bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A meta‐analysis of third wave mindfulness‐based cognitive behavioral therapies for older people
Authors: Kishita Naoko , Takei Yuko , Stewart Ian
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study is to review the effectiveness of third wave mindfulness‐based cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) for depressive or anxiety symptomatology in older adults across a wide range of physical and psychological conditions.

Methods

Electronic literature databases were searched for articles, and random‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted.

Results

Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, of which nine reported the efficacy of interventions on depressive symptoms and seven on anxiety symptoms. Effect‐size estimates suggested that mindfulness‐based CBT is moderately effective on depressive symptoms in older adults (g = 0.55). The results demonstrated a similar level of overall effect size for anxiety symptoms (g = 0.58). However, there was a large heterogeneity, and publication bias was evident in studies reporting outcomes on anxiety symptoms, and thus, this observed efficacy for late‐life anxiety may not be robust. The quality of the included studies varied. Only one study used an active psychological control condition. There were a limited number of studies that used an intent‐to‐treat (last observation carried forward method) analysis and reported appropriate methods for clinical trials (e.g., treatment‐integrity reporting).

Conclusions

Third wave mindfulness‐based CBT may be robust in particular for depressive symptoms in older adults. We recommend that future studies (i) conduct randomized controlled trials with intent‐to‐treat to compare mindfulness‐based CBT with other types of psychotherapy in older people and (ii) improve study quality by using appropriate methods for checking treatment adherence, randomization, and blinding of assessors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Filling the void—enriching the feature space of successful stopping
Authors: Huster René J. , Schneider Signe , Lavallee Christina F. , Enriquez‐Geppert Stefanie , Herrmann Christoph S.
Published: November 2016

The ability to inhibit behavior is crucial for adaptation in a fast changing environment and is commonly studied with the stop signal task. Current EEG research mainly focuses on the N200 and P300 ERPs and corresponding activity in the theta and delta frequency range, thereby leaving us with a limited understanding of the mechanisms of response inhibition. Here, 15 functional networks were estimated from time–frequency transformed EEG recorded during processing of a visual stop signal task. Cortical sources underlying these functional networks were reconstructed, and a total of 45 features, each representing spectrally and temporally coherent activity, were extracted to train a classifier to differentiate between go and stop trials. A classification accuracy of 85.55% for go and 83.85% for stop trials was achieved. Features capturing fronto‐central delta‐ and theta activity, parieto‐occipital alpha, fronto‐central as well as right frontal beta activity were highly discriminating between trial‐types. However, only a single network, comprising a feature defined by oscillatory activity below 12 Hz, was associated with a generator in the opercular region of the right inferior frontal cortex and showed the expected associations with behavioral inhibition performance. This study pioneers by providing a detailed ranking of neural features regarding their information content for stop and go differentiation at the single‐trial level, and may further be the first to identify a scalp EEG marker of the inhibitory control network. This analysis allows for the characterization of the temporal dynamics of response inhibition by matching electrophysiological phenomena to cortical generators and behavioral inhibition performance. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1333–1346, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transcranial direct current stimulation effects on neural processing in post‐stroke aphasia
Authors: Darkow Robert , Martin Andrew , Würtz Anna , Flöel Agnes , Meinzer Marcus
Published: November 2016

Non‐invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance recovery after stroke. However, fundamental knowledge about how tDCS impacts neural processing in the lesioned human brain is currently lacking. In the present study, it was investigated how tDCS modulates brain function in patients with post‐stroke language impairment (aphasia). In a cross‐over, randomized trial, patients named pictures of common objects during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Concurrently, excitatory (anodal‐) or sham‐tDCS (1 mA, 20 min, or 30 s, respectively) was administered to the left primary motor cortex, a montage with demonstrated potential to improve aphasic language. By choosing stimuli that could reliable be named by the patients, the authors aimed to derive a pure measure of stimulation effects that was independent of treatment or performance effects and to assess how tDCS interacts with the patients' residual language network. Univariate fMRI data analysis revealed reduced activity in domain‐general regions mediating high‐level cognitive control during anodal‐tDCS. Independent component functional network analysis demonstrated selectively increased language network activity and an inter‐correlated shift from higher to lower frequency bands, indicative of increased within‐network communication. Compared with healthy controls, anodal‐tDCS resulted in overall “normalization” of brain function in the patients. These results demonstrate for the first time how tDCS modulates neural processing in stroke patients. Such information is crucial to assure that behavioral treatments targeting specific neural circuits overlap with regions that are modulated by tDCS, thereby maximizing stimulation effects during therapy. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1518–1531, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of submarine groundwater discharge to tidal rivers: Evidence for regional and local scale seepage
Authors: Tamborski Joseph J. , Rogers A. Deanne , Bokuniewicz Henry J.
Published: November 2016

Fluxes of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) were investigated into two tidal rivers on the north and south shore of Long Island, NY, during July 2015. Ground‐based handheld thermal infrared (TIR) imagery, combined with direct push‐point piezometer sampling, documented spatially heterogeneous small‐scale intertidal seepage zones. Pore waters were relatively fresh and enriched in nitrogen (N) within these small‐scale seeps. Pore waters sampled just 20 cm away, outside the boundary of the ground‐based TIR‐located seepage zone, were more saline and lower in N. These ground‐based TIR‐identified seeps geochemically represented the terrestrial fresh groundwater endmember, whereas N in pore waters sampled outside of the TIR‐identified seeps was derived from the remineralization of organic matter introduced into the sediment by tidal seawater infiltration. A 222Rn (radon‐222) time‐series was used to quantify fresh SGD‐associated N fluxes using the N endmembers sampled from the ground‐based TIR pore water profiles. N fluxes were up‐scaled to groundwater seepage zones identified from high‐resolution airborne TIR imagery using the two‐dimensional size of the airborne TIR surface water anomalies, relative to the N flux from the time‐series sampling location. Results suggest that the N load from the north‐shore tidal river to Long Island Sound is underrepresented by at least 1.6–3.6%, whereas the N load from SGD to a south‐shore tidal river may be up to 9% higher than previous estimates. These results demonstrate the importance of SGD in supplying nutrients to the lower reaches of tidal rivers and suggest that N loads in other tidal river environments may be underestimated if SGD is not accounted for.
Quantifying the growth ofchlamydia suisin cell culture using high‐content microscopy
Authors: De Puysseleyr Leentje , De Puysseleyr Kristien , Vanrompay Daisy , De Vos Winnok H.
Published: November 2016

The porcine pathogenChlamydia suisis widespread in pig farming. Isolation ofChlamydia suisin cell culture is crucial for the generation and characterization of new isolates. However, isolation ofChlamydia suisstrains from field samples is fastidious. Therefore, we exploited high‐content microscopy to quantify the growth ofChlamydia suisstrains in different cell lines. We found that the cell line yielding optimal propagation of Chlamydia suis differed among isolates, and we identified cell lines outperforming those routinely used for chlamydial isolation. We conclude that adaptation of the propagation procedure to the origin of the putative field isolate is highly recommended to improve the recovery rate.
Impact of pancreatectomy on long‐term patient‐reported symptoms and quality of life in recurrence‐free survivors of pancreatic and periampullary neoplasms
Authors: Cloyd Jordan M. , Tran Cao Hop S. , Petzel Maria Q.B. , Denbo Jason W. , Parker Nathan H. , Nogueras‐González Graciela M. , Liles Joseph S. , Kim Michael P. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Vauthey Jean‐Nicolas , Aloia Thomas A. , Fleming Jason B. , Katz Matthew H.G.
Published: November 2016

Background

Long term patient‐reported symptoms and quality of life (QOL) are important outcome metrics following cancer operations, but have been poorly described in patients who have previously undergone pancreatectomy.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of recurrence‐free survivors of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, periampullary carcinomas, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors who had undergone prior pancreatectomy. QOL and symptom burden were measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Hepatobiliary Questionnaire, and psychosocial distress was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results

Of 331 eligible patients surveyed, 217 (66%) participated at a median of 53.3 (range, 7.6–214.8) months following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD, n = 165) or distal pancreatectomy (DP, n = 52). Among all patients, overall QOL scores were favorable and influenced by race, histology, and type of surgery. The most common significant symptoms reported were fatigue (82%), back pain (32%), and difficulty with digestion (31%). In general, PD survivors reported better QOL, lower levels of anxiety/depression, greater levels of diarrhea, and improved appetite, constipation, fatigue, anxiety, and depression (P < 0.05) than DP survivors. On both univariate and multivariate regression analysis, DP was negatively associated with QOL.

Conclusions

Most disease‐free survivors of pancreatic neoplasms report favorable QOL, but gastrointestinal and psychosocial symptoms may exist long after pancreatectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:144–150. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fractional factorial design based microwave‐assisted extraction for the determination of organophosphorus and organochlorine residues in tobacco by using gas chromatography—mass spectrometry
Authors: Hao Ling , Li Haifang , Lin Jin‐Ming
Published: November 2016

Sample preparation is often the main bottleneck in analyzing biological samples. Particularly, effective evaluation of sample preparation conditions usually involves multiple factors and tedious and time‐consuming experiments. In this study, fractional factorial design, specifically orthogonal array testing, was employed to screen and optimize multiple extraction parameters in concise but representative experiments. An efficient and sensitive method was developed to determine organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticide residues in tobacco, via microwave‐assisted extraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detection. With orthogonal array design, screening, and optimization tests were subsequently conducted to determine the range, impact rank, and possible interactions of extraction temperature, time, microwave power, additive salt, and additive water. Orthogonal array testing selectively reduces the size and cost of experiments and meanwhile provides more information compared to the traditional experimental design that optimizes one factor at a time. A good linear range (0.02–2.00 μg/mL), limits of detection (0.001–0.098 μg/mL), and recovery rates (70.4–107.1%) were demonstrated by spiking known concentrations of multiple pesticide standards in tobacco samples. The established method was then successfully applied to the determination of multipesticide residues in raw tobacco leaves and commercial cigarettes.
Effects of recipient size and allograft type on pediatric liver transplantation for biliary atresia
Authors: Alexopoulos Sophoclis P. , Nekrasov Victor , Cao Shu , Groshen Susan , Kaur Navpreet , Genyk Yuri S. , Matsuoka Lea
Published: November 2016

The majority of pediatric patients with end‐stage liver disease receive a transplant with a whole liver (WL) allograft. However, smaller recipients with biliary atresia (BA) may have improved outcomes with deceased donor partial liver (DDPL) or living donor allografts. This study compares the national outcomes for liver transplantation in BA, with attention to the interaction between liver allograft type and recipient size. From January 2, 2002 to December 30, 2014, 2123 pediatric patients underwent a primary liver transplant for BA. The majority of transplants (53%) were performed with a WL allograft. Utilization of a WL allograft increased from 42% of recipients weighing ≤ 7 kg to 74% of recipients weighing > 14 kg. The 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐year graft survival in recipients weighing ≤7 kg was significantly superior for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) (91%, 88%, 84%) and DDPL allografts (90%, 84%, 77%) compared with WL allografts (79%, 75%, 74%; P = 0.005). The 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐year graft survival in recipients weighing >14 kg trended toward being inferior in recipients of DDPL allografts (85%, 85%, 71%) compared with WL allografts (96%, 91%, 86%; P = 0.06). Furthermore, the incidence of vascular thrombosis was highest in WL (13%) compared with LDLT (6%) and DDPL (5%) recipients ≤ 7 kg (P = 0.002). Liver retransplantation was also highest in WL (16%) compared with LDLT (9%) and DDPL (9%) recipients ≤ 7 kg (P = 0.02). In conclusion, strong consideration should be given to the use of technical variant allografts in small recipients with BA requiring liver transplantation. Liver Transplantation 23 221–233 2017 AASLD
Diffusion (DOSY) 1H NMR as an Alternative Method for Molecular Weight Determination of Poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) Polyesters
Authors: Rosenboom Jan‐Georg , De Roo Jonathan , Storti Giuseppe , Morbidelli Massimo
Published: November 2016

Poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) is a promising 100% biomass‐derived alternative to poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), but challenges all solution characterization methods due to its insolubility in most common solvents. Diffusion (DOSY) 1H NMR can be an alternative, reliable and fast method to analyze molecular weights of PEF polyesters. Calibration with PET standards yields excellent agreement of DOSY predictions with the absolute Mn and Mw values obtained via size exclusion chromatography equipped with multi‐angle light scattering detector in the range of commercial relevance (Mw < 100 000 g mol−1). Mean square displacement analysis shows unhindered molecular diffusion for all tested concentrations (from 0.4 to 30 mg mL−1). The DOSY procedure can be optimized toward shorter analysis times (down to 1 min) and a more straightforward implementation, making it a powerful and fast tool for molecular weight analysis in the laboratory as well as in industrial process applications.

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CFTR founder mutation causes protein trafficking defects in Chinese patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Leung Gordon K. C. , Ying Dingge , Mak Christopher C. Y. , Chen Xin‐Ying , Xu Weiyi , Yeung Kit‐San , Wong Wai‐Lap , Chu Yoyo W. Y. , Mok Gary T. K. , Chau Christy S. K. , McLuskey Jenna , Ong Winnie P. T. , Leong Huey‐Yin , Chan Kelvin Y. K. , Yang Wanling , Chen Jeng‐Haur , Li Albert M. , Sham Pak C. , Lau Yu‐Lung , Chung Brian H. Y. , Lee So‐Lun
Published: November 2016

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare condition in Asians. Since 1985, only about 30 Chinese patients have been reported with molecular confirmation.

Method

Using our in‐house next‐generation sequencing (NGS) pipeline for childhood bronchiectasis, we identified disease‐causing CFTR mutations in CF patients in Hong Kong. After identifying p.I1023R in multiple patients, haplotype analysis was performed with genome‐wide microarray to ascertain the likelihood of this being a founder mutation. We also assessed the processing and gating activity of the mutant protein by Western hybridization and patch‐clamp test.

Results

Molecular diagnoses were confirmed in four patients, three of whom shared a missense mutation: CFTR:c.3068T>G:p.I1023R. The results suggested that p.I1023R is a founder mutation in southern Han Chinese. In addition, the processing and gating activity of the mutant protein was assessed by gel electrophoresis and a patch‐clamp test. The mutant protein exhibited trafficking defects, suggesting that the dysfunction is caused by reduced cell surface expression of the fully glycosylated proteins.

Conclusion

Together with other previously reported mutations, the specific founder mutation presented herein suggests a unique CFTR mutation spectrum in the southern Chinese populations, and this finding has vital implications for improving molecular testing and mutation‐specific treatments for Chinese patients with CF.
Classifying child and adolescent psychiatric disorder by problem checklists and standardized interviews
Authors: Boyle Michael H. , Duncan Laura , Georgiades Kathy , Bennett Kathryn , Gonzalez Andrea , Van Lieshout Ryan J. , Szatmari Peter , MacMillan Harriet L. , Kata Anna , Ferro Mark A. , Lipman Ellen L. , Janus Magdalena
Published: November 2016

This paper discusses the need for research on the psychometric adequacy of self‐completed problem checklists to classify child and adolescent psychiatric disorder based on proxy assessments by parents and self‐assessments by adolescents. We put forward six theoretical arguments for expecting checklists to achieve comparable levels of reliability and validity with standardized diagnostic interviews for identifying child psychiatric disorder in epidemiological studies and clinical research. Empirically, the modest levels of test–retest reliability exhibited by standardized diagnostic interviews – 0.40 to 0.60 based on kappa – should be achievable by checklists when thresholds or cut‐points are applied to scale scores to identify a child with disorder. The few studies to conduct head‐to‐head comparisons of checklists and interviews in the 1990s concurred that no construct validity differences existed between checklist and interview classifications of disorder, even though the classifications of youth with psychiatric disorder only partially overlapped across instruments. Demonstrating that self‐completed problem checklists can classify disorder with similar reliability and validity as standardized diagnostic interviews would provide a simple, brief, flexible way to measuring psychiatric disorder as both a categorical or dimensional phenomenon as well as dramatically lowering the burden and cost of assessments in epidemiological studies and clinical research.
Review of patient‐reported outcome measures for use in myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients
Authors: Symonds Tara , Randall Jason A. , Campbell Patrick
Published: November 2016

Introduction

The heterogeneity of symptoms experienced by myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) patients means patient‐reported outcome (PRO) assessments are uniquely suited to address this through questionnaires.

Methods

A structured literature review of PRO measures used in DM1 populations, comparing psychometric data from this population was undertaken.

Results

One health status measure, 3 activities of daily living (ADL) scales, 3 health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments, and 5 sleep and fatigue measures have validity and reliability information from DM1 populations. The Myotonic Dystrophy Health Index and DM1 Activity and Participation Scale (DM1‐Activ) have the strongest validity and reliability evidence. The DM1‐Activc has been published recently and builds on the DM1‐Activ by adding more relevant items.

Conclusions

The PRO instruments we identified have varying psychometric evidence in DM1 populations; all require further testing to be confident of their ability to make accurate and valid measurements of symptoms, HRQOL, and ADL in a DM1 population. Muscle Nerve 56: 86–92, 2017.
Pairwise Markov properties for regression graphs
Authors: Sadeghi Kayvan , Wermuth Nanny
Published: November 2016

With a sequence of regressions, one may generate joint probability distributions. One starts with a joint, marginal distribution of context variables having possibly a concentration graph structure and continues with an ordered sequence of conditional distributions, named regressions in joint responses. The involved random variables may be discrete, continuous or of both types. Such a generating process specifies for each response a conditioning set that contains just its regressor variables, and it leads to at least one valid ordering of all nodes in the corresponding regression graph that has three types of edge: one for undirected dependences among context variables, another for undirected dependences among joint responses and one for any directed dependence of a response on a regressor variable. For this regression graph, there are several definitions of pairwise Markov properties, where each interprets the conditional independence associated with a missing edge in the graph in a different way. We explain how these properties arise, prove their equivalence for compositional graphoids and point at the equivalence of each one of them to the global Markov property. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adenosine Producing Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Schuler Patrick J. , Brandau Sven
Published: November 2016

Recent findings support the importance of the adenosine pathway in human immunology. Tissue specific differences exist with respect to the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to produce immune regulatory ATP metabolites. While some MSC may produce adenosine in a cell-autonomous fashion, other types of MSC require the cooperative activity of T-cells.
A new technique for promoting cyclic utilization of cyclodextrins in biotransformation
Authors: Shen Yanbing , Yu Ziqi , Yang Xu , Wang Fang , Luo Jianmei , Wang Min
Published: November 2016

Cyclodextrins (CDs) can improve the productivity of steroid biotransformation by enhancing substrate solubility. CDs can be recycled by grafting them with appropriate carriers. Loofah fiber is an excellent grafting material for CDs, and can be applied to the biotransformation and recycling of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). In this work, a technique for recycling β-CD in cortisone acetate (CA) biotransformation by Arthrobacter simplex CPCC 140451 was studied. Loofah fiber-grafted β-CD (LF-β-CD) was prepared using epichlorohydrin, which is a cross-linking agent. The grafting yield of β-CD was 74.8 mg g−1 dried fibers. LF-β-CD could increase the solubility of CA and enhance biotransformation. The initial conversion rate of CA was 1.5-fold higher than that of the blank group. LF-β-CD was also used in biocatalytic reactions for eight cycles, and it maintained the conversion ratio of CA at approximately 90%. Given the above positive results, LF-β-CD can be utilized in biotechnological recycling applications. This method can also be applied to CD derivatives and hydrophobic compounds.
Does forest fragmentation cause an increase in forest temperature?
Authors: Arroyo‐Rodríguez Víctor , Saldaña‐Vázquez Romeo A. , Fahrig Lenore , Santos Bráulio A.
Published: November 2016

Forest fragmentation is considered by many to be a primary cause of the current biodiversity crisis. The underlying mechanisms are poorly known, but a potentially important one is associated with altered thermal conditions within the remaining forest patches, especially at forest edges. Yet, large uncertainty remains about the effect of fragmentation on forest temperature, as it is unclear whether temperature decreases from forest edge to forest interior, and whether this local gradient scales up to an effect of fragmentation (landscape attribute) on temperature. We calculated the effect size (correlation coefficient) of distance from forest edge on air temperature, and tested for differences among forest types surrounded by different matrices using meta‐analysis techniques. We found a negative edge‐interior temperature gradient, but correlation coefficients were highly variable, and significant only for temperate and tropical forests surrounded by a highly contrasting open matrix. Nevertheless, it is unclear if these local‐scale changes in temperature can be scaled up to an effect of fragmentation on temperature. Although it may be valid when considering “fragmentation” as forest loss only, the landscape‐scale inference is not so clear when we consider the second aspect of fragmentation, where a given amount of forest is divided into a large number of small patches (fragmentation per se). Therefore, care is needed when assuming that fragmentation changes forest temperature, as thermal changes at forest edges depend on forest type and matrix composition, and it is still uncertain if this local gradient can be scaled up to the landscape.
Synthesis, Surface and Antimicrobial Activity of Piperidine‐Based Sulfobetaines
Authors: Wieczorek Daria , Dobrowolski Adam , Staszak Katarzyna , Kwaśniewska Dobrawa , Dubyk Patrycja
Published: November 2016

A new method for the preparation of new heterocyclic amine surfactants based on sulfobetaines is proposed. Interfacial activities of the surfactants obtained in aqueous solution were studied by surface tension measurements. The critical micelle concentration, surface excess concentration, minimum area per surfactant molecule, and standard Gibbs energy of adsorption were determined. The adsorption properties of these compounds depend significantly on the alkyl chain length. Alkyl chain length also affects biological properties of the new surfactants, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration and size of inhibited growth zone. The compounds have high antimicrobial activity.
Temporospatial Characterization of Nutritional and Bioactive Components of Soybean Cultivars in China
Authors: Wu Tingting , Yao Yang , Sun Shi , Wang Caijie , Jia Hongchang , Man Weiqun , Fu Lianshun , Song Wenwen , Wu Cunxiang , Jiang Bingjun , Hou Wensheng , Ren Guixing , Han Tianfu
Published: November 2016

Nutritional and bioactive constituents, apart from protein and oil, have many beneficial functions and are of great importance in determining the quality and nutritional value of soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. However, the temporospatial trends in soybean constituents have not been determined. The objective of this study was thus to identify the temporospatial trends in seed constituents among 89 widely grown soybean cultivars over a period of nine decades (1923–2007) in four soybean‐producing regions of China. A combination of analytical techniques was used to quantify eight categories of 35 seed constituents. The results include the following: (1) The temporal pattern (the genetic change) after nine decades of breeding was characterized by significantly increasing trends in the concentration of isoflavones, tocopherol, starch, sucrose, Ca, Mn, phospholipids and lectin, and decreasing trends in Zn, Cu and lutein concentrations. (2) The spatial distribution showed higher stachyose, Zn, isoflavone, saponin and lectin content in the cultivars from lower latitudes versus higher latitudes, and the content of tocopherol, carotenoid, oligosaccharides and phospholipids exhibited the reverse pattern. (3) According to principal component analysis, carotenoid, Fe and Mn, saponin components and glycitin were the most important contributors to the total variation across the 89 cultivars. These results provide us with a comprehensive profile for manipulating chemical constituents and improving various functional ingredients through breeding.
The Transformative Mind
Authors: Stetsenko Anna
Published: November 2016

The book suggests a transition from a relational worldview premised on the socio-political ethos of adaptation towards a transformative worldview premised on the ethos of solidarity and equality. Expansively developing Vygotsky's revolutionary project, the Transformative Activist Stance integrates insights from a vast array of critical and sociocultural theories and pedagogies and moves beyond their impasses to address the crisis of inequality. This captures the dynamics of social transformation and agency in moving beyond theoretical and political canons of the status quo. The focus is on the nexus of people co-creating history and society while being interactively created by their own transformative agency. Revealing development and mind as agentive contributions to the 'world-in-the-making' from an activist stance guided by a sought-after future, this approach culminates in implications for research with transformative agendas and a pedagogy of daring. Along the way, many key theories of mind, development and education are challenged and radically reworked.
Engineering Entrepreneurship from Idea to Business Plan
Authors: Swamidass Paul
Published: November 2016

This book is for engineers and scientists who have the aptitude and education to create new products that could become income-producing businesses for themselves and for investors. The book uses short chapters and gets directly to the point without lengthy and distracting essays. The rapid growth in technology-based business plan contests is a clear sign that there are many wealthy inventors looking to make substantial investments in start-ups based on new inventions by inventors, who lack the funds and knowledge to start a business. The key features of this reference enable readers to sharpen their new idea, turn an idea into a commercial product, conduct patent search and complete a provisional patent application, and collect requisite data and prepare a business plan based on a carefully selected business model. Supporting materials are provided on the book's extensive website (www.engineer-entrepreneur-book.com/).
X-Rays and Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation
Authors: Attwood David , Sakdinawat Anne
Published: November 2016

With this fully updated second edition, readers will gain a detailed understanding of the physics and applications of modern X-ray and EUV radiation sources. Taking into account the most recent improvements in capabilities, coverage is expanded to include new chapters on free electron lasers (FELs), laser high harmonic generation (HHG), X-ray and EUV optics, and nanoscale imaging; a completely revised chapter on spatial and temporal coherence; and extensive discussion of the generation and applications of femtosecond and attosecond techniques. Readers will be guided step by step through the mathematics of each topic, with over 300 figures, 50 reference tables and 600 equations enabling easy understanding of key concepts. Homework problems, a solutions manual for instructors, and links to YouTube lectures accompany the book online. This is the 'go-to' guide for graduate students, researchers and industry practitioners interested in X-ray and EUV interaction with matter.
The effect of uniform electric field on the cross-stream migration of a drop in plane Poiseuille flow
Authors: Mandal Shubhadeep , Bandopadhyay Aditya , Chakraborty Suman
Published: November 2016

The effect of a uniform electric field on the motion of a drop in an unbounded plane Poiseuille flow is studied analytically. The drop and suspending media are considered to be Newtonian and leaky dielectric. We solve for the two-way coupled electric and flow fields analytically by using a double asymptotic expansion for small charge convection and small shape deformation. We obtain two important mechanisms of cross-stream migration of the drop: (i) shape deformation and (ii) charge convection. The second one is a new source of cross-stream migration of the drop in plane Poiseuille flow which is due to an asymmetric charge distribution on the drop surface. Our study reveals that charge convection can cause a spherical non-deformable drop to migrate in the cross-stream direction. The combined effect of charge convection and shape deformation significantly alters the drop velocity, drop trajectory and steady state transverse position of the drop. We predict that, depending on the orientation of the applied uniform electric field and the relevant drop/medium electrohydrodynamic parameters, the drop may migrate either towards the centreline of the flow or away from it. We obtain that the final steady state transverse position of the drop is independent of its initial transverse position in the flow field. Most interestingly, we show that the drop can settle in an off-centreline steady state transverse position. Two-dimensional numerical simulations are also performed to study the drop motion in the combined presence of plane Poiseuille flow and a tilted electric field. The drop trajectory and steady state transverse position of the drop obtained from numerical simulations are in qualitative agreement with the analytical results.
Mixing efficiency in run-down gravity currents
Authors: Hughes G. O. , Linden P. F.
Published: November 2016

This paper presents measurements of mixing efficiency of the two counter-flowing gravity currents created by symmetric lock exchange in a channel. The novel feature of this work is that the buoyancy Reynolds number of the currents is higher than in previous experiments, so that the mixing is not significantly affected by viscosity. We find that the mixing efficiency asymptotes to 0.08 at high Reynolds numbers. We present a model of the mixing based on the evolution of idealized mean profiles of velocity and density at the interface between the two currents, the results of which are in good agreement with the measurements of mixing efficiency.
A General Model of Abstention Under Compulsory Voting
Authors: Katz Gabriel , Levin Ines
Published: November 2016

Invalid voting and absenteeism are alternative sources of abstention under compulsory voting. Previous research failed to systematically study the mechanisms behind each form of non-voting and the relationships between them. We develop an analytical framework and an empirical strategy to jointly examine invalid voting and absenteeism in Brazil, the world’s largest democracy with mandatory voting. Using Bayesian inferential methods and analyzing both individual and district-level data, we show that less educated and politically knowledgeable citizens are less likely to vote and, when they do, they are typically unable to successfully complete their ballot. Unlike absenteeism, invalid voting also has a political dimension reflecting voters’ disenchantment with elections and democratic performance. Both sources of abstention coexist and, together, undermine electoral participation.
Reaching the Individual: EU Accession, NGOs, and Human Rights
Authors: BRACIC ANA
Published: November 2016

Can human rights institutions influence individual behavior? This article tests the ground level effectiveness of two strategies that aim to eliminate discrimination: a powerful, top-down combination of incentives and norm promotion and a bottom-up NGO-based effort. The study uses a hard case, that of discrimination against the Roma (commonly known by the disfavored term “Gypsies”), spans three towns, Murska Sobota and Novo mesto in Slovenia and Čakovec in Croatia, and includes altogether 606 subjects. Levels of discrimination are estimated via trust games played with money, which are particularly appropriate because the Roma are widely stereotyped as cheaters and thieves. The findings suggest that the EU accession process, widely regarded as a strong incentive-based and norm promoting rights change mechanism, may not substantially reduce discrimination on the ground. Instead, they suggest that ground level organizing aimed at improving relations between Roma and non-Roma helps reduce discrimination.
Language Policy and Human Development
Authors: LAITIN DAVID D. , RAMACHANDRAN RAJESH
Published: November 2016

This article explores how language policy affects the socioeconomic development of nation states through two channels: the individual’s exposure to and (in reference to an individual’s mother tongue) linguistic distance from the official language. In a cross-country framework the article first establishes a robust and sizeable negative relationship between an official language that is distant from the local indigenous languages and proxies for human capital and health. To establish this relationship as causal, we instrument language choice with a measure of geographic distance from the origins of writing. Next, using individual level data from India and a set of 11 African countries, we provide microempirical support on the two channels—distance from and exposure to the official language—and their implications for educational, health, occupational and wealth outcomes. Finally, we suggest policy implications based on our findings.
“Of Darkness from Vain Philosophy”: Hobbes's Critique of the Classical Tradition
Authors: STAUFFER DEVIN
Published: November 2016

The early modern revolution in political philosophy not only transformed political philosophy itself; it also played a crucial role in shaping the character of modern politics. This article contributes to our understanding of that revolution through an examination of Thomas Hobbes's critique of the classical tradition. Although it is well known that Hobbes was a critic of that tradition, the details of his critique have not been sufficiently uncovered. Hobbes's key target was Aristotle, whom he regarded as the most important source of the tradition he opposed. Hobbes's critique of Aristotle consists of two main lines of argument—one moral-political, the other metaphysical—that ultimately prove to be connected. An examination of Hobbes's twofold critique can help us understand what was at stake in the reorientation of political philosophy that eventually gave rise to modern liberalism.
On the Rights of Warlords: Legitimate Authority and Basic Protection in War-Torn Societies
Authors: BLAIR ROBERT A. , KALMANOVITZ PABLO
Published: November 2016

This article examines the legitimacy of the use of force by armed nonstate actors resisting the imposition of state rule over territories they control. We focus on the rights of warlords: subnational strongmen who seek autonomy within geographically demarcated territories, but not secession or control of the state itself. We argue that behind the resistance to state-building lies a twofold question of legitimate authority: the authority of states to consolidate power within their own internationally recognized borders and the authority of warlords to resist that expansion, by force if necessary, when it threatens social order and the protection of basic rights. This article draws on just war theory to develop a set of conditions under which such resistance may be justified, explores the argument's practical implications for state-building under the tutelage of third parties (e.g., the United Nations), and demonstrates its empirical relevance through an application to Afghanistan.
Mealtime habits and risk of developing the metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance among Mexican adults
Authors: Méndez-Hernández Pablo , Dosamantes-Carrasco Libia Darina , Siani Carole , Pierlot Romain , Martínez-Gómez Margarita , Rivera-Paredez Berenice , Cervantes-Popoca Laura , Rojas-Lima Elodia , Salazar-Martínez Eduardo , Flores Yvonne N. , Salmerón Jorge
Published: November 2016

Meals are an important source of food intake, contributing to body weight and health status. Previous studies have examined the relationship between isolated mealtime behaviours and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to examine the influence over time of ten interrelated mealtime habits on the risk of developing the MetS and insulin resistance (IR) among Mexican adults. We conducted a prospective cohort study with a sample of 956 health workers. The Mealtime Habits Quality (MHQ) scale is based on four mealtime situations (availability of time to eat, distractions while eating, environmental and social context of eating, and familiar or cultural eating habits), which were used to assess the participants’ MHQ at the baseline (2004–2006) and follow-up (2010–2012) evaluations. The MetS was assessed using criteria from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). IR was defined using the homoeostasis model assessment. Crude and adjusted relative risks were calculated to estimate the relationship between MHQ and the risk of developing the MetS or IR. Participants classified in the lower MHQ category had an 8·8 (95 % CI 3·1, 25) and 11·1 (95 % CI 3·4, 36·1) times greater risk of developing the MetS (using the NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria, respectively), and an 11·2 times (95 % CI 3·9, 31·5) greater likelihood of developing IR, compared with those in the higher MHQ group. This prospective study reveals that individuals who engaged in more undesirable than recommended mealtime behaviours had a >10-fold risk of developing the MetS or IR.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO CUT A CAKE: COMPARING EXPERT-BASED AND STATISTICAL TYPOLOGIES TO TARGET SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES, A CASE-STUDY IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
Authors: BERRE DAVID , BAUDRON FRÉDÉRIC , KASSIE MENALE , CRAUFURD PETER , LOPEZ-RIDAURA SANTIAGO
Published: November 2016

Understanding farm diversity is essential to delineate recommendation domains for new technologies, but diversity is a subjective concept, and can be described differently depending on the way it is perceived. Historically, new technologies have been targeted primarily based on agro-ecological conditions, largely ignoring socioeconomic conditions. Based on 273 farm households' surveys in Ethiopia, we compare two approaches for the delineation of farm type recommendation domains for crop and livestock technologies: one based on expert knowledge and one based on statistical methods. The expert-based typology used a simple discriminant key for stakeholders in the field to define four farm types based on Tropical Livestock Unit, total cultivated surface and the ratio of these two indicators. This simple key took only a few minutes to make inferences about the potential of adoption of crop and livestock technologies. The PCA-HC analysis included a greater number of variables describing the farm (land use, household size, cattle, fertilizer, off-farm work, hiring labour, production). This analysis emphasized the multi-dimensional potential of such a statistical approach and, in principle, its usefulness to grasp the full complexity of farming systems to identify their needs in crop and livestock technologies. A sub-sampling approach was used to test the impact of data selection on the diversity represented in the statistical approach. Our results show that diversity structure is significantly impacted according to the choice of a sub-sample of 15 of the 20 variables available. This paper shows the complementarity of the two approaches and demonstrates the influence of data selection within large baseline data sets on the total diversity represented in the clusters identified.
Associations of β-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins to non-esterified fatty acids pre- and postpartum
Authors: Ruoff Julia , Bertulat Sandra , Burfeind Onno , Heuwieser Wolfgang
Published: November 2016

While laboratory tests for measuring the concentration of NEFA in serum are well established, a point of care test to determine NEFA on farm is not available. Several hand-held measuring devices, however, have been validated for measuring β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) in cattle or cholesterol, triglycerides (TAG), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in human medicine, respectively. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between NEFA and different parameters related to lipid metabolism. Specifically, we set out to determine if it is feasible to predict the concentration of NEFA by means of surrogate measures. The concentration of BHBA was determined by a hand-held device evaluated for use in cows, whereas the concentrations of the other parameters were determined by laboratory analysis because hand-held devices for cholesterol, TAG and HDL are only evaluated for human medicine so far. A total of 254 cows were included in the trial. One blood sample was taken from each cow between d 10 and d 1 prepartum. Second and third samples were collected on d 2 and d 10 postpartum, respectively. The coefficients of correlation between parameters were calculated and a receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis has been used. The prediction of NEFA concentrations using only one of the parameters was insufficient. However, a NEFA concentration ≥0·5 mEq/l could be predicted with a high sensitivity (i.e. Se = 0·88) and specificity (i.e. Sp = 0·93) from d 3 to d 1 prepartum and a NEFA concentration ≥0·7 mEq/l could be reliably predicted on d 2 postpartum (i.e. AUC = 0·89, Se = 0·89, Sp = 0·76) when using a combination of BHBA, cholesterol and TAG as surrogates. Overall, our results suggest that a combination of different parameters of lipid metabolism could be used as surrogates for NEFA.
Is lack of antibiotic usage affecting udder health status of organic dairy cattle?
Authors: Orjales Inmaculada , López-Alonso Marta , Rodríguez-Bermúdez Ruth , Rey-Crespo Francisco , Villar Ana , Miranda Marta
Published: November 2016

This research communication aimed to compare somatic cell count (SCC), the main marker of udder health status, in organic farms not using antibiotics (O, n = 6), organic farms using antibiotics (OA, n = 7) and conventional farms (CA, n = 5) using antibiotic treatments, all of them at pasture. SCC was statistically significantly higher in O (173780) compared to CA (93325) and OA (107152). Milk yield had a significant diluting effect on SCC and differences between groups increased with parities. Stratified analysis of SCC depending on lactation number and % of monthly SCC test with different linear scores (LS) indicated that there is no difference in udder health in the primiparous heifers from the three groups of farms, but it deteriorates in older cows because of chronic infections in O (possibly due to lack of antibiotic use). Our results suggest that the non-use of antibiotics had an effect in udder health leading to higher occurrence of clinical and subclinical mastitis. Therefore, preventive management practices for mastitis control are essential in organic farms.
Let's talk about sex – what do older men and women say about their sexual relations and sexual activities? A qualitative analysis of ELSA Wave 6 data
Authors: TETLEY JOSIE , LEE DAVID M. , NAZROO JAMES , HINCHLIFF SHARRON
Published: November 2016

In 2012/2013 the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) included a comprehensive Sexual Relationships and Activities Questionnaire (SRA-Q). A total of 7,079 men and women mainly aged 50 to >90, primarily heterosexual and in a coupled relationship, completed the SRA-Q, answering a series of questions about their attitudes to sexual relationships, their own sexual activities, problems and concerns with sexual functioning, and quality of intimate relationships. The questions aimed to gain insights into the ways in which sexual relations and activities related to health, wellbeing and other lifestyle factors change as people grow older. The primary mode of data collection was a tick box response to a series of questions. However, at the end of the questionnaire an open comment box was provided, which asked respondents whether there was anything else that they would like to say; 1,084 respondents provided additional information and these comments created a unique qualitative data-set. The analysis of the data then illustrated how people's health, relationships, experiences and perceptions of ageing, along with sexual satisfaction, impact on sexual relationships and activities.