bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Challenge of the Future: Teaching Students to Speak Fluently and Accurately
Authors: Valette Rebecca M.
Published: April 2018

In the late nineteenth century, Fran~ois Gouin (1880), who had become thoroughly frustrated with his own fruitless attempts to "learn" German by memorizing long lists of vocabulary and grammar rules, discovered that his threeyear-old nephew had "acquired" a decent command of French simply by hearing and using the language in context. In order to capitalize on this observation, Gouin developed his "Series Method" whereby the teacher would perform a series of actions while describing them to the students in the foreign language. This emphasis on listening comprehension as a key factor in second language acquisition failed to gain widespread recognition since at the time formal language instruction was still heavily focussed on grammar and translation. Gouin was promoting "comprehensible input" in France one hundred years before the term would be popular in North America.
Bridging Research and Practice: Using Professional Journals to Enhance Classroom Teaching
Authors: Rehorick Sally , Edwards Viviane
Published: April 2018

Budgets for professional development are dwindling and with the multiple demands on their time, teachers find fewer and fewer opportunities to stay current in their field. One way to fill this gap is to read articles from professional journals. We describe some principles for self-directed professional development and some ways to read journals in an effective and efficient manner. Finally we offer some suggestions for establishing a community of self-directed learnerteachers through a journal club.
A Comparison of Native and Nonnative English Speaking Students as College Readers
Authors: Sheorey Ravi , Mokhtari Kouider , Livingston Gary
Published: April 2018

This paper reports the results of a study which examined the reading habits of native-English and nonnative-English speaking undergraduate college students. One hundred and thirty (130) native and 114 nonnative students completed a reading habits questionnaire designed to yield information about several aspects of their reading habits. The results revealed significant differences between the two groups with regard to every measure of reading habits taken. In particular, results indicated that nonnative students read more widely, read for longer periods of time, and had higher perceptions of themselves as readers in their native language than did native-English speaking students. These findings are interpreted in light of current research on reading habits, attitudes, and interests. Implications for reading research and instruction are discussed.
Un cours de rédaction axé sur le processus d’écriture et sur la linguistique textuelle
Authors: H-Lemonnier France , Guimont Lionel
Published: April 2018

In this paper the authors present a French as a Second Language Writing Course for Non francophones Students at an advanced university level. Because this approach to teaching writing focuses on the writer (and on the reader’s expectations), as well as on textuality, the organization, let’s say the architecture, of this course is as complex as writing. The underlying assumptions are presented first.
The role of input and output practice in second language acquisition
Authors: Salaberry M. Rafael
Published: April 2018

The present study extends previous research (e.g., Sanz, 1995; VanPatten & Cadiemo, 1993; VanPatten & Sanz, 1995) on the relative effects of two types of instruction (i.e., input processing and output processing) on the use of Spanish clitic pronouns. Thirty-three classroom learners of Spanish (third semester) were assigned to one of three instructional treatments: input practice, output practice, and no practice. Subjects performed three tasks: a comprehension test, a production test, and a written narrative of a 1-minute silent video. The results of a repeated measures ANOVA show that both experimental groups (input processing and output processing) significantly improved their scores compared to the control group on the comprehension test. The results of the production and narration task were not affected by experimental instruction. These findings contradict previous studies supporting the pedagogical value of input processing.
Évaluation du délai DIDO (door in-door out) des syndromes coronariens aigus dans les hôpitaux sans cardiologie interventionnelle du réseau RESSIF
Authors: Cahuzac C. , Ta T. H. , Henaoui A. , Laborne F.-X. , Briole N. , Porche M. , Lamhaut L. , Sapir D. , Andrianjafy H.
Published: April 2018

Objectifs : Le délai door in-door out (DIDO) représente la durée de séjour au service d’urgence (SU) des patients pris en charge pour un syndrome coronarien aigu ST+ (SCAST+), avant transfert en centre de cardiologie interventionnelle (CCI). Le DIDO ne devrait pas dépasser 30 minutes. Notre objectif était d’évaluer le DIDO dans le réseau des urgences Sud Île-de-France (RESSIF).

Matériel et méthodes : Étude épidémiologique, rétrospective, multicentrique comparant le DIDO entre 2014 et 2015 (période 1), puis en 2016 (période 2) dans deux hôpitaux sans CCI, l’hôpital de Longjumeau et l’hôpital d’Arpajon. En 2016 était appliqué dans notre protocole régional SCAST+ le « réflexe électro-oculotéléphonique » (REOT), avec l’objectif de diminuer le DIDO : dès l’électrocardiogramme qualifiant (ECGq), avant tout traitement ou obtention du CCI de transfert, le médecin urgentiste appelle le service d’aide médicale à l’urgence (SAMU) pour l’envoi immédiat d’un service mobile d’urgence et de réanimation (SMUR) secondaire.

Résultats : Entre les deux périodes, le délai DIDO médian n’a pas été modifié significativement (–16 min [4–42] ; p = 0,06). Le délai entre ECGq et appel du SAMU n’était pas significativement différent avant et après application du REOT (15 [8–34] vs 9 min [6–26] ; p = 0,12). Le DIDO était supérieur ou égal à 30 min en période 1, contre 6 % en période 2 (p = 0,11).

Conclusion : Le DIDO du RESSIF n’a pas été significativement modifié. Il n’y a pas eu d’impact significatif du REOT sur le DIDO, mais notre étude manque de puissance. Le REOT pourrait être évalué plus largement dans les SU. Un réseau de soins impliquant les SAMU, SMUR, SU et CCI avec protocoles partagés est essentiel pour le pronostic des SCAST+.
Estimating the global incidence of traumatic brain injury
Authors: Dewan Michael C. , Rattani Abbas , Gupta Saksham , Baticulon Ronnie E. , Hung Ya-Ching , Punchak Maria , Agrawal Amit , Adeleye Amos O. , Shrime Mark G. , Rubiano Andrés M. , Rosenfeld Jeffrey V. , Park Kee B.
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)—the “silent epidemic”—contributes to worldwide death and disability more than any other traumatic insult. Yet, TBI incidence and distribution across regions and socioeconomic divides remain unknown. In an effort to promote advocacy, understanding, and targeted intervention, the authors sought to quantify the case burden of TBI across World Health Organization (WHO) regions and World Bank (WB) income groups.

METHODS

Open-source epidemiological data on road traffic injuries (RTIs) were used to model the incidence of TBI using literature-derived ratios. First, a systematic review on the proportion of RTIs resulting in TBI was conducted, and a meta-analysis of study-derived proportions was performed. Next, a separate systematic review identified primary source studies describing mechanisms of injury contributing to TBI, and an additional meta-analysis yielded a proportion of TBI that is secondary to the mechanism of RTI. Then, the incidence of RTI as published by the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 was applied to these two ratios to generate the incidence and estimated case volume of TBI for each WHO region and WB income group.

RESULTS

Relevant articles and registries were identified via systematic review; study quality was higher in the high-income countries (HICs) than in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Sixty-nine million (95% CI 64–74 million) individuals worldwide are estimated to sustain a TBI each year. The proportion of TBIs resulting from road traffic collisions was greatest in Africa and Southeast Asia (both 56%) and lowest in North America (25%). The incidence of RTI was similar in Southeast Asia (1.5% of the population per year) and Europe (1.2%). The overall incidence of TBI per 100,000 people was greatest in North America (1299 cases, 95% CI 650–1947) and Europe (1012 cases, 95% CI 911–1113) and least in Africa (801 cases, 95% CI 732–871) and the Eastern Mediterranean (897 cases, 95% CI 771–1023). The LMICs experience nearly 3 times more cases of TBI proportionally than HICs.

CONCLUSIONS

Sixty-nine million (95% CI 64–74 million) individuals are estimated to suffer TBI from all causes each year, with the Southeast Asian and Western Pacific regions experiencing the greatest overall burden of disease. Head injury following road traffic collision is more common in LMICs, and the proportion of TBIs secondary to road traffic collision is likewise greatest in these countries. Meanwhile, the estimated incidence of TBI is highest in regions with higher-quality data, specifically in North America and Europe.
Recurrent papillary craniopharyngioma with BRAF V600E mutation treated with dabrafenib: case report
Authors: Himes Benjamin T. , Ruff Michael W. , Van Gompel Jaimie J. , Park Sean S. , Galanis Evanthia , Kaufmann Timothy J. , Uhm Joon H.
Published: April 2018

The authors present the case of a man with a papillary craniopharyngioma, first diagnosed at 47 years of age, who experienced multiple recurrences. Review of the pathologic specimen from his first resection demonstrated the BRAF V600E mutation. With his most recent recurrence following previous surgery and radiotherapy, at 52 years of age, the decision was made to initiate treatment with the BRAF V600E inhibitor dabrafenib. Imaging following initiation of dabrafenib demonstrated reduction in tumor size. He remained on dabrafenib therapy for approximately 1 year and continued to demonstrate a good clinical result. At that time the decision was made to discontinue dabrafenib therapy and follow up with serial imaging. After more than 1 year of follow-up since stopping dabrafenib, the patient has continued to do well with no radiographic evidence of tumor progression and continues to be monitored with frequent interval imaging.
Syringobulbia in pediatric patients with Chiari malformation type I
Authors: Menezes Arnold H. , Greenlee Jeremy D. W. , Dlouhy Brian J.
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE

Syringobulbia (SB) is a rare entity, with few cases associated with Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) in the pediatric population. The authors reviewed all pediatric cases of CM-I–associated SB managed at their institution in order to better understand the presentation, treatment, and surgical outcomes of this condition.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained institutional database of craniovertebral junction abnormalities was analyzed to identify all cases of CM-I and SB from the MRI era (i.e., after 1984). The authors recorded presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, radiological findings, surgical treatment strategy, intraoperative findings, and outcomes. SB cases associated with tumors, infections, or type II Chiari malformations were excluded.

RESULTS

The authors identified 326 pediatric patients with CM-I who were surgically treated. SB was identified in 13 (4%) of these 326 patients. Headache and neck pain were noted in all 13 cases. Cranial nerve abnormalities were common: vagus and glossopharyngeal nerve dysfunction was the most frequent observation. Other cranial nerves affected included the trigeminal, abducens, and hypoglossal nerves. Several patients exhibited multiple cranial nerve palsies at presentation. Central sleep apnea was present in 6 patients.

Syringomyelia (SM) was present in all 13 patients. SB involved the medulla in all cases, and extended rostrally into the pons and midbrain in 2 patients; in 1 of these 2 cases the cavity extended further rostrally to the cerebrum (syringocephaly). SB communicated with the fourth ventricle in 7 of the 13 cases.

All 13 patients were treated with posterior fossa decompression with intradural exploration to ensure CSF egress out of the fourth ventricle and through the foramen magnum. The foramen of Magendie was found to be occluded by an arachnoid veil in 9 cases. Follow-up evaluation revealed that SB improved before SM. Cranial nerve palsies regressed in 11 of the 13 patients, and SB improved in all 13.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of SB in our surgical series of pediatric patients with CM-I was 4%, and all of these patients had accompanying SM. The SB cavity involved the medulla in all cases and was found to communicate with the fourth ventricle in 54% of cases. Posterior fossa decompression with intradural exploration and duraplasty is an effective treatment for these patients.
High prevalence of prior contact sports play and concussion among orthopedic and neurosurgical department chairs
Authors: Sone Je Yeong , Courtney-Kay Lamb S. , Techar Kristina , Dammavalam Vikalpa , Uppal Mohit , Williams Cedric , Bergman Thomas , Tupper David , Ort Paul , Samadani Uzma
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE

Increased understanding of the consequences of traumatic brain injury has heightened concerns about youth participation in contact sports. This study investigated the prevalence of high school and collegiate contact sports play and concussion history among surgical department chairs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was administered to 107 orthopedic and 74 neurosurgery chairs. Responses were compared to published historical population norms for contact sports (high school 27.74%, collegiate 1.44%), football (high school 10.91%, collegiate 0.76%), and concussion prevalence (12%). One-proportion Z-tests, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze differences.

RESULTS

High school contact sports participation was 2.35-fold higher (65.3%, p < 0.001) for orthopedic chairs and 1.73-fold higher (47.9%, p = 0.0018) for neurosurgery chairs than for their high school peers. Collegiate contact sports play was 31.0-fold higher (44.7%, p < 0.001) for orthopedic chairs and 15.1-fold higher (21.7%, p < 0.001) for neurosurgery chairs than for their college peers. Orthopedic chairs had a 4.30-fold higher rate of high school football participation (46.9%, p < 0.001) while neurosurgery chairs reported a 3.05-fold higher rate (33.3%, p < 0.001) than their high school peers. Orthopedic chairs reported a 28.1-fold higher rate of collegiate football participation (21.3%, p < 0.001) and neurosurgery chairs reported an 8.58-fold higher rate (6.5%, p < 0.001) compared to their college peers. The rate at which orthopedic (42.6%, p < 0.001) and neurosurgical (42.4%, p < 0.001) chairs reported having at least 1 concussion in their lifetime was significantly higher than the reported prevalence in the general population. After correction for worst possible ascertainment bias, all results except high school contact sports participation remained significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of youth contact sports play and concussion among surgical specialty chairs affirms that individuals in careers requiring high motor and cognitive function frequently played contact sports. The association highlights the need to further examine the relationships between contact sports and potential long-term benefits as well as risks of sport-related injury.
Investigating Snow Cover and Hydrometeorological Trends in Contrasting Hydrological Regimes of the Upper Indus Basin
Authors: Atif Iqra , Iqbal Javed , Mahboob Muhammad
Published: April 2018

The Upper Indus basin (UIB) is characterized by contrasting hydrometeorological behaviors; therefore, it has become pertinent to understand hydrometeorological trends at the sub-watershed level. Many studies have investigated the snow cover and hydrometeorological modeling at basin level but none have reported the spatial variability of trends and their magnitude at a sub-basin level. This study was conducted to analyze the trends in the contrasting hydrological regimes of the snow and glacier-fed river catchments of the Hunza and Astore sub-basins of the UIB. Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope methods were used to study the main trends and their magnitude using MODIS snow cover information (2001–2015) and hydrometeorological data. The results showed that in the Hunza basin, the river discharge and temperature were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased with a Sen’s slope value of −2.541 m3·s−1·year−1 and −0.034 °C·year−1, respectively, while precipitation data showed a non-significant (p ≥ 0.05) increasing trend with a Sen’s slope value of 0.023 mm·year−1. In the Astore basin, the river discharge and precipitation are increasing significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with a Sen’s slope value of 1.039 m3·s−1·year−1 and 0.192 mm·year−1, respectively. The snow cover analysis results suggest that the Western Himalayas (the Astore basin) had a stable trend with a Sen’s slope of 0.07% year−1 and the Central Karakoram region (the Hunza River basin) shows a slightly increasing trend with a Sen’s slope of 0.394% year−1. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that since both sub-basins are influenced by different climatological systems (monsoon and westerly), the results of those studies that treat the Upper Indus basin as one unit in hydrometeorological modeling should be used with caution. Furthermore, it is suggested that similar studies at the sub-basin level of the UIB will help in a better understanding of the Karakoram anomaly.
Using Shortwave Radiation to Evaluate the HARMONIE-AROME Weather Model
Authors: Nielsen Kristian Pagh , Gleeson Emily
Published: April 2018

Evaluation of global shortwave irradiance forecasts from the HARMONIE-AROME weather prediction model is presented in this paper. We give examples of how such an evaluation can be used when testing a weather model or reanalysis product. We specifically use the non-dimensional clear sky and variability indices. We have tested seven months of HARMONIE-AROME 40h1.1 output against Danish global irradiance stations and 35 years of the Irish Met Éireann reanalysis (MÉRA) simulations. MÉRA, which is run with HARMONIE-AROME 38h1.2, is shown to have a significantly lower bias than the previously available global horizontal irradiance (GHI) reanalysis data from the ERA-Interim dataset. The Danish HARMONIE-AROME 40h1.1 has a negative bias during the summer months that is not seen in the Irish HARMONIE-AROME 38h1.2. For both model runs, we find a negative bias in the shortwave irradiance forecasts on days with thick clouds. This suggest that the model has too much cloud water in thick clouds.
From Inpatient to Clinic to Home to Hospice and Back: Using the “Pop Up” Pediatric Palliative Model of Care
Authors: Mherekumombe Martha
Published: April 2018

Children and young people with life-limiting illnesses who need palliative care often have complex diverse medical conditions that may involve multiple hospital presentations, medical admissions, care, or transfer to other medical care facilities. In order to provide patients with holistic care in any location, palliative care clinicians need to carefully consider the ways to maintain continuity of care which enhances the child’s quality of life. An emerging model of care known as “Pop Up” describes the approaches to supporting children and young people in any facility. A Pop Up is a specific intervention over and above the care that is provided to a child, young person and their family aimed at improving the confidence of local care providers to deliver ongoing care. This paper looks at some of the factors related to care transfer for pediatric palliative patients from one care facility to another, home and the impact of this on the family and medical care.
Development and Validation of a Questionnaire on Breastfeeding Intentions, Attitudes and Knowledge of a Sample of Croatian Secondary-School Students
Authors: Čatipović Marija , Marković Martina , Grgurić Josip
Published: April 2018

Background: Validating a questionnaire/instrument before proceeding to the field for data collection is important. Methods: An 18-item breastfeeding intention, 39-item attitude and 44-item knowledge questionnaire was validated in a Croatian sample of secondary-school students (N = 277). Results: For the intentions, principal component analysis (PCA) yielded a four-factor solution with 8 items explaining 68.3% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.71) indicated satisfactory internal consistency. For the attitudes, PCA showed a seven-factor structure with 33 items explaining 58.41% of total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.87) indicated good internal consistency. There were 13 knowledge questions that were retained after item analysis, showing good internal consistency (KR20 = 0.83). In terms of criterion validity, the questionnaire differentiated between students who received breastfeeding education compared to students who were not educated in breastfeeding. Correlations between intentions and attitudes (r = 0.49), intentions and knowledge (r = 0.29), and attitudes and knowledge (r = 0.38) confirmed concurrent validity. Conclusions: The final instrument is reliable and valid for data collection on breastfeeding. Therefore, the instrument is recommended for evaluation of breastfeeding education programs aimed at upper-grade elementary and secondary school students.
Intercomparison of Univariate and Joint Bias Correction Methods in Changing Climate From a Hydrological Perspective
Authors: Räty Olle , Räisänen Jouni , Bosshard Thomas , Donnelly Chantal
Published: April 2018

In this paper, the ability of two joint bias correction algorithms to adjust biases in daily mean temperature and precipitation is compared against two univariate quantile mapping methods when constructing projections from years 1981–2010 to early (2011–2040) and late (2061–2090) 21st century periods. Using both climate model simulations and the corresponding hydrological model simulations as proxies for the future in a pseudo-reality framework, these methods are inter-compared in a cross-validation manner in order to assess to what extent the more sophisticated methods have added value, particularly from the hydrological modeling perspective. By design, bi-variate bias correction methods improve the inter-variable relationships in the baseline period. Cross-validation results show, however, that both in the early and late 21st century conditions the additional benefit of using bi-variate bias correction methods is not obvious, as univariate methods have a comparable performance. From the evaluated hydrological variables, the added value is most clearly seen in the simulated snow water equivalent. Although not having the best performance in adjusting the temperature and precipitation distributions, quantile mapping applied as a delta change method performs well from the hydrological modeling point of view, particularly in the early 21st century conditions. This suggests that retaining the observed correlation structures of temperature and precipitation might in some cases be sufficient for simulating future hydrological climate change impacts.
A Changing-Look AGN to Be Probed by X-ray Polarimetry
Authors: Agís-González Beatriz , Hutsemékers Damien , Miniutti Giovanni
Published: April 2018

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) produce the highest intrinsic luminosities in the Universe from within a compact region. The central engine is thought to be powered by accretion onto a supermassive black hole. A fraction of this huge release of energy influences the evolution of the host galaxy, and in particular, star formation. Thus, AGN are key astronomical sources not only because they play an important role in the evolution of the Universe, but also because they constitute a laboratory for extreme physics. However, these objects are under the resolution limit of current telescopes. Polarimetry is a unique technique capable of providing us with information on physical AGN structures. The incoming new era of X-ray polarimetry will give us the opportunity to explore the geometry and physical processes taking place in the innermost regions of the accretion disc. Here we exploit this future powerful tool in the particular case of changing-look AGN, which are key for understanding the complexity of AGN physics.
Family Genealogy’s Contributions to the Philosophical Problem of Birth
Authors: Hatton Stephen B.
Published: April 2018

The central philosophical problem of birth concerns the fact that it is an event necessary for all events. As such, it is the nihilated a priori of itself—in short, it is lost in an abyss of consciousness. The article engages with the thoughts of Sartre, Ricoeur, Henry, Romano, Marion, and Husserl to explain some facets of abyssal birth. It argues that family genealogy may contribute to the philosophical dialogue about birth. Family genealogy is usually practiced with a methodology oriented to epistemology. At times, however, genealogical research may bring the historical ancestral past to presence as a lived experience, thus grounding birth in transgenerational intersubjectivity. To explain this more fully, the article compares this presence affect with similar affects in history, art, and psychoanalysis. The article does not make the birth-as-abyssal problem—as framed by philosophers—vanish, but it questions considering one’s birth exclusively as epistemological. Presence, though closer to ontology than epistemology, is more accurately classified as phenomenological, being as event rather than event as being.
Campylobacteriosis, Salmonellosis, Yersiniosis, and Listeriosis as Zoonotic Foodborne Diseases: A Review
Authors: Chlebicz Agnieszka , Śliżewska Katarzyna
Published: April 2018

Zoonoses are diseases transmitted from animals to humans, posing a great threat to the health and life of people all over the world. According to WHO estimations, 600 million cases of diseases caused by contaminated food were noted in 2010, including almost 350 million caused by pathogenic bacteria. Campylobacter, Salmonella, as well as Yersinia enterocolitica and Listeria monocytogenes may dwell in livestock (poultry, cattle, and swine) but are also found in wild animals, pets, fish, and rodents. Animals, often being asymptomatic carriers of pathogens, excrete them with faeces, thus delivering them to the environment. Therefore, pathogens may invade new individuals, as well as reside on vegetables and fruits. Pathogenic bacteria also penetrate food production areas and may remain there in the form of a biofilm covering the surfaces of machines and equipment. A common occurrence of microbes in food products, as well as their improper or careless processing, leads to common poisonings. Symptoms of foodborne infections may be mild, sometimes flu-like, but they also may be accompanied by severe complications, some even fatal. The aim of the paper is to summarize and provide information on campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, yersiniosis, and listeriosis and the aetiological factors of those diseases, along with the general characteristics of pathogens, virulence factors, and reservoirs.
Fabrication of a Metal Micro Mold by Using Pulse Micro Electroforming
Authors: Chen Xiaolei , Liu Li , He Junfeng , Zuo Fei , Guo Zhongning
Published: April 2018

Microfluidic devices have been widely used for biomedical and biochemical applications. Due to its unique characteristics, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) show great potential in fabricating microfluidic devices. Hot embossing technology has established itself as a popular method of preparing polymer microfluidic devices in both academia and industry. However, the fabrication of the mold used in hot embossing is time-consuming in general and often impractical for economically efficient prototyping. This paper proposes a modified technology for preparing metal micro molds by using pulse micro electroforming directly on metallic substrate, which could save time and reduce costs. In this method, an additive was used to avoid surface defect on deposited nickel. A chemical etching process was performed on the metallic substrate before the electroforming process in order to improve the bonding strength between the deposited structure and substrate. Finally, with the aim of obtaining a metal micro mold with high surface quality (low surface roughness), an orthogonal experiment was designed and conducted to optimize the electroforming parameters. Additionally, metal micro molds with different structures were well prepared by using the optimized parameters.
Transient Sulfenic Acids in the Synthesis of Biologically Relevant Products
Authors: Barattucci Anna , Aversa Maria Chiara , Mancuso Aurora , Salerno Tania Maria Grazia , Bonaccorsi Paola
Published: April 2018

Sulfenic acids as small molecules are too unstable to be isolated and their transient nature offers the possibility to involve them in concerted processes that lead to the obtainment of functional groups such as sulfoxides, sulfones, and disulfides. All these functions are present in a number of natural and synthetic drugs and can represent structural motives inducing biologically relevant properties. In this small review the generation and reactions of sulfenic acid bearing naturally occurring residues are described. Carbohydrate and aminoacid-derived sulfenic acids have been used in concerted addition with triple bonds to obtain alliin derivatives and thiosugars in enantiomerically pure form. Glycoconjugates with sulfinyl, sulfonyl, and disulfane functional groups and pyridine-derived disulfides have been obtained from bis- and tris-sulfinyl precursors of sulfenic acids. Small families of such compounds have been subjected to preliminary biological tests. Starting from the evidence that the control of molecular architecture and the presence of suitable functional groups can play a significant role on the exhibition of biological properties, apoptotic effects on malignant cells by glycoconjugates and inhibitory activity against the important human pathogen S. aureus by pyrimidine-derived disulfides have been found.
An Inexpensive, Pulsed, and Multiple Wavelength Bench-Top Light Source for Biological Spectroscopy
Authors: Holman Joseph , Skidmore Mark , Yates Edwin
Published: April 2018

Since signal/noise ratios are proportional to the square root of the intensity, high intensity light sources are advantageous for many forms of UV–Vis and IR spectroscopy particularly with very low or high absorbance samples. We report the construction of a low-cost (≈ £6500 GBP, ca. 2016) bench-top spectrometer suitable for biological spectroscopy, which utilizes a hot plasma, generated with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser (λ = 1064 nm). The properties (reliability, intensity, and spectral profiles) of light generated with the plasma in different gaseous media (helium, neon, argon, and krypton) were investigated. Argon provided high intensity broadband light and was the most cost effective. The instrument was compared for spectral accuracy to a commercially available spectrometer (Thermo Scientific, GENESYS 10S) by measurement of the absorbance spectrum of the UV–Vis calibration standard holmium (III) oxide (4%, w/v) in perchloric acid (10%, w/v) and accurately replicated the results of the commercial spectrometer. This economical instrument can record consecutive absorbance spectra (between λ = 380 and 720 nm) for each laser pulse (6 Hz; ~160 ms/pulse), evinced by investigations into lysozyme aggregation in the presence of heparin. This instrument is suitable for use with lasers of a higher pulse power and repetition rates that would induce higher temperature plasmas. Higher temperature plasma sources offer increased signal to noise ratios due to the higher intensity emission generated.
Near-Infrared Light and Solar Light Activated Self-Healing Epoxy Coating having Enhanced Properties Using MXene Flakes as Multifunctional Fillers
Authors: Zou Yuting , Fang Liang , Chen Tianqi , Sun Menglong , Lu Chunhua , Xu Zhongzi
Published: April 2018

Two issues are required to be solved to bring intrinsically self-healing polymer coatings into real applications: remote activation and satisfied practical properties. Here, we used MXene, a newly reported two-dimensional material, to provide an epoxy coating with light-induced self-healing capabilities and we worked to enhance the properties of that coating. The self-healing coatings had a reversible crosslinking network based on the Diels-Alder reaction among maleimide groups from bis(4-maleimidopheny)methane and dangling furan groups in oligomers that were prepared through the condensation polymerization of diglycidylether of bisphenol A and furfurylamine. The results showed that the delaminated MXene flakes were small in size, around 900 nm, and dispersed well in self-healing coatings. The MXene flakes of only 2.80 wt % improved greatly the pencil hardness of the coating hardness from HB to 5H and the polarization resistance from 4.3 to 428.3 MΩ cm−2. The self-healing behavior, however, was retarded by MXene flakes. Leveling agent acted a key part here to facilitate the gap closure driven by reverse plasticity to compensate for the limitation of macromolecular mobility resulting from the MXene flakes. The self-healing of coatings was achieved in 30 s by thermal treatment at 150 °C. The efficient self-healing was also demonstrated based on the recovery of the anti-corrosion capability. MXene flakes also played an evident photothermal role in generating heat via irradiation of near-infrared light at 808 nm and focused sunlight. The healing can be quickly obtained in 10 s under irradiation of near-infrared light at 808 nm having a power density of 6.28 W cm−2 or in 10 min under irradiation of focused sunlight having a power density of 4.0 W cm−2.
The Influence of Religion on the Criminal Behavior of Emerging Adults
Authors: Salvatore Christopher , Rubin Gabriel
Published: April 2018

Recent generations of young adults are experiencing a new life course stage: emerging adulthood. During this ‘new’ stage of the life course, traditional social bonds and turning points may not be present, may be delayed, or may not operate in the same manner as they have for prior generations. One such bond, religion, is examined here. Focusing on the United States, emerging adulthood is investigated as a distinct stage of the life course. The criminality of emerging adults is presented, a theoretical examination of the relationship between religion and crime is provided, the role of religion in emerging adults’ lives is explored, research on the role of religion’s influence on criminal offending is presented, and theoretical and policy implications are offered.
The Cascade Bayesian Approach: Prior Transformation for a Controlled Integration of Internal Data, External Data and Scenarios
Authors: Hassani Bertrand K. , Renaudin Alexis
Published: April 2018

According to the last proposals of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, banks or insurance companies under the advanced measurement approach (AMA) must use four different sources of information to assess their operational risk capital requirement. The fourth includes ’business environment and internal control factors’, i.e., qualitative criteria, whereas the three main quantitative sources available to banks for building the loss distribution are internal loss data, external loss data and scenario analysis. This paper proposes an innovative methodology to bring together these three different sources in the loss distribution approach (LDA) framework through a Bayesian strategy. The integration of the different elements is performed in two different steps to ensure an internal data-driven model is obtained. In the first step, scenarios are used to inform the prior distributions and external data inform the likelihood component of the posterior function. In the second step, the initial posterior function is used as the prior distribution and the internal loss data inform the likelihood component of the second posterior function. This latter posterior function enables the estimation of the parameters of the severity distribution that are selected to represent the operational risk event types.
Dynamic Inversion of Global Surface Microwave Emissivity Using a 1DVAR Approach
Authors: Boukabara Sid-Ahmed , Garrett Kevin , Grassotti Christopher
Published: April 2018

A variational inversion scheme is used to extract microwave emissivity spectra from brightness temperatures over a multitude of surface types. The scheme is called the Microwave Integrated Retrieval System and has been implemented operationally since 2007 at NOAA. This study focuses on the Advance Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU)/MHS pair onboard the NOAA-18 platform, but the algorithm is applied routinely to multiple microwave sensors, including the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) on Suomi-National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP), Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMI/S) on the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) flight units, as well as to the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI), to name a few. The emissivity spectrum retrieval is entirely based on a physical approach. To optimize the use of information content from the measurements, the emissivity is extracted simultaneously with other parameters impacting the measurements, namely, the vertical profiles of temperature, moisture and cloud, as well as the skin temperature and hydrometeor parameters when rain or ice are present. The final solution is therefore a consistent set of parameters that fit the measured brightness temperatures within the instrument noise level. No ancillary data are needed to perform this dynamic emissivity inversion. By allowing the emissivity to be part of the retrieved state vector, it becomes easy to handle the pixel-to-pixel variation in the emissivity over non-oceanic surfaces. This is particularly important in highly variable surface backgrounds. The retrieved emissivity spectrum by itself is of value (as a wetness index for instance), but it is also post-processed to determine surface geophysical parameters. Among the parameters retrieved from the emissivity using this approach are snow cover, snow water equivalent and effective grain size over snow-covered surfaces, sea-ice concentration and age from ice-covered ocean surfaces and wind speed over ocean surfaces. It could also be used to retrieve soil moisture and vegetation information from land surfaces. Accounting for the surface emissivity in the state vector has the added advantage of allowing an extension of the retrieval of some parameters over non-ocean surfaces. An example shown here relates to extending the total precipitable water over non-ocean surfaces and to a certain extent, the amount of suspended cloud. The study presents the methodology and performance of the emissivity retrieval and highlights a few examples of some of the emissivity-based products.
On the Nature of Energy-Feasible Wireless Nanosensor Networks
Authors: Canovas-Carrasco Sebastian , Garcia-Sanchez Antonio-Javier , Garcia-Haro Joan
Published: April 2018

Electromagnetic nanocommunications, understood as the communication between electronic nanoscale devices through electromagnetic waves in the terahertz band, has attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this regard, several solutions have already been proposed. However, many of them do not sufficiently capture the significance of the limitations in nanodevice energy-gathering and storing capacity. In this paper, we address key factors affecting the energy consumption of nanodevices, highlighting the effect of the communication scheme employed. Then, we also examine how nanodevices are powered, focusing on the main parameters governing the powering nanosystem. Different mathematical expressions are derived to analyze the impact of these parameters on its performance. Based on these expressions, the functionality of a nanogenerator is evaluated to gain insight into the conditions under which a wireless nanosensor network (WNSN) is viable from the energetic point of view. The results reveal that a micrometer-sized piezoelectric system in high-lossy environments (exceeding 100 dB/mm) becomes inoperative for transmission distances over 1.5 mm by its inability to harvest and store the amount of energy required to overcome the path loss.
Innovations and Other Processes as Identifiers of Contemporary Trends in the Sustainable Development of SMEs: The Case of Emerging Regional Economies
Authors: Malik Krzysztof , Jasińska-Biliczak Anna
Published: April 2018

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the biggest group of enterprises in the European Union (EU); they are also characteristic of emerging economies. Given this situation, there is a need to provide instruments such as processes that allow them to realize a model of sustainable development. The ability to classify processes and the occurrences within these processes often affects the state of the enterprises. The implementation of innovations, as identified processes, facilities sustainable development for SMEs. The purpose of this article is to find out whether the identification of processes such as innovations has any influence on the competitiveness and sustainable development of SMEs. This study was based on pilot research that examined small and medium enterprises regionally based on the example of an emerging economic region of Poland. The research focused on the identification of the processes and changes happening inside enterprises in terms of understanding the sustainable development concept. The research composition allows the presentation of how SMEs understand the problems analyzed. The study features a new questionnaire, a new definition of sustainable development, and matches those processes identified by the enterprises analyzed with the particular sustainable development dimensions suggested by the authors. In light of the analysis of the literature and the results of this research, the study offers some important contributions in terms of understanding and offering practical meaning to the identification of various processes. The most important finding was that there is a need to raise awareness among entrepreneurs of the fact that innovations are also processes in themselves, which often constitute the sum of other supporting processes occurring within the enterprise. Support in the form of knowledge transfer from experts to SMEs would also be recommended.
Development and Regulation of Novel Influenza Virus Vaccines: A United States Young Scientist Perspective
Authors: Khurana Surender
Published: April 2018

Vaccination against influenza is the most effective approach for reducing influenza morbidity and mortality. However, influenza vaccines are unique among all licensed vaccines as they are updated and administered annually to antigenically match the vaccine strains and currently circulating influenza strains. Vaccine efficacy of each selected influenza virus vaccine varies depending on the antigenic match between circulating strains and vaccine strains, as well as the age and health status of the vaccine recipient. Low vaccine effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines in recent years provides an impetus to improve current seasonal influenza vaccines, and for development of next-generation influenza vaccines that can provide broader, long-lasting protection against both matching and antigenically diverse influenza strains. This review discusses a perspective on some of the issues and formidable challenges facing the development and regulation of the next-generation influenza vaccines.
Clinicopathological Diversity of Canine Mammary Gland Tumors in Sri Lanka: A One-Year Survey on Cases Presented to Two Veterinary Practices
Authors: Ariyarathna Harsha , De Silva Niranjala , Aberdein Danielle , Kodikara Dayananda , Jayasinghe Manjula , Adikari Ranjith , Munday John S.
Published: April 2018

Mammary gland tumors (MGTs) are one of the most common neoplasms among dogs in Sri Lanka. However, the clinicopathological diversity of MGTs in Sri Lanka is largely unknown, impeding accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of the disease. The present study investigated the clinicopathological features of MGTs in 74 dogs presented to two veterinary practices in Sri Lanka treated surgically, over a one-year period. Information regarding the patient signalment, clinical presentation, and reproductive history were collected, and each neoplasm was examined histologically. Forty-one (54.4%) dogs were primarily presented for mammary neoplasia, while a MGT was an incidental finding in 33 (44.6%) dogs. The majority of tumors were histologically malignant (n = 65, 87.8%), and 18 malignant tumor sub-types were identified. A significantly higher proportion of malignant tumors were large (>3 cm diameter) and observed in inguinal mammary glands. Nulliparous (n = 42, 55.3%) dogs predominated in the group, and the mean age of MGT diagnosis was 8.0 ± 2.41 years. The present study identified tumor location and size to be predictive of malignancy. A high histological diversity of MGTs was observed. Overall, the present findings emphasize the necessity of improving awareness of MGTs among Sri Lankan clinicians as well as dog owners.
Translocation of Soil Particles during Secondary Soil Tillage along Contour Lines
Authors: Petr Novák , Josef Hůla
Published: April 2018

A high percentage of arable land and erosion risk on agricultural land are typical of current agriculture. While tillage erosion is a less frequently studied issue, it impacts vast areas of agricultural land. Not all relationships between cultivation equipment, the gradient of the plot and other factors have been known until now. Intensive soil tillage can be a crucial erosive factor mainly when the cultivation equipment moves in a fall line direction. Nevertheless, even when the equipment moves along contour lines, soil particles can be translocated perpendicular to the direction of the equipment movement (in a fall line direction). This phenomenon has not yet been adequately studied. For measurements, a field trial with secondary tillage of soil was laid out (a seedbed preparation implement was used). The objective of the trial was to evaluate the effect of the working tools of the cultivation equipment on the crosswise and lengthwise translocation of soil particles during soil tillage. Aluminium cubes, with a side length of 16 mm, were used as tracers. Before the operation, the tracers were inserted in a row perpendicular (at a right angle) to a direction of the equipment passes. After the equipment passes, position of tracers was evaluated within a two-axis grid. The trial was performed at three gradients of the plot (2°, 6° and 11°). For each gradient, the 1-pass, 2-pass and 3-pass treatments were tested. The equipment always moved along the plot contour line. After the equipment passes in all treatments, all tracers were localized on an orthogonal grid. The results of the trial demonstrate the effect of the slope gradient on the crosswise translocation of particles during secondary tillage of soil in the slope direction. The tillage equipment translocated particles in the fall line direction even if it passed along the contour line. With the increasing intensity of passes, the effect of the equipment on crosswise translocation increases. During secondary tillage of soil, the working tools of the equipment have an erosive effect (causing tillage erosion), even though the equipment moves along the contour line.
Hidden-sector Spectroscopy with Gravitational Waves from Binary Neutron Stars
Authors: Croon Djuna , Nelson Ann E. , Sun Chen , Walker Devin G. E. , Xianyu Zhong-Zhi
Published: April 2018

We show that neutron star (NS) binaries can be ideal laboratories to probe hidden sectors with a long-range force. In particular, it is possible for gravitational wave (GW) detectors such as LIGO and Virgo to resolve the correction of waveforms from ultralight dark gauge bosons coupled to NSs. We observe that the interaction of the hidden sector affects both the GW frequency and amplitude in a way that cannot be fitted by pure gravity.