bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating impacts of spatial configurations on collaborative writing
Authors: Shah Chirag , González-Ibáñez Roberto , Read Pam
Published: December 2015

Collaboratively seeking and constructing information is becoming an increasingly important activity in our lives. Yet, many important aspects of such common undertakings are still understudied or unclear, including the effect of spatial configuration in information synthesis or writing process. This article investigates the effects of location-based setups on collaborative writing in the context of information seeking. These investigations are done using a laboratory study and an experimental system for collaboratively seeking and synthesizing information. A total of 30 pairs (60 subjects) were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental conditions: (1) on a single shared workstation; (2) in the same room with individual computers; and, (3) remotely located with text chat. By analyzing the way the collaborative pairs constructed their reports, it was found that those remotely located spent less effort per edit than those in the same room. Separate location discouraged social interactions and boosted the writing efficiency. These differences in various measures across different configurations, as discovered through exploratory analysis — both qualitative and quantitative — provide useful guidelines for developing collaborative systems, specifically presenting trade-offs among communication efforts, social interactions, and productivity. The work reported in this paper is a first known attempt to investigate impacts of spatial configuration on collaborative writing in the context of information seeking. In doing so, it brings together, and benefits to, scholarly inquiries from computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) and library and information science (LIS) fields.
Green light for interaction: Party use of social media during the 2014 Swedish election year
Authors: Larsson Anders Olof
Published: December 2015

Assessing Swedish political party use of Twitter and Facebook during the 2014 election year, this paper traces what is defined as broadcasting (one-way communication) and interactive (two-way communication) practices on the services mentioned. While both approaches to political campaigning have been integral to party activity since the pre-digital era, the Internet — and specifically the previously mentioned services — have often been pointed to as having the potential to influence political actors to move beyond one-way practices and to instead engage in reciprocal interaction with their potential supporters. While previous scholarship has suggested a variety of influences for parties to interact with potential voters online, the results presented here suggest that in the Swedish context, parties purporting a ‘green’ agenda emerge as more active in this regard.
Studying Facebook and Instagram data: The Digital Footprints software
Authors: Bechmann Anja , Vahlstrup Peter Bjerregaard
Published: December 2015

The aim of this article is to discuss methodological implications and challenges in different kinds of deep and big data studies of Facebook and Instagram through methods involving the use of Application Programming Interface (API) data. This article describes and discusses Digital Footprints (www.digitalfootprints.dk), a data extraction and analytics software that allows researchers to extract user data from Facebook and Instagram data sources; public streams as well as private data with user consent. Based on insights from the software design process and data driven studies the article argues for three main challenges: Data quality, data access and analysis, and legal and ethical considerations.
MOOCs and crowdsourcing: Massive courses and massive resources
Authors: Prpić John , Melton James , Taeihagh Araz , Anderson Terry
Published: December 2015

Premised upon the observation that MOOC and crowdsourcing phenomena share several important characteristics, including IT mediation, large-scale human participation, and varying levels of openness to participants, this work systematizes a comparison of MOOC and crowdsourcing phenomena along these salient dimensions. In doing so, we learn that both domains share further common traits, including similarities in IT structures, knowledge generating capabilities, presence of intermediary service providers, and techniques designed to attract and maintain participant activity. Stemming directly from this analysis, we discuss new directions for future research in both fields and draw out actionable implications for practitioners and researchers in both domains.
Blockchains and Bitcoin: Regulatory responses to cryptocurrencies
Authors: Guadamuz Andres , Marsden Chris
Published: December 2015

This paper examines Bitcoin from a legal and regulatory perspective, answering several important questions.We begin by explaining what Bitcoin is, and why it matters. We describe problems with Bitcoin as a method of implementing a cryptocurrency. This introduction to cryptocurrencies allows us eventually to ask the inevitable question: is it legal? What are the regulatory responses to the currency? Can it be regulated?We make clear why virtual currencies are of interest, how self-regulation has failed, and what useful lessons can be learned. Finally, we produce useful and semi-permanent findings into the usefulness of virtual currencies in general, blockchains as a means of mining currency, and the profundity of Bitcoin as compared with the development of block chain technologies. We conclude that though Bitcoin may be the equivalent of Second Life a decade later, so blockchains may be the equivalent of Web 2.0 social networks, a truly transformative social technology.
ISIS vs. the U.S. government: A war of online video propaganda
Authors: Allendorfer William H. , Herring Susan C.
Published: December 2015

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) relies heavily on propaganda in the form of videos distributed over social media to recruit supporters and new members to its cause, including from the U.S. The U.S. government has countered with anti-ISIS propaganda videos; however, sources claim that the U.S. is losing the propaganda war. We evaluate that claim through a comparative multimodal content analysis of the ISIS video Flames of War and the videos posted in response on the U.S. Department of State’s (USDS) Think Again Turn Away YouTube channel. Our findings shed light on some of the reasons why the USDS anti-propaganda videos are less rhetorically effective than the ISIS videos, including a one-dimensional narrative, a stance that could appear inauthentic, and a lack of sensitivity to Islamic culture. In concluding, we advance recommendations that the USDS could follow to strengthen its online propaganda defense against ISIS, and extend the implications of our findings to other social media fronts where the ISIS vs. USDS propaganda war is being waged.
A Corpus-based Comparative Study of Learn and Acquire
Authors: Yang Bei
Published: December 2015

As an important yet intricate linguistic feature in English language, synonymy poses a great challenge for second language learners. Using the 100 million-word British National Corpus (BNC) as data and the software Sketch Engine (SkE) as an analyzing tool, this article compares the usage of learn and acquire used in natural discourse by conducting the analysis of concordance, collocation, word sketches and sketch difference. The results show that different functions of SkE can make different contributions to the discrimination of learn and acquire. Pedagogical implications are discussed when the results are introduced into the classroom.
A Story-Telling Approach to Teaching English to Young EFL Iranian Learners
Authors: Kalantari Farzaneh , Hashemian Mahmood
Published: December 2015

This study investigated the effects of the storytelling approach on improving of EFL learners’ vocabulary knowledge. To this end, 30 upper-beginner EFL learners (out of a population of 134) were selected by means of an OPT test and were assigned to 2 groups: 1 experimental and 1 group. The participants were selected from among young EFL learners who were between 8 and 14 years old. They had already registered for English classes in Paya Language Center, Isfahan, Iran. As for the materials, they were mainly prepared by the teacher/researcher. Based on the units of Backpack books—taught in Paya Language Center—some stories were prepared and adopted by the teacher/researcher along with a visual presentation using the PowerPoint software. In carrying out the study, the participants were taught the key vocabulary via pictures and gestures. Once the participants had identified the new words, the teacher started telling and introducing the stories. While reading the stories, the teacher directed the participants’ attention to the PowerPoint presentation that included the visual representation of the story to facilitate the comprehension process. After the treatment, there was a posttest to assess the participants’ improvement. Results of data analysis revealed that the storytelling approach to teaching vocabulary proved effective for the experimental group. All the experimental group participants experienced a significantly meaningful increase in their vocabulary knowledge, compared to the control group. Finally, there was a boost in the interest rate of the experimental group participants in terms of motivation.
Red Collar Crime
Authors: Perri Frank S.
Published: December 2015

Traditional viewpoints held by academic and non-academic professional groups of the white-collar crime offender profile(s) are that they are non-violent. Yet research has begun to unveil a sub-group of white-collar offenders who are violent, referred to as red-collar criminals, in that their motive is to prevent the detection and or disclosure of their fraud schemes through violence. This article is the first to discuss the origin of the red-collar crime concept developed by this author coupled with debunking white-collar offender profile misperceptions that have persisted for decades by offering current research on the anti-social qualities displayed by this offender group that predates their violence. Secondly, the article applies behavioral risk factors, such as narcissism and psychopathy, which contributes to our understanding of why some white-collar offenders may resort to violence while other white-collar offenders do not. Case analysis also draws upon gender distinctions, workplace violence and homicide methods used to illustrate that red-collar criminals are not an anomaly to ignore simply because they may not reflect the street-level homicides typically observed by society, investigated by law enforcement and studied by academia.
FFM Index, FM Index and PBF in Subjects with Normal, Overweight, and Obese BMI in Saudi Arabia Female Population
Authors: Al Shammari Eyad , Bano Rafia , Suneetha Epuru , Alshammri Abtsam Redn Homood
Published: December 2015

Aims: To assess Fat Free Mass Index, Fat Mass Index and Percent Body Fat in subjects with normal, overweight, and obese BMI and to examine if FFMI and FMI as compared to BMI have higher predictability in identification of high risk groups as defined by metabolic measurements among female college students and employees in Hail, Northern part of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Sample of 514 female college students and employees were enrolled and body composition was measured by using bioelectrical impendence technique. FFMI and FMI are calculated using the standard formula. Blood pressure (BP) and pulse were measured using automatic BP reader in a resting sitting position. Random blood glucose was tested using strip method (One touch, Simple).

Results: Around 11 percent of study subjects were underweight while 25 percent were overweight and another 22 percent were obese. Only 42 percent of study population had normal weight. Except for height there were significant differences for weight, BMI, FM, FFM and %BF across age groups. Weight, FM, FFM shows a linear trend till the age 40 yrs after which an inverse trend begins. BMI continues to show linear trend across all ages. Mean FFMI was around 14 kg/m2 (range 5th – 95th percentile: 12.5 – 17.8 kg/m2) and was modestly but significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the higher age group. Similarly, Mean FMI was 8.4 kg/m2 (range 5th – 95th percentile: 3.8 – 18.3 kg/m2) and significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the higher age group. In Regression models for SBP, BMI and %BF explain 18.7 % of variance; while for DBP, WC and %BF explain 11.2 % of variance. For blood glucose, it is FFMI, FMI and Visceral fat which explain maximum variance.

Conclusion: BMI alone cannot provide information about the respective contribution of FFM or fat mass to body weight. This study presents FFMI and BFMI values that correspond to low, normal, overweight, and obese BMIs. FFMI and BFMI provide information about body compartments, regardless of height.
Agir pour avoir accès à des services sociaux et de santé en français
Authors: Drolet Marie , Arcand Isabelle , Benoît Josée , Savard Jacinthe , Savard Sébastien , Lagacé Josée
Published: December 2015

Même si les droits des francophones de l’Ontario sont garantis par la Loi de 1986 sur les services en français, l’accès à des services sociaux et de santé en français dans cette province s’avère complexe en raison d’importantes barrières à recevoir de tels services sur un continuum. Nous avons exploré à l’aide d’entrevues qualitatives les points de vue de 40 parents et proches aidants francophones qui vivent en contexte bilingue dans la région d’Ottawa et dont l’enfant ou l’aîné pour lequel ils ont une responsabilité d’aidant utilise des services sociaux et de santé en français. Ces francophones s’avèrent des acteurs au sein de leur trajectoire de services, adoptant cinq stratégies pour accéder à de tels services. De plus, le sentiment de confort et la relation de confiance que procure l’usage du français tout au long de l’intervention, ainsi que le soutien des professionnels francophones ont facilité leur démarche. Il n’en demeure pas moins que l’offre de services en français ne doit pas devenir la responsabilité d’individus ou d’une minorité.
“Trust Me, It’s Different”: Experiences of Peer Case Management of Women Living with HIV in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Greene Saara , Ion Allyson , Kwaramba Gladys , Mwalwanda Mary , Caswell Janet , Guzha Esther , Carvalhal Adriana
Published: December 2015

In response to the dearth of research for delivering women-centred support to women living with HIV, the Women’s HIV Empowerment Through Life Tools for Health (wHEALTH) intervention was developed. This project was grounded in a community-based research framework and aimed to respond to barriers of women living with HIV in accessing appropriate and meaningful social supports. Participants described the benefits of the peer case management intervention including support, mentorship, flexibility in which the intervention was delivered, and the notion of “moving forward” in one’s journey with HIV. Through education, awareness, and advocacy, peer case managers are important partners in addressing HIV-related stigma, and ensuring a multi-level approach to providing care and support to women living with HIV.
Long-distance communication by specialized cellular projections during pigment pattern development and evolution
Authors: Eom Dae Seok , Bain Emily J , Patterson Larissa B , Grout Megan E , Parichy David M
Published: December 2015

Changes in gene activity are essential for evolutionary diversification. Yet, elucidating the cellular behaviors that underlie modifications to adult form remains a profound challenge. We use neural crest-derived adult pigmentation of zebrafish and pearl danio to uncover cellular bases for alternative pattern states. We show that stripes in zebrafish require a novel class of thin, fast cellular projection to promote Delta-Notch signaling over long distances from cells of the xanthophore lineage to melanophores. Projections depended on microfilaments and microtubules, exhibited meandering trajectories, and stabilized on target cells to which they delivered membraneous vesicles. By contrast, the uniformly patterned pearl danio lacked such projections, concomitant with Colony stimulating factor 1-dependent changes in xanthophore differentiation that likely curtail signaling available to melanophores. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of cellular communication, roles for differentiation state heterogeneity in pigment cell interactions, and an unanticipated morphogenetic behavior contributing to a striking difference in adult form.
Simulating spatial and temporal varying CO2 signals from sources at the seafloor to help designing risk‐based monitoring programs
Authors: Ali Alfatih , Frøysa Håvard G. , Avlesen Helge , Alendal Guttorm
Published: December 2015

Risk‐based monitoring requires quantification of the probability of the design to detect the potentially adverse events. A component in designing the monitoring program will be to predict the varying signal caused by an event, here detection of a gas seep through the seafloor from an unknown location. The Bergen Ocean Model (BOM) is used to simulate dispersion of CO2 leaking from different locations in the North Sea, focusing on temporal and spatial variability of the CO2 concentration. It is shown that the statistical footprint depends on seep location and that this will have to be accounted for in designing a network of sensors with highest probability of detecting a seep. As a consequence, heterogeneous probabilistic predictions of CO2 footprints should be available to subsea geological CO2 storage projects in order to meet regulations.
Stratospheric temperature changes during the satellite era
Authors: Seidel Dian J. , Li Jian , Mears Carl , Moradi Isaac , Nash John , Randel William J. , Saunders Roger , Thompson David W. J. , Zou Cheng‐Zhi
Published: December 2015

Satellite‐based layer average stratospheric temperature (T) climate data records (CDRs) now span more than three decades and so can elucidate climate variability associated with processes on multiple time scales. We intercompare and analyze available published T CDRs covering at least two decades, with a focus on Stratospheric Sounding Unit (SSU) and Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) CDRs. Recent research has reduced but not eliminated discrepancies between SSU CDRs developed by NOAA and the UK Meteorological Office. The MSU CDRs from NOAA and Remote Sensing Systems are in closer agreement than the CDR from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The latter has a previously unreported inhomogeneity in 2005, revealed by an abrupt increase in the magnitude and spatial variability of T anomaly differences between CDRs. Although time‐varying biases remain in both SSU and MSU CDRs, multiple linear regression analyses reveal consistent solar, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), quasi‐biennial oscillation, aerosol, and piecewise‐linear trend signals. Together, these predictors explain 80 to 90% of the variance in the near‐global‐average T CDRs. The most important predictor variables (in terms of percent explained variance in near‐global‐average T) for lower stratospheric T measured by MSU are aerosols, solar variability, and ENSO. Trends explain the largest percentage of variance in observations from all three SSU channels. In MSU and SSU CDRs, piecewise‐linear trends, with a 1995 break point, indicate cooling during 1979–1994 but no trend during 1995–2013 for MSU and during 1995–2005 for SSU. These observational findings provide a basis for evaluating climate model simulations of stratospheric temperature during the past 35 years.
Central Pattern Generators
Authors: Bucher Dirk , Haspel Gal , Golowasch Jorge , Nadim Farzan
Published: December 2015

Essential behaviours such as walking or breathing are rhythmic, that is, characterised by repetitive activation of muscles in a specific temporal sequence. A basic version of the underlying neural activity is generated in the central nervous system by networks called central pattern generators (CPGs). CPGs can produce these patterns even in the absence of inputs that carry specific timing information. The core rhythmic activity can be based on intrinsic oscillatory properties of pacemaker neurons or emerge from the synaptic connectivity of nonoscillatory neurons. In both cases, other neurons are recruited into this rhythmic activity to generate a whole pattern. Neuronal and synaptic properties underlying the precise temporal patterning of sequential bursting activity are shaped by neuromodulators to generate different versions of motor patterns. The circuitry controlling rhythmic behaviours of a whole animal is organised in modules that control different body parts and can be coordinated in different ways to generate different behaviours.

Key Concepts

Essentially all rhythmic motor behaviours are based on CPGs.

CPGs can produce patterned activity in the absence of patterned input.

Rhythm generation can be based on intrinsically rhythmic neurons or network interactions.

The speed, strength and specific temporal sequence in which CPG neurons fire arise from complex interactions of synaptic and intrinsic neuronal properties governed by diverse types of ion channels.

CPG activity is modified by sensory feedback to adapt the motor pattern to changing environmental parameters.

CPGs can be activated and reshaped by neuromodulators that adjust neuronal excitability by modifying or suppressing existing ionic currents or adding new currents and changing the properties of synapses.

Neuromodulation provides flexibility of motor pattern generation to adjust output to changing behavioural demands.

The central networks controlling rhythmic behaviours are inherently modular and allow different coordination of body parts for different behaviours or different versions of the same behaviour.
Fructose Metabolism Disorders
Authors: Cox Timothy M
Published: December 2015

Fructose occurs in fruit, nuts, honey and some vegetables as well as a component of the disaccharide, sucrose; it is not present in human or cows' milk. Since the emergence of trade in cane‐ and beet‐sugar, fructose is now a near‐ubiquitous component of the modern diet; and consumption has continued to increase across the developed world. Industrial generation of high‐fructose products from starch in maize (corn) and other agricultural crops now enhances the availability of the fructose in commercial foods and comestibles – especially the so‐called ‘health’ or ‘energy’ drinks. High consumption of fructose and related sugars is implicated in the so‐called ‘Metabolic Syndrome’ associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and premature cardiovascular disease. After incorporation into the body from the diet, entry of fructose into cells occurs rapidly but also independently of regulatory influences of insulin: as fructose esters participate critically in intermediary metabolism, inherited defects of enzymes involved in handling of exogenous fructose may have profound pathological effects. Examples are essential fructosuria, hereditary fructose intolerance and fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase deficiency.

Key Concepts

Fructose occurs as a free monosaccharide or as a component of sucrose; it is also derived from the sugar alcohol, sorbitol. Uptake of free fructose into cells via the GLUT 5 transporter occurs rapidly and is independent of insulin.

Rare inborn errors of fructose metabolism affect this specialised pathway for metabolic incorporation in the liver, kidney and small intestine.

With the appropriate level of diagnostic suspicion, facile detection of the most life threatening of these diseases is now possible by molecular analysis of genomic DNA, thus avoiding invasive biochemical investigations.

Global manufacture of sugar as a commodity started with the European and Arabic exploration of Africa and use of slave labour in colonial sugar plantations.

Changing dietary habits and global trends in food manufacture with intensified industrialisation of sugar production have exposed the toxic effects of fructose.

Excessive ingestion of fructose and its congeners is injurious: the sugar influences the energy status of cells and stimulates hepatic lipogenesis; these effects are exaggerated in patients with defective intermediary metabolism of fructose.
Molecular Genetics of Peripheral
T‐c
ell Lymphomas
Authors: Piccaluga Pier Paolo , Navari Mohsen , Etebari Maryam , Pileri Stefano A
Published: December 2015

Peripheral T‐cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are rare neoplasms constituting a heterogeneous group of diseases. Recent studies based on high‐throughput technologies (including DNA microarray and deep sequencing) offered several evidences that discrete subgroups can be identified with peculiar molecular and clinical features. In this regard, gene expression profiling (GEP) analyses demonstrated that the commonest nodal PTCL subtypes (not otherwise specified, NOS; angioimmunoblastic, AITL; anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALCL) can be efficiently diagnosed based on the expression of a few genes. Noteworthy, the molecular diagnosis of nodal PTCLs turned out to be more efficient than histopathology in providing an accurate prognostic stratification. In addition, GEP indicated commonly deregulated genes and pathways, including tyrosine kinase signalling, NFkB pathway, angiogenesis and chromatin remodelling, which may represent suitable therapeutics targets. Finally, sequencing studies recently identified new lesions associated with specific PTCL subtypes, such as IDH2, TET2 and RHOA mutations in follicular helper derived cases and t(6;9) in ALK‐ ALCL.

In this article, we review the available literature on genetics of PTCLs and, also based on our own experience, discuss prospective scenarios on this intriguing topic.

Key Concepts

The molecular genetics of peripheral T‐cell lymphomas is, with a few exceptions, poorly known.

Gene expression profiling studies provided evidences of molecular differences among subtypes and recognised commonly deregulated genes and pathways that may represent suitable therapeutic targets.

High‐throughput sequencing studies are ongoing and will further clarify the genetic basis of these complex diseases.
Paraphilias: Exhibitionism
Authors: Aggrawal Anil
Published: December 2015

Exhibitionism is an obsessive compulsive paraphilic disorder, which typically involves men exposing themselves to women, although women are known to engage in similar activity. Its etiology is not well understood. One of the best etiological explanations is the so‐calledcourtship disorder theory, which borrows concepts from ethology. Among the biological theories, the monoamine theory plays a dominant part, which suggests that monoamines, especially dopamine, play a part in exhibitionism. Classification of exhibitionism is not well‐settled. The author has proposed a 4‐ tier classification ranging from the most innocuous class I exhibitionists (fantasizing exhibitionists) to the most criminal class IV exhibitionists (Exclusive exhibitionists). Although this classification accommodates all types of exhibitionists encountered so far, this may have to be modified as more hitherto unknown types of exhibitionists get discovered. Exhibitionism is illegal and punishable in most jurisdictions, and this article attempts to put in perspective punishments prescribed for exhibitionism in different countries through a comprehensive table. Finally the article deals with the most famous case of exhibitionism encountered so far ‐Kansas v. Crane, which was decided in 2002.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Contextual Bias
Authors: Osborne Nikola K.P. , Zajac Rachel , Taylor Michael C.
Published: December 2015

Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) can be used in criminal investigations to determine the events associated with depositions of blood. Like all forensic science disciplines, it has the potential to be vulnerable to contextual bias. Unlike many other forensic disciplines, however, much of the context encountered in BPA is unavoidable. Therefore, when considering how to address the issue of contextual bias in BPA, the focus needs to be on context management rather than context elimination. Potential sources of bias, and ways to manage these, are discussed.
Eyewitness Lineups: Identification from
Authors: Smalarz Laura , Wells Gary L.
Published: December 2015

The police lineup is a common tool for eyewitness identifications of suspects in criminal cases. Forensic DNA testing of people convicted by eyewitness identification evidence and field studies of police lineups, however, have revealed that mistaken identification from lineups is not uncommon. Controlled laboratory experiments have isolated numerous variables that contribute to mistaken identifications from lineups, some of which are controllable by the criminal justice system (e.g., various biases in the lineup or its procedure) and some of which are not controllable by the criminal justice system (e.g., witnessing conditions, stress).
Crime Victims' Decision to Report Crime
Authors: Greenberg Martin S.
Published: December 2015

This article examines the empirical literature on crime victims' decision to notify the police. A three‐stage model of victim decision making is proposed in which victims must (i) label the event a crime, (ii) decide that it is sufficiently serious to involve the police, and (iii) decide that notifying the police is more beneficial than other available options. Evidence is presented showing that emotional (e.g., anger and fear) and social influence factors strongly impact each stage of the decision process causing such decisions to depart from a purely rational decision process.
Neuropsychological Assessment
Authors: Walker James S.
Published: December 2015

Neuropsychological assessment refers to the use of psychological testing techniques to assess individuals with suspected neurocognitive impairment. In the legal realm, neuropsychologists are often called upon to establish and document the presence of brain dysfunction by way of accepted evaluation techniques. This article details the legal issues surrounding the practice of forensic neuropsychology, describes the assessment techniques used, and surveys critical questions about the validity and utility of neuropsychological assessment techniques.
Occurrence and Production of Beryllium
Authors: Freeman Stephen
Published: December 2015

A relatively abundant metallic element in the Earth's crust, beryllium, has not been widely used due to the high cost of production and its limited consumption. Beryllium is mainly extracted in the United States, with smaller quantities coming from China, Africa, and South America. The extraction process uses leaching of the ore in sulfuric acid to produce a sulfate, which undergoes solvent extraction to remove impurity elements. The beryllium‐rich fraction from solvent extraction is treated with ammonium carbonate to produce a complex carbonate that can be thermally separated into a pure form of beryllium hydroxide, the basic material used for producing all useful forms of beryllium. The metallic form of beryllium is produced from the hydroxide using a magnesium reduction process to convert beryllium fluoride to beryllium pebbles and magnesium fluoride. The pebbles are further refined to >99.5% purity by vacuum melting and powdered for conversion into useful shapes by a conventional powder metallurgy pressing and consolidation process.

Many practical applications make use of beryllium's properties, particularly the high specific strength and stiffness of the pure metal, and the combination of high strength, conductivity, and resistance to stress relaxation that additions of 0.2–2.0% beryllium provide to alloys of copper, aluminum, and nickel. Typical applications of beryllium metal include components of aircraft, satellites, and space‐mounted astronomical telescopes, usually manufactured using powder metallurgy techniques. The nuclear properties of beryllium, particularly its interaction with neutrons as a multiplier and a reflector, are exploited in many fusion and fission reactions. The major use of the element, however, is in alloys that take advantage of its high strength and conductivity. These are fashioned into high reliability terminals used in automotive, aerospace, and electronic connectors. The thermal conductivity and low friction properties of the alloys are employed in plastic and metal forming molds, heavy equipment and aircraft bearings, and oil and gas drilling equipment.
Solid‐StateNMRof the Light Main Group Metals
Authors: Schurko Robert W. , Jaroszewicz Michael J.
Published: December 2015

This review article discusses solid‐state nuclear magenetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy of NMR‐active isotopes of the light main group metals, including lithium (6Li and7Li), sodium (23Na), aluminum (27Al), potassium (39K), magnesium (25Mg), calcium (43Ca), and beryllium (9Be). All of these nuclides are quadrupolar, meaning that they have nuclear spins greater than 1/2. As a result, specialized techniques are needed to effectively acquire their spectra, which can then be analyzed to provide information on molecular‐level structure and dynamics. Work on SSNMR of7Li,23Na, and27Al, which are all receptive nuclides, has been essential in the development of a wide range of pulse sequences and techniques for acquiring good quality, high‐resolution SSNMR spectra. Applications of7Li,23Na, and27Al SSNMR are widespread, owing to the ubiquity of these elements in both natural and manmade materials.25Mg,39K,43Ca, and9Be are relatively unreceptive nuclides by comparison (the former three are low‐γ nuclides); however, much work has gone into both development of spectral acquisition methods and application of these methods to study a wide range of systems. This review article, which is directed at non‐NMR experts and/or students, provides a basic background to SSNMR of quadrupolar nuclides, and then discusses key reviews and papers which are essential for understanding the scope and potential of SSNMR of metal nuclides.
Ion Channels and Ionophores
Authors: Cragg Peter J.
Published: December 2015

The lightest metals have health implications for all organisms. Sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium are of particular importance as their cations perform numerous biochemical functions from muscle control to bone formation. Understanding how these ions are transported across cell membranes with high selectivity is a fascinating topic that is slowly being unraveled through combinations of kinetic, solid state, and computational data. In addition to biological cation transport, model systems are also shedding light on the details of selectivity and transport. An overview of cation transport mechanisms is followed by a survey of natural and artificial ionophores for the lightest metals. Natural transmembrane channel‐forming proteins are described, with an emphasis on those for which crystallographic evidence has aided in elucidating the details of the transport mechanisms, followed by examples of artificial transmembrane channel‐forming compounds.
Magnesium and Calcium Complexes in Homogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Arrowsmith Merle
Published: December 2015

This article provides an overview of recent progress in homogeneous catalysis using organometallic complexes of the earth‐abundant and biocompatible elements, magnesium and calcium. It is divided into polymerization of activated monomers, heterofunctionalization of polar unsaturated substrates, and dehydrocoupling catalyses. As the subject of lighter alkaline earth‐catalyzed polymerization reactions is too broad to fully cover herein, the focus remains on anionic styrene polymerization and the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide. Dimerization reactions of aldehydes and terminal acetylenes are also briefly described. Heterofunctionalization reactions include catalyses with protic substrates (hydroamination, hydrophosphination, hydroacetylenation, and hydroalkoxylation) and hydridic substrates (hydrogenation, hydrosilylation, and hydroboration). The final section covers the Group 2‐catalyzed dehydrocoupling of amines and silanes, as well as amine‐boranes. For each reaction, the emphasis is on major achievements and mechanistic insights, highlighting the breadth of reactivity and complexity of these processes. To conclude this review, a brief mention of the first example of magnesium‐promoted single‐electron transfer catalysis opens up new horizons for the future potential of this up‐and‐coming class of catalysts.
Processing and Applications of Transparent Ceramics
Authors: Kong Ling Bing , Huang Yizhong , Zhang Tianshu , Que Wenxiu , Zhang Jian , Dong Zhili , Tang Dingyuan , Li Sean
Published: December 2015

Transparent ceramics can be used as laser hosts, infrared (IR) windows/domes, lamp envelopes, and transparent armors. The two key requirements for transparent ceramics are high purity and high density. To ensure high purity, it is necessary to use high‐purity precursor powders, while to achieve high‐density, special technologies have to be used, such as high‐pressure (HP) sintering, high isostatic pressure (HIP) sintering, vacuum sintering, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). In this article, the latest progress in processing, materials, and applications of transparent ceramics is summarized.
Light‐Element Superconductors
Authors: Hermann Andreas
Published: December 2015

Superconductors are one of the most surprising and fascinating specimens of condensed matter: they are perfect conductors, with current flowing without resistance, and perfect diamagnets, which expel completely any magnetic fields. Superconductivity was first discovered over 100 years ago, yet a complete understanding of its mechanisms is still lacking. Meanwhile, about every second element in the periodic table and hundreds of compounds have been found to superconduct, at ambient or elevated pressures. Many of these compounds involve the light elements—sometimes merely as electron donors, providing charge carriers to semiconducting or semimetallic materials, and sometimes as integral part of shaping unique materials with respectable superconducting transition temperatures. In this article, we will discuss the superconducting properties of the light elements and the huge effects of external pressure in some of them, and the most prominent examples of light element‐containing compounds, such as magnesium diboride, intercalated carbon compounds, and predicted high‐pressure compounds involving a lot of the lightest element, hydrogen.
Zn2+/Proton AntiporterZneAand Periplasmic AdaptorZneBfromCupriavidus MetalliduransCH34
Authors: Vandenbussche Guy , Stroud Robert M
Published: December 2015

In bacteria, metal ion resistance requires the contribution of multiple layers of mechanisms such as transport, sequestration, precipitation, or enzymatic transformation. The Gram‐negative bacteriumCupriavidus metalliduransCH34 displays an extraordinary metal ion resistance phenotype and can thrive in the presence of millimolar concentrations of toxic metal ions. Resistance of this bacterium to metal ions predominantly relies on the efflux of these noxious compounds out of the cell regulated by membrane transporters. Notably, the genes encoding 12 proteins belonging to the resistance‐nodulation‐cell division (RND) superfamily, and predicted to be involved in metal ion resistance, were detected in the genome of strain CH34. These antiporters form transenvelope protein complexes in combination with proteins belonging to the outer membrane factor (OMF) and the membrane fusion protein (MFP) families. In interplay with other transporters from the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) and the P‐type ATPase families that detoxify the cytoplasm, the tripartite RND‐driven systems most probably export the toxic metal cations from the periplasm to the outside of the cell. The functional and structural data of proteins constituting one of these 12 predicted tripartite efflux systems, ZneBAC, are reviewed.
Occurrence and Production of Aluminum
Authors: Kvande Halvor
Published: December 2015

Production of primary aluminum involves two independent processes to transform the ore to the metal. It starts with the mineral bauxite, which has the highest grade of commercially mined metal ores, and is also the most easily purified. Bauxite typically contains about 50% aluminum oxide, while the rest of the mineral consists of oxides of iron, silicon, titanium, and other metals. Aluminum oxide (Al
2
O
3
), or alumina, is extracted from bauxite by means of the Bayer process. Then the alumina is electrolyzed in large electrolysis cells to produce molten aluminum by the Hall–Héroult process, named after the inventors. These two industrial processes were invented in 1886 and 1887, and for almost 130 years they have resisted numerous attempts to replace them with new alternative processes.

The aluminum industry is presently facing three main challenges: the economy, its electric energy consumption, and its carbon footprint. The economy has been difficult for several years, due to low metal prices, high global aluminum inventory, and current overcapacity and oversupply. Electric power dominates the cost, because even under ideal conditions alumina needs a large amount of energy to be reduced to aluminum, and in addition the process as conventionally conducted is not very energy efficient. Furthermore, the production of alumina and aluminum generates significant amounts of CO
2
, both from the chemistry of the reduction process itself and from the electric power plants based on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.

However, there are positive signs for the aluminum industry as well. The world will continue to need aluminum, and experts expect a doubling of the world's aluminum production from 2010 to 2020.
Experimental Investigation of Process Specific Material Behavior of Thermoplastic Hybrid Yarn Textiles
Authors: Krahl Michael , Adam Frank , Möbius Teresa , Kubitz Jana , Modler Niels
Published: December 2015

For the manufacturing of complex function integrative lightweight components, the pressing process specific material behavior of thermoplastic hybrid yarn textiles plays a significant role. A fundamental knowledge of the compression and heating behavior of the textile preforms is required for an efficient development of adapted tool systems. This paper focuses on the dependency of compression behavior and thermal conductivity of the glass/ polypropylene textile on varied pressure and temperature values. To analyze the thermal conductivity, the Hot Disc method is used. In general, positive trends for increasing applied pressure and temperature values on the thermal conductivity are obtained.
Organic Single Crystal Lasers: A Materials View
Authors: Gierschner Johannes , Varghese Shinto , Park Soo Young
Published: December 2015

Materials design has become a vigorous aspect for organic solid‐state lasing, which often lacks a fundamental understanding of structure–property relationships. The development of such an understanding is undertaken in this progress report, which systematically explores the now‐available libraries of organic single crystals exhibiting light amplification under optical pumping. By doing so, intra‐ and intermolecular contributions are disentangled for the non‐/occurrence, type, threshold, wavelength, and polarization of the light amplification processes, opening the path to targeted materials design.
Designing Plasmon‐Enhanced Thermochromic Films Using a Vanadium Dioxide Nanoparticle Elastomeric Composite
Authors: Moot Taylor , Palin Cass , Mitran Sorin , Cahoon James F. , Lopez Rene
Published: December 2015

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a common material for use in thermochromic windows due to a semiconductor‐to‐metal transition (SMT) that is coupled with a change in infrared opacity. Commercialization of VO2‐based thermochromic technology is hampered by relatively expensive synthesis and film fabrication techniques as well as overall low performance as a window material. Here, simulations that indicate the plasmon resonance of VO2 nanoparticles in a composite film, which can be tuned to achieve record performance values, are reported. These simulations are experimentally verified by fabricating a VO2 nanoparticle composite in an elastomeric matrix using low‐temperature and atmospheric processing conditions. The optical properties of the films are analyzed, yielding visible transmittance and infrared modulation values within the range of top‐performing thermochromic windows. In addition, an improvement in performance is observed upon stretching the films, an effect that can be attributed to a local refractive index modulation. The results highlight the potential use of elastomeric composites as a low‐cost route to higher‐performance smart windows.
Solid‐State Solar Thermal Fuels for Heat Release Applications
Authors: Zhitomirsky David , Cho Eugene , Grossman Jeffrey C.
Published: December 2015

Closed cycle systems offer an opportunity for solar energy harvesting and storage all within the same material. Photon energy is stored within the chemical conformations of molecules and is retrieved by a triggered release in the form of heat. Until now, such solar thermal fuels (STFs) have been largely unavailable in the solid‐state, which would enable them to be utilized for a multitude of applications. A polymer STF storage platform is synthesized employing STFs in the solid‐state. This approach enables uniform films capable of appreciable heat storage of up to 30 Wh kg−1 and that can withstand temperature of up to 180 °C. For the first time a macroscopic energy release is demonstrated using spatial infrared heat maps with up to a 10 °C temperature change. These findings pave the way for developing highly efficient and high energy density STFs for applications in the solid‐state.
Pediatric‐inspired therapy compared to allografting for Philadelphia chromosome‐negative adult ALL in first complete remission
Authors: Seftel Matthew D. , Neuberg Donna , Zhang Mei‐Jie , Wang Hai‐Lin , Ballen Karen Kuhn , Bergeron Julie , Couban Stephen , Freytes César O. , Hamadani Mehdi , Kharfan‐Dabaja Mohamed A. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Nishihori Taiga , Paulson Kristjan , Saber Wael , Sallan Stephen E. , Soiffer Robert , Tallman Martin S. , Woolfrey Ann E. , DeAngelo Daniel J. , Weisdorf Daniel J. ,   for the Acute Leukemia Committee of the CIBMTR and the Dana Farber ALL Consortium
Published: December 2015

For adults with Philadelphia chromosome‐negative (Ph−) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first complete remission (CR1), allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an established curative strategy. However, pediatric‐inspired chemotherapy may also offer durable leukemia‐free survival in the absence of HCT. We compared 422 HCT recipients aged 18–50 years with Ph‐ALL in CR1 reported to the CIBMTR with an age‐matched concurrent cohort of 108 Ph− ALL CR1 patients who received a Dana‐Farber Consortium pediatric‐inspired non‐HCT regimen. At 4 years of follow‐up, incidence of relapse after HCT was 24% (95% CI 19–28) versus 23% (95% CI 15–32) for the non‐HCT (chemo) cohort (P=0.97). Treatment‐related mortality (TRM) was higher in the HCT cohort [HCT 37% (95% CI 31–42) versus chemo 6% (95% CI 3–12), P<0.0001]. DFS in the HCT cohort was 40% (95% CI 35–45) versus 71% (95% CI 60–79) for chemo, P<0.0001. Similarly, OS favored chemo [HCT 45% (95% CI 40–50)] versus chemo 73% [(95% CI 63–81), P<0.0001]. In multivariable analysis, the sole factor predictive of shorter OS was the administration of HCT [hazard ratio 3.12 (1.99–4.90), P<0.0001]. For younger adults with Ph− ALL, pediatric‐inspired chemotherapy had lower TRM, no increase in relapse, and superior overall survival compared to HCT. Am. J. Hematol. 91:322–329, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative Beladung eines Proteinkäfigs mit aktiven Enzymen
Authors: Azuma Yusuke , Zschoche Reinhard , Tinzl Matthias , Hilvert Donald
Published: December 2015

Proteine, die genetisch mit einer super‐positiv geladenen Variante des grün fluoreszierenden Proteins verbunden wurden, können quantitativ in ein Lumazin‐Synthase‐Kapsid geladen werden, das mit einer negativ geladenen Innenfläche ausgestattet ist. Dieses einfache System ist eine ebenso robuste wie vielseitige Methode, um hierarchisch geordnete Proteinkomplexe herzustellen, die dann als Nanoreaktoren verwendet werden können. Die allgemeine Anwendbarkeit dieser Beladungsstrategie und ihre Auswirkung auf die Enzymaktivität wurden mit acht strukturell und mechanistisch verschiedenen Enzymen untersucht.