy usage of the Greek industry since they are rigid toward the adoption of technologies utilizing renewable energy sources. It appears that under the four different energy policy scenarios, the Greek industry sector will not be able to meet its renewable energy targets set by the Greek government. Finally, the analysis reveals that the renewable energy targets set for 2020 and 2030 can be met for the energy sector. However, the renewable energy targets set for the transport sector can only be met for the year 2030.

JEL classifications: C60; Q47; Q53; Q58
Observation of ionospheric disturbances induced by the 2011 Tohoku tsunami using far-field GPS data in Hawaii
Authors: Tang Long , Zhang Xiaohong , Li Zhe
Published: June 2015

In this study, we employ far-field GPS total electron content (TEC) observed in Hawaii to detect the ionospheric disturbances induced by the 2011 Tohoku tsunami. We observed tsunami-driven traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) at two different times: at about 12:40 UT, there were TIDs in the disturbance series propagating at approximately 260 m/s in an outward direction from the tsunami’s source, and then, the signals began to weaken and gradually disappeared after 14:00 UT; however, at about 17:30 UT, the TIDs appeared again in the disturbance series with similar propagation characteristics. According to the observation times, the former TIDs can be attributed to the straight tsunami from the mainshock, while the latter TIDs are most likely driven by tsunami from aftershocks. Furthermore, we also observed tsunami-like TIDs at about 11:50 UT with similar horizontal velocity and direction compared to tsunami waves. However, the arrival time of the TIDs was about 1.5 earlier than tsunami waves in the sea level and should be induced by other sources.
Epigenetic regulation of IL-12-dependent T cell proliferation
Authors: Schaller Matthew , Ito Toshihiro , Allen Ronald M , Kroetz Danielle , Kittan Nicolai , Ptaschinski Catherine , Cavassani Karen , Carson William F , Godessart Nuria , Grembecka Jolanta , Cierpicki Tomasz , Dou Yali , Kunkel Steven L
Published: June 2015

It is well established that the cytokine IL-12 and the transcription factor STAT4, an essential part of the IL-12 signaling pathway, are critical components of the Th1 differentiation process in T cells. In response to pathogenic stimuli, this process causes T cells to proliferate rapidly and secrete high amounts of the cytokine IFN-γ, leading to the Th1 proinflammatory phenotype. However, there are still unknown components of this differentiation pathway. We here demonstrated that the expression of the histone methyltransferase Mll1 is driven by IL-12 signaling through STAT4 in humans and mice and is critical for the proper differentiation of a naϊve T cell to a Th1 cell. Once MLL1 is up-regulated by IL-12, it regulates the proliferation of Th1 cells. As evidence of this, we show that Th1 cells from Mll1+/− mice are unable to proliferate rapidly in a Th1 environment in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, upon restimulation with cognate antigen Mll1+/−, T cells do not convert to a Th1 phenotype, as characterized by IFN-γ output. Furthermore, we observed a reduction in IFN-γ production and proliferation in human peripheral blood stimulated with tetanus toxoid by use of a specific inhibitor of the MLL1/menin complex. Together, our results demonstrate that the MLL1 gene plays a previously unrecognized but essential role in Th1 cell biology and furthermore, describes a novel pathway through which Mll1 expression is regulated.
A discontinuous collocated-grid implementation for high-order finite-difference modeling
Authors: Fan Na , Zhao Lian-Feng , Gao Ying-Jie , Yao Zhen-Xing
Published: June 2015

The discontinuous-grid method can greatly reduce the storage requirements and computational costs of finite-difference (FD) modeling for large-velocity-contrast models. However, traditional discontinuous-grid methods have to use interpolation when refining the wavefield in transition zones and would cause apparent artifacts. We have developed a new discontinuous collocated-grid scheme for high-order FD modeling. We refined the wavefield on a rotated coordinate system, where the interpolation is not required again. The horizontal and vertical spatial derivatives can be accurately converted into diagonal derivatives within the rotated coordinate system; thus, our scheme would be free of artifacts caused by improper interpolation. The ratio from coarse- to fine-grid spacing is restricted to [Formula: see text] for our scheme, where [Formula: see text] is a positive integer. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed discontinuous collocated-grid scheme reduces the artificial reflections by about two orders of magnitude compared to the interpolation scheme and yields a wavefield that is almost identical to that of the uniform-grid simulation. The rotated FD operator with arbitrary even-order accuracy is applied in the transition zones; thus, it significantly improves the spatial accuracy while saving computational cost.
CREOLE /L → /R IN AFRICAN AMERICAN English/Gullah: HISTORICAL FACT AND FICTION
Authors: Troike Rudolph C.
Published: June 2015

The use of /r/ for /l/ in initial consonant clusters, a feature found in some Atlantic English-based creoles, occurs sporadically in representations of African American English, in words such as bress ‘bless’, prease ‘please’, and grad ‘glad’, from the colonial period to the mid-twentieth century. This study documents and analyzes the history of these representations and compares the feature with similar occurrences in several Caribbean creoles, finding an ultimate source in the phonologies of several African languages whose speakers were enslaved and brought to North America. The history of the representation of bress in American literature shows it to have become an iconic stereotype, fueled in part by the minstrel show tradition. The occurrence and eventual disappearance of the pronunciation in African American English may be explained in terms of the “new dialect formation” model, with emphasis on the role of the individual in language acquisition and change.
“That Yiddish Has Spoken to Me”: Yiddish in Israeli Literature
Authors: Pinsker Shachar
Published: June 2015

This essay examines the ways in which Yiddish—as a language, a set of literary traditions and practices, and a “postvernacular”—operates within the context of Israeli, Hebrew-dominated literature. After establishing the subject's poetic, historical, and political framework, I present two examples of how Yiddish exerted a (largely unacknowledged) influence on Israeli literature. The first concerns the striking similarities and intersections between two literary groups active in Israel during the 1950s: a famous Hebrew group (Likrat) and a little-known Yiddish group (Yung Yisroel). The second example consists in the parallels and intertwined literary histories of two writers, Yossl Birshtein (who was a member of Yung Yisroel) and the Hebrew writer Ya'acov Shabtai, in order to demonstrate the presence of Yiddish in Shabtai's poetic work and to discover an untold story in the history of modern Hebrew literature.
Sound symbolism of expressive verbs in Finnic languages (Estonian, Finnish, Ingrian, Votic)
Authors: Heinsoo Heinike , Saar Eva
Published: June 2015

This article will study language, using the contrastive-descriptive method, as a phonetic imitation of the world around us, and will concentrate on the verb vocabulary, based on sound imitation and natural sound imitation, characteristic of the Finnic languages spoken in the region of the Gulf of Finland, i.e. Estonian, Finnish, Ingrian and Votic, with a special focus on verbs expressing sounds produced by inanimate sound generators/sources. The investigation clarifies the differences between expressive verbs and general vocabulary in terms of phonetic composition, and describes derivation patterns of expressive verbs. In comparisons of the four related languages, the theory of sound symbolism has not been confirmed. It is almost impossible to find identical expressive lexemes (stems) carrying the same (collocative) meaning in all four closely related languages.
Improving quality and performance properties of chemical coatings on steels and alloys by laser treatment
Authors: Brover Andrey Vladimirovich , Brover Galina Ivanovna , Pustovoyt Victor Nikolayevich
Published: June 2015

The subject of this paper is the Ni-P chemical coatings on steels and alloys. The research goal is to determine the capabilities of improving the quality and performance properties of the coatings under the rapid laser processing. Metal physical research methods - optical and electron-probe microscopy, hardness measurement, X-ray and electron microprobe analysis - are used. Anti-friction properties of the irradiated coatings are determined under testing on the tribometer. The study results have shown that the laser irradiation of chemical coatings can increase the hardness of the steel surface layers, advance the adherence strength of the coating to the steel substrate, lower the friction factor, and enhance the wearability of the coated steels.The results obtained allow reasonably choose modes of laser processing for chemical coatings leading to the consolidation and degassing of the steel surface layers, the increase of the coating adhesion to the substrate, the improvement of the surface morphology, the formation of a relatively perfect texture in the steel surface layers, and to the reduction of the burnout of alloying elements from the surface layers of materials.The studies show that the laser treatment of chemical coatings improves the quality of the surface layers of steels and alloys, increases the strength of coating adhesion to the metal substrate, increases the hardness, decreases the friction factor, and increases the wear resistance of steels with chemical coatings.
Jak badać politykę?
Authors: Pająk Marek
Published: June 2015

How to study politics? Contemporary methodological discourse in political science on the example of the Flyvbjerg Debate

The article is the analysis of contemporary methodological discourse in political science on the example of the Flyvbjerg Debate. The article focuses on Bent Flyvbjerg’s and David D. Laitin’s positions linking them with broader discussions in political science. Especially those concerning proper model of scientific researches. The author traces evolution of political science from the perspective of controversy between protagonists of analytical‑empirical model and their critics.
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries: Fan-creator interactions and new online storytelling
Authors: Seymour Jessica , Roth Jenny , Flegel Monica
Published: June 2015

Bernie Su and Hank Green’s online adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice ([1813] 1995), the Lizzie Bennett Diaries (2012, LBD hereafter), offers a new authorship device and a potential way to negotiate the current tensions engendered by struggles over cultural production and reproduction on the Internet. A great part of LBD’s success, confirmed by the many awards the series received, was its complication of authorial power and textual ownership. Fans occupied the same space as characters to become characters themselves; producers became viewers who carefully followed fan responses and incorporated them into the storyline; fans’ blogs and texts developed character arcs, deepened understanding of characters themselves and moved the narrative as a whole; and producers entered fan spaces to discuss narrative developments. However, while LBD does offer some possibilities going forward, it also illuminates the tensions between existing and emergent production paradigms created by an increase in Internet participatory culture that remain to be overcome.
El legado del régimen señorial en la estructura actual de las explotaciones agrarias en Montealegre del Castillo (Albacete)
Authors: Ponce Herrero Gabino
Published: June 2015

El señorío de Montealegre del Castillo, convertido en mayorazgo en el siglo XV, ha supuesto la pervivencia de unos modos de explotación feudal en un ámbito donde los municipios alcanzaron el realengo ya en esa centuria. Redimidos el dominio jurisdiccional y el señorío territorial durante el siglo XIX, la liquidación del patrimonio dejó una distribución de las explotaciones con un claro predominio de la mediana y pequeña propiedad, notablemente contrastado con las estructuras agrarias de las tierras vecinas.
Aproximación a una zonación fisiográfica y su aplicación en el control de impactos ambientales: el caso de Alcoi
Authors: Matarredona Coll Enrique
Published: June 2015

El objeto de este trabajo es proponer la zonación de un sector de La Montaña (Alicante), tomando como criterios de diferenciación zonal tanto los de tipo geofísico (litoestratigrafía, topografía), como los de carácter ambiental y biogeográfico (clima-vegetación), sin olvidar la excepcional función del hombre como factor de transformación. Estas unidades zonales son tratadas tanto con una visión descriptiva como con un carácter prescriptivo que propugna una serie de actuaciones y medidas tendentes, por un lado a contrarrestar las consecuencias de los impactos ambientales (incendios, pistas forestales, actividades extractivas, proceso urbanizador, repoblaciones incoherentes) y de los riesgos naturales (inundaciones, desprendimientos, reptaciones), y por otro, a intentar una adecuada ordenación del territorio.
Pequeña y gran propiedad en Alicante ante la reforma agraria, 1933/34. Estudio preliminar
Authors: Romero González Joan , Salort Vives Salvador
Published: June 2015

El presente artículo aborda el estudio de la estructura de la distribución de la tierra en los años 30 del siglo XX en la provincia de Alacant, a partir del R.P.E. El análisis de esta fuente geohistórica pone de relieve el dilatado proceso de fragmentación de la propiedad agraria, el paralelo de consolidación y avance de la gran propiedad y la existencia de una importante oligarquía agraria.
La funcionalidad urbana de la ciudad de Orihuela: una capitalidad histórica en retroceso
Authors: Canales Martínez Gregorio , Crespo Rodríguez Fermín , Salazar Vives Julián
Published: June 2015

Desde mediados del siglo XIX, la ciudad de Orihuela ha ido perdiendo progresivamente la función de capitalidad de la comarca del Bajo Segura. El presente estudio analiza las funciones que Orihuela desempeña en la actualidad y pone en evidencia que únicamente conserva un cierto prestigio histórico más que la atracción de un centro económico. Proceso que tiene su causa fundamentalmente en el desarrollo de otros núcleos comarcales. Asimismo, se pone de manifiesto la distribución interna de las funciones urbanas y su localización, así como el proceso de desplazamiento que en el caso de las actividades económicas se ha producido hacia el más reciente ensanche urbano.
La ordenación urbanística durante la primera mitad del siglo XX: premisas para un tratamiento integral de los espacios urbanos
Authors: Dávila Linares Juan Manuel
Published: June 2015

Este trabajo muestra las características más importantes de los principales mecanismos de ordenación urbana desarrollados en España entre la aprobación del Estatuto Municipal de 1924 y la Ley de Régimen del Suelo y Ordenación Urbana de 1956, de gran interés, en la medida en que todos ellos en conjunto facilitarán a la postre la aparición, en ese último año, del primer texto legal para la ordenación integral del territorio.
El comercio detallista de flor cortada y planta ornamental en la Comunidad Valenciana
Authors: Gómez López José Daniel
Published: June 2015

El presente artículo analiza el desarrollo del comercio detallista de flor cortada y planta ornamental en la Comunidad Valenciana y particularmente en la provincia de Alicante. La concentración de la demanda, renta elevada y la progresiva tendencia a comprar flor cortada y planta ornamental por parte de la población valenciana, incide eficazmente en la consecución de canales comerciales de nuevo tipo, más operativos y dinámicos, ajustados perfectamente a las disponibilidades económicas de la demanda. Sin embargo, la consecución de incrementar la venta de productos florales, depende en gran medida de la creación y ejecución de políticas fiscales y crediticias de apoyo a la reconversión tecnológica del sector detallista que permite elevar la calidad del producto y estabilizar los precios.
Diagnostic performances of clinical laboratory tests using Triton X-100 to reduce the biohazard associated with routine testing of Ebola virus-infected patients
Authors: Tempestilli Massimo , Pucci Luigia , Notari Stefania , Caro Antonino Di , Castilletti Concetta , Rivelli Maria Rosaria , Agrati Chiara , Pucillo Leopoldo Paolo
Published: June 2015

Ebola virus, an enveloped virus, is the cause of the largest and most complex Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa. Blood or body fluids of an infected person may represent a biohazard to laboratory workers. Laboratory tests of virus containing specimens should be conducted in referral centres at biosafety level 4, but based on the severity of clinical symptoms, basic laboratories might be required to execute urgent tests for patients suspected of EVD. The aim of this work was to compare the analytical performances of laboratory tests when Triton X-100, a chemical agent able to inactivate other enveloped viruses, was added to specimens.

Results of clinical chemistry, coagulation and haematology parameters on samples before and after the addition of 0.1% (final concentration) of Triton X-100 and 1 h of incubation at room temperature were compared.

Overall, results showed very good agreement by all statistical analyses. Triton X-100 at 0.1% did not significantly affect the results for the majority of the analytes tested.

Triton X-100 at 0.1% can be used to reduce the biohazard in performing laboratory tests on samples from patients with EVD without affecting clinical decisions.
Balancing Risk and Learning Opportunities in Corporate Venture Capital Investments: Evidence from the Biopharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Baldi Francesco , Baglieri Daniela , Corea Francesco
Published: June 2015

When seizing new investment opportunities, CVC investors face a tension between learning rewards and risks in the form of market and technological uncertainties. Based on an inductive qualitative study relying upon a unique, longitudinal dataset of 260 CVC deals carried out by the top CVC investors in the biopharmaceutical industry between 2003 and 2013, we argue that the extent to which a CVC investor (and its corporate sponsor) may learn from new ventures depends on the nature of its risk attitude and, more in general, on its portfolio diversification (low risk) or concentration (high risk) strategy. In so doing, we identify four typologies of CVC portfolio strategies that allow for growth and learning options available to the parent sponsor, showing that there is a curvilinear (U-shaped) relationship between learning propensity and portfolio diversification. We also develop a tool for determining a CVC opportunity set that may help a fund to optimally allocate capital based on its own risk-return preferences. Theory for CVC decision-making is advanced by furthering two propositions requiring future empirical validation.
Contemporary agrarian question and alternative ways to its solution1
Authors: Czyżewski Andrzej , Staniszewski Jakub
Published: June 2015

Article presents a complex problem of an agrarian question - its causes, consequences and ways of mitigating the negative effects associated with it. Featured, competing models of agricultural development - industrial and sustainable, are characterized. Also the negative effects of excessive industrialization of agricultural production, leading to the failure of this model, are shown. At the same time, as an alternative, authors indicate sustainable agricultural model, engaging in its account economic, social and environmental costs. As an example of the transition from the industrial model to sustainable development model, the EU common agricultural policy has been described, including its future form in the financial perspective 2014-2020.
The efficiency of the agricultural sector in Poland in the light output-input model1
Authors: Czyżewski Andrzej , Smędzik-Ambroży Katarzyna
Published: June 2015

The study turns attention to the use of the input-output model (account of interbranch flows) in macroeconomic assessments of the effectiveness of the agricultural sector. In the introductory part the essence of the account of interbranch flows has been specified, pointing to its historical origin and place in the economic theory, and the morphological structure of the individual parts (quarters) of the model has been presented. Then the study discusses the application of the account of interbranch flows in macroeconomic assessments of the effectiveness of the agricultural sector, defining and characterizing a number of indicators which allow to conclude on the effectiveness of the agricultural sector on the basis of the account of interbranch flows. The last, empirical part of the study assesses the effectiveness of the agricultural sector in Poland on the basis of interbranch flows statistics for the years 2000 and 2005. The analyses allowed to demonstrate increased efficiency of the agricultural sector in Poland after Poland joined the EU, and also to say that the account of interbranch flows is an important tool enabling comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the agricultural sector in the macro-scale, through the prism of the effect - disbursement, which accounts for its exceptional suitability in this kind of analyses.
Interferometrische Rundlauffehlerbestimmung von Drehtischen für
die optische Rundheitsmessung
Authors: Ullmann Vinzenz , Kühnel Michael , Manske Eberhard
Published: June 2015

Für hochgenaue
Rundheitsmessungen an Lehrringen müssen systematische
Fehlereinflüsse untersucht und erfasst werden. Dies
gilt auch für den Rundlauffehler eines Drehtisches,
welcher in Messsystemen für die Rundheits- und
Zylinderformmessung eingesetzt wird. Für den Ansatz
der interferenzoptischen Rundheitsmessung wurde ein kontaktfreies
Antastsystem mit zwei integrierten Planspiegelinterferometern am Institut
für Prozessmess- und Sensortechnik entwickelt und
getestet. Mit einer maximalen Auflösung von bis zu
20 pm ist es möglich, den Rundlauffehler eines
Drehtisches mit Luftlagern hochgenau zu bestimmen. Mit
einem etablierten Auswerteverfahren in Kombination mit dem neuen
interferometrischen Messsystem konnte ein maximaler Rundlauffehler von
537.5 nm bestimmt werden. Die
mittlere Reproduzierbarkeit liegt in den durchgeführten Versuchen bei
31.3 nm. Diese Reproduzierbarkeit
schließt nicht nur die Reproduzierbarkeit der Rundlaufmessung
ein, sondern beinhaltet auch den Rundlauf des
Drehtisches. Dass die Rundlaufwerte im Experiment eine
solche Reproduzierbarkeit aufweisen, liegt an der
rückwirkungsfreien Struktur des Messaufbaus. Weder
das Messsystem selbst noch die notwendigen technischen Strukturen zur
Lehrringausrichtung sollten den Drehtischrundlauf
beeinflussen.
A 2.8 Hour Rhenium Isotope
Authors: Baró G. B. , Flegenheimer J
Published: June 2015

A rhenium isotope of 2.8 hours is produced by irradiating iridium or osmium with fast neutrons. Arguments are given for assigning this activity to the mass number 190.
The Szilard-Chalmers Reaction in Potassium Permanganate
Authors: Apers Désiré J. , Harbottle Garman
Published: June 2015

The hot-atom reactions of recoil 56Mn in neutron-irradiated potassium permanganate have been re-investigated. In solutions of irradiated crystals at all pH values from 0 to 14 most of the non-permanganate activity is found in cationic (manganous or manganic) forms of 56Μη and not, as previously thought, in 56MnO2. At pH values more alkaline than 1 this cationic activity is tightly adsorbed onto traces of MnO2 or added Al2O3. The pH sensitivity of the retention in KMnO4 largely disappears if the crystals are annealed before analysis.
Heteropoly Salts
Authors: Healy T. V.
Published: June 2015

Two salts, tricaesium phosphotungstate and dicaesium hydrogen phosphotungstate, have been isolated and characterized. Methods for their preparation in the pure State are given. Similary, the trialkali and dialkali hydrogen phosphotungstates of rubidium, potassium, ammonium, sodium, and lithium have also been isolated and prepared in the pure state and a study made of some of their properties. Solubility data in water andnitric acid have been obtained at 20° C for Cs, Rh, K, NH4, and H phosphotungstates together with water solubility data for the sodium and lithium salts. The preparation and some properties of a number of relatively insoluble phosphotungstates namely, those of thallium(I), silver, mercury(I), and barium are described. Some organic phosphotungstates, the tetraphenyl arsonium salts, and a series of substituted amine and diamine salts have also been prepared.
Die Temperaturabhängigkeit des heterogenen Isotopenaustausches an der Oberfläche von Ionenkristallen
Authors: Lieser Κ. H. , Gütlich Ph. , Rosenbaum I.
Published: June 2015

Messungen des heterogenen Isotopenaustausehes von markierten Strontiumionen bzw. markierten Sulfationen an der Oberfläche von Strontiumsulfat zeigten, daß die Zahl der austauschfähigen Ionen an der Oberfläche innerhalb eines größeren Temperaturbereiches (0 bis 40 °C) sehr stark von der Temperatur abhängt. Dies wird darauf zurückgeführt, daß die Wassermoleküle, die sich unmittelbar an der Oberfläche der Ionenkristalle befinden, z. T. erst weit oberhalb 0 °C ihre volle Beweglichkeit erreichen. In dem Lösungsmittelgemisch Methanol/Wasser (Erstarrungspunkt -40 °C) findet bereits bei -18 °C kein Isotopenaustausch mehr statt. Dies wird durch eine Anreicherung der Wassermoleküle an der Oberfläche der Ionenkristalle erklärt.

Für die Aktivierungsenergie des heterogenen Isotopenaustausches wurden folgende Werte gefunden: im System BaSO4/Ba++ 12,0 kcal/Mol, im System BaSO4/SO4
--15,7 kcal/Mol, im System SrSO4/Sr++ 5,2 kcal/ Mol und im System SrSO4/SO4
-- 9,0 kcal/Mol. Diese Aktivierungsenergie wird darauf zurückgeführt, daß die Ionen beim Übertritt aus der Oberfläche in die Lösung die Gitterkräfte überwinden und beim Übertritt aus der Lösung an die Oberfläche der Kristalle zumindest einen Teil der Hydrathülle abstreifen müssen.
Chemical Effects of Isomeric Transition and (n, γ)-Activation of Bromine Atoms in n-Propyl Bromide
Authors: Katsanos Nicholas A. , Stamouli Maria I.
Published: June 2015

A method is described by means of which the chemical effects of 81Br (n, γ) 82mBr and 82mBrIT→82Br in n-propyl bromide can be determined separately. In the latter case effects due to the decay of n•C3H7-82mBr and to the decay of inorganic 82mBr can also be separated, not only in the pure system but also in solutions of n-propyl bromide in methyl alcohol containing Br- . The results obtained show that (n, γ)activation produces much lower organic retention than activation by isomeric transition. Moreover the organic yield of 82Bris much higher when it is born from n-C3H7-82mBr than when it is born from inorganic 82mBr. These are explained by assuming that the probability of recombination of 82Br with the parent radical, after bond rupture, is very high in isomeric transition activation but lower in (n, γ) activation, owing probably to the different recoil energies of the two processes. Retentions as parent compound are high and their ratio to total organic yield is constant in all cases. The half-life of 82mBr has been determined through its chemical effects but this shows a small variation with change in temperature.
A Study of Volunteer Community Health Workers Promoting Maternal Health Services in Rural Kenya: A Christian Viewpoint
Authors: Kimbrough Bradly Alexander , Baker Lisa
Published: June 2015

Introduction: Despite the call for community-based health care interventions in the developing world, there is little research examining the effectiveness of paid versus volunteer community health worker (CHW) programs to increase women’s use of maternal health services. From a Christian perspective, the CHW model is, at its root, discipleship: a credible person leads a neighbor to a source of help and health. This effective model can be expanded to address the health of the whole person, both spiritual and physical. This study of a government health center program in rural Kenya addresses these issues.
Methods:The current study analyzed the change in maternal health services after a government program, starting with 30 volunteer CHWs, had been in place for nine months. The intervention was designed and carried out by the authors in collaboration with Sigoti District Health Center in the western Kenyan province of Nyanza.
Results: The proportion of facility-based deliveries (FBDs) showed a statistically significant increase (p=0.003), from an average of 38 deliveries before the intervention to 60 after-wards. The proportion of health center deliveries of HIV-positive women also significantly increased (p=0.04) from an average of 6.5 to 14 FBDs. Compared to another program in rural Lesotho with paid CHWs, the Sigoti intervention led to a similar increase in FBDs. De-spite their successes, the community-based strategies were time-intensive for both pro-grams, with one CHW adding between 1.12 and 1.7 FBDs per year.
Discussion:This study demonstrates that a CHW program can be successful, even when using volunteers. Using solely a metric of time and/or money, the CHW model produces value at a high cost. However, the concerns of cost-effectiveness and CHW attrition, as well as the success of the CHW model, can be meaningfully addressed from a Christian perspective. Using the outcome measure of changed lives, volunteer CHWs could be motivated by a Christian call to discipleship. CHWs may be trained and supported to contribute to the health of the whole person. Future research will test these assumptions with a CHW program operating from a Christian health center to be built soon in the study area.
A Healing
Authors: Mitch
Published: June 2015

An example from Myanmar of health care workers in remote, low resource settings trusting God to move them beyond their comfort and training to meet pressing needs.
First-hand Accounts of Life in the Trenches
Authors: Grills Nathan , Larson Elliott
Published: June 2015

Editorial Commentary on three Field Reports
Caracterização e avaliação produtiva de uma população nativa de pimenta longa (Piper hispidinervum C.DC) no Seringal Cachoeira, AC, Brasil
Authors: MIRANDA Elias Melo de
Published: June 2015

A busca de alternativas econômicas ao extrativismo tradicional na Amazônia é importante e a exploração de populações naturais de plantas da família Piperaceae, abundantes no Acre, pode se constituir em uma atividade rentável. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar algumas características demográficas, ecológicas e produtivas da espécie pimenta longa (Piper hispidinervum C.DC) e avaliar a possibilidade de seu manejo para a produção de óleo essencial com alto teor de safrol. O estudo foi desenvolvido no Projeto de Assentamento Extrativista Chico Mendes, em Xapuri, AC, em uma área de capoeira com aproximadamente dez anos, onde a pimenta longa era dominante. A população foi avaliada por meio de amostragem aleatória simples, com intensidade de 12%, tendo como unidades amostrais parcelas de 10 χ 10 m. Constatou-se uma densidade média de 15 indivíduos/100 m2, variando de zero a 71 indivíduos. Esta população apresentou uma média de 92% de teor de safrol no óleo essencial, com CV de 2,38%. O rendimento médio de óleo da biomassa seca, foi de 3,5%, com CV de 28,57%. A produção de óleo foi estimada em 12,11 kg/ha, com um corte por ano, que representa apenas 15,1% da produtividade obtida em áreas de cultivo. Portanto, a viabilidade da exploração dessas populações depende do desenvolvimento de técnicas que permitam aumentar a densidade de indivíduos. Ademais, na escolha de populações para o manejo, deve-se considerar características como: tamanho, densidade e idade da população.
Muyrakytã ou muiraquitã, um talismã arqueológico em jade procedente da Amazônia: uma revisão histórica e considerações antropogeológicas
Authors: COSTA Marcondes Lima da , SILVA Anna Cristina Resque Lopes da , ANGÉLICA Rômulo Simões
Published: June 2015

Aparentemente os primeiros dados documentados sobre a história dos muiraquitãs, ainda que inferidos, surgem com Orellana, tido como o primeiro explorador a navegar o rio Amazonas rio baixo, ainda em 1542, quando teria combatido com índias guerreiras valentes, sem maridos, as quais denominou de Amazonas. Posteriormente De la Condamine em sua viagem ao longo deste rio, em 1735, descreve amuletos batraquianos em pedras verdes semelhantes a jade. Spix e Martius escrevem sobre pierres divines como pingente batraquiano em madrepérola e com nome de muraquêitã. Antigos escritos de Maurício Heriarte de 1662 descrevem amuleto com termos similares: baraquitãs, buraquitãs, puúraquitan, uuraquitan e mueraquitan. Finalmente Barboza Rodrigues em 1875 emprega o termo muyrakytã modificado por Barata em 1954 para muiraquitã, que entende como artefatos em forma de sapo confeccionados em pedra verde, com dois furos laterais. Teriam sido usados pelos povos Tapajó/Santarem e Conduri, que habitavam o Baixo Amazonas até a chegada do colonizador europeu, que os dizimou. Para elaborar os muiraquitãs acredita-se que esses povos utilizavam instrumentos engenhosos, mas principalmente muita paciência e habilidade. Os estudos mais recentes mostram que o maior centro produtor estava na região, da mesma forma como a fonte da matéria-prima e não na Asia como suposto pelos historiadores. Eram utilizados como amuletos, símbolos de poder, e ainda como material para compra e troca de objetos valiosos. Sobre eles há muitas lendas e mitos sempre envolvidos com as índias Amazonas, extintas ou lendárias.
A utilização da caricatura em capas da revista Veja – um olhar para além da linguagem visual
Authors: Rebello Viegas Ilana Silva
Published: June 2015

Pensando no ensino de língua portuguesa, este trabalho analisa três capas da Veja, a fim de apresentar uma leitura crítica do gênero capa de revista e analisar como a Veja, por meio da caricatura e da palavra, legitima e veicula seu discurso ideológico e constrói sentidos para atrair o público consumidor. Para tanto, este trabalho basea-se, sobretudo, na teoria Semiolinguística de Análise do Discurso, articulando esses postulados aos pressupostos da Linguística Textual. Para a análise do texto não verbal, busca-se respaldo em noções da Semiótica Peirceana. Após esse estudo inicial, faz-se uma breve abordagem do gênero capa de revista, com o intuito de mostrar algumas estratégias utilizadas para atrair o público leitor-consumidor. Os resultados obtidos podem ser objeto de aplicação pedagógica nas aulas de leitura e produção textual.
Commingling of History and Fiction in Julian Barnes’s A History of the World in 10 ½ Chapters
Authors: Abootalebi Hassan
Published: June 2015

This paper intends to explore the relationship between history and fiction in the novel AHistory of the World in 10 1⁄2 Chapters (1989) by the British writer Julian Barnes in order to indicate how these two notions have been commingled in different periods. In this regard, the focus of the current study is to investigate the above-mentioned novel, and to demonstrate the invalidity of historical records, their subjectivity, and how throughout history myths have become realities, with an eye on New Historicism. By the end of this study, its reader’s attitude towards history and what s/he is presented with as fact and truth is hoped to change, not to readily accept historical records and stories as absolute truths, rather to consider them one possible history among many others that might have been marginalized and suppressed by a dominant ideology.
Towards a fuller understanding of language use in Wales
Authors: Hughes Ahronson Lowri Angharad
Published: June 2015

This article considers the importance of developing a holistic understanding of the factors that influence language choice and examines two periods of intense language policy and planning activity in Wales. Part 1 looks at the historical context of the interaction between Welsh and English, focusing on the pivotal years 1880–1920. Part 2 turns to the present day and to measures put in place to influence the use of Welsh. In both periods, language policy and planning has operated across many spheres with the aim of either maintaining the use of Welsh or triggering a switch to using Welsh. In light of these discussions, Part 3 considers the kind of research needed to further develop the field and suggests that long-term micro-level study of an individual’s language choice may help us better understand the nuances of this issue and thus better shape policies and initiatives that respond to these complexities.
The Relationship Between Social and Emotional Integration and Reading Ability in Students With and Without Special Educational Needs in Inclusive Classes
Authors: Schwab Susanne , Hessels Marco G. P. , Gebhardt Markus , Krammer Mathias , Gasteiger-Klicpera Barbara
Published: June 2015

This longitudinal study focuses on the development of reading abilities and its relationship with social and emotional integration in students with and without special educational needs (SEN). The first measurements (Time 1 [T1]) took place at the end of 5th grade; the second series (Time 2 [T2]) were 1 year later. Participants were 18 students with SEN, 18 students without SEN matched on intelligence with the SEN group, and 18 students without SEN with average IQs, all from integration classes in regular secondary education in Austria. The students with SEN consistently showed the lowest reading abilities in reading fluency of words and nonwords, sentence comprehension, and text comprehension, followed by the low-IQ students. The average-IQ students always showed the highest reading abilities. Students with SEN reported being less socially integrated than low-IQ students without SEN. Average-IQ students show the highest social integration. However, students with SEN showed a similar level of emotional integration as their peers. Regression analyses showed, as expected, that T1 measures of reading fluency of words and nonwords as well as sentence comprehension and text comprehension all predicted T2 measures of these variables. Intelligence was an additional predictor for word reading fluency in the average-IQ group only. Social and emotional integration appeared to be additional predictors for text comprehension at T2 for students with SEN but not for the other groups. The results of this study suggest that students will learn better when they feel socially and emotionally integrated.
A validity assessment of consumer satisfaction to measure performance of water services in Guatemala
Authors: Vásquez William F.
Published: June 2015

This article studies the validity of consumer satisfaction reports as a tool for assessing the performance of water services in Guatemala. Using survey data from 500 households, item-total correlations and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were computed and a factor analysis was conducted to investigate whether qualitative measures of consumer satisfaction with service hours, water treatment, pressure and prices are associated with a single latent scale. In addition, probit and regression models were estimated to identify underlying factors that influence consumer satisfaction. Results show that a considerable percentage of respondents are dissatisfied with current water services, particularly with the number of daily hours of water provision and pressure levels. Findings also indicate that consumer satisfaction is related to service attributes (i.e. frequency of service interruptions and pressure levels) and some personal characteristics. This lends some support to using consumer satisfaction reports, with due caution, to assess service performance in contexts where performance indicators are lacking.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiac arrest during moyamoya cerebral revascularization surgery: case report
Authors: Choudhri Omar , Shah Aatman , Basarab-Tung Jennifer , Jaffe Richard A. , Steinberg Gary K.
Published: June 2015

The authors describe the case of a 51-year-old man with bilateral moyamoya disease and prior strokes who developed an asystolic cardiac arrest while undergoing revascularization surgery under mild hypothermia. The patient was successfully treated with venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was unsuccessful for 45 minutes. ECMO is a cardiopulmonary support system that is indicated for respiratory failure in pediatric and adult patients. It is increasingly being used as an extension to mechanical CPR for patients who have suffered cardiac arrest if the underlying cause of cardiac arrest is thought to be reversible. Identifying which patients should be placed on emergency ECMO after cardiac arrest is controversial given its high morbidity and mortality. ECMO in neurosurgical settings has associated risks of intracranial hemorrhage and neurological compromise, while resource utilization is paramount given the high costs of this treatment. This paper is significant because it describes the use of ECMO in an unindicated setting. Limited data are available for ECMO usage after cardiac arrest with baseline cerebral ischemia. Furthermore, this paper raises important considerations for extracorporeal CPR use in a patient who had recently undergone craniotomy. The patient in this report remained on ECMO for 48 hours, after which he was successfully weaned. He developed a pericardial effusion and compartment syndrome from the ECMO but made a complete neurological recovery. Use of ECMO emergently in an appropriately chosen neurosurgical patient is safe, even in the setting of baseline cerebral ischemia and recent craniotomy.